The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

Beijing.

The atmosphere lately has been frighteningly oppressive.

Ever since Grand Secretary Zhou Wenyuan received that mysterious "gift" from the northern frontier, he has fallen ill.

According to news from the government office, the Grand Secretary has caught a cold and needs to rest. He has not attended court for several days and has declined all visitors.

At the same time, Zhang Zhao, the Minister of Personnel, and Sun Kejian, the Minister of Revenue, also seemed to have vanished into thin air.

With the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue leaderless, many government affairs came to a standstill.

In the imperial court, people were filled with unease.

The astute officials sensed something unusual, as if something momentous was about to happen.

But no one can say for sure what it is.

This fear of the unknown is the most tormenting.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the young Emperor Li Chengqian also felt the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.

He knew that Zhou Wenyuan's illness was very strange, and that Zhang Zhao and Sun Kejian's disappearances were also very strange.

These powerful ministers, who usually wanted to control the entire government, suddenly "went offline," which is definitely not normal.

"What exactly happened?"

Li Chengqian put down the memorial in his hand and rubbed his slightly swollen temples.

He sent people to the Grand Secretary's residence to gather information, but Zhou Wenyuan's residence was heavily guarded, like an iron barrel, and no useful information could be obtained at all.

He felt a vague unease in his heart.

He always felt that this matter was inextricably linked to his imperial uncle, Xiao Jingchen.

The old eunuch he sent to deliver his secret stash of money to the imperial uncle has not yet returned.

There has been no new news coming from the northern border region for a long time.

Is it...

Could it be that something unexpected happened to the Imperial Uncle?

Are Zhou Wenyuan and his group up to some conspiracy behind the scenes that we are unaware of?

The moment this thought popped into Li Chengqian's head, he became restless.

He knew all too well the methods of Zhou Wenyuan and his group; they were capable of anything for power.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."

The old eunuch bowed and carried in a bowl of steaming ginseng soup.

Looking at the young emperor's worried and innocent face, he couldn't help but sigh.

Being born into an imperial family is tough.

Especially since he was a young emperor whose power had been usurped.

"I have no appetite."

Li Chengqian waved his hand, feeling irritated.

Just then, a young eunuch came running in from outside the hall, his face contorted with excitement: "Your Majesty...Your Majesty! Great news! A truly joyous occasion!"

He knelt down with a thud, and because he had run so fast, he could barely speak coherently.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

Li Chengqian frowned, disliking his out-of-control demeanor.

"A...a government report! It's an urgent report from the Anxi Protectorate, delivered by express courier!"

The young eunuch pulled out a brand-new copy of the official gazette, still warm from his body, and held it high above his head.

"Anxi Protectorate?"

Li Chengqian was taken aback.

This name sounds unfamiliar.

When did the Great Yan Dynasty have such an organization?

The old eunuch beside him also looked bewildered.

Filled with doubt, Li Chengqian took the official gazette from the young eunuch.

When he unfolded the official gazette and saw its contents, his breath caught in his throat.

His eyes widened, and his hand holding the official gazette began to tremble slightly uncontrollably.

On that face that was always filled with sorrow and repression, an extreme, unbelievable ecstasy slowly emerged!

Good news!

[Xiao Jingchen, Grand Protector of Anxi Protectorate and Prince Zhenbei, respectfully reports to Your Majesty:]

I have heard that the Yuezhi, a Western barbarian tribe, disrespect the Celestial Empire and, taking advantage of our troubles in the east, have raised an unjust army to invade our Jade Gate. As a general of the Great Yan, I am paid by the Emperor and it is my duty to guard the nation's gate.

However, relying on Your Majesty's divine might and divine protection, I did not engage the enemy in direct combat. Instead, I personally led a large army to outflank them and strike at their heart.

Within a month, they captured twenty-three cities of the kingdom, advancing with unstoppable momentum.

[They ambushed the enemy at Eagle's Sorrow Valley, annihilating their main force of 100,000 in a single battle, and capturing over 80,000, including their prime minister and generals.]

[Later, their army besieged the city of Golden Tent, and the king surrendered without a fight.]

[Now, the entire territory of the Yuezhi has been incorporated into the Great Yan territory. I have taken the liberty of establishing the "Anxi Protectorate" to guard the western border.]

In this battle, the spoils included one million taels of gold, ten million taels of silver, and countless cattle, sheep, and horses.

[Your Majesty, I dare not claim credit. This is all due to Your Majesty's boundless blessings and the protection of our ancestors and the nation.]

[Your Majesty, I wish to offer half of the gold and silver I have obtained, along with the crown and seal of the Yuezhi King, to replenish the national treasury and demonstrate the power of our nation.]

[Furthermore, a surrendered Yuezhi general has falsely accused our court officials of colluding with the enemy. I believe this is a treacherous plot by the enemy, intended to sow discord between our ruler and his ministers. Therefore, all those making the accusations have been detained. They will be escorted back to the capital at a later date for Your Majesty's personal judgment.]

[Your subject, Xiao Jingchen, bows and kowtows a hundred times.]

……

"good!"

"Okay! Okay!"

Li Chengqian read the official report three times, scrutinizing every single word.

Finally, unable to contain his elation and excitement any longer, he slammed his hand on the dragon table and burst into laughter.

The laughter was hearty and unrestrained, full of the spiritedness that young people should have!

All the frustration, worry, and resentment that had been building up in his chest these past few days vanished with that loud laugh!

Imperial Uncle!

My royal uncle!

I knew it, you are invincible!

You will never let me down!

One month to destroy a country!

What an incredible feat!

This is simply a myth!

"Quickly! Issue the decree immediately!" Li Chengqian paced back and forth in the hall, his face flushed with excitement. "Send this official report to the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and all the prefectures and counties immediately! Let all the people of my Great Yan know! Let them see it!"

"I want everyone to know that the God of War of my Great Yan has returned!"

"The backbone of my Great Yan Dynasty is not broken!"

Seeing the young emperor's ecstatic expression, the old eunuch was also moved to tears.

He immediately knelt down to receive the decree: "This servant...this servant obeys the decree!"

This official gazette was like a red-hot boulder, smashed into the stagnant, muddy waters of the capital.

In an instant, a colossal wave was unleashed!

When the official gazette was delivered to the Six Ministries, to various government offices, and to every official, the entire officialdom of the capital was in an uproar!

"What? The Prince of Zhenbei destroyed the Yuezhi?"

"Are you kidding me! A month? How is that possible!"

"Annihilated an army of 100,000? Captured 80,000? Seized a million taels of gold?"

"My God! Is this true? Could it be that the military is exaggerating their achievements to claim credit?"

At first, almost no one believed the contents of the official gazette.

Because this was too exaggerated, too outrageous, and completely beyond their imagination.

However, when they saw the clear seal of the Anxi Protectorate and the personal seal of Prince Zhenbei Xiao Jingchen on the official gazette, they had no choice but to believe it.

Forging official gazettes is a serious crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

Even if Xiao Jingchen had the greatest courage, he wouldn't dare to make such a joke!

And so, after a brief, deathly silence, the entire capital was in an uproar!

Since the defeat in the Eastern Frontier, the gloom that had shrouded everyone's hearts seemed to be completely dispelled at this moment by a beam of golden light shooting from the west!

"We won! We won!"

"Hahaha! I knew it! With the Prince of Zhenbei here, my Great Yan will never lose!"

"That's great! That's so inspiring!"

Countless officials and ordinary people spread the news with great joy and excitement.

The streets and alleys of the capital were filled with people discussing this earth-shattering victory.

Xiao Jingchen's name was once again sung by countless people as if he were a god.

However, while some are happy, others are sad.

When the official report was delivered to Zhou Wenyuan's residence, who had been "sick" for several days, a crisp sound of porcelain shattering came from the study.

Immediately following was Zhou Wenyuan's furious, aged roar: "Xiao Jingchen! You...you've gone too far!"

"Are you trying to put this old man on the hot seat of justice?!"