The fiercest soldier of the border army

At the beginning of the Daqian Dynasty, all officials, including military governors, prefects, and county magistrates, were appointed and dismissed by the Ministry of Personnel.

More than two hundred years later, with the change of system, the military governors now hold great power, making decisions on personnel, military and political affairs with a single word, thus forming the regional military governorships.

However, the term "vassal state" is inherently offensive!

In official court documents, terms like "fangzhen," "jiezhen," "fanwei," "fanyue," and "fanping" are all used normally, but the term "fanzhen" is a privately defined term.

Those who wield military power, act arrogantly and domineeringly, and establish their own independent regimes are privately known as "fanzhen" (藩镇).

"Young Master Cui!" Li Qing'an slammed his fist on the table, his face grim, and roared, "This envoy has been loyal to the court, guarding the border with utmost diligence!"

"Why, in Your Highness's presence, did you use the name of a regional military governor to frame me in such an unjust manner?!"

Cui Yuanlang was taken aback for a moment, then realized his mistake and quickly bowed, saying, "Your subject misspoke."

The Crown Prince's expression was also not good, but he ultimately did not lash out. His voice was slightly low as he said, "This matter was a joint decision made by me and Li Jiedu."

"I have the right to reject any documents from the Ministry of Personnel. I will also appeal to my father."

"What I want is to appease the refugees as soon as possible."

"Tang Shun has nothing, yet he is not afraid. Why should you, the Cui family, with your powerful and influential lineage, be afraid?!"

The Crown Prince remained unmoved. "Could it be that you, Cui Yuanlang, who are well-versed in the Six Classics and knowledgeable in historical allusions, are actually afraid of a soldier of humble origins?"

Cui Yuanlang remained unconvinced, "But..."

"That's enough!"

The Crown Prince waved his hand, unwilling to listen any further. "I only care about the result, regardless of your social status. If you do not wish to participate, you may withdraw now. I and Li Jiedu will then appoint Tang Shun as the governor."

Cui Yuanlang opened his mouth, but ultimately could not utter the words "withdraw".

If he leaves now, he will lose the position of governor that he has been working on for many days!

Moreover, outsiders would think he was afraid of the competition and dared not compete with the soldiers, which would cause the aristocratic family to lose face.

Cui Yuanlang gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Tang Shun with resentment, and then reluctantly lowered his head, "Your subject... obeys the decree."

The Crown Prince then turned to Tang Shun, "Captain Tang, are you willing to take this position?"

Tang Shun knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness and Commander-in-Chief are deeply grateful for your kindness and recognition. I am willing to serve as the Pacification Commissioner to pacify the people!"

His voice resounded throughout the main hall, firm as iron.

The Crown Prince nodded: "Very well, then you shall be appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Wenchi County, and Cui Yuanlang shall be appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Lingwu County."

"Within the purview of the imperial envoy, one may exercise control over the county's military, political, and financial affairs, and may act first and report later!"

"The term is three months; the appointment of the governor will be determined by actual performance."

"Anyone found to have made false or concealed information will be dismissed from their post and permanently barred from future employment."

Tang Shun responded, "Yes."

Cui Yuanlang stood there, his face ashen, his fingers gripping the corner of his sleeve tightly.

He never imagined that he would be forced into a position of competing with a border soldier.

What was even more unexpected was that the Crown Prince would delegate power in such a way, which seemed fair but actually put him in the eye of the storm.

Li Qing'an remained silent, simply watching Tang Shun.

He noticed that the young team leader had not panicked or become excited since entering the hall, and even his breathing had been steady and normal.

He was not angry at Cui Yuanlang's humiliation, nor was he pleased with the Crown Prince's decision.

It was as if everything was going according to plan.

This is a true talent!

This contest is no longer just about the position of governor.

This move is clearly the Crown Prince vying for control of the discourse between the border troops and the powerful families.

Cui Yuanlang represents the power of the central government and is clear evidence of the emperor's attempt to control border affairs.

Tang Shun, though of humble origin, was a subordinate of Li Qing'an and a member of the Northern Court.

On the surface, the phrase "only the talented are promoted" can shut everyone up.

If Tang Shun wins, it will be tantamount to announcing to the world: the Crown Prince is wise and his worth is not determined by his status, but only by his actual achievements.

Meanwhile, in the border regions, the 20,000 border troops of Beiting and the people of the five prefectures are all direct descendants of the Crown Prince.

This is a game of chess.

Tang Shun had already quietly entered the game.

Li Qing'an glanced discreetly at His Highness the Crown Prince at the head of the table.

The current crown prince was chosen twenty years ago. Twenty years have passed, and the crown prince's power has grown stronger. The emperor, old and power-hungry, has supported the third prince to counterbalance him.

The two men each had their own factions and competed for their own strengths and weaknesses. After the victory in this battle between the Qian and Xiong, the Crown Prince would have more say once the battle was over.

The atmosphere inside the hall was tense.

The crown prince sat motionless, as if the decision he had just made was nothing more than a routine matter.

Li Qing'an lowered his head and looked meek, seemingly already dozing off.

Choi Won-rang's chest heaved, clearly still unable to suppress his anger.

Tang Shun stood still, his hands hanging down, his eyes looking straight ahead.

This moment is significant far beyond an appointment.

From this moment on, he was no longer the team leader who could only passively survive, but had truly stepped into the forefront of the power struggle.

No matter who his opponent is, no matter what the rules are, he must win.

Because behind him, there is more than just himself.

He knew perfectly well that he himself had no value, and that the Crown Prince and the military governor had chosen him to stand against the powerful families and the court, and what kind of pressure he should bear.

Li Qing'an suddenly spoke up: "Tang Anfu."

Tang Shun turned to face him, cupped his hands, and said, "Your subject is here."

"Wenchi County is located in the northeast of Lingzhou, bordering Hedong. Historically, it has been plagued by bandits, displaced people, and powerful local lords who have seized land, making it impossible for the people to return to their fields."

"Your mission is not only to govern the people, but also to quell the chaos. Are you confident in your ability to succeed?"

Tang Shun replied, "Yes."

In short, decisive.

Li Qingan smiled: "Very well, I'll be watching closely."

"laugh--"

Cui Yuanlang was extremely displeased and coldly said to Tang Shun:

"Calming the chaos? You make it sound so easy."

"Without government funding and without troop deployment, how will Ambassador Tang govern?"

"With your meager military achievements, do you think you can make powerful families hand over their land? Do you think you can make displaced people trust you?"

Tang Shun looked at him and said, "I don't rely on reputation; I rely on keeping my word."

Cui Yuanlang scoffed: "Empty talk."

"Whether it's just empty talk or not, we'll find out in three months."

Tang Shun's tone remained unchanged, "But Young Master Cui, if you only rely on your family to supply grain, you have no real means to suppress unscrupulous merchants or rectify official corruption."

"I'm afraid that the five hundred bushels of rice will be completely embezzled before it even reaches the county town."

Cui Yuanlang's face darkened. "You dare question the reputation of the Cui family?"

Tang Shun looked him straight in the eye and said, “I’m reminding you—Lingzhou is not Tingzhou. No one here will listen to your poetry and prose. The people need food, not literary talent.”

Cui Yuanlang snorted coldly, "Then I'd like to see whether it's the Cui family's resources or just empty words that can quell the chaos!"

Having said that, he angrily clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Your Highness, the journey is long, I will return to prepare immediately, farewell!"

Having said that, he turned and left without looking back, his steps hurried, almost bumping into the bronze beast on the door.

Li Qingan watched his retreating figure, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes.

Tang Shun remained standing in the hall, not yet gone. His gaze swept over the beams and pillars of the main hall, finally settling on the temporary map of Lingzhou that was hanging there.

On the map, Wenchi County is located on the northeastern edge of Lingzhou, close to the border and Hedong. The land is barren and marked with words such as "gathering of refugees", "frequent theft", and "grain merchants hoarding".

Lingwu County is also covered with records of "famine riots" and "powerful clan separatism".

Both counties are in difficulty.

The crown prince remained seated in his high position, his gaze calm, as if everything that had just happened was merely a routine matter.

But Tang Shun knew that the order had put him in the spotlight.

If we win, everything is fine; if we lose...

Cui Yuanlang will not give up easily, and the imperial court will not let go of the matter lightly either.

The favors bestowed upon the Crown Prince and the military governor can only be repaid with blood and life.

He must carve out a way to survive on this land...