The playboy county magistrate

The emperor surveyed the assembled civil and military officials, and added in a deep voice:

"From this day forward, all matters discussed in the court must be supported by concrete evidence. Anyone who makes baseless accusations, impeaches without cause, or frames loyal officials will not be let off lightly!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

……

Inside the Royal Post Station.

The urgent secret report detailed everything that had happened in the capital's court.

Princess Ning'an of the Northern Desert clenched the scroll of secret reports tightly in her fingers, almost crushing the pages to pieces.

"Princess," the trusted advisor behind her said in a hoarse voice, "the situation is hopeless. News of this will likely reach the northern deserts soon. As for the royal court, I'm afraid no one will dare to support us anymore."

"The court of Dayong is aware that you are the mastermind behind everything. His Majesty is furious and has issued an edict rebuking the Northern Kingdom, demanding that they give Dayong an explanation."

All the hidden agents in the capital were exposed and were held accountable and punished by the imperial court.

The influence of the powerful relatives of the emperor and the censors, which had been lying dormant for many years, collapsed overnight, leaving them with no chance of recovery.

All the border guards were captured, and their confessions provided irrefutable evidence. The evidence firmly established that she had deliberately instigated internal strife, framed a high-ranking official of the Dayong Dynasty, and disrupted diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Instead of ruining Li Xuanzhi, they paved the way for him, allowing him to clear his name in one battle and gain immense favor from the emperor.

He seized sole power in the Northwest, firmly establishing himself as the most important official on the frontier.

And what about Mobei? And what about herself?

Having lost soldiers, cities, and medicine, even the hidden trump cards of power that have been concealed for many years have been completely depleted.

Fame, power, influence, and plans—all vanished in an instant.

Princess Ning'an remained motionless and showed no reaction.

All the ruthlessness, arrogance, and scheming in his eyes faded away, leaving only a desolate and lifeless scene.

She was competitive, meticulous, and never gave an inch, and never suffered a complete defeat.

But this time, she lost everything, losing all of her possessions.

She lost to Li Xuanzhi of the Great Yong Dynasty, who was young but steady and shrewd.

After a long while, she laughed softly, the laughter sounding particularly sorrowful.

"It turns out that he was the one who had the upper hand all along."

She was wrong. How could she think she was using the situation to turn the tables? Little did she know that Li Xuanzhi had planned all of her attacks from beginning to end and had already taken over all of her power and trump cards.

She appeared ruthless and deadly at every turn. In reality, however, every step she took was within the framework of Li Xuanzhi's carefully laid plans.

The strategist gritted his teeth and said, "Princess, with the pressure from Da Yong, we... have no way out."

There is nowhere to go.

These four simple words perfectly encapsulate our current desperate situation.

Within the royal court of the northern desert, Tuoba Lie was confined to his quarters.

The remaining royal family members are likely eyeing her covetously, and powerful figures in the court and among the people will seize the opportunity to launch an attack, holding her accountable in every way.

There is also the Dayong, who holds irrefutable evidence and occupies the moral high ground. At any time, they can use the pretext of "deliberately provoking trouble, framing important officials, and undermining peace between the two countries" to launch a military campaign against the northern desert.

It really is a situation of internal and external troubles.

Princess Ning'an slowly raised her eyes and looked towards Zhenxi Pass, a thousand miles away.

Even though he couldn't see anything, he could clearly picture Li Xuanzhi standing tall and composed, calmly in charge of the situation.

"Li Xuanzhi..."

She murmured the name, a mixture of resentment and resignation finally flashing in her eyes.

"You win."

……

Zhenxiguan.

Pei Qingyuan looked at the copy of the imperial edict that had arrived from the capital, her eyes gentle, and she chuckled softly:

"The court turmoil has subsided, you have been bestowed with imperial favor, and you hold complete power in the Northwest. Princess Ning'an has exhausted all her resources, but in the end, she has only served to benefit you."

Li Xuanzhi stood by the window, his expression calm and composed, serene as if the dust had settled.

"She was too power-hungry and too obsessed. Obsessed with winning and losing, obsessed with control, she was ultimately trapped by her own mind."

"The northern desert is now beset by internal and external troubles, and Princess Ning'an is facing a desperate situation. Next, the northern desert will surely send envoys to sue for peace."

Just as Li Xuanzhi had predicted, at this moment, inside the Northern Desert Royal Court...

Having finally recovered somewhat, the King of Mobei sat alone in the palace, staring at the accusatory document from Dayong on his desk with a somber expression, without uttering a word.

He knew perfectly well that this whole mess was caused by Ning An's willful actions.

He secretly set up a spy, stirred up internal strife on the border, and framed a high-ranking official of the Dayong Dynasty.

The methods were ruthless and clumsy, which not only depleted the strength of the northern deserts but also completely offended the Great Yong Dynasty, dragging the entire northern deserts into a crisis of destruction.

The morale of the Great Yong is high, and the border defenses are impenetrable. The iron cavalry are ready for battle, and with just a single command, they can march straight into the heart of the northern desert.

After several upheavals, the northern desert was exhausted, its military strength was weak, its people were restless, and its food supplies were scarce, making it completely incapable of fighting again.

War means national ruin and family destruction; seeking peace allows for survival and the building of strength.

There is no choice.

The King of the Northern Desert spoke with exhaustion and helplessness, and beckoned to his trusted confidant.

"Select a high-ranking official as envoy, prepare tribute, and deliver a letter of surrender. Go to Zhenxi Pass to meet Li Xuanzhi and beg for peace and an end to the war."

Half a day later, Tuoba Kexu, a senior official of the Mobei royal family and the younger brother of the Mobei King, arrived at Zhenxiguan with dozens of attendants and carriages, laden with tribute.

In the past, when the northern delegations left the pass, they were all arrogant and self-possessed, with an imposing presence.

The group of people all bowed their heads, walked hurriedly, and were in a sorry state, filled with humility and fear.

Two days later, outside Zhenxi Pass, the peace delegation from the northern desert arrived at the pass.

At this moment, Zhenxiguan Pass is heavily fortified, appearing even more steadfast and majestic, a magnificent and powerful pass in a prosperous era.

The garrison outside the pass was heavily fortified, with layers of sentry posts arranged in an orderly manner. Their eyes were sharp, their demeanor imposing, and they stared intently at the peace delegation from the northern desert that had traveled a long way.

Tuoba Kexu stood before the pass, gazing at the towering and sturdy city gate, his heart filled with mixed emotions, and a surge of humiliation welled up within him.

In the past, when the iron cavalry of the northern deserts pressed in, they were still able to rival the Great Yong Dynasty.

In such a short time, the situation has completely reversed.

Having suffered repeated defeats in the northern deserts, they now have no choice but to grovel and beg for peace.

"Please inform Lord Li that Tuoba Kexu, the envoy from the northern desert, has arrived on the king's orders. He humbly requests peace and the cessation of hostilities between our two nations, hoping to permanently end border troubles."

Tuoba Kexu suppressed all his embarrassment and bowed to the city gate guards. His posture was extremely humble, with not a trace of his former royal arrogance remaining.

The news immediately reached Li Xuanzhi's ears.

Inside the study, Li Xuanzhi was working on matters related to the border town's agricultural settlements.

Upon hearing that his subordinates had reported that the northern delegation had come to the gates seeking peace, he did not stop writing, but simply spoke.

"They've finally arrived. Open the main gate to welcome them."

Li Xuanzhi put down his pen and slowly rose. "Peace talks between the two countries should be conducted openly and fairly. Please enter the main hall and let all the civil and military officials who are currently not busy come to listen and bear witness."

Inside the main hall.

Li Xuanzhi sat in the main seat, with civil and military officials lined up on either side.

Tuoba Kexu led his entourage into the main hall, not daring to look directly at the person in the head seat. Upon entering the hall, they immediately bowed deeply, displaying impeccable manners and a humble posture.

"Tuoba Kexu, the envoy from the northern desert, greets Lord Li."

"I have come to Zhenxi Pass on the orders of the King of the Northern Desert. I apologize to Dayong and Lord Xiang. I beg for peace and an end to the war, and for the restoration of friendly relations between our neighboring countries."

As he bowed, he felt utterly humiliated, yet there was nothing he could do.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes slightly, his voice calm and even, yet he exuded an aura that could overwhelm the entire situation.