In the following days, Mu Zian focused on only three things: brewing wine, practicing martial arts, and gathering intelligence. At first, it didn’t seem serious, but once Mu Zian looked deeper, he realized how troubling it truly was. The waters of Luzhou were far too deep—Han and Qiang intermingled, endless wars, corrupt officials, and people barely surviving. It was a natural breeding ground for rebellion.
On the seventh day after Pei Jianzhi led his army out, Grand Steward Cao, wearing an anxious expression, appeared at the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence. Seeing Mu Zian still brewing wine, Grand Steward Cao hurriedly said, “Oh, my State-Stabilizing Duke, how can you still be brewing wine at a time like this? The Emperor has summoned you to the palace immediately.”
Mu Zian thought to himself that what was bound to come had finally arrived. After changing into his court attire, Mu Zian followed Grand Steward Cao’s lead and arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Just as they reached the entrance, a loud crashing sound was heard from within, followed by the Emperor’s furious roar, “Useless! All of you are useless!”
Mu Zian asked, “What happened?”
Grand Steward Cao, filled with frustration, replied, “It’s all because of that useless Pei Jianzhi. The Emperor just received an urgent military report from Luzhou. Pei Jianzhi was ambushed by bandits as soon as he arrived. Only the Heroine Marquis managed to escape the battlefield with a few dozen personal guards. Three thousand elite soldiers were completely wiped out in one battle, and Pei Jianzhi himself was captured by the bandits. The Heroine Marquis has urgently requested reinforcements. The dignity of the court has been utterly disgraced this time.”
Mu Zian hadn’t expected it either. Pei Jianzhi had lost so thoroughly—completely annihilated right upon arrival. No wonder the Emperor was so furious. The chaos in Luzhou was truly growing more complicated.
Led by Grand Steward Cao, Mu Zian entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The hall was in disarray; eunuchs and ministers who had come to discuss matters were trembling on their knees, too afraid to speak. Xiao Xiuning stood nearby, trying to calm her father.
Upon seeing Mu Zian, Xiao Xiuning’s eyes lit up and she quickly said, “Father Emperor, the State-Stabilizing Duke has arrived. He had keen insights into the situation in Luzhou before. If he is appointed as general, he will surely wash away our previous humiliation.”
The Emperor of the Great Li Empire looked at Mu Zian and asked, “You’ve heard the situation?”
Mu Zian nodded.
The Emperor spoke angrily, “That Pei Jianzhi is truly the most useless of the useless! Three thousand elite soldiers wiped out by mere bandits! Even if I had sent three thousand pigs, they wouldn’t have been slaughtered so easily!”
His fury was understandable; the atmosphere in the hall was so tense it seemed solid. No one dared to speak, fearing that even a single misstep would bring disaster upon them.
After a moment, the Emperor calmed slightly and looked at Mu Zian, who was dressed in battle gear, and asked, “I want you to take command of the Vanguard Battalion and suppress the rebellion. What do you think?”
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering a choice!]
[Choice 1: Refuse the command and protect yourself. Reward: A set of Taiji Fist techniques.]
[Choice 2: Accept the command and lead the troops. Reward: A Mysterious Strategist Summoning Card.]
[Please make your choice!]
All eyes turned to Mu Zian. He stepped forward to the center of the hall and solemnly cupped his hands. “I am willing to lead the army and suppress the rebellion in Luzhou!”
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making your choice! The reward has been issued; please check.]
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression softened significantly. “This battle is no joke. If we lose again, the Great Li Empire’s prestige will be completely destroyed.”
Mu Zian responded solemnly, “Please issue the imperial edict!”
Seeing Mu Zian’s decisive response, the gloom brought by the previous defeat vanished completely. “Good! In that case, I grant you command of ten thousand elite soldiers from the Vanguard Battalion and twenty thousand troops from the Five Army Camps to suppress the rebellion.”
“The Six Ministries shall prioritize this campaign above all else. Weapons, provisions, and military pay must be prepared immediately. Anyone who delays shall be severely punished!” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
The officials of the Six Ministries responded in unison, “We obey the imperial decree!”
“Mu Zian!”
“Your subject is here!”
“I appoint you as the General Who Conquers the Rebellious. You must restore our national prestige and awe the world!”
“I obey!”
With the Emperor’s decree, the entire capital immediately boiled with excitement.
When Mu Zian passed by the Lu family residence, he found their gates tightly shut. Outside, countless citizens had gathered, hurling garbage and waste at the walls. The Lu family members were too frightened to step outside, fearing they would be beaten to death by the angry crowd.
Mu Zian walked past their gate without even a glance.
In just one day, all the supplies and military equipment needed for thirty thousand soldiers were prepared. Over five days of non-stop distillation at the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence had yielded thousands of jars of alcohol, which Mu Zian ordered to be taken along.
The next morning, mist blanketed the training ground where thirty thousand elite soldiers were assembled. However, morale was low—the news of the total annihilation of three thousand elite troops had spread far and wide. To them, Luzhou seemed like a land of death.
Just then, the sound of armor clashing echoed through the mist. In the next moment, a figure emerged atop a chestnut-red steed, clad in a mighty Suanni battle armor, holding a Heaven-Quaking Bow at his waist and a gleaming Fangtian halberd in hand.
Clop! Clop!
Each crisp hoofbeat struck like a hammer against the soldiers’ hearts. The veteran soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion at the front widened their eyes, some even shedding tears.
So familiar! Too familiar!
When Mu Zian’s figure pierced through the mist and appeared before them, everyone was stunned. At that moment, it was as if they saw the invincible figure of the past—the State-Stabilizing Duke!
The State-Stabilizing Duke was the backbone of the Great Li Empire and the role model in the hearts of all soldiers!
Mu Zian reined in his horse with one hand and raised the Fangtian halberd high. “Where are the men of the Great Li Empire!”
His voice echoed across the training ground.
The next moment, countless voices responded.
“Here!”
The shout of tens of thousands roared to the heavens.
From afar, the Emperor of the Great Li Empire watched from a high platform and momentarily fell into a daze, as if seeing a familiar figure from the past.
On the high platform, Mu Zian looked around and shouted loudly, “Today, I ask you all! What should be done to those who violate our nation’s prestige?”
“Kill!”
“What should be done to those who humiliate our people and brothers?”
“Kill!”
“What should be done to those who plunder our homes and cut off our livelihoods?”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
The roars seemed to tear through the skies!
Mu Zian stood tall with his halberd, raising his arm high and shouting, “This expedition is for merit! For glory! For titles and the prosperity of your sons! Will you follow me?”
Mu Zian’s passion ignited everyone present. The previously low morale instantly blazed.
“Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy!”
The cries were like thunder, shaking the heavens!
Mu Zian curved his lips into a faint smile. He pointed his Fangtian halberd toward the direction of Luzhou and shouted, “March out!”
Amid the heavy sound of footsteps, thirty thousand troops, under Mu Zian’s command, surged forth toward Luzhou in grand formation!