Royal Palace of the Great Qian Empire.
Royal Garden.
Lush trees cast deep shade, and countless flowers perfumed the air.
Emperor Zhao Han sat before a pond of rippling emerald water, scattering fish feed to a group of large fish. From time to time, he tossed more feed into the pond, and the fish surged forward in a frenzy, splashing water high.
Duke of Zhen Li Xin sat beside him, lost in thought.
“Minister Li,” Emperor Zhao Han said leisurely, “you are a Veteran of Three Reigns of our Great Qian Empire. By all rights, you should be enjoying your later years in peace in the Royal Capital. This time, I have once again sent you to command troops in battle. You must not resent me.”
“This old minister would never dare,” Li Xin replied. “I have spent my life on horseback and in armor, fighting dozens of battles large and small. When I no longer hear the clash of drums and horns, my body grows weaker by the day. To call it enjoying one’s later years sounds pleasant, but in truth it is nothing more than eating, sleeping, and waiting for death.”
He cupped his hands respectfully.
“Your Majesty has granted this old minister the chance to command troops again. I am deeply grateful. I would rather die gloriously on the battlefield than perish miserably on a sickbed. If I could fall in battle, I would have no regrets in this life.”
Emperor Zhao Han waved his hand.
“Minister Li is the stabilizing pillar of our Great Qian Empire. I will rely on you for many years to come. Speak no more of dying on the battlefield.”
He paused, then continued, “This time, I have appointed you to lead the Suppression of Rebellion in Liaozhou, but not to charge personally into the fray. You need only sit in command within the Liaozhou prefectural city and oversee the overall situation. As for storming the front lines, that will be the task of the Military Marquises and the younger generation.”
The Emperor’s tone grew solemn.
“Though there have been minor skirmishes along our borders and small-scale unrest from the Hu Tribes within our territory, none of these foes amount to much. They can be crushed with a mere turn of the hand. By my count, our Great Qian Empire has not faced a major war in over thirty years.”
Duke of Zhen Li Xin nodded. Indeed, it had been a long time since they had witnessed hundreds of thousands of troops locked in fierce battle.
“For thirty years, our Empire has known peace. Weapons have been stored away, and horses have been released to graze. Soldiers have not seen blood. Commanders have not stepped onto a battlefield.”
Emperor Zhao Han sighed, his brows knit with worry.
“To the west, the Great Zhou watches us like a tiger eyeing its prey. To the south, the Shanyue stir restlessly. The southeastern seas are unsettled, and in the north, the various Hu Tribes repeatedly violate our borders. I am deeply troubled. If a powerful enemy were to invade, could our army truly fight?”
Duke of Zhen Li Xin’s expression turned grave. Surrounded by strong enemies, the Great Qian army indeed needed to be tested. The generals and soldiers had long been estranged from war. If a great conflict erupted, the Empire itself could face destruction.
“This rebellion of the Hu Tribes under the Liaozhou Military Governorship must have been secretly instigated by the Golden Tent Khanate,” Emperor Zhao Han said coldly. “Otherwise, they would not have dared to kill our Military Governor.”
His voice brimmed with killing intent.
“This time, when our Great Qian Empire dispatches troops for the Suppression of Rebellion, we will not only crush the Hu Tribes causing chaos in Liaozhou. It will also serve as training for our army and a warning to all directions.”
Emperor Zhao Han nodded slightly. Li Xin was a Veteran of Three Reigns and a seasoned general. With him leading the campaign, the Emperor felt assured.
“Our Empire has enjoyed peace for too long. Many sons of Military Marquises and noble houses have become ignorant and useless playboys. The son of the Marquis of Zhenbei, Cao Feng, even set fire to the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion and beat the Sixth Prince. His conduct was outrageous beyond measure.”
He snorted.
“If even the sons of Military Marquises are so disgraceful, what of the rest? The Great Qian army lacks worthy successors. Who will safeguard our Empire for generations to come?”
Duke of Zhen Li Xin silently agreed.
“This time, I will select a group of sons from Military Marquis families to accompany the army on this campaign, to render service on the battlefield and temper themselves through real combat.”
Emperor Zhao Han looked at Li Xin and said earnestly, “You are a seasoned veteran of the army. I hope you will strictly discipline these young men. I am not sending them to gild their resumes or accumulate merit in comfort.”
His face turned cold.
“Wolves are not raised in nests of ease. They are to charge into battle, to fight with real blades and real blood. Let them fight freely. Let them struggle and survive through slaughter.”
He spoke each word heavily.
“If they die, so be it. I will handle the aftermath personally. I will never allow Minister Li to bear infamy.”
Then he added in a low voice, “All I ask is that after the war, you select for me some capable and valiant young commanders. Guard this matter carefully for me.”
Li Xin listened and could only give a bitter smile in his heart. The sons of Military Marquises followed him precisely to gain military merit. If they were to die in battle, how could he possibly escape blame? His lifelong reputation might be destroyed.
But for the sake of the Great Qian Empire’s everlasting legacy, for the future of its army, what did it matter if he were cursed by thousands?
“Your Majesty’s foresight is the fortune of our Empire,” Li Xin said, cupping his hands. “Rest assured. This old minister will not fail your expectations.”
Emperor Zhao Han nodded.
“With Minister Li handling matters, I am at ease.”
While Emperor Zhao Han was privately entrusting Duke of Zhen Li Xin with the details of the upcoming Military Campaign, the Marquis of Zhenbei Cao Zhen and the Young Marquis Cao Feng returned to General’s Quarter on Willow Street in the Royal Capital.
During the merging of memories, something had gone slightly wrong. Many of the original host’s memories were blank, causing Cao Feng to look around curiously along the way, delaying them considerably. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
When he finally arrived at the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence, Cao Feng was utterly stunned.
Under the sunlight, the gilded characters proclaiming “Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence” shone brilliantly.
On the stone steps, twenty armored household guards stood in two rows, holding blades, imposing and majestic.
Cao Feng stared at the domineering and awe-inspiring residence, too shocked to speak.
Damn. This was powerful. This was lavish. This was magnificent.
He, a university student, had woken up only to be frightened half to death, nearly passing through the gates of hell. But now, seeing such a grand and luxurious residence, he suddenly felt it had all been worth it.
Was this what people meant when they said surviving great calamity brings future blessings?
He was the Young Marquis of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence. Once his father died, all of this would belong to him. He would inherit this enormous estate. As long as he did not court death in the future, he could lie back and enjoy a life of comfort.
“You little… son,” Cao Zhen said, seeing him standing there foolishly. “Why are you just standing there? Go inside.”
“Oh!” Cao Feng snapped back to his senses, his heart surging with excitement.
Heaven had truly treated him well.
With an excited heart, Cao Feng stepped into the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence to see his new home.
Upon entering, the view suddenly opened up. A vast courtyard stretched before him, paved with brick and stone, with towering ancient pines rising in deep green splendor. Corridors connected both sides, and layered buildings stood one after another.
After passing through the front hall and main chamber and walking several dozen meters further, he saw artificial rock formations, a pond, stone benches, and a pavilion.
Everything about the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence could be summed up in two words: sheer extravagance.
Cao Feng surveyed the luxurious estate with complete satisfaction.
Suddenly, he heard a call.
“Feng’er!”
He looked up.
Ahead in the corridor, a noblewoman radiating elegance hurried toward him, surrounded by more than a dozen young maids.
With a single glance, Cao Feng recognized her. She was his mother.