Chapter 1105: Self-Reflection

Passing through the magnificent south gate of Panthera City, everyone subconsciously took a deep breath. Finally, they were back!

He Lingchuan had traveled extensively in his life, visiting countless places, but only Panthera City possessed such a unique character and atmosphere. It filled people with a sense of solemnity the moment they entered. This mighty city truly represented and bore the weight of so much.

The city guards saluted He Lingchuan, and the bustling crowds greeted him. Here, he was almost a household name—except for visiting merchants.

A boy, seeing him, instantly lit up: "Commander He, Commander He!" He proudly told his companion beside him, "Commander He even inscribed a plaque for my family's shop!" What inscription was it? He Lingchuan couldn't recall, but he could feel the boy's admiration and enthusiasm. A warmth spread through him, and he reached out and ruffled the boy's hair.

While the people of Jade Constellation City and Panthera City's high-ranking officials disliked him, Panthera City's soldiers and civilians still revered him as a war hero, even though he had been away for so long.

After entering the city, He Lingchuan was to report to Zhong Shengguang, while Sun Fuling was heading to Shumin Academy for business. The two temporarily parted ways, and He Lingchuan headed towards the official residence. Along the way, he encountered countless acquaintances, all greeting him with warm, sincere, and friendly smiles. This was how Panthera City treated him: serious yet enthusiastic, strict but not without cordiality.

Upon entering the official residence, Zhong Shengguang saw He Lingchuan and beckoned him over: "You've arrived just in time."

In the past six months, Zhong Shengguang's appearance hadn't changed much, save for a couple more grey hairs at his temples. He Lingchuan was back to report on his work. Panthera City was cultivating more than just the Tianheyuan pasture; if it developed smoothly, its methods would be fully replicated elsewhere in the future. After six months, Zhong Shengguang had summoned him back to the city, and He Lingchuan knew his time as a horse breeder was over. Therefore, his report this time was particularly detailed. In fact, he compiled and reported every month. But this time, Zhong Shengguang still sat in the main seat, listening, with a clerk diligently taking notes beside him.

When He Lingchuan finished his report, seeing Zhong Shengguang remain silent for a long time, he could only break the silence and ask, "I hear there was another great victory on the western front?"

Zhong Shengguang seemed to snap back to attention and smiled. "Indeed," he said. "Although General Hong wasn't on the front lines, our army still captured Baicheng, Tongwei, and Puhe. We pushed the Xianyou army north of Puhe, and relying on this natural chasm, they won't be able to invade south again for some time."

He Lingchuan was moved. Over the past year, Panthera City had not only reclaimed the previously occupied wilderness territories but also launched a strong counterattack against Baling and Xianyou, even annexing large swathes of Xianyou's territory. Now, with the capture of Puhe, Xianyou's territory was half the size it was four years ago!

"Furthermore," Zhong Shengguang continued, "we've gained two new allies in the west. The agreements have been signed, and from now on, we will cooperate for mutual benefit and jointly resist our enemies."

He Lingchuan immediately said, "Congratulations, Commander."

West of Panthera Wilderness, besides Baling, there were several small states that were originally coerced by Baling, making their relations with Panthera City tense. Now, as Panthera City's army expanded its reach, especially after advancing through Xianyou and conquering two disobedient small states, the remaining nations quickly changed their attitudes towards Panthera City. Some reacted with increased radicalism and anger. Others, however, changed their tune and sought to build good relations with Panthera City. Panthera City helped them understand that distant Bega couldn't help them, and Xiji State was a prime example. In troubled times, it pays to be adaptable. The two small states that had joined this time had firmly decided to find a new powerful patron.

Thus, Panthera City's situation of being surrounded by enemies was slowly opening up. To the east, it had annexed Xiji State and transformed it into its own land of plenty, a great granary. To the west, it annexed two small states, demonstrating its strength, and improved relations with several neighbors. To the north, it had occupied large swathes of Xianyou's territory.

Once its army was strong and well-equipped, Panthera City could not restrain its instinct to expand its territory and military might. Unbeknownst to many, its area was already nearly half that of Xiluo State. This was by no means just a "small place." Zhong Shengguang was also more than just the leader of a single city. He Lingchuan sensed greater ambition and planning from him.

Zhong Shengguang, however, waved his hand. "We've barely begun," he said. He walked to the wall and personally poured He Lingchuan a cup of hot water. He Lingchuan took it with both hands and drank it down.

"Do you understand why I sent you to manage the horses at Tianheyuan?"

He Lingchuan nodded. "Yes, I understand," he said. "You wanted me to lie low for a while and reflect."

Zhong Shengguang had not praised but criticized him instead, and sending him to manage horses at Tianheyuan for half a year was all to appease the anger of other high-ranking officials in Panthera City.

"What are your thoughts?"

At first, He Lingchuan was resentful. But later, looking out at the vastness of the grassland and facing the mountain wind that rustled the leaves, he finally found peace of mind.

"I've benefited greatly," He Lingchuan said earnestly. "My actions in Jade Constellation City were not only reckless but also arrogant."

"Two things," Zhong Shengguang said, sitting back down. "Your integration of the river pirates as road administrators was indeed a brilliant move. However, the people of Jade Constellation City were indignant, and you failed to properly guide them. Remember, an army cannot overcome great trouble if it does not have the people's support."

As a commander of a city, He Lingchuan naturally had his own strategic considerations when making plans. But what the residents of Jade Constellation City saw at the time was that the murderous bandits of Takigawa were not only unpunished but also taking a share of the taxes they paid to Jade Constellation City, taking away their hard-earned money. How could this not infuriate them?

"For convenience, you even forced Deputy Envoy Wen out," Zhong Shengguang continued. "If you had worked well with him and let him resolve the people's grievances, the people of Jade Constellation City would have felt less ill will towards you."

He Lingchuan gave a wry smile. He had deliberately forced Wen Daolun out to save his life and turn the tide of a desperate situation. But he couldn't say that aloud. He could only say, "Mr. Wen truly cherished the people like his own children. It was my carelessness and arrogance at the time." Subsequent events proved that while he had driven Wen Daolun away, he could not drive away fate. He Lingchuan had replayed the events many times over the past six months, wondering if there had been a better, more nuanced solution. Of course there was. But at that time, he hadn't thought much about it. He believed that as long as his intentions were good for Jade Constellation City and for Wen Daolun, that was enough.

"Second thing!" Zhong Shengguang's tone became stern. "You actually used Jade Constellation City as bait to lure Fu Shanlie into an ambush! Knowing he would attack, you, as the overall commander, actually abandoned your post as city defender!"

"What if you hadn't made it back to Jade Constellation City in time?" Zhong Shengguang asked him. "What if Fu Shanlie's backup forces were formidable and breached Jade Constellation City's gates in your absence? Did you have a hundred percent certainty that you could defeat him?"

He Lingchuan shook his head. The battlefield is full of surprises; how can one ever have a hundred percent certainty?

"If you had faced such consequences, what would you have done to remedy them?" Zhong Shengguang continued. "Do you understand the principle that 'a commander should not expose himself lightly'? In such circumstances, even General Hong would not dare to abandon his post."