Chapter 1624: Each to Their Own Position

Wan Qisong was naturally brave and fierce, more like a vanguard general than Wan Qifeng. He was also genuinely good to his clansmen and harbored little self-interest.

After comprehensive evaluation, He Lingchuan decided to reinstate him as a warrior and send him to Flashgold Plains.

Some people are born for the battlefield; let him shine there.

As for Wan Qisong having offended him in the past, He Lingchuan simply smiled it off. With his current perspective, why would he quibble over a minor past grievance?

The fact that Yangshan had developed to its current scale in just three years was nothing short of a miracle. Wan Qisong had long since given up any improper ambitions. The Bailong people were living well in both Yangshan and Flashgold, meaning his original aspiration had been achieved in a different way.

However, Wan Qisong's temper towards outsiders remained volatile. On the ship, he got into an argument and, at the slightest disagreement, broke two noses.

Wan Qifeng coughed lightly, "So, the Flashgold people were at a disadvantage on the ship?"

The outcome still needed to be clarified; it was an important detail.

He Lingchuan glanced at him. "How long have the Flashgold people been training?"

"They originally lived by the sword in Flashgold Plains..." He paused. "They do have a foundation; they're not just ordinary citizens!" But under He Lingchuan's gaze, Wan Qifeng's voice grew softer and softer, until he finally scratched his nose. "I'll handle my uncle; you don't need to worry."

"Is it your uncle I'm worried about?" He Lingchuan shook his head. "The winners will be smug, and the losers dejected. For the Flashgold side, coordinate with Bai Lingyin, mind your attitude, and exercise discretion!"

"Yes!"

Some of the first batch of Flashgold people sent to Yangshan half a year ago had begun to distinguish themselves. Among them, Bai Lingyin was an outstanding individual. He possessed cultivation, had combat experience, had served as an advisor to a minor ruler, and had even been a mountain bandit chief for a period. The Flashgold people on Yangshan Archipelago all respected him.

Dong Rui's medicine had cured his only son's strange illness, which had plagued him for years, so he was full of gratitude towards Yangshan Archipelago. With Du Shan's recommendation from Julu Port, He Lingchuan also felt he was a promising talent and entrusted him with important responsibilities.

He Lingchuan then asked, "The Ju City branch of Yangshan is preparing to discuss cooperation with a newly emerging rebel army. Jiang Lishui will soon meet their leader, Dr. Li, and will require a guard escort. In your opinion, whose team would be best to send?"

Wan Qifeng answered without hesitation, "Pu Hua. He is very sharp, makes his own decisions, and can offer timely advice."

Pu Hua was from Rong Mountain, but his abilities and character were recognized by many Bailong people.

"Alright, Pu Hua it is."

He Lingchuan habitually pressed his *qingming* acupoints. The various systems under his command often converged, making friction inevitable.

The management and development of Yangshan, the recruitment and utilization of talent, and the conflicts between new and old armies—none of these were simple matters.

After acknowledging, Wan Qifeng hesitated slightly.

He Lingchuan immediately noticed and said, "Speak your mind."

"My lord, the Flashgold people's training period is too short. It's difficult to quickly forge them into a strong army in just a few months; at best, we'll only have a rough outline."

If this statement were made by a minister of Yao to King Yao, even You Rongzhi, famous for his straightforward counsel, would have had to find a circuitous, gentle, and indirect way to express it, unlike Wan Qifeng's directness.

But this was precisely He Lingchuan's requirement: in the early stages of establishing his power, communication needed to be direct and efficient, without beating around the bush.

He had the magnanimity to tolerate dissent, which allowed his subordinates to speak frankly.

"It's fine," He Lingchuan said, having his own considerations. "Initially, we only need to cultivate basic qualities: obedience, discipline, and adherence to command. As for morale and spirit, war will forge those for me."

"Once this army takes shape, their initial opponents will only be scattered, minor forces on Flashgold Plains. With the Black Armored Army and Yangshan troops leading them, it won't be a difficult fight," He Lingchuan continued. "Moreover, in a few days, there will be an unprecedented eruption of Imperial Dew! It's no exaggeration to say this is the greatest aid granted to us by heaven and earth, capable of significantly boosting our soldiers' combat strength. It's also our leverage for a late but decisive strike!"

Sometimes, hard work simply can't compare to natural talent.

Imperial Dew benefits all living beings, but it's even more advantageous for well-trained armies. In He Lingchuan's long-term plan, the influence of Imperial Dew was an extremely crucial component.

He walked to the window, gazing at the trembling tree shadows in the darkness. The rain and snow had lessened, but not far away, a branch snapped with a crack, whether from too much snow or too much ice, he didn't know.

"Time is too short. Yangshan isn't ready yet. If only I had another year or so..." He took a deep breath of the icy air, feeling a stinging sensation in his lungs as if they were frosted, which sharpened his mind. "But where in the world is there such a good thing? It's already a blessing for the opportunity to appear; it will never wait for you to be ready!"

***

Yao Kingdom, Mang Province, Xiaotao Manor.

Before Bai Ziqi even reached the manor gate, four or five people approached him. "May I ask, is it Chief Envoy Bai who has arrived?"

Bai Ziqi grunted in acknowledgment. "I am Bai Ziqi. And you are?"

The leader cupped his fist in salute. "Liu Wu, First-Class Royal Guard Captain of the Yao Palace. I am here by order to respectfully await your esteemed arrival, Chief Envoy!"

"Good." Bai Ziqi pointed towards Xiaotao Manor. "Let's go in. I want to see the crime scene."

He was there to investigate Xue Zongwu's death, and King Yao was more than happy to oblige, specifically dispatching a guard escort to bring him to Mang Province. Bai Ziqi also requested to meet with the officials who handled the Xiaotao Manor case at the time.

Liu Wu was out of town, but as soon as he received King Yao's order, he dropped everything and rushed to Xiaotao Manor to assist the Heavenly Palace's esteemed envoy with the investigation.

Bai Ziqi was not imperious, but his attitude towards Liu Wu was condescending, far from amiable.

Liu Wu dared not voice any objection, merely thinking to himself that the envoy from the Heavenly Palace was unfathomable. He doubled his eagerness, saying, "I also participated in the investigation of General Xue's case."

"Were there many suspicious points?"

"Honestly, not many," Liu Wu shook his head. "That's why the investigation stalled."

"Tell me in detail the full story of Xue Zongwu's death, before and after."

As they entered the manor, Liu Wu recounted all the clues he possessed regarding the murder case to Bai Ziqi.

After Xue and Qi were killed, Xiaotao Manor was sealed off for over half a month. Even now, with few staff, the place felt eerily deep and desolate, devoid of vitality.

"Oh, so Xue Zongwu specifically rushed back to attend King Yao's birthday celebration?" Bai Ziqi asked. "His army couldn't be brought within the pass, right?"

Lingxu City had similar regulations. Supreme rulers harbored deep misgivings about powerful generals and tributary demon rulers.

"Yes, when generals stationed abroad return to the country, especially to the capital, they can bring no more than two hundred personal guards."

"No wonder they chose that time to strike," Bai Ziqi grunted. "Xue Zongwu had committed many terrible deeds and knew he had countless enemies. Normally, he was surrounded by heavy guards, making it difficult for others to act. His return to Yao Kingdom territory was when his defenses were weakest. Were there many outsiders and idlers in Mang Province at that time?"