Chapter 1109: Self-Reflection

Passing through the magnificent South Gate of Panlongcheng, everyone subconsciously took a deep breath. Finally back!

He Lingchuan had traveled north and south in reality and been to so many places, but only Panlongcheng's temperament and atmosphere were the most unique, making people feel solemn as soon as they walked in.

This majestic city truly represented too much and bore too much.

The guards guarding the city saluted He Lingchuan, and the flowing crowd greeted He Lingchuan.

He was almost known to everyone here—

Except for the visiting merchants.

There was also a teenager whose eyes lit up when he saw him: "Commander He, Commander He!"

He even proudly said to his companion: "Commander He inscribed a plaque for my family's shop!"

What did he inscribe? He Lingchuan couldn't remember, but he could feel the teenager's worship and enthusiasm.

His heart warmed, and he reached out to rub the teenager's head.

The people of Yuheng City and the high-level officials of Panlongcheng didn't like him, but the military and civilians of Panlongcheng always respected him as a combat hero, even though he had been away for so long.

After entering the city, He Lingchuan had to report to Zhong Shengguang, while Sun Fuling went to the Shumin Academy to handle business.

The two temporarily parted ways, and He Lingchuan headed toward the government office.

On the way, he met countless acquaintances, all greeting him with smiles, enthusiastic, sincere, and friendly.

Panlongcheng was just like this toward him, serious yet enthusiastic, strict but not lacking in harmony.

Entering the government office, Zhong Shengguang beckoned when he saw He Lingchuan:

"Just in time."

In the past half year, Zhong Shengguang's appearance hadn't changed much, only two more white hairs at his temples.

He Lingchuan had returned to report on his work. The pastures that Panlongcheng was raising were not just Tianhe Plain; if Tianhe Pasture developed smoothly, the experience would be promoted comprehensively in the future.

After half a year, Zhong Shengguang summoned him back to the city, so He Lingchuan knew his horse-raising career was over, so this briefing was particularly detailed.

In fact, he compiled and reported every month. But Zhong Shengguang still sat in the main seat to listen this time, and there was a clerk recording seriously on the side.

He Lingchuan finished his report and saw Zhong Shengguang not speaking for a long time, so he had to open his mouth: "I heard that the western front won another great victory?"

Zhong Shengguang seemed to come back to his senses and smiled: "Yes. Although General Hong is not on the front line, our army still took Bo City, Tongwei, and Po River. We drove the Xianyou army to the north of Po River; relying on this natural moat, they can no longer invade and harass the south in the short term."

He Lingchuan was moved.

Over the past year, Panlongcheng not only took back the wasteland territory occupied before, but also counterattacked Baling and Xianyou, and even swallowed a large area of Xianyou territory in reverse. Now taking Po River, the territory of Xianyou was half smaller than four years ago! "Also, we have two more allies in the west, and the contract has been signed. From now on, we will cooperate for mutual benefit and join hands to resist the enemy."

He Lingchuan immediately said: "Congratulations, Commander."

Besides Baling, there were several small nations west of Panlong Wasteland, which were originally coerced by Baling, and their relationship with Panlongcheng was tense.

Now with the iron hooves of Panlongcheng's army expanding outward, especially stepping over Xianyou and taking down two disobedient small nations, the attitude of the remaining nations toward Panlongcheng changed rapidly.

Some reacted, becoming more radical and angry.

Others changed their tune, trying to get on good terms with Panlongcheng.

Panlongcheng helped them understand: Beijia, far away in the sky, couldn't help them; the Xiji Nation was a warning from the past.

In troubled times, the waist must be soft.

These two allied small nations this time had made up their minds to change to a big thigh to hug.

Up to this point, the situation of Panlongcheng being surrounded by enemies on all sides was slowly opened.

To the east, it annexed the Xiji Nation and transformed it into its own land of fish and rice, a big granary.

To the west, it annexed two small nations, showed its muscles, and improved relations with several neighbors.

To the north, it occupied a large area of Xianyou Nation territory.

Once the troops were strong and the horses were sturdy, Panlongcheng couldn't suppress its instinct to expand its territory and strengthen its martial arts. Unknowingly, its area was already close to half of the Xiro Nation.

This was by no means just a "small place".

Zhong Shengguang was also not just the leader of a city.

He Lingchuan felt greater ambition and planning from him.

Zhong Shengguang waved his hand: "Where is this?"

He walked to the wall and personally poured a cup of hot water for He Lingchuan. The latter took it with both hands and drank it in one gulp.

"Do you understand why I sent you to Tianhe Plain to raise horses?"

He Lingchuan nodded: "Understand. You asked me to avoid the limelight and think carefully."

Zhong Shengguang didn't reward him but demoted him, and sent him to Tianhe Plain to raise horses for half a year, which was to appease the anger of other high-level officials in Panlongcheng.

"What are your feelings?"

At first, He Lingchuan was unconvinced. But later, looking at the vastness of the grassland and facing the mountain wind blowing flowers and leaves, he was finally able to calm down.

"Benefited a lot." He Lingchuan said sternly, "What I did in Yuheng City was not only reckless but also arrogant."

"Two things." Zhong Shengguang sat back, "Your incorporation of water bandits as road managers was indeed a clever move, but the people of Yuheng City were resentful, and you didn't properly guide them. You must know, soldiers cannot win big troubles, and those who cannot unite the people's hearts are the same."

As the commander of a city, He Lingchuan naturally had his own strategic considerations when formulating plans. But the residents of Yuheng City at that time saw that the murderous robbers of Longchuan were not only unpunished but also had to share the taxes they paid, taking away the hard-earned money they worked for.

How could this make them calm and smooth? "For the sake of convenience, you even squeezed out Deputy Envoy Wen. If you could work well with him and let him resolve the people's grievances, the people of Yuheng City would have less resentment toward you."

He Lingchuan gave a wry smile.

He deliberately squeezed out Wen Daolun to save his life and reverse the dead end.

But he couldn't say this, so he could only say: "Mr. Wen is indeed loving the people like a son, it was my negligence and arrogance at the time."

Later facts also proved that he drove away Wen Daolun, but couldn't drive away fate.

He Lingchuan had reviewed this matter many times in the past half year; was there a better, more rounded solution? Of course there was.

But at that time, he didn't think much at all. He thought his starting point was for the good of Yuheng City, for the good of Wen Daolun, and that was enough.

"Second thing!" Zhong Shengguang's tone also became severe, "You actually used Yuheng City as bait to lure Fu Shanlie into a sneak attack! Knowing he would come to sneak attack, as the overall commander, you actually left the city defense!"

"If you didn't make it back to Yuheng City in time? If Fu Shanlie's follow-up was powerful and knocked on the gate of Yuheng City while you were away?" Zhong Shengguang asked him, "Do you have ten percent certainty that you can definitely defeat him?"

He Lingchuan shook his head.

Accidents are most common on the battlefield; when was there ten percent certainty? "If facing such consequences, what would you use to remedy it? Do you know the principle of 'a commander should not lightly leave'? In that situation, even General Hong would not dare to leave her post."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1110 =====