Chapter 11: Win, a glorious future; lose, just a single life, that's all

"Look, as soon as I mentioned him, he showed up...."

Yuwen Hu folded the memorial in his hand, pointed toward the doorway, and smiled at Shang Ting.

He paused briefly, then continued, "Let Chen Yan come in!"

The Personal Guard who received the order saluted, then turned and went forward at once.

Chen Yan followed behind the escorting Personal Guard; this was his first time stepping into the Tian Guan Fu.

The moment he entered, it felt as if he had stepped into a solemn, austere abyss of power.

The towering Zhuqi Daimen, its hinges glinting coldly in the sunlight, seemed to silently proclaim the place's authority.

Walking along the broad Qingshi promenade, on both sides stood neatly arranged evergreen pines and cypresses, trunks straight, branches lush.

Inside the main hall, light filtered through carved lattice windows, forming bright shafts; dust danced within, accentuating the depth and silence of the space.

At the center stood a massive sandalwood table and bench, the desk piled with bamboo slips and documents, all writing implements present, indicating this was the heart of governmental edicts.

Around the walls hung large maps, showing mountains, rivers, passes, towns; each mark seemed to plot the realm's layout.

"I have seen the Grand Minister!"

"Seen...."

Chen Yan bowed respectfully to Yuwen Hu, but when facing the other person in the hall, he hesitated, his mind blank.

In his memory, there was no impression of this person....

Yuwen Hu saw Chen Yan's awkwardness, used the document in his hand to point at Shang Ting beside him, and eased the tension: "Kid, let me introduce you—this is the Grand Imperial Rectifier of the Tian Guan Fu, Shang Ting!"

Shang Ting smiled without speaking, his eyes keenly appraising the young man a short distance away.

"I have seen the Grand Imperial Rectifier!"

Chen Yan clasped his fists and bowed respectfully to Shang Ting again.

He did not recognize that face, but he knew Shang Ting's name and the office of Grand Imperial Rectifier.

The Grand Imperial Rectifier drafts edicts, participates in decisions, and disseminates imperial commands; his authority is immense.

Shang Ting himself is a close confidant of the Grand Minister; otherwise he could not have attained such a high position.

"I never knew before that Chang'an had such an outstanding junior like you...."

Shang Ting withdrew his gaze, nodded kindly, and laughed, "The Grand Minister has an eye for talent; he truly struck gold!"

"The Grand Imperial Rectifier overpraises!"

Chen Yan shook his head and said, "It is all thanks to the Grand Minister's cultivation and trust that this kid can accomplish even modest deeds...."

"Hahaha!"

"Truly modest...."

Shang Ting let out a light laugh, and regarded the young man a few degrees higher.

Neither servile nor arrogant, neither proud nor impatient, compared with the aristocratic heirs in Chang'an who lounge on their ancestors' merit books, he is stronger by more than a mere fraction.

What a raw jade indeed!

He paused, turned to Yuwen Hu, "Grand Minister, you two may talk first..."

"I shall take my leave now!"

"Go ahead." Yuwen Hu waved his hand casually.

Shang Ting immediately withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

Chen Yan did not delay, but went straight to the point, saying, "Chen Kaiyuan's entire family has been dealt with, without a single omission!"

"I have specifically come to report!"

Having said that, he took the performance report from his bosom and placed it on the Grand Minister's desk.

"Shang Ting just mentioned earlier...."

Yuwen Hu picked up the document, flipped through it casually, and laughed, "Kid, you did very well!"

His eyes were full of praise.

Whether regarding the handling of Chen Kaiyuan or this performance report, the young man's seasoned demeanor did not resemble someone of his age.

"I dare not claim credit; it is all thanks to the Grand Minister's favor...."

"Without your trust, kid, I would have no chance to act!"

Having been by the top leader's side for so many years, Chen Yan's flattery came effortlessly, mixing modesty with sycophancy.

Every word was chosen just right, never appearing abrupt.

After all, the first rule of workplace survival is to know how to please the superiors.

"You really are good at speaking, kid...."

Yuwen Hu set the document on the desk, sized up Chen Yan, and laughed, "Capable, bold, and skillful—truly a fine blade!"

"Indeed, no exaggeration!"

The words spoken yesterday in Tianlao by a seventeen‑year‑old sounded like grandiose bragging, making them hard to believe.

But the events of last night truly proved the youngster's ability.

If cultivated, given time, he might become a sharp blade that cuts down pillars of the state and clears obstacles!

Chen Yan, hearing this, seized the moment and cautiously asked, "Then will my Letter of Allegiance be approved?"

If approved, it would mean he has fully clung to a powerful minister's thigh, gaining a strong backing and the confidence to establish himself in Chang'an.

If not approved, then it would mean.....

In the tense silence, the Grand Minister said slowly yet firmly three words: "Not enough!"

Chen Yan was startled, thinking to himself, "What the hell, still not enough?"

"Is it because the times have changed, causing some oversight that displeases the Grand Minister?"

At that moment, Chen Yan's mind raced like a high‑speed engine, replaying last night's events.

But this is already the most perfect answer he could hand in within the limited time and resources!

Where exactly did the problem occur?

Yuwen Hu tapped his fingers lightly on the desk and continued: "A single success means nothing...."

"It could be coincidence, or it could be luck!"

"That does not explain anything!"

Speaking, his peripheral glance caught a flash of unusual color in Chen Yan's eyes.

The smile curling at the corner of his mouth grew ever more intriguing.

Hearing "coincidence" and "luck," Chen Yan suddenly exhaled, his voice deep: "If I need to do something, please have the Grand Chancellor give the order!"

It is neither passed nor failed; it still requires testing.

To prove he has ability, rather than a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse by chance.

The previous moment, Chen Yan was truly a little flustered....

"Talking to a clever person is effortless...."

Yuwen Hu pursed his lips in a light smile, took the top document from the desk, handed it to Chen Yan, and said in a deep voice: "Deal with him within three days!"

As he spoke, a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes.

Chen Yan and his only son were of similar age, yet the son was far more clever....

He paused, then continued: "This man was a loyalist of Former Yan; when the Deposed Emperor plotted rebellion, the two secretly agreed to raise troops, coordinating inside and out..."

"But the Deposed Emperor was defeated too quickly; he hadn't had time to act."

Chen Yan stepped forward, took it with both hands and opened it; as he scanned the target, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he said: "Daxi Jue, one of the Twelve Great Generals personally appointed by Taizu, a capable commander who holds actual military authority...."

"He is probably far more difficult to deal with than that empty shell Chen Kaiyuan...."

Taizu Yuwen Xin established the militia system, with the Twelve Great Generals under the Six Pillars of State, each commanding a Twenty-Four Commandery.

And Daxi Jue is one of those Twelve Great Generals.

The difficulty compared to Chen Kaiyuan, whether in terms of the people he controls or his personal martial strength, has increased geometrically.

"If it weren't difficult, I wouldn't have handed it to you!" Yuwen Hu smiled lightly, speaking calmly.

"The Grand Chancellor really does hold me in high regard...." Chen Yan twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Boy, do you dare to accept?" Yuwen Hu's gaze hardened, his voice rose sharply as he asked.

"Of course!" Chen Yan said without hesitation, resolutely.

As he spoke, he clenched the document about Daxi Jue in his hand.

His eyes were filled with determination.

"Boy, if you have thought this through, any slip will not end better than before...." Yuwen Hu's fierce, eagle‑like gaze stared at Chen Yan, warning.

"I enjoy challenges!"

Chen Yan licked his lips and said loudly.

He paused, then continued: "If I win, a glorious future; if I lose, it's just a single life...."

Then gamble it; after all, Chen Yan has no way out.

Better to take a chance, turning a bicycle into a motorcycle!

Moreover, to personally wield the blade and kill a Twelve Great General is even more exciting!

"What courage!"

Yuwen Hu was moved by the young man's displayed boldness and praised him.

Chen Yan pulled from his bosom the pre‑prepared Silver Note and Land Deed, his face beaming, placed them on the desk, and flattered: "Grand Chancellor, a modest token, not quite respect...."

"Two hundred thousand taels?"

Yuwen Hu glanced over, looked at Chen Yan meaningfully, and teased: "Your token is indeed not small!"

"From the confiscated estate of Chen Kaiyuan?"

"Yes." Chen Yan nodded, admitting truthfully.

"Planning to bribe the king?" Yuwen Hu leaned back in his chair, raised an eyebrow, and asked casually.

"How can that be called a bribe?"

Chen Yan's face remained unchanged, speaking seriously: "I only think that the silver, in your hands, can fulfill its greatest purpose!"