Chapter 532: Assume the Title of Left Martial Guard Grand General, Command the Entire Left Martial Guard

The next day.

Early morning.

The chill had not yet fully dissipated; the eaves and corners of Tian Guan Fu were bathed in a faint morning light, a thin layer of frost clinging to the glazed tiles, lending an air of solemn majesty.

Inside the side hall, warmth spread; the floor dragon fire burned brightly, dispelling the biting spring cold, and a pot of delicate sandalwood incense smoldered on the desk, its curling smoke filling half the room.

Yuwen Hu, dressed in a four‑clawed python robe embroidered with dark patterns, was leaning over the spacious desk, reviewing memorials.

Holding a Red Ink Brush, his gaze was focused; he occasionally furrowed his brows in thought, then waved the brush to annotate, the tip scratching the xuan paper with a rustle that rang especially clear in the quiet hall.

Creak— the wooden door of the side hall was gently pushed open.

Chen Yan, clad in a dark Brothel and a jade belt at his waist, walked in with steady steps.

He stood tall and solemn; upon entering, he bowed before Yuwen Hu, who was still bent over the desk, and said respectfully, "I have the honor of seeing the Grand Preceptor."

A Yan has arrived?

Yuwen Hu looked up at the sound, a gentle smile flashing in his eyes, set down the Red Ink Brush, pointed to the pear‑wood chair opposite the desk, and said warmly, "Sit!"

"Thank you, Grand Preceptor," Chen Yan bowed again in gratitude, then took his seat as instructed.

Two Personal Guard attendants in the hall, seeing this, moved forward in unspoken coordination and poured a steaming cup of hot tea for Chen Yan; the tea was clear and its fragrance wafted.

After serving the tea, the two bowed and retreated outside the door, gently closing the wooden door.

Yuwen Hu lifted the tea cup on his desk, took a sip, the warmth dispelling some fatigue, then asked, "How are the matters progressing?"

When the matter was mentioned, a trace of self‑reproach crossed Chen Yan's face, and his tone carried guilt: "I have not handled it well; I have failed the Grand Preceptor's great expectations!"

After a brief pause to collect his thoughts, he gave a concise account of the events of the previous night.

Yuwen Hu listened quietly, his face always bearing a warm smile; when Chen Yan finished, he nodded slowly, his tone even: "You escaped the bandit leader Gao Changjing and his men, but shattered the Qi State; most of our covert forces in Chang'an did gain something, after all!"

He paused, then gently reassured, "Moreover, from your description I know that Gao Changjing is no ordinary foe; A Yan need not blame yourself!"

"You have already done enough!"

Our own child has reached this level; if someone else tried, they would probably struggle even to counter Gao Changjing's moves…

How could Yuwen Hu possibly blame him?

Chen Yan heard this, his guilt easing slightly, yet his brows remained tightly knit, his gaze sharp as a blade, his tone heavy and resolute: "If Gao Changjing remains, he will always be a great hidden danger!"

Yuwen Hu's gaze fell on Chen Yan's face, taking in the certainty and sharpness between his brows; a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, his mouth curling into a gentle yet inquisitive smile as he asked, "Seeing you like this, it seems you already have a plan?"

Chen Yan, hearing this, immediately nodded, his tone steady: "I have a few drafts…"

He paused again, his eyes growing deeper, and added meaningfully, "Prepare to lure the snake out of its hole!"

"Good!" Yuwen Hu exclaimed, a flash of approval lighting his eyes.

He raised his hand and waved, his voice bold and firm, proclaiming loudly, "Since A Yan already has a strategy, go ahead and act boldly!"

"All the manpower and material resources you need, I will fully approve; I will support you completely!"

"Thank you, Grand Preceptor!" Chen Yan rose and bowed.

Yuwen Hu waved his hand, as if recalling something, his tone turning a bit gentler, and reminded, "Remember to bring A Ze and A Xiang as well, so they can learn more too!"

"Understood." Chen Yan bowed respectfully.

Yuwen Hu lifted the tea cup, gently blew the froth on its surface without drinking, exhaled a breath of murky air, his gaze heavy on Chen Yan, and said solemnly, "A Yan, these past days I have thought carefully; your earlier petition was very foresighted and indeed necessary…"

"The Mingjing Office should be expanded!"

The situation keeps changing; the Four Guards established by Taizu are indeed no longer sufficient…

Beyond surveillance, they must serve other functions!

We must also nip problems in the bud, so incidents like those involving Zhang Yinxian and the other two cannot recur, lest we waste talent!

At last he has persuaded Grand Preceptor father… Chen Yan felt a surge of joy, unable to suppress a mutter in his heart.

Previously, the shortage of staff in the Mingjing Office had been mentioned many times, urgently needing expansion, but various reasons prevented it; now the Grand Preceptor brings it up proactively, a perfect timing.

He suppressed his excitement, his expression growing more solemn, and following the Grand Preceptor's thread, he analyzed the pros and cons methodically, echoing, "Grand Preceptor, your wisdom! Our Great Zhou's national strength grows daily, its territory expands, and clashes with Qi State will only become more frequent; covert struggles have never ceased…"

"Qi State repeatedly sends covert agents to infiltrate, stoke court disputes, attempt to destabilize Chang'an; their methods grow ever more hidden and ruthless."

"The Mingjing Office, as the core force monitoring covert agents and stabilizing the court, now truly lacks sufficient personnel."

"Expanding the Mingjing Office and replenishing elite forces is indeed urgent!"

Yuwen Hu nodded slowly, a deep light suddenly flashing in his eyes; his fingertips lightly tapped the desk, producing a soft "thud thud", his gaze turning to the morning light outside, and he said with far‑reaching consideration, "Expanding the Mingjing Office is not only to secure the interior, but also to extend our reach further."

"By dispatching more embroidered envoys into Qi and Liang, we can not only gather military and political intel, but also use soft knives in secret…" he said, a meaningful smile curling his mouth, his tapping growing slightly firmer, "stirring court disputes, sowing discord between ruler and ministers, spreading rumors to sway the people, and covertly sabotaging their agriculture, transport, and armament production…"

"Thus, without shedding blood, we can gradually weaken their national strength; many small blows may equal battlefield results."

"If the court later decides to go to war, Great Zhou will already have grasped their strengths and weaknesses, shaken their foundations; then our forces will have greater odds of victory, the advantage greatly increased!"

The final sentence was said with iron‑clad certainty, a sharp edge flashing in his eyes.

The shock of Qi State's turmoil made Yuwen Hu realize that not only military campaigns can achieve merit against the enemy…

Cunning subterfuge can as well!

Moreover, the cost is lower while the results are remarkable!

When Qi and Liang are weakened to a certain degree, then mobilizing troops for conquest might sweep them away in one stroke, unifying the realm!

"Grand Preceptor, your foresight is profound; I wholeheartedly agree."

Chen Yan bowed and offered his counsel: "I think that if this expansion can add a Seven Guard, the Mingjing Office's authority and duties will be clearly delineated, handling internal and external affairs separately, and efficiency will be further highlighted."

After a brief pause, he continued methodically, "The existing Four Guards can focus on domestic matters, rigorously monitoring officials' words and deeds, eliminating factionalism, collusion, and treason…"

"On the other hand, we should strengthen patrols and surveillance of each prefecture and county, weaving a dense network of eyes, thoroughly eradicating hidden rebellion threats, preventing a repeat of the incidents in Qin, Jing, and He prefectures!"

"What about the newly established Seven Guard?" Yuwen Hu asked with interest, his gaze hopeful, clearly approving the idea.

Chen Yan phrased it carefully, laying out his scheme: "The newly created Seven Guard would handle external affairs, each targeting Liang, Qi, Tujue, Rouran, and other hostile states."

"I intend to dispatch a great number of elite embroidered envoys, letting them infiltrate all walks of life in those nations!"

"Excellent! Very appropriate!" Yuwen Hu, delighted by the words, clapped his hands in praise, his smile deepening, his eyes full of approval, "A Yan, this plan, while covering both internal and external matters and secretly harboring thunderous force, is truly meticulous to the utmost."

He raised his hand and pointed at Chen Yan, his tone solemn and trusting: "A Yan, since this was proposed by you, the expansion of the Mingjing Office shall be handled by you with full authority!"

Chen Yan felt a chill, immediately bowed to receive the order, his tone firm and strong: "I obey!"

"Full authority"—what does it represent?

It means even the personnel decisions are given!

Yuwen Hu stared at Chen Yan's young face, which resembled his mother's, his eyes full of unmistakable satisfaction.

He slowly nodded, his tone full of unreserved praise: "You child, this time you have again rendered a great service to Great Zhou, not only thwarting Gao Changjing's plot in time, averting turmoil in Chang'an, but also stirring chaos in Qi State!"

"Very good, very good!"

A Tang's spirit in heaven, if it knew, would also be pleased.

A Yan this child has already become a pillar of Great Zhou!

"Grand Preceptor overpraises." Hearing that, Chen Yan immediately bowed his hands, his expression modest, his tone respectfully replied: "Protecting Great Zhou's peace, eliminating internal and external threats, sharing your worries, Grand Preceptor, is my duty; these are what I should do, I dare not claim credit."

Yuwen Hu waved his hand, his eyes smiling more, his thumb turning the Jade Ring, leisurely said: "I, together with A Heng and your father‑in‑law, have discussed…"

"A thousand taels of gold, three thousand bolts of brocade, a hundred mu of fertile fields, five hundred households of taxable land!"

Then, he loudly added, his tone bearing unparalleled trust: "In addition, you shall also receive the title Left Martial Guard Grand General, commanding the entire Left Martial Guard, assisting me in managing the Capital's defenses!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, sprang up from his seat, his eyes instantly ignited with uncontrollable excitement, deeply bowed in utmost respect, his voice trembling slightly from his stirred heart: "Thank you, Grand Preceptor!"

Then, solemnly pledged loyalty: "I shall take Great Zhou's safety as my own duty, brave fire and water without hesitation, devote myself entirely to Great Zhou, and only die after my work is done!"

The material rewards mentioned earlier were, for Chen, merely embellishment…

But the Left Martial Guard Grand General is different!

This is military authority!

Real, tangible military authority!

One of the most elite units among the militia ranks!

"Sit, sit, sit!" Yuwen Hu, seeing his demeanor, smiled even wider, raised his hand and waved, indicating no need for formalities, "We are all family, no need for that!"

Chen Yan took his seat as instructed.

When Yuwen Hu saw him seated, his smile gradually faded, replaced by solemn seriousness, his brows tightening with gravity, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk, his tone low and solemn: "There is a matter I wish to hear your opinion on...."

"Please, sir!" Chen Yan leaned slightly forward.

Yuwen Hu lifted his eyes, his gaze deep as a pool, and said gravely: "Hou Wanjing, the Luoyang Prince of the Henan region of Qi State, recently sent a secret letter, stating his dissatisfaction with Qi's ruler Gao Ying and his desire to ally with Great Zhou, sending troops together to attack Qi!"

"A Yan, what do you think?"

"Founding Emperor briefly employed a small stratagem, thus eliminated most of the treacherous faction of Qi State lurking in Chang'an; his heroic talent and great strategy, how magnificent!"

"In recognition of his merit, he bestowed a thousand taels of gold, three thousand bolts of brocade, a hundred mu of fertile fields, increased taxable households by five hundred, and promoted him to Left Martial Guard Grand General."

—"Wei History"·Chronicle of the Founding Emperor Wen Emperor