Chapter 712: Three Powers United in a Frontier Governor, the Iron Throne of the Northern Frontier Lord

Inside the Zheng Hall of the Inspector's Office, incense curled, yet the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed about to drip water.

That proclamation—"Chief Commander with Credentials, Governor of the Seven Prefectures of Xia, Ling, Sui, Yin, Yan, etc., military affairs; Governor of Xiazhou, Inspector of Xiazhou"—rang like a massive bronze bell, numbing the eardrums of every Xiazhou civil and military official present.

Being Governor of the Seven Prefectures not only expands Chen Yan's authority from a corner of Xiazhou across the entire northwestern frontier of Great Zhou, but also makes him the supreme military commander confronting the Turks, Rouran, and Qi State.

Yet everyone thought this honor was the pinnacle of reward; after all, Chen Yan is only nineteen, and since Great Zhou's founding no one has ever been such a young Governor.

But the pale‑faced eunuch did not put away the imperial edict.

His sharp eyes, honed by years in the inner palace, swept over the crowd below with a half‑smile, then he drew a deep breath.

That pause seemed to suck the air from the entire hall, as a more terrifying storm brewed.

Immediately, the eunuch's voice rose sharply, a piercing tone that rattled the soul, unleashing a true thunderclap.

"Special Grant to Weiguogong Chen Yan, Right to Confer Titles!"

"Within the Seven Prefectures, all civil and military officials may be decided with a single word, no approval from Chang'an Tian Guan Fu required—Execute Before Reporting, Grant Before Reporting!"

Boom!

Those words, like a true Nine Heavens Mystic Thunder, shattered the roof of the Zheng Hall in the Inspector's Office unguarded, slamming down onto the Heavenly Spirit Covers of Zhang Wenqian, Gu Yuci and others.

Zhang Wenqian's eyes widened abruptly; the shock turned his already pallid, hangover‑stained face completely colorless, and his breathing halted.

As the chief clerk, he knew all too well what "Right to Confer Titles" meant in court.

These civil and military officials might not be high‑ranking in Jingcheng, but locally they are all powerhouses.

According to Da Zhou Law, the power to appoint and dismiss local officials has always been tightly held by Chang'an's Tian Guan Fu, the very foundation of the Great Clan families' power struggles and profit sharing.

Any frontier governor wishing to place a confidant must go through multiple reports, arrangements, even fierce debates on the Court.

But now Grand Preceptor Yuwen Hu, with a single edict, shoved this nation‑shaking authority over personnel straight into Chen Yan's hands!

What does this indicate?

It means that from now on, the bureaucratic system of the Seven Prefectures of the Northwest is whatever Chen Yan wants to shape!

He can pluck out disobedient aristocratic officials like pulling up onions, replacing them with his own loyal bloodline!

No need for Court wrangling, no need for aristocratic approval; Chen Yan's will becomes the law of these Seven Prefectures!

Yet this maddening privilege has not yet ceased.

The eunuch gave no breathing room; the bright‑yellow edict bore even more hair‑raising words.

"Additionally granted: the lands of Xia, Ling and the other Seven Prefectures, ravaged by war and awaiting reconstruction. Effective immediately, the taxes of the Seven Prefectures shall be levied and allocated by Chen Yan for military supplies and civilian use!"

"Authorized to establish a bureau and garrison in Xiazhou, to train troops independently, and to produce armor and weapons at will!"

When those final words echoed in the hall, the world seemed to sink into death‑like silence.

Only the biting north wind howled outside, unable to disperse the sea‑turbulent terror in everyone's hearts.

Silence.

A silence so still you could hear a pin drop.

Even the broad‑stroked general Peng Chong sensed the edict's weight; his mouth gaped, his stare blank, his jaw hanging as if dislocated.

Zhang Wenqian, Gu Yuci, and battle‑hardened veteran Wang Zheng all reacted in the same way.

Their cold sweat soaked their inner garments, even seeping icy moisture down their backs.

Instinctively, they exchanged glances, each seeing the unmistakable horror and disbelief in the other's eyes.

Personnel power! Financial power! Military power!

"Right to Confer Titles" severs the Court's control over the Northern Border's officialdom—this is personnel independence.

Self‑directed taxation, without answering to anyone's favor; all copper coins and provisions of the Seven Prefectures become chips Chen Yan can allocate at will—this is financial independence.

Establishing a bureau and garrison, training troops independently, Chen Zhuguo can legitimately use the Seven Prefectures' taxes to raise a hundred‑thousand elite army!

The three powers united, with no restraints!

What kind of privilege is this for a frontier governor?

Zhang Wenqian shouted wildly in his mind, this is clearly Grand Preceptor Yuwen Hu, north of Guanzhong, drawing a lawless "state within a state" for the Duke.

It directly places Chen Yan upon the iron throne of the Northern Frontier Lord!

Since antiquity, even a non‑royal king whose power sways the Court is still assigned a monitor and has his provisions blocked locally.

But now the Grand Preceptor is like a madman, handing the most solid gate of Guanzhong—and its key—completely, utterly to a nineteen‑year‑old.

The eunuch finally finished the last character, carefully rolling up the edict as heavy as Mount Tai, holding it to his chest.

In the deathly silence, everyone's gaze, filled with unprecedented awe and fervor, drifted slowly and finally fixed on the tall figure standing before the incense table, cloaked in a Purple Robe.

They waited, awaiting the young Northern Frontier Lord to grasp the world‑splitting ultimate authority.