Chapter 739: Iron‑Fisted Reorganization of Authority, the Northern Border Reveres Only One

Xiazhou General Command.

The great hall was packed with armored, blade‑wielding generals.

Hundreds of Mingjing Embroidered Attire Envoys stood on both sides, their embroidered spring swords at their waists, forming a line.

A chilling aura of death pervaded the air, making even breathing feel difficult.

Chen Yan, dressed in a dark‑purple ordinary robe, stepped over the high threshold.

His long, powerful legs took a stride that exuded oppression.

His boots struck the blue bricks, producing a dull thud that rattled everyone's nerves.

Chen Yan walked straight to the wide Grand Master's Chair at the center of the hall and sat, his wrist casually resting on the armrest.

All the generals in the hall knelt on one knee, their armor clashing in a synchronized metallic chime.

"Shuyi, reporting to the Pillar!" the voices converged, echoing through the vast hall.

Chen Yan said nothing, merely raising his left hand for a gentle wave.

Only then did the generals rise, their eyes reverently fixed on the young Northern Border overlord.

Chen Yan drew a parchment from his wide sleeve, a sheepskin secret letter stained with dried blood.

He flicked his wrist, casually tossing the letter onto the hardwood desk before him.

The faint thud made several Old Troops generals in the front row involuntarily tighten their jaws.

"The wind direction on the Grassland has completely shifted," Chen Yan said, leaning against the chair back, his gaze sweeping every face present.

Zhang Wenqian stepped forward, clasping his hands and asking, "Pillar, have the Turkic People shown any movement?"

Chen Yan lifted the freshly brewed tea cup on the desk and used the lid to skim the foam from the surface.

"Moheduo's fox hasn't clashed to death with the Rouran Main Force..." Chen Yan took a sip of hot tea.

He set the cup back on the table, producing a crisp porcelain clink.

"The Turkic People have already retreated to the foot of Jinshan, carrying the plundered gold, silver, and women," Chen Yan said evenly, yet his tone bore a cold, all‑controlling ruthlessness.

Gao Jiong stood at the head of the civil officials, a cold smile of world‑weary insight flashing across his Dark Hawk face.

"Pillar, this scheme of killing with a borrowed blade is indeed brilliant, but the Rouran Khan is probably already maddened," Gao Jiong echoed.

Chen Yan's slender fingers tapped a rhythm on the desk.

"Yunhe Ti is now a tooth‑pulled, fully raging lone wolf!" Chen Yan's mouth curled into a cold arc.

He rose, his towering frame blocking the sunlight streaming in from the doorway.

"The wolf may be maimed, but to survive this winter, the beast's teeth that snatch survival supplies will only become sharper," Chen Yan said, moving to the front of the desk.

"The Rouran people will, for survival, strike back at Great Zhou's border without regard to cost," Chen Yan gave his final strategic assessment.

Several generals formerly of the old Xiazhou forces began whispering, their faces clouded with inescapable worry.

One old general, his face covered in a tangled beard, forced himself to stand.

"Pillar, should we immediately contract our defenses and hold the city to the death?" the old general proposed loudly.

Lu Ming, his massive frame like a small mountain, stepped directly out of the generals' ranks.

He took a step forward, his huge shadow immediately enveloping the old general.

"Guard what? My Horizontal Blade hasn't drunk enough barbarian blood yet," Lu Ming roared in a rough voice, causing the old general to stagger back two steps.

Chen Yan raised his hand, halting Lu Ming's rashness.

"I, the Duke, have summoned you today not to discuss defenses..." Chen Yan turned and sat back in the chair.

"The old Xiazhou military‑civil structure is overly bloated, already a pile of rotten wood," Chen Yan's gaze sliced across the old generals' faces like a blade.

"From this moment, enact a thorough reform..." Chen Yan issued the iron‑fisted decree to replace the old with the new.

The old generals' faces changed, yet under the cold blade glint of the Embroidered Attire Envoys they dared not utter a sound.

"Zhang Wenqian, acknowledged," Chen Yan said in a deep voice.

Zhang Wenqian hurried to the hall's center, lifting his official robe's hem and kneeling on both knees.

"Shuyi present," Zhang Wenqian's voice was steady and strong.

Chen Yan drew a red Order Arrow from the Bamboo Slip Container on the table.

"I, the Duke, promote you to Deputy Governor of Xiazhou, overseeing all affairs of the Seven Prefectures," Chen Yan tossed the Order Arrow onto the ground before Zhang Wenqian.

"All Northern Border grain and coin allocations shall be audited solely by you," Chen Yan leaned forward, granting him maximum authority.

"Within Xiazhou, any civil officials below the county magistrate are within your power to dismiss before reporting," Chen Yan's words made the civil officials in the hall gasp a cold breath.

Zhang Wenqian cupped the Order Arrow with both hands and struck his head heavily against the blue bricks.

"Shuyi will certainly devote myself to the Pillar, watching the fate of every single millet grain," Zhang Wenqian pledged with utmost solemnity.

Chen Yan nodded with satisfaction, his gaze turning to the young man who always schemed in the shadows like a poison snake.

"Gao Jiong, step forward," Chen Yan said again.

Gao Jiong moved silently to Zhang Wenqian's side, kneeling on one knee with a swift, precise motion.

"Shuyi awaits the Pillar's orders," Gao Jiong lowered his head, his eyes flashing with a frenzy for power.

Chen Yan lifted the Great Seal and stamped it onto the blank appointment document on the desk.

"From today, you are the Chief Historian of this Xiazhou General Command," Chen Yan pushed the document to the edge of the table.

"I, the Duke, entrust you with the task of supervising officials and purging internal traitors," Chen Yan's gaze revealed unmasked murderous intent.

"Within Xiazhou, anyone who dares to spread demonic rumors or shirk battle may be seized first by you leading the Embroidered Attire Envoys," Chen Yan granted him the authority of life and death.

Gao Jiong's mouth curled into his signature cold smile.

"Shuyi's blade guarantees to cut only the rotten flesh hidden in the shadows!" Gao Jiong bowed and retreated into the ranks.

"Gu Yuci," Chen Yan's gaze fell upon an upright‑standing general.

Gu Yuci strode forward, fists clasped, producing a resonant clanging sound.

"Subordinate General present." Gu Yuci, clad in Iron Armor, exuded a calm aura like a mountain.

"I, the Duke, promote you to Sima of Xiazhou, in charge of the army's military law." Chen Yan set the tone for the reorganization.

"Go inform those arrogant soldiers and valiant generals below that, starting tomorrow, the First Path iron rule shall be established." Chen Yan announced coldly.

"Anyone who attempts to flee in battle will be beheaded on the spot, and their entire squad will be held jointly responsible." Chen Yan issued a regulation that chilled all commanders.

Gu Yuci showed no hesitation and responded loudly.

"Subordinate General will enforce strict discipline and will not allow anyone to step back even a half step." Gu Yuci turned and stood aside.

Next came the one whom all Old Troops officers feared, the Killing God.

"Lu Ming, at your command." Chen Yan looked at his brother‑in‑law, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.

Lu Ming stepped forward; his massive stature dimmed the light in the main hall a little.

"I, the Duke, appoint you as Commander‑in‑Chief, to lead the elite Zhe Chong Camp of the Central Army." Chen Yan tossed a heavy Tiger Tally to Lu Ming.

Lu Ming caught the Tiger Tally with one hand and broke into a wide‑grinned laugh.

"Brother‑in‑law, rest assured; anyone who dares defy orders will be smashed into mush with my horse spear." Lu Ming declared, raising his head.

After assigning these four core positions, Chen Yan rose and walked to a massive map.

"As for the garrison commander of Gancao City, Huang Shizhang…" Chen Yan said, his back to the crowd.

He picked up a long rod and pointed to the location of Suizhou on the map.

"Huang Shizhang distinguished himself in the bloody battle at Gancao City and was promoted to Suizhou Commander…" Chen Yan turned, sending a clear signal to all soldiers of the Northern Border.

"If you are willing to give your lives for me, the boundless wealth is right before you." Chen Yan spread his arms, exuding a ruler‑like aura.

Under this ultimate blend of grace and force, no general in the main hall hesitated a moment.

They simultaneously dropped to both knees, their oath ringing out like a mountain‑roaring tsunami.

"We are willing to die for Chen Zhuguo, never refusing a thousand deaths!" The massive roar nearly lifted the government office's roof.

Relying only on his own authority, Chen Yan turned the faction‑filled Xiazhou bureaucracy into his personal iron barrel within a Half Hour Rest.

The meeting dispersed, and the generals stepped out of the main hall with respectful strides.

Chen Yan glanced at Gao Jiong, who was about to leave.

"Gao Jiong, stay." Chen Yan called out.

Gao Jiong halted immediately, turned, and walked to Chen Yan's side.

Chen Yan placed his hands behind his back, watching the slightly glaring sunlight outside the hall.

"Personnel adjustments are merely a hollow framework; without something tangible in hand, they remain empty." Chen Yan lowered his voice.

"Without land and grain, the offices I grant you are just a few worthless papers." Chen Yan turned his head to look into Gao Jiong's eyes.

Gao Jiong understood immediately; he knew Chen Zhuguo had been lying low for so long and was finally about to draw a blade.

"The upcoming clearing of fields will be the first hard battle we fight in Xiazhou!" Chen Yan patted Gao Jiong's shoulder and entered the inner hall.