Chapter 191: Court Turmoil

At the same time, within Qian Capital, the morning glow had not yet fully dissipated.

The atmosphere in the Da Qian dynasty's court was already heavy.

Da Qian Emperor Si Xiao Fei sat upright on the dragon throne, his complexion grim as water.

In his eyes flashed a shock and anger that could not be concealed.

"Your Majesty!"

"A secret report has come from Yan Prefecture: Yan King intends to rebel, and his Red Guard Army has already begun mobilizing and preparing for war!"

A loyal attendant hurried into the court, knelt before Si Xiao Fei, and reported with a trembling voice.

Si Xiao Fei sprang to his feet, snatched the military report, and quickly scanned its text.

Although he had anticipated it, when the moment actually arrived he still felt a pang of palpitation.

Yan King, this vassal king of a different surname who had constantly given him headaches.

He had finally taken the path of rebellion.

"He has finally come?!"

He rose abruptly, gazing down at the officials of the Da Qian court, and spoke expressionlessly.

"Yan King has already secretly mustered his troops; awaiting only the command, he will march straight on Qian Capital!"

That attendant lowered his head further, his voice tinged with a hint of fear.

"Bang!"

Si Xiao Fei angrily slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, and the entire court seemed to shudder.

The civil and military officials in the court were now silent as cicadas in winter, knowing full well the emperor's anger was no trivial matter.

For a moment, the court was utterly silent, save for Si Xiao Fei's angry breaths echoing in the air.

"Please quell your anger, Your Majesty."

"Although Yan King's rebellion is hateful, please, Your Majesty, preserve your dragon body and do not thus wound your holy heart."

Da Qian Chancellor Kang Zhengjie stepped forward slowly, bowed, and offered consolation.

Si Xiao Fei drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his chest.

He knew that at this moment he must remain calm and clear-headed.

"Old beloved minister, according to your opinion, how should I respond?"

He glanced at Kang Zhengjie and asked in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, Yan King's rebellion is now a foregone conclusion; the urgent priority is to swiftly mobilize troops and march to Yan Prefecture to suppress the revolt."

"At the same time, we must also strengthen the defenses of Qian Capital, just in case."

Kang Zhengjie slightly raised his head, a glint flashing in his eyes, and replied in a low voice.

Si Xiao Fei nodded, indicating his agreement.

"As for the person to take charge, do you have any recommendations, old beloved minister?"

Si Xiao Fei frowned.

Now, most of the power that the Da Qian dynasty itself controls has already been poured into the three battlefields of the Yellow Turban Army.

Others, such as the great armies of the three vassal kings of different surnames.

They not only provide no help at all,

but we must also divert part of our forces to guard against them.

Indeed, the Da Qian dynasty can no longer spare any extra troops.

Let alone suppressing something as massive as Yan King's manor.

Such manors, like Yan King's, which have been built up over hundreds of years, are colossal.

They have long been deeply entrenched within the Da Qian dynasty.

Even at the height of the Da Qian dynasty's prosperity,

suppressing them would still require considerable effort.

Let alone the present Da Qian.

The Red Guard Army of Yan Prefecture, which borders Qian Prefecture,

is not like the Nine Heavens Army stationed alone in Yun Prefecture of the two eastern provinces,

but must face alone the pressure from the Great Yong dynasty.

Therefore, the number of its main forces, though not reaching the 300,000 combat-ready soldiers of the Nine Heavens Army,

still amounts to an establishment of 180,000 troops.

Plus the hidden trump cards of Yan King's manor,

it is still possible to muster a force of over 200,000 elite troops.

Moreover, in the ancient world, armies are not merely combat forces.

Adding the Red Guard Army's auxiliaries, logistics, and so on,

claiming an army of 600,000 outwardly would be considered modest.

"Your Majesty, the Yellow Turban Army's situation in Rui Prefecture has already been broken."

"Moreover, the rebel chief Zhang Jue of Lu Prefecture, having heard the news, has already shifted the focus of the Yellow Turban Army to the southern Great Xuan."

"On the Lu Prefecture battlefield now, the Yellow Turban Army has ceded much territory and hunkered down in one spot."

"Therefore, Your Majesty may order part of the anti‑rebel forces to return to Qian Prefecture."

Kang Zhengjie bowed slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"Very well, then I will follow the old chancellor's advice."

"Convey my decree: command Tan Meng's army of the Rui Prefecture battlefield and Gong Xiao Chuan's forces of the Lu Prefecture battlefield to lead 150,000 troops back to Qian Prefecture."

Including the 50,000 elite troops of Yanzhou Border Pass, together with 200,000 auxiliary and local forces, they are collectively called the 500,000-strong army.

Immediately march to Yanzhou to suppress the rebellion; be sure to capture the Yan King and his followers in one sweep!

Si Xiao Fei nodded, turned to the many generals seated below, and gave the order coldly.

We obey your command!

The many generals in the court responded, received the order, and withdrew.

Your Majesty, I have a matter I do not understand.

Although the Yan King harbors great ambition, he has never dared to act rashly until now. Why would he suddenly rebel this time?

However, at this very moment, a civil official stepped forward, wearing a worried expression, and said.

The reason for this is naturally clear to me.

Over these years, my exploitation and oppression of Yanzhou have indeed been excessive, causing the Yan King to grow resentful.

Furthermore, the scheming and incitement of certain ill‑intentioned people drove the Yan King to finally rebel.

Si Xiao Fei frowned, pondered for a moment, then replied coldly.

Upon hearing this, the officials in the court all changed expression.

Your Majesty, I worry that the Yan King's rebellion may be only the beginning.

As one of the three great kings of different surnames, he is involved in many matters.

If the mastermind behind the Yan King's rebellion is actually the other two great kings of different surnames.

Then, if Great Qian has no countermeasure...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

Great Qian's Minister of Household, Ning Yinyi, stepped forward one pace, his face solemn.

We have already sent three imperial princesses to temporarily stabilize Cangzhou.

Moreover, the Nine Heavens Army is now eyeing the internal turmoil of Great Yong with greed.

Therefore, Su Ye of Cangzhou and the Yun King of Yunzhou, the two eastern provinces, need not worry for the time being.

Hearing the Minister of Household Ning Yinyi's worries, Si Xiao Fei pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly.

Besides, the Night King of the northern regions may be stirring.

Convey my imperial decree.

Order Grand Tutor Gu to mobilize the troops defending the eastern two provinces' direction.

March north to guard against the Night King of the northern border.

If there is any change in the northern border, be sure to block the enemy outside Qianzhou!

Si Xiao Fei then thought of the Night King on the northern border.

He suddenly felt a headache, but was not overly panicked.

For now, Great Qian's trump card, Gu Changqing, and the 100,000 elite troops guarding Qianzhou have not yet been moved.

Great Qian has not yet reached the point of having no mountains or rivers left.

As the main force of the Taiping Sect's Yellow Turban Army moves southward...

The resistance strength of Meng Zhang of Luzhou and Meng Hu King of Wuzhou can no longer be compared to what it was before.

This also means that Great Qian does not need to stockpile in the south an army of nearly a million from the entire imperial dynasty.

As the pressure from the Yellow Turban Army side diminishes...

Even if Great Qian only draws out half of its army from the south...

... that is still a fighting force of nearly 500,000.

As one of the top two among the five great dynasties, Great Qian...

A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse.

No matter how chaotic the situation, the cards in hand remain abundant.

This cannot be compared to the likes of Great Sheng, which has fallen so low that even dynasties can bully it.

(End of chapter)