Chapter 121: Who Is the True General?

Zhou Tian saw Yang Ye and Yang Jun father and son approaching together, and his eyes widened.

Only then did he realize that the cry of "See the general!" was not because the generals feared him, but because they saw Yang Ye.

Although Prince Pingxi had been stripped of his military authority, in practice he still retained considerable influence.

At least on this point, it cannot be denied.

Zhou Tian saw Yang Ye accompanied by Yang Jun approaching, and the Pacified West Army soldiers knelt down one after another, their eyes full of fervor, excitement, and absolute admiration.

This situation, compared to how the Pacified West Army previously behaved when facing him, is completely different.

Zhou Tian felt resentful, his face flushed with anger, and his expression darkened.

But the person before him was Prince Consort Yang Jun, the sole prince of a different surname in the Great Xia dynasty!

No matter how much indignation he felt, he could not vent it.

"Zhou Tian greets the Prince!"

Zhou Tian clasped his fists in salute; Yang Jun stood beside Yang Ye, straightened his back, and calmly accepted Zhou Tian's bow.

Seeing this, Zhou Tian's anger grew stronger.

He could only repeatedly curse Yang Jun for relying on others' power in his heart, but dared not show any other reaction.

"General Zhou, no need for formalities."

"That's how it is in the army: we value loyalty and righteousness, we're old brothers; not wanting to accept others temporarily is only human, I believe you can understand."

"Or else, give the Pacified West Army a little more time."

Yang Ye's aura was astonishing, his words calm.

As he spoke, Zhou Tian's complexion changed again at that moment.

But soon it changed along with it.

"The Prince is joking; Zhou Tian certainly understands."

Zhou Tian was almost grinding his teeth, but in this situation he had no choice but to keep his head lowered.

When it was time to show weakness, there was absolutely no way to change anything.

"General, everyone is looking forward to you."

At that moment, a man dressed as a scholar stepped forward, smiling as he glanced at Yang Jun.

"This must be His Highness the Heir Apparent, indeed he looks remarkable."

"General, you've finally come; we're about to grow sick from idleness."

"General, with you here we can finally feel at ease."

"Exactly, General; without you, nobody has any strength."

The Pacified West Army soldiers spoke up one after another; their fervor and admiration stimulated Zhou Tian on the side.

Now compared to just before, it's worlds apart.

Zhou Tian saw this and felt even more dissatisfied.

But there was no way to vent it.

He could only clench his teeth, bow to Yang Ye, politely take his leave, leading his own people away with a belly full of anger.

He originally thought that holding an imperial edict would allow him to subdue the Pacified West Army.

Who would have expected that this trip to the army camp would turn out to be a humiliating ordeal for himself?

The Pacified West Army gave him no pleasant face, making him utterly embarrassed, a result he never anticipated.

Moreover, the hardest part for Zhou Tian regarding the Pacified West Army's actions is that he cannot report them to the emperor.

If he were to report the Pacified West Army's conduct to the emperor himself, the emperor would likely not punish the army.

Moreover, the emperor would think him incapable, lacking the ability to resolve these matters.

This authority was granted by the emperor, giving him the qualification to take over the Pacified West Army; if he reported in this way, the outcome would be obvious.

Zhou Tian sighed bitterly; no matter how much humiliation or dissatisfaction, he could only grind his teeth and swallow it down.

No matter how much anger he felt, he could only suppress it; he must never let it out.

He had thought that with the emperor on his side he could seize the initiative, but it seems everything is still far from what he had in mind.

……

Zhou Tian returned to his mansion, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

The emperor first promoted him from Commander to Deputy Commandant, then directly appointed him Acting Grand General of the Pacified West Army.

This seemed like a meteoric rise, victory drawing ever closer.

But who would have thought that in this matter there were still too many aspects he could not foresee, let alone cope with?

Today's affair, before the Pacified West Army, not only failed to establish authority, but merely invited ridicule.

Now even a lowly soldier can disregard his words and orders; this is utterly outrageous!

Now his title of Acting Grand General is merely an impressive-sounding but useless name; having only an empty reputation, he has no means or significance to resolve these matters.

In the end, his scheming amounted to nothing more than a nominal post.

Before Yang Ye, he is the true general.

Whereas he himself is merely a false general.

Alas, if he had become a Prince Consort, his position would not be so difficult.

But now Yang Jun has seized the initiative, becoming a Prince Consort first.

Then for him, that opportunity is lost.

Yang Jun is now a Prince Consort; if he could overthrow Yang Jun, perhaps this could still truly succeed.

Precisely because of this thought and consideration, Zhou Tian focused his mind on how to deal with this bastard through this matter.

"Senior sister, do you have any way to strip Yang Jun of his Prince Consort title?"

"Furthermore, let me be able to ascend to the position of Prince Consort?"

Zhou Tian found Lin Qingyue; since she is someone sent by the Sect, she ought to have come to assist him.

Having encountered a problem, we still need them to also contribute some effort, only then can we be sufficient to resolve all of this.

"Well, this matter—having Yang Jun expelled is not easy."

"However, if one wants to become a Prince Consort, isn't that quite simple?"

Lin Qingyue smiled faintly; she, who is extraordinarily clever, seemed utterly indifferent to all of this.

Upon hearing Lin Qingyue's words, Zhou Tian was immediately delighted.

"Please, Senior Sister, help me!"

He hastily clasped his hands together and kept speaking.

However, Zhou Tian still harbored some doubts in his heart.

Among Yun Fengyun's daughters, aside from Yun Xiyue, it seems no other princess has been highly regarded, right?

Seeing Zhou Tian's actions, Lin Qingyue fixed him with a serious gaze.

"Give up on Yun Xiyue."

One sentence left Zhou Tian stunned.

Lin Qingyue, however, continued speaking, showing utter sincerity.

"Once you command a million troops of the Pacified West Army, you will go with me to the Pillar State; we will marry, and after we seize the Skill State, if you are willing to be a Prince Consort, then you are a Prince Consort; if you wish to be emperor, then you are emperor!"

Lin Qingyue's earnest words caused Zhou Tian to gradually regain his composure at this moment.

Lin Qingyue is the fallen princess of the Pillar State; her greatest wish is to restore the nation.

But many years have passed, and this can only remain an unfulfilled wish.

The difficulty of restoring the nation is self-evident.

Moreover, even if the restoration succeeds, there is a Great Xia staring covetously from beside; what consequences would that bring?