[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-4":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364273,4623,"Chapter 4: Urgent Frontier Report","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>The next morning, Li Mu sent someone to deliver a visiting card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, he had thoroughly studied many etiquette rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the customs of the Great Yu bureaucracy, a guest must first send a messenger to schedule a visit, to avoid arriving only to find the host absent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the host declines politely with an excuse and does not propose another time, it proves the relationship is insufficient—there is no need to visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who show up with a visiting card and wait in line for an audience are inferiors seeking an audience with superiors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu was there to renew ties; he naturally could not make such a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of waiting for a reply at the Hou Fu, after breakfast he left with several retainers and one servant from the Hou Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was his first time in the capital, he certainly wanted to explore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bustling crowds and constant flow of carriages and horses spoke plainly of the city’s prosperity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eight-hundred-li express! Clear the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eight-hundred-li express! Clear the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if rehearsed, upon hearing the cry, whether high officials or common folk, all swiftly moved aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A road wide enough for four horses to ride side by side appeared before Li Mu in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the courier passed, the street resumed its bustle, now enriched with new gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the capital, political sensitivity was simply different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even commoners had the habit of caring about matters of state, speculating wildly about what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fu Bao, such a scene isn’t common even in the capital, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eight-hundred-li express was the highest-grade communication method in Great Yu; it could only be activated for earth-shattering events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Hanzhong, he had only ever seen three-hundred-li express.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Li, you’re joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d only ever heard of eight-hundred-li express in operas—this is my first time seeing it in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re curious about its contents, sit at a teahouse on the city wall; all sorts of rumors gather there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most are hearsay; no matter how well-informed, no rumor can outpace an eight-hundred-li express.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait until Lord Hou returns tonight, then ask him directly—you might get the answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Fu Bao’s reply, Li Mu smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lead the way—I’d like to see what a capital teahouse is like.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the sky falls, the tall ones take the first hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I’m not in that position, I needn’t meddle in its affairs—better to use this free time to learn about the capital first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five City Military Command nominally an army, but in practice it handles duties akin to a paramilitary police force, public security, and urban management enforcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its main responsibilities include patrolling for bandits, clearing streets and drains, managing prisoners, and fire prevention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the dynasty’s founding, five Military Command posts were established: Central, East, West, South, and North. Later, as duties multiplied, personnel expanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later years, to strengthen control, five battalion commands were added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To establish oneself in the Five City Military Command, one must not only untangle all relationships but also understand the capital thoroughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, eight-hundred-li urgent report from the frontier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the court officials, who had been arguing moments before, fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring it here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Tianyuan ordered coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he tried to maintain composure, a flicker of worry in his brow betrayed his inner turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since its inception, the eight-hundred-li express has meant disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every activation brings only bad news—never good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worthless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you are worthless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his rage, Emperor Tianyuan slammed his fist on the dragon throne; the sharp pain brought him back to reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bad news from the frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five days ago, the Divine Engine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp, alongside the Liaodong frontier troops, attacked the Northern Barbarians’ ancestral stronghold—but were met with continuous heavy rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain soaked the gunpowder; all firearms in the army went dead, leaving them vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle, the Divine Engine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp were nearly annihilated; the allied frontier troops lost over half their numbers and lost over a hundred cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director of Liaodong Duan Wenhong died in battle; Commander of the Divine Engine Camp Shu Chisong died in battle; Commander of the Three Thousand Camp Wu Yichu died in battle; Regional Commander of Liaodong Cao Quanlong died in battle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My one hundred fifty thousand troops are gone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Discuss—how do we salvage the collapsing Liaodong situation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disaster struck too suddenly; all key personnel had perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By Great Yu custom, the dead bear no responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no one to blame, such a massive scapegoat was heavy even for the emperor to carry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, Great Yu commanded a million troops; losing one hundred fifty thousand could be swiftly replaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the gap between armies is greater than that between man and dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troops lost in Liaodong were Great Yu's elite—nothing like the peasant soldiers of the garrison system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this main force gone, Great Yu will remain at a disadvantage in Liaodong for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the Northern Barbarians’ nature, they will not let this once-in-a-millennium opportunity slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the immediate priority is to stabilize Liaodong’s morale, abandon less critical passes, and concentrate forces to defend key strongholds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, draw elite troops and capable officers from across the realm to reinforce Liaodong as swiftly as possible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Jingguo Jing Guoliang was the first to propose a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the shocking news had stunned them, or perhaps none wished to take responsibility—despite their usual infighting, the ministers remained unusually silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since no one has other suggestions, we proceed as Duke Jingguo proposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Secretariat must dispatch envoys immediately to soothe troop morale; the Ministry of War must draft orders at once to summon elite troops from all regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Revenue must provide two million taels of silver; the Imperial Treasury must contribute one million taels as compensation for fallen officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, the Ministry of Revenue must raise three million taels in military pay and fifty thousand shi of grain as reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, restoring Liaodong’s situation is paramount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who undermines this effort will be executed without mercy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this critical moment, Emperor Tianyuan revealed his decisive, ruthless side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has no money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of Revenue Wan He Nian braved it to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court has countless financial demands; since a century ago, Great Yu's finances have been troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reforms were attempted repeatedly, but all proved temporary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Yu's system is like a colossal dragon beast—no amount of money can fill it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation persisted until Emperor Tianyuan ascended, when the court finally regained fiscal balance—and even posted a twenty-tael surplus last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since completing military reforms and launching campaigns in Liaodong, the imperial treasury has plunged back into deficit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly demanding such a vast sum is a crushing burden on the Ministry of Revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not wish to hear excuses!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how dire your situation, this money must be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you lack funds, find a way to raise them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you cannot solve problems for the court, what good are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Emperor Tianyuan’s sharp rebuke, Wan He Nian could only inwardly curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor had said all there was to say—there was no room for further refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can now cast monthly votes—let the votes flow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monthly votes, recommendation votes—all welcome; tips are even better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Writing comes first—no more words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1253,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","004fe8cb3363c65878c29bd21128c0920de8a68c7b00cd2ffd08fc36f1aca681","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-5","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-3",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]