Chapter 203

When Chen Wen stepped into the military governor's residence, he clearly felt that the atmosphere was different from before.

The guards' soldiers, upon seeing his arrival, had in their eyes besides the usual awe.

It added a few points of indescribable complex emotion; when performing the rites, they bowed their waists deeper.

All the clerks and servants encountered along the way held their breath and stood still.

Their gazes followed his figure, and only after he had walked far away did they dare to exchange glances in a low voice.

Wang Pu personally waited outside the second gate, this strategist who was always known for his steadiness.

At this moment, even his brow could not hide his anxiety and fatigue.

"Wen Zhong, you have finally returned."

Wang Pu's voice carried a hint of hoarseness.

"The lord just woke up a moment ago, his spirits are still okay, and he specifically asked to see you."

Chen Wen's heart tightened, and he nodded in reply.

"Thank you, sir; I'll go right away."

Passing through layer after layer of corridors, the smell of medicinal herbs grew stronger.

Outside the sleeping hall, the attending medical officers and eunuchs all had solemn faces, not daring to breathe.

Chen Wen adjusted his robes, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Inside the hall, the light was dim; Chai Rong half-leaned on the bed, his cheeks sunken, his complexion waxy yellow.

Only his pair of eyes, when they saw him,

suddenly burst forth with an astonishing gleam.

like the final flicker of a candle about to burn out.

"Wen Zhong……you have come."

Chai Rong's voice was weak, yet unusually clear.

He waved his hand, signaling the attending eunuch beside him to retreat.

Only the two of them remained in the hall.

"My lord."

Chen Wen quickly stepped forward, bowed before the bed, and a sour feeling welled up in his heart that he could not restrain.

The person before him was the first he had met in this chaotic world.

and the only one who could truly earn his respect and whom he was willing to serve as a wise ruler.

But now, he is exhausted, his oil spent, his wick burnt out.

"No need for much ceremony…please sit."

Chai Rong pointed to the embroidered cushion beside the bed.

Chen Wen did as he was told, sat down, and looked at Chai Rong.

"How is the northern front…stable?"

Chai Rong asked, his gaze burning.

"Replying to my lord, the Northern Han has just suffered a setback; in the short term they should lack the strength to launch a major invasion."

"The three counties of Luo Chuan have solid foundations, and the military and civilians are of one heart."

Chen Wen replied in a deep voice.

Chai Rong nodded slightly; on his waxy yellow face there seemed to appear a faint trace of color.

"Good…good. With you on the northern front, I…I can rest easy."

He gasped a few times, and his gaze became distant.

"Wen Zhong, this world…is too chaotic. The people…are suffering too much."

"I originally wished to…sweep away the warlords, return peace to the world…alas, heaven does not grant me enough years…"

His voice gradually sank, filled with endless reluctance and regret.

Chen Wen's throat choked up.

"My lord, take care of your health, until the day…"

Chai Rong slowly shook his head, cutting him off.

"There is no tomorrow…my body, I know it myself."

He suddenly raised his hand, his withered fingers gripping Chen Wen's arm tightly.

The strength was great, completely unlike that of a dying person.

"Wen Zhong! Remember my words!"

"This Chan Prefecture…this northern border…this world…cannot be allowed to remain in chaos!"

"No matter…no matter who in the future sits in that position…what I want is a person who can end warfare, comfort the people, and inaugurate a golden age!"

"Do you…understand?"

His eyes stared fixedly at Chen Wen, as if trying to pour his last will into the other's heart.

Chen Wen felt the tremendous force transmitted through his arm and the weighty expectation in that gaze.

He met Chai Rong's gaze and nodded heavily.

"Steady, I understand."

"I will surely not betray the lord's trust; I will end the chaotic age and create peace!"

He did not utter any grand heroic words, yet this brief pledge was firmer than any oath.

Chai Rong stared at him for a while, and his tense body finally relaxed.

His hand also slowly loosened, and on his face appeared a hint of a weary smile almost like relief.

Good… good… like this, I can then… rest easy…

He seemed to have exhausted his last strength, slowly closed his eyes, his breathing became weak and steady, as if falling into a deep sleep.

Chen Wen stood silently beside the couch for a long time, until the medical officer entered quietly to check, then he quietly withdrew from the sleeping chamber.

Wang Pu was still waiting outside the hall; seeing him come out, he stepped forward and spoke softly.

Has the Envoy gone back to sleep?

Chen Wen nodded, his mood heavy.

Mr. Wang, how is the situation outside the mansion?

Wang Pu sighed.

The undercurrents are turbulent. Zhao Kuangyin's people are becoming ever more active, and the imperial edict from Bian Liang has arrived, urging a decision on the regent's choice, the attitude… quite firm.

However…

He shifted his tone, his gaze toward Chen Wen carrying a hint of deep meaning.

Do you know, Wen Zhong, that within Chan Prefecture City and even the three counties under your governance, the people's hearts are already ablaze?

Chen Wen blinked slightly.

Wang Pu didn't elaborate further, merely making a gesture of invitation.

Wen Zhong, you've been rushing about; go back to the mansion to rest first. Some things you need to see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears.

With a hint of doubt, Chen Wen left the Jie Prefecture office, not riding a horse but walking leisurely through the streets of Chan Prefecture City.

By now it was nearly noon, the streets thronged with passersby, quite lively.

At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But soon, Chen Wen noticed something different.

The people along the way.

Whether it was a porter carrying a load, a shop assistant, or a woman with a child.

Upon recognizing him, they all stopped in their tracks.

They spontaneously made way to the sides of the road, silently bowing to him.

In their eyes there was no fear, no aloofness, only a feeling akin to reverent gratitude and anticipation.

An old man selling steamed buns.

He tremblingly shoved two freshly steamed buns, still steaming, into the hands of Chen Wen's personal guard who followed him, and spoke excitedly.

"Let the Defense Commissioner have a taste—just out of the steamer, fragrant! Thank you, Defense Commissioner, for letting us common folk eat our fill in peace!"

A half‑grown child who had been playing in the street, being pulled by his mother, pointed at Chen Wen and whispered.

"Kid, remember this—that's Chen Qingtian, the noble who protects us!"

Even several women wearing the insignia of the Jing'an Army gathered together.

Upon seeing Chen Wen pass by, they all performed the salute, eyes brimming with tears.

"May the Defense Commissioner be safe, thank you for looking after my spouse…"

"Yes, the child's father wrote in the letter that following the Defense Commissioner puts one's heart at ease and gives hope!"

Similar scenes kept unfolding throughout the streets.

There was no clamor, no disturbance, only a silent yet weighty recognition and support.

Chen Wen walked past one street, then another.

Wherever he went, the crowd spontaneously made way, performed the salute, their gazes burning hot.

He seemed to be walking through a warm ocean formed by countless gazes of expectation, trust, and gratitude converging together.

Within him, the Fortune Momentum vortex that had only been slightly quickening now seemed to be thrown into a blaze of dry kindling.

Suddenly it became active and scorching!

The vortex's spin speed visibly increased, its volume expanded invisibly, exuding a mighty aura that made the heart tremble.

He could even 'hear' from deep within the vortex.

It seemed as if countless faint voices were praying, speaking, and longing.

That was the sound of the ripening wheat waves rolling in Lochuan Three Counties.

It was the earth‑shaking shout of the troops drilling beneath Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping City.

It was the spark‑bursting sound of hammers striking blanks in the Artificer Camp.

It was the steady breathing of countless families as they fell asleep at night.

It was the simplest wish in the hearts of the myriad folk within Chan Prefecture City.

——to live on, to live on in peace

——gathered into a mighty flood!

In his mind, the Growth Progress Bar—those numbers, as if pulled by an invisible hand, began to climb at a clearly visible speed!

21%… 22%… 23%…

This growth rate far surpasses what he experienced when fighting on the Northern Front!

He suddenly understood the meaning of Wang Pu's words 'the people's hearts are like fire'.

He also understood why the Iron Crow Army…

…the 'master' behind it would be so obsessed with eliminating him as a variable.

Because what he brings is not merely military victory.

But also a vigorous vitality rooted in the land and the people's hearts, hard to confine within any 'script'.

Such power is soundless and silent.

Yet it is enough to burn away every set course!

He stopped, stood at the busiest intersection of Chen Prefecture City, and looked around.

Countless gazes gathered on him, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

He slowly raised his hand, solemnly clasped his fist toward the surrounding people, returning the salute.

There were no words.

But this action.

Yet it instantly stirred the surrounding crowd, many eyes filling with tears.

They felt the response of this young Defense Commissioner, feeling that weighty respect.

The people's hearts are like fire, capable of melting iron and refining gold.

It can also… overturn heaven and earth.

Chen Wen took a deep breath, feeling the unprecedentedly active Fortune Momentum vortex within his body.

And the Growth Progress Bar in his mind had already approached 25%.

He knew, this Chen Prefecture, this world.

It had already come to a critical crossroads.

And the direction of the people's hearts had already pointed out his way forward.

Next, it remains to see whether these sparks across the sky can start a prairie fire.