Chapter 234: The Strategist of Po Jun, Heroes of the Realm, All Great Talents Gather in Jiangnan

The young marquis's words fell, and the previously bustling Zhao Daguan's body froze instantly, his mind ringing with a deafening buzz; Crown Prince Jiang Gao cast him a glance, then said: "So there is such a thing. The Ministry."

The local prefect rolled off his saddle and kowtowed: "Your servant is here."

Jiang Gao said coolly: "I never imagined the world still harbors a commoner emperor—let's go see how many concubines this Majesty has at home, and how many ministers surround him."

When these words fell, all the officials around fell into deathly silence.

Crown Prince Jiang Gao enjoys immense prestige both inside and outside the court; when he speaks personally, he will surely launch a ruthless investigation.

The more casually such a matter is spoken, the harsher the investigation will be.

The quieter the words, the greater the matter.

The Zhao Daguan turned deathly pale, staring over—he saw his own patron's patron ashen white, still bent over but as if already dead.

Done… finished…

Two of the world's most elite Tiger Barbarian cavalrymen dismounted in person.

One, clad in heavy armor, strode forward and hoisted the collapsed Zhao Daguan off the ground; Xu Huilan and Xu Yunxia remained dazed for a long while, unable to recover—those they had almost never dared to offend or even contemplate opposing had been dismissed with a single casual remark?

Qin Wu Hou…

Jiang Gao smiled warmly and said: "I never expected such unruly commoners would oppress the people—it's an embarrassment before Qin Wu Hou. I've prepared a banquet; I hope Qin Wu Hou will grace us with your presence."

He paused, his tone gentle: "And please invite your strategist's mother as well."

The Crown Prince himself extends the invitation.

But Xu Huilan was only thinking of meeting her son; she was a mere woman, never having met a supreme power like the Crown Prince. Li Guanyi saw this and smiled, speaking up: "She wishes to see Yuan Zhi—Your Highness, don't disturb this mother-son reunion."

Jiang Gao smiled gently: "Indeed."

"Then I shall not detain you."

"There are bullies roaming the countryside, oppressing the people, and I failed to notice—this is my dereliction of duty. I beg your forgiveness."

He remained seated on his horse, bowing deeply, his demeanor sincerely earnest.

Only then did he invite Li Guanyi and the others to a banquet outside the city; Li Guanyi gestured for Ling Pingyang to come forward, ordering the famed general to personally select troops to escort Yuan Zhi's family to reunite with him.

Ling Pingyang was a cavalry commander, a fifth-layer Qi refinement cultivator, yet his speed in formation was unmatched, leading the most elite heavy armored cavalry under the Fire Qilin Army, among all generals of the Fire Qilin Army.

Ling Pingyang was not the strongest fighter.

But when it came to long-distance rapid movement and protection duties—

Even the Furious Scale Dragon King could not match him.

He excelled at high-speed long-range strikes and was equally adept at defense and protection.

Ling Pingyang bowed and said: "Lord, rest assured—as long as I have one breath left, I will deliver the old lady safely to Jiangzhou, so the Master's family may reunite!" He then personally assembled the troops and escorted Xu Huilan, Xu Yunxia, and others away.

Li Guanyi himself remained calm and composed; all the officials of Yingguo's prefecture and state were present, and Crown Prince Jiang Gao personally received him with utmost propriety—but in substance, he was under watchful guard, keeping Li Guanyi confined to this single prefecture, refusing to let him proceed further.

A general and warlord who had ridden the lands since age sixteen—entering the heartland of one's own nation—anyone would be wary; even Chen Dingye could never allow such a man to roam freely.

At this welcoming banquet, Jiang Gao raised his cup to urge Li Guanyi to travel by waterway, detouring around Yingguo before heading to Zhongzhou.

Li Guanyi did not mind, merely drinking; Jiang Gao was refined, well-versed in astronomy and geography, skilled in playing the qin, accompanied by beauties singing and dancing—truly a delightful gathering—but Li Guanyi refused to stay in the official residence Jiang Gao had prepared for him, saying only:

"My comrades are still camped outside."

"This place may be fine, but it is not where I belong."

"Hahaha, gentlemen, farewell."

Li Guanyi rode away on horseback.

Jiang Gao saw him off; he remained silent for a long while, then turned to the man who had returned, who knelt halfway and bowed: "Your Highness, we delivered wine to the Fire Qilin Army—all fine wine, no adulteration—but not a single soldier drank."

"Even after Li Guanyi entered the city and Ling Pingyang departed, the remaining cavalry remained as disciplined as ever, unmoved, unwavering—this is an elite army of the world; even if inferior to our Tiger Barbarian cavalry, it rivals the top-tier battalions."

"This army's loyalty to Li Guanyi is absolute—we could not bribe them with gold or silver…"

Jiang Gao fell silent, watching the young man's retreating back on horseback: "Li Guanyi…" More than a year ago, they met in Chen's capital—he was merely a ambitious young Jinwu Guard; now, upon their second meeting, he was a famed general known across the land.

Jiang Gao sighed, waved his sleeve, and dismissed the man.

Then he sighed again, and a woman stepped forward from the side, her voice calm:

"It is impossible. Espionage tactics are laughable."

"I've heard Li Guanyi granted land to the Fire Qilin Army—their land is there, their families are there; their commander is bold and treats them well. Gold and silver can only bribe one man to betray his lord."

"To make one man betray his family requires a price far too great."

Jiang Gao looked at the woman—plain of face, at most merely pretty, yet her eyes were utterly serene. Jiang Gao said: "Sister, you are absolutely right." The woman nodded slightly: "He is a true royal teacher, and holds great momentum."

"You are now blocking them—you choose to meet their edge head-on. Useless."

Jiang Gao nodded, hesitated, then asked: "What of the strategist from the Seventh Prince?"

The woman's eyes flickered with a trace of irritation—this irritation clearly targeted the man mentioned—and she sneered: "That man, prettier than any woman, has already gone to the Fire Qilin Army."

Jiang Gao said: "Yes… I nearly forgot…"

"The Seventh Prince Ashi came here, ostensibly allying with us, yet also seeking to contact various warlords—he has already met Chen's court. Now that the Fire Qilin Army is here, and Li Guanyi is Qin Wu Hou, his strategist must surely go to meet Li Guanyi."

Jiang Cai said coolly: "Let him."

Jiang Gao sighed helplessly—his cousin had always been aloof, entering the Imperial Academy as a child, the foremost of the new generation's Five Strategists, never defeated in debates over the grand trends of the world—except once.

She was struck on the head by a stick wielded by a boy her own age.

A girl born into privilege, brilliant and quick-witted, had never imagined such a solution—she was stunned, watching helplessly as the boy shouldered his stick and walked away.

Since then, Jiang Cai found it hard to remain composed when facing that youth; now, the unmatched stick technique she wielded was born from that boy—when they met in Yingguo's imperial city, it was a chaotic, uproarious affair.

Their strategic games over the Seventh Prince's affairs had produced many disputes.

After Li Guanyi returned to the Fire Qilin Army, a carefree laugh rang out: "Hahaha, Brother Li Guanyi, since our parting in Jiangzhou City, how long it's been! On behalf of the Seventh Prince, I extend my greetings."

Li Guanyi dismounted, turned toward the voice, and indeed saw a handsome young man smiling and bowing; he laughed in return: "Thank you, Mr. I haven't seen the Seventh Prince in ages—I never expected he'd send you."

"Please, please—"

They entered, and once inside the command tent, the curtain drawn, the young man bowed deeply, a warm smile on his face: "Po Jun, meets his lord."

Li Guanyi grabbed Qijun's arm and made him sit down quickly, then poured tea himself and brought it over, smiling: "Long time no see, Mr.! Hahaha, I've missed you so much!"

Qijun nodded with a smile and said: "I, too, think of my lord every moment, but alas, I was not present at the Battle of Zhenbei Pass, the war spanning ten thousand li, or the dozen or so battles in Jiangnan—I failed in my duty as strategist."

He sat there, his smile calm and composed, exuding grace.

Yet as his gaze swept the room, a trace of regret lingered in his heart.

Too bad Yuan Zhi isn't here!

Qijun harbored a deep resentment over one thing.

Damn it! I never expected that after defeating Yao Guang, the position of chief strategist would be snatched away by some brat who appeared out of nowhere—what logic is this!

What Qilin Army chief strategist? What Eight Gates Golden Lock Array?

Why didn't my lord tell me about the chief strategist role? No, no, my lord must have thought this way—hmph, Yuan Zhi is merely the chief strategist of the Qilin Army; I, Qijun, strategize for all under heaven—I am no mere strategist of a single army.

Qijun exhaled slowly and slightly lifted his chin.

Thus, he calmed himself.

After a brief idle chat, he reached into his sleeve, pulled out a box, placed it on the table, and handed it to Li Guanyi: "This is something I acquired in Ying State—a precious jade. Today, seeing my lord, it is fitting that I present it to you."

Though no longer poor, Li Guanyi's Changfeng Lady supported too many people, and the Qilin Army drained logistics while the aristocratic clans remained disobedient—so he was still tight on resources. He accepted it without much protest, smiling.

Qijun exhaled again and fell silent for a moment.

Wait, my lord, where is your sword?

He stared eagerly at Li Guanyi.

Wait, where is the sword you forged yourself? Yuan Zhi, the current Qilin Army chief strategist, has one; even that old man Pang Shuiyun has one—where is mine? Where is mine?!

He saw no sword case on Li Guanyi, and his mouth twitched.

He sat there, back straight, face calm and composed.

Truly, he's not in the least anxious.

Not the least envious.

Qijun urged himself inwardly:

'I am my lord's chief strategist—I could never be like this Yuan Zhi or Pang Shuiyun…'

'My sword must be the special one!'

Qijun, rebuild your confidence!

He then discussed the state of the realm with Li Guanyi: "My lord, you've seized Jiangnan—this is the beginning of hegemony, but you absolutely cannot stop here." The handsome young man's expression was serene as he pointed with his finger on the table:

"Jiangnan is a strategic crossroads, protected by natural defenses—anyone who holds it can rise to great power. Yet it is not the land of kingship. Precisely because it is so accessible, it demands balance across all regions; coupled with the entanglements of powerful clans, maintaining internal stability while intimidating the outside is already extremely difficult."

"Launching external campaigns is nearly impossible."

"It is a place easy to defend but hard to attack: with a naval force guarding its passes, even a hundred thousand troops from Ying and Chen States may fail to swallow Jiangnan—but should your lord wish to march out, you will face simultaneous attacks from both Ying and Chen."

"Thus, in Jiangnan, heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony are all limited."

Qijun spoke calmly:

"Simply put, this is a transportation hub: you can reach anywhere easily, but so can others press against you. Moreover, your territory in Jiangnan lacks vast lands to breed warhorses, let alone rare beasts like dragon steeds."

"The vast world's decisive power lies in organized cavalry forces. General Ling Pingyang's five hundred elite Yue Family heavy cavalry rank among the top-tier units."

"Today I observed—if you select five hundred Hu Man cavalry and five hundred Qilin Weight cavalry…"

"In direct charge, victory might be a six-to-four split."

"But once their horses are lost, Jiangnan has no means to replace them."

"If they lose those mounts—eight feet tall at the chest, nearly dragon-like, capable of bearing thousands of catties, clad in heavy armor, shrugging off arrows and blades, charging fearlessly—how much combat power would such a force lose?"

"Though your Qilin Army infantry is strong, without heavy cavalry, you fall into passivity: the enemy's elite cavalry will constantly harass, cut, and outflank you, exhausting your foot soldiers."

"Jiangnan can yield hegemony, but not dominion over all under heaven."

"After this, my lord, you must abandon Jiangnan and march toward the Western Regions."

Qijun swept his finger across the map, his gaze calm and cold as he smiled: "Khan Qibili's Golden Crescent Cavalry is now formed. The Regent, that old wolf king, Yu Langwang, has had his Wu Gong stripped—he forcibly re-cultivated despite his dwindling lifespan, leaving him little time. He crushed the Tangut, but hasn't had time to devour all their flesh."

"Khan Qibili is growing stronger there. When you go, you'll gain a cavalry force—and Li Zhao Wen…"

Li Guanyi listened intently and asked naturally:

"If I enter the Western Regions, who should I take?"

Qijun smiled: "I wonder, my lord, how bold is your ambition?"

Li Guanyi said: "Mr., are they all top strategies?"

Qijun replied: "All are top strategies."

Li Guanyi answered: "Then I choose the supreme strategy!"

The heroic, mighty lord and the unrestrained, arrogant strategist sat facing each other, candlelight flickering, tea in hand, drinking not wine but their grand dreams and ambitions.

Qijun's lips curled slightly as he laughed heartily, then answered:

"Take one or two generals at most!"

"My lord, enter the Western Regions alone!"

Qijun uttered a strategy no general of the age would accept.

He was, in truth, an aggressive, reckless, and daring strategist. Spreading his arms, a faint smile on his face, he said: "What supplies? What logistics? What army? My lord, think carefully."

"The Western Regions have changed hands several times in just a few short years."

"From Tuyuhun to Tangut, Tangut to the Regent."

"Utterly chaotic!"

"There are famed generals, established roots, a chaotic age—and a Golden Crescent Cavalry. All you need is to go there yourself! In such an age, it is perfect for heroes to rise and raise entire armies."

"Let the Golden Crescent Cavalry lead the way. You, a famed general, ride freely through the Western Regions—use the Thirty-Six Western Tribes as your supply, use them as your army. All under heaven shall be bathed in the light of the great sun."

"As for your current base, let it accumulate strength in Jiangnan—until the great transformation I speak of arrives…" Qijun's finger slammed down on the map of the Western Regions, then slid sharply, directly linking the Western Regions to Jiangnan.

"The Tangut people and the Western Regions' sacred mountain lie here; in winter, when the sky is cold, these great mountains are covered in snow, called sacred mountains; in spring, when the weather warms, the snow melts and flows down these mountains, becoming Dajiang, surging eastward from west to east."

"Seize this advantage—!"

Po Jun's voice was calm. He rose, and the handsome strategist stepped behind the young lord, bent over, and extended his hand to point at the map on the table: "From here, you control the Guanzhong plain, with waterways to transport troops and warhorses, combined with the plain's wealth and the river's natural defenses. Advance southwest to subdue the barbarians and claim the prestige of Tai Ping Gong."

"Thus, the great cause of the world may be accomplished!"

"From now on, the state of Ying occupies the northern reaches of the mountains and the Central Plains."

"Your lordship's power rises from Guanzhong, the battleground with Ying, extends into the Western Regions and the southwest, follows Jianghe downstream all the way to Jiangnan, and commands the finest navy in the land to shuttle troops and supplies. Such a long front line is enough to exhaust Chen's forces."

"And Chen, merely caught in the gap between your lordship and Ying."

"This plan to divide the world—Chen has no need to exist."

He sat down, looked at Li Guanyi, and smiled: "I wonder, does your lordship possess the resolve to enter the Western Regions alone and open up ten thousand li of frontier lands? When that time comes, your domain will stretch ten thousand li—no need to guard against Ying."

"Only then can you establish the foundation of a 【King】."

Li Guanyi replied: "It should be so."

"Thank you, Mr.!"

Po Jun laughed loudly: "No need." He fell silent, then asked frankly:

"I never imagined your lordship had already chosen your chief strategist."

"Then, after I return, who will be the chief strategist of the Fire Qilin Army?"

Li Guanyi said: "Mr. Yuan Zhi is my friend."

"He is the Fire Qilin Army's strategist."

"He is also my left and right arm."

"But Mr. —"

The young lord raised his cup and smiled: "Mr. Po Jun is different. You are not, never have been, and never will be the Fire Qilin Army's chief strategist."

Li Guanyi looked at Po Jun: "You are Li Guanyi's chief strategist. Since the dawn of time, through countless states and empires, strategists have been as numerous as rain. In the future, more wise men, military advisors will come. Our armies will have different commanders, each with their own strategists."

"But from the past to the present, and into the future—whether the world curses or trembles in fear—there is only one chief strategist who belongs solely to Li Guanyi: you."

Po Jun grinned, then laughed loudly.

Li Guanyi added: "I've also prepared a sword for you, though it's not yet fully forged. It's made from the material I won during the Grand Sacrifice tournament—I hope to forge a treasure-grade weapon, at least a Xuan weapon."

"You'll have to wait a little longer."

The item the lord won at the Grand Sacrifice tournament—crafted by his own hands!

A Xuan weapon, destined to be passed down through history!

Po Jun's lips twitched, suppressed, twitched again, then crushed down hard.

Finally, he spoke calmly: "My lord, you really don't need to go to such lengths! Pfft—ha! No, truly, no need!"

Li Guanyi smiled: "It's only right."

He truly thought so, and had truly prepared it—but given Li Guanyi's nature, he would never say it so directly. Yet before Po Jun arrived, the silver-haired girl had told Li Guanyi:

If you're dealing with Po Jun's kind, it's best to speak plainly.

These people overthink too much.

A warning from the original Yao Guang records.

Po Jun was deeply pleased.

"Hahahaha! The lord's only chief strategist! The lord personally forged a treasure weapon! A treasure weapon! Higher than those bastards' gear by a whole level!"

"Yao Guang, Yao Guang—do you have one? A treasure weapon forged by the lord himself!"

"Hmm hmm hmm—I've already won."

"Yao Guang, Yao Guang—what can you possibly use to beat me?"

Po Jun, thoroughly delighted, took his leave. Before departing, he heard Li Guanyi mention the Jiangnan clans, and said: "The Jiangnan clans—these people are indeed hard to handle. They've rooted themselves for centuries, and due to the past warfronts of the Eighteen Jiangnan Provinces, their connections are especially tight."

"Using a strategist like Wen He won't be a problem."

"Yet the true path of the world is yin and yang: use the orthodox to engage, the unexpected to win. Jiangnan still lacks new laws, doesn't it?"

Po Jun smiled: "I've left one person for your lordship."

"Xiao Zhi, from the Imperial Academy, dual-disciple of Legalist and Confucian schools."

"He is sharp in grudges, unforgiving of slights. I've held him back, waiting for you. Send him first to Jiangnan to establish new laws—these clans have grown increasingly arrogant."

"They believe the survival of the Eighteen Jiangnan Provinces is their own doing. They cling to literary control, flatter each other, neglect virtue, and fail to enforce discipline. Such people must be crushed hard. You can't keep treating them kindly forever."

"If you treat them well, then even a slight decline in kindness is seen as disrespect. Better to crush them with law."

The next day, Xiao Zhi arrived. After a discussion with Li Guanyi, he saw Li Guanyi's little notebook, learned that Zhao the Senior Official had already been dealt with.

He saw Zhao Jiao's name crossed out in red ink on the notebook.

Xiao Zhi decided: this man was just like him—someone who held grudges.

With Po Jun's provocation and Yuan Zhi present, Li Guanyi trusted him completely and entrusted Xiao Zhi with all matters of law in Jiangnan.

Xiao Zhi fell silent. He was a young man in his twenties. He raised an eyebrow and teased: "All of it to me? Not to the elders? You trust me so much..."

"How should I proceed?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment and said:

"Enforce the law strictly—do not oppress the common people, do not coddle the clans."

Xiao Zhi grinned: "Lord, have you suffered at the hands of the clans?"

"Rest assured, Lord."

Xiao Zhi nodded, narrowed his eyes—sharp as blades—and smiled, harmless and cheerful.

Then he turned and wrote the names of the Jiangnan clans into his own little notebook.

Whatever Li Guanyi had, he copied over.

Li Guanyi didn't write it, so he added it himself.

Revising the laws of an entire province was a prospect worthy of any Legalist prodigy, especially a young one.

To be entrusted with overseeing provincial laws from the moment of birth.

And not have to trail behind that crowd of old scholars, kicking up dust—Xiao Zhi felt immense satisfaction!

So he spurred his horse southward to Jiangnan.

Before leaving, as if remembering something, he said: "When your lord visits the Academy, remember to bring back a man named Wen He."

"He is not on our side; I cannot sleep peacefully knowing he's free."

"Besides, he swindled me."

"Tell him, it was Xiao Zhi who ordered you to bind him."

"Hmm? Why am I willing to help you?"

Xiao Zhi smiled and replied: "I am close to Yuan Zhi; since you treat Yuan Zhi thus, I repay kindness with kindness—I must help you. Moreover, Tai Ping Gong once had great renown, and my elders received his aid."

"My lord, we shall meet again in Jiangnan."

Thus Xiao Zhi entered Jiangnan, another great talent of the Academy, a Legalist prodigy.

He appeared before the noble houses, carrying the enhanced version of Li Guanyi's little notebook.

Meanwhile, Li Guanyi was daily entertained by Ying's bureaucrats, who kept him stalled, refusing to let him proceed; Li Guanyi did not know their purpose, yet he showed no agitation, drinking daily without pause.

Finally, the Sword Madman returned.

The swords he carried now numbered only fifty-seven.

The swords once seized from his former sect.

All had been returned!