Chapter 414: Imperial Edict and Letter, the Third Ring of the Nine Cauldrons

Ji Zichang held the Divine General List, flipping through the battle records of the Fifth Divine General, reading and rereading, his expression brimming with delight and admiration; after a long while, he set the scroll aside and laughed, "Good, good, brother, well done!"

"Bring in the scribes—draft the rewards. Distribute the gold, silver, and weapons from the state treasury."

"If it can't reach the Western Regions, send it down the waterways to Jiangnan."

"Say it's in celebration of Qin Wu Hou."

Ji Zichang saw clearly: the gold and silver in the treasury, if kept, would merely be embezzled by the imperial clan's descendants; this tide was too strong, everywhere already riddled with holes, and his single hand could not stop it—so he might as well use this pretext to accomplish something.

Better that these things become grain for the people, clothes for the masses, and medicine for the soldiers,

than turn into fine wine in the cups of the imperial clan's descendants.

Ji Yanzhong, a kind and venerable elder, had once guarded the Chixiao Sword; now that the Chixiao Sword was gone, he protected Ji Zichang, carrying in many scrolls and setting them down, saying, "Your Majesty, the court ministers have all submitted memorials urging you to grant Qin Wu Hou a higher title."

Ji Zichang raised an eyebrow. "A higher title?"

The thirty-something Emperor glanced at the memorials and couldn't help laughing. "Uncle Ancestor, you speak of 'granting a higher title'—yet with this thousand-li stretch of Zhongzhou, this meager force, and nothing left of our ancestors' prestige, what higher title is there to speak of?"

"That faint prestige still carried weight when the world was stable, but now Chen and Ying are slaughtering each other—Chidi's authority has long been shattered."

Ji Yanzhong said, "Still, Chidi's fame endures, and the legitimacy of the imperial court still holds some sway."

Ji Zichang fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Let me see these memorials. What exactly are they proposing to grant him?"

Ji Zichang flipped through the memorials; his eyes caught a string of noble titles and official ranks, all dazzlingly prestigious. He ignored the names of these dukes and marquises and read straight to the content: "Hmm, this one says he should inherit his father's legacy and attain the dignity of Tai Ping Gong."

"Bestow upon Li Guanyi the rank of First-Class Founding Tai Ping Gong."

"This one claims his achievements have surpassed his father's."

"Since he rides the Fire Qilin, let him be called Qilin Gong."

"And this one? Even more absurd."

"It proposes enfeoffing him as Qin Wu Wang—with a title, rank, and status equal to the King of Chen and the King of Ying. This is truly hoping to stir up fresh turmoil."

Ji Zichang flipped through these memorials, shook his head, and said:

"These people—they haven't changed a bit."

"When the world was in chaos, none of them lifted a finger for the realm; each one tucked in his neck, shut his mansion gates, and dreamed his spring-autumn fantasies, talking of metaphysics all day."

"Now that the situation has shifted, they've all come alive again."

Ji Zichang reached out, idly nudging the pile of scrolls and memorials on the table, his eyes holding a faint, detached mockery: "You've always loved martial arts, like that mad Wang Chen Chengbi—you never think much about these matters."

"But I've slowly come to see."

"They screamed for the state and the people before because they knew the world couldn't truly collapse; their two years of quiet were because Chen and Ying finally started fighting."

"If either Chen or Ying were to rise, they'd immediately pack up their foundations and defect, leveraging their ancestral shadows to bow to the victor as the true dynasty, begging for lasting wealth and honor."

"Now they've come alive again."

"Only because Li Guanyi has surged in the Western Regions, his prestige soaring, and Yu Langwang struck at Ying's destiny, shattering Jiang Wanxiang's ambitions—thus restoring the balance."

"Chen won a great victory along Ying's border, but Yu Langwang is dead."

"Ying has collapsed, yet its former strength was greatest; though grievously wounded, it now stands nearly equal to Chen."

"Tiance Prefecture has grown mighty, the Western Regions have surged upward, rising to a status equal to Ying and Chen; the situation across the realm is now balanced and mutually restraining—and so these scheming ministers have come alive again, eager to play their power games within this equilibrium."

"Grant a higher title?!"

"Hmph— they merely want to drag Qin Wu Hou into their rules, then use his prestige to strut about, borrowing his light to shine their own shadows. All fine words, but full of petty scheming—disgusting."

Ji Zichang tossed the memorials onto the table.

Ji Yanzhong sighed. "Then… we won't draft these memorials for promotion?"

Ji Zichang said, "When Qin Wu Hou was weak, he had just taken Jiangnan—a thousand li of land, a million households, ravaged by prolonged war, lacking depth, sandwiched between Chen and Ying—he needed Chidi's name."

Emperor Ji Zichang said: "Back then, Qin Wu Hou was weak; he had just acquired Jiangnan, a thousand li of land with a hundred thousand households, and after such a long war, his foundations were thin. Between him lay the states of Chen and Ying—he needed to invoke the name of the Red Emperor."

"And Li Guanyi's foundation is immensely deep—he already bears the bearing of a hegemon."

"At this point, his momentum and reputation have already surpassed ours. He commands an army of hundreds of thousands in armor and weapons, his generals like clouds, his strategists like rain—every rank among the top hundred generals of the realm is represented."

"At this point, his momentum and reputation have already surpassed ours. He commands an army, able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of armored warriors, his ranks filled with fierce generals like clouds and strategists like rain—among the top hundred generals of the realm, he has them all, at every level."

"Why would he still need Chidi's name?"

"As for the matter of promotion… let me think on it."

Ji Zichang dismissed Ji Yanzhong, sat alone in the great hall, holding the battle report, scrolls, and memorials, flipping them over and over. His heart was filled with countless joys, yet also a faint bitterness, envy—even a jealousy he dared not admit to himself.

Emperor Ji Zichang dismissed Prince Ji Yanzhong, then sat alone in the great hall, holding the battle report, the Juan Sect records, and the memorials, turning them over and over. Naturally, he felt countless joys, yet also a faint bitterness, envy, and even jealousy he dared not admit to himself.

He genuinely rejoiced at Li Guanyi's success, yet thinking of his own plight, he felt a mingled helplessness and pain, too bitter to speak.

His refusal to draft the imperial decree stemmed from this complex emotion.

His reluctance to draft an imperial edict granting titles stemmed from this complex inner turmoil.

"I truly envy you… brother."

Footsteps sounded. At this hour, only one person could enter without being announced by the eunuchs. Ji Zichang lifted his eyes slightly and saw a woman with a gentle, beautiful face enter—it was the Imperial Consort Wen, the woman who had shared with him a child who died young.

Now she was pregnant again, her belly slightly swollen. Ji Zichang rose to greet her, supporting her gently, his expression warm: "Why are you here?"

"And you didn't bring any attendants."

Imperial Consort Wen said, "I feared disturbing Your Majesty—Wan'er and the others wait outside. But Your Majesty has not come to see me in a long while, and I heard of the court ministers' schemes. I worried you were reading memorials too late, so I came to check."

Ji Zichang said, "Yes, these ministers are stirring up thoughts again."

He helped her sit, subtly concealing the Wen family's memorial, and exchanged tender words. Imperial Consort Wen noticed his shifting expression and said, "Your Majesty, won't you write the imperial decree?"

Ji Zichang sighed. He had told Ji Yanzhong not to draft it—but now, quiet and composed, the emotions settled, yet he still picked up his brush. "Li Guanyi… so bold and valiant—grant him…"

Emperor Ji Zichang sighed. He had just told Prince Ji Yanzhong not to write it, but now, as he grew still and the emotions settled, he still picked up his brush and said: "Li Guanyi, so bold and valiant—grant him the title of…"

his gaze lowered, thoughts flickering through his mind—then he smiled faintly, suddenly inspired. He dipped his brush in ink and wrote the decree in one swift motion—only a few characters.

Her eyes lowered slightly, countless thoughts flickering through her mind, yet she merely smiled faintly, suddenly struck by an idea; she picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote the imperial edict in one swift motion—just a few simple characters.

The Imperial Consort Wen glanced at it, slightly startled.

Ji Zichang had indeed received guidance from many renowned masters in calligraphy and painting, achieving considerable skill with his own standards—but the characters he wrote now were wild and unrestrained, bold and majestic.

Eight characters on this imperial decree.

【The world is vast—take what you will!】

Then he wrote another imperial edict; this time his brush flowed like coiling dragons and serpents, fluid and unrestrained. The Imperial Consort Wen had already been shaken by the grandeur of those eight characters, but as soon as she saw the opening of this second decree, her heart skipped a beat.

Not a grant.

Not a command.

It was 【Venerate】.

【Venerate】 Li Guanyi as—

And then nothing followed.

The Imperial Consort Wen asked instinctively: "Your Majesty, won't you name his title or noble rank?"

Ji Zichang wrapped his left arm around the Imperial Consort Wen's waist, gazing at the decree, lowering his eyes as one after another memorial flashed before him—each petitioning for Li Guanyi's merits, each silently adding to his own credit for 【recognizing talent】.

Tai Ping Gong?

Fire Qilin Gong?

Qin Wu Wang?

Why must we, you and I, be bound by the rules of these endless dukes and lords?

Ji Zichang tossed his brush aside, calm and composed, lifted the imperial seal, and pressed it firmly upon the document: "There is nothing more. Whatever title or rank he desires, let him fill it in himself."

"Only thus can this decree match his achievements."

"Yet this, perhaps, is the last favor I can do for him."

Even a monarch trapped within the final prison of the Red Emperor's lineage.

Still possessed the courage to tear through these chains.

Not an elevation, but a further step—severing the lingering traces of Li Guanyi's earlier strategy of leveraging momentum, so that this wild Fire Qilin of the chaotic age might ride the world with even greater freedom.

Ji Zichang murmured to himself:

"I cannot go on. You must go chase your own world and great enterprise."

The Imperial Consort Wen watched the serene Ji Zichang quietly, smiling as she lowered her eyes.

Ji Zichang gazed at the decree for a long while, then carefully stored it away. The next day, he summoned Prince Ji Yanzhong secretly into the palace and handed the decree over to him.

He required this last master of the Red Emperor's lineage to personally deliver it to the Western Regions.

…………………

The situation across the land gradually stabilized. The states of Chen and Ying both issued new policies, encouraging spring plowing and sericulture, reducing taxes, and promoting the flow of goods. After two years of war, the land slowly regained its vitality.

Li Guanyi remained in recuperation; the Nine-Colored Divine Deer helped him regulate his Qi daily, and understood his condition well, sighing: "Supplementing with Qi offers only slight benefit. To truly recover from such an injury, the best method is to break through to the High Realm."

"What would be a grave injury to an Eighth Heaven cultivator might be considered a minor wound by a Ninth Heaven Grand Master, and to a Wu Dao legend, your injury wouldn't even count."

Li Guanyi said: "How can cultivation progress so quickly?"

"I'm only eighteen and already at Eighth Heaven—only because the world has changed, storms have risen, and I rode the tide."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer replied gently: "You needn't say that."

Li Guanyi smiled and asked: "How is Chen Wenmian lately?"

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer answered: "That child still appears outwardly as usual, going out to gather the scattered remnants of the Yu Langwang's troops—but when he returns, he falls silent, holding that weapon and staring blankly."

"I've seen this before. He'll recover soon."

Li Guanyi asked curiously: "Soon? How long?"

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer thought for a moment, then said:

"Everyone's condition differs—some need longer, some shorter—but on average, it takes about twenty years to let go."

Twenty years…

Li Guanyi's lips twitched.

Looking at the earnest, beautiful deer before him, he suddenly realized: this creature, like the Ancient Red Dragon, had a lifespan far exceeding even that of Wu Dao legends. To them, twenty years might truly be swift.

"Regardless, I hope he can find his way out."

Li Guanyi practiced the Tiger Roar Bone Strengthening Method, broke into a light sweat, felt his Qi and physique slightly restored, returned to the Anxi Protectorate, handled three hours of official duties, stretched his body—and then saw Changfeng Lady return.

Changfeng Lady's Fifth Heaven Wu Gong had gradually lost its prominence among the generals of the Fire Qilin Army, and with his insufficient command ability, he now oversaw the Anxi Protectorate's logistics and trade routes, bowing: "Lord."

"Since the Changfeng Lady restored our intelligence network, the trade routes are slowly recovering."

"But Lu Youxian has sealed the passage between the Western Regions and the Central Plains, and Xiyicheng is now wary of us, so our trade recovery is slow—it may take more time."

Have Chen and Ying begun a commercial war, cutting off the Western trade routes and exchanges?

Li Guanyi realized this.

Chen and Ying had reached some mutual understanding.

They needed to recuperate and restore.

But the precondition for Chen and Ying's nobles and emperors to sleep peacefully, to truly recuperate, was this:

The Western Regions must not recuperate.

The Fire Qilin Army had stubbornly held on to this dire situation and inadequate logistics, and still crushed every army that came against them, forcibly taking root in a world where the outcome had already been deemed settled.

If they waited a few years, letting the Western Regions and Jiangnan fully recover their strength, Jiang Wanxiang and Chen Dingye would never sleep again.

Even Lu Youxian had unhesitatingly severed the trade route between the Central Plains and the Western Regions.

Precisely because he recognized how dangerous a recuperating Li Guanyi could be.

From early Tianqi 11, when Qin Wu Hou pacified Jiangnan, to now, summer of Tianqi 13—over two years—Jiangnan's population had grown rapidly; the activity of the Mohists and Agrarians, combined with its role as the central hub of waterways, had led to Jiangnan's swift prosperity.

The scholars of the Imperial Academy had conducted civilian education for two years—though not much time—

But it was enough to cultivate a group of young people who recognized some characters, understood basic arithmetic, and were quick-witted, as well as wise elders, to replace the basic positions once filled by students from the Imperial Academy.

Gradually, the elite of the Imperial Academy could free their hands, gaining time and energy to take on more responsibilities.

After more than two years of rest and recuperation, Jiangnan's foundational strength rose dramatically.

As for the aristocratic clans.

In the past two years, no one has heard the Jiangnan aristocratic clans say much of anything.

It seems life in Jiangnan has been quite good.

In the past, during times of general peace across the realm, Jiangnan's prosperity over these past two years would not have been remarkable.

But everything fears comparison: during these two years of Jiangnan's rapid development, Chen and Ying states have been locked in constant war, and other regions of the Central Plains have endured two years of chaos, with taxes rising.

As a result, across the realm, even if not yet boiling with popular resentment, there was widespread discontent—when contrasted, the gap became terrifyingly stark.

And because of Qin Wu Hou's reputation for benevolence.

He once led civilians across vast distances, bringing them all into Jiangnan.

Many civilians from both states, crushed under heavy taxes, have tried to relocate to Jiangnan to settle down.

Wen Lingjun, stationed in the rear, has properly resettled them; now Jiangnan's population has grown from an initial one million households to over twelve million, cultivated land, standing armies, urban commerce, and all have improved, and granaries are now largely full.

Jiangnan lacks warhorses and iron ore resources.

The Western Regions are vast and sparsely populated, rich in warhorses and mineral deposits, but short on grain.

These two regions are perfectly complementary; Lu Youxian knew that once they were connected, it would be like adding wings to a tiger—unstoppable—so despite others' opposition, he firmly choked off the trade routes to prolong Chen's survival.

But this has also harmed the interests of officials, large and small, and the aristocratic clans.

In the court, there has been much impeachment against General Lu Youxian.

Li Guanyi was aware of this situation; after reviewing the Juan records, he said: "Hard work."

Changsun Wuchou said: "Your servant dares not claim credit." He then removed a letter from his waist, offering it with both hands: "Also, this is a personal letter from Changfeng Lady Xue, containing news from the southwestern city lords."

Li Guanyi was surprised, took the letter, and Changsun Wuchou departed.

Li Guanyi sat in the Anxi Protectorate, opened the letter; the handwriting was elegant and refined—clearly Young Lady Xue Shuangtao's.

【Long time no see. How have you been lately?】

Then came a smear of black ink—as if she had written something wrong or too embarrassing to show, and erased it—then Xue Shuangtao wrote of her recent experiences.

She said Grandpa Xue Daoyong had recently grown weary dealing with the aristocratic clans, and since Li Guanyi had risen, wished to resign and return home, but was held back, and still worried about his grandson Chen Tianyi, forcing him to remain at court.

She said Xue Changqing, fifteen, had reached the Second Heaven level of Wu Gong, and was skilled with fists and feet, though still retaining the mischief of youth.

Finally, she mentioned she had recently had the chance to travel to the southwestern region, where she met the Southwest King, who and the city lords still cherished their old ties with Tai Ping Gong, and upon learning of Li Guanyi's existence, wished to meet him.

【Enclosed are the seals of the Southwest King and the city lords.】

【If you have any intention of coming, please write a reply.】

【The southwestern lands are full of wonders; once, while walking among mountains, rivers, and bamboo groves, I found a single bamboo leaf, oddly lovely—I send it with this letter for your amusement.】

Li Guanyi saw a green bamboo leaf inside the letter.

Beautiful, evenly shaped—she must have searched for a long time.

He looked at the letter's contents and knew clearly: even if the Southwest King and others knew of his existence, they would not offer goodwill so easily—the Southwest King represented not just himself, but millions of Li Min in the southwest.

A lord of such power, in every action, must weigh interests.

Every move must be carefully considered; he cannot decide based on personal preference. Behind this letter from the Southwest King lay likely countless efforts by Young Lady Xue Shuangtao.

"... Young Lady is forcing herself again."

Li Guanyi knew Xue Shuangtao always told him only one-tenth of the hardship she endured; as he thought this, something slipped from the letter—he instinctively reached out and caught it easily.

It was a round, golden bean.

Li Guanyi froze, then laughed involuntarily: "Puhahaha—golden bean..." He held it before his eyes; for his younger self, three or four years ago, this was a fortune.

Back then, when locked in the dark cell, Young Lady had used golden beans to draw his attention; now, grown and ruling a domain, though he still lacked money, it was no longer a matter of one or two golden beans.

Yet seeing the golden bean, his expression softened.

As if he had returned to those days.

Li Guanyi slipped the golden bean into his robe, picked up his brush, and wrote Xue Shuangtao a letter, detailing the general situation in the Western Regions—calm in tone, but omitting his injuries and current condition.

Finally, he paused, and deliberately wrote:

Also, if you meet Xue Lao, 【please】 say hello.

After writing, he read it through several times.

Then he set aside the letter to Young Lady.

Li Guanyi picked up the letter from the Southwest King and the city lords; as his hand touched it, he sensed something wrong—the small letter contained a complex yet immense surge of qi!

Inside Li Guanyi, the Nine Provinces Cauldron stirred as if struck by a wave.

Suddenly, it let out a resonant hum.

Li Guanyi gasped: "This—human qi?!!"

The qi surging into him was human qi; Li Guanyi realized the items Young Lady sent were no ordinary things, so he slowly unsealed the carefully preserved letter and saw, on a large sheet of white paper, simple characters written:

"Because Changfeng Lady collected our southwestern kingdom's treasure—the Pearl—and returned it to us, and helped establish trade routes, and because of the alliance between Tai Ping Gong Li Wanli and Old Wolf Chen Fubi, we wish to meet Qin Wu Hou and discuss the promises made long ago."

"I can send you two little Shitie Beasts."

"Southwest King... forget it, what damn Southwest King."

"Qin Wu Hou, I'm the brother your father nearly swore brotherhood with—the clan chief of this alliance of cities—Duan Qingyu. We've prepared stew—fine bamboo shoots, tender pork with skin—let's talk properly."

"That's about it—if you're willing to come, reply."

"If you don't want to chat with these rough country folk."

"Please reply anyway."

Li Guanyi laughed aloud—he swore Young Lady had confirmed the seals but hadn't noticed what the Southwest King had actually written; yet as his hand caressed the letter, he felt a sudden surge of ease in his chest.

One reason was that he had received news from Xue Shuangtao.

The other reason was that the most pressing strategic problem—how to swiftly secure the southwestern region while the western territories were also exhausted—now held a possible solution.

At this moment, the Nine Cauldrons sounded again, several times.

The first sound seemed to come from the Jiangnan waterways, clear, elegant, and flowing endlessly.

The second sound seemed to come from the western deserts, desolate, majestic, grand and bold.

On the letter, one by one, the seals of the Wang Hou glowed—each seal, carrying the human destiny of the southwestern region, was now stirred and surged by the Nine Cauldrons.

The human destiny surging upon the letter flowed into Li Guanyi's body.

Li Guanyi's path was the Great Way of unifying the Nine Provinces; at this moment, he took another step forward, his realm stirred in response, faintly manifesting the mighty momentum of a tiger inhaling and exhaling, and this transformation struck directly against the Nine Cauldrons within Li Guanyi's body.

On the Nine Cauldrons, faint radiant light shimmered.

This happened several times.

Finally, at this moment, they blazed fully.

Boom—

Desolate and bold.

The Nine Cauldrons rang out—

The third sound!

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