[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-552":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Peace Decree",{"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},2328727,4553,"Chapter 552: The Heart, the Ministers, the Emperor, the Torrent","the-peace-decree-chapter-552",552,"\u003Cp>Xue Peijun’s breath came quick, staring at the scene before her—the Emperor’s favorite minister, Guanglu Daifu Guo Yanjun, dead, his throat torn open, blood splattered across the ground, horrifying to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at the Divine General before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This, this is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie spoke tersely, his voice cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are the daughter of Xue Daoyong. Jiang Yuan doesn’t trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And by extension, Qin Yulong is implicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun’s emotions were complex; her free-spirited nature had allowed her to befriend Qin Yulong while traveling the martial world, their hearts aligning, and they had married without informing Xue Daoyong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long harbored hidden worries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear that her origins might harm Qin Yulong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those fears had never been this direct—until now, leaving Xue Peijun momentarily dazed. Yuwen Lie glanced at the Qin family mansion and said, “Pack your things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun didn’t react immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her lip, knowing her husband was not aligned with Yuwen Lie; she was aware of the conflict between Yuwen Lie, the Xue family, and Li Guanyi, and she kept her guard up, yet she deflected: “He’s merely a corrupt minister. Why worry so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie said, “There is no corrupt minister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This refined Divine General spoke coldly: “When the ruler indulges, the ministers follow. So-called ‘corrupt close advisors’ merely guess the ruler’s intent. If Jiang Yuan hadn’t changed, Guo Yanjun would never have come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The truly corrupt one is Jiang Yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s dead are merely his hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun’s heart trembled, a decision forming. In such a moment of sudden upheaval and danger, judgment was hard—but she was still Xue Daoyong’s daughter. After a few breaths, she said, “...Then I rely on you, General.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie nodded. “Name your family, pack your belongings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine General Yuwen Lie, clad only in a scholar’s white robe, stepped out of the Qin mansion holding his heavy spear. Outside, Guo Yanjun’s men stood frozen in shock. Yuwen Lie saw battle halberds flanking the Qin mansion’s gates—gifts from Jiang Wanxiang, awarded to honor martial merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved his heavy spear, and the halberds embedded on either side of the gate rang out, leaping into the air as he punched their shafts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The halberds shrieked like dragons, piercing outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spinning through the road ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their murderous aura slaughtered every man Guo Yanjun had brought; blood splattered the ground. Yuwen Lie mounted his horse, gripping his heavy spear as he galloped straight to the Guo residence, expression icy, riding straight into Guo Yanjun’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long spear slashed through, slaughtering the entire Guo family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he emerged, his inner fury still unspent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brow cold and impassive, he tugged the reins and galloped through the imperial city, heading straight for the palace gates. The commotion was too great—everyone inside the palace sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial Guards blocked the imperial road, and there, before them, stood Yuwen Lie with spear in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Guard commander’s heart trembled with fear, yet he masked his face, shouting: “Why does General Yuwen carry weapons here?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander’s fear deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped his weapon tighter and roared: “Form ranks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Guards formed a line to block Yuwen Lie. He gripped his heavy spear, which howled in the wind, then lifted it, gathering momentum before slamming it downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp, metallic clang rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horseman’s spear shot out, intercepting Yuwen Lie’s strike. Yuwen Lie turned his gaze—He Ruo Qintiger, clad in robes, held his weapon, blocking the blow. He Ruo Qintiger’s eyes bulged with fury, his voice choked with disappointment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen Lie, what are you doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped his weapon with both hands, forcing the heavy spear back toward Yuwen Lie, lowering his voice in urgent reprimand: “Riding armed into the forbidden zone—Yuwen Lie, are you plotting rebellion?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie said, “I only seek justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qintiger asked, “What justice?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s voice turned icy: “Even if the Emperor’s lust runs wild, ancient sovereigns had three palaces and six courtyards. He has sixteen courtyards of beauties—and still, he dares to set his eyes on Qin Yulong’s wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo Qintiger’s anger flared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weapon nearly slipped from his grip; he wanted to turn and charge with Yuwen Lie—but his position, his alliances, forbade him from acting rashly. He said, “This matter may be suspicious. How can you resort to blades and blood?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen Lie, sheathe your weapon. I’ll go with you to face His Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie did not sheathe his weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the situation spiral beyond control, He Ruo Qintiger said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duke Jingwu, Divine Might General, don’t you understand the need to endure the tide of fate?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie replied coldly: “The Divine Might General can endure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen Lie cannot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tiger roared fiercely, summoning all his strength to shatter He Ruo Qintiger’s weapon. At over forty, Yuwen Lie’s foundational realm may have matched He Ruo’s, but his surging blood and qi, his White Tiger Grand Body’s raw power, dwarfed the aging He Ruo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then someone shouted: “General Yuwen, do you forget your own Yuwen clan?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Yuwen, are you trying to destroy the empire left by the late Emperor?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s motion halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yiwen had arrived. Though this Chancellor had clashed repeatedly with Emperor Jiang Yuan, now he stood without hesitation on the side of imperial authority. Yuwen Lie stared coldly at the other generals and ministers who had gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All stood before him, blocking his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s aura had cracked the palace gates, yet these ministers and generals stood firm. Yuwen Lie suddenly understood—his spear’s tip could not pierce this enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His enemy was not merely the Emperor Jiang Yuan, who after three years of pretense had begun to indulge himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His enemy was the very lifespan of the Great Ying state, the civil and military officials, the loyal and steadfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The millennia-old way of ruler and minister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called Emperor was merely the outward face of countless entangled interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yiwen’s palm pressed against Yuwen Lie’s spear, lowering his voice: “...The Grand Preceptor still campaigns beyond the borders. If he returns and the Qin Emperor Li Guanyi advances unimpeded, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you forgotten the late Emperor’s favor toward you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie’s heavy spear slowly lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized the enemy before him was one no individual’s bravery could break. This cold Divine General swept his gaze over the anxious Wei Yiwen and the aged He Ruo Qintiger, then said coldly: “You arrived quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why were you so slow when Qin Yulong’s wife was threatened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie placed his heavy spear on the hook beside his saddle, then seized a battle bow, nocked an arrow, spurred his horse, and the steed reared up. Standing atop the horse, Yuwen Lie drew the bow, arrow locked on the target. Amid the chaos:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow shot like a streak of light, piercing through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the weight of the state’s fortune, the arrow’s power was diminished—but it still smashed through the pavilions and gardens ahead. Jiang Yuan, annoyed by the commotion outside, was amusing himself with his concubines, attended by a eunuch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen Lie? Hmph. I told you—Generals from great families like Yuwen Lie never obey discipline. Everyone knows this Divine Might General only respects Prince Zhao. Where is His Majesty in his eyes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan frowned. “Yuwen Lie is a pillar of the state. How dare you slander him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his vision blurred—the eunuch screamed, an arrow pinning him to the wall, blood streaming. After a stunned pause, he began shrieking. Jiang Yuan sat frozen, trembling as he raised his hand to touch his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp, stinging pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled his hand back—blood, bright and shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan leapt up, face ashen, stumbling backward, speechless for long moments, chest tight, legs weak. He had to grip the table beside him to stay upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, save me! Your Majesty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screams echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan looked up—the little eunuch was pinned to the wall, twisted, writhing, howling. But the arrow’s aura was fierce, deadly, chilling. He watched the eunuch struggle on the wall, slowly stilling, then dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Limbs hung limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan had fought on battlefields, killed men—but as Emperor, this arrow had nearly brushed his face. It left a deep psychological wound. His hand clenched, teeth gritted, eyes filled with a mix of rage and terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen Lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the palace gates, ministers and officials trembled. He Ruo Qintiger roared: “Yuwen Lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie lowered his bow, tossed it to the ground, and said coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did not kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to playact, go perform before the Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie turned and left, his horse’s hooves striking the road in crisp, rhythmic beats, riding away without pause. Behind him, every face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie had exterminated the Guo family, breached the palace with spear in hand, then returned to the Qin mansion. Xue Peijun had just finished packing, emerging with her child and belongings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie had Xue Peijun and her child mount the horse, then took the reins himself, leading the steed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rode straight to Prince Zhao’s mansion. He said: “I am merely Qin Yulong’s colleague. If you come to my Yuwen household, idle gossip will follow. Under Prince Zhao’s protection, no one will dare utter a word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Jiang Gao agreed without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arranged a courtyard for Xue Peijun and her child to reside in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He assured them he would protect them with his life—no need to fear anything else. Just live in peace. After settling Xue Peijun, Jiang Gao pursed his lips, stepped out, and walked toward a lake where Yuwen Lie sat quietly, expression faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao adjusted his attire and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin Yulong fights for the state abroad, yet the Emperor commits such acts—it is a grave error. I hear it was Guanglu Daifu Guo Yanjun who instigated and provoked. That man has already been slain by General Yuwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie stared at the lake. “Corrupt minister? Provocation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why, during the late Emperor’s reign, did he never act as a corrupt minister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao had no answer, only sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie said: “Ministers are merely reflections of the Emperor’s heart. In the late Emperor’s time, Guo Yanjun was a diligent, capable minister, honored as Guanglu Daifu, deeply favored. His brush could conjure brilliance; he handled state affairs with ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The late Emperor passed. Jiang Yuan ascended.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did he become this corrupt minister now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no such thing as a traitor or a loyal minister—he is merely an ordinary man who drifts with the tide. If the emperor is capable, he becomes a loyal and capable official; if the emperor is Jiang Yuan, he becomes nothing but a sycophant who flatters his superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao sighed and said, “General Yuwen, you must not speak such words lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie said, “Before ascending the throne, Jiang Yuan could still endure and pretend. But now, after just over two years on the throne, he has completely dropped the pretense. His actions have grown increasingly unrestrained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could he possibly be a match for the Prince of Qin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao evaded the question, refusing to respond to Yuwen Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie cut straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke briefly but clearly: “If you harbor such intentions, I can help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao said, “How could I commit such an act of high treason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie stared at Jiang Gao and asked, “Your Highness, do you care more for the empire—or for your own reputation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao fell silent, then sighed deeply. “General Yuwen, you understand military strategy, but you’ve read little history. In the annals, emperors who merely built palaces and refrained from meddling in state affairs or military matters were often considered mediocre—even commendable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The worst kind is the one who, though seated in the palace, is stubborn and self-willed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The kind who insists on personally commanding the battlefield, dictating tactics to generals thousands of miles away. Jiang Yuan’s conduct, among all emperors in history, is not extraordinary. Moreover…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I were to ascend the throne, it might harm the Great Ying state.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie asked, “If you ascended, would you recall Jiang Su?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gao shook his head. “If I became emperor, I would never summon Grand Tutor Jiang Su back. I would never do such a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my philosophy is not centered on war. I would seek peace with Li Guanyi to spare the people the suffering of endless conflict. Grand Tutor Jiang Su, however, is an absolute hawk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of self-mockery appeared on Jiang Gao’s face. “Do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuwen, the real problem isn’t an emperor who spends recklessly and indulges in pleasure. The real problem is a new emperor who rolls up his sleeves and intends to actually do something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the court and the army split into two voices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One side advocates war, the other peace. How should officials and soldiers decide? In a time of existential crisis, the state must have only one voice. Jiang Yuan’s indulgence, for the nation, is actually the least destructive option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie saw Jiang Gao’s resolve. This former crown prince understood the current situation perfectly—he simply understood better still his own ingrained nature and the irreconcilable conflict between himself and Jiang Su.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Jiang Yuan builds palaces and indulges in debauchery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a nation of Central Plains dominance, this is not yet a threat to its foundation. But if it alternates between war and peace, that becomes a nightmare. Jiang Su and Li Guanyi are fighting on the front lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi noticed: the old man had begun rotating troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Su moved reinforcements from the rear to replace the armies that had clashed with the Qilin Army, rotating them every three months so that all elite Ying troops gained experience fighting the Emperor of Qin and the Qilin Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun said, “He’s training them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Su is making the Ying army adapt to our soul-war array suppression.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He even wants them to grow accustomed to fighting us…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple-eyed strategist pondered. From these actions alone, he could roughly deduce Jiang Su’s overall strategy. Li Guanyi stared at the map and said, “The final battle cannot be far off…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiangsu is already preparing for the upcoming decisive battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun nodded. Both young ruler and minister understood clearly: the aging Divine General Jiang Su could not possibly outlast the twenty-four-year-old Emperor of Qin for the future. He could only stake everything on the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must begin training too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, I’ve heard Jiang Yuan has caused too much trouble in the Ying capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun said, “Yes. Jiang Yuan indulges in pleasure and squanders vast sums daily. But the wealth left by Jiang Wanxiang is so immense that even his excesses for a year cannot match the losses of a single major battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I hear he has taken a fancy to General Qin Yulong’s wife—and caused quite a scandal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi froze, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At a time of great upheaval, he dares to target the families of our top generals?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun replied, “Hasn’t this happened before in history? Wasn’t Chen Ding’s conduct no different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi fell silent for a long while, then said, “Show mercy to General Qin Yulong. Send a letter to Zhenbei City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell Marshal Yue to ease pressure on the front lines—give General Qin Yulong time to handle this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun looked at Li Guanyi. “Lord, he is still an enemy general.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said, “I seek to break the Ying empire—not to disgrace loyal ministers and capable generals by targeting their families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Po Jun bowed. Li Guanyi then wrote to Yue Pengwu, who, being a man of unyielding integrity, did not exploit the situation. Yuwen Lie also wrote to Qin Yulong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though He Ruo and Wei Yi both urged Yuwen Lie to suppress the matter, Yuwen Lie feigned illness and refused to see them. The two waited for hours, then left in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they departed, they heard Yuwen Lie softly singing the “Break the Formation Melody” while playing his zither.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo sighed helplessly. Wei Yi listened and said, “A fine melody.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo said, “His voice is strong—he’s a Ninth Heaven martial general. Even without commanding troops, he’s among the top martial experts in the land. What illness could possibly keep him down? He simply doesn’t want to see us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he refuse to see them—he deliberately made it known he had no desire to meet these two divine generals and chancellor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arrogance was plain to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he respected someone, even a beggar could drink with him; if he despised someone—even a legendary general who had shared life and death with him or the prime minister, second only to the emperor—he treated them like trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yi merely said, “General Yuwen Lie is too proud and aloof.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This won’t end well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo coldly replied, “You and I had to clean up his mess after he nearly slaughtered the Guo Yanjun family! Hmph, the brat has no manners!” Yuwen Lie had nearly exterminated Guo Yanjun’s entire household, causing immense outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Ruo, Wei Yi, and other veteran generals and ministers defended Yuwen Lie. Jiang Yuan accepted their plea, declaring Guo Yanjun’s crimes were entirely his own, unrelated to Yuwen Lie. Not only did Jiang Yuan absolve him—he rewarded him further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone knew: the more favor he showed, the thinner the real trust became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Lie wrote to Qin Yulong about the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yulong, a martial hero from the Jianghu, flew into a rage. But because of his duty to the nation, he could not abandon his border post. When Yue Pengwu showed him Li Guanyi’s letter, Qin Yulong finally laid down his last fears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If He Ruo—or even Grand Tutor Jiang Su—had said, “Go handle your family affairs; we won’t strike now,” Qin Yulong would never have believed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he trusted Li Guanyi and Yue Pengwu’s word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, he rode for days through the night, racing back to the capital. Seeing his wife and children safe, he finally exhaled. Xue Peijun, who had remained calm and brave throughout, broke into tears the moment she saw him, pouring out all her anguish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yulong’s heart burned with fury. His disillusionment with Ying grew deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He longed to storm the palace with his spear—but fell silent for a long while, then gripped Xue Peijun’s hand, as if making a final decision. “Peijun,” he said, “let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun had just soothed their child to sleep. She froze. “Go? Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Peijun had just lulled the child to sleep when she heard this and froze, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yulong shook his head slowly, his spirit crushed. “The late emperor showed me great favor. I cannot betray him by defecting to the Emperor of Qin. But Jiang Yuan, this villain, treats me this way—I will never fight for him. There is no path left but to abandon this struggle for the empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us find a quiet, beautiful place. Ride the rivers and lakes as free men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then held the sword of Jiang Wanxiang. “Prince Zhao—restore order. Ascend the throne.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was now the fifth month of the third year of Daye. Jiang Yuan, accustomed to palace life, finally grew restless. Even the finest artisans, masters of carving the world’s wonders, could not hold his attention forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how beautiful the scenery, repeated exposure bred boredom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus he issued an edict: “By listening to the people’s songs and consulting the common folk, one may discern the gains and losses of governance. I shall now tour the four directions, observing local customs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor of Ying would travel the realm, following the ancient tradition of the Son of Heaven’s inspection tours. But two problems arose: First, traveling by land was exhausting—carriages and horses wore men down. The first emperor to tour the four directions had died on the road from such hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So water travel was the only option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, the waterways were controlled by the Emperor of Qin, Li Guanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Yuan sneered with imperial arrogance. “All mountains and rivers belong to the Son of Heaven. Who says human will cannot overcome heavenly order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The waterways are not under our control?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Majesty, the Emperor of Ying, wished to tour the four corners of the realm, following the ancient Son of Heaven’s practice of inspecting the land, but there were two problems: one was that traveling by land was far too exhausting—carriages and horses wore one down; the first Son of Heaven to tour the four directions died on the road from such exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Break the Four Great Rivers, divert them into the sea, and redirect the enemy emperor’s waterways into the Great Ying state!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Guanglu Physician’s death, Jiang Yuan had been as close to him as a brother, seeing him daily. But after the Guanglu Physician died, Jiang Yuan mourned for a few days—then new ministers arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to his old nature and pleasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if Guo Yanjun had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interior Minister Yu Shiji and others submitted memorials praising the emperor’s great power. Jiang Yuan issued the order:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Break the Four Rivers, divert them into the sea, and channel all of the enemy emperor’s waterways into our great Ying realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Minister of Light’s death, Jiang Yuan and he were as close as brothers, meeting daily; but after the Minister of Light died, Jiang Yuan grieved for a few days, then new ministers arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Jiang Yuan’s behavior and actions are modeled after\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? The Zizhi Tongjian, Sui Annals IV–VI\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Every absurd act—including his early pretense and later excesses—has a historical prototype (hands clasped)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reopen the waterway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Build a new Grand Canal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan’s actions and conduct are modeled after\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government, Sui Annals IV to VI\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All absurdities, including the early deception and later conduct, have prototypes (hands clasped)\u003C\u002Fp>",3666,"2026-06-20T19:20:36.387Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6cf184cc61154036bdd423767fd402b782749041ecd9f183f217069899a34fea","the-peace-decree-chapter-553","the-peace-decree-chapter-551",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]