Chapter 546: The Style of a Great Nation!

When the news that the Grassland Royal Court had declared war on the Great Lan Dynasty returned, the public opinion in Lanling City changed.

Everyone thought that the imperial court should not continue to fight, but should negotiate for peace.

Then came the news that a million-strong Northern Barbarian army was invading the northern border.

Before people could start discussing it widely.

The news that the Son of Heaven firmly refused to negotiate for peace and ordered Marquis of Jing'an Li Fei and True Person Xuanchen to lead the army north spread throughout Lanling City.

For a time, the noise was deafening!

In fact, the common people at the bottom couldn't distinguish whether to fight or negotiate, but those who controlled public opinion were never these common people at the bottom.

Officials, descendants of noble families, great scholars, famous Jianghu experts, etc. —these people expressed their views in public, took the lead in discussing, and public opinion was naturally driven.

The common people at the bottom were always the ones being incited.

On December 15th, over a hundred Imperial Academy students blocked the Taixuan Gate outside the Imperial City, protesting publicly!

Before the Mingxin Reform, the Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the country, cultivating not only civil officials but also martial artists.

After the Mingxin Reform began, twelve universities were established across the country, and the "authority" of the Imperial Academy was dispersed.

The twelve universities were the preferred choice for top-tier nobles, and they needed to give a portion of their quotas to students from humble backgrounds in various places, making the competition fierce.

Therefore, a portion of the "neither high nor low" noble class still chose to send their own children to the Imperial Academy.

After all, after graduating from the Imperial Academy, whether they studied literature or martial arts, they had the opportunity to enter the officialdom directly.

Now, these hundred-plus protesting Imperial Academy students represented the middle-tier noble class of the Great Lan Dynasty.

And behind them lay the will of the upper-tier nobles!

Imperial Academy students blocking the Imperial City gate to protest could be considered a "traditional skill" of the Great Lan Dynasty; every time such a thing happened, it meant that the situation was unstable and there was infighting within the imperial court.

The hundred-plus Imperial Academy students protesting outside the Taixuan Gate were soon dispersed by the Imperial Guards.

Li Fei, who was cultivating in the Hou Fu, soon received the news.

"After the Imperial Guards stepped in, those Imperial Academy students dispersed quickly, and there was no fierce confrontation."

The Hou Fu steward reported to Li Fei.

Li Fei nodded and told the steward to continue gathering information.

There was no bloodshed, which meant that the nobles behind the scenes were still testing and protesting, and did not want to escalate the situation.

But Li Fei knew that this was just the beginning.

Now the Son of Heaven had only ordered him and Xuanchen to lead the army north; the army had not yet set off, and the order could still be withdrawn.

Even if the matter of sending troops was decided.

The army could also choose not to fight once it reached the front line.

Even if they really started fighting.

After fighting for a while, they could still continue to negotiate for peace.

In short, for those who wanted peace talks, they could work for it until their goal was achieved.

Even though his cultivation had progressed smoothly recently and the Myriad Blood Bead had upgraded rapidly, Li Fei couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted.

He knew very well that the will of these nobles could not be ignored, because they themselves represented a part of the Great Lan Dynasty!

Did the Great Lan Dynasty change from an imperial system to a dual monarchy because the royal family took the initiative to cede power?

Of course not.

It was because the power of the noble families and the noble class had become strong enough—strong enough that if the royal family was unwilling to share the world with them, the throne would not be stable!

Among the hundred officials in the court and the elders of the Central Cabinet, how many were from humble backgrounds?

In this world possessing extraordinary power, if there was no support from noble families behind them, would ordinary civil officials dare to speak loudly in the imperial court?

Ye Zean could sit firmly in the position of Chief Grand Secretary and held "half the country" in the Central Cabinet.

Besides his extraordinary personal talent, it was also because the Ye family behind him was one of the "Ten Great Clans," the wife he married was one of the "Ten Great Clans," and his proudest student was also one of the "Ten Great Clans"!

The "Seven Great Families" in the Jianghu each had a Grandmaster, appearing stronger in power than the "Ten Great Clans."

But the "Ten Great Clans" could mobilize the Imperial Guard Army, mobilize the experts of the Zhige Cabinet and the Judicial Cabinet, and use the power of the state to demonstrate their will!

Unless the Seven Great Families directly rebelled like the Gouchen Sword Sect and Mount Baituo, detaching themselves from the national system, they could not compare to the Ten Great Clans in terms of influence and right to speak.

These noble families, representing the elite class of the Great Lan Dynasty, controlled a vast amount of resources and could influence this country from all aspects!

Fighting a war relied on military force, financial resources, logistics, and, even more, the hearts of the people.

Li Fei could provide military force, but financial resources, logistics, and the hearts of the people all required the cooperation of the nobles in the imperial court.

A most intuitive example: Li Fei and Xuanchen were to lead 100,000 Imperial Guards to support the Northern Border.

Among these 100,000 Imperial Guards, more than 90% of the generals came from noble families. If half of these people didn't want to fight, how high could the combat effectiveness of this Imperial Guard force be?

And if the grassroots troops couldn't fight at all, Li Fei alone couldn't block a million troops.

He had already asked Wenren Zheng for advice; this battle on the Northern Border would definitely be different from the battle on the Bai Feng Plain.

Boerhu couldn't possibly concentrate a million-strong army together to have a decisive battle with the Great Lan Dynasty.

Such a decisive battle could only happen when the top combat power of both sides was not much different.

Knowing that they might encounter top-tier experts, the Northern Barbarians would only choose to fight on multiple fronts.

The million-strong army only needed to disperse and break through the Northern Border defense line, kill their way into the hinterland, and wantonly burn, kill, and loot to achieve their strategic goal—

Causing damage to the Great Lan Dynasty and consuming its national destiny!

And Li Fei alone, even with the addition of True Lord Xuanxin who might take action, could guard how many cities?

No matter how strong two people were, without the cooperation of grassroots troops, they couldn't guard the entire Northern Border defense line.

After sitting in the room for a while, Li Fei stood up and left.

He was going to find Ye Zean!

Ye Mansion.

"Marquis, please."

The Ye Mansion steward welcomed Li Fei through the main gate, then led him through the corridor and courtyard to outside a study.

Today, Ye Zean rarely wasn't sitting in the Central Cabinet, but had asked for leave to stay at the mansion.

Li Fei walked into the study and saw the Chief Grand Secretary, with graying temples, working at his desk, reviewing memorials.

He looked up at Li Fei and said concisely: "Please sit, wait a moment."

Then he continued to lower his head to work.

Li Fei sat down in the study and waited quietly.

More than ten minutes later, Ye Zean finished dealing with the memorials on the desk.

He stood up, changed seats, and sat opposite Li Fei:

"Does the Marquis of Jing'an have something to see me about?"

Li Fei looked at the other party's somewhat exhausted expression and asked:

"The Chief Grand Secretary specifically asked for leave to stay at home, yet you are not resting but still working; then why ask for leave?"

Ye Zean said bluntly: "Just hiding at the mansion."

Hiding.

Looking at the imperial court, the only person who could make this Chief Grand Secretary need to hide was probably the Son of Heaven.

Li Fei was silent for a moment and asked:

"Then why is the Chief Grand Secretary willing to see me?"

The other party could even hide from the Son of Heaven; if he didn't want to see him, this Marquis of Jing'an, he naturally had plenty of ways.

Ye Zean picked up the teacup on the side, took a sip, and smiled:

"Because I intended to see you in the first place."

"Oh?"

Li Fei looked at the other party, "Does the Chief Grand Secretary also have something to say to me?"

"Let's talk about yours first."

Ye Zean put down the teacup.

Li Fei didn't stand on ceremony and asked directly:

"The matter of the Imperial Academy students blocking the city gate this morning—the Chief Grand Secretary must know about it, right?"

Ye Zean nodded.

Li Fei leaned forward slightly, staring into the other party's eyes:

"May I ask, was this instructed by the Chief Grand Secretary?"

Ye Zean shook his head: "I did not instruct it."

Li Fei believed that the other party was not lying, and there was no need to.

"But your silence is in itself a stance."

Li Fei said.

"Not bad, because I don't favor sending troops."

Ye Zean was also very direct today.

During the reign of the late Emperor, the imperial power was second only to the Taizu period, because the late Emperor had the support of two top-tier experts, Wenren Zheng and Yunshu.

Power is the cornerstone of authority!

Suppressing noble families, promoting reforms, conquering the Northern Barbarians, building the Lanxun Cabinet... such achievements, if the imperial power were not strong enough, would certainly not be possible.

And there was another important reason for this—the late Emperor had the full support of Chief Grand Secretary Ye Zean.

Although the monarch and his minister had mutual checks and balances, they cooperated even better.

And if this Chief Grand Secretary was unwilling to cooperate with the Son of Heaven, then many things could not proceed smoothly.

That was why Li Fei came directly to find him.

"Does the Chief Grand Secretary feel that our chances of winning are not high?"

"No, I believe in your ability, and I also believe in the potential of the Great Lan Dynasty. If we really want to fight with all our might, we won't necessarily lose."

Ye Zean gave an answer that Li Fei hadn't expected:

"But I don't want you to take risks."

"Ah?"

Li Fei was stunned.

Ye Zean looked at him: "I know that as long as the great war starts, you will definitely go to the front line to fight. I don't want to take this risk."

"..."

"The reason why the late Emperor valued you so much was because he placed the hope of the Great Lan Dynasty's future on you. Li Fei, letting you go to war is gambling with the national destiny of the Great Lan Dynasty!"

"..."

Li Fei didn't expect Ye Zean to be unwilling to send troops for this reason.

"You asked His Majesty to wait for you for three years, which shows you have the confidence to break through to the peak within three years. Since that's the case, I would rather the Great Lan Dynasty wait three years before starting the war."

Ye Zean expressed his thoughts.

Li Fei took a deep breath and looked at the Chief Grand Secretary before him:

"But I don't want to wait for these three years!"

If they were to negotiate for peace, it would inevitably involve ceding territory and paying indemnities.

Who knew how many people's fates would change, and who knew how much humiliation the Great Lan Dynasty would have to swallow to exchange for three years of peace!

"Chief Grand Secretary, from the first day I stepped onto the path of cultivation, I told myself—what I seek is a life of gratification!"

"If I have to use the lives and sacrifices of others to exchange for my growth, I am destined to be unable to be gratified!"

"Hiding timidly in Lanling City to cultivate for three years, compared to going out to fight to the death and fighting in blood and fire for three years—the latter is more likely to allow me to break through my realm!"

Li Fei's eyes were firm as he looked at Ye Zean.

Ye Zean was silent for a long time and sighed:

"Have you ever thought that if you go to the Northern Border, the Buddhist sect is very likely to take action against you?"

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Fei had a bright future and had a great chance of becoming the next number one person in the world!

So how could the enemies of the Great Lan Dynasty sit by and watch Li Fei grow up safely?

Once on the battlefield, even True Lord Xuanxin couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't die, let alone Li Fei, who was below the peak?

The risks of the battlefield itself, plus the possibility of being attacked by top-tier experts.

This was the reason why Ye Zean didn't want Li Fei to take risks.

The risk was indeed too great!

Li Fei was helpless.

He was currently not a match for top-tier experts, and even with the Myriad Blood Bead, he couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't die.

He wanted to take risks, but Ye Zean was unwilling to take the future of the Great Lan Dynasty to take risks.

Neither of them could convince the other.

December 16th.

The Son of Heaven did not withdraw the order, and Li Fei did not retreat because of Ye Zean's words.

Today, Li Fei and Xuanchen would lead 100,000 Imperial Guards on an expedition!

However, before that, outside the Imperial City.

Right in front of the Taixuan Gate where the Imperial Academy students protested yesterday, the imperial court was to hold a swearing-in ceremony before the expedition!

At 5:00 AM, a thin mist still clung outside the Taixuan Gate.

At this time, it was already bustling with noise, and tens of thousands of people gathered around the square outside the Taixuan Gate like a tide.

An old man leaning on a wooden cane squeezed under the eaves, a child rode on his father's shoulders gnawing on a candied hawthorn, a merchant turned his bamboo basket upside down to use as a stool, and headscarves fluttered in the morning wind.

The square in front was guarded by Imperial Guards, and 3,000 Black Armors were lined up in a square formation, waiting on the square.

Viewing platforms had been built around the square, and there was a reviewing stand at the very front.

Starting from 7:00 AM, officials walked out of the Imperial City one after another, came to the square, and sat on the viewing platforms around.

When a group of people with clearly different skin colors, hairstyles, and clothing walked into the square, there was a sudden commotion all around.

The delegation from the seven Western Continent nations had arrived!

These people were also on the invitation list for today's viewing.

Seven dukes led dozens of Western Continent envoys to the corresponding viewing area and sat down on the viewing platform.

These people all had smiles on their faces, looking very relaxed.

Regarding this swearing-in ceremony today, they believed that this was the Great Lan Dynasty wanting to let the seven Western Continent nations see its determination.

But they didn't care.

Regarding the infighting in the Great Lan Dynasty's imperial court, they had their own information channels and were already well aware of it.

Given the current situation of the Great Lan Dynasty, the worse the subsequent situation, the more initiative the Western Continent delegation could take in the negotiations, and the greater the benefits they could strive for!

"Lord Zhao."

Duke Miller suddenly spoke, asking Zhao Fei, a member of the Internal Affairs Cabinet who was accompanying him.

He pointed to the 3,000 Black Armors lined up in the center of the square: "Is this your country's Imperial Guard Army?"

Zhao Fei nodded: "Not bad."

He said proudly: "If these 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers form a military formation, they are enough to contend with a duke of your Glory level!"

This remark caused the dukes present to look sideways one after another.

Duke Zeke, who truly possessed the combat power of a Glory Duke, just chuckled upon hearing this and did not express his opinion.

At 8:00 AM sharp, a red-gold morning sun jumped out from the east, illuminating the entire Lanling City.

Nine morning bells rang from deep within the nine-layered palace, followed by the sound of melodious horns.

Iron armor clanged in the Imperial Guard square formation, but the 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers clad in black armor uniformly struck the long spears in their hands against the ground, and the cold light merged into a silver sea in the morning sun.

Qi and blood were like wolf smoke, and the evil spirit shook the clouds!

"His Majesty has arrived—"

Under the Taixuan Gate, 800 Imperial Guards lined up along the imperial road in a wild goose wing formation, and twelve strong men carried the dragon chariot out of the city gate.

Behind the twelve-string white jade bead curtain hanging from the top of the chariot, Qin Ziheng sat as steady as a pine in his black-end twelve-pattern imperial robe.

Li Fei and Xuanchen followed on the left and right of the dragon chariot.

One was in a golden robe, his sharpness fully exposed.

One was in a Daoist robe, with the demeanor of an immortal.

The whole audience stood up to salute, and the people outside the square knelt down one after another, shouting long live.

The dragon chariot entered the venue and stopped behind the reviewing stand.

After the whole audience quieted down, the imperial eunuch Feng Cheng ascended the reviewing stand, took out an imperial edict, and read aloud:

"Now that the barbarians are rampant, ravaging the border, harming our people, and destroying our country, this is truly a time for wolves to devour people, and a day for warriors to hold their weapons!

In the past, Taizu swept across the six directions, and 3,000 iron cavalry settled the universe!

Ren Sect pacified the Northern Barbarians, and 100,000 tiger troops swept away the smoke of war!

Now you all line up with frosty blades and star clouds, carrying wind and thunder to shake the mountains and rivers; this is the time for a man to serve his country!

Specially confer Marquis of Jing'an Li Fei as the Great General of the Northern Expedition, and True Person Xuanchen as the Army Supervisor, to lead 100,000 royal troops on a northern expedition to sweep away the barbarians for me!"

Li Fei and Xuanchen ascended the reviewing stand, facing the dragon chariot, and cupped their hands in salute:

"Your subject, receives the decree!"

Then Li Fei took the imperial edict from Feng Cheng's hand.

On the dragon chariot, the Son of Heaven's voice rang out:

"Where the banner points, that is the royal way; where the sharp edge points, all turn to powder! I am in the nine heavens, waiting for your song of triumph!"

This voice was grand, distant, and magnificent.

It seemed to roll down from the nine heavens, resounding through the human world!

Li Fei looked solemn:

"Your subject, will surely not fail the trust!"

Next, it was his turn, the newly appointed Great General of the Northern Expedition, to speak and announce the expedition.

Li Fei turned around, looked at the 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers in the center of the square, and was just about to speak, when a voice suddenly came from the viewing platform:

"Emperor, the foreign minister has something to say!"

Whoosh—

There was a commotion in the audience, and Li Fei and the civil and military officials looked over one after another.

Only to see Duke Zeke stepping out from the viewing platform where the Western Continent delegation was located.

Li Fei and this Duke of the Deni Kingdom looked at each other, the other party's eyes playful.

"Are you the envoy of the Deni Kingdom?"

Qin Ziheng's voice came from the dragon chariot.

His tone was calm, not angry at all because the other party suddenly interrupted the swearing-in ceremony.

Zeke put his hand on his chest and bent slightly:

"Your Majesty, the foreign minister is the Duke of the Deni Kingdom, Zeke Lane."

"Zeke, have you been moved by watching this swearing-in ceremony?"

Qin Ziheng asked.

Zeke: "Your Majesty is wise, the foreign minister is indeed moved."

As he spoke, he suddenly pointed to Zhao Fei on the side:

"Just now, this Lord Zhao said in front of us that if the 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers on this square form a military formation, they are enough to contend with transcendent beings like the foreign minister."

Zhao Fei was terrified, not expecting Zeke to make an issue of this remark, and felt a sense of foreboding in his heart.

Sure enough, Zeke continued:

"The foreign minister is very curious about this; since today is a swearing-in ceremony, why not have the foreign minister have a duel with these 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers, let Your Majesty review it, and incidentally let us foreigners witness what is called a heroic army of the world, the style of a great nation!"

As his voice fell, the commotion at the scene became even greater.

If 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers form a 3,000-person military formation, they can indeed contend with a Grandmaster at the peak of the Li Dao realm.

But since Zeke dared to take the initiative to challenge, he must have something to rely on.

If these 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers lost in front of everyone, the Northern Expedition army would lose its morale before it even set off.

The Great Lan Dynasty would also lose all face!

And even if they won in the end, the 3,000 Imperial Guard soldiers would inevitably suffer losses, which would also be unfavorable for the subsequent expedition.

But if they refused Zeke, it would appear that they were afraid of the other party, not daring to accept the challenge even with 3,000 against one.

Military morale would also be affected.

No matter how they chose, it was unfavorable!

"Duke Zeke."

On the reviewing stand, Li Fei said loudly:

"You previously said that you wanted to spar with this Marquis; why wait for another day when we can do it today!"

Zeke looked at Li Fei, his expression calm:

"Very well."

Dueling with the Imperial Guard Army was of course the best result, and Li Fei standing out to take over this challenge was also within his expectations.

But Li Fei's next words were completely beyond his expectations:

"In the past, your seven nations joined forces, yet you still couldn't contend with our Great Lan Dynasty.

Today, if this Marquis duels with you alone, even if I win, it will be hard to show the might of a great nation."

As he spoke, Li Fei's gaze swept across the seven dukes on the viewing platform:

"Duke Zeke, Duke Miller, Duke Saina..."

He called out the names of the seven dukes one by one, his voice like thunder, resounding through the city:

"Come, you seven, come together!"

"Back then, our Great Lan Dynasty fought seven nations with one; today, this Marquis will also fight seven with one, so that you may know what is the style of a great nation!"

Seeking monthly tickets

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 547 =====