Chapter 59: Daily Trifles 4

After more than a month, the East River region was filled with the sound of wind and the cry of cranes. Inside the heavily guarded Yang mansion in Mountain City, smoke curled and the air was stagnant. Yang Shen, dressed in a dark‑blue silk shirt, unconsciously rubbed the jade pendant at his waist, his brows knit tightly, his voice tinged with an uncontainable irritation: "Li Yuxuan, what on earth does he want to do?"

When the words fell, the hall fell silent. Beside the Eight‑Immortal table, Liu Xiang slammed the table hard, making the tea cups clang, tea splashing onto the rosewood and spreading a dark stain. "Damn! That Li is paying less and less attention to us!" he shouted roughly, a surge of malice flashing in his eyes. "In East River region and Exi, how many people have fled to his Badong? Merchants, refugees, even the troops that originally ate with us—his excuses have lured them away!"

In the corner, a white‑haired country gentleman cleared his throat, trembling as he said, "Commander Yang, Commander Liu, the scheme Li Yuxuan is pulling in Badong is truly… unreasonable. Not only has he exempted the populace from taxes for three years and built schools and infirmaries, but now he even forces tenant farmers to pay a thirty‑percent rent. This… this is an attempt to undermine our Foundation!"

"Foundation?" Liu Xiang sneered, the flesh on his face twitching. "He's buying public sentiment! When he first set foot in Badong, he was relatively compliant, training troops on that tiny piece of land, and we pretended not to notice. But now?" He sprang to his feet, both hands braced on the table, his voice suddenly rising, "His army keeps growing, his reach keeps extending! Just last month, he even dared to take over Ziguo's tax bureau! What does he want? Clearly he intends to establish his own stronghold!"

Yang Shen inhaled deeply, forcing down the unease in his heart. He kept his composure better than Liu Xiang, but Li Yuxuan's relentless pressure made him feel like sitting on a bed of needles: "Li Yuxuan's appetite is indeed growing larger. At first he only demanded a bit of military pay, and we a few families could scrape together and settle it. Now he not only asks for supplies and armaments, but also begins to meddle in local administration. If this goes on, the border between the River region and Exi may truly end up bearing the Li name."

At worst we'll fight to the death! A flash of ferocity lit Liu Xiang's eyes; instinctively he brushed the gun holster at his waist. Our few families can pool together, we still have over a hundred thousand troops—how could we fear a single Li Yuxuan?

Yang Shen pondered briefly, his gaze sweeping over the country gentlemen and officers present, and said slowly, "A head‑on clash is a poor choice; we must first secure the rear." He turned to the gentlemen, his tone heavy, "Everyone, when you return, make sure the people below understand that Li Yuxuan's actions are meant to cut off our livelihood. He reduces taxes and rents, appearing to benefit the populace, but in fact he is hollowing out our monetary and grain Foundation. Today he manipulates taxes; tomorrow he can survey fields and confiscate property! If we do not unite, contribute money and grain, the next one whose fortune is at risk will be those of you sitting here!"

The country gentlemen's faces changed abruptly at his words, exchanging fearful glances. Their families had held sway for generations, their fortunes entirely dependent on land rents and local allocations; Li Yuxuan's methods were tantamount to pulling the rug from under the pot. "Commander Yang, rest assured! We will return and immediately raise funds, and ensure the grain stipends are prepared promptly!" the leading gentleman declared, and the others quickly echoed.

Good! Yang Shen nodded, turning to the adjutant beside him, "Send orders to all units to move toward the Badong border and deploy along the river. I want to see whether Li Yuxuan dares to strike first!"

Liu Xiang also suppressed his anger, speaking in a low voice, "I will return at once to mobilize the main force; within three days we will reach Badong and rendezvous with you. This time, we will make him understand who truly calls the shots in East River region!"

Inside the mansion, figures swarmed, the telegraph clacked, footsteps hurried; a military operation against Badong quietly unfolded in the dark night.

A few days later, Badong Administrative Office.

Li Yuxuan was bent over a desk reviewing documents, the afternoon sun filtering through the window lattice, casting a calm light on him. The door was thrown open forcefully, and Huang Wei rushed in, sweat at his temples, "Chairman, urgent military intel! Yang Shen, Liu Xiang and others have gathered over a hundred thousand troops and are advancing; the vanguard has already reached the Wild Three Passes!"

Li Yuxuan did not look up; the tip of his pen rustled on the paper, his voice steady, "Why panic?"

Huang Wei was taken aback; seeing the Chairman so composed, his heart steadied a bit, but he still spoke urgently, "Chairman, the enemy forces are massive, their numbers several times ours, and many are veterans; we…"

"War does not rely solely on numbers," Li Yuxuan set down his pen, lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp, "It relies on Public Sentiment, discipline, and a righteous army." He paused, "Draft a report immediately, detailing how Yang, Liu and others have amassed troops, defied the central command, and plotted rebellion. I will sign the order, commanding Hu Zhongnan and the Du and Ming units to depart at once from Hanzhong and Yichang, taking separate routes to reinforce Badong and quell the insurgency."

"Understood!" Huang Wei, after receiving the order, turned to leave, "Wait, Chairman, what about me?"

Li Yuxuan paused, looking at Huang Wei, "You… this time stay by my side, handling the office's logistics and liaison with all parties."

A chill rose in Huang Wei's heart, then a surge of being valued, he straightened his back and saluted, "Yes! I will spare no effort, not betraying the Chairman's trust!"

Go handle it. Li Yuxuan waved his hand, picking up the documents again, "Additionally, send an urgent Document to Jinling, reporting to the Chairman: Badong's Yang Shen, Liu Xiang and their units, disregarding Sect law, gathering rebels, troops at the city gates, endangering the region; we earnestly request central directives."

Understood! Huang hurried out, his respect for the Chairman's composure deepening.

The transmission carrying Badong's urgent military intel traversed countless mountains and rivers, flying toward Jinling.

Jinling, President's Office.

Principal Jiang leaned on the sofa, reviewing official documents, a lingering fatigue evident in his brows. Warlords across the lands constantly sparked incidents, and intra‑party factions clashed endlessly, leaving him mentally exhausted.

Chairman, Badong urgent Document. The secretarial aide, holding the Document, entered with light steps.

Principal Jiang did not look up, only rubbing his temples: "Read."

Yes. The aide unfolded the Document, reading clearly, "Li Yuxuan respectfully reports to the Young Master: Badong warlords Yang Shen, Liu Xiang and others have amassed troops independently, ignoring the central authority, recently gathering over a hundred thousand heavy troops, advancing on Badong, openly defying, threatening to overturn the local regime. The situation is perilous; our department resolves to hold firm awaiting reinforcement, earnestly requesting the Young Master to clarify the strategy."

Damn… Principal Jiang muttered low after listening, his expression complex. This Jingxing was originally dispatched to Badong to balance the eastern River region warlords; no one expected him to stir up such a storm, and now he directly clashes with Yang Shen and Liu Xiang.

The aide asked cautiously, "Chairman, how should we proceed now? Yang and Liu are veteran commanders of the central river region, with deep Foundations. Chairman Li, though full of vigor, still lacks seniority, and his forces are at a disadvantage…"

Rebellion! All of it! Principal Jiang sprang up, pacing the room, his tone angry, "Yang Shen, Liu Xiang are overbearing, Jingxing even dares to unilaterally start a war! Is there still a central authority in his eyes? Is there still party discipline and state law? Is there still this Young Master?"

He walked to the window, gazing at the distant mountain ranges, silent for a long while. The aide stood with hands lowered, not daring to disturb him.

After a while, Principal Jiang turned, his gaze now deep again, "Send orders to observe and wait for developments."

The aide was slightly startled, "The Chairman's intention is…"

Let them fight first, Principal Jiang snorted, "If Jingxing wins, have him come to Jinling to see me. I want to see just how capable he truly is now."

His tone shifted, becoming grim, "If he loses… immediately order the Central China Suppression Headquarters to gather elite troops and rush to Badong to quell the chaos. Not only must we deal with the rebels Yang Shen and Liu Xiang, but also bring Jingxing back by force! I want to ask who gave him the audacity to start a war with local forces on his own!"

Understood! The aide grasped the meaning, silently admiring the Chairman's shrewdness. Regardless of Badong's outcome, the central authority can reap the benefits.

Monitor the Badong front closely; any movement, report to me immediately. Principal Jiang added, sitting back on the sofa, picking up the telegram again and reading it carefully, a faint, inscrutable smile curling his lips.

The wind in Badong carried the dampness of the river and the heavy hush of an impending mountain rain.

Along both banks of the Yangtze River, war clouds gathered densely. Yang Shen and Liu Xiang's allied forces built fortifications along the river, banners fluttering, blades and spears like a forest. Inside Badong City, Li Yuxuan's troops stood in strict formation, the soldiers' expressions solemn yet morale high. The townspeople were not panicked; youths helped transport supplies and reinforce the defenses, school bells still rang, the infirmary remained busy, and order was maintained.

Huang Wei shuttled between the office and various liaison points, handling the myriad logistics, compiling the snow‑flake‑like frontline intel and reporting to Li Yuxuan. Li Yuxuan remained composed, reviewing military reports and deploying defenses daily, occasionally visiting the front lines, eating and sleeping alongside the troops, further solidifying the army's spirit.

Chairman, General Hu Zhongnan's telegram: his forces have reached Xing Mountain, expected to reach Badong's outskirts within three days.

Hmm. Li Yuxuan's gaze flicked over the massive map on the wall, "Where have the Du and Ming units arrived?"

The Du unit has passed Yichang, speeding onward; in two days it should rendezvous with our army.

Li Yuxuan's lips curled slightly: "Yang Shen, Liu Xiang think that sheer force can crush us; they are wrong. The direction of Public Sentiment determines the world." His tone hardened, "Send orders to the front, hold firm awaiting reinforcement. If we hold for three more days, victory will be ours! Then send another telegram: have Hu Zhongnan and Du and Ming accelerate their march."

Understood!

Outside the window, the setting sun turned Badong's mountains and the rushing river into a sea of crimson gold. In the allied camp, soldiers silently polished their blades and spears, preparing for the imminent slaughter. Inside Badong City, cooking smoke curled, mischievous children played, everything seemed as usual yet somehow different.

This war that could reshape the River‑Exi balance is on the brink of ignition. Li Yuxuan stood by the window, staring at the distant front line, his gaze steadfast. This battle is not only for Badong's survival, but also to break old barriers and forge a new path. No matter how many hardships lie ahead,