Chapter 23: Imperial Edict Arrives

In early spring at Kaiping City, the lingering snow had not fully melted, and the city walls still bore the scars of war.

Inside the Central Command Tent, Chang Yuchun, Great Horse Golden Sword, sat on the Main Seat, with Lan Yu on his left and Shiniu on his right.

Half a month later, Shiniu's leather armor had been replaced by heavy armor forged of refined steel; two jet‑black iron hammers rested beside his chair, their heads stained dark red with blood that had seeped into the metal.

"Report..."

The messenger lifted the tent flap and entered, kneeling on one knee and saying, "General, the Yingtian Prefecture Envoy has arrived five li outside the city!"

Chang Yuchun sprang to his feet, the red tassel on his steel helm trembling as he said, "Finally! Lan Yu, come with me to meet them outside the city!"

Lan Yu also rose, patting Shiniu's shoulder and saying, "Simpleton, let's go receive the edict together."

Shiniu nodded, lifted the Double Hammers, and prepared to step outside.

"Wait! You don't need to bring weapons to receive the Imperial Edict, put them down, put them down," Chang Yuchun said, half laughing, half exasperated.

Shiniu lowered his head to glance at the hammers, hesitated briefly, then placed them against the tent post.

For the past three months, those hammers had scarcely left his hands.

Kaiping City Gate swung wide, and Chang Yuchun led his troops in a formation to greet the arrival.

In the distance, yellow dust rose as a cavalry unit clustered around a carriage and slowly approached.

The carriage halted before the gate, its curtain drawn back, and a middle‑aged civil official dressed in a scarlet official robe, his face thin and gaunt, stepped down.

"The Imperial Edict has arrived! Chang Yuchun, receive the edict!"

Chang Yuchun led his men, kneeling on one knee, and declared, "I, Chang Yuchun, receive the edict."

The official unfurled the Bright Yellow Scroll and read aloud in a resonant voice: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Deputy General of Conquering Captives Chang Yuchun, strike north against the remnants of Yuan, subdue Helin, capture Kaiping, expand the realm a thousand li, raise the prestige of our nation, merit to the state and the altar.

Hence, you shall lead the meritorious officers back to the capital to report, and rewards shall be granted according to merit. So be it..."

"I accept the decree, thank His Majesty for the great grace!" Chang Yuchun took the Imperial Edict with both hands.

The official finally smiled, helped Chang Yuchun to his feet and said, "General Chang, His Majesty at Yingtian has been awaiting good news daily; learning that the General has taken two cities in succession, the Dragon‑Visaged Emperor is greatly pleased!"

Chang Yuchun laughed heartily, "All thanks to the soldiers risking their lives. This is General Lan Yu, the Vanguard of this Northern Expedition."

Lan Yu clasped his fists and saluted.

The official's gaze fell on Shiniu standing behind Chang Yuchun, and he was momentarily startled.

The young man was unusually towering, standing among the generals like a crane among chickens; though his face was expressionless, a flash of brilliance occasionally flickered in his eyes.

Moreover, the official felt the man's visage was oddly familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"Who is this…"

"This is Shiniu, our army's foremost fierce general; he himself broke open the Helin City Gate," Chang Yuchun patted Shiniu's back and said.

A flash of astonishment crossed the official's eyes, but he quickly composed himself, cupped his hands and said, "A brave and valiant warrior shall surely receive His Majesty's generous reward."

Shiniu merely nodded, saying nothing.

Three days later, the great army set out southward to return.

Chang Yuchun deliberately placed Shiniu beside him and chattered all the way, "Simpleton, when we reach Yingtian Prefecture, after meeting His Majesty and the Empress, observe proper etiquette.

Whatever the Emperor asks, answer accordingly; if you don't know, watch my expression…"

Shiniu rode his horse, his gaze level ahead, uncertain whether he had heard.

Lan Yu urged his horse past, laughing, "Brother‑in‑law, you needn't worry; this Simpleton is awe‑inspiring on the battlefield, and when we reach Yingtian, the Emperor will be so delighted he won't even have time to blame him for any breach of decorum."

"What do you know? Yingtian Prefecture isn't a battlefield; there are countless rules," Chang Yuchun glared at him.

Wang Gui followed at the rear of the column, watching Shiniu's silhouette with a look of contentment.

The reckless Simpleton from three months ago, who once barreled through the battlefield, is now a renowned fierce general within the army.

Though still taciturn, his eyes now carry a greater steadiness.

On the tenth day of the march, the column arrived at the Yellow River Crossing.

With limited ferries, the army had to cross the river in batches.

Chang Yuchun ordered the troops to set up camp and wait.

At dusk, campfires flickered up.

Shiniu sat beside the Fire Pit, cradling a large bowl as he ate.

Fire Soldier Lao Zhang deliberately ladled two extra slabs of meat for him, saying, "Eat more; the journey has been hard."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang," Shiniu said, lowering his head to scoop the rice.

Lao Zhang sat beside him, lowering his voice, "When we reach Yingtian Prefecture, if His Majesty rewards you with Gold and Silver, remember to save it for when you take a wife."

Shiniu lifted his head, confusion flashing in his eyes, "Wife?"

"Just a woman to cook for you, keep your bed warm," Lao Zhang gestured as he spoke.

Shiniu thought for a moment, shook his head, "I have barracks to stay in, and food to eat."

Lao Zhang was at a loss, half laughing, half exasperated, about to speak again when Chang Yuchun came over and said, "Lao Zhang, don't teach the kid bad habits."

He sat beside Shiniu and said, "Simpleton, don't listen to him; when we reach Yingtian, His Majesty will have his own arrangements."

Shiniu nodded and continued eating.

Chang Yuchun watched him, feeling a surge of emotion.

In these three months, Shiniu's performance on the battlefield could no longer be described merely as brave.

It was more like a humanoid ferocious beast.

He recalled that after taking Helin City, the remaining Yuan troops broke out, about two thousand cavalry charging forward.

Chang Yuchun intended to dispatch troops to encircle them, but Shiniu, alone with his Double Hammers, rushed forward.

That battle remained unforgettable for Chang Yuchun for the rest of his life.

Two thousand cavalry surged like a black tide, and Shiniu stood alone on the plain, tiny as an ant.

Then he moved.

There are no fancy moves, no intention to dodge—just charge, just smash.

The iron hammer swings, and both rider and horse are shattered.

One hammer strike can fling three or four cavalrymen.

The Yuan army's curved blade strikes his heavy armor, leaving only a white scar.

The Arrow comes flying, and he doesn't even try to dodge, letting the Arrow embed in his armor as he keeps charging forward.

One head‑on clash kills more than two hundred riders.

The Yuan troops are terrified, turning their horses to flee.

Shiniu pursues, somehow on two legs catching up with the cavalry, and another slaughter follows.

When that battle ends, corpses lie scattered across the plain.

Shiniu stands amid the piles of corpses, drenched in blood, the blood on his iron hammer dripping down the handle.

Shiniu wipes his face, walks back to his own camp, and says to Chang Yuchun, "I'm hungry."

At that moment, Chang Yuchun's hands were trembling.

It wasn't fear, it was excitement.

With a general who has such a fierce warrior, why worry that the world will be unsettled?

"Brother‑in‑law, what are you thinking?" Lan Yu's voice interrupted the memory.

Chang Yuchun snapped back, laughing, "I was wondering what rewards His Majesty will grant us when we return to the capital. Han Zi, what title do you want?"

Shiniu puts down his bowl, thinks seriously, and says, "As long as I can eat my fill, that's enough."

Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu exchange a glance and burst into hearty laughter.

After crossing the Yellow River, the sights along the way gradually become prosperous.

Villages increase, fields are orderly, the common folk no longer panic at the sight of troops; instead, elders escorting children kneel by the roadside.

Chang Yuchun orders his subordinates not to disturb the civilians and enforces strict military discipline.

After another half‑month of marching, they finally reach the North Bank of Yangtze River.

Standing at the ferry crossing, they can already see the outline of the city walls of Yingtian Prefecture on the opposite bank.

Chang Yuchun takes a deep breath and says, "Finally back."

The main army crosses the river and sets up camp ten li outside the city.

According to protocol, the army cannot enter the city directly; they must wait outside for orders.

That afternoon, another delegation of envoys arrives.

This time comes an Inner Official with a pale, beardless face, his voice thin: "His Majesty has issued an edict—General Chang shall enter the palace at Shi Jing tomorrow for an audience. The list of meritorious soldiers has been submitted, and His Majesty wishes to see in person the brave who smashed open the gates of Helin City."

As he speaks, the Inner Official's gaze falls on Shiniu, examines him closely, and nods, "Truly majestic."

Chang Yuchun bows and says, "Thank you for conveying the edict, sir."

The Inner Official leans closer, whispers, "General Chang, His Majesty is very curious about this stone strongman, and the Empress has asked several times. When you enter the palace tomorrow, be well prepared."

"Thank you for the reminder."

After the Inner Official leaves, Chang Yuchun pulls Shiniu into the camp tent.

"Han Zi, when you see His Majesty tomorrow, you must perform the kneeling ceremony. Answer His Majesty's questions truthfully; if the Empress asks you anything, answer respectfully as well."

Shiniu nods, "Got it."

Chang Yuchun pats his shoulder and says, "Go rest; you need to rise early tomorrow."