Chapter 153: Chapter 133: Capital City of Jiankang

When the messenger delivered the emergency letter to the Capital City of Jiankang, it was already ten days later.

This was the fastest speed the courier could manage, riding tirelessly, crossing mountains and rivers, even crossing a major river, all to deliver this urgent intelligence to the court as quickly as possible.

Or rather, to Qian Jin’s home.

With something so important, naturally, Qian Jin wasn’t foolish enough to shoulder it alone, especially since he was far away in Yizhou City, barely able to speak a word to the court here—so after much deliberation, Qian Jin simply wrote two documents, one naturally stating the current situation as a memorial, and the other specifically sent to his own home for his father to decide whether to present the memorial.

Strictly speaking, his father’s judgment might be even more accurate than his.

Qian Jin’s father, named Qian Yu, was the senior historian of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Although he couldn’t be considered truly high-ranking and influential, he had been navigating the bureaucratic sea for many years. More importantly, unlike Qian Jin who was far away in Yizhou, Qian Yu was in the Capital City, allowing him to feel the current direction of the court and decide how to handle this matter more easily.

So the question was, how should this matter be handled?

"This..."

Looking at the letter sent home by his son, the elderly Qian Yu wiped sweat off his forehead.

Strictly speaking, aside from those remnants of Chu and those mountain bandits who can’t even stir up a splash, this was the first time rebels appeared within the territory of Great Chen—using the term ’rebels’ with such severity was purely because the opponent’s strength had reached the level of Evil Qi externally emitted.

Those who can achieve Evil Qi externally emitted are a level that most capturers cannot manage. Such individuals are enough to wreak havoc wherever they go. Unlike mountain bandits with small-scale operations, such a master once prepared to massacre, would genuinely be able to shake the foundations of Great Chen.

If there was any good news, it was that his son managed to survive in the rebel’s hands, and according to the letter, the rebel only acted out of necessity during his battle with grasslands people in Yanzhou, executing Yanzhou’s governor Qi Jinshan, but himself had no rebellious intentions against Great Chen.

As for the bad news...

The rebel also didn’t say he wouldn’t rebel.

This puzzled Qian Yu the most. Logically speaking, if the rebel doesn’t want to rebel anymore, then accepted into service would suffice. He could arrange in the Capital City to give the rebel an Honorary General title, thereby settling the matter, the rebel wouldn’t rebel anymore, and the court would gain a formidable opponent, which would be excellent.

But the rebel refused to be enlisted.

Not only refused the enlistment, but the rebel named Du Chengfeng even stated clearly he wanted to fight against the major general sent by the court to quell the rebellion.

"Is this person insane?"

That was Qian Yu’s first reaction, as a normal person, he couldn’t understand such a madman-like thinking.

So he chose to report this matter to the Prime Minister.

Anyway, the letter also mentioned that on the way, the rebel killed the Prime Minister’s man, that Zhang Qi whom he remembered discussing metaphysics with the Prime Minister before—it’s apparent the Prime Minister had a high regard for Zhang Qi, otherwise wouldn’t make time to discuss Dao with an ordinary practitioner amid his busy schedule.

This was undoubtedly the Prime Minister’s way of expressing his high regard; the Prime Minister was very fond of Zhang Qi.

Thus, upon arriving at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Qian Yu withheld the family letter, then submitted the formal memorial.

"Prime Minister, look here..."

"Zhang Qi was actually killed?"

Before Qian Yu could say anything, the Prime Minister sitting at the head of the table suddenly frowned.

"Impossible? How could this be..."

"Why, sir, is there a problem?"

Qian Yu shrunk his neck. Working under this Prime Minister for years, he could already sense that the Prime Minister was a bit angry.

But only just a bit angry.

This puzzled Qian Yu greatly, given the Prime Minister is known for his tough methods. In the past, even a powerful officer like the former Situ and respected by students across the country, Ruan Shantao, was forced to retire home because of differing views on weakening military might, never stepping into the court again—given that his men were killed, if the Prime Minister truly became angry, a dozen heads at least would roll.

Yet now, the Prime Minister only slightly frowned.

This was unusual.

"Sir, could it be that this Zhang Qi..."

"Zhang Qi is truly a formidable opponent."

Seemingly perceiving Qian Yu’s confusion, the Prime Minister casually said.

"Just from appearance, you can’t tell, but if Zhang Qi truly exerted his full strength, killing ten thousand people wouldn’t be a problem for him... but the problem lies here: how could such a formidable opponent be killed?"

Because of weakness, what else could it be?

But such words were only spoken in Qian Yu’s heart. Outwardly, he tried to persuade the Prime Minister not to get angry—given that the current head of affairs in Yizhou City is still his son, if the Prime Minister really plans some drastic action, could his son still survive?

"Zhang Qi being killed implies someone stronger."

While Qian Yu was lost in thought, the Prime Minister spoke again.

"Zhang Qi’s skills, I have seen them. With his skill set, killing him really wouldn’t be easy. With such ability, it’s indeed worthy of reward... wait, did you say he refused the enlistment?"

"Uh... yes."

Despite the truth possibly being perceived as incompetence, after a moment of silence, Qian Yu still nodded.

In such private exchanges, there’s no need to conceal, given he really couldn’t handle such level matters—but the Prime Minister certainly could, even with just a single word.

Just like now.

"Since the northern barbarian is obstinate, let the Buddhist Dharma enlighten him."

Speaking, the Prime Minister waved to the guard at the door.

"Go, inform Master Zongyan, tell him what just happened, then let him take a trip to Yizhou... if he can capture him alive, great, but if truly killed, it’s of no consequence."

"No need to trouble, I am already here."

Just as the guard was about to exit, a voice sounded at the top of the hall.

Then a burly man carrying a rod entered, single-handedly performing a Buddhist salute.

"Since the patron has a worry, this humble monk will not fail in his mission."

Accompanied by the burly man’s words, the long rod inlaid with white bone skulls lit up its eyes.