Chapter 161: Chapter 140: Grand General Wang Tong

Thus, when the three designated Grand Generals sent by the Jian’an court arrived in Yizhou, the banners of rebellion were immediately hoisted atop Yizhou’s city walls.

This time, the people of Yizhou were no longer indifferent. The bloody tragedy at the city gate had already ignited their anger, making them realize that the court of Jian’an never truly considered them—on the contrary, it was the so-called rebel leader who, at this critical moment, eradicated the villains and preserved the peace of the city.

So, is there any doubt about which side to choose?

"Hero!"

The people lifted Du Chengfeng’s robust body into the air, showering him with praises as they carried him back to the Governor’s Mansion—immediately, some sharp-minded individuals took down the banners symbolizing the Great Chen from the city walls.

However, they hadn’t yet decided what new banners to put up, so they randomly hung some pieces of colorful cloth and curtains. To the uninformed, it might look like the advertising signs of a fabric shop.

As long as they didn’t fly the banners of Great Chen, the people of Yizhou were expressing their dissatisfaction in this way.

"So what on earth is happening?"

In the court of distant Jian’an, the Prime Minister, sitting ahead of all officials, was shouting angrily.

"How did Yizhou actually rebel? What are you military officers even doing!"

"Prime Minister! What do you mean by that!" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The military officers, led by Grand General Wang Tong, were instantly dumbfounded, wondering how this blame was being suddenly thrust upon them.

This is ridiculous! It was because the Prime Minister said Yizhou had rebelled, and even mentioned two experts with Evil Qi aura appearing, that they were dispatched to pacify the rebellion, and now, three fourth-rank military officers have died in Yizhou, yet before they could demand an explanation from the Prime Minister, he was already pinning the blame on them?

This is simply nonsense! Did they force Yizhou to rebel?

"What else?"

The Prime Minister did not give the military officers a chance to speak, continuing to press them.

"The fourth-rank Fengwei General Cai Yi had previously attacked civilians during a pacification campaign; how many times did the Censorate submit impeachment motions against him? Yet, he was protected by you, Grand General Wang, with the excuse to give the young man another chance... And now? This is your so-called young man who can correct his mistakes!"

Saying this, the Prime Minister raised his hand and threw over a document sent from the Southern Mountain Dao.

Then, he bowed his hand toward the young man in court dress on the high throne.

"Your Majesty, I believe the Grand General has really gone too far this time."

"..."

On the high throne, the young emperor remained silent, seeming somewhat bewildered by the situation.

This hall was so vast that even seated at the main position, the young emperor appeared insignificant.

"I think about this matter..."

"Your Majesty, pacifying the rebellion is of utmost importance."

The Prime Minister bowed once more.

"Why not give the Grand General a chance to atone for his sins?"

"Ah... oh! What the Prime Minister says is true!"

The young emperor, regaining his senses, nodded repeatedly.

"Granted! As the Prime Minister suggests!"

Thus, with just a few words exchanged among a few people, the direction of Southern Chen was decided.

Grand General Wang Tong was tasked with organizing the forces and leading the troops to quell the rebellion.

The civil officals were very satisfied with this; with the Grand General involved, the rebellion could certainly be quelled, and most military officers could still accept this since Fengwei General Cai Yi did cause trouble, and having a solution now was indeed a relief.

Only a few generals, including Grand General Wang Tong himself, still frowned even after the court dismissed.

"That Prime Minister Jia Wen is truly insufferable!"

Back at the General’s Mansion, a military officer following Wang Tong couldn’t help but curse out loud.

"Initially, he also agreed to keep Cai Yi, saying it wasn’t easy to find someone combat-wise exceptional in these times, and we might as well use him against the grassland people... And now, this?"

"Alright, he is the current Prime Minister after all."

Taking a deep breath, Grand General Wang Tong ultimately did not explode.

No matter how angry he was, Wang Tong still maintained considerable restraint, for the Prime Minister Jia Wen held enormous power, and the current emperor trusted him greatly—almost obeying him to a fault—if he were to fall out with the Prime Minister now, even as a Grand General, it would only invite trouble.

Moreover, the grassland people were already invading south.

This was what he, as the Grand General, had to deal with; heaven knows why the grassland people suddenly decided to invade south, but just as he needed Great Chen to unite as one, Yizhou suddenly rebelled, and the Prime Minister Jia Wen was also...

"General, be wary of Jia Wen."

A military officer who came along with Wang Tong leaned in and cautioned.

"This Prime Minister now holds power over the entire court, with no one able to restrain him. If he has any intentions..."

"That’s not likely."

Wang Tong decisively shook his head.

After all, this world ultimately respects martial power above all. Even if that Prime Minister holds sway over the court, it doesn’t matter. As long as Wang Tong retains his martial prowess, no matter how aggressively the Prime Minister advances, he can still be silenced with a command.

On the contrary, as the Grand General himself, if he were to directly confront the Prime Minister, that would be a truly unwise move.

Possessing formidable strength, with no one daring to criticize him, even if the young Emperor doesn’t suspect him, his subordinates might inevitably think it’s time to provide some protection, given the chill in the air.

After all, this Great Chen was built on martial strength.

Back then, the Grand Founder of Great Chen set an excellent precedent: as long as absolute martial power could vanquish all enemies, no one could question the legitimacy of the imperial family. Thankfully, that Grand Founder wasn’t truly human, so when faced with a nearly two-zhang tall giant, resembling a deity descending upon the world, people could only hold their noses and accept it.

But the descendants of the Grand Founder of Great Chen...

It’s hard to say.

Despite the Grand Founder possessing a physique akin to a deity, his descendants only demonstrated ordinary attributes. While one or two showed some martial prowess, it could only be considered ordinary among commoners. Since everyone had grown accustomed to the benefits of peaceful times, no one wished to rebel, lest a few individuals surpass the imperial family’s martial prowess...

In fact, it wasn’t a mere possibility; Wang Tong himself was such a martial man.

At the age of twenty, Evil Qi entered his body, and by twenty-five, he could project Evil Qi externally. Now, aged over fifty, his strength showed no decline, and coupled with decades of accumulated experience and skill, it was his peak period as a military officer.

Yet, Wang Tong had never contemplated seizing the throne.

This was why he became the Grand General, supported by a firm determination to serve the Emperor and the country. No matter who rebelled, he would not.

However, mere personal knowledge of loyalty wasn’t enough; occasional displays were necessary to avoid unwarranted suspicion.

After all, this Emperor of Great Chen is still rather young.

Of course, if youth were the only factor, it would be manageable; after all, Wang Tong himself had been young before. The critical issue is that the Emperor’s abilities are truly...

Being raised within the deep palace, the Emperor finds it challenging to fortify his will through the cleansing of Evil Qi. The problem is, the Emperor isn’t inclined towards scholarly pursuits. Despite Wang Tong tirelessly gathering numerous Divine Soldiers and miraculous techniques for the Emperor, his combat ability remained merely average among commoners.

Especially upon entering the grand palace built for the Grand Founder, seated on the throne designed for a giant over two zhang tall, the contrast becomes starkly apparent.

Lack of strength leads to insecurity, and without confidence, suspicion follows.

Wang Tong didn’t want his loyalty to serving the Emperor and the country to be doubted, at least not now, as he still had to face the people of the steppes, even the mad king of the steppes.

It’s said that the Khan of the steppes delights in battle, yet possesses a mad nature. Ironically, such madmen are often the easiest to harness power.

"This world is mad..."

At this thought, Wang Tong couldn’t help but feel a moment of enlightenment.

But soon, he steeled his resolve.

Even in this mad world, someone must undertake rational actions.

"So, why is the treasury empty?"

Three days later, Grand General Wang Tong angrily stormed into the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"Where’s the money and grain the court had accumulated? What about the northern military funds previously collected? Why is there nothing?"

"General, please calm your anger."

Prime Minister Jia Wen merely sighed.

"One doesn’t know the cost of firewood and rice without managing a household. Everywhere in Great Chen needs money and grain right now. To put it simply, should we halt the construction of the imperial mausoleum just because of the northern expedition?"

"This..."

Hearing Jia Wen mention the imperial mausoleum, Wang Tong fell silent.

That’s the resting place of the Great Chen imperial family, housing the late Grand Founder. If he dared criticize this, it would be deemed disloyal.

"Moreover, the Emperor wishes to build a new garden for practicing mystical arts..."

Jia Wen bowed slightly towards the direction of the palace, sighing again.

"In short, there’s not much money and grain left. If the General truly needs it, I’ll find a way to raise some more."

"You better hurry."

At that moment, while Wang Tong’s face remained expressionless, murderous intent stirred within.

No matter what excuses Jia Wen concocted, it was a fact that the army had no supplies. For now, he needed Jia Wen to raise funds, but once funds were secured and the northern campaign concluded, it would be time to execute this corrupt official!

Even if it meant being suspected by the Emperor, it mattered not. Jia Wen had gone too far. At worst, after executing Jia Wen, he would retire to the countryside, never involving himself in worldly affairs again.

However, Wang Tong didn’t anticipate that even in the matter of raising funds, mishaps occurred.