"Rise!"
"Liu Qing is currently monitoring the movents of the Demon on the front lines; he will assu his position once he returns. As for the two of you, assu your positions imdiately, train the troops, revitalize the Two Mountains, and remain diligent."
Chen Yuan ordered.
Yun and Lu stood up in unison, cupping their fists, producing a resounding clanging sound,
"Yes!"
Upon seeing this, Chen Yuan waved his hand and uttered a hum, signaling the two to return to their seats.
The two retreated and returned to their seats according to his instruction.
The other Colonels of the Six Mountains saw this, shifted slightly in their chairs, cupped their fists towards Yun and Lu, and with smiles on their faces, began to congratulate them:
"Congratulations to the two brothers!"
"From now on, we must address you as Colonel Yun and Colonel Lu."
"The two of you, following General Chen, will surely shine brightly and be able to take charge independently."
"....."
Lu Ming and Yun Tiansheng responded to the greetings one by one, showing neither arrogance nor impatience.
Chen Yuan nodded, waiting until they had mostly finished talking, then opened his mouth.
Currently, out of the Six Mountains, personnel for four mountains have been confird, leaving two mountains pending.
He thought that one should not monopolize authority. Although he presently holds power in the Governnt Administrative Office and the reconstruction of the Six Mountains is under his command, nobody would likely speak against his appointnts for the Colonels of the Six Mountains.
However, in doing things, one must build unity first; as the saying goes, when people form as one, they can move Mount Tai.
His face showed a mont of contemplation before he spoke:
"Now that four Colonels have been decided, I will hand over the remaining two positions to the Heavenly General to select; what do you all think?"
He didn’t overlook the presence of Qi Tian, the Demon Suppression General. This man is a veteran of the Governnt Administrative Office, a pillar safeguarding the Shu region, with old qualifications and strong capabilities. He is poised to take the final step into becoming a Martial Saint, deeply respected by the soldiers. Even daring to defy Emperor Wu in the current dynasty, Chen Yuan always respected him and treated him with courtesy. Although he doesn’t compete or vie for power, the Mountain-cutting Army is his effort, and he should be allowed to exercise this part of authority; lest he becos disheartened.
Unexpectedly, just as he uttered these words, the first to stand and speak was Gongsun Yang, seated to his left.
This Mr. Gongsun stood up, supported himself with the armrest, and with a serious expression on his aged face, said,
"General, these words are indeed proper."
"The Heavenly General has toiled greatly in guarding the border; his rits are high. This matter ought to be inford; before, I was shortsighted and didn’t consider this above, I am ashad."
Chen Yuan chuckled, glancing at him, "No worries, after all, our Governnt Administrative Office is united, overcoming difficulties together."
"Indeed, General Chen is right."
"As long as our Mountain-cutting Army is united, whether Rebel army or Demon, they can all be uprooted."
"General Chen’s thorough consideration indeed lifts everyone’s spirits now."
"....."
Several Colonels of the mountains echoed collectively, their eyes flashing with divine light, not expressing any insincere words.
Chen Yuan continued to speak to Gongsun Yang:
"Later, personally take the ssage to the Heavenly General, let him decide on two individuals."
"Yes." Gongsun Yang replied, bowing with hands lowered.
As Chen Yuan spoke, his gaze turned back to the others, golden light flickering in his eyes, his voice intensified,
"Once the candidates for the Colonels of the Six Mountains are determined, I will hold a token-granting ceremony!"
"The ti will be set on the day the war preparations are ready, just like back in the day when I held the ceremony, troops will be dispatched southward with the completion of the ceremony!"
"Boom"
He slapped the armrest of his chair, the sound as deep as a bell, invigorating the expressions of those present, stirring their spirits.
After a short while, the eting in the Colonel Palace concluded.
Yun Tiansheng and Lu Ming imdiately took the command to First Mountain and Second Mountain to assu their roles as Colonels.
Gongsun Yang remained in the palace, entered Chen Yuan’s Personal Cave Heaven, and through the Yin Mountain Holy Tree was transported to Tianxiong Pass, taking Chen Yuan’s intent with him.
......
On the other side, at the convergence point of the winds and clouds of the whole Daqian, the Imperial Capital Dragon Court.
As dusk progressed this day, the lonely setting sun completely saturated the Dragon Court, the towering palace walls outlined a majestic and Fierce silhouette in the golden light, the raised eaves and corners like the jagged fangs of a giant beast, possessing an air of somberness.
Vermilion Bird Gate stood tall and formidable, with gilded copper nails gleaming coldly in the twilight, and soon, the sound of iron armor clashing erged from within the city walls, followed by two lines of the imperial guard rushing out, lining the street. The commoners were held back a hundred steps away, tiptoeing and peering from afar, their murmuring voices carried by the wind, transforming into a fragnted hum.
Soon after, a prison cart rolled out of the Vermilion Bird Gate, pressing down with an unsettling feeling in people’s hearts. In the center of the prison cart lay a corpse, securely tied with hemp rope, the hair bun disordered, the official robes torn to shreds, filthy blood soaking the fabric. Several burly imperial guard warriors lifted the corpse from the prison cart and threw it on the ground.
The leading Lang General of the imperial guard held a token and shouted towards the watchtower of the city gate, "In accordance with the command of Your Majesty, this traitorous official colluded with enemies, committed acts beyond forgiveness, and shall be executed and displayed at Vermilion Bird Gate as a warning to others!"
Already prepared on the watchtower, iron hooks and long ropes were lowered, and the imperial guards below lifted the cold corpse to the pillar next to the gate archway. One held down the shoulder, another gripped the ankle, while two more penetrated the clothing at the back of the neck with iron hooks, securing it.
"Raise!" With a low shout, the long rope was gently pulled, gradually raising the official’s corpse into the air, resembling a piece of decayed wood, the crowd let out a series of low cries.
"How many of them have been hung this month?"
"Our Majesty has gone mad with killing."
"Quiet down, speak cautiously."
"...."
On the watchtower, the corpse of the traitorous official was hoisted up and bound to the pillar, displayed for the masses. The head drooped down, the hair bun falling and covering half of the face, only those wide-open eyes showed a trace of unwillingness and unspoken anger, extraordinarily Fierce.
The Lang General guarding this gate below, glanced at those eyes, a chill running through his heart, quickly shifting his gaze away.
anwhile, a group of officials dressed in crimson and purple robes erged from the palace gate, so faces pale, others expressionless.
The Imperial Censor, Pri Minister Huangfu, and others were among them.
His Majesty summoned ministers from the Three Platforms and Six Ministries for a eting, soone infuriated His Majesty’s wrath and suffered, His Majesty had beco increasingly erratic in temperant lately.
They did not raise their heads to look at the corpse suspended above, hurriedly leaving the Vermilion Bird Gate.
The Lang General handling the matter ordered the crowd of commoners cleared, to not obstruct the officials’ path.
During this process, the bleak autumn wind brought the urgent sound of horse hooves, traversing Vermilion Bird Street, rushing towards Vermilion Bird Gate.
"Drive!"
"Drive!"
"Drive!"
A fiery red steed bore a cloaked and hooded figure, charging straight towards the forbidden Vermilion Bird Gate guarded by the imperial forces, prompting the surrounding citizens to dodge, while the imperial guard raised their long weapons, poised to stab the horse.
"Who dares intrude on the Dragon Court’s forbidden area?"
The horse neighed loudly, hooves raised high, and ca to a stop.
The rider swiftly removed the hood, revealing beneath it a face full of wind and dust, belonging to a middle-aged man with sharp brows and eyes, and a short beard below his chin.
"Commander Lv!"
The surrounding imperial guard, seeing this man, exclaid in surprise, promptly retracted their weapons and knelt on one knee in salute.
Lü Tianji coldly swept his gaze, catching sight of the corpse hanging on the city gate, his pupils contracted slightly, then he coldly shouted to the imperial guards kneeling before his horse,
"Move aside, I must report to His Majesty!"
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