The war on the Floating Land of the Void, despite the Empire’s meticulous planning to seize the initiative, was still a grueling battle to maintain this fragile advantage.
Meanwhile, the capital, tens of thousands of miles away, was also not at peace. As the national war began, a storm of military reform and political cleansing swept through the imperial court. In a short time, long-standing issues such as ghost soldiers, false meritorious deeds, and civilian killings were addressed, and the misdeeds and bad habits of the lords and minor nobles were swept clean.
The noble clans, while restraining their young, observed with a cold eye. The current Emperor’s maternal clan was not prominent, and his wife’s clan had changed multiple times. It was only after twenty years on the throne that he made such significant moves, merely to consolidate power. Previously, the pretext of a renaissance for weakening the fiefs was somewhat forced, but now, taking advantage of the national war, he acted under the banner of righteousness.
Today was another grand assembly. In the solemn Lingyun Main Hall, civil officials, military officers, and ennobled figures stood in their respective ranks. Among the ennobled were princes and heads of noble families, each exuding a formidable and dignified aura.
The ranks of the civil officials, led by the cabinet, and the military officers, led by the War Ministry, included many new faces. Though their positions were relatively junior, they were all sharp and energetic men in their forties. Their ambitious vigor was hard to ignore, and they shared a common trait—most came from lesser branches of great families, or even humble backgrounds within the scholar-gentry class.
Though Zhang Boqian was an Imperial Marshal, he did not stand among the military officers. Clad in a black and gold royal attire, he stood at the forefront of the ennobled. Zhang Boqian, holding the title of Heavenly King, ranked above even the Princes in the Imperial hierarchy. The other four Heavenly Kings no longer held military or political posts and thus would not attend the assembly, making him the undisputed leader among the ennobled.
The other Imperial Marshal, Lin Xitang, was also absent from the ranks of the military officers. The vacant first position in the civil officials’ ranks belonged to him, though he had been absent from several assemblies due to recurring injuries. However, the presence of new faces in the Lingyun Main Hall indicated that although the Emperor’s confidant was absent from the assembly, he was not absent from state affairs.
As time passed, the discussions in the assembly progressed, and the atmosphere in the Lingyun Main Hall grew increasingly tense. Those sensitive to state matters began to sense something amiss.
Today’s discussions seemed to cover a wide range of topics, including civil administration, military preparations, and local defense, but the handling of these matters adhered to a single principle: the reinstatement of the Founding Emperor’s laws.
This principle in itself was not wrong. When the Great Qin established its rule, the imperial family and the noble clans governed together, agreeing on laws and regulations, each with their own jurisdictions, ensuring the empire’s prosperity. However, over time, for the sake of personal and familial interests, moral integrity eroded. Even the best laws, if not upheld, contribute more to the decline of society than the absence of any rules.
For example, the law that stipulated the rewards for the descendants of meritorious officials should end after three generations was often overlooked, and the phrase “the common people are rewarded regardless of status” was seldom implemented. At the empire’s founding, the descendants of those who expanded the realm could be granted honors for three generations, but both noble and common-born individuals who achieved similar feats should receive equal rewards. Each person in the Lingyun Main Hall had their own account of how well this was actually practiced.
However, this was not the focus of today’s assembly.
“The Heavenly King does not lead the army; according to this precedent, the Imperial Military Districts should be redrawn.” A young Inspector clearly stated the final sentence, then nonchalantly closed the thick report in his hands.
A hush fell over the Lingyun Main Hall.
Today’s assembly, while ostensibly reaffirming the Founding Emperor’s laws, finally revealed its true purpose with that last statement, targeting none other than Qingyang Wang, the Imperial Marshal Zhang Boqian.
The precedent of the Heavenly King not leading the army dates back to the early years of the empire. After Baima Wang, the Founding Emperor’s younger brother, ascended to the rank of Heavenly King, he immediately relinquished his military command, setting a precedent. Since then, during major battles, the Heavenly King oversaw the overall strategy but did not handle military logistics.
However, except during the founding era and the Martial Emperor’s revival, it usually took human martial artists a full sixty years to reach the rank of Heavenly King. Moreover, mundane duties hindered their cultivation, so most potential Heavenly Kings did not take on official posts. This precedent was largely forgotten.
In fact, more attention was drawn to the redrawing of the Imperial Military Districts, which signified a real redistribution of power.
Currently, the Imperial Military Districts corresponded to the ten current Imperial Marshals. The Marshal, the highest-ranking military officer in Great Qin, had the authority to recruit, train, and command regular forces within their district. During wartime, they could allocate resources based on military needs, and their authority was almost on par with that of hereditary lords, effectively giving the Imperial House control over the noble clans’ territories. Thus, the heads of noble clans were never allowed to hold the position of Marshal simultaneously.
The Inspector who dropped this bombshell, Fang Qingkong, appeared oblivious to the commotion his words would cause. He turned to face Zhang Boqian, meeting his cold, piercing gaze without fear.
The majority of the hall’s attention was now on the two.
Fang Qingkong, the right hand of the Inspection Bureau, was just over forty, young and ambitious among the high-ranking officials. Yet, his reputation was far from positive. Beneath his mild demeanor lay a ruthless and unyielding character, even causing the Military Police to respect him. From the moment he joined the Inspection Bureau, he openly declared his intention to be a mad dog at Marshal Lin’s feet.
Yet, Fang Qingkong had survived and risen to the third-highest position in the bureau, a target of many more assassination attempts than even Lin Xitang.
Zhang Boqian glanced at Fang Qingkong, then turned his gaze away, as if dismissing him. “If you want my Marshal’s seal, call Lin Xitang to come and take it himself.”
The silence in the Lingyun Hall was so profound that even the faintest breath could be heard. The tension was palpable.
Everyone knew Zhang Boqian’s character; his response, though surprising, was straightforward. Zhang Boqian never minced words, and when he said it was possible, it was. For a moment, no one, whether neutral, opportunistic, or intending to support either side, knew how to react.
Fang Qingkong, quick to respond, smiled and said, “If every little detail requires Marshal Lin’s personal involvement, what use are we?”
Zhang Boqian responded coolly, “If you’re looking to die, you’re not worthy.”
At that moment, the voice of the Emperor, the Supreme Sovereign, echoed from behind the heavy curtains, filling every corner of the Lingyun Hall. “The Cabinet will draft the resolutions from today’s assembly, and unresolved matters will be discussed by the Cabinet, the War Ministry, and the Imperial Clan. The assembly is adjourned.”
The ministers bowed in unison, then left the hall as the gongs sounded. Only then did some begin to whisper in small groups.
From the moment they entered the court, the dual pillars of the Empire, Zhang Boqian and Lin Xitang, held different political views. With Zhang Boqian’s ennoblement, their differences became irreconcilable, especially during the Iron Curtain Blood Battle.
Many senior officials understood that Zhang Boqian’s initial appearance on the Evernight Continent was to suppress the pro-Imperial faction advocating for the weakening of the fiefs. Lin Xitang was thus tied down in Evernight, losing control over the capital, and the pro-Imperial faction split, with one group even turning against Lin Xitang. If not for the Great Beast’s Rest drawing attention away from the internal strife, the situation might have worsened.
Most anticipated Lin Xitang’s counterattack, but no one expected him to move so decisively, directly proposing to remove Zhang Boqian from his position.
Deeper reflection revealed that external resistance to this would not be substantial. The Zhang clan, despite their dominance in the blood battle and the Great Beast’s Rest, faced opposition from other clans who feared their continued rise. They would, at most, remain neutral.
The proposal to redraw the military districts, brought up by Fang Qingkong, was inevitable. The prolonged war for control of the Floating Land of the Void would necessitate adjustments to the homeland’s defenses. However, coupling this with the demand for Zhang Boqian’s resignation demonstrated Fang Qingkong’s audacity, earning him grudging respect.
Regardless of Fang Qingkong’s flaws, his boldness in confronting Zhang Boqian earned him the admiration of the elite.
Duke Weiguo first spoke to Duke Yuego, “Is the Divine Calculation Art truly so miraculous? Lin Xitang has always been accurate in his assessments, but it’s rare for such a talented individual to be so loyal.”
He sighed, “Alas, it’s a pity! Young Song is getting closer to the Zhang clan.”
Duke Yuego knew that Duke Weiguo had favored Song Zining before he rose to fame. When the Zhao clan claimed all the battle achievements from Blackflow City, Duke Weiguo had even inquired about the possibility of recruiting Song Zining.
But Song Zining rose too quickly, severing ties with his clan and falling out of favor with Zhao Jundu. By the time everyone realized the situation, Song Zining had already found a place in Zhang Boqian’s command. Now, luring or coercing him would be futile.
Speaking of Song Zining, Duke Yuego, Zhao Xuanji, thought of Qian Ye and the recent secret report, feeling a surge of frustration. What good was genius? The Zhao clan had plenty of geniuses, but look at Zhao Weihaung’s children—none of them were trouble-free.
In the distant Zhao clan camp, the same secret report lay on a desk. Zhao Junyi, the eldest of the Zhao clan’s fourth sons, sat in the seat of honor. Most resembling his father, Zhao Weihaung, he had a stern military bearing.
Glancing at his two younger brothers, his gaze settled on Zhao Jundu, and he asked, “What is this? Why is Zhao Qianye on the list of guest ministers of the Jing Tang Li clan?”
Zhao Junhong, the second son, picked up the report and flipped through it. “Qian Ye is an excellent long-range sniper with exceptional vision. The Mists Forest suits him. Besides, his high ranking suggests the Li clan must have offered substantial compensation.”
Zhao Junyi frowned deeply. His second brother’s explanation might apply to any free agent, but for Qian Ye, it was absurd. He had never met this half-brother, but Zhao Jundu had caused several disturbances in the clan for Qian Ye’s sake.
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