Qian Ye set down the document in his hand and said, “Where is the contact络 person from the Empire? Bring him to see me.”
In a jiffy, the general escorted a lean middle-aged man who wore an ornate robe—an unremarkable scion of an obscure petty noble house. Whether by cunning schemes or his own aspirations, he had journeyed to the backwater lands of Yonglu with intentions of securing vital connections through serving as the liaison officer between the imperial military and Qian Ye’s forces.
With indifference, Qian Ye gestured before letting two scrolls drop in front of that man: “Hearing that your side’s shipment has been suspended—what is going on here?”
Curtly yet without panic, the official bowed his hands together: “The reasons are as simple as they seem—currently, warfare against the Evernight faction and its vanguard, the demonic races, has drained the Empire quite terribly. Therefore, the high officials from the war office were forced into deliberation—previous exchanges at such absurd markdown costs now are no longer suitable amid the crisis; thus we have momentarily halted the supplies. Seeking to renegotiate is why I’m here.”
Without altering expression, merely glancing cold, he asked: “What kind of rates did you intend?”
“The officials propose one vial of agent for no more than three shiploads of tree-sap.”
“They’ve lost their minds!” roared the general at his right. Tripling a price overnight, who in their right senses could endure!
With mere motion of a limb, Qian Ye halted his general’s outburst and fixed a glare at the empire’s envoy—face slowly clouded over. “You’ve learned of this already, haven’t you?”
The color drained briefly from under this envoy’s calm. “While I learned the news days ago, I believed it trivial—waiting would allow an occasion better fit to explain matters to your return.”
Such explanation might sound eloquent; however, within Qian’s mind, it remained plain enough—it was merely yet another excuse to squeeze a bit greed out through another angle. Had he delivered early shipments—surely they’d count as achievements.
“A mere speck like you, daring weave such intrigues before me?”
Qian Ye’s body shifted not an inch, merely drumming once faintly atop the table—but within the chest of the Imperial Envoy, unseen ripples thunderous roared forth. An abyss stirred within as roiling origin forces spun out of bound—a vortex so perilous almost implodering, face suddenly pallid, on the verge of collapse.
“Mercy! My Lord—have mercy!!” He shrieked while kneeling, finally understanding one digit extended by Qian was enough to crush men as insignificant as himself like insignificant insects.
“By virtue your post bestows, grant that I absolve you today; leave you worthless carcass spared this one moment. Upon returning, carry back this message—for me, two vats of plant sap against every agent, nothing more. Any demand exceeding—no talks shall ensue. Moreover, ensure you convey my words precisely—have them keep steadfast atop thrones. Upon war’s finale’s arrival at New World, mark that it’s I whom will visit with talks.”
Terrified and perspiring, this Imperial Envoy hastily composed himself from collapse—without lingering another moment, bowed sharply in parting, hurriedly vanishing from sight in silence.
The general gazed after in lingering doubt: “My Lord—must he be merely let free like this? When he returns he might turn spiteful in vengeance…”
“So daring such treachery… what further mischief might they attempt, you ask? In QinLu land—matters don’t go well either. Let them take much for now… Consider it support rendered toward the Empire. Furthermore—while this phase of turbulence unfolds elsewhere; even if they meddle—regrettably, I bear not time to deal accordingly now. All must await resolution before action resums.”
Pondering for a moment in accord, this warrior recalled—new conquest flared fiercely within New World. Now quarreling for days over rations with Imperial High Command at this stage wasn’t productive. Longtime serving beside Qian allowed comprehension of his legacy: thus he continued “If indeed Lord Jundai is at the fore there—who led this war—it becomes just the natural right to assist supply him.”
Yet Qian shook his head grimacingly: “This goes further—merely one opening. A hike in trade prices… but possibly just the onset.”
“Such a proposition? With your status—equal to that noble Jundai—what fools would dare test you by provoking enmity?”
Stepping toward open window, Qian gaped upon the bustling azure horizon beneath them: “Back in time—here was an empty waste that few imperial figures even cared to note. Those fledging houses back then barely amounted to trinket-tier nobility who sought investment in me rather than genuine interests toward Yong Lu. But times, they shift—you now look only this town… millions of werewolf kin’s needs… each a fortune in commerce. This tells me—someone from the other side is setting their sights upon my land… and us.”
Once merely a hired sword—the General still possessed a spirit to ignite with pride, roaring eyes red: “Thinking devour so readily—we’ll see how big their jaws dare open without getting caught full!”
With laughter rich and bold Qian quipped: “You hit mark. Dismiss yourself—be mindful about our next imperial cargo movements, I’ve still shipments due in.”
This drew another pause from General astonishment, “But those supplies—weren’t those arranged between noble houses?”
“They are true enough—yet all dispatched initially by empire logistics.”
“With your coin paid upfront!!” his voice thunderingly rose.
“I assure—the distinction now matters naught.”
“Yet…”—frustration gripped the warrior wordless.
Casually, Qian added, “Relax—for now I say, I’ll permit the Empire to claim them as support for Jundai’s campaign. But while their transit route, however, I refuse absolve tracking their final fates—should they ever deviate… know I will chase to the bitter end.” Turning decisively, “Make certain my orders reach the Empire precisely.”
“Y-yes My Lord!”
As subordinates withdrew, Qian Ye lingered by window—cheer from prior dissipating, face hardening with growing ire beneath calm mask. While he’d appeared at ease amongst his retinue; rage still burned hot within.
Even still—within those walls, the same rot now dared emerge, to Qian’s own discomfiture—unforeseen.
From dust Qian Ye founded himself upon barren Yong Lu with sheer will and might alone, quelled expansions by formidable Mo Sa’er werewolvess. A war hero of human lineage—but even that had ceased mattering?
With deep measured breath, anger stilled. Rage avails none—for battle to come he must first await their next gambit—then strike decisiving.
News flew swift back his quarters, yet none of it light or cheerful. He could scarcely refrain from fury this latest episode—restraining restraint at all cost was already pushing mercy’s boundaries.
Arrival of fleets delivering crucial supplies by allied lineages came at long last—yet in diminished number compared to promised. Worse still, holds lay half-filled.
According to survivors aboard merchant convoys—Intercept incidents had recently unfolded: Imperial Navy ships had intercepted cargo fleets bound for territories beyond border. Empire’s elite Stormguard marines swarmed aboard. They had cited enforcement of newfound wartime decree:
“From this date onward, all outgoing military supplies exported beyond imperial jurisdiction must pay taxes.”
Conveniently, almost every single cargo meant for YongLu qualified categorically as outbound ‘strategic items’. Besides—as the would-be sovereign claiming semi-independent vassal status to Empire, YongLu unequivocally stood listed beyond territorial confines—regardless if actual submission rites happened in paper or not—as autonomous protectorate it was considered still ‘foreign’.
Even the so-called “discount,” hard bartered away with desperate diplomacy by noble attendants, demanded toll of half of all goods carried.
This instance though, rather than explode, Qian Ye remained silent—instead questioned thoroughly first regarding all proceedings:
Clerks dispatched by each contributing lineage had sensed the ill-will immediately and strived diligently during boarding negotiations to establish rapport, to extract truths from officers carrying out their duty.
Truth uncovered—they spoke of decree lately authorized by Crown; Wartime measures requiring harsher customs levies imposed across any foreign shipment deemed military relevant.
Certainly, in more standard wartime settings—the rule had basis, often outright halting bulk transport of sensitive commodities. Yet despite grey-market channels, high standing houses wouldn’t attempt exploiting wartime chaos outright. Still—it seemed when applied against him—they took liberty for taxation to reach outright pillage.
With countenance neutral, questioned: “They in the capital—don’t imagine halting flow would cripple both directions, perhaps?”
A trader head suggested, softly, “No… that’s not how their minds read.”
“Then why?”
“My lord—merit resides thus—they profit regardless if commodity flow halts today. We conduct commerce: you, real influence; houses, profitable gains—Empire meanwhile watches with empty palms. To the men who dictated this—they’d scarcely care even should commerce cease forever. Gold in pay envelopes would never vanish…”
Frowning, he asked next: “How shall we navigate through henceforth?”
“Aim precise, poison precisely.”
Face remained unreadable: “But should that medicine fail in purpose?”
“This one… this very one—we hold no more ideas,” stammered trader. “…only if we act decisively may success bloom. Those daring to plot against my lord… clearly, neither do they hold the赵 household in regard…”
Pondering solemnly Qian uttered finally: “I suppose Yong Lu really became… a savory morsel now.”
Seizing the moment tactfully, the trader murmured in appreciation: “Indeed—a delicacy ripened solely beneath your dominion.”
Pleasing words well received: a satisfied laughter left his lips—harking back in jest he modestly shrugged, “Mere fortune perhaps?” Refreshed, his mood lifting—turning eyes toward the man again: “Tell me your name.”
“My insignificant existence is named Sun Degui, affiliated within the HaiXia Merchant Syndicate.”
Nodding with agreement: “Stay watchful—any crucial whisper reaching our enemy’s quarters—bring me directly. Additionally, who specifically watches with ill will upon this land—you find names for me.”
“I pledge exert utmost effort.”
Thus adjourned the session—for he summoned ink, pen, and parchment, crafting words onto scroll destined for Zhao estate within the capital; urging swift transmission onto General Jundai frontline—the final command signed; turning mind toward conquest anew—plunged deeply again in New World, expanding territories relentlessly while crushing mercilessly against the Mo Sa’er forces still attempting invasion along every corridor.
At the imperial Qin Lu front—alongside the guarded main pass to Evernight world—a hushed tension gripped soldiers in full war formation. Eyes locked upon boundless white mist spilling into the horizon; today, what traversed through this gate was not merely aberrant beasts—but potentially elite reconnaissance detachments of the Darkborn kin as well.
Within mist-drenched battlegrounds beyond these gateways—in New World lands—the forces under Empire now locked into ferocious engagements against an alliance led by Mersfeather—premier house from within Evernight. Gate positions of both powers had been long pinpointed; reciprocal suicidal incursions already conducted.
Imperial territory beyond passage stirred at signs—an eruption pierced atmosphere—cutting, bloodthirsty Qi soaring.
Across watching eyes along frontlines—each stiffened involuntarily. Several weak-stemmed, faint-hearted amongst the rank immediately fell into sitting panic; unable to control legs weakened.
Irritatedly commanding an officer barked: “Where’s this panic for?! Only return Jundai’s division… He’s returned already countless many! Like you never once gazed at this bloody aura prior—yet still behave as startled doves!”
Soldiers grumbled meek acquiescence, none too convinced—their officer wasn’t any calmer; clearly, tremors ran through his frame when deadly spirit surged. What real bravery had he shown to merit scorn upon others’ fear?
Heavy and oppressive footstep thunder rolled from beyond fogbanks causing the terrain tremors—thereafter, entire formations emerged from the mist—soldiers.
Bewildering amidst disorder—cloaked battered rags replacing armor. Many swathed in blood-smeared bandaging; yet from their unified martial choreography—one might mistake them mechanical. Their chilling air of death coiling in perfect cadence chilled marrow without need for overt brutality:
The ranking officer murmured lowly: “Now… that truly is an army.”
Once ranks passed into position from shadowed vapor, within depths unseen, suddenly ascended an eerie column—dark-veined viridian, tearing heavens.
Commander and lowest recruit alike—all sensed bone-level chill rise; someone whispered barely audible:
“Again?… Why today does the tone darken further…”
“Indeed…”
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