Bi Chongwen and Wen Zhong led a hundred thousand troops to attack Huaicheng. Just as the city was about to fall, three thousand Demon Hunter troops first flanked and annihilated thousands of Da Li soldiers left behind, then attacked Weicheng to lure Wen Zhong into withdrawing his troops. Afterward, they swiftly retreated and reappeared behind Bi Chongwen, cooperating with Ji Yang’s army to launch a pincer attack, killing nearly ten thousand Da Li soldiers.
Although Ji Yang’s army suffered heavy casualties, with ten thousand wounded and over a thousand dead, Yuan Yong’s Demon Hunter army had only a hundred lightly wounded, a hundred severely wounded, and just over a dozen unfortunate fatalities.
This battle was a great victory!
Before the official gazette reached the capital, Ji Jinmo, Ji Hong, Nan Shiying, and others had already received the details of the battle.
Two days later, the official gazette arrived in the capital.
Ji Hong read aloud: "Two days ago, Da Li..."
Upon hearing of the sudden appearance of the Demon Hunter army, the court officials turned their gaze to the tall, unyielding figure, unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive.
The Demon Hunter army fought as bravely as ever. This war god’s army had not tasted battle for many years, yet they now emerged like a sheathed sword, invincible.
Everyone wondered when he had dispatched the Demon Hunter army to Huaicheng.
While generals in the field often acted with discretionary power, he seemed to have completely disregarded the emperor. The seasoned officials, who had served as pillars of the court since the late emperor’s reign, cast looks of hidden murderous intent at Ji Jinmo. For them, even if Huaicheng had fallen or they had lost the six cities previously seized from Da Li, they would not have wished Ji Jinmo to live and stand in the court.
In the Lin Yuan court, no one should be above imperial authority.
“Good, very good!”
Ji Hong slammed the table and then laughed heartily.
He harbored no true anger, but he still had to play his part.
Therefore, while his laughter contained joy, a closer listen revealed a hint of uncontrollable rage and humiliation.
The ministers, heads bowed, could still sense the simmering killing intent within his laughter.
“Imperial Uncle, if Lin Yuan were without your protection, what would become of it!” Ji Hong feigned a sigh of concern and apprehension. However, Ji Hong’s words to the officials carried a different meaning: Ji Jinmo, why don’t you just end yourself? If you would only do so, I would surely grant a general amnesty and celebrate universally!
“As the Regent of Lin Yuan, it is my duty to protect our nation. Your Majesty has time to worry about things that will not happen; you would be better off thinking about how to respond to this battle.” Ji Jinmo’s voice was cool, showing no regard for Ji Hong. His words were not those of a prince speaking to an emperor, but more like an elder admonishing an unworthy junior.
While the seniority was not an issue, the relationship of sovereign and subject preceded that of uncle and nephew. He was first a subject to His Majesty, and then his uncle. Such words were tantamount to treason.
If he were a censor, it might be understandable, but he was an ambitious man eyeing the throne. This was undeniably akin to directly insulting His Majesty’s face, implying that if he couldn’t rule, he should step aside.
The atmosphere in the court grew slightly somber. After Nan Chaoyin was demoted and ordered to confine himself to his residence for reflection, the civil officials seemed to be leaderless, making it even harder for anyone to step forward and reprimand Ji Jinmo for his insubordination.
Liu Wanjun observed the turn of events in the court, then stepped forward and said to Ji Hong, “Your Majesty, Da Li’s army has suffered heavy losses and should not launch another offensive in the short term. As for Liao Jiang, a sudden incident has occurred in Changming Mountain. Two squads, numbering several hundred soldiers, have gone missing within it. Changming Mountain is a border region between Lin Yuan and Liao Jiang, and we cannot afford to overlook it.”
Upon hearing Liu Wanjun’s words, the attention of the court shifted from the confrontation between the emperor and the prince. Changming Mountain had sent a memorial some days ago, which, after passing through the Zhongshu Province, was presented to Ji Hong’s imperial desk. Therefore, Liu Wanjun, as the Chancellor of the Zhongshu Province, was well aware of what had transpired in Changming Mountain.
Some had heard of this matter before, while others were unaware. Although it was merely an incident in Changming Mountain, it was a border region between two countries. With Da Li’s invasion and the border skirmishes, if Liao Jiang were to seize this opportunity to dispatch troops, Lin Yuan would be caught between enemies. Although Lin Yuan had a strong military, it might struggle under a pincer attack from two nations.
Therefore, it was best to nip this possibility in the bud.
Ji Hong nodded in agreement, “Lord Liu speaks wisely. The situation in Huaicheng is temporarily stable. We must not allow Liao Jiang to exploit any loopholes. Since Lord Liu has raised this matter, you must have a plan. Please, do not hesitate to speak!”
“I believe that the matter of Changming Mountain cannot be resolved by ordinary soldiers. We need capable individuals with true skill to investigate,” Liu Wanjun chose his words carefully. Changming Mountain had suddenly been engulfed by a mist that swallowed people, and the soldiers lost within were in an uncertain state. Therefore, sending troops in a simple, brute-force manner would be useless. The best candidate, in fact, was only one person.
He then turned towards Ji Jinmo’s position and bowed, “After much consideration, I wish to request that Your Highness persuade Divine Doctor Feng.”
“I believe Divine Doctor Feng possesses profound medical skills and is adept at poisons. If Your Majesty and Your Highness select skilled protectors, they will surely resolve the anomaly in Changming Mountain.”
Ji Jinmo turned to look at Liu Wanjun.
He had initially noticed Liu Wanjun because the rumors of the assassination attempt at the hunting ground pointed towards the Liu mansion. However, to this day, no connection between Liu Wanjun and that incident had been discovered. This old man, who had held a high position during the late emperor’s reign, was a clever individual with both schemes and means. His proposal of the Changming Mountain incident and his desire for Feng Luan to go there certainly had more than just resolving the anomaly in Changming Mountain as its purpose.
However, upon thinking of Nan Shiying, Ji Jinmo’s expression softened slightly, a rare occurrence. His gaze upon Liu Wanjun remained sharp, yet the corners of his mouth curved upward unconsciously.
“It is truly unfortunate, Lord Liu, you speak too late!”
“Has Divine Doctor Feng left the capital?” Liu Wanjun did not believe him, thinking Ji Jinmo’s statement was too perfunctory.
“Please wait, Lord Liu!”
Ji Jinmo calculated the time. Ying’er had left three days ago. If the messengers were fast, they should have already passed Hu Jian. Even if someone with ill intentions knew she had gone to Changming Mountain and intended to do something, it would likely be too late. Of course, even if they were in time, with Ying Yi and the others protecting her, they would have gone and never returned!
“Upon hearing of the Changming Mountain incident, Feng Luan requested leave from this King and headed for Changming Mountain.”
“That is why I say, Lord Liu, you speak too late!”
“Divine Doctor Feng has already departed?”
Liu Wanjun had not expected Feng Luan to have already gone to Changming Mountain. He had originally intended to facilitate this matter and, in passing, place Qian Cheng there, giving him some experience.
Although the journey to Changming Mountain was perilous, it was still within controllable limits. Qian Cheng lacked official titles and learning, and his reputation had not been good previously. Therefore, if he wished to enter officialdom, he needed to find a new path. With Feng Luan leading this venture, the Regent would surely dispatch skilled protectors, thereby minimizing the danger.
However, despite all his calculations, he had not anticipated Feng Luan would precede him to Changming Mountain.