"That direction where the fireworks are bursting," Lu Qingwan pointed, "that's the secret passage to the Turkic lands, isn't it? Shall we make a bet? I think the Xuanjia Army can secure control of Guihua City by noon tomorrow at the latest. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Si Fengwu watched the rampant flames ahead and confidently declared, "This King bets he can take Guihua City before si shi."
This overwhelming confidence so astonished Lu Qingwan that she completely forgot her earlier displeasure. "Take Guihua City before si shi? You're underestimating the city's defenders far too much!"
Lu Qingwan exclaimed, "I often use the strategy of luring the snake out of its hole, but I've never heard of anyone luring out all the snakes from the hole. Even if the Northern Wei Emperor and figures like Wanyan Lie, who fear death more than anything, are lured out, shouldn't there still be a portion of loyal ministers and generals willing to defend Guihua City? Northern Wei has been established for a hundred years; surely there isn't a single loyal and righteous individual?"
Though Lu Qingwan had been on the move these past few days, she was not ignorant of the war situation. While the Xuanjia Army possessed exceptional combat prowess, their victories hadn't always been smooth sailing. It hadn't been as straightforward when fighting against Xiliang and Qiangdu. First Yunqiang, then Xiliang, both saw the emergence of many who would rather be shattered jade than intact tiles, vowing to perish with their homelands. Many of them were renowned wise elders and mighty figures across the Three Kingdoms, individuals even Si Fengwu couldn't easily eliminate. The effort spent dealing with these people was almost more than that spent on conquering territories. How had Guihua City become an exception? Lu Qingwan couldn't comprehend it.
Si Fengwu gazed at the distant battlefield, his confident expression unwavering. "Indeed, it took a great deal of effort to subdue Qiangdu and Xiliang City; Lian Yu almost grew white hairs from the stress. But you must understand, Xiao Jing'an, whom we both looked down upon, upon the city gates being breached, requested Lian Yu to spare the city's inhabitants and then drew his sword and committed suicide, dying for his country. Even the King of Yunqiang, who was toyed with by his own sons, personally took up arms and was slain under General Lin's blade. Neither Xiliang nor Yunqiang had an emperor who, fearing death, abandoned his entire city and fled!"
Lu Qingwan was momentarily stunned, then had to concede Si Fengwu's point. In such a peculiar era, not everyone could distinguish between loyalty to the emperor and loyalty to the nation, like Prime Minister Wen and Grand Scholar Chi. In the minds of most, loyalty to the emperor was loyalty to their country. In such an environment, no matter how foolish and incompetent the emperor was, he was the stabilizing force of the nation in the eyes of ordinary citizens and diligent officials and soldiers. Xiao Jing'an of Xiliang, by choosing death over surrender or flight, preserved the last shred of dignity for the Xiliang emperor and the patriotic spirit of the Xiliang subjects. The King of Yunqiang, too, led from the front, a king wielding his blade against the might of the Xuanjia Army. Though the tide had turned, the people of Yunqiang would not feel abandoned and would naturally resist with all their might. In Northern Wei's case, before the Xuanjia Army had even entered Guihua City, the Northern Wei Emperor and his key ministers had already fled. With such an emperor and court officials, how could the people and soldiers within the city possibly have any will to resist?
Understanding where Si Fengwu's confidence stemmed from, Lu Qingwan began to plan for the future. "The Southeast Three Kingdoms are all within our grasp, but we are severely lacking in personnel. We can't have the generals managing Xiliang, Northern Wei, and Yunqiang indefinitely, can we? Have you thought about the management personnel for each region?"
Though Lu Qingwan had never truly managed a region independently, she understood that maintaining power was more difficult than acquiring it. She knew clearly that deploying troops and expanding territories were Si Fengwu's strengths, and emerging victorious amidst the chaos of the Southeast Three Kingdoms was not a challenge for him. The real difficulty lay in how to hold onto the empire he had so painstakingly acquired. Si Fengwu's status was peculiar, and even the ministers of Great Qin were not entirely obedient; the situation in Xiliang, Northern Wei, and Yunqiang would be even more so. Si Fengwu's path to becoming king was undoubtedly long and arduous.
"While the Southeast Three Kingdoms are not as vast and prosperous as Great Qin, their combined territory is not small. How could this King unilaterally decide on the management personnel?" Si Fengwu's expression was solemn, yet his tone did not betray excessive worry. "Amidst the chaos, this period of great peace across the land is precisely when we can test people's hearts and discern the loyal from the treacherous. Isn't Wen Rusong diligently selecting capable individuals for us? Once he's done, he can send them to Chi Jingchuan. Ideally, it will take about a year or half a year. During this time, the regions can be managed by the generals. After a year or half a year, wouldn't the abilities, stances, and characters of these local officials be perfectly clear?"
Lu Qingwan listened and clicked her tongue. "You intend to spend a year or half a year conducting a grand examination for the Southeast Three Kingdoms?"
"Yes," Si Fengwu nodded without hesitation. "Ascending the throne is easy, and being an emperor who listens to constant accolades is also easy. But what this King desires is peace across the four seas and security for the people. This King can afford to wait a year or half a year."
Impressed, Lu Qingwan performed a deep bow to Si Fengwu. "Your Highness's noble character and great vision are beyond compare; this consort's perspective was too narrow."
"Your Highness, everything is ready. Shall we... return?"
Liyang, having just assisted Wufeng in interrogating all the black-clad men, watched as his brothers strung up the captives like candied hawthorns. He then rushed over to report to Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan. However, the moment he arrived, he witnessed this scene. Liyang was instantly consumed by the fear of the Dark Hall, feeling utterly helpless. What were their two masters up to now? Was this a new way to trick him?
Lu Qingwan's sudden deep bow had already startled Si Fengwu, and he felt an itch to tease her. Before he could speak, Liyang, who ruined the atmosphere, arrived. Si Fengwu's face immediately turned cold. "Return? Where do you want to go at a time like this? This King suspects you've been away too long and are longing for the Dark Hall again?"
Liyang frantically shook his head. "No, that's not me, I didn't, I don't want to go!" he denied repeatedly.
Si Fengwu had already mercilessly given his order. "Everyone is busy. As for the Dark Hall..."
Liyang, hearing this, was about to happily thank Si Fengwu for not punishing him, when he heard Si Fengwu continue ruthlessly, "After the battle at Qiangdu, Hu Yan Che escaped and there has been no news of him since. This King will hand him over to you today. If you cannot find his whereabouts within a month..." He didn't explicitly state the punishment but gave a cold laugh. Liyang's spine chilled at his laugh. "May I ask, Your Highness, what will happen if your subordinate fails to find Hu Yan Che within a month?"
Si Fengwu's clear voice rang out, "When this King ascends the throne, he will be in need of a capable chief eunuch. This King knows your capabilities..."