Mountain Patrol Military Officer-Chapter 1093 - 716: Let’s See How This Edict Is Read
On this particular night, the darkness was as ink, spilling over the Ninefold Celestial Palace.
At Yunding Mountain, in the Heavenly Patrol Hall, the candle flames were blazing, and the assembly had not yet dispersed.
On the main seat, Chen Yuan leaned slantwise on the commander’s chair, his eyelids closed, his fingertips distinct in their joints, carelessly tapping on the armrest.
"Thud, thud, thud."
The sound, neither fast nor slow, blended with the discussions in the hall, indirectly suppressing the voices of the generals.
In the hall, over a dozen desks spread with documents were messily orderly. The various colonels summoned their subordinates to convey the documents and directives. Today’s meeting was essentially a comprehensive review after the reconstruction of the Mountain-cutting Army, dealing with the issue of reassigning and adjusting the patrol responsibilities of the prefectures and offices in response to the Devil Race harassing the rear.
Previously, in the Thirty-Six Prefectures of Jiannan Road, each of the Twelve Mountain Armies had supervision, controlling three prefectures. Since the Devil Race broke through Youmen Pass three years ago, the Six Mountains were obliterated, and seven prefectures fell, Jiannan Road had not been stable, and these systems had become mere nominal. Currently, Jiannan Road Fusi is fully preparing for war, so these systems need to be picked up and fully reconstructed to prepare for battle, making today’s assembly a long one.
At this point, armored soldiers were constantly coming and going at the hall’s entrance, bringing documents and tokens when entering, and colliding armor pieces were jingling. When leaving, they carried military orders, stepping briskly so that the wind they raised flickered the candle flames, causing the hall’s light and shadow to change intermittently.
At about that time, the work in the hands of the colonels had mostly finished, so they stepped forward to report to Chen Yuan.
Yun Tiansheng signaled his subordinates to retreat, waved his hand, then walked forward a few steps to report to Chen Yuan with clasped hands.
"General, the matters we discussed are almost settled."
"For the remaining twenty-nine prefectures of Jiannan Road, I and the other lang generals have divided our respective jurisdictions to handle dispatching and preparation, with the relevant details already delegated to our subordinates."
"After the assembly, we will dispatch people to focus on strengthening the inspection and eradication of Devil Race spies. Additionally, we will place emphasis on protecting military supplies shipments to prevent losses like those from this morning."
"Here is the related roster."
Yun Tiansheng handed over the documents compiled by two military staff members to Chen Yuan for review.
Chen Yuan, on the main seat, ceased the tapping rhythm with his fingers, and without raising his eyelids, spoke directly, in a calm tone,
"I’ve been listening, no need to look."
"Approved."
"Yes."
Yun Tiansheng acknowledged and softly called over Gao Yu, handing him the documents for sealing and organizing.
Then he turned his head, "General, so we?"
But Chen Yuan, with closed eyelids, did not speak.
And the sound of fingers tapping lightly started again.
Yun Tiansheng and Pei Yanhu, along with the other colonels, looked puzzled, glancing at each other with a few hints of confusion.
It seemed clearly there were other matters concerning General Chen.
Indeed, an hour ago, Chen Yuan suddenly summoned Mr. Gongsun close, who then hurriedly left, exiting midway, not knowing where he went, and it seemed like General Chen had something on his mind too.
However, everyone merely speculated in their hearts, unable to fathom what it was, and said nothing more, just dismissed their subordinate troops, letting the chaotic hall quiet down.
About half a quarter of an hour later, Chen Yuan on the main seat suddenly opened his eyelids, the tapping fingers paused, then he raised his sleeve toward the outside of the hall.
Instantly, a thundering sound exploded outside, followed by a fierce flash of white light.
A beam of white light descended from the sky, landing on the plaza outside.
Inside the hall, Yun Tiansheng and the colonels turned to look, with low voices in their throats, their gazes flickering as they looked towards the hall’s exterior.
Under the watchful eyes of all the colonels in the hall, the white light beam quickly retracted, and from it, two figures emerged.
One was Gongsun Yang, who had just left, and the other was dressed in a red robe and jade belt, with an extraordinary demeanor. None of those present were blind; the colors of officials’ garments were strictly regulated, and only second-rank or above court officials were entitled to wear bright red.
The colonels’ expressions were doubtful. This person was unknown to them; which court official was he, and why did he appear here now?
Under the questioning gazes of everyone, Gongsun Yang led the person to the front of the hall, standing in clear and bright light, facing upwards to report,
"General!"
On the main seat, Chen Yuan sat upright in his chair, his gaze falling on the Minister of the Ministry of Rites standing behind Gongsun Yang, gesturing to the side with his hand.
Gongsun Yang stepped aside, moving to the side. The Minister of the Ministry of Rites standing a position behind directly faced Chen Yuan seated on the dais, their gazes meeting.
Jiang Yi and Chen Yuan locked eyes for a dozen breaths or so, but in the end, unable to withstand the pressure, his eyelids dropped first. He was supposed to be serving an imperial mission, holding the Emperor’s Banner, secretly patrolling Jiannan Road, thinking that once he arrived, there was no need to hide his trail. The entourage would grandly enter Shu, and all officials would come out to greet him. Then he would loudly read the imperial decree, proclaiming the Emperor’s benevolence to the world, rewarding the soldiers in Shu.
By then, his task would be complete, and the soldiers in Shu would presumably be pleased. It was meant to be a joyous occasion, yet now everything was ruined. The entourage leaving the capital now left him alone, most of the court’s rewards plundered, leaving him crestfallen as he entered Shu. Facing the master currently overseeing Jiannan Road Fusi, he had no confidence to speak of.
Defeated in this gaze confrontation, his eyelids dropped slightly, hands loosely folded,
"This official Jiang Yi, bearing the responsibility of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, comes on the Emperor’s command to meet Angel Chen!"
He addressed him this way because Chen Yuan was still, in name, the Patrol Angel overseeing the Southwest Three Roads, personally appointed by the Emperor.
And at this moment, Chen Yuan rose from his chair, descended a few steps, looked at this Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and spoke slowly:
"I have already been informed of the matter you encountered by Mr. Gongsun before your arrival."
"I heard that the Emperor decreed to reward my Mountain-cutting Army soldiers, but I understood your reward team was ambushed midway."
Chen Yuan’s voice revealed no emotion, yet his slow steps forward exerted an immense pressure.
Upon hearing this, Yun Tiansheng and the other colonels were immediately startled. There was such a matter?
Jiang Yi’s face darkened at the thought, his expression filled with anger and indignation, squeezing out a voice from his throat,
"That’s right!"
"We were ambushed, with almost total annihilation. Only this official escaped, pursued by a Martial Saint, the rewards mostly plundered. Only the Emperor’s decree and a few items remain with me."
While Jiang Yi spoke these words, Chen Yuan had already come before him, only a few steps apart.
At this point, Patrol Angel Chen’s eyebrows lifted at the mention of the decree, letting out a scoff, his face showing a hint of a smile, yet not quite,
"For now, we won’t discuss other matters!"
"Now that Lord Jiang has arrived, the imperial decree should be read."
"I am indeed curious about how our Emperor plans to reward my Mountain-cutting Army soldiers!"
