World's First Traitor System (390)

Chapter 390 - A Million Soldiers with a Single Stroke

Lu Chunqiu departed, taking little Diao Chan with him. Fan Li escorted them out of the city while a surprising pang of sadness touched his heart. Diao Chan’s cries of “Daddy, don’t forget me!” even brought tears to his eyes. But the sentimental moment was short-lived. Urgent news arrived, demanding his attention.

“Your Majesty!” an official reported. “Crown Prince Wanli of the Great Ming, leading two hundred thousand troops, has attacked Hongzhou. He was defeated by the Southern Tang forces, losing thirty thousand men. The remaining troops have retreated beyond Hongzhou’s borders. Emperor Jiajing has reprimanded the Crown Prince and ordered him to regroup and attack again. Retreat is forbidden.”

The Great Ming… defeated? Fan Li was astonished, but he trusted Hu Zongxian’s intelligence network.

“Grand Marshal, what are the details?” Fan Li asked. “I want to know Li Yu’s strength. What is his cultivation level?”

“Terrifying,” Hu Zongxian replied as if reliving the battle. “Li Yu personally led the defense. He stood atop Hongzhou’s walls, facing two hundred thousand troops, then… he walked out alone, unarmed, to meet them.”

Fan Li was stunned. Li Yu was that powerful? “What did he do? Did he use Pangu’s Giant Body?” Fan Li’s limited cultivation experience meant he could only imagine a divine ability like Pangu’s Giant Body enabling such a feat, facing two hundred thousand soldiers alone. But how could Li Yu use an Emperor’s divine ability so soon after occupying Hongzhou?

Hu Zongxian shook his head. “He used… a brush. It was raining. He used the rain as ink, the earth as paper. With a single stroke, he painted… a million soldiers.”

Fan Li was familiar with the concept of Confucian scholars manifesting their power through calligraphy, but a million soldiers? “What did he write?” he asked. Such a feat required a work of extraordinary power.

Hu Zongxian recited the words: “Eight hundred li, the flames of battle sear. Fifty strings resonate with the sounds of the frontier. On the battlefield… autumn musters its troops.”

The Ballad of Breaking the Formation? Fan Li was puzzled. He didn't recognize this Song Dynasty poem as one of Li Yu’s works.

“This demonstrates that the Southern Tang Emperor fears no siege. Numbers are meaningless against him. Legends speak of immortals summoning soldiers with a flick of the wrist. Li Yu’s ability to paint a million soldiers rivals that of the immortals.”

Fan Li smiled wryly. Rivals the immortals? Li Yu was an immortal.

“As for his cultivation level… judging by his performance, he’s likely a ninth-rank Great Vehicle cultivator.” Hu Zongxian’s voice held a hint of uncertainty.

Fan Li understood. Ninth-rank Great Vehicle? On par with Emperor Jiajing? Such power was terrifying, yet Li Yu had descended from the immortal realm. Even a cultivation level several times higher wouldn't be surprising. Why only ninth-rank? Fan Li shook his head, dismissing the question. He never dwelled on the unanswerable. His current understanding was limited. As he continued to explore the secrets of this world, the answers would eventually reveal themselves.

“Facing a ninth-rank Great Vehicle cultivator, Wanli’s defeat isn't surprising.” He couldn’t help but think that Jiajing had been ruthless, sending his own son into such a dangerous situation. This wasn’t an opportunity for glory, this was a suicide mission. To escape Hongzhou alive, having lost only thirty thousand men, was a testament to Wanli’s growth.

“After the battle, two regions near Hongzhou, Luling and Chaisang, pledged their allegiance to Li Yu,” Hu Zongxian added.

This was expected. The Great Ming, having dominated for so long, now faced internal strife and repeated defeats. It was only natural for some, driven by opportunism or fear, to seek refuge with the Southern Tang.

“A minor setback,” Fan Li said dismissively. “The true victor will be decided by the clash between Jiajing and Li Yu. But Jiajing, sending Wanli in his stead, seems to be using him as a pawn.”

As Fan Li and Hu Zongxian analyzed the situation, news arrived from the Great Chu, and Fan Li’s expression changed.

…

In the Great Chu court, Xiang Chong addressed Fan Li. “Duke Jin, I intend to personally lead the army. Give me the command talismans for the two hundred thousand garrison troops.”

Fan Li’s face hardened. Xiang Chong, seemingly intoxicated by something, was actually demanding his military authority!

“Your Majesty, what did you drink yesterday?” Fan Li asked, glaring at Eunuch Chen. “If there were no peanuts, the Imperial Kitchen should have at least provided a cucumber! Look at the state you’re in!”

Eunuch Chen, unwilling to challenge Fan Li, lowered his head and remained silent.

“Duke Jin,” Xiang Chong said, “I’m serious! Xiongzhou is occupied by rebels! If I personally lead the army, the people of Xiongzhou will surely welcome me with food and wine!”

Fan Li’s eye twitched. Food and wine? Had the boy been studying? He was actually quoting idioms now?

“Your Majesty, that is impossible,” Fan Li said flatly.

“Why?” Xiang Chong protested. “Don’t the people of Xiongzhou yearn for their homeland? For their Emperor?”

“I don’t care about their yearning,” Fan Li retorted. “I care about keeping the Great Chu’s most elite troops under my control.”

His bluntness surprised Xiang Chong. “How… how can you, a high-ranking minister, utter such selfish words? Aren't you ashamed?”

Fan Li nodded. “No, I’m not.” Whether Xiang Chong was sincere or merely seeking an excuse to seize military power, Fan Li didn’t care. The two hundred thousand garrison troops were his guarantee for Xiang Ning’s safety. He wouldn’t waste them on Xiongzhou. Moreover, judging by Li Yu’s strength, Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin was likely just as powerful. Sending Xiang Chong, a useless fool, to lead the army? He would rather sacrifice Xiang Chong than risk the lives of two hundred thousand soldiers!

“Your Majesty, do not forget. I am ranked alongside Dong Zhuo of the Former Han and Yan Song of the Great Ming. Controlling the military is a minor transgression.” He ignored Xiang Chong’s reddening face and addressed the court. “Speak now, or forever hold your peace. Are there any other matters to discuss?”

Silence. A comfortable, agreeable silence.

“Then court is dismissed.”

…

In the harem, Xiang Chong complained to Bai Rong. “Empress, why would Fan Li relinquish his military authority? You told me to ask for it! I was humiliated! And even if he had agreed, do you think I would actually lead the army? I heard Crown Prince Wanli just lost a battle. I don’t want to die!”

Bai Rong waited for him to finish, then, instead of answering, began massaging his back, her touch so soothing that Xiang Chong moaned with pleasure.

“Your Majesty, are you still blaming me?”

“No… of course not…” Xiang Chong, when pampered, was easily manipulated. Bai Rong knew this well.

“Do not worry, Your Majesty. Listen to me. I knew Fan Li wouldn’t relinquish his control. I was merely testing his resolve. Now, everyone knows that Your Majesty is willing to personally lead the army to reclaim our lost territory, while Fan Li is a power-hungry, selfish miser.”

Xiang Chong nodded eagerly. “Yes! Now everyone knows Fan Li is a villain, and I am virtuous! But… Fan Li is a villain…” His excitement waned. “Empress, what good is this?”

Bai Rong’s massage intensified, making Xiang Chong tremble. When he was sufficiently relaxed, she explained.

“Your Majesty’s desire to reclaim our lost territory is just and reasonable. Fan Li’s refusal is a breach of etiquette. If, at this moment, Your Majesty’s allies offer their support, can Fan Li possibly refuse?”

Xiang Chong’s eyes widened. “You mean… Empress Yao Guang will support me?”

“Of course,” Bai Rong replied. “The Five Kingdoms Alliance is strong, and Empress Yao Guang holds Your Majesty in high regard.”

Xiang Chong’s face flushed with excitement. “I… I never realized I was so charismatic! Does Empress Yao Guang… have feelings for me?”

Bai Rong stared at him, almost unable to contain her disgust. “Your Majesty misunderstands. Empress Yao Guang views you as a… nephew. She has always been… fond of you.”

Xiang Chong’s face reddened. “Oh… I see… I was mistaken. It’s a good thing… she didn’t hear me.” He paused. “How will Empress Yao Guang support me? The Great Ci Dynasty’s population is small, mostly women. Will she send me a few thousand female soldiers?” His tone was dismissive.

Bai Rong’s patience was wearing thin, but the thought of the Empress’s throne, and the mission Yao Guang had entrusted to her, kept her anger in check.

“Your Majesty, though the Great Ci’s population is small, they possess many skilled cultivators. Empress Yao Guang proposes that Your Majesty mobilize the Great Chu’s regional armies, excluding the garrison troops, and place them under Great Ci’s command. A Sage Ruler will be dispatched to reclaim Xiongzhou, sparing Your Majesty the trouble of personally leading the campaign.”

Xiang Chong’s face lit up. “Excellent! I still control the regional armies! Fan Li’s authority doesn’t extend to them!” He wasn't entirely foolish, however. “Does… does Empress Yao Guang have any… requests?”