The main force of the expedition army is the Divine Strategy Army, which is originally the Imperial Guard. Whether to return to Haojing City at this time has become a decision An Ruming is about to face.
Inside the military camp, at the position of the commander, An Ruming pondered. He was well aware it was a good opportunity to enter the Central Hub.
Leading this battle-hardened army back to Haojing City ahead of time to support the new Emperor’s ascension could potentially earn him a position of enormous power.
For An Ruming, it is a tremendous temptation.
If he hadn’t personally participated in the expedition against Chu, An Ruming would’ve surely acted so. But having experienced the battle, witnessing the clashes of many formidable individuals, An Ruming knows well.
A shift in power requires not only reliance on elite soldiers at hand but also support from extraordinary forces; otherwise, it’s just fetching water with a bamboo basket.
An Ruming is reluctant to easily give up, naturally directing his gaze toward Master Huang He and Master Ying Huo.
Having traveled together for several months, they are fairly acquainted. He might leverage these two Primordial Spirit Masters.
Having interacted with cultivators over time, An Ruming understands these cultivators, though often unpredictable, have desires of their own.
They might even want more than ordinary people.
"General An, what are you thinking? Are you pondering about your beautiful wife at home?!"
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded beside An Ruming, instantly changing his expression. But upon seeing the speaker, his expression relaxed slightly, quickly rising to respond.
"Ah, it’s Scholar Zhang. Has the scholar returned?!"
He appeared delighted and was ready to summon his personal troops to prepare a banquet for Zhang Jian’s welcome.
Zhang Jian waved his hand to refuse.
His return to the army wasn’t for celebration with everyone.
Now, with Daqian’s hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers finally brought back, it’s time for him to confront An Ruming.
Zhang Jian’s gaze rested on An Ruming with a deep look, suddenly making An Ruming feel a chilling sensation enveloping him, involuntarily quieting him down to hear Zhang Jian’s laugh.
"Speaking of it, this seat and General An indeed share fate!"
An Ruming was slightly surprised to hear Zhang Jian smiling slightly, continuing.
"General An, have you heard of a place called West Mountain Temple?"
"West Mountain Temple? I know it. It’s a revered place outside Haojing City’s suburbs!"
An Ruming’s expression changed suddenly, looking at Zhang Jian, couldn’t help but ask.
"Scholar Zhang, why did you suddenly mention West Mountain Temple?"
An Ruming’s smile entirely withdrew, his gaze calm yet with a hint of gloom flickering deep in his eyes.
Zhang Jian spoke calmly.
"So, General An hasn’t forgotten, then he should remember Consort Song as well!"
With hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Jian enveloped An Ruming with his Primordial Spirit Divine Sense, activating a thread of Emperor Ziwei’s Fate power covering An Ruming, suppressing his Greedy Wolf Fate.
An Ruming instantly felt a pressure akin to a mountain suddenly appearing on him.
For the master of the Greedy Wolf Fate, Zhang Jian’s approach was consistent, combining kindness with intimidation.
Primarily through subjugation.
Greedy Wolf Fate masters are inherently selfish entities, fearing intimidation more than kindness; only power can make them obey.
Previously, he always held the lifeline grip against An Ruming, able to control him!
But now, with the grip of collusion with the concubines of the Imperial Harem slipping away following Emperor Jingwu’s death and Daqian’s collapse, it might no longer control An Ruming.
Now it’s time to re-evaluate An Ruming a bit.
With a wave of Zhang Jian’s hand, a Cyan Lotus flower formed of countless pure, sacred light appeared in An Ruming’s eyes.
This immediately made An Ruming’s expression darken, never expecting that the ’Living Saint’ before his eyes, the savior of the expedition army, was the same as the nightmare-like figure, a single person.
Recalling the "Qinglian Celestial Venerable" standing alone against tens of thousands, An Ruming’s expression changed drastically.
Moments later, he stepped down from the commander’s seat, bowing and saying.
"An is willing to follow the Celestial Venerable’s lead!"
Zhang Jian turned his gaze, his lips slightly curled, nodded.
"Very good! This seat thought General An, after growing wings, might forget this seat’s teachings!"
An Ruming quickly cupped his fists, "I dare not!"
"Better not! This seat came a thousand miles to Daqian to save you, naturally could also take everything away from you anytime!"
An Ruming lowered his head.
Zhang Jian maintained a calm expression before speaking again.
"This seat appears this time to assign you a task. This seat wants you to lead these hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers back to Haojing City as soon as possible, suppress the rebellion, clear out the rebellious Vassal Kings, and assist this seat in stabilizing the overall situation!"
An Ruming cupped his fists again, solemnly said. "I solemnly obey the Celestial Venerable’s command!"
"Very well!"
Zhang Jian smiled slightly.
Since An Ruming behaves well, he refrained from activating the spell deep within An Ruming’s soul.
He stepped out of the tent gracefully.
Neither did he choose to travel to Shuangyuan County with the troops back to the capital, but intended to return to Haojing City to oversee the situation first.
Currently, the entire situation of Daqian is under his control, if successful, the Zhang Family would soon complete its initial plans.
Inside the tent, An Ruming’s expression instantly darkened, he tightly clenched his fingers but soon felt a sense of powerlessness.
With Zhang Jian’s displayed strength and Dao practice in Beichu, there’s no way he could challenge such an existence.
An Ruming’s expression shifted, his fingers slightly loosening, looking dim in his eyes.
...
Inside Haojing City, Zhang Family Mansion has seen a constant flow of guests during this period.
Especially knowing many Vassal Kings are heading to Haojing City daily, the number of guests increasingly grew, though Zhang Jian had yet to appear in public, leaving many civil and military officials anxious.
Fortunately, after half a month, Zhang Jian finally appeared.
In the hall of Zhang Family, numerous civil and military officials gathered together, the place resembling a small temple.
Dukes gathered, stars shining!
Among the Three Ministers, only Grand Commandant Wang Huan sat below Zhang Jian, followed by Minister of Justice Wang Wan, Minister of the Imperial Clan Court King Wu Wei Xi, and members of the Nine Ministers including Commander of the Imperial Guard, Minister of Rites, and others, followed by numerous high-ranked civil and military officials adorned in purple and red.
Leading members of several military families also present, including Marquis Han City Gu Chen, Marquis Dingyuan Song Shang, Marquis Yu Bei, Marquis Fei Cheng, etc.
Wang Huan cut to the chase, directly asked the most pressing question on his mind.
"Scholar Zhang, this old man wants to know, where are the two Princes and the Empress currently?"
Zhang Jian directed his gaze toward everyone. Amidst the shift in situation, he knew the civil and military officials were getting restless.
It was indeed time for him to present his stance!
Thus he smiled and replied.
"The Empress and the two Princes are currently in Fengyang County. Shortly, I will bring the two Princes back to Haojing City!"
This elderly Grand Commandant’s eyes lit up, unable to resist asking again. "Who does Scholar Zhang believe should succeed the throne among the Princes?"
This was the question everyone was most concerned about.
Zhang Jian gazed at the crowd, secretly sighing. He realized these court officials never suspected he wanted to replace the position.
They assumed more that he sought to become a powerful chancellor.
Which, indeed, was better!
Zhang Jian’s eyes fluctuated, contemplating slightly before speaking.
"Currently, though the Empress is pregnant, she is childless, the unborn offspring’s successful growth is still uncertain. The remaining two princes are not born from the Central Palace; according to your opinions, what should be done?"
Beside him, Wang Wan smiled, cupping his hand. "This matter requires the Grand Scholar’s decision, who is our dynasty’s Saint and the only National Guardian Master in the court. The two Princes can only intimidate Sheji, and suppress many rebels with the Grand Scholar’s acknowledgment!"
"Indeed, we all listen to the Grand Scholar!"
Many noble families nearby quickly expressed their intent to curry favor.
Everyone cast their gaze over, Zhang Jian contemplated and spoke, "The Eldest Prince Wei Yuan is the eldest among the princes, a young prodigy, wise beyond comparison; he could be the Emperor!"
A slight smile appeared in Zhang Jian’s eyes.
In fact, neither Prince could be termed an excellent lord, after a month of observation, he wouldn’t be mistaken. The Eldest Prince, though older, born of a palace maid, faced intentional and unintentional exclusion by the concubines of the Imperial Court, timid and suspicious, without much foresight.
The Third Prince Wei Cheng, born of Consort Lande, was unruly and tyrannical; should he inherit the throne, it wouldn’t be a blessing for Sheji.
Frankly, anyone could be chosen!
Currently, only a puppet is needed for the position!
Yet, a voice sounded at this time: "The Eldest Prince is timid and lacks authority, lacking the demeanor of a wise ruler; he might not be a wise lord!"