Capítulo 824: Chapter 615: Do You Dare Rebel? In the past, the court rarely established governors; border towns only had governors and generals. Generally, only governors wielded the King’s mandate token. During special periods, generals could also wield the King’s mandate token. Back then, when Yang Zhenshan set out from the Tenglong Guard to suppress Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu, he held the King’s mandate token, while Governor Pang Tang did not. Therefore, at that time, Yang Zhenshan was the main commander, and Pang Tang could only handle logistics. But now Zhou Lan also holds the King’s mandate token, although Du Hesheng, appointed by the court as the governor of the three provinces and three towns, has a King’s mandate token with much greater authority than Zhou Lan’s. But who is Zhou Lan, originating from the Duke Ning Mansion, leading troops for over thirty years—how could a mere King’s mandate token scare her? “Get lost!” Zhou Lan shouted in anger, not giving Du Hesheng any face. Du Hesheng pointed at Zhou Lan, trembling with anger. He looked at the group of leaders behind Zhou Lan and angrily said, “Do you all intend to rebel?” Song Hao raised his head, looking at the azure sky and the drifting white clouds, thinking, when will it rain? The other generals either bowed their heads looking for ants or raised their heads to watch the sky, as if their ears were stuffed and they couldn’t hear anything. Even a fool could see that Du Hesheng had ill intentions. The generals of Beiyuan Town were no fools; they clearly saw this too. Faced with choosing between Du Hesheng and Zhou Lan, they didn’t need to think much to know whom to choose. It’s not that they really want to rebel; it’s just that they currently rely on Zhou Lan for food and military pay. The court provides no money or grain, and the entire Beiyuan Town currently survives thanks to Zhou Lan. With Zhou Lan around, the troops of Beiyuan Town can be kept in check, but once she’s gone, within three months, there would be unrest among the troops of Beiyuan Town. Because the grain in their hands would only last for two months or so. Zhou Lan really didn’t want to waste time talking to this idiot, “Someone, drive these idiots out of the city for me!” Wang Yunqiao received the order and, without a word, thrust her long spear into the ground with a loud bang. Hundreds of female soldiers of the Personal Guard Camp similarly thrust their long spears into the ground, looking at Du Hesheng coldly. Du Hesheng’s followers and constables behind him shivered with fear, and even Du Hesheng himself was trembling with dread. “You, you—” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩 Furious, Du Hesheng pointed at Zhou Lan and finally left in disgrace with harsh words. “Fine, fine, let’s wait and see!” Moments later, the grand procession fled the city in disgrace. Wang Yunqiao watched their departing figures and whispered to Zhou Lan, “General, might there be trouble from doing this?” Zhou Lan rubbed her temples, “What else can we do? We’ve barely managed to stabilize the lands of the two prefectures; should we abandon them again?” “You need not worry, I will report this matter to His Majesty!” She had no other choice but to comfort her troops in this manner. The real issue wasn’t Du Hesheng; Du Hesheng was insignificant in Zhou Lan’s eyes. If she wanted to show respect, Du Hesheng could be a governor; if not, he was nothing. Did they really think the King’s mandate token was effective? Twenty years ago, the King’s mandate token represented an undeniable royal command, but now everything has changed. The court no longer carries any authority, and the King’s mandate token is almost a mere ornament. So what truly troubled Zhou Lan wasn’t Du Hesheng, but the court. After expelling Du Hesheng, Zhou Lan immediately wrote a memorial to the Emperor and sent it to the Capital City. At the same time, Lu Wenquan, in the Governor’s Office in Liaoyuan, received a transfer order from the court. In the study, the fifty-something Lu Wenquan sat behind his desk, frowning as he looked at the transfer order from the Capital City. His eldest son, Lu Miaoshu, stood behind him with an eager expression. “Dad, when do we depart for the Capital City?” Being promoted from governor to Minister of War, it’s not just a simple promotion; it signifies Lu Wenquan’s transition from local matters to the court, a step closer to becoming a senior cabinet member. Lu Miaoshu saw this as a good thing and was eager to accompany Lu Wenquan to the Capital City. Lu Wenquan has two sons and a daughter; his eldest son, Lu Miaoshu, has always been by his side, his second son, Lu Miaowen, studies diligently in Anning County, preparing for the provincial examination, and his youngest daughter, Lu Miaotong, is married to Yang Chengzhen and currently resides on Star Moon Island. Counting the years, Lu Miaoshu is already thirty-three years old now. “The Capital City is a place we cannot go!” Lu Wenquan said, setting down the transfer order and stroking his beard. “Can’t go? Why?” Lu Miaoshu asked, puzzled. Lu Wenquan explained, “You are well aware of the court’s situation; going now would only lead us into a quagmire from which we can’t extricate ourselves!” If Yang Zhenshan were in the Capital City, Lu Wenquan would certainly be willing to return. Even if Yang Zhenshan weren’t in the Capital City, the Yang family presence in the Capital City would suffice. However, now the Yang family has only an empty Marquis Mansion there, and he cannot leverage their strength in the Capital City. Although he has some connections in the Capital City, they wouldn’t be of much help. He clearly understood that once he went to the Capital City, he would only be caught in endless strife, making it exceedingly difficult to achieve anything substantive. It might even invite numerous misfortunes due to the court’s infighting. Emperor Yanping regarded Lu Wenquan as a trump card; Emperor Jianxing believed Lu Wenquan could change the court’s situation. However, Lu Wenquan knew very well that he couldn’t accomplish anything. If it were ten years ago, Lu Wenquan might still have some confidence to change the court’s situation, but now it’s far too late. “Father can’t refuse to comply with the court’s orders!” Lu Miaoshu still hoped for Lu Wenquan to take up the court appointment, as it was an opportunity to become the Minister of War, an absolute core of power. “Feign illness and resign!” Lu Wenquan said solemnly. “Draft a resignation letter and send it to the Capital City!” Attempting to navigate this murky water at this time is sheer folly, isn’t it? Lu Wenquan saw more clearly than Zhou Lan; Zhou Lan merely thought the court was acting foolishly, whereas Lu Wenquan understood that the court’s situation had reached the brink of collapse. It’s not that he couldn’t turn the tide; he simply couldn’t accomplish it. There is only one person in this world who can turn the tide, and that is His Majesty the Emperor! If Emperor Jianxing had the resolve to burn bridges and thoroughly dismantle the chaos within the court to rebuild it, Lu Wenquan would still be willing to go to the Capital City and fight for it. But clearly, Emperor Jianxing lacked such resolve; he still thought about patching up and sustaining the court as it was. The only outcome of this approach will be the court’s situation deteriorating further and further. Lu Wenquan had long seen through all of this, and he had lost faith in the court long ago, which is why he was willing to remain in Liaodong all these years. Lu Miaoshu wanted to persuade further, but ultimately he remained silent. Within Jiujiang Prefecture. Chen Hengchang and Lin Fuan sat playing a game of chess. On the chessboard, the black and white pieces were locked in a fierce struggle. A cool breeze blew in from outside the window, stirring the white gauze that billowed incessantly. “When do we take action?” Chen Hengchang asked, holding a chess piece as he studied the board. Lin Fuan stroked his three-inch-long goat-horn beard, his expression calm, “Are you getting anxious?” “Yes, I’ve been waiting for over twenty years; how can I not be anxious?” Chen Hengchang replied. Lin Fuan chuckled, “I’ve waited for a hundred years!” Chen Hengchang placed his chess piece down, “But I can’t wait a hundred years!” Lin Fuan nodded; he could afford to wait a hundred years because he was an Innate Martial Artist, while Chen Hengchang was not and certainly couldn’t wait that long. To have patiently waited for over twenty years was already quite a feat. “One must have patience in doing things, or else one may lose everything in a moment of impatience!” He placed a black piece on the board and then captured over ten of Chen Hengchang’s white pieces. Chen Hengchang frowned slightly, seeing no way out for him, he couldn’t help but concede. “Is the timing not right yet?” “Then what are we waiting for?” “Waiting for a person!” “Who is so important?” Chen Hengchang asked. Lin Fuan unhurriedly collected the chess pieces from the board into the chess container. “The person has arrived!”