Chapter 1554: Who Else But Me

"And I have but one demand of you."Amidst the mountain-and-sea cries of 'Victory!' and before faces alight with excitement and surging blood, Cao Jie spoke expressionlessly: "Obey commands!"His voice fell like a mountain, at the moment of highest morale, establishing his authority.Then he said: "My rule is but one — one who violates a command, beheaded!"Utterly decisive, allowing no room for maneuver.No matter who you are, no matter who your father is, who your master is, what background you possess...Violate the command and be beheaded.In the abruptly肃杀 (solemn and肃杀 - stern) atmosphere.His will made itself clear to every officer and soldier present.Then he said: "Below, I shall announce several appointments.""First, I appoint Chen Zeqing as General Who Pacifies the South, to temporarily command the Spring Death Army during this campaign against Xia!"The first appointment caused inexplicable shock.The Spring Death Army was the absolute main force in this campaign against Xia; Cao Jie actually appointed Chen Zeqing to temporarily command it?But upon closer thought, this appointment was within reason.In his early years, Chen Zeqing had experience serving in the Nine Legions, having trained in every single one of them. In terms of military strategy, none in the Nine Legions surpassed him; he was seen as the one who truly inherited the military strategy of the Grand Marshal Who Guards the Nation. Moreover, in recent years, he had been handling the daily military affairs of the Heaven-Covering Army; his capability was beyond doubt.Furthermore, this appointment also shattered the rumors in the court and among the populace regarding discord between Cao Jie and Jiang Mengxiong. The Spring Death Army was handed over to Jiang Mengxiong's disciple; how could there be such discord in the world?Gulu GuluThe sound of wheels rolling came from afar and drew near.Having long heard Chen Zeqing's name, Jiang Wang, currently in the ranks of the Autumn Kill Army, saw him for the first time at this moment, and couldn't help but look up—Wang Yi'wu, tall and slender with a straight back like a spear, pushed a wooden wheelchair, walking from the distance.Long-faced and deep-eyed, Wang Yi'wu, who had no equal in battle within the army in the same realm, was naturally recognized by everyone. He had always been the center of attention in the army.But at this moment, even he could not steal the light from the person he was pushing.Even though this person... needed to be pushed to move.This was a man whose hair was meticulously pinned up, a calm smile on his face, his eyes as still as an ancient well, yet one could feel profound wisdom within them.He leaned lazily in the wooden wheelchair.On his lap, a well-worn old blanket was draped.The great disciple of the Grand Marshal of Qi, Jiang Mengxiong, was actually a paralyzed man!Unable even to stand and walk on his own!But when you looked at him, you felt that nothing could defeat him, no calamity could overcome him. He could keep moving forward, whether riding in a carriage, a boat, a wheelchair, or something else—just as he was at this moment.At this moment, Wang Yi'wu pushed him, walking before the myriad troops.Wang Yi'wu's steps were extremely steady, each step as if measured beforehand with a ruler. Under the gaze of eyes like mountains and seas, the distance between each step was uniform.He was a very proud person.Everyone who knew Wang Yi'wu could feel his pride.At this moment, he was proud that he could push Chen Zeqing!And Chen Zeqing sat in the wheelchair, calm, confident, and lazy.When this wooden wheelchair, pushed by Wang Yi'wu, arrived at the foot of the general's platform.The gaze of the commander-in-chief of the three armies, Cao Jie, fell upon him."Zeqing, receive the command!" He bowed his head slightly, saying so.Cao Jie was a person very unwilling to waste time; on such a grand matter as the campaign against Xia, his words were also very concise. But he was willing to wait for Wang Yi'wu to slowly push Chen Zeqing over.Because he understood Chen Zeqing better than many others.Because anyone who understood Chen Zeqing would not fail to show this person respect.Cao Jie nodded, his gaze returning to the vast sea of the army, and then said: "Second appointment, I appoint Tian Anping as the Left Marshal of the Thirty Thousand Prefectural Soldiers! He shall command ten thousand troops, under the jurisdiction of the Prefectural Soldiers' Marshal Chen Fu, assisted by the Prefect of Rizhao Prefecture, Tian Antai!"This stirred up a thousand waves!By this day, Yang Province was well-governed, and its people harbored no thoughts of the Yang Emperor. The three Prefectural Pacification Commissioners of Yang Province had long since naturally transformed into Prefects.But what aroused intense emotions was certainly not Tian Antai.To speak ill, a scion of an influential family like Tian Antai, whose achievements were neither outstanding nor lacking, and whose abilities were merely acceptable, whether he lived or died would not cause too many people to care.But as for one like Tian Anping, his very name was enough to command attention, enough to provoke vigilance!Even at the moment Cao Jie announced this appointment, people suddenly realized a fact—Tian Anping's ten-year sentence... had silently expired.Many people were unwilling to mention this name; many people thought they had forgotten this name.But when it appeared in their ears, when this person, with disheveled long hair, wearing only a single garment, walked indifferently from the distance...Who could forget!?Tian Anping wore a pair of beautiful suede boots today, and his long hair seemed to have been slightly trimmed; perhaps someone from the Tian family had reminded him to pay attention to his image.But that pair of cursed shackles still adorned his hands, and the long chain did not drag on the ground, but hung on his body.He seemed to genuinely care about others' perceptions, yet also seemed to completely disregard them.In the crowd of well-dressed and orderly people, he appeared so abrupt and out of place.People feared him, suspected him, instinctively rejected him... yet had to pay attention to him."Marshal!" At this moment, a voice rang out from the military ranks.Standing in the formation of the Wind Chasing Army was Young Master Yan Fu, who today also wore a luxurious, understated armor. The formation patterns were as natural as the inherent纹理 (texture) of the armor plates; at first glance, besides being aesthetically pleasing, nothing else was apparent.He stepped out of the ranks, bowed to Cao Jie on the general's platform: "I will never doubt the Marshal's judgment, nor will I question the Marshal's appointments. However, what is the occasion today, and what is the significance of this campaign against Xia? Tian Anping appears in the army in such a state, a person looking like a prisoner, can he truly represent the majesty of our Great Qi army?!"This was more than just Yan Fu's question.Yan Fu was not the only one with dissatisfaction.Whose era was this?Ji Zhaonan was under thirty, Tian Anping was past thirty, and Chen Zeqing was already over forty.Within the entire territory of Qi, looking back ten years, it could certainly be said to be the era of Chen Zeqing, Ji Zhaonan, Tian Anping, Liu Shentong, and others.But ten years from now, who would yield to whom?From age to age, talents emerge. Chen Zeqing, the direct disciple of the Military God and the foremost military strategist among the Nine Legions, might be one thing, but Tian Anping was, after all, a madman, and had his Golden Body and Jade Marrow shattered and his realm locked for ten years!By what right did he command ten thousand troops?But Jiang Wang stood in the military ranks, merely thinking silently—Because of this sentence, how long would the rich dandy have to coax Miss Wen back?Given Yan Fu's character, even if he harbored great dissatisfaction with Tian Anping, he would absolutely not act as a vanguard at this time, stepping forward to pick this argument... It is difficult to say that Liu family's reasons were not involved in today's sentence.After all, once he held the position of Left Marshal of the Prefectural Soldiers, when the campaign against Xia succeeded, Tian Anping would be unstoppable.The higher Tian Anping rose, the lower the opposing Liufeng Liu clan would sink.And looking around at this moment, not a single person would speak for the Liufeng Liu clan, not a single person would stand opposite Tian Anping...Cao Jie on the general's platform did not speak.The former Prime Minister Yan Ping on the general's platform was still resting with closed eyes.And Tian Anping merely turned back, quietly looking at Yan Fu. His gaze was so calm, but beneath the calmness, a madness that could claw at one's heart seemed ready to erupt at any moment!At this time, Tian Antai, who was walking behind Tian Anping, spoke: "Military might lies in strength, not ceremony. Are you, Yan Fu, such a pedantic person—"Tian Anping, without turning his head, raised his left hand behind him, stopping Tian Antai's speech.His own elder brother, thus awkwardly, closed his mouth.And he looked at Yan Fu, withdrawing his hand.His hands were still in front of him, between the two shackles locking his wrists, the long chain hung down. It was like a canyon, like a distance that could never be crossed."Why this posture?"He tilted his head slightly, as if a little curious, and also as if a little amused.Suddenly, he raised a hand!The chains rattled!The several military officers nearby instinctively gathered their Dao Yuan, stepping forward, fearing that he would suddenly go mad and act before the myriad troops.But he merely raised that pair of cursed shackles forward, lifting them for Yan Fu to see."I fear that after removing them—"He grinned and said: "I might accidentally scare you to death."Yan Fu looked at him quietly, of course without fear.However, everyone felt a thread of coldness rising from the bottom of their hearts, and felt Tian Anping's madness.Only at this moment did people realize that this phrase "scare you to death" was underscored by the mental derangement of Liu Xiao, a cultivator in the Divine Ascent realm of the Liu family, and thus indeed possessed terror.But this was before the three armies!Under the gaze of countless people, with Cao Jie maintaining order.Even with the presence of Yan Ping, a generation's renowned Prime Minister who had already attained the realm of Derivation, personally present.He actually dared to threaten Yan Ping's direct descendant!This atmosphere, this tension, this undercurrent of madness beneath the calm surface... caused panic!Cao Jie finally spoke: "General Antai is right."His voice was steady and powerful, instantly suppressing all unsettling atmosphere."Military might lies in strength, not ceremony. What one wears is not important; what is important is whether one can fulfill this Marshal's military orders.""Of course, General Yan Fu also has a point. Presence, presence; as a general, one cannot completely disregard one's appearance." He looked at Tian Anping: "Tian Anping, you must pay some attention."Tian Anping withdrew his gaze from Yan Fu, lowered his head slightly, indicating obedience: "This subordinate accepts the command."Tian Antai probably never dreamed that his words, from someone so insignificant, could be singled out for praise by Cao Jie. But it was also precisely because it was awkward to mention either of the other two individually.Cao Jie seemingly leveled the playing field, but only showed leniency towards Yan Fu out of consideration for Yan Ping.Immediately after, he said: "But no matter what, the appointment has been made; this is a fact."Yan Fu's heart trembled; he lowered his head in a bow and retreated back into the military ranks.If the appointment of Chen Zeqing was unexpected but within reason.Then the appointment of Tian Anping was unexpected, and also beyond reason, yet you could not refuse to accept it!You say he is a madman, that his sins are deep.But for the death of Liu Shentong, the Tian family had already paid a heavy price that year, and he himself had compensated with ten years of having his Golden Body and Jade Marrow shattered and his realm locked.Whether you acknowledge this result or not, it was already the Emperor's decree, a settled matter that no one could pursue further.You say he has been locked in his realm for ten years and has long been eliminated by the era.But the Liu family's strong cultivator in the Divine Ascent realm, that already mentally deranged Liu Xiao, undoubtedly proved his strength! That was a battle record achieved while confined below the Divine Ascent realm!And now... the sentence has passed, the restrictions have been lifted; how terrifying will the current Tian Anping be?Of course, the most important thing is — this was an appointment from Cao Jie.Whether you were convinced or not, acknowledged it or not, this was the fact.Even if Tian Anping was truly废掉了 (crippled, ruined), truly incapable of serving a significant purpose, no one could change this appointment.The Qi Emperor's words in the court assembly, "A major matter like the campaign against Xia, you decide!" inherently possessed their legal authority and majesty.The campaign against Xia was the focus of Cao Jie's life's work; he would never allow anyone to influence his great endeavor!A General Who Pacifies the South, Chen Zeqing, and a Left Marshal of the Thirty Thousand Prefectural Soldiers, Tian Anping, were both appointments that shook all sides.Those on the general's platform all stood behind Cao Jie.Silence was a form of support.The Qi generals below the general's platform could only await military orders.The representatives of the commanding forces from the Eastern Region nations had no right to interject.And Cao Jie continued: "To go to South Xia, there must be a valiant man, leading three thousand crack troops, to be our vanguard!"He looked towards the armies: "This position cannot be held by one who is not brave and fierce. This Marshal believes—""Marshal, allow me to speak!"A clear and bright voice interrupted Cao Jie's already decided candidate.People looked over with surprise and doubt.They saw a white-clothed young master of exquisite bearing walk out from the ranks of the Autumn Kill Army.His steps were leisurely, his sharp edge unrestrained.His eyebrows were like swords, his eyes like stars.The faint smile at the corner of his mouth diluted his sharpness, making him seem approachable—but you knew he was separated by a thousand mountains, untouchable.He walked to the front of the myriad troops, stood below the general's platform, and slightly tilted his head, allowing the high-ranking officials of the Empire on the general's platform to see clearly his dazzling face, to see his confidence, his pride, his mettle.He said: "One who is unstoppable, whose courage surpasses the three armies, should be the vanguard general! Looking at the world, who but I can hold this position?"Silence fell upon the general's platform for a moment.Silence fell below the general's platform for a moment!In terms of courage and bravery, it was indeed as Chong Xuanzun said; there was almost no better choice than him.But who was he?He was a direct descendant of the Chong Xuan clan, one of the only two candidates to inherit the perpetual title of Marquis of Bowang.What kind of military position was vanguard?To be realistic, it was the position with the highest mortality rate on the battlefield!It was also the position where ambitious military heroes sought wealth amidst danger.If not for Chong Xuanzun actively seeking battle, this position would not be given to a noble young master like him.Even if he actively sought battle, Cao Jie still had to consider it!Below the general's platform, Chong Xuansheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes.This was undoubtedly an unexpected move for him.This was... Chong Xuanzun's move!Detached from Chong Xuansheng's pre-battle plan.Chong Xuanzun was not confined within the Autumn Kill Army's limitations, nor was he competing with him under the wing of the Butcher, Chong Xuan Chuliang.Instead, he leaped out and directly snatched the position of vanguard for the campaign against Xia!Since ancient times, the vanguard has been the most dangerous military position, but often also the position where the most merit can be achieved.With Chong Xuanzun's bravery, once he obtained this position, he would have little chance to turn the tide in this war.Even at this moment, Chong Xuansheng had almost no other option.Because this was a move of kingly strategy by Chong Xuanzun, demonstrating boldness and bravery, within the fair framework of the campaign against Xia, openly and honorably striving for advantage.He dared to go to the most dangerous place, undertaking the most dangerous mission; did you, Chong Xuansheng, dare?Even if you dared, could you win?Here, intelligence and strategy could not save the situation!Therefore, Chong Xuansheng's thoughts raced.Therefore, Li Longchuan's face showed worry.Therefore, Bao Zhongqing's eyes held sympathy...Therefore.Amidst the myriad troops, Jiang Wang stepped forward: "Perhaps this Jiang can bear it!"(Volume 2 physical book is a three-volume combined edition.Dangdang had a misoperation earlier and didn't set the promotional price, which was more expensive than the Tmall store.I contacted the editor, and it has been adjusted now.If anyone placed an order on Dangdang, you can cancel and reorder. If it has already shipped and cannot be canceled, you can contact customer service to refund the ten-yuan difference.The shipping time for Tianjin Huawen Tianxia Tmall store is until this Friday, the 28th; after that, orders won't be shipped until after the New Year.Dangdang is fine; you can order anytime.Above.Wishing everyone an early Happy New Year!)