RWNEFE -Chapter 176 The Court in Uproar! Shen Lanxi Appointed Grand General of the Pacification Army

No one moved—they simply waited patiently.

And Shen Lanxi was waiting too.

The normally noisy court, which usually argued like a bustling market, was so quiet today that one could hear a pin drop.

Emperor Renxiao, Zhou Chengqian, stared in shock at the person brought into the hall.

“You—who do you claim to be?”

Liu Yanhui stood tall in his embroidered robe, radiating unmatched elegance, speaking confidently in front of the emperor he once served: “I am the clerk Liu Yanhui. By order of Commander Shen Lanxi of the six counties’ garrison in Suiyuan Prefecture, I present the taxes collected from the six counties last year!”

Zhou Chengqian’s face was tense; he tried to hide it, but his hands clenched under the dragon robe betrayed him.

“Do you know that deceiving the emperor is a crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of your family?” Zhou Chengqian, alerted by Wang Bao of Liu Yanhui’s identity, grew even more furious.

The Shen family had been exiled—how could they rise again?

Yet Liu Yanhui was indeed an official implicated with the Shen family and exiled; he must have close ties to them!

Liu Yanhui spoke boldly: “Our Commander said this: the Eastern Liao King may rebel, but the six counties under our charge will not follow him in treachery. Our Commander Shen Lanxi remembers Your Majesty’s kindness during her time in the capital. In addition to taxes, I bring eighty thousand taels of silver and a carriage of rare treasures to present to Your Majesty.”

Zhou Chengqian studied Liu Yanhui kneeling before him, inscrutable.

The court erupted in shock!

Did they hear correctly? Liu Yanhui was talking about Shen Lanxi?

The former Third Prince’s consort, Shen Lanxi?

The former darling of the Empress Dowager, the beloved Princess Lanxi, cherished even above royal princesses?

“Since the Eastern Liao King rebelled, Commander Shen Lanxi has lain awake night after night, her respect for Your Majesty outweighing concern for her own safety. She bravely took command of the army, facing dangers without fear, and successfully recaptured ten northern prefectures of Chuan and twenty southern counties from the Eastern Liao King. Now, Your Majesty, we await your decision!”

The murmurs in court fell silent again.

What did he just say?

Could she really have done it?

Zhou Chengqian’s lips trembled as he gripped the dragon throne, suppressing his astonishment.

Shen Lanxi—a woman—how could she have accomplished this?

No, she absolutely could not!

Surely the Shen family had pushed her forward, using her former position as Third Prince’s consort to curry favor with him.

But with the Shen family alone… could they really reclaim lost territories?

Zhou Chengqian was deep in doubt.

Left Prime Minister Wu Yanzhi immediately stood.

“Your Majesty, this person’s appearance is suspicious. He may be a spy sent by the Eastern Liao King.”

When the Shen family left the capital, he had forced his daughter to separate from Shen Yuanjing, creating a blood feud—there was no way they could be allowed to return!

Other ministers supporting the Left Prime Minister quickly joined in.

“What the Left Prime Minister says is reasonable. We’ve seen Shen Lanxi—she’s a delicate woman. How could she lead an army? How could she possibly reclaim lost land from the Eastern Liao King? It’s absurd!”

“Perhaps the Eastern Liao King seeks to use Princess Lanxi’s identity to soften Your Majesty’s heart and plot to seize the Great Zhou’s realm!”

“Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider!”

Liu Yanhui, faced with so many pointed accusations, showed no sign of fear. He stood tall, unbending.

“Your Majesty, Commander Shen Lanxi commands ten thousand troops. At Your Majesty’s order, she can immediately attack Yonglin Prefecture!”

The court exchanged stunned glances.

Yonglin Prefecture—the Eastern Liao King’s doorstep!

Beyond Yonglin lay Sanchuan Prefecture, the Eastern Liao King’s residence. If true, victory was within one step of striking the heart of his domain!

Zhou Chengqian remained silent, calculating the stakes.

If true, Shen Lanxi and the Shen family would be heroes who eliminated rebels.

If false, it could still pit enemies against each other, buying precious time for the imperial forces.

Liu Yanhui continued: “Your Majesty, I dare to ask on behalf of Commander Shen Lanxi: shall we attack or not?”

“Before I came, Commander Shen repeatedly instructed me: if Your Majesty objects because she is a woman, she will immediately disband the ten thousand troops and return to Baihe County.”

Ten thousand troops!

Zhou Chengqian made up his mind.

“What woman or not—she has reclaimed so many lands! Not even most men could achieve this!”

Liu Yanhui: “Your Majesty, we have always carried the banner of the Righteous Army. Our name lacks legitimacy; we humbly request that Your Majesty grant a title to formalize our army!”

Seeing Liu Yanhui speak obediently, Zhou Chengqian’s heart swelled with pleasure.

“Very well—let it be called… the Pacification Army!”

Liu Yanhui knelt, grateful: “Thanks to Your Majesty for the title! Now our Pacification Army is no longer a ragtag band!”

Zhou Chengqian’s gaze flickered: “Tell Lanxi, if she can take Yonglin Prefecture, I will appoint her Grand General of the Pacification Army!”

Liu Yanhui prostrated, shouting: “Long live Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty, this cannot be! How can a woman be made a general? This is unprecedented!”

“Your Majesty, letting a woman be general will destabilize the Great Zhou. Please reconsider!”

Zhou Chengqian ignored his ministers: “Go quickly and deliver the message. Winter comes early in Dongchuan; a snowfall could delay pacification.”

Liu Yanhui respectfully replied: “This subject will report immediately!”

Once Liu Yanhui left the hall, Zhou Chengqian exhaled deeply: “If any of you could raise ten thousand troops, I would appoint them Grand General of the Pacification Army too!”

The ministers fell silent.

The Grand General of the Pacification Army exists only to suppress rebellions. Without rebellions, would such a post even be necessary?

No matter who was behind Shen Lanxi, they now had to act on her orders. If a rebellion occurred, the edict could be enforced—or revoked.

Shen Lanxi received Liu Yanhui’s reply—Yonglin Prefecture had been captured!

Spies surely surrounded Liu Yanhui; it wasn’t yet the best time to respond.

Fifteen days later, a messenger hawk was dispatched.

Another ten days passed. Liu Yanhui carried the reply and entered the hall without obstruction: “Your Majesty, Commander Shen Lanxi has fulfilled Your Majesty’s expectations and bravely captured Yonglin Prefecture!”

The court erupted in shock again!

Zhou Chengqian had sent countless spies to Yonglin Prefecture, and none had arrived yet. Over these days, he had adjusted his mindset and smiled faintly, calmly letting Liu Yanhui rise.

“The imperial decree is as follows: from this day forth, Shen Lanxi is appointed Grand General of the Pacification Army. Upon completion of the pacification, I will personally bestow honors in the hall!”

Liu Yanhui: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s great favor!”

That same day, Liu Yanhui hastened to Yonglin Prefecture with the emperor’s rewards.

Xiaoxue had arrived ahead, carrying the imperial edict.

Shen Lanxi removed the box holding the edict and casually tossed it to Cheng Zheng and the others: “See for yourselves—I’m going to feed Xiaoxue some dried meat first!”