RWNEFE -Chapter 177 The One Who Isn’t Very Clever… Is My Ex-Husband!

When everyone saw the bright yellow imperial edict, they were all stunned.

Heavens above!

Even Wei Dongzhu, who had seen imperial edicts before, couldn’t help but gasp when he read the contents.

An emperor’s personally written appointment as Grand General—a distinction only his forebears had ever enjoyed!

Five days after capturing Yonglin Prefecture, the first snow of Dongchuan fell quietly during the night.

The handling of local officials and stationed troops had also reached a conclusion.

Today, Shen Lanxi would oversee the executions.

“Ma Feng, the punishment of a thousand cuts—permit the victim herself to carry out the sentence!”

“Gao Li, behead!”

“Wang Ping, behead!”

“Ma Jiuming, behead…!”

Shen Lanxi sat on the tiger-skin throne, exuding authority.

Large snowflakes fell, quickly melting into the blood-soaked ground. The wind howled, tens of thousands of soldiers gripped their weapons, eyes resolute.

Having been tempered in blood and battle, they were unmoved by such scenes.

…

“Master, the Governor of Yonglin Prefecture, Qian Mu, requests an audience!”

Shen Lanxi: “Bring him in!”

Qian Mu entered accompanied by a young man—handsome, dressed in martial training clothes, clearly trained in combat from the way he carried himself.

“General, this is my nephew, Qian Feng. He’s practiced martial arts since childhood and had previously served in the military. After leaving due to certain circumstances, he remained at home. When he heard of your achievements, he greatly admired your disciplined command. He begged me day and night to bring him to meet you; I had no choice but to bring him here!”

Hearing the name Qian Feng, Shen Lanxi felt it was familiar.

Wei Dongzhu: “The deputy commander of the Black Tiger Army, Qian Feng?”

Qian Feng paused, turning to look at Wei Dongzhu, but could only see the masked face.

Wei Dongzhu explained to Shen Lanxi: “The Black Tiger Army was…” He paused briefly before continuing,

“It was the main force of the Southwest Army under the Third Prince, Zhou Ruyuan. After Zhou Ruyuan took command, the Black Tiger Army was disbanded.”

Shen Lanxi recalled seeing Qian Feng’s name in the archives about the Southwest Army.

“Why disband it?”

Wei Dongzhu replied ambiguously: “Perhaps because the Black Tiger Army was too loyal.”

Smart people understood immediately.

Shen Lanxi looked at Qian Feng: “Someone your age reaching the position of deputy commander must have talent.”

Qian Mu: “General, my nephew is too straightforward, doesn’t know how to curry favor, offended people, and had no choice but to leave the army.”

Shen Lanxi: “Offended Zhou Ruyuan?”

Qian Mu and his nephew froze. They hadn’t encountered anyone speaking so bluntly.

Shen Lanxi: “Do you know my relationship with Zhou Ruyuan?”

The uncle and nephew stiffened. Suddenly, they regretted acting impulsively—they should have investigated before deciding to join.

“General, I didn’t say anything!” Qian Mu quickly reassured himself; he didn’t want to ruin the little foothold he had gained.

He had seen the execution scene before—horrifying, rivers of blood. He could confidently say he had never witnessed such cruelty in his life.

But it was true—the Pacification Army did not harm civilians or take so much as a thread from them.

Several officials under him had also been executed. Before every execution, the crimes of the condemned were read aloud. He had been too scared to sleep for days, finally realizing:

Why was he still alive?

Because he had never caused a death—at most he had done favors or handled matters that didn’t involve fatal consequences. That was why he now nervously risked his life to recommend his nephew.

Shen Lanxi: “It’s fine to tell you all. This isn’t a secret—my men already know!”

“The one who isn’t very clever… is my ex-husband!”

Qian Mu and his nephew’s eyes went wide: “…”

“No matter your strength or your reasons for joining me, one thing is certain—I have a small, insignificant grudge with Zhou Ruyuan.”

Those standing beside her couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of their mouths.

Hearing there was a grudge, Qian Mu’s worry eased slightly.

Qian Feng stepped forward, kneeling on one knee in a soldier’s salute: “General, I, Qian Feng, offer my life to serve you. Do with me as you will—no objections!”

Shen Lanxi: “Xiao Fang, spar with him!”

Xiao Fang had recently been studying military strategy under supervision and was a bit stiff in his movements.

“Yes, General!”

Now that Shen Lanxi was the emperor’s personally appointed Grand General of the Pacification Army, addressing her as “General” was proper and lawful.

Training Grounds

Xiao Fang and Qian Feng sparred for the duration of a teacup, exchanging hundreds of moves, still evenly matched!

Shen Lanxi watched with interest—their weapons danced as naturally as extensions of their bodies. Xiao Fang wielded a long wooden staff; Qian Feng, a long blade.

The metallic clangs made her thoughtful.

After another half-hour, both were exhausted.

Xiao Fang called out: “Still sparring?”

Qian Feng’s eyes lit up: “What do you think?”

Xiao Fang: “It’s almost mealtime. In the barracks, Nanny Li’s braised pork is unrivaled. If we don’t hurry, the others will wipe the sauce clean with buns!”

Qian Feng laughed: “Good!”

They both sheathed their weapons.

Shen Lanxi looked at Qian Feng: “You are indeed brave. But in my army, all who enlist are treated equally. If you have the ability, climb on your own—you will have a place here ready for you.”

Qian Feng exhaled in relief. He had feared being placed directly in a high position, which might cause resentment.

Climbing from a low rank suited him; he liked the principle of equality.

“Thank you, General!”

Shen Lanxi decided it was time to craft new weapons. After sketching the designs, she summoned Lilan.

“Lilan, take this to the Mistress. Once she sees the sketches, she’ll know exactly what I want!”

Lilan nodded and left with the box.

Peach Blossom Valley, founded by the Mo family, specialized in weapon forging. Their golden-threaded soft armor was one of their creations. Peach Blossom Valley’s weapons were only for disciples of the sect or Guigu disciples, so their reputation was limited.

Though little-known, anything from Peach Blossom Valley could be a peerless weapon.

The snow lasted six full days. The Eastern Liao King received news of Yonglin Prefecture’s capture.

The news did not come from Yonglin Prefecture—but from the capital!

“Send men—assemble the army immediately and return to Sanchuan Prefecture!”

Knowing that Yonglin Prefecture was separated from Sanchuan by just one river, the Eastern Liao King burned with anger, wishing he could depart instantly.

“Your Highness, we are about to take Xiangfan. Returning now would waste all our efforts!”

“Not just wasting efforts—we’d lose morale. Returning later would be much harder!”

Did the Eastern Liao King not understand this?

“Do you want me to watch my wife and children be captured and killed?” the Eastern Liao King roared.

His subordinates fell silent.

Inside, the Eastern Liao King felt like a fire constantly burning. He and the Western and Northwest Kings continuously carved up Great Zhou’s land. The more they gained now, the less others could claim later.