RWNEFE -Chapter 178 Small Measures Make No True Ruler, No Deed Without Poison!

He had waded from Sanchuan all the way to Xiangfan, crossing dozens of prefectures and territories. Now, if he returned, all the lands he had fought for would vanish like a dream or a bubble. He had poured so much effort and finally reached this point—how could it be lost so easily?

Two hours later, the army had fully assembled.

The Eastern Liao King sat at the main seat. After a long pause, he said: “Small measures make no true ruler; no deed can succeed without poison!”

His subordinates understood immediately—he intended to abandon his wife and children!

“Continue the assault on Xiangfan!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Meanwhile, Liu Yanhui pushed forward as fast as he could and finally reached Yonglin Prefecture just before the New Year!

When he arrived, Shen Lanxi almost didn’t recognize him. His face had been frozen raw by the snow!

“Master, I’ve returned!”

Shen Lanxi stepped forward, respectfully helping him to his feet.

“Welcome back. No need for formalities.”

Liu Yanhui hadn’t expected the snow in Dongchuan to be so heavy—he had practically crawled back through snowdrifts.

“You’ve done your mission well. Go back and recover; I’ll give you five days off. Rest properly, then come see me again.”

Liu Yanhui smiled: “Yes, Master!”

Another person returned shortly after him.

“General, Zhou Xingyan has accepted the gifts!” Wang Songbai wrapped himself tightly in his thick sable coat. He was slightly better off than Liu Yanhui; his face bore frostbite, but it was much less severe.

“Accepted them? Good. That old fox would retreat to his den at the slightest stir, waiting until others were exhausted in battle to profit. I, a mere junior, can’t let him succeed!”

Amid Shen Lanxi’s cold laughter, the New Year passed. The ice and snow were just beginning to melt when a fifty-person contingent arrived at Yonglin Prefecture.

“By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: Zhao Chengkai is appointed Inspector of the Pacification Army, Wu Tong as Deputy Inspector, to cooperate with the Grand General in commanding and managing the army, pacifying the rebellion!”

Shen Lanxi calmly received the imperial edict. She had already guessed that Zhou Chengqian would not so easily let the Pacification Army roam freely.

She hadn’t expected the supervision to arrive so quickly!

These two were Zhou Chengqian’s eyes and ears within the army.

“Both of you, first go heal your injuries!” Shen Lanxi said, putting away the edict.

Wu Tong: “No rush. Let’s inspect the army first.”

Shen Lanxi glanced at Wu Tong, then said to Wei Dongzhu: “Make the arrangements.”

“Yes, General!”

Wu Tong was a nephew of the Left Chancellor, Wu Yanzhi. Shen Yuanjing had met him when he and the Wu family arranged a marriage.

The other, Zhao Chengkai, seemed to have men resembling the Imperial Guard behind him—could he be from the Imperial Guard? One of Zhou Chengqian’s personal bodyguards?

Zhou Chengqian really didn’t trust her!

Soon, Wei Dongzhu returned.

“General, everything is ready!”

Shen Lanxi looked at the two inspectors: “Gentlemen, let’s go!”

Zhao Chengkai and Wu Tong exchanged a quick glance and followed Shen Lanxi to the training grounds.

Dongchuan was even colder than they expected. Having just warmed up in the tent, stepping outside felt like plunging into an ice cellar.

The sudden shifts between hot and cold made their frostbite start itching.

The soldiers were drilling; Wei Dongzhu had only asked them to remove obstructions—the rest proceeded as usual.

“Why are there women here?” Wu Tong frowned at the women among the trainees.

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, displeased: “Women aren’t allowed?”

Wu Tong either didn’t notice her displeasure or deliberately ignored it, speaking in a reproachful tone: “Women in the barracks is a grave taboo!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression was icy: “So, Deputy Inspector Wu means I shouldn’t be in the barracks?”

Wu Tong’s original intention was to give Shen Lanxi a show of authority, to remind her of a woman’s place.

Seeing her call it out himself saved him the trouble.

“I didn’t mean that! I meant so many women in the barracks—how can the soldiers drill properly?”

Shen Lanxi: “So your concern is that my presence here affects their training?”

Wu Tong frowned. Why couldn’t Shen Lanxi understand his meaning?

He was talking about the women, not her. Why did she insist on taking it personally? Foolish!

“I meant the women, not you! Don’t misunderstand!” Wu Tong said defiantly.

Shen Lanxi sneered: “You mean they should leave?”

Wu Tong lifted his chin arrogantly: “Of course! Do you think this is a place for women? Women should stay at home, manage households, and raise children. Matters of war and killing are for men!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression remained cold and emotionless.

“Is this your opinion… or the emperor’s?”

Wu Tong stiffened. She dared to use the emperor’s name against him?

“…Of course not the emperor’s!”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze pressed down: “Then it’s your opinion, Deputy Inspector Wu?”

Wu Tong’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly regained composure and said stubbornly: “Heavenly order and social norms are as such; I am following ancient rules.”

Shen Lanxi: “Deputy Inspector Wu, your meaning is that these women should leave the barracks?”

Wu Tong: “Not me, the ancient rules say so!” He wasn’t stupid—he wouldn’t fall into her trap.

Shen Lanxi raised the corner of her mouth: “Female guards, obey orders—dismiss immediately!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

In the blink of an eye, half of the hundred-acre training ground emptied!

Wu Tong’s eyes twitched.

So many female soldiers?

Wei Dongzhu’s voice was low: “All the Eastern Chuan troops were sent by the Eastern Liao King. What remains are women, elders, and children. Women make up half of the Pacification Army.”

Wu Tong’s mind went blank—he couldn’t think.

They must come back—those women must return! Without them, who would attack the Eastern Liao King?

But he couldn’t say this. Today was his first day on duty. One mistake now, and he could never inspect the army again!

“General Shen, I did not order them dismissed!”

Shen Lanxi didn’t blink: “I heard. They were just following the ancient rules.”

Wu Tong froze, as if someone had grabbed his throat.

Shen Lanxi was too cunning—she had used his own words to shut him up!

Zhao Chengkai stepped forward to smooth things over.

“Deputy Inspector Wu, we’ve had a long journey. Let’s recover our injuries for a few days before handling official matters!”

Wu Tong opened his mouth to object but saw Zhao Chengkai gesture at him and shut it again.

“General Shen, Deputy Inspector Wu and I are new here and unfamiliar with the situation. If there’s been offense, we ask for your leniency as fellow officials!”

Shen Lanxi: “I see both of you have severe frostbite. It may take a month to heal. During recovery, avoid sun and wind exposure.”

Zhao Chengkai’s eyes flickered—Shen Lanxi was essentially placing them under house arrest!

“Your words are wise, General Shen. Dongchuan is cold and harsh. We can’t march for a month or two, so we can properly recover our injuries.”

Shen Lanxi: “It seems you understand the climate of Dongchuan, Lord Zhao.”

“Send these two inspectors to a quiet courtyard to recuperate!”