RWNEFE -Chapter 197 A Tripartite Balance of Power!

After hearing everything, Che Mingyuan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t look surprised, but Ban Sicao was visibly shaken.

“When did you manage to investigate everyone so thoroughly?” Ban Sicao exclaimed. Could it be that she investigated even more thoroughly than I did?

In fact, the question slipped out before he could stop himself.

Shen Lanxi said bluntly, “If I don’t check up on you a little, how can I be confident putting you by my side? If it were you, wouldn’t you investigate too?”

Their emotions were like being force-fed a mouthful of food: they should feel grateful, but the chopsticks were almost poking the back of their heads, leaving them with a complicated mix of feelings.

“I’d check too if it were me!” Che Mingyuan replied candidly.

Shen Lanxi continued: “I always speak plainly. If you intend to use me for anything, state it clearly in advance. I’ll pay whatever I can. But if you take from me what I cannot give, I will not forgive it!”

The last sentence carried an unmistakable threat.

Che Mingyuan had already learned about her character in advance, but after interacting with her in person, he realized that aside from her bravery and cunning, she was also extremely straightforward.

Who says the wise must hide their edge? Hesitating, mumbling, saying half a sentence at a time—those are the most irritating people.

Although Shen Lanxi was a woman, she surprisingly matched his temperament perfectly.

“I…” Che Mingyuan hesitated mid-sentence. Half a beat too slow, he realized he had become the type of stammering person he despised most.

Shen Lanxi said, “If it’s inconvenient to say now, you can speak to me privately later. But if you have conditions and don’t state them first, then try to take advantage of me later, I will never forgive it.”

“I’ll give you three days to learn about me. I’d rather kill the wrong person than let the guilty escape. Once I strike, there will be no loose ends!”

Che Mingyuan felt a chill run down his spine. He finally understood what made her so formidable.

The next day, he found an opportunity to speak with Shen Lanxi.

They talked for a full hour. When he emerged, the gloom had lifted. His simple scholar’s hat had been replaced with a formal hair crown and jade hairpin!

Che Mingyuan was indeed skilled in reorganizing military discipline. Shen Lanxi watched for a few days and noticed clear improvements in both the camp and the soldiers.

Half her worries were gone.

Wei Dongzhu, Qian Feng, and others trained the troops.

Che Mingyuan handled military discipline and internal affairs.

Liu Yanhui and Madam Song oversaw provisions and logistics.

Zhang Niu and the medical team handled the infirmary.

Cheng Zheng and others managed administrative affairs.

Though the “makeshift team” wasn’t yet fully stable, it was basically set up.

Meanwhile, Wu Tong had been indulging in pleasures for days. At one point, he suddenly realized: why hadn’t Prince Cheng or the Eastern Liao King attacked yet? How much time had passed? How long had he been at Chunman Tower?

He hadn’t been back to the camp in ages, and the realization jolted him fully awake. He quickly dressed, washed, and ran to the camp.

When he arrived, he saw Shen Lanxi.

She had returned herself?

Shen Lanxi was inspecting the camp, accompanied by someone reciting the military code aloud, each word “Execute!” filled with killing intent.

Wu Tong didn’t dare approach and went to find Shen Yuanxu instead.

“Yuanxu, why is Shen Lanxi back?”

Seeing that Wu Tong still didn’t know about the edict, Shen Yuanxu explained everything.

“The imperial edict is now in the army’s main tent. If you want to see it, go ahead!”

Who would want to see it? Wu Tong’s eyes went wide in disbelief.

Shen Lanxi had been granted a noble title—she was a woman! And it was hereditary for three generations. She, a royal widow, now had a status so high—who would dare marry her in the future?

She had no children. Who would inherit the title?

Wu Tong slowly realized the cunning of the royal court, breaking into a cold sweat, too afraid to think further.

But—

“Yuanxu, give me a straight answer: are we going to fight this war or not?” He worried every day that one day he’d sleep and never wake again—it was agonizing!

Shen Yuanxu looked at his flustered expression and suppressed a smile. Calmly, he asked, “You want to fight?”

Damn right he wanted to fight!

But with so few troops, fighting such a large enemy force would be like smashing an egg against a rock.

Shen Yuanxu deliberately played coy: “Do you know why the General drills the troops outside the city every day?”

Wu Tong: wasting time and resources… what else? Why not just drill in the camp? Coming back and forth every day is pointless.

Seeing Wu Tong still didn’t understand, Shen Yuanxu patiently explained: “The General does it to intimidate the enemy.”

Wu Tong’s eyes widened. Intimidate Prince Cheng and the Eastern Liao King?

“Does it work?” Maybe a little—it explained why the two rebellious kings hadn’t attacked yet.

Shen Yuanxu: “Prince Cheng and the Eastern Liao King have been stationed outside Liu City for over two months. Which of them dares to touch the city?”

Wu Tong panicked. He had to immediately write to the capital.

He would report: Prince Cheng and the Eastern Liao King are terrified of the Pacification Army!

After Wu Tong’s messenger hawk left, Shen Lanxi immediately adjusted her strategy, sending Wei Dongzhu and others to take turns challenging the enemy outside Liu City.

Wei Dongzhu carried out orders strictly, posting soldiers at the city gates to shout:

“Anyone who crosses Liu City’s border will be attacked by the Pacification Army!”

“If both attack together, the Pacification Army will concentrate its forces on one!”

The losing side would be decisively crushed and absorbed.

Four days later, both Prince Cheng and the Eastern Liao King retreated!

With her own strength, Shen Lanxi established a tripartite balance centered on Liu City, splitting Ganzhou into three power zones!

For the clever, it was enlightening.

For the foolish, only the surface was visible.

Capital:

“Your Majesty, Inspector Che reports urgently: the Pacification Army has successfully pushed the two rebel kings back sixty li!” Wang Bao’s aged face was all smiles as he presented the secret report to Emperor Renxiao.

This time, the Emperor didn’t immediately accept the report, but let out a medium-length sigh.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Pacification Army has quelled the rebellion—victory is near!” Wang Bao offered his customary felicitations.

Emperor Renxiao finally murmured: “If this were a great Zhou Dynasty and not a single man dared to step forward, leaving a woman to fight… what a disgrace!”

Wang Bao quickly smiled: “Your Majesty, all the generals are performing their duties. It’s not that no man is fighting—it’s just that Shen Lanxi happens to be there. Anyone else in her place could also command the army effectively.”

Emperor Renxiao knew it was flattery, but his brow relaxed.

Indeed, Shen Lanxi was lucky this time. If it had been someone else—say, one of his own sons—they could also have carried the responsibility!

“Any progress on the northwest negotiations?” The Emperor frowned again, thinking of the unresolved discussions.

Two years of back-and-forth, yet nothing was settled, and the Northern Conquest Army had been tied down.

If the Northern Army hadn’t been occupied, half the troops could have been deployed to quell internal unrest first, then repel foreign forces…

“Your Majesty, no letters have been received this month!”