RWNEFE -Chapter 255 Zhou Ruan Appointed as the New Imperial Supervisor, Heading to the Northwest!

On the very night the Turkic army entered Huangtu City, two contingents of iron cavalry quietly left Black Sand City under cover of darkness.

Abu Khan was staying in the grand residence where Shen Lanxi had once lived. While he was happily drinking fine wine and admiring beautiful women, an urgent report suddenly arrived.

“General! A force has broken into Yanyang City and looted our grain supplies!”

Abu Khan’s expression changed instantly, and he flew into a rage.

“Sound the call to arms—return to Yanyang City!”

“Yes!”

By the time Abu Khan’s troops rushed back, the city had already been seized by the Northern Garrison Army under Wei Dongzhu’s command.

Grinding his teeth in fury, Abu Khan stood below the city walls and shouted curses.

“You people of Great Zhou have no honor! You tricked our three tribes into peace talks and stole our Turkic city! Even if Great Zhou comes begging for negotiations again, our three tribes will never negotiate with you!”

“Go—return and muster the troops!”

Abu Khan knew he had fallen into a trap. If he tried to force his way in now, he would likely lose his life.

A direct assault was out of the question.

“Just you wait—I’ll make you people of Great Zhou regret this for the rest of your lives!” After hurling a few harsh words, Abu Khan withdrew his army.

“General, why didn’t we kill Abu Khan?” someone asked.

Wei Dongzhu replied, “Without losing a single soldier, we reclaimed an entire city. Tell me—other than General Shen, who else in this world could pull that off?”

A veteran of the Wei Army glanced hesitantly at his general, but in the end said nothing.

Council Hall

“Previously, in order to take Huangtu City, Abu Khan transferred most of Yanyang City’s troops to Huangtu City,” Shen Lanxi said.

Xiao Fang laughed. “General truly is brilliant—one move, and we recovered two cities!”

They had barely fought at all before Yanyang City fell back into their hands.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Once the three Turkic tribes unite, it won’t be so easy anymore.”

Unable to hold back, Qian Feng asked, “General, why didn’t we take the chance to eliminate Abu Khan? If we had struck, we could have wiped them all out.”

A glint flashed in Shen Lanxi’s eyes. “I have my own plans. You must hurry and train the new recruits—be ready at all times!”

“Yes!”

News of Shen Lanxi retaking Yanyang City quickly reached the capital.

“Your Majesty, General Shen previously lured the enemy by feigning weakness, and now has easily captured two cities.”

“Your Majesty, although two cities were recovered, this humble servant believes the credit must go to General Wei—General Shen had little to do with it.”

“This minister also believes it was Your Majesty’s keen eye for talent that allowed General Wei to replace General Shen in command of the Northern Garrison Army!”

“General Shen is, after all, a woman—her vision is shallow, lacking the boldness of men. In my opinion, she should be sent to the rear to transport supplies.”

“Transporting supplies is also important. I think it would be even better to have General Shen recruit soldiers!” Recruitment was an easy assignment. Letting Shen Lanxi delegate the work to subordinates while she rested in the inner quarters could even be considered an act of imperial consideration toward her.

As Emperor Renxiao listened to the ministers argue, his gaze fell on the Second Prince, Zhou Ruan.

“Second son, what do you think?”

Suddenly called upon, Zhou Ruan’s eyes flickered as he stepped forward at once.

“Father Emperor, your son believes the credit belongs to all the soldiers of the northwest. Of course, General Wei’s command was also excellent.”

Emperor Renxiao glanced at his second son and sighed. “The northwest has shown weakness for too long. The people’s hearts are unsettled.”

Recalling the prestige he had gained during the northern famine relief, Zhou Ruan immediately stepped forward and volunteered.

“Father Emperor, your son is willing to go to the northwest and join the army, to do what little I can for the people there!”

The princes who were already attending court all showed flashes of disdain and contempt in their eyes.

Zhou Ruyuan’s scheming was so obvious they could practically hear the abacus clicking.
Did he think they didn’t know what he was after? He had already gained a huge advantage during the northern relief effort—there was no way they would let him steal the spotlight again.

“Father Emperor, your son is also willing to go!”

“Father Emperor, your son is willing as well!”

One after another, the princes stepped forward to declare their willingness.

Emperor Renxiao didn’t care what they were truly thinking. The fact that they could openly make such declarations already displayed imperial dignity, and that pleased him greatly.

“By tradition, princes may serve as imperial supervisors. Since all of you care so deeply for the people, let me think it over carefully.”

After court was dismissed, Zhou Ruyuan immediately sought out Wang Bao and discreetly slipped him a generous bribe.

“Your Majesty, the Second Prince seeks an audience.”

Emperor Renxiao had expected his sons to grow restless—he just hadn’t expected it so soon.

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Upon seeing Emperor Renxiao, Zhou Ruyuan immediately expressed his dissatisfaction with Shen Lanxi.

“Father Emperor, Shen Lanxi is arrogant and domineering, affected and pretentious. She only gained followers by relying on her ties to the imperial family. She understands nothing—someone like her should not be allowed to remain in the army!”

Emperor Renxiao listened quietly, saying nothing.

Seeing that he wasn’t interrupted, Zhou Ruyuan continued, “Father Emperor, and that Wei Dongzhu as well—your son fears that because of issues with provisions and pay, Wei Dongzhu may become dissatisfied with the court…”

Two days later, Zhou Ruyuan was appointed as the new imperial supervisor and set off for the northwest!

Meanwhile, Abu Khan had already led the combined armies of the three tribes to the city gates.

“You people of Great Zhou broke your promises and betrayed our trust, tricking our three tribes! Today, we will wash away this humiliation with the blood of Great Zhou’s people! We will show you that no one may trample on the dignity of our three tribes!”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze turned icy as her lips parted.

“Engage the enemy!”

“Wei Dongzhu, follow me into battle!”

“Yes!”

As her words fell, the city gates opened. With her riding whip raised lightly, Shen Lanxi led the troops out to meet the enemy.

“Abu Khan, have you brought the two thousand dan of grain you lost to me?” she called out.

Abu Khan’s face darkened instantly.

Shen Lanxi continued, “That day, you and I made a wager. You lost, yet refused to honor it. To this day, I haven’t seen even a single dan of grain. It is you who broke your word, you who are treacherous and deceitful, you who tried to cheat me. Today, I will wash away this humiliation with the blood of you Turkic people, and let everyone know that no one may bully Great Zhou!”

She threw his own words straight back at him.

“Great Zhou actually lets a woman serve as an envoy for a marriage alliance—this shows you have no respect at all for our three tribes. Let a man speak. We don’t negotiate with women!” Abu Khan sneered.

Shen Lanxi laughed coldly. “Unwilling to negotiate with women, yet willing to gamble with one—Abu Khan, that’s all you amount to.”

Abu Khan flushed red with fury. He hadn’t expected this woman to be so sharp-tongued—he wished he could rip out every one of her fangs!

“Are you willing to abandon the people of the northwest?” Abu Khan sneered darkly.

Shen Lanxi shot back, “Are you willing to abandon the people of the Turks?”

Abu Khan’s expression changed again. He hated being threatened—especially by a woman.

“If we don’t teach these Great Zhou people a painful lesson, they’ll never behave!” Abu Khan said to the leaders of the two allied tribes.

The Tatar general scoffed. “She’s just a woman. One of my warriors could kill her with a single hand!”

The Persian general wore a sinister grin. “She’s not bad-looking. When the fighting starts, don’t damage her face. I have a troupe of dancers—they specialize in ‘educating’ women like her.”