RWNEFE -Chapter 526 Shen Lanxi Turns Hostile!

“No, no. Father Emperor has already recovered his health. If I take action at this time, it would no longer be ‘purging traitors at the ruler’s side’—it would be rebellion against the throne!” Zhou Ruyuan said this aloud, but inside he was filled with panic and confusion.

Jiang Wuya said decisively, “If Your Highness does not stake everything now and simply goes back, Shen Lanxi will certainly pin a crime on you. When the court orders you stripped of your military command, you will never have any chance to rise again.”

This was exactly what Zhou Ruyuan was hesitating over. If he had not already known that Bai Qingling was behind the incident, he would have thought Shen Lanxi was deliberately forcing him to revolt.

Now it had become Bai Qingling forcing him to revolt, and he had no moral ground to stand on.

Jiang Wuya knew Zhou Ruyuan was deeply conflicted, so he did not urge him, merely waiting at the side.

In the southwest, flames soared into the sky. The firelight was like a dark cloud pressing down upon Zhou Ruyuan’s head.

If he did nothing, he would be waiting to die. If he acted, he would likely bear infamy and be condemned by the world. Even if he succeeded, he would still be an emperor criticized in the history books.

…

While Zhou Ruyuan struggled with his decision, Shen Lanxi received letters of surrender from the Wolf Tribe and the various southwestern tribes.

Not a proposal for peace, not negotiations—letters of surrender.

Shen Lanxi smiled faintly and raised her hand to write a reply to the Wolf Tribe.

At dawn, the flames gradually subsided, leaving only black smoke rising into the sky. The entire camp was filled with drifting soot, weighing heavily on everyone’s spirits.

The Southwest soldiers, who had cut trees all night, were utterly exhausted, wishing they could collapse on the ground and sleep.

“Your Highness, the soldiers can hardly endure any longer. The fire in the southwest seems to have weakened. Should we let them stop?”

Shen Lanxi shook her head. “They cannot stop. In daylight nothing may be visible, but what if the fire spreads while the soldiers are asleep?”

Though some soldiers were reluctant, they knew Shen Lanxi was right.

This was not a battlefield slaughter—it would not cost their lives. It was only cutting trees. So they continued.

Shortly after the afternoon hour of Shen, a scout suddenly brought urgent news.

“Your Highness, disaster! The tribes have assembled a large army and are advancing toward our Southwest Army. They say they are seeking revenge, claiming that we set the fire and burned many of their people to death!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression grew grave. “Gather all the soldiers.”

“Yes!”

The troops, so sleepy they could barely keep their eyes open, quickly descended from the mountain and assembled.

“Your Highness, the main force of the Southwest Army was taken away by the Prince. We should quickly summon them back for reinforcements!”

“Your Highness, there are fewer than two thousand of us in the camp. We’ve been cutting trees all night, and we haven’t had food or water. We’re so exhausted we can barely hold our weapons!”

Now the time had come.

Shen Lanxi stood up slowly, her gaze heavy, and spoke loudly:

“Soldiers, after such a great fire last night, even if Zhou Ruyuan led troops out for drills, he should have returned by now.”

“The fact that he has not returned shows that he has already betrayed you and abandoned you.”

More than a thousand Southwest soldiers showed panic on their faces. Their prince—the Great Zhou God of War—had abandoned them?

Shen Lanxi sighed deeply. “Zhou Ruyuan has surely already colluded with the southwestern tribes, intending to use your lives as a token of allegiance to them. Zhou Ruyuan is ambitious and treacherous—so consumed by his desire for power that he has lost all reason.”

A soldier suddenly shouted, “Kill the Consort…”

Soon many others joined in, convinced that Zhou Ruyuan and Bai Qingling were conspirators.

Seeing the surging emotions of the troops, Shen Lanxi said firmly: “I am the Regent of Great Zhou. Even if the heavens collapse, I will hold them up!”

“Send scouts to deliver a message to the tribes. I will negotiate peace with their leader!”

“Yes!”

Shen Lanxi sighed again. “Zhou Ruyuan does not care about your lives—but I do.”

“I have devoted myself entirely to Great Zhou. I am not like Zhou Ruyuan, who has no bottom line and will use any means to seize power.”

“You are not only soldiers of Great Zhou—you are also its people. No matter what happens, I will stand with you, advancing and retreating together!”

Many soldiers were moved to the point that their eyes reddened.

Before, they had looked down on Shen Lanxi for being a woman. They had speculated that she must have used disgraceful means to rise to her position, saying she could never compare to their Prince, that women could never surpass men.

They were wrong.

The godlike war hero they admired had used their lives to win the support of foreign tribes. Yet the woman they had despised now stood with them, even risking herself to negotiate with fierce tribes for their sake.

Many soldiers lowered their heads in shame.

Shen Lanxi observed their reactions and immediately drafted a proclamation denouncing Zhou Ruyuan, sending copies to the capital as well.

Within three days, news of the Prince of Zhen’nan’s rebellion would spread through the streets and alleys of Great Zhou.

An hour later, Shen Lanxi led all the soldiers to negotiate with the tribes.

“You wait here. I will go alone.”

The mass of soldiers watched with complicated expressions—shame, gratitude, and unease mingled together.

…

“The Regent truly has foresight,” Meng Xiangka said with a cheerful smile, though a heavy weight pressed upon her heart. “You were able to foresee that someone would sabotage the peace talks between Great Zhou and my Wolf Tribe.”

Shen Lanxi subtly glanced behind Meng Xiangka. The last time they met, Meng Xiangka had come alone; now things were different.

Shen Lanxi sat calmly opposite her. The situation had reversed—she was strong, the other side weak. She should act accordingly.

“Great Zhou is a vast empire; we do not speak of ‘peace talks.’ However, the southwestern tribes may follow the example of tributary states and bow in submission to Great Zhou. Thereafter, you will enjoy the same treatment as our people. What Great Zhou has, you will have. If powerful enemies invade, Great Zhou and the southwestern tribes will resist together.”

Meng Xiangka’s expression changed; the smile on her face froze.

This was not what she had expected.

Was Shen Lanxi not afraid that Great Zhou and the southwestern tribes would return to war?

“Your Highness, we agreed before that everything would remain as it was. Great Zhou and the Southwest would continue cultural exchanges, helping one another for mutual benefit,” Meng Xiangka said. At that time, the southwestern tribes would be able to learn advanced techniques from Great Zhou and bring back improved grain seeds, tea varieties, and the methods of refining sugar and salt.

With the bearing of a ruler, Shen Lanxi replied calmly:

“I did say mutual benefit—but the premise is that your tribes must bow in submission to Great Zhou.”

Meng Xiangka leapt to her feet in anger, pointing at Shen Lanxi.

“You never said before that our tribes must submit! You people of Great Zhou are all cunning and deceitful!”

Shen Lanxi’s face turned cold. “I did not say it before—but I say it now. Great Zhou is powerful, and all nations come to pay tribute. You are merely a small cluster of southwestern tribes. With a wave of our army’s hand, we could annihilate you. What makes you think you can stand as equals with Great Zhou?”