The golden crow plumted in the west while the jade rabbit rose in the east.
Nightlife was just beginning when a ssage from the Chenlong Martial District sent shockwaves through the already bustling Imperial City of Cangyun. Han Shaobai, Chen Jian, and Xia Chen were ennobled as the Peerage King, Mountain-backed King, and Dongzhao King, respectively.
Following Ye Kuan's execution, the Chenlong Martial District could not remain without a leader. Thus, Han Shaobai, Chen Jian, and Xia Chen, all forr deputy generals, were promoted to jointly oversee the entire district. Having just assud their offices yesterday, they were made kings today.
Three kings were granted their titles in a single day. This was unprecedented in the entire history of the Martial Departnt, setting a new historical standard.
This single act of ennobling three kings in one district was a telling glimpse into a much larger situation.
Is this... a prelude to a national war?
This thought exploded not just in Cangyun City, but everywhere the news reached. Such an unprecedented move carried an unusual and ominous air.
First, the War God of the State was appointed, and now, three kings were ennobled in a single district. All signs pointed to the beginning of a great war. An operation of this scale could only an one thing: a national war.
This sudden storm completely overshadowed the upcoming tenth-anniversary celebration of the Martial Association, burying it entirely amidst the public's shock and astonishnt.
「Mountains Rivers Villa.」
Chen Yang sat in the courtyard reading a book, utterly ignoring the storm brewing outside.
"Boss, the Elders' Court called," Yang Hu said, his voice grim. "They said the three kings ennobled today were pushed forward by those old fossils who retired long ago but refused to relinquish their power. When the higher-ups reviewed it, they approved it imdiately, perhaps to create a balance of power between the Elders' Court and you, the War God of the State. Once the top approved it, the Elders' Court had no choice but to issue the royal decrees."
He gripped his phone tighter. "Moreover, Han Shaobai, Chen Jian, and Xia Chen all had deep ties to Ye Kuan. To put it bluntly, these three were made kings specifically to counteract you, Boss."
A fierce look crossed Yang Hu's face. Those people would stop at nothing to seize power. As a result, while the outside world suspected a national war was imminent, the Martial Departnt itself had already begun to fracture internally. The most powerful Chenlong Martial District was now positioned to oppose the War God of the State!
Under such circumstances, if a true national war were to break out, could Chen Yang, the commander-in-chief, truly command the Chenlong Martial District? Given the current situation, the possibility was infinitesimally small.
In contrast to the agitated Yang Hu, Chen Yang was the picture of calm. He slowly turned a page and said, "It's nothing to worry about."
First, he had already anticipated this, so he wasn't surprised. Second, even in a real war, he wouldn't necessarily need the Chenlong Martial District; they just needed to defend their own turf. And third... as the commander-in-chief, didn't he also have the power to ennoble kings?
"Xiaowu's military accomplishnts are extraordinary. It wouldn't be too much to make him a king, would it?" Chen Yang closed his book, looking up with a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Haha, he absolutely deserves it!" Yang Hu was taken aback for a mont, then burst into loud laughter. "When it cos to military exploits, even that Han Shaobai's accomplishnts aren't one-third of Brother Xiaowu's! If Han Shaobai can be made Peerage King, why can't my Brother Xiaowu?"
"Draft a docunt," Chen Yang said calmly, standing up and lighting a cigarette.
"On it!"
Yang Hu promptly took out a pen and paper, waiting for Chen Yang to dictate.
"Liu Wu, deputy commander of the Martial Guard in Hanyun Valley, has distinguished himself in battle. As of today, he is hereby ennobled as Jingnan Prince."
"Jingnan Prince."
Yang Hu repeated the na twice, then chuckled. It not only sounded good, but it also carried significant weight.
Liu Wu is going to love this title when he gets it, isn't he? Haha!
Just thinking about it made Yang Hu's smile grow even wider.
After Yang Hu finished writing, Chen Yang took out his personal Great Seal and stamped the docunt.
"Go. Send this to the Elders' Court."
Although the War God of the State, as commander of the entire military, had the authority to ennoble kings, the Elders' Court was still the highest administrative body. They had to be notified, and the news would then be disseminated through them. Authority was one thing, but proper procedure still had to be followed.
Without another word, Yang Hu turned and left.
Holding his cigarette, Chen Yang let a wisp of mory surface, and the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile. Back when he was still a Commander-in-chief, Liu Wu and Yang Hu had beco his right and left hands. As he steadily rose through the ranks, they naturally did as well. Despite having the ability to command other divisions as generals, they insisted on staying in Hanyun Valley as his deputies.
After Chen Yang and Yang Hu left Hanyun Valley, the entire force of eight hundred thousand Martial Guards there fell under Liu Wu's command. When the Zhennan Prince was removed from his post, Liu Wu was the first to lay down his arms and return to civilian life.
His ennoblent now was well-deserved.
「Half an hour later.」
The news of a fourth king sent a new shockwave through Cangyun City, rattling everyone's nerves. They had barely processed the news of one district getting three kings when the announcent of the Jingnan Prince arrived.
"Damn! What is happening today? Four kings appointed in a single day! Are we really heading for a national war?"
"Especially this Jingnan Prince. His appointnt is so sudden. What's his story?"
"There are rumors that the newly appointed Jingnan Prince was once a trusted aide to the Governor, and he has returned to defend Hanyun Valley."
"..."
Everywhere, from hos to teahouses and taverns, the talk was of the new kings and the possibility of a national war. The city was abuzz with commotion and speculation.
Soon after, the Elders' Court issued a docunt explaining that there was no national war. The Martial Departnt was simply undergoing so reforms, and they advised the public to refrain from baseless speculation and rumor-mongering.
With this, the public furor finally began to die down.
By the ti Yang Hu returned ho, Chen Yang had already washed up and was ready for bed. Yang Hu had sothing to say, but seeing Chen Yang go upstairs, he held his tongue and obediently went to wash up himself. It wasn't pressing; it could wait until tomorrow.
A peaceful night passed.
「The next day.」
Today was the tenth-anniversary celebration of the Martial Association, but the heavens were not cooperating. A drizzling rain began early in the morning, accompanied by flashes of lightning and claps of thunder.
However, the weather could not deter people from attending, or at least from coming to watch the spectacle. After all, in response to the Martial Association's challenge, Feiyang Martial Arts School had made it clear that they would definitely attend.
One side was well-prepared; the other was brimming with confidence. What kind of sparks would fly on this stormy, rainy day? Countless people looked on with eager anticipation.
After breakfast, Chen Yang and his party set off for the Martial Association Headquarters unhurriedly.
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