Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 123: Loyalty to the Emperor
Yan Zhengqing knocked sharply on the armor of the armored vehicle, his eyes filled with envy. “What a great piece of equipment! One machine gun and one sniper rifle, combined with a telescope and artillery, can eliminate enemies from a kilometer away. This thing gives ordinary soldiers some of the capabilities of a Golden Core expert!”
Liu Leigang chuckled proudly. “General Yan, you don’t need to be envious; everyone will have one in the future!”
Yan Zhengqing laughed, “No, no, no, I’m not envious. I’m just thinking that the person who produced this thing must have water in their brain. Look, not only does it consume a massive amount of steel, but it’s also not practical at all. It’s slow and can’t withstand the sword attacks of Golden Core experts.
Because it has so much horsepower, it can only run on spirit stones; but once the spirit stones are exhausted, it’s just a chunk of scrap metal! If the spirit stones run out or if it gets stuck in the mud, what are you going to do?”
Liu Leigang scoffed proudly, “What the general can think of, others can think of too! These three armored vehicles are just a test. The young master has said that the advancement of technology requires constant experimentation and elimination. How can you know something isn’t suitable without trying it? How can you accumulate experience without trying? How can you conduct research without trying?
The most feared thing is not making mistakes but being afraid of making mistakes!”
“Alright, alright, you make a valid point.”
“That’s not what I said; it’s what the young master said.” At this point, Liu Leigang suddenly chuckled, “General Yan, the one you’re calling brain-dead is the young master! You wouldn’t know, but when the young master left Anyang, he assigned over a hundred research tasks to the research department!”
Yan Zhengqing: …
After a brief pause, Yan Zhengqing finally spoke. “If you ask me, the armor on this vehicle can be entirely removed and replaced with a true essence shield for protection. That way, the vehicle would be lighter, allowing for more spirit stones and ammunition to be transported.”
“Oh? That’s a good idea!”
As they spoke, the two began discussing it. Just as their discussion grew lively, a guard from the city lord’s mansion approached them. “Gentlemen, the Crown Prince has arrived. The Princess and Mr. Xu request that you return to the city lord’s mansion for a meeting.”
“The Crown Prince? What’s he doing here?!” Yan Zhengqing frowned. Unlike Liu Leigang, who had risen step by step from an ordinary soldier and was a straightforward military general, Yan Zhengqing was a talented strategist—one who must understand politics. He sensed that something was off right away.
By the time the two arrived at the city lord’s mansion, all the high-ranking officials in Anyang regarding military and political matters had gathered.
The Crown Prince sat high up, while Xia Qingqing did not make an appearance; Xu Ren, Yan Ze’an, Beichen Yuqing, Fang Shijing, and others sat in turn.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
When Yan Zhengqing and Liu Leigang arrived, the Crown Prince saw that everyone was present and wasted no time: “Everyone, thank you for the indelible contributions made by Anyang for the peace of the Great Xia Kingdom. However, since Zhongshan County and Luliang County have admitted their mistakes, let this matter end here. What do you think?”
After communicating with Li Xian, the newly appointed Crown Prince preferred to be direct in his speech.
Xu Ren seemed unsurprised. “Since Your Highness has said so, we naturally must comply.”
“That’s good. Here’s the letter entrusted to me by Li Xian; you can take a look. I also went to see Li Xian, and he mentioned that he does not wish to see the Great Xia Kingdom fall into chaotic warfare, nor does he want to see Anyang embroiled in conflict.”
The guard beside the Crown Prince presented the letter, and Xu Ren took it, opening it in public to read—without reading the part about Xia Qingqing.
“Dear Mr. Xu, do you still remember the day we first met and discussed commerce over drinks? To be honest, I had my doubts about you back then, and I apologize for that.
To Senior Yan Ze’an, once I return to Anyang, I intend to host a welcoming banquet for you to clear your name and reputation.
I feel fortunate to have met the three of you; it’s a blessing. However, I’ve heard that Anyang has not been very peaceful lately. If possible, let’s resolve the issues peacefully. Let Zhongshan County and Lvliang County settle the taxes they owe from these past years.
Sincerely, Li Xian.”
The simple words of the letter conveyed an equally straightforward message—let’s resolve the conflict!
The generals and commanders in attendance frowned at the implication. Could the months of preparation for war simply come to an end like this? For these military leaders, war brought opportunities for merit, promotions, and, most importantly, generous rewards!
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, observing the disappointment on the faces of those from Anyang, nodded in satisfaction. This was the effect he had been aiming for!
Xu Ren also looked displeased, but he was the first to speak up, “Your Highness, we will certainly adhere to Li Xian’s wishes and resolve the conflict peacefully.”
The Crown Prince was pleased. “Then the taxes owed need not be collected; they have already supplemented it with thirty thousand taels of gold.”
“Understood.”
Seeing the frowns on the faces of the officials from Anyang, the Crown Prince rose elegantly, leaving with an air of confidence and grandeur. He continued on to Zhongshan County and Luliang County to “inspect” the areas, which really meant he was there to “win over the hearts of the people.”
After the Crown Prince departed, Xu Ren, Yan Ze’an, and Xia Qingqing gathered to analyze the letter together.
Xia Qingqing’s face flushed as she read the opening line. “This bastard doesn’t know how to be serious!”
Xu Ren, instead of wearing a wry smile, smiled genuinely. “Madam, there are layers to this message!”
Xia Qingqing understood immediately, nodding and falling silent.
Xu Ren then turned to Yan Ze’an. “Old Yan, did you notice anything?”
Yan Ze’an shook his head in confusion. “It’s just ordinary words.”
Xu Ren nodded. “Yes, very ordinary words. Especially the part you mentioned, the meaning is not obvious, but it boils down to one thing—believe in your abilities.
In fact, the most important part of the letter is directed toward me.”
Xia Qingqing and Yan Ze’an looked at Xu Ren, waiting for his explanation.
Xu Ren set down the letter. “I have never shared a drink with Li Xian! So far, I’ve only had tea with him! And discussing commerce over drinks is even more far-fetched. As for his doubts about me, that’s natural. But mentioning it here specifically is inappropriate! Three mistakes in one sentence; Li Xian clearly wouldn’t make such a basic error!”
Yan Ze’an’s eyes sparkled. “So, what did you and the young master talk about when you had tea?”
Xu Ren lifted his chin slightly. “The young master only said one thing: ‘Sir, I entrust all my strategies to you.’ I drank the tea he offered without hesitation.”
Xia Qingqing suddenly raised her head, speaking decisively, “We’ll leave it to you, sir.”
A confident smile spread across Xu Ren’s face. “Then… let’s advance on Luliang County! We must be loyal to the Emperor. Zhao Guoshan, the governor of Luliang County, and Shi Chengsong, the governor of Zhongshan County, must kneel before the Emperor to confess their sins and pay the taxes they owe!”
“Moreover, we must uphold the rights and dignity of the Young Master, the Eastern Commander of the Great Xia Empire!”
Shortly after, Xu Ren gathered the generals again to interpret Li Xian’s orders. Instantly, the gloomy atmosphere dissipated, and the commanders transformed into sharp-eyed hawks, ready to hunt.
After thorough discussions, by evening, Xu Ren issued his commands: Beichen Yuqing was to meet with Yan Zhengqing and launch a surprise attack on Luliang County from the coastline.
He ordered Chang Lin to oversee the navy’s first battle, emphasizing that there could be no negligence.
Xu Ren commanded Cheng Jiming to lead 40 war machines, along with 20 newly manufactured all-metal alternative war machines (not aircraft with propellers, but lightweight war machines), to patrol the southern part of Anyang, preventing any desperate actions from Luliang County and Zhongshan County.
He instructed the remaining officers to command over 350 motorized vehicles, artillery, and a substantial number of new recruits to guard the borders of Zhongshan County and Luliang County.
Messages were sent to the eldest son, Li Liang, to apply pressure on Zhongshan County from the north, making them feel constrained.
Finally, Xu Ren, Xia Qingqing, Yan Ze’an, Beichen Yuqing, Fang Shijing, and Yan Zhengqing collectively requested Li Xian’s official seal, announcing—“To assist the Emperor!”
Additionally, considering the situation thoroughly, Xu Ren retrieved a blank imperial edict—Li Xian had received a total of five hundred blank edicts earlier. He instructed Beichen Yuqing to carry them for flexibility in response to any developments.