Chapter 215: The Third Prince Ascends the Throne

Li Yulong left, and Li Xian immediately gathered Xu Ren and others for a meeting to discuss the current situation.

Li Xian recounted all the previous events in full, without altering a single word. This was an act of complete trust, and only by knowing the exact details could Xu Ren and the others formulate an appropriate plan.

After listening, Xu Ren first spoke to Xia Qingqing, his expression serious: “Princess, the royal family owes the Li family a great favor. If it weren’t for the Master holding off the Great Xia Kingdom for fifteen years, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, you, and many other royal descendants would have been mere children fifteen years ago, unable to survive the chaos.”

These words were blunt and carried a hint of warning.

Xia Qingqing slowly nodded. “Sir, I understand.”

Only then did Xu Ren turn to Li Xian and ask, “Young Master, will Anyang remain entirely independent while being nominally affiliated with the Master? Or will it fully or partially accept governance from the Master’s side?”

Li Xian’s eyes shone brightly. “In terms of family ties, I am his son, and I will fully support my father in everything. But politically, Anyang will remain completely independent.”

“That’s good!” Xu Ren and the others visibly relaxed. In political matters, interference from outsiders is always feared. Once external interference begins, it often results in ‘more harm than good.’ Now that they knew Anyang would be politically independent, everyone felt relieved.

After that, Li Xian and the others discussed the distribution of spiritual liquid. With access to liquid spiritual energy, it was only natural to “share the blessings.” Since Anyang’s supply of spiritual liquid was nearly limitless, there was no need to be overly frugal. Therefore, Li Xian generously set a price—one tael of gold per jin of spiritual liquid—but strictly limited transactions to internal use, ensuring that not a single drop leaked outside.

For now, “internal use” referred to the government’s core leadership, all key formal military forces, and core members within the Brilliant Star Group.

Though the supply of spiritual liquid seemed abundant, producing ten tons daily, distributing it across so many people was still somewhat tight. Fortunately, refining technology was improving, and production would gradually increase.

After handling these matters, Li Xian gave an order to the side, “Call everyone in.”

The earlier discussion had been limited to core members, only a few people. The next topic concerned Anyang’s political affairs, requiring the participation of all relevant personnel.

Once all of Anyang’s management assembled, Li Xian turned to Liu Leigang. “General Liu, I plan to appoint you as the head of Anyang’s infrastructure development. According to traditional official ranks, that would be equivalent to the position of Sikong (Minister of Works).

However, infrastructure development in Anyang is not just about labor but an independent construction department with its own engineering corps. Besides building roads and railways, this also includes border fortifications like the Great Wall, future airports, engineering projects, coastal defense ports, and more.

This department exists at the intersection of civil and military affairs and must even be ready to go to the battlefield if necessary. Therefore, it requires a strong and resolute leader.

After much consideration, I believe only you can shoulder this responsibility.”

“I am willing!” Liu Leigang responded in a loud and firm voice.

Li Xian smiled slightly. “Anyang will not establish a Sikong position, as the administrative system is already complex enough and must be streamlined. Instead, you will serve as Vice Chancellor, holding the rank of Senior First Grade.”

“Then who will be responsible for the construction of the Land Forces Mechanical Corps?” Liu Leigang was particularly concerned about this. He had long known that he was merely a transitional general, given his status as a disabled veteran. Obtaining the position of Vice Chancellor was an unexpected delight.

However, having personally built Anyang’s Land Forces Mechanical Division, he was still deeply concerned about his successor.

Li Xian turned his head and looked at Yin Hairui. “Yin Hairui will take over. In a way, you could consider him half your disciple.”

After making the necessary arrangements, Li Xian turned to Xu Ren and Beichen Yuqing. “Next, let the existing soldiers begin receiving elite education. Teach all soldiers strategy, politics, military tactics, and cultivation. Treat every soldier as if they were being trained as an officer.

As long as they pass the test, all soldiers will receive an officer’s salary.

When necessary, each soldier should be able to lead a squad of ten men, allowing the army to expand rapidly! (This is the method used by Germany and Japan.)”

Treating all soldiers as officer candidates shocked even Xu Ren, but soon, he became excited! As a strategist, nothing pleased him more than an ambitious lord! Li Xian’s strategy was full of unrestrained ambition!

After saying this, Li Xian turned to Liu Leigang. “Liu Leigang, I have two tasks for you. First, take charge of reorganizing the existing construction workers and restructure them into an engineering corps. Second, construct a railway starting from Qingyun Valley, passing west of Anyang City, and leading to the administrative seat of Kaiping County, Luquan Prefecture. The estimated distance is 120 kilometers.

This railway will still use a double-track system, but space must be reserved for expansion. Plan for a ten-track capacity.

However, we will not be the ones paying for this railway—Kaiping County must fund it.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ze’an spoke up. “Young Master, constructing a 120-kilometer double-track railway will cost at least 180,000 taels of gold. If we include locomotives and other equipment, the total will be around 200,000 taels of gold. Kaiping County likely cannot afford it.”

Unknowingly, the people of Anyang had begun to look down on others.

Li Xian chuckled with satisfaction after hearing Yan Ze’an’s words. “That’s simple. We can offer two options. First, a loan with a 10% annual interest rate. Second, we take full control of the railway for 30 years, after which it will be handed over to Kaiping County.

If a similar situation arises with other nations in the future, we will maintain full control of the railway for 50 years, or even a century, before transferring ownership.

Of course, before constructing any railway, we must ensure that it will yield at least ten times the profit; otherwise, we will not proceed. If the risks are too high, we will also abandon the project.”

After a brief period of turmoil, Anyang gradually returned to calm, with no one paying attention to the situation in the Great Xia Kingdom.

This was not limited to Anyang—the entire Great Xia Kingdom, and even the surrounding nations, had fallen into an unprecedented stillness. But this silence was heavy with the pressure of an impending storm.

At this moment, the First Prince of the Northwest had set his sights on the imperial capital in the southeast, his ambition swelling. Meanwhile, in secret, the Northwestern Governor, Xiao Liming, was inspecting the 80 cannons that had recently come into his possession.

At the same time, far away in Lüliang County, the Crown Prince received an order jointly signed by Shangguan Guang, Wang Chuan, Kong Xiang, and other officials:

“Focus on your duties as the Governor of Lüliang County, and do not overthink.”

Receiving such an order, the Crown Prince flew into a rage and nearly executed the messenger on the spot. It was only thanks to Yuan Zhao dragging him back and giving the messenger a chance to explain that he refrained. After hearing about the changes in the imperial court—how Li Yulong had been forced out and how Kong Xiang was now under control in the capital—Yuan Zhao simply smiled in silence.

At that very moment, Kaiping County in the northwest of the Great Xia Kingdom quietly changed hands. Li Liang remained the Governor of Kaiping County, but Li Yulong had already made a public appearance there and had swiftly taken control of the region!

No one knew where Li Yulong had been hiding his forces, only that shortly after his arrival in Luquan Prefecture, personnel loyal to him emerged one after another. Perhaps he had prepared in advance, secretly deploying all his men to Kaiping County beforehand. Given Li Yulong’s methods, this was highly probable.

Two days later, a new piece of news spread throughout the Great Xia Kingdom—

The Third Prince had ascended the throne, becoming the new Emperor of the Great Xia Kingdom. He would be officially crowned after the 49-day mourning period for the late Emperor concluded.

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