Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2618 The Lord of the Suspended Mirror Division, King Jiang's Wrath

Chapter 2618 The Lord of the Suspended Mirror Division, King Jiang's Wrath

Half a step behind Tian Wu followed several high-ranking officials dressed in the highest-ranking official robes of the State of Qi, including Chunyu Kun, Tian Pian, and others, as well as Tian Wen and Zou Ji, who had been sent as envoys to Tianjing.

Further behind were a group of eunuchs and officials carrying maps, registers, ceremonial objects, and other items.

The group of people, with solemn expressions, walked straight toward Wang Yuan and his entourage beneath the Han army's banner.

Tian Wu personally left the city, without riding in a carriage, and surrendered on foot. This gesture demonstrated the utmost sincerity in his submission and his final dignity.

Wang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, while Bai Qi remained expressionless, though he subtly adjusted the position of his hand holding the reins.

Tian Wu and his entourage stopped ten paces in front of Wang Yuan's horse. He raised the seal with both hands, bowed slightly, and said, "Your subject Tian Wu, leading the officials of the Qi State ancestral temple, respectfully submits to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han. We present the national seal and map today, hoping that Your Majesty will take pity on the people of Qi and treat them kindly. The gates of Linzi are open, and we respectfully welcome the royal army."

When Tian Wu addressed himself, he directly used the title of "臣" (chen, meaning subject/minister), demonstrating impeccable manners and making a proper gesture.

All eyes instantly focused on Wang Yuan. At this moment, he was the direct representative of the Han imperial power.

Wang Yuan took a deep breath, his father's teachings and expectations flashing through his mind. He gently kicked the horse's belly, and the white horse steadily took a few steps forward.

Bai Qi and Zhang Liang then stepped forward slightly, one on the left and one on the right, serving as both protectors and guards.

Wang Yuan reined in his horse, his gaze falling on the seal held high by Tian Wu. He then raised his head, his voice carrying through the cold wind.

"King Qi was a man of great wisdom and righteousness, and followed the will of Heaven, saving the people from suffering. His merit will last for generations."

"His Majesty has decreed that we must make proper arrangements to protect your ancestral temples and ensure the safety of your people. Today, I, the King, have come here by imperial decree. From this day forward, the land of Tianqi shall follow the Han system and share in peace."

Wang Yuan did not dismount to personally receive the imperial seal, as that would be inconsistent with his status as representing the emperor in accepting the surrender.

As soon as he finished speaking, a Han official dressed in the robes of a ceremonial official stepped forward, respectfully took the seal from Tian Wu's hands, and carried it back to the camp.

Zhang Liang then spoke gently, "Please lead the way, King Qi. Our army will enter the city to pacify the people and take over the defenses. Everything will be in accordance with the previous agreement. Do not have any doubts."

Bai Qi simply waved his hand, and the command flags in the Han army formation behind him waved, while a deep bugle sounded.

The large contingent of Han troops began to move forward in an orderly manner. The elite vanguard, led by Dian Wei and Xu Chu, swiftly and vigilantly passed through the city gate and took control of its key points.

After all this was over, Wang Yuan, accompanied by Bai Qi and Zhang Liang, rode slowly forward toward the open gates of Linzi.

………………

Qiandu.

When the Suspended Mirror Bureau received the news of Tian Wu's surrender to the Han Dynasty, they used every available means to transmit it, even employing experts at the Celestial level as messengers.

This ensured that the message could be transmitted back to the capital of Daqian as soon as possible.

At this moment, inside the study of Jiang Chaoyu's residence, the precious incense burner emitted the blue smoke of ambergris, but it could not suppress the anger and chill that permeated the air. As the regent of the Great Qian Dynasty, Prince Jiang Chaoyu was furious.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

Jiang Chaoyu finally exploded, slamming the secret report in his hand to the ground. In his rage, he also pushed aside all the books and documents on his desk. "Xia Yuan, tell me, how much gold and silver does the Suspended Mirror Bureau spend from the national treasury every year? How many spies and informants do they keep? Hmm?"

"The entire state of Tian Qi is in turmoil, the emperor and his ministers are plotting in secret, and envoys are secretly traveling thousands of miles to the capital. All of this is happening right under the nose of our Great Qian!"

"Are all the members of your Suspended Mirror Division blind or deaf? Or... is someone neglecting their duties, or even betraying their own?" Jiang Chaoyu stared at a middle-aged man of about thirty years old in the study, his face full of anger.

Faced with Jiang Chaoyu's rage, Xia Yuan simply knelt down and touched the ground with his head.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger. Your Highness is wise. Your subordinates... the entire Suspended Mirror Bureau would never dare to be negligent in the slightest, and no one would dare to do anything rebellious!"

"In fact, both Tian Qi and Han kept this matter a closely guarded secret, and their actions were extremely secretive. When Tian Wen and Zou Ji left Qi, they only claimed to be asking Han for help."

"On the Han side, our Suspended Mirror Division is even weaker, and we have very few useful pieces."

As Xia Yuan spoke, his voice even trembled slightly, though it was unclear whether the tremor was genuine or deliberate.

"Weak strength? The imperial court invests so much silver every year, and you're telling me we're weak?"

"Or do you think that simply saying your strength is weak is enough to prevent the Han Kingdom from effortlessly taking over Xingbei Road and stabbing me in the side with a sharp knife?"

Jiang Chaoyu laughed angrily, her eyes flashing with cold light, and said, "Xia Yuan, aren't you sitting too comfortably in your position as the head of the Suspended Mirror Division?"

At this moment, Xia Yuan simply lay prostrate on the ground, his body trembling slightly, and dared not speak again.

The study was deathly silent, save for Jiang Chaoyu's heavy breathing and the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

Just then, Jiang Ziya, who had been sitting quietly in the armchair beside him, sipping a cup of tea, slowly put down his teacup.

"Your Highness, please calm down." Jiang Ziya's voice was calm and soothing, like a smooth stream, quietly dispelling the suffocating atmosphere in the room.

"Now that things have come to this, raging will not help, it will only hurt your liver and spleen."

Jiang Ziya looked at Jiang Chaoyu and said gently, "The matter of Tian Qi was indeed unexpected and disrupted our dynasty's plans. It is only natural that Your Highness is furious."

"However, what Master Xia said may not be entirely an excuse. Tian Wu is not an incompetent ruler. Tian Wen and Zou Ji are both outstanding individuals. They had the intention to surrender, and they must have tried every means to cover up their desperate move of cutting off their tails to save themselves."

"Within the Han Kingdom, the Suspended Mirror Bureau is weak, that is the truth. Moreover, Xiao, Zhang, Yao and others in the Han Kingdom are all skilled strategists and good at hiding. With the two working together, they can deceive the heavens and the sea. Although it is hateful, it is not entirely unimaginable."

"The most important thing right now is not to investigate the mistakes that are beyond redemption, but to deal with the crisis that has been caused. The Han state has gained wings after acquiring the land of Qi, and its intention to conquer the south is now obvious. Our dynasty should immediately adjust its deployment and think of countermeasures."

Jiang Ziya could see clearly that Jiang Chaoyu was indeed extremely angry about this matter.

However, part of his anger was genuine, but another part was deliberately displayed.

The reason is simple: the head of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, which is in charge of spies, intelligence and other underworld activities in the Great Qian Dynasty, is not Jiang Chaoyu's man.

Jiang Chaoyu, a person with a strong desire for power, naturally wanted to take Xia Yuan down and replace him with his own trusted subordinates at all times.

(End of this chapter)