Peace Order

Chapter 1857 - 3: Hearts, Ministers, Emperors, and the Great Tide

His opponent this time is not just the emperor Jiang Yuan, who began indulging himself after three years of pretense since his enthronement.

But rather the destiny of the Daying Kingdom, the civil and military officials, and those who served loyally.

It’s the path of ruler and subject over thousands of years.

The so-called emperor is merely the person who represents the countless intertwined interests present.

Wei Yiwen pressed his palm on Yuwen Lie’s long spear, lowered his voice, and said: "The Grandmaster is still campaigning outside. If the Grandmaster returns, and Emperor Qin Li Guanyi advances swiftly, what then?"

"Have you forgotten the late Emperor’s kindness in recognizing you?"

Yuwen Lie’s heavy spear slowly dropped.

He realized that the opponent he faced was one that courage alone could not defeat. The serene Divine General glanced at the worried Wei Yiwen and the seasoned He Ruoqinhu, and coldly said: "You gentlemen certainly came quickly."

"Why were you late when Qin Yulong’s wife met with trouble earlier?"

All responded without words.

Yuwen Lie hooked his heavy spear onto the side of his mount, suddenly grabbed the battle bow from one side, and picked an arrow with his raised hand. As he clamped the horse’s back, the warhorse neighed loudly and stood upright, with Yuwen Lie standing on its back, pulling the bow, aiming the arrow forward amidst a flurry of panic.

The arrow shot like a stream of light, piercing through the crowd.

In the influence of the nation’s destiny, the arrow’s power diminished, yet it mercilessly pierced through the pavilion and garden ahead. Jiang Yuan heard Yuwen Lie’s commotion outside and felt irritated, amusing himself with his beauties inside, attended by eunuchs.

"Yuwen Lie, alas, even a humble one like me says, that Yuwen Lie Great General, born from a great family as a Divine General, does not obey discipline. Who doesn’t know that this Divine Might General respects only Prince Zhao, and does not acknowledge Your Majesty?"

Jiang Yuan, feeling irritated, simply said: "Yuwen Lie is my country’s pillar, how dare you speak ill of him."

Suddenly, his vision blurred, and the eunuch screamed, pinned directly to the wall by an arrow with blood streaming. After a moment of daze, the eunuch kept screaming while Jiang Yuan sat there stunned, tremulously raising his palm to touch his cheek.

Feeling a burning sting.

He pulled back his hand to see glaring blood.

Jiang Yuan abruptly stood up, his face turning pale, retreating backward in alarm. Dumbfounded for a long time without uttering a word, he felt suffocated within his chest and unsteady under his feet, having to press heavily against the nearby table to maintain balance.

"Your Majesty, save me, Your Majesty!"

The cries echoed.

Jiang Yuan looked up, seeing the little eunuch nailed to the wall, twisting, struggling, and wailing. However, the ferocious and lethal Jin Qi on the arrow emanated a bitter chill, and Jiang Yuan watched as the eunuch on the wall gradually ceased struggling, then died.

The eunuch’s limbs hung limply.

Although Jiang Yuan had been on battlefields and slain men, as emperor, having an arrow brush past his face left an enormous impact and psychological shadow. He clenched his palm tightly, biting his teeth with mixed feelings of violence and fear in his eyes.

"Yuwen Lie!"

Outside the palace’s main gate, the officials were terrified, while He Ruoqinhu shouted in anger: "Yuwen Lie!"

Yuwen Lie merely placed down the bow and arrow, throwing it to the ground, calmly saying:

"I did not kill him."

"If you wish to perform a drama, perform before the emperor."

Yuwen Lie coldly departed, with his horse’s hooves rhythmically clapping on the road, heading straight away, leaving the crowd behind with unsightly expressions.

After exterminating the Guo Family, daringly breaching the ban with his spear, and riding away, Yuwen Lie returned to the Qin Mansion just as Xue Peijun had packed her things, carrying some belongings along with her child.

Yuwen Lie allowed Xue Peijun and the child to sit on the horse’s back, personally holding the spear and leading the horse.

He went straight to Prince Zhao Mansion, saying: "I am merely a colleague of Qin Yulong. If you come to the Yuwen Family, rumors are inevitable. With Prince Zhao’s care, no one dares gossip a word."

Prince Zhao Jiang Gao agreed without hesitation.

He arranged a courtyard for Xue Peijun and her child to dwell in.

He assured them of his protection to the death, telling them not to worry about anything but live in peace. After settling Xue Peijun, Jiang Gao pursed his lips, walked out, and saw Yuwen Lie quietly sitting in front of a lake, his expression mild.

Jiang Gao tidied his appearance, stepped forward, and said:

"While Yulong fights for the nation outside, the emperor has done this; truly a grave mistake. It’s said that Guanglu Doctor Guo Yanjun incited this, and has already been executed by General Yuwen."

Yuwen Lie looked at the lake, saying: "Traitorous official? Instigation?"

"Then why did he not step forth as a traitorous official during the late Emperor’s reign?"

Jiang Gao did not know how to respond, only sighed.

Yuwen Lie said: "A minister is merely a reflection in the emperor’s heart. Guo Yanjun under the late Emperor was a diligent functionary entrusted with the title of Guanglu Doctor, greatly favored and adept in handling state affairs with flourish."

"With the late Emperor’s pass, Jiang Yuan ascended."

"How has he become such a traitorous official now?"

"No matter traitorous or loyal minister, such a person is nothing but commonplace, going with the flow. An able emperor makes him a loyal official, a diligent functionary, whereas an emperor like Jiang Yuan turns him into a sycophant merely pleasing the superior."

Jiang Gao sighed, saying: "General Yuwen, these words must not be uttered carelessly."

Yuwen Lie said: "Before Jiang Yuan took the throne, he could still endure and disguise himself. Just two years after ascending the throne, he no longer pretends, becoming more wanton in his actions."