Emperor Xue Ye Falls

Thanks to the Balak Kingdom's deliberate publicity, panic had gripped Heaven Dou Imperial City. By now, nearly everyone knew why the Balak Kingdom had rebelled.

When Emperor Xue Ye heard about it, he reportedly coughed up blood again and again.

His health had already been failing. Now, anger took its toll, and he fell unconscious.

According to rumors, Emperor Xue Ye had been unconscious for two days, waking briefly now and then before slipping back under.

Qian Renxue insisted, I didn't poison Emperor Xue Ye... Uh... It wasn't me. I didn't... All right ~_~ ... It was me.

With Emperor Xue Ye unconscious and the Balak Kingdom in rebellion, the Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe," had no choice but to take charge for the time being.

After a series of decisions, even the ministers had to admit that "Xue Qinghe" seemed to be doing a better job than Emperor Xue Ye. He had the makings of a wise ruler.

Once "Xue Qinghe" took charge, he ordered Grand General and Grand Marshal Jiang Tian to lead an army of one hundred thousand, put down the rebellion, and restore peace to Heaven Dou.

A month later, Jiang Tian brought Jiang Mingyang to the outskirts of the Balak Kingdom.

The Balak Kingdom's forces were formidable.

Even so, when Jiang Tian led his troops against the rebels, they crushed everything in their path like dry timber and rotten wood. They advanced without pressure.

After three or four days of fighting, they had recaptured most of the western outskirts of the Balak Kingdom.

But with Spirit Hall secretly supplying aid and other rebel forces lending a hand, Jiang Tian, Jiang Mingyang, and the others found themselves at a stalemate. Pushing the campaign any further proved difficult.

As Spirit Hall's covert support continued, suppressing the rebellion became far harder than the Heaven Dou Empire's leaders had expected. Disorder gradually spread across the empire, then began reaching across the continent...

Fasinuo Province

Beside the granary in Ten Thousand Willows City stood wagon after wagon loaded with grain.

Jiang Mingyang and Ma Hongjun jumped down from one of the wagons and walked to the door of a grain storehouse.

Ma Hongjun slowly unlocked the door. At the sight, Jiang Mingyang declared, "Brothers, get that grain loaded! Drinks are on me afterward."

The soldiers broke into smiles, suddenly full of energy. "Let's do it!" they said, and set to work moving the grain.

As the saying went, before the troops marched, the grain went first.

Bordering the Balak Kingdom, Fasinuo Province was one of the Heaven Dou Empire's major grain-producing regions. It was also, in a sense, Jiang Tian's personal preserve.

This war naturally called for grain supplies. But even with an imperial decree, an ordinary official sent to collect grain in Fasinuo Province would not necessarily find his orders obeyed.

It was also an excellent chance to earn merit. As Jiang Tian's adopted son, Jiang Mingyang had naturally been entrusted with the job!

Once the grain was loaded, Jiang Mingyang treated everyone to some food and drinks.

The next day, the group set out slowly toward the Balak Kingdom.

Jiang Mingyang and Ma Hongjun sat on one of the grain wagons, discussing which route to take.

Pointing at the map, Ma Hongjun said, "Eldest Brother Jiang, are we going back the way we came?

"If we do, we'll have to pass through Barak Canyon. Peaks rise on both sides—it's terrible terrain!

"Fasinuo Province lies to the left of Barak Canyon, and the Balak Kingdom to the right. It's right on the border!

"Even though we've taken control of the area, it's still on the border between the two countries. According to what I've heard, some time ago, a grain convoy was wiped out there by a Soul Master squad sent by the Balak Kingdom!"

Jiang Mingyang nodded. Their group was not the only one transporting grain from Fasinuo Province to the front. There were five teams in all.

They usually took turns, but Barak Canyon posed a special problem.

Tall peaks stretched endlessly along both sides. Taking a safer route around the canyon through the interior of Fasinuo Province would add nearly two hundred kilometers to the journey.

That was why grain convoys usually passed through Barak Canyon. They had recaptured it, after all, and the first few trips had gone smoothly. But some time ago, a Soul Master squad sent by the Balak Kingdom had wiped out an entire grain convoy there.

The official account blamed bandits. As someone among the "higher-ups," though, Jiang Mingyang knew the truth.

After some thought, Jiang Mingyang decided to take the detour. Safety came first; a wealthy family's son did not sit beneath a crumbling roof!

"Let's go around," he said. "Safety comes first."

Over the past month, Jiang Mingyang had served as a grain transport officer under Jiang Tian's arrangements.

It was a low-ranking post, but a vital one.

Jiang Mingyang had now been promoted to Commandant. With his title of Loyal Tranquil Marquis behind him, the other senior officers considered it reasonable, and no one raised an objection.

The promotion thrilled him. At last, he could command a force of his own. No matter the era, only someone with military power in his hands had a chance to fight for the realm.

That day, after mustering the three thousand soldiers under his command, Jiang Mingyang joined the other officers at Jiang Tian's command tent as usual to discuss the campaign.

Jiang Mingyang knew how to seize an opportunity. Now that he was a Commandant, he made a point of getting to know the other officers.

Seeing Jiang Mingyang's potential and mindful of Jiang Tian, the officers were happy to do the same. Interest on both sides soon left him acquainted with quite a few of them.

He did not need to become close friends with these officers. It was enough that they knew who he was.

If trouble ever came, and they had to choose between someone they knew and someone they did not, most people would side with the familiar face. That was enough.

Jiang Mingyang entered the tent laughing and chatting with several officers beside him. They continued talking as they waited for Jiang Tian and the senior commanders.

Before long, Jiang Tian and several Dukes walked in wearing grave expressions. Jiang Mingyang immediately wiped the smile from his face and grew solemn.

Jiang Tian was usually stern during their discussions, but he normally entered with a smile.

Everyone present had risen far enough to know how to read a room. Their smiles vanished at once.

Jiang Tian and the Dukes slowly took their seats at the front. Then, in a heavy voice, Jiang Tian said, "I have terrible news. His Majesty has passed away!"

"What? How is that possible?"

"What? His Majesty is dead?"

"This... this..."

The officers were stunned. Jiang Mingyang was surprised too. By all rights, Emperor Xue Ye should not have died for another six or seven years.

Tsk, tsk... Wonderful... My Qianqian has taken the throne. On... the emperor... how would that be... ah!

When rumors frightened loyal Ti, Mingyang was still humble and had not usurped the throne.

"The Power of Public Opinion"