Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 568 Zhang Yuan, Garrison Commander of Donghan County, concurrently serves as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Frontier Campaign
On the day the dragon-headed warship of the Zhen Tian Si arrived in the capital, the clouds above the imperial city swirled as if boiling.

The "Eastern Wei Landscape Map" in Ji Yuntang's arms unfolded on its own, and nine purple wisps of energy soared into the sky from the Wenyuan Pavilion, resonating loudly with the Yongzhou Cauldron suspended in the Qianyang Hall.

"Zheng——"

The character "Qin" engraved on the body of the cauldron suddenly peeled off and transformed into a three-thousand-foot-long golden spear phantom that pierced the sky.

Ji Yuntang stepped onto the steps of Qianyang Palace, his graying temples turning as blue as ink as the flow of the literary energy, each step forming the seal script of mountains and rivers on the jade steps.

"Your subject Ji Yuntang—" As the old scholar's wide sleeves billowed, the illusory image of the 30 million li of mountains and rivers of the Eastern Wei Dynasty swirled in the dome. "I have not failed the imperial command and have brought back the map of the Eastern Wei Dynasty's mountains and rivers."

The thirteen scripture pavilions of Wenyuan Pavilion trembled simultaneously, and the seventy-two chains that bound Confucianism and Taoism broke inch by inch!
With the power of heaven and earth bestowed upon him, Ji Yuntang entered the Grandmaster realm!
Three days later, the Heavenly Guards of the Zhen Tian Division, who were conquering Liangyuan, delivered the first batch of Buddhist treasures.

The carriage frame, stretching for ten miles, transformed into golden clouds from the light of Buddha's essence.

Hundreds of eminent Buddhist monks were sent to the Zhen Tian Si (a local administrative unit).

They will work with students from the Imperial Academy who are skilled in seal carving to reshape the Twenty-Eight Demon-Suppressing Pillars for the Zhen Tian Division.

Eastern border.

The Prefectural Governor's Office of Jiujiang Prefecture.

Yu Kuizhen stepped slowly into the room on a three-foot-wide black brocade carpet. The gilded jade axle in her hand struck the dragon-patterned fish charm at her waist, and the clear sound drowned out the clanging of the iron horses on the eaves.

"Marquis Zhang Yuan of Qingyang receives the imperial decree—"

The drawn-out note echoed among the thirty-six black flags of Zhentian, their fluttering sounds resonating in the wind.

The four-clawed golden python on Yu Kuizhen's brocade badge swelled with his breath, and the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department no longer had his usual smile; his eyes were filled with the solemnity of announcing an imperial edict on behalf of Heaven.

Zhang Yuan bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, and the entire hall was completely silent.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: "Nine illusory dragons floated on the imperial edict that Yu Kuizhen unfolded, making each seal script character appear as if cast in gold. "Zhang Yuan, Deputy Commander of the Zhen Tian Division, shall be appointed as the Garrison Commander of Dong Han County."

On the back of the imperial edict unfolded in Yu Kuizhen's hand, the four-clawed golden python seemed to come alive, raising its head and spitting out its tongue.

As the imperial edict closed, Yu Kuizhen smiled.

"Congratulations, Marquis Qingyang! You are now the first Marquis in the history of the Great Qin Dynasty to hold both the power of the Zhen Tian Si and the military power of the border prefectures." Yu Kuizhen presented the imperial edict to Zhang Yuan with both hands. "His Majesty trusts you, Brother Zhang, you must not let him down."

Zhang Yuan accepted the imperial edict with both hands and nodded.

Back then, the ninth-rank military guards of Luyang Prefecture never imagined that things would turn out this way.

It wasn't just about bestowing titles and privileges upon one's wife and children; it also meant governing a region, which meant wielding great military power.

Yu Kuizhen's smile slowly faded as she looked at the several figures waiting outside the hall.

Outside the main hall, Marquis Ji Liang of Xichang, Duke Han Qi of Ningguo, Vice Minister of War Zhou Chang, and Marquis Xun Huo of Pingyun strode in.

"Your Majesty's oral order—"

Nine illusory dragons appeared on the imperial edict that Yu Kuizhen had reopened, making each seal script character look as if it were cast in gold: "Han Qi, Duke of Ningguo, has made outstanding contributions and is hereby appointed as a pillar of the state."

Zhou Chang, the Vice Minister of War, ensured that the finances and provisions of the three prefectures and sixteen counties were in perfect order, and was awarded a purple-scaled fish-shaped tally.

"Marquis Xichang, Ji Liang, and Marquis Pingyun, Xun Huo, have rendered meritorious service in the joint siege of Yuncang City, and are each awarded three Dragon Blood Pills."

Looking at the crowd in the hall, Yu Kuizhen's expression turned solemn.

He took out a purple-gold scroll from his robes and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty's secret decree."

As the secret edict was unfurled and the jade scroll rolled down, the unique star patterns of the Imperial Observatory intertwined in the air to form an imperial decree:

"The Vice Minister of War, Zhou Chang, is appointed to act as the Prefect of Jiujiang, overseeing the finances and provisions of the three prefectures and sixteen counties."

"Duke Han Qi of Ningguo was appointed Grand Commander of the Eastern Frontier Campaign, in charge of all military expeditions."

“Zhang Yuan, the garrison commander of Donghan County, concurrently served as the deputy commander of the Eastern Border Campaign and trained five million new troops.”

"The Marquis of Pingyun and the Marquis of Xichang assisted in the establishment of the Eastern Border Campaign. The training of the three armies and the preparation of border affairs were all decided by the Marquis of Qingyang."

The four characters "as if I were personally present" at the end of the edict suddenly transformed into a dragon shadow, and a faint voice rang out.

"Within three years, I want the eastern border to be as solid as an iron barrel. Can you, my ministers, accomplish that?"

Zhang Yuan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist and shouted, "Yes, sir!"

The others exchanged glances, clasped their hands in greeting, and bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

------------------

Donghan County.

Qingjiang Prefecture, Yushui County. Fifty li outside the county seat lies the territory of Jiujiang Prefecture.

Along the main road, hundreds of black-armored cavalrymen stood at attention.

"That's... the Black Knights of the Black Ice Platform..."

Upon seeing these black-armored cavalry, passing merchants would instinctively take a detour.

The bloodthirsty aura emanating from those warhorses sent chills down one's spine.

"What day is it today? Five hundred Black Riders have gathered. The last time the Black Riders were gathered in Donghan County was at the beginning of last year when we fought against Wei Gou."

Someone stood at a distance, watching the black-armored army formation, and couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

Donghan County is the most chaotic place in the eastern border, with a complex web of Jianghu forces. It also borders Eastern Wei, Qi, and Zhao, making it heavily infiltrated.

Especially with the arrival of powerful figures from outside the region, Donghan County is finding it increasingly difficult to resist.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Qingyang led the Zhen Tian Si army into the eastern border, which made all sides wary, and things have calmed down a lot recently.

Not far from the formation of five hundred black cavalry, an elderly man with a short beard, dressed in the robes of a seventh-rank civil official, stood in front of the carriage, his face showing hesitation and struggle.

"Just who is this important figure coming to my Yushui County that even the commander of the Black Ice Guard is here to greet him..."

He was Cao Jiada, the magistrate of Yushui County.

Having received a report that a large contingent of black-armored cavalry was passing through the area, he rushed over immediately.

He didn't recognize the people standing in front of the army, but he recognized the one in the lead as Cao Xuan, the Earl of Yongkang and commander of the Black Ice Terrace of Donghan County.

This Earl of Yongkang was transferred here from Hefen County before the new year.

At this moment, everyone in front of the Black Rider formation looked up and gazed into the distance.

"The Marquis is finally coming to Donghan County. I'm afraid only the Marquis can clean up this mess in Donghan County." The black-armored general who spoke removed his mask, his expression revealing excitement.

The Black Riders were led by Wen Liu, who was originally the Black Rider Captain of the Black Ice Terrace in Zhengyang County. He followed Zhang Yuan to train the Black Riders.

Now, Wen Liu is not only a fifth-rank Black Rider Commander, but also a half-step Grandmaster level expert.

Of course, Cao Xuan, who was already at the peak of the Dragon-Elephant realm beside him, was much stronger than him.

Not far from Cao Xuan was Young Master Tao, dressed in a blue robe.

Young Master Tao had entered Donghan County early on and helped Zhang Yuan consolidate the power in Donghan County.

For example, many of those who came to wait and welcome Zhang Yuan today were his former subordinates.

Chen Wu, who was trained in Luyang Prefecture, is now the Commandant of the Martial Guard Office in Donghan County. Huang Sanliang is also in charge of a thousand Martial Guards.

On the other side, dressed in black robes, was Chen Wu's brother-in-law, Feng Cheng, whom Zhang Yuan had valued highly and had entrusted with the command of the secret guards.

Feng Cheng's current cultivation level is only at the Innate Realm, but he is much more agile and his eyes are bright.

Beside them were several other students trained by Yulin Academy, all of whom already possessed a certain air of refinement.

Not far away, Lu Changwu, an elite from Donghan County, along with several members of the Lu family and a few elites from other prominent families, waited there with tense expressions.

"Brother Lu, have you really met Marquis Qingyang?" A young man in his thirties asked in a low voice beside Lu Changwu.

Lu Changwu nodded, a look of reverence on his face.

"That was in Zhengyang County. I personally witnessed the Marquis of Qingyang training his martial arts to test his officers, and he swept through the Jianghu of Zhengyang County in one battle..."

Ahead, smoke and dust appeared.

Everyone looked up, their faces solemn, their eyes filled with excitement.

Chen Wu and the others unconsciously clenched their fists.

"Brother Yuan..."

"Master Hou."

Who could have imagined that these brothers from the Luyang Prefecture Military Guard would reunite in Donghan County?

When we met again, the Yuan-ge of yesteryear had become the Marquis of Qingyang of the Great Qin Dynasty!

"coming!"

(End of this chapter)