My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Liu Qingyuan's voice rang out in the lobby.

"Patriarch, Li Xuancang is already a captain leading an army at a young age. His strength is even above Du Tianfeng's. His future is limitless. He is worthy of my Liu family's eldest daughter."

Liu Qingyuan was very familiar with Li Xuancang's deeds and had high hopes for his future.

Liu Wenyuan and several clan elders' eyes lit up. Li Xuancang was definitely a chosen one, which made their hearts flutter.

Although Li Xuancang lacked the support of a clan, his strength at the late stage of the Gangqi Realm alone was enough to make the Liu family take him seriously.

A Qi Condensation Realm expert is already a powerful figure, and the Liu family doesn't have many of them; there's only one person at the late Qi Condensation Realm.

If they could form a marriage alliance with Li Xuancang and bring him onto the Liu family's side, the Liu family would gain a great boost.

"Qingyuan, what do you mean?"

Liu Wenyuan looked at Liu Qingyuan, wanting to know his plans.

Liu Qingyuan didn't hide anything and shared his thoughts.

"I intend to betroth my daughter, Peiyu, to Li Xuancang."

Liu Qingyuan had long planned to make Li Xuancang his son-in-law.

At this moment, an elder objected, saying, "No."

"If Li Xuancang is rejected by the Pei family, and my Liu family were to marry our eldest daughter to him, wouldn't that mean my Liu family is inferior to the Pei family?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

The others pondered this, then nodded slightly, agreeing that it was indeed true.

"The three elders are right; this matter was ill-considered."

Liu Wenyuan also agreed that what the three elders said was very true.

For powerful and influential families, sometimes face is more important than life itself.

The Pei family looks down on Li Xuancang, yet the Liu family marries their eldest daughter to him. If word gets out, the Liu family will become a laughing stock.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyuan looked furious.

Having experienced the events in Anzhou, he had profound insights.

No family aristocracy or prestige can compare to real strength.

With the world on the verge of chaos, only strong power can ensure one's survival.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Liu family is located in Yangzhou and can rest easy for the time being.

However, the situation can change rapidly, and the Liu family cannot remain uninvolved.

Strengthening the family's power by any means necessary is the only way to succeed.

"Patriarch, Li Xuancang has immense potential; we cannot afford to miss him!"

Liu Qingyuan remained undeterred and continued to persuade Liu Wenyuan.

Liu Wenyuan looked conflicted.

Li Xuancang's strength and potential are astonishing, but the Liu family's reputation is even more important.

"Qingyuan, let's just forget about this!"

Liu Wenyuan still objected.

Although Li Xuancang is good, the eldest daughter of the Liu family has no trouble finding a husband, and she may not be unable to find someone comparable to Li Xuancang.

"Ugh!"

Liu Qingyuan sighed, deeply disappointed with his family.

"You'll regret this."

Liu Qingyuan ignored everyone and left the hall.

Li Xuancang was unaware that the Liu family had quarreled over him and was awaiting the imperial court's appointment.

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and the Li family has gotten used to life in Yangzhou and grown to love it here.

"My lord, the imperial court has arrived. Please proceed to the prefect's residence."

Nangong Zhan came to report.

Let's go!

Finally, someone from the imperial court arrived, and Li Xuancang was eager to know how the court would arrange things for him.

When Li Xuancang arrived, Du Tianfeng, Liu Qingyuan, Huang Tianyun, Pei Hongwen, and others were all present.

Seated in the main seat was a man of extraordinary bearing, with no white beard.

Once everyone had arrived, Wang Dajian's shrill voice rang out.

"Now that all the esteemed officials have arrived, I shall begin reading the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback and listened attentively, eager to know how the imperial court would arrange things for them.

Where is Li Xuancang?

Wang Dajian's gaze swept over the crowd, and Li Xuancang stepped forward with composure.

"Your subordinate is here."

Wang Dajian's sharp gaze fell on Li Xuancang, scrutinizing him carefully, trying to understand him.

Li Xuancang remained neither humble nor arrogant, showing no sign of nervousness, allowing Wang Dajian to spy on him at will.

Li Xuancang's performance prompted Eunuch Wang to nod slightly, withdraw his gaze, and begin reading the imperial decree.

"Colonel Li Xuancang repeatedly performed extraordinary feats during the great chaos in Anzhou..."

As Wang Dajian continued reading, everyone in the hall was astonished, and all eyes were on Li Xuancang.

They never expected that the young man before them would have made so many contributions.

At this rate, if Li Xuancang breaks through to the Profound Realm, he might even become the garrison commander of a prefecture.

"When Anzhou's border was in ruins and the entire city was overthrown, he led the army to cover the rear and protect the officials as they broke through the encirclement. He was meritorious and loyal beyond compare."

His long list of meritorious service, each word resounding and each sentence true, moved all the civil and military officials in the hall, and none of them dared to object.

The imperial court highly valued generals like Li Xuancang, who were brave, tenacious, and exceptionally capable in battle.

"Now, Li Xuancang is hereby appointed as the Garrison Commander of Ganquan County, to be stationed in this border region."

"Five thousand elite soldiers were assigned to their full command to garrison the entire territory of Ganquan."

As soon as Eunuch Wang finished speaking, everyone in the hall was shocked and horrified.

Although there is no difference in official rank between a garrison commander and a captain, their actual power is worlds apart.

A captain can lead an army independently, but he is subject to the jurisdiction of the garrison commander and the control of the prefect.

Even high-ranking officials such as governors, vice-governors, and registrars could issue orders beyond their rank.

The garrison commander held both military and political power, and all military and political affairs of the prefecture were decided by his word.

It was an independent army, not subject to the jurisdiction of the garrison, and the governor's office was not allowed to interfere.

He was directly responsible to the imperial court and the emperor, making him a true regional governor.

Everyone looked at Li Xuancang with envy; at such a young age, he had already taken charge of a prefecture, which truly inspired awe.

Ganquan County is located on the northernmost border of the Great Yan Dynasty, adjacent to the vast grasslands and the territory of the barbarian tribes.

Every year there is war, every month there is disturbance; the iron cavalry of the grasslands raid southwards year after year, knocking on the gates and invading the borders, and the flames of war never cease.

This place is dangerous, bitterly cold, and frequently embroiled in war.

The imperial court appointed Li Xuancang to Ganquan County to give him important responsibilities and to appoint him according to his abilities.

Let's not waste his invincible fighting power; let him guard the country's borders, resist foreign invaders, and protect the northern frontier of the Great Yan.

Many renowned generals in the army had served as the garrison commander of Ganquan County, which was a signal that the court had high hopes for Li Xuancang and wanted to give him an important position.

After the appointment was made, the rewards were also bestowed.

The riches and honors included fertile fields, military equipment and armor, military supplies, meritorious titles and edicts, and cultivation resources.

"Li Xuancang receives the imperial decree."

Li Xuancang accepted the imperial decree with a loud and clear voice.

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young. Lord Li, you must not disappoint the imperial court."

Wang Dajian's words were quite meaningful.

He then proceeded to announce the appointments and removals of the remaining officials.

Merits and demerits are judged separately, and all are punished with demotion without exception.

Liu Qingyuan failed in his duty to defend the territory and was ineffective in overall planning. Although he tried his best to defend the city and was not guilty of treason, he could not escape blame for the loss of the city.

He was demoted to the position of Registrar of Liuzhou, falling from a high-ranking official in a region to a minor official in the prefecture.

Du Tianfeng remained a captain, but no specific assignment was given to him.

This should be the result of the Du family's mediation.

Du Tianfeng's injuries were severe and he needed to recuperate, which is why the imperial court had not made any arrangements for him for the time being.