Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Gu Yannian turned his head and looked directly at Zhu Zhanji.

"In my humble opinion, Your Highness need not launch a forceful attack. With 100,000 troops at the gates of Le'an, we need only dig deep trenches and build high walls to completely surround them."

"Your Highness may order the Shenji Battalion to set up cannons outside the city and bombard the city towers day and night, but not send a single soldier to climb the city walls."

"At the same time, order men to shoot surrender notices into the city. Le'an City has limited food supplies and the people are in a state of panic. In less than half a month, this urgent debt will become a dead debt."

"When the city runs out of food, his generals, in order to save their own lives, will naturally bind the King of Han and hand him over from the city."

"This is the best strategy: to subdue the enemy without fighting."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanji's eyes lit up as if the clouds had parted and the sun had appeared.

Using overwhelming national power to drag down and exhaust the opponent.

The strategy of quelling a rebellion without firing a single shot is truly ingenious.

"A single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of studying military strategy!"

Zhu Zhanji bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Gu. When I return in triumph, I will certainly invite you to celebrate with me!"

"May Your Highness achieve a resounding victory and complete success."

Gu Yannian smiled and returned the greeting.

The following day, 100,000 elite troops of the Beijing Garrison swore an oath in Tongzhou.

With banners obscuring the sun, they marched majestically towards Shandong.

Meanwhile, in the Ministry of Revenue in the capital, Gu Yannian continued his unchanging and routine life.

He sat at his desk, his hands moving rapidly across the sandalwood abacus.

They meticulously calculated the daily consumption of food, gunpowder, and arrows at the front lines.

Ensure that the supply line at the front is like an extremely stable blood vessel, continuously supplying nutrients to the 100,000-strong army.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

That evening, the setting sun, like blood, stained the blue bricks and gray tiles of Shuntian Prefecture with a layer of gold.

"Thump! Thump!"

The deep, resonant sound of the evening drum rang out precisely on time.

Gu Yannian closed the general ledger in his hand, put it into a wooden box with a hidden lock, and stood up to straighten the hem of his bright red official robe.

"Lord Gu, are you leaving office already? I heard there's an urgent military report from the front lines heading to the capital. Aren't you going to wait for news?"

A senior official from the Ministry of Revenue approached, his face full of curiosity.

"It's already late afternoon. There's some extremely important military news, but that's a matter for the Ministry of War and the Cabinet to worry about. I've finished settling my accounts, so I should go home and rest."

Gu Yannian walked out of the Ministry of Revenue compound with a calm expression.

He strolled along the familiar streets and alleys toward Xuanwu Lane.

As I passed a tavern on the street corner, a rich aroma wafted over.

With the autumn winds blowing, it's the perfect time to eat crabs.

"Shopkeeper, pick out two of the fattest crabs with roe, and warm a pot of the finest Shaoxing wine."

Gu Yannian found a seat by the window and casually tossed down a few loose silver coins.

Before long, plump, golden-yellow crabs were served.

He gently tapped open the crab shell with a small silver hammer, picked out a piece of glistening white crab meat, dipped it in ginger vinegar, and put it in his mouth.

Savor this rare and delicious flavor.

Just as he was pouring himself a drink, cheers and the sound of gongs and drums came from the end of the long street.

The cavalry, carrying red flags, rode past, shouting victory slogans.

"A great victory! A great victory! His Highness the Crown Prince besieged the city for ten days without losing a single soldier; Le'an City has fallen!"

"The rebels surrendered the city, and Prince Zhu Gaochi of Han has been captured alive!"

Upon hearing this, the diners in the tavern erupted in deafening cheers and raised their glasses in celebration.

Gu Yannian sat by the window, listening to the noise outside, and only slightly curved the corners of his lips.

I picked up the warm Shaoxing wine in front of me.

He glanced respectfully in the direction of Shandong, then downed his drink in one gulp.

The trajectory of history has become smoother and more stable.

The Han King Rebellion, which was originally scheduled to break out in the first year of the Xuande reign and was extremely dangerous, was just about to begin.

In this way, in the first year of Hongxi's reign, he effortlessly and invisibly resolved the situation by using ample funds and simple psychological tactics.

He picked up a piece of crab roe and savored the simple pleasures of life.

High in the imperial court, far in the rivers and lakes, amidst the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, the ambitions of kings and conquerors.

Ultimately, it is nothing more than a glimpse into the long course of time.

The pleasure of watching lies in knowing the ending yet still enjoying the scenery along the way.

Night quietly falls, and the city lights begin to twinkle.

Gu Yannian paid for the drinks, picked up a dimly lit lantern, and slowly walked into the secluded alley.

Tomorrow at dawn, this grand drama of the mortal world will continue.

The first year of the Hongxi reign, winter month.

The first snow fell on Shuntian Prefecture, and the snowflakes adorned the entire capital city in a silvery white.

The biting north wind swept over the towering city walls, producing a mournful sound like the neighing of warhorses.

Outside Zhengyang Gate, a chilling atmosphere rose into the sky.

Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji, clad in golden armor and riding a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, led his victorious army back to the capital in triumph.

The 100,000 elite troops of the Beijing Garrison were in perfect formation, with swords and spears like a forest, and their synchronized steps made the snow on the ground tremble.

In the very center of the army, a cast-iron cage drawn by several crossbow horses stood out conspicuously.

Inside the prison cart, the once arrogant Prince Zhu Gaochi of Han was now disheveled.

His magnificent princely robe was stained with mud and dried blood.

His hands and feet were bound by heavy iron chains.

Whenever the cage cart jolted, it emitted a dull metallic clanging sound.

People lined the road to watch, pointing and gossiping.

This once arrogant and domineering imperial uncle has finally become a prisoner.

Inside the Ministry of Revenue, the underground heating system was burning brightly.

Gu Yannian, dressed in a bright red official robe, sat upright behind his desk.

He held a purple-tipped brush and steadily wrote on the attendance roster.

[Ding! Today's attendance complete. Attribute point gained +1.]

"Add to physical constitution."

He was silent.

A warm and profound aura emanated from the dantian, continuously nourishing the limbs and the entire body.

The wind was howling outside the window, but he felt warm all over, and even though he was only wearing a thin shirt, he didn't feel the slightest bit of cold.

Over the course of time, this physical body has been polished to resemble a piece of warm jade that has stood for millennia.

It is immune to all evils and unaffected by heat or cold.

"Minister Gu, His Highness the Crown Prince's army has entered Zhengyang Gate. The Emperor is accepting the surrender at Fengtian Gate and has summoned all officials to witness the ceremony. Won't you go and take a look?"

Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, walked in from outside the door, rubbing his hands to warm them as he asked.

Gu Yannian placed the purple brush on the brush holder, picked up the hot tea on the table, took a sip, and looked serene.

"Minister Xia can go. I still have a few accounts of winter clothing sent to the capital from various provinces that haven't been settled, so I can't leave right now."

He smiled slightly, his eyes clear.

"Furthermore, even if the imperial family wins the fight between its own members, it's not something to celebrate. As an official from outside the capital, it's best to stay out of that kind of commotion."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuanji sighed in deep agreement.

"You are a very insightful person. Throughout history, such scenes of fratricide are the most heartbreaking. His Majesty has always been kind and benevolent. Although the rebellion has been quelled, I'm afraid he is still suffering in his heart."

"I'll be going now. You can rest assured and settle your accounts."