While Lin Zhao was earning honor in the Northern Territories, Zhao Shutong was overseeing the enfeoffment of mountains and rivers in the north, and Lin Ruo was leading the Boulder Army to resist the demon race, White Emperor City was seething with undercurrents. The very next day, rumors spread throughout the city. People in the streets and alleys whispered, discussing the impending southward advance of the demon and devil races. The Boulder Army, one of the six great hall divisions of the Great Shang Dynasty, was stationed at Gu Xia Pass, but its commander, Lin Ruo, had repeatedly thwarted the demon race's offensives yet refused to march north to engage the enemy. It was rumored that some cultivators had intercepted a secret letter between Lin Ruo and the demon commander Shi Jungang, revealing their secret collusion. As for why Lin Ruo was unwilling to attack north, it was his strategy of "keeping the enemy to enrich himself." As long as Lin Ruo resisted the demon race in the northern region, the Great Shang Dynasty would continuously supply him with provisions, weapons, and equipment, thereby supporting his fifteen thousand Boulder Army and allocating vast sums from the national treasury to fund his expedition.
In the morning, at the Hall of Diligent Governance.
A Vice Minister of the Ministry of War stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, battle reports have already arrived from the front. For several consecutive days, the Boulder Army has effectively defended Gu Xia Pass, killing nearly a hundred thousand of the demon race. The might of the Boulder Army has greatly intimidated the demons. Now is a heaven-sent opportunity to march north and engage the enemy, yet Commander Lin Ruo remains inactive. Recently, some news has emerged from White Emperor City..."
"What news?"
The young emperor Zhao Jingheng frowned, "You may speak freely."
"Yes!"
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War gritted his teeth and said, "Some people are spreading rumors that cultivators accompanying the army intercepted correspondence between Lin Ruo and the Great Demon Master Shi Jungang. The letters revealed that Lin Ruo promised not to march north to engage the enemy, while Shi Jungang would make a gesture of goodwill by sending some elderly and disabled demon soldiers to their deaths before Gu Xia Pass. This way, Lin Ruo could receive a steady supply of money, grain, and equipment from the court, while Shi Jungang would have time to plan a solution for troubles like the Nine Sword Towers and the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"Are the rumors true?"
Zhao Jingheng said indifferently, "Lord Liu, Commander Lin Ruo is a key minister in the northern region of my Great Shang Dynasty and a renowned general of his generation. How dare you bring such baseless slander and rumor-mongering to the imperial court?!"
"Your Majesty, forgive my transgression!"
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War quickly knelt.
At this moment, Zhao Qiyang stepped forward, his expression rather solemn, and said, "I report to Your Majesty, the Shan Hai Division has also received some whispers. It is said that many generals within the Boulder Army are strongly advocating for a proactive attack on the enemy. This would not only resolve the crisis at Gu Xia Pass but also display the heavenly might of my Great Shang Dynasty. Lin Ruo, as the commander, adhering to a defensive stance, is likely not a viable solution."
"Imperial Uncle..."
The young sovereign frowned and said, "Although I am not knowledgeable in military affairs, I am aware of the historical record of battles between my Great Shang Dynasty and the demon race. There are numerous instances where the demon race, with a force of two hundred thousand soldiers from a single camp, defeated over three hundred thousand of our elite human forces. The ancients did not deceive us. Even in the Battle of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool a hundred years ago, the human race mobilized over five million troops to defeat the demon race's army of tens of millions, and that was only achieved under Lin Baiyi's Heavenly Furnace strategy. It has always been known to our human soldiers that under numerical disadvantage compared to the demon and devil races, victory is almost impossible."
He paused and continued, "Currently, Lin Ruo only has fifteen thousand Boulder Army soldiers, while the demon race boasts a million troops, plus the thirty thousand cavalry of the devil race. Those who urge Lin Ruo to leave the pass and attack the enemy northwards, are their intentions not punishable? Those who claim Lin Ruo colluded with Shi Jungang, what are their true intentions? I understand them."
"Your Majesty, be prudent!"
Zhao Qiyang said gravely, "As the saying goes, times have changed. My Great Shang Dynasty is now strong and prosperous, while the demon race's fortune is nearing its end. Moreover, although Your Majesty has studied military books since childhood, it is merely theoretical knowledge. Your Majesty has never truly been on the battlefield and does not understand warfare. Your loyal servant believes that the most important thing in the Northern Region now is whether Lin Ruo is loyal to the Great Shang. If a decree is issued ordering Lin Ruo to march north, it will be clear where Lin Ruo's allegiance lies."
"This..."
Zhao Jingheng stood up, gritted his teeth, and said, "How can it be like this?"
"Your Majesty!"
Another minister knelt and said, "In the history of our human dynasty, there have been countless instances of great generals betraying their posts in battle. Are there not enough examples? I implore Your Majesty to adopt Prince Jì Nán's loyal counsel, and order Lin Ruo to engage the enemy before disaster strikes, lest one Lin Ruo bring ruin to the great empire of my Great Shang!"
Many ministers knelt one after another, supporting Zhao Qiyang.
"A bunch of mediocre individuals!"
At this moment, Ju Yang Gong Lin Yan turned around, pointed at the assembled courtiers, and sneered, "Do you all wish to condemn my grandson Lin Ruo to death?"
"Ju Yang Gong."
Zhao Qiyang smiled indifferently and said, "Do you remember the incident at Poyang ten years ago? The commanding general, Zhuge Xun, was in many ways similar to the current Lin Ruo. At that time, Ju Yang Gong strongly advocated for forcing Zhuge Xun to fight the devil cavalry to the death. But in the end, Zhuge Xun led his ten thousand troops to defect to the twenty thousand devil cavalry, becoming one of the great shames of the Great Shang in recent years. Why is it that when such a similar situation arises, your magnanimity narrows?"
"You..."
Lin Yan pointed at Zhao Qiyang, so enraged he stomped his feet and beat his chest. The dignified twelve-realm expert was almost choked to death. If he could, Lin Yan would have loved to turn the fat man before him into a mist of blood with a single palm. But by chance, Cao Ying and Huang Qingning, both twelve-realm experts, stood beside the fat man. Lin Yan was powerless to kill him even if he wanted to.
"Please, Your Majesty, issue the decree!"
Zhao Qiyang knelt and pleaded.
For a time, more than seventy percent of the ministers in the court bowed down.
"Jing Heng."
Empress Dowager He, who was listening to the court proceedings from nearby, said softly, "You are still young and do not understand many things. Have you forgotten your father's dying words? If you are unsure about something, you may consult your Imperial Uncle."
"But Lin Ruo..."
Zhao Jingheng gritted his teeth. He had known Lin Ruo since he was very young, and Lin Ruo had even taught him his boxing techniques. Zhao Jingheng knew Lin Ruo's character well; how could someone like him collude with the demon race? But Zhao Jingheng was helpless. He was merely a puppet on the dragon throne; true power lay in the hands of his mother and Zhao Qiyang.
"Jing Heng!"
Empress Dowager He's tone became slightly more severe, "Do not be willful."
"Alright, alright..."
Zhao Jingheng trembled slightly and slowly rose from the dragon throne. "The imperial decree is with you, and the imperial seal is also with you. Write it however you wish. What can I, Zhao Jingheng, say?"
"Jing Heng, what nonsense are you spouting?!" Empress Dowager He said sternly.
"Heh..."
Zhao Jingheng smiled and turned away, leaving the imperial court. Only after he was far away did a faint voice echo back into the court: "Those who corrupt the empire of our human race will eventually face retribution..."
...
In the afternoon.
A golden decree from the Ministry of War of White Emperor City was delivered to Lin Ruo's desk at Gu Xia Pass. This was a golden plaque imperial decree, signed by the Minister of War, representing the highest order from the Ministry of War. The specific command was drafted by the Minister of War himself, ordering Lin Ruo to lead the Boulder Army north to engage the enemy. Additionally, there was another golden plaque imperial decree issued to Wang Ling of the Ji Han Legion, requiring the Ji Han Legion to advance out of the pass and attack the devil formation on the right flank of the Boulder Army after Lin Ruo marched north, to shield the Boulder Army from the onslaught of the devil cavalry from the right.
"Commander..."
A staff officer dressed as a scholar frowned and said, "This golden plaque imperial decree..."
"Pretend you did not receive it."
Lin Ruo frowned and said, "Order the three armies to remain stationary and continue to defend Gu Xia Pass. No one is allowed to leave the city. Anyone who dares to leave the city without authorization will be executed on the spot!"
"Yes, Commander!"
However, by late night, a second golden plaque imperial decree arrived. It was likely that the Shan Hai Division cultivators accompanying the army discovered Lin Ruo's inaction and sent a message via flying fish to White Emperor City. This second golden plaque imperial decree contained even sterner military orders, even carrying threats. If Lin Ruo continued to defy the order, he might no longer be the commander.
Lin Ruo sat alone on the battlements, unfazed by the snow falling on him. Someone in White Emperor City was clearly causing trouble, stirring up trouble. But he, the commander of the vanguard, was helpless, like a puppet on strings. This was already the second golden plaque imperial decree, and perhaps there would be a third. What should he do then? Continue to disobey military orders indefinitely?
At noon the next day, Lin Ruo did not receive a golden plaque imperial decree from the Ministry of War, but instead received an imperial edict from Emperor Zhao Jingheng, with the same wording, ordering Lin Ruo to open the pass and attack the enemy without delay.
But how could he open the pass and attack the enemy? Shi Jungang and Yu Feng had already laid a vast net in the north. A mere fifteen thousand Boulder Army soldiers would not even be enough to fill their teeth. Should he lead fifteen thousand human men to their deaths for this single imperial edict?
He once again disobeyed the military order, accepted the imperial edict, but kept it secret, and simply put it aside.
However, by late night, a sudden burst of flames erupted outside Lin Ruo's room. When he put on his armor and pushed open his door, he found a dense crowd of myriarchs and chiliarchs kneeling outside. Many of them were already covered in a thick layer of snow.
"Commander!"
A myriarch said in a deep voice, "We have learned of His Majesty's imperial edict ordering us to march and engage the enemy. We also know that Commander does not wish for us brothers to die. But this is truly an excellent opportunity to leave the city and engage the enemy. We also do not wish to bear the罪名 (guilt) of defying an imperial decree! Please, Commander, issue the order. We are willing to follow Commander out of the city to fight the enemy!"
Instantly, countless Boulder Army soldiers raised their weapons: "We are willing to follow Commander to fight the enemy. Please, Commander, do not hesitate!"
...
"It's over..."
Lin Ruo, a Heaven Origin realm martial artist with a formidable physique, felt as if all his strength had been drained from him at this moment. He retreated several steps, despair evident on his face. The Boulder Army was finished. This army, which had defended Yangping Pass for centuries, was about to be annihilated. It was entirely unnecessary, but the current situation clearly indicated that someone was spreading rumors and inciting the troops. If he continued to suppress them forcefully, a mutiny would surely occur, making the situation even more uncontrollable.
"I understand..."
Lin Ruo frowned and said, "Generals, please return to your camps immediately to rest and prepare. We will march north to kill demons tomorrow at noon!"