Chapter Four: Command of the Troops! This Man Must Be Dealt With!

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Cheng Lingyu observed her reaction closely, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickering across her brow. After a moment, she sighed softly and said, “General Yang, please rise. I understand your loyalty to the nation and am certain you would never conspire with the enemy. However, this matter concerns the death of Wang Quangui, who was also a member of the Yang Army. Therefore, I intend to launch a thorough investigation starting with your command. Do you have any objections, General?”

Yang Ruyan paused briefly in thought. Though anger simmered within, she had no choice but to bow and accept the decree. “I have no objections. The Yang Army is willing to undergo a full investigation.”

She had not expected the Empress to be aware of Wang Quangui’s case. Yet, with the Turks making a move again, her Yang Army had no choice but to act. So even if something came to light, Yang Ruyan was unafraid.

For now, her goal was simply to delay leaving the throne hall. Once back with the Yang Army, who could say anything to her?

Empress Cheng Lingyu continued, “I hear that the Yang Army only follows your orders, General. If I appoint someone to conduct this investigation, would that not be defying my command?”

At these words, Yang Ruyan’s expression shifted slightly. What did this imply?

Cheng Lingyu’s tone seemed complimentary, but the real intent was a reprimand—a reminder that the Yang Army’s loyalty to one person alone bordered on insubordination.

Could this be an operation aimed at her personally?

With this thought, Yang Ruyan clenched her fists, her gaze resolute. “May I ask, Your Majesty, what are your orders? The Yang Army was personally trained by me. They have fought alongside me on the battlefield, so naturally, they obey my commands.”

“You are the Emperor; I am but a subject. Since they are willing to follow me, they will also comply with the will of the Great Wilderness and Your Majesty.”

Though her words seemed reasonable, everyone understood the deeper implications.

Seeing her slight tension, Cheng Lingyu smiled faintly. “That is good. It reassures me.”

Yang Ruyan exhaled quietly. It seemed the Empress only sought a promise from her, not to keep her here indefinitely.

But whatever the case, after the court session, she must consult with the young marquis to devise a strategy. She could not allow Chu Nan to continue appearing recklessly.

Yang Ruyan’s every move had long been under Cheng Lingyu’s watchful eye.

Just as everyone thought the session was about to end, Cheng Lingyu suddenly called out, “Tao Chun, Minister Tao!”

Tao Chun immediately stepped forward. “Present!”

Though Cheng Lingyu addressed Tao Chun, her gaze remained fixed on Yang Ruyan.

“This matter regarding Wang Quangui’s treason, I entrust it entirely to you. But I wonder, will the Yang Army obey your command, Minister Tao?”

A twitch appeared at the corner of Tao Chun’s mouth. That seemed unlikely.

If only they would heed her orders, she thought, she might not have to seek imperial instructions so frequently during the investigation.

She had not expected the Empress to assign her such a thorny task.

As Minister of Justice, she had handled many cases, but investigations involving treason were always fraught with difficulties.

Tao Chun turned to Yang Ruyan and said solemnly, “I accept the order, but will need General Yang’s cooperation.”

Cheng Lingyu’s voice rang out once more: “General Yang, how do you respond?”

Yang Ruyan forced a faint smile. “Of course, I will comply with Minister Tao and Your Majesty’s investigation and directives.”

Receiving this answer, Cheng Lingyu finally revealed a genuine smile.

“Since Minister Yang agrees, General, you are to temporarily relinquish your military command. Once Minister Tao completes the investigation, I shall restore your authority.”

Her voice was firm and unyielding.

The court hall fell into a terrifying silence.

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Because of one traitor, the military command of Yang Ruyan was to be directly revoked?

Even worse, no one dared speak up for her. Under the banner of investigating treason, who would dare utter a word of dissent?

Yang Ruyan’s heart tightened.

Relinquishing command meant losing everything. Though it was said the authority would be returned after the investigation, if they found an excuse not to, she would be in real trouble.

After some reflection, she declared firmly, “I’m afraid I cannot hand over my command.”

Cheng Lingyu raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze. “General Yang, you must understand that one of your subordinates has betrayed the nation. If you refuse to surrender your command, how can you command respect? How can you escape suspicion?”

“Or could it be that General Yang knew of the treason all along?”

At this, Yang Ruyan bowed her head even lower.

“I did not know…”

She dared neither admit nor hesitate. One wrong word now could cost her life.

Tao Chun beside her wiped a cold sweat.

Given the circumstances, she had no choice but to oppose the ascending General Yang.

The Empress’s attitude was clear today: she intended not only to reclaim Yang Ruyan’s authority but to seize control of the entire situation.

But why had the Empress never targeted the Yang family before, only to strike now?

Could there be some unspeakable secret between the “Imperial Merchant” and the Empress?

At this stage, no matter her reluctance, Yang Ruyan could not stand against Cheng Lingyu.

After careful thought, she chose to yield.

“It is my oversight. I am now willing to hand over the Yang Army to assist Minister Tao in the treason investigation.”

She respectfully handed a tiger tally to a palace maid.

This tally symbolized her authority to command the entire Yang Army.

With it, the investigation would proceed more smoothly, and it would ease Cheng Lingyu’s concerns.

The palace maid passed the tally to Cheng Lingyu.

Without looking, she tossed it straight to Tao Chun.

“Make sure to investigate thoroughly! This is not only for the Great Wilderness but also to clear the Yang Army’s name.”

Tao Chun felt the weight of responsibility and took the tally. “I will not fail Your Majesty. I will clear General Yang and the Yang Army’s unjust suspicion.”

“If there are no other matters, the court is adjourned!”

…

Modern day, Flower City.

Chu Nan’s return was not for supplies but to procure weapons for self-defense!

In the Great Wilderness Dynasty, martial arts existed.

Chu Nan had none, so he could only seek modern weapons.

Before Yang Ruyan severed ties, he had no need to consider such things.

But now, circumstances were different; any day he might be targeted by Yang Ruyan.

For his safety, Chu Nan had to make preparations.

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For Chu Nan, the most practical self-defense weapon was a handgun.

But if discovered, it would draw the attention of multiple factions, leading to pursuit and capture, creating more trouble.

Therefore, before establishing his own power base, he could not risk bringing such items along.

After consideration, he chose a triangular bayonet and pepper spray as his defense tools.

He went to the black market and purchased a sturdy, sharp triangular bayonet.

At the same time, he ordered several bottles of same-day delivery pepper spray online.

He also remembered something else—a lighter!

Though the Great Wilderness had flint and steel, Chu Nan didn’t know how to use them, and nothing was more convenient than a lighter.

But he had to be careful with this as well; if discovered, it could cause unnecessary trouble.

For three years, Chu Nan had avoided exposing any advanced technology or items foreign to the Great Wilderness era.

Many supplies he sent were repackaged twice to avoid suspicion.

…

In the Great Wilderness capital, within the Marquis of Heavenly Sword’s mansion.

Yang Ruyan angrily told the young marquis, “Chu Nan somehow managed to connect with a branch of the royal family!”

“Worse still, it seems they serve the Empress directly. All evidence ended up in the Empress’s hands, and I nearly died in the Golden Orchid Hall because of it!”

“Though I escaped, I had to surrender my military command…”

The young Marquis of Heavenly Sword was shocked and asked urgently, “Could it be that Cheng Lingyu uncovered something and is deliberately giving you trouble? By the way, you didn’t hand over the tiger tally, did you?”

The tiger tally was the key to military command, the most crucial piece.

Even though the Marquis’s mansion had some troops secretly, they were no match for the official army in training and scale.

Their operations were minor skirmishes at best.

A marriage alliance with the Yang family focused more on the Yang Army than on Yang Ruyan herself.

“No, I would never hand over the tiger tally…”

Yang Ruyan averted her gaze and continued, “But the Yang Army will soon undergo investigation by Tao Chun and the Empress.”

The young marquis breathed a sigh of relief, quickly forming a plan in his mind.

“Chu Nan must be dealt with. But since Cheng Lingyu is watching you, you must keep a low profile for now.”

“Next, I will…”

He bent down and whispered the plan to Yang Ruyan.

Yang Ruyan nodded. “We’ll proceed as you suggest.”

“I’ll stay quietly at the Yang residence for a while. If anything happens, come to me.”

The young marquis smiled and embraced her. “Good! On such a fine day, why don’t we share a bed?”

“As for Chu Nan… he’s already on a path to his own demise!”