Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 857: The ‘Greater Picture’
Previously on Family Management Game In Immortal Continent...
In the Imperial Preceptor's Manor.
Crown Prince Fei Heng engaged in talks about Western Border affairs alongside Min Youguo.
A subordinate's report came in, causing the faces of the two to shift abruptly.
"Li Tianyue's started a rebellion, and Dongfang Liancheng's called up forces to crush it?"
A dark cloud hung over Crown Prince Fei Heng's features.
He balled up the letter tightly in his fist.
"Has the disorder in the Eastern Border forces grown this severe?
Who would've thought that from the moment I took on the role of Crown Prince, the deep-seated corruption had already festered to such depths.
Li Tianyue turning rebel? No way that's true.
I suspect Dongfang Liancheng plans to use her as a scapegoat to rally the troops' spirits."
"Sigh." Min Youguo let out a heavy breath.
"The Old General's got no other option; he has to focus on the bigger scheme.
All the soldiers in the Eastern Border hail from different groups.
Li Tianyue leads the seasoned fighters; it was only a matter of time before they got sidelined and eliminated as outsiders.
If she had any sense, Li Tianyue would've pulled back from the Eastern Border ages ago and stepped down as general.
I really can't figure out how events spiraled to this mess today."
Fei Heng's brows knit together.
Min Youguo gave a soft chuckle.
"Handling this situation isn't too tricky. The Old General isn't a fool.
He'll capture Li Tianyue, downplay the crisis, and ship her off to the Li Clan.
The Eastern Border stays as it is."
Yet all at once, shock gripped the pair.
An Emberwing Guard rushed in with news—it was Ah Hei, Min Youguo's trusted aide.
"To the Crown Prince and Imperial Preceptor: Strange activity stirs in Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The Dark Division from the Hall of Heavenly Principles has disappeared entirely.
Li Yaozu's come out of isolation and is making for the Forgotten Immortal Lands.
That Li Yaozu serves as the Li Clan's blade of execution, while the Dark Division consists of innate assassins.
I'm afraid... they won't stand for this result."
"On top of that, the Liu Clan in Azure Cloud Prefecture factors in.
Patriarch Liu Wuhuan stays sharp on current events.
Once word reached him of his mother's mistreatment in the Eastern Border, he kicked off recruiting soldiers.
Three thousand have already marched toward the Eastern Border earlier than planned."
"Li Xinnian got wind of it too, yet he's stayed put without action."
At these words, Min Youguo's complexion darkened sharply.
He clenched his jaw and slammed the desk. "Damn fools! The entire family's a bunch of stubborn idiots!"
Fei Heng massaged his temples in frustration.
"Send the command: If this gets botched unfairly, this Crown Prince will pin the blame squarely on Dongfang Liancheng!"
"Understood, Your Highness!"
Ah Hei paused briefly before adding,
"Your Highness, the Ministry of Works seeks your presence. They urge you to deal with the Eastern Border issue most cautiously."
"Eh?" Fei Heng blinked in surprise.
"What's the Ministry of Works got to do with any of this?"
"It's the Silver Moon Li Clan. Patriarch Li Xinjue's boiling with rage.
He's teamed up with loads of noble houses and cultivation families tied to resource extraction to file a collective appeal with the Ministry of Works.
They warn that unless Li Tianyue's case gets fair treatment, they'll stockpile the materials needed for the Ministry's forging work on their own."
...
"So you think your 'grand scheme' excuses picking on my aunt? Fine then, my Li Clan will show you a real 'grand scheme'!"
"Need troops? Ha! From here on out, beg them for your troops!
Azure Cloud Prefecture's territories won't send a single soldier under your command ever again!"
"Craving supplies? Beg them for supplies!
Starting today, no pill, no artifact, no talisman paid for by my Li Clan's levies will reach you!"
"Crave control of the forces? I'll grant you that control.
But heed this: you'll never lead my aunt's battle-hardened veterans again.
Your underlings are just a motley crew, full of dark schemes.
They battle not to defend the homeland at their backs; they're only despicable opportunists lost to avarice!"
Wave after wave of urgent dispatches hammered Dongfang Liancheng like thunderbolts.
Li Kuangren's fierce declaration stabbed into the elder's chest like a dagger, drawing blood.
His gaze turned to the fray.
His former comrade, Li Tianyue, carried the same bold and fierce aura from old times.
Every one of the two hundred thousand in her ranks stood as brave fighters without peer.
Even hemmed in by a million foes, none fell back; their roars boomed low and mighty.
Whereas he, this weary Old General, had long been tainted by the tangled interests of the Eastern Border's 'grand scheme'—how could he tell justice from injustice in such a web?
His disorganized horde retreated steadily, yielding terrain inch by inch to Li Tianyue's commanders.
"Hu! Hu! Hu!"
The troops' rhythmic calls as they arrayed for battle.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
"Woooo—"
Drums thundering and horns wailing faded from his hearing.
His men lacked any valor; only craven deserters lingered.
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