Chapter 310: How Very Polite

The Empress didn’t even need to lead her army to the frontier; her mere appearance at the Beicang border was enough to make the Beicang people tremble in fear.

Honestly, the Beicang people were both terrified and exasperated. ’What kind of king doesn’t stay holed up in their Imperial Palace, terrified of running into danger outside?’

But Empress Long Sheng was just reckless. Not even an assassination attempt that left her in a coma for over a year could instill any fear or cowardice in her. Shortly after waking, she began a rampage of killing.

Not long ago, King Xian and King Yue were plotting a rebellion with them. And how long had it been since then?

King Xian was dead, King Yue was executed, and Yue Country was annihilated.

Neither a great flood nor the will of the people could stop the Empress from destroying Yue Country. Moreover, after its fall, the floodwaters receded, and the sky filled with a magnificent, rosy light.

It was as if the Heavenly Dao itself was yielding to her.

Their Beicang was weaker than Yue Country to begin with; they stood no chance in a fight.

If the Empress decided to invade, one could foresee the outcome just by imagining it.

Total annihilation.

Thus, when the Empress’s procession arrived before Beicang’s Jade Dragon City, the city’s Defense General opened the gates without hesitation.

The governor, dressed in his official robes, came out with his men to greet them.

"Gong Houyuan, governor of Jade Dragon City, welcomes Your Majesty the Empress!"

The Silver Armor Army slowly parted, revealing a large, luxurious imperial carriage.

The carriage doors were open. Two young Maids pulled aside the beaded curtain, revealing a figure in black seated casually within. Her face was indistinct from this distance, but her posture was one of noble grace. From her silhouette alone, one could feel the intimidating, oppressive majesty of an Emperor.

Yang Jun urged his horse forward. "Our Empress has heard of Beicang’s unique scenery and wishes to tour the lands. Might we be permitted to pass through?"

Gong Houyuan: ’...’ ’You’re being quite polite, as if I could actually refuse.’

’And that eye-searingly bright Silver Armor Army behind you is just so very courteous.’

He bowed slightly and clasped his hands. "For the Empress to grace us with her presence is Beicang’s greatest honor."

With that, he stepped aside, clearing a path to the wide-open city gate.

Yang Jun chuckled, feigning surprise. "Lord Gong is letting us through just like that? Aren’t you going to inform the Beicang King?"

Gong Houyuan: ’...’ ’As if I have the nerve to bar the Empress from entering the city.’

It would take a full day’s ride at top speed to get from Jade Dragon City to the Beicang Royal City.

A round trip to request instructions would give the Empress’s Silver Armor Army just enough time to fight their way there.

He knew how to choose between opening the gates and being branded a coward, versus losing his head to consecrate the banners of the Longsheng Silver Armor Army.

But he couldn’t say what he was thinking.

"The Empress’s fame is renowned, and our own King holds her in the highest esteem. For Your Majesty to be willing to visit is Beicang’s great fortune."

He didn’t dare provoke the Empress, and he believed his King didn’t either.

The gifts sent to the Empress on previous occasions had all passed through his city.

The King’s attitude had been clear for a long time.

Gong Houyuan could feel that after he spoke, a group of Silver Armor Guards were staring at him with looks of deep disappointment.

’Military honors, gone just like that!’

The Silver Armor Guards were a meritocracy where strength was everything, but personal skill was one thing, and military honors were another.

Ability determined one’s rank, but military honors determined one’s glory.

Though the Empress waged wars, her army was so powerful that opportunities for military honors were scarce, with too many contenders for too little glory.

They had finally finished conquering Yue Country and were now heading to Beicang. Every one of them was rubbing their hands in glee, just waiting for a chance to distinguish themselves. But Beicang had simply opened its gates. The military honors right within their grasp had vanished. Of course they were resentful.

Gong Houyuan: ’...’ ’And why do you think I let you in?’

The procession advanced slowly. Gong Houyuan had seen the Silver Armor Army before, but though the equipment and the men were the same, those accompanying the Empress seemed completely different from the ones he’d previously encountered.

They were more imposing, their presence overwhelming. Even their horses held their heads high, looking exceptionally spirited.

A single glance at these guards was enough to feel the Emperor’s majesty.

A line of mounted guards rode past. The massive wheels of the carriage turned, their copper studs glinting with a golden luster.

Knowing the Empress was approaching, Gong Houyuan wisely kept his head bowed. But the carriage wheels stopped right in front of him.

He heard the rustle of the carriage curtain being drawn aside and felt a cool, piercing gaze fall upon him.

"Gong Houyuan."

The voice was cool, tinged with amusement in its casual tone.

Gong Houyuan bowed. "Your Majesty."

"Lift your head."

Gong Houyuan hesitated for a moment before raising his head to gaze directly upon the imperial visage.

Though she was not his sovereign, the pressure she exuded was even weightier than that of the Beicang King.

The Empress had a terrible reputation—cruel, vicious, ruthless, and cold-blooded—but few people ever discussed her appearance.

However, those who paid attention could still deduce from the limited information available that the Empress was exceptionally beautiful.

Though he had braced himself, the sight of her was still breathtaking.

Such a reputation, such methods, such peerless beauty.

Truly peerless, without equal in all the world. A single glance was enough to make one feel that this was how the Empress ought to look, that this was the presence she ought to command.

Gong Houyuan took but a single glance before hastily lowering his eyes. "Does Your Majesty have any commands?"

Xiao Li sized him up, seeming somewhat satisfied. "I have heard that Lord Gong of Jade Dragon City is a capable and principled official. Seeing you today, you are indeed impressive."

Before Gong Houyuan could offer a humble reply, the curtain fell.

The carriage slowly moved on. The Silver Armor Guards behind him politely gave him a wide berth, their gazes even becoming amicable.

The expressions of the civil servants, in particular, were especially intriguing.

The ones in front: ’There go our military honors. A pity.’

The ones in the back: ’A future colleague. Welcome, welcome.’

Gong Houyuan: "..."

’I haven’t said a thing. Why do I feel like I’ve already switched sides?’

The Empress’s ambition toward Beicang was truly blatant and domineering.

He had long heard that the Empress cherished talent, employing people based solely on their character and ability. He never imagined he would one day be fortunate enough to be hand-picked by her.

It was just a single sentence, not an official decree, yet it instilled in him an inexplicable sense of honor at being recognized.

’He’d heard the Empress treated her officials extremely well, with generous stipends and all sorts of benefits. For example, the goods produced by her factories—cloth, candy, oil, salt—were first distributed to her own people...’

’No, I can’t think about this anymore. I was only supposed to be assessing the situation, but now these treasonous thoughts are spiraling out of control.’

’But then he thought of all the years he had guarded the border for Beicang, working diligently in constant fear, sometimes unable to even afford meat... Suddenly, his decision to open the gates felt incredibly wise.’

If the court officials knew what Gong Houyuan was thinking, they would surely break into "gratified" smiles.

’This workhorse who has yet to experience Her Majesty’s methods is so naive and adorable.’

In the imperial carriage, Xiao Li casually set aside a dossier. Emblazoned on the cover were the two words: "Gong Houyuan."

It was part of a thick stack of similar dossiers.

Wang Wanqing reached for the dossier and began to carefully review the annotations.

’If Your Majesty takes Beicang, we’ll be desperately short on administrative personnel. We have to start selecting candidates now.’

Meanwhile, in the two carriages trailing behind, Qiao Ruyan and Jiang Zhou were also hard at work.

Qiao Ruyan was methodical, calm, and composed. Jiang Zhou, on the other hand... was working sullenly.

’He clearly just wanted to be the hedonistic son of a powerful official, but he’d been forced to work hard. And even though it was forced, he was putting more and more energy into it. He couldn’t believe himself.’