Chapter 716: Mobilizing Troops at Dusk
The next day, after breakfast at the inn, Lolan Hill inquired about Bumo Yin’s plans.
“I will immediately report these matters to Luo Capital and seek prompt approval from the court before mobilizing troops,” Bumo Yin said. After suffering a setback at Governor Tu Haocang’s hands yesterday, she had barely slept through the night. Her response was weak, but her expression suggested she still harbored resentment and wanted to confront the governor.
Lolan Hill tried to soothe her, then expressed her desire to speak with the governor again today.
“Does Miss Jialan still have any hope for this governor? From what I see, he’s a cold-hearted man who prioritizes profit,” Bumo Yin shook her head. Yesterday’s experience left her without much hope of convincing him.
“Since we’re here, let’s give it one more try.” Lolan Hill thought that this governor wasn’t stupid or short-sighted; if she could clarify the stakes and overcome the obstacles, perhaps she could persuade him. Considering their recent experiences, the governor seemed quite capable and not just a mediocre official. If he truly cooperated, it would be a significant aid.
Regardless of his true nature, the lives of hundreds of thousands in the Dusk Mountains took precedence over anything else for now.
“I don’t want to see him anymore. If Miss Jialan wishes to, she can use my other token to gain entry,” Bumo Yin shook her head. The incident had left her shaken.
Afterward, Bumo Yin retrieved a smaller token and gave it to Lolan Hill before returning to her room to continue writing urgent reports.
With Bumo Yin’s travel permit in hand, Lolan Hill donned her veil and hat and headed toward the governor’s residence.
A grand black gate stood on the street, flanked by several elite guards, all clad in full armor and wearing gold-copper masks, exuding authority and power.
As the governor of a province, responsible for the livelihoods of millions under his jurisdiction, his power far exceeded that of other officials. They were key pillars of the dynasty, supporting its vast system.
At the main entrance, the guard recognized the girl from yesterday and asked, “Miss, are you here to see Governor Tu?”
“Yes,” the girl nodded slightly and produced two tokens from her waist. One was a yellow token from the Xiangyu Sect, and the other was Bumo Yin’s deputy token from the Xuanhua Mansion.
“Please wait a moment, Miss,” the guard glanced over the tokens and entered the mansion to report.
“A middle-aged aide in black emerged from the mansion shortly afterward.”
“Apologies, Miss Jialan. Governor Tu is feeling unwell today and does not wish to meet anyone. Please return,” he said, clearly referring to the same person from yesterday.
It seemed Bumo Yin had upset the governor quite badly. Lolan Hill began to think of other matters before speaking.
“Please report again that Miss Jialan represents the Xiangyu Sect and requests your assistance, as there has been a major upheaval in the Zhaoye Palace guarding the Dusk Mountains. If not handled properly, both the Zhaoye Palace and the Xiangyu Sect will suffer. We ask the governor to lend a hand, and the Xiangyu Sect will remember this friendship,” Lolan Hill said.
One must appeal to those who prioritize profit using similar means. Moral arguments were of little use to such people; they were entirely pragmatic.
Seeing the earnestness in the girl’s tone and demeanor, which differed from the previous day, the aide felt a sense of goodwill. As the governor’s subordinate, he did not wish to escalate tensions with the Xuanhua Mansion without benefit. Making enemies without gain could hinder his career.
“Please wait a moment, Miss Jialan,” he bowed and returned inside.
Lolan Hill waited nearly 20 minutes before the mansion gates finally opened. The aide informed her that Governor Tu was willing to see her.
She followed him into the mansion, which was as solemn and silent as a military camp.
After navigating through several corridors and courtyards, the aide brought her to a secluded courtyard where a lotus pond lay, and Governor Tu Haocang sat by the water in a pavilion.
“Governor, Miss Jialan has arrived,” he reported before stepping back and standing outside to await further orders.
“Hello, Miss Jialan,” the governor wore a deep green robe without any decorations, appearing quite plain.
If not for the governor’s residence, one might mistake him for a common scholar on the streets.
“Governor Tu,” Lolan Hill removed her hat and veil, slowly entering the pavilion and sitting opposite him. A stone table between them held two teacups and a teapot, steam rising from the spout, indicating it had been freshly brewed.
“Miss Jialan, do you have something to discuss?” They wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Yes,” Lolan Hill nodded and recounted her observations in the Dusk Mountains, detailing the number of demons and the situation at the Zhaoye Palace.
Unlike Bumo Yin’s vague account, Lolan Hill’s narrative was detailed and precise, causing Governor Tu to grow increasingly serious.
“So severe. Has the situation deteriorated to this extent?” He frowned.
Though the border guards might have reported regularly, their understanding was limited since they were stationed at the border and had not fully grasped the severity.
“Yes,” Lolan Hill pondered briefly and retrieved a gemstone from her sleeve, imprinting the scene she witnessed onto it and placing it on the table.
Seeing the demons and high-level spirits surging across the mountains, Governor Tu’s expression grew increasingly grave. If the situation was indeed this dire, disaster could strike before he could leave office.
Even if he evacuated the populace beforehand, once the situation escalated and affected neighboring provinces, implicating millions, he would face scrutiny and blame. Even if he couldn’t be faulted in his duties, he would leave a bad impression with the monarch.
He had initially believed the demons were minor nuisances resulting from natural changes. However, given the complexity and severity of the situation, things were far more serious than he had imagined.
“Thank you for your warning, Miss Jialan,” he thanked her, tapping his fingers on the table as he pondered his options.
After a long silence, he spoke again.
“Though I appreciate your warning, I’m afraid we cannot mobilize troops recklessly,” he replied after some deliberation.
“Why not?” Lolan Hill’s eyes showed a mix of curiosity and confusion. What was causing the governor such hesitation?
Tu Haocang gazed out at the lotus pond, contemplating before answering.
“From an outsider’s perspective, mobilizing troops seems like the best choice, but there are many issues to consider,” he began explaining.
“Firstly, what is the reason and purpose for mobilization?”
“As the governor of Xiyou Province, I am not the governor of the Dusk Mountains. Matters there are managed by institutions like the Zhaoye Palace and Xuanhua Mansion. Unauthorized mobilization is a breach of protocol.”
“Although Xuanhua Mansion’s envoy could provide backing, it remains taboo in the political arena. The more power one wields, the more one must be cautious. Any misstep could lead to accusations of rebellion,” he explained the first point.
Lolan Hill gradually understood the delicate balance of trust and authority between ruler and official. Repeated unauthorized troop movements, even with valid reasons, would eventually make the monarch wary, leading to rejection and demotion.
“Secondly, how does this benefit Xiyou Province?”
“After a disaster, Xiyou Province will indeed be affected, but if we fortify our defenses and evacuate civilians, wouldn’t that ensure safety and minimize casualties? Why rush into a dangerous area, disregarding the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers?”
“My duty is to protect the citizens of Xiyou Province, not the Dusk Mountains.”
“Thirdly, how can this be resolved?”
“The fragmented Heavenly Gates, the foul Ninefold Yin Qi, and the corrupted Dragon Veins are long-standing issues left by the dynasty. If they could be easily resolved, previous rulers and immortals would have acted. Mobilizing troops into the Dusk Mountains would only trap countless soldiers. Over time, logistical support, compensation, and personnel reassignment would create myriad problems. It would be a lose-lose situation.”
“If we fail to stop the demons, countless soldiers will have died in vain, bringing no additional benefits to Xiyou Province. Then public outcry would rise, and the people would accuse me of exploiting others’ sacrifices for personal gain.”
After finishing, the governor paused to sip his tea.
So complex, Lolan Hill thought, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. She pondered solutions.
“In fact, there are ways to address the third issue,” she knew her words might be hard to believe but continued to explain.
“I have some knowledge of the Dragon Rain Ritual. It can clean up the fragmented Heavenly Gates. Perhaps it’s a gift of talent,” explaining the secret technique was too complicated, and if such a technique existed, why hadn’t it been discovered earlier?
Thus, Lolan Hill attributed it to her innate talent. After all, talents vary widely, and history has seen spatial-related abilities. But even the pinnacle of spatial abilities still falls short of the Space Witch.
However, Dorothy’s power was merely a fragment of the Moon Crown. Although the Moon Crown had shattered, it could still exert limited control over small areas, making it useful.
Seeing the black-robed silver-haired girl’s explanation, Tu Haocang shifted his gaze, somewhat skeptical.
Lolan Hill shook her head and swept her hand over the table, causing green, orange, and purple fruits to fall, covering the surface.
These plump, crystal-clear fruits were extraordinary produce from the Tixilan Mountains. She had stored many in her storage ring, but during the battle between Sun and Moon, the ring was destroyed when the crowns collided. Later, she absorbed the broken Moon Crown, regaining its spatial powers and preserving the contents.
Last night, awakening from a dream, she regained control of the Moon Crown and discovered the items stored in the ring.
Seeing this unusual scene, Tu Haocang was moved. The girl clapped her hands, and the scenery outside the pavilion instantly changed, appearing on a mountain slope outside the city, with clear mountain springs flowing nearby, the sound of water splashing on the stones, and mist rising, bringing a refreshing coolness.
Lolan Hill picked two fruits, washed them in the spring outside, and returned, placing one in front of Tu Haocang.
“Now, Governor Tu should believe me,” her ethereal beauty, enhanced by the background of the mountain spring, made her appear almost divine.
“This…” Tu Haocang was momentarily stunned by the sudden change.
Lolan Hill continued, “If you assist in mobilizing troops into the Dusk Mountains, you would be protecting the people from great harm. This would surely be a boon to the people.”
Afterward, the girl clapped her hands again, and the scenery outside the pavilion reverted to the mansion. At this moment, a circle of elite soldiers surrounded them.
Tu Haocang raised his hand, signaling his subordinates to step back and continue listening.
“Furthermore, while mobilizing troops into the Dusk Mountains may be a breach of protocol, clearing the chaos and bringing the Dusk Mountains back under imperial rule would be a significant achievement, offsetting any negative sentiments.”
Listening to the girl’s words, Tu Haocang nodded slightly but remained silent.
“The Dusk Mountains, though impoverished now, were once prosperous in ancient times as the capital of Chi Kingdom. With rich land and prosperity, only the Ninefold Yin Qi altered everything.”
“If these issues are resolved, it won’t take long for the land to recover its former fertility, supporting many more imperial subjects,” Lolan Hill added her final argument.
For a capable minister with ambitions to serve the central government, nothing was more tempting and romantic than this.
Eliminating demons, expanding territory, nurturing the populace, achieving great deeds and virtues, leaving a legacy—each word fell like a blazing flame into the heart of the capable minister, igniting a fierce passion that could not be quenched.
After a long silence, he sighed deeply.
“If Miss Jialan were to enter the court, would she bring prosperity or chaos?” Finally, the governor of Xiyou Province drank his tea as if it were wine, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Order the troops to assemble and march to the Dusk Mountains.”
“Yes!” A unified voice echoed outside the pavilion.
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