Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The next morning.

Hundreds of miles away in Bianliang.

The deep bell tolls throughout the Capital as the daily routines between the many streets and lanes begin.

The officials pass through the palace gates, enter the Inner City, and proceed toward the Taihe Palace.

Ever since Zhao Ji escaped the Capital, the Taihe Palace has resumed its former function for morning court sessions, yet at this moment.

The officials heard the sound of hooves coming from behind.

The officials were startled. Riding a horse in the Inner Palace of the Imperial Palace, and it seemed particularly fast. Who had such audacity, were they not afraid for their life?

Even the current Duke of Anyang, for the sake of apparent stability, would not ride a horse in the Inner City.

Just as personnel from the Personal Guard Department were preparing to intercept.

”A victorious military report from the front lines, General Chen Mo has crushed the enemy!”

”A victorious military report from the front lines, General Chen Mo has crushed the enemy!”

”A victorious military report from the front lines, General Chen Mo has crushed the enemy!”

”...”

The scout on horseback, holding the military report high, galloped into the depths of the Imperial Palace.

This time, no one stopped him.

And the officials who heard this were suddenly taken aback.

Crushed the enemy?

The opponent boasted a two-million-strong army, and just like that, they were defeated?

After the initial shock, the officials from Xiao Yunqi’s faction were overjoyed.

Chen Mo was a person from Duke Anyang’s side, and if Chen Mo defeated the enemy, Duke Anyang’s prestige in the Imperial Court would reach a peak, and no one would dare oppose him.

Some officials’ expressions subtly changed, as if Chen Mo’s great victory disrupted their original plans.

Some officials quietly slipped away, only to return a moment later.

In the court hall, as the eunuch finished reading the military report from the front lines, the officials were stunned.

The anticipation of the enemy’s tactics, not aiding Luan Mountain County when the enemy divided their forces to attack, but instead launching a full-scale attack against the enemy’s main force and winning, killing hundreds of thousands.

What a display of bravery!

Because the enemy boasted two million, the results in the report were naturally exaggerated.

In the face of such a great victory, the losses of their own troops seemed to be overlooked.

After the officials praised Chen Mo for a while, and with a nod from the Duke of Anyang, agreeing to the rewards requested in Chen Mo’s report, they began discussing Chen Mo’s plea for reinforcements.

”With the enemy greatly defeated, their morale is at its lowest. At this time, we must send reinforcements. Otherwise, once the enemy recovers, the current defending troops in Qinyang County will struggle to hold. If Qinyang County falls, the Capital will be in peril,” said a minister.

”Minister Liu’s words make sense, we must swiftly provide reinforcements.”

Zhao Chong, on the dragon throne, turned his head slightly.

Behind the intricately carved dragon and phoenix drapery, a beautiful woman in a splendid gown sat dignifiedly. Upon hearing the victorious report, her face became flushed, her jade-like neck tilted slightly: ”Which esteemed minister is willing to lead troops for reinforcement?”

Upon hearing this, the officials were taken aback and did not answer immediately.

During usual morning courts, the Empress Dowager would first look at Duke Anyang, then ask his opinion, and finally, Duke Anyang would make the decision.

But now, it seemed that the Empress Dowager intended to make the decision herself.

The officials glanced toward Duke Anyang.

Duke Anyang was also momentarily stunned but didn’t overthink, knowing that rescue was imperative.

So, he stepped forward, bowed, and said: ”With the Southwest in chaos, the world is in turmoil, and the Capital is unsafe. The Imperial Guard must protect it and cannot send too many troops outward.

Therefore, in my view, we should draw ten thousand troops each from the Personal Guard Department, the Cavalry Department, and the Infantry Department to assist Qinyang County. As for the commanding general, I recommend Director Quan Qiyang of the Imperial City Department...”

...

Upon learning of the transfer, Quan Qiyang immediately went home to see his sister, informing Consort Yu of the matter.

”Brother, aren’t you the Director of the Imperial City Department? Why is Duke Anyang appointing you, someone not from the Ministry of War, as the commander of the reinforcement army?” Consort Yu slightly frowned. She had heard the front lines were chaotic and was quite worried about Quan Qiyang going there.

”This might be a good thing for me. It seems Duke Anyang truly regards me as one of his own,” said Quan Qiyang.

After all, the authority to command troops would only be entrusted to someone reliable.

”It’s not just that. Situations on the battlefield can change instantly, and I worry about your safety, brother,” Consort Yu said.

”Rest assured.” Quan Qiyang patted Consort Yu’s shoulder and smiled: ”This trip, I am merely going to support Chen Mo. Once there, the decision-making power lies in his hands, and I have some acquaintance with his brother, so I doubt he will assign me to the front lines.

Of course, if it were Chen Hong, that would be even better...”

...

In a small town less than a hundred miles from Qinyang County, the streets and alleys were deserted, with people hiding behind closed doors at home.

Because the defending troops from nearby towns had been pulled away to support Qinyang County, the smaller towns below were left without soldiers.

Consequently, the mountain bandits exploited this, frequently coming down the mountain to plunder the villages below.

This caused some people to flee, while those who stayed shut their doors and windows, hiding inside to avoid being seen by the bandits, lest they suffer disaster.

An unkempt old man led a black horse through the street.

On the black horse sat a handsome young man wearing a conical hat, frowning at the sight of every house with closed doors and windows: ”Old He, what happened to this town? There’s not a soul in sight.”

”Maybe it’s related to the war in Qinyang County.” The unkempt old man replied uncertainly.

”Alas, since the year of Xuanhe, the warfare hasn’t ceased. Now it’s already the Kaiyuan era, and who knows when it will end. Those who suffer are always the common people,” the young man said.

The unkempt old man smiled without replying. The young master was good in every way, except for being too compassionate.

”Since there’s no one around, let’s not linger and make haste. We should reach Qinyang County by nightfall.”

”Clop, clop...”

Just as the young man finished speaking, the sound of hooves echoed from afar.

”Ya... Boss, there’s someone, and looks like a fat sheep.”

”Where?”

”There.”

”Go, go, surround them, ya, ya...”

A band of less than a hundred bandits surrounded the young man and the unkempt old man.

The bandit leader eyed the young man up and down, clicked his tongue twice: ”With such tender skin, even women can’t compare. If it weren’t for my disinterest in this...”

He circled the black horse once, then said: ”Good horse, good horse, indeed a fine horse. Brothers, leave the people, strip them all, and take the horse.”

Just as he was about to touch the horse’s belly, the young man kicked him, sending him flying.

Then the young man closed his eyes, took off the conical hat from his head, using it to shield his face, letting his long black hair dance wildly, murmured: ”Old He, I cannot bear the sight of blood, so leave them to you.”

”As you command.”