Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Everything was well within Yan Liqiang’s expectations. The Shatu caravans that had gathered outside White Stone Pass only persevered for less than half a month. On the 13th day of the ninth lunar month, the Shatu caravans finally gave in and sold their wool at a ‘low price’ to the Monopoly Bureau. They then entered the pass and started their shopping spree at Yingwei County’s border trading post.

Thus, the entire ‘wool crisis’ ended just like this as soon as it had just begun.

Perhaps many others wouldn’t understand, but Yan Liqiang clearly knew why the Shatu Seven Tribes had given in. They weren’t submitting to Yan Liqiang, but it was because the Dark Ram Tribe army which had been silent all this while on the Gulang Plains finally started to bare their fangs against the Shatu people. More and more of their troops were making their way over Mount Qiyun and into the Gulang Plains. To the Shatu Seven Tribes, the Dark Ram Tribe was the knife pressing against their throat instead of the wool’s profit. Yan Liqiang was only after their money, but the Dark Ram Tribe was after their lives.

At a time like this, the Shatu Seven Tribes would naturally have to make a choice. If they wasted their time just for a little profit from the wool, they would risk losing their supply line to the Great Han Empire and cause the Qiyun Protectorate to completely turn against them, ultimately leading to the Shatu Seven Tribes’ worst nightmare of being assaulted by the Qiyun Protectorate and the Dark Ram Tribe from both sides. Hence, the Shatu Seven Tribes had to avoid conflict at all costs.

…

In the study of the Protectorate General’s Office, Qing’er stood behind Yan Liqiang’s recliner, massaging Yan Liqiang’s temples with her delicate fingers. “…How are you so sure that the Dark Ram Tribe will definitely make their move within these few days, Young Lord?” she asked naively.

It was already the 15th day of the ninth lunar month today. The Shatu people had already admitted to defeat two days ago. Yan Liqiang rode tirelessly, traveling to all counties in Qiyun Prefecture and leaving his footprints in all the villages and towns. He’d been busy checking up on the construction progress of the Heroes Shrine, as well as meeting the headmasters from the martial arts academies and local officials in every county. He aimed to establish an archery academy in every village and every county in Qiyun Prefecture. Bowmanship and horsemanship would then be made standard criteria for joining martial art academies and any bureaucracy under the Protectorate General’s Office.

The reason for setting up archery academies on the village level was to allow the best students in the archery academy join the bureaucracies under the Qiyun Protectorate’s Office. Except for Yan Liqiang, probably no one else in this world could figure this out. If Yan Liqiang didn’t say it out loud, other people could only speculate in their hearts.

After Yan Liqiang returned to the Protectorate General’s Office, he went through a lot of documents. Just when he got dizzy, Yu Qing came to serve him tea. He reclined against his chair with his eyes closed and had Yu Qing read him the documents. He also taught Yu Qing how to ‘attach yellow’ on the documents — basically attaching a brief summary of the document on a piece of yellow paper to allow better efficiency in processing documents.

After settling the documents, Yu Qing went behind Yan Liqiang to massage him. While working on loosening him up, she curiously asked about some of the things she saw on the documents earlier.

Yu Qing was massaging Yan Liqiang’s temples very carefully. She even had her fingers dipped in floral water so that Yan Liqiang could enjoy the coldness of her delicate fingers moving against his skin. Listening to the birds chirping outside in the garden and basking under the warm afternoon sunlight, Yan Liqiang nearly purred in contentment at the pleasant sensation. He had been busy with his official duties lately while seizing every moment he had to cultivate. Day and night, he cultivated Muscle Tendon Changing and Marrow Cleansing relentlessly. He hadn’t been this relaxed ever since the opening of the Qiyun Protectorate General’s Office.

“The reason why the Black Ram Tribe temporarily gave into the Gulang Plains a while ago is mainly because they were worried that the Great Han Empire would send troops to the Gulang Plains. If that happens, their army on the Gulang Plains wouldn’t only have to face the Shatu Seven Tribes, but also the Great Han Empire. It is safe to say that the Dark Ram Tribe thinks that winning is pretty much impossible with the Great Han Empire and the Shatu Seven Tribe joining hands. They simply don’t have the power and capability to achieve this.

“The fact that I went to the Gulang Plains last month and caused such a huge commotion by killing so many people from the Tuli Tribe and set up a Monopoly Bureau was to let the Dark Ram Tribe know that there is no way I will join forces with Shatu Seven Tribes. Not only that, but I will even backstab the Shatu and help them out a little. If the Dark Ram Tribe is still afraid to make a move under such conditions, then I will even start wondering if they are taking the Gulang Plains seriously…”

“Wow…” Yu Qing was shocked. “So your visit to White Stone Pass last month was a show to the Dark Ram Tribe…?”

“Hehe, not really a show, but a clear signal to them. The Dark Ram Tribe people will get it since they aren’t dumb. Although I went there with the intention of stirring up some trouble with the Shatu Seven Tribes and even kill a few of them, I didn’t expect to clash with the Tuli Tribe. I can only say this is all the will of heaven!”

“Young Lord, you have offended the Shatu Seven Tribes by killing so many of their people and you even took away their wool business. I think they must hate you. Those Shatu people can bring themselves to do anything, so you must be careful when you go out and bring more guards with you…” Yu Qing was extremely concerned.

Her hands slowed down as she continued speaking, “Maybe I should just follow you around for the next few days, Young Lord. The Shatu people aren’t aware that I am trained in martial arts. With me by your side, I can protect you when you are in danger and maybe kill those who let their guards down…”

“Haha, you are overthinking, Qing’er. I’ll bet with you that an envoy from the Shatu Seven Tribes is probably on his way to Pingxi City with generous gifts. They must be desperate to get on my good side right now, so why would they even think about assassinating me?”

“Huh, why would they? You just exterminated the Tuli Tribe, killed so many of their people, and took their wool business away from them. Why would they still come bearing gifts to get on your good side?” Yu Qing blinked and asked in disbelief.

“Silly girl. If only things were that straightforward and people would draw a clear distinction between love and hate, everything would have been so simple…” Yan Liqiang opened his eyes and smiled.

“If the Shatu Seven Tribes really come, are you going to make peace with them?”

“Sure, why not? I’m doing wool business with them anyway and there are also many of them in Yingwei County’s border trading post. If they are willing to make peace with me, I’d be glad!”

“Why? Didn’t you mention that you despise the Shatu people?” Confusion showed on Yu Qing’s face.

“Indeed, I despise them. That is why I must make peace with them right now to make them feel at ease…”

“You’re making me really dizzy now, Young Lord…”

“Hahaha, you will get it when you’re a bit older…”

“I’m old enough already, Young Lord. Why do you still treat me like a child…?” Yu Qing stomped her foot and hammered Yan Liqiang’s shoulder with a pout.

When Yan Liqiang noticed the bouncing globes in front of Yu Qing’s chest when she stomped her foot, he quickly averted his gaze. “Alright, alright, my Qing’er is already a big girl now…”

Yu Qing was pleased upon hearing Yan Liqiang’s words. She gave him a coquettish look and was about to say something when she was interrupted by the rapid footsteps outside the study.

“Protectorate General, a report from White Stone Pass! A group of Shatu caravans claiming to be the Shatu Seven Tribes’ envoy has arrived at the pass, and they claim to have come bearing gifts for the Protectorate General in Pingxi City!”

Yan Liqiang shot a glance at Yu Qing that looked like he was telling her —’See, I told you!’

Yu Qing stuck her tongue out at Yan Liqiang.

“Inform Tie Yunshan to come…!”

“Yes!”

…

Before the Shatu Seven Tribes envoy even reached Pingxi City, Yan Liqiang who was in the Protectorate General’s Office received yet another set unexpected news — one of the students in the archery academy had suddenly gone missing. He wasn’t a new student but he was rather the most outstanding student from the first intake. He was none other than Xue Cao, the one whom Yan Liqiang had his eyes on!

Since the establishment of archery academy, this was the first time a student had suddenly gone missing!