Peace Order

The original location of the Shanshan Kingdom in the Western Regions is mostly sandy and saline, with little water and grass. To the north is the White Dragon Mound Road, while several hundred miles of quicksand lie northwest, and it’s six hundred and five miles from the Anxi Prefecture, with flying sand and gravel visible everywhere.

—————— "History and Geography Records"

In the vast desert of yellow sand, amidst the falling wind and sand, Saatanati lifts a pen to record the words. The emperor’s carriage follows behind, while the Nine-colored Deer personally opens a path in the front. Even this segment of stirring wind and sand leaves only a faint breeze, incapable of moving the white paper.

This imperial expedition carries great dignity.

It is not like the ostentatious and extravagant ways during the peak of the Chen Country in the previous dynasty but instead is solemn and grave. Heavy Cavalry patrols the front and back, with blood-red cloaks billowing, and swords appearing even more murderous in the Western Regions’ wind.

These weapons once drank blood during the chaotic wars to unify the world.

The Emperor’s journey this time subtly shakes the world. Many don’t understand the hidden purpose behind the Emperor’s actions. However, the accompanying Right Minister Mr. Wen He sees it clearly. While leisurely eating peanuts, he says to the accompanying Great General:

"His Majesty’s trip this time carries extreme honor, perhaps intending to stabilize the hearts of the people from all sides."

"Though the world has been unified for three years, before that, it was three hundred years of chaos, during which many heroes and commoners got used to using their swords to earn fame and status. Now that peace has returned so abruptly, they aren’t accustomed to it."

The Left Commander Great General Qibi Li solemnly remains silent, holding the knife in his right hand, and says: "His Majesty’s military strength is overwhelming, having defeated the military god, and using the former top military god as a stepping stone to sweep away the heroic and fierce spirits of the world."

"Additionally, extremely lenient with the people, gaining their hearts."

"Nowadays, the strong in the world all respect and fear His Majesty, the people all lean towards Qin; who dares to rebel?"

Wen Qingyu laughs and says: "Those top heroes don’t dare to move, the common folks won’t move, but what about those who deem themselves as having extraordinary talent beyond ordinary people, yet haven’t received positions they think match their status?"

"Often, it’s these people in the middle who can stir things up."

"Those people are dissatisfied with the current situation, accustomed to the past few hundred years where one could quickly rise with bravery and ambition. They don’t want to be constrained by His Majesty’s laws, eager for quick success, yet unable to achieve their desires, naturally leaving them discontent."

Qibi Li seems lost in thought.

Wen Qingyu pats Qibi Li’s shoulder and says:

"Although the rules of the world have changed, it’s hard to correct the habits within people’s hearts immediately. They still wish to create some ripples and seize some benefits accordingly."

"Back then, didn’t the border troops also stir up trouble deliberately to earn military achievements through quelling rebellions?"

Qibi Li says: "Is this the reason for His Majesty’s presence?"

Wen Qingyu laughs heartily, saying: "Wrong."

Qibi Li is puzzled.

Wen Qingyu slowly points at himself, saying: "This is why little me would be here, but not the purpose of His Majesty’s visit."

Qibi Li is surprised: "Mr. Wen..."

Before this sentence addressing Mr. Wen could be spoken, Wen Qingyu interrupts it.

Wen Qingyu holds a finger to his own lips, smiling: "Wrong."

The wind in the Western Regions carries dry sand and gravel; the residual heat from the flames that burned in the Western Regions’ royal city years ago hasn’t yet dissipated. The Confucian scholar from the Central Plains speaks graciously and sincerely, saying: "Here, please call me—"

"Yan Daiqing of the Western Regions."

Qibi Li pauses briefly.

He knows the past events, so he knows the waves and shock this name would bring when it reappears in the Western Regions years later. But even now, Mr. Wen Qingyu continues to use Mr. Yan Daiqing’s title to ’make a show of one’s force’, refusing to let himself fall into danger, leaving Qibi Li with no choice but to say:

"Indeed, sir."

"I admire you."

Wen Qingyu neither affirms nor denies it, saying: "As for His Majesty’s visit here..."

"Firstly, it’s to demonstrate majesty, as the world has been stabilized for three years. His Majesty unified the world with martial prowess and should tour the region to suppress dissent."

"Secondly..."

Wen Qingyu stops speaking and only gazes into the distance.

Qibi Li suddenly understands and says softly: "Duke Li."

The Duke Li Zhaowen of the Xiyi City in the Western Regions knew the Emperor in their youth. At the start of an upheaval that brought many heroes into the chessboard, the young Duke Li, following the directions described in the equally young Emperor Qin’s letter, led his Xuanjia soldiers and entered the Western Regions.

In that disturbance, they successfully took away craftsmen, scrolls, geography, and the Tuyuhun King Seal from the Tuyuhun destruction battle in advance.

Li Zhaowen left behind what was most important to her at the time: geography, craftsmen, and scrolls, then generously presented the Tuyuhun King Seal to the Emperor Qin.

Before the grand ceremony of Chen Country, the Emperor Qin gave this seal to Qibi Li.

That was the beginning of the Nine Tribes of Tiele.

Now, the Tiele Tribe, at least Qibi Li’s branch, has entered the Central Plains for a living.

They changed their attire and adopted the Qi surname.

During the ten years of stabilizing the world, Li Zhaowen was a war general under the Emperor Qin with the top battle merits. He had both intense support and generosity of weaponry, armor, gold, and silver in the Western Regions and participated in almost all battles afterward. Surprisingly, after the nation was founded for three years, he never came to the capital for debriefing.

Those with different intentions saw a different intention.

Only those, like them, who followed the Emperor Qin from humble beginnings could understand these subtle matters. Wen Qingyu smiles and asks: "I wonder, General Qibi Li, what do you think about the matters between His Majesty and Duke Li?"

Qibi Li respectfully collects his expression and says: "I am a humble general and an outside vassal; these are family matters of His Majesty, how could I speak carelessly? I hope the Prime Minister will consider them thoroughly."

Wen Qingyu jeeringly smiles: "Well, well, well, is this what Wen Lingjun taught you, or Fang Ziqiao, or should I say, Yan Daiqing?"