Chapter 52

Qin Lingfeng steadied himself and immediately grasped the core issue.

"Since it is an autonomous region, military power, official administration, and laws should be exercised autonomously by us, and the central area should not interfere."

Song Guansui raised an eyebrow and sneered.

"General Qin knows how to take advantage of a situation. You can retain some military power to maintain local order, but the number of troops and the specifications of equipment must be reported to and approved by the central district. As for the laws and regulations governing officials... they must not contradict the fundamental legal code of the central district."

This is a huge concession, but Song Guansui must retain the means of control at the crucial point.

Yu Mobai spoke up at the right moment. His face was still somewhat pale due to his serious injuries, but his tone was strong.

"Leader Song, since you acknowledge autonomy, taxes should be re-evaluated. The previous 50% tax rate was an unbearable burden for the people of Yancheng. Please reduce it to 30% to support their livelihoods."

Song Guansui's gaze swept over Yu Mobai, then he glanced at Jiang Manyan beside him as if by accident, his tone carrying a condescending mockery.

"Thirty percent? Lord Yu, you have quite the audacity. Your Yancheng has been under the protection of the Liu family for many years, and now you want to drastically reduce taxes? Is there such a good thing in the world?"

Shen Qingyuan spoke calmly and persuasively: "Alliance Leader Song, the foundation of taxation lies in the strength of the people. Draining the pond to catch all the fish is not a long-term solution. Only by allowing the people of the southeast to recuperate and rebuild can production be sustained. At that time, the 30% tax may not be less than the current 50% tribute. This is a win-win situation."

Qin Moxuan added solemnly, "Moreover, if the taxes are too heavy, the people will suffer, and there is a risk of further unrest. At that time, the cost of suppressing such unrest will likely far exceed the amount of taxes levied. I hope Alliance Leader Song will reconsider."

A brief silence fell inside the tent as all parties weighed their options.

After a moment of silence, Song Guansui finally spoke again, making the final decision.

"Jincheng, the banquet is over, everything is in need of rebuilding, and taxes and supplies will be paid at 30%."

He changed the subject and looked at Yu Mobai.

"As for Yancheng... considering that Lord Yu is 'pragmatic,' and even more so for the sake of my foolish cousin, the tax contribution will be reduced from 50% to 30%. However, the Liu family will take back the military power; that's the bottom line."

This decision is undoubtedly a huge concession to the Southeast Alliance! For Yancheng, it's even more welcome news; its own trained army is gradually taking shape, and with economic resources, given time…

Qin Moxuan suppressed his excitement and confirmed in a deep voice.

"So, Jincheng, Yancheng, and Yancheng will have the right to self-government, with taxes accounting for 30%. Is this the final conclusion?"

Song Guansui stood up and looked down at the crowd.

"I always keep my word. The details will be drafted by my subordinates. Remember that."

His gaze finally landed on Qin Lingfeng and Yu Mobai's faces, carrying a cold warning.

"This grace is hard-won. I hope you... will behave yourselves well and keep to your own business."

After saying that, he didn't say anything more, took Jiang Manyan's hand, and left the tent directly.

Qin Lingfeng's gaze followed the tall, slender figure away, but he remained seated, his eyes filled with endless sorrow.

...

A devastating disaster, through Jiang Manyan's immense sacrifice and the interplay of various parties, finally yielded the best possible outcome, though not perfect, far exceeding expectations.

The entrance to the Allied forces' dungeon.

Fu Cong silently led the way, with Jiang Manyan following behind him, her feelings complicated.

The dungeon was not as gloomy as I had imagined; on the contrary, it was dry and well-ventilated, only dimly lit.

"Master Yan."

Fu Cong stopped in front of a cell and spoke in a low voice, with a hint of barely perceptible comfort in his tone.

"Mr. Jiang Zhong is doing well, you...don't worry."

The cell door opened, revealing a simple interior, but the bed was clean, and there was even an unfinished book and a pot of hot tea on the table.

Jiang Zhong, who was sitting at the table, looked up when he heard the sound.

He had become thinner, dressed in clean cloth, and his eyes remained calm and sharp. Only when he saw Jiang Manyan did his eyes reveal genuine warmth and worry.

"Young Master!"

He immediately got up.

Jiang Manyan quickly stepped forward, took his hand, looked him up and down, her voice choked with emotion.

“Brother Zhong…you’ve suffered so much.”

Jiang Zhong shook his head, then grasped his hand firmly and steadily.

“I’m fine. They didn’t mistreat me.”

"Young Master, are you... are you alright?" Jiang Zhong's gaze fell on Jiang Manyan, filled with deep inquiry and heartache.

Seeing that Brother Zhong was safe and sound, Jiang Manyan felt much relieved. However, faced with Brother Zhong's concerned gaze, he couldn't bring himself to explain the increasingly complicated emotional entanglement between himself and Song Guansui.

"I am fine."

Jiang Manyan lowered her eyes, avoiding his overly sharp gaze: "My brother... treats me very well."

At that moment, a deep voice sounded from behind, carrying a hint of coldness that was barely perceptible.

"It seems I was overthinking it. You two, master and servant, are truly devoted to each other."

Song Guansui arrived at the dungeon entrance at some point, but he did not step into this "filthy" place; he simply leaned against the door frame.

The interplay of light and shadow divided his tall figure into varying degrees of brightness and darkness.

His gaze fell on Jiang Manyan's hand, which was tightly gripping Jiang Zhong's, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Jiang Manyan subconsciously tried to pull her hand back, but Jiang Zhong held it even tighter.

Jiang Zhong took half a step forward, subtly shielding Jiang Manyan behind him, and bowed to Song Guansui with neither servility nor arrogance.

"Young Master Song."

Song Guansui's gaze lingered for a moment on their clasped hands before shifting to Jiang Manyan's face, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Yan'er, you've seen him. Is he missing even a single hair? Now, can you rest assured?"

These words carried a clear sense of urgency and displeasure.

Jiang Manyan sensed the displeasure in his words, gently pulled her hand away from Jiang Zhong's, turned to Song Guansui, and spoke with a hint of pleading in her voice.

"Brother, Zhong-ge, he..."

“Fu Cong”.

Song Guansui interrupted him, his voice cold.

"The follow-up matters are entrusted to you."

He didn't even glance at Jiang Zhong again. He stepped forward, put his arm around Jiang Manyan's shoulder, and led him away from the dungeon without saying a word.

Fu Cong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at Jiang Zhong, whose face was calm, and already had a plan in mind.

Fu Cong stepped forward, speaking calmly.

“Mr. Jiang Zhong, you heard what Master Yan said. He is doing well. Jincheng needs someone to go back and take charge. With our master taking care of the young master, you can rest assured.”

Jiang Zhong silently watched the direction Jiang Manyan had left in.

After a long while, he withdrew his gaze, looked at Fu Cong, his eyes filled with complex emotions, which finally turned into a deep sigh.

"I understand. Please tell Lord Jiang that Jiang Zhong... will protect Jin City well."

...

The final boundary line stretches across the vast land, as if dividing two worlds.

The Xuanjia army in the central area marched north, their movements solemn and orderly.

At the heart of the group was a magnificent carriage, its sides draped with fine bamboo curtains, blocking all prying eyes.

The Southeastern Alliance forces were much more disorganized; they moved south and east, like streams flowing into the earth, silently returning to their devastated homeland.

Qin Lingfeng reined in his horse and stood on a high slope, his posture as straight as a javelin.

His gaze pierced through the vast distance, locking onto the moving "cage".

The wind lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and he saw her—Jiang Manyan sat inside, her figure blurred, yet still breathtakingly beautiful.

As if sensing something, Jiang Manyan turned her head slightly, her gaze piercing through the swirling dust, and briefly met his gaze in the air.

Immediately, the carriage curtain was drawn, cutting off all contact.

The next second, Qin Lingfeng felt a cold gaze fall on him.

He went to meet him, and his eyes met those of Song Guansui, who was riding a tall horse beside the carriage, looking back at him.

A faint, victorious smile curved the corners of Song Guansui's lips, carrying an undisguised warning.

Qin Lingfeng did not avoid the question. He gave Song Guansui a deep look, his eyes no longer filled with raging anger, but with a calm, hard, and resolute expression, like cold iron.

He abruptly turned his horse around, no longer looking back north.

"Let's go."

...

The dungeon in Jincheng was opened again, but this time, Qin Lingfeng and Lao Liu's faces no longer showed any murderous intent.

Qin Lingfeng personally unlocked the third brother's shackles and handed him the letter.

"This is... left for you by Slow Smoke."

The third brother, Wang Jianglin, took the letter somewhat blankly. When he saw the familiar handwriting and read the contents of the letter, his burly body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Especially when he saw the lines "It was you who saved Jincheng", "Do not regard him as a traitor anymore", and "Treat him well, as you would treat me", he felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and he suddenly knelt down on the ground.

This silent and reserved man, who had endured countless insults and tortures without shedding a single tear, now acted like a child, clutching the letter tightly to his forehead and letting out a suppressed whimper, like that of a wounded wild animal.

"ah--!!!!"

He finally broke down in tears, his sobs filled with endless grievances, the pain of being exonerated, and... the relief of being understood and recognized by the most important person in his life.

Seeing him like this, the sixth brother's eyes also reddened. He turned his head away, wiped his face hard, and then stepped forward, clumsily patting the third brother's shoulder in a hoarse voice.

"Third Brother... I'm sorry... We... We misunderstood you..."

Qin Lingfeng squatted down, supporting the third brother's trembling shoulders, his voice heavy yet firm.

"Third brother, get up. Jincheng needs you. Manyan... we also hope we can all be alright. We remember the suffering you endured. From now on, you are still our brother."

The third brother raised his head, tears streaming down his face. He looked at Qin Lingfeng, then at the brothers around him whose expressions had changed, and nodded heavily.

The guilt and loneliness that had been suffocating him finally found an outlet in the city lord's letters and the understanding of his brothers, and also a reason to continue protecting.

His loyalty never wavered; he simply fulfilled his deepest vow to Jincheng and Jiang Manyan in the most tragic and incomprehensible way.

It turned out that as early as the second month of the war, the third brother had keenly noticed something unusual—the movements of some local gentry and wealthy households were unusually secretive.

He secretly investigated and followed the clues to sneak into the traitor's home, but he played right into Song Guansui's hands and was captured on the spot.

It was at that moment that a chilling truth struck him: the entire city of Jin, from its defenses to its morale, had been thoroughly corrupted by Song Guansui, rendering it virtually useless. For the allied forces to breach the city would be as easy as turning their hands.

But Song Guansui was in no hurry to breach the city. He wanted to play a crueler game—he wanted to personally orchestrate a scene of betrayal and abandonment, watching Jiang Manyan be abandoned by the people she trusted most, and ultimately fall into despair.

The third brother, Wang Jianglin, was the one he chose to play the role of the "traitor" on stage.

—The End—

Part 1 is finished! Hooray!

The beginner village is finally over!

Next up is the unlocking of a new map and new storyline.

Children make choices; they want it all! They want more!

Ha ha……