Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

Qin Ming waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw. Having dealt with this most thorny matter, he once again cast his gaze upon the map of the western border on his desk. Although Liang Province had been recovered, the western frontier was not truly at peace. The main force of the Qiang had been destroyed, but their tribes were scattered across the grasslands. The sons of Wudun and their remnants were still on the run, and other Hu tribes to the northwest were also watching...

"Order: The army will rest in Liangzhou for three days. Three days later, Meng Zhi will lead the cavalry westward to wipe out the remaining Qiang tribes and head straight for the Qilian Mountains! I must end this once and for all, and eliminate the threat to the western frontier forever!"

"Here!"

The recovery of Liangzhou City did not slacken Qin Ming's composure. Before the three-day rest period was over, the military order to purify the western border and eradicate future threats was unleashed like an arrow, striking every nerve ending in the empire. The torrent of black-armored cavalry surged once more. Meng Zhi personally led the elite troops, using Liangzhou as their base. Like a comb, they swept westward and northward, their frontiers heading straight for the heart of the Qilian Mountains and the vast Gobi grasslands where the remnants of the Qiang people were entrenched.

Qin Ming, stationed in Liangzhou, quickly transformed this once-devastated frontier city into a highly efficient war machine and a center of governance designed to soothe the devastated. Military reports and civil affairs memorials piled up on his desk, each requiring his personal review and decision.

"Report! General Meng Zhi reports urgently! The Qiang 'White Wolf Tribe' has been defeated at Yemachuan, with seven hundred beheaded and tens of thousands of cattle and sheep captured!"

"Report! Wuwei, son of Qiang chieftain Wudun, has gathered 5,000 remnants and fled to Black Wind Valley in the Qilian Mountains, where they are holding out!"

"Report! The Hunxie Tribe in the northern border has sent envoys to Liangzhou, offering a thousand fine horses and ten hu of gold and pearls. They express their willingness to become a permanent vassal and beg Your Majesty to cease hostilities!"

"Report! Longyou County reports that spring plowing is imminent, but many oxen have been killed by Qiang cavalry, leaving the people with a shortage of crops. We implore the court to urgently dispatch…"

War reports, military intelligence, government affairs, and public suffering poured in like a tide. Qin Ming's pen flew, his comments were as sharp as a knife, and orders were issued from the central government, accurately delivered to every corner of the empire.

There was only one word for those who stubbornly resisted: "Destroy!" The military report to Meng Zhi was dripping with cinnabar: "The terrain of Black Wind Valley is difficult and a strong attack will only waste troops. Besiege it, cut off their water and food supply, and force them to collapse. Those who surrender will be spared, but those who stubbornly resist will be slaughtered."

For those who hesitated, he used both kindness and force. The imperial edict issued to the Hunxie tribe was stern: "Your tribe is respectful and obedient, which is very gratifying to me. I will accept the tribute you have offered. However, you must send a hostage to the capital, open up pastures, and allow our officers and soldiers to station and patrol. If you have any doubts, the White Wolf tribe will be a warning to you."

Regarding domestic affairs and people's livelihoods, he displayed an unusual urgency and meticulousness. He issued an edict to the Ministry of Revenue: "Quickly dispatch 3,000 oxen and 50,000 dan of grain from Guanzhong to the counties of Longyou! Anyone who delays spring plowing, from the county governor down, will be executed! Furthermore, the decree on tax reductions and exemptions in Liangzhou and other areas must be immediately issued throughout the country. Anyone who dares to disobey or impose additional levies will be skinned and stuffed with straw, regardless of official rank!"

His will, through the 800-li express horse and the encrypted Tingfengwei channel, flowed like the blood of the empire, closely connecting Liangzhou with Chang'an, Beiting, and every border military town.

During this time, Qin Ming traveled light and with a small entourage to inspect the resettlement camps, porridge factories, and the city walls and canals under repair in and around Liangzhou City. Silently, he walked through the shattered streets, watching soldiers help civilians clear the rubble, doctors treat the wounded, and the timid smiles of children as they received their hot porridge. He spoke little, but wherever his deep eyes passed, all the officials and soldiers held their breath and gave their all.

On this day, Qin Ming was reviewing a report on the discovery of a large iron mine in the Qilian Mountains. The Deputy Privy Councilor and the newly appointed Pacifier of Liangzhou jointly requested a meeting with him.

"Your Majesty," the Deputy Privy Councilor said solemnly, "General Meng Zhi has received military reports. The remnants of Wuwei's army, cut off from food and water, engaged in internal strife. Wuwei was killed by his own commander, and the rest of the army has surrendered. However... their followers all claim that Wudun had a young daughter named 'Yunna.' Before the fall of Liangcheng, she was secretly escorted westward by a group of trusted warriors. It's suspected... suspected she was headed towards the Great Yuezhi Kingdom in the Western Regions."

"The Great Yuezhi?" Qin Ming paused, raised his head, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. The Great Yuezhi were a powerful nation in the Western Regions, with long-standing ties to the Qiang people. If the Wudun bloodline colluded with them, they would become a serious threat to the empire's western frontier.

"Chase." Qin Ming didn't hesitate. "Order Meng Zhi to select elite warriors and form the 'Shadow Chasing Cavalry'. Carrying Wu Wei's head and the surrendered Qiang as guides, we will penetrate deep into the Western Regions and track down Yun Na. We must find her alive or dead. If the Great Yuezhi dare to hide... let them know that my black-armored cavalry can crush the Qilian Mountains and the Pamir Mountains!"

"I obey your order!" The deputy envoy of the Privy Council was startled and left after receiving the order.

The pacification envoy presented another document: "Your Majesty, this is the 'Post-War Appeasement Proposal' drafted by me and the gentry of Liangzhou. Please review it."

Qin Ming took it and glanced through it. The proposal detailed and considered a variety of matters, including compensation for casualties, land allocation, water conservancy construction, encouragement of industry and commerce, and the reopening of border markets.

"Approved." Qin Ming picked up his pen and wrote in red, "Implement it immediately. Half of the required money and grain will be allocated from my treasury. Tell the people of Liangzhou that I am with them."

"Your Majesty is wise!" The envoy knelt excitedly. The emperor's use of the treasury was undoubtedly a great grace and determination.

After handling all this, Qin Ming dismissed his attendants and walked alone to the enormous hanging map of the Western Territory. His gaze passed beyond the now-pacified Longyou and Liangzhou, and cast its gaze even further west—the vast and unfamiliar Western Regions, the scattered oasis city-states, the powerful Great Yuezhi and Wusun... and the silent and dangerous grasslands to the north...

The empire's borders expanded amidst swords and fire, but governance and consolidation were far more protracted and arduous than conquest. He knew the blood shed in Liang Province would not be in vain, and the war in the western border was far from over. The daughter of Wudun's flight westward was like a faint spark, potentially igniting a new flame of war in the western regions.

But at this moment, he first needs to consolidate the land he has just regained.

"Issue an order," he said to the empty hall, his voice calm but unquestionable. "Establish the 'Anxi Protectorate', with its seat in Liangzhou, to govern the military and political affairs of Longyou, Hexi, and Xinfu. Appoint Meng Zhi as the temporary Protectorate, in charge of military affairs in the western border. Also, establish the 'Western Regions Chief Secretary's Office' to oversee exchanges, trade, and intelligence with the various Western Regions."

"Order the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War to select capable and brave officials and generals to serve in the Anxi Protectorate. Immigrants will be stationed on the border, and military and civilian settlements will be established. Within three years, I want to see a stable corridor from Chang'an directly to Yumen Pass!"

"Order the Ministry of Works to survey the Hexi Corridor and rebuild beacon towers and post stations all the way to Yumen. I want the Empire's decrees and troops to be able to flow unimpeded to the westernmost point!"

One after another, orders aimed at long-term management flowed out of his mouth and were quickly recorded by the clerk hidden in the dark.