The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

When Bai Qishan appeared with the tied up and unconscious Bai Yunchi, everyone was shocked by the strange way the father and son appeared.

Seeing Shen Tianjiao's confusion, Bai Qishan scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly, "This kid is undisciplined and very stubborn. I had no choice but to use this method to bring him here."

Shen Tianjiao nodded in understanding and ordered, "Send Mr. Bai down to rest. Treat him well and don't neglect him."

Immediately, palace servants came and carried Bai Yunchi away.

Not until Bai Yunchi was carried away did Shen Tianjiao look at Bai Qishan and say, "General Bai, I have something I need you to do."

"Your Majesty, please speak." Bai Qishan immediately transformed from the role of a helpless old father to that of a general and a minister.

"General Bai also knows the current military strength of Yunli. Over the years, the emperor has repeatedly reduced the number of troops, from one million during the previous emperor's time to less than 400,000 now."

"On the surface, it seems that our Yunli nation is strong and powerful, and it is the leader among the six surrounding nations. But in fact, it is only strong on the outside and weak on the inside. It is not so bad for a weak nation to decline, but if a big nation declines, it will be a purgatory on earth. Everyone wants to eat its flesh and bones, and they will not stop until it is completely divided up."

"In the end, the only ones left pitiful are the people of this world. As guardians of the dynasty, our greatest responsibility is to protect the people of this country, to keep them from being bullied or plundered, and to ensure they live and work in peace and contentment in my land of Yunli. Am I right?"

"Your Majesty is right." As a soldier, defending the country is my duty, and dying on the battlefield is an honor.

"Now the six nations are all eyeing me, Yun Li, with covetous eyes. A war could break out at any moment, but we are currently short on manpower, plagued by internal and external troubles. Once a war breaks out, we won't be able to take care of ourselves and will only be able to take the beating without the power to fight back."

Although it is still decades away from the destruction of the Yunli Kingdom, Shen Tianjiao has to start preparing for it now. She is a person who likes to take the initiative and eliminate potential dangers in the bud.

Furthermore, because of her rebirth, many things have changed. Li Bin's rebellion was brought forward, and Wang Danyang, who was supposed to die in Youming Palace, was also rescued by her. Who knows what unexpected things will happen in the future? Will the war to annihilate the country in a few decades be brought forward? No one knows now, so it is always right to be prepared in advance.

"Your Majesty, please feel free to speak frankly. I, Bai Qishan, will follow your instructions even if it means sacrificing my life." Bai Qishan had a vague feeling that what Shen Tianjiao was going to say must be an earth-shattering event.

The soldier's unique sensitivity made Bai Qishan's blood boil. Perhaps his long-cherished wish would soon come true.

"Okay, I want you to recruit soldiers privately, then station them and raise horses in preparation for the upcoming war." Shen Tianjiao looked at Bai Qishan. "I wonder if General Bai has the courage to do so?"

Privately recruiting soldiers without the emperor's order is a serious crime of treason. Once discovered, the entire family will be exterminated. Not everyone has the courage to do it.

Bai Qishan didn't hesitate at all. He knelt down and looked at Shen Tianjiao solemnly, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing."

Shen Tianjiao, who had been unsure to begin with, was shocked by Bai Qishan's "yes." Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Bai Qishan and asked, "General Bai, do you trust me so much? Aren't you afraid that if I ask you to recruit troops privately, you're up to something bad and bringing disaster to the world?"

Bai Qishan raised his head and looked directly at Shen Tianjiao, "I only believe that the Queen is wholeheartedly devoted to the country."

"Okay, then from today on, this matter will be handed over to General Bai. I swear to General Bai here that no matter what happens in the future, I will do my best to protect the safety of General Bai's family." Shen Tianjiao is not a pretentious person. Bai Qishan is willing to trust her, so she is naturally willing to protect the safety of Bai Qishan's family.

"Your Majesty, I bow to thank you for your grace. It is my duty to receive your salary and share your worries. Now I receive this grace and I am deeply grateful." After saying this, Bai Qishan kowtowed heavily to Shen Tianjiao.

Shen Tianjiao stood up and helped Bai Qishan up. "General Bai, you are too kind. You have served our country with all your loyalty, and it is only natural that I will protect the safety of your clan."

After sending Bai Qishan away, Qiong Niang looked at Shen Tianjiao in confusion and asked, "Why didn't you leave such a confidential and important matter as secretly stationing troops and raising horses to the Marquis of Zhenbei, but instead gave it to an outsider? This is too risky."

Qiong Niang really couldn't understand Shen Tianjiao's behavior. In her concept and consciousness, this kind of thing can only be entrusted to the person she trusts the most, and not a single word can be revealed in front of outsiders.

"The target of the Zhenbei Marquisate is too big. Whether it's Li Rui, the ministers in the court, the powerful people in the capital, or even the people of the surrounding countries, their eyes are all fixed on the Zhenbei Marquisate, on my father, and my brothers."

"If one thing is involved, the whole body will be affected. My father and the Zhenbei Marquisate have had a very difficult time these years. You also said that what I want Bai Qishan to do is secretive and dangerous. At this particularly sensitive time, I cannot implicate my father and the Zhenbei Marquisate. Moreover, if this matter is discovered, my father and the Zhenbei Marquisate will be our last retreat and guarantee."

Knowing the ending of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion and her father and brother, in Shen Tianjiao's subconscious mind, she has been intentionally or unintentionally excluding the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion from danger. She can't afford to gamble and dare not gamble. Before she is absolutely sure that she can change this outcome, she must eliminate all risks.

Qiong Niang nodded. "I thought too simply and superficially. The Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion is now the meat in everyone's mouth. Everyone wants to tear off a piece of it. This is too dangerous and is indeed not suitable for the Zhenbei Marquis to do."

"But, can this Bai Qishan really be trusted?" Qiong Niang's worries were not unreasonable. After all, Bai Qishan was just an outsider.

"Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you doubt. I know a little bit about Bai Qishan. He served under my father for many years. He's not only a skilled warrior, but also a very straightforward person."

"This kind of person is more suitable to be the knife in your hand. When you hold this knife in your hand, you will be invincible and unstoppable."

Qiong Niang didn't quite understand what Shen Tianjiao said. So far, she had lived only in the inner house and the harem, and most of the people she dealt with were women. She was not like Shen Tianjiao, who had lived a second life. Moreover, Shen Tianjiao had governed a country and led troops in wars in her previous life. She had met too many people and understood people's hearts better and knew how to know how to use people.

Although she didn't understand, Qiong Niang was willing to believe Shen Tianjiao. This was not a blind belief, but an instinct from her heart.

"This sword is easy to use, but I'm afraid it's difficult to control. I've heard others talk about General Bai before. He's a skilled warrior, but his methods are also very cruel."

Shen Tianjiao smiled and patted Qiong Niang on the back to comfort her. "I know. So isn't his only son in Yuxiu Palace now?"

"Although Bai Qishan's methods are somewhat cruel, they are only used against his enemies. He is very kind to his own people and the common people."

"I'll tell you a secret. His original name wasn't Bai Qishan, but Bai Sheng. Bai Qishan was the name he asked someone to change after he joined the army and heard about the deeds of Bai Qi, the greatest general of the Qin State."

Qiong Niang frowned. She never liked killing, so she always kept her distance from this kind of killer.

"Why, he changed his name to Bai Qishan, is it to emulate Bai Qi?"

"That's probably what I meant." Shen Tianjiao stood up and said as she walked, "If I use this kind of person well, it will be a blessing for me, Yun Li. If I use him badly, it will be a disaster for me. Good and bad are just a matter of degree, it all depends on one's thoughts."

"You must quickly find a safe and secluded place to house Madam Bai and the young lady from the Bai family. Bai Qishan will soon be ordered to patrol Ganzhou. I have already promised to protect the safety of his family, so I must keep my word."

"I understand. I'll arrange it."

Yan Yu was also shocked when he received the news from home that his elder brother Yan Jun'an had been assassinated.

In the original body's memory, Yan Jun'an had always been a lazy playboy, unlearned and unlearned all day long. He either played with cats and dogs or frequented brothels. He could not be said to be a good person, but he could not be said to be a bad person either. The relationship between them was also very weak. However, this person had never bullied him, and would even occasionally help him out when his stepmother made things difficult for him.

Such a person who posed no threat to anyone was actually assassinated, and on the night when their father Yan Mingde sent troops to quell the rebellion, the purpose behind this cannot but make people think deeply.

"Second Young Master, Second Young Master, Madam asked you to return to the mansion to take charge of the situation. After all, the general is not here, and as a woman in a secluded house, there are many things that are inconvenient for her to do." The servant who came to report the news looked at Yan Yu who had been lost in thought for most of the day, and couldn't help but remind him.

Yan Yu came back to his senses, glanced at the servant, and suddenly covered his chest, shouting, "Ping An, hurry up, give me some pills, my heart hurts."

Ping An looked at his dramatic young master who had suddenly fallen ill. Without saying anything, he quickly ran to get some hawthorn pills and said, "Young Master, why are you sick again? How many times has this happened today? Oh, what's going on? I think we need to ask a doctor to come and take a good look at it tomorrow, otherwise it won't work if it keeps going like this."

Yan Yu took the hawthorn pill handed to him by Ping An and swallowed it in one gulp. He thought that his little servant was almost a spirit. He didn't need him to say much, as the servant understood what he meant and could cooperate with him in acting.

After helping Yan Yu finish his medicine, the master and servant exchanged glances. Ping An nodded and helped Yan Yu to rest.

After settling Yan Yu, Ping An came out and said to the servant sent by the mansion to report the news, "Wangcai, you just saw that the second young master is in poor health. This disease can come back at any time. The doctor said that if he doesn't rest well, his life will be in danger."

Wangcai scratched his head. He didn't expect this situation to happen, but he didn't dare to disobey his wife's instructions. The mansion was now under guard. In order to deliver this letter, he crawled out of the tunnel.

"But Madam has instructed that the Second Young Master must return home immediately."

"Oh, you've seen it all. It's not that the Second Young Master doesn't want to go back right away, but he's not feeling well and can't leave right away. Wait a minute, wait until the Second Young Master has rested and recovered, and then wait for the doctor to prepare the medicine, then we can leave right away."

"Or, if we set off now and the Second Young Master gets into an accident on the way, how are we going to explain it to Madam when you and I return? Madam might get mad and beat us both to death. That's not impossible. Don't you know Madam's temper?"

Ping'an's ability to deceive people is quite impressive. He has been with Yan Yu since he was a child. If it weren't for his deceiving skills, who knows whether the master and servant could survive until now?

Wangcai, who was fooled by Ping'an, thought about it and felt that Ping'an was right. Although he would inevitably be scolded by his wife if he returned late, at least he would not lose his life. If the second young master really fell ill on the way and something happened, his wife would definitely beat him to death when he returned.

Thinking of this, Wangcai said to Ping'an, "Well, let the Second Young Master rest for a while, but don't delay him for too long. You know what the Madam is saying. If you go back late, you will be punished."

"Hey, hey, hey, don't worry. Once the Second Young Master recovers a little, we'll set off immediately. If you're late, the Second Young Master will plead for you. Madam won't punish you."

"Let's go, let's go. You've worked hard on this journey. I'll take you to eat something first, and then take a nap. Once you've rested up enough, we can go back tomorrow without any delays, right?"

Ping'an put his arm around Wangcai's neck and took him downstairs to eat.

Seeing that the people had left, Yan Yu got up from the bed. His stepmother was a smiling tiger. She appeared dignified, generous, well-educated and polite in front of others, but she looked like a cannibal behind their backs.

The original body's biological mother was tortured to death by her using various means. The original body had not escaped her torture over the years. Fortunately, the original body was lucky enough to live to adulthood.

This was the mother who, now that her own son was dead, wanted this bastard to return and take charge. No matter how she thought about it, it was impossible. Her own son was dead, while this unfavored and annoying bastard was still alive and well. It would be great if she didn't hate him to death and try to kill him, but she wanted him to return and take charge? Humph! Who would believe that? He didn't believe it anyway. There must be a big conspiracy behind this. He couldn't go back and be used as a pawn.

Having made up his mind, the first thing Yan Yu thought of was to go to his father Yan Mingde. Apart from anything else, with his martial arts and wisdom, it was definitely more than enough for him to make a good living in the military camp.

There is also his adoptive father. Although he doesn't care much about family affairs, he is actually very good to him in private. With his father as his backer, his stepmother may be able to use filial piety to pressure him, even if she wants to.