“Greetings, Prefect!”
The assembled generals approached Lin Yun and saluted in unison.
“Rise, all of you. I’m glad you came today,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“Big Brother, let me introduce them,” Huo Zhen stepped forward.
As the new Commander-in-Chief of Dongyuan Prefecture, Huo Zhen had already met these men.
“Big Brother, this is Commander Meng Shan, Second-Turn Tribulation Realm. This is Commander Zhao Hu, Fourth-Turn Tribulation Realm. They’re the only two Tribulation Realm generals in Dongyuan Prefecture who haven’t joined the Dongguo Party. Because of that, they’ve been sidelined. They’re also the only Tribulation Realm generals here tonight,” Huo Zhen explained.
“Commander Meng, Commander Zhao, you’ve probably heard I’m the emperor’s disciple. I don’t get along with the Dongguo Party at all. With me, strength is what matters—if you’ve got the ability, you’ll be put to use!” Lin Yun said, addressing them directly.
“Prefect, we’re willing to serve you loyally!” Meng Shan and Zhao Hu saluted firmly, their voices resolute.
“You may have been overlooked before, but now that I’m here, things will change. Starting tomorrow, Commander Zhao will take charge of the Second Battalion, and Commander Meng will lead the Third Battalion,” Lin Yun ordered.
The city guard’s three million soldiers were divided into five battalions, 500,000 each. The first three were the elite, with the First Battalion—the most elite—under the Commander-in-Chief, now Huo Zhen.
By assigning the Second and Third Battalions to Meng Shan and Zhao Hu, Lin Yun was making a bold move!
The two were stunned and flattered by the appointments.
After years of being suppressed in Dongyuan Prefecture, Lin Yun’s arrival gave them hope of rising!
“Thank you, Prefect! We’ll serve you with all we’ve got!” they replied in unison.
Lin Yun turned to the other generals.
“Everyone, I know you’ve been sidelined for refusing to join the Dongguo Party. But with me here, that ends. I’ll have Huo Zhen overhaul the city guard—you’ll all get the recognition you deserve!” Lin Yun said earnestly.
He knew that since the Dongguo Party generals were uniting against him, he had to suppress some and elevate others.
Suppressing the Dongguo Party meant lifting up these loyalists to serve him.
Plus, these men already despised the Dongguo Party—that’s why they’d never joined.
Their excitement was palpable—they finally saw a chance to shine.
“Prefect, we follow your lead!” the generals declared.
“Good. Take your seats. The banquet starts in half an hour, and after it ends, there’s a big show planned,” Lin Yun said.
“Yes!”
The generals nodded, though they wondered—what “big show” did Lin Yun mean?
There were thirty minutes until the banquet officially began.
In that time, a few more groups of generals arrived.
In total, over 300 attended.
The banquet lasted a full hour.
Afterward, Lin Yun stood.
“Everyone, we’ve had our fill of wine. Follow me to Wu Tong’s residence—it’s time to deal with the generals who didn’t show,” Lin Yun said, narrowing his eyes.
It was his first day as prefect, and he’d summoned all generals to meet him. Yet seventy percent hadn’t come. If he let this slide, his authority would crumble—who’d respect him then?
Tonight, he’d settle it!
He’d show them what “military orders are mountains” meant!
“Big Brother, you’re going to Wu’s place to confront him? Think it over carefully. Seventy percent of the generals back him—if this blows up, the city guard could collapse. He needs to be dealt with, but I’m worried pushing too hard could backfire,” Huo Zhen cautioned.
“Sometimes, you have to be decisive. If I back down now, I’ll never establish authority here. Even these generals might not truly follow me,” Lin Yun replied.
With that, he strode toward the hall’s exit.
“Since Big Brother’s made up his mind, let’s go!”
Huo Zhen, Liang Yuan, and Yang Wan hurried after him.
With Lin Yun decided, they’d back him fully.
Commanders Meng Shan and Zhao Hu followed, along with the other generals present.
Lin Yun led the group out of the prefect’s palace, marching aggressively toward Wu Tong’s residence.
On the city streets…
Lin Yun and his entourage moved swiftly, their presence commanding. Citizens parted to let them pass.
“Are those city guard generals? What’s going on?”
“The one in the prefect’s robes leading them—that must be the new Prefect Lin, right? What’s he up to?”
“Looks like they’re heading to Commander Wu’s place!”
“I heard Lin Yun doesn’t get along with the Dongguo Party. After the last prefect died, Wu Tong’s the top Dongguo figure here. Rumor has it Lin stripped him of his post yesterday. Is he taking men to Wu’s house to stir trouble?”
“If that’s true, something huge is about to happen!”
“Come on, let’s follow and see!”
…
Lin Yun’s bold move drew attention, and curious citizens trailed behind, eager to witness the drama.
Word spread like wildfire through the city.
…
At Wu Tong’s residence…
Wu’s mansion, not far from the prefect’s palace, was vast—practically a miniature palace itself.
Tonight, it blazed with light.
The courtyard buzzed with festivity—eight or nine hundred generals drank, ate, and enjoyed the company of beauties.
Dancers performed up front for entertainment.
Wu Tong sat at the head, chatting and laughing with the crowd, raising his glass.
“Everyone, Lin Yun sacked me, but he’s just a lone prefect now. He held his banquet tonight, and most of you didn’t go—he must be fuming and helpless, haha!” Wu Tong laughed heartily.
“Right, right!” The crowd roared with laughter.
Just then, Wu’s steward rushed to his side.
“Sir, trouble! Word just came—Prefect Lin’s leading over 300 generals straight here. It looks like he’s coming to call you out,” the steward whispered urgently.
“Call me out? What crime have I committed?” Wu Tong sneered, dismissive.
He looked up at the crowd. “Everyone, I just got word—our new Prefect Lin’s on his way here. Are you scared?”
“What’s the Dongguo Party got to fear?” the generals shouted back, raising their cups.
“Haha, well said!” Wu Tong laughed again.
