178: Chapter 178 Urgent!

Every word from Gao Feng struck Luo Qin's heart like the morning bell and evening drum. Her delicate body, which had been trembling slightly, calmed down completely at this moment.

She knew that everything Gao Feng said was correct. She knew even better that she hadn't come here tonight to plead for mercy, but to seek peace of mind, to seek a final decision from the person she loved most.

Gao Feng looked at her eyes, which were gradually regaining clarity, sighed softly, and pulled her into his embrace once more. With a voice filled with endless tenderness and apology, he whispered into her ear:

"Qiner, I'm sorry. I know this is cruel to you. But you must remember, from the day you became my wife, Gao Feng's wife, and the Princess of the Northern Territory, you no longer represent just yourself. What you carry on your shoulders is the hope and future of the tens of millions of people in these three Northern Prefectures! Our realm must never, and will never be allowed to be ruined by anyone's personal feelings!"

Luo Qin lay quietly in Gao Feng's broad and warm embrace, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling his unquestionable, firm will. Her heart, which had been filled with conflict and struggle, calmed down completely at that moment.

She knew what she had to do.

She slowly raised her head from Gao Feng's embrace, looked at him with an incredibly serious expression in her eyes, which had already regained their cold clarity and wisdom, and then nodded heavily.

"Husband, I understand." Her voice no longer held any trace of hoarseness, only the clarity and determination of an ice spring. "Liu Mao has violated the national Law and should be severely punished. As the Princess, I should set an example and uphold the dignity of the panshi code of law. I will no longer interfere in this matter; everything will be handled by you, husband, according to the Law."

"I have nothing more to say."

...

Three days later, the Jizhou Prefecture courtroom.

An unprecedented public trial officially began under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands of commoners.

Gao Feng personally presided over the court, sitting high on the main seat. His face was devoid of expression, and those deep eyes were like two bottomless ancient wells, revealing no trace of joy or anger. Beside him, Luo Qin, dressed in the luxurious palace attire symbolizing her status as the Princess, sat quietly and expressionlessly. The dignity and cold clarity of a mother of the world made everyone with ulterior motives feel a sense of trepidation.

Below the court, Liu Mao was already tied up and kneeling there. The arrogance and smugness on his face were gone, replaced only by the despair and fear of someone whose spirit had turned to ash.

Facing the mountain of human and material evidence presented by the iron-faced Censor Yao Ping'an, all his sophistry seemed so pale and ridiculous. In the end, faced with all the irrefutable evidence, his heart, which had long been filled with greed and desire, completely collapsed. He slumped to the ground like mud, unable to say another word.

"Bang!"

Gao Feng slammed the gavel, and his voice, filled with supreme majesty and cold killing intent, resounded throughout the entire courtroom!

"The criminal Liu Mao, having forcibly seized commoners' land and treated human life like grass, is guilty of heinous crimes that heaven and earth cannot tolerate! According to Article 103 of the panshi code of law, he shall be executed immediately! Carry out the sentence at once!"

"Furthermore, I hereby announce one thing to the entire world!"

Gao Feng slowly stood up. His gaze swept slowly over the dense crowd below, and his voice, like thunder from the Nine Heavens, clearly reached the ears of every person present!

"From this day forward, within the territory under my rule in Panshi Land, no matter who you are, no matter what position you hold! If a prince breaks the Law, he shall be punished the same as a commoner! Let heaven and earth bear witness to this order!"

"Boom—!!!!"

As soon as Gao Feng's voice fell, the tens of thousands of commoners watching outside the courtroom instantly erupted into a massive cheer, like a landslide or a tsunami!

"The Prince is wise!"

"Long live the Prince! Long live! Long, long live!"

They were all so moved that tears welled up in their eyes. They knelt down in unison before that towering figure, who in their eyes was no different from a clear sky, and let out fanatical shouts from the depths of their Souls!

And those representatives of the noble clans who had also come to observe, upon seeing that bloody head fly into the sky, were so terrified that they experienced Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, their livers and gallbladders splitting in fear!

They knew that from today on, their era of doing whatever they wanted, lawless and unrestrained, had completely and irreversibly vanished along with the falling of that head!

An iron-fisted display of power, enough to shake the entire Northern Territory, had come to an end in such a direct and shocking way.

And the supreme authority of the panshi code of law was thoroughly and unbreakably established in the face of this bloody reality!

After Gao Feng used thunderous means to thoroughly purge all internal hidden dangers and clear all obstacles for the future development of Panshi Land.

The entire Northern Territory finally ushered in an unprecedented golden period of development, full of vitality and endless hope!

During the autumn harvest season, Nanfeng Plain.

Looking out, the boundless fields were completely covered in a golden yellow so brilliant it was almost blinding.

The heavy, golden rice ears, so full they were almost bursting, were bent low, shimmering with a radiance even more dazzling than gold under the autumn sun!

The air was filled with a rich scent, a mixture of the fragrance of earth and the fresh aroma of grain; just a single breath was enough to intoxicate one!

Harvest! An unprecedented, super bumper harvest that would make any emperor go crazy!

The super grain variety, "Shennong No. 1," which was cultivated by Shi Nian, the Dean of the Agricultural College, after expending countless efforts, displayed its terrifying power, almost like a miracle, on this fertile land!

According to preliminary estimates by the agricultural officials of the Department of Finance, this year's grain yield per mu in Nanfeng Plain was at least five times that of ordinary grain varieties!

"It's a harvest! It's a harvest!" Joyful shouts rose and fell across the fields!

Countless commoners spontaneously poured into the fields, harvesting the golden rice ears that each carried their future hope with the most pious attitude!

Their faces were beaming with the most pure and radiant smiles of happiness from the bottom of their hearts!

Shi Nian, the Dean of the Agricultural College, was so excited that tears of old age streamed down his face!

With trembling hands, he held a bunch of heavy rice ears, knelt down on the vast fields, and let out a fanatical shout from the depths of his Soul toward the high-flying banner of Panshi Land!

"The Prince! A Divine Being! Truly a Divine Being!"

"This old man... this old man, to be able to see such a divine seed in this life, can die without regrets!"

Meanwhile, in another place, in a remote mountain village on the border of Jizhou Prefecture.

Zhang Bo, the top scholar who had been exceptionally promoted by Gao Feng during the imperial examination, was leading hundreds of villagers in a bustling effort to build an irrigation canal tens of miles long.

He had given up the comfortable and easy life in Yan King City and volunteered to come to this most barren and arid land.

Using the advanced water conservancy knowledge he had learned at Panshi University and the new exploration tools he had applied for from the Hundred Crafts Institute, he found the first deep well capable of producing stable water for this village that had suffered from drought for hundreds of years!

He led the villagers to work day and night, carving through mountains and chiseling through rock, forcibly bringing that sweet well water to every piece of cracked farmland!

When the clear spring water flowed for the first time onto that land which had been parched for months, all the villagers, as if witnessing a miracle, knelt down one after another, expressing their endless gratitude from the bottom of their hearts to the young top scholar, whose skin was already tanned dark and whose lips were cracked from the sun!

"Oh, great and upright official! You are our great savior!"

And further away, the "Lark Propaganda Team" organized by Luo Shu was also active in every town and village in the Northern Territory.

Those talented and beautiful girls, who could sing and dance well, turned Gao Feng's legendary heroic deeds and the rapidly changing, prosperous scenes of Panshi Land into catchy ballads and captivating plays.

"Founding Panshi Stockade, establishing the base in Ghost Sees Sorrow. Slaying the Tiger King, wiping out bandit gangs, the Northern Territory has changed to a new sky since then..."

"The Yan King was originally an immortal from heaven, descending to the mortal world to save the common people. Promoting imperial examinations, establishing schools, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants all rejoice..."

The crisp and pleasant singing, along with the storylines full of hope and longing, were like the warmest spring breeze, blowing away the haze and despair that had shrouded the hearts of all the commoners for hundreds of years, bringing them unprecedented light and hope!

Gao Feng's prestige, through this subtle influence, was pushed to an unprecedented Peak, bordering on that of a deity!

On this day, Gao Feng changed into ordinary cloth clothes and, accompanied by the "Iron Guard" who followed him like a shadow, went on an incognito visit to this Nanfeng Plain, which was filled with the joy of harvest.

He looked at the golden wheat waves that stretched as far as the eye could see, looked at the simple faces beaming with happy smiles, and listened to the loud, singing voices full of hope and vitality coming from the fields.

His heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of stability and satisfaction.

He turned his head and said softly to Xu Changqing, who was also full of emotion:

"Changqing, do you see this?"

"The hearts of the people are like water; they can carry a boat, but they can also capsize it."

"Let them be well-fed and warmly clothed, let them live and work in peace, and let them see hope for the future. This is more powerful than ten million flowery but impractical slogans."

Upon hearing this, Xu Changqing bowed deeply to Gao Feng, and his eyes, which were always full of wisdom, were filled with heartfelt admiration and submission.

"My Lord's breadth of mind and foresight are something Changqing cannot hope to match."

And behind them, Li Qingzhao, who was also traveling incognito, after seeing this scene of prosperity and stability, also gained a deeper understanding of Gao Feng's philosophy of governance.

After returning to Yan King City, she immediately presented Gao Feng with a bolder and more forward-looking economic reform plan.

She suggested establishing a "Ever-Normal Granary" system throughout the Northern Territory, centrally regulated by the government. In years of abundance, the government would provide funds to purchase surplus grain from the commoners at prices higher than the market rate to protect the farmers' interests. In years of disaster, it would sell the stored grain to the commoners at prices lower than the market rate to stabilize grain prices and the hearts of the people.

At the same time, she boldly proposed issuing "Official Grain Vouchers" backed by the credit of the Panshi Bank, which could be exchanged for grain or money at an equivalent value!

With this, he would gradually establish a brand-new financial and monetary system, completely controlled by Gao Feng and independent of the Great Qian Dynasty!

Upon seeing this "earth-shattering" reform proposal, Gao Feng was also overjoyed!

He immediately issued an order to fully support all of Li Qingzhao's reforms!

A prototype of a modern financial system, nearly a thousand years ahead of its time, was quietly born on this vibrant land!

While the economy and people's livelihoods developed rapidly...

Within Panshi University, a more profound enlightenment movement was also in full swing.

Gu Changfeng, the university president filled with world-shaking talent, personally launched a brand-new lecture series called "Investigation of Things and Extension of Knowledge."

He took those advanced theories that Gao Feng occasionally mentioned—such as the "heliocentric theory," "universal gravitation," and the "periodic table"—which were enough to overturn the worldviews of the entire era, and explained them in a more accessible way to the young students filled with a thirst for knowledge.

These brand-new ideas were like blockbuster bombs, exploding within the young minds that had been imprisoned for thousands of years by traditional thoughts such as the "round sky and square earth" and the "divine right of kings"!

For the first time, they learned that the land beneath their feet was actually a giant sphere suspended in the endless Void Realm!

For the first time, they learned that the high and mighty sun, moon, and stars were not revolving around them, but were operating according to some more magnificent and profound Laws of the Universe!

For the first time, they learned that the seemingly mysterious thunder and lightning were not the wrath of a Heavenly God, but a natural phenomenon that could be recognized, understood, and even utilized by humans!

These brand-new ideas, like the sharpest daggers, ruthlessly pierced through the dark curtain of ignorance and superstition that had shrouded them for thousands of years, opening a door for them to a whole new world!

A new era of thought, filled with reason, science, and an endless spirit of exploration, quietly began within this lighthouse of knowledge!

However, just when the entire Northern Territory was immersed in this unprecedented prosperity and hope, believing that peace and tranquility would last forever...

A massive crisis, capable of plunging the entire Northern Territory into blood and fire once again, was silently and frantically approaching!

...

The night was as dark as ink.

Just as this thriving land was immersed in peaceful slumber, a fast horse, like black lightning, tore through the tranquility of Yan King City.

A messenger belonging to the "Sky Net," covered in dust and blood, used his last ounce of strength to roll off his horse in front of the prince's mansion, shouting hoarsely: "Urgent report from the Sky Net! Extremely urgent!!"

A moment later, inside the study that symbolized the highest power center of the Northern Territory, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron, so cold that it seemed as if it could drip water.

A top-secret piece of intelligence, obtained by the "Sky Net" at the cost of their lives, was lying quietly on the desk in front of Gao Feng. Every word on it seemed to contain endless blood and murderous intent.

The content of the intelligence was simple yet shocking: The King of Wei, Cao Meng, who entrenched himself in the Central Plains, had sent secret envoys deep into the grasslands to reach a secret agreement with the newly risen "Gray Wolf King."

Cao Meng promised that after the deed was done, he would hand over the entire Youzhou region, using this as the price to exchange for the Gray Wolf King to mobilize 300,000 iron cavalry after the autumn of this year, joining his 500,000-strong army to form a pincer attack from the north and south against the Northern Territory!

Meanwhile, the Eastern Hu Tribes, which had greatly increased in strength after annexing the remnants of the Heavenly Wolf, were also restless; they had clearly received news and were preparing to take advantage of the crisis to get a share of the spoils!

In an instant, the entire Northern Territory was plunged into a desperate situation of being attacked from three sides!

"This is too much bullying! Does that old thief Cao Meng really think there is no one left in our Northern Territory?!" The most hot-tempered Grand Governor, Du Wei, slammed the table, and the hard iron-wood surface was instantly covered in spiderweb-like cracks.

His eyes were wide open, his hair bristling with rage, and his booming voice echoed in the study: "Your Highness! This general requests an order! Immediately assemble the Tiger Guard Battalion and head south to fight Cao Meng to the death!"

However, Zhao Yu, who had just been entrusted with a heavy responsibility, calmly shook his head. His eyes, sharp as a falcon's, flashed with cold light: "Governor Du, this cannot be done. Cao Meng is powerful, and his 500,000-strong army is composed of battle-hardened elites; it is not something we can defeat in a rush. Instead of heading south to clash head-on with his vanguard, it is better to concentrate our superior forces to launch a thunderous strike, first heading north to completely cripple the Gray Wolf King, whose Foundation is not yet stable! As long as the Northern Territory is secure, we can calmly head south to engage in a war of attrition with Cao Meng!"

"General Zhao's words make sense, but the grasslands are vast, and the Gray Wolf King's cavalry comes and goes like the wind. If our main force goes deep into the grasslands, our logistics supply line will inevitably be stretched infinitely, making it very easy for the enemy to seize a flaw and deliver a fatal blow."

The newly appointed General of Cavalry, Ma Qianli, stood up. His heroic face was filled with calmness and reason. "This general believes that our army should focus on cavalry harassment, imitating the story of the former Champion Marquis 'sealing the wolf at Juxu,' fighting to support the war, constantly harassing their tribes, burning their pastures, cutting off their supplies, and making them exhausted, so they will collapse without a fight!"

For a time, there was much discussion in the study.

Du Wei advocated for defensive holding and waiting for reinforcements, resting while waiting for the enemy; Zhao Yu advocated for an active strike to seize the initiative; Ma Qianli advocated for guerrilla harassment to strike at the root.

The newly surrendered Xiang Hao, Gu Shenwei, and others had not spoken, but their eager eyes already showed their determination to fight.

New and old generals expressed their opinions, and the entire military meeting fell into an unprecedentedly fierce debate.

However, from beginning to end, Gao Feng, sitting high on the main seat, remained silent.

There was no expression on his face, and his eyes, deep as the stars, were just quietly staring at the huge military sand table in front of him, as if his mind had already wandered far away.

It was not until everyone gathered their gazes on him that he slowly raised his head. His calm yet supreme voice clearly reached everyone's ears: "What you all said is right, and also wrong."

He slowly stood up, walked to the huge sand table, picked up the command stick, and drew a red arc filled with endless dominance and determination across the intricate mountains and rivers.

"Cao Meng and the Gray Wolf King seem powerful, but in reality, they are divided in heart and mind, each harboring their own ulterior motives. The only connection point between them is that fragile trust and common interest. And what we need to do is to break this connection point completely with thunderous force in the shortest possible time!"

His voice suddenly became incomparably cold and murderous!

"I have decided to adopt the strategy of 'defending in the north and attacking in the south, luring the enemy deep, and breaking one side first'!"

"I order you, Grand Governor Du Wei!"

"This general is here!" Du Wei stepped forward abruptly and knelt on one knee.

"I order you and General Wulu to immediately lead the Tiger Guard Battalion, the Green Wolf Battalion, and 100,000 militia, relying on the Yanshan Mountains, to reinforce all passes and fortresses on the northern line! I don't care what method you use; within a month, you must build the entire northern defense line into a Great Wall of Steel that will make the Gray Wolf King's 300,000 iron cavalry crash and bleed! Can you do it?!"

"This general, obeys the order!!" Du Wei and Wulu looked at each other, their eyes burning with raging Battle Intent and determination!

"I order you, General of Cavalry Ma Qianli!"

"This general is here!"

"I order you to lead your 30,000 light cavalry, break them into smaller units, and like ghosts on the grassland, keep a close watch on every move of the Eastern Hu Tribes! If they dare to act rashly, you must burn their pastures and seize their cattle and sheep for me, letting them know what a true 'prairie fire' is!"

"This general, obeys the order!!" A trace of cold murderous intent flashed across Ma Qianli's handsome face.

"Zhao Yu, Gu Shenwei, Xue Biao!"

"This general is here!" The three stepped out simultaneously.

"I order you three to lead your 50,000 assault cavalry and Panshi Elite Soldiers as the army's general reserve, standing by at any time! Once the opportunity for battle appears, I want you to be like the sharpest dagger, thrusting directly into the enemy's heart!"

"This general, obeys the order!!"

Finally, Gao Feng's gaze fell on Xiang Hao, who was as burly as a small mountain and was already rubbing his hands, eager and impatient.

"Xiang Hao!"

"This general is here!"

"I order you to lead the 3,000 heavy infantry of the Divine Power Battalion as my personal guards, serving as the core striking force of the entire army! In this battle, you will be the hammer that decides the outcome in my hand! I want you to smash open the door to victory for my Panshi Army!"

"Roar! Your Highness, rest assured! This general will definitely not fail the mission!!" Xiang Hao excitedly pounded his chest, which seemed to be cast from steel, letting out a deafening roar!

A top-level military meeting concerning the survival of the Northern Territory, under the unquestionable supreme majesty and clear strategic deployment of Gao Feng, quickly unified everyone's thoughts.

The slight estrangement that had originally existed between the new and old generals was also completely crushed and melted away under the immense pressure of the looming war!

In everyone's hearts, only one common thought remained—fight!

With Gao Feng's order, the entire Northern Territory, this huge war machine that had just awakened from its slumber, instantly began to operate frantically with unprecedented, terrifying efficiency!

Within the Hundred Crafts Institute, tens of thousands of craftsmen, led by Gongshu Ban and the Descendant of the Mohist school, worked day and night, rotating in three shifts, with people resting but the furnaces never stopping!

The raging furnace fires, bright enough to illuminate the night like day, and the crisp, ceaseless clanging of hammers converged into a passionate symphony of iron and fire!

Blade after blade of the incredibly sharp "Panshi Type II" standard combat sabers, and set after set of exquisite plate armor with amazing defense, were produced from the efficiently operating assembly lines like a tide, continuously arming every soldier who was about to step onto the battlefield!