Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors-Chapter 476 - 261: Stirring Up a Major Prison Incident!

"Decree states: Since my ascension to the throne, I have governed the world with benevolence and justice, secured peace with rewards and punishments, and relentlessly sought out the wise. My love for the people is fervent, as if fearing it will not suffice. All children, near and far, know my heart.

"Deeply considering the Duke of Wuchang and Jinghu Envoy Han Fuyue, who successfully recovered the Central Plains, his labors and meritorious services are indeed the pillars of our dynasty, upon which I heavily rely.

"I hereby specially dispatch Grand Commandant Chen Yuanshan, bearing the imperial edict to personally visit and console the troops. For the refusal of the Zhao Yi Army to accept orders, let bygones be bygones, all are pardoned. Gold, silver, and various treasures are bestowed to comfort the labor of our officers and soldiers.

"May you not fail my expectations, always remember the thoughts of loyalty and service to the country, and strive diligently.

"Year, month, day, the Emperor bestows this letter to Han Fuyue."

After reading the imperial edict, Grand Commandant Chen Yuanshan said to Zhao Haiping, "General Han, would you accept the decree?"

Zhao Haiping stood impassively, reaching out to take the imperial decree: "Your servant accepts the decree."

Chen Yuanshan was somewhat choked with emotion.

Because at this moment, General Han Fuyue’s behavior, seeing the imperial edict without kneeling or bowing, was in fact a great disrespect. But considering that General Han had already committed even greater acts of disrespect, it seemed pointless to delve into such minor details now.

However, the purpose of this trip still needed to be attempted.

After a slight hesitation, Chen Yuanshan said, "General Han, the imperial family misses you greatly. This officer has come here entrusted by them, hoping once matters in the north are concluded, you might find time to return to the Privy Council to report.

"The imperial family will also reward those who have merited service to welcome and cleanse you."

Zhao Haiping could not help laughing. Emperor Gaozong of Qi and Qin Huizhi are truly interesting characters—are they still hoping for my return at this time?

Return for what? To wait to be caught and wrongfully killed? There’s no shortage of excuses this time.

But Zhao Haiping also knew Chen Yuanshan was just a messenger, so he simply smiled lightly: "Grand Commandant Chen, rest assured, I have understood the intentions of the imperial family. However, the affairs of the Northern Land are complicated, and I cannot disengage.

"When the matters in the Northern Land have settled sufficiently, I naturally will hasten to the capital to submit myself for judgment."

Chen Yuanshan looked at Zhao Haiping with doubt, clearly not convinced. Yet he seemed to harbor a slight hope that General Han Fuyue might still be loyal to the emperor.

With everything said, Grand Commandant Chen had nothing else to say: "Since that is the case, this officer will take his leave first."

After saying this, Chen Yuanshan left the military camp.

Zhao Haiping did not bother with pleasantries, casually assigning a Deputy General to take care of him, and then disregarded the matter.

At this time in the Qi Dynasty, during the era of Emperor Qihui, the actual status of the Grand Commandant had already drastically fallen. And in the era of Emperor Gaozong, it no longer counted as a particularly important official position.

"Three high officials are common as dogs, Grand Commandants walk all over the place," although an exaggeration, it does indicate the severe devaluation of these official positions in the Qi Dynasty.

And this Grand Commandant Chen Yuanshan, was also being severely marginalized at court, having to act according to Qin Huizhi’s mood, this trip was just a bitter errand forced upon him by Emperor Gaozong and Qin Huizhi.

Thus, Zhao Haiping neither needed to regard him highly nor view him as an enemy, having accepted the decree was enough.

Returning to the main military tent, Zhao Haiping unfolded the edict again and read it from start to finish.

It must be said, Emperor Gaozong’s calligraphic skills were indeed not bad.

Written in a flowing script, the handwriting was as natural and flowing as clouds and water, yet the artistic conception was extremely sophisticated; the layout was open and cheerful, with no visible faults. The script was uniform, ink shades consistent, and the transitions between lifting and falling strokes showcased a rounded mastery of calligraphy.

Indeed, Emperor Gaozong’s authentic scripts often fetched astronomical prices later on, enough to illustrate his unique accomplishments in calligraphy.

Regrettably, being able to write beautifully did not mean being able to be a good emperor.

Emperor Qihui’s calligraphy was also unique, even innovating a new style of script, but what of it? It led to the Jingping uprising, causing the people of Qi to suffer terribly, leaving the entire Northern Land still lamenting under the Jin forces.

And Emperor Gaozong?

His calligraphic works could fetch sky-high prices, possibly partly because his calligraphy was indeed good, but a more important reason, it piggybacked on the popularity of General Han Fuyue.

General Yuan Jing’s spectral figure stood beside Zhao Haiping, naturally witnessing the entire process.

Certainly, during the battles, Zhao Haiping frequently sought advice from General Yuan Jing. The second great victory at Zhuxian Town should indeed be attributed to Zhao Haiping and General Yuan Jing together.

"I never expected that the court would truly tacitly approve your actions," General Yuan Jing said upon seeing the contents of the edict, feeling somewhat incredulous.

This decree was already yielding, not only pardoning the previous disobedience but also extending an olive branch.

Of course, Emperor Gaozong didn’t actually bestow too much gold and silver, just made a token gesture—after all, he didn’t want to further "finance the enemy."

But what Zhao Haiping needed at this moment wasn’t these provisions.

The implied meaning of the edict was already very clear: General Han Fuyue, you’re impressive, and now with public sentiment boiling, I cannot touch you. But don’t overstep; nominally, you are still a subject of Qi, give me some face and don’t genuinely rise in rebellion and attack. Just stay put and I’ll tacitly accept your current status, go fight the Jin if you want to.

Zhao Haiping smiled, "Every useless person has one thing in common, they are outwardly strong but hollow inside.

"Emperor Gaozong and Qin Huizhi, these two individuals, can manipulate General Han Fuyue and various other commanders at will, because these people must adhere to rules. And they are the very makers of these rules, how could they not manipulate?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺