In the south, Qingyun Town.
For ten years, the flames of war had been raging in the northern territories, leaving the south in a state of relative peace. The town's prosperity, far from being affected, had grown rapidly. With many men who had been conscripted into the army returning, Qingyun Town was even more vibrant.
A city named Hangjing City, located more than five hundred li away from Qingyun Town, was the closest city to Qingyun Town.
Although Hangjing City was situated in the lower reaches of the south, it was also the most prosperous and largest city in the southern part of the Great Hua Kingdom.
The entire Hangjing City was abuzz with discussions about Li Xuan's appointment as marshal. The people were filled with awe and reverence for this figure, who seemed to have descended from the heavens like a god of war. The families of the soldiers who had returned home alive were particularly grateful to Li Xuan.
Without Li Xuan's appearance, they might not have been reunited with their families. The families of the soldiers who had died on the battlefield also felt a sense of gratitude towards Li Xuan. At least their sons, husbands, and brothers had their revenge.
"I wonder where this Young Marshal Li comes from. If I were fortunate enough to meet him, it would be a blessing of three lifetimes," an old man, who appeared to be in his seventies, said with emotion after taking a sip of his tea in a teahouse in Hangjing City.
Li Xuan was appointed as a Ten-Star Marshal, not only the eleventh marshal of the Great Hua Kingdom but also the youngest among the eleven marshals. Therefore, people also referred to him as the Young Marshal.
"Our country's security protocols for high-ranking marshals are extremely strict. How could we possibly know their details? However, Young Marshal Li is truly like a god descended from heaven, to have defeated the eighty-million-strong allied forces of Qi, Yan, Zhao, and Yue with only a hundred thousand Li family soldiers."
"It's a pity we didn't witness the scene firsthand. The spectacle must have been incredibly grand and magnificent!"
"Speaking of Young Marshal Li, that's a bit too distant for us. Have you all heard? Tonight, the Qiu family will be hosting a grand banquet at Misty Rain Pavilion. The marriage alliance between the Qiu family and the Prime Minister's family is likely more than ninety percent certain."
"Misty Rain Pavilion is property of the Qiu family. They are quite efficient. I heard that the events that transpired in Qingyun Town were the doing of the Qiu and Prime Minister's families. Now that the two families are forming a marriage alliance, they are likely binding themselves together."
"It's a pity for those soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. They cannot even rest in peace after death. We must remember that the peace we enjoy now was bought with their blood and flesh."
"Hush, are you trying to get yourself killed? The Qiu family and the Prime Minister's family are among the top six major families in Hangjing City. Such matters are not even interfered with by the Southern District Military Affairs Bureau. How can you and I discuss them so freely?"
"..."
Outside the teahouse, two figures stood for a long time. It seemed that both of them had overheard everything that the people inside the teahouse were discussing. After a long while, the man at the forefront of the two moved his lips and finally said, "Let's go."
"Young Marshal, it seems now that the Qiu and Prime Minister's families were indeed behind it. We must give those fallen brothers justice!" After walking for several minutes, the burly man following behind finally couldn't help but quicken his pace and step in front of the man in front, saying.
"I will handle this matter. If it were only the Qiu and Prime Minister's families, their strength would not be enough to make the Southern District Military Affairs Bureau wary. However, evidence will soon surface," the former said, looking calmly into the distance before speaking slowly.
If the northern soldiers were present, they would undoubtedly recognize these two as Li Meng, who was appointed as a Six-Star Deputy General, and the Ten-Star Marshal who shook the entire Great Hua Kingdom, Li Xuan.
"So, the Young Marshal already had a plan. It was my subordinate who was too hasty," Li Meng said, immediately bowing.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, his expression growing even colder. "They were soldiers I led personally. They were my brothers. If I cannot stand up for them, how will I have the face to see them in the afterlife? Not a single one of them will escape."
Misty Rain Pavilion, located on the most prosperous Jixiang Street in Hangjing City. As night fell, the lights of Misty Rain Pavilion gradually became more brilliant. xxs1
Time passed slowly, and pairs of people arrived from both sides of the street. The maids who had been waiting at the entrance immediately welcomed everyone into Misty Rain Pavilion. Outside Misty Rain Pavilion, six rows of guards in different colored uniforms guarded the front and back entrances.
Inside Misty Rain Pavilion, the lights were dazzling, and the sounds of singing and dancing filled the air. At a large round table in the deepest part of the pavilion, six middle-aged men sat around the table.
"Everyone, today is the marriage banquet of the Qiu family and the Prime Minister's family. I, Qiu, thank you all for your presence. I, this old man, offer this cup of wine to all of you!" The middle-aged man sitting in the head seat raised his wine cup and stood up, speaking loudly to the crowd filling the hall.
This person had a smile on his face and was clearly in high spirits.
"Thank you, Patriarch Qiu, for your hospitality. Please!" Everyone stood up upon hearing this, and then they all raised their wine cups and drank them dry.
Across from Misty Rain Pavilion, Liuxiang Pavilion.
Perhaps because Misty Rain Pavilion was hosting the marriage alliance of the Qiu and Prime Minister's families today, there were not many diners in Liuxiang Pavilion. Even the maids performing on stage were singing listlessly.
And at a table by the window, Li Xuan and Li Meng slowly drank their wine. Their eyes had not moved from the six patriarchs of Hangjing City since they entered Misty Rain Pavilion.
Dong dong dong.
With a sound of hurried footsteps, Li Xuan's gaze slowly retracted. A man quickly walked up to Li Xuan, whispered a few words in his ear, and then stood up straight, waiting.
"Li Meng." The wine cup in Li Xuan's hand suddenly shattered, and then a low voice sounded.
"Here!" Li Meng immediately stood up upon hearing the call, his body as straight as the man who had just entered.
"Pass down the order, assemble the Li family army. Li Chen, bring in the large coffins of my elder brother and second brother." Li Xuan slowly poured himself some wine, and his voice simultaneously reached Li Meng and Li Chen.
"Yes!" Li Meng straightened his body upon hearing this and then quickly left. Li Chen followed Li Xuan's gaze, nodded, then bowed properly and quickly departed.
"This wine is truly bitter," Li Xuan muttered to himself, and then, under the fearful gazes of several people, he slowly stood up.
The waiter, who was some distance away and afraid to approach, looked at Li Xuan as he left a piece of silver and his eyes lit up as he shouted loudly, "We welcome you back next time, distinguished guest!"
"Who goes there!"
Speed is of the essence. In less than five minutes, a thousand Li family soldiers had surrounded Jixiang Street. The guards of the six major families, upon opening their mouths, immediately closed them and dared not speak further.
The thousand Li family soldiers present all exuded a murderous aura, and it was evident that they were battle-hardened. Their guards dared not show any dissatisfaction.
"Who is making a commotion outside!" Although the guards dared not speak, and also dared not send any messages inside, the appearance of the Li family army and the neat marching sounds alerted the people inside Misty Rain Pavilion. Qiu Deguan, as the host of today's event, naturally stood up and walked towards the pavilion's entrance.
"You are..." Before Qiu Deguan could walk out of the main door, eight soldiers had already carried two large coffins into Misty Rain Pavilion. Qiu Deguan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he was momentarily stunned.
Upon seeing what the eight soldiers were carrying, he immediately became enraged. "How dare you! Guards, seize them for me!"
However, what shocked Qiu Deguan even more was that none of the thirty guards guarding Misty Rain Pavilion outside appeared.
Just then, a cold voice slowly sounded, "Patriarch Qiu, you have quite the presence."