The Qing Kingdom's garrison of ten thousand troops could not, of course, be entirely stationed around Dongyi City. Although the city was the largest in the world, providing logistics and camps for ten thousand soldiers was not too difficult. However, due to some reasons difficult to articulate, the military camp, which should have been renovated in five days, had not been completely finished to this day. Therefore, some of the Qing soldiers were temporarily stationed in temporary camps.

In the end, a total of five thousand six hundred people remained in Dongyi City, while the rest were stationed in various vassal states to suppress and deter.

That evening, after attending the grand banquet, the First Prince did not rush to rest. Instead, he gently waved to Fan Xian, and the two slipped into a quiet study.

The First Prince was silent for a moment, and finally took a letter from his arms first. Fan Xian glanced at it and recognized the format of the letter. He was about to kneel down to receive the imperial decree, but was stopped by the First Prince.

"With just the two of us, why make your knees suffer?" The First Prince gently shook his head.

Fan Xian was slightly taken aback, then slowly smiled, and no longer performed the grand salute. He took the imperial decree from his hand, opened it, read it carefully, and then fell into contemplation, not speaking for a long time.

"I will return to the capital first, and then you will take my place here for three months." The Emperor's tone in the letter was very gentle, with a hint of undisguised appreciation for Fan Xian. Fan Xian felt relaxed, and his tone was also relaxed as he said to the First Prince, "This arrangement is feasible, but the problem is, when you return to the capital and I come to relieve you, will we two be on permanent assignment in Dongyi City?"

To conquer Dongyi City as calmly as possible, minimizing the loss to Qing's national strength, wealth, and military power, the First Prince and Fan Xian, the Emperor's two sons with Dongyi blood, were undoubtedly the best choices.

Although in the opening ceremony a month ago, Si Gu Jian's last letter kept pulling Fan Xian towards the Dongyi people's side, aiming at the Emperor's heart, the Emperor was a man of great wisdom. How could he not understand this? Instead, he went with the flow, changed his original idea, and actually sent the First Prince to garrison the city with the Qing army.

Whether it was the First Prince or Fan Xian, both had half Dongyi blood. This was an unparalleled advantage in conquering the hearts of the Dongyi people. At least, those who were conquered would feel better knowing that the Qing dignitaries above them were also half Dongyi.

Especially the First Prince, who was a legitimate prince, and whose mother's background was known to the world. Having him stationed in Dongyi City could also represent the bloodline fusion between Nanqing and Dongyi. To truly conquer a territory, the intermingling of bloodlines was undoubtedly the most powerful weapon.

The Emperor saw very far ahead.

However, the Emperor could not allow both the First Prince and Fan Xian to stay in Dongyi City for a long time. Firstly, he only had these two adult princes to assist him in the court and military affairs. Secondly, his sons were too far away from the capital, and the Emperor was somewhat worried about these two princes who clearly lacked the Li family's traits.

Fan Xian was well aware of this concern, so he was not surprised by the instructions in the secret decree. He was just a little worried. If the First Prince came, he would have to leave. What would happen in the future?

"Someone always needs to be stationed in Dongyi City." He looked at the First Prince and asked, "What exactly are His Majesty's plans? Will it be you or me?"

"I'm not sure either." A faint worry appeared between the First Prince's brows. He was not an ordinary Qing official or citizen. Although he was also immensely pleased and shocked that Fan Xian was able to persuade Si Gu Jian and subdue Jian Lu without bloodshed, thereby incorporating the land and people of Dongyi City into the territory of Daqing, he was more concerned about whether this process could proceed smoothly.

Especially today, outside Dongyi City, although the ten thousand Qing iron cavalry effectively deterred most of the Dongyi people, the performance of the Jian Lu disciples made the First Prince somewhat vigilant.

He looked deeply at Fan Xian and said, "Regarding the matter of Jian Lu, although His Majesty did not say it explicitly, it is clear that he is not pleased with this."

"I was forced into a corner at the time. Either I take over Jian Lu, or I have to start from scratch." Fan Xian sneered and said, "Do you think I want to be the fat meat stuck in a hard pancake?"

"Father's meaning is very clear. At least you have to go back to report your duties..." The First Prince frowned slightly, then sighed and said, "I'm just here to take your place temporarily. Father wouldn't trust me to stay in Dongyi for long."

Fan Xian fell silent, knowing that the First Prince was telling the truth. The First Prince had always had some care and closeness towards Dongyi City, after all, Consort Ning had been reminding him for so many years. Plus, he had military power in his hands. His Majesty would rather leave himself in Dongyi City than entrust Dongyi City to the First Prince.

Appointing someone as a king with land was not difficult, but deciding what kind of land and which king was the difficult part.

"Anyway, His Majesty hasn't urged me yet. I'll stay in Dongyi City for a while longer to help you consolidate the situation," Fan Xian said. "After things stabilize, I'll return to the capital."

The First Prince nodded and then said, "The Overwatch Council still needs you to manage it. Father probably won't let you be away from the capital all the time. After you return to the capital, find out what the future arrangements are for Dongyi City."

"Are you worried that His Majesty will send a powerful figure over here, causing a civil uprising in Dongyi City?" Fan Xian smiled and looked at him, saying, "I have my arrangements here. You, a half Dongyi person, don't worry too much."

His tone became serious, "Even if you are worried, you have to bury it in your stomach. Don't let anyone see it."

The First Prince knew that this younger brother of his was truly concerned about him, and he felt touched. He nodded.

"Is Chen Pingping preparing to leave?" Fan Xian took a sip of cold tea, feeling a little parched. He raised his eyes and looked at him. This eldest brother had a very close relationship with Chen Pingping and must be very clear about the movements in Chen Garden.

"He has already begun preparations and has asked to resign in the palace a few days ago." The First Prince did not know that Director Chen, whom he regarded as an elder, had once harbored rebellious thoughts against his father in private. He did not take this matter too seriously, only thinking that Director Chen was getting old and should retire. Thinking that Director Chen was leaving the capital and he didn't know if he would ever see him again in this life, the First Prince felt a little lost.

Fan Xian was silent, calculating for a long time in his heart, and no longer paid attention to this question. Finally, he asked, "Is the army that came to Dongyi City this time really all from the former Western Expeditionary Army? Can you completely control it?"

"The soldiers are all veterans, but the problem is that there are many unfamiliar faces among the middle-level officers." The First Prince narrowed his eyes and said coldly.

...

...

In the following days, things were still hectic. Those tedious handover ceremonies and renaming ceremonies were taking place in every part of Dongyi City. Fortunately, the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial had sent a large number of capable officials, so Fan Xian was not driven to the point of vomiting blood by these matters.

However, what really made him frantic was a civil uprising in Xiaoliang State, northwest of Dongyi City. In that action to mobilize the masses to resist the Qing invaders, a highly respected Liang scholar immolated himself on the street. The black smoke rose straight up, instantly igniting the hatred in the hearts of the people of Xiaoliang State.

Only now did Fan Xian truly realize how naive his original idea was. To truly conquer a foreign country, it was basically impossible to do it completely without bloodshed.

The First Prince had already led the army to suppress it, but before leaving, Fan Xian earnestly instructed him that if it was possible to prevent the Qing garrison from taking action, then they must not take action. Once the Qing army's hands were stained with the blood of the Dongyi people, it would be even more difficult to wash it away. This kind of hatred could never be resolved.

The First Prince followed the plan and sent a stern letter to the Dongyi City Lord's Mansion, questioning City Lord Yun Zhilan, and then drove the City Lord's Mansion to be the vanguard, with local officials and armed forces as the pioneers, to begin suppressing the Xiaoliang State rebellion. The Qing army served as the rearguard, maintaining a certain distance.

After the First Prince and Yun Zhilan left Dongyi City, all matters were left to Fan Xian to handle. He hid by the sea that day, thinking about the sparks that were rising and falling, never stopping, in Dongyi City, and felt a burst of frustration in his heart.

Letting the City Lord's Mansion suppress it should be better, somewhat like the puppet troops of the past? Fan Xian sat on a large blue stone by the sea and smiled bitterly. He knew that no matter how much he struggled, no matter how much Si Gu Jian's will and the Jian Lu disciples cooperated with him, he still couldn't change the fact that in the eyes of the Dongyi City people, he was that evil invader.

"What exactly do you want to do with the Xiaoliang State matter?" Wang Shisanlang, who had become increasingly silent in recent months, was sitting next to him at this time and suddenly asked, "Do you want the army to slaughter the people?"

"The City Lord's Mansion doesn't have a large army. All it has is the prestige and status that have been built up over the years." Fan Xian knew why Shisanlang was asking this today. After all, the other party was a Dongyi person, but now he had to suppress the Xiaoliang State rebellion, which he considered to be very righteous. He paused and said softly, "I have instructed them to kill as few people as possible."

"But in the end, people will still die, and once the fighting starts, how can you control it?" Wang Shisanlang's eyes were a little lost, and he just stared at the waves on the sea.

Fan Xian turned his head and glanced at him, his expression gradually becoming serious. He asked, "Do you know that scholar who immolated himself?"

"In the past, Mr. Gu often came to Jian Lu to talk to my master," Wang Shisanlang replied.

Fan Xian shook his head and said, "There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world. Although I have never met this Mr. Gu, I am sure that he is also a remarkable figure. The Xiaoliang State rebellion started because of him, but I cannot punish him. As for his family, rest assured, I will preserve them, and Mr. Gu's ancestral hall will be erected as soon as possible afterward."

Wang Shisanlang stared at him blankly, and after a long time, he said, "You don't truly respect him. You just need to put on this appearance to appease the people of Liang."

"This is a trick that all invaders will use." Fan Xian's expression was a little dim. "But the fact that you can think of this surprises me a little, Shisan. You are becoming less and less simple."

"Having seen too many things, no one can be simple." Shisanlang stared into his eyes and said, "You once promised your master that you wouldn't let the people of Dongyi City shed blood."

"I don't like seeing bloodshed, otherwise, why would I have been tied to this chariot by your Jian Lu?" Fan Xian smiled self-deprecatingly, but his smile gradually turned cold. "But the necessary blood always has to be shed, otherwise, if the chaos continues, it will be like a whirlpool, only swallowing the entire Dongyi City. At that time, more people will die."

He turned back and quietly looked at Wang Shisanlang and said, "I know what you are angry about, and I also know what you are sad about. But look into my eyes and think about what I have paid for this. Don't forget, if I only considered my personal interests, the Qing army would attack, I would stay out of it, and at most cry two times for the innocent people of Dongyi City. Why would I be tormented into this state?"

"If a war breaks out between the two sides, Dongyi City will definitely lose, and the number of dead will be in the hundreds of thousands." Fan Xian closed his eyes and said, "My philosophy of life is very simple. Since this thing cannot be stopped, then the fewer people who die, the better."

"The lives of ten people and the lives of ten thousand people are no different," Wang Shisanlang said.

"Wrong!" Fan Xian said decisively, "I don't care if life has a price. All I know is that one person's life is unique, and one hundred thousand unique lives are definitely more important than ten, one hundred, or one thousand."

"If God gave me a multiple-choice question, comparing the lives of one hundred thousand people and the lives of ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine people, I would definitely choose the former, because the former has one more."

"The people of Dongyi City should learn to be grateful to me." Fan Xian looked into Wang Shisanlang's eyes and said calmly, "I have saved many people who were destined to die."

Wang Shisanlang was silent for a long time before saying, "But these people were not supposed to die in the first place."

"His Majesty's cause needs them to die, so they must die." Fan Xian stood up from the big blue stone. "Even your master couldn't stop him. You should understand the pressure I'm under."

Fan Xian patted the sand off his buttocks, squinted at the boundless sea, and said, "Sometimes I find myself almost becoming a perfect hero."

"What does 'perfect hero' mean?"

"A non-human description." Fan Xian shrugged. "But thinking about it carefully, I'm not a perfect hero. I'm just willing to do this. I won't sacrifice myself for some ideal or some spiritual need, like that Mr. Gu immolating himself. I'm someone who will run away and is good at running away."

Then he turned around, looked at Shisanlang calmly, and said, "That day, I had a quiet conversation with Si Gu Jian in the room. You should have heard what we talked about. Regarding the Overbearing Power, do you have any insights?"

...

...

(The last few chapters have been difficult to write. Originally, according to my nature, this side of Dongyi City was going to be written in detail. For example, that Mr. Gu and the like, are all characters and scenes that can be made into excellent stories. But I know that not everyone likes to watch this section, and writing it is indeed a bit superficial, I don’t know why, so the speed of the plot is faster. I hope everyone can get used to it. Then... I’m going to go crazy, because it seems like I can’t get up the spirit without going crazy. Writing that crazy content below, uh...)