Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 234 Chen Xing's Concerns

The faint medicinal fragrance left behind by Lan Fenghuang after her graceful departure mingled with the calming scent of the five-colored sachet, lingering in the slightly somber study like an invisible thread drawing Chen Xing's thoughts. He did not rest as Lan Fenghuang had hoped, but instead leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth bamboo ointment box, his gaze fixed on the southern horizon outside the window, towards Caishiji, the direction of Jinling.

The window frame divided the sky into regular geometric shapes, with low-hanging clouds brewing a fine, lingering, cold rain, a common occurrence in the autumn and winter of Jiangnan. Just like his state of mind at this moment, seemingly calm, yet with layers upon layers of thoughts intertwining and colliding within.

The southern expedition was progressing smoothly. Caishiji had become an isolated island, the internal rifts within the allied forces were deepening, the pacification efforts under Lin Wan'er's management were remarkably effective, and the southwestern Miao region had been saved from danger and even became an asset thanks to Lan Fenghuang's allegiance. Everything seemed to be proceeding according to the ideal trajectory, awaiting only the final thunderous strike to break the last backbone of the Southern Dynasty and seize the beauty of Jiangnan.

However, just as the approaching cold rain will dampen the ground and bring chill, some problems that were temporarily shelved or ignored under the flames of war and the tense pace will gradually surface in people's minds as the situation becomes clearer and the subtle changes in the people around them bring a more complex and indescribable "concern" that is different from the outcome of the battlefield.

The first thing to consider is emotion.

Murong Mingyue's old wounds and the brief warmth of visiting his wife from afar, Lin Wan'er's increasingly clear admiring gaze under the lonely lamp late at night, Lan Fenghuang's vivid, direct, and undisguised closeness and concern... Three women with very different personalities, yet all extraordinary, cast different shadows on his heart in different ways.

For Mingyue, their bond was one of deep, lifelong love, a mutual trust and support built on the foundation of the empire. This affection was the most profound, and also the most weighty, carrying the memories of their shared founding and the responsibilities for the future. Her strength, coupled with the occasional glimpses of melancholy, pained him and filled him with guilt. He couldn't offer her the constant companionship of an ordinary couple, and even when she was unwell, he could only meet her briefly before returning to the battlefield. This sense of indebtedness weighed heavily on his heart.

His feelings for Wan'er stemmed from a deep appreciation for her talent and a high regard for her wisdom and loyalty. She was like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, possessing inner beauty and understanding, capable of sharing his burdens in political affairs. He was not oblivious to her subtle yet increasingly profound feelings. This gave him a subtle pleasure of being admired, but also a touch of unease. He admired her and valued her, but his imperial status and responsibility to Mingyue compelled him to maintain a cautious distance, unable to offer any response beyond the bounds of the relationship between ruler and subject—for that, too, might be a betrayal.

Chen Xing's gaze swept over the colorful sachets as he looked at the phoenix... This woman, like a mountain spirit, was direct, vibrant, and full of life, just like the fresh medicinal scent she brought. Her concern was open and natural, her admiration bold and pure, undisguised, and... irresistible. Unlike Wan'er, who was reserved and self-possessed, or Mingyue, who carried the shackles of the empress, she was simply herself; she liked what she liked, and cared for what she cared for. This unpretentious enthusiasm, like a ray of sunshine, shone into his constantly tense, calculating world, bringing a rare sense of ease and warmth. However, this was also a "trouble." She was the Holy Maiden of Miao territory, with a special status. If her closeness was not handled properly, it might affect the alliance with the Baiyue Sect, and could also cause unnecessary turmoil in the harem and the court.

Three women, three intertwined emotions. The fate of his country and the world, the dignity of an emperor, destined him to be unlike ordinary men, unable to act solely on impulse and seek revenge. Behind every emotion lies responsibility, balance, and even political considerations. This "emotional turmoil" seems to consume him even more mentally than facing thousands of troops or planning a major battle.

Beyond these "emotional concerns," there are also concerns about national affairs.

The south of the Yangtze River is about to be pacified, but this is merely the end of military conquest, not the beginning of governance. How to appease the war-torn people of Jiangnan, how to deal with the deeply entrenched aristocratic clans, how to truly bring this wealthy yet centrifugal land under the effective rule of the empire, how to balance the interests of the newly annexed territories with the old northern lands… these are all pressing problems. Lin Wan'er's "Pacifying the South Strategy" provides some ideas, but its implementation still requires the emperor's final decision and coordination of the entire bureaucratic machine. This is far more complex and protracted than winning a single battle.

There were also concerns about what would happen after his death. Since the southern campaign, he had personally braved arrows and stones, venturing deep into dangerous territory. Although he had repeatedly escaped danger thanks to his advanced knowledge and systematically enhanced physique, the battlefield was ruthless, and who could guarantee absolute safety? The crown prince was still young, and the other sons were not yet fully grown. The vast foundation of the empire required a stable and orderly succession. Although he was in his prime, the crucial matters concerning the foundation of the nation—establishing an heir, cultivating a successor, and preventing potential struggles for the throne—had to be planned for in advance. Although Jia Wen's previous veiled "urging" for him to ascend the throne had been temporarily suppressed by him under the pretext of "after pacifying Jiangnan," it still reminded him that as the territory expanded and his achievements reached their zenith, his personal authority and position also needed to be further established and consolidated to reassure the hearts of his subjects.

Finally, there was the seemingly distant yet weighty task issued by the system—[The Flame of Civilization: Extend the Star Empire's reign for over three hundred years]. This was not merely his personal achievement or that of his generation; it concerned whether the "spark" he brought could truly ignite a prairie fire on this land, forming a stable, powerful, and enduring civilization. This required deep-seated development in areas such as institutions, culture, economy, and technology, something that could not be accomplished in a single generation. He had to begin laying the groundwork for this long-term goal now.

Emotion, country, legacy, civilization... a thousand and one thoughts, like the gradually gathering dark clouds outside the window, pressed down on his heart layer by layer. Even with a system and a will as firm as Chen Xing's, he felt the immense pressure and loneliness unique to emperors, a pressure that no one could truly share.

He withdrew his gaze from the window and returned it to the pile of military reports and documents in front of him. His well-defined fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic and slow sound.

Worry, but don't let worry trap you.

Emotions need to be handled properly, but they must never affect the overall decision-making process.

National affairs are numerous and complex, but they must be sorted out step by step and resolved one by one.

The arrangements for what lies ahead and the inheritance of civilization require careful planning and steady progress.

"The road must be taken one step at a time," Chen Xing murmured to himself, his eyes gradually regaining their usual calm and sharpness. "If Jiangnan is not yet pacified, then pacify Jiangnan first; if the gentry are difficult to appease, then use both kindness and severity; if the system is not yet established, then draw on the past and present to create a new chapter; as for what happens after me... I am in the prime of my life, and I still have enough time to make arrangements."

He picked up a confidential report on the latest developments of the garrison at Caishiji and began to read intently. His jumbled thoughts were temporarily suppressed, transforming into a more powerful driving force to advance the current battle and ultimately resolve all problems. The path of an emperor is destined to be lonely and arduous, but having chosen this path, he would walk it steadfastly, bearing all that must be borne and handling all that must be handled.

However, in some unintentional moment, his gaze would sweep over the exquisite sachet on the armrest of the chair, or in the intervals between reviewing documents, he would recall Lin Wan'er's clear eyes that held hidden emotions, or in the quiet of the night, he would think of his wife in Chang'an who had shared hardships with him... The tenderness and turmoil hidden deep in his heart, belonging to "Chen Xing" rather than "Emperor Xingqi," could never be completely erased.

This is his "concern," and it is also a part of what he, as an emperor, must bear and resolve.

The rain outside the window finally began to fall in a light drizzle, tapping on the eaves and bamboo leaves in the courtyard, making a soft rustling sound, as if playing a prelude to a complex and profound melody of unheard thoughts for this lonely and resolute emperor.