Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1029 - 640: Consolidating Power

Chapter 1029: Chapter 640: Consolidating Power

"Well, since things have reached this point, let’s put it behind us for now."

Xu Yuan did not continue to berate Li Junwu for his foolish choices but instead said softly, "Your decision was risky, but it undeniably helped us eliminate some internal threats."

Li Junwu still felt resentful, but he adjusted quickly and followed up:

"You mean the generals who merely watched as I attempted suicide?"

Xu Yuan’s gaze narrowed slightly. Leaning against the edge of the desk, his eyes stopped on the words hanging on the side wall as he spoke calmly:

"One of their ultimate goals was to see you killed. The spies within your Zhenxi Prefecture would surely prefer your death."

Li Junwu pursed her lips lightly upon hearing this:

"Are you saying that those generals who stood by and did nothing are traitors?"

Xu Yuan shook his head and replied:

"Not all of them. Refusing to intervene doesn’t automatically make them traitors. Some may have failed to react in time, while others might still be loyal to Zhenxi Prefecture but harbor grievances against you. In that tense moment, hesitation was their chosen response."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan softened his expression and cast a brief glance at her on the main seat:

"Although Zhan Xian’an is a traitor to our side, to the generals under his command, he is still a brother who endured life-and-death struggles with them for years. It’s only natural that they find it difficult to accept such a drastic change in allegiance in the short term."

Li Junwu frowned, dissatisfied as she said:

"Can you just get to the point?"

"Look at you, there you go again. Just because I’m analyzing things for you doesn’t mean you can stop thinking for yourself."

"Even my old man relied on many advisors, and often he only judged right from wrong among their arguments."

"....."

Xu Yuan sighed, slightly speechless, chuckling as he continued:

"Reverse the traits I just mentioned. If someone has a strained relationship with Zhan Xian’an and possesses sufficient strength to intervene and prevent your suicide, then those who align with both traits are highly likely the traitors within your Zhenxi Prefecture."

Li Junwu squinted her eyes :

"You’re suggesting that Lu Bozou is also a traitor? He’s an elder who went through the Tatar Chao upheaval alongside my father, and he’s practically half buried in the ground already. What motive could he possibly have to betray Zhenxi Prefecture?"

Xu Yuan nodded and replied softly:

"There are countless reasons to choose betrayal. It could be family pressure, personal greed, or even dissatisfaction with his position stemming from your father’s uneven distribution of rewards after his rise to power."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan casually took a dossier from the desk, opened it, and said quietly:

"I reviewed his record earlier. Judging by Lu Bozou’s decades of achievements, he indeed deserves the position of commander of one town."

Li Junwu sank slightly upon hearing this:

"So this is my father’s failure to grant rewards properly?"

"Bang!"

Xu Yuan raised his hand and knocked it on Li Junwu’s head, scolding her irritably:

"Instead of blaming yourself, complain more about others—life will be much more comfortable that way."

"What kind of twisted logic is that!"

"What I’m saying is that you should approach problems more from your own perspective. There’s no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. Many decisions your father made weren’t even true choices."

Li Junwu rubbed her head and wanted to retaliate, but thinking it too childish, she restrained herself:

"What do you mean?"

"The reason my Prime Minister’s Mansion rose to power is largely because it absorbed the remnants of the Dragon Family and my mother’s clan. Do you honestly think your Zhenxi Prefecture could have reached its current scale solely due to your father’s meticulous governance?"

Upon diving into government records after arriving at the office, Xu Yuan discovered that the Marquis of Zhenxi’s Mansion’s troubles had been sowed during the upheaval of Tatar Chao, and it wasn’t just the Mu Clan Commerce Guild but also remnants of other destroyed sects.

Xu Yuan explained, his voice carrying a faint sigh: "After Xize State’s sects were annihilated, your father incorporated their remnants. Those people supported him, providing funds, rations, and manpower for your Zhenxi Prefecture, naturally demanding something in return."

The Prime Minister’s Mansion was able to bring under control all its absorbed factions, as it was ultimately ruled by Xu Yinhè with a firm grip.

However, the Marquis of Zhenxi’s Mansion, which rose in a similar manner, seemed constrained to take a different path.

While the Marquis of Zhenxi was alive, he managed to suppress dissent using his prestige and the trusted commanders he personally raised, but with his passing—and that of his elders—a fractured Zhenxi Prefecture would be what remained for Li Junwu.

This was likely one reason why the Marquis of Zhenxi had always hesitated to hand the reins to Li Junwu.

Li Junwu deduced Xu Yuan’s underlying message, but instead of feeling much dispirited, she chuckled softly:

"It looks like my family’s situation is even more troublesome than I expected."

Xu Yuan met her gaze momentarily and said quietly:

"Still, it’s not without solutions."

Li Junwu raised an eyebrow and asked, smirking:

"What’s the solution?"

"If you want simplicity, let my Prime Minister’s Mansion assist with a thorough purge."

"Which would effectively make Zhenxi Prefecture a vassal to your family, right?"

"Tsk...you saw through me?"

"...." Li Junwu.

Xu Yuan smiled slightly and said seriously: "Just joking. I truly don’t recommend relying on the Prime Minister’s Mansion to clean up your internal affairs. If you do that, your family’s fate will likely mirror that of the Dragon Family. It’s better to manage it yourself using political maneuvering—pulling close and antagonizing selectively, forming alliances strategically."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Hmm?"

"Isn’t the recent city siege by the Six Saints the perfect opportunity for all this?"

"You actually managed to think of that?"

"..." Li Junwu rolled her eyes, too exasperated to argue with him. With a soft humph, she said:

"But everything depends on our ability to hold the city first. What do you think we should do about Lu Bozou?"

Returning to the main topic, Xu Yuan answered without hesitation:

"We currently have no grounds to move against him. Killing him outright might cause greater troubles, and worse yet, even incite mutiny within the troops."

Li Junwu replied quietly:

"I’m well aware of that, so what do we do?"

Xu Yuan frowned in thought for a moment before replying:

"The biggest issue with Lu Bozou lies in his control over the Xuanting Army. According to your Zhenxi Army’s military structure, unless you continuously cultivate to seize control over the Military Array Force, he could at any moment collude with external Saints."

Xu Yuan’s eyes suddenly gleamed as he smiled and suggested:

"We elevate him in name but demote him in reality. The army cannot go a day without a commander. Using your Commandery Princess status, appoint him as the temporary commander of the Second Town. This way, you can tether him right by your side, making it easier to deal with him during battle."

Li Junwu hesitated and asked:

"Would he agree to this? Having witnessed Zhan Xian’an’s downfall, Lu Bozou would surely hide away in the Xuanting Barracks rather than come to the government office."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan grinned widely:

"Of course, he wouldn’t agree. Which is why you’ll need to craft an opportunity that leaves him no choice but to say yes."

Li Junwu thought for a moment before smiling herself:

"Then...I’ll summon all the city’s generals and publicly announce Lu Bozou’s appointment. Even if he doesn’t agree, his subordinates will push him into accepting. After all, his influence is unmatched in the city right now."

Xu Yuan nodded, his gaze narrowing with a cold edge:

"Additionally, you’ll need to find a way to grant that General Jin real authority. Preferably, send him to the Xuanting Army and let him take charge of the strongest military force."

Li Junwu gave a cautious reminder:

"Lu Bozou would definitely try to appoint one of his trusted deputies to that position."

Xu Yuan smiled gently, unperturbed:

"Then let General Jin start by becoming the deputy to Lu Bozou’s deputy. Afterward, we’ll let Lu Bozou’s deputy feign illness, won’t we? Don’t forget, we have Qilin Wolf—a terrifying Saint Level combatant on our side, making someone disappear is hardly a challenge."