Chapter 387: The Thirtieth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 387: The Thirtieth Day in a Hegemony Novel

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"Our Lord really knows!"

"Ugh ugh ugh~ I told you the Lord knew! My eyes have seen way too much!"

"No way! What's going on? Is An Yi really going to reciprocate? Shouldn't it just be the male lead pining one-sidedly, and then they don't end up together? Are they really going to make this a gay thing?"

"An Yi is going to be emperor, he should have children, and the male lead should pine for him unrequitedly, becoming a sage ruler and a worthy minister celebrated through the ages! Don't reciprocate the male lead's feelings, Lord!"

"Bro, seriously? (shrimp, computer.jpg)"

"After all this time, you still haven't accepted reality?"

"No! No! No! Snowflakes drift~"

"Holy crap! Tidecaller!"

"Male lead, your hubby is so flirty~"

"Bai Ji drew his sword and killed with clean, crisp moves. The blood-stained look of him caught our Lord's eye—is the romance line starting?"

"So this is what the Lord's into!"

"Ahhhh! So hyped!"

"Ugh ugh ugh~ Is this novel a gay haven? So many people looking forward to a gay romance? I've said it before—the male lead can only be the Lord's concubine!"

"Damn straight men! Get lost!"

"..."

Back in Zhuangdong County town, An Yi immediately sent people to arrest those implicated who had already been ordered to be detained.

Three days later, piles of irrefutable evidence and a string of ashen-faced prisoners were brought before the court.

Some who tried to flee were pinned to the ground before they could even leave their homes.

The ironclad evidence showed that the powerful gentry families of the three prefectures—led by the Zhou, Yang, and Tian clans of Zhao Prefecture—had conspired with people from Die Prefecture to harm their lord. The confessions of the petty officials who had aided them and relayed information were conclusive.

An Yi sat upright in the hall, not a trace of smile on his face—only a cold, grim severity.

He listened as the legal clerk read out their crimes and the evidence against them.

Then he lightly uttered a few words: "Handle them according to the law."

At the temporary execution ground outside Zhuangdong County, heads rolled in droves within a single day.

The principal offenders, core conspirators, corrupt officials, and captured enemy leaders—all were executed.

Their property was confiscated, and the remaining members of their clans were reduced to commoner status and sent to the rear to farm the land, men and women alike.

Meanwhile, the elite troops led by An Shu, under the pretext of pursuing remnant bandits and self-defense retaliation, boldly crossed the border and struck straight at the enemy's stronghold in Die Prefecture!

With prisoners guiding the way and long-planted agents providing support, the operation went exceptionally smoothly.

Within days, An Yi had breached Die Prefecture and seized a key transportation route.

This move enraged several factions in Die Prefecture, and the two sides faced off—a storm was brewing.

----------

Since sharing that single horse ride at Yuyu Stream, Bai Ji's mind was greatly at ease.

The wall that had always stood between them—built of status, position, and Bai Ji's one-sided reverence and humility—had quietly opened a window, letting hope shine through.

Of course An Yi knew Bai Ji's feelings. He had seen through them almost as soon as they met.

Previously, he couldn't say he had any particular feelings about Bai Ji's affections, but lately...

The humility tangled with desire, now tinged with blood, seemed rather pitifully endearing.

An Yi appreciated Bai Ji's talent, his strategic mind and ruthlessness, and... he quite enjoyed his company.

----------

Since An Zheng, An Xiu, Dong Yi, and the rest of the An clan had arrived safely in Sique from Yuncang and moved into the ancestral home, the burden on An Yi's shoulders seemed somewhat lighter. At least in family and clan matters, he now had trusted elders to share the load.

An Zheng and An Xiu, having experienced the upheaval in Yuncang and the arduous journey, and having witnessed Chu Wei's rapid rise and his governance of three prefectures in this chaotic world, had come to see things differently.

Especially An Zheng—he clearly recognized that this son before him, with his calm gaze and inscrutable methods, was no longer a youth needing his protection and guidance, but a sovereign capable of ruling a region, perhaps even contending for the entire realm.

He wisely chose to completely relinquish power. Together with An Xiu, citing "advanced age and declining energy," he handed all external affairs entirely to An Yi's discretion, keeping only an honorary title as elder. His days were spent sipping tea and playing chess with old friends, or supervising the children's studies—a peaceful retirement.

Of course, with a centuries-old great clan, tangled and deep-rooted, there were always those unwilling to stay quiet, those who couldn't see which way the wind was blowing.

Once, an elder of considerable seniority from one branch of the An family, presuming on his status, privately sought out An Zheng and earnestly advised him: "Brother Zheng, Chu Wei is certainly talented, but he is young after all, and his actions may be somewhat rash. These three prefectures are, in the end, the foundation of our An clan. You are the family head, in the prime of your years—how can you hand over everything? Chu Wei, as your son, ought to honor his father and defer to you on major matters... In this old one's opinion, perhaps..."

His words, between the lines, were nothing more than urging An Zheng to reclaim power, or at least to divide power and create checks and balances, so as not to let An Yi act unilaterally.

An Zheng listened, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was sneering coldly.

He knew well that this son of his appeared gentle but was in truth decisive and resolute, with an iron will. And now that his position was already secure and his influence fully developed, how could a few words of instigation from others shake him?

Moreover, the realm had descended into chaos, and the An clan's future was now bound entirely to An Yi. To stir up father-son power struggles or internal division at this moment would be nothing short of self-destruction.

He didn't wait for the elder to finish before interrupting flatly: "Uncle, you're wrong about that."

"Chu Wei is the prized son of our An family. His talent and virtue are plain for all to see. The future of the An clan, and indeed the fate of the realm, requires a man of his caliber to lead. I am old and my strength is waning. To watch him lead the An family to greater heights is the greatest comfort and blessing I could ask for. As for filial respect..."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his tone turned cold: "Chu Wei is extremely filial to me and handles everything with care. Why should others interfere? Uncle, if you have no other important matters, please take your leave. From now on, such idle talk need not be repeated."

The words were neither harsh nor soft, effectively silencing the elder.

Afterward, the elder, "old and senile, speaking without restraint," had offended many. An Zheng, showing "mercy," had someone "escort" the elder to a manor outside the city to "live out his days in comfort." Within a few months, the man died of suppressed anger.

Naturally, An Yi's trusted agents reported this to him. Not long after, An Zheng's people also came to report the matter.

An Yi was reviewing documents at the time. Upon hearing this, his brush paused only slightly, then a knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He said nothing more, only telling the messenger: "I understand. Father handled it thoroughly." And that was all.

His father's actions proved his choice—that was enough.

As for those fools who didn't know which way the wind was blowing, his father would handle them. No need for him to worry.

However, the concern of one's closest family could sometimes be harder to dodge than the schemes of outsiders.

One day, with spring at its finest, An Yi took a rare break to return to the ancestral home and have lunch with his mother, Dong Yi.

After the meal, mother and son sat chatting in the heated pavilion of the back garden.