Wang Ji carefully sized up the young man standing in front of him. The man was dressed in the robes of a wandering hero, simple yet neat, carrying a confident smile that felt strangely unsettling. His steps were heavy, firm, and steady, the kind that suggested his weight was grounded rather than sluggish.
After a moment of observation, Wang Ji finally spoke.
"Young hero, may I ask who you are?"
Li Daoxuan replied calmly, his tone unhurried.
"Who I am is not important. I came here to resolve this chaos."
Wang Ji gave a bitter laugh.
"With the situation as it stands, there is only one way to resolve it. We must pay them immediately. If you, young hero, truly possess great wealth, then perhaps you can help."
Li Daoxuan tilted his head slightly.
"And after paying them this time? Delay again for half a year, then another year, until they rebel once more?"
Wang Ji froze.
For a moment, the two men stood facing each other in silence. The air between them felt stiff, almost suffocating.
At last, Wang Ji forced himself to speak again.
"Then tell me, how do you intend to solve it?"
Li Daoxuan's voice remained steady.
"I have only one condition. From this day forward, the Yinchuan region must manage its economy according to my methods. If Governor Wang agrees, I will immediately resolve this uprising. If you refuse, then I will simply stand aside and watch as they storm the city and take your head."
Wang Ji inhaled sharply.
Inside his heart, thoughts raced.
So that's it. A local gentry figure, dissatisfied with my governance, using this mutiny as leverage to force policy changes. Such tactics are hardly new. Variations of this have appeared countless times throughout the dynasty's long history.
Yet, knowing this did not give him the luxury of refusal.
If he rejected the terms now, he would not live to see another day.
Wang Ji made his decision silently.
I will agree first. Once the mutiny is settled, I can always go back on it.
With that resolved, he spoke aloud.
"Very well. I agree to your terms."
Li Daoxuan smiled.
"It is good that Governor Wang has agreed."
Before Wang Ji could say anything more, Li Daoxuan suddenly took a step forward and leapt straight off the city battlements.
The sight struck Wang Ji like a thunderbolt.
From such a height, he jumped without hesitation.
Does he want to die?
Wang Ji was not the only one who saw it.
The soldiers defending the wall saw it.
The three thousand border troops outside the city saw it.
Cries of alarm rang out instantly.
"Someone jumped!"
Even Zhao Bazong of Dashapu Fortress witnessed it. He subconsciously shook his head, thinking that perhaps the official inside the city had realized death was inevitable and chosen to end his life on his own terms.
But as the figure fell, Zhao Bazong's expression changed.
Something was wrong.
There was no panic in the man's movements. No flailing limbs. No screams. His body remained steady, his posture controlled, almost composed.
The figure crashed down from the wall with a heavy thud, landing directly on the ground outside the city.
The earth caved in.
A deep crater formed beneath his feet, soil and dust flying outward. Yet the man remained standing, upright and unmoved.
Zhao Bazong blurted out, "What in the world… is that even human?"
On the city wall, Wang Ji leaned forward, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"By the heavens… a man?"
Anyone else would have shattered their legs from such a fall. Yet this man stood firm, and even dented the ground beneath him.
With that single jump, both sides were rendered completely silent.
Li Daoxuan understood this better than anyone.
In negotiations, strength was the only true bargaining chip.
And now, his leverage was unquestionable.
He lifted his feet out of the crater, shook them lightly, sending clumps of dirt scattering in all directions, then began walking forward at an unhurried pace toward Zhao Bazong and the three thousand rebel troops.
Almost instinctively, the entire formation of soldiers stepped back half a pace.
They were elite border troops, hardened by years of war, yet even they could not suppress the unease rising in their hearts.
On the city wall, Wang Ji clenched his fists, excitement surging within him.
There's hope. This man might truly be able to pacify them.
Li Daoxuan deliberately took his time, closing the distance slowly, before finally stopping in front of Zhao Bazong. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You must be Commander Zhao of Dashapu Fortress," he said. "I heard your name mentioned not long ago by the commander of Dingbian Fortress. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."
Zhao Bazong felt a chill crawl up his spine. His eyes flickered uncontrollably toward Li Daoxuan's legs.
How did this man jump from that height and still stand?
Li Daoxuan continued casually.
"You already know why I am here. Withdraw your troops. Return to your fortress. Guard the frontier and end this unrest. If the Mongolians were not so quiet lately, your rebellion would hand them the perfect opportunity to invade, and that would spell disaster."
Had it not been for the earlier display, Zhao Bazong would have already drawn his blade. Now, he merely snorted coldly.
"Go back and starve? We can defend the frontier, but at the very least, we need food. Is that unreasonable?"
"Very well," Li Daoxuan replied without hesitation. "I will provide it. Not just grain, but meat. You will have meat every day."
Zhao Bazong frowned.
"You make it sound easy. Who are you to guarantee this? How do I know this isn't empty talk?"
Li Daoxuan briefly shifted his focus, confirming the distance of the merchant caravan through his internal system, then returned his gaze with a relaxed smile.
"Two days. Give me two days, and I will deliver the grain directly into your hands."
Zhao Bazong sneered.
"You think I'm a child? Two days is clearly a delaying tactic so you can mobilize troops and surround us."
Li Daoxuan laughed softly.
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't need two days. I could do it right now."
Zhao Bazong's eyes widened.
Behind him, six generals stepped forward in unison, their expressions sharp and hostile.
Li Daoxuan's gaze swept across them calmly. Seven men in total. The true core of the rebel army.
He smiled, that strange smile that made people uneasy.
"I could kill all seven of you at any moment. But I haven't. Because I am not here for Wang Ji. I am here for you. That is why I am speaking so politely. As for delaying tactics, they are unnecessary. If you doubt me, then all seven of you may attack me together."
Zhao Bazong stiffened.
The six generals stared in disbelief.
"There's a limit to arrogance!" Zhao Bazong roared.
The others shouted, "Are you courting death?"
Li Daoxuan smiled gently.
"Then come."
For a moment, the seven men stood frozen.
This was no longer arrogance. This was madness.
Yet, if they backed down now, they would lose all authority in front of their troops.
Zhao Bazong clenched his teeth.
"You asked for it. Don't blame us."
The six generals echoed him.
"Have you prepared your last words?"
Li Daoxuan only smiled, his expression calm and unshaken.
"Bring it on."