Chapter 2: Ten Years, the World Falls into My Hands

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It was no wonder Chu Yan was stunned. He was not a native of the Shun dynasty; he came from the 21st century as an ordinary office worker. After unexpectedly transmigrating to Shun, he always believed this to be an alternate timeline, with many historical events differing from what he had learned.

Upon arrival, he acquired an Emperor System that enhanced his physique, taught him various martial arts, and allowed him to cultivate subordinates for his use.

Chu Yan spent ten years rising from an orphan with no parents to a Great General and Prince of Qian, just one step away from ascending the throne.

He had thought that after his ascension, he would be like Li Shimin or Zhu Yuanzhang, founding emperors of past dynasties. Yet unexpectedly, the noble families from Dream of the Red Chamber—the Ning and Rong households—appeared in the capital.

This brought a subtle shift in the situation.

“The Jia family… the Shi family… who are the Four Princes and Eight Dukes?” Chu Yan recalled the TV dramas he had watched in his previous life. Though he was not deeply versed in Dream of the Red Chamber, he knew the general plot and remembered key figures such as Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Wang Xifeng, Jia Baoyu, and Grandmother Jia. He also recalled a celestial figure named the Fairy Disenchantment and that Lin Daiyu was a reincarnated immortal herb, with ties to Jia Baoyu’s past life.

Moreover, having read the original novel in middle and high school, and aided by his system, Chu Yan could recall the book’s contents whenever he concentrated.

“Are they all celestial reincarnations?” Chu Yan pondered, then sat back down and asked, “Why haven’t I seen anyone from the Jia family before?”

“Your Highness, you mean the Ning and Rong households?” Xu Zhiyi smiled and explained, “The Jia family’s two dukes earned their titles through military merits, but their descendants have been inept. In the last two generations, none have served in the army, so Your Highness was unaware.”

“Great Prince,” Chu Ming added, “the Capital Commander Wang Zitong is one of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes you mentioned. His sister is the wife of Jia Zheng, the second master of the Jia family.”

In the Shun capital, many princes and nobles mingled, with the Four Princes and Eight Dukes among them, but they were not particularly conspicuous.

Holding the documents describing the Ning and Rong households, Chu Yan chuckled softly after a moment. “If fortune favors me, so be it; if not, it’s fate. I will not concern myself with them and will proceed with the original plan to capture the city!”

Having seen the many beauties within the Ning and Rong households on TV, Chu Yan was naturally intrigued. He wished to behold the grace of Lin Daiyu and the exquisite charm of Xue Baochai.

However, the main matter was unfinished. His many followers sharpened their blades, eager to storm the city and earn glory. The 200,000 soldiers who joined his rebellion anticipated land and wives. Chu Yan could not recklessly assault the city just to hasten victory and risk their needless deaths.

…

After discussing with the Prince of Qian, Chu Ming and Xu Zhiyi left the command tent.

“The Great Prince seems particularly interested in the Jia family,” Chu Ming remarked.

Xu Zhiyi glanced back at the tent and, after a moment’s thought, said, “His Highness possesses the stature of a dragon and phoenix, a heavenly presence akin to Emperor Taizong reborn or the Chu Overlord reincarnate. What concerns him surely is not ordinary. We should send spies into the city to gather more information about the Four Princes and Eight Dukes and see what his true intentions are.”

Chu Ming laughed, “Just from a few words earlier, the Great Prince revealed his interest in the women of the Jia household. With his formidable strength, once the city falls, all the women in the Jia household’s inner quarters will be sent to the palace to serve him!”

The Prince of Qian Chu Yan’s martial prowess was unmatched in the army—a fact known to all Shun citizens. But those close to him also knew this: his virility in bed rivaled his battlefield might, leaving all who witnessed it in awe—even the soldiers on night watch.

This was not necessarily a bad thing; the more princesses and consorts he had, the more children he would produce, strengthening the dynasty’s foundation.

Sadly, the Prince had once said he would first have a daughter upon seizing the throne, and only after ten years of peace and prosperity would he have a son.

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Everyone believed that the Prince of Qian was the reincarnation of Emperor Taizong or Chu Overlord, or some celestial being, so they trusted his words and awaited the birth of the little princess in his first year on the throne.

…

The next day dawned clear and bright, a perfect spring day.

Under the Prince of Qian’s command, generals and strategists gathered in the command tent, surrounded by the Prince’s personal guards. The orderly camps stretched for miles in all directions.

“Great Prince!”

As Chu Yan took his place, the officers rose, clasping their hands in salute, their faces brimming with excitement.

Chu Yan sat and gestured for them to be seated, eyes sweeping over the assembly before resting on Xu Zhiyi, seated to his left.

“Mr. Xu, how many years have you followed me in rebellion against Shun?”

“Your Highness, nine years,” Xu replied with a salute, then smiled, “I have known you for thirteen years.”

Chu Yan recalled, “When I first arrived in Feng’an County from the countryside, I couldn’t even afford a full meal and survived by begging and doing odd jobs. Luckily, I met you, who helped me a great deal, allowing me to audit the private school and teaching me to read and write. Ten years have flown by.”

Originally a teacher, Xu Zhiyi had become an important strategist in the Prince of Qian’s household, frequently offering brilliant plans, and was ranked first among the civil officials for having taught Chu Yan.

Then Chu Yan turned to the man on his right, “Xiuyuan, do you regret following me?”

“Great Prince!”

Li Changjin, styled Xiuyuan, from Longxi, had repeatedly failed imperial exams in his youth and now served as the army’s chief of staff.

He rose and bowed, ashamed: “In the beginning, I was ignorant and failed to recognize the true dragon. You invited me multiple times to join you, but I hesitated and even disgraced myself by appearing as a vagrant. Fortunately, Your Highness saw me differently, allowing me the chance to prove myself and contribute to your success.”

Chu Yan laughed heartily, “Do you still mind that I once tied you up and forced you to fight alongside me before making your decision?”

“Not at all!” Li Changjin said, increasingly ashamed, making all the generals laugh.

Chu Yan then said, “Having you is like Emperor Taizong having Li Jing. The Battle of Baisha River was won entirely thanks to your deployment and formations!”

Li Changjin stood respectfully and said solemnly, “In that battle, Your Highness led five hundred personal guards, charging headlong to break the spirit of the court’s three thousand elite cavalry before they even fought. The court’s forces were terrified and fled in disarray. Without you, even if Li Jing himself returned, victory would have been impossible. Only Your Highness’s Chu Overlord strength and resolve to fight to the death led us to triumph!”

The generals and strategists nodded in agreement, praising the chief of staff’s words.

Chu Yan laughed and accepted their flattery.

He then proceeded to inquire about others: Wu Xinan, Su Dingbian, Xie Defu, Sun Zhong, Xiahou Xin, Chang Neng…

After the round of questions, Chu Yan looked at the assembled officers and said slowly, “After ten years of war, today this realm shall fall into our hands!”

Outside the tent, the generals and strategists were filled with emotion.

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They had rebelled alongside Chu Yan for this very day.

“Once we take the capital, we will no longer be bandits!”

Chu Yan looked at them, “I will become the emperor of the new dynasty, and you will be enfeoffed as marquises and ministers, sharing honor and wealth with me!”

The group listened quietly as the Prince of Qian spoke, their earlier excitement cooling.

“But,” Chu Yan shifted tone, fixing them with a sharp gaze, “I hope none of you forget why we raised the banner of rebellion.”

“Every time we take a city, I tell you: plunder the rich, but never strike down innocent civilians. This is our bottom line. We are an army of righteous rebellion, not bandits or tyrants!”

“After we take the capital, you will be dukes, ministers of the new court, your wives and children protected by your titles, and your families blessed for centuries!”

Chu Yan’s voice softened, “When entering the city, remember not to commit any acts of looting or pillaging.”

Half of these men were talents he had cultivated with the Emperor System—excellent attributes and loyal hearts.

Yet loyalty alone was not enough; humans have desires, and after entering the city, some might secretly indulge in plundering. Chu Yan had to warn them.

Only after transmigrating did he understand why there was a saying that “bandits ravage like combs, and soldiers sweep like rakes.” Ancient warfare was a brutal ordeal, especially long marches and protracted sieges that could drive men mad.

Hence, soldiers needed incentives—food, money, women, land, and rewards—to obey.

When he first rebelled, merely feeding his followers was enough to make them fight fiercely. When capturing counties, they demanded not just food but warmth, a few coins to spend or send home.

When he seized an entire province, strict discipline and clear rewards and punishments became necessary.

“Xu Zhiyi, Li Changjin!”

Chu Yan ordered, “You two will supervise military discipline during the city’s capture. Anyone caught looting, raping, or stealing will be severely and swiftly punished!”

“Yes, Great Prince!”

The two rose and saluted, accepting the command.

After discussing siege matters further, Chu Yan said, “Chu Ming, Chang Neng, stay behind and come with me to inspect the camp. The others may return; I will speak with you again when we reach the camp.”

The officers stood, saluted, and rode back to their respective camps.

Chu Yan, accompanied by the two and about ten personal guards, rode toward the camp.

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