The Laohu army, though consisting of only 10,000 soldiers, was a force to be reckoned with. Their numbers, while modest, were deceptive. These warriors were the strongest and most formidable in all of Qilin country, feared for their unparalleled strength and ferocity. The Laohu army's reputation was so legendary that it was said they could annihilate enemy forces many times their size with ease. Whispers in the land claimed that a single Laohu soldier was capable of defeating 100 regular troops in combat.
The strength of the Laohu soldiers was no accident. Each warrior was carefully selected, chosen not only for their physical prowess but for their unwavering mental fortitude. The training they endured was grueling and merciless. From dawn until dusk, they underwent endless drills, pushing their bodies and minds to the limits of endurance. They were put through a series of brutal tests, each designed to challenge their strength, strategy, and spirit. Only those who survived this relentless process earned the right to wear the revered Tiger Badge—an emblem that marked them as true Laohu soldiers. The badge, encrusted with intricate symbols, was not just a mark of honor, but a testament to the soldier's strength, discipline, and unyielding resolve.
The special thing about the Laohu Army was that it only took orders from one person and one person—Qian Tianhe, the legendary Imperial Commander of Qilin Country. Even the Emperor himself had no control over the Laohu army. Due to his various contributions to the country, the previous emperor gave special permission for Qian Tianhe to have his own private army. At that time, the people of Qilin did not realize how formidable the Laohu Army would be.
Qian Tianhe was undefeated in all his battles and was a national symbol of hope during difficult times. He was loved by the people because he protected civilians and cared for his soldiers. Although the Laohu army was greatly feared by all, they were also respected.
Qian Tianhe, the legendary Imperial Commander, was no stranger to hardship and loss. Once a towering figure in Qilin Country, he had withdrawn from the world, choosing to live in seclusion in the countryside, far removed from the bustle of the imperial court. Despite his fame and power, his heart had been broken by the untimely death of his only son, the man who was to inherit the Laohu army and carry on his legacy. His son's death, a victim of a lingering illness, had left Qian Tianhe without a successor, and he could not bear the thought of anyone outside the Qian family wielding control over his elite force.
Determined to keep the Laohu army within the family, Qian Tianhe passed command to his daughter-in-law, Qian Qingyu—Feng Qingqing's mother. At the time, she was a strong and capable leader, and Tianhe trusted her implicitly to carry on the army's legacy. However, tragedy struck again when Qian Qingyu passed away three years ago, leaving Qian Tianhe with no other choice but to pass the torch to his granddaughter, Feng Qingqing, when she came of age. In two years, when Feng Qingqing turned 18, she would inherit control of the Laohu army—an immense responsibility for one so young.
Feng Wangshu, Feng Qingqing's father, was deeply troubled by this arrangement. How could his youngest daughter—who had been sheltered from the brutal realities of military command—possibly shoulder the weight of such a powerful force? The thought of her leading the Laohu army filled him with concern and doubt. This decision, however, was known only to Qian Tianhe and Feng Wangshu. Even Feng Qingqing herself was unaware of the burden that awaited her.
When Feng Wangshu first received the news from Qian Tianhe, he was taken aback and immediately tried to dissuade him. The Laohu Army was a source of immense power, coveted not only by the people of Qilin but by many across the land. The one who commanded the army wielded authority that could shape the very fate of the kingdom, but that power came with peril. Those who held control of the Laohu Army were often marked by enemies, both seen and unseen, and the dangers were as great as the rewards. Feng Wangshu, fully aware of the threats that came with such power, was also keenly aware that the man before him, Qian Tianhe himself, had borne these dangers in his lifetime.
Yet, Qian Tianhe remained unmoved. He refused to hear Feng Wangshu's objections, steadfast in his belief that only the blood of the Qian family was worthy of leading the Laohu Army. The weight of tradition and family honor was too great to disregard. Having withdrawn from the world and left behind the affairs of the court, Qian Tianhe had allowed the Laohu Army to fall into dormancy, its soldiers still in training, patiently awaiting the day when a new leader would rise to guide them. The Laohu Army's power was no longer a matter of military force alone—it was a legacy, one that would pass only to those of the Qian bloodline.
When Feng Wangshu first heard the words come out of Tian Weilong's mouth, he struggled to maintain his composure, his face a mask of calm. But inside, his heart was pounding. It felt as though the weight of the conversation, of the revelation, had aged him years in mere moments. His hands rested on the desk in front of him, and he took a slow breath, trying to suppress the rising tide of emotion.
"Your Highness, I'm not sure what you mean," Feng Wangshu said, his voice steady despite the tension. "Everyone knows that the Laohu Army is controlled by my father-in-law. I have no power over them."
Tian Weilong didn't miss a beat. "We all know you don't, Prime Minister," he said smoothly. "I wasn't referring to you. I was talking about Qingqing."
The mention of his daughter's name struck Feng Wangshu like a blow. One of his greatest fears had come true. His fist clenched, and for a moment, he was speechless, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Qingqing?" Feng Wangshu's voice was light, but the tremor of concern was unmistakable beneath the surface. "What does my daughter have to do with this?"
Tian Weilong casually picked up a cup of wine and took a slow sip, his movements deliberate, almost measured. He set the cup down with a soft clink before continuing. "My sources have told me that, eventually, Qian Tianhe will hand over the command of the Laohu Army to Qingqing when she comes of age."
Feng Wangshu's brow furrowed, but he fought to keep his tone neutral. "Even if she did, what does that have to do with you?"
Tian Weilong leaned back in his chair, his face impassive as he spoke. "As her husband, of course, I would gain control over the Laohu Army as well."
At this, Feng Wangshu's temper flared. His fist slammed down onto the desk with a loud thud that rattled the room, causing the guards outside to jump at the sound. "My daughter will not be your puppet, Your Highness," he spat, his voice a dangerous low growl. "If you want to marry her for this reason, I will not allow this marriage to happen."
Tian Weilong remained unmoved, his expression calm, as though he had anticipated this outburst. "I'm sure you're more aware than anyone of my Second Brother's movements," he continued, unruffled. "Although I'm the Crown Prince, Tian Lingmin has been openly vying for the throne his whole life. At first, I didn't take him seriously. I was confident in my position. But recently, he's been too quiet. Too quiet for comfort."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "I had my people follow him. For three months, we found nothing. But two weeks ago, he left the borders and had a secret meeting with someone unknown. I suspect this person may be his backer." He locked eyes with Feng Wangshu, watching him carefully. "Prime Minister, can you guess who this backer might be?"
Feng Wangshu stumbled backward, his breath catching in his throat. The name was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. His face remained still, but internally, a sense of dread washed over him. "I'm not sure what you mean, Your Highness," Feng Wangshu said, bowing low, though his voice trembled slightly, betraying his inner turmoil. "Please, enlighten me."
Tian Weilong's lips curled into a small smile, recognizing the play of emotions in Feng Wangshu's eyes. "Tian. Jun. Jian." The words came slowly, each syllable deliberate and heavy with significance. He studied Feng Wangshu's reaction closely.
The Prime Minister inhaled sharply. His heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he was frozen in place. He had suspected, feared this very possibility for years, but hearing it out loud made it all the more real, all the more dangerous. Tian Junjian—the name that everyone feared to speak, the name that had nearly destroyed Qilin all those years ago. The name that had haunted the country's memory for the past seventeen years. Feng Wangshu could already feel the weight of the past bearing down on him.
Seventeen years ago, after the birth of Feng Ruyi, the country was thrust into chaos when Tian Junjian—older brother of the current Emperor, Tian Junguo—staged a rebellion. Once seen as a carefree and disinterested prince, Tian Junjian had secretly harbored ambitions for the throne. His betrayal shocked the entire kingdom. A war erupted that lasted for over a year, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and the country in ruins. Tian Junjian's private army had been almost as formidable as the Laohu Army, and for a time, it seemed as though he would win.
But in the end, it was Qian Tianhe and his Laohu Army who turned the tide. With a clever ruse—sending crates of supplies that were filled with oil and kindling—Qian Tianhe had managed to destroy Tian Junjian's army from within, saving Qilin's capital. Though the war ended in a draw, half of the kingdom was lost to Tian Junjian, who established his empire, Zhu Que, which had steadily grown in strength ever since. Yet, the true question remained: how had Tian Junjian amassed such a formidable army so quickly? The origins of his power had always been shrouded in mystery, and some whispered that the story was far darker than anyone could imagine.
Now, Tian Weilong's words struck a chilling chord in Feng Wangshu's heart. Could his daughter's marriage to this Crown Prince truly have the power to stop another war, one that could once again threaten the nation's survival?
"Are you sure about this, Your Highness?" Feng Wangshu asked, his voice steady but filled with concern.
"If I weren't, would I be here?" Tian Weilong replied, his voice dark and unwavering. "You know yourself that without the Laohu Army, this country would already have fallen. If what happened seventeen years ago were to happen again, we wouldn't survive. That's why I've come to you—for your help."
Feng Wangshu inhaled deeply, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Why do you think you would gain control of the Laohu Army by marrying Qingqing?"
Tian Weilong's expression was filled with certainty. "Once she becomes my wife, what's hers is mine, and what's mine is hers. As the future leader of the Laohu Army, I believe she would use its power to protect this country, just as her grandfather did."
Feng Wangshu's gaze was hard. He was torn between his duty as Prime Minister and his duty as a father. "If Qingqing wants to marry you, then I would accept. But she refuses, and I will not force her into a marriage against her will. As her father, I cannot allow her to be used as a pawn in this political game."
Tian Weilong's eyes narrowed. "So, you'll just stand by and watch the country fall into someone else's hands?"
Feng Wangshu fell silent, his thoughts swirling. He had no easy answer. He had spent his life serving the country, but Qingqing was his daughter, and he could not bear to see her caught in this web of power.
Tian Weilong sighed, almost as if resigned. "What if she ends up falling in love with me?"
Feng Wangshu looked away, his voice cold. "If she does, then I'm sure my daughter will help you. But we are not certain of the situation yet. I advise you to wait, to gather evidence. If what you say is true, then this is treason, and I will not allow you to manipulate my daughter."
With a final, almost dismissive motion, Feng Wangshu turned away. "The door is that way, Your Highness. Please, show yourself out."
Tian Weilong's expression darkened, but he said nothing as he stood and left the room, leaving Feng Wangshu alone with his thoughts.
As the door clicked shut behind him, a deep, ominous feeling settled in Feng Wangshu's chest. The future seemed more uncertain than ever, and he feared that the storm on the horizon would soon reach their shores.