News of Ian Song's conscription of eighty thousand troops quickly reached both the Yan and Zhao Kingdoms.
For a time, everyone in Yan and Zhao was deeply unsettled.
After several days of consultation, Yan and Zhao decided to form a coalition army and once again attack the Qi Kingdom.
As soon as the Yan–Zhao alliance was formed, a spy sent word to Lingshui Prefecture.
Compared to the slow methods of communication in this world, Ian Song had invented a bird-messenger system. Other kingdoms took ten days to pass along a message, while he only needed two.
Knowing that Yan and Zhao were forming a coalition, Ian Song saw hope of completing his third mission.
Originally, he had planned to recover all of Qi's territory before restoring the kingdom and letting Crown Prince Daniel Jiang ascend the throne.
Now, it seemed possible to have Daniel Jiang ascend early, while Ian could personally lead the army to defeat the Yan–Zhao coalition head-on.
With the idea of enthroning Daniel Jiang in mind,
Ian Song immediately summoned Bruce Meng, Shen Du, Sean Song, and the other top officials.
"I'm going to have the crown prince take the throne and become King of Qi!"
Ian Song announced, straight to the point.
Over the past year, everyone had gotten used to Ian Song’s no-nonsense style. Hearing his plan to put the crown prince on the throne, Bruce Meng and Shen Du were delighted, while Sean Song’s face showed genuine surprise.
This time, Daniel Jiang was sitting in on the meeting too, and he could barely contain his excitement.
"What do you all think? If nobody objects, we'll set the crown prince's coronation for three days from now, right here in Lingshui Prefecture!" Ian Song said, his voice steady and confident.
"I agree."
Bruce Meng replied without hesitation. His family had loyally served the Qi royal house for generations. Although Ian Song had said he wouldn't claim the throne, over the past year Ian's prestige had grown so high that Bruce had begun to worry again, fearing that one day Ian might depose Crown Prince Daniel Jiang and declare himself king.
In fact, if Ian Song really wanted to do that, no one could stop him. His prestige was unmatched, and over the past year, his inventions had brought Qi unimaginable wealth, allowing even commoners to live well.
If he became King of Qi, making Qi the strongest state in Shenzhou—or even uniting the continent—wouldn't be impossible.
So, when Bruce Meng heard Ian Song's proposal to let Daniel Jiang ascend, he felt both relieved and deeply ashamed for having doubted Ian's intentions.
"I agree as well," Shen Du said.
As for Governor Hart He and the others, they always followed Ian Song's lead, so they all voiced their support for Crown Prince Daniel Jiang's ascension.
"Alright, then the matter of the crown prince's enthronement will be handled by General Bruce Meng and Lord Shen Du!" Ian Song concluded.
Hearing Ian Song's words, Daniel Jiang secretly clenched his hand under the table.
Over the past year, his personality had changed a lot. Though only nine years old, his mind was now fully mature.
His craving for power was stronger than ever. Now, he was finally about to become king—maybe this time he'd be able to slip free from Ian Song's grip?
"Let's move on to the second matter! According to the spies' reports from Yan and Zhao, they've formed another alliance and will gather a 200,000-strong coalition army to attack our Qi Kingdom!"
That bombshell made everyone in the room sit up, faces changing in an instant.
The mention of two hundred thousand troops weighed on everyone—an invisible pressure settling over the room.
"Though the coalition is large, it's not unbeatable. Besides, gathering 200,000 troops isn't something that can be done in a day or two. It'll probably take about a month before they attack! So, before the Yan–Zhao coalition arrives, we just need to focus on two things: first, intensify training for the new recruits; second, fully assimilate Longan and Shunhe Prefectures!"
After the high-level meeting ended,
the entire Qi Kingdom sprang into action.
Three days later, Crown Prince Daniel Jiang was formally enthroned as the new King of Qi. On his coronation day, he bestowed lavish rewards on the ministers and officially appointed Ian Song as Grand General of Qi and Grand Minister of Works.
Previously, Ian Song's Grand General title was self-assumed and not officially recognized, but now, with Daniel Jiang's royal appointment, it was fully legitimate. As for Grand Minister of Works, that's a rank just below the Three Excellencies.
However, Daniel Jiang's reward for Bruce Meng took everyone by surprise.
He appointed Bruce Meng as Front-line General and Grand Tutor.
Front-line General is second only to Grand General in military rank, but Grand Tutor is the highest of the Three Excellencies.
Ian Song's rank was only Grand Minister of Works, which is below the Three Excellencies, but Bruce Meng had just become the head of the Three Excellencies. Didn't that mean Bruce Meng was now above Ian Song?
Hearing Daniel Jiang's reward for Bruce Meng, Ian Song blinked, then let a faint, sardonic smile curl his lips. That little brat couldn't wait to play power games the moment he got the crown—classic royal training at work.
But when Bruce Meng heard Daniel's reward, his face fell. Qi's comeback was almost entirely Ian Song's doing, and yet Daniel, barely warm on the throne, was already trying to rein Ian in. Was the kid clueless, or just hopelessly naive?
"Your Majesty, I am but a soldier, unworthy of the Grand Tutor title. Please withdraw your decree. Moreover, the Grand General has brought immense merit to Qi and is the most learned among us—so I recommend him for Grand Tutor instead."
When Bruce Meng not only refused the appointment but also recommended Ian Song for Grand Tutor, Daniel Jiang's face changed dramatically.
"I agree—the Grand General is the obvious choice for Grand Tutor," Sean Song stepped forward, a teasing glint in his eye as he looked at Daniel Jiang. A kid trying to play politics in front of the Grand General? Dream on. Did he really think being king meant he could call all the shots?
Hearing Sean Song's proposal, Daniel Jiang's face darkened even more.
"I also recommend the Grand General for Grand Tutor," Shen Du immediately followed.
"The Grand General is the only choice for Grand Tutor. Who else is qualified for the post?" Governor Hart He declared.
"In Qi, aside from the king, who dares stand above the Grand General? So, I also recommend him for Grand Tutor!" General Jason Ye stepped forward.
Watching the ministers line up one after another to back Ian Song for Grand Tutor, Daniel Jiang suddenly panicked. Even as king, he realized, there was no changing the fact that Ian Song owned Qi.
"Since everyone agrees the Grand General is the best candidate for Grand Tutor, then I'll appoint him to the post!"
The court session ended.
Ian Song returned to the Grand General's Residence.
He didn't give Daniel Jiang's little stunt in court a second thought. In Qi, apart from a handful of exceptions, everyone was basically his—did Daniel really think he could stir up trouble?
"General, you must be exhausted. Let me help you relax!" Autumn greeted him sweetly, stepping up to knead Ian Song's shoulders with practiced care.
Soon, a servant reported, "The King of Qi has come to pay respects to the Grand General."
"Let him in."
Ian Song replied calmly.
Soon, King Daniel Jiang arrived at the residence alone.
"Master, I was wrong. Please punish me!"
Daniel Jiang bowed deeply, his face full of guilt.
"What did you do wrong?" Ian Song asked calmly.
"I shouldn't have..."
"That's enough!" Ian Song waved his hand to cut him off. "I understand what you're thinking—you just want to regain control of Qi. But I'm telling you, now is not the time."
"I get it!" Daniel Jiang nodded sincerely, but there was still a glimmer of defiance in his eyes.
"I know you're not convinced, so let me ask you: if I handed Qi over to you right now, could you stop the 200,000-strong Yan–Zhao coalition? Could you recover the rest of Qi's territory?"
Daniel Jiang froze, unable to answer.
Ian Song looked at him and said seriously, "Just remember, Qi's future belongs to you. Right now, it's just not the right time. When the moment comes, I'll hand everything over to you—just don't let me down."
"Understood, Master! I won't let you down!"