The ironclad encirclement was complete; the isolated city of Haozhou was like a tiny boat in a tsunami, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Jia Lu commanded from the center of the army; wherever his signal flags pointed, the Yuan army’s war machine operated with efficiency.

For the candidates who chose to join the Yuan court’s camp, this was undoubtedly like boarding a fast ship with vast resources and boundless fortune. Alex Bourbon was undoubtedly the most dazzling figure among them.

His “Sun King” Louis XVI card—with its “Order,” “Covenant,” and “Code” traits—is perfectly suited to Jia Lu, a civil commander who emphasizes the rule of law and excels at engineering and strategic coordination.

【Event Trigger: Merits of Advice · New Tax Code】

Alex, controlling the Louis XVI card, presented Jia Lu with an “Outline of the New Tax Code.”

It ingeniously drew upon certain fiscal concepts from early modern Europe. Although these ideas seemed rather strange in this world’s context, their logical structure and “high efficiency” in tapping into tax sources still caught Jia Lu’s attention—he had been struggling to raise funds for his army’s rations. 

“Hmm… Foreign methods do indeed have their unique merits. Though they seem peculiar, they are certainly beneficial for increasing revenue, reducing expenditure, and clarifying accounts.” Jia Lu stroked his beard thoughtfully; though he maintained his composure, the admiration in his eyes was impossible to hide.

“Your request is granted. Effective immediately, you are appointed to assist in coordinating grain and tax collection for the rear-area counties and towns. You have discretion to act as you see fit.”

【Gained Jia Lu’s Approval! Yuan Court Faction Reputation: Respect  → Admiration!】

【Gained Temporary Authorization: Assistant Manager of Grain and Taxes (authorized to mobilize Yuan Court tax officials and warehouse resources within a certain range).】

【The core card “Sun King · Louis XVI” has absorbed the destiny of “Tax Reform,” increasing its compatibility! Experience gains have skyrocketed!】 

【Unlock and automatically obtain the exclusive skill card: “Imperial Edict: Tax Collector Summon” (Low-Grade Blue Card)!】

【Card Name】：Imperial Edict: Tax Collector Summon

【Card Type】：Skill Card · Summoning/Support

【Rarity】：Blue (Low-Grade)

【Effect】：Consumes card energy to summon 4 “Yuanting Tax Collectors” (Green-tier units) with basic arithmetic, measurement, and record-keeping abilities, lasting for 1 hour. These tax collector units increase the efficiency of inventory checks and tax calculations by 20% and slightly boost the success rate of tax collection (Deterrence against commoners +5%).

【Note】：The will of the Sun King can be transformed into the power of the Codex to settle accounts, even in foreign lands.

Alex felt the card’s power increase and, upon seeing the new skill card, wore a restrained smile.

He raised his head slightly and said to the person beside him, “This is the true path to power. Establishing order, setting rules, and controlling everything from behind the scenes—it is far more noble and effective than the violent, bloodthirsty tactics or the pretentious schemes of those uncultured peasants.”

His gaze swept over the ramparts of Haozhou City, tinged with a hint of pity. “Trapped in an isolated city, living on raw meat and blood—how utterly pitiful.”

Zhang Hongyuan and his sister Zhang Qingyue also reaped substantial rewards.

Zhang Hongyuan’s *Taiping Talisman Book* found the perfect stage in the large-scale project overseen by Jia Lu.

Building fortifications, digging trenches, and erecting siege engines—all of these required the application of forces associated with concepts such as “earth and stone” and “sturdiness.”

【Event Trigger: Talismanic Aid to Construction · Stabilization of Earth’s Veins】

Zhang Hongyuan used the talismanic book to draw earth-colored spiritual talismans, which he embedded into the foundations and newly constructed fortifications. This effectively enhanced the structures’ sturdiness and construction efficiency, earning him the recognition of the engineering officials under Jia Lu’s command.

【Gained the appreciation of the engineering officials under Jia Lu! Engineering Contribution increased!】

【The core card “Taiping Talisman Book” absorbs the “Earth Construction” fortune, gaining experience!】

【Unlock and automatically obtain the exclusive skill card: “Thick Earth Talisman: Rammed Earth Technique” (Medium-Grade Blue Card)!】

【Card Name】：Thick Earth Talisman · Rammed Earth Technique

【Card Type】：Skill Card · Engineering/Enhancement

【Rarity】：Blue (Mid-Grade)

【Effect】：Consume card energy and specific materials (such as cinnabar and beast blood) to draw a spirit talisman. This allows for a one-time reinforcement of designated earthen and stone structures (such as city walls, fortifications, and trenches), increasing their physical defense by 25% and magic resistance by 15%. The effect lasts until the structure is extensively damaged. The effect is even more pronounced on newly constructed structures.

【Notes】：A technique of the Taiping Dao, it can also be used to establish camps and fortifications, making them impregnable. Zhang Qingyue’s 【Warrior Summoning · Bean】 has become particularly sought-after on construction sites.

A single handful of beans is scattered, transforming into several tireless, immensely strong Yellow Turban laborers who carry lumber, move boulders, and lay foundations—their efficiency far surpasses that of ordinary laborers, greatly accelerating the progress of siege fortifications.

【Event Trigger: Sprinkling Beans to Summon Soldiers · Laborer Construction】

【Core Card “Warrior Summoning · Beans” absorbs “Power of Construction” Fate, resulting in a massive increase in experience! Proficiency has increased!】

【Unlock and automatically receive the exclusive item card: “Bountiful Bean Pouch” (Green Card, High-Quality)!】

【Card Name】：Bountiful Bean Pouch

【Card Type】：Item Card · Consumable

【Rarity】：Green (High-Grade)

【Effect】：Contains 50 bean seeds that can summon a Yellow Turban Strongman (White Card, Peak). The Strongman’s duration is extended to 30 minutes, and efficiency increases by 10% when used for non-combat engineering tasks.

【Note】：One bean, one unit of labor. Frugality and diligence in managing one’s household are the path to peace and prosperity.

“Bro! Look! My bean bag!” Zhang Qingyue held up her newly acquired card, her earlier gloom instantly swept away. “It’s still better to follow the imperial army—that’s where the meat is! These beans last even longer than before!” 

A rare smile appeared on Zhang Hongyuan’s face as he nodded. “Yes, going with the flow is the mark of a wise man. The Zhang family’s teachings, when used to assist the imperial army and bring peace to the land, are the true path. It’s far better than certain people’s pretentious posturing and pandering to the crowd.” 

He cast a meaningful glance toward Li Shi’an’s group in the distance, his tone once again brimming with a sense of superiority.

Some received standard Yuan Army equipment such as the 【Armor-Piercing Quiver (Green Card)】 and 【Hardwood Bow (Green Card)】; others learned the 【Basic Formation: Shield Defense (Green Card Skill)】; and some were even granted temporary command of a small squad of local militia for their meritorious strategic advice.

On the Yuan Court side, the atmosphere was jubilant, with everyone sharing in this “feast.” Observers from various academies outside the arena were rapidly recording information on all the newly revealed cards.

“Hurry up and write this down! ‘Imperial Edict: Tax Collector Summon,’ a blue support summoning card—a rare economic skill!” 

“‘Thick Earth Talisman: Fortification Technique,’ a blue engineering enhancement spell with extremely high strategic value!”

“‘Bountiful Bean Pouch,’ a high-quality green consumable—an excellent addition to the Zhang family’s ‘Sow Beans to Create Soldiers’ series!” 

“And blueprints for the Yuan Army’s standard-issue ‘Armor-Piercing Crossbow’ and ‘Wolf Spear’ have also appeared!”

“As expected of the first-ever ‘Huaiyou: Land of the Dragon’ scenario—interacting with high-ranking officials of the Yuan court actually yields so many unique cards!”

“Choices matter more than hard work! These candidates really hit the jackpot!”

In the viewing area, exclamations of admiration and envy rang out nonstop.

While he felt anxious for them, he also had a vague sense that Li Shi’an shouldn’t be so quiet. Sui Yang’s gaze occasionally swept over Li Shi’an’s team, and he furrowed his brow slightly.

“Are they still waiting? Jia Lu is a seasoned tactician; his siege is now airtight, and internally, there’s the hidden threat of Guo Zixing’s 【Arrogant and Suspicious】… Where exactly is the breakthrough?” 

On the battlefield, the might of the Yuan court stood in stark contrast to the Red Turban’s dire straits. Within Haozhou City, provisions were growing increasingly scarce.

Guo Zixing was deeply troubled. Although he had organized several breakout attempts, they had all ended in bloody defeat and heavy casualties against Jia Lu’s meticulously laid-out defenses and the support of numerous examinees.

His negative traits of 【Arrogant and Suspicious】 became increasingly apparent. He grew increasingly suspicious of his commanders, especially the exceptionally capable Zhu Yuanzhang, and on several occasions rejected Zhu’s proposals for daring surprise attacks.

Although the nine elite Red Turban soldiers under Zhu Yuanzhang’s command were utterly loyal, their ranks were depleted during repeated siege battles, requiring Li Shi’an to use his already scarce Card Energy Crystals to “replenish and recruit” them.

He Bieshan’s 【Battlefield Forging】 could only repair equipment; it couldn’t conjure troops out of thin air.

Hao Yun’s Healing was also stretched thin, with the rate of Mana Crystal regeneration far unable to keep up with consumption.

The area where the three of them were stationed had been squeezed to a tiny space, with Yuan Army scouts patrolling the outskirts with increasing frequency.

Were it not for Zhu Yuanzhang’s 【Haozhou Veteran Soldier】 title, which provided a slight countermeasure against Yuan military reconnaissance, and the meager “Refugee Camp Gratitude” reputation that caused occasional passing refugees to instinctively cover for them, they would likely have been discovered long ago by Yuan military mop-up squads.

“Shi’an, our food is almost gone,” Hao Yun said anxiously as she counted the meager supply of 【Aged Brown Rice】 remaining. “The Yuan army has plundered everything in the vicinity; it’ll be very hard for us to restock.”

He Bieshan looked toward the Yuan army’s main camp in the distance, from which faint cheers could be heard, and muttered indignantly, “Those bastards sure are living the high life! I hear that kid Alex is pushing some new tax law that’s forcing the people in those counties to the point where they’re almost selling their own children. And who knows how many laborers have been worked to death hauling Zhang Hongyuan’s siblings’ talismans and beans. What the hell kind of ‘fate’ is this!”

Li Shi’an listened in silence, his gaze fixed the entire time in the direction of the Yuan army’s main tent.

In his perception, the immense powers of “Yuan Court Fortune” and “Engineering Order” converging upon Jia Lu were growing ever more dazzling, yet also increasingly… restless.

Like a balloon being inflated beyond its limits, its radiance was dazzling, yet it was nearing its breaking point.

And a faint, obscure gray thread—representing “exhaustion,” “morbidity,” and “backlash”—was quietly winding its way upward, like a bone-eating ulcer.

This force was eroding him slowly but surely.

Historical records state that Jia Lu died during the Siege of Hao, though the cause of his death remains a mystery.

However, based on his perceptions from the cards and historical knowledge from another world, Li Shi’an leans toward one possibility: a combination of illness from overwork, the massive karmic backlash brought about by the new policies, and the anxiety of a prolonged, unbroken siege collectively shattered the body of this already elderly civil official, who had devoted himself entirely to engineering and military campaigns.

“It won’t be long…” Li Shi’an muttered to himself.

Just then, an elderly woman whom Hao Yun had once treated, leaning on a wooden cane, shakily made her way past the patrol and approached the soup kitchen, where she slipped a small package into Hao’s Yun a small bag.

“Young lady… be careful… a high-ranking Yuan official… seems to be ill… They brought in a lot of medicinal herbs last night… but we’re not allowed to talk about it in the camp…”

After saying this, the old woman hurried away.

Hao Yun opened the cloth bundle; inside were several medicinal herbs. One of them—a dark red, withered root—caught Li Shi’an’s attention.

【Item: Blood-Wither Vine (Fragment)】

【Type: Material/Herb (White Card, Inferior Quality)】

【Effect: Contains faint traces of the ‘Exhaustion’ and ‘Stagnation’ energies. Typically used to treat certain intractable conditions involving stagnation of qi and blood by countering poison with poison, but requires extremely skilled medical expertise; otherwise, it can easily worsen the patient’s condition.】

【Note: This appears to be the residue of the primary ingredient in some potent, dangerous remedy…】

“Desperate times call for desperate measures… It seems the time has truly come.”

Li Shi’an turned to He Bieshan and Hao Yun, the earlier silence vanishing in an instant: “Check the status of your cards one last time and clear out any unnecessary White Card slots.”

“The ‘wild card’ we’ve been waiting for is about to arrive.”

The moment Li Shi’an finished speaking.

All candidates who had chosen the Yuan Court faction—no matter what they were doing—felt their cards tremble violently!

They felt their connection to the “Yuan Court” faction instantly become extremely unstable; the “fortune blessings” they had previously obtained were like balloons pricked by a needle, rapidly leaking out and dissipating!

The composed smile on Alex’s face froze instantly. To his horror, he discovered that the tax collector summoned by 【Imperial Edict: Tax Collector Summon】 was beginning to blur and become transparent, as if it had lost its source of power!

“What’s going on?! My card… is the power of Order collapsing?!”

The 【Taiping Talisman Book】 in Zhang Hongyuan’s hand flashed erratically; the “Earth Engineering” power, which had been steadily flowing, became frenzied and uncontrollable, nearly backfiring on him!

“Fate backfiring?! Impossible! Minister Jia clearly…”

Zhang Qingyue’s 【Bountiful Bean Pouch】 dimmed even further, as if the beans inside had lost all vitality!

“Brother! My beans! They’re not glowing anymore!”

Meanwhile, the Yuan army officers and soldiers were plunged into utter chaos.

The once-impenetrable military formation began to stir with unrest; the soldiers looked fearfully toward the center of the army, while officers at all ranks attempted to quell the turmoil—to little avail.

【Battlefield Announcement (Region): Jia Lu, Minister of Works of the Yuan Court and Commissioner-in-Chief of River Management and Flood Control, died suddenly in the army due to a relapse of a chronic illness and extreme physical and mental exhaustion!】

【A key figure has fallen! The Yuan Court faction’s “Strict Discipline” and “Master of Water Management” traits have been deactivated!】

【Morale of all Yuan Army units has plummeted by 40%! Discipline has drastically declined! They have fallen into a “leaderless” state!】

【All temporary authorizations and quest chains related to Jia Lu have been interrupted! Related Fortune bonuses have been reset to zero!】

【Construction of the Yuan Court’s siege fortifications has halted, and due to the loss of its core sustainer, defensive bonuses have begun to slowly diminish!】