Spring of the 40th Year of Yuanding.
The Grand General of the North returned to the Capital City to report on his duties. His Majesty the Emperor was greatly pleased, promoting him to Minister of War and enfeoffing him as Marquis Wuding.
To be made a Marquis while still alive—Xu Dingchun was the first person to receive such an honor since the founding of the Xuan Yang dynasty.
The Court ordered Li Yong, the General of the Capital City, to head north and replace Grand General of the North Xu Dingchun in defending against the Demon Sect's invasion.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this was clearly a promotion in name but a demotion in practice—his military authority had been stripped.
Swapping generals in the middle of a campaign was a major taboo, yet His Majesty the Emperor still forcibly seized power, disregarding the war in the Northern Territory.
