Su Ran knew deeply that the war in the Northern Frontier and the problem of domestic official administration were like two heavy mountains pressing down upon his heart. Both were extremely urgent and allowed not a moment of delay. He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the raging fire in his chest, and quickly sorted out his countermeasures in his mind before making systematic arrangements.
Regarding domestic administration, Su Ran carefully selected a group of upright and incorruptible imperial commissioners. These officials were men whose character and ability he had observed closely over a long period. Upon receiving their orders, they wore solemn expressions, carrying Su Ran's earnest expectations and dedication to justice as they departed for various regions to thoroughly investigate corruption in the implementation of the New Policies. Su Ran strictly ordered the commissioners to uphold a completely impartial attitude; once official corruption and malpractice were verified, regardless of the official's rank, they were to be severely punished without exception or leniency.
At the same time, Su Ran issued an order to post public notices across the country. Wherever the notices were put up, commoners gathered in crowds to read them. Su Ran promised to protect the identities of informants and offer heavy rewards, encouraging the populace to report lawless officials. This measure was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand ripples. For a time, commoners across the country responded enthusiastically. Driven either by their support for the New Policies or their hatred of corrupt officials, they actively provided clues to the imperial commissioners. Those officials who usually lorded over others now found themselves in mortal peril, their former arrogance completely vanished. Some officials sat on pins and needles, terrified day and night that their crimes would be exposed; others frantically probed for news, vainly attempting to destroy evidence. The unhealthy tendencies in the implementation of the New Policies were effectively curbed amidst this anti-corruption storm.
Meanwhile, regarding the war in the Northern Frontier, Su Ran closely monitored the movements of the raiding force every single day. Navigating the arduous journey across Siberia, this force moved with the difficulty of someone walking through a sea of thorns. Harsh weather dogged their every step, with fierce gales carrying driving snow that whipped mercilessly against the soldiers' bodies, chilling them to the bone. Small Tsarist Russia patrol units also harassed them from time to time, acting like venomous snakes in the dark, ready to launch an attack at any moment. Yet, relying on their tenacious willpower and outstanding tactics, the raiding force cleverly outmaneuvered the enemy. At times they used the terrain to conceal their movements, and at other times they shifted rapidly when the enemy was unprepared, gradually approaching Omsk, the heavily fortified rear military stronghold of Tsarist Russia.
Concurrently, defensive fortifications along the Northern Frontier border were being constructed at a frantic pace. The construction sites presented a bustling scene of intense activity. Massive quantities of provisions and ammunition were continuously transported to the border, piling up like mountains. The garrison troops drilled day and night, their battle cries shaking the heavens as their morale soared. Knowing they shouldered the grave responsibility of defending their country and family, every movement they made was filled with strength, and their eyes betrayed a steadfast conviction. Seeing that Great Qing was well-prepared, the Tsarist Russian army did not dare to act rashly, and a delicate stalemate formed along the border. The air was thick with tension, resembling a tightly strung bowstring that could snap at any second.
Finally, the raiding force arrived in the vicinity of Omsk. Through detailed reconnaissance, the commander and the young staff officer gained complete mastery over the defensive layout and troop deployments of this military stronghold. They discussed repeatedly and formulated a meticulous combat plan. On a moonless, wind-swept night as dark as ink, the raiding force descended like divine soldiers and launched a fierce assault on Omsk. The might of the new firearms was displayed to the fullest at that moment; streaks of fire cut across the night sky like shooting stars, illuminating the city walls of Omsk. The Tsarist Russian garrison troops woke from their sleep in a panic, scrambling to pick up their weapons to resist. Battle cries and gunfire intertwined, and the blazing flames lit up the soldiers' faces, which were a mixture of steadfastness and fear. Relying on their precise grasp of timing and the advantage of new weaponry, the Qing forces engaged the Tsarist garrison in a life-and-death struggle, every charge carried out with the determination of burning their boats behind them. After a night of fierce combat, the raiding force successfully captured Omsk, destroying Tsarist Russia's military command center and massive amounts of strategic supplies in the region. Within Omsk, smoke drifted everywhere, and the flags of Tsarist Russia fell lifelessly, replaced by the fluttering military banners of Great Qing snapping in the wind.
When Tsarist Russia received word that Omsk had fallen, they were utterly shocked, as if struck by a sudden thunderbolt. They hurriedly withdrew a portion of their troops from the Northern Frontier to reinforce the rear, throwing their battle array into utter chaos for a time. This was the exact opportunity Su Ran had been waiting for, and he immediately ordered the Northern Frontier garrison to launch an all-out offensive. Qing morale surged to new heights, and they rushed toward the Tsarist forces like fierce tigers descending a mountain. Every soldier fought to be at the front, filled with burning anger toward the invaders as they brandished their weapons. Struck from both front and rear, the Tsarist army instantly lost its footing, and their soldiers fled in all directions with no capacity to resist. Soon, the Tsarist forces collapsed into total defeat, and under the fierce attacks of the Qing army, they were forced to retreat hundreds of li, temporarily abandoning their plan to invade Great Qing. Su Ran successfully defused the Northern Frontier crisis, and when the news spread, the entire nation celebrated. Citizens poured into the streets, cheering and jumping for joy while the sound of firecrackers shook the heavens, their faces radiating the happiness of victory.
However, Su Ran was not intoxicated by victory. He knew well that Tsarist Russia was like a wounded beast that would not readily give up, and that the struggle between Great Qing and the foreign powers would be long and complex. Furthermore, although domestic administration had been reformed to a certain extent, if the New Policies were to be promoted deeply and lastingly, many deeper-level problems still needed to be resolved. Just as Su Ran was pondering his next steps for reform, new arguments arose within the imperial court. Some ministers believed that the New Policies had already achieved phased results and that the pace of reform should be slowed down to allow the country to recover and rebuild. They felt that after this period of reform, the nation's vitality had been somewhat depleted and needed time to recuperate; otherwise, more unstable factors might be triggered. Most of these ministers were conservatives who acted cautiously, worried that excessively rapid reforms would disrupt the existing stable situation. On the other hand, another faction of ministers advocated pressing the attack while victorious, accelerating the reform process, and strengthening national power. They argued that Great Qing was already showing initial results under the New Policies, and that this moment was a prime opportunity to strike while the iron was hot and stride forward boldly. If they failed to seize this opportunity, the foreign powers would likely make a comeback. This group of ministers was primarily composed of young officials full of vigor and progressive spirit, brimming with confidence in the future of Great Qing. Faced with these two completely contrasting viewpoints, Su Ran fell into deep contemplation. He knew intimately that every single decision he made concerned the fate of Great Qing and the well-being of millions of subjects. Where would Great Qing head next? It all depended on his choice.