Chapter 1453: The Absurd World

"I am not a Between Beijia person, yet I can still become the Imperial Preceptor of Between Beijia." She enunciated every word, "Zhong Wu is steady, wise, and his tactics are ever-changing. His past record of victories is high, and he is capable of taking on great responsibilities. If he were a Yao person, he would be qualified for the post of Northern Garrison Commander, wouldn't he?" Among the young generals of the Yao Nation, Zhong Wu is indeed one of the most outstanding.

This point, the Yao King does not deny.

If he were a Yao person, taking over Xue Zongwu's northern military post would not be impossible.

"At least thirty percent of the officials and generals in Lingxu City are from foreign lands," Qingyang said softly. "The Emperor uses people without sticking to one pattern. As the master of the Flash Gold Plain, the Yao Nation should naturally absorb talents from all over to serve itself."

"As for his background—" She sipped her tea, "Once he is sent to the north, he can only be stationed there like a nail. Is Your Majesty still afraid that he will lead troops privately and return to Pixia?"

Everyone knows this is impossible.

Even someone as overbearing and tyrannical as Xue Zongwu dared not return to the country without a summons. What status and position does General Zhong Wu have to dare to lead troops back to reinforce Pixia privately? Even if he wanted to go, would the Yao soldiers be willing to go back with him?

Therefore, background is not the problem.

The arrogant mindset of the Yao people is.

The Yao King felt annoyed in his heart, but could only laugh: "The Overseer is very concerned about General Zhong Wu's future."

"I am considering the northern border of the Yao Nation," Qingyang said sternly. "Selecting the virtuous and capable and assisting in border defense is also part of my duty."

The Yao King's eyebrows twitched. To be able to speak of interfering in another country's internal affairs so matter-of-factly, she is truly worthy of being from Between Beijia.

"Judging from reputation, age, and qualifications, Yuwen Yong and Zhong Wu are both excellent candidates," Qingyang added another point. "By the way, both generals have clean backgrounds and clear records; neither has been tainted by corruption or bribery, and they have great potential for the future. Your Majesty's chosen candidates must have fully considered this point, right?"

Could the Yao King still say no, that he didn't think so at all?

Moreover, this old hag circled back to a series of corruption cases, reminding him that this matter was not over! Want to keep these loyal and useful subordinates of his? Then he must exchange conditions, then he must make a deal.

The Yao King suppressed his impatience and exhaled gently: "Overseer Qingyang is indeed thoughtful; I will consider it carefully."

Qingyang smiled: "Good, then let us proceed to the next item."

There's more? Doesn't this old hag know when to stop while she's ahead! The Yao King felt a surge of depression in his heart, but it was not easy to reveal it, so his gaze only became more gloomy.

Qingyang's smile did not diminish, but she felt contempt in her heart. She had carefully prepared these bargaining chips for over half a year; the payment must have a return. How could she stop after just promoting one General Zhong Wu?

The two negotiated for another hour, and the Yao King's face grew worse and worse, his pursed lips turning pale, before Qingyang finally stood up.

"Alright, I'd better not stay and be an eyesore." She earnestly advised, "This ice spring is truly a bit cold. Your Majesty has a thousand things to attend to, so take care of your health. I shall take my leave first."

She said "take my leave," but she walked away with her head held high, her back revealing the arrogance of a victor.

"Oh, by the way." Just as she was about to cross the threshold, she suddenly stopped and added, "That old pear tree has quite a spirit. I feel it doesn't like that cold spring, and it seems it won't last much longer."

Until Qingyang disappeared at the end of the garden, the Yao King remained seated without moving. A gust of wind blew, scraping two pear blossoms and a bit of chill onto his desk.

Qingyang was not wrong; the chill of this ice spring was indeed getting stronger. But what did she mean by saying the old pear tree wouldn't last much longer? Was she cursing him to die soon? As for Qingyang saying the old pear tree "didn't like" the cold spring, the Yao King didn't think much of it.

Wherever a tree's seed falls, it takes root and sprouts there; what right does it have to talk about whether it likes it or not?

After a long while, a palace attendant came to report: "The Overseer has already left the palace."

The Yao King suddenly slammed his fist heavily on the table and shouted "Get out!" His eyes were split, looking like a fierce tiger, as if he wanted to choose someone to devour. The palace attendant was so scared that he scrambled away and disappeared in an instant.

Damn it, hateful! The Yao King's fist tightened and then relaxed; wanting to slam the table again, his hand hurt a little.

But thinking of the pile of conditions he had just exchanged with Qingyang, he felt liver pain from anger while bitter water welled up.

To make such a great sacrifice, just to protect those corrupt officials under his command!

Are these people loyal?

If they were truly loyal, how could they be so corrupt and venal, and let Qingyang catch such a massive handle on them?

Ridiculous, truly ridiculous.

Qingyang seemingly performs the duty of supervision and benefits the people's livelihood, but in fact, it is to shake his rule;

He concedes his own power just to protect these national vermin who are not very loyal but indispensable at this stage!

How can this world be so absurd!

"Damn it... Ouch!" The Yao King couldn't hold back and slammed the table again; it hurt!

He really didn't want to admit that Qingyang had won this round.

Sitting in the deep palace in June, he only felt lonely and chilled to the bone.

The next afternoon, He He Lingchuan heard that the Yao King had issued an imperial decree, and Yuwen Yong received a brand-new appointment.

He brought gifts to offer congratulations and found the Yuwen mansion bustling with activity, with officials having received the news and rushed over to congratulate him.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Yuwen Yong was going to take over Xue Zongwu's post and guard the northern border.

This was truly being entrusted with heavy responsibility by the Wang Ting, and it looked like Yuwen Yong was about to take off right where he stood. As long as he didn't make any major mistakes, his future would be limitless.

Therefore, the Yuwen mansion was full of joy, and the guests who came to congratulate him only picked good words to say, with both host and guests enjoying themselves.

He He Lingchuan also heard that the Yao Wang Ting had dispatched two military generals this time to guard the northern line together.

Besides Yuwen Yong, the other one was surprisingly General Zhong Wu!

Yuwen Yong, everyone could still understand; but General Zhong Wu?

When He He Lingchuan was at the Yuwen mansion, he happened to hear several officials gathered in a corner discussing in low voices, how could it be General Zhong Wu?

He isn't even a Yao person!

He had also made a big mistake a few days ago, causing the death of Young Master Tong Er.

In terms of seniority, how could it be General Zhong Wu's turn!

There were also two officials who said indignantly that they were going to submit a memorial to persuade the King to withdraw the order.

An imperial order, a golden word, how could it be so easily withdrawn? He He Lingchuan believed they were just talking.

No matter how much General Zhong Wu devoted himself to the Yao Nation, in the eyes of the Yao people, he would always be an outsider.

At this moment, there seemed to be a commotion outside the Yuwen mansion. A servant sang out: "The Left Commandant of the Green Guard, Lord He Yang, has arrived—"

Hearing this, everyone in the mansion, no matter what they were doing, stopped in unison and looked toward the main gate.

The atmosphere of chatting and laughing instantly froze.

He He Lingchuan soon heard footsteps, and several people strode in, all in green armor, with stern expressions.

They seemed naturally isolated from the surrounding guests, and even more out of place with this joyful environment.

He He Lingchuan knew that Qingyang had brought nearly two hundred subordinates from Between Beijia, organized as the "Green Guard." Among them were disciples of the Qinggong, and of course, even more likely, strong experts assigned to her by the Demon Emperor, so it was a powerful force that could not be underestimated.

They were also Qingyang's confidence; over the past half year, they had traveled between the Yao Nation and Tianshui City, and wherever they passed, the officials were terrified.

Even Xue Zongwu and Qi Yunsheng, before they died, would feel uneasy when they heard the Green Guard was coming, let alone ordinary officials. Now that He Yang suddenly appeared here, everyone's first thought was: Did the Yuwen family commit a crime? Who is this Commandant He here to arrest now?

When Yuwen Xu saw them, his heart also skipped a beat, but he still had to greet them, his face smiling enthusiastically: "Commandant He, what wind blew you here?"

He He Lingchuan looked over at the sound. This "Commandant He" stood tall and upright, only about thirty years old, his eyes piercing, his expression cold and stern.

Physiognomy comes from the heart; this person's temper looked straight and hard, like a green bamboo newly grown in the ground.

He Yang stood with his hands behind his back. He He Lingchuan always felt that he looked at people with his head tilted at forty-five degrees.

"Yuwen Yong has been promoted, and our Overseer is very gratified, so she specially ordered me to come and present a gift." He Yang tilted his head, and the Green Guard behind him immediately stepped forward two steps, holding out a precious sword. "I hope General Yuwen will perform meritorious service on the battlefield and promote the prestige of the Great Yao Nation."

The scabbard was simple and unadorned, and the hilt even had a bit of verdigris, clearly an ancient object.

Yuwen Yong walked quickly out of the crowd, took it with both hands, and said sternly: "Yong will certainly not fail the Overseer's expectations!"

He Yang pointed to the precious sword: "This sword is named 'String Light', originally an old collection of the Qinggong, and was the personal sword of General You You Shanming of the Pu Nation during the medieval period. The Overseer said that a precious sword should be given to a hero, and General Yuwen deserves this treasure."

Yuwen Yong immediately thanked him and gently drew the sword from its scabbard.

That flash of cold light was like mercury pouring onto the ground, its sharpness unbearable and stinging to the eyes.

Yuwen Yong hurriedly sheathed the sword, fearing that the murderous aura would leak out, and then thanked him again.

The collection of the Lingxu Qinggong is indeed well-deserved. Even though he was not of Qingyang's lineage, he was overjoyed to receive this gift.

He He Lingchuan also saw that flash of sword light.

A good sword. But such sharpness is completely different from Fusheng.

At this time, the father of the Yuwen brothers, the head of the Yuwen family, also rushed over. He Yang nodded at him and turned to leave.

From beginning to end, he had no expression on his face and didn't look at anyone else.

The mansion and hall were full of people, but he didn't greet any of them.

The Soul-Seizing Mirror exclaimed: "This guy is really arrogant! If Qingyang keeps him by her side, won't she always be offending people?"

"Perhaps she doesn't care." He He Lingchuan didn't care either. "Which talented person doesn't have a strange temper? Besides, it's not strange for Between Beijia people to have this attitude when they come to the Flash Gold Plain."

Yao people look down on the natives of the Flash Gold Plain, and Between Beijia people look down on Yao people; a chain of contempt has formed.

He Yang left, and the dignitaries present all breathed a sigh of relief, the atmosphere slowly returning to the previous enthusiasm.

The mirror asked again: "Yuwen Yong was promoted, why would Qingyang send someone to congratulate him?"

"As the Overseer, congratulating Yuwen Yong is a concern and inquiry into state affairs. Besides, Yuwen Yong will hold military power later." A player of Qingyang's level plans for the long term and won't care about immediate gains and losses. "If she wants to suppress the Yao King, she must win over the ministers below. Even if she can't win over the Yuwen family, there's no need to be the first to turn hostile."

He He Lingchuan originally wanted to leave quietly after delivering the gift, but Yuwen Xu had already caught him first and said: "We are going to Xiaonanxuan for drinks later, Island Master He, don't run away, come with us!"

Facing his earnest hospitality, He He Lingchuan could only say yes. ===== CHAPTER 1454 =====