Chapter 2022: The Vast Heaven and Broad Earth—Where Cannot One Act?

"Fine, then I'll change the question." He Lingchuan asked again, "What do you think—what are the odds that the Heavenly God defeats all my armies on the Flash Gold Plains and then successfully kills me? Well, he must kill me, otherwise I will surely rise again."

Fan Shuang opened his mouth, realizing he couldn't answer.

The Heavenly God might find it easy to kill the former "He Xiong," but killing the Nine Abysses Great Emperor?

He asked bluntly: "Miao, Miao Zhantian God really died at your hands?"

"It's true." He Lingchuan gave him a definite answer, "Without a doubt."

This person before you could even take down a Great Heavenly God—a fierce man, the legendary "Reincarnated Dragon God"—how confident is the Heavenly God that he could take him down?

"Then, very slim."

"If the Heavenly God's chance of killing me is this small, is it worth my going all out?"

Fan Shuang fell silent.

"I ask you—if Tushan Fang joins my army, pins his head to his waistband and goes to battle, has he ever considered what to do if he dies on the battlefield?"

Fan Shuang nodded: "Yes."

"Then he wouldn't go to the battlefield?" He Lingchuan's eyes blazed like torches, each word striking Fan Shuang's heart, "On the Flash Gold Plains, we can only advance toward death."

Don't look at Tushan Fang being alone and friendless—He Lingchuan commands hundreds of millions; essentially, what's the difference between them?

Both must give everything, both must exert their utmost, both can only forge ahead.

Because they have both staked their lives and fortunes, and have no retreat!

To advance is to live; to retreat is to die.

"In your eyes, Tushan Fang is fearless and self-sacrificing for the people; in the corners you cannot see, there are countless thousands of Tushan Fangs. They are the true foundation of the Black Armor Army and the Dragon God Army." He Lingchuan's voice was gentle yet firm, "They sacrificed themselves for the ideal I envisioned, for Flash Gold's future. My actions must not betray their blood and sacrifice."

Fan Shuang's nose felt a bit stuffy; he drew a deep breath: "To be frank, when I served in the Yao State, all I thought about was how to rise smoothly and bring glory to my family. But I also clearly knew I was dull-witted and slow, utterly unfit for officialdom, so I was always lost."

Not only lost, he also felt depressed and unfulfilled.

Seeing others younger than him rise faster, that anxiety, shame, and anguish were also tormenting.

"How could it be just you? Aren't all the Yao State officials like that?" He Lingchuan understood. If Fan Shuang hadn't followed him, when trouble came to the Yao State, he'd still be a petty official. "And now?"

"A twist of fate, two lifetimes as a person!" Fan Shuang sighed, "Now thinking back, my former self even felt hurt for not knowing how to flatter and connive—truly foolish!"

A blaze of war revealed the truth; he then saw that what he pursued in the first half of his life was all illusion.

He Lingchuan laughed heartily, patting his shoulder: "If being an official means only fawning, forming cliques, currying favor with superiors and bullying inferiors, corruption and bribery, just wanting to sharpen one's head to climb higher, playing all those worldly games—then your nature not knowing this path is hardly a misfortune!"

The Yao State had existed too long; the officialdom's practices were two centuries of accumulated grime.

The officials He Lingchuan encountered in Yao State's Tianshui City were constantly preoccupied with factions, promotions, and political achievements. The rules of officialdom outweighed heaven—how many still cared for the people, how many still thought of the populace?

In such an officialdom environment, everyone is soaked in this dye vat, feeling no shame, instead taking it as normal—so it's no wonder Fan Shuang can't let go.

Fan Shuang self-mocked: "Looks like I'm just not cut out for officialdom."

What should he and his father do from now on?

"Who said that?" He Lingchuan laughed with deep meaning, "You want to be that kind of official—you'll never enter its door in a lifetime; but if you want to be a good official, it's actually not hard—just attend to the people's needs and govern for them, and you'll naturally know what to do."

Different starting points, different horizons.

Different mindsets, then the heavens are vast and the earth broad—where cannot one act?

Fan Shuang murmured: "Like the Guardian of Huang County?"

In the hundred days facing Guo Bai Yu, the Guardian of Huang County fulfilled his duties, constantly thinking of ways to solve people's livelihood and postwar logistics, while also boosting morale for all soldiers and civilians in the city.

Without him, Mian City would long have been unable to continue.

He Lingchuan said solemnly: "Mian City must erect a monument to the heroic spirits. Huang Chengqi, Tushan Fang, and all who bled and sacrificed for Mian City should be remembered by posterity."

"I understand." Fan Shuang took a long breath, "He Lingchuan brother, what should I do?"

"Just as before—act as my envoy, recruiting talented people from among the Yao people." Previously in Tianshui City, He Lingchuan always kept Fan Shuang by his side; talented men seeing Fan Shuang thriving like a fish in water would naturally flock to him, "The Yao State has stood for two centuries, its talent pool leading Flash Gold. With the Yao State's overthrow, they too have been displaced—truly a pity."

The Yao State had enjoyed peace for years, with its own selection system; the quality and quantity of its talent cannot be overlooked. Not to mention, the literacy rate of the Yao people ranks first in Flash Gold. He Lingchuan, preparing for the future, also wants to reserve talent for the great state after unifying Flash Gold.

In Tianshui City, he actually already knew many people, but being busy with affairs, he couldn't visit each one individually, so entrusting this to Fan Shuang is most suitable. This person's talent is not outstanding, but he is conscientious, meticulous, and responsible—one of the best choices.

Let the Yao people recruit the Yao people—this is most appropriate.

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Fan Shuang indeed nodded firmly: "Good! I will surely not disappoint He Lingchuan brother… I will surely not disappoint the lord's trust."

From now on, he serves He Lingchuan. Thereafter, their relationship is that of superior and subordinate—how could they still be called peers?

He Lingchuan glanced at him with a smile.

Who said Fan Shuang is dull-witted? He is actually more perceptive than many.

Fan Shuang continued: "Also, Tushan Fang's hometown is in Xike; I want to personally deliver his ashes and condolence money there, then visit his family."

Tushan Fang twice saved his entire family's lives; he wants to go see if he can still do something for the Tushan family.

"Returning a peach for a plum, fulfilling this karmic bond—good!" He Lingchuan nodded, "The journey is far; I'll assign you a hundred elite soldiers to let you send him home in honor. You must tell the people of Xike that Tushan Fang was the key figure in Mian City's defense, a hero of all Flash Gold."

Fan Shuang agreed, bade farewell, and withdrew.

From then on, he followed the Dragon God Army.

Having just stepped out of the gate, fine rain drizzled, refreshing the heart and soul, all around gradually exuding the scent of damp earth.

He knew that after the Dragon God's passage, everything would be different.

Fan Shuang breathed out heavily toward heaven, stepped over the threshold, his steps firmer.

How vast the Flash Gold Plains, how turbid the boundless world. But from now on, he has a direction, and will never be lost again.

Since heaven let him endure a hundred days of blood and fire tempering, and let him survive, then this person must surely be useful!