Chapter 319: Your Background Is Not Simple

"Official Chen of the diplomatic mission sent news that in one month, the Third Princess of the Wu Kingdom will rest in Qinghe."

"The reception matters will be handled by Official Jia and Official Yan."

"Official Li and Official Cao will be responsible for the security in the city."

Nie Siming summoned the four main officials of Qinghe City to give instructions.

"Yes." *4

Li Rui and the others accepted the order.

Except for Li Rui, the other three had long heard about the marriage alliance through their own channels, so they were not surprised. In fact, as early as two months ago, they had already been preparing.

If a main official of Qinghe didn't even know about such a major event, they wouldn't be far from being demoted.

It wasn't that their ability was insufficient, but that the backer behind them didn't even inform them of such a major event, meaning they had certainly been treated as abandoned pawns; it would be strange if they could be promoted.

The marriage alliance was actually decided when the two countries opened trade, but there had been no progress for a long time. The reason it could become the top priority for Qinghe now.

Was not because of the marriage alliance itself, but because of the status of that Third Princess.

If it were a princess of a small country, or a concubine-born daughter, Qinghe would not value it so much.

But that Third Princess was the biological younger sister of the Sovereign of the Wu Kingdom, which was very different.

Her status was noble, and few in the Wu Kingdom could compare.

The son of the Emperor of the Yu Kingdom married the younger sister of the Sovereign of the Wu Kingdom; calculating by seniority, the Emperor of the Yu Kingdom would become the brother-in-law of the Sovereign of the Wu Kingdom, one generation higher, and the Yu Kingdom would suppress the Wu Kingdom in terms of ritual and law.

Because of this, the Yu Kingdom valued it very much.

The Wu Kingdom was prosperous and had dominated the south of the Yu Kingdom for thousands of years, always maintaining an equal relationship.

Now, being able to suppress them by one head was a matter of manifesting merit and leaving a name in history.

After Nie Siming finished giving instructions.

"Go, by the way, Official Li, stay behind."

Hearing this.

Cao Wei and the other two all revealed envious eyes.

"Does this Official Li have some kind of magic? Why is he so favored by his superiors?"

Especially Cao Wei, who felt it the most.

Li Rui was truly able to handle things on all sides; his successive superiors, from Jiang Linxian and Yuan Dingting to Nie Siming, all favored Li Rui.

But they were not jealous.

People only feel jealous when they think they can reach it, but when the gap is too large, there is only envy.

Li Rui was the latter.

Although the official ranks of the four were the same, Proper Fifth-Rank, the invisible gap between them was too large, and their potential was completely different.

In terms of background, Li Rui had Jiang Linxian and Marquis Yuan, and the relationship was close.

Although they also had backers, compared to the relationship, it was far worse.

Secondly, it was the future of the Martial Path.

The strength Li Rui displayed had already far exceeded Cao Wei's, and he was very likely to achieve the Primordial Realm in the future.

A Proper Fourth-Rank military official, or even a Third-Rank civil official, was very possible.

What concept was that?

A Vice Minister of the Six Ministries, a proper official of the Six Ministries, with the power to directly see the Holy Lord, was only Proper Third-Rank.

It was quite incredible.

Therefore, facing such a hidden dragon, they had no jealousy.

Watching the three leave, Li Rui then looked at Nie Siming: "Does General Nie have other matters to instruct?"

Nie Siming smiled slightly:

"I didn't expect Instructor Li to hide so deeply, actually knowing even the Great Shaman."

Li Rui was stunned.

Nie Siming's smile widened: "The diplomatic mission sent news that after the Third Princess arrives in Qinghe, she wants to see Instructor Li; this was personally decided by the Great Shaman when meeting the diplomatic mission."

Me?

Li Rui blinked.

He knew his own situation best; he had never met the Great Shaman, and all his connections stemmed from Xia Xiaotang, and that was it.

Marriage is a major event, especially an imperial marriage alliance, which must emphasize heavenly destiny; one cannot decide one's own marriage. In the Yu Kingdom, it is the Emperor who assigns the marriage, while in the Wu Kingdom, it is decided by the Great Shaman.

However, his expression quickly returned to normal.

Since it has come, accept it.

No need to think too much.

He was an official of the Yu Kingdom, and the people of the Wu Kingdom couldn't touch him; a figure like the Great Shaman wouldn't take action against a tiny Fifth-Rank official like him.

Just as he was about to speak.

Nie Siming waved his hand: "No need to explain anything. Extraordinary matters require extraordinary people. That Instructor Li can have a connection with the Great Shaman is a skill; this General is truly envious."

He was truly envious.

What kind of figure was the Great Shaman?

That was the world's third-ranked person for a hundred years, and his status was shoulder-to-shoulder with the Imperial Preceptor of the Yu Kingdom.

His prestige was even higher than Marquis Yuan's.

Nie Siming was a military man and had always recognized one principle: whoever could get things done was the powerful one.

Regardless of the means.

He had even drunk with the War God of the Northern Barbarians; Li Rui knowing the Great Shaman was a skill in his view, completely unrelated to treason or betrayal.

Moreover, this time, if Li Rui had a connection with the Great Shaman, the marriage alliance could proceed better.

A great thing!

Nie Siming: "When the Third Princess arrives, you and I will welcome her."

"Yes."

Li Rui accepted, because he knew that whatever he said now would be useless.

A small interlude.

The marriage alliance matter did not bring too many changes to Li Rui's life.

It was still practicing Wu Gong and reading books as usual.

It was just that Li Rui rarely went out of the city.

Originally just a small matter.

But it caused some gamblers in the Anning Guard to lose quite a bit of silver. The reputation of Li Rui, the Commandant who didn't go out, had long spread, so someone had set up a betting pool, betting on when Li Rui would go out, and some even bet that he wouldn't go out for ten years.

So they lost.

This day.

Li Rui returned to the city with Tan Hu.

Tan Hu rode alongside Li Rui; if it were any other Commandant, there would definitely be a reprimand, but Tan Hu was an old man by Li Rui's side, so nothing happened, and the Benhu Battalion was long accustomed to it. In their eyes, Li Rui was still their patrol guard. "Big Brother, when are we going out next time?"

Tan Hu asked this, and Li Rui was stunned, then looked at Tan Hu with a smile that wasn't a smile: "Tiger, speak, how much did you bet?"

Being asked by Li Rui, Tan Hu's head grew big, and he stammered for a long time:

"Big Brother, you knew?"

Li Rui laughed: "Tiger, brothers settle accounts clearly; I also bet, I can't let myself lose just to let you win."

"??!!"

Tan Hu widened his eyes.

He thought Li Rui didn't know about the betting at all, but he never expected Li Rui not only to know but also to bet himself.

No wonder Li Rui's time for going out of the city was so exquisite.

His eyes lit up:

"As expected of Big Brother!"

"Big Brother, what did you bet on, tell your brother quickly, at least we can't lose money."

He had already made plans to go all-in on this round and earn back everything he had lost!

【Note: This line appears to be a garbled anti-piracy placeholder.】

Li Rui: "Tiger, I can tell you, but let's agree beforehand, you have to give me ten percent."

Tan Hu readily agreed:

"Good!"

Li Rui felt he was truly a good hand at making money.

Do not refrain from doing small things just because they are small.

Just a casual matter.

And with his status, even if he were discovered to have suspicion of deception, would anyone dare to come find him?

By then, Li Rui could even use the excuse of supervising military discipline and collect it all; it was impossible to lose, so when he learned of this news, he specifically called his soldiers to place bets.

As the two were talking.

They returned to the Commandant's Mansion.

Just as they entered the door, they saw Wang Zhao.

"Master, you're back."

Wang Zhao said, and both he and Yang Yong felt it was fresh that Li Rui went out of the city.

Li Rui nodded.

Previously not going out of the city was because he was worried about the True Dragon Qi being discovered by demon beasts; now that he had mastered the Nine Concealments of Heavenly Secrets, he naturally had no such worries.

He went out of the city this time to inspect the river channel.

After all, Nie Siming had specifically instructed him; although Cao Wei, the County Government, and the Trade Office were handling it together, he couldn't be indifferent to everything. The procedures that should be followed had to be followed, and the appearance that should be put on had to be put on.

Nie Siming was watching.

Li Rui knew people like Nie Siming too well; although the two could drink and chat, if the official business wasn't handled well, the reprimands he would receive would be the same.

Wang Zhao pointed to the main hall:

"Master, Senior Brother Liang is back."

Li Rui, hearing it was Liang He, became interested and soon came to the main hall, seeing Liang He.

Liang He's visits to the Commandant's Mansion had truly been a bit frequent recently.

"Master!"

Liang He was originally organizing the items placed in the main hall, and seeing Li Rui enter, he was pleasantly surprised.

"Xiao He, what made you think of coming to see your Master?"

Li Rui looked at his eldest disciple with a smile.

Liang He chuckled: "Entrusted by someone."

Li Rui became even more interested.

Liang He didn't dare to keep him in suspense and said directly: "It's Senior Brother Liu; he asked me to bring something to Master."

Saying this.

He took the yellow pear wood box placed on the table.

"This was sent by Senior Brother Liu through someone; the Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui is in hand."

Li Rui's eyebrows lifted.

Liu Tong actually got his hands on the Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui so quickly, which truly exceeded his expectations.

Although the Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui was far less famous than in ancient times, it was truly rare. Liu Tong being able to get this thing showed that his relationship with the noble daughter of the Tianyuan Chamber of Commerce was quite good; otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible.

Even if Li Rui went, it would be the same.

Liang He continued: "Senior Brother Liu said thank you to Master for his guidance; he has already realized the Great Dao."

Li Rui nodded with satisfaction.

Not bad, the child is teachable.

Having a good skin, naturally, one should make good use of it; eating soft rice is nothing shameful. Didn't a former Grand Secretary of the Yu Kingdom also start as a live-in son-in-law? It's not shameful.

"Tell Xiao Liu, the money for the Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui will be counted on the Tiandi Alliance's account, and... send a few capable people from the alliance to Yunzhou."

Liang He's eyes lit up.

Li Rui saying this meant he agreed to Liu Tong opening a branch in Yunzhou.

Of course, the reason Li Rui agreed was not only because Liu Tong performed well, but also because of a small matter... he didn't send the item directly to the Commandant's Mansion, but gave it to Liang He first, and then had Liang He transfer it.

It seemed like a small matter, but the difference was huge.

The Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui was a great contribution; giving it to Liang He meant that the credit might be shared by Liang He.

What was different was the breadth of mind.

Although Liu Tong was smart, he lacked the wisdom to use and trust people; his current performance was what finally made Li Rui feel at ease.

Li Rui opened the small wooden box with a smile.

At the moment of opening.

A strange fragrance hit his nose.

He saw a thumb-sized, crystal-clear jade stone that looked like a purple crystal appear before his eyes.

It was exactly the same as the Heavenly Spirit Tianling Zisui recorded in the Ascension Book.

Li Rui was overjoyed.

With this treasure, he was one step closer to High-Grade Spiritual Roots.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 320 =====