Chapter 1345: Qin Qiong

Watching Yang Yang Jian's retreating back, Shi Your Majesty let out a cold snort: "That old man is petty."

"Did you have a conflict with him?" Wang Yan asked.

"It's just that I fought fiercely over there, borrowing the momentum from your side; the Turks devoted most of their energy to you, so I finished quickly. That old rascal Yang Su had no chance to show off, fought few battles, yet he is a renowned general. Isn't he just jealous of us brothers?"

"Damn it, that dog, I should have caught their children and chopped off a few heads."

Shi Your Majesty laughed heartily; he knew Wang Yan was speaking in anger, but he was very pleased that Wang Yan had always maintained a united front with him. Currently, Yang Su was also part of the Crown Prince's faction, as were the two of them, and they had always been at odds with Yang Su.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Xu Ziyan, is he still angry because the Turks sought his surrender instead of yours?"

"Back then, he made us brothers compete in martial games; I remember that. This time the Turks surrendered, and I can understand it: they dared not seek me out. They feared I would get carried away, insist on annihilating them, and be afraid I would chop off the envoys' heads as if nothing happened. I don't know where they heard that this old rascal Yang Su and I are at odds, so they went to him to smear me."

"The Turks' choice was correct; if they dared come to me, I would truly chop them. But they cannot avoid coming to me. They didn't even send someone to die, isn't that looking down on me? Letting that dog take our brothers' merit for nothing and make a huge scene—what kind of thing is he?"

Wang Yan cursed for a while, then added a twist: "But then again, we are all serving the Great Sui, serving the Imperial House, serving the people of the world; winning battles is what we should do."

"Brother also says that dog is petty; usually, we must be careful. Under no circumstances should we give villains an opening to launch an attack, otherwise it will bring disaster upon ourselves and ruin our families, which would be a loss far outweighing any gain."

Shi Your Majesty fell silent for a moment, then patted Wang Yan's shoulder: "You, worthy younger brother, should be even more careful..."

"I have always been very careful, Brother. Wealth and rank are not easily gained; cherish them above all."

Shi Your Majesty shook his head and sighed, and thus returned with the column to Daxing City.

After the generals washed and groomed themselves, by afternoon, a large group went to the palace to attend the banquet celebrating the destruction of the nation.

It was a simple celebration; Yang Yang Jian spoke some encouraging words, everyone ate and drank, watched dance and music performances, and some military generals performed martial games to entertain the crowd.

This time, no one dared to urge Wang Yan to come on stage to display his skills. Everyone knew exactly what kind of person Wang Yan was, and the conflict between Yang Su and Wang Yan was no longer a secret.

Given Wang Yan's status today, who would dare make Wang Yan perform martial games like a monkey? If they did, Wang Yan would truly kill someone in court, and even if he did, it would be without consequence.

Even Yang Yang Jian and Yang Guang would be very happy, because this would be trouble they brought upon themselves, cutting themselves off from the court officials, and tarnishing themselves to protect their lives. The Imperial House protects Wang Yan, and Wang Yan must be grateful, but at the same time, they must suppress Wang Yan, letting Wang Yan truly become a wealthy idler in Daxing City; this also serves as an explanation to the court officials. Since Wang Yan was hard to assign anyway, it was a perfect solution for both sides.

Unfortunately, no one sought death by jumping up on their own. Even Yang Su was behaving properly, absolutely not provoking Wang Yan.

Back then, Wang Yan held grudges; at that time, if not for Yang Guang, Yang Su had no doubt that Wang Yan would have dared to slap him. Now Yang Guang is the Crown Prince, and everyone is part of the Crown Prince's faction; if he doesn't provoke Wang Yan, Wang Yan has no easy opening to act, but if he seeks trouble for no reason, I fear Wang Yan will truly kill him.

So during this meal, Wang Yan ate very comfortably, sitting and eating and drinking with Shi Your Majesty again, cursing the entire court, politely responding to others coming to offer wine and speak kind words, presenting an appearance of prosperity and harmony...

Three days later, coinciding with the monthly grand court assembly on the fifteenth, the merits of this destruction of the Turkic nation were confirmed, along with specific rewards.

As Yang Guang had previously stated, Wang Yan was advanced to the rank of Duke of Danyang Commandery. A Commandery Duke was certainly insufficient to reward Wang Yan's merit, so the title of Zhu Guo was added, along with a huge amount of gold, silver, jewels, brocade, silk, land, farms, and other material rewards, as well as a title for Xiao Mei and the ennoblement of two sons.

After all, the Old Wang family's things were all produced by Qiong's eldest son; Xiao Mei's side was a concubine-born. Therefore, the two sons ennobled were all given to Xiao Mei's children.

This whole package still fell far short of Wang Yan being advanced to the super-grade Duke of Wu, with the unparalleled merit of Zhu Guo added. However, it was enough, after all, since this boss Yang Guang had already administered the preventive needle beforehand.

This time, a specific position was also confirmed: to go to the Ministry of Agriculture and serve as the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for state granaries, forests and gardens, markets, and the supply of firewood and charcoal, overseeing the Taicang, Pingzhun, Shanglin, and Daoguan offices, with a staff complement of eighty-two personnel.

Simply put, it is responsible for managing grain storage, granary administration, and the supply of rice salaries for imperial and court officials, while also having management responsibilities for imperial gardens, hot springs, and so on.

The chief official is precisely the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, a position of the third rank. It is considered a technical administrative post, after all, managing those things requires knowing all sorts of messy knowledge.

Everyone under heaven knows that Wang Yan farms well, manages commerce well, has many clever ideas, and has created many inventions; moreover, he himself is one of the wealthiest men under heaven, neither greedy nor corrupt, so it is considered a perfect match for his expertise.

They gave Wang Yan a certain degree of respect and considerable actual power, while simultaneously stripping him of military command, preventing him from continuing to cultivate military power, and preventing him from making decisions at the central government.

Wang Yan was indifferent, expressing firm support for the Emperor's decision, promising to shine and heat up in the new post, fulfill the original duties of the Ministry of Agriculture, lead all staff to create new brilliance again, and obediently received the imperial decree and thanked for the grace.

Besides him, the only one worth mentioning was Li Jing. Because as Wang Yan participated in the decisive battle and played a key role throughout the entire fight, he was awarded the title of Count of a Founding County, promoted in rank, and continued to work in the Ministry of War.

This was because the Old Li family had someone who played a role.

After the grand court assembly ended, Daxing returned to its previous situation: working steadily, each exerting influence to scoop up silver, while Yang Guang conducted some struggles to eliminate dissidents.

Wang Yan received a period of leave, not reporting to the office until next month. This leave was requested by himself, because in court he had spoken with the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, ordering him to balance the accounts of all offices under the Ministry of Agriculture. The first thing he would do upon arrival was audit the accounts; if even a single large coin was missing, he would severely punish those responsible. He also stated that if anyone died before his appointment, if the granary caught fire, or if the account books were burned, he would arrest everyone and interrogate them one by one.

Thus, the elderly Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture went back grumbling to balance the accounts...

The court officials watched silently, saying nothing, and Yang Yang Jian readily agreed to Wang Yan's request for leave.

So Wang Yan once again wandered aimlessly through the streets, sometimes alone, sometimes with several children, eating, drinking, playing, and making merry, very happy indeed.

On this day, Wang Yan was taking the children out for a stroll; he had barely stepped out the door when he saw two people driving a carriage at the entrance of the Zi Yue Wang's residence, trying hard to explain something to the Zi Yue Wang's gatekeeper.

This was Yang Su's residence, not far from Wang Yan's home, both on the same street.

"Father, Yang Su's family members are truly ignorant," one of the sons complained on the side.

These children also knew that Wang Yan and Yang Su were at odds; when they played outside, they fought many battles with Yang Su's children.

It wasn't just Yang Su's family; this whole area was filled with wealthy and powerful households. Parents influence their children, so how the family cursed Wang Yan, their children cursed Wang Yan's children in the same way.

And Wang Yan's children had all been trained in martial arts since childhood, receiving their father's true transmission; beating those children was like playing, truly the little tyrants of the inner city, beating whoever they caught, very fierce.

Wang Yan smiled and rubbed the head of the speaking child, then walked over with a bunch of followers.

Just as he heard that gatekeeper of Yang Su's say something like, "I'm in a bad mood today, I won't accept your gifts, what can you do about it?", he looked again at the person speaking to the gatekeeper, whose face was full of righteousness. Without a second thought, he slapped the gatekeeper of Yang Su's, sending him flying.

"Damn it, Yang Su that old man claims to be from the noble Hongnong clan, yet how is his family education so poor? Even a gatekeeper dares to look down on people with his nose?"

The gatekeeper cried out in pain and fell to the ground, losing two teeth. He ignored the pain and immediately shouted for someone to come, while looking at Wang Yan.

Then he trembled, and immediately just lay on the ground, groaning "Ouch, ouch" in pain.

Hearing the gatekeeper's call, people nearby instinctively gathered closer, but after seeing Wang Yan's face, they silently retreated and immediately sent someone into the courtyard to report the news.

"Not good, Wang Yan has come to the door to fight..."

Qin Qiong looked at the person in front of him, somewhat stunned: "Hero, please leave quickly; this is the residence of the Zi Yue Wang..."

Wang Yan waved his hand: "I am here to slap his family's face."

So Qin Qiong understood; the person in front was on the same level as Yang Su. He bowed respectfully with clasped fists: "I am under the command of the Shan Wang, my surname is Qin, given name Qiong, courtesy name Shubao. I was sent by the Shan Wang to deliver gifts to the Zi Yue Wang. I do not know..."

"I am Wang Yan."

"It is indeed the Duke Wang in person. I have long heard of the Duke Wang's great name, roaming freely across the grasslands, having the merit of destroying a nation, removing a great threat for our Great Sui, truly brave and invincible..."

Qin Qiong said a lot of nonsense, very flattering.

Wang Yan smiled and accepted it all, then said: "I know you."

With Qin Qiong's expression somewhat surprised and honored, he smiled and said, "The one who trampled the Yellow River on both banks, struck the three provinces and six prefectures with his mace, whose might shook half of Shandong, the Divine Fist Taibao Qin Qiong, Qin Shubao."

"Uh..."

Qin Qiong felt somewhat numb, and embarrassed.

This title of his was merely a matter of mutual flattery among Jianghu ruffians, people lifting each other up like flower palanquins; but spoken from the mouth of a high court dignitary like Wang Yan, the shame within his heart was magnified.

He quickly waved his hands: "Lord Wang jokes; we are all travelers of the Jianghu, and everyone merely exaggerates—it holds no truth. Yet I wonder how Lord Wang came to know of it?"

He shifted the topic.

Wang Yan smiled and said: "My family engages in commerce, and your side also has many business dealings. I recall there is a Shan Xiongxin of the Two Sages Manor, known as the Chief of the Green Forest; my family has considerable dealings with him as well, and our business there still benefits from his care."

"Lord Wang jokes; it is Lord Wang who has supported Brother Shan. To be honest, Lord Wang, that Shan Xiongxin and I are sworn brothers."

"Oh?"

Wang Yan raised an eyebrow as if surprised, and was just about to speak when someone interrupted him.

Yang Xuangan hurried out: "Xuangan pays respects to Lord Wang, yet I wonder why Lord Wang is so furious?"

Wang Yan glanced at this great rebel and smiled: "Nephew, do you Yang family members deliver messages without stating the reason? Look, your father is celebrating his birthday, and this Brother Qin was sent by the Prince of Kao to deliver birthday gifts, yet your gatekeeper said whether to accept them depended on his mood? This gatekeeper of your family is more imposing than your father himself.

The Hongnong Yang clan—oh, I cannot say that, for Your Majesty also hails from the Hongnong Yang clan. Speaking only of your branch of the family, it is truly not much to speak of. A gatekeeper more powerful than his master; by that logic, is Yang Su, the head of this household, not even more imposing than Your Majesty?"

Yang Xuangan's face turned iron-green; gritting his teeth, he glared at the gatekeeper lying on the ground playing dead, then bowed his fists to apologize to Qin Qiong: "Brother Qin, do not take offense; it is my family's failure to enforce discipline strictly. Men! What are you standing there for? Accept the Prince of Kao's gifts, then beat this gatekeeper to death with staffs! Right here!"

The gatekeeper momentarily let out miserable cries begging for his life, while those nearby, hearts trembling with fear, moved the birthday gifts Qin Qiong had escorted.

Wang Yan stood with hands behind his back, accompanied by a large group of children and retainers, smiling as he watched the spectacle of the gatekeeper being beaten to death.

Qin Qiong opened his mouth, but dared not speak further; he could only foolishly watch along with the others, feeling quite at a loss.

After a while, the gatekeeper's miserable cries faded from loud to silent; excrement and urine mixed with blood flowed across the ground, and the man no longer moved.

Yang Xuangan looked at Wang Yan, bowed his fists, and said: "Lord Wang, Xuangan has already cleansed the household; I wonder if Lord Wang has any further instructions for Xuangan?"

"Nephew truly takes after Yang Su; just looking at you makes one dislike you."

"Lord Wang speaks correctly."

"Father, he is utterly shameless," Wang Yan's son spoke up.

Yang Xuangan remained expressionless, though his face was still green with anger.

"You are grinding your teeth to pieces, Nephew."

With Wang Yan calling him "Nephew" at every turn, Yang Xuangan's eyes blazed with fire, yet he dared not utter a single excessive word.

Smiling, Wang Yan stopped teasing him and instead slung an arm around Qin Qiong's shoulders: "Shubao, I find you agreeable; come, let us drink wine. All you brothers go as well; eat well and drink well."

Everyone was overwhelmed with honor and dared not utter words of refusal, following like yes-men.

They all knew Wang Yan's great name; among those present, the one of highest status was Qin Qiong, yet compared to Wang Yan's position, he was still like an ant gazing up at the blue sky; yet even so, did Wang Yan still call them brothers?

Hearing Wang Yan's repeated calls of "brother," they felt that even dying would be worth it. After all, that was Wang Yan, a figure akin to a God of War in this age, calling me brother?

It was also at this moment that they finally understood that Wang Yan's good reputation, circulated in the past, was not false. He treated his subordinates well, treated soldiers well, treated soldiers who died in battle or were wounded and disabled along with their families well, and treated ordinary commoners well too.

Even the legends fell short of one ten-thousandth of what they were now feeling!

Now, if Wang Yan ordered them to kill anyone, they would kill that person without even frowning.

Upon arriving at a high-class restaurant in the East Market, ordering a huge array of delicacies, and drinking the strong liquor sold by Wang Yan's household—especially after Wang Yan personally came over and shared several cups of wine with them—the feeling became even stronger...

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? (End of Chapter)