Chapter 167

At that time I shouldn't have summoned this person; I only thought he was strong and cheap, forgetting how stubborn he is—stubborn as a bull—but I finally managed to send him away.

Actually, I have great respect for Yu Qian; he is a rare loyal minister in history, whose loyalty lies with the people, whose heart is devoted to the welfare of all under heaven—it's a pity that the two emperors he served were unreliable.

Since I, Shen Tianxing, have summoned him, I can only uphold the attitude of not letting this venerable minister suffer any injustice, and thus employ him.

It's like lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot—but this person is truly reliable; make good use of him, and he'll be no inferior to your Zhuge Liang or Sima Zhongda.

Hong Yi also walked over wearing a consort's robes, which reminded Shen Tianxing of the silly girl performing a court drama—identical, just as beautiful.

My conscription should be about done; the next system upgrade won't make you just like a real person, will it? Honestly, even Ruoyan can be summoned, so why are you so troublesome? Could it be that your core is really just a phone?

Shen Tianxing still can't understand what Hong Yi is all about. By rights, the system should be able to summon real beauties like Ruoyan or Zhao Lingfei, yet this assistant system lacks normal feminine functions.

The key is how Hong Yi and Shen Tianxing interact—like a couple who enjoy bickering; to say Hong Yi has no special feelings for Shen Tianxing, who would believe that?

You already have six women, plus me as your platonic companion—why do you keep thinking that way? Once you unify the realm, all women will be yours to choose; how could you still pine for me? I am, after all, the system!

If it were someone else, Shen Tianxing might not agree, but someone like Lin Feiyun, who clearly knows Shen Tianxing can indeed let the people live in peace and prosperity, still hasn't chosen to surrender.

Only those who are willing to serve Shen Tianxing today deserve some consideration, for his reason to surrender is to return and preserve the last bloodline of the Great Wu royal house.

I understand what you're thinking, Your Majesty—no problem. I agree to it, and I also hope you realize that the unification of the Divine Land is already a foregone conclusion; even if there truly is a last bloodline, let them not indulge in foolish fantasies.

Your Majesty, rest assured; I know what to do and how to do it. I will absolutely not indulge in any foolish fantasies, nor will I allow any lingering fantasies for the remnants of the Great Wu royal house.

Shen Tianxing nodded satisfied, then pondered a moment.

Very well, then I will send someone to assist you; having him around will keep you calmer. Let Yu Qian come forward.

Your Majesty has issued an edict: summon Yu Qian to the hall.

When Zhao Gao read the edict, his voice softened a little. This venerable minister is capable, but he has a great flaw: he argues with heaven, earth, and air.

Although his loyalty to Shen Tianxing is genuine, his nature is such that at the slightest sign of something detrimental to the people or the state, he will immediately offer blunt counsel.

For example, Shen Tianxing's harem has many women, and he spends much time with them; Yu Qian thus submitted a memorial and, in the hall, warned Shen Tianxing not to let beauty lead to the ruin of the state.

Zhao Gao had previously rebuked him angrily for this, but Yu Qian rebuked him so fiercely he almost slammed his head into a wall, leaving a psychological scar.

Your Majesty, I feel you sent this person to supervise me; given his temperament, I worry that if I make a mistake I'll be scolded to death.

Your subject Yu Qian pays his respects to Your Majesty!

Just then Yu Qian arrived, knelt on the ground, and paid his respects to Shen Tianxing, his gaze unwavering, as if he hadn't even noticed Lin Feiyun standing to the side.

Beloved Minister Yu Qian, please rise quickly; I summoned you here so that you may accompany the General of the Northern Expedition to Great Wu, conquer the entirety of Great Wu, and rely on you and the Northern Expedition General.

Normally, when Shen Tianxing speaks, Yu Qian would readily agree, but this is a stubborn loyal minister who only acknowledges his own principles. He did not immediately agree; instead, he furrowed his brows, pondered for a long time, and then shook his head.

Your Majesty, I must object: in my view, the Great Zhou has many undertakings awaiting revival; currently we must prioritize the people, vigorously develop industry, commerce, and agriculture, rather than love of war and invasion of other lands—even if victorious, it would drain the nation's foundation, and I cannot agree.

Shen Tianxing knew Yu Qian wouldn't be easily persuaded, but fortunately he had prepared in advance.

Minister Yu Qian, your words are mistaken: now that the Great Wu royal house has been utterly destroyed, it is precisely those ambitious rebels who have risen in revolt, and the people of Great Wu are suffering dire straits.

This action is not an invasion of another country, but a suppression of rebellion, restoring to the people a vast, clear sky; to give the people such a vast, clear sky, the best choice is none other than you, Minister Yu Qian.

Only someone like Ai Qing, who wholly concerns himself with the people's welfare and harbors no selfish motive, can, upon arrival, swiftly pacify the populace, thereby winning the hearts of all—such a deed that lasts through the ages; Minister Yu Qian, will you truly refuse?

Yu Qian is an upright man; telling him anything else is useless, but as long as you speak to him about the people, with reason and evidence, he will have no reason to refuse you.

Your Majesty's words, I understand: since it is for the people, I am willing to go together, but I must have supervisory authority; I cannot allow General Lin to act arbitrarily.

Lin Feiyun couldn't help but roll his eyes—how could he possibly act recklessly? That place is where he longs to return. Those people are the ones he has devoted himself to protecting; when he comes to Yu Qian, he instead feels like an intruder.

That's naturally no problem; I believe Minister Lin will not act rashly, and I have even greater faith in Minister Yu Qian's fairness and justice.

If so, I have no objections; I will obey Your Majesty's edict.

Shen Tianxing revealed a satisfied smile; then the two took their leave. After a while, Shen Tianxing finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

At that time I shouldn't have summoned this person; I only thought he was strong and cheap, forgetting how stubborn he is—stubborn as a bull—but I finally managed to send him away.

Actually, I have great respect for Yu Qian; he is a rare loyal minister in history, whose loyalty lies with the people, whose heart is devoted to the welfare of all under heaven—it's a pity that the two emperors he served were unreliable.

Since I, Shen Tianxing, have summoned him, I can only uphold the attitude of not letting this venerable minister suffer any injustice, and thus employ him.

It's like lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot—but this person is truly reliable; make good use of him, and he'll be no inferior to your Zhuge Liang or Sima Zhongda.

Hong Yi also walked over wearing a consort's robes, which reminded Shen Tianxing of the silly girl performing a court drama—identical, just as beautiful.

My conscription should be about done; the next system upgrade won't make you just like a real person, will it? Honestly, even Ruoyan can be summoned, so why are you so troublesome? Could it be that your core is really just a phone?

Shen Tianxing still can't understand what Hong Yi is all about. By rights, the system should be able to summon real beauties like Ruoyan or Zhao Lingfei, yet this assistant system lacks normal feminine functions.

The key is how Hong Yi and Shen Tianxing interact—like a couple who enjoy bickering; to say Hong Yi has no special feelings for Shen Tianxing, who would believe that?

You already have six women, plus me as your platonic companion—why do you keep thinking that way? Once you unify the realm, all women will be yours to choose; how could you still pine for me? I am, after all, the system!