Chapter 1183: Greeting by Forgetting One's Shoes

Australia.

After Qingyang Shuo had spent two days traveling around Australia, he went to the "Australia General's Mansion" that Xie Fang had temporarily constructed.

The Australia General's Mansion is currently the highest administrative organ in Australia.

Of all people, Xie Fang was the most delighted by Qingyang Shuo's arrival.

Although the situation in Australia was now generally stable, economic development was truly sluggish; furthermore, the situation here was different from that of Longyan, and attempting to copy Liu Zheng's methods might not yield good results.

He was also very clear in his heart that his own abilities were limited, and stabilizing the situation in Australia was likely his limit; now, he needed someone to help him.

Qingyang Shuo was a talent of rare caliber, and the advice he had given him last time had been a great help.

If Australia wanted to continue to develop...

He still needed a talent like Qingyang Shuo.

Of course, he had asked Qingyang Shuo to stay several times, but Qingyang Shuo had his own missions and naturally would not stay in Australia forever. However, even though he could not be stationed there permanently, Xie Fang had still prepared a residence exclusively for Qingyang Shuo, welcoming him to visit Australia at any time.

Qingyang Shuo naturally accepted with pleasure.

This made Xie Fang incredibly excited.

With such a great talent helping, there was no need to worry about failing to accomplish great things!

However, Xie Fang's intentions went beyond this!

He did not want Qingyang Shuo to help him because he needed to complete Liu Zheng's layout; he hoped that Qingyang Shuo would help him because he wanted to treat him as his own lord!

He also knew that Liu Zheng's momentum was currently surging, and it would be difficult to make Qingyang Shuo change his allegiance, but he believed that sincerity could move even metal and stone!

These past few days, Qingyang Shuo had been wandering around Australia, taking in the local customs and culture.

Xie Fang naturally found it inappropriate to disturb him.

In fact, he had wanted to consult Qingyang Shuo's opinion regarding the matter of leasing an army.

It was a pity he was not there...

But...

As long as he remained persistent, there would be hope for the matter!

"Has Qingyang Xiansheng returned?"

As soon as he arrived at the location, Xie Fang asked with an anxious expression.

"Reporting to the General, he has already arrived at the entrance of the General's Mansion, and General Qin is currently receiving him," a subordinate said.

"Why tell me only now!"

Xie Fang scolded angrily and hurriedly got off his couch to put on his shoes.

Just as he ran to the door, he suddenly realized one thing: he was still wearing his shoes!

How could this reflect the degree of importance he placed on Qingyang Xiansheng! He had to learn from Caocao and greet him by forgetting his shoes!

Thinking of this, Xie Fang kicked off both shoes and ran toward the main entrance.

The thought was wonderful, but reality embedded a pile of gravel under his feet.

Xie Fang grimaced in pain, but he did not dare go back to put on his shoes; he had already come this far, and if he gave up halfway, the pain he had already endured would have been for nothing.

Thinking of Qingyang Shuo's talent, Xie Fang could not care about such things, so he gritted his teeth and ran toward the entrance.

At this moment, Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Yanran were talking to Qingyang Shuo at the main entrance.

"Qingyang Xiansheng, Qingyang Xiansheng!"

Xie Fang ran out impatiently.

When the few of them saw his appearance, they were immediately amused.

Qingyang Shuo, who was in a wheelchair, also smiled slightly.

In his eyes, Xie Fang's level of skill was still like children playing house.

"His Highness is..."

He chuckled and looked at Xie Fang's feet.

Xie Fang seemed to have only just realized it; he slapped his forehead and laughed heartily: "Look, look, upon learning of Qingyang Xiansheng's return, I—I even forgot my shoes!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Pei Yanran almost burst out laughing.

Good heavens.

Does he want any face at all?

Of course...

Xie Fang's actions, although

they looked childish, could be considered the most effective. After all, this could be considered him showing Qingyang Shuo his thirst for talent.

Expressing this attitude was actually enough.

"His Highness, why go to such lengths..."

Qingyang Shuo chuckled and signaled for people to continue pushing his wheelchair.

"Oh, Qingyang Xiansheng is a great talent; it is only right, only right. Last time, Qingyang Xiansheng's guidance already benefited me greatly..."

Xie Fang's flattery made everyone hold back their laughter.

Xie Fang even walked directly behind Qingyang Shuo, chased away the student who was attending to him, and just like that, barefoot, pushed Qingyang Shuo's wheelchair inside.

In order to demonstrate his "respect for the virtuous and condescension to the scholar," Xie Fang was truly going all out.

"Xiansheng is a great talent; upon arriving at my mansion, I should naturally be the one to serve you."

"How could I dare trouble you, Gongzi."

"It is no trouble, no trouble."

"..."

Xie Fang did not care whether Qingyang Shuo was willing or not, nor did he care how others viewed him, and pushed Qingyang Shuo's small wheelchair inside.

The General's Mansion of Xie Fang was in the typical Longyan style; at the main entrance, there was a very high threshold, which the wheelchair could not get over, so a board had to be placed over the threshold.

The threshold was high, so the slope was naturally steep, and although Qingyang Shuo was not a burly man, an adult male still weighed nearly sixty kilograms.

Under normal circumstances, this slope would be very strenuous, let alone for Xie Fang, who was not wearing shoes.

Xie Fang's feet were already aching from being jabbed by pebbles, and when he stepped onto the cold metal board, the feeling was even more excruciating.

With no strength in his feet, he could not exert force with his hands; at the beginning, the slope was gentler and there was no problem, but when he reached the highest point, it became difficult.

It was not that he could not push it up, but that he did not dare to push too hard, as he still had to go down the other side.

If he used too much force and tipped over Qingyang Xiansheng's wheelchair, he would be unable to atone for his sin even with ten thousand deaths, but if he did not use great force, he could not push it up...

This really had him stuck.

Now, Xie Fang truly regretted it; he had wanted to leave a good impression, but he had not expected to end up embarrassing himself.

Everyone was watching Xie Fang, and Xie Fang also knew that he was already covered in cold sweat.

"Young Master Xie, I just remembered that I left something behind; would it be too much trouble for you to help me back down?" Qingyang Shuo asked with a smile.

"Of course." Xie Fang hurriedly agreed; although Xie Fang was mediocre, he was not stupid, and he knew this was a way out provided by Qingyang Shuo—even if it was embarrassing, he had no choice but to take it.

Xie Fang held onto Qingyang Shuo's wheelchair and slowly backed down.

Qingyang Shuo simply took a book from the compiler and then called out to Qin Zhangfeng.

Qin Zhangfeng understood and stepped forward to push Qingyang Shuo into the General's Mansion.

Qingyang Shuo looked at Xie Fang to the side and nodded with a smile, while Xie Fang, not knowing how to conduct himself, could only smile foolishly.

Xie Fang followed Qingyang Shuo inside, and at this moment, there was a burst of whispering behind them.

He could not hear it clearly, but Xie Fang knew that what they were saying was likely not kind.

Although he was unhappy in his heart, the favor had been curried after all; no matter what, Qingyang Xiansheng would owe him this favor.

Who was he, Xie Fang? The former Crown Prince! The current General of Australia! It was not just anyone who could have him push their carriage!

Although it was awkward, Qingyang Shuo had arrived nonetheless.

Xie Fang continued to brew tea and serve it to him.

"Sir has been traveling in Australia recently; could you give Xie Fang some advice?"

Once everyone was seated, Xie Fang looked at Qingyang Shuo with eager eyes.

Qingyang Shuo took a sip of tea and then chuckled: "His Highness's military leasing is indeed a brilliant move. Not only can it allow Australia to afford more troops, but it also solves the problem of public security. Not bad, not bad."

Hearing Qingyang Shuo praise him, Xie Fang could not help but beam with joy.

Like a student thanking a teacher for praise, this appearance amused both Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Yanran.

Before coming, they really had not expected that the former Crown Prince was such a cute person...

"However..."

Qingyang Shuo suddenly said.

"Ah?"

Xie Fang was startled, his heart tightening.

However what?

Qingyang Shuo smiled faintly.

Today, Xie Fang had made a gesture to welcome his return; Qingyang Shuo knew what Xie Fang meant, but since Australia and Longyan were now of one mind, he did not mind giving Xie Fang some help within his power.

"First, the loyalty of the army."

Qingyang Shuo said calmly.

Loyalty?

Hearing this, Xie Fang suddenly shuddered.

That's right.

He really had not considered this problem.

Admittedly, the troops they hired out were basically all Longyan people.

But what kind of place was Australia?

It was an immigrant country!

That is to say, if they could maintain loyalty in Longyan, it might be because of traditional thinking and concepts of home and country... but here?

Australia was an extremely free country!

A new country!

As long as anyone came here, they would involuntarily and subjectively feel a sense of unbridled freedom. This was unavoidable.

This influence was not limited to those consortiums, tycoons, and oligarchs.

Of course, it also included these soldiers!

If...

If their employers gave them enough benefits, would they follow their employers and rise up against Xie Fang's government?

Thinking of this, Xie Fang was instantly horrified.

This was the first point.

The second.

If these soldiers stayed in Australia for a long time, or even got used to it here and married and had children here, and they wanted to leave the military registry, the Australian side naturally could not stop them.

Then, in that case, wouldn't a complex situation arise again?

Loyalty...

The first drawback was placed right before him.

Xie Fang frowned.

Qingyang Shuo continued, "Second, a sense of belonging."

A sense of belonging.

It was still the same old cliché topic.

This was something Xie Fang had been considering all along.

He also knew why Qingyang Shuo had brought it up like this...

It was still about his land policy.

He was still reluctant to truly sell the land to these people.

Therefore, the method he adopted was also a form of long-term leasing.

But in Qingyang Shuo's view, doing this was truly a bit small-minded. It was even a bit of a regression in history.

Isn't this just the same old routine from the feudal dynasties?

If you don't truly cede the land to these people, why would they bring all their wealth over here?

If there is no land, what use is a flashy but impractical nationality to me?

"Third..."

"Huh?"

Xie Fang's expression collapsed all at once.

There's more?

Originally, he had thought that he had done everything in an orderly and perfect manner...

Yet in Qingyang Shuo's eyes, it was actually full of loopholes? Pop-ups are frequent recently, please click to download to avoid pop-ups.