Chapter 87: Qingyang's Perspective

Liu Zheng looked calm and composed.

Qingyang Shuo's beautiful eyes remained fixed on Liu Zheng; after a moment, he picked up his wine, drinking and laughing, only to choke on it a few times.

"Great Harmony under Heaven, Great Harmony under Heaven!"

"Young Master, what does this Great Harmony mean?"

Liu Zheng replied: "No deep meaning, just roughly the same!"

With this, he amused even Qingyang Shuo.

Hu Xi'er also let out a giggle, covering her mouth with a charming smile.

To speak so loftily, only for it to mean "roughly the same"? Yet Qingyang Shuo was already startled; in the Longyan Dynasty, how many dared to say "roughly the same"? He nodded and smiled indifferently: "My humble name is Qingyang Shuo; why would you use me, Young Master?"

"What?"

Liu Zheng was so terrified his scalp tingled; he retreated a few steps, looking into Qingyang Shuo's eyes with horror.

Qingyang Shuo!

Qingyang is a compound surname. And in the Longyan Dynasty, this was a surname that absolutely invited fear! A surname that people dared not even mention! The reason was simple: in the rolling tides of the Longyan Dynasty that had lasted for a thousand years, this Qingyang Clan was definitely one that could be recorded in history. In Longyan, when the Xie Family founded this dynasty, the Qingyang were the Xie Family's most loyal partners. After the nation was established, the Qingyang even produced several empresses, showing how highly the emperors valued them.

The Qingyang King was also the number one Feudatory King in the country at that time.

However, two hundred years ago, the imperial family suddenly launched an extermination campaign against the Qingyang Clan. In the end, the Qingyang clan was shattered, and later, to save themselves, they entered the palace to become Eunuchs!

From the number one Feudatory King to a family of Eunuchs, the humiliation involved can be imagined.

Afterwards, the Qingyang Clan completely faded into obscurity.

Although this matter was quickly suppressed by the Longyang Imperial Family, it had become a story circulating among the common people; how could Liu Zheng not know it?

Therefore, hearing this surname today, he was truly stunned with fear.

Legend had it that the people of the Qingyang Clan were all as beautiful as flowers, regardless of gender; seeing him today, Liu Zheng realized it was indeed true.

"Th-th-this..."

Liu Zheng was so frightened he stuttered.

No wonder when he had just asked why Qingyang Shuo was living in seclusion, the other party had wanted to kill him! With such a secret family history, wasn't this their reverse scale?

Qingyang Shuo smiled faintly: "I was originally a wild man in the mountains, but I happened to have a daughter. I named her Hu Xi'er so that we could walk the world."

Liu Zheng took a deep breath. Seeing that Qingyang Shuo's hand was already resting on his wheelchair, he knew he basically had no room for choice. If he dared to use this Qingyang Shuo, it would be fine; if he dared not, he would surely lose his head!

Besides.

This Qingyang Clan's grudge with the imperial family, what the hell did it have to do with him?

Liu Zheng laughed heartily and bowed deeply: "Sir, teach me!"

Qingyang Shuo's eyes burned: "I have only one request!"

"Please speak, Sir!"

Qingyang Shuo glanced at Hu Xi'er and smiled gently: "I only ask that in the chaotic times to come, Young Master can protect my daughter!"

"Father!"

Hu Xi'er's delicate body trembled, her eyes misting with tears.

Liu Zheng nodded heavily without hesitation.

This man, who looked incredibly bewitching, then smiled and nodded: "Young Master, rest assured. I, Qingyang Shuo, am not a pedantic person. From now on, I will follow you under the name of Qingyang!"

Liu Zheng was overjoyed.

Qingyang Shuo immediately had Hu Xi'er bring wine and a few side dishes. The two sat facing each other.

This was actually the first time Liu Zheng had invited such a big shot to come out of retirement; as for the procedure, he didn't really understand it either, so he could only sit there blankly.

Qingyang Shuo chuckled: "Although I am a mere villager from the mountains, I often observe the Great Trend. As you said, Young Master, the current Longyan does not fear internal rebellion, but worries about external enemies. If internal rebellion rises, the world will punish it! If external enemies invade, the world will fall into chaos!"

Liu Zheng deeply agreed.

To put it bluntly, although the Longyan Dynasty was corrupt, it had not yet reached the point where farmers were starving and a tyrant was in power.

Therefore, ordinary internal rebellions could not possibly topple this dynasty.

Qingyang Shuo said: "Since I have given you three questions, Young Master, you may answer them!"

Liu Zheng was incredibly excited, knowing the opportunity was rare, and pondered these three questions in his mind. But in the end, he couldn't help but ask out of curiosity: "Sir, those three paintings... how did you deduce my affairs in Liangzhou?"

Qingyang Shuo smiled elegantly: "This is not difficult. You must know, Young Master, that the world is like a chessboard, and people are the pieces. Although I do not leave my house, I know the affairs of the world."

He gently brushed his hand in front of him, as if a chessboard had appeared before him.

Liu Zheng nodded.

Qingyang Shuo continued: "The affairs of the world are all in my heart. Even with the sudden appearance of an anomaly like you, Young Master, one can guess the nervous changes in the people around you. What do you think, Young Master?"

Liu Zheng gave a wry smile, admiring him to the point of prostration.

This person saw the landscape and the state of the world too thoroughly. That's right, with a Liu Zheng like this appearing in Yinzhou, Chen Ping's reaction, the Empress's reaction, and the Baiya Army's reaction were all already within his calculations.

Liu Zheng asked again: "Sir, what of Liangzhou?"

Qingyang Shuo said indifferently: "The Great Trend of the world lies in Zhongzhou, in Fengzhou, in Jiangdong, in Jinghua, and in Runan, so no one pays attention to Liangzhou! However, I have lived in Liangzhou for a long time, and I feel that if Liangzhou rises, it has the momentum of a tiger devouring the mountains and rivers!"

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up as he listened: "Sir, teach me!"

Qingyang Shuo said freely: "You occupy the two prefectures of Yinyang, which are indeed barren, but in reality, it is a heaven-sent opportunity!"

"Recently, when you tore down the city walls, I also slapped the table in admiration!"

"If one has an army to establish themselves in the world, one can make distant alliances and attack those nearby."

"Yinyang as one can resist Liangzhou to the east. Go west to Loulan, south to Hanzhong, and north to Baiya! The Prince of Yong in Hanzhong is dim-witted and incompetent, no need to worry, plan for him slowly. Deal with the Baiya Army with feigned compliance to collect gold, silver, and grain! Liangzhou forbids you from having merit, and with the war in Beijing being tight, they have no time to care!"

Qingyang Shuo's eyes flickered: "I believe the current Emperor has at most three years left!"

"Within three years, you can accumulate grain, strengthen your military, plan for Hanzhong... and, advance west!"

"What?"

Liu Zheng took a deep breath.

I have to say, a great talent is truly a great talent! Just as Liu Zheng was still thinking about how to develop his territory and feeling restless, Qingyang Shuo's vision was already set on Loulan to the west!

March west!

This was a question Liu Zheng hadn't dared to even think about before, but now, after being told this by Qingyang Shuo, his mind began to stir.

The ancient kingdom of Loulan is also a fairly powerful nation in this world, and it has never disappeared into the long river of history. Although it is not as powerful as the Longyan Dynasty, it is still a sovereign state of no small size, and it has not even bowed down to the Longyan Dynasty to become a vassal state.

But what makes it stronger than the Xiongnu is that the ancient kingdom of Loulan is relatively Buddhist in nature; it develops on its own, and since its own territory is wealthy, it has no need to come out and plunder your food or resources.

Therefore, Liangzhou, which is separated from Loulan by only a desert, has not suffered from Loulan's incursions for many years.

People have almost forgotten the existence of this country.

But today... Qingyang Shuo's suggestion, I have to say, is quite ruthless! The "march west" he spoke of is, of course, not to attack the Loulan Kingdom. With Liu Zheng's current military strength, that would be seeking death! However, he could develop commerce, or even open up a Silk Road! What kind of concept would it be to get all those money-making gadgets of his over to the Western Ocean?

Thinking of this, Liu Zheng's breath stopped.

For Qingyang Shuo's foresight, he felt inferior!

Could this be the first person in the Longyan Dynasty to truly see the world with his own eyes?

A great talent!

This is a true great talent!

And most importantly, after marching west, one could utilize the military strength of Loulan to ignite the chaotic times of the Longyan Dynasty!

Killing many birds with one stone!

Liu Zheng took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile, "Sir, although I, Zheng, do not wish to be the one who leads enemies to slaughter the common people..."

Qingyang Shuo was stunned, then immediately laughed, "Young Master, you have misunderstood. I, Shuo, am certainly not the type to slaughter the common people! The Great Trend of the world moves in cycles; we can only follow the will of Heaven. How could you or I tamper with the mandate of Heaven?"

Hearing this, Liu Zheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He was terrified that this Qingyang Shuo was a fellow eager to take revenge on the Longyan imperial family, even at the cost of disregarding the lives of the common people and bearing a lifetime of infamy.

"Sir is a great talent! One word is enough to benefit me, Zheng, for a lifetime!"

Liu Zheng bowed in submission once again.

Qingyang Shuo then said, "There is one more question."

Liu Zheng looked embarrassed: "Sir, what are my chances of winning?"

Qingyang Shuo could finally no longer hold back his loud laughter: "Young Master, your phrase 'Great Unity of the World' is worth more than a thousand armies! Why fear those Feudatory Kings and those snake-like, rat-like people?"

Liu Zheng was ecstatic, wishing he could take this Qingyang Shuo to his Yintan City today.

Qingyang Shuo, however, said there was no rush.

He told Liu Zheng to come back and pick the two of them up in three days, and Liu Zheng could only cup his hands and take his leave.

After Liu Zheng rode away on his horse.

Qingyang Shuo's eyes slowly retracted, and he muttered to himself, "Great Unity of the World, Great Unity of the World; yet when one reigns over the world, how many are truly willing to see Great Unity?"

Hu Xi'er huffed, "Old Dad, this Young Master Liu is just coaxing you!"

Qingyang Shuo dotingly stroked his daughter's head: "Silly child, when Old Dad said he had the talent of a hegemon just now, I was being deliberately conservative. This 'Great Unity' is already the talent of an emperor! Go and pack up..."

"Dad!"

Liu Zheng was quite excited along the way.

For these past two months, the doubts in his heart had suddenly cleared. Being able to recruit such a monstrous talent as Qingyang Shuo, how could he not be happy?

Returning to Yintan City, Du Biao was still waiting. Seeing Liu Zheng return, he feigned anger: "Brother Liu, you made me wait for so long. Is this the way you, the Prefectural Assistant, treat your guests?"

Liu Zheng hurriedly apologized, and the two laughed as they took their seats.

Zheng Yue Ru and Du Biao, though curious about what Liu Zheng had gone off to do, did not ask further.

Du Biao looked at Liu Zheng expectantly and asked with a smile, "Brother Liu, about my proposal from earlier..."

This matter concerned the equipment upgrade of the Baiya Army, so he had to be cautious.

After all, the Baiya Army could not smelt the Refined Iron used for the Long Spears of the Yinzhou Army. Just a moment ago, Liu Zheng was about to agree wholeheartedly, but he didn't expect that after going out for a trip and coming back, he would start putting on airs. He did not know that the Liu Zheng of now was no longer the Liu Zheng of just a moment ago.

Liu Zheng smiled, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly looked at Du Biao, speaking something shocking.

"Brother Du, to deal with the Xiongnu Cavalry, having only Long Spears is not enough. I, Zheng, have another magic weapon; would you like to see it?"

"What?"

Du Biao stood up with a 'whoosh'.

Zheng Yue Ru also looked over with curiosity.

Since when had Liu Zheng come up with new gadgets again?

Liu Zheng smiled without a word and led the two to the "Divine Armory" of Yintan City! This was the new name Liu Zheng had given to his Weaponry Workshop! Originally, this place was intended to produce the Weaponry and Equipment used by the Yinzhou Army, but given the current situation—the Divine Armory needed to be expanded as well. Liu Zheng wanted to build it into the largest Arsenal in the entire Longyan Dynasty!

"Wei Tiezhu!"

Upon arriving at the Divine Armory, Liu Zheng shouted.

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Bring the blade!"

"Yes!"

A specially crafted long blade appeared before the few of them.

Du Biao's eyes went straight instantly.

Liu Zheng smiled slightly.

This was the first Mo blade in this world, which he had instructed Wei Tiezhu to forge a few days ago!