Sheng Fu

Chapter 1035 Fireside Chat
The festivities inside the Northern Prince's Mansion continued, with the bonfire blazing wildly, much like the emotions of young people—whatever they wanted to burn, they would burn.

Inside Bai Xiaowei's Prime Minister's residence.

Inside the room, Xie Yiming had returned from the capital. He appeared calm, but Bai Xiaowei could still see the seriousness hidden between Xie Yiming's brows.

"Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor has issued you an order that you cannot fulfill?" Bai Xiaowei asked as he added firewood to Xie Yiming's fire.

In Bai Xiaowei's memory, His Majesty the Emperor had never made things difficult for Xie Yiming.

Although His Majesty the Emperor and many officials in the court were well aware that Xie Yiming had done many things that were not in accordance with regulations in the past, such as secretly contacting Yuwen Jun.

And the subtle support for Henglong Four Cities.

Many things required permission to be obtained, but Xie Yiming did not request permission.

To some extent, Xie Yiming really did see himself as the local tyrant of the South.

Although there was suspicion of overstepping his authority, no one ever investigated it.

Firstly, Xie Yiming could check and balance the situation in the South, for example, by restraining the old guys in Nanling Academy. Secondly, it was clear to everyone that Xie Yiming's actions were aimed at promoting harmony between the North and the South.

Xie Yiming personally has no ulterior motives.

If it weren't for the constraints of his position as the leader of the South, Xie Yiming would have preferred to be a free-spirited, unrestrained wanderer deep down.

Xie Yiming lowered his head slightly, recalling his brief time with His Majesty the Human Emperor.

He had thought of everything, but he hadn't expected His Majesty to be so calm about the Purple Gold Alliance.

I thought His Majesty would issue some specific decrees, or give some instructions in secret.

But His Majesty did almost nothing, as if it were a trivial matter.

Despite seemingly trusting Xie Yiming, the Prince of the South felt that His Majesty did not trust him, as if he were letting a child run wild within a controllable range.

"What kind of person is His Majesty?" Xie Yiming suddenly asked in a serious tone.

Xie Yiming was simply exceptionally talented and had reached the pinnacle of fame in the South, which is why he was chosen to become the leader of the South in this generation.

Perhaps the previous generation of leaders felt that the situation in the South was stagnant and wanted to give the South a fresh look, so they chose Xie Yiming.

In terms of governing ability alone, Xie Yiming is only barely competent.

Bai Xiaowei was also taken aback for a moment, and asked in return, "Why are you suddenly asking me these questions?"

Xie Yiming nodded slightly guiltily and said, "I was just asking casually, I didn't have any other intentions."

Bai Xiaowei smiled knowingly and said, "The mind of a ruler is unfathomable; it has always been so."

"Did His Majesty frighten you?"

Xie Yiming smiled bitterly and said, "It's not that I was scared. When I was in the Lingxiao realm, His Majesty seemed to treat me with courtesy, but in reality, he didn't take me seriously."

"Now that I have entered the Boundless Realm, His Majesty's attitude towards me is still the same as before."

"It seems His Majesty has seen through me."

I was a little disappointed.

After entering the Boundless Realm, Xie Yiming received congratulations from many people. He thought that after going to the capital, he would receive some verbal comfort and encouragement from His Majesty.

But His Majesty turned a blind eye to this matter, his calmness was outrageous.

To some extent, they even treated Xie Yiming as a dispensable servant.

This is what truly saddens Xie Yiming.

Of course, in terms of achievements, Xie Yiming has made some contributions over the years.

Upon seeing this, Bai Xiaowei burst into laughter.

"I thought it was something big, but it turns out it's just this," Bai Xiaowei replied leisurely.

Upon seeing this, Xie Yiming quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "I hope that Your Excellency the Prime Minister can answer my questions."

Bai Xiaowei quickly raised his hand, gesturing for Xie Yiming to sit down and talk.

Bai Xiaowei slowly comforted him, saying, "There are many secrets that we don't know. Only the rulers of the five clans know the inside story. We are the ones in the open. His Majesty is more concerned about the ruthless people who may emerge from the shadows, as well as some unexpected accidents."

"Therefore, they will ignore us to some extent."

"That's all."

"Not to mention His Majesty, even many of Yuwen Jun's secrets are unknown to you and me."

Xie Yiming finally calmed down after hearing this.

"His Majesty cares about Yuwen Jun, but not about me," Xie Yiming said, unable to hide the disappointment on his face.

Bai Xiaowei chuckled and said, "That makes perfect sense, because Yuwen Jun is the one who is fully armed and ready to fight. To a certain extent, the two of us have always been assisting Yuwen Jun."

"At least that's how His Majesty sees it."

"The reason why Your Majesty tolerates Yuwen Jun's many overstepping actions is simply because Yuwen Jun has no selfish motives, and what Yuwen Jun does can make the human race more prosperous and flourishing."

"You've had it too easy in the past few years and haven't experienced many upsetting things. Although you're clear-headed about right and wrong, overall you still lack a lot of temper and sharpness."

"Perhaps, in His Majesty's heart, you are nothing more than a mediocre ruler who only maintains the status quo."

"It just so happens that you have exceptional talent for cultivation and great luck, which has allowed you to reach your current height. All of this is simply a matter of taking advantage of the situation and going with the flow."

After listening to Bai Xiaowei's explanation, Xie Yiming's inner turmoil gradually subsided. "Perhaps I'm not capable of turning the tide in His Majesty's eyes," Xie Yiming said with a self-deprecating smile.

Xie Yiming was ambitious, and Gu Yong's unparalleled elegance was also a deep-seated obsession for Xie Yiming. However, due to various reasons, Xie Yiming was unable to follow in Gu Yong's footsteps.

Therefore, Xie Yiming will never be able to personally experience Gu Yong's unparalleled charisma in this lifetime.

Bai Xiaowei smiled calmly and said, "That makes sense. You are the Prince of the South. As long as you do what a Prince of the South should do, His Majesty will be satisfied."

"Moreover, judging from the signs, it's difficult for you to do anything beyond the Southern King's capabilities."

"You will definitely not be able to reach the dangerous battlefield. If you accidentally die on the battlefield, the whole south will be in chaos."

Xie Yiming took a deep breath, picked up the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

Suddenly, I had a strong urge to drink and then go to a brothel.

But then I thought, I can't be like this. How am I any different from a young person whose mind is controlled by emotions? Since I am the King of the South, I should at least have some of the demeanor and dignity that a King of the South should have.

There was a sound of brisk footsteps.

Bai Xiaowei looked up and saw Zong Liang walking quickly towards him, with a hint of joy on his face.

"What happened?" Bai Xiaowei asked with a suspicious look.

After Zong Liang approached, he handed the folded document in his hand to Bai Xiaowei.

"What just happened at the Northern Prince's residence is all in the report. It's truly unexpected. I never thought there would actually be a prodigy who has entered the Northern Prince's household," Zong Liang said with a hearty laugh.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaowei opened the document with great interest.

"Jiang Ping!"

Bai Xiaowei had never heard of this name before.

He was a scholar, but at a young age, he possessed the cultivation of the Great Yellow Court, and he also came from a poor background.

If one comes from a good family and reaches the Great Yellow Court at this age, then it is perfectly normal.

However, if someone from a poor background can reach the Great Yellow Court at this age, it means that this person is exceptionally gifted, without any exaggeration, and is a genuine prodigy.

The report contained the details of Jiang Ping's verbal battle with the assembled heroes.

"Hmm, not bad, not bad at all. Indeed, the words are sharp and incisive, hitting the nail on the head, full of vigor." Bai Xiaowei nodded repeatedly as he read.

Zong Liang also grinned from ear to ear, and said in a slightly sarcastic tone, "We have also recruited talents in the northern region before, and some of the capable people have been employed by the Prime Minister."

"But in reality, the true young talents of the North have always kept to themselves at home."

"Because the Prime Minister is not a northerner, and Fucheng symbolizes the orthodoxy of the north."

"Therefore, once Fucheng was established, all the truly talented people in the North flocked to the Northern King's Palace."

"Prejudice in people's hearts has always been the case."

The word "orthodoxy" is enough to make many people give up immediate benefits, even long-term benefits, and even die for it.

Bai Xiaowei put down the folded document in his hand and said with a smile, "The sudden emergence of so many proud and unparalleled figures in the northern region can be considered a blessing for the human race."

"Fu Cheng, the Northern King, is about to seize real power."

"I'm afraid that when the time comes, he will be so arrogant that he will overshadow the Southern King."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yiming simply chuckled and said, "I'm still happy to see young people surpass me; I'm not a narrow-minded person."

Bai Xiaowei smiled slyly and said, "Your attitude and your mindset are actually not important at all."

"The important thing is that His Majesty will grow to like Fucheng more and more."

"And Fu Cheng's affection for her will grow stronger day by day."

"As a senior, you must have the demeanor and dignity of a senior."

"Although His Majesty will not suspect you, if you are unlucky and happen to encounter one or two unfortunate events, His Majesty might indeed suspect you."

Xie Yiming's expression hardened, and he replied humbly, "Thank you for your guidance, Prime Minister."

"It seems I'm too comfortable in my position as the King of the South, and I've never encountered anything unpleasant."

"The unexpected upheaval also helped me grow a lot."

Bai Xiaowei laughed heartily and said, "There's no need to be so modest. There's one thing I can be sure of about you."

Xie Yiming looked puzzled and asked, "Which point?"

Bai Xiaowei explained solemnly, "In most people's minds, you have always been a reliable person."

"As for talent and strategy, compared with the heroes of our time, you are indeed lacking. But the heroes of our time are just a small group of people."

"And you are very close to that small group of people."

Hearing this, Xie Yiming felt a mix of emotions, but the feeling wasn't particularly intense, like not having had enough of a drink—it just didn't feel right.

Bai Xiaowei said to Zong Liang, "Wait patiently."

"Perhaps the real excitement comes in the latter half of the night."

Zong Liang said with certainty, "Your Excellency, rest assured, anyone who disrupts order within Bazhou will not be able to escape."