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Chapter 406 The Emperor's old general died, Qin Wudang was given a new title (asking for a monthly ticket)
The Western Regions——

For several days, Li Guanyi was busy with various things. After the stick monk Thirteen told him about the passing of the old Living Buddha, he politely declined Li Guanyi's invitation to stay and set off again.

"Everyone has his own aspirations. Senior Brother Li has his own world, and I also want to understand the Dharma in my heart. Perhaps one day, I will understand the confusion in my heart and return to the academy. At that time, I will chat with Senior Brother Li again."

Li Guanyi asked, "Where is the monk going?"

Monk Thirteen once said that the world is a sea of ​​suffering, and there is no return. After witnessing the passing of the Living Buddha, his answer was different from that day. He put his hands together and said, "At the beginning, the master asked me to let go, but I said I would not let go."

“He asked me to go down the mountain, but I still wanted to see the Buddha.”

"The old Living Buddha said that Buddha is in the human world."

"Go to the human world."

"Only by traveling 108,000 miles and seeing all living beings in the world, feeling happy and free from worries, can I know the answer. If there really is a Buddha in this world, then no matter where he is, I will find him."

Monk Thirteen put his hands together. This honest but wise monk showed his single-minded persistence, but his eyes were firm, which made people admire him. But at this moment, his eyes were eager to try, and he patted the bulging thing on his waist.

"Thanks to Mr. Wenhe's gift."

"I have 72 mixed hemp powders and a rope of the treasure soldier grade."

"When I have traveled to every corner of the world and found the Buddha, I will use hemp rope and hemp powder to tie the Buddha to the school palace."

"Take the Buddha to see my ancestor!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

The stick monk laughed loudly, put the long stick on his shoulder, walked away slowly and calmly, and walked into the world of mortals. No one knew where he went. Li Guanyi could only wish him good luck and watched him go away, returning to Anxi city.

At this moment, his injuries have not yet healed, and he needs to take a lot of medicine every day. With the recovery of the intelligence system of Changfeng Tower, the changes in Chen State and Ying State are also rapidly reported to Anxi City in the Western Regions. Li Guanyi has to read many files every day.

Because of his injury, he couldn't run away.

Yan Daiqing sat on the left and Pojun sat on the right, staring at him. Now the situation in the world was being rebuilt bit by bit before their eyes. The war between Chen and Ying started in July of the eleventh year of Tianqi, and now it was May of the thirteenth year of Tianqi.

After fighting for nearly two years, both countries were badly damaged. Even the big country in the Central Plains needed a considerable amount of rest and recuperation. However, Po Jun suggested that the Anxi Protectorate could not rest at this time.

"When a big country moves, many things are implicated. If they choose to continue fighting, they can actually hold out for a long time. But once they choose to recuperate, their tense breath will immediately relax."

"After relaxing, you want to immediately return to the battle state."

"It's not that simple."

“But we are the same now.”

"Ah, I forgot that we are beginning to have such troubles too, really..."

When Pojun said this, he coughed and raised his chin slightly. He was clearly talking about a problem, but for some reason he gave people a sense of pride. He handed the file to Li Guanyi and said, "The development of the Dangxiang King's City and the task of collecting gold and silver are handed over to General Fan Qing."

"In order to prevent the nobles from hiding the silver in the cellar, we also sent General Nangong Wumeng as an assistant. Although General Nangong Wumeng's command is a little bit low, his good fortune makes up for this problem very well."

"Also, follow Mr. Wenhe's advice."

"Dangxiang Crown Prince Hao Yuanxia personally went to Dangxiang Royal City to pay tribute to the deceased princes and nobles, in order to appease the people's hearts to a certain extent and win over the hearts of the nobles."

"Of course, this is actually a fishing expedition to see who dares to come out and shed tears for those dead noble slave owners. Although, even I think it is a bit laughable that Mr. Wen He went to the Dangxiang King City to pay tribute to the dead nobles in person."

“But I feel that if I laugh, the Buddha will deduct my merits.”

Yan Daiqing said coldly: "The deduction of merit belongs to Wen He."

Po Jun laughed and said, "Isn't it from Yan Daiqing of the Western Regions?"

The veins on Yan Daiqing's forehead twitched.

Pojun laughed loudly, but stopped chatting. He just showed Li Guan some files, paused, and said, "In addition, three generals, Yuwen Hua, Yuwen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong, have proposed to return to their country."

"I hope to meet with you in person."

"You may appoint a time within three days if you wish."

Li Guan nodded and agreed.

Po Jun handed over a file: "The caravan has resumed normal operation, and the operations of the cities in the Western Regions are on track. In addition, there are not many of the Wolf King's old subordinates left, and some arrogant generals have become bandits. Chen Wenmian personally fought against them."

Li Guan raised his hand, took the seal of the Anxi Protectorate, blew a breath, and pressed it down with a click.

Pojun took away this file and took out the next one.

The corner of Li Guanyi's eye twitched.

He would rather put on his armor and fight Jiang Su for three hundred rounds than be dragged by these two people to deal with official documents, but he also knew the importance of the matter, so he had to read the files honestly.

After a while, Po Jun took out the file and said, "It was discovered at the front that Lu Youxian's city-building progress began to speed up, and he began to transfer internal personnel to disrupt the positions of officials of all ranks in the Xixixiong Pass."

"There has been some loss of our hidden pieces."

"Also, Lu Youxian began to build frontline outposts outside the city at 10, 30, and 50 miles away, and began to encroach on the land of the Western Region. The heavy armor and heavy shield corps of the Chen State advanced forward, and had some conflicts with the Western Region Rangers."

"Chen Guofang, especially Lu Youxian, did not relax their vigilance against our troops."

"As expected of him."

Li Guanyi felt a sharp pain in his brow: "Lu Youxian..."

Lu Youxian, a famous general of the State of Chen, was also a difficult hurdle that had to be faced later.

The best opportunity for Li Guanyi's troops was to take advantage of the fact that Ying and Chen states were unable to react, and then go down the waterway in one breath, connecting the Western Regions, the Southwest, and the Jiangnan area, and rise up completely.

Li Guanyi has become famous all over the world.

Neither the State of Chen nor the State of Ying would regard him as an insignificant pawn.

The defense against Li Guanyi at this moment is completely at two levels compared to the beginning. If they are not able to follow this trend of pacifying the Western Regions and rise up in the world, the difficulty of Chen and Ying countries to recover will increase sharply.

Li Guanyi said: "Southwest."

Po Jun unfolded the geomancy map and said, "The southwest is among the four corners of the world. Although the land is small, the terrain is complex, with many obstacles and it is hot and humid. Soldiers from the Central Plains are prone to illness when they go there, and soldiers from the Western Regions will also feel a little uncomfortable when they arrive in the southwest."

"The Central Plains are called tribes, but in fact they are all major cities."

"They are rich in resources. In addition to the regular army, they have special arms that are mainly equipped with rattan armor, poison, and high-speed movement, supplemented by the past. According to past experience, they have at least hundreds of thousands of troops. Of course, the quality and combat capabilities of these troops cannot be compared with the Central Plains in the turbulent three hundred years."

"But judging from the attacks and defenses of the southwest throughout the dynasties."

"The biggest opponent in the southwest is not their army, but the climate and environment they are not used to, as well as the natural terrain. To be honest, it is not suitable for a strong attack. Especially the environment there is not good for the large number of heavy cavalry from the Western Regions to charge."

"If we attack by force, I'm afraid we will lose many people."

Li Guanyi said: "I don't want to attack by force either."

Po Jun said: "As I said before, the Duke of Taiping is highly respected in the southwest. If you are willing, it will be much easier to conquer that place. Of course, if we can take it down without bloodshed..."

Po Jun paused and said, "Then, with the might of the great victory in the Western Region and the surrender of the entire southwest, my lord, you will rise like a dragon into the sea, and your momentum will be unstoppable!"

Li Guanyi said: "But, it's easier said than done."

"Besides."

He paused and looked at the geomancy map. Between the Western Region and the Southwest, there was another layer belonging to the State of Chen. The one standing in the middle was none other than Lu Youxian. Po Jun said, "When your injury is somewhat healed, we will take measures against Lu Youxian."

"Otherwise, according to this person's fighting style, the longer it takes, the more difficult it will be."

Li Guanyi nodded slightly.

After dealing with the files, he practiced martial arts and slowly restored his strength. He then went to meet Yu Wenhua, Yu Wen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong. After meeting each other, the three generals immediately stood up and saluted. Li Guanyi stopped them and invited them to sit down.

After chatting for a while, Yuwen Tianxian remained silent for a long time and said, "Grand Master defeated the Wolf King. It is common to kill each other on the battlefield. It is all for the country, but it is humiliating to destroy the corpse..."

He was silent for a moment, then said, "The three of us have no face to stay here any longer."

"Moreover, now that the situation is gradually stabilizing, the three of us who are staying here are neither enemies nor friends. The Crown Prince had an agreement with the Lord that day that when the situation stabilizes, the three of us will be allowed to leave. I wonder if you can let us go."

Li Guanyi said softly: "Teacher, Jiang Gao and I have an agreement."

"But at this moment, something has changed in the East Palace. Is it safe for the three of you to go back?"

Yuwen Tianxian said calmly: "The country is in danger and we need people. Even if it means we will be killed, can we ignore the country's prosperity and decline for our own safety? If even we are like this, then Da Ying is not Da Ying anymore."

"Please agree, my lord."

Li Guanyi sighed, knowing that Yuwen Tianxian was a man of upright character and not someone who could be easily shaken, so he agreed to see them off the next day, gave them horses, dry food, and travel expenses, and allowed them to go to Xiyi City freely, and use Xiyi City as a way to return to the country.

Meanwhile, the situation in Ying State gradually stabilized. Grand Tutor Jiang Su, through the battle with the Wolf King, regained the dignity of the country and his own supreme oppression. When he went to the palace one day, the guards, maids, and eunuchs of the palace all lowered their heads and dared not look at the Grand Tutor.

Wherever Grand Tutor Jiang Su walked, the atmosphere became extremely cold.

The Grand Tutor arrived at the Zhaixing Tower and was allowed to enter only after reporting to Jiang Wanxiang. He climbed up the tower step by step and when he reached the highest point, he saw that the king, who had been so majestic and imposing when he discussed the world with Li Guanyi two years ago, now looked old.

With his back to Jiang Su, he held the wine in his hand and looked at the world. His white hair was flying and had lost its luster.

The wind blew my sleeves and robe, making them flutter and fall, but there was also an inexplicable feeling of desolation.

Like dry grass in winter, full of dead air, Jiang Su saluted and said, "Your Majesty..."

Jiang Wanxiang said, "Grandmaster, it is clearly approaching summer, when everything is growing, but why do I see everything withered, the willow trees withered leaves after being scorched by the sun, and the mud in the lotus pond?"

"Am I really dying of old age?"

Jiang Su said: "Your Majesty is at the peak of his power, and the world has not yet been settled. Our Great Ying Kingdom has a vast territory and many soldiers in armor and sharp weapons. How can Your Majesty say such a thing?"

Jiang Wanxiang laughed and said, "Grandmaster, you can also speak nice words. What a pity, what a pity. I am sure of my body. Although my Great Ying Kingdom still has its foundation and strong roots, I am different now."

"I will grow old and die..."

"The heroic spirit is fading. How many chances does a person have in his lifetime?"

"Once the Western Region is defeated, the Wolf King will charge forward."

"It is impossible to unify the world while I am alive."

"He used his own ambition to crush my and Chen's dream of conquering the world. It was really a mess... Chen Fubi, that old man, Chen Dingye's plan of building two dragons in parallel, and my plan of sitting in the north and swallowing the south to unify the world were all ruined by this guy."

Jiang Wanxiang lowered his eyes and paused for a long time when he mentioned this matter. He just smiled and said, "Hahaha, it's really fucking reckless, so fucking cool, yes, it's really enviable..."

"Let's drink from the same bowl of wine!"

"I have been planning for the world my whole life, but in this battle, I will destroy it!"

"The death of a hero and the shattering of a king's dream, isn't this the most suitable thing to drink with in the world?"

"Really? It feels so good!"

He turned around, holding the wine, wearing a loose robe, with white hair hanging down from his temples, swaying in the wind. He looked at the old master who was wearing a black robe and was as calm as a mountain, and saw that the master had an eye patch on his left eye.

"It's a pity that Grand Master has suffered." Jiang Su said calmly, "The antidote to the last poison was taken away by Murong Longtu, who refined it into medicine and gave it to Yue Pengwu. Yue Pengwu's poison came from Tan Tai Xianming, and Tan Tai Xianming's poison was also given by us. He drank and ate, so he can't blame others."

"However, I used Chen Fubi's corpse to successfully lure out the old monk from the Western Regions. He has died in Anxi City. Although his martial arts skills are just so-so, he has a Vajra physique and is good at breaking through the formation. We need to get rid of him in advance."

Jiang Su remained calm the whole time.

Jiang Wanxiang looked at Jiang Su: "Qing, why do you have to do this..."

Jiang Su replied calmly: "He is a hero, and I am an enemy. I will take revenge on my enemy."

"He is an enemy, a mortal enemy. His body can also be used as a weapon. Since he has invaded our territory, he must be killed. Moreover, he is already dead... but it is just like building a Jingguan."

"I have received great favor from your majesty, and I will use this sword to tear the world apart."

"This body's fame is nothing but vanity."

Jiang Wanxiang looked at the Grand Master in front of him and said, "That's all."

Jiang Su said: "Your Majesty, which of the two princes do you prefer?"

Jiang Wanxiang sighed and looked at the outside world: "The eldest brother is suitable for recuperating with the people after conquering the world, and the second brother has a cruel temper. If I can't conquer the world in the last few years, let the second brother take over."

Jiang Su nodded in silence and drank with Jiang Wanxiang. After a few cups, he took all the wine away and didn't let Jiang Wanxiang drink anymore. When the tall general walked out, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look at his lost eyes.

Except for the one who just arrived.

With calm steps and a cold temperament, he was wearing ink-colored armor and a cloak with a pattern of white tiger on it. He stood still with a sword at his waist, standing in front of Jiang Su. The mighty general Yuwen Lie was back, and his narrow eyes like knives looked calmly at the Grand Tutor in front of him.

"teacher."

When he was young, Yuwen Lie studied military tactics with Jiang Su.

Although he only had a high starting point when he entered the court with the help of the Grand Tutor's reputation, for a long time since then, Yuwen Lie maintained the etiquette of master and disciple towards this military god.

His voice was light and sharp, his brows furrowed, and he said directly:

"Why did you insult Chen Fubi's body?"

Jiang Su's body was shrouded in a black robe, and he said indifferently: "If they are enemies, we should kill them at all costs. Didn't I teach you well? You even forgot that there is no mercy or good or evil on the battlefield."

Yuwen Lie said in a cold tone: "There is no mercy or good or evil on the battlefield."

"As long as they are enemies, we must do everything we can to defeat and kill them."

"It's all because of the country and family. But, now that we've defeated the enemy, why do we have to behead them, hang their bodies, and disgrace their reputation?"

"That's what I'm asking."

Jiang Su looked at the thirty-year-old general and said slowly:

"In the military, victory is the goal. Sometimes, the dead can be my soldiers, anger can be my soldiers, and everything can pave the way for the final victory."

Yuwen Lie said: "However, the military is a dangerous weapon."

“You can do something like this.”

"nature."

"Just as a person can kill someone, human flesh is also meat and can be used to fill one's stomach."

"But when people kill people, it is a chaotic world. I sigh that this chaotic world is ruthless. After people kill people, they still say that the meat is still warm and cut to eat with wine. It is just an animal."

"Everything has its own benefits, but if everything is based on life and death, and people pursue benefits, they are just animals. If they do not do it even though it is more beneficial, they are human beings."

“A real man has things he won’t do, and things he must do.”

The two contemporary generals faced each other. The eunuchs, ministers, and maids around them all lowered their heads, their faces pale with fear. They wished they could poke their ears to death on the spot. Master Jiang Su was naturally the number one general in the world, with extremely high power.

However, since his debut, Yuwen Lie, the great general, had almost never suffered a major defeat except for the defeats he suffered when he encountered the peak-level Taiping Duke and the Wolf King in his youth. He was swift and strong, cold and arrogant. Even when facing the Grand Tutor, his cold and arrogant demeanor remained unchanged.

He looked away and walked past Jiang Su, his cloak rising and falling, his tone cold:
"Jiang Su."

"You are not worthy of being a general."

Yuwen Lie strode away, his cloak fluttering. The eyes of this mighty general were as narrow as knives, and his tone was cold:
"How hateful that you and I are generals of the same country."

"Otherwise, I will chop off your head with my knife."

This sentence frightened everyone so much that they were speechless. Only this Qingao God General walked away. Grand Master Jiang Su stood alone, his black robe hanging down. He just smiled faintly and walked away calmly: "Young."

He looked at his palms, lowered his eyes, and thought about his past self.

Jiang Su closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and said calmly:
"The world is unified."

"What do you think of your deeds before death and your reputation after death? What does that matter?"

"You still care whether the means are fair or not, Yuwen Lie, you are not mature enough. One day, you will die in this chaotic world because of your arrogance..."

On this day, a rift that could never be healed was silently created between the two most powerful generals in Ying State.

………………

In the southwest, the King of Southwest and others agreed with Xue Shuangtao's statement, so the young girl owner took out the letter herself, asked all the city lords here to leave their seals, and then wrote some words with a big brush, saying that she hoped to invite Li Guanyi here.

The King of the Southwest became a little worried. "But we don't have too many people here, but we also have a lot. Is Qin Wuhou really willing to come here? What if he thinks we are setting a trap to lure him here and capture him?"

The young hostess said calmly:

"In that case, I will deliver this letter to him personally."

Tai Boyong looked at the host thoughtfully. Although the host was disguised as a beautiful woman, he was old and experienced in the world. He could tell at a glance that this must be a peerless beauty, a woman dressed as a man. He laughed and said jokingly:
"Oh? It seems that Qin Wuhou also trusts you, the host."

Xue Shuangtao said calmly:

"Ah."

"should."

Tai Boyong raised his eyebrows, as if thinking about something.

The King of the Southwest looked at Xue Shuangtao and was overjoyed: "Haha, that's the best! I also want to see my dear nephew again! Hahahaha, the fifth most powerful general in the world!"

Xue Shuangtao smiled and nodded, then said goodbye and left. There was a banquet going on, and the lords of the cities in the southwest all had a good impression of this Lord Xue and gave him various gifts. Someone smiled and said that there was a kind of bird with emerald green feathers, and the jewelry made from it, such as kingfisher hairpins, were unparalleled in the world.

It is a treasure, and I happen to have it here, so I will give it to her as a gift.

The girl smiled and declined.

The city lord flattered, "But, with your elegance, it is too plain to use this wooden hairpin."

Xue Shuangtao responded calmly, saying:
"Thank you for your kindness, but this hairpin was carved by someone himself."

"There will never be another him in this world, and there will never be another hairpin."

Someone laughed and said, "So it's a sentiment of cherishing old things, haha."

Xue Shuangtao replied: "It's not because of old feelings."

"The hairpin is just a dead object, and the one who has deep feelings is just an old friend."

"Human sentiments are nostalgic, how can they be easily changed?"

Many lords and commanders of the southwest cities were respectful of her for her dignified demeanor and her neither humble nor arrogant attitude.

After the banquet, she walked out of the party and stood in the green bamboo forest, listening to the rustling wind and the fluttering sleeves of her robe. Even though she was wearing men's clothes, she had an indescribable charm and aura. She took a deep breath of the bamboo forest wind and looked peaceful.

A woman with gray hair holding a sword looked at her and said, "Shuang Tao."

Xue Shuangtao said: "Aunt Qingyan."

The woman with gray hair looked at the girl in front of her with a gentle expression, but her tone was still as cold as before, and she said: "Your martial arts are ordinary. The miasma here is very heavy, which is very different from the Central Plains. You have been here for a long time, and your body is not used to the climate and water. It is inevitable that you will develop some diseases."

"You need to leave soon."

Xue Shuangtao said: "Yes."

After a while, Chen Qingyan said to himself again: "What choice do you think the King of Southwest will make?"

Xue Shuangtao said: "I don't know."

"But at least now they have the idea in their minds."

Xue Shuangtao stretched out his hand, picked up a bamboo leaf, twisted it slightly, and coughed slightly because of the damp miasma. He covered his lips with the back of his hand, coughed for a while, and said:

"Cough cough cough."

"This is worth my trip."

"It's a good thing to save some weapons."

She took down a rolled-up scroll from the side of her waist, and then slowly unfolded it. On the scroll was a painting of the fifth most powerful general in the world. It was unknown where this god from the world's number one building came from, but the painting was so lifelike.

In the scroll, dark clouds are covering the city. A young warrior is riding on a Qilin. The Qilin is roaring. The divine general on the Qilin's back is wearing ink-colored general armor and a scarlet Qilin-colored robe with civil and military sleeves. He holds a halberd in both hands and looks very majestic.

He has black hair, but does not wear a helmet like ordinary generals.

Instead, it is pinned with an antique jade hairpin, which gives it a refreshing air.

Xue Shuangtao stretched out his finger and gently brushed the jade hairpin, put away the scroll, and then personally wrote the intelligence that Changfeng Tower gave to Anxi City in the Western Regions. He picked up the pen, dipped it in ink and wrote:
"Long time no see, how are you doing?"

"My great guest, sir."

........................

At the same time, as countries around the world were restraining their attacks and gradually taking a step to recuperate, news spread quickly throughout the world. Naturally, the battle report from the Western Regions was also transmitted to the heartland of the Central Plains and to Zhongzhou City.

All the officials in Zhongzhou City and the Ministry of Rites were in an uproar.

They were constantly discussing the changes in the world, talking about what the powerful minister who rode his horse onto the imperial road and broke into the palace to kill people had done, with a sense of honor that they were the Great Marshal of the Red Emperor who controlled all the troops in the world.

And this discussion finally reached a climax.

The title of Qin Wuhou is no longer worthy of his merits.

So all the officials went to the court to report to His Majesty the Emperor and plead.

when--

Seal!

Advance to a higher rank!

(End of this chapter)