As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 221 Controlling the World, the Huns Beg for Mercy

Happy New Year, Your Majesty!

"Why don't you come to my house for a visit during the New Year?"

Mingchen felt completely relaxed in front of his superiors.

She casually walked in from outside the door and greeted Xiao Xinyue with a smile.

"I am the Emperor!!"

Do you think everyone has as much free time as you?!

Xiao Xinyue rolled her eyes at the scoundrel and said irritably.

It's one thing to slack off on your own, but now you're coming to her and acting like a jerk!

How infuriating!

"This is a bribe...a gift."

Mingchen was already used to Xiao Xinyue's eye rolls. He placed a brocade box on Xiao Xinyue's table and said with a grin.

Xiao Xinyue: ...

You said it was a bribe, right?!

I am the emperor! Who are you trying to bribe?!
That unlucky guy did it on purpose!

She narrowed her eyes: "Mingchen, another imperial examination is planned after the New Year. The Ministry of Rites will be extremely busy during the New Year! You're so free, why don't you go and handle your official duties?"

"This title of Minister of Rites bestowed by me cannot be merely for show, can it?"

Hey... it really is just for show.

Since its establishment, the Ministry of Rites of the new dynasty has never seen the shadow of its highest leader.

Two vice ministers were handling the daily affairs.

As for the Minister of Rites, he could be a general who had fought his way across the grasslands, or a regular at the Ordnance Bureau, but he had never stepped into the Ministry of Rites.

Mingchen: ...

"That's certainly not just for show."

"However, Your Majesty, I... have recently fallen seriously ill, and I am truly willing but unable to do so!"

Mingchen thumped his chest, coughed lightly, and put on a somewhat exaggerated performance.

This person can be truly reliable when they're reliable, but when they're infuriating... they can be truly infuriating too.

She said fiercely, "Even if you're sick, you have to come to me!"

Mingchen simply raised his hands in surrender: "You were wrong, Your Majesty! I was wrong!"

It's better to kill him than to make him do those trivial things.

It was all just a joke.

There's no need to argue about anything.

"Humph!"

Xiao Xinyue gave a soft hum, but unconsciously the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

The two were neither behaving like rulers nor subjects, yet their playful banter inexplicably brought her joy.

Mingchen still remembers her.

She narrowed her eyes, as if remembering something, and asked Mingchen with great interest, "Speaking of gifts, when Jinglan's envoy came, did he go to your place and give you a gift?"

It wasn't that she was deliberately spying on Mingchen.

It is simply necessary to supervise outsiders.

Although she didn't know what Mingchen talked about with the envoy, she knew that the envoy had sent a lot of things to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence.

Mingchen's actions look too much like treason.

But Xiao Xinyue never doubted Mingchen's loyalty, not even for a moment.

After all, the new dynasty is not only her, but also Mingchen's life's work.

"Forehead……"

hateful!

He was caught the first time he solicited a bribe.

Mingchen smirked, then declared righteously, "Slander! Your Majesty, it's pure slander!"

"This is a vicious scheme by Jinglan to sow discord between us! The Jinglan Alliance is treacherous and intends to drive a wedge between us; Your Majesty, please don't believe them!"

"Your Majesty wouldn't suspect Chen, would you?"

"How could Chen possibly accept bribes? No, no, absolutely not!"

Xiao Xinyue: ...

You've already said it!

This guy did it on purpose!
She figured it out; this unlucky guy was probably indulging in his wicked sense of humor again.

This guy is the kind of person who can talk about being a little greedy without any reservations, right in front of me.

I had heard about this back in Yueyang City.

She had no doubt that this person would say something like demanding money or valuables in front of Jinglan's messenger.

Of course, she was also well aware of this person's character.

Taking money is one thing, but it's impossible to get him to do anything that doesn't benefit him.

Now, the new dynasty is in his own best interest.

What did you all talk about?

The two trusted each other completely and were extremely relaxed.

It was only after so long that Xiao Xinyue asked Mingchen about this matter, and it was just a casual chat.

She believed that if it was a serious matter, Mingchen would come to her immediately to discuss it.

The fact that she didn't come to see her indicates that it didn't have a significant impact on the national situation.

Mingchen thought of the conch shell lying at home and casually shrugged: "Their alliance leader has long admired me and wants to meet me."

To outsiders, this sounds like bragging.

How can a monarch utter such words of admiration?
But... coming from Mingchen's mouth, it sounded perfectly natural.

This guy is carefree and unrestrained; it's hard to tell whether what he says is true or false, but Xiao Xinyue inexplicably feels that it is.

She frowned slightly: "And then? How did you respond?"

She's a little annoyed now!

It feels like my own treasure is being coveted.

Why are all the world's leaders interested in Mingchen?!
There's no need to talk about that big, dumb guy Bei Lie; he'd be willing to trade half a province for one of his men.

The relationship between the unknown, powerful leader of the Blood-Clad Army and Mingchen is also unclear.

The Jinglan Alliance, which has come from across the sea, has been admiring Mingchen for a long time without even having met him.

Damn it...

It's one thing for Mingchen to be ambiguous with other women and to be a womanizer!

But what she absolutely could not accept was these leaders' schemes against Mingchen.

It's okay to be green in other areas, but not here!
Mingchen shrugged and said casually, "I agreed, but I haven't decided when to go yet."

Xiao Xinyue frowned even more deeply upon hearing this.

"You really want to go?"

"real!"

Mingchen nodded: "Your Majesty, this year our dynasty should do nothing but focus on stable production, grain storage, and military training."

“Chen can’t just stay here doing nothing, can he? I want to go to the east and north to take a look, to understand the situation of our opponents. Only with a clear view can we make the most reasonable judgments.”

Mingchen could always persuade her with ease.

Xiao Xinyue sighed softly.

From beginning to end, Mingchen was neither her subject nor subject to her control.

She couldn't bring herself to control this person.

She liked this man, and she also liked his free-spirited, romantic, flamboyant, and unrestrained nature.

Even if he gave a proper reason, or even if he said he wanted to go on a trip to see the sights and was determined to go out, Xiao Xinyue would let him have his way.

Forcibly binding him will only push him further away.

Birds are truly captivating when they soar freely in the sky.

"But do you need me to send someone with you?"

There will probably never be another monarch like her in the world.
Mingchen paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "No need, no need!"

He never expected that Xiao Xinyue would let him go so readily.

They found themselves surprisingly compatible as they traveled with the princess.

Even if she falls into a disadvantageous position in the future, even if she is not competing for the best stock in the world, he is willing to stay here until he dies.

"Be careful, don't linger, and come back soon!"

Xiao Xinyue was somewhat arrogant. It was fine before she became emperor, but after becoming emperor, it was difficult for her to act so affectionately anymore.

"I've heard that the alliance leader is a beauty! The envoy said he's never seen anyone more beautiful than her!"

This scoundrel, taking advantage of the situation, moved closer to Xiao Xinyue and said in a lewd tone.

When we talked about the Jinglan Alliance last time, he mentioned what the leader looked like.

"Humph!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xinyue's expression hardened, and she scoffed, "What kind of beauties can people from overseas see?! Drifting on the sea, exposed to wind and sun, what beauty is there in that?"

She is a woman too!
She would get angry if Mingchen praised other women in front of her!
"Hahahaha~"

Seeing the Empress's arrogant demeanor, Mingchen couldn't help but laugh: "Does Your Majesty know what I said to that envoy?"

Xiao Xinyue snorted: "What did you say?"

Chen said, "Lord Xu must have never seen our Emperor! Otherwise, he wouldn't have said that your alliance leader is the most beautiful woman you've ever seen."

This is the truth; Mingchen wasn't flattering anyone.

"Humph!"

Seeing the man's flippant tone, Xiao Xinyue simply raised an eyebrow: "Glib talker!"

Her face was tense, but an uncontrollable smile crept onto her lips.

This person's mouth is really too rude!
"How could it be just glib talk?!"

"Every word Chen said came from the bottom of his heart!"

If possible, Xiao Xinyue would love to keep this person glued to her Yangxin Hall.

Listening to him talk from time to time seems to make me feel more relaxed, and I feel more energetic when handling government affairs.

After listening to his playful banter for a while, Xiao Xinyue asked again, "Did you come to see me for something else?"

Upon hearing this, Mingchen paused, his smile fading: "Zhang Boxing, Lord Zhang is dead..."

"what?!"

Xiao Xinyue frowned upon hearing this, her good mood vanishing instantly: "How did he die?"

Only at dusk can one truly witness the devotion of believers.

Xiao Xinyue highly values ​​those who came to her aid and supported her when she was weak.

He fled the palace in a sorry state, surrounded by only three hundred guards, but he received Zhang Boxin's full support.

In Xiao Xinyue's mind, he was second only to Xiao Ling and Feng Xiaozhong.

Xiao Xinyue also recognized Zhang Boxing's talent and even reserved a position for him to make great strides.

But now, out of nowhere... he's dead?
He entered the city in blood-stained clothes and committed suicide.

"That's it..."

To die is to die.

Xiao Xinyue didn't ask any further questions about why Zhang Boxing was still dead even though Mingchen had met with the Blood-Clad Army.

Mingchen stroked the Immortal Jade Record in his hand and said, "Lord Zhang has rendered meritorious service to our dynasty. Your Majesty may bestow upon him the title of Immortal God to protect the people of this region."

"it is good!"

Mingchen paused, then continued, "The Blood-Clad Army is about to conquer Chen. At that time, we will go from allies to adversaries. Your Majesty, please be prepared." Xiao Xinyue frowned slightly: "Hmm..."

While waging war involves risks and losses, it can also yield benefits.

After the Blood-Clad Army destroyed the Chen Kingdom, the Great Qi Kingdom occupied most of the country, becoming the largest power in the Qian Yuan Dynasty.

The Blood-Clad Army is fierce and unrestrained, making them a dangerous opponent.

"Mingchen, was the Blood-Clad Army's rise orchestrated by you?"

She had already guessed something when she went to Beilie, but this guy who was spouting nonsense denied it.

Now he can negotiate with the Blood-Clad Army so easily and get them to obey.

Even a fool would know that he has a close relationship with the Blood-Clad Army.

Mingchen is not simply a member of the Blood-Clad Army! He is likely one of its leaders or initiators.

Xiao Xinyue wanted to know more about this person; she wanted to know the whole story.

This time, Mingchen didn't hide anything, speaking casually as if joking: "His Majesty saw through it all~"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xinyue rolled her eyes at the man: "Tell me about it."

“Wang Huai is my sworn brother. When I was ten years old, he fled to Qingchi during a famine. We hit it off immediately and discussed some things. Later, he left Qingchi and went south. He seized the opportunity to rise up in rebellion, which led to the Blood-Clad Army.”

Xiao Xinyue: ...

It really was him!
Despite having some suspicions, Xiao Xinyue was still involuntarily shocked when all her guesses were confirmed.

Mingchen's explanation was brief; what exactly did they discuss?

What did they discuss that could turn a starving refugee into a powerful leader who rose up in rebellion?
Clearly, Wang Huai isn't the key; what Mingchen told him is.

A few casual words changed the entire situation of Qian Yuan.

They seized the opportunity, launching their rebellion when Qian Yuan and Bei Lie were locked in battle and unable to spare any resources.

The conditions were also favorable: the Qian Yuan dynasty was corrupt, and the people had suffered for too long, providing fertile ground for the righteous army to survive.

They rose up in rebellion, and with a single call, hundreds responded, sweeping across the country with the force of a whirlwind.

This person... is truly terrifying.

Who would have thought?
Could the culprits behind the chaos in the world be mere children?
At the age of ten, when most people are still playing in the mud, this person has already begun to plan for the future.

He manipulates the situation and controls the world, as if everyone is a pawn in his hand or a puppet under his control.

Having accomplished such a great feat, he did not remain in the Blood-Clad Army, but instead went to the imperial court to take the civil service examination and become an official...

Thinking hard.

Could it be that... the current state of the new dynasty was also within his expectations?
Even if it's someone you like, someone you're close to, someone you trust...

Looking at his smiling, frivolous appearance, Xiao Xinyue couldn't help but be startled, and a sense of fear arose inexplicably.

People like Mingchen are the ones that those in power in the world most desire and fear.

He seems carefree and irresponsible every day, living a life of leisure, but who knows when, some seemingly insignificant scheme he orchestrated might just bring down a butcher's knife upon his head.

The significance of her brother's conversation with her before his death continues to rise.

Of course, the fear also vanished in an instant.

No matter what, she will always believe in Mingchen.

"Then, Mingchen, could you persuade the Blood-Clad Army to surrender and integrate into our dynasty?"

Despite knowing the chances were slim, Xiao Xinyue still held onto a naive hope.

Since it was Mingchen who started the conflict, and now that she is in charge of the new dynasty, everything is thriving and the contradictions of the Blood-Clad Army uprising no longer exist, why can't we put down the fighting?
If the two dynasties joined forces, she was willing to grant Wang Huai a title, cease hostilities, and reduce the suffering of the people.

Wouldn't it be better if everyone got along well?

Upon hearing this, Mingchen couldn't help but laugh and shook his head: "Your Majesty, Wang Huai is my elder brother, not my loyal follower. He won't listen to everything I say."

"A person who trusts others can never be a leader. Once you sit in a leadership position, you will trust yourself the most and will not let others manipulate you."

"How does Wang Huai know if you will govern the country in the way he expects? Once you've surrendered your troops and power, you'll no longer have the right to engage in equal dialogue!"

"Since you have the opportunity to rule the world, why hand it over to someone else?"

"Now, if I told you to surrender to the Blood-Clad Army and the world would belong to the Great Qi, would you be willing?"

Xiao Xinyue's words were somewhat naive.

But Mingchen can understand her.

Who doesn't dream of winning the grand prize when buying a lottery ticket?

"Forehead……"

Xiao Xinyue twitched the corner of her mouth.

Although trust is one thing, liking is another.

If Mingchen were to tell her about this, she really wouldn't agree.

"Even if we assume he were willing, what about his soldiers and officials?"

Wang Huai did not declare himself emperor; perhaps there was still a possibility of seeking amnesty and negotiating peace.

But now that their status has risen, there's absolutely no reason for them to fall.

There's only one path left: death.

Some things are simply impossible, and saying them would only lower one's own standing, so Mingchen bluntly stated before leaving that he would become Wang Huai's rival.

"Ugh……"

Xiao Xinyue sighed softly.

Beautiful fantasies are ultimately shattered by ruthlessness, so all that remains is to face reality.

"In that case, let's stop the war."

……

Some things happened during the New Year.

A minor county magistrate bravely sacrificed his life for the people in the biting cold wind.

Surprisingly, the arrogant and unrestrained rebel army did not cause any harm to the city, and the flowers they had cultivated throughout their lives finally bore fruit.

The slow-witted people erected a statue of him; the gaunt old man holding a sword stands forever in the center of the city, remembered and revered by the people, embellished with beauty, and left behind a legend.

The Blood-Clad Army experienced internal turmoil. The Blood-Clad Emperor, who was extremely kind to his own people, executed several senior subordinates and began to seriously consider the future of the country.

Time flies, regardless of human will.

Three months have passed quickly. In the warm spring of March, a gentle breeze blows, and beautiful flowers tremble on the branches.

In the new Qian Yuan era, children took advantage of the east wind to fly kites in the open fields, while the people lived in peace and worked in the fields.

Everything was quiet and peaceful, full of hope.

However, the scene in the imperial court was quite different.

"Your Majesty, I beg you!"

"Please, withdraw your troops!"

The rugged and robust grassland warriors were no longer as arrogant and domineering as they had been during their last visit to the court. The envoy knelt on the ground, speaking in broken Central Plains dialect, kowtowing repeatedly, and weeping bitterly.

He looked at the empress, who sat high on the throne, with pleading eyes.

She seemed even more beautiful, dressed in a golden dragon robe, her eyebrows and eyes raised, as if she were born with the air of a queen, proud and noble, with unparalleled elegance.

However, at this moment, no one dared to covet this beauty in the slightest.

"Our Khan has already committed suicide to atone for his sins!"

"If the fighting continues, my tribe... my tribe will be wiped out..."

That arrogant and defiant man, burdened with the infamy of his race, and carrying his dream of unifying the world, committed suicide in the wilderness, sinking into the vast underworld.

In less than a year, the revitalized Xiongnu tribe was completely destroyed.

It was even more thorough than more than seventy years ago when the army of 100,000 was wiped out by the war god Hou Buchen.

More importantly, they didn't even know what was going on!

Most people die at the hands of their own people.

Somehow... there's hardly anyone left!
The civil war between the two Khans drew in all the forces of the grasslands, with Qian Yuan's envoys secretly instigating, coercing, and enticing... causing an unprecedented chaos across the entire grasslands.

Hunxie Khan was of average strength, and even though Shengluo Khan was severely injured, he still couldn't defeat him.

Shengluo Khan personally led his troops, ostensibly to suppress traitors, but the people were outraged. They marched all the way to Ulaanbaatar and were about to breach the palace.

Hunye Khan had practically worn out the key to request aid from Qian Yuan.

Just as everything was about to come to an end, Qian Yuan's army finally appeared.

The dying Hunxie Khan was suddenly helped up, clinging to his leg and calling him "father," continuing the war and launching a counterattack.

Qian Yuan's army was small, but it was carrying brand-new weapons as it galloped across the grasslands.

"boom!"

"boom!"

The sounds of firearms clashing were incessant, and bullets spitting fire pierced the foreheads of the wild tribe.

One hundred new weapons have been developed; they need to be tested.

The vast grassland was undoubtedly the best shooting range for Qian Yuan.

The first batch of musketeers were sent here to fight the Xiongnu while conducting practical testing of the weapons.

The situation reversed, and Shengluo Khan's army suffered a crushing defeat, with blood staining the lush green grass and corpses strewn everywhere.

With various tribes defecting and fighting amongst themselves, the war, which was on the verge of ending, became even more chaotic.

Qian Yuan was unwilling to let the fighting on the grasslands stop.

The initiative was always in Qian Yuan's hands.

It seems that too many living beings have died, and they have been punished by the gods.

Last winter was exceptionally cold. A white disaster struck, with unprecedented heavy snow burying the entire grassland. Countless cattle and sheep froze and starved to death, and the Xiongnu people, who depended on it for survival, naturally froze and starved to death as well.

Some tribes have even been wiped out and exterminated.

Spring arrives, the grass sprouts, and all things revive.

However... the various Xiongnu tribes remained completely silent.

However, Qian Yuan's troops continued to plunder and kill wantonly on the grasslands.

People say it's the devil's curse; the grasslands are cursed by the devil, a curse brought about by Shengluo Khan's provocation of the Central Plains.

When the war reaches a dead end, all the pent-up resentment will erupt at this moment.

The once-honorable Great Khan became a sinner against the people. Shengluo Khan didn't even have time to think about why he had been defeated so thoroughly before he committed suicide in a daze, ending his life.

"Great Emperor...Great Emperor..."

"Please!"

"Our people are willing to serve the Great Emperor as the Holy Khan, to be his subjects year after year, and to pay tribute every year. For all eternity, we will never offend him."

The burly grassland man knelt on the ground, his head pressed against the cold bricks, and wept loudly.

If the fighting continues, the Xiongnu will be wiped out.

Some ethnic groups are like dogs; when they feel superior, they start barking wildly.

Only when your bones are broken will you kneel on the ground, tears streaming down your face, begging for forgiveness.

The officials and civil and military officials alike couldn't help but smile as they watched.

The foreign tribes kneeling on the ground seemed to have forgotten how their envoys had been arrogant and domineering, wantonly insulting the emperor when the new dynasty was first established.

That was the Empress's cry: "I will destroy your country, enslave your people, and for all eternity, you will never rise again." Did you really think it was a joke?

That Marquis Jing'an... he truly is a divine being.

Looking at the obsequious Xiongnu man before her and listening to his description of their miserable state, Xiao Xinyue felt no pity whatsoever, but rather a sense of satisfaction.

Without realizing it, she glanced at the front row of the court officials.

really……

There was no one there; no one came.

That scoundrel is probably indulging in some brothel again.

The instigator of the collapse of the grasslands didn't even come, and the defeated couldn't be bothered to lick their boots.

Completely unconcerned, they simply crushed a small insect.

(End of this chapter)