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

Chapter 268 The country is peaceful and prosperous, and all is well.

The mighty river, flowing through the embrace of green mountains, divides the land in two. Waterfalls crash against the pebbles on the banks, sending up countless sprays that shimmer like shattered silver in the sunlight. A white, soft fur sways in the wind as a nimble animal runs across the green grass, galloping all the way to the long bridge.

The Shenjiang River, the largest tributary branching off from the Liehe River, divides the Qianyuan River into two halves from top to bottom.

Jiangdong and Jiangxi are like two different worlds.

The new emperor hastily left the capital, enduring hardships along the way. Hearing the plans of wise ministers and talented individuals, he decided to establish his capital at Jiqu, which was situated along the Shenjiang River.

This surging river marks the boundary of the new dynasty.

This place is located in the northern part of the Shenjiang River, where the current is swift and navigable. During the Qian Yuan era, a great deal of manpower and resources were spent to build a large bridge here to connect the two banks.

Now that the Eastern and Western Qian Yuan dynasties are divided, the new Qian Yuan has dispatched a large number of troops to guard this vital passage.

On the west bank of the bridge, a stone statue of a black-armored general riding a fine horse and holding a sharp sword stands quietly.

This was recently built to commemorate General Zhao Rujie, the demon-slaying general who led the Northern Army to join the Light, but ultimately fell at the bridgehead.

Until his death, the general never crossed the bridge and remained on the other side forever.

The soldiers built a statue of him on the west bank to honor and remember him, and to pass on his heroic hymns of wielding his sword against ghosts and gods to future generations.

Thus, the general has crossed the bridge.

Nothing seems to have changed today; the river flows swiftly, and a gentle breeze blows.

The garrison stood guard steadily by the river, repeating the same work day after day.

Suddenly, sunlight streamed down, and one of the guards squinted, looking into the distance as if a white light had flashed by.

"who?!"

"who?!"

The guards shuddered, gripping their weapons tightly, and shouted at the approaching figures.

The rapidly speeding white silhouette gradually revealed its form, majestic and awe-inspiring.

It turned out to be a majestic and enormous white wolf beast.

It came rushing in from the direction that General Zhao Rujie was pointing his sword.

Those guarding the border were the most elite soldiers. Although they were shocked, they did not back down.

"I am Mingchen!"

"Marquis Jing'an, Mingchen, make way!!!"

The Marquis is eager to return home and seems unwilling to keep a low profile any longer.

A clear voice rang out from the back of the white wolf, startling the guards.

"Mingchen?"

"Marquis Jing'an, Mingchen?"

There is only one famous Mingchen in the world.

With the prefix "Marquis of Jing'an," it becomes even clearer.

The people outside the new Qian Yuan might need to pause and think for a moment, but for the people inside the new Qian Yuan, this Marquis's name was widely known and familiar to every household.

Without Marquis Jing'an, there would be no new Qian Yuan.

The new empress was generous and confident. She had her own merits and achievements and was not afraid of being overshadowed by others.

They never concealed the merits of their subjects and claimed them as their own, but openly proclaimed the irreplaceable merit of this marquis in supporting the emperor and publicized the brilliant legend of eight hundred cavalrymen breaking through the Xiongnu royal court.

He is a born hero, a shining star.

He was admired and respected by the people of Qian Yuan.

And in military camps, it was even more so.

The eight hundred cavalrymen who survived on the Xiongnu grasslands have been scattered into various corners of the Qian Yuan army, continuing to spread the word about the amazing achievements they had made with the general.

There are also factional struggles in the military, and soldiers all have their own idols.

People often argue endlessly about who is more powerful between the two marquises, Ling Yu and Ming Chen.

And today, who does this man say he is?

Mingchen?

Why is that lord here instead of staying in Jiqu?

real or fake?

While it's important to show respect, it's still necessary to verify the other party's identity.

The garrison guarded the crucial passageway, allowing no room for error.

However... the speeding white wolf didn't care about these heavily guarded soldiers. With agile movements and a high leap, the white sports car transformed into a streak of light in the blink of an eye, quickly speeding away into the distance.

"General...this..."

"What should I do?"

This situation was clearly beyond the scope of what ordinary soldiers could handle, and one of the guards kept looking at his leader on the other side.

"Quickly, quickly... blow the horn and notify the people at Yulan Pass to open the gates and let them out!"

However, this usually calm and composed general seemed to have seen his faith at this moment, his face flushed and he shouted excitedly.

Having said that, without waiting for his subordinates' response, he mounted his horse and chased after them.

"Our general, it seems, was originally part of the force that fought against the Western Xiongnu, wasn't he?"

"He was originally a follower of the Marquis."

"What... So, that really was the Marquis?"

"Yes, it is said that the Marquis is young and handsome, and has tamed a strange white wolf as his mount!"

For a moment, the soldiers watching the departing figure were filled with longing and sighed with emotion.

For people like them, just seeing that high and mighty Marquis once was enough to make them feel it was all worthwhile.

Border defenses are crucial, and the troops stationed there are elite forces; they are not simply a few soldiers on duty by the river.

There were also military camps and passes.

Mingchen looked at the city gate ahead and slowed down his pace.

"My lord, my lord!"

Behind them, however, came the neighing of galloping horses and urgent shouts.

Mingchen turned around and saw a middle-aged general riding a fast horse towards him.

Looking at his face, he seemed somewhat familiar.

Although the eight hundred people had eaten and traveled together, fought and supported each other in the vast grasslands, even someone with a dull mind should have recognized them.

"You are... Zheng Chunting?"

Unexpectedly, this esteemed person actually remembered him.

Zheng Chunting seemed to be overjoyed, his face flushed, and he looked at Mingchen with excitement in his eyes: "It's me! It's me, Lord Marquis!"

In the battle on the grasslands, he killed 100,000 enemies, striking fear into the hearts of the grassland bandits and earning outstanding merit.

Mingchen is the guardian angel of these eight hundred people, the faith they have pursued their whole lives.

"Haha, it's you!"

"You were sent here by His Majesty?"

"How have you been lately? Have you been slacking off in training?"

It was a rare opportunity to meet an acquaintance, so Mingchen greeted him in a rather casual manner.

"Yes, Your Majesty has appointed me as the Commandant of Zhenjiang, to guard the river here."

"Thanks to you, everything is fine."

"This humble general trains diligently day and night, daring not to slack off in the slightest!"

Of the eight hundred riders, some were elite troops that Xiao Xinyue had brought from the imperial city, some were light cavalry invested in by Zhang Boxin, and the rest were villagers who had witnessed the strange phenomena of heaven and earth.

Zheng Chunting was one of those villagers.

He never imagined that his life of toiling in the fields would undergo such a dramatic transformation in just three years.

He has now achieved great merit and become a general.

This was something he never dared to even imagine.

All of this turning point came from this excessively young marquis.

He revered him as a deity and dared not neglect him in the slightest.

Mingchen smiled and said, "That's good, that's good~"

"that is……"

"Just what?"

The honest-looking general scratched the back of his head: "I've just been living too leisurely. I've even embroidered my halberd."

"My lord, when will we go back to the battlefield?"

"I'd rather remain a foot soldier under your command and fight alongside you!"

Some people's arrival is destined to leave a significant mark on this era, and the few drops of ink they leave on those around them are already enough to be proud of and exciting enough.

"fight?"

Mingchen raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Don't talk nonsense. I'm just a civil official and a scholar, not a general."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chunting abruptly raised his head, looking somewhat anxious: "Why isn't he a general?!"

"If you're not a general, then who is?!"

Where can you find a scholar who would kill ten thousand enemies without hesitation, whose fearsome reputation spread throughout the grasslands?!
Lord Marquis should belong to our military lineage.

"Hahaha……"

No wonder Ling Yu likes to go to the military camp to command troops! No wonder Old Ghost lingers over military formations!
There is a unique and profound sense of trust within the military, a bond that transcends life and death.

How should I put it? Being sincerely trusted and loved by subordinates is a very wonderful feeling.

Mingchen lowered his eyes, looked eastward, and said softly, "War... that day won't be long."

"what?"

Mingchen's voice wasn't loud, and Zheng Chunting didn't hear him clearly.

Mingchen waved his hand: "It's nothing, it's nothing."

Zheng Chunting then asked with some concern, "Why did you come from the east, Lord Marquis? Is there something important that you need? Do you require my assistance?"

"I'm going back to Beijing. You just need to do what you're supposed to do."

"Uh...yes!" "If that day ever comes, and I summon you to join my ranks, do not be reluctant to relinquish your current high position and power."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chunting trembled, but looked at the young marquis with fervent eyes: "This humble general is willing! This humble general is willing!"

His only response was bursts of hearty laughter.

The white wolf's figure headed south and gradually disappeared from sight.

"General!!!"

Zheng Chunting watched Mingchen walk away from afar, calling out to him incessantly.

It is truly a lucky thing that such a person exists in this world.

……

"This is more like the Qian Yuan clan!"

After bidding farewell to Zheng Chunting, we entered the territory of Qianyuan.

The suppressed feelings seemed to be released at this moment, and Mingchen became more cheerful.

The landscapes east and west of the Yangtze River are completely different.

East of Shenjiang, in the territory of Daqi, chaos reigned, human life was treated lightly, bandits roamed freely, and starvation was rampant for miles.

On the west bank of Shenjiang, however, a thriving scene unfolds.

This contrasted sharply with the utter despair and ruin he had previously witnessed in the northern border of the Great Qi.

Mingchen unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Although he usually acts carefree, willful, and manipulating the world as if everyone else is just a pawn.

Selfishness and self-interest are driven by the desire to rise through the ranks, achieve lasting fame, and attain high positions of power.

However, he did not transcend to the point where he was completely unaffected by external influences.

Hearing cold, hard information is a completely different feeling from seeing it for yourself – it's shocking.

If it doesn't concern me, then it doesn't really matter.

But if one has one's own responsibilities, it is difficult to escape inner questioning.

Seeing the Blood-Clad Army, which he himself had orchestrated, cause turmoil throughout the East, he knew it was a painful process of societal change, but he still felt heavy-hearted.

Now that he has arrived at the new Qian Yuan, the place where he and Xiao Xinyue made their plans, and seeing everything looking promising, he felt all his worries disappear and his mind become clear.

He did the right thing, and his choice was correct.

Luzhou was the last piece of the puzzle in the Qian Yuan dynasty, and it was captured by Ling Yu through sheer force. Not long ago, it was still a battlefield.

It hasn't been long since it was recaptured; only a year has passed.

However, as Mingchen traveled through cities and villages, he saw a scene of prosperity. People were not wealthy, but they had hope for the future and were content.

Farmers work in the fields, where crops grow lush and green. The city is orderly, and officials diligently perform their duties…

It's not that there are no problems, but everything is within a controllable range.

People have a high tolerance threshold; they will not give up their stable lives unless absolutely necessary.

This is the talent of a ruler.

This is Xiao Xinyue's talent, the result of her hard work day and night.

She passed away peacefully, unlike some extraordinary ruler who is exceptionally talented and has to do something earth-shattering.

She simply took one step at a time, consolidating and perfecting the laws, issuing decrees to balance the central and local governments, and gradually repairing and reorganizing her country.

Every single thing is routine, mundane and mundane.

But accumulated over time, it has connected the entire country.

Like a simple and unpretentious hero, he diligently practiced a set of Dragon Subduing Palm techniques day and night until he became invincible.

That's her charm, that's her radiance.

She was not a parasite clinging to Mingchen; she was a proud ruler who upheld her blood oath.

After returning from the Northeast, Mingchen headed south towards Jiqu, passing through various prefectures, counties, and cities. This could be considered an unconventional undercover investigation of government affairs on behalf of Xiao Xinyue.

Overall, everything is still pretty good.

The young man riding the white wolf laughed dashingly, leaving a dazzling trail in the eyes of those around him before disappearing from sight.

Floating gracefully, like a deity.

The white wolf galloped along, passing through several states and cities.

Finally, we arrived at a majestic city gate.

A rapidly developing country, a city moving forward at a breakneck pace. Everything changes daily; after a short time, it seems to have transformed.

An auspicious and peaceful atmosphere seemed to permeate the sky above the city, and the city walls also exuded a majestic and imposing aura. One by one, the valiant guards stood on the city walls, holding weapons, chests out and heads held high, their spirits soaring.

Cannons of unknown upgrade level were also moved to the city wall; their dark muzzles were deep and terrifying, sending chills down one's spine.

As time went by, the city grew increasingly imposing, befitting its status as a capital city.

"Is this the new Qian Yuan era?"

These days, the little fox has become quite familiar with the team.

It sat on the child's head, its dark eyes darting around, looking at the surrounding scenery with a touch of melancholy.

It wasn't like Long Lian, a shut-in who lived in one place all the time; it had visited Qian Yuan before.

However, time is somewhat blurred for it; the world changes, and things are no longer the same.

The Qian Yuan it had seen was from a time long ago; now, to it, this was a completely new world.

As it followed Mingchen along the way, it naturally witnessed the stark contrast between Jiangdong and Jiangxi.

Mingchen smiled and nodded: "Yes, this is the new Qian Yuan, Hua Rong, welcome to join us."

The little fox glanced at the smiling young man.

It has a keen eye for people's hearts and a very sensitive mind; it can sense changes in Mingchen's state of mind.

This person is also a contradictory person.

To leave behind a brilliant name and stir up waves in this era is something that cannot be summarized or described with a few simple words.

Is the change in this world related to him?

Can he change the world?

If we could change the world, could we create a paradise?

The little fox pouted: "Join what?! I just came to take a look!"

We haven't even moved on from what happened before!
You'll see if I don't cause you trouble!
I refuse to believe I can't win a single game!

"Oh~~~ Time to go home~~~"

The little bird is honest and straightforward, without any ulterior motives or concern for national affairs.

All she cared about was Mingchen.

Too many imprints on your mind will make life exhausting, while a smooth, pristine mind will bring you comfort.

All she can think about right now is going home!
She missed her best friend, Xiaotaohua, and wanted to give her the peach tree so she could tell her about her journey.

She wants to try her luck with Lingyu. She's done too many doubles matches, and now she wants to try three-person elimination matches!
Go home, go home!
"You...you are..."

At the city gate, the familiar garrison captain stared wide-eyed at the majestic white wolf and the man behind it.

For a moment I was somewhat incoherent.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, Mingchen happened to run into the same guard who had stopped him at the city gate last time when he returned.

Judging from his attire, he must have been promoted.

"I remember, your name is Wang Zhu, right?"

Go home!
This trip took us to a very far place, and it took much longer than our previous westward expedition.

Now they've finally returned.

Mingchen was in a good mood, looking at the stunned guards with great interest, and teased, "How about it? Are you going to stop me again this time?"

"Lord...Lord Marquis!"

Whether it was due to the Marquis's advice or not, not long after he blocked Mingchen's path, he was promoted.

Seeing this spirited young man, Wang Zhu dared not be negligent in the slightest.

"I don't dare."

Being loyal to one's duties is not the same as being rigid.

Last time, it was because Mingchen brought the army, and the army posed a threat to the city's security. According to regulations, an investigation was required no matter what.

Now that Mingchen has returned on his own, if he still wants to put on airs and investigate him, he's really asking for trouble.

"Open the door!"

"Yes!"

As the city gates opened, the bustling capital city gradually came into view, with pure white petals swirling in the wind.

Mingchen left home quietly when the peach blossoms were in bloom, and now he has returned to find the osmanthus blossoms filling the air.

The magnificent white wolf galloped freely along the official road, often drawing admiring glances from people on the opposite bank of the river.

Outgoing and unrestrained, dashing and spirited.

In the capital, only one person can do this.

Marquis Jing'an, Mingchen!

"My lord, it's my lord!"

"The Marquis of Jing'an is back!"

"Marquis Jing'an? When did the Marquis leave?"

"Haha~ It must be something good, right?"

Recognizing the white wolf meant recognizing Mingchen.

People looked at the man with longing in their eyes, and smiled unconsciously.

His Majesty is their revered emperor, supreme and above all, ensuring the stability and well-being of the new dynasty.

This Marquis was their pillar of support, and they could overcome any difficulties they encountered.

Having been away from the capital for a long time, no one spoke ill of him, and the people's impression of him never changed.

With peace and prosperity for the nation, all is well.

(End of this chapter)