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

Chapter 284 Who says there's no best strategy?

Brother... I'm a little tired.

It's not easy for ordinary people to rise to prominence.

Wang Huai was exhausted; he had been working tirelessly all the way.

Wang Liu was also exhausted. Even in his dreams, he was thinking about how to make his brother and the Blood-Clad Army live a better life.

And now, the time has come.

Strength gradually faded, and perception gradually dissipated.

Wang Liu knew his elder brother's character very well. He knew he couldn't die; if he died here, the Great Qi would be finished.

But... what should we do?

His body was no longer under the control of his mind.

Finally, the hand gripping the ground loosened its hold.

The legendary undercover agent who had spent two years in the heart of power in the capital without being caught now lay quietly on this desolate mountain road, lifeless.

Until his last breath, he remained gazing eastward, his eyes never closing.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as they fell, and dark clouds obscured the sky.

Given the vast disparity in numbers and strength, Wang Liu and his group were quickly wiped out.

Corpses littered the ground, blood flowed like a river, and not a single person remained standing in Wangliu's territory.

The men in black gathered together. After surveying the area, one of them said to the leader, "Sir, the mission is complete. All the traitors have been killed."

The leader flicked the blood off his knife; it was he who had just stabbed Wang Liu in the chest.

His gaze swept over the group of corpses, lingered for a moment on one spot, and then he nodded: "Okay!"

He said in a calm voice, "His Majesty has decreed that we have formed an alliance with General Xu's Liang army to jointly suppress the rebels. First, we must retrieve the insignia and covenant from Wang Liu. Remember, today's events must not be revealed to outsiders."

"Yes!"

After cleaning up the battlefield and finding some documents and tokens, the group quickly retreated westward.

It was a desolate, uninhabited place.

Time passed slowly, the wind grew stronger, and the weather became increasingly gloomy.

Before anyone knew it, the sky gradually became hazy, and a fine, continuous drizzle fell, silently soaking the person lying on the ground. Blood stained the earth, and the wind drifted away, seemingly carrying a message of sorrow.

Suddenly, a man in the pool of blood opened his eyes, sat up, gasped for breath, clutched his chest, and looked at the surrounding corpses with horror. Everyone else was dead except for him.

Including His Majesty's own younger brother, Lord Wang Liu.

Everyone else died, but he was lucky enough to survive.

My heart was pounding, and the relief and fear of surviving the ordeal were spreading through my mind.

"Your Majesty, form an alliance with the west... Your Majesty, form an alliance with the west..."

His eyes were vacant as he stared in the direction the assassins had left, muttering to himself as if in a hysterical state.

"I can't die... I can't die... I absolutely can't die!"

Meanwhile, amidst the continuous drizzle, the scabbards at the guards' waists gleamed with an eerie light.

It was impossible for ordinary people to see through it; it seemed as if a faint shadow appeared behind him.

The strangely dressed scholar kept shaking his head, his face blurred, his eyes bloodshot, and he seemed mentally deranged, repeating the same phrase over and over.

Between life and death, stubborn obsession held the soul captive, preventing it from being sent to the underworld; instead, some strange changes occurred.

The surviving guards only felt a chill, but didn't notice anything amiss.

He staggered to his feet and ran eastward like a madman.

……

"It's raining?"

"Wang Su should be happy now."

There has been little rain this year, and the drought has lasted for a long time.

After a long drought, the farmers must be overjoyed by this rain.

Ji Qu, at the Jing'an Marquis's residence, Ming Chen stood under the eaves, quietly gazing at the hazy sky.

A drizzly day is perfect for sleeping in, especially for lazy people.

However, for some reason, looking at the gloomy sky, he was not very happy.

"Brother Chen, don't catch a cold."

The female general who wields swords and kills decisively on the battlefield can also gently drape her husband's coat over his shoulders at this moment.

Beside him, the beauty keenly sensed the change in Mingchen's emotions, and her eyes showed a hint of concern.

Mingchen shook off his thoughts, turned around, and hugged his wife tightly: "My sister treats me so well~"

This person...sometimes acts like a child.

Ling Yu was taken aback, but then smiled and patted his back.

“This time, I didn’t leave home on my own.”

Mingchen looked into Lingyu's eyes and said with a smile, "I'm bringing my sister along too~"

After less than a year of stability, Ji Qu is leaving again.

However, this time it wasn't a publicly funded trip; it was about leading troops into battle, doing serious business.

"Humph~"

Ling Yu snorted: "You clearly want me to do your work."

Xiao Xinyue is a decisive and efficient person.

After talking with Mingchen, he then spoke in the court about raising an army of 8,000 to help the Great Qi to jointly eliminate Xu Zhongling.

This matter sparked another round of heated debate in the imperial court.

The most important task now is to send someone to take over Yueyang City and the Northern Border. Even the Great Qi itself said that all we need to do is show our attitude and issue a proclamation. Why create unnecessary trouble?

Fortunately, some people still support Mingchen. Yun Zheng, who had just gotten married, strongly advocated sending troops to eliminate Xu Zhongling. He shared the same view as Mingchen: sending troops to aid the Blood-Clad Army was secondary; the main goal was to eliminate Xu Zhongling, this potential threat.

Now that Qian Yuan has developed for so long and has a strong army, it is time to send a signal to the world that Qian Yuan is not prepared to stay in a corner and enjoy comfort. Qian Yuan also wants to expand eastward and has ambitions.

Xiao Xinyue was very determined about this matter and quickly made a decision.

Five days later, Mingchen, Lingyu, and several generals will set off for the garrison camp of Shenjiang in the east to organize their troops and prepare to march east.

Ling Yu naturally knew that this matter was definitely related to Ming Chen.

Mingchen played with her hair and said with a smile, "Sister doesn't want to?"

Ling Yu rolled her eyes at him.

Don't want to?

Of course I'm willing!
After conquering Luzhou, she basically had nothing to do. Having stayed in Jiqu for so long, she was getting a little bored.

Leading troops into battle is certainly a good thing; she will find her own value in the war.

Not to mention she was still with Mingchen.

"Speaking of which, this is the first time we've marched and fought together!"

The common people of Qianyuan often discussed during their leisure time who was more powerful, the Marquis of Jing'an or the Marquis of Zhongyong.
They all have legendary resumes and achievements; they have never been defeated and have all made indelible contributions to the country.

Now, this couple, who are the pillars of the nation, are about to launch a joint attack.

Mingchen looked at the mansion and said with a smile, "If we lose, our reputations will be ruined!"

The more highly someone is praised and the more renowned they are, the less they should actually take action.

Once you take action, you must ensure that everything goes perfectly.

This is similar to the predicament Wang Huai is currently facing.

Victory is to be expected, but defeat would deal a huge blow to the power structure that has been built up.

The same applies to Mingchen and Lingyu; their status in Qianyuan has already been deified.

If this military expedition fails to achieve its objectives, it will be a huge loss.

"Win or lose."

Ling Yu, relying solely on Ming Chen, said indifferently, "As long as one does one's best in matters of loyalty to the emperor, that's enough."

There are only two things in her life now.

One was to accompany Mingchen, and the other was to head north to attack Beilie.

Apart from these two things, she didn't really care about her status, her reputation...

"Haha~ My silly sister, you're so open-minded~"

"Oh, your hand..."

……

"Snapped!"

"you lose."

In Xiaoyao City, the last piece is placed on the chessboard.

Xu Zhongling was dressed in plain clothes, with a warm smile on his face.

He was radiant and majestic, confident and high-spirited, with the demeanor of a humble gentleman.

But judging from his appearance, he really makes people feel good about him, and they can't help but want to believe in him and respect him.

On the other side of the chessboard, the strange figure, hidden in a black robe, put the chess piece back in his hand.

"I lost."

The city of Xiaoyao has been very peaceful these past few days.

Wang Huai did not send troops to attack, and the chaos within the city gradually subsided.

After all, for most ordinary people, the most important thing is their actual life.

The city of Xiaoyao, managed by Xu Zhongling, seemed to have little impact on their lives.

It is said that the Qi Emperor was burning, killing, and looting in the north. I wonder what he was like when he returned.

After finishing the game of chess, Xu Zhongling let out a soft breath, stood up, and walked out the door with the man in black robes.

It's raining!

Xu Zhongling stood under the eaves, quietly watching the continuous drizzle, and chuckled softly, "I actually really like rainy days. On rainy days, I can't see anyone else, which makes me feel peaceful."

"It's just that when we were kids, everyone seemed to like sunny days. If everyone liked them, and I didn't... then maybe people wouldn't like me either."

"That's why I like sunny days and dislike rainy days."

The man in black simply stood beside him, silent.

Xu Zhongling narrowed his eyes and looked in the west.

The terrain of Xiaoyao City is very high. This is the observatory that Wang Huai built, which can be seen in a very distant direction.

Xu Zhongling looked at the hazy sky and murmured softly, "Judging by the time, Xiao Chengde and his men should have succeeded by now." "I hope they bring good news."

He smiled, his thick eyebrows and large, intelligent eyes revealing a sharp and discerning nature, showing absolutely no trace of malice: "Who says there isn't a better strategy?"

"Isn't this the best course of action? I'm so clever."

The man in black robes, who had been silent all along, shook his head and finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse: "Wang Huai is not so easily fooled."

Upon closer examination, this approach has many flaws.

"So what if you figured it out?"

Xu Zhongling smiled and waved his hand: "It doesn't matter if the Blood-Clad Army doesn't go to attack Qian Yuan."

"After all, he lost his younger brother and lost an arm."

"Isn't he angry? Doesn't he feel furious?"

"I'll make him furious."

“Rage can blind a person, and when reason is lost, oversights are more likely to occur. A furious beast that only knows revenge is much easier to deal with than a cautious hero.”

……

"Your Majesty, you are in excellent health, with more vigorous blood and energy than ordinary people. I... I don't see any problem."

Inside the blood-stained military camp.

The renowned old doctor withdrew his hand from taking the pulse and said somewhat helplessly to the tall, imposing emperor in front of him.

This king is stronger than an ox; he could kill ten of them with one punch. What illness could he possibly have?

Wang Huai waved his hand: "Alright, go down."

This is the fifth doctor.

That day, blood did indeed flow from his eyes, nostrils, ears...

Although he is still physically strong and does not feel any pain, this is certainly not an ordinary thing.

However, none of the doctors we consulted could find anything wrong with the problem.

"Yes!"

The old man wiped the sweat from his brow, bowed respectfully, and left.

The camp returned to calm, with only Wang Huai remaining.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and murmured softly, "Qi Yuan..."

There is a traitor among the high-ranking members of the Blood-Clad Army.

Wang Liu had mentioned this to him before she left, so he was aware of it.

However, before any investigation could be conducted, the mole himself came forward.

Qi Yuan, the Great Master Protector of the State of Qi, and the Astrological Ghost.

He left behind a letter that read, "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on," and then disappeared.

Before his death, the drunkard Ye Kaifeng had told him several times that Qi Yuan was a strange person and that he should be careful.

Mingchen had once warned him that this person's encouragement for him to become emperor was probably malicious.

Wang Huai was indeed wary and did not completely trust him.

However, Qi Yuan had always performed well, wholeheartedly assisting him without vying for power or resorting to underhanded tactics. He was methodical and organized, completing all tasks assigned to him with ease. During the Northern Expedition, the Blood Warriors he trained also proved invaluable.

He wouldn't get involved in or pry into things that didn't concern him.

It's fair to say that without the astrological ghost Qi Yuan, Wang Huai wouldn't have had such a smooth journey, and perhaps he wouldn't be where he is today.

Unexpectedly, he did not betray us even during the perilous Battle of Yueyang.

However, after occupying Yueyang, when they were suppressing the rebels, this person ran away.

If this person hadn't run away, Wang Huai might not have suspected him.

Because he rarely attends military conferences.

Wang Huai suspected that the bleeding from his eyes, nostrils, and ears was also related to this person, so he urgently wanted to find a doctor for treatment.

However, after investigating, no problems were found.

"Humph!"

He stood up, snorted coldly, and his muscular physique exuded an aura of oppression: "I'd like to see what kind of wood you've chosen."

He got up and went outside the tent.

Today the sky was overcast with no sun, and suddenly a cold wind blew and a light drizzle began to fall.

The weather looks bad. Hopefully, the rain won't be too heavy. Their location is somewhat low-lying, and if it gets damp, it will greatly affect the soldiers' combat effectiveness.

If we're relocating our base, we'll have to go north...

Wang Huai looked at the gloomy sky, his mind racing with thoughts.

Commanding troops in battle requires taking into account the opportune moment, favorable terrain, and popular support; this is his habit.

While he was pondering, he suddenly trembled, his eyes widened, and he clutched his chest.

A sharp pain shot through my heart, and I didn't know where it came from. A huge sense of fear and grief welled up inside me.

He had a strange feeling that he had lost something extremely important.

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty!"

The guards around him kept exclaiming in surprise, but Wang Huai felt that these sounds were fading into the distance.

The world before my eyes seemed as blurry as the misty drizzle.

"Big brother...big brother..."

In a daze, I seemed to hear my younger brother's familiar voice calling my name.

The current overlord of the common people, the war god emperor who stands firm like a mountain, seems to be feeling unwell.

For several days in a row, Wang Huai's mind raced and his heart sank, as if a heavy stone was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

His subordinate generals were all good at reading people's expressions and dared not disturb him. They couldn't even bring themselves to advise him not to send Yueyang City out of the city.

"Your Majesty...it's urgent, a report must be made immediately."

A general in full armor rushed into the tent in a somewhat flustered manner. Looking at the gloomy Wang Huai, his eyes darted around, and his voice was somewhat stammering.

"What's the matter?!"

"What's the matter?!"

"Is it related to my brother?"

"Where's Wang Liu?! Where's my brother?!"

Wang Huai's eyes were bloodshot as he quickly stepped forward.

He was strong and tall, and he grabbed the man's shoulder, staring intently into his eyes, and asked in a hurried voice.

In recent days, he has been restless. When he closes his eyes to rest, he can vaguely hear his younger brother calling to him.

Wang Liu was sent as an envoy to the Qian Yuan dynasty and has not yet returned.

This was his concern, and he had a bad feeling about it.

He had never felt this way before, even when Wang Liu was lurking in the capital, surrounded by dangers.

Now, a single mission to Qian Yuan has caused problems?
"Say it!"

"Say it quickly!"

The general who delivered the message looked terrified. Seeing the anxious Wang Huai, he dared not hide anything, omitting all the irrelevant information and stammering out the most crucial intelligence: "Lord Wang... Lord Wang... has met with misfortune."

"What?!!!"

The fears have finally come true.

The news I least wanted to hear came, and my heart seemed to stop for a moment.

The world spun before his eyes, and the king, his eyes bloodshot, was struck as if by lightning. His whole body trembled, his vision blurred, and he heard a buzzing sound in his ears, as if he could not distinguish between reality and illusion.

"impossible!"

"This is impossible!"

This must be fake!

This must be a dream.

His younger brother survived a serious illness in his childhood, and also survived two years of undercover work in the capital... How could such a blessed person... die so easily?!
Impossible!
This is impossible!

"I don't believe it!"

"Who said that?!"

"Who said that?!"

"Bring him to me!!!"

"Where's my brother?!"

"Where's my brother?!"

He gripped the man's shoulders, staring intently at him with burning eyes and a ferocious, terrifying expression. His savage roar was deafening, like a mad beast devoid of any reason.

"Kakaka!"

The immense force caused the man's shoulders to crack and pop.

"Um... Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

This general was a confidant of Wang Huai and could understand his despair at losing his loved ones.

He didn't struggle, only letting out a few muffled groans, looking at Wang Huai with eyes full of concern: "Your Majesty, you must hold on! You must hold on!"

"Where's my brother?!"

Wang Huai released the general's shoulder, roaring in despair, and staggered, almost unable to stand.

"Boom boom boom!"

A deafening roar of thunder and lightning came from outside the tent.

"puff!"

Wang Huai stood quietly in place, expressionless. He trembled, then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. He lost his balance and fell backward.

"His Majesty!!"

"His Majesty!!!"

The light and shadows before his eyes gradually blurred, and the general quickly stepped forward to support him, all he could hear was the man's urgent calls.

"His Majesty!!!"

"Quickly, go and fetch a doctor!"

(End of this chapter)