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

Chapter 296 Please Let My Ideal Live On

At the same time that Wang Huai beheaded Xu Zhongling.

Mingchen's Immortal Jade Record trembled slightly, and the book, which only Mingchen could see, turned another page in his consciousness.

The man, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, exuding a heroic and extraordinary air, grinned, revealing gleaming white teeth and a sinister look in his eyes, revealing a ferocious smile.

His expression and demeanor were completely different from his appearance.

Poison Lord, Xu Zhongling.

As expected, another name has been added to the Immortal Jade Record.

However, Xu Zhongling was not the only one listed in this book; there were several other faces that Mingchen did not recognize beside him.

At the same time, as Xu Zhongling died, a streak of light pierced the sky and flew westward.

……

"Your Majesty, Lord Gong has arrived in Yueyang City and completed the handover with Daqi."

"Now we can start preparing to return to the old capital."

In the Yangxin Hall, Yun Zheng, Feng Xiaozhong, Xiao Ling, and other confidants of Xiao Xinyue gathered to discuss important matters.

Most of them came from Yueyang City and followed Xiao Xinyue all the way.

Now, the Great Qi has returned Yueyang City.

Although Xiao Xinyue has no intention of moving the capital, Yueyang City holds an extraordinary position.

Whether from the perspective of ordinary people, officials, or cultural heritage, Xiao Xinyue needs to personally return to Yueyang City to perform some sacrificial rites and announce them to the world.

He fulfilled his promise, reclaimed the old capital, and established his legitimacy.

Prestige projects may seem like intangible things, but when scaled up layer by layer, they can play an important role without you even realizing it.

For example, the significance of the broken plaque bearing the Xiao family bloodline to Xiao Xinyue during the five hundred years of the Qianyuan era.

Returning to the old capital is a brilliant political symbol, signifying that Xiao Xinyue, who has been silent for a long time, is about to reclaim the country.

Ambitious people who seek to seize power in a chaotic world are afraid, but the people of the world, who have suffered from war for too long, will eagerly support them.

Right now, she is discussing some specific matters with her team.

"kindness."

When working, Xiao Xinyue exudes authority; her expression is calm, and she nods in agreement.

She is now the leader, and official business comes first; her personal emotions have been suppressed.

In truth, she was somewhat concerned about the war that Mingchen and Lingyu had gone to the east.

She wasn't worried that the two of them, leading eight thousand elite soldiers, wouldn't be able to defeat Xu Zhongling.

What she was concerned about was whether Mingchen would be able to return in time after his trip eastward back to Yueyang City.

She felt a little empty if Mingchen didn't go back with her.

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed by.

Xiao Xinyue shuddered, feeling a strange and mysterious sensation.

Ever since she made a blood oath to the world that day, which caused strange phenomena in the heavens and earth, she has gained a special power.

This is her trump card, which she has yet to use.

Just a moment ago, she felt a sensation similar to the one that caused the strange phenomenon in the heavens and earth last time, and the power in her hands seemed to have become even stronger.

She held everything in the palm of her hand; everything was under her control.

The feeling grew clearer and deeper.

The whole world seemed to materialize in her mind.

Different places are conveying different messages to her.

The western region where we are now is thriving and filled with laughter.

To the east, however, lay devastation and mournful cries.

Further north, with unyielding spirit and fierce determination...

"His Majesty?"

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty?!"

……

An invisible aura swept over them, and several of Xiao Xinyue's subordinates noticed her unusual behavior, their eyes widening in surprise and some even exclaiming with concern.

At this moment, they inexplicably felt that Xiao Xinyue had become different again, and seemed more distant from them.

Xiao Xinyue was momentarily dazed, then came to her senses and unconsciously touched her cheek.

Before I knew it, tears streamed down my face.

Hurry, hurry... It was as if the whole world was urging her to hurry up and fulfill her dream.

……

On the other hand, Mingchen was unaware of what had happened to Xiao Xinyue.

After beating Xu Zhongling into mincemeat and exchanging pleasantries and engaging in official business,

Wang Huai finally dispersed the crowd and pulled Mingchen into a private chat.

Although the two brothers have already toned it down.

However, none of Wang Huai's subordinates who had worked their way up to him were particularly stupid.

Some people also noticed something amiss.

The relationship between Wang Huai and Ming Chen is unlikely to be ordinary.

Wang Huai's attitude towards Qian Yuan and Ming Chen seemed to have always been one of closeness.

What is he thinking right now?
The situation in Daqi is currently unclear, and no one knows what Wang Huai will do next.

The option is to continue fighting, occupy a territory, become a local strongman, and face a terrifying enemy like Qian Yuan.

Or perhaps they wander aimlessly, searching for a way to survive.

Or... is it a reduction?
In short, the road ahead is rather uncertain.

If it's a demotion, should we try to build good relationships with Mingchen and his ilk?

Or could it be a coup d'état by gathering like-minded people?
People exchanged glances, each thinking their own little schemes.

This world is not suitable for sincere and righteous people to live in.

They either died early on the battlefield, or were urged by the world to evolve, to become cunning, and to abandon their original intentions.

People who rise from humble beginnings are even less willing to return to them.

……

"Mingchen, thank you so much, brother."

Once inside the tent, the subordinates were dismissed.

Wang Huai also dropped his arrogant demeanor in front of everyone, let out a soft breath, and didn't feel particularly happy about killing his enemy with his own hands.

Although he has some ambition, judging from his current state, he is really not suited to be an emperor.

The aloofness and the constant need to maintain composure and wear a mask were exhausting for him.

He was a bandit hero.

According to Mingchen's script, even in the most favorable ending, he believed that his elder brother would never need to become emperor until his death.

The rest can be left to future generations.

But now, there are no "what ifs" anymore.

Mingchen waved his hand: "Brother, you're too kind."

Wang Huai shook his head: "If it weren't for you, even if I had conquered Xiaoyao City, I might not have been able to capture that villain."

The astrologer betrayed them and joined Xu Zhongling's side.

If Qi Yuan is truly determined to help Xu Zhongling, even if he wins, he won't be able to capture Xu Zhongling and avenge Wang Liu.

Mingchen simply shook his head, took out two wine glasses, and smiled at Wang Huai, "Big brother, want a drink?"

Wang Huai lowered his eyes and said, "Okay!"

Mingchen filled both wine glasses with wine.

Neither of them drank it; instead, they poured it on the ground.

Suddenly, Mingchen seemed to notice something and looked up at a corner of the tent.

Wang Huai followed Ming Chen's gaze and seemed to realize something.

He walked over and picked up a worn-out scabbard.

The scabbard wasn't anything special; it was quite ordinary.

He lowered his eyes and examined Mingchen quietly, then said to Mingchen, "Mingchen, it's a bit scary to say."

"This is the scabbard of the guard who escaped. When I heard that Wang Liu was dead, I felt disoriented and couldn't distinguish between reality and illusion. I thought I heard Wang Liu talking to me."

"I feel like he's right here."

"I know there are some monsters and demons in this world."

“You are a psychic, and you have some special abilities. Can you take a look at me?”

"Is this Wang Liu?"

With a hint of anticipation in his eyes, Wang Huai asked Ming Chen.

Mingchen was stunned for a moment.

Wang Huai couldn't see, but he could.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone who had just died and turned into a ghost.

In the dim light, Wang Liu's shadow appeared and disappeared.

He was too weak, too frail.

The energy is so weak that it seems unable to even transmit a message.

He simply stood behind Wang Huai, looking at Ming Chen, and gently shook his head.

Mingchen thought for a moment and said to Wang Huai, "Brother, if you believe, it exists; if you don't believe, it doesn't."

"If you believe me, then Brother Liu will stay here and watch over you so you can live a good life."

"If you don't believe it..."

"I believe."

Wang Huai smiled, waved to interrupt Ming Chen, and put the scabbard back on, ending the conversation: "Come on, let's continue drinking."

"it is good."

Time passed slowly as the two drank quietly, downing glass after glass.

Aside from Wang Liu's matter, the main topic was never discussed.

After a while, Wang Huai asked Mingchen with some curiosity, "Mingchen, tell me, what were those booming siege engines of Qian Yuan that day during the siege?"

Those cannons were terrifying in their scale and immense in their power.

It could have been the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Their sudden appearance on the battlefield not only shattered Xu Zhongling's morale but also demoralized Wang Huai.

Mingchen didn't hold back either, telling Wang Huai, "Those are cannons, something developed by the Qian Yuan Ordnance Bureau. They're slow-moving, but incredibly powerful when attacking or defending cities. Several key military strongholds in Qian Yuan are already equipped with artillery..."

As he spoke, he took out a musket and handed it to Wang Huai: "This is also a new type of weapon from the Qian Yuan Dynasty. It is extremely powerful, saves more energy than a bow and arrow, is easier to train, and can be continuously improved and refined..."

Wang Huai stroked the patterns on the musket, his eyes somewhat dazed.

He felt that the wheels of time were rolling forward, leaving him behind.

"Did you make this?"

Mingchen shook his head: "This is the result of the Ordnance Bureau. I can't make it myself."

Wang Huai looked at him quietly, then his words were sharp and to the point: "So, you did contribute to this, right?"

Mingchen is always like this; he will make the breakthrough from 0 to 1, but as for going from 1 to 10, he will leave that to the right people.

Just like the Blood-Clad Army.

This was not something Mingchen could accomplish on his own; in fact, he didn't even personally get involved.

However, it wouldn't work without Mingchen. Mingchen plays a crucial role; he is the link between everything and the signal that initiates it.

These new weapons are enough to change the landscape of warfare.

This must be inextricably linked to Mingchen.

Mingchen shrugged: "I do care about this matter quite a bit."

Wang Huai stared intently at him: "Mingchen, tell me, can you unify the world?"

The world is not just about Qian Yuan.

Wang Huai was asking about a stable, unified world.

This includes Qian Yuan, Bei Lie, the western nomadic tribes, the Jing Lan Alliance, and the southern nations...

There will be no more wars, and the world will be at peace.

No other family has ever experienced such pain and despair as his.

Mingchen shook his head: "Brother, apart from arrogant and conceited people, no one in the world can answer your question."

But you are the most likely.

Wang Huai looked at Ming Chen, but didn't say anything.

Everyone is constantly moving from 1 to 10.

Only Mingchen continuously creates from 0 to 1.

There was silence for a while.

Suddenly, Wang Huai looked up, his bloodshot eyes reflecting his younger brother's image, and asked Mingchen, "Mingchen, what will you do with all my subordinates, soldiers, and land... if I give them to you?"

Now, Wang Huai has made his decision.

He needed some support from Mingchen to affirm his ideas.

This is no small matter; it's not something he can decide on a whim.

He needs to be responsible for the lives and aspirations of many people.

He sees things clearly and is not attached to empty fame.

He knew that there was no hope of continuing forward with these men; it was a path to certain death.

Struggling on would only prolong life, wasting Qian Yuan's life and the lives of Da Qi's own soldiers.

They are also children, fathers, sons... They represent families like Wang Huai's.

Many people still can't see through it and are unwilling to believe it.

But he knew that the Great Qi Dynasty was now dead.

This feeling was unpleasant, and Wang Huai needed alcohol to speak out.

This is something he has been dedicated to his entire life; he has given it his all, and now he is willing to sacrifice everything, even his own reputation.

Every word I uttered was like a knife twisting in my heart.

Mingchen paused for a moment, then replied, "Qianyuan has a complete system that screens and registers everyone, conducts assessments and elections based on their talents and personal aspirations, and sends officials to manage and educate the land."

"If you do not wish to fight any more, you can be allocated a plot of land to live a peaceful life, get married and have children."

"Those who are brave and skilled in battle may join the army, undergo assessment, and be rewarded for their merits."

"If someone has other talents and desires management, they may be appointed at the discretion of the authorities after internal assessment."

The most important thing Mingchen did was to finalize the deal; there were plenty of other people to handle the rest.

These are not issues that Mingchen needs to consider.

If he did everything himself, Mingchen would have been exhausted long ago. What's the point of hiring so many officials to manage things?
These troubles can be resolved with the help of many people in Qian Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Wang Huai gave a wry smile and tilted his head back to gulp down the wine in his glass.

"System...system..."

It is enviable that Qian Yuan has developed in an orderly manner, uniting all forces and working together as one.

This is something that Wang Huai envies.

Conversely, what if Qian Yuan surrendered to Da Qi?

Wang Huai may not have such a clear management structure as Mingchen.

The most likely scenario is that they will all be incorporated into the military, gradually trained and selected, and a few who are deemed suitable will be promoted to certain positions, allowing everything to grow wildly.

He paused, then asked, "Do you remember what I said to you when we first met at Qingchi? Do you remember my ideals?"

"remember."

Despite his uncontrollable desires and ambitions, despite the deaths and changes in his subordinates' aspirations...

However, Wang Huai's ideals never changed from beginning to end.

He longed to purge the corrupt officials from the country, overthrow the powerful elites and the incompetent monarch, and create a bright and peaceful world where people could no longer be oppressed and could live in stability.

When he finally reached a high position, he found that there were too many things he couldn't do and too many constraints.

The benevolent way and the hegemonic way need to be used carefully, and the appropriate balance requires boundless wisdom and profound insight to achieve a comprehensive understanding.

Wang Huai wouldn't.

He was exceptionally brave on the battlefield, always leading from the front. He loved his soldiers like his own children and was close to his subordinates.

But once he was in a high position, he couldn't distinguish between personal interests and power.

Ideals are like castles in the air, difficult to realize.

His talents, vision, and wisdom... were insufficient to support him in fulfilling all his ideals; he could only accomplish half and destroy the other half.

However, he could never forget this original aspiration.

Wang Huai had drunk quite a bit and seemed a little drunk, his face flushed red. He stared intently at Ming Chen: "Ming Chen, I can die, and the Great Qi can perish, but... my ideals and the original spirit of the Blood-Clad Army should not perish. Please let them continue to live."

Mingchen shook his head: "Big brother can't die."

"Don't you see whether your brother kept his promise?"

"If the Qian Yuan dynasty falls into chaos, if the country becomes corrupt, then you will need to rise up again and rally the people to overthrow this hypocritical edifice built by your younger brother."

Wang Huai shook his head and smiled bitterly.

This younger brother has a sharp tongue; he's so good at talking.

"Overthrow you? Who in this world can overthrow you?"

"You flatter me too much."

He lowered his eyes and sighed softly, "By then, I'll probably be in my seventies or eighties... and the grass on my grave will probably be very tall."

The moment a person gives up on their ideals, they feel that they have grown old.

Mingchen paused, then said, "Brother, don't you want to see my child? You didn't attend my wedding, and you won't even see your nephew?"

Wang Huai glanced at the scabbard to the side and laughed loudly, "Don't worry, I'm not that fragile. I haven't thought about dying yet!"

"I'm going to Jiqu to see if you've been lying to me."

"I'm waiting to see if you can realize my dream!"

"I still have children, and I still have wives and concubines..."

He knew what Mingchen meant by those words.

Even if he were to give up on life, he wouldn't give up on his life so easily.

He lost a lot.

But he was resilient enough.

He survived so many things, carrying the hopes of so many people.

How can I give up on myself so easily now?
"Good! Good! Good!"

As long as Wang Huai doesn't want to die, Mingchen has countless ways to save him.

Mingchen smiled unconsciously and poured Wang Huai a full glass of wine: "Come on, drink!"

The wine tasted slightly bitter as it went down his throat. Wang Huai looked down at Ming Chen with a kind gaze.

The two of them are actually quite far apart in age, almost twenty years apart.

Wang Huai didn't know whether to treat Mingchen as a younger brother or as a child.

They urged him to get married and have children... but he never did that to Wang Liu.

This was the first time he had seen Mingchen show a genuine smile since their reunion.

He knew that although Mingchen hadn't urged him or explained things outright, he was waiting for him to make this decision, the decision that Mingchen believed was the right one.

She had previously said resolutely that she would become his opponent, but she still didn't want to become his enemy, so she secretly followed him to Yueyang City to lend him a hand.

Ultimately, they still care about each other.

Our positions may differ, but our feelings will not change.

(End of this chapter)