Chapter 936: Chapter 51: Aftermath and Rewards—Imperial Decree Arrives! (Part 1)
"I have important things to tell you."
In the distant Prefecture City, Zhao Xing looked at the sky as if seeing the scene there.
He didn’t want Long Xiao to become like his previous self; today he cruelly tortured Ji Chen to death, releasing his hatred.
But Long Xiao’s Sword Heart would also be affected.
Entering the Dao of the third rank with hatred, if he followed Ji Chen’s deceit and indulged in cruelty, it wouldn’t be beneficial for Long Xiao’s future Dao.
"Long Xiao!" Zhao Xing realized Long Xiao wasn’t moving and became somewhat anxious, shouting sternly: "Kill him quickly!"
"Ahhh!!"
Long Xiao finally listened, his thousand swords reappeared, instantly dismembering Ji Chen’s physical body along with his Life Soul.
When Ji Chen dissipated, the crimson in Long Xiao’s eyes faded, leaving two rows of clear tears.
"Woo~ Marquis..."
Hearing Long Xiao’s sobs, Zhao Xing on the other end also breathed a sigh of relief.
He quietly waited.
minutes later, Long Xiao’s hoarse voice came: "Zhao Xing, I’ve finished crying, where should I go now."
"Anping Prefecture, along the eastern tributary of Canglan River, hunt down the remnants of the enemies."
Now only along the banks of the Canglan River are enough worthy enemies remaining.
Most inside the interior are small fry and shrimp, not enough to divide up.
Chen Shijie was already in the bureaucracy, Zhao Xing instructed him to quickly gain governance merit.
Long Xiao, being a military officer, was to gain combat achievements.
"Alright, I’ll go immediately."
Zhao Xing cautioned, "I don’t have any talismans left, remember, you can kill, but don’t use cruel methods to torture the enemies; it’s bad for your Dao."
"When you can’t hold back anymore, you should go to the divine temple to dispel your murderous aura, or else you’ll easily become Firewalking Demonic."
"Okay, I understand now."
Long Xiao’s voice gradually steadied.
"Keep in touch."
The talisman paper burned to ashes, and Zhao Xing’s voice also disappeared.
Long Xiao gathered Ji Chen’s scattered belongings and swiftly vanished from Yunbei Lake.
...
Datong Prefecture, desolate swamp, 3000 meters underground.
Here lies a vast underground city.
One of its planting areas in the seventh underground city.
Xia Jing ran to a scarecrow in the planting area, excitedly saying, "Zhao Xing Zhao Xing, Prince Liang is dead!"
"Hmm, I know." The scarecrow nodded while continuing to till the soil.
"I’m saying Prince Liang is dead!" Xia Jing became anxious. "Aren’t we going to do something?"
"Aren’t we doing it right now?" Zhao Xing turned around.
"Are we not doing anything else?" Xia Jing asked. "Many enemy remnants are fleeing southeast, along the banks of the Canglan River, full of big targets!"
Xia Jing was well-informed, upon hearing about Prince Liang’s defeat, he knew now was the time to strike the fallen foes.
"Brother Xia, I don’t recommend you go."
"Ah? Why not." Xia Jing asked, "Isn’t it a good opportunity?"
"You’re too weak."
"???"
Xia Jing nearly dismantled Zhao Xing’s scarecrow.
"I’m saying relative to the current situation, you’re too weak," Zhao Xing said. "Without the strength of the Third Rank, you can’t compete for any share."
"Troops stationed in Pinghai State, how many strongmen were dispatched? There’s no room for you to claim any heads."
"Even for the Third Rank, it’s hardly enough to look at, might run around busy only to find it was all useless."
After realizing this, Xia Jing couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly, "You didn’t need to be so blunt."
"If I’m not blunt, I’m afraid you won’t hold back."
"Brother, you’re now in the Fourth Grade Primordial Soul Realm, if at the last moment you face some fleeing first and second-graders, wouldn’t it be a waste?"
"Both the refuge plan and the underground city plan are enough to fill your stomach."
Xia Jing nodded, "Actually, it’s not like I couldn’t resist, but now I’m not alone."
From the 35th year of the Jingxin Calendar until now, Xia Jing and Zhao Xing had expanded their operations to a considerable scale.
The resources mobilized exceeded 3 trillion!
Most of these resources were squeezed from the aristocratic families.
They’re not giving money for free, of course, expecting returns!
Even if short-term returns aren’t feasible, Xia Jing has to rise; once he rises, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain favors in the future.
"Be patient." Zhao Xing topped off the last handful of soil, completing the planting of the seedlings before his eyes. "Great Zhou has plenty of generals who can fight, but few who can fight and govern."
"When everything passes, and those above turn their gaze downwards, you can stand out."
Xia Jing pondered, "Do you think there’ll be no more wars in the future, should I become a civil official?"
Zhao Xing shook his head; Emperor Jing wouldn’t launch a second Ping Man war.
In the subsequent dual-rule period, Great Zhou’s policy turned to defense.
The army, military expenditures would be greatly reduced, making it hard for military officers to rise.
Moreover, he would continuously search for reasons to cut power, collect authority, accumulate national strength, leaving an inheritance for his son.
"Though it appears brutal outside, as if those generals are scavenging heads, few truly stand out."
"Not to mention high-grade slots, even middle-grade promotion slots are scarce."
"At its root, it’s a rebellion, a civil war."
"Not an illustrious event, not worth extensive promotion."
Zhao Xing whispered, "Brother Xia, at this moment I not only don’t recommend you seeking merit, but rather suggest Uncle proactively plead guilty, return military power, follow arrangements, and reduce tax collection rights on your feudal land."
"Furthermore, concerning the refuge plan, before the Spring Festival, I’ll transfer all control to the government."
"When others fear my greed, I fear their greed."
"Now, it’s time to be fearful."
Xia Jing’s expression turned uncertain, "My uncle seemed to say this too, but not as heavily as you, while my father’s view is the opposite, why is that."
Zhao Xing replied, "Because Uncle believes the Southern Barbarian war will continue, further employing military generals, but I consider it unlikely."