Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 350

Xiao He is suitable as the second leader; his abilities are definitely not a problem. However, there is still Lü Qing, but Lü Qing is a bit old, and his internal energy level is relatively shallow. He will face a situation of exhaustion after a few years. At that time, Xiao He, having served as the deputy for a few years, can easily take over the position.

Fu Nian was of the same generation as Xiao He, so normally it would be unlikely that he would succeed Xiao He.

It's a bit of a pity, but it's also a happy kind of trouble. In the next generation, there will be young talents like Lu Shan, Lu Yu, and even Han Xin vying for the position of prime minister. Lu Wei won't worry about the empire having no one to rely on within three generations.

"The ceremony for the enthronement was designed by you Confucian scholars Kong Fu and Shusun Tong. Although it was quite arduous for you to travel from Linzi to Xianyang, you should still keep a close eye on this matter."

In this era teeming with talent, everyone has to fight for their own position. Even as the emperor, Lu Wei doesn't need to worry about them. Therefore, his feelings of regret were fleeting, and he immediately ordered Fu Nian to get things done.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, there will be absolutely no problems with the ceremony!"

Chapter 452 The Will of Tianming

Not long ago, Gai Nie welcomed his junior brother Wei Zhuang outside Xianyang City, and now he was waiting here again.

When Xiang Yu and Tianming saw him at the city gate, the former thought, 'So our whereabouts have been known all along,' while the latter gripped Yuanhong tightly in his hand.

"Tianming, do you have something to say to me?"

The Sword Saint carried no weapon, nor was he dressed in the rugged attire of his former wandering knight. He spoke first in a calm and collected manner, and Xiang Yu, upon hearing this, took the initiative to enter the city first, without disturbing the reunion of the two.

“Yes, Uncle!” Tianming dismounted, raised his hand to hold the sword sheath and held Yuanhong horizontally in front of him, his whole demeanor more solemn than ever before: “I have a question I would like to ask you again.”

"Alright, let's go outside the city."

After saying this, Gai Nie walked ahead alone, with Tianming leading the horse behind him. The two walked for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and the tall Xianyang city wall could still be seen behind them.

Tianming remained silent the entire way, with only the heavy sound of horses' hooves.

"That's enough, Tianming." Gai Nie stopped, turned around, and looked intently at the now-grown Tianming: "What do you want to know?"

"Uncle, the question I want to ask is..." Although they had been separated for a long time, the last time he met the uncle was before Fusu went to Sanghai. So many things had happened since then that they could change the fate of everyone in the world, but now, standing in front of the uncle, it seemed as if nothing had happened.

Tianming's happiest days were still spent living in Xiaoshengxianzhuang, and his most unforgettable memory was the time when the uncle led him to escape from Guanzhong.

"You once taught me: 'A hero is someone with power who helps the weak. In this chaotic world, many people have the spirit of heroism in their hearts, but the meaning of this word is different for each person.'"

"Why do you wield the sword, old man? You leave that question for me to find the answer myself... So, old man, has your answer never changed?"

Tianming recounted his memories from many years ago word for word, his gaze growing more resolute with each utterance.

“Yes.” Gai Nie looked at Tianming, who was at eye level with him. The question was not related to Jing Ke, but he could clearly see the shadow of his only friend in him.

The Sword Saint nodded and said, "Since I graduated from Ghost Valley, this has never changed."

This answer did not surprise Tianming; no one knew the uncle's character better than him.

Although the question was posed to Gai Nie, the answer came from Tianming's own heart, showing no discrepancy between reality and his inner thoughts.

"Uncle, now I have a reason to wield this sword!" Tianming looked down at Yuanhong in his hand: "I will shoulder the mission of this sword."

Tianming's determination made Gai Nie understand the child's choice. He said earnestly, "The world of martial arts is a long and endless road. You will witness all the joys and sorrows between people, and these will become part of your chivalrous path. In the end, you need to find your own place."

"Destination?"

"Every wandering swordsman, and indeed every individual, will eventually reach a destination. There is no good or bad in it, but the most important thing is: to have no regrets once you've drawn your sword!"

...

"Mr. Gai didn't bring a sword; I hope Tianming won't do anything foolish."

Xiang Yu had intended to lead his horse for a leisurely stroll through the city, but he harbored some apprehension about the meeting between Tianming and Gai Nie.

But he had only been in the city a short while when a clear, bright voice suddenly called out to him.

Turning around, I saw Gao Yue, my companion whom I had parted ways with at Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

The graceful young woman sat with Xiang Yu at a roadside tavern stall. From there, they could observe the city gate, so if they passed by at dawn, they would certainly not miss it.

However, just as he sat down, Xiang Yu vaguely sensed that something was wrong with the people in this small tavern. These people were clearly experts from the Farmer's School!

That's right. Such an important place would naturally be valued by His Highness Prince Qi. How could it really just be an ordinary restaurant?

As for their poor disguise, Xiang Yu thought about it and then laughed at himself: This is Xianyang, the place where the King of Qi was before the new capital was established. These farmers only need to hold their positions. As for the problem of being exposed... does anyone dare to come here to investigate them?

Settling down comfortably, Xiang Yu didn't ask Gao Yue why she was in Xianyang and could use the tavern run by the Farmer's School disciples. Gao Yue's mother was the leader of the Mohist School, and the Mohists entered Daze Mountain in the later period of the Sanghai era, becoming allies of the Farmer's School. It was probably this relationship that made Gao Yue's identity special.

"Tianming and Mr. Gai's conversation may take a while, so let's wait for him here!"

Gao Yue hadn't appeared outside the city, but she knew about Gai Nie and Tianming's affair without him having to explain, which was beyond Xiang Yu's expectations, but he still didn't ask any further questions.

Having lost his clansmen and only having his uncle Xiang Bo left, with whom he has yet to reunite, Xiang Yu's personality has become much more stable.

He smiled and agreed. While waiting, he selected a few representative events from his and Tianming's experiences on the battlefield and told them as if they were stories.

While listening, Gao Yue concealed the fact that she had seen the two of them in Licheng: it was enough that all three of them were safe, and she carefully hid those complicated relationships.

The two waited for about an hour before seeing the distracted Tianming enter the city gate alone. Xiang Yu smiled, shrugged, and remained still, while Gao Yue excitedly and quietly circled around behind him, calling out to her companion in the same way she had called Xiang Yu earlier.

"Moon!" After talking with the uncle and receiving a few sword techniques instruction from him, Tianming was pondering the direction of his swordsmanship when, slightly startled, he saw the warm, sun-like smile of the young girl...

From the city of government offices to Xiaoshengxianzhuang, and then to Xianyang, the three children in the chaotic world not only survived but were also able to reunite. This was a particularly pleasant surprise for Tianming, who had been lonely since childhood.

The three children ate and chatted together at a small tavern near the city gate. With no enemies threatening them, they laughed heartily without any worries.

But at the very end, Tianming's words surprised both Gao Yue and Xiang Yu:

"Moon, Shaoyu, I'm going to venture into the martial world!"

His resolute tone indicated that this was a choice he had carefully considered...

------

"Your Highness, Prince Qi."

Wearing traditional Shu Mountain attire, Xiao Yu's long black hair cascaded down her back. As she bowed to Lu Wei, the heavy silver ornaments hanging from her head swayed gently with her movements, yet they did not make a commotion due to collisions.

Today, Xiao Yu did not use the special paint from Mount Shu to darken her skin, but still followed the proper customs by using more colorful paints to draw patterns belonging to the Shu people on her body. Her very bold clothing, combined with these patterns, created a unique exotic landscape that was different from that of the Central Plains.

His gaze moved upwards, taking in the exposed, smooth thighs, slender waist, flat abdomen, and jade-like neck.

The aggressive gaze made the girl's cheeks flush red. Her eyes shyly glanced at the patterns on the palace floor tiles, and she said in a soft, mosquito-like voice, "According to the traditions of Shu, one must wear Shu Mountain attire when paying respects to the most esteemed person. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"It's alright." Lu Wei smiled as he stepped down from the platform, his tone gentle: "Shushan is my most important ally in Shu, how could I not understand your traditions?"

"The future stability of Shu will require the assistance of Shu Mountain in governing the empire; both sides should strive to strengthen their ties."

The approaching footsteps and the explicit words made Xiao Yu even more shy, yet secretly delighted, and she took the initiative to respond:

"Yes, the Shu Mountain Witch Dance is one of the rituals we perform to entertain distinguished guests. Please allow me, Xiao Yu, to perform for Your Majesty..."

Chapter 453 The Wall

Her clothes were half-undone, revealing her shy beauty, like a lotus flower, timid in the pale autumn, her skin heavy with moisture, like rouge seeping through.

Lu Wei actually had some knowledge of dance, and his level was roughly similar to his chess skills. This was mainly because women such as the Snow Maiden and the Moon Goddess had shown him the beauty of dance in depth.

When he was young in Shouchun, he also appreciated the shamanistic dances of the Ba and Shu people with Chu Nan Gong.

Although Xiao Yu was alone, she had excellent flexibility and a very prominent upper and lower body proportion, which gave her witch dance a particularly exaggerated feel.

I remember when I spoke with the Moon Goddess, she said that the witch dances of Mount Shu were to please the gods, and now, Lu Wei is the only god in this world.

Watching the girl's dance moves, he became increasingly interested. He stepped forward and, as Xiao Yu bent her leg to the side and raised her left foot above her head, he approached her from behind and easily grabbed her raised ankle.

The shaman's dance was interrupted, and Xiao Yu cried out in surprise. As she fell backward, she landed right in the arms of Prince Qi, who was making unwanted advances, and was supported by his strong chest.

She felt a large, restless hand groping around her waist, while another hand removed the embroidered shoe she had raised and tossed it aside...

Even though she was somewhat prepared, Xiao Yu, still shaken, instinctively stammered, "Your Highness Prince Qi... please have some self-respect..."

Her small feet, clad in white socks, were taut and straight.

The clinking and clattering of silver ornaments was quite similar to the emotions in a young girl's heart.

Such remarks piqued Lu Wei's interest, and he chuckled softly. He then lowered his head and pressed his face against Xiao Yu's flushed cheek, inhaling the scent of Shu Mountain, and said wantonly, "Shu Mountain is a loyal subject of the Great Qi. How about I take you into the palace?"

At the same time, he flicked his right fingertip, drawing circles on the girl's lower abdomen...

Shao Yu arrived at the palace full of worries and requested an audience with His Highness Prince Qi. He was summoned shortly afterward.

He had just parted ways with his friends Tianming and Gao Yue.

Tianming was determined to go out and make his way in the world. The two who understood his ideals couldn't stop him, so they could only offer him their blessings and say goodbye after embracing each other.

However, Tianming also said that it would take him three to five years, or even ten years, to establish his reputation as a chivalrous hero in the martial arts world before he returned to Guanzhong to reunite with his two companions.

This is not a matter of life and death, but just a brief pause. The three young men and women are still very young.

The quality of top martial arts masters in the martial arts world has declined significantly since the change of dynasties. The reason is simple: most of the real masters have joined the Qi State court.

However, such a world of martial arts may not necessarily be safer. Before the foundation of Qi's rule is established, a world of martial arts without the constraints of the various schools of thought will only become more chaotic and dangerous.

Tianming believed this was the perfect opportunity for him to make a difference, so as soon as Mingming finally arrived in Xianyang, he immediately turned around and left the city.

When they parted at the city gate, Gai Nie watched from a distance.

Gao Yue thought this was a reunion with her friend, but the reunion lasted less than half a day...

Seeing that dawn had broken and Xiang Yu was unwilling to rest and waste time, he immediately went to the palace, which led to the matter of paying his respects.

In the palace hall, he swept away his superfluous emotions, bowed his head and walked in, kneeling before the high platform through a light-colored curtain: "This humble general, Xiang Yu, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

As a general who made significant contributions in the battle against the Qin Great Wall Army in the northern army, Xiang Yu came here not only for himself, but also as a representative to report on the results of the northern battle.

Although the general battle situation had been relayed to Xianyang by A Yu's intelligence agency, the details and the situation in the north after the capture of the Great Wall Legion required a more detailed description.

"Well, tell me."

The sound came from the side, and Xiang Yu then realized that there was no one on the high platform: His Highness the King of Qi had profound inner energy, and his inner energy permeated the entire hall. Therefore, the ministers who were locked on could not guess the location of the King of Qi by feeling alone after entering the hall. They could only feel the King of Qi's gaze everywhere.

The platform, which was renovated after Hu Hai ascended the throne, was too high and had a semi-transparent obstruction. Unless you looked up and stared directly at the throne when you entered, it was really difficult to see out of the corner of your eye whether there was anyone on the throne.

"The last general takes command!"

Slightly surprised, Xiang Yu did not change his position and began to speak in a deep voice.

This King Qi was a chivalrous peasant. I had met him with Tianming and Gaoyue at Xiaoshengxianzhuang when he was in Sanghai. At that time, he was following behind Qin Prime Minister Li Si.

And now, Li Si's entire clan has been wiped out...

Xiang Yu neither knew nor needed to know what the King of Qi was doing. He only knew that demonstrating the unwavering qualities of a general would earn him the King of Qi's high praise.

This is the wisdom my grandfather passed down to me when I was a child: a general only needs to do what a general is supposed to do to be promoted and gain the king's trust.