Chapter 246 - Behind the Scenes
Chapter 246: Behind the Scenes
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the capital of Great Chu…
Su Wen laid on the bed with a weak expression.
He was very familiar with pretending to be bedridden.
At this moment, Xiang Ding stood in front of the bed. The two of them exchanged looks.
Su Wen said in a low voice, “Fourth Great Grandfather, I’m injured, so it’s not convenient for me to get up.”
Xiang Ding shook his head. He could naturally tell that Su Wen’s internal organs had been severely injured.
This was a very common injury.
“Where’s Xiang Feng?” Xiang Ding asked.
Although he had a guess in his heart, he was unwilling to give up without getting an answer.
After all, Xiang Feng was also the strongest among the Xiang family’s younger generation.
Tears appeared in Su Wen’s eyes as he muttered, “I’m sorry, Fourth Great Grandfather. I… I didn’t hold back. At that time, I already tried my best to persuade him. I said that we were all members of the Xiang family, so why kill each other? But he insisted on killing Feiyan! He even said that after killing Feiyan, he would reward me with 300 peerless beauties. However, you know me. I treat Feiyan as my life, so how could I see her die? In a battle with Brother Xiang, my cultivation is inferior, so I could only resort to using all my strength. In the end, I wasn’t careful, and directly killed Brother Feng!”
At this point, Su Wen’s face was already covered in tears.
“I regret it!”
“I hate it!”
“Why wasn’t I stronger? Why couldn’t I hold back?”
“No matter what, he’s my brother-in-law. We’re family, yet I killed him. How could I bear to do so!”
Su Wen cried out in a heart wrenching scream.
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Even Xiang Ding couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
Compared to Xiang Feiyan’s ruthlessness, Su Wen seemed to be more reliable.
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He forced a smile and said, “It’s fine. This isn’t your fault. You’re a good child. Don’t blame yourself too much!”
At this point, Su Wen grabbed Xiang Ding’s hand with a blank expression. “Fourth great-grandfather, did something happen in the capital? Why didn’t any Heaven Rank experts come to help? Otherwise, Xiang Feng wouldn’t have died.”
At the mention of this matter…
It was as if someone had taken a knife and plunged it into Xiang Ding. How could he not feel any pain?
The smile on his face froze even more, and he had to force an explanation. “They were both busy at the time, and it was my fault for not arranging for the staff properly…”
Su Wen sighed and said, “It’s a pity that I couldn’t persuade Feiyan. She insisted that you wanted to support Xiang Ding to ascend the throne, so I could only listen to her… Poor Xiang Family’s bloodline. They were almost wiped out! You were all born from the same roots, so why are you so anxious to destroy each other!”
Upon mentioning this, Xiang Ding’s heart bled.
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“You came from the same roots, so why are you in such a hurry to destroy each other… Well said!” Xiang Ding shook his head and said, “This matter has already passed, so don’t be too sad. Feiyan is a woman after all, and it’s inevitable that she will be extreme at times. In the future, you have to persuade her more. After this matter, I’m afraid she won’t listen to me anymore.”
Compared to Xiang Feiyan’s sarcastic words, Su Wen was much better.
But how would Xiang Ding know that this little fox in front of him was purely acting with him!
After chatting with Su Changqing, Su Wen understood that Xiang Feiyan could ignore Xiang Ding, but he could not.
If he were to make a move that would cause wariness in Xiang Ding, the latter might decide to make a move on him.
Therefore, at this moment, it was better to coax this person and deceive him.
The brain was a good thing. Sometimes, it would do better than one’s fists in certain scenarios.
Since ancient times, true feelings could not be retained. Only tricks could win the hearts of people.
At this moment, Xiang Ding also felt uncomfortable in his heart.
Initially, he was really unhappy that Su Wen killed Xiang Feng.
But seeing Su Wen’s attitude, what else could he do?
He naturally knew that Xiang Feng would definitely not hold back against Su Wen.
In this life and death situation, how could Su Wen, whose cultivation was already one grade lower, hold back?
It was not easy to win by a narrow margin.
At this moment, the door was pushed open.
Wu Muyu walked in.
“Brother Su, are you better?” Wu Muyu asked with concern.
Although she had already entered the residence, she still preferred to call him Brother Su Wen.
She did not wait for Su Wen’s reply and continued, “Brother Su, if you’re not feeling well, I’ll use the prosperity jade scepter that the Minister of Rites brought to knock your back.”
Su Wen waved his hand and said with difficulty, “There’s no need. I’m suffering from internal injuries, so it’s not appropriate for me to get any sort of vibrations.”
“Then should I use the pear that the Vice Minister from the Ministry of Justice gave you to make some sweetened water? Although this gift is a little light, it’s still a token of my appreciation,” Wu Muyu said gently.
Su Wen shook his head. “I don’t want to drink something too sweet.”
Wu Muyu said considerately, “Why don’t they use the ice jade given by the Head of the Ministry of Appointments to cool your body? These adults are really too much. They just need to come and visit you. Why must they give you gifts? It’s taking up too much space in our house.”
As she spoke, she looked at her fourth great grandfather and smiled. “You don’t look like an ordinary person at first glance. You seem to have transcended worldly etiquette.”
Su Wen scolded weakly, “Muyu, don’t be rude. This is the ancestor of the royal family.”
Wu Muyu hurriedly bowed as she exclaimed, “Aiyaya, Muyu was blind. She didn’t bow in time and didn’t understand etiquette. Ancestor, please don’t blame me. It’s mainly because you’re too young.”
Xiang Ding shook his head and smiled bitterly as he took out a bottle of elixir from his spirit artifact. He spoke out, “This is the Prairie Fire Pill, a Heaven Rank fire attribute elixir. It will be very beneficial to Su Wen after eating it.”
He was very clear of the meaning between the lines from what Wu Muyu spoke just now.
How thick-skinned must he be to remain indifferent?
Su Wen could definitely do it, but not Xiang Ding.
How could he visit a patient empty-handed?
Wu Muyu hurried forward and accepted the pills!
But then… her hand slipped!
Crack!
The jade bottle shattered, and three pills rolled on the floor.
Wu Muyu hurriedly picked it up from the ground, looking like she was about to cry.
“Ancestor, look, this medicinal pill is already dirty… What should we do? How can we let Brother Su eat it… Brother Su is the King of Great Chu. If we pick up something from the ground and eat it, wouldn’t we lose all the face of the royal family…”
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Xiang Ding’s jaw dropped.
This… if the pill fell to the ground… it would be impossible to say that it could not be eaten.
This was a Heaven Rank medicinal pill. Not to mention falling to the ground, even if it fell into a pile of feces, there would still be people who could pick it up and eat it.
But the problem was, with his status, could he say that there was nothing wrong with doing so?
Her words about losing face had basically cornered him.
One’s rank and identity was sometimes the most troublesome thing.
Xiang Ding was helpless… He could only take out another jade bottle from the spirit artifact and said, “I’ll give you another Snow Lotus Qi Nourishing Pill! Take it well this time.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Muyu won’t slip again.”
Wu Muyu said obediently.
As expected, her hand did not slip again this time. She took the pill and placed it into the spirit artifact before walking to Su Wen’s sickbed and wiping his forehead.
When Xiang Ding saw this scene, he turned around and bade farewell.
After Xiang Ding left, a smile appeared on Wu Muyu’s face. She took out the pills and placed it in front of Su Wen’s couch.
“Brother Su, is Muyu good?”
She was like a little kid asking to be praised.
Su Wen gently stroked her hair and smiled. “Good girl, my Muyu is the best.”
Getting a few Heaven Rank medicinal pills for nothing in return was naturally a great merit.
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However, since he had to put on a show, he might as well do it to the utmost.
Su Wen started to recuperate at home.
Meanwhile, the Great Chu Royal Court was not calm.
Although Su Changqing was young, with his identity as Su Wen’s father and his smooth personality, he quickly roped in some people in the royal court.
Furthermore, now that he was in the Ministry of Appointments, he was gradually making use of the convenience to cultivate his relationships.
In Su Changqing’s residence…
The man in black stood in front of Su Changqing.
“How is it?”
“The trade routes have already been reestablished on the shores of Ji Luo Country. The Prime Minister’s arrangements overseas have been effective over the past few years and will soon be on the right track again. It’s just a pity about the businesses and caravans in the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
Su Changqing waved his hand and said with a smile, “I can bear to part with him, how can I not even if I can’t bear to do so? Although we’ve lost a lot of people now, the trade route is completely in our hands. Even if Emperor Zhou sends people to follow the route, those people overseas will not acknowledge him! My Su family is the golden brand!”
The man in black smiled. “That goes without saying.”
“Has the intelligence network begun their setting up?”
“It has already begun. The people we nurtured overseas have already begun to enter the Chu Country. I believe the arrangements will be completed soon. However, it will still take time to gather effective information.”
Su Changqing nodded.
“Prime Minister, do you want to ‘decorate’ the city a little?”
Su Changqing waved his hand and said with a smile, “Forget it. Since we’ve promised Gongsun Shi, then don’t use such methods anymore.”
Su Changqing looked at the black-clothed person and said softly, “You’ve followed me for 20 years, right?”
“Yes!”
“How is it? In a few days, you should go become an official in the royal court. You can’t keep doing this.”
The man in black shook his head and said, “You saved my life, Prime Minister. Back then, you also saved the lives of my entire family. I’ve already said that this life is yours, Prime Minister.”
“Why bother?” Su Changqing smiled and said, “It’s been so many years, and it’s about time to enjoy it. You know that I never go back on my word.”
At the end, Su Changqing’s tone was sharp.
The man in black trembled.
He said in a low voice, “I understand.”
“You may leave.” Su Changqing waved his hand.
Soon, the man in black left.
Su Changqing rubbed a pair of jade orbs in his hand and shook his head with a smile. He muttered to himself in his heart, ‘A person can’t stay in the same position for too long. If he stays in the same position for too long, he will have thoughts in his heart. If he changes his position and has a goal, it will be easier to control him.’
Having walked up step by step, how could Su Changqing not know the hearts of people?
In this world, some people did it for power, while others did it for money.
In the end, no one could escape from fame and fortune.
Being in the same position for too long would inevitably wear down one’s fighting spirit and cause them to breed some ideas.
Turning from darkness to light was what everyone hoped for.
Was Hei San really reluctant to leave this position or was he just being polite? As long as he tasted the power and luxurious life of a privileged person, he would be even more grateful to Su Changqing.
“Little Nine!” Su Changqing then called out softly.
A very young man appeared from the shadows.
They were both at the 9th Grade of Earth Rank, but Little Nine was much younger.
“From tomorrow onwards, you will take over all the matters in Hei San’s hands.”
“Yes!”
“Do your best… Don’t disappoint me. Try to be like Hei San as soon as possible. When you enter the court, it won’t be a problem for you to become a general or a noble.”
“Little Nine will not disappoint Prime Minister!”
Looking at the Little Nine with eyes full of excitement…
Su Changqing was very satisfied.
Young people were naturally more driven.
Su Changqing knew very well that everyone had their own ambitions.
After becoming a county magistrate, one would wish to become a county governor. After becoming a county governor, they would want to become a prefecture governor.
After becoming a prefectural governor, they would then aim for nobility.
It was the same even under him. His subordinates all hoped to gradually grasp more power.
If a person stayed in the same position for too long, they would block the people below.
This was not a good thing.
Only by giving them a chance to break through the existing hierarchy could they continue to feel loyal to the organization.
For example, Su Changqing himself.
Why would he betray the Great Zhou?
There was the solidification of the hierarchy and the inflation of power.
There was no way for him to ascend up the ranks any longer. In fact, he was facing the possibility that he would have to hand over his power once Su Wen broke through to the Heaven Rank.
He was still very young. He was unwilling!
Although Old Su said that it was hard on him, even though he had instead gone to play for half a year, throwing away all his responsbilities…
He ultimately could not do without authority.
Being unable to break through the current hierarchy was his biggest conflict with Emperor Zhou.
Or rather, it was not a conflict.
However, when Su Wen placed a chance to break through in front of him, his choice was clear.
They parted ways!
His subordinates were the same. They needed the stimulation of fame and fortune. Saints? Being deathly loyal? There were too few of them. Even if they were loyal, they needed sufficient benefits.
Time slowly passed.
Su Wen’s’ injuries’ had recovered.
In the royal palace, Su Wen, Xiang Ding, and Xiang Feiyan were gathered together.
Their expressions were a little ugly!
Xiang Ding said in a low voice, “It’s my fault! I didn’t expect them to be so decisive. When the Heaven Rank experts arrived, the core of the Mu family had already escaped. They lost all their branches and properties, and the two Heaven Rank experts fled with their direct descendants. Later on, Heaven Rank experts searched everywhere, and it was said that they headed for Yan Country!”
This news was not good for the three of them!
Although the three of them had their own thoughts, no one wanted to see more Heaven Rank cultivators in the Yan Country.
Xiang Feiyan looked at Xiang Ding and said in a deep voice, “Fourth Great-Grandfather, this matter is naturally your problem. I asked you to go to the Hu Prefecture to quell the rebellion, but you actually believed their nonsense. Now that the members of the Mu family have escaped, once they join the Yan Country’s Royal Court, they will be a huge threat to our Chu Country!”
Xiang Ding’s expression turned even uglier. One had to know that even the previous Emperor Chu didn’t dare to speak to him like this.
But Xiang Feiyan did not give him a way out.
Fortunately, Su Wen stood up and berated, “Feiyan! How can you speak to Fourth Great-Grandfather like this? Now that Great Chu is under his protection, you can’t be so rude just because of this matter!”
These words made Xiang Ding feel much better.
Su Wen said in a deep voice, “Fourth Great Grandfather, this matter has already come to this. Although the country has suffered losses, the fault is not yours. Don’t blame yourself.”
Although it was said to be comforting, Xiang Ding knew that this matter was his problem.
However, humans were like this. Sometimes, even though they knew that they were in the wrong, they were still unwilling to listen to other people curse at them.
He looked at Xiang Feiyan and said coldly, “I still have something on. I’ll take my leave first.”
With that said, he turned around and left.
After he left for a long time, Xiang Feiyan snorted. “Old thing, if I don’t provoke him a little, he really thinks that I can’t do anything to him. Now that I’m the only one in the Xiang family, even if I were to criticize him, he would have to endure it!”
She was truly fearless now.
Su Wen smiled.
The two of them had discussed this beforehand.
The goal was very simple. It was to make Xiang Ding suffer.
Many people would not understand this. Why would they need to make Xiang Ding feel uncomfortable?
As a leader, one had a very important rule.
That was the award for meritorious deeds, and punishment for those who did wrong!
Xiang Ding was indeed the highest combat power in Great Chu, and it could even be said that his status surpassed the emperor’s.
But from another perspective, Xiang Ding was Xiang Feiyan’s subordinate.
After all, what happened last time was a huge mistake.
Xiang Feiyan naturally had to think of a way to make Xiang Ding uncomfortable!
Was the stimulation of words powerless?
The higher one’s status, the more useful it would be!
When one was used to being in a high position, he would feel uncomfortable the moment he got criticized.
Even if he put on an act, he would complain in his heart.
Would he learn his lesson the next time? To put it bluntly, there were very few people who were truly shameless.
How could a hundred-year-old person feel good being reprimanded by a junior?
Even the emperor couldn’t suppress the hearts of Heaven Rank experts. However, Su Wen’s timely advice and reprimand rendered him unable to vent his anger. He could only hold his breath and leave.
As she spoke, Xiang Feiyan leaned against Su Wen and said in a low voice, “You’re still the most considerate. Help me think of a way to vent my anger.”
Xiang Feiyan naturally could not think of such a method.
Su Wen smiled and said, “We have to let him know how powerful you are. Otherwise, he might really think that only the sky’s the limit.”
Actually, Su Wen still had another thought in mind, and that was to play the good cop bad cop logic.
This would naturally allow Xiang Ding to have a better impression of him.
This would help Xiang Ding to reduce his guard against him.
Xiang Feiyan took out a memorial and said with a smile, “Look, Sister Luoying has won another battle! Now, she and General Yan Ze are leading their armies separately and are advancing side by side. They have already defeated Ji Luo Country.”
Su Wen received the report and could not help but sigh. Yan Luoying’s radiance had already begun to blossom.
Ever since the last surprise attack succeeded, she immediately turned around, but she did not attack Peng City again. Instead, she led her troops to attack a city closer to Peng City.
When the guard general in the city learned that Peng City had been breached, he sent his troops to provide reinforcements.
His empty city plan was seen through by Yan Luoying!
Yan Ze was the same. The two of them predicted that the cities around Peng City would go to rescue them. Thus, they did not attack Peng City and instead counterattacked the other cities.
Several cities in a row fell to them!
During this process, Yan Luoying relied on the power of her Breaking Ranks formation to break through the Ji Luo troops who had come to provide reinforcements.
In an instant, Yan Luoying’s reputation soared.
It had to be said that Emperor Zhou’s judgment was accurate.
He had seen through Yan Luoying’s military talent then, and indeed, it was currently blossoming.
He had seen through Su Wen’s martial talent, and indeed, Su Wen had achieved Heaven Rank.
Su Wen couldn’t help but sigh. Old Zhao was amazing!
If he went to instead those career counsellors or even a fortune teller, he would immediately become famous…
And in Great Chu City, the commoners were discussing these matters.
To put it bluntly, who wouldn’t be happy after winning a war?
Who didn’t know that only when the country was strong could they live in peace?
“Have you heard? The Nanli King Consort won another war!”
“She’s really impressive. She’s beating Ji Luo Country into a constant retreat.”
“That’s right. Ever since the previous Emperor got old, how many years has it been since our Great Chu won such a big battle?”
These words were not wrong. When Xiang Feifan was still alive, he had indeed made outstanding contributions when he was young. However, after he grew old and a few famous generals passed away, it had been a long time since the Chu Country had achieved such a great victory in the military.
“That’s great! I heard that Consort Nanli is very young as well. Our Great Chu will have no worries for the next few decades!”
“That’s right. If we continue fighting like this, Ji Luo might become our Great Chu soon.”
“Unfortunately, King Nanli and the Consort are both Zhou people!”
“F*ck you, what did you say? They’re from our Great Chu now. This kid is trying to sow discord! Beat him up!”
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“Beat him up!”
“I’ll kick you to death, you b*st*rd!”