Chapter 2270: Cicadas' Transient Life

The true person of the world's first calculation power and the true person of the world's first killing power, upon Huang Weizhen's return, will join Yue Guo. From then on, they will support and uphold Yue Guo's national power, fighting for Yue Guo's state and grain altars. The condition is that Ren Qiuli wants to borrow Yue Guo as a chessboard to make a move!

This transaction, Gong Zhiliang only learned of today.

In the entire Yue Guo, since Gao Zheng died, only Wen Jingxiu has controlled the overall situation. Within the country, several core high-level figures, such as Gong Zhiliang, Zhou Sixun, and Bian Liang, only knew a part of it.

Thousands of threads and myriad lines, the burden of the state and altars for a thousand autumns, all tied to the emperor alone.

Facing a critical situation, one cannot but advance. Undertaking great matters, one cannot not keep them secret. However, bearing ten thousand *jun* alone, for Yue Guo, how distant is the road ahead!

In the depths of Wen Jingxiu's eyebrows and eyes, the fatigue was only slightly revealed when he was alone with the prime minister.

Mature and steady, knowing only "following Gao Gui" his entire life, Gong Zhiliang, standing in front of the Son of Heaven, also had a solemn demeanor: "True Persons Lu Shuanhe and Ren Qiuli are naturally world-shocking talents. Entering Yue territory and serving will greatly prosper the national power. But this old minister still has a few points of doubt."

He carefully chose his words: "First, are they truly sincere to Yue Guo? Nan Dou's fall, no news was heard. Du E Peak changed its banner, and they are deeply hidden in Lun Xian Forest. If one day Yue Guo is in peril, can we hear the sword's cry? Second, Qi Sha and Tian Ji, beheading Dou Zhao in the evil land, are targets for Chu Guo's certain kill. If we obtain these two, we will directly face the sharp edge of strong Chu. How should we weigh this harm and benefit? Third, Elder Jiang... alas, a contemporary prodigy, his reputation surpasses all others and he has great merits for the world. All who cultivate the Star Road and obtain the Tai Xu Xuan Chapter increase daily and feel grateful. Even my nephew once wrote a letter mentioning this person, showing both respect and admiration, saying that among his peers, none did not recommend him. If the world knows that this person died in Yue territory, then Yue Guo will become the world's enemy. How can the state and altars have long-lasting peace?"

Speaking to the end, he simply knelt down: "This old minister asks himself, he is only of moderate talent. To receive a 'mediocre' evaluation in this lifetime is also appropriate. Always following the governance ideas of Prime Minister Gao's era, step by step, daring not to have my own ideas, always cautious, only seeking not to err in state affairs. Your Majesty, this old minister's words were not well-spoken, there are places of disrespect or incorrectness, You can choose not to listen. But Your Majesty must reconsider this old minister's worry for the country."

He kowtowed repeatedly, opened his eyes, and turbid tears flowed horizontally: "Prime Minister Gao is not here, and this old minister is also foolish, not knowing where the correct path is. If You see a piece of darkness ahead, with turbulent waves surging, and do not know how to cross the river, why not use this old minister's corpse as a step to test the water depth? Do not lightly throw the state and altars onto the gambling table, or this old minister will die with regrets!"

Wen Jingxiu sighed, walked in front of Gong Zhiliang, squatted down, letting his dragon robe pile on the ground, stained with dust.

He gently held Gong Zhiliang's arm: "Prime Minister, you speak very euphemistically, but I hear it like thunder. From ancient times until now, without upright ministers, the country must perish. Flipping through the history books, the last rulers were without exception mad. The last emperor of Yang Guo forcibly looked at the secret books of aristocratic families yet claimed 'loyal to the country', angrily summoned the coastal armies and said 'for the state and altars'. The Yang Jiande lineage rose from the old Yang remnants, declined generation after generation, they went against the great righteousness of the world, refined demonic arts, thus becoming the last emperor, mourned by no one. I, this Yue Guo emperor, not being a good peaceful ruler, joining hands with the Tian Ji true person to plot against Tai Xu Pavilion members, seems like a desperate patient seeking random medicine, regardless of everything, also quite has the appearance of a last emperor!"

Gong Zhiliang hurriedly looked up: "This minister has no intention to blame the ruler—"

Wen Jingxiu patted him, interrupting his explanation: "Prime Minister's sincere heart, how could I not know? Since raising the butcher's knife, the entire country, from top to bottom, has been silent and voiceless, all following my will. Thus, the rise and fall of the country, the success and failure of matters, are all my responsibility. After Prime Minister Gao left, it is still possible to have someone follow me and say these things, directly point out my mistakes, and fill the gaps for me. I am very grateful!"

Gong Zhiliang had just offered a choice: should he step forward, as the prime minister of Yue Guo, and bear the responsibility of joining hands with Ren Qiuli to set up the scheme and salvage the matter of Jiang Wang?

But the great matters of the world cannot be done halfway and then hastily reversed. The result of being fearful and indecisive is certain loss at both ends. Moreover, on such a big matter, even though Gong Zhiliang is the prime minister, how can he make this decision and bear this responsibility?

Wen Jingxiu simply grabbed Gong Zhiliang's hand and sat on the ground with him: "Prime Minister says he is of ordinary talent, but in the year of the Imperial Forest horse riding, the Qian Tang sword trial, and the South Hall policy discussion, you also completely took first place! You are hiding your light for the country, diligently handling state affairs. How could I not pity you?"

Imperial Forest horse riding, Qian Tang sword trial, and South Hall policy discussion were all extra selection procedures, which Gao Zheng had added as supplementary selections to the official examination, which was controlled by local aristocratic families. This allowed the ruler to bypass the barriers of aristocratic families and personally see talented people.

This old man, whose turbid tears were not stopping, was also high-spirited in that year, riding horses and wearing flowers in Kuaiji City.

Time kills off too much frivolity.

Wen Jingxiu said: "You are not of mediocre appearance, but I ask myself, I am only a ruler who maintains achievements. For many years, I have entirely relied on Prime Minister Gao's guidance to be able to endure the torment on the couch of the dominant Chu. In all matters, I have been cautious, at all times reflecting on myself, only seeking 'not to commit errors'. But Prime Minister, Prime Minister Gao is already gone, and the fangs of strong Chu have already appeared, swallowing Nan Dou day and night! How long can I support this alone? In Yue Guo's current situation, advancing also means death, retreating also means death. Why not advance?"

He shook his head again: "You have also seen my children, not one is capable, either fearing Chu like tigers, or wanting to draw their swords immediately to Ying Du... still not as good as I am. I have held a great position for a hundred years, and until now, I have been vain and without achievements. If the mountains and rivers were stable, being without achievements would also be complete. But with Prime Minister Gao's death, the mountains and rivers are ill, drifting in wind and rain. My state and altars are already hanging in the giant mouth of the dominant Chu. In the current era, we encounter a changing situation never before seen in ten thousand years. It is both danger and opportunity. If I close my eyes and do not see, if I fold my hands and do not move forward, I will only be like a cicada, dying without knowing spring and autumn!"

Gong Zhiliang said: "Your Majesty's torment, this old minister deeply knows, only regretting my shallow talent, unable to share worries for the ruler! Only fortunate that Prime Minister Gao pitied the country, fought desperately for it, and left a legacy plan..."

"Precisely because Prime Minister Gao has a legacy plan!" Wen Jingxiu said resolutely: "I entrusted the world to Prime Minister Gao, with no doubt even in death. If Prime Minister Gao's plan fails, then I will do nothing more than fill the state and altars with my body, and my crown will sink into Qian Tang. If Prime Minister Gao's plan succeeds, the Wutong tree will attract the sky-covering phoenix, sheltering my Yue territory. Then Chu's disaster can be resolved, and Qi Sha and Tian Ji can become Yue's sharp edge. With Jiang Wang's death, Qi Sha will stand to derive the Dao. At that time, one transcendence, one true monarch, one true with the first calculation power... how can we not divide Lun Xian Forest and establish the South Domain? You, as a loyal minister, consider matters one step. I, as the lord of the state and altars, should plan for future generations, for deep and far-reaching national strategy."

Wen Jingxiu was scheming for the matters after Huang Weizhen's return!

This is what Gong Zhiliang did not think of—he had been bitterly pondering how Yue Guo could have a future.

Huang Weizhen, Lu Shuanhe, and Ren Qiuli, all coming to Yue territory. This is truly an extremely beautiful scene. In Yue Guo's current situation, it is impossible to outline such a future. Gong Zhiliang had never even dared to dream such a dream before! It was so beautiful it felt unreal.

He couldn't help but be in a moment of trance.

But everything about this beautiful dream has a huge premise—Huang Weizhen. Huang Weizhen has not yet returned, has not yet expressed his attitude.

Can Yue Guo's current new policies truly welcome the phoenix?

Did Gao Zheng really understand Huang Weizhen?

After returning, will Huang Weizhen still be the Huang Weizhen of that year? Will he still harbor the ideals of that year?

Gong Zhiliang has the highest trust in Gao Zheng and has resolutely stepped onto the gambling board, but walking staggeringly until now, he inevitably experiences gains and losses.

He sighed: "Bo Lu, although strong, I fear he cannot benefit the country."

"Bo Lu" was an extremely famous genius in Yue Guo's history, who suddenly appeared during the reign of Yue Tai Zong. At that time, there was a saying that "heaven sends divine talent to assist the wise ruler," and people once regarded him as an auspicious sign of Yue Guo's great prosperity.

To call a person auspicious is rare throughout history. Without great talent, one must have great fortune.

But Yue Tai Zu once said a sentence to Tai Zong before his death, which is precisely what Gong Zhiliang said at this moment—"Bo Lu, although strong, I fear he cannot benefit the country."

Yue Tai Zong was stronger than Yue Tai Zu in almost all aspects, which is the common view of history. But in recognizing people, he lost a few points. He lost precisely on this person, "Bo Lu."

Yue Tai Zong highly valued Bo Lu, pouring the country's resources into cultivating him, even personally protecting his Dao, expecting him to become a pillar of the state. Bo Lu eventually fled in the starry night for reasons of the Dao, defected to Yan Guo, and even led an army to clash with Yue Guo.

Later, Yue Tai Zong left the country in disguise, personally took action, and killed him in the disaster water.

Now history has surged several times, Yan Guo has already become a thing of the past, and few people know the name of Bo Lu. But the lesson of the previous vehicle is a teacher for the later vehicle. It can still serve as a lesson.

Wen Jingxiu, of course, understood Gong Zhiliang's admonition and said seriously: "Transcendence cannot be measured. What Huang Weizhen will be like after his return, Prime Minister Gao only did human affairs and listened to heaven's will. I will also face the result."

"As for people like Qi Sha and Tian Ji, they are only emotional about the Dao, with nothing outside their hearts, and it is even more impossible for them to have a country. They need Yue Guo, they will stay in Yue Guo. If they don't need Yue Guo, they will abandon Yue Guo just as they abandoned Nan Dou Hall. There is nothing that cannot be faced. We will try our best to provide for their needs. Before Chu Guo's army surrounded Du E Peak, Qi Sha and Tian Ji were also true persons of Nan Dou, handling Nan Dou's matters. Is this not enough?"

"We do not entrust life and death to them, only need them to strengthen national power in times of peace. The stronger Yue Guo is, the less they need to leave. Right now, they both need a foothold in the present world, which Yue Guo can provide. We have a reason for this transaction—it's still the same sentence, if Prime Minister Gao's legacy plan fails, how we all die is the same. If Prime Minister Gao's legacy plan succeeds, I have already pushed everything onto the gambling table, why not try to win more?"

Gong Zhiliang said: "Your Majesty wants to win everything in the future, but I fear right now..."

Wen Jingxiu: "Shen Xiao is imminent, and all sides are on alert. Dominant countries bear the burden of the present world and especially cannot act recklessly. Our only opportunity is at this moment. If Huang Weizhen wants to return, it must also be before the Shen Xiao world opens—so Prime Minister Gao chose this time to close the plan. Now Jing Guo and Qin Guo have already expressed support for us, and Shu Shan even sent Elder Yan down from the mountain, precisely to make Chu Guo have scruples. How can the old matters of Nan Dou Hall be repeated in Yue territory?"

"This old minister has a word—" Gong Zhiliang said earnestly: "Heavenly Master Song's support for You is not equal to Jing Guo's support for Yue Guo. Similarly, Fan Siyear's support for You is also not equal to Qin Guo's support for Yue Guo."

"Naturally. This private expression and public expression are two different things." Wen Jingxiu sighed lightly: "Prime Minister Gao retired at his peak, abandoned the official Dao and dissipated his true realm, making the world sympathize with my Yue Guo, reluctantly supporting national power for several hundred years. Prime Minister Gao's death exchanged for Chen Pu's inquiry and Yan Sheng's descent from the mountain, making Chu Guo restrain a few points of barbarity. We are a small and weak country, wading through blood with every step. To want Jing Guo and Qin Guo to express themselves publicly, what level does my Yue Guo still need to reach, what else can it pay?"

Gong Zhiliang lifted his head, his eyelids trembling slightly.

At this moment, within Yue Guo's palace, a sound suddenly rose, like a dragon roaring and a tiger howling, echoing continuously—

"Wen Jingxiu! Come welcome this duke!"

Wen Jingxiu suddenly rose!

"It came faster than expected. And more urgent than expected." He carefully controlled his expression and laughed lightly.

The Yue Guo emperor straightened his dragon robe, adjusted his Flat Heaven Crown, then strode forward, disappearing into the hall.

Gong Zhiliang's heart and spirit were greatly shaken. He barely supported himself on the ground, feeling a trance and wanting to stand up, yet suddenly falling back to sit. His body felt as if it had no strength. The one who had come now was Great Chu's Duke of Huai, Zuo Xiao!

Jiang Wang appeared in Fu Ji City, saved Bai Yuxia, and then vanished into thin air. This matter had only passed for one day.

With the protective country great array opened, gods and ghosts could not be measured. And in the situation where the country's borders were sealed and information was difficult to transmit, the news still reached Duke of Huai's ears.

From this, it can be seen that facing a powerful neighbor like Chu Guo, Yue Guo really did not have many secrets. Wen Jingxiu's deep concealment of all matters and sole grasp of the overall situation, only revealing part of the truth to any high-level official, was indeed also forced. He himself did not know who he could completely trust and dared not place hope in others.

The protective country great array was like a huge cover, buckling the mountains and rivers of Yue Guo upside down within it.

Zuo Xiao was in casual clothes, but his might was undiminished. Standing high up with his hands behind his back, the bright moon was just behind him, completely covered, leaving only a hazy ring of light.

Wen Jingxiu stepped out of the palace, even flying out of the protective country great array, and just like this came to Zuo Xiao's front, standing opposite him in the night sky.

In a moment, a smile bloomed on his face. He cupped his hands and said: "Chu and Yue share a strip of water, and the friendship between the two countries has a far and long source... The Duke rarely visits. Now you have come in the starry night, the situation is urgent. I do not know what matter you have come to instruct?"

Zuo Xiao looked at his usual face, then glanced at the operating protective country great array behind him, and said faintly: "Jumping out of the great array like this, it is like a general removing his armor, a warrior stripping his clothes. The ruler's courage is indeed very great. Is this to fight for life?"

Wen Jingxiu smiled purely and kindly, as if he did not understand the hidden meaning in the words, and only said: "You are a duke of the dominant country, and I am the orthodox Son of Heaven. The national system is the great current of the present world. Although we are not on the same boat, we are on the same river, already entangled together, sharing honor and advancing. With you here to protect, how can I fear evil spirits? And where would it be my turn to fight for life?"

Zuo Xiao waved his hand: "Various matters entangle the ruler's body, leisure is not easy to come by. This duke will also not waste words—where is Jiang Wang?"

"Elder Jiang?" Wen Jingxiu was first doubtful, then sighed: "I am also looking for him!"

He said with furrowed brows: "The night before last, there was a bit of an urgent matter in the country, and I had to personally suppress it. I also do not know when Elder Jiang came to Yue Guo. There was no prior notification, and no explanation afterward. He just suddenly appeared, gave some suggestions to my country, and I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with him, but midway, he left without saying goodbye again—such wind and cloud figures, coming and going like lightning and thunder, leaving only a sudden rain. But although Yue Guo is a small and weak land, I am also very timid, and I really cannot withstand this kind of fright. Duke Zuo, if you see him afterward, can you advise him a bit?"

"No more words are needed." Zuo Xiao raised one hand, palm blocking in front of Wen Jingxiu: "This duke will only say one sentence—it is now the hour of the ox. Before coming, the cook at the mansion was already stewing soup and making rice for noon, waiting for him to come back to eat. Whether to make my home's rice and dishes wait cold, you yourself look after."