Chapter 2731: Like the Sea, Like a Mirror

Why Convene the Great River Governance Meeting?

After Li Zheyong governed the Long River, Aoshuyi died.

Why did Aoshuyi die?

Ask Ji Fengzhou!

Wei Qingpeng sat there, his face fierce but still holding some doubt and an innocent expression.

But his attitude was certainly clear.

Gong Xiyan sat with his arms crossed, adopting a posture of being unconcerned.

Tu Hu smiled as he looked at Ying Jianghong, a brilliant smile reflecting genuine happiness from the heart. Who else besides your close friends and relatives could be this happy for you?

Ruan Yun seemed not to have heard what Wei Qingpeng said, only bowing his head and looking at the star disk.

Qu Jinling of Chu supported his chin with his hand, openly distracted.

Xu Wang, who represented Qin, had a more serious expression.

This picture of diverse attitudes still didn't reveal who was friend or foe.

Jing Country personally opened the door for Li Country, leading them into the situation, which was definitely a feasible move.

There were fundamental contradictions between Li Country and Jing Country.

Looking back, Jing Country coveted the northwest five countries as a plate of food, taking bites every now and then. These were all swallowed whole by Li Country. The northwest, which was given and taken, instantly became an unshakeable territory.

Looking forward, Jing Country's northern border was the desert, its eastern border was grassland, and its south was the central domain. There was fundamentally no land to expand into, so they could only go west. Li Country was located in the northwest of the current world and also wanted to develop outwards, unwilling to be confined within the pass.

Both sides had inevitable contradictions determined by geography, which were fundamentally irreconcilable.

So Jing Country confidently let Li Country come, precisely to prevent the various countries from uniting – if dogs bite dogs, they naturally won't have time to bite people together.

The only problem was that Hong Junyan was not an easy person to deal with; he might not act according to anyone's will.

He had been in seclusion until today not to rely on anyone, but to contend for dominance in this era and compete for the supreme title of Emperor of the Six Directions.

Just as he said to Hong Xingjian, the Pope of Lin Dong Sect:

"To achieve great things, it is impossible without the right timing, geographical advantage, and capable people. In the past, the timing was not right, and the northwest land was not advantageous. With the vicissitudes of life, the timing has changed, so use elite troops and strong generals now!"

On the first day Jing Country allowed Li Country to enter the fold, Li Country hadn't even settled into their seats before wanting to challenge Jing Country.

For other dominant countries, it wouldn't be convenient to speak up like this. No matter which side, it could be seen by Jing Country as a challenge to the central hegemony, incurring Jing Country's strong counterattack.

Li Country just didn't have that many scruples.

After all, they were "newcomers," and it was normal not to understand things.

If Jing Country wanted to play cards against Li Country, they had to see if they still had cards to play.

Ying Jianghong looked deeply at Wei Qingpeng: "Ask well! Everyone here today should be here to govern the river. As for why you, Wei Qingpeng, are here, I just don't understand – perhaps General Wei can enlighten me?"

It's said to attack distant enemies and befriend close ones.

This is a basic worldview and state strategy.

You Li Country and Jing Country get along so well; you're not planning to move east?

"Li Country certainly has a responsibility to contribute to the world, and of course I am also here to govern the river." Wei Qingpeng said in a loud voice: "But everything must be traced back to its source. Governing the river cannot just be about governing the river, otherwise it's just treating the symptom and not the root – curing it today and it will be chaotic again tomorrow. I am a rough man and not good at speaking, South Heaven Master, please bear with me. Wait! But thinking about it, the reason is just this reason. Everyone has a brain, it's not to the point that I can't see it clearly!"

Ying Jianghong understood as soon as he heard that Li Country's intention was already decided and could not be pulled back with a few words.

Jing Country's move to allow Li Country to join was a very temporary action, and the alliance between Jing Country and Li Country could absolutely not be smoothly negotiated in a short time. To overcome the real and intense contradictions between the two countries, smooth out domestic opinions from various sides, and promote cooperation between the two countries, even monarchs like Hong Junyan and Tang Xianqi could not accomplish it with a wave of their hand.

All forcibly suppressed opposing opinions were roots of later turmoil.

For two sides who had fought to the death to stop and shake hands, there must be a danger great enough and interests great enough.

What did they want to do?

Jing Country had to think!

This world... no one is idle!

Ying Jianghong felt more and more headaches for the Emperor.

Coming out to host a great meeting today already felt overwhelming, perhaps even more complex than marching and fighting a war. And the Emperor had to face situations ten thousand times more complicated than today's moment by moment, sitting at the center of the current world, welcoming challenges from all sides that never ceased. Both domestic and foreign affairs were a mess, difficult to sort out.

No wonder Emperor Xian had a short life and died accidentally not long after abdicating, failing in his forceful attempt at Dao.

To say something very disrespectful – with the talent of the former monarch, Emperor Xian, maintaining the situation was already exhausting his heart and strength, consuming everything. Later, his forceful attempt at Dao was not due to insufficient patience or endurance, but because his mental strength was truly exhausted and it was difficult to continue, so he had to take a gamble.

The Emperor of the Central Empire was the first authority in all heavens and myriad worlds, and also the first challenge. It was truly normal not to achieve anything in this position. Among Jing Country's successive emperors, the vast majority could only receive a middle-to-upper evaluation.

The foundation left by the ancestors was too vast, and by the time it was passed down to later generations, thoughts had already arisen everywhere.

Every action of the Dragon Throne was watched by countless people in the entire current world. Maneuvering was already difficult, and external expansion was more likely to incur the joint efforts of various sides. And one careless move would lead to a Jing Qin Emperor crying in the ancestral temple.

"Not everything should be traced back to its source, but General Wei is not wrong. Governing the river requires treating the root!" Ying Jianghong smiled slightly on the stage, fully demonstrating the composure of the first empire: "The root of the Long River lies in the water race! There is no need to be secretive; the Long River has long been intertwined with the water race. In ancient and middle-ancient times, rights were clearly divided. Now, humans govern the water, and it is impossible not to discuss the water race and not involve the Dragon Palace!"

How to handle the water race was also a key point of today's great meeting.

In the eyes of clear-sighted people, changing the word "handle" to "slaughter" would actually not be wrong.

The water race in the current era had completely lost the power to resist.

Qing Jiang Water Monarch being arbitrarily manipulated by Zhuang Monarch was just a small shadow.

Long River Dragon Monarch Aoshuyi, under the guise of rebellion, was crushed to death by the Nine Dragons Holding Sun Permanently Town Mountains and Rivers Seal. This was a major collapse, and the water race was completely stripped of its foundation!

After that, it was just a group that couldn't support their own blood and flesh.

Of course, perhaps even earlier, the water race's spine had already been broken.

Perhaps it was the day God Pool Heavenly King was suppressed and killed by Jing Tai Zu Tang Yu, perhaps even earlier.

But as long as Aoshuyi was still there, and the water race still had the name of an alliance, and some people still remembered the ancient alliance, remembered the so-called "Oath of the Dragon Monarch and Human Emperor," there was still some hope.

When Song Qingyue, the Young Monarch of Qing Jiang Water Mansion, was in despair, he also thought about whether Long River Dragon Palace could provide any help.

But today, the middle-ancient Human Emperor and Long River Dragon Monarch who swore the oath had all vanished into the long river of time.

Aoshuyi died, and the golden figure who always had a seat at the successive Yellow River Meetings was no longer there... his last name and position were also taken away.

How the water race would proceed afterward was naturally not up to the will of the water race – although they weren't respected much in the past either.

Wei Qingpeng looked at Ying Jianghong on the stage, scratching his bald head and feeling very irritable.

The people of the central domain spoke too indirectly!

Asking about the east and answering about the west, pointing south while saying north. The old man asked why hold a meeting, and you say it's for governing the river – wanted that. The old man tells you to ask Ji Fengzhou, and you tell the old man about the water race again.

When he was the first generation Bishop of Dong Zai, everyone still fought with real knives and real guns. Now it's too convoluted!

His eyes exploded with fierce light, and he was about to stand up and beat a heavy drum, giving the South Heaven Master some shock from distant, fierce barbarism.

On that side, Ying Jianghong was already leisurely saying: "As everyone knows, Yong Country has been quite effective in governing the Lan River and can be a model for the world! Since its founding, the Lan River has almost had no floods. Lan River Water Mansion is also diligent in its duties and fully supports the Yong Court."

When Ying Jianghong mentioned Yong Country, Wei Qingpeng's raised butt sat back down.

He looked at Ying Jianghong, his expression softening as much as possible.

And Ying Jianghong continued, "So today I have invited Yong Country's State Minister, Qi Maoxian, to share with everyone his experience in governing the Lan River Water Mansion. I hope everyone will be patient and gain insight, for from the Lan River, one can see the water veins of the world!"

Yong Country fundamentally had no qualification to participate in today's great meeting, but it was fine for them to go on stage and talk about their experience in governing the Lan River.

The most important thing was the meaning of Yong Country's State Minister appearing at the View River Terrace!

This was support from Jing Country.

Jing Country allowed Li Country to take a seat, but they also prepared means to constrain Li Country.

If Li Country was well-behaved today, Qi Maoxian would have no opportunity to appear. If Li Country was not well-behaved, Jing Country wanted to tell the world how they would support Yong Country.

Li Country had only two paths for external expansion: east or south.

Moving east was against Jing, and moving south was against Yong.

Since Li Country was not planning to move east and wanted to join hands with Jing Country, they should also not move south and just be trapped in that northwest corner for a lifetime!

Jing Country would increase its support for Yong Country in Yong territory!

"We certainly have patience!" Wei Qingpeng, who had first stood out to question Ying Jianghong, was now the first to respond: "Although we had some frictions with Yong Country in the past, and occasionally have disputes now, the world is one family, and the human race is on the same boat. The most important thing at the moment is certainly the God Fragrance War. Everything else can be put aside. The most important thing in war is a stable rear, and the stability of the current world is inseparable from the governance of the Long River – South Heaven Master, you recommended Qi Maoxian for a reason. Please share your strategies, we will certainly listen seriously!"

Gong Xiyan glanced at the big bald head, not angry, but only shaking his head and smiling.

Ying Jianghong also understood.

Why could Jing Country and Li Country join hands?

Ultimately, it was the change in the situation of the current world – this period before the God Fragrance War was different from any period in history.

The tacit iron rule that dominant countries did not attack each other, with Li Country's strength, Jing Country's desire to continue westward advance was no different from fighting a war against a dominant country.

What "attack distant, befriend near" also had to change with time.

For Jing Country, current interests were only to be sought in "distant" places, so "befriend near" was the just reason.

While various sides were still paying attention to the chessboard of the current world, the contemporary Emperor of Jing had already leaped beyond the current world.

Under a treacherous geographical environment, step by step pressing towards the God Fragrance War front, Tang Xianqi had already decided to smooth over all historical disputes, befriend neighbors in the current world, and fully prepare for war against God Fragrance!

No wonder this period, the northern domain was incomparably harmonious. The relationship between Jing and Mu was becoming closer and closer, and that yellow-faced Buddha even personally went to the grasslands to set up statues.

So that's how it was!

The contemporary Son of Heaven of Jing, Tang Xianqi, was indeed resolute, with his sword pointed at God Fragrance. He wanted to win the future of Jing Country on the battlefield of all heavens and myriad worlds.

Jing Country had completely given up expansion in the current world before the God Fragrance War began.

It was the first dominant country to fully enter a state of war preparation and fully prepare for God Fragrance! Its determination to achieve merit in war was more thorough than any other country.

Wei Qingpeng had already stated his position, but Ying Jianghong was not in a hurry to state his, only saying: "Since General Wei says so, Maoxian, please come on stage."

With a wave of his hand, Qi Maoxian's slender figure appeared below the stage.

Yong Country's State Minister Qi Maoxian, with three strands of short beard and a lead-colored long gown, looked more like a frugal teacher than a prime minister with great power in his hands. He kept his eyes forward and slowly walked onto the world stage.

He walked very steadily these few steps, and these few steps were of great significance to Yong Country!

It's a bit mocking to say – Yong Country's people, from top to bottom, have been working towards this with one heart for many years.

They struggled hard to shake off Emperor Yong Li's parasitic rule over the country, curb Zhuang Gaoxian's ambition, introduce the Mohist school while maintaining autonomy before the Mohist school, and at the same time worry about Jing Country's military might, while a huge Li Country emerged not far from their doorstep.

Under such circumstances, they tempered new policies, greatly benefited the people, and grew stubbornly.

But the opportunity to ascend the world stage still depended on the balance of great powers.

Qi Maoxian of course did not feel this was shameful. He only saw another opportunity appearing before him, and the people of Yong Country must firmly grasp it.

All discerning people, without exception, saw that the current world pattern was becoming increasingly urgent, the survival space for small and medium-sized countries was becoming narrower and narrower, and opportunities would only become fewer and fewer in the future.

He slowly walked up the high platform and saw the 'Fu Yun Qin' hanging there. For a moment, he felt as if there was also a noose around his own neck. Many times in the past, he had indeed found it difficult to breathe.

But, they had all walked to this day.

They had all arrived here.

He turned around and faced the famous figures of this era: Xu Wang, Tu Hu, Wei Qingpeng, Jiang Wang, Li Yi.

"Yong Country! Qi Maoxian!" His voice unconsciously rose: "Today, I will share some shallow views with everyone, which may offend the ears of the lords, but please forgive me!"

At that moment, he spoke incessantly, starting from the founding of Yong Country, then speaking of Emperor Yong Ming, and then of the origin of the Lan River Water Mansion, explaining how the Lan River water race became loyal. In the middle, he would occasionally mention how good Yong Country's new policies were and the achievements they had obtained, and each time he was reminded by Ying Jianghong, he would turn back.

Every word and sentence was about governing water, and every thought and intention was about the governance of Yong Country.

He was like a street vendor, an old man with a large family to support, just shouting with his last loud voice.

Look at me! Look at me, look at our Yong Country!

"Wrong, wrong, wrong—" Tu Weijian below the stage slapped his thigh and sighed softly: "Truly good, truly good!"

He was extremely envious.

Not envious of Qi Maoxian personally. But as a person of Song Country, he envied Yong Country for having this opportunity.

Fame is also power, for people and for countries!

This was a world great meeting attended by various powers.

The Yong Country State Minister speaking so many words on the stage was much higher than the Song Country, which had painstakingly squeezed into the meeting, in terms of status.

Leaving everything else aside, with Yong Country showing their face today, the world would know their country. Would Li Country or Jing Country still be able to silently destroy Yong in the future?

If there were talented people in the world who wanted to seek opportunities elsewhere, they would always remember that there was a place called Yong Country, which could serve as an option!

Finally, Qi Maoxian said on stage: "...Yong Country has rich experience in handling water race affairs, and is also sincere, virtuous, respects the people, and has a firm will. Now various sides are gathered here to discuss matters of governing the river.

With Yong Country's strength, it is impossible for them to be the main force in governing the river. But they are willing to be an assistant, an assistant to any side, only seeking to squeeze into the new order on both banks of the Long River.

In the last row, the temporary late-stage cultivator Zhong Xuan, who was exerting himself, had long since opened his eyes.

He quietly listened to all of Qi Maoxian's lecture, especially those parts that Ying Jianghong repeatedly asked Qi Maoxian to skip. In Qi Maoxian's words, he felt a simple emotion.

True history flowed within this.

The friendship between the founding ancestor of Yong Country and the Lan River Water Monarch continued for many years.

Zhuang Chengqian's act of splitting land and founding a country that year, and swearing brotherhood with Song Hengjiang, was also said by people to be "imitating the Yong ancestor."

The difference was that the Yong Court's attitude towards the Lan River Water Mansion was always relatively respectful. Even during the period when Emperor Yong Li seized power, that Supreme Emperor did so to consolidate his unjust rights.

Zhong Xuan subconsciously turned his head and saw Jiang Wang sitting beside him, who had also stopped cultivating at some point.

He opened his eyes and looked at the stage, his gaze like the sea and also like a mirror.

"Qi Maoxian. I have a question." Wei Qingpeng said muffled: "We listen and listen, and your new policy is so good. Is the Lan River water race included?"

Qi Maoxian opened his mouth and seemed to freeze for a moment.

...If the world needs Yong Country to contribute, whether as an assistant or subordinate, Yong Country will do its utmost!"

And they were also very close to the Lan River Water Mansion.