Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After Eunuch Ou rested a night in the Yan Residence, he had recovered from the weariness of his long travel. By the next day, he was energetically requesting for a visit to Yan Liqiang’s archery academy.
Yan Liqiang accompanied Eunuch Ou to the archery academy and instructed the students to do a march past the training field. Eunuch Ou bragged about how much he’d seen in the Imperial Capital, but his facial expression immediately changed as soon as he saw the students. He was shocked by the impressive aura of the square-shaped formations.
After nearly a year of study, many students had experienced life and death situations with Yan Liqiang. They had seen blood and killed enemies during this period of time. Many of them improved by leaps and bounds with Yan Liqiang’s guidance and the might of the Five Animal Frolics technique. Not only that, but they also persisted in their formation training every morning for half an hour. By now, the three thousand students’ formation training was good enough to remind Yan Liqiang of the National Day Parade.
“GREETINGS, EUNUCH OU…!”
When the square formations passed the platform and shouted the greeting, Eunuch Ou was slightly surprised for a moment before his face broke into a broad smile and he gave his praise by saying ‘good’ several times in a row. He then turned to Yan Liqiang beside him. “Ah, Liqiang. Your archery academy is indeed an eye-opener to me. Look at the formation — they’re in a straight line no matter how you look at it! Tsk, the Imperial Cavalry Unit isn’t even this neat in their formations when they practice!”
“Hahaha, I’m glad you like it, Eunuch Ou. This formation is something I blindly figured out too. I just feel that it’s pleasing to look at!” Yan Liqiang smiled as he spoke casually.
A eunuch had an incomplete body and different mentality from that of ordinary people. Some said eunuchs loved money, and some said they loved authority. These people weren’t really wrong, but they weren’t totally correct either. Eunuchs loved face. They loved to be surrounded by respect and enjoyed the satisfaction of being at the center of attention. Only such pleasure and sense of authority could make up for the emptiness in their hearts due to their physical defects. It not only made them feel the same as ordinary people, but even superior to them. This was what they loved the most.
When Yan Liqiang came to possess the Psychic Serpent back then, he had already dived deep into Eunuch Liu’s thoughts. Hence, he made some special arrangements when he came to the archery academy today, and as expected, it was able to make Eunuch Ou happy.
Shi Changfeng had holed himself up over the past few days to break through to the Martial Grandmaster realm. He would need at least three months to do so, which explained why he was rarely seen lately. He didn’t even come out yesterday or today.
After watching the practice for a while, Eunuch Ou gave Yan Liqiang a meaningful glance. Yan Liqiang knew Eunuch Ou had something to tell him, so he accompanied him off the platform and they went for a stroll along a small path in the shade of the trees.
In a situation like this, Eunuch Ou’s personal guards should be conscious of keeping a certain distance from them. However, Yan Liqiang didn’t expect the ordinary-looking guard to follow closely behind Eunuch Ou.
Yan Liqiang cast a glance at the guard and the guard returned his gaze. His eyes were deep but bright, and he remained silent.
The Psychic Serpent was activated…
Damn…
I didn’t expect this guard to have such a status…
Yan Liqiang was rather flustered, but he maintained his calm facade on the surface and feigned ignorance.
“During my trip to Gan Province this time, His Majesty specifically told me to check up on your situation here. From the past two days, I see that you are doing extremely well here. It’s really a surprise!” Eunuch Ou spoke up first while they strolled.
“The name of your manufacturing bureau especially has spread to all corners of the world. Those wealthy influential clans and even influential officials in the Great Han Empire that want the best four-wheeled carriage can only buy from you. Even Lin Qingtian’s four-wheeled carriage was a gift from someone who bought it from the manufacturing bureau. Even if I am staying in the Imperial Capital, I am told that your manufacturing bureau is making better money than those huge merchant groups, and has boundless prospects!”
“Oh no, this is all thanks to His Majesty’s great blessing. I am only a little lucky to be able to make a name in Gan Province!” Yan Liqiang replied modestly. “Without His Majesty’s support, I wouldn’t have all this in Gan Province today!”
“Hahaha, no need to be humble, Liqiang. Both His Majesty and Eunuch Liu feel that you are a capable individual and they are not mistaken. Although I have been serving the Emperor in the palace and never get involved with outsiders much, my eyes are not clouded. It’s extremely rare for someone to become the Heavenly Master Craftsmith at your age, so rare that not even one can be found in the Great Han Empire over the past few centuries. Eunuch Liu and His Majesty indeed have keen eyes. I am beyond impressed!” Eunuch Ou chuckled. Although his voice was quite high-pitched, he spoke with a very sincere tone.
“Apart from the imperial edict, His Majesty has something else to convey to you. It is quite a confidential matter so I can only find an opportunity to inform you today in private!”
Yan Liqiang cast another glance at the guard following them on purpose, then told Eunuch Ou, “Please tell me the orders from His Majesty, Eunuch Ou!”
Eunuch Ou noticed the way Yan Liqiang looked at the guard, then smiled. “Lord Long, since Liqiang is here, you may inform him of your identity and intention to save me the trouble from going over it!”
The guard smiled and checked to ensure that no one else was around. He then tore off the human skin mask, revealing a tough-looking face. He cupped his fist to Yan Liqiang, then spoke with a deep voice. “I am Long Tiezhou, the current Administrative Supervisor of the Great Han Empire’s Storm Army, and the son of Storm Army Commander Long Feicheng. Your reputation precedes you, Lord Yan. As expected, knowing a person by his reputation is not as good as seeing him in the flesh. It’s really an honor to meet you!”
Yan Liqiang was ‘stunned’ and ‘baffled’ by the sight of Long Tiezhou’s new face and looked at Eunuch Ou. “Eunuch Ou, this is…”
Eunuch Ou sighed with a frown. “The Storm Army and General Long are the pillars of the northern Great Han Empire. We are only able to withstand the invasion of the Chaman people in the north thanks to the Storm Army that defends our northern territories. The descendants of the Long Clan have been devoted, loyal generals to His Majesty and the Great Han Empire. This is the exact reason the Long Clan is seen as a thorn in that despicable Grand Chancellor Lin Qingtian’s eyes. The Ministry of War and Anbei General’s Office are now filled with Lin Qingtian’s lackeys, especially Anbei General Shi Tao who has been assigned to the Storm Army. With the Ministry of War and Anbei General Shi Tao colluding together, the Storm Army’s life gets tougher every year and they are receiving less military ranks, wages, and logistics as the year goes by. As frontliners, the soldiers of the Storm Army continue to fight against the Chaman people in extremely harsh conditions!”
“Ah, how outrageous!” Yan Liqiang was ‘infuriated’. “The Grand Chancellor is guilty of making the nation suffer and he deserves to die ten thousand deaths!”
Eunuch Ou nodded. “A few days ago, Lord Long went to the Imperial Capital to seek aid from His Majesty in secret. Surely, Liqiang understands that His Majesty is also in a difficult position in the Imperial Capital. The funds within the imperial court are all handled by the Ministry of Revenue. The annual land tax and money collected by the Ministry of Revenue are not enough to go around and the distribution is a matter that involves too many parties. This isn’t something His Majesty can settle with just a word. If His Majesty were to insist on adjusting the funds for the Ministries of Revenue and War, Lin Qingtian and his men would no doubt create an opportunity to stir up a big problem and push the blame onto His Majesty and put him in a difficult position.
“His Majesty can still provide some funds or even take from the royal treasury this time, but this is not feasible in the long term. It just so happens that His Majesty received the wool blankets and woolen fabric you sent to the Imperial Capital. He mentioned that if Liqiang can turn worthless wool into treasure, then you should be able to create inexhaustible gold and silver mines. Hence, he sent Lord Long along with me to Gan Province…”
Eunuch Ou hadn’t finished speaking, but his intention had already been clearly conveyed.
“His Majesty thinks too highly of me!” Yan Liqiang didn’t know if he should laugh or cry.
“Don’t be modest, Liqiang. Even if His Majesty is in the Imperial Capital, he knows you have established a manufacturing bureau and also a salt pan with Lei Sitong when you returned to Gan Province. Putting aside the four-wheeled carriage from the manufacturing bureau, Pingxi Prefecture only had earth salt all this while. However, it was suddenly able to produce top-quality snow salt after your return. His Majesty says that you are the only person who is capable of turning rock into gold. Therefore, you are the only person in this world who can solve the Storm Army’s predicament. He wishes that you can help the Storm Army weather through their crisis at everyone’s best interest!”
Wang Jianbei was right. Everytime His Majesty raised the stakes on him, the more he’d naturally expect in return. Although the imperial edict brought him honor and benefits, it came with a price too…
