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Chapter 549: In troubled times, love between men and women (asking for monthly tickets)
"Hey, hey, have you heard?"

Song Changgeng, a new disciple of the Mohist School, was sitting there drinking a bowl of duck blood vermicelli soup when he heard the elder brother at the next table say in a low voice: "Do you know? This is a big secret. Don't tell anyone else."

The big man had a smug smile on his face and lowered his voice, saying:
"I heard that His Majesty is coming back!"

Song Changgeng sighed.

Although this big man said it was a secret, but with such a loud noise, it was probably possible to hear it clearly from a mile away. He was just holding the duck blood vermicelli soup, slurping the vermicelli, and then nodded instinctively.

It's not his fault.

This was the eighteenth time he had heard this secret today.

The previous few times he heard it from the teacher of Mohist school, a passing farmer, his senior brothers and sisters, and the teacher of Motian sect who taught him martial arts.

Honestly, it's not a secret.

The whole Jiangnan region knew about it.

Today, the Jiangnan area is more lively than before. Even the people have smiles on their faces. When they chat and laugh, they cannot avoid one topic at all -

His Majesty the Qin Emperor, who had intercepted the enemy's military god Jiang Su at the front, returned to the capital.

Good thing!
The people of Qin State had a full four years without war, with light taxes and levies, and even good weather. When there was an occasional big storm, it seemed that a nine-colored divine deer could be seen.

I also heard that a few years ago, a dragon broke out in the river, and it was so violent that it seemed as if it would swallow up all the houses and fields of the people on both sides of the river. The old men in their fifties and sixties were panicked and their faces turned pale, but in the end, nothing happened.

The stream of water that carried the dragon away could just be handled by the water conservancy project built by the Mohist scholars. Although some farmland was still damaged, there were almost no casualties among the people. Only a child who did not have time to return was swept away.

Afterwards, people searched for several days and finally found the crying child in a field. When they asked him what happened, he could not answer. He just said that he was swept into the water that day and seemed to see a stream of red-gold light before he fell into coma.

Strong and powerful.

Strong and powerful.

Even the turbulent river rushing down from great heights was torn apart.

I grabbed him and saved him, but the force was too great and he passed out.

People thought it was the god of rivers, so they built temples to worship it.

They also said that there had never been such a thing in the past, and it must be because of His Majesty the Emperor Qin, who had the Mandate of Heaven, that the people were united and had surplus food at home every year, and also because of the trade chambers in the Western Regions and the grasslands.

There was no shortage of beef and mutton, and the people lived a better life than before.

Only the children wanted to go out and play, but they were stuffed into the elementary school by the adults.

Practice martial arts, learn to read, and take exams every day.

When they cried out, the older generation would often grit their teeth, feeling very disappointed with their children, and curse, "We never met a man like the Emperor Qin back then. You little idiots, why don't you hurry up and learn from this opportunity?"

"Whether it's martial arts or something else, if you learn a little bit, won't you have a foundation for life?"

"Hey, what is bitter?"

"If we had the opportunity you had back then, we wouldn't have to talk about anything else now, not even mentioning the internal Qi and external Qi release. At least we would have continuous Qi, all the orifices would be open, and we would be proficient with swords and spears!"

So the children went back to report to the teacher, and the report was passed up layer by layer.

I don't know how I got to the place of His Majesty the Emperor Qin.

At that time, His Majesty the Emperor of Qin had just finished a game with Jiang Su. When he heard the news, he laughed and then, with a stroke of his pen, established a senior citizen school so that the older generation and those who were older could also learn martial arts and literacy.

"You never stop learning, so go ahead and learn."

With just this one move, the elders no longer blame the younger generations.

Because I know that learning martial arts and literacy is also a tiring job.

The children had nothing to say.

Your parents have to practice martial arts during the slack season, why don’t you do it yourself?

The morals of the entire Qin State were extremely good. People had enough food and clothing, the world was harmonious, and they had never suffered from disasters. They lived a stable and comfortable life without any disasters or invasions from the outside world, especially when compared with the neighboring Ying State.

It is because of the long years of war before.

Nowadays, people all over the world want peace, not chaos.

They are all longing for a long-term peaceful and stable life.

However, in such a peaceful and stable environment, he was worried about the neighboring Ying State. He was afraid that if the Qin Emperor failed, a tyrant from the enemy country would come to rule the world, and his life would probably disappear completely like a dream.

As a result, the level of support and popular will for the Qin Emperor from the people of Qin State almost exceeded any other period in history.

Under such circumstances, the return of His Majesty the Emperor Qin from his expedition would be an event as big as the Chinese New Year!

Song Changgeng also understood everyone's psychology, and he was also very happy.

But this news was bombarded more than ten times a day, and his little head was a little dizzy. He was just slurping noodles when he suddenly noticed an angry look. He looked up and saw a little girl opposite him, who was also eating duck blood vermicelli soup with the same steps as him.

The two people stared at each other with wide eyes.

But at this moment, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside.

During the reign of Emperor Qin, horses were not allowed to ride on the road, but this situation was not stopped. Almost everyone realized one thing, as if at this moment, the power of the gods was pressing down and all sounds in the world were deprived.

Silence, the sound of conversation, footsteps, laughter.

All sounds seemed to freeze in an instant.

I don’t know how long this sudden silence lasted.

In perception, it seems to be a very long time.

But it seemed like only a brief moment.

The scout on the cavalry took a deep breath and shouted: "Your Majesty the Emperor Qin, the troops are returning to the court!!!"

The voice was like a sharp sword, piercing the quiet atmosphere. In an instant, cheers and laughter exploded. Song Changgeng felt that he was already a disciple of the Mohist school, and he would not do anything because of the return of a king.

But then, he was already immersed in the bustling enthusiasm of the crowd.

He found himself standing up, and then looking outside like other people, he found himself breathing heavily and his heart beating hard, he noticed that everyone was the same as him, and that moment was a moment of physical excitement.

Then he saw the scarlet battle flag of the Qilin Army in the distance.

His mind was blank, and he was filled with joy.

I'm afraid, from the past to the future.

There will never be another king of such prestige.

Jiangnan was a land of people, all buzzing with excitement, as the emperor returned after several years of personal battle. Xue Changqing, who was already nineteen years old, stood on a small hill outside the city, holding a halberd and looking down, and he just felt amazed:

"Ah, His Majesty the Emperor Qin is so highly regarded."

"As a true man, this is what you should do."

The young female historian beside him said, "Your Majesty went to the battlefield when he was young, braved the front and arrows, and fought hundreds of battles before he gained this empire. However, he was diligent in his work and loved his people, and the people were well fed and clothed. Since ancient times, there has never been a king who stood with the people like this."

"It is only natural that we can win the hearts of the people."

Xue Changqing smiled and said, "That's right."

"But……"

He was looking at that place from afar, watching the Qin Emperor riding his war horse into the city, with the scarlet Qilin-patterned battle flag fluttering. He was already in the fourth heaven realm, with excellent eyesight, and could see the majesty and bearing of the Qin Emperor. The Qin Emperor, who looked like an emperor, was still wearing that simple jade hairpin.

He let out a long sigh, seeming to be relieved and also relieved.

But she still whispered: "But...sister has been waiting for him for a long, long time."

"Your Majesty the Emperor Qin, Brother Li."

"He met my sister when he was thirteen or fourteen years old. They were childhood sweethearts and shared life and death. Over the years, although my sister's Changfeng Tower could not accompany Brother Li to fight on the battlefield like Duke Li did, it also helped a lot."

"Why aren't they together yet?"

"Could it really be as the storyteller said, that the flower has feelings but the water is heartless, and it's just that my sister has unrequited love for me?"

"Brother Li has achieved great success and honor, and has done great things as an emperor. Is he going to let my hair turn white? This is what they call the ruthlessness of emperors. Oh, it hurts."

Xue Changqing cried out in pain and when he looked up, he saw the young historian Saatanti raising the scroll in her hand and hitting him.

Saatanti said: "You and that General Xue have learned to talk nonsense."

Xue Changqing scratched his head.

"But he is my ancestor."

"Isn't it normal that I look like an ancestor?"

"I look like my ancestor. Isn't that something to be proud of?"

Xue Changqing was not right but was very angry.

The girl sighed: "You can't learn the martial arts and military strategies of Senior General Xue, why should you learn his mouth?"

"Don't speculate about the relationship between His Majesty the Emperor Qin and the Lord of Changfeng Tower."

When the young historian was in the Western Regions, she had a very good relationship with Qin Wuhou at that time. When Qin Wu changed his name to Tianger, they fought and traveled together in the vast Western Regions. She knew that the "young lady" mentioned by the Emperor Qin at that time, but she just said:
"They have experienced the era of peace, the era of chaos, the era of development, and now the four directions are stable and the world is divided into two. The depth of their feelings is beyond your imagination."

Xue Changqing sighed and scratched his head: "But why..."

The young historian said, "Your Majesty has the whole world in his eyes."

"The world is divided into two parts, and the common people and the generals are all holding back a grudge. This grudge is a fierce courage and heroism. Your Majesty's wedding at this time, even if nothing is said, will send a signal from this action, that is, Your Majesty is beginning to enjoy it."

"It will reduce this fierce energy."

"It's hard to understand why things like this happen. They seem to be just ordinary people's words, but similar things have happened in every dynasty throughout history. We can't help but believe it."

"Before accomplishing great things, he still indulges in pleasure. This is the behavior of a tyrant."

Xue Changqing was unconvinced and said, "Just enjoying yourself makes you a tyrant?"

The historian replied: "The enjoyment is only superficial."

"A journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step. To do something like this at a time like this is tantamount to betraying one's fellow soldiers and comrades who have come all the way here."

"History is long and the pen is iron. There are only eight words to describe this behavior."

"It is said that heroes are short-tempered, while young men and women are affectionate."

These eight words were just like the name for the rats who owned the land. Xue Changqing had no way to refute them, and he lost his temper. He just sighed, put his hands on his cheeks, and murmured, "Four years, four years."

"You and I had a quarrel back then, but now we are getting engaged..."

"My family is too particular about rules."

"If Brother Li and Sister can't get together, how can I get married?"

Saatanti's face flushed.

He swung the history book and smashed it towards the sinking object.

Xue Changqing blocked the blow with one hand, then grabbed the girl's wrist, laughed loudly, and sighed again: "A king who established the country in troubled times and opened up a new era, such an identity and status is really lonely, after all, it is not something that people like us can fully understand."

The laughter mixed with the wind, and the wind went down the mountain, passing by the bells on the tall buildings in the city, passing by the neat streets and flags, passing by the people, passing by the Qin Emperor who dismounted and walked leading his horse, and then passed by the Changfeng Tower.

In Changfeng Tower, the woman leaned against the window, watching the handsome and heroic man walking through the world.

Surrounded by people.

In the past few years, Xue Shuangtao's martial arts skills were not good enough, so he could not fight in the front line and could only stay in the rear. Now, it has been a rare opportunity for him to see the majestic and powerful Qin Emperor. He felt relieved, but also felt a sense of loneliness.

When the Qin Emperor returned to Jiangnan, he first dealt with military affairs, and then went to the Tiance Palace to discuss with the generals and advisers of the Tiance Palace. He decided to summon all the advisers later, as the general situation of the world depended on him.

Parents, teachers, mentors, uncles, comrades-in-arms, fellow soldiers, great-grandfather...

Like Jiang Gao, he couldn't look back or stop.

My heart is as hard as iron, and I won't give up until my long-cherished wish is fulfilled!
The days in summer are longer than those in autumn and winter. Xue Shuangtao had prepared some wine and meat, but no one came. He suddenly realized that the person now was no longer the little guest official or the poor little pharmacist.

She was not high-spirited, but because of that youthful spirit, she broke into the ghost market at night and was put into solitary confinement as a young Jinwu Guard. At that time, she ran away from her aunt, wearing the princess's palace dress, and quietly ran to the confinement place of the Jinwu Guard with her skirt lifted up.

Some bricks were brought and stones were piled up there. He stepped on them, stood on tiptoe to look out the window, and threw small pieces of gold on the ground, and the boy followed the gold.

Many things happened back then, just as they were back then.

The young Jinwu Guard raised his weapon and roared at this chaotic world. He led thousands of troops and galloped across the world, establishing achievements that would go down in history. He had become the ideal of the people and a so-called hero of our time.

He still has a lot of things to do.

It's very busy.

People’s hearts have not changed, but the situation in the world is no longer the same as it used to be.

Xue Shuangtao was holding the wine cup and was about to drink when he heard footsteps outside. When the door opened, the woman looked up and saw that it was the housekeeper of Changfeng Tower. She lowered her eyes slightly and said, "Is there something..."

The female steward panted rapidly, as if she had run all the way back, and said with a stuttering tone: "Huh, host, yes, it's yours, no, it's..."

A hand reached out and placed it on the stewardess's shoulder.

A calm voice came: "It's Li Guanyi, the guest of the Xue family."

Xue Shuangtao was stunned and almost subconsciously stood up and took a few steps forward.

The female steward stepped aside, not even having time to change into her armor. The young man in battle robes raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "You're eating without waiting for me? Miss, this is really unkind of you."

The housekeeper retreated respectfully.

When I left, I closed the door.

When going downstairs, he closed his mouth and waved his hands vigorously, asking the others to retreat quickly and not to come closer or disturb anyone.

Li Guanyi said: "Miss, you are drinking alone."

Xue Shuangtao just chuckled and said, "After all, you are so busy, I was wondering if you went to Tiance Mansion."

Li Guan took a look at the woman in front of him. Xue Shuangtao was more than half a year older than Li Guan. Now her brows were calm and gentle. Because she took the elixir of immortality refined with Hou Zhongyu's things, her face looked like she was in her early twenties. Her temperament was no longer as naive and romantic as when she was young, and as resolute as when she was seventeen or eighteen, but now she had a gentle firmness.

Li Guanyi said, "I just came back from Tiance Mansion. I have many things to deal with. When I was seventeen or eighteen years old, I hated dealing with files and often sneaked out. But now I know that these things can make the world a turbulent place in one sentence."

"But it's just one sentence, not even half a sentence can be ignored."

"After that, we need to go and determine the next strategy with Mr. Pojun and the others."

Xue Shuangtao reached out and took off Li Guanyi's battle robe.

Placing it casually on the shelf, Emperor Qin untied his helmet in a relaxed manner, wearing only the round-necked robe under the armor, changed his jade belt, stretched his muscles, and said with a smile: "Now I can finally relax!"

Xue Shuangtao said: "Fortunately, he is a martial arts legend, otherwise, he would be covered in stinky sweat."

Li Guanyi laughed dryly and said, "Grandmaster, that's not necessary."

He sat down to drink, and the eldest lady clinked glasses with him. The two of them were childhood friends, and had been through many separations and hardships together. Their feelings were extraordinary and deep. Xue Shuangtao also took the files of Changfeng Tower by the way.

Even in Ying State, there are still activities in Changfeng Tower.

Rather, it was precisely because of Jiang Yuan's reckless behavior in Ying State that Changfeng Tower was given enough time and opportunity to act. In such a large area, because of Jiang Yuan's problems, food was expensive in many places and military strength was unbalanced in many places.

A country is like a human body.

The king's misdeeds cannot be fully summarized by a single judgment in the files. What it represents is the population loss in a region, the shortage of food in this region, the boiling public resentment of a certain generation, the displacement of the people in this region, and the defense gap caused by the transfer of troops.

This is holistic and dynamic.

Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao drank and discussed the situation in the world only based on the information brought from Changfeng Tower. Li Guanyi was fighting outside and confronting the God of War. Even for him, it was impossible for him to understand the changes in the situation in the world under such circumstances.

Xue Shuangtao understood all this, and when the two of them talked, he answered some of Li Guanyi's questions. Gradually, Li Guanyi's eyes brightened. They drank and chatted for an hour. When Emperor Qin saw that the sky was getting dark outside, he stood up and said:

"Miss, I need to go to Tiance Mansion."

"Now that we have seen the intelligence from Changfeng Tower, we need to further determine the strategy."

Xue Shuangtao looked at him and said, "Is this the final battle?"

Li Guanyi paused, and answered solemnly: "Yes, the final battle, the real final battle, the final battle that will establish peace."

"This battle, the eight hundred years of the Red Emperor's lineage, the three hundred years of chaos, all the turbulent times, the Chen Kingdom, the Ying Kingdom, the Tuyuhun, the Dangxiang, the thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions, the eighteen tribes on the grassland, so many kings, so many heroes, so many innocent people's blood, gathered to form me and the Ying Kingdom."

"This battle must be fought!"

"And we must win!"

"Previous battles were long because of checks and balances among all parties; but now, in this final battle, no one has to worry about anything, so it will be much faster."

The Emperor Qin looked at the woman in front of him. He exhaled and stretched out his arms. As a king who was responsible for the peace of the world, he exposed his emotions and feelings. He took the woman into his arms and said softly: "Before the world is at peace, I can't be myself."

"Me too, not just me."

Xue Shuangtao chuckled in his arms.

"I know that after coming this far, if you can forget the sacrifices of those people and just do what you have to do at this moment, that's not you."

She stretched out her hand and placed it on Emperor Qin, straightened his sleeves, and said:
"Then go ahead."

"Go do what you should do, do what the Emperor Qin wants you to do."

"Go and win everything."

Xue Shuangtao looked at him. Li Guan nodded, picked up the dark golden broadsword beside him, and was about to walk out. Xue Shuangtao held it in front of him with both hands and suddenly said, "Guan Yi."

"Ok?"

Emperor Qin turned around and saw the pretty woman standing there.

The sunlight poured in from the window and fell on her body. Xue Shuangtao suddenly smiled, then stretched out his hand and said, "Here!"

She opened her hand, and on her palm was a tiny golden bean.

In the sunlight, it reflects brilliant light.

The Qin Emperor was stunned.

He suddenly remembered that when he was fourteen years old, he left Guanyi City and rode his horse across the world to look for his aunt. He passed by the Xue family's Chamber of Commerce and wrote a letter to the old man and the eldest daughter of the Xue family to report his safety. The shopkeeper of the Xue family gave him a gold coin.

"The eldest lady sent a message before saying that if you see the young master delivering the letter, you will be given a gold bean."

'One at a time.'

This is just a simple meaning.

You should come to see me often.

Emperor Qin looked at the golden bean with soft eyes.

He walked over, stretched out his hand and held the golden bean. In a trance, he realized that he was not the 25-year-old, majestic and powerful Qin Emperor who had conquered the world, nor was he the young, arbitrary, and controlling Lord of Changfeng Tower who had the best intelligence in the world.

It was the time when the young men and women walked together in the academy and gave hairpins to each other.

It was the Jinwu Guard who was sitting in the confinement room in a panic and the little princess who was lying on the windowsill throwing golden beans to catch fish.

She is the eldest daughter and a guest official in blue.

It was the little pharmacist who was waiting for answers to questions on numerology in the private school at that time.

She is the pure and innocent young lady who rests her chin quietly on her hand.

So the young man at that time stretched out his hand and picked up the golden bean. Xue Shuangtao took a deep breath and then exhaled. When Li Guanyi's palm grabbed the golden bean, he let go of his hand.

Then a hand grasped his wrist.

A woman who was only at the third level of the heavens could never catch the Qin Emperor, who was a rival to the first in his time. So she approached like a butterfly, grabbed Li Guanyi's sleeve, and stood on tiptoe.

Xue Shuangtao's lips were imprinted on Li Guanyi's lips.

The golden bean fell to the ground.

There is a clanging sound.

Just like the years of youth.

(End of this chapter)