My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 95 Old Men
King Zhao?

Come to grab the bride?
……Pooh.

How come I got myself into this mess?

King Zhao was the head of the royal family and the pillar of the dynasty. His status was equal to that of the six major sect leaders. In Da Qi, the title of "imperial uncle" belonged to only one person. His reputation for protecting the young lord and guarding the country was known throughout the world. Li Bailong certainly knew who he was.

But the question is, what is he here for?
Li Bailong recalled something: "When Wen Renzhuo came earlier, the Sixteenth Prince accompanied him and claimed that the Emperor's uncle sent him to Lin County to do something... Could it be because of this?"

Fenglin Huoshan had suffered a great defeat, and now that Wenren Zhuo was dead, the prince could not turn the situation around.

What's more, Xiong Jingyan was vindictive. That night, the prince confronted him and offended his face. After Senior Brother Xiong gained power, he immediately retaliated, claiming that the prince was "fanning the flames and provoking a war between the two countries." He directly detained the other party and has now been deported to Beijing and handed over to the clan house.

Given the strict rules of the royal family, one can imagine what happened to this person.

"Is the emperor's uncle here to apologize?"

Thinking of this, Li Bailong pondered and said, "Although he is a wise king, it is not right for him to come here alone to admit his mistakes and apologize for this matter, which is not worthy of the royal family, right?"

"No need to guess."

The Seventh Uncle Master was dressed in a picturesque white robe with a veil covering her face. She arrived gracefully. The sect had just assembled to welcome the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and the Seventh Uncle Master was arranged by the Sect Leader to receive the Emperor's uncle. Her identity was just right.

Now, the uncle's eyes were still as calm as a lake, he just stared at Li Bailong, revealing a hint of curiosity: "I asked, the uncle answered straightforwardly, for two purposes."

"First, he was tied up earlier and sent people to do things but he didn't know who they were and didn't give clear instructions, which led to the idiots in the clan messing things up. He has to come and apologize."

"Secondly, he made it clear that his main purpose for coming here is to recruit you as an official."

Li Bailong was even more shocked.

"This is insane. This is inexplicable." He was completely confused. "You want me to be an official? What kind of official?"

"No, he said it was a serious matter and he could only tell you in person."

"..."

Completely confused, Li Bailong shook his head and said, "It's ridiculous. Not to mention that I just caused a disaster, Feng Lin's affairs were publicized by Beining and everyone knows about it. The Eight Fengtai are eager to eat me alive. In recent years, even the military examination has been difficult to pass, let alone being recruited as an official. I'm afraid that once I take office, the censors of the Fenglin faction will drown me with impeachment memorials... What on earth is King Zhao thinking?"

In his mind, Long Aotian floated out excitedly: "I've got it! King Zhao has discovered your true identity, but he kept it a secret. He only said that he came to recruit you as an official. Then he will come up with a vicious plan to lure you into the White Tiger Hall, order the executioners to rush up and capture you, put you in the death row, and feed you the code pig pill, so that you will have children from now on, ten thousand words at a time!"

"idiot."

Li Bailong was too lazy to pay attention to him.

The fucking King Zhao's life experience is a hundred times more awesome and domineering than Long Zhantian's. Would he be interested in a vulgar and exciting novel that is so conservative even in his dreams and fantasies?

Even if he was interested, for a big shot of this level, his time is extremely precious every day. It would be fine for him to read novels for entertainment, but where would he find the time to go and find the original author in person?
He said to several elders: "I have made some plans for Lingyu Sect, which have been quite effective. Therefore, I am valued by Biyoutian. I guess this is why I caught the eye of the emperor's uncle. Besides, many people must be interested in the inside story of the downed airship. King Zhao came to me most likely for this matter."

"But he will return empty-handed...Except for the Lingyu Sect, disciples will not think of doing anything else."

This is a fair argument. The Lingyu Sect has put in its utmost effort. Whether it is out of gratitude, morality, or considerations of interests, the Lingyu Sect is the only choice and there is no need to hesitate.

"We still have to meet in person."

The head master said, "The wise king is here in person, so we must be courteous and not avoid him. Just listen respectfully to what he says, and say you will consider it, and then politely refuse. If the king of Zhao forces or threatens you, you should discuss it with the Minister of Agriculture."

Li Bailong nodded and said, "Yes, it's just a matter of first come first served. I'd better go to the Minister of Agriculture first and discuss it with him, then go to the uncle and explain it to him, that's it."

The head of the sect thought about it and nodded in agreement: "That is a solution. Without further delay, you should..."

Just then, Seventh Uncle spoke quietly.

"Don't worry... From what King Zhao said, he seems to want to force and threaten the Lingyu Sect first."

Lingzhu Pavilion is a villa for entertaining male guests, and the Minister of Agriculture stayed here.

Old man Nong Jincao changed into the clothes commonly worn by country landlords, washed his face, sprinkled some spices on his body, put on a small hat, and smoked a pipe, appearing more harmless and amiable.

Looking at his current appearance, he has none of the authority and official airs that he once had when he was in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture of Da Qi. His kind and benevolent face full of smiling lines shows a peasant-like cunning and simplicity, and his political scheming and sharp claws are almost completely hidden. When Li Bailong saw him for the first time just now, he felt that the old man's facial features and charm were quite similar to those of Marshal Zhang played by Mr. Li Xuejian.

Now the Grand Minister of Agriculture was fully dressed. He pushed open the door, opened his arms to Xiong Jingyan who was waiting in the yard, turned back and forth, showing himself, with a bright smile on his face, all his wrinkles piled up.

He just smiled and said, "Jingyan, look at my attire. Do I look like a country bumpkin who has some free time?"

Xiong Jingyan laughed and said sincerely: "Sir, you were originally a farmer in the empire, cultivating the world. Now you have resigned and retired, and have become an old farmer in the fields. This is called returning to your true nature."

"Yep!"

The former prime minister of the empire had heard countless words of compliment, but these few remarks were particularly to his liking. His face trembled and he revealed a complacent and smug smile - just like the autumn harvest season, when the wheat waves in his own fields were undulating and the crops were lush, and someone in the village praised him for his good farming skills, which was the highest praise for a farmer.

He put his pipe on the back of his collar, put his hands in his pockets, hunched over, paced in the yard, and chattered like a nagging old man.

"Our Lingyu Sect controls the spirits of heaven and earth for our own use. It sounds impressive, but in fact, we are just relying on God of Heaven and God of Earth for our livelihood. Many of the principles of our sect were dug out from the earth. If you want to remember your roots, you have to plant crops and drive cattle and horses. Only when you have worked hard and reaped the fruits of your labor can you see and think clearly about many things."

He curled his lips and waved his hands toward the north: "Look at Fenglinhuoshan. I heard that many of their young talents don't learn smelting and forging. This is not good. If this continues, people will become arrogant and think that all magic weapons are grown in warehouses. They will forget the principle of tempering steel. They think they are brave and strong, do whatever they want, and think that Fenglinhuoshan is the best in the world. In the end, they will fall flat on their face."

Xiong Jingyan followed behind him and just nodded in agreement, but did not say anything.

Because these words were not originally directed at him.

When the old man said this, he looked at another person in the yard.

That man was one of the only two followers he brought into the valley, and was also the chariot commander of the heavy armored combined regiment.

After the battle that day, Xiong Jingyan extended an invitation to recruit Li Bailong. The commander felt that the Lingyu faction had been implicated in the national war, and Li Bailong had received such a great favor, but did not cry or express his allegiance on the spot. Instead, he was hesitant and seemed to be evasive. He really underestimated the Lingyu faction, so he verbally squeezed it out.

Xiong Jingyan always keeps his word. Today, when he received the call from the Minister of Agriculture, he immediately filed a complaint.

Nong Jincao used to be the prime minister of the empire and was very organized. After learning about this, he still accelerated to Baihua Valley. After seeing Li Bailong and confirming with his own eyes that this person had no resistance to joining the Lingyu Sect, he breathed a sigh of relief and then proceeded to deal with the chariot commander who had spoken out of turn and give Li Bailong an explanation.

He stared at the chariot commander kneeling in the courtyard and sighed, "But today, I discovered that many young people in the Lingyu Sect no longer farm. This is not a good thing."

The punished person bowed his head and said, "I have spoken out of turn. Please punish me, Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"You didn't say anything wrong, you just don't understand."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture punished past mistakes, cured diseases and saved lives, and sighed: "I've said it before, if the people of Lingyu Sect don't farm, they will become arrogant. All things have spirits, and those who are capable can control them. We can command all the spirits of heaven and earth at will, and we have laid such a foundation for the country and made Lingyu Sect feared by the world. Do you think now that we should control not only beasts, birds and insects, but also people, which is natural and justified?"

The other party lowered his head: "...I dare not."

"Look at you. You're like a tomato that's been bitten by worms. You're shrunken and sour."

The Minister of Agriculture walked to his side with his hands in his pockets, kicked him sideways, and said in a more serious tone: "Silly boy, talent, what is talent? It's not chickens, dogs, sheep, or fish. If you give them something to eat, they can guard your house, lay eggs, and grow meat. What is talent? It's a cow!"

"That's a baby! Not only do you have to feed it with all your heart, you also have to take good care of it, play with it, let it know that you are good to it, it has a soul, and will be good to you and repay you."

As he spoke, a smile appeared on his face, as if he was recalling the past.

"Cows are cunning and simple-minded creatures. They can be clever and have a bad temper. They know that tilling the land is tiring and don't like to work hard. If you want to put a bridle on them, you have to coax and beg them, and wait for the right opportunity before you can put it on all at once. Once you put the bridle on them, they will accept it and go to the fields with you obediently. After the work is done, you can help them clean, massage, and feed them. They won't hate you and will do the work they are supposed to do next time you put the bridle on them..."

"As for beating? I dare not do that. If a cow gets stubborn and falls to the ground, you can pull its nose ring off or beat it till its skin is torn, but it will definitely not move at all."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture said this, took out his pipe, and tapped the chariot commander's shoulder: "Do you understand?" "Yes?"

"Then let me ask you, what is Li Bailong?"

"Yes...it's a talent, a cow, and a treasure."

"fart!"

The Grand Minister of Agriculture knocked him on the head with his pipe: "Li Bailong? That's the herb in the herb garden! If the cow gets naughty, you can still whip it a few times. At worst, you can kill it and eat its meat. But the thousand-year-old spiritual tree doesn't like to bloom and bear fruit, what can you do to it? Is the whip useful? Is identity useful? Is intimidation useful?"

He showed a helpless look, spread his hands and said: "If you want the holy fruit of the elixir, you have to bend down, water and fertilize, catch insects and prune branches like a grandson, and ask with a smile, 'Uncle, do you feel better?'"

The other party didn't dare to talk back, he lowered his head deeply and said nothing.

"Rotten wood, rotten wood."

Seeing this, the old man sighed, "The Lingyu Sect is just about farming. If you are willing to bend down, you will understand the principles of the world and know that compared with abundant fruits and abundant storage, face is nothing. You young people disdain farming and think that the Lingyu Sect is so great. You think that even the most talented people in the world are only worthy of being driven by us. Over time, you will be like Fenglin Volcano and fall down sooner or later."

He tapped the man's shoulder with his pipe and said, "I have told you all the truths, but I think you understand now. It is hard. I will tell you to take off your armor and plant the land for three years. When your sweat falls into the soil and fruits are dug out of the land, you will understand the truth I am talking about today... There are treasures in the world, which are formed by nature and earth. If you want to grab them, you must bend down first."

The other party replied in a deep voice: "Yes."

So Nong Jincao ignored him and rubbed his hands instead, showing an expectant smile.

"Okay, I'll water and fertilize the plants. Our sect has worked together and it's finally time to harvest the fruits."

He subconsciously wanted to put the pipe to his lips, but then he remembered something and put it down with a bitter face: "Alas, I haven't smoked since the day before yesterday. The taste in my mouth should be gone, right?"

He threw the pipe to Xiong Jingyan, then took out a wooden box from his arms, took out a piece of chicken tongue incense, put it under his tongue, and said to Xiong Jingyan: "Jingyan, smell it, is there any smell of cigarettes when I speak?"

"..."

Even Xiong Jingyan felt that it was a bit too much at this moment.

"Master, Junior Brother Li is very talented, but I don't think you should be forced to do this..."

"Alas, you didn't understand either."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture pointed at him and said, "How many people have been involved in this matter for Li Bailong, how much money has been spent, how much trouble has been solved, and how many relationships have been taken care of?"

As he spoke, he patted his orange peel-like face, grinned, and said, "You've come this far, what else do you need from an old man like me? Ah, a smile?"

"…The old man taught me that."

"That's right, bend your back and keep your temper. Hey, I have grown up in the wind and rain, and you are going to put me in the warehouse, so what's wrong with smiling? You young people still need to plant more land before you understand the principle of diligence. I laugh at the leader of the Cao Gang who is reluctant to spend money, and the bull nose of the Xuanyuan Sect who is shy. They are obviously close to the water, but hey, in the end, didn't the Lingyu Sect take the lead?"

The old man walked towards the gate with a smile, stretched out his hand to push it, and said with a smile: "There is no need to rush to recruit him this time. Just invite Li Bailong to stay at Biyoutian for a while. We will have a small banquet every three days and a big banquet every five days. We will greet him on horseback and welcome him on foot. We can settle the marriage this year and he will never be able to escape again!"

"Now that the big thing has been decided, he can preside over the military reform and form an alliance with Xuanyuan Sect. After all, in his plan, our aerospace army and armored brigade were originally going to be equipped with Xuanyuan Sect's ingenious weapons. In the end, won't the disciples and favors that Zhang Xuanhong secretly accepted be used by our Lingyu Sect? This is what we call a fisherman's gain..."

——The complacent voice stopped.

There was a man standing in the shade outside the door, with fallen leaves floating down and sprinkling on his shoulders.

He has the appearance of a dragon and the qualities of a phoenix, a face as handsome as a jade, a respectful and elegant manner, a virtuous inner being, and has made great contributions to protecting the country and the people. He has a saintly virtue and follows the king's cause. He is the best person under the emperor of the current dynasty.

At this moment, she was smiling brightly at the two of them as the leaves swayed in the wind.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture’s smile disappeared.

The former prime minister of the empire murmured: "Fuck him..."

The nobles seemed to have heard nothing and bowed deeply to the Minister of Agriculture.

Xiong Jingyan followed behind him, his heart slightly shaken, and he immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, King Zhao."

The Minister of Agriculture froze where he stood, his face trembling as if he had been hit on the head with a knife.

After a moment's silence, he suddenly shouted, "Jingyan! Prepare the car! Let's go! Let's go! Go home!"

Upon hearing this, King Zhao rushed forward in two steps, hugged Nong Jincao, and hurriedly shouted, "Brother, why are you doing this? Why are you doing this!"

"I don't know you!" The old man struggled, "Let's go! We don't want you anymore! We don't want Li Bailong anymore! I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you! We won't be brothers anymore! Let go!"

"No, no, no, it's not what you think!"

The Minister of Agriculture was spitting out foam and angrily said, "Who would believe that! You came here in secret, how could there be anything good!"

King Zhao tried his best to stop him, hugged him and shouted, "There is an explanation! This time there is an explanation! And I won't snatch it! I really won't snatch it! I've already told Bi Youtian! It's all settled!"

He coaxed and persuaded the Minister of Agriculture into the courtyard: "The matter of Fenglin Volcano, the matter of the Way of the Army, and the matter of Xuanyuan Sect, all have their own explanations! Let me tell you one by one!"

The old man was still angry: "You are unreasonable! You are not a human being! We watered and fertilized, and put in blood and sweat, and you, ...

The uncle smiled and pushed the Minister of Agriculture to sit down, poured tea himself, and said with a smile: "I have retired from that business a long time ago. This time I have an important matter, and I need to ask Li Bailong to send me..."

Nong Jincao's eyes were burning as he shouted, "Have you succeeded?"

"That's impossible. Brother, I know the rules in front of you. I won't say anything unless it's Tonggui's faction."

The emperor's uncle looked around and saw Xiong Jingyan tactfully retreating with the new peasant. King Zhao used his profound skills to suppress Lingzhu Pavilion. There were no more spies around to spy on him, so he spoke in a low voice.

"That important thing that had been failing to be done seemed to have been accomplished by Li Bailong by accident..."

He leaned close to the Grand Minister of Agriculture's ear and whispered something.

The old man was angry, but soon his expression changed from anger to surprise, from surprise to astonishment, and finally to a hint of ecstasy that was difficult to suppress.

He still couldn't believe it: "...really?"

"This is a serious matter, how dare I take on so much responsibility?" King Zhao pondered, "However... I should be 30% sure."

"Thirty percent... that's enough!" the old man murmured, "it's too much..."

"Yes, so..."

King Zhao held the hand of the Minister of Agriculture, looked at him sincerely, and said, "Let him try, how about that? If it doesn't work, return it as it is. If it works, you won't want him to stay in Biyoutian anymore, right..."

Nong Jincao was silent for a moment, then suddenly threw the teacup on the table over.

"Fox!" he shouted angrily, "You are playing tricks on me again!"

The emperor's uncle was not angry at all. He wiped the tea off his face and laughed.

Okay! This chapter has 5,000 words, and I finished it before 6 o'clock!
And today I went out to play ball and exercise!
There will be another update in the evening! Keep up the hard work.

But with so many updates every day, I can’t save any drafts at all…

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(End of this chapter)