Chapter 10 is regrettable

Isn't there an imperial decree? As your commander, I must properly commend the soldiers under your command

Ren Pingsheng cast a sidelong glance at him and said, "What? Is it not possible? Don't underestimate me; I have fought in battles before, and I might be of considerable use."

Yuan Xiu gently nodded, "Is there anything more effective than the word 'benefit' when it comes to mobilizing the hearts of the people for my use? Prime Minister Xiao is truly a remarkable figure"

Qing Tong was unaware of the operation method of the Xuanbing True Qi, and naturally could not actively stop the circulation of her bloodline. Therefore, over the years, this trace of True Qi has remained hidden within her Dantian, not deepening gradually like that of other martial artists who practiced internal skills.

"Yuan Xiu, you need not be verbose." Ren Pingsheng slammed the wine bowl onto the table, "I am not leaving!"

It is not bad. In fact, it is surprisingly good! Just in terms of troop deployment, I did not expect that this change in the order would have such a significant effect. In this restructuring of the army, various factions are mixed together, and those who can fight and those who cannot have separated themselves. If this is handled well, gradually assigning them different tasks and then gradually reorganizing and transferring them, what remains will not only be elite soldiers, but there will also be no distinction of who belonged to whom; they will all be soldiers of Dayuan. Just in terms of troop deployment, I did not expect that this change in the order would have such a significant effect. In this restructuring of the army, various factions are mixed together, and those who can fight and those who cannot have separated themselves. If this is handled well, gradually assigning them different tasks and then gradually reorganizing and transferring them, what remains will not only be elite soldiers, but there will also be no distinction of who belonged to whom; they will all be soldiers of Dayuan. However, the reform requires a large number of soldiers to return to farming. It seems that there are favorable new policies and regulations regarding land, and the soldiers currently have no objections. But once the war is over, can the state still afford such a large amount of support? With so many soldiers returning home to farm, after a few years without the state’s subsidies, can there be no calamity?

Ren Pingsheng curled his lips and said, "Oh! Do you think that in name you are the Grand Marshal of the Army, but in reality you have to carry out his orders to reform the military system, and you are not happy about it? I think you should just give up. From top to bottom in the capital, the only one who can truly win Ren's respect is that Master Xiao! If you try to outsmart him, you will surely be the one to perish!" He glanced down at the city and added, "When it's time to perform, he must perform."

According to the identities of Zhang Fenglan and Ren Pingsheng, these imperial guards should have protected them in the middle, how could they be allowed to clear the way? However, before Old Ren became the chief instructor of the imperial guards, he had served as the chief instructor of the imperial army, and his capabilities were well known to these guards. No one believed they could protect him, nor did they think he needed protection, so they let him do as he pleased. Old Ren bringing the imperial guards to take office was merely a necessary formality; when going to Yizhou for the handover, it would not do for the bare-bones commander to arrive alone, would it? Otherwise, he wouldn't even need to bring these fifty men.

Ren Pingsheng first received the order, and then someone loudly read out the prepared words of consolation, all of which were encouraging remarks. These ceremonies were arranged by the Ministry of Rites, so Old Ren did not need to worry, he just had to follow along. Yuan Xiu then led him to walk around the city wall of Longde County, allowing the soldiers on all sides to see.

Upon reconsideration, I shook my head. Is there any title greater than that of the Prime Minister? Moreover, the Prime Minister of the Great Yuan is not a nominal title; it is one that allows participation in governance alongside the Empress. However, the first Empress's Prime Minister was too honest, lacking initiative even while sitting daily in the court; the second Empress was too domineering, leading to frequent changes in the Prime Minister position, which did not allow for the establishment of a solid power base. Thus, the Great Yuan has never experienced a division of power among the Prime Ministers. The first Empress's Prime Minister was too honest, lacking initiative even while sitting daily in the court; the second Empress was too domineering, leading to frequent changes in the Prime Minister position, which did not allow for the establishment of a solid power base. Thus, the Great Yuan has never experienced a division of power among the Prime Ministers.

At the beginning of the founding of the nation, the originally proposed name for this place by the officials was "Yizhou". However, this name, which clearly carried discriminatory connotations, was rejected by Emperor Gaozu and changed to "Yizhou", a name with a similar pronunciation. Another state where a minority ethnic group gathered, Jiezhou, was renamed Jiezhou twenty years ago after the Marquis Yuan Xiu of Guannei, at a young age, led only a few hundred men to victory over the Qie people’s rebellion. This place is the foundation of the young general from back then, who now commands the largest army of Dayuan—General Yuan Xiu, with four hundred thousand troops.

Half a month later, Yuan Xiu could no longer resist and invited him to the residence for a drink at night. The banquet was not lavish; it was merely a small table set up in a quiet corner of the residence, accompanied by a few exquisite dishes. However, there were two large jars of wine. The two of them removed their military attire and sat down to drink together.

"It is a water cart for delivering water." Upon seeing this, a soldier turned back and quietly said to Ren Pingsheng, "The Qiang people live in the mountains, and not every village has a water source. Such carts are quite common."

Ren Pingsheng held the wine bowl and drank it with great enjoyment, as if he had not heard anything at all

The herald followed them, pausing occasionally on the city wall to read a few lines, waiting for the heralds at each level of the army to relay the message, so that every soldier could hear it

The heart of the girl with blue eyes suddenly tightened, and no matter how much she endured, a tear fell down helplessly.

However, in her early years, Qing Tong had a cold ice true energy injected into her body by Madam Zhou. The cold ice true energy is a very peculiar internal skill; its practice method is exactly opposite to the direction of the blood circulation brought about by one's own vitality. In other words, one must first stop the flow of their own blood vessels in order to cultivate this internal skill

What kind of drug is this that induces a false death? It is a genuine heart attack, without the aid of medication, without external suppression; she is truly at the brink of death.

Ren Pingsheng nodded slightly, "Isn't that so? Even if I just fought a battle and lost my dear mother, I would wipe my tears and get busy with farming and business. This shows that everything we do now makes people feel that opportunities are rare!" Coupled with his rare solemn expression, Ren Pingsheng's words carried considerable weight.

The soldiers looked at each other with wide eyes. They stood in a tense standoff, with two teams facing each other; minor skirmishes were acceptable, but they did not dare to engage in a full-blown fight, as that would be akin to rebellion. These individuals were merely interested in observing the court's attitude and level of trust towards them, rather than genuinely seeking to revolt. After some commotion, they had no choice but to hastily conclude the matter.

At the front of the team were two individuals. One was dressed in an officer's uniform, approximately in his thirties, with a fair complexion and a slight beard, possessing a pair of slender phoenix eyes; he was Zhang Fenglan, the commander under Prince Jin. The other was significantly taller than the others, dressed in plain clothes, yet due to his robust physique, he exuded an imposing presence comparable to that of the soldiers beside him; he was Ren Pingsheng, a close minister to the Emperor.

The subordinates of King Jin were dissatisfied and deliberately showed him the detailed grain ledger. The details of these military supplies and rations for just one garrison amounted to as many as five large boxes, all brought over for General Ren to review. It was anticipated that it would take him half a month to thoroughly check them. Ren Pingsheng picked up the first book upside down, stumbling and jumping as he read, recognizing perhaps one-third of the characters. It was evident that there was no hope for him to understand it.

The two of them have been traveling together for several months. Zhang Fenglan is the general dispatched by the Jin Wang to reorganize his army. The Jin Wang's troops and supplies are heading north to Guanzhong, but they still require a court official to oversee the operations in the middle.

This task is not easy to accomplish. As for Prince Jin, he has already made the decision to relinquish power, which is quite straightforward and decisive. However, his subordinates at various levels have their own demands, leading to some feeling anxious and delaying the process, some being two-faced, and others trying to curry favor with officials in the capital for their future prospects. The old gentlemen of Prince Jin have already turned a blind eye to these matters; everything has been handed over to you in full. If the court cannot even manage these minor issues, then it is akin to supporting a hopeless case, unworthy of assistance. Therefore, the court needs a capable person to take over this matter and ensure it is handled well. The old gentlemen of Prince Jin have already turned a blind eye to these matters; everything has been handed over to you in full. If the court cannot even manage these minor issues, then it is akin to supporting a hopeless case, unworthy of assistance. Therefore, the court needs a capable person to take over this matter and ensure it is handled well

However, this thought cannot be shared with others. Yuan Xiu is a person driven by fame and profit, but this big fellow in front of him is definitely not! Moreover, even if he were to say it, he would certainly not enjoy this topic. Yuan Xiu changed his tone and deliberately smiled, saying: "By the way, Brother Ren, you just mentioned that the only person you admire is Prime Minister Xiao? What about His Majesty? Do you not regard him highly either?"

On the mountain road, there were few signs of human presence, and they encountered outsiders for the first time in the afternoon. This group consisted of only five individuals, slowly driving two ox carts, effectively blocking a stretch of the dirt road.

Ren Pingsheng smiled and said, "So tell me, does she appreciate me?"

He is indeed formidable now, with 400,000 troops and supplies already in place, which is the highest number of soldiers ever led by a general in the history of Dayuan. In the past, Zhou Yifu, who was the pillar of Dayuan, only commanded 200,000 troops, and even the sixteen imperial guards controlled by the emperor numbered only 120,000.

When Qing Tong's heartbeat resumed and blood began to flow, the minuscule amount of mysterious ice energy could not withstand the push of the blood vessels throughout the body and retracted once again. Aside from still being icy cold, there were no further signs of having used any true energy. Even if a master like Sais were to come and examine her, the conclusion would likely only be that of a death-like state induced by a drug. How could one blame Xiao Tu Nan for misunderstanding this situation?

Qing Tong deliberated thoroughly and decided to leave Ren Ping Sheng in charge of this matter when returning to the capital from Jinyang. She granted Ren Ping Sheng a highly authoritative military supervisor position, instructing all parties to approach him with any issues.

This time, Yuan Xiu did not hesitate and said: "Anyone who interacts with you will come to appreciate you"

He chuckled and openly admitted that he recognized the characters in the grain ledger, yet he did not recognize the words. He called the local military officials brothers and sincerely handed over the grain ledger, repeatedly stating that the Emperor had said to work together. The stationed troops received the order, sharpened their eyes to inspect, and uncovered many discrepancies. The matter of troop movements was again entrusted to the subordinates of Prince Jin, who supervised with the same vigilance as hunting dogs, leaving no detail unchecked

Both of those vehicles are quite dilapidated, with the wheels creaking as they roll, likely having not been oiled for a long time. The axles are covered in rust, and the two oxen pulling the cart are caked in mud, with the skin in contact with the yoke shining brightly, their fur worn down.

I didn't think about it, it should take at least three to five months

Yuan Xiu's lips moved slightly, and he chuckled, "In the past... I did feel jealous, but after he orchestrated Your Majesty's ascension to the throne, I no longer entertained such thoughts. His singular strength can strategize for the nation, which I could never match."

Ren Pingsheng and Zhang Fenglan arrived in Yizhou a few days ago, resting in Longde County near the military camp. They then went their separate ways; Ren Pingsheng went to Yuan Xiu in Yizhou, while Zhang Fenglan went to Xia Dachun in Jiezhou to convey military orders and imperial edicts. Ren Pingsheng calculated the time and arrived at noon to read the imperial edict, as military affairs are best conducted at noon to capture the most auspicious energy of the day.

After leaving Jinyang and heading north, the plains come to an end, and what lies ahead is a complex and difficult terrain of hills and mountains. Beyond the hilly area is the Guanzhong region of Dayuan.

Yuan Xiu furrowed his brows and asked, "Why do you have to stay for so long?"

Old Ren suddenly realized and laughed, saying: "I said it, a wealthy person is one thing, but how can everyone afford to build such a large house?" After saying this, he rode off in high spirits!

After he finished speaking, Yuan Xiu gave a passionate and fervent reply, vowing to repay the emperor's grace, making the entire ceremony prolonged and tedious

That is to say, one wishes to gain Your Majesty's attention through achievements! Yuan Xiu felt an overwhelming heat of anxiety, this fool! Is not showing care and affection more likely to touch a person's heart than merely accomplishing tasks? Can you compare your achievements to those of King Xi Zhan Zhen Ye? Women are difficult to understand through common reasoning; although she is currently at odds with King Xi Zhan Zhen Ye, one cannot be sure that something might not touch her heart. Therefore, it is best to first provide her heart with a sense of belonging for stability

What are you so anxious about? Do you think this new policy is not good? Do you have any suggestions for improvement

Guanzhong, Yizhou

The imperial guards behind caught up, and one person, panting heavily, shouted loudly: "This is the village of the Qiang people. My lord, if you go another fifteen li north, you will reach Qiangzhou. On the mountain, there is a village, which is not inhabited by a single family, but is shared by the entire village. It is customary for the Qiang people to live in clans."

Yuan Xiu was taken aback, "Brother Ren, what happened?"

A shimmering stream lies not far from the official road, its waters bright and clear, untainted, flowing quietly. In the distance, the green mountains rise majestically, stretching endlessly towards the horizon, presenting a scene of captivating beauty.

If there are no unforeseen circumstances, this strand of true energy will gradually weaken and eventually disappear. However, during this episode of Qing Tong's heart ailment, with breath cut off and blood not flowing, the Xuanbing true energy began to circulate automatically. This is the world's foremost life-preserving technique. Although it is merely a faint trace, circulating for a day and a night has managed to suppress Qing Tong's heart condition.

This is a region located in the northwest of Dayuan, which, in terms of area, is larger than the combined total of the four inland provinces. However, the terrain of this province is rugged, and the land suitable for grain cultivation and grazing is limited; most of it consists of barren mountains that can hardly sustain many people. Therefore, when Dayuan established its territory at the founding of the nation, such a vast area was designated as only one province.

"Oh no! There is something important!" Ren Pingsheng suddenly shouted, interrupting his words

He openly admitted that since he had enough thick skin, Yuan Xiu could no longer continue to mock him. Looking at his travel-worn face, he opened his mouth to speak but held back. At this moment, the order officer had also finished reading his marshal's decree. The review by Yuan Xiu was concluded, and the various troops were reorganized and withdrew, with dust and smoke rising, creating quite a flurry of activity.

As soon as he was lost in thought here, he had already been poured several glasses of wine by Ren Pingsheng

The fifty imperial guards did not understand the Qiang language, and in order to avoid misunderstandings, they all smiled amicably

However, this statement is already quite straightforward. Ren Pingsheng has opened his heart to him, and Yuan Xiu is somewhat at a loss for words, yet still unwilling to give up.

He pointed at the village and exclaimed: "Look quickly! Whose house is this so large! There must be at least several hundred rooms! Wow! There are more on that hill over there! Oh my, the one on the front hill is even bigger! Tsk tsk! What kind of place is this? It must be inhabited by wealthy landlords!"

A group of approximately fifty individuals is currently galloping along the yellow earth path. These individuals are clad in blue leather armor, adorned with bronze tiger heads, and each carries a spring knife measuring one foot and three inches in length at their waist. Those familiar with military affairs can easily discern that these individuals are the imperial guards of Dayuan.

The tall man controlled the muscles on his face, smiling slightly within a very small range, "Yuan Xiu, are you jealous of him?"

Each of the two ox carts had several large water buckets, the areas where the iron bands held the bucket walls were stained with a dark red rust, which was nothing particularly special, and the group of people did not pay any further attention, simply walking around them.

Ren Pingsheng laughed and said: "That is not something to be taken lightly; I have placed it in my heart!"

Hearing the dense sound of hooves behind them, all five individuals turned around, their expressions wary, observing that their attire was characteristic of the local Qiang people

Unfortunately, Xiao Se has more important tasks at hand. The Iron Forest Army has been advancing from Qingzhou, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, resulting in many common people and landowners falling into extreme poverty, with land left barren, soldiers in disarray, and commerce stagnating, leading to a complete collapse of all trades. Both Xiao Se and Qing Tong's eyes lit up; while some were burning the fields, others were sowing seeds, making it the perfect opportunity to implement new policies! Thus, as soon as his health improved, he hurriedly set off for the northwest, following closely behind the Iron Forest Army to allocate seeds on-site, settle a large number of post-war refugees, reorganize the army, recruit soldiers, distribute land, and promote commerce... The vigorous sowing activities in Dayuan commenced right where the enemy had just withdrawn.

Zhang Fenglan noticed that Ren Pingsheng's eyes were bright and could not help but frown, saying: "Lord Ren, the Qiang people have many rules, and one can easily offend their taboos. We are under imperial orders, and it may be fine elsewhere, but once we enter Guanzhong, there will be no fun left. Let us hurry on our way!"

After all this turmoil, not only did her body not experience any trouble, but her illness also improved somewhat

The tall man turned his head to look at the city below, lowering his voice. "Yuan Xiu, let me tell you something. The reason Qing Tong chose you to command the army is not only because of your loyalty but also your capability. Just look at how she didn't grant me an army of 400,000. Reform is necessary; there are bound to be issues. The benefits of wartime will become evident. If something seems off, just go ahead and deal with it! This achievement is no less than that of the Prime Minister." Reform is necessary; there are bound to be issues. The benefits of wartime will become evident. If something seems off, just go ahead and deal with it! This achievement is no less than that of the Prime Minister.

A group of people took a brief rest before proceeding along the earthen road that wound around the mountain

The Imperial Guards are responsible for guarding the royal palace. Although their number is only around 5,000, they are all elite among the elite. Currently, this team of fifty has already gained considerable momentum. Moreover, the Imperial Guards leave the capital either to protect the royal family or to convey imperial orders. Even if no one knows the identities of Ren Pingsheng and Zhang Fenglan, seeing the Imperial Guards present, no one dares to provoke them. These individuals were escorted along the way and safely arrived in Guanzhong.

Afterward, Ren Pingsheng settled in Yizhou. Yuan Xiu initially managed to find time to accompany him, but as matters became more numerous, he no longer had that much time. Ren Pingsheng did not mind the lack of hospitality; he continually encouraged Yuan Xiu to focus on his own affairs. At times, he would visit the military camp, and at other times, he would go to the countryside, enjoying leisurely and happy outings.

During the banquet, Yuan Xiu opened his mouth several times, only to swallow his words back down again. Ren Pingsheng took a sip of wine, without turning around, he knew that Yuan Xiu was looking at him, and said lightly: "If you have something to say, just say it. If you keep holding it in, I will get constipated!"

The grandeur of the proclamation is akin to that of the emperor's procession, featuring golden gourds, golden brocade, golden halberds, golden axes, silver gourds, silver axes, bronze halberds, fans, staffs, feathers... The initial assembly of the four hundred thousand troops, with its solemn and dignified display, serves to bolster their confidence

Although Ren Pingsheng is a military governor, the imperial decree was read by a eunuch specifically sent with the army. The middle-aged eunuch took the imperial edict and, in a professional tone, proclaimed loudly: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It has come to my attention that the Western country has invaded our Guanzhong region and disturbed our people, causing public grievances to boil over and the populace to be unsettled. I shall send troops to quell them. Generals Yuan Xiu, Qi Chengtai, Xia Dachun, and others have diligently fulfilled their duties and fought bravely, and they should be rewarded. It is my intention to appoint the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Ren Pingsheng, to the position of military governor, with General Zhang Fenglan as his deputy, to represent me in patrolling the border and comforting the soldiers. Thus it is decreed!"

Yuan's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you saying that you came here to deliberately avoid her?"

"Go ahead and be vain!" Yuan Xiu said anxiously, "You think you are so clever! How many women do you know that you dare to claim you understand their thoughts? I suggest you hurry back; it is quite possible that His Majesty has forgotten what you look like!"

Not long after leaving Jinyang, the army of the Jin King had a conflict with the local troops. Zhang Fenglan deliberately ignored the situation, stating that at this moment, the subordinates of the Jin King had already submitted to the state, and instructed his subordinates to seek arbitration from the supervising general. The local garrison commander, fearing that the Jin King's subordinates would file a biased complaint, brought both sides to the supervising general's headquarters, seeking a resolution from the commander. To their surprise, Ren Pingsheng, after listening to a few words, cheerfully demanded that the officers from both sides draw their ranks and engage in battle.

Unfortunately, even Qing Tong herself does not understand this reason, so how can she explain it to him

Ren Pingsheng narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "The person who has always been by my side suddenly left. Over time, there is no one who doesn't miss them. Perhaps those big eyes are thinking of me so much that they can't sleep at night now."

This expression is universally understood across the world. A few Qiang people relaxed their expressions, realizing that these individuals were passing through, and thus urged their ox cart to the roadside, making way for them.

There are indeed some errors and omissions, but Ren Pingsheng does not delve deeply into them. He is not afraid of minor mistakes in his own words and actions, nor does he pursue small errors in finances and supplies. Unconsciously, he has managed to squeeze out a considerable amount of time, and within just a few months, the organized materials and troops have been continuously sent to Yuan Xiu.

"Why aren't you leaving?" Yuan Xiu furrowed his brow, "Putting aside everything else, just considering the current tense situation in the northwest... Aren't you worried about His Majesty encountering danger?"

Why? Yuan Xiu, measuring others by his own standards, cannot help but consider whether Ren Pingsheng is also in a state of extreme calm yet thinking of action, wanting to accomplish great deeds and establish some achievements in this realm. The closeness between Ren Pingsheng and the emperor is something he cannot compare to; he is willing to take the blame for the emperor, and upon returning, he will undoubtedly be dismissed, his status several ranks below that of Ren Pingsheng. However, for someone so close, if the emperor intends to employ him, promotion would be quite easy. There is already a Xiao Se in the court whom he cannot compare to; does there need to be another?

Old Ren rolled up his sleeves and shouted: "Because the army is about the ability to exert strength together, do you understand? Therefore, everyone must join in. You newcomers, let me teach you a thing or two. It doesn't matter if other factions are strong; when facing them, you must muster this momentum! We cannot afford to lose face by letting only the leaders take charge! If you are friends in this endeavor, then stand shoulder to shoulder! Even if only a few of you remain, you must not show cowardice; this is about fighting for our pride! Do you understand? It took me a long time to figure this out, and today I am telling you: we are the army, and we must have this kind of spirit! The so-called sharing joys and sorrows, working together in the same boat, sacrificing everything, and when in battle, the command of the sovereign may not be heeded! With one heart and one mind, forging ahead without hesitation, flowing like a river, and in utter chaos... cough cough. In short, it is useless to say anything else; whoever wins is right! You can fight with confidence; I will be watching here. Whether you win or lose, I will not hold it against you. If I show favoritism, you can choke me on my own words!"

Wow! Ren Pingsheng gasped, "These Qiang people are truly skilled at construction, but why do they build their houses on the mountains? Isn't that quite inconvenient?"

Yuan Xiu's expression was solemn and dignified as he walked slowly around the city, which is why no one noticed that what he said was fundamentally different from what the herald had proclaimed

Old Ren shook his head, "This is it, they admire me, but do not like me. If I continue to be close to her, it would easily turn into a deep friendship, and then I would never be able to turn things around."

Ren Pingsheng raised his head and drank a bowl of wine, "Can you tell what my feelings for her are?" This "her" is someone both of them naturally know.

Yuan Xiu shot a glance and said, "What do you think?"

She is in Kyoto, under the protection of countless troops! If anyone has the ability to harm her, then Da Yuan would surely be finished as well. To be honest, I would be willing to come; there is nothing left for me to do by staying by her side. The things she says when she gathers with people like Wuben Shan... Ren Pingsheng finally forced a smile, "I understood what it means to expose one's weaknesses after just one approach; it was utterly useless. Whatever, whether it's supervising grain or commanding troops, in any case, I have done a little for her. Why should I insist on staying by her side?"

Yuan Xiu shook off his hand, breaking out in goosebumps. He glared at Ren Pingsheng for a while, not trusting his teasing, yet understanding that this person was resolute in his thoughts, seemingly truly unwilling to leave.

Yuan Xiu looked at him with great difficulty and earnestly said, "Brother Ren, you are a good person, but there is still a long, far, wide, and deep distance from her liking you"

As the terrain gradually rose, a group of people slowly ascended the high slope, with Ren Pingsheng leading the way. One could see that the lush green mountains were dotted with small villages, which differed significantly from the standalone structures of houses in the Central Plains. These villages were first enclosed as a whole using bamboo and wood, and only then were individual households delineated within.

Yuan Xiu downed his drink in one gulp and mocked, "This is a place for performances, don’t you understand? Even if there are a couple of fights, they will be nothing more than thunder with little rain, what suspense is there? What’s the point of you staying here?" He sighed, "Several of my generals have been discussing you in private. Some say you are a close minister of the emperor, here to accumulate military achievements; others say you are being marginalized and have been demoted to this place, all of which are mere nonsense. Why don’t you tell me, since there’s nothing going on, why don’t you hurry back to the capital... and stay by your side?"

Among the four hundred thousand troops, one hundred thousand are stationed in Yizhou. Standing atop the city walls and gazing out, one sees an endless expanse of soldiers! The neatly arranged ranks of soldiers stretch all the way to the horizon. Under the sunlight, the gleaming silver armor of the elite troops in the front line illuminates half the sky! The pheasant feathers atop the helmets of the generals, displayed so densely, seem to transform into a surging jungle! Countless black banners are raised around the military formation, fluttering in the wind. The pheasant feathers atop the helmets of the generals, displayed so densely, seem to transform into a surging jungle! Countless black banners are raised around the military formation, fluttering in the wind. On these banners is the large character "苑" written in cursive script, its fierce and claw-like strokes immediately imparting a sense of murderous intent, evoking an imposing momentum as if one could sever rivers with a whip or raise hands like clouds.

Ren Pingsheng crossed past them but couldn't help turning back for a glance. He bore no airs at all; these imperial guards were already acquainted with him, and they had grown even more familiar along the way. One of them joked, "The commander seems reluctant to part; could it be that the figure of that person resembles the esteemed one in the capital?"

From now on, do not play any tricks with me! If you are alive, I will take your people back! If you are dead, I will take your corpse back!

Brother Ren! Yuan Xiu gritted his teeth for a long time before coming up with a phrase, "Although your presence here is useful to me, it is not joyful. I know that men of your caliber, like you, prefer a life of ease and pleasure. When I first pledged my loyalty, the Imperial Guards would not accept me, and you jumped directly from the city wall into my army, sharing the hardships of sleeping outdoors with me. What a grand gesture that was! Now, with Minister Xiao occupied, you obediently come to do his bidding, taking on trivial tasks like overseeing grain supplies and issuing orders. Where has your heroic spirit gone? Do you not feel stifled? Brother Ren! You clearly wish to return to the capital; why not live according to your own desires?"

Ren Pingsheng nodded vigorously and said, "That is the essence of being seasoned in statecraft! At that time, with wide eyes, he remarked, 'You seasoned individuals are quite formidable; if this continues, you could very well plot the downfall of the nation!' Hence, it is called seasoned statecraft!"

A guard stepped forward and said: "My lord, these local tribes are quite difficult to deal with. Not only are they very resistant to outsiders, but they have also divided themselves into numerous clans, large and small, totaling over a hundred. The larger clans have tens of thousands of members, while the smaller ones may consist of only a few dozen individuals, and they are very wary of each other. The flatlands are considered quite unsafe by the Qiang people, which is why, regardless of the size of the tribe, they all build their settlements on the mountains. However, it is said that the Qiang people are as agile as monkeys when climbing, so they probably do not find it troublesome."

Old Ren occasionally went to the Jin Wang faction and remarked, "The supplies over there are all accounted for, why aren't you organizing the troops yet?" Or he would say to the stationed troops, "After all, they are from Jinyang, they really have a way of handling these trivial matters!" This made both sides perk up, and what was originally an extremely intricate and complicated situation was handled with great decisiveness. Everyone unconsciously included the term 'my lord' in their speech, and they all appeared to be soldiers brought out by Old Ren. What was originally an extremely intricate and complicated situation was handled with great decisiveness. Everyone unconsciously included the term 'my lord' in their speech, and they all appeared to be soldiers brought out by Old Ren.

Yuan Xiuyi shot a glare at this rough fellow and then said, "Just speak plainly, Brother Ren, when do you plan to return?"

Ren Pingsheng smiled faintly, how could Yuan Xiu know that he was not happy? Does he understand what a life of pleasure truly is? If he were to become the kind of hero that Yuan Xiu speaks of, one who seeks to attract the attention of others, he would have left long ago, would have departed from the capital where he could not showcase his abilities, how could he have waited until today?

Yuan Xiu let out a sigh, nodded slightly, yet there was a sentence he did not utter. It seemed that a strategist like Xiao Se, who was at the forefront of turbulent times, devoted himself to the affairs of others but often met with an unfortunate end. Yuan Xiu was not joking; he truly did not envy Xiao Se. He possessed a strong confidence in himself. Perhaps his abilities were not on par with that person, but he was certain that he would smile longer than him, and in the end, his achievements would certainly not be inferior to those of Xiao Se.

Zhang Fenglan shot him a glance, clearly disliking the way he was addressed and his overly familiar demeanor. However, this self-important top general of the Jin King had privately tested his skills against Ren Pingsheng, after which he became much more subdued. Nevertheless, Ren Pingsheng was not difficult to get along with; as long as one did not harbor ill intentions towards him, one could quickly become very familiar with him. With the official matters completed, Zhang Fenglan found no opportunity to create difficulties, and over the past few days, he had genuinely gotten along well with Old Ren. He lazily nodded and said, "I have seen many, even large encampments of thirty or fifty thousand people, and I have seen them spread over four or five mountain peaks."

Yuan Xiu shook his head slightly, "His new policies have indeed provided significant opportunities for people at all levels, so it is no wonder that the results are remarkable! But is he really that confident? He has made such bold moves, involving military, political, and civil affairs, and he is attempting to reform them all at once! I have never even heard of such a thing; this is rather too forceful!"

The troops of the Jin Wang must be utilized, and the troops from the Northeast Road must also be employed. Although this is a time to give face to the soldiers of the Jin Wang faction and to reassure them, it is also important not to exert excessive pressure on the local troops. One can only coordinate and guide in a balanced manner. At this critical juncture, it would be unwise to allow minor issues related to attitude or methods to escalate into major troubles.

Yuan Xiu pointed to the left in annoyance, "Over there!"

Yuan Xiu, clad in shining armor, led his subordinates, including the deputy generals and above, standing straight on the city wall awaiting the imperial decree. He appeared like a grand flag, exuding an imposing presence.

Yuan Xiu was so anxious that he almost wanted to pinch him. How could Ren Pingsheng not understand? Why was he not giving it his all? Did he not know the relationship between His Majesty and King Xizhan Zhenye? And Qing Tong was the ruler of Dayuan, also tied to Yuan Xiu's future prospects. No matter what, he must not allow her any possibility of returning to Xizhan!

The various levels of generals, who had been holding back their energy to accomplish something, were completely taken aback when dealing with the appointed governor. They initially thought that the person sent by the emperor would surely be a civil official familiar with finances and administrative affairs. However, the governor's demeanor and conduct resembled that of a bandit who had just been pacified; he was definitely not a civil official! He had no understanding of administrative matters at all! He was quite adept at drinking, feasting, horseback riding, and hunting. Whether it was the faction of Prince Jin or the local garrison, he addressed everyone as brothers, and inadvertently referred to officers as the big boss. He had no understanding of administrative matters at all! He was quite adept at drinking, feasting, horseback riding, and hunting. Whether it was the faction of Prince Jin or the local garrison, he addressed everyone as brothers, and inadvertently referred to officers as the big boss.

Upon reaching Guanzhong, the terrain gradually rises, with mountains overlapping one after another. The wide and flat official road of the plains transforms into a winding mountain path. Fortunately, this mountain road is also paved with highly compacted yellow earth, which, although appearing rudimentary, does not slow down the horses compared to the smooth official roads of the inland.

You really don't understand anything. A man who behaves like a sycophant has no dignity at all; it's no wonder that women wouldn't be attracted to him. One must maintain some semblance of face! Come on, let's not talk about this anymore, let's drink.

Ren Pingsheng came to his senses, shook his head, "There is nothing inappropriate, it's just that this kid's silhouette resembles a familiar person I met not long ago, so I took a few more glances. It's nothing, let's go."

Ren Pingsheng laughed heartily, "What does Brother Ren think, that I might not understand deeply? Why not just say that I am a bit simple-minded? I have a bond with you that is as strong as life and death, so we don't need to play these pretentious games! Your argument, before the Westerners attacked, I had already become deaf from hearing it in Kyoto! It's all just talk without action, full of fear and hesitation! What do you call this? Big Eyes has mentioned it before, damn it, why can't I recall it at the moment? It's quite a good term, old... it's all just talk without action, full of fear and hesitation! What do you call this? Big Eyes has mentioned it before, damn it, why can't I recall it at the moment? It's quite a good term, old... old what? ..."

Do not be polite; during the time of statecraft, you contributed significantly as well

With the northern advance of troops, the soldiers under the command of the King of Jin inevitably encountered friction with the armies along the way. The soldiers under the King of Jin were those whom the Emperor had personally stated he would favor, and they carried a large amount of supplies, viewing themselves as saviors, which made them quite arrogant. However, the stationed troops in various regions were unwilling to let them gain the upper hand, and they faced numerous difficulties and obstacles.

The soldier, unafraid, laughed and said: "A romantic interest does not necessarily have to be female. I know that many high officials in the capital have a preference for this sort of thing. That Qiang person, with their delicate features, is even more attractive than the average young lady."

"The brothers are sent by the Emperor. What you all say makes sense to me, but the Emperor's words make the most sense. Who are you? A military force! What is the most important thing for a military force? You don't know, do you? It is skill! The skill to fight! The Emperor said that the skill to bicker privately is not real skill! If it comes to the skill of bickering, none of you can compare to me. Any little brat who doesn't believe it can come and try! But I lack the skill to lead troops, do you know why?"

Yuan Xiu's face flushed, and he fell silent. He had been away and had not stayed in the capital to hear about those slanderous lawsuits, nor did he know how many memorials Qing Tong had fought over for the reforms. However, he immediately understood whom the Emperor supported; although Ren Pingsheng pretended to be rough, it was not necessarily without intention to give him a reminder

He casually set this matter aside and swaggered towards his destination, the Guanzhong Yizhou camp. If he had known who this figure resembling Zhao Ruyi was, Old Ren would probably regret so much that he would twist his own head off.

Those who do not understand military affairs will surely think that this is about mobilizing troops and engaging in combat. In reality, true combat would not create such a commotion or waste so much time; it is merely a large-scale military parade.

The closest bodyguard to him quietly stepped back, wiping the spittle from his face

"Stop messing around!" Yuan Xiu frowned and said, "Brother Ren, you will be going back in a couple of days. The situation in the northwest is critical, and the Emperor's health is not good. Aren't you worried?"

Brother Ren, I can understand if you brought the rations over, as it is indeed commendable to defeat the master with a flurry of punches. However, the matter of the rations was settled half a month ago. I heard that you leisurely traveled through the mountains and waters to oversee the troops, taking your time. Are you really coming here to participate in military affairs?

Until reaching the Guanzhong region, minor troubles continued but no major incidents occurred, and matters were more or less handled. With these two official imperial envoys having nothing to do, Ren Pingsheng was unwilling to follow the army, so he forcibly dragged Zhang Fenglan along, claiming it was to enjoy the scenery, and thus only took fifty imperial guards to take a detour.

The imperial guards had just ascended the hillside, and before they could catch their breath, they could only shake their heads in helplessness and spur their horses to follow.

The demographic composition of Yizhou is particularly complex, as it is collectively referred to as the "Three Hu of Guanzhong" along with the neighboring "Jiezhu" and "Qiangzhou". The names of the other two states clearly indicate that they are inhabited by the Jie and Qiang peoples, respectively. In contrast, Yizhou is home to the Jie, Qiang, Dangxiang, and Chile peoples, among others. Almost all ethnic minorities from the northwest can be found here.

Although Ren Pingsheng is rough and unrefined, and somewhat lazy and cunning, Yuan Xiu also acknowledges that he possesses a remarkable charm! His lack of desire allows him to be naturally carefree and free-spirited, a charm that even someone like Zhenye Wang could not possibly have! Moreover, Ren Pingsheng is already the person that Qing Tong is most willing to associate with among those he has seen. This guy, why isn't he giving it his all? Why isn't he striving hard for such a good opportunity? One must consider who they are with; is there still a need to worry about face? This is too self-indulgent. He clenched his fist, determined to persuade him earnestly no matter what.

Yuan Xiu set down his wine cup and urged, "Brother Ren, you must listen to me! Even if protection is not needed, you should hurry back. His Majesty works day and night; how lonely she must be! What kind of people does she not have around her? There is no one like you who dares to speak and make her laugh! As long as you stay by her side, caring for her day by day, and gradually nurture that bond, I believe it can..."

The most suitable candidate for this position is Prime Minister Xiao Se. He is meticulous when it comes to finances, and no one can deceive him. He holds a significant official position, and no one dares to defy his authority. He has no factional ties; whether it is the subordinate of Prince Jin, the troops stationed in the Northeast, or the families in Guanzhong, he has no excessive connections with them, allowing him to act without reservations. Moreover, he is a person who can be absolutely trusted, eliminating concerns about bribery.

As Ren Pingsheng stood up and walked away slowly, he pondered over Yuan Xiu's words, a faint sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth. Daily concern, could it really be so? If concern became a method, could it still be called concern? He stretched lazily and lifted his leg to leave

Yuan Xiu patiently said: "Brother Ren? Did you hear me speaking? Hurry up and go back!"

"Cut it out! How disdainful of Ren Pingsheng, this is just a rare sight! Is this what you call good-looking? This is at most merely delicate! Let me tell you, the figure I mentioned that resembles him is truly good-looking; from the back, they look exactly the same, but from the front, it's quite a different story. The appearance of the person I referred to, tsk tsk..." They continued to laugh and walked further away.

Yuan Xiu smiled faintly, "Brother Ren, contributing labor and providing counsel are not the same thing. The Prime Minister strategizes and balances various interests, and that is what truly deserves the title of being far-sighted and a key minister of the state. Therefore, the Prime Minister is currently shouldering a heavy responsibility—" he pointed to the city below and continued, "while I am here leading the largest theater troupe in the world to perform!"

On the first day of Ren Pingsheng's arrival, he was nominally the commander-in-chief and also a special envoy delivering supplies to Yuan Xiu. Yuan Xiu showed him the military's appearance, which could also be seen as a demonstration of his achievements to the Emperor. Both had to maintain a serious demeanor, but once the soldiers dispersed, they naturally gathered together to enjoy a good drink. Yuan Xiu had been outside for a while, and after not seeing each other for some time, they couldn't help but feel delighted upon meeting. They talked and laughed, drank and made merry, until both were thoroughly intoxicated. They had to maintain a serious demeanor, but once the soldiers dispersed, they naturally gathered together to enjoy a good drink. Yuan Xiu had been outside for a while, and after not seeing each other for some time, they couldn't help but feel delighted upon meeting. They talked and laughed, drank and made merry, until both were thoroughly intoxicated.

The emperor had not yet left Jinyang when the Prime Minister had already departed, taking with him several capable officials he had personally brought up, such as Sun Jia, the Deputy Minister of Finance. Qing Tong's subordinates were already lacking in talent to handle the trivial matters of finances, and there were even fewer individuals who were absolutely trustworthy and had no ties to various factions, leaving them with no one available to use.

Ren Pingsheng turned his head, his expression as solemn and grave as Yuan Xiu's, but the content of his speech was naturally not meant to be overheard

Another soldier from the imperial guard approached and said: "Does the commander feel that there is something amiss? Should we conduct a thorough inspection?"

Brother Ren, on your journey here, have you noticed any differences in Dayuan now?

Yuan Xiu asked him why he did not live according to his own wishes. Ren Ping Sheng smiled, for he had always lived this way, never going against his own heart's desire. Whether it was staying by Qing Tong's side like a shadow, or doing what she wanted him to do like a fool, it was all in accordance with his own wishes. His heart told him to disregard any notions of heroism; why should he oppose his own heart and force himself to pursue the heroism that others perceive? Yuan Xiu did not even understand this, so on what basis could he determine whether Ren Ping Sheng was happy or not? Whether it was staying by Qing Tong's side like a shadow, or doing what she wanted him to do like a fool, it was all in accordance with his own wishes. His heart told him to disregard any notions of heroism; why should he oppose his own heart and force himself to pursue the heroism that others perceive? Yuan Xiu did not even understand this, so on what basis could he determine whether Ren Ping Sheng was happy or not?

Yuan Xiu furrowed his brows and said: "Brother Ren, you may not have thought this through deeply. The reforms throughout history have always been of utmost importance! They require gradual exploration. Currently, Prime Minister Xiao is using the word 'war' to implement changes, which indeed reduces resistance significantly, but it is extremely dangerous. If one side makes a mistake, it will inevitably affect the whole situation and bring great calamity to His Majesty! At this moment, we are in a time of war; if anything goes wrong, why wait for eight hundred years? The crisis is right now!"

Certainly, Old Ren's handling of matters has drawn considerable disdain from the civil officials along the way. Qing Tong has not yet returned to the capital from Jinyang, and the memorials impeaching him have already piled up in the Southern Study. But what does this have to do with Old Ren? Old Ren was ultimately dismissed due to improper handling, a contingency that Qing Tong had already considered before leaving Jinyang. Here lies a tough character who is not entangled with power; the civil officials cannot scold him, and the military officials cannot defeat him, so what can they do?

Ren Pingsheng said with utmost seriousness: "I need to urinate!"

The royal guards were about to set off, but they noticed that Lord Ren was fixated on a young Qiang man, forgetting even to walk.

Ren Pingsheng laughed and said: "You have already said it eight times this time! I am convinced by you, you are definitely more talkative than your mother! I know, I know, just go directly to Yizhou, I will absolutely not cause you any trouble!"

In the places where battles are fought, people cry out for their parents, while in the places where there is no fighting, gold and silver fill the chests. The common people have become much tougher than before! As I have traveled this way, the big shots are busy climbing up, while the little folks are busy making money; as long as the blade is not at their throats, no one cares to be afraid.

Ren Pingsheng was still in high spirits, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Old Zhang! Come and take a look! You don't have anything like this over there, do you? Hundreds of households share a common wall and all use one large gate. Just imagine if a village has ten or eighteen thousand households, how vast that area would be! Old Zhang, I heard you have been to Guanzhong, have you ever seen such a large village?"

In terms of nominal law, the Prince is almost equivalent to a monarch. If it were not for the fact that Qing Tong had already reached the age of twenty, and that all those older than her had numerous wives and concubines, while those younger than her lacked any capabilities that would catch her eye. It is rare that Qing Tong and Ren Ping Sheng have gone through hardships together and are willing to be close to each other. If he truly had ambitions for fame and fortune, he would not be in his current state without needing her to advise him.

Brother Ren! Yuan Xiu frowned, "I am truly anxious, how can you say it is jealousy?"

"Looking at it now, it is useful, so that is enough. Why do you need to fuss over matters that concern eight hundred years into the future? Those who have been eliminated are originally soldiers with inadequate combat capabilities. If they cannot improve through daily training now, how can they possibly turn the tide in a few years? Instead of worrying about this, you would be better off seizing this opportunity to train your elite troops. With a solid elite force at your disposal, there is nothing to fear!"

Ren Pingsheng turned his head, grinned widely, revealing a mouthful of snow-white teeth, "Then tell me, does the big-eyed one like me?"

Yuan Xiu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "Is it wise to govern the country with old age?"

There is no need to speak these words, as Ren Pingsheng extended his large hand and smiled as he placed it on Yuan Xiu's shoulder, "For some reason, the more I look at you, the more I find you pleasing to the eye. Ah, I understand now, I have developed feelings for someone else! I truly cannot bear to leave."

The warm southern wind abruptly comes to a halt here, replaced by the piercing northern wind. The scenery undergoes a sudden transformation; no longer are there small patches of color, but rather vast expanses of green, yellow, and white. However, the yellow is a dull earth tone, the green is a somber dark green, and the white is a weathered grayish white. Blending together seamlessly, they create an unparalleled harmony, evoking a singular feeling from the heavens and the earth—vastness

"Damn you!" Ren Pingsheng laughed and playfully punched him while on horseback, "Can't you tell the difference between male and female? This is clearly a man. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll throw you into the river!"