Red Heart Patrols the Sky - Chapter 344 - Marquis of Dingyuan

Chapter 344 - Marquis of Dingyuan

Words : 1839 Author : Deep Feelings

Chapter 344 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" introduces: Huang Yixing could simply leverage his reputation to become a military governor, and now that... Read on to discover!

Huang Yixing could simply leverage his reputation to become a military governor, and now that everything thrives in the Yang Region, it seems there’s nothing Jiang Wang can’t do either.However, that being said, Zhongxuan Sheng might have to contribute all of his military achievements to make this happen.

The reason Huang Yixing could pacify Hengyang Prefecture was in large part because he, having been a prefectural governor for Yang Country, defected at a critical moment (though it was after the battle), which had significant political implications.

But when one difficulty subsides, another arises.

“Why don’t you go yourself?” Jiang Wang asked.

Zhongxuan Sheng said self-mockingly, “I’m too big and too noticeable!”

Jiang Wang said, “Who doesn’t know I’m with you?

I imagine the resistance won’t be small either.”

Zhongxuan Sheng shook his head, “Although you can represent me, you are not me.”

Jiang Wang realized.

The support of a military governor and the position of military governor itself have entirely different effects on Zhongxuan Sheng’s competition within the Zhong Xuan Family.

With the strength and foundation of Zhongxuan Zun, couldn’t he find the support of several prefectural governors?

But in the competition between the two parties, it’s an all-around comparison of strength, influence, potential, status, titles, and even official positions.

If Zhongxuan Sheng could become a military governor, with his strength and the Zhong Xuan Family’s influence, after governing for a few years, the position of a prefectural governor would definitely be within his reach.

This would surpass Zhongxuan Zun in terms of official rank.

Up until now, there had been no word of Zhongxuan Zun taking up any post, but in any case, it’s unlikely he would land a high-ranking official position such as a prefectural governor upon entering the bureaucratic field.

Therefore, Zhongxuan Zun would never allow this to happen.

Understanding the internal conflicts of the Zhong Xuan Family, one can comprehend why Zhongxuan Sheng has turned to fully support Jiang Wang’s rise to power.

Having understood this point, and with all the Prime Stones transferred back into his storage box, Jiang Wang picked up the last jade token and handed the now empty box back to Zhongxuan Sheng.

With a slight touch of consciousness, he understood that this technique was of the third-grade inferior class.

It related to fire but wasn’t a fire tactic; rather, it was a Dao Technique concerning the spirit, named “Jealous Flame.”

The mastery threshold for a third-grade inferior Dao Technique was within the Ascending Dragon Realm, and the reward from the national treasury perfectly matched Jiang Wang’s cultivation level.

Although it wasn’t a technique in the fire or wood tactics Jiang Wang specialized in, involving the spiritual aspect, after surviving the Flying Snow Trial within the Red Mirror, Jiang Wang, whose spirit had grown, still had some confidence.

At that moment, Zhongxuan Sheng asked, “Do you know who the military governor of Chiwei Prefecture is?”

As he tucked away the empty storage box, Jiang Wang asked, “Who is it?”

“Gao Shaoling,” Zhongxuan Sheng snorted, and knowing that Jiang Wang might not understand, he explained, “He comes from that Jinghai Gao Clan.”

Jiang Wang remembered the poem he heard outside the Heavenly Abode Secret Land, supposedly written by the great scholar Mo Ya.

Endless entanglement in wealth and power, the nameless general sacrifices himself for the country…

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but sigh, “It’s good to have connections in high places!”

“Hahahaha,” Zhongxuan Sheng burst into laughter, “What an exquisite remark!”

In the battle to annihilate Yang Country, the Jinghai Gao Clan neither contributed strategic planning nor captured any territory, yet they ended up with such a large piece of the pie, clearly benefiting from the influence of that Noble Consort Jing.

Of course, Jinghai Gao’s ability to take such a big piece of the pie must have been allowed by Zhongxuan Chuliang.

Having wholeheartedly led the war against Yang Country and achieving an all-around victory, anyone interested in the Yang Region couldn’t bypass this executioner.

As long as the executioner says that Gao Shaoling had any constructive suggestions in private, that’s enough to count as a merit.

The political exchange behind this is self-evident.

It’s better that the Noble Consort Jing has such powerful influence; after all, following this exchange, they could be considered on the same side.

It was just a joke, Zhongxuan Sheng said, “This war has made me realize even more that strength is the foundation.

With the might of Yang Jiande, plus the chaos brought by that evil entity, this victory was not easily won!”

Hearing the subtext, the fat man meticulously avoided mentioning Bone Tao, using only “that evil entity” as a substitute.

It showed that the phrase “a hatred that never dies” had left a deep impression on him.

Although Jiang Wang was reluctant to dwell on the past, he still explained to his friend, “That was a body possessed by the Bone Demon God during its descent.

The Maple Forest City Region of Qinghe County in Zhuang Country, where I was born and raised, was destroyed by Its descent.”

A mere sentence, yet it encapsulates life-and-death vendettas and blood feuds, which are too extensive to fully convey.

“Good brother, we strive diligently in our cultivation, and one day we might be able to enter the Underworld and slay this Evil God,” Zhongxuan Sheng clapped his shoulder and said.

This was, after all, still very distant.

Thus, the chubby man shifted the topic and said, “The best choice for the great commander in this war would be to wait for the Bone Demon God to complete the sacrifice and leave calmly.

Then to lead the troops to decide the battle.”

The war had just ended not long ago, and the title of “great commander” hadn’t been set aside for the moment.

“This actually reflects the great commander’s overall vision,” he said.

“Yes, this might be a simple military blunder, but in the long run, it may not be a mistake.

At the root of it all, it’s because our army is strong and can afford to make mistakes!”

This made sense.

Jiang Wang pondered and then said, “Within three generations, to change customs and traditions, this place will indeed become a true part of Qi Territory.

Expanding Qi Country’s lands by annexing Yang Country and extending across three prefectures, the great commander must have reaped much this time?”

“I’ve been granted a marquisate!” Zhongxuan Sheng couldn’t help but beam with delight, “My noble title shall be ‘Distant Marquis’.”

Within this single noble title, Emperor Qi’s ambitions and his reliance on Zhongxuan Chuliang were evident.

But the chubby man suddenly sank into dejection, clenching his fist, “This marquisate has come thirty years too late!”

Jiang Wang had also long been perplexed.

Given Zhongxuan Chuliang’s leading contribution in the conquest of Summer, it was baffling he had not been ennobled as a marquis.

But then he heard Zhongxuan Sheng say, “Back then, due to some family matters…

it implicated my uncle.

Despite his overwhelming achievements, in the end, he only received the title ‘Marquis of Careful Regard’.”

The words ‘Careful Regard’ were not offensive, but when paired with ‘fierce slaughter,’ the cautionary implication was clear.

No wonder they say that.

While extinguishing Yang was indeed a great achievement, given Qi Country’s strength—even though Yang Jiande was extremely difficult to deal with—Qi Ting’s disdain could not be avoided, and the rewards given were probably not to one’s liking.

The reason Zhongxuan Chuliang was ennobled after a single battle could be because his early achievements were not fully rewarded, and there might also be an intention of compensation from Emperor Qi.

“What are your own plans?” asked Jiang Wang.

Zhongxuan Sheng had already thought it through clearly: “Without a good actual position, a noble title is meaningless.

I’m seeing if there’s an opportunity to enter the Under Jixuegong to learn something.

The greatest gap between me and Zhongxuan Zun is still in our cultivation levels.”

For Zhongxuan Sheng, his aim was the position of Family Head of the Zhongxuan Family.

The head of the Zhongxuan Family has traditionally been entitled to inherit a marquisate.

In discussions of noble titles, hereditary titles with actual land grants have always been considered superior to titular ones, and among those, inheritable titles without replacement are greater than ordinary hereditary marquisates.

The Family Head of the Zhongxuan Family holds an inheritable marquisate with a land grant—the family’s ancestral land—affording a level of honor beyond the ordinary.

Therefore, common noble titles are not something Zhongxuan Sheng takes seriously.

Jixuegong is a renowned cultivation place in Qi Country and doesn’t belong to any particular sect or school, but rather it is under the empire.

In the vast expanse of Qi Country, many Grandmaster-level individuals take turns teaching there.

It is known as the Dragon’s Gate of Qi Territory.

Should one manage to cultivate in this academy, it would be like a fish leaping through the Dragon’s Gate, often resulting in a transformation akin to a molt or rebirth.

However, it’s not open to just anyone.

No matter the nobles or even princes and their descendants, without having contributed to the country, one cannot enter the academy.

Curiosity piqued, Jiang Wang asked, “Everyone says Under Jixuegong is the Dragon’s Gate of Qi Territory, what secrets does it hold within?”

“First and foremost, every year, strong cultivators from various sects and schools within Qi Territory, those at the External Building Environment and above, must take turns teaching in the Under Jixuegong for a period of ten days.

Any cultivator studying there may freely seek guidance from these teachers if they encounter any difficulties.

The teachers are obligated to explain to the best of their abilities.

If they are found to be insincere, untruthful, or not detailed enough, the questioner can report it to the academy at any time.

If the accusations are proven true, there will be severe consequences,” he said.

“Just this one aspect alone makes it worthwhile,” Jiang Wang commended.

He knew all too well the struggles of being without a knowledgeable mentor.

“As for the second aspect…” As he spoke of Under Jixuegong, Zhongxuan Sheng also felt a sense of pride as a citizen of Qi, “Inside the academy, not to mention the richness of vitality, but there’s also the steaming essence of the nation’s fortune.

To cultivate there is to reap a harvest even in death-like stillness, achieving twice the result with half the effort.”

The essence of the nation’s fortune steaming within…

especially in a powerful country like Qi, what would it feel like to cultivate there?

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but long for it.

“The third aspect…” Zhongxuan Sheng suddenly smiled, “I won’t say any more, lest you become too eager.”

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Chapter 344 - Marquis of Dingyuan

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