Chapter 352 - Picking Peaches
Chapter 352 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" begins with suspense: The position of the Prefectural Governor of Sunshine County has slipped away!Zhongxuan Sheng had been... Donât stop reading!
The position of the Prefectural Governor of Sunshine County has slipped away!Zhongxuan Sheng had been building momentum for a long time, making numerous efforts, but at the last moment, someone else took the prize.
The new Prefectural Governor of Sunshine County was to be Tian Antai.
The imperial edict had been issued, unalterable, and he was to take up his post immediately.
Thus, the meticulous planning of Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang was abruptly cut off midway.
Enraged, Zhongxuan Sheng stormed into Green Sheep Town to relay the news to Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang had been anticipating this position, seeing the benefits it would bring to his power base; the disappointment was hard to swallow.
Still, he consoled, âOne canât control everything.
There are flaws in the Heavenly Dao, and envies among people; it seems unavoidable!â
The position of the Prefectural Governor, one of the three major ones in the Yang Realm.
Huang Yixing was essential for governance, anyone in charge of divvying things up would need someone like him.
However, it was only after Zhongxuan Chuliang gave his nod that the person could ascend to the position.
Although complete loyalty couldnât be guaranteed, he could already be seen as one of Zhongxuan Chuliangâs lineage.
Gao Shaoling was involved in an interest exchange overseen by Zhongxuan Chuliang, making a degree of exchange and cooperation with the Jinghai Gao Clan through the position of Prefectural Governor of Chiwei Prefecture.
This too was a by-the-book division of spoils.
Only the Sunshine County Prefectural Governorship was what Zhongxuan Sheng intended to cultivate as his core base.
Under no circumstances was it Tian Antaiâs turn for this position.
Granted, as a general of the Autumn Kill Army, Tian Antai participated personally in the Extinguish Yang Battle, displaying valor on the field and earning his merits.
His cultivation level in the Inner Mansion Realm was indeed sufficient for the role.
But in terms of merits, he was definitely not superior to Jiang Wangâs flag-capturing feat, nor to Zhongxuan Shengâs general-slaying achievement, not to mention the merits before the battle in dismantling Song Guangâs seventy-thousand strong army.
That Tian Antai could take up this position was firstly because his background in the Da Zeâs Tian family was substantial, and secondly, itâs inevitable the emperor has unfathomable motives, not wanting Yang Region to become merely Zhongxuan Chuliangâs private land, something inconvenient to state directly.
ThirdlyâŚ
âIt was Zhongxuan Zun!â
Zhongxuan Sheng declared fiercely, âIf it werenât for him representing the Zhong Xuan Familyâs stance in agreement, His Majesty would never have bypassed my uncleâs opinion to appoint Tian Antai!â
The statement held two pieces of information.
One was that Zhongxuan Zun still had absolute advantage inside the Zhong Xuan Family and could represent it at crucial times.
The other indicated that Emperor Qi himself might not want Zhongxuan Chuliang to reap too much, but due to his significant contributions, it was impossible to suppress him openly.
This was typical of an emperorâs mindset, rather ordinary.
Jiang Wang furrowed his brow, âHow could the Zhong Xuan Family agree to give up Sunshine County?â
For a top-tier Aristocratic Family like the Heavy Mystery, no matter how much they favored Zhongxuan Zun, they should not make a choice that harms the familyâs interests.
Zhongxuan Shengâs expression darkened, âThe Tian family offered the ten-year development rights to the Adored Vessel Island in exchange.â
Realizing Jiang Wang might not understand the significance of Adored Vessel Island, he added, âThis island is part of the Near Sea Archipelago, rich in resources and no less than Sunshine County in that regard.
It has always been the private property of the Tian family.â
So thatâs how it was!
Perhaps in terms of resources and tangible benefits, Adored Vessel Island might not surpass Sunshine County, but the implications were different.
From the Zhong Xuan Familyâs perspective, they already had enough gains in the Yang Realm, and missing out on the Sunshine County Prefectural Governorship wouldnât hurt the overall situation.
An Adored Vessel Island, however, could strengthen the familyâs influence over the Near Sea Archipelago, marking an expansion of their influence.
In a way, this was also an exchange of benefits within the âdivision of spoilsâ stage.
Yet, the conquest of Yang had been single-handedly pushed forward by Zhongxuan Sheng, and at the moment when the âcakeâ had been made and it was time to âdivide the cake,â Zhongxuan Zun had stepped forward to oversee it!
This was neither reasonable nor justifiable.
However, Zhongxuan Zun was acting from the familyâs interests, leaving no room for opposition.
Because to prompt Qi Country to wage war against Yang wasnât something Zhongxuan Chuliang and Zhongxuan Sheng, the uncle and nephew, could achieve by themselves.
They also relied on the familyâs power and support to make such a bold wager.
At the endgame, there was no reason not to let the family reap the benefits.
Trading the Sunshine County Prefectural Governorship for the ten-year rights to Adored Vessel Island was a choice with more pros than cons for the Zhong Xuan Family.
But for Zhongxuan Sheng himself, it was as if all his efforts were in vain!
Jiang Wang was doubtlessly going to stand by him; if he could secure the Sunshine County Prefectural Governorship, it would amount to the entire Sunshine County becoming his, Zhongxuan Shengâs, foundation.
Yet the ten-year rights to Adored Vessel Island belonged to the entire Zhong Xuan Family.
Zhongxuan Sheng could only expect to get a fraction of the leftovers.
Zhongxuan Zun, whom Jiang Wang had yet to meet, acted decisively, with thorough consideration.
In the Heavenly Abode Secret Land incident, the obstruction by Zhongxuan Xin was more like a casual move; the man had never truly received earnest commitment from Zhongxuan Zun.
Wang Yiwuâs involvement seemed more like a proactive move on his part, or rather, a spontaneous response to Zhongxuan Shengâs last-minute change of command, rather than a seriously plotted strategy by Zhongxuan Zun.
The fact that he secured a spot in the Heavenly Abode Secret Land in such a short time also demonstrated his capabilities.
This time, however, was a truly deliberate move by Zhongxuan Zun.
A move specifically against Zhongxuan Sheng.
Whether it was because Zhongxuan Zun finally decided to exert himself, or he just found the time, once he made his move, he plucked the fruits of victory right from Zhongxuan Shengâs grasp!
No wonder Zhongxuan Sheng found it hard to calm his emotions.
âThis at least proves one point!â Jiang Wang said in a grave tone, âAt least by now, Zhongxuan Zun has been forced to regard you as a competitor!â
Previously, no matter how Zhongxuan Sheng mingled or built up his influence in Linzi, the reaction from Zhongxuan Zun was always lukewarm, as if he couldnât muster the energy to care or simply didnât.
Now at least, it could be said that Zhongxuan Sheng was no longer someone he could ignore.
âYes!â Zhongxuan Sheng patted Jiang Wang, âI rushed over to comfort you, yet it turned out that youâre the one comforting me!â
He paused, âI just want to say, weâve been through worse times, and therefore, we deserve better times as well!â
In such a fraught moment, the fact that his first thought was to console Jiang Wang for any potential loss spoke volumes of their friendship.
Jiang Wang smiled, âYour visit alone makes the door seem wider!
Let alone lifting my spirits!â
In the residence of Zhongxuan Chuliang, the plaque of the Marquis who Stabilizes Distant Lands had only recently been hung.
The newly-appointed Sunshine County Garrison Commander, Tian Antai, had been standing in the courtyard for quite some time.
It wasnât until after lunch that Zhongxuan Chuliang, in no hurry whatsoever, came out to the yard, hands behind his back, looking at Tian Antai, âHas the Commander come to show strength today?â
Tian Antai bowed respectfully, âI come here today for two reasons: firstly, to express gratitude, and secondly, to ask for forgiveness!â
The gratitude was naturally for the support in achieving military merits, and asking for forgiveness was naturally for usurping the position of Sunshine County Garrison Commander.
With the backing of the Tian family from Da Ze and personally appointed by Emperor Qi, he, Tian Antai, didnât need to act this way, especially when he wasnât in the military ranks at the moment.
But still, he came.
âYour daring to ask for forgiveness today makes me reevaluate you,â Zhongxuan Chuliang said with a smile.
Zhongxuan Chuliang smiled, âIt must be Tian Anpingâs idea, right?â
Tian Antai did not dare to admit, nor deny, only saying, âI am truly anxious and frightened!â
âClever play, Tian Anping.
If I whip you, I tarnish your reputation.
If I kill you, I defy the imperial will.â
Zhongxuan Chuliang narrowed his eyes as he spoke, âBut tell me, Tian Antai, if I wanted to kill someone, would I care about such things?â
Cold sweat immediately drenched Tian Antaiâs back, and his heart cried out in despair.
Would Zhongxuan Chuliang, a man who could slaughter 210,000 soldiers in the Yang Army at will, really care about such trivialities when he turned ruthless?
âYour Martial Excellency is mighty above allâŚ
naturally, naturallyâŚâ
He stammered ânaturallyâ for a long time, unable to come up with a solid reason.
Impatiently, Zhongxuan Chuliang waved his hand, âEnough.
Go back and tell Tian Anping, I wonât kill you, but he must remember this favor!â
Even a fierce person like Zhongxuan Chuliang eventually compromisedâŚ
Tian Antaiâs heart relaxed, he performed a great salute, and fled hastily like a man escaping disaster.
Though the threat of a massacre hadnât touched him, it was more torturous than actual punishment.
If possible, he would never want to visit the Marquisâ mansion again in his lifetime.
However, he had to admit, though he didnât want to, thatâŚ
When it came to the requests of his younger brother at home, he had even less courage to refuse.