Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Hearing Liu Guanfeng's words, Shangguan Jinglei saw no hint of deception in Liu Guanfeng's eyes. Shangguan Jinglei took a step back and bowed deeply to Liu Guanfeng.
Liu Guanfeng hurriedly stepped forward and held Shangguan Jinglei's arms: "Elder Brother, why are you doing this?"
"Young brother, Old Man is thanking you on behalf of the people of Eastern Dragon. If it weren't for your timely intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"Elder Brother, you flatter me. I did this for our Starfall Kingdom as well. If Qin Hongguan had succeeded, our Starfall Kingdom would not have fared well either."
"Regardless, Old Man still wants to thank you. Additionally, I have one more request. I sincerely hope you can help me out for Old Man's sake."
"Elder Brother, just speak your mind."
"Young brother, do you remember the young man from this afternoon?"
"Are you referring to the one standing next to you? What happened to him?"
"Not at all, young brother. That young man is Shangguan Yuhong, the sixth son of the current king of Eastern Dragon Empire, Shangguan Ji. He just turned twenty this year and has been by my side since he was little. I know his every word and action very well; this child is still very innocent and has no ulterior motives. You know how cruel the competition for the throne can be. I only hope that you can help my great-grandson. You also know my position; I can assist but I absolutely cannot favor any side."
Seeing Shangguan Jinglei's sincere expression, Liu Guanfeng could not refuse, so he nodded and said: "Elder Brother, since you've brought it up this far, it would be unkind of me not to help. However, let me make it clear first: I can assist the Sixth Prince, but what if one day I feel that he is not fit to be emperor?"
"This is simple. As long as you believe he is unfit to be emperor and can provide reasons for it, I will personally depose him."
Liu Guanfeng smiled and nodded: "With your word, Elder Brother, that's enough for me. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to support the young prince's ascension."
"Then let me thank you in advance, young brother. May I ask what position you hold in Starfall Kingdom? Will it affect your influence?"
"Younger Brother holds the position of Advisor in Starfall Kingdom."
"Advisor? What kind of position is that? Old Man has never heard of it before."
Liu Guanfeng then explained the origins of the Advisor position to Shangguan Jinglei. After listening, Shangguan Jinglei nodded and said: "Since Advisor is merely a nominal position, that's even better. Otherwise, it would waste some effort."
"In fact, I accepted this position just to ease our minds a bit; it's optional for me."
"Do you have any plans for the future?"
"Since I have agreed to help the Sixth Prince, what I know is what the Sixth Prince knows. From now on, you shouldn't ask me what to do, but rather when the Sixth Prince wants to report to Your Majesty. The next matters are for His Majesty to worry about."
"Alright, let's return to Azure Dragon City now."
Liu Guanfeng nodded, and after speaking, he mounted Little Black. Shangguan Jinglei, sitting on his Dragon Hawk, said to Liu Guanfeng, "Liu Brother, your magical beast runs on the ground. Why not fly back with me on my Dragon Hawk?"
Liu Guanfeng laughed heartily, "Elder Brother, this time you've misjudged. Let's go." As he spoke, a cloud of auspicious mist rose beneath Little Black's feet, lifting them into the sky.
Shangguan Jinglei was taken aback: What kind of magical beast is this that can fly without wings?
The more Shangguan Jinglei thought about it, the more he felt that his decision to befriend Liu Guanfeng was correct. He gently patted Dragon Hawk's head, and as usual, Dragon Hawk ran a few steps before soaring into the sky.
When the two returned to Azure Dragon City, it was still dark. Walking down the street, Shangguan Jinglei asked Liu Guanfeng, "Little Brother, where are you staying now? Would you like to come over to my place? We are currently staying at the largest Qingji Restaurant in Azure Dragon City; we have booked a separate courtyard."
"Elder Brother, you go back first. I need to arrange some matters over there before I visit."
"Where are you staying? I'll take you back."
"No need to send me; I live not far ahead at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's branch."
"Chinese Chamber of Commerce?"
"What's wrong, Elder Brother? Is there something wrong with that?"
"Not really. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has been very strong in recent years; the only downside is that their supply is too low. However, every time goods arrive, they are quickly sold out. I didn't expect you knew people from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Can you help Elder Brother get some equipment?"
"Elder Brother, you're in the palace every day with strict guards; what do you need that equipment for?"
Shangguan Jinglei shook his head and sighed, "Actually, it's not for myself; it's just that Hong'er’s private soldiers don't have decent equipment at all. He doesn't have any profitable industries either, so it's hard to get equipment. I've already handed over my wealth to him, but I don't have much money myself. So let's not talk about it; ordinary officials' private soldiers can have over ten thousand men now, while Hong'er has less than five thousand as a prince. Except for a few squad leaders who have armor, the rest of the soldiers are still wearing leather armor and wielding the cheapest weapons. You know these things can't hold up in battle.
As for knights, it's even worse; aside from one Chief Instructor and three deputy instructors who are knights, everyone else is a warrior because Hong'er really can't spare a penny to equip his soldiers."
Liu Guanfeng nodded while listening to Shangguan Jinglei and thought to himself: if everything is as Shangguan Jinglei said, then even if the Sixth Prince becomes emperor, he may not possess great talent, but at least he could be a benevolent ruler who loves his people. Because as a prince, being unable to support five thousand private soldiers shows that the Sixth Prince is indeed very naive, so naive that even Cui Wenwu in the court looks down on him, and there are very few people who bring gifts. Otherwise, even the gifts from those officials would be enough to support several thousand private soldiers.
Such a person can easily become a good emperor with proper education. After thinking for a moment, Liu Guanfeng said to Shangguan Jinglei, "If you, Elder Brother, trust me, please give me the Sixth Prince's private soldiers for half a year."
"Half a year? What do you plan to do?"
"You don't need to worry about what I will do. After half a year, I will return you a batch of truly capable private soldiers. How does that sound?"
Shangguan Jinglei calculated in his mind: with half a year, as long as he spends every day with Hong'er, there should not be any major problems; half a year should be enough.
Thinking of this, Shangguan Jinglei said to Liu Guanfeng, "Alright then, I will give you half a year. Let's see what kind of surprise you can give me at that time."
"Okay, Elder Brother. We shall part ways here. I will definitely visit you and His Highness before dinner today."
"The Old Man won't see you off."
After saying this, the two went their separate ways and returned to their respective residences. Both quietly returned to their rooms and did not come out until dawn. After breakfast, Liu Guanfeng called Chonghong over: "Chonghong, I will be leaving here this afternoon to follow the old man I saw yesterday into the capital. You four will stay behind to manage your respective Hidden Military Locations. Make sure to keep a close watch on them. In a few months, the poppies will bloom; during this time, you must pay close attention to the situation over there and try to pinpoint where they store these poppies or opium."
"President, don't worry. Even if we are not by your side, you must take care of yourself."
"I will. There is one more thing I need you to arrange: send someone to Five Star City to find Song Haitao and have him organize a thousand elite troops for me; I need them. They should wait for me at the Branch in Dragon Rising City. Also, have Platinum Wen prepare a batch of goods that I need sent from Dragon Rising City to Young Lion City; prepare as much as possible—anything will do."
"I understand, President."
"You can go now; I will rest in my room for a bit."
Liu Guanfeng was quite exhausted after yesterday's events and wanted to get some good sleep. Although practicing could quickly restore his energy, he felt that sleeping was still the best way to recharge. Liu Guanfeng lay in bed and slept until the afternoon. After getting up and taking a shower, he left the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's Branch with Little Black and XP.
Qingji Restaurant is very famous in Azure Dragon City; it was easy to find after asking around. After explaining his purpose for coming, the waiter led Liu Guanfeng to the villa where the Sixth Prince and Shangguan Jinglei were staying. After giving the waiter a Silver Coin as payment, Liu Guanfeng stepped into the courtyard.
"Liu Brother, you really are quite punctual," said Shangguan Jinglei as he walked out from the left door of the villa. Liu Guanfeng cupped his fist towards Shangguan Jinglei, and just then, the central door was pushed open; the young man from that day stood before Liu Guanfeng.
At this moment, the young man's expression had changed from the previous day; he warmly grabbed Liu Guanfeng's hand. Liu Guanfeng quickly said, "I pay my respects to His Highness."
"Liu Brother, you have told me everything about your matters. I should thank you for coming to help me. From now on, we won't need to keep meeting each other; it feels too distant. How about this: regardless of whether I become king in the future, I will call you 'Elder Brother'? If you don't mind my foolishness, I will consider myself your younger brother."
"How can that be? You are now the Sixth Prince; in the future, you will surely become a prince. How can I be your elder brother? That is absolutely out of the question."
At this moment, Shangguan Jinglei grabbed the hands of the two young men and said, "What do you mean it can't be done? I think Hong'er is right this time. Why don't you two swear brotherhood here today?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Guanfeng felt a warmth in his heart. No matter the circumstances, being kind to others is always touching. Moreover, this person is the Sixth Prince of the Eastern Dragon Empire and could very well become the future ruler of the Eastern Dragon Empire.
Although Liu Guanfeng had no objections in his heart, he jokingly said to Shangguan Jinglei, "Elder Brother, you are taking advantage of me. After I swear brotherhood with the Sixth Prince, I will have to call you Ancestor. My status is dropping too quickly!"
Shangguan Jinglei thought Liu Guanfeng was being cautious and quickly replied, "Your swearing brotherhood is your own matter; just continue to call me Elder Brother."
Seeing Shangguan Jinglei's anxious expression, Liu Guanfeng smiled slightly and said, "Elder Brother, I was just joking. Even if I call you Ancestor, it would still be normal; perhaps my Ancestor is not even as old as you are."
"Alright then, since Liu Brother is willing, how about you two swear brotherhood under this locust tree today?"
"I have no objections." Liu Guanfeng smiled at Shangguan Jinglei. Before long, a table had been set up under the locust tree with all the items needed for the ceremony.
Liu Guanfeng and the Sixth Prince smiled at each other before both knelt down on the ground: "Heaven above and earth below. Today, I Liu Guanfeng (Shangguan Junhong) swear brotherhood here. We do not seek to be born on the same day of the same month in the same year but wish to die on the same day of the same month in the same year."
After bowing three times on the ground, they stood up. According to their birthdays, Liu Guanfeng was already twenty-three years old this year while Shangguan Junhong was twenty years old; thus, Liu Guanfeng would be the elder brother and Shangguan Junhong would be the younger brother.
Comment 0 Comment Count