roccoschili Chapter 1314 - 1314 7 People of Qi
Chapter 1314 - 1314 7 People of Qi
1314: Chapter 7 People of Qi 1314: Chapter 7 People of Qi Who is Cao Jie?The Commander of Chun Si Army of the nine ranks in Qi Country, listed in the Great Qi Military Affairs Hall, ranked only below Jiang Mengxiong.
A true core figure of the military, an absolute high-level official of Qi Country.
In a sense, his attitude could represent the stance of the military.
But the words of Cao Jie…
were too harsh!
It was almost as if he was pointing at Huang Yixing’s nose and calling him petty, accusing him of being unable to change his old habits, a sycophantic official who flattered for personal gain.
Though his voice was not loud, it weighed so heavily that the whole place fell silent.
While Huang Yixing turned pale and was at a loss for words, other officials from Hengyang Prefecture also stared at their shoes as if their minds were wandering elsewhere.
For a moment, even the gongs and drums stopped, and no one dared to continue with the fireworks and firecrackers.
Only the little girl who had offered flowers to Cao Jie, although sensing the awkward atmosphere, being too young, didn’t quite understand what these adults were talking about.
Remembering only the instructions she had received, she still came forward and timidly said, “Commander…
I bring you flowers.”
After all, she forgot the blessing words.
Her lips pursed, she was almost on the verge of tears.
Cao Jie took the flowers, stroked her head with his hand and smiled, “Thank you.”
The little girl, having completed her task, immediately smiled again.
Cao Jie then turned to Huang Yixing, his face no longer showing any signs of anger: “Send the children back.
The ceremony at The Imperial Ancestral Temple requires an auspicious time; we will not stay in Hengyang Prefecture.”
Awoken as if from a dream, Huang Yixing responded, “Ah, yes, of course!”
This time he had learned his lesson and turned to call out, “Get the children and the elderly onto the carriages and send them home first!”
The people below busied themselves at once.
The Sky-covering Army stood in silent obedience, unmoving.
The Qi Country’s observing procession that followed kept quiet, not daring to provoke any further misfortune; they all huddled within the carriages staying silent.
It was only after the carriages carrying the elderly and children from Hengyang Prefecture had driven away that the column began to move on.
And this time, only the officials from Hengyang Prefecture, led by Huang Yixing, stood on both sides of the road to respectfully send off the entourage.
Back in his carriage, Jiang Wang had an expressionless face.
He had long been aware of what kind of person Huang Yixing was.
As for what would become of Huang Yixing after today’s incident, he did not care.
Back on the battlefield at Chiwei Prefecture, Zhongxuan Chuliang’s evaluation of Huang Yixing was only four words—”Betraying the nation for fame.”
At that time, Huang Yixing sought reputation while Zhongxuan Chuliang sought stability.
So he gave Huang Yixing a name and even didn’t mind his own notoriety growing.
Letting rumors spread, that the murderer Xuan Sheng would kill all the people in Yang Region, it was said that Huang Yixing knelt down for the commoners, blocking the slaughter.
In reality, what could Huang Yixing do to stop Zhongxuan Chuliang’s massacre?
Not to mention “not kneeling in one’s life, kneeling only for the common people”, even if he rolled on the ground for the commoners, slapped his own face for them, even if he beat himself to death doing that…
he would not frown.
It was Xuan Sheng who sheathed his sword of his own accord.
And now…
The Yang Region is pacified, and the hearts of its people fully swear allegiance to Qi.
The value of Huang Yixing is becoming less and less.
Perhaps it was because he was well aware of this that he was so eager to secure the position of Prefectural Governor of Hengyang as soon as possible, afraid that he would be deprived of the rewards at the last moment.
At the very least, in the position of Prefectural Governor of Hengyang, it would not be so easy to move him.
Cao Jie was angry because he governed a place, yet incited children to perform such flattery, and contained his anger once.
The second time he could no longer bear it, but this in itself could hint at the Military Affairs Hall’s attitude towards this person.
Ji Cheng, who died for his country, despite creating many obstacles for Qi Country, managed to earn far more respect from the soldiers of Qi.
Jiang Wang felt pity for those elderly who had lost their old country and struggled to find a new sense of belonging, but he could hardly hold any fondness for Huang Yixing, also an elderly from Old Yang.
As for Zhongxuan Zun, he didn’t even bother to get out of the carriage, since the enthusiastic welcome from the people of Hengyang Prefecture wasn’t just for him, who had only come second…
The caravan rumbled away in the distance, with the flags representing Qi Country gradually vanishing from sight.
It was only then that Huang Yixing slowly raised his head, which had been nearly bowed to his knees.
“Jiang Wang respects the elderly, Cao Jie cherishes the young.”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he ground his teeth and said, “The proud sons of heaven, the famous generals of the nation, they are all the backbone of Qi Country.
Yet I, Huang Yixing, grovel and kowtow, despised by all both inside and out!”
“My lord…” a trusted official by his side tried to advise.
Huang Yixing glared: “What, I can’t even say it?”
He was somewhat out of control: “I can’t even curse myself?!”
All were silent.
…
…
The carriage procession passed through Hengyang Prefecture, continuing on its way.
The Governor of Sunshine County, Tian Antai, also personally greeted them by the roadside, but he was accompanied only by two attendants and did not make an elaborate display.
He didn’t even block the road, merely shouting a few celebratory felicitations from the roadside.
Both Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun stepped forward to express their thanks.
Interestingly, one of the attendants waiting with Tian Antai was none other than the current Mayor of Green Sheep Town, Dugu Xiao.
This reveals that Tian Antai is not an ignorant man.
Since taking office, his governance of Sunshine County has been a visible success, and not inferior to anyone.
It even subtly appears to be the best-developed among the three prefectures.
Perhaps it’s because he is Tian Anping’s older brother that people harbor too many…
undue great expectations of him.
Thus, he seems mediocre by comparison.
Cao Jie’s attitude towards this scion of the Tian family, however, was quite amiable, as he even specially got out of the carriage to exchange a few words with him.
Today, Green Sheep Town is indeed decked out in festive lights, celebrating the Master of Guanhe Platform’s triumph which is as expected.
Cao Jie also jokingly asked whether they should stop briefly in Green Sheep Town, which Jiang Wang promptly declined.
There are matters of priority and urgency, and it is also important for one to know oneself.
Many people have been ruined by ‘not knowing oneself.’
In the three prefectures of the Yang Region, Red Tail Prefecture where Gao Shaoling is located is not even on the route taken by the returning procession.
He merely sent a letter of congratulations which was delivered midway, the gesture was well-measured.
Though many view the Jinghai Gao Clan as upstarts with little substance or refinement, after all, Gao Shaoling is still the most presentable talent of Jinghai Gao, and he cannot be too far off the mark.
In fact, after leaving the Yang Region, Jiang Wang slowly began to sense more of the differences.
Although the Yang Region has assimilated and is now part of Qi Territory, the many years of history cannot be completely erased, and there remains a significant difference from the former regions of Qi.
Dingyao, Yangshan, Feng Xian, Cangshu, Baolong…
As they passed all along the way, the people of Qi crowded enthusiastically by the roadside, cheering and jubilant.
There was joy without any timidity or fear.
The local soldiers were positioned on both sides of the road, maintaining order, without anyone stopping the carriages.
The local officials were also represented by only one or two who came forward to offer congratulations, while greetings from the local Prefectural Governor were directly sent to Linzi.
There was no need for flattery.
The strength of a nation can be seen in whether its citizens are confident.
The true spirit of the people of Qi still requires more time to cultivate amongst the populace of Yang Region, and it’s not their fault.
A country must be such, for its people to be like this.
Of course, if always governed by someone like Huang Yixing, it may be difficult to eradicate certain bad practices.
Jiang Wang suddenly wondered—
Was Cao Jie’s rare outburst precisely because of this?
Changing customs and traditions is not a matter of a day or two.
Another noteworthy incident was…
Surrounding the triumphantly returning nation’s prodigy, quite a few Qi maidens boldly expressed their affections.
Scattering flowers and tossing fruits along the way, they were enthusiastic and generous.
Perfumed sachets and silk scarves were also boldly thrown onto the carriages.
As this was an elegant affair, the soldiers maintaining order did not intervene in these matters.
And Zhongxuan Zun, who only secured the second place, found his carriage even more packed than Jiang Wang, who had won the championship!
As soon as the procession entered the Qi Boundary, both Xuan Sheng and Shisi (Fourteen) had disembarked and returned to their vehicles in the viewing convoy.
So, there was no influence from other factors…
It must be that the people of Qi are too kind-hearted, providing comforting solace even to the defeated!