"In the midst of a chaotic world, being treated as a person rather than a mere achievement under the command or a head at one’s waist is truly a rare thing. During this period, they all engaged in relatively simple tasks, yet with many people, I acquired numerous ships."
"If we go downstream, we can reach the Jiangnan region relatively quickly."
This meal was eaten in silence by everyone, and as the common people received the Copper Coin, though extremely reluctant in their hearts, they couldn’t make a decision for a while, only shedding tears as they bid farewell to the Qilin Army.
Previously, during this time, many common people had gathered around the Qilin Army, bustling with activity. Now that it’s passed, the Qilin Army feels somewhat desolate, and their soldiers slightly stifled.
Everyone packed their belongings. After bidding farewell to the gentlemen in the city, Li Guanyi stepped out and went to Changfeng Building to gather intelligence, broadly understanding the changing situation in the world. Li Guanyi stored the intelligence away.
The person in charge at Changfeng Building in Central State said:
"Tower Master, are you planning to leave Central State?"
"Miss is waiting for you."
Li Guanyi nodded, followed the woman out of Changfeng Building, walked a little further, and arrived at a pavilion in the Central State’s imperial city, where a large tree stood, its leaves golden yellow, swaying gently in the wind.
A young girl in a blue Cloud Pattern robe quietly stood there, watching the autumn wind rise and fall.
Li Guanyi grasped a cloth bundle in his bosom, stepped forward, and smiled, saying: "Miss, you seem quite at leisure."
Xue Shuangtao smiled slightly and said, "It’s not just you, Marquis Qin Wu, busy as the Heavenly Strategy General, with no time to visit me; I can only watch flowers bloom and fall here. But seeing you , are you planning to set off?"
Li Guanyi nodded: "The world has vastly changed, far from ordinary times."
After winning, the war generals of Chen Country and Ying Country both constructed Corpse Piles, and the heads used were likely not just those of the fallen enemy troops. The battlefield is ruthless and harsh, with no mercy, leaving Li Guanyi with an intense feeling of urgency.
He had a pact with Jiang Wanxiang.
Within three years, Jiang Wanxiang would attack Chen, and Li Guanyi would head into the Western Regions.
But the heroes of the world are not just the two of them.
Just from the current intelligence, five different figures can be identified: the Turkic Great Khan, teaming up with Chen Dingye to attack Ying Country; if the Great Khan gains dominance, riding from the grasslands to trample the Central Plains would result in chaos in Central Plains.
If the Regent King of the Western Regions can quickly annex the Western Regions, then the vitality of Li Guanyi and the Eighteen States of Jiangnan would be severed, leaving the Regent King with the rising momentum.
If Chen Dingye can ally with Turkic to overcome Ying Country, meanwhile defeating the Regent King occupying the Western Regions, annexing the Western Regions with the southern nation, attacking northwards while intimidating all directions, he too might achieve a grand undertaking.
Thus, it seems the Western Regions and the surrounding plains are indeed crucial battlegrounds in the current situation.
The heroes vie to take this critical first step.
Li Guanyi cannot stop.
Li Guanyi placed his hand on the wooden sword, softly saying: "So, I’m afraid I’ll have to wait until next time to see you." Xue Shuangtao didn’t say anything, only smiled and said: "No matter, meeting this time is already wonderful."
As the wind blew through, the ginkgo tree swayed, and a leaf fell onto Li Guanyi’s shoulder. Xue Shuangtao extended her hand to pluck the leaf off Li Guanyi’s shoulder, then tidied his collar:
"The world has changed greatly; it is a chance for grand men to rise. Moreover, you have many tasks to attend to; you cannot halt here. Anyway, I also have matters to leave for, originally intending to bid you farewell even if you hadn’t left."
Xue Shuangtao smiled, then took something from her waist, holding Li Guanyi’s hand with her left hand, raising it, while her right hand stuffed the item into his hand, saying: "There, don’t say this Miss treats you badly!"
Li Guanyi was bewildered: "What is this?"
Xue Shuangtao smiled softly and said: "Just take a look."
Li Guanyi opened it with curiosity, seeing the script and seal, grinned slightly, and cautiously said: "This is a land deed?"
It was indeed a land deed written in both Central Plains script and Tuyuhun script.
And it’s for an entire village.
Xue Shuangtao raised her eyebrows, displaying the same valiant spirit she had shown before, supplementing: "It’s a land deed for the Western Regions. I know you need to go there, but it’s chaotic over there, with various factions. You need your own territory."
"Didn’t I say, originally I intended to leave Changfeng Building there?"
"Though it failed, the territory of Changfeng Building and a village used to shelter those saved by Changfeng Building, I’ve already ’bought’ it. As of now, it’s of no big use to me; Guanyi, take it; it will surely be useful."
"Hmm? You’re asking how I got it?"
"Ha, being a Miss naturally comes with its capabilities."
"You, a person always at odds with money, just rely on me for this."
The young girl spoke with a radiant smile.
Not far away, the white-haired Chen Qingyan hugged a sword, leaning against the wall. Beside him was the elderly Chen Chengbi, arms wrapped in bandages. This old man, wholeheartedly seeking martial arts, faced Sword Madman Murong Longtu when others feared him, but he was thrilled.
Pushing too far forward, he received a few solid blows from the Sword Madman, causing his veins to suffer damage, currently still recuperating. The unapologetic old man secretly listened to the young ones’ conversation, muttering: "Blustering away."