Chapter 560: World Ranking Candidate
Chapter 560: Tenth Candidate for the World Ranking
September 10, the 20th year of Yongqing.
For three consecutive days, the Tiange army surrounded the city but did not attack.
In Prince Yong's Mansion in Dongyang City, Jiang He woke up from the Cunxin Hall of his bedroom, ending a quarter of an hour's rest. The sky outside the window was getting light.
The battle in the north of the city was not considered a complete war, so it did not benefit the joint promotion mission. However, the good news was that all the valuable corpses were brought back, and the Skeleton Dragon Riders had regained their number of 3,000.
In addition, including the 600 evil soldiers captured in the battle of Dengfeng City and the 160 ceremonial guards, the number of ordinary evil soldiers reached 1,500, among which the recent beheading of violators in Dongyang City made a significant contribution.
The palace guards nowadays are composed of half local creatures and half evil soldiers, totaling 3,000 people, and they have a formal name - Prince Yong's Guards. This unit is stationed in the palace together with the Skeleton Dragon Cavalry, making the entire palace look more like a barracks than luxurious.
Jiang He stood up, his muscles and bones creaking.
"We have killed more than 4,000 enemy soldiers, and now we have the power of three dragons and three elephants."
Sensing that someone had woken up, the white snake on the bed pillar fell to the ground. The little girl in white brought toiletries in a daze, then skillfully occupied the still warm quilt, curled up, and fell asleep again in the blink of an eye.
The power of the three dragons and three elephants has increased exponentially compared to before. Jiang He spit out the mouthwash. As for strength, he was ready to go for the authority of legendary power. Because of its versatility, it was undoubtedly worth investing resources and energy in.
"Your Highness, Master Pei is here to see you. He said it's extremely urgent."
The Chief Secretary stood outside the dragon-shaped screen at the door and reported.
"Dongyang City was broken?" Jiang He asked casually.
"That is absolutely not the case." The Chief Secretary was ashamed, but the situation was not that critical.
A quarter of an hour later, Jiang He came to the study.
Pei Yuwu stood up from his seat to show respect, and seeing that there was no one beside the other party, he couldn't help but say:
"My Lord, why don't you see even a personal servant?"
"Everyone is sleeping, let's talk business." Jiang He answered perfunctorily.
Pei Yu took out two secret letters, one of which came with a first-grade yang steel box containing an official seal and documents.
"Master Jiang Sanye, the prince's retainer, is now the third-rank commander of the Dongyang County Southern Guard. The process was somewhat bumpy, but my father's attitude is very firm."
Some twists and turns mean human feelings.
Jiang He did not comment. The commander of the guard was a third-rank official with 5600 men under his command. The court was responsible for their pay and weapons, but according to the current situation, the personnel were destined to be unable to arrive for the time being.
"Business." Jiang He had just woken up and was in a good mood, so he repeated it.
Pei Yu had no choice but to open the envelope and read it.
"The cabinet has asked Your Majesty to return to the capital to claim the reward. The angel is on the way as soon as possible."
Angels are not extraordinary beings, but messengers of the heavenly court. In Southern Liang, they are usually eunuchs who practice martial arts or disciples of Xuanjin.
Even though Jiang He had seen a lot of things, he was still a little angry and laughed at this moment, sneering: "Going back to claim the reward at this time?"
The rewards received by the princes were nothing more than some gold and silver items. If the emperor was present, there might even be a banquet.
Pei Yufan nodded heavily, somewhat silent.
Not to mention whether they would be surrounded and blocked if they left Dongyang City now, not to mention the emperor sacrificing himself in the Buddhist temple, the danger of princes entering the capital during the period of succession, and the traditional law that no one could enter the capital without an imperial order, the mere fact that the highest commander left the front line would be a devastating blow to the Dongyang defenders.
"You really don't want to live anymore." Jiang He joked.
Pei Yuwu sighed: "To resist foreign aggression, we must first strengthen the interior."
Jiang He was speechless, but it was not completely unreasonable. Perhaps in the eyes of the dignitaries, as long as they completed the "internal consolidation", they could then focus on dealing with the Northern Wei. The current struggle was nothing more than a difficulty on the road ahead. This seemingly just cause might even involve countless people who were loyal to the entire Southern Liang.
When selfishness and justice are mixed, there is no way out.
"Does your Highness have any candidate in mind who can take charge of the situation?" Pei Yuwu was very considerate and was willing to support the spokesperson for Prince Yong.
"No." Jiang He said briefly. He would not give up the opportunity to expand himself outside the core circle of Nanliang.
"Pei is responsible for finding the angel's location. Guiman is still outside the city."
This time it was Pei Yu's turn to be speechless. King Yong actually planned to send people to rob and kill the angel. The princes were not allowed to leave the county on weekdays. As long as there was no formal permission and specifications, it was right not to move.
"Gui Man is a cavalry commander. If we lure him with fame and fortune, we should at least give him a real power to participate in the future." Pei Yu said, "It is not difficult for the prince to gain military merit. It depends on whether he is willing to surrender."
Killing angels for King Yong is the qualification to enter the core circle. Of course, this does not refer to the players.
Both sides were silent for a while, wondering who was behind the incident. In the military report sent to the court, it was clear that someone was invisible.
"Just treat it as General Hou. It will be in his best interest."
"There are people in the Northern Wei Dynasty who hold important positions in the imperial court."
Pei Yuwu stood up and poured a cup of tea for Jiang He. The two sides conspired to rob and kill the angel, which made their cooperation relationship a little closer.
"Your Majesty, Xuan Ran has no heir. I have another daughter who is still unmarried. She is Xuan Ran's younger sister."
Jiang He suddenly realized and remembered that according to the other party's original identity, he was half his father-in-law.
"Same figure as Concubine Pei?"
"No, he looks very different, but he is better at calligraphy and painting, and is famous in Qingzhou and Xuzhou."
"That's it."
Pei Yuwu was speechless. He turned around and called his personal servant, who took out a report and handed it to him.
"Congratulations, my lord. You are famous all over the world."
Jiang He took the official report with a calm expression.
This is something called the World List, which is on par with the Rouge List and the Divine Weapon List. It does not come from the imperial court or the sect, but from a person or force behind the Jiuliu Sect.
The best in the world.
Lu Tianzhen, Emperor Daode of the Northern Wei Dynasty.
Land of the Gods (Ordinary Creatures in the Age of Heroes)
Martial arts review: He is 120 years old, nicknamed "The Great Sword Immortal of Slaying Demons". He was born with a sword embryo, started practicing at the age of nine, was promoted to the Four Realms at the age of twenty, and walked the secular world from the Daode Mountain. Over the past ten years, he has successively killed famous demon cult leaders from various places, and finally angered the leader of the then number one demon cult in the world. The two sides chased each other for thousands of miles.
When he was about to die, Lu Tianzhen achieved the status of a land immortal and won the life-and-death battle between the two. In the following fifty years, Lu Tianzhen continued to travel around the world, killing countless disciples of the Demon Sect in various places with his sword. The huge Demon Sect that had hoped to establish a country at that time collapsed, and his successors had to add the words "sun" and "moon" to distinguish them, and he was also called "Jia Zi Dang Mo Zhenren".
Overall review: Invincible in the world, a towering figure.
……
Second in the world.
Nanliang Xuanjin Villa·Xiao Qingzhi.
Land paradise.
Wu's comment: He was originally a low-level official in the palace. Because of his outstanding talent, he was valued by the nobles of Southern Liang. He experienced the Southern Liang Dynasty and killed two emperors and seven kings, including the King Zhenshan (of a different surname) who was stationed in Shanhaiguan in the previous dynasty. This directly led to the huge rift between the Southern Liang royal family and the King of Pingxi.
Overall review: Emperor Wu of Liang’s personal assassin.
……
Third in the world.
Western Barbarian Shaman Mountain High Priest.
Land paradise.
Wu Ping: The guide of the barbarian faith, responsible for worshiping ancestors, heaven and earth, ghosts and gods...
Overall comment: The Western barbarians fought against the pillars, and their bodies remained intact even after their death.
……
Fourth in the world.
Zhao Shukui, Jiange, Yizhou.
Land paradise.
Martial arts review: The leader of the martial artists in Shu, the brother-in-law of King Pingxi, he was once a rare sword genius and the Sword Immortal of Shu. After being promoted to the immortal realm on land, he went to Mount Daode to challenge Master Lu and was defeated with one sword. People distinguished the two as the Great Sword Immortal and the Sword Immortal.
Overall review: It’s a pity to meet the blue sky, and the sword can’t dominate.
……
Fifth in the world.
The leader of the Demonic Cult of Southern Liang.
Land paradise.
Wu's comment: Due to the lessons learned from the past, the man's identity is unknown. Since Daode Zong was located in Northern Wei, the Demon Cult's main sphere of activity was in Southern Liang. Thirty years ago, they attempted to assassinate Emperor Wu of Liang, but failed due to Xiao Qingzhi's obstruction.
Overall review: Resurrection from the ashes, ambition remains undiminished.
……
Sixth in the world.
Xie Annan of Southern Liang.
Land paradise.
Martial arts review: The helmsman of a top family, the pillar of the Xie family, was once the founding disciple of the old master, and later defected from the sect and fled back to the family. His late wife was a princess of the old Shu royal family. Because of the destruction of the old Shu, he and the King of Pingxi had several conflicts. The Xie family of Chenjun and the Wang family of Langya have long occupied the court of Southern Liang.
Overall comment: Leader of an aristocratic family, the pinnacle of martial arts.
……
The seventh in the world. Western Barbarians, Man Khan.
Land paradise.
Martial arts review: He was fortunate to receive the lifelong skills from the old monk of Tianchan Temple, and became the most indestructible Vajra in the world.
Overall comment: The kindness may last for a thousand years, or just a moment.
……
Eighth in the world.
Northern Wei Dynasty Yuan Changling.
Land paradise.
Wu Ping: He reached the pinnacle of immortality on earth at the age of thirty. He was a member of the Northern Wei royal family, the Prince of Changling. He was highly regarded by Emperor Xiaowen of Wei and refused to take charge of the army.
Overall review: The life in this world is so carefree that one has no thought of war.
……
Ninth in the world.
Northern Wei Dynasty·Wuhuan.
Land paradise.
Military comment: The four pillars and four generals of the Northern Wei Dynasty, ranked first among the eight. The Wuhuan clan had 300,000 soldiers and was extremely powerful.
Martial arts review: Gained in military power, lost in martial arts.
……
The tenth in the world.
The Southern Liang Dynasty: The Man with Curly Beard.
Vientiane Realm (Sub-Hero)
Martial arts review: The number one person under the immortals on earth, the last rays of light in the martial arts world, and the leader in swordsmanship.
Overall comment: The romantic life is gone, and I am left alone by the river.
……
The fourth candidate in the world.
Deputy leader of the Southern Liang Demonic Cult.
The realm of all things.
Martial arts review: He was promoted to the Myriad Realm four years ago. He has the Star Sword Body and calls himself the Lemon Sword Body. He once stole the seventh Heavenly Wolf Sword (Immortal Level) on the Divine Weapon List from Xuanjin Villa and ranked fourth on the Rouge List. Because of the Old Immortal and the Sword Immortal of Shu, he was only the "Little Sword Immortal".
Overall review: A stunningly beautiful woman, a female swordsman.
……
The tenth candidate in the world.
Prince Yong of Qingzhou in Southern Liang.
Martial review: He killed two thousand soldiers with one sword. His realm, price and master are unknown. He personally led eight hundred cavalry to recapture Dengfeng City, and killed the general of Dengfeng outside Dongyang City, defeating more than ten thousand soldiers.
Overall review: A hidden dragon emerges from the abyss, and rivers flow into the sea.
……
In the Chengyun Hall of Prince Yong's Mansion.
Jiang He didn't really care about his ranking, but the so-called "hidden dragon" was extremely eye-catching.
"Have evil intentions."
Pei Yu nodded and said, "He is famous for his fairness and he is good at making decisions. If he continues like this, there will be many warriors who will challenge the prince. After all, with the title of the ten candidates, he can get a powerful deputy position in any major sect, and money, beauties, and martial arts techniques will be at his fingertips."
Jiang He said nothing. Being the tenth substitute was just a small matter. It would be enough to kill a guy who was ranked high. But Qianlong would make him appear in the vision of the camp competing for the throne in the court.
"What does the prince say?"
Pei Wuxing clasped his fists and said seriously: "Your Majesty, commanding the army will be of great benefit to the fight for the throne. Even if the crown prince is suspicious now, my father will be able to appease him. There is no need to worry about this matter."
While the two were chatting.
A huge flint flew across the sky and fell into Dongyang city, smashing down several houses. More than 20 people were killed before they could even scream.
Boom boom boom!
Dozens of flints followed.
A big eagle landed in Pei Yufen's palm. He opened the secret letter and his face changed slightly.
"Your Highness, the Northern Wei Chi-Le Army has arrived outside the city. There are 60,000 of them, led by the eldest son of Wu Huan, the leader of the Northern Wei Army, Chi-Le Gong."
Jiang He stood up calmly and said, "You go put out the fire, I'll go to the top of the city."
Pei Yufen had a strange look on his face. In front of this person, it seemed as if no matter how big a matter was, it was not worth mentioning. As the head of the Pei family, he actually felt a strange sense of security.
……
at the same time.
Inner city of the capital, the Prince’s Eastern Palace.
The structure of the entire Eastern Palace is quite complicated. The three masters and three young masters are respectively ranked as the first rank, which is of great honor. The chief of the Zhanshi Palace, who holds real power, also has the specifications of the third rank. In terms of military, they are equipped with the Tengxiang Four Guards, which had more than 20,000 people in the previous dynasty.
However, the crown prince, the nominal heir to the empire, actually only half of them eventually sat on the throne of emperor throughout the dynasties.
During the Zhuchun period of the Southern Liang Dynasty, the crown prince was originally the eldest prince, but with the death of Empress Xie, Emperor Wu of Liang seemed unable to contain his disgust, and was determined to fight back, even at the risk of sacrificing his life in the Buddhist temple. But just when he was about to succeed, Xie Annan, the head of the Xie family, came to the capital, revealed his cultivation as a land immortal, and had a secret battle with the royal killer Xiao Qingzhi.
The result is that the eldest prince lost his position as crown prince, but his position is still as stable as a rock. Even the prime minister is still held by Xie Annan's brother, Xie Anyi. This is the so-called "co-ruling the world."
Outside the study room of the East Palace.
Several eunuchs stopped and looked at each other, and from time to time there were sounds of smashing and looting coming from inside.
"I can go in by myself." The white-haired old man said gently, holding a young child in his hand.
"Please forgive me, Lord Pei." The leading eunuch stepped back respectfully.
When Lord Pei pushed the door open, he saw the prince's fingertips bleeding and he was smashing a precious jade tube.
Click!
"Xie is going too far!"
"These self-proclaimed noble stray dogs, what right do they have to prevent me from seeing my father? They are thieves of the country, stray dogs!"
Lord Pei was not surprised, even though the Pei family and the Liang royal family were actually "stray dogs".
The prince turned around suddenly with a ferocious look on his face. The pressure day after day had caused his temples to turn white.
"And Prince Yong, what is he trying to do by keeping three thousand cavalrymen? The name of the Skeleton Dragon Cavalry has even reached my desk. I haven't settled accounts with him about the world's top cavalrymen and the three thousand guards!"
Pei Ge Lao said softly: "As long as Prince Yong is in charge of the army and doesn't become the next Prince Pingxi, I think the more the better."
"What!" the prince said angrily, "Pei, don't forget your position."
"Please calm down, Prince." Elder Pei lowered his eyes for a moment, and when he looked up again, he said, "Prince Yong has no heir, so he can't pose any threat to Your Highness."
The prince was startled and suddenly became quiet.
The child looked up at Grandpa Pei with some longing in his eyes. Just one word from the other party could calm his father's anger.
Elder Pei said, "Your Highness also knows the character of my grandson. He will do anything to get what he wants. But after all this time, Princess Yong is still not pregnant. She has tried every possible means, so Your Highness can take it easy."
There was silence for a while.
The prince sighed, "It seems that I have wronged Prince Yong."
Without offspring, after the lord passes away, his followers will have no one to pledge allegiance to. For aristocratic families that seek to prosper for a thousand years, this is something that is difficult to compromise on.
Lord Pei patted the child gently on the back.
The child understood what was going on and rushed towards the prince.
"Father."
"You are not studying with Zhan Shi at the moment... forget it."
The prince's extremely stern expression relaxed. He lowered his head and pondered, wondering whether he should be more lenient with his eldest son. This child was by no means without political significance.
Pei Ge Lao winked at the child quietly, and then bowed and said, "Prince, I still have to deal with the censors, so I'll take my leave now."
The child looked back reluctantly.
"Have a nice day, Mr. Pei." The prince nodded.
Lord Pei then left the study, turned around and left, following the eunuch to the outside of the East Palace.
Caring for the eldest son of the crown prince was just a casual thing. If the crown prince could ascend the throne, then this move might give back to the Pei family in the future. Of course, he didn't care much whether it would succeed or not, because he definitely wouldn't be able to see it.
"Alas, the Qingzhou battlefield." Lord Pei was quietly melancholy. The higher he got, the more helpless he was. The Minister of War seemed to be in charge of all the troops in the world, but there were many things beyond his control.
(End of this chapter)