Chapter 161 A New World

Xiao Ning: "What fame or title? I just want to give the people a peaceful and prosperous world."

General Du said, "Bringing 5,000 men is indeed putting you in a difficult position. How about this: I give you these 5,000 soldiers under Zhou Jiang's command to help quell the rebellion?"

These five thousand people were trained using her methods. They were indeed braver than other soldiers and more compatible with her. Xiao Ning had originally wanted to take them away.

If he just took all of Zhou Jiang's men away, wouldn't he be left alone?

Xiao Ning glanced at Zhou Jiang.

Zhou Jiang's mouth twitched: "...What's that look in your eyes? Can I really stop you from taking your people away?"

Xiao Ning blinked his almond-shaped eyes twice: "I just feel sorry for you, General."

Zhou Jiang patted her with a smile, "Go away, why are you pretending?"

General Du wrote the transfer order and took the two men to review the army. The soldiers who had been trained according to Xiao Ning's method had already been reborn. They stood in a large number on the stage, like rows of straight poplars, which was very pleasing to the eye.

Before, General Du had only heard Zhou Jiang say that the training results were good, but now that he saw them, he couldn't help but look at Xiao Ning again.

Is this talent?

So is the father, so is the son.

The soldiers had only heard some rumors, but now after hearing General Du’s own words, they realized that the outside world was in such chaos!

The rebels attacked the city, burned, killed, looted, raped women, and committed all kinds of atrocities.

Although they were mostly from the prefectures and counties surrounding Shengjing City, according to General Du's description, the rebels were unstoppable and might attack Shengjing at any time. They were going there not only to quell the rebellion, but also to protect their parents and relatives.

How wonderful it would be if you were lucky enough to fight your way out, gain fame and fortune, and return home in glory?

General Du is a veteran after all. Apart from anything else, he is very good at boosting morale.

The young men were so excited that their eyes turned red, and their excited and magnificent shouts of killing pierced through the clouds and resounded through the sky.

…

Jixiang Temple was the state temple of Dayong. During important occasions, the emperor and empress would lead the royal family members to burn incense.

Now it is Mid-Autumn Festival and there is chaos again. The emperor heard that the wandering Master Jikong has returned and he intends to go there to ask about the success or failure of the war.

As soon as the emperor came up with the idea, someone suggested something along his lines, and the empress and the court officials did not object when they learned about it.

After all, this master really has something.

Therefore, while the Beidaying was actively preparing for war, the emperor, empress and royal relatives went to Jixiang Temple to burn incense.

After receiving the news, Jixiang Temple cleared out all the idle people inside and outside the temple in advance to ensure the safety of the emperor and empress.

The abbot was waiting at the temple gate in advance and welcomed the emperor, empress and others into the temple.

Shang Xi followed at the end with no expression on his face. He didn't believe that this so-called master could really know everything and predict good and bad fortune.

Led by the abbot and a group of monks, the emperor and empress came to the main hall. A young monk came forward to hand incense, and the emperor and empress took it, knelt down and burned the incense with a pious attitude.

After offering incense and leaving the hall, the emperor asked, "Why don't I see Master Jikong?"

The abbot smiled and said, "He knew that Your Majesty was coming and was waiting in the side hall."

Some capable people were proud of their status, but the emperor did not care and followed the abbot to the side hall.

The gods and Buddhas in the temple lowered their eyes and looked at all living beings with compassion.

"I have been waiting for this destined person for a long time."

The monk who was sitting cross-legged on the cushion with his back to the temple door spoke without even turning his head.

The emperor did not care. He walked forward and first burned incense to the gods and Buddhas in the main hall. Then he asked Master Jikong: "Master, may I ask you a mundane question?"

The monk still had his eyes closed, beating the wooden fish steadily in his hands.

"After this battle, the world will be transformed, the seas will be peaceful and the rivers will be clear, and there will be prosperity and peace."

Although it was only sixteen words, it was like a reassurance, making the emperor's heart settle down.

The emperor smiled and said, "Thank you, Master. Once this matter is settled, I will have the Buddha's body re-gilded!"

"Amitabha……"

Jikong just chanted the Buddha's name and still closed his eyes, beating the wooden fish neither fast nor slow.

The emperor got the answer he wanted, and didn't care whether the monk was too offensive. He smiled and left the side hall.

But Shang Xi did not follow him out.

The emperor only listened to the second half of the monk's words and didn't pay attention to the first half at all, "the world has changed". If the rebellion was just suppressed successfully, wouldn't the world still be the same? Why say it has changed?

The emperor, empress and others left, leaving only Shang Xi standing in the hall.

The sound of the wooden fish stopped, and Master Jikong opened his eyes, but did not look back.

"Why don't you leave, Princess?"

Shang Xi looked at his bright red robes and asked, "Monk, what do you mean by 'the world has changed'?"

Master Jikong laughed, "Your Highness, the Princess already knows, why are you asking?"

After hearing these words, Shang Xi's heart beat faster.

So, they will succeed, and he and Xiao Ning will join forces to establish a new order as Xiao Ning said before?

Shang Xi looked at him, then suddenly took a few quick steps forward, squatted beside him, and asked again, "Monk, I have another question for you..."

Master Jikong smiled and stood up. "When the false is made true, the true becomes false; when the true is made false, the false becomes true. You two are destined to be together. Your Highness, just let nature take its course."

After Master Jikong finished speaking, he left the hall, leaving Shang Xi as the only one left in the empty hall.

All the gods and Buddhas in the hall lowered their eyes with expressions of compassion and love.

After a while, Shang Xi chuckled. This monk really had something.

Since they are destined to succeed, he doesn't have to be restrained all the time. The gods and Buddhas will protect him, right?

Shang Xi raised his eyes, glanced at the gods and Buddhas in the hall, then turned and walked out.

After having a vegetarian meal at the temple, the ceremonial procession returned to Shengjing in a long dragon.

The provincial capital cities, led by the disaster-stricken areas, were in dire straits, but the surrounding areas of Shengjing City remained prosperous and stable.

After returning to the palace, the emperor ordered the army to set out to quell the rebellion three days later.

Before leaving, the emperor specially held a banquet to see Xiao Ning and Shen Zhiyi off.

The two met at the palace gate, both with fake smiles on their faces.

"Lord Xiao."

Shen Zhiyi bowed and smiled.

"Mr. Shen."

Xiao Ning also bowed in return.

As the two of them walked towards the palace, Xiao Ning sighed, "Oh, I never thought that one day I would be able to walk side by side with Master Shen on this palace road."

Shen Zhiyi smiled: "What are you talking about, Lord Xiao? Lord Xiao was able to lead the army to suppress the rebellion at such a young age. He is truly a role model for us to learn from. I am able to embark on this path in the palace thanks to Lord Xiao's blessing."

Xiao Ning waved his hand and smiled, "Look at how modest Mr. Shen is. My life is still in Mr. Shen's hands. On the march, I hope Mr. Shen can look back on our past friendship and show me some mercy."

Shen Zhiyi: “…My Lord, you are joking.”

Xiao Ning continued to joke, "Hey, you said His Majesty knew I was attracted to men, yet he sent the most handsome young man in Shengjing to accompany me. What was he thinking? Did he think the march would be long and I'd be lonely, so he sent me a beautiful woman?"

Shen Zhiyi: “…The Marquis is joking again.”

Xiao Ning: "What a joke! Everything I said was from the bottom of my heart. Mr. Chen already knew my feelings a long time ago."