Chapter 56 Chapter 56 [VIP]
When this person came to his senses and realized who was standing behind him, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and even the wine he had just drunk was sweating out from the sweat hairs on his limbs.
"Big, big, sir..."
The two men knelt down to apologize, and when they looked up, they secretly glanced at Xie Qingnian, hoping that he could plead for them.
Unexpectedly, Xie Qingnian, who had always been in cahoots with them, now had both eyes fixed on Zhou Zhi, and didn't pay any attention to the other two.
Two people: "!!!"
That's not nice of you, brother. The boss heard us speaking up for you!
Xie Qingnian still didn't notice the almost resentful looks on his brothers' faces. Seeing Zhou Zhi take another step forward, he wished he could turn into Zhou Zhi's legs and serve him at all times.
These two people: "..."
They were screaming in their hearts, but they could only convey the message to Xie Qingnian without showing any emotion.
But Xie Qingnian still didn't notice them.
Ahhh brother, you are so excessive, don’t blame us for not recognizing you in the future!!!
Xie Qingnian's behavior pleased Zhou Zhi. He glanced at the two of them coldly and raised his chin slightly, indicating that they should go wherever they wanted. Although the two were confused as to why the boss suddenly showed mercy, they knew when to leave, so they quickly slipped away with their tails between their legs.
After they had walked away, someone whispered, "I feel like the boss is really different today."
"It seems we've misjudged Qingnian. Although he didn't help us, his sacrifice last night is helping us today."
"That's right! Qingnian is still our good brother!"
"Well, a good brother for life!"
Among the other three people present, only Ling Suye could communicate with Zhou Zhi on an equal footing. Xie Qingnian was unable to walk when he saw Zhou Zhi, and Gu Xuanyou was deeply afraid of him.
Ling Suye stood up and said, "Sir, it's very windy outside."
Xie Qingnian nodded wildly. Although everyone was heading southeast, they had not yet left the northern territory and the wind was still very strong outside.
"No problem," Zhou Zhi said, "You went through so much hardship back then, but didn't you get through it?"
Ling Suye paused for a moment, then subconsciously glanced at Gu Xuanyou and said, "Actually, if I hadn't picked him up by chance back then, I might not have made it this far."
Zhou Zhi had already heard Gu Xuanyou talk about how he and Ling Suye met.
But at that time everyone thought Ling Suye was Ling Wuming.
Gu Xuanyou was stunned by Ling Suye's words. The rabbit in his hand was burnt and gave off a burnt smell, and he suddenly woke up.
Zhou Zhi had already exchanged a few words with Ling Suye in a low voice, and he could faintly hear the word "mermaid pearl".
After Zhou Zhi and Xie Qingnian left, Gu Xuanyou had already cut off the burnt part. He looked up at his master in confusion.
Ling Suye said, "Master Zhou said that he left in a hurry last night and forgot to ask him if there was anything he could do to help us, so I asked him for the mermaid pearl."
Gu Xuanyou immediately understood what his master wanted the mermaid pearl for.
——For the material that draws the lines of the 'craftsman'.
The thirty mermaid pearls given by the Star Forging Division every month are still too few.
Moreover, the situation is urgent now and something might happen at any time, so Ling Suye just wants to put "Jiang Ji" on the agenda as soon as possible.
Gu Xuanyou lowered his head in shame: "If I were stronger, I could also find more mermaid pearls for my master."
Ling Suye laughed and sat cross-legged beside Gu Xuanyou: "You are one of my spiritual pillars, much more useful than the Xunqiao Pearl."
When Gu Xuanyou raised his eyes, he met Ling Suye's slightly upturned affectionate eyes.
Although those eyes were still lifeless at this moment, Gu Xuanyou could clearly see his own reflection in the pupils disguised by the purple cloud clothes.
He remembered something and quickly opened his pouch. "Master, these are all jade mirrors with different uses. Some can create images, some can block sunlight, and this one... can help us see more clearly at night."
These things were made when he was working for Master Wen, but he never had the time to hand them over to his master.
Ling Suye listened to Gu Xuanyou's explanation and immediately felt that if Gu Xuanyou could go to the millennium thousands of years later, he would probably become a powerful academician.
——It is so rare to find someone so creative, tireless, energetic, and willing to think and do.
·
At the same time, in the capital city, at the Star Forging Division.
Wen Lingxia watched the disciples around him leave one by one. Except for the expeditionary team following the East China Sea, there were no direct disciples of his in the other teams. There were top disciples of the Star Forging Division accompanying them.
He sat on the forging platform, opposite him was the Prime Minister Chen Changqing who had been invited.
Chen Changqing looked at Wen Lingxia. This person looked almost the same as the one he saw thirty years ago.
Apart from the distinct black and white hair on his temples, his face still looks very young.
When Chen Changqing looked at Wen Lingxia, Wen Lingxia was also looking at him.
The young man who had been so dashing and graceful before his youth was now in power, yet he had not the slightest air of a powerful official. Sitting across from him, his figure was as graceful as a crane and as slender as a pine tree, even more sage-like than his own. Compared to thirty years ago, he had lost his youthful spirit, but had gained a more reserved temperament that showed concern for the country and the people.
It’s even more fascinating to watch.
Chen Changqing spoke first, offering Wen Lingxia tea. "Thank you, Director Wen, for your consideration. I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of the four regions."
Wen Lingxia picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
When Chen Changqing was about to continue offering tea, he suddenly said, "Master Prime Minister, my words from thirty years ago still count. I can even teach you the true way to immortality."
Chen Changqing continued to pour tea without a second thought and flatly declined, "Since my name contains the word 'Changqing', I do not seek the so-called 'immortality'. Thank you, Director Wen, for your kindness."
"Are you really not tempted at all, sir? Even the saint asked Sima Ming of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to come and ask me about some ways of self-cultivation." Wen Lingxia said.
"I'm not tempted." Chen Changqing said with a smile, "As long as the world can be peaceful and the people can live in peace, and our dynasty has talented and ambitious people who can succeed us, I've been sitting in this position for a long time, so I should vacate it."
He speaks in a carefree and unrestrained manner, and his movements when drinking tea are like those of an immortal or a Buddha. He is truly worthy of being called "Chen Changqing, who stabilizes the country" by the saints.
Wen Lingxia had constant desires in his heart, but he also knew how little he weighed in front of Chen Changqing. His power was nothing compared to Chen Changqing, and Chen Changqing did not value his immortality technique, which he was proud of. He no longer had any reason to attract Chen Changqing.
Wen Lingxia even knew that the only reason Chen Changqing could come over for tea was because he sent out disciples from the Star Forging Division and those magical instruments that could transmit sound over thousands of miles.
Moreover, this is most likely his last chance to sit face to face and communicate with Lord Chen.
After that, he could only look up at Lord Chen on the high platform.
Wen Lingxia closed his eyes, cast aside those random desires, and said, "Since that's the case, I do have a request."
Chen Changqing's eyes softened, "Director, please feel free to speak."
If there were other people here, they would definitely think that the two of them had a very good relationship, and they looked like old friends who had known each other for many years.
Who would have thought that there would be such a conflict between the two of them.
"My father once took in an apprentice," Wen Lingxia began slowly. "Your Excellency may not know, but I come from the Wen family, a clan of artisans. For centuries, the artisan clan has thrived under the leadership of the Wen and Shi families. Later, I traveled abroad to study, hoping to learn the various forging techniques of various lands. I also found myself making friends with scholars and other families, and influenced by them, I wanted to repay my debt to the imperial family. So, I ended up in Shangjing City. However, the year after I arrived in Shangjing City, my clansmen in the far north of the desert were wiped out by a group of desperate outlaws."
After all, Chen Changqing was nearly seventy years younger than Wen Lingxia, and knew almost nothing about this secret.
He listened carefully.
Wen Lingxia continued, "When I heard the news and rushed back, I discovered that not only my family, but even the Shi family had been brutally wiped out. Luckily, both our families lived in remote valleys, so no one could disturb us. By the time I arrived, even though all our clansmen had been murdered, some of their books were still preserved. Of course, the above-ground library had been burned to the ground, but both my family and the Shi family had a rule that if we encountered a powerful enemy, we would hide important books underground. As long as one disciple survived, we could restore the honor of our craftsman clan in the future."
Chen Changqing's eyes had not changed, but from his expression, it could be seen that he was listening very carefully.
Wen Lingxia licked her lips, looking a little sad. Her tone was heavy, "I, too, recently followed a strange disciple to the Star Forging Division. When I saw the jade mirror he was wearing, I realized it came from the same forging technique as my father."
Chen Changqing expressed his doubts at the right time: "The director is also from the Wen family. Could it be that your father's forging techniques are different from yours?"
"Even when the Prime Minister copied the calligraphy of Mr. Chu (note), there would be inconsistencies, not to mention the forging skills. Different personalities, different methods, in fact, there is a big difference." Wen Lingxia said.
"Director, you are wrong. When copying calligraphy, what matters is the resemblance in spirit. Although the shapes of the characters vary from person to person, the fundamental principles belong to Mr. Zhu," said Chen Changqing.
Wen Lingxia's heart suddenly skipped a beat. The Prime Minister's attitude just now was so gentle that he almost forgot that this immortal-like figure who became famous at a young age and had experienced many ups and downs in his official career was actually not only concerned about the country and the people, but also had keen insight.
He just told the general outline of the story he made up without giving any details, but this person found the loopholes and pointed them out.
However, contrary to Wen Lingxia's expectations, before he could even utter a word of rebuttal, Chen Changqing changed the subject: "But I don't know much about the lineage of craftsmen. Perhaps I'm mistaken. Director, please continue. You discovered a craftsman who learned from your father. What then?"
Wen Lingxia suddenly didn't know whether it was right or wrong to ask Chen Changqing to help her find that person.
But having come this far, he had no choice but to continue, "That craftsman has come to Shangjing City. The aura of my father is so strong on him that I can sense his presence."
Chen Changqing interjected, "Just like a demon hunter sensing the appearance of a demon?"
Wen Lingxia's prepared words of explanation were interrupted, and he was stared at by Chen Changqing, so he couldn't think of anything else to say.
But after all, he had lived for over a hundred years, so he reacted quickly and said, "No, it's just that my father and I seem to have a kind of telepathy similar to that of twins."
Chen Changqing said "Oh" and then calmed down.
He actually didn't ask Wen Lingxia the question he had prepared the most: "Your father died a hundred years ago. His disciple is probably about your age now. Even without the Cabinet's intervention, the Star Forging Division would easily find someone of that age."
Wen Lingxia could only speak to himself. The more he spoke, the more nervous he became. He felt that Chen Changqing had seen through him.
——After not seeing him for thirty years, he has really become more sharp and powerful.
The author has something to say:
Note: Mr. Chu is Chu Suiliang, a Tang Dynasty calligrapher. (Qing Dynasty calligrapher Wang Xuzhou commented on him: "The power beyond the characters, the meaning behind the brush tip, cannot be fully understood.")
Good night, babies!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
