Chapter 73
The situation in the capital city of Lixi was reversed due to Wei Liangguan's betrayal, which allowed the eldest prince, Mu Jingchuan, to seize absolute power, and the center of the entire country was quickly taken over by the eldest prince.
Ji Fang has been removed from the center of power, but he still needs to protect the safety of his family. There is no doubt that he has absolute authority in the Seventh Army.
However, Wei Liangguan's betrayal made Ji Fang feel terrible.
Qiao had never seen Ji Fang like this before. His expression was more gloomy than ever before, and the atmosphere around him was very tense. Unless they had official business to report to him, no one dared to approach him easily.
Qiao also noticed that Ji Fang hadn't eaten for a day and a night, and he was very worried about his master's mental state.
Joe wasn't afraid of Ji Fang. He quietly approached Ji Fang and buried his head in Ji Fang's arms. The intimacy of the natives made the Cohen feel relaxed. He knew that Ji Fang liked to touch him, probably as relaxing as humans touching cats and dogs.
Sure enough, as soon as Qiao Ye entered his arms, Ji Fang picked him up and placed him on his lap, then began to stroke his back. Finally, he wrapped his arms around Qiao Ye and kissed and rubbed his lips against the top of Qiao Ye's head.
Qiao Ye quietly stayed by his side, bringing him food each time. Ji Fang could never refuse Qiao Ye, but he would always say, "Qiao Ye, I can't eat, you eat."
Qiao also typed a message: "I'll be very worried if you don't eat."
Ji Fang gently patted Qiao Ye's head, took the food, and ate a bite.
Qiao leaned against him, comforting Ji Fang: "Master, I will never betray you."
Ji Fang fiddled with Qiao Ye's fingers, hummed in agreement, sighed, remained silent for a long time, and then asked, "Qiao Ye, am I a failure as a person?"
Is he doubting himself? Even someone as proud as Ji Fang is heartbroken and disillusioned because of his friend's betrayal.
Qiao was deeply distressed. His blood boiled, and he immediately broke free from Ji Fang, filled with righteous indignation. He sent a message to his master: "Master, wait for me! I'm going to go and beat Wei Liangguan up to avenge you!"
Qiao was also determined to act, but as soon as she turned around, Ji Fang grabbed her around the waist and lifted her into the air. Qiao flailed her arms and legs, crying out, "Master, let me go! I want to avenge you!"
Ji Fang laughed, then grabbed and restrained the struggling Xiao Yuanren, who was writhing like a crab, and slapped Qiao Ye's bottom: "This isn't revenge, it's more like you're going to deliver yourself as food. The moment you go there, someone will stew you."
Upon hearing this, Qiao also became quiet. He probably forgot that he was still a dish.
Ji Fang's melancholy mood dissipated somewhat after his pet made a fuss.
Qiao also held Ji Fang's head in his hands. He didn't want Ji Fang to deny himself like this, and it wasn't the master's fault!
Qiao understood his pain at being betrayed by Wei Liangguan, after all, they were childhood friends. He said to Ji Fang: "He betrayed you, he's the one who failed as a person. Don't let other people's mistakes drain you."
Ji Fang was surprised to be comforted by his own pet. He patted Qiao Ye and said, "You're right. Our Qiao Ye actually understands such profound truths and is comforting its owner."
Qiao knew that Ji was upset, but he was not being held back by his emotions. He was a person who could remain absolutely rational in dire straits. The current situation did not allow him to be saddened by friendship. What was important was the new regime he was about to face.
When most people are in pain, they choose to vent it out, but Ji Fang just silently endures it alone. It's not that he has any indomitable will, but that he has no one to confide in and no one to rely on.
In the past, Wei Liangguan would often come over to joke around. Apart from Wei Liangguan, he seemed to have no other friends or relatives to relax with. His life was monotonous, strict, disciplined, and boring. Qiao thought of this and felt a little sorry for him.
At that moment, Joe really wished he could be his support, but he was just a pet, and there was nothing he could do but keep him company.
At this moment, Joe also felt a little regretful. Why didn't he transmigrate into the Cohen? If he had been a Cohen, he could have become Ji Fang's closest person.
But if he were a Cohen, he would definitely be incompetent and probably wouldn't be able to help Ji Fang at all. He might not even be able to see Ji Fang. Only if he were a native would Ji Fang trust him so much and pamper him so much.
With a new leader taking office, various changes are inevitable. The generals of the seven major armies were notified to hold a meeting to discuss the important matter of military power reform. At the meeting, Sze, who had been eliminated earlier, was rewarded as a meritorious official, and Zhou Shiqing also gained more benefits in terms of military power.
As for the forces previously controlled by the Second Prince Mu Jingyao, they carried out a large-scale crackdown and replaced them with people from the First Prince's side.
A new emperor brings a new court; those who choose the wrong side are destined to bear the corresponding consequences.
Everyone tacitly isolated Ji Fang, and they all felt that dealing with him was a difficult task because Ji Fang had absolute power and strength, and it was too risky to deal with him.
However, Ji Fang only returned as a follower of the Second Prince and did not participate in any rebellious acts. He was only given a verbal warning for disobeying the old emperor's orders and leaving the border of the Snow Region without permission. Instead of being allowed to return to the border of the Snow Region immediately, he was forbidden from leaving Lixi and was kept under observation, probably because they were afraid that he would really rebel.
The old emperor did not die, but was placed in a quiet place by the eldest prince to recuperate. The official explanation for the second prince's death was a sudden heart attack. The news was trending for a day and a night, the whole nation mourned, and a grand funeral was held. The evening news was 20 minutes longer than usual.
Ji Fang's father was investigated, but thanks to Wei Liangguan's guarantee, the Ji family was safe.
Not long after, news came that Wei Liangguan was going to marry the Third Princess Mu Jingjia. Ji Fang received an invitation, and Wei Liangguan's betrayal became justifiable.
Ji Fang finally got a real vacation, but even on vacation, he still dragged Qiao Ye to do morning exercises every day. Qiao Ye followed behind Ji Fang as he jogged, almost swearing at him. But considering that the pet's words were too frightening and it wouldn't be good if other people in the park heard them, he really couldn't hold back.
Seeing that Qiao hadn't followed, Ji Fang jogged back to Qiao's side and said, "Your stamina isn't good. You need to train. It's only been less than ten kilometers. Hurry up and keep going."
Joe didn't want to pay attention. He shook his head and refused, rested his hands on his knees for a while, and then slumped onto a roadside rest seat, not moving.
Ji Fang trains soldiers, and no one dares to disobey his orders, but when it comes to Qiao Ye, Ji Fang sometimes has no choice but to give him a hard time.
Ji Fang didn't make things difficult for him and continued running, while Qiao watched Ji Fang run lap after lap.
Joe sat on a park bench, drinking water, watching his owner jog and exercise, then looking at other Cohens walking around the park with their original owners on leashes. Suddenly, he saw a familiar fellow Cohen, who was squatting down to poop...
Fortunately, the original owner of this creature was of good character and was picking up poop...
Forehead……
Well, he never let Ji Fang pick up his poop.
Upon closer inspection, weren't those Wei Liangguan and Xiao Guai?
Thinking of Wei Liangguan's betrayal of his master, Qiao turned his head away, no longer looking at them, to avoid the awkwardness of meeting their eyes again.
Although Qiao Ye pretended not to see Wei Liangguan, Wei Liangguan did see Qiao Ye and was already walking over. Qiao Ye was very nervous.
After confirming that the person was walking towards him, Qiao suddenly got up and ran towards Ji Fang.
As long as he isn't embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.
Sure enough, when Wei Liangguan saw Qiao Ye run away, he stopped and walked towards Ji Fang.
Ji Fang stopped running in front of Wei Liangguan, wiped his sweat, and Wei Liangguan offered him a bottle of water. Ji Fang took it, paused for a moment, and did not drink it.
Wei Liangguan jokingly remarked, feigning nonchalance, "Don't worry, it's not poisonous. I'm not that heartless."
After not seeing him for many days, Wei Liangguan's face was somewhat ashen compared to Ji Fang's. With the change of power between the old and new, he, as the greatest contributor, did not seem to be enjoying a smooth ride.
Ji Fang didn't stand on ceremony. He turned on the tap, drank some water, and first expressed his gratitude to Wei Liangguan: "Thank you for my father's matter."
Qiao Ye watched Ji Fang drink water and suddenly remembered that Wei Liangguan had just picked up poop. Had he washed his hands? He was just handing water to his master like that! Qiao Ye stared at Wei Liangguan.
Wei Liangguan smiled through his somewhat gloomy face: "Don't mention it, it's what I should do. Uncle Ji has been holding me since I was a baby..."
After saying that, neither of them seemed to have the right to be polite anymore. The silence made Qiao Ye feel a little sluggish. Ji Fang broke the silence first, saying, "Congratulations on your marriage."
Wei Liangguan smiled slightly, his smile somewhat insincere as he looked down: "Everyone has to get married eventually. Don't even mention me, you're not young anymore, it's time to settle down and start a family. However, I guess Uncle Ji won't force you to marry anyone."
Ji Fang was calm and composed, and the atmosphere between them seemed to have returned to what it used to be, except that Ji Fang's attitude was no longer so casual: "I haven't thought about marriage. For now, one person, one home, is fine."
Wei Liangguan nodded, as if making conversation: "It's good, it's good then..."
The two met briefly and seemed to say nothing, but it was as if Wei Liangguan had said everything.
Qiao was genuinely curious, so on the way back, she texted her master: "Master, did he really betray you because his family arranged for him to marry the First Prince?"
Seeing Qiao Ye's puzzled look, Ji Fang picked him up and said, "What does it matter whether it is or isn't? Everyone has their own path to walk."
Qiao didn't know what Ji Fang meant, but she understood Ji Fang's attitude. This kind of mentality that is not swayed by emotions and feelings is truly strong. Perhaps in Ji Fang's circle and status, all kinds of feelings are not important. Everything has to give way to power and interests.
Wei Liangguan made his own choice, and this is neither right nor wrong.
Wei Liangguan became a successful figure in the eyes of the newly rich. On the day of the wedding, Ji Fang did not attend, as if drawing a line between them. This was better for both of them.
After some time, Ji Fang received an order from the new emperor to go to the southeast sea area to suppress pirates and guard the Zijin Island in the southeast. The number of troops was reduced, and people were placed in key positions.
Qiao also went to investigate Zijin Island and found that it was the place with the most exotic beasts in the sea. It was basically a no-man's-land, a place where pirates and evil thrived. The new emperor sent Ji Fang there probably to squeeze him out of the core of military power, which was a kind of exile.
For Ji Fang, it didn't matter where he went to fight the alien beasts; he was a soldier, and he immediately set off within the stipulated time.
Qiao also discovered that Nanzhu Island, which Zhou Shiqing lost, was right across from Zijin Island. No wonder Zhou Shiqing gave the island away without hesitation. Now it seems that Nanzhu Island was located in the territory of evil forces and was not easy to manage.
As the weather got hotter to the south, mosquitoes became more numerous, and Qiao Ye soon got bitten several times. He was very itchy, so Ji Fang specially found some mosquito repellent to apply to him.
As soon as Ji Fang arrived at the camp on Zijin Island, he began a large-scale cleanup of the surrounding beast groups and also eliminated the nearby pirate dens. Qiao also went out with Ji Fang every day, and the sea breeze and sunlight made Qiao quite tanned.
Joe looked at his arms and asked, "Am I getting darker? Why aren't you? We were sunbathing together."
Ji Fang noticed Qiao Ye and carefully pulled Qiao Ye's arm over to examine it, looking somewhat puzzled and surprised: "Original humans can actually get tanned?"
Qiao was speechless. Suddenly, he remembered that in the original world, someone discovered that dogs could also get tanned, and the expression on their face when they learned new common sense was exactly the same as Ji Fang's now.
Curiosity piqued, Ji Fang pulled Qiao Ye close and pinched his arm: "Where else is it dark? Let me see."
Then Ji Fang began to compare the black and white marks on Qiao Ye's arms with those on other parts of his body, then looked at his stomach and then at his legs.
Qiao, still fuming, covered herself with her tank top and jumped off him: "You pervert! Of course my belly is white, how could I possibly get my belly in the sun?"
Ji Fang teased him, "Come here, let me see, see if you've gotten a tan."
Joe also refused: "No." Then, after a moment's thought, he made a demand: "Unless you show me yours."
Ji Fang immediately agreed, and Qiao Yezhen curiously lifted his shirt to look at his stomach.
Ji Fang's belly had no excess fat, and the lines were smooth and particularly strong. Qiao also reached out and gave it a hard squeeze. It was really firm, which made Qiao also very envious.
With such a great physique, I wonder who will benefit from it in the future, but let him have his fun for now.
Joe also rested his head against his abs, gently bumping it to feel his master's ability to withstand blows, and then pressed his face against him again.
It's perfectly normal for a pet to cuddle with its owner.
He's just a little pet who loves his owner.
Joe also privately felt that his master was one of the best among the Cohens, both in terms of looks and physique, but why didn't he have a girlfriend? Was he not good enough?
Perhaps it was because Qiao Ye's gaze was too inappropriate, Ji Fang immediately grabbed Qiao Ye's hand that was about to do something naughty.
Ji Fang grabbed his hands and lifted him onto his lap, warning him, "Don't be naughty, or you'll be punished."
Joe retorted, "You pinched my stomach too, so why can't I pinch yours?"
Looking at his pet who was arguing with him, Ji Fang established a rule with a clear double standard: "Because I am your master, you have to listen to me."
Joe also fought for his rights: "You've been my master for so long, how about we switch roles today? I'll be your master, and you'll be my pet."
Ji Fang was incredulous and somewhat curious: "You want to be my master? You've gone too far, trying to climb over me?"
Qiao chuckled: [I can climb all over you anytime.]
After sending the message, Qiao wrapped her arms around Ji Fang's neck, hugged his head, and tried to ride on his neck.
Ji Fang wouldn't let him succeed. He held Qiao Ye's chest with one hand and pinched his thigh with the other, easily lifting Qiao Ye above his head and then threatening to drop him.
Qiao was also holding tightly to Ji Fang's arm in mid-air, giggling and shouting, uttering in her nervousness, "No, no!"
Realizing she had spoken, Qiao became genuinely nervous and immediately started yelling incoherently.
Ji Fang played with him for a while, then put him down, and Qiao dared not tease him anymore.
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