Cui Wuming walked towards Su Sheng through the snow, the white bangs on his right cheek resembling a snowflake falling on his face, his right sleeve empty, fluttering in the wind.
With one arm and one sword, he exuded a more confident aura than when he was by Su Wansan's side.
Even his eyes have become sharper.
"It's been three months, and I'm finally waiting for you to come out."
Su Sheng sensed the power in Cui Wuming's gaze and jumped down from the rock, exclaiming in surprise, "You've broken through?"
Cui Wuming said calmly, "No, becoming a grandmaster is not an easy thing."
"But your sword is so fast! It's completely transformed!"
"Although I haven't become a grandmaster, I have reached the pinnacle of being a top expert."
"So, you're only half a step away from becoming a grandmaster?"
Cui Wuming pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "There is indeed a saying among martial artists that there is a half-step grandmaster, but that is not accurate. Being a top master is one stage, and being a top master at the peak is another stage. Although one is only half a step away from becoming a grandmaster, most people cannot take that step in their entire lives. If I want to become a grandmaster, I have a very long way to go."
Although Su Sheng was not a martial artist, he understood Cui Wuming's meaning after a little thought and said, "But Uncle Cui, you are already very powerful. When you killed the wolf pack just now, you were truly swift and deadly!"
“Hmm…” Cui Wuming touched his empty right sleeve and said, “Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. With only one hand, I actually figured out another way to exert force and sword skills, which actually helped me break through the shackles.”
Su Sheng grabbed Cui Wuming's right sleeve, her expression somewhat sorrowful.
Cui Wuming patted Su Sheng's head with his left arm, revealing a doting smile, and said, "When I meet Xu Qingshan again, perhaps I can get my revenge. Even if I still die then, I will definitely be able to take him down with me."
"Uncle Cui, don't worry, it's not the right time yet."
Su Sheng shook his head and said, "During the time you were in seclusion, I studied military books and history diligently, and also researched some current figures, both big and small. I already have an idea in mind."
Cui Wuming nodded and said, "You're smart and have been calm since you were little. I'll listen to you."
Su Sheng said, "Then let's go and seek refuge with someone who is sure to succeed in the future. We can then use his strength to our advantage. At that time, not only Xu Qingshan, but also the Left Prime Minister's Mansion and the imperial court will have a chance to bring him down."
"Can."
"Uncle Cui, aren't you going to ask who it is?"
"I won't ask."
Cui Wuming looked up at the falling snow, his expression resolute.
"You handle the brain work. When it comes to drawing the sword, I'll take care of it."
...
After the Spring Festival, Yuan Xiu began his eleventh year of governing the country.
For the first five years after his ascension to the throne, he lived in constant fear, his mind preoccupied with how to survive and how to find an opportunity to overthrow the powerful relatives and ministers who saw him as a puppet. In the following five years, he held absolute power and finally experienced the benefits that an emperor should have, but this also brought with it responsibilities.
He began to worry about whether he could be a good emperor, whether those powerful ministers would make a comeback, whether the court would nurture new powerful ministers, and even more so whether the empire would decline or even perish under his rule.
Now, in the eleventh year of his reign, Emperor Jing no longer worries.
The great victory over the Yang family army at Lingshan, the annihilation of Yedan in the northern desert, and three successful counter-espionage operations within the country have made Yuan Xiu realize his own strength and fostered unparalleled self-confidence.
Standing atop the newly renovated observatory, looking down at his subjects prostrate in the heavy snow, a surge of pride welled up within him.
"This is my world, my kingdom."
"Now that the Great Jing is under my rule, the seas are calm and the rivers are peaceful, and the land is flourishing."
"In the future, the power of the Great Jing will surely rise steadily, becoming the most magnificent and supreme empire in the East!"
The officials shouted in unison, "Your Majesty is a great ruler!! Long live Your Majesty! ...
The top floor of the Star Gazing Tower is much larger than before, but still only a handful of people are qualified to accompany Yuan Xiu up there to enjoy the view.
"Left Prime Minister, go and bring up the Earl of Sha County. I have some questions for him."
After giving Wen Tai a brief instruction, Yuan Xiu looked at Tie Ge behind Wen Tai and asked, "Minister Tie, what exactly happened in the riots that occurred in the three counties of Xinbei on the night of the Spring Festival?"
Tie Ge stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the mob that had already surrendered that night suddenly stormed into the prison, freed the imprisoned mob members, and together they attacked General Wang's residence."
"On the night of the Spring Festival, when the whole country was celebrating, General Wang's residence was lax in its defenses and was caught off guard by the mob. Although they were eventually driven away, his son, the Baron of Yi County, was kidnapped."
Yuan Xiu raised an eyebrow and said, "Wang Ren's son has become a hostage?"
Tie Ge nodded and said, "The mob did indeed use Wang Yuluan to blackmail General Wang, offering him harsh conditions. When General Wang refused, the mob tortured Wang Yuluan and cut off pieces of his flesh to send to General Wang. According to reports from the three counties of Xinbei, the mob dragged out the badly injured Wang Yuluan and made him and his father face each other from a distance in an attempt to provoke General Wang into giving in."
As if a scene had flashed through his mind, Tie Ge's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. He continued, "The rioters knew that General Wang only had this one son, and they thought they had him cornered, so they were extremely arrogant. But they didn't expect that when General Wang hesitated, Wang Yuluan shouted loudly, telling General Wang not to back down, that he would defend the dignity of Dajing to the death, that he would not compromise, not beg for mercy, and that General Wang should shoot him dead with an arrow!"
"The mob was actually more afraid of Wang Yuluan's death. When they saw that General Wang had actually raised his bow and arrow, they were so frightened that they quickly took Wang Yuluan away..."
At this point, tears welled up in Tie Ge's eyes as he sighed, "Although the Baron of Yi County was not granted the rank of general, like father, like son. He has more integrity than many generals."
Yuan Xiu slammed his hand on the railing of the Star Gazing Tower and roared, "These rioters are going too far! They should be exterminated and their graves dug up!"
Tie Ge said sullenly, "After General Wang rescued Wang Yuluan, that's exactly what he did... He felt that the previous strategy against the rioters had been too lenient. Of course, this time he also harbored some personal grudges, and his revenge was extremely brutal. Not only did he exterminate all the families and dig up graves, but wherever the rioters had been, even ant nests were scalded with boiling water by General Wang's men..."
Yuan Xiu's mood immediately improved, and he said, "Not even ants are spared; this is the kind of Wang Ren I need! To deal with those remnants of the Night Pill, we must be this tough!"
"What about Wang Yuluan? How is he?"
"Although there is no danger to his life, he needs to rest and recuperate. However, he has too many injuries, and if he is not treated properly, he may be left with a disability."
"Let Wang Ren send his son back. He is a loyal subject of my Great Jing. I cannot allow anything to happen to him."
"yes!"
"I heard from my elder sister that the Divine Physician Jinghai has opened a clinic in Yanchuan City. Why don't you arrange for someone to send Wang Yuluan directly to Yanchuan? That's his home, and he'll be taken care of there."
Tie Ge said with emotion, "Your Majesty is so considerate and caring towards your subjects. I am so grateful that I am moved to tears!"
Yuan Xiu waved for Tie Ge to leave, then beckoned Wen Hu, who had come upstairs, to his side and asked, "Wen Hu, I heard you've extended your reach into Han Nan City?"
Wen Hu's expression changed!
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