Shanhe Festival 175. Awakening

Outside the courtyard where Mo Xiuyao was staying temporarily, Feng Zhiyao leaned against the wall and watched Xu Hongyu walk out of the courtyard, with a bit more inquiry and vigilance in his handsome eyes. The current state of the prince did make him feel a little uneasy, but at the same time, Xu Hongyu's arrival did not make him and the generals of the Mohist Army happier. It is true that the world knows that the Xu family is the wisest in the world, but the Xu family has been loyal to the Great Chu for many years, just like the Dingguo Palace. If Xu Hongyu came to persuade the prince on behalf of the emperor, given the prince's current state and the relationship between the Xu family and the princess, the prince might not be unmoved by Xu Hongyu. And the generals of the Mohist Army... do not want to see such a situation. In the past few years, the royal family had actually begun to suppress the Mohist Army when the Regent Prince Mo Liufang was still alive. The treatment suffered by the Mohist Army and the prince over the years has angered all the generals who are loyal to the Ding Palace. Everyone is naturally sad about the death of the princess, but the series of orders issued by the prince for this reason have given the Mohist Army soldiers a glimmer of hope.

Xu Hongyu stood outside the courtyard gate, turned his head to look at Feng Zhiyao standing at the corner of the wall, and smiled faintly: "Is the Third Master Feng waiting for me?"

Seeing Xu Hongyu who was not surprised at all, Feng Zhiyao's eyes flickered slightly, and he raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Mr. Hongyu, you have worked hard all the way. Why don't you take a rest first and then ask Mr. Fengsan for advice?"

Xu Hongyu laughed out loud and shook his head, saying, "I want to have a cup of tea. I wonder if Mr. Feng San would appreciate it?"

Feng San smiled faintly, lowered his eyes and said, "Then I will bother Mr. Hongyu."

The two moved to the guest house prepared for Xu Hongyu. Xu Hongyu personally brewed a pot of good tea, poured a cup for Feng Zhiyao and himself, and then smiled and said, "I understand what the Third Master Feng is worried about." Feng Zhiyao raised his sword-like eyebrows and looked at Xu Hongyu without saying anything. Xu Hongyu smiled and shook his head, looking at Feng Zhiyao's guarded look as if he was looking at a disobedient younger generation, and smiled and said, "The Xu family... what they could do a hundred years ago, do you think that the Third Master Feng will not dare to do it a hundred years later?" Hearing this, Feng Zhiyao was shocked, and the look of astonishment on his face could not be hidden at all. He stared at the elegant middle-aged man in front of him. Suddenly, I found that the great scholar who should have been well-read and gentle had a sharp edge between his eyebrows. It was then that I suddenly remembered that a hundred years ago, the Xu family... The head of the Xu family personally killed the last emperor of the previous dynasty and opened the city gate to let Emperor Taizu enter the city. Although the head of the Xu family took up his sword and committed suicide that day to follow the last emperor of the previous dynasty, it also made the world understand that the Xu family has never been simply loyal, cowardly or upright, but also has the determination and ruthlessness that even military generals do not have. Similarly, the reason why the head of the Xu family killed the king and opened the city was not because he was loyal to the Chu, but to leave a glimmer of hope for the people of the world who had experienced war and for the Xu family, which was almost extinct. As expected, the only surviving son of the Xu family, Xu Nili, ascended to the position of prime minister at the age of 19 and became a famous prime minister in history. The Xu family... exchanged the blood of the head of the Xu family and more than 70 relatives for the respect of the world, the life of Xu Nili, and the prosperity of the Xu family for the next one or two hundred years.

If no one mentions it, in almost everyone's eyes, the Xu family represents a family of scholars, talented people, and literati. It was not until this time that Feng Zhiyao clearly realized that the Xu family also represents blood and killing, decisiveness, and wisdom and strategy that no one can match. A family that has prospered through two dynasties, especially during the change of dynasties, requires wisdom, decisiveness, and ruthlessness that are definitely not something that ordinary literati can have. The Xu family does not like blood, but that does not mean they are afraid of blood.

Xu Hongyu drank tea leisurely, watching the young man opposite with a changing expression and smiling without saying a word. No family that has lasted for hundreds of years is truly merciful, even if they seem to be, and they have been trying hard to do so, but that is absolutely not the truth. The Xu family just sees it too clearly, so it makes people feel incomprehensible. Just like they can die on the battlefield as literati for the sake of the previous dynasty. Just like they can retreat to Yunzhou under the suppression of the royal family and no longer care about the mundane affairs of the court. Just like... they can chop off the monarch's head with their own hands and thoroughly understand a dynasty that is struggling to survive, just like they can bury almost all of their clansmen for the continuation of the family.

"Mr. Xu..." Feng Zhiyao took a sip of tea uncomfortably. He always thought he was smart enough, but sitting in front of this elegant scholar, he didn't know what to say. Or rather, he didn't understand why Xu Hongyu said this in front of him. Xu Hongyu looked at him and smiled softly: "I just hope that my words can reassure the Mo family. The Xu family... and the Dingguo Palace are not enemies." Feng Zhiyao suddenly raised his head, a little unsure whether Xu Hongyu meant what he understood. Only to hear Xu Hongyu continue: "But... Third Master Feng... is it really best to prepare?"

Are you ready? Feng Zhiyao was at a loss. What are you preparing for? The world is in chaos and everyone is vying for supremacy… Feng Zhiyao was slightly startled, and soon his heart started beating wildly again. Because of Xu Hongyu's words, it seemed that something suddenly broke through the originally vague curtain in his heart.

Fighting for the world... Countless Mohist soldiers are looking forward to the direction that the prince will lead them. Only those who know the Mohist army know that the original Mohist army was the most promising army among all the countries to unify the world. However, because they were envied by successive emperors and restricted everywhere, the ambition of the Chu Dynasty to unify the world has never been realized. Not only that, the Mohist army seems to have gradually extinguished its ambition. And now... are they really ready to fight for the world? The prince who just lost his princess did make the world a war with a snap of his fingers, but there is more of a desire to disrupt the world and avenge those people who the prince hates and hates, as well as the mentality of bystanders watching the show. The prince seemed to have no intention of thinking about the future of the Mohist Army. Even if they could gain a temporary victory by relying on the bravery of the Mohist Army in the early stage, such a situation obviously could not be maintained for a long time. And... the prince's body was also an unstable factor that threatened the Mohist Army at all times. The excitement and hostility towards Xu Hongyu in his heart disappeared in an instant. Feng Zhiyao couldn't help but sweat in his heart. He looked at Xu Hongyu respectfully and said: "Please give me some advice, sir. Since Mr. Xu has come all the way to Ruyang, he will definitely not watch the prince like this..."

Feng Zhiyao hadn't finished his words, but Xu Hongyu, who was sitting opposite him, clearly understood what he wanted to say. He smiled and said, "Your Highness just can't figure it out for the moment. Third Master Feng, just wait and see."

Feng Zhiyao smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness has been like this for several months. It's all because Feng San was so dizzy that he didn't think about it... Thank you Mr. Xu for your advice."

Xu Hongyu smiled faintly, looked up at the first star rising from the gradually darkening sky, his eyes far away, "The Mo family army has its own selfishness, and the Xu family has its own selfishness. The one from Chu Jing..." Xu Hongyu shook his head and said no more. The Xu family has never been a blindly loyal person, not only for the sake of the people of the world and Li'er, but even for the continuation of the Xu family's century-old inheritance, the Xu family will not support Mo Jingqi.

Mo Xiuyao stayed alone in the room for two days without seeing anyone. On the third day, he invited Xu Hongyu in for a private talk. Except for the two people involved, no one knew what they talked about. Three days later, Xu Hongyu secretly set off to return to Yunzhou.

Mo Xiuyao came out of the room again the next day after Xu Hongyu left. Seeing the man walking out of the room, Feng Zhiyao breathed a sigh of relief. Mo Xiuyao in front of him was still haggard and pale, and even paler than before. His eyes still had a cold and ruthless edge, but without the frightening danger. Feng Zhiyao knew that the prince had finally calmed down. After calming down, Mo Xiuyao picked up the affairs that had been thrown to his subordinates in the past few months, and ordered the various government orders and military deployments in an orderly manner. In the world where smoke of war was everywhere, the northwest area that had been lifeless began to gradually recover its vitality and vigor.

"Your subordinate Qin Feng has seen the prince!" Qin Feng stood in front of Mo Xiuyao, with a light scar on his young face. His temperament has also changed drastically from a few months ago. If the previous Qin Feng was a sword hidden in a sheath, now he is a sharp blade ready to strike at any time. In the past few months, traces of Qin Feng and his Qilin have been left everywhere in the northwest border. From the beginning, they intercepted the 300,000 troops of Xiling according to the order of the princess and burned the food and grass of Xiling, to the news of the princess falling off the cliff, Qin Feng and Qilin began to fight independently and madly retaliated against the Xiling garrison on the border between the two countries. In just three months, the Xiling garrison changed its commander three times and the barracks caught fire twice. Even the Xiling Imperial Palace and Zhennan Palace, thousands of miles away, were not spared. Although there was no major damage, the Xiling Imperial Palace and Zhennan Palace were in chaos. Similarly, the extremely high intensity and various battles also made all the Qilins completely transformed into real elite warriors who had experienced hundreds of battles. Now on the border of Xiling, the name Qilin is even more powerful than the Mohist Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry.

Mo Xiuyao looked at Qin Feng for a moment, then said, "I know all about your performance these days. Are you injured?"

Qin Feng was silent for a moment and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Three of our brothers were killed and five were seriously injured."

Mo Xiuyao asked, "Do you know why I called you back?"

"I don't know." Qin Feng's tone was a little stiff when he said this. They were planning to go to Xiling Imperial City to avenge the princess, but the prince sent someone to order him to set off immediately to Ruyang. Not only was he unwilling, but all his brothers were also unwilling. Almost all of them were taught by the princess. If they could not avenge the princess who was killed by the King of Zhennan, how could they have the face to see the princess? Mo Xiuyao took a file from his hand and put it on the table, saying: "Lei Zhenting is not that easy to kill. Moreover, even if you want to kill him, how many lives are you willing to sacrifice?" Qin Feng said loudly: "Even if all the people in Qilin die in the battle, we must avenge the princess!" Mo Xiuyao pointed at the file under his command and said: "Take it back and have a look. Come to see me when you have figured it out." Qin Feng reached out and took it. He looked down at the familiar handwriting on the file. Even the iron-blooded man couldn't help but feel tears in his eyes. He raised his head and said: "Your Majesty, the princess has shown this to me. Originally, the princess planned to wait until the war in the northwest subsided before starting to execute..."

Mo Xiuyao looked at him, "So, can you do it?"

Qin Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily and said, "Yes! I will live up to the high expectations of the prince and princess."

Mo Xiuyao nodded, "Very good. I'll leave all of this to you. I'll only give you one year. I want the name of Qilin to be known throughout the world!"

"I obey your orders!"

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. If you need anything, go find Feng San and Zhuo Jing."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

"Oh right..." Qin Feng turned around and hadn't left the house yet. Mo Xiuyao's voice came from behind him, saying, "Go find Mo Hua. He has someone who will be handed over to you. Mo Hua knows what needs to be done." Qin Feng nodded silently. After returning, he had already met Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, so he naturally knew who Mo Xiuyao was referring to. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he didn't know whether he was happy that the woman was still alive or despised Mo Hua for not being able to kill a woman.

"Master Han." As soon as he walked out of the door, he saw Han Mingyue walking towards him quickly. Qin Feng frowned and nodded to greet him. Because of Ye Li, almost everyone around Ye Li disliked Han Mingyue, even though Ye Li seemed to have a peaceful relationship with Han Mingyue when she was still around. Han Mingyue looked at the changed Qin Feng, with a flash of worry in her eyes. She nodded and asked, "Is the prince here?" Qin Feng nodded and said, "I have something else to do. I'll take my leave first." Looking at the back figure who left without stopping, Han Mingyue was stunned and couldn't help but smile bitterly. In the past few months, he was not very popular in Ruyang City. Although Mo Xiuyao did not chase him away, the people below clearly showed an unwelcome attitude. If it weren't for Han Mingxi's sake, Zhuo Jing and the others would have thrown him out. Han Mingyue never thought that one day he would have to rely on the reputation of his younger brother who he had raised since childhood to survive. But... he couldn't leave here. He didn't know what Mo Xiuyao was thinking? He hated Zui Die so much, but he still didn't kill her. Han Mingyue could even see that although he had someone torture Su Zui Die, Mo Xiuyao didn't let anyone kill her, and even allowed him to visit Su Zui Die every few days. It was because of this that he couldn't bear to leave. Sometimes he even wondered if it would be better if Mo Xiuyao had someone kill Zui Die directly.

"Xiu Yao..." As I stepped into the study, I saw Mo Xiu Yao sitting behind the desk, staring at something in a daze.

Coming back to his senses, Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly, "What's the matter?"

"What do you want to do with Zui Die?" Han Mingyue couldn't help asking. He had heard from Mo Hua that Zui Die would be handed over to Qin Feng today. He didn't know what Qin Feng could do, but he intuitively thought that Zui Die's situation would be worse than it is now.

Mo Xiuyao smiled, looked up at him and asked, "Does Su Zuidi think that I still have feelings for her?"

Han Mingyue remained silent. Zui Die had indeed not suffered much pain in the past few months, at least it was far worse than Mo Xiuyao's ruthless attitude on the edge of the cliff. Mo Xiuyao even sent someone to heal her hand. So Su Zui Die also believed that Mo Xiuyao really couldn't bear to part with her. The reason why he still locked her up and made her suffer was just because he was still angry and wanted to show it to others. But Han Mingyue knew that all this was just Su Zui Die's wishful thinking. Since the moment Su Zui Die turned around and left many years ago, she had lost the ability to shake Mo Xiuyao forever, or she had never had it. And now, when he mentioned Su Zui Die, the viciousness in Mo Xiuyao's eyes was even more shocking.

"Don't worry, she won't die. At least... she won't die before October this year."

Han Mingyue was shocked, "You...you plan to..."

Mo Xiuyao said calmly: "That's what you thought. If there is no news of A'li before October this year, I plan to use her blood for sacrifice on the mountain where A'li fell off the cliff. Next year... it will be Lei Zhenting's turn... What do you think of this idea? One person per year, all those who have harmed my A'li and child, until A'li comes back..." or until the world is completely dyed red.

"But..." Han Mingyue said with difficulty. Princess Ding is already dead.