The next morning, Ye Yi woke up early and began training.
Although Ye Yi has the authority of an administrator in this world, his physical body is still very weak, which is why he has to hurry up and start cultivating.
This world truly lives up to its fantasy name; one day of cultivation here is equivalent to about ten days of cultivation for Ye Yi in the urban world.
Just as Ye Yi was practicing his morning exercises, the butler walked into the training ground with an invitation.
"Sir, Ma Ruofei of the Ma family cordially invites you to come."
"Ma Ruofei?" Ye Yi asked with some doubt.
It was obvious that Ye Yi didn't know who Ma Ruofei was.
The butler had no choice but to say.
"The Ma family is a world-renowned military family in our country, and General Ma Ruofei is a great general in our country, who controls all military power in our country."
After listening to the butler's explanation, Ye Yi seemed to understand something, nodded, and then picked up a towel held by a maid to wipe his sweat.
"Alright, get the car ready and I'll go right away," Ye Yi said, taking the initiative as the guest in the Prime Minister's residence.
"Yes, sir." The butler had no questions; clearly, these were all instructions from the Prime Minister.
Just as Ye Yi was about to leave, the Prime Minister appeared beside him and said softly.
"Young friend, please show mercy on your trip to the General's Mansion. I am deeply patriotic, and I ask for your understanding."
Ye Yi glanced at the Prime Minister, but didn't answer before getting into the carriage.
Watching the carriage gradually drive away, the Prime Minister showed a thoughtful expression. In fact, he couldn't figure out why Ma Ruofei would invite Ye Yi at this extreme moment.
After all, the Northern You Kingdom is about to march on Chang'an City, which is the most critical moment for the survival of the entire Xia Kingdom.
Ma Ruofei's sudden invitation to Ye Yi was indeed puzzling.
However, as the current leader of the military and a high-ranking official of the Xia Kingdom, Ma Ruofei should have his own insights and wouldn't affect Cangyan Daoren's decision to come and help.
The Prime Minister couldn't help but ponder this. After all, Ye Yi was now the liaison between Daoist Cangyan and the Xia Kingdom.
Ma Ruofei wouldn't blindly ask Ye Yi for the token.
The carriage moved slowly, and Ye Yi sensed that countless experts were secretly hiding around it.
Among them were those protecting Ye Yi, and those sent by powerful figures to follow him.
However, Ye Yi ignored them completely, because he knew that these people probably wouldn't make a move now.
The carriage slowly came to a stop outside the general's mansion, and Ye Yi pulled back the curtain and stepped out.
Those who were secretly observing also showed a hint of surprise, and then immediately reported to their masters behind them.
As soon as Ye Yi got off the carriage, he saw Ma Ruofei already waiting at the door.
"Haha, I look forward to your arrival, young friend." Ma Ruofei said very politely, not at all like a military general, but more like a Confucian scholar.
However, Ye Yi had already learned about Ma Ruofei's personality while on the carriage.
Although Ma Ruofei addressed Ye Yi as "young friend," Ma Ruofei himself was not very old. He was considered quite young among the high-ranking officials of Xia Kingdom, as he was only slightly under forty years old.
It is indeed remarkable that someone of that age could become the leader of a country's military.
This is also the result of the support from the Ma family behind Ma Ruofei.
At the same time, Ma Ruofei himself was a prodigy. Before he was even forty years old, Ma Ruofei had already reached the realm of immortality.
This can be considered the top tier of officials in the Xia Kingdom, aside from Dean Chen Yuan.
Moreover, Ma Ruofei's methods are quite unique. Although Ma Ruofei is a great general, his methods in the imperial court are more like those of a civil official.
Now, a faction called the Ma Party has also emerged in the Xia Kingdom's court to oppose them.
To understand how absurd it is for a military general to become the head of a political party.
If he had made achievements in the imperial court, that would be one thing, but Ma Ruofei was also a very capable person in the army.
Whether it's training troops or commanding them in battle, he has his own methods and insights, making him arguably the most capable military figure.
Therefore, this person can be described as being proficient in both literature and martial arts.
"I apologize for keeping General Ma waiting. I wonder what brings you here, General Ma?" Ye Yi said politely.
"Haha, no rush, no rush, please come in, young friend~" Ma Ruofei gestured for him to enter.
Ye Yi had no choice but to follow Ma Ruofei inside.
Upon entering the mansion, Ye Yi saw that the hall was already filled with delicious food, but it was quite empty.
After gesturing for Ma Ruofei to sit down, he said...
"Young friend, you're not very old now, are you?"
"I'm just over twenty," Ye Yi said stiffly.
"Oh, then how about we address each other as brothers from now on? After all, I'm not that old." In an instant, Ma Ruofei subtly closed the distance between the two.
Ye Yi inwardly praised the clever tactic, but his expression remained impassive as he spoke.
"Then I'll call you Brother Ma."
"Haha, no problem, no problem," Ma Ruofei said cheerfully.
"By the way, what country are you from, young man?" Ma Ruofei suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this question, Ye Yi frowned slightly and then spoke softly.
“My old country has been destroyed; I am now a man of a fallen nation.”
“Since that’s the case, why don’t you join my Xia Kingdom, brother? I guarantee that if you join, you will have a place in the Xia Kingdom’s court.” When Ma Ruofei saw Ye Yi frown, he immediately changed how he addressed Ye Yi and then patted his chest to make his promise.
"Hehe, thank you for your kind words, brother. If nothing unexpected happens, I should travel around the world after this matter is over," Ye Yi declined.
"What a pity, it's such a waste that a talent like you, brother, doesn't join our Xia Kingdom," Ma Ruofei said with great regret.
Ye Yi knew that Ma Ruofei was just pretending to be disappointed.
The two of them continued eating in silence, the atmosphere slightly awkward.
However, Ye Yi didn't reply. As the leader of a political party, how could he not try to liven up the atmosphere?
"I wonder, Brother Ye, are you aware of a rumor circulating in our country right now?" Ma Ruofei asked casually.
Immediately, Ye Yi also pretended to be interested and asked.
"Oh? What kind of rumors are these? Please tell me, brother."
"Hahaha, didn't the Jade Emperor cut off the endless lifespans of all living beings? Now there are rumors that since immortality is lost, the Prime Minister will also be old and frail, unable to handle state affairs." Ma Ruofei said casually.
He then immediately added.
"To be honest, that's utter nonsense. The Prime Minister has served three emperors; how could he be incapable of handling state affairs? Right, Brother Ye?"
Looking at the smiling tiger in front of him, Ye Yi couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of one of the top leaders of a country, his methods are indeed extraordinary."
"Hehe, it's not my place to interfere in the affairs of Xia Kingdom, brother." Ye Yi didn't respond to that.
Seeing that Ye Yi didn't respond, Ma Ruofei continued his attack.
"However, now that the Prime Minister has been able to invite Daoist Cangyan to assist our country, then the Prime Minister's position should be secure." Ma Ruofei pretended to be relieved as the Prime Minister.
However, the content of this statement is quite interesting. It blames the Prime Minister for Ye Yi's contact with Cangyan Daoist, thereby provoking a conflict between the Prime Minister and Ye Yi.
In response to these words, Ye Yi chuckled and said...
"Hehe, brother, there's no need to tell me all this. I really don't understand national affairs. And thank you for your hospitality, brother. I'm already full, so I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he got up, turned around, and left his seat.
As Ma Ruofei watched Ye Yi's departing figure, his smiling face slowly darkened, and he muttered, "He doesn't know what's good for him."
Ye Yi was completely unaware of Ma Ruofei's changes, and even if he knew about them, he certainly wouldn't react in any way.
After returning to the Prime Minister's residence, I watched the Prime Minister leisurely resting on a cool chair in the pavilion.
Upon seeing Ye Yi return, the Prime Minister glanced at him lightly and then asked in a low voice.
"What are your thoughts on this General Ma?"
Upon hearing the Prime Minister's question, Ye Yi stopped in his tracks, lowered his head and thought for a moment before speaking.
"Not a good person, please be careful if you're in the spotlight."
He left the scene immediately after saying that.
Watching Ye Yi leave, the Prime Minister unconsciously said something.
"Even an outsider can clearly see that this general is not a good person, Your Majesty, how could you see it?" The Prime Minister's words were filled with sorrow.
However, he spoke very softly, as if only the Prime Minister himself could hear him.
After Ye Yi made contact with Ma Ruofei, he never left the Prime Minister's residence again, spending the next few days cultivating there.
Even so, the atmosphere in Chang'an City became increasingly tense.
Ever since the Prime Minister returned from court, his expression had become extremely unpleasant. However, Ye Yi neither knew nor needed to know the reason behind this.
On this day, Ye Yi began his cultivation as usual, but a clang—the sound of a bell startled him.
Ye Yi immediately perked up and pulled the servant beside him to ask.
What does this sound mean?
"I don't know, but the Prime Minister instructed me to immediately prepare a carriage and go with you to the city wall of Chang'an," the servant said tremblingly.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yi immediately released his grip, a knowing glint in his eyes. He clearly knew that this was a war concerning the survival of Chang'an.
The carriage was quickly prepared, and Ye Yi was led into it by a servant. As soon as he got in, Ye Yi saw that the Prime Minister had already prepared everything in the carriage.
At this moment, the Prime Minister was still dressed in white, looking neat and tidy, appearing very dignified and fearless.
"Are you afraid, young friend?" the Prime Minister asked softly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
Ye Yi glanced at the prime minister and said softly.
"Young man, you are not a citizen of Xia, so why should you care about the survival of Xia?"
The prime minister paused for a moment, then laughed heartily.
"Haha, I was overthinking it. However, I am about to step down, and I wonder if you would be willing to accompany me on my retirement journey."
The Prime Minister suddenly invited me.
Upon hearing that the Prime Minister was about to step down, Ye Yi was immediately alarmed. This meant that the Prime Minister would be ending his political career under the current emperor.
This was somewhat unexpected for Ye Yi.
Seeing that Ye Yi did not answer for a long time, the Prime Minister thought that Ye Yi had rejected his request, so he immediately said.
"Alright, let's not talk about that now. Let's get past this hurdle first."
They gave Ye Yi plenty of leeway.
Only then did Ye Yi pull himself out of his reverie and quickly said something.
"Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, Your Excellency. If Your Excellency ever steps down from your post, please call upon me, and I will accompany you on your journey."
"Of course, of course." The Prime Minister did not refuse.
The two then chatted for a while in the carriage.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and the coachman outside spoke softly.
"Prime Minister, we've arrived at the city wall."
Ye Yi then followed the Prime Minister out of the carriage.
At this moment, the area around the walls of Chang'an was filled with military camps, and countless armored warriors were hurrying back and forth with very solemn expressions.
After the Prime Minister appeared, a general dressed in heavy armor came before him and said respectfully.
"Teacher, His Majesty and the General are already on the city wall."
"Okay, I understand." The Prime Minister nodded lightly.
Upon hearing the name of this general, Ye Yi glanced at the officer with surprise, wondering who would dare to address the Prime Minister as "teacher."
The general was tall and handsome, practically a perfect general in appearance, which greatly surprised Ye Yi.
Ye Yi quickly glanced at the Prime Minister beside him and immediately realized that both of them were extremely handsome men.
However, Ye Yi's expression quickly turned serious.
As soon as the Prime Minister walked onto the city wall, many ministers respectfully greeted him.
However, upon entering the core area, those powerful figures who truly held sway remained silent upon seeing the Prime Minister, completely ignoring him.
The Prime Minister remained calm and walked up to the Emperor of Xia, who was having a lively conversation with the General, and respectfully bowed to ask.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."
The Xia emperor showed no reaction to the prime minister's greeting and continued to chat enthusiastically with the general.
None of the powerful figures standing nearby wanted to speak up for the Prime Minister.
The scene of the Prime Minister bowing respectfully to the Emperor of Xia, while the Emperor of Xia was chatting animatedly with the General and completely ignoring the Prime Minister, appeared before everyone's eyes.
Ye Yi frowned slightly. In Ye Yi's memory, he had a good impression of this old prime minister and held him in high esteem.
So seeing the prime minister being humiliated like this makes me feel a little uncomfortable.
Just as Ye Yi was about to say something, Chen Yuan, the dean of the Martial Arts Academy, couldn't help but speak up.
"Your Majesty, with a formidable enemy at hand, I urge you to exercise caution."
Chen Yuan's expression was also very unpleasant, after all, the Prime Minister was his old friend and had been humiliated like this.
"Oh, so it's the Prime Minister. I was so engrossed in my conversation with the General that I didn't notice you, Prime Minister. Please forgive me, Prime Minister. And you, you dog servant, why didn't you remind me when the Prime Minister arrived?" The Emperor of Xia Kingdom apologized hastily, as if he had just noticed the Prime Minister, while simultaneously kicking the eunuch beside him, pretending to give the Prime Minister a way out.
Even so, Chen Yuan and Ye Yi's expressions became even more unpleasant, while the Prime Minister calmly stood up and spoke.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
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