Chapter 56 Nian Ce Xu Qingning: "Why am I not so happy?"...
Zhou Fuling continued reciting the plan.
In addition, Zhou Fuling mentioned that a very small portion of this spiritual vein would be used as rewards under the new nobility system. Furthermore, there would be a "Yunning Border Protection Merchant Guild," where border-guarding cultivators would automatically become "shareholders."
This move will greatly strengthen border trade and also allow people to voluntarily become part of the official military force, thus stabilizing the Han Party.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingning was already quite pleased.
He hadn't expected Zhou Fuling to be so capable, yet he felt a pang of melancholy, the reason for which remained unknown.
All was silent.
Upon hearing another command, the Mirror Palace officially began to deduce Zhou Fuling's countermeasures.
Ning Hong sneered, "This strategy is unlikely to maintain order."
"What do you mean?" Ning Bai asked.
Ning Hong: "How can the old subordinates relinquish the power over the spiritual veins? Naturally, it will be difficult to implement."
As expected, Zhou Fuling's strategy, once implemented in Nanzhou, suddenly triggered internal strife.
Its policies faced united resistance from the old aristocratic class, making progress extremely difficult.
The old aristocracy united to fight back, accusing her of "selling out the continent" with Lingyuan shares, "breaking the law" by using the army for business, and "disrupting order" by buying and selling titles. The new policies struggled to move forward due to internal resistance.
Many people changed color.
Previous strategies had mostly stabilized the beginning, so why is the fourth installment in the first place filled with internal strife?
Is it all just empty talk?
Some people shook their heads in disappointment.
Zhou Fuling's expression remained unchanged.
He turned around and exchanged glances with Liang Bucheng and Qinghu Yue.
*
Half an hour ago.
When Liang Bucheng heard Zhou Fuling's solution, he was very shocked.
After careful consideration, he said, "Miss Ling, your plan is excellent, but the Yun Ning clan law stipulates that the allocation of spirit fields must be discussed and agreed upon by the ministers. You cannot bypass this."
Qinghu Yue added: "The families of border soldiers are mostly in the rear. They can fight to the death without any worries about their families. It is necessary to establish 'military dependents' settlements at the same time."
*
Suddenly, the situation on the Mirror Palace changed.
The Dragon Master stared intently into the darkness.
It turned out that Zhou Fuling, with the help of Liang Bucheng and Qing Huyue, had written "legal transition clauses" in the countermeasures early on. Liang Bucheng was familiar with the old laws of Yunning and was able to promote the new policies using the old legal procedures.
There is also a system for protecting military families to maintain the loyalty of all parties.
In just six months, although there were frictions between the old and new forces in Yunning, they were playing a game within the framework of law and reason. The new policies were steadily implemented, and the combat effectiveness and loyalty of the border troops far exceeded expectations.
Five more years passed.
Yun Ning's national strength is growing rapidly, and the minor families of Dongzhou, Fanyu, and Zhongzhou have all assisted Nanzhou in stopping the Zou family's monopolistic behavior. The crisis is resolved.
Five more years passed.
Yun Ning not only successfully resisted Zhongzhou, but also became a paradise attracting talents from all directions due to its advanced system, strategic maneuvering, and cohesive people.
The so-called "opening up more sources of wealth to strengthen the clan".
The deduction of the Mirror Palace has ended.
Silence fell. But then, suddenly someone started striking the zither and the earthenware pot, clapping and cheering.
Except for the fourth part, all the cultivators below the fourth rank in the first, second, and third parts spontaneously stood up and cheered.
Then, in the third part, someone suddenly shouted, "Ling Fu, you're good! Yun Si, you're good!"
The voices of agreement were incessant, like a roaring mountain and a surging sea. Ling Fu sat amidst them, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Although it wasn't a compliment, they were calling her by name.
Ling Fu was filled with envy, thinking, "If only I could be praised like that someday. It's a pity I'm just a nobody. Nobody remembers my name."
Ning Chenghan remained silent for a long time, exchanged a glance with his daughter Ning Chaoxue, and finally clapped his hands slowly.
Seeing the Grand Elder's reaction, the elders around him also broke their silence and applauded, though not as enthusiastic as the lower-level cultivators.
Ning Chengshan and the other two fell silent, neither clapping nor stopping their subordinates.
The Cloud Candle Pagoda trembled instantly.
Ning Chenghan: "Please wait a moment, everyone. The hundred elders will discuss the results of the trial."
Half an hour later, the elders came to announce the results.
The first place in the strategy test, Yun Si (Part 4);
Second place: Yun Yi (Part 1);
Third place, Yun Er (Part 2);
Fourth place, Clouds Disperse (Part 3).
Upon hearing the result, Zhou Fuling felt her whole body go limp and she leaned against the pillar, unable to move.
She finally felt relieved.
If you fail the test of wits, you should indeed reduce your skills.
But if she wins the trial, she can choose her opponent for the first round of the martial arts test.
As a result, all four projects are almost on the same starting line, at least Ning Chengshan, whom she was most worried about.
However, with two formidable enemies, the Dragon Master and the Fire-Singing Immortal Master, we must devise another clever strategy.
Liang Bucheng and Qinghu Yue were also overjoyed.
The Miao Mountain Master said, "Tomorrow is the martial arts competition. You can go back and rest today."
Liang Bu Cheng suddenly stopped smiling and said, "Master Long."
It turned out that Master Long had brought Master Songhuo with him. They bowed halfway to Zhou Fuling, and Zhou Fuling returned the bow.
"Young friend, your understanding of the system you just demonstrated, as well as your familiarity with the Eastern Continent and the mortal realm, is truly unmatched by others."
Xu Qingning raised her eyes.
Zhou Fuling said, "My father has traveled extensively and has some knowledge of the area."
The Fire Immortal Master said, "After the competition, come find my husband and me. We're at Yunyi Cold Heaven Cave." He then looked at Mountain Master Miao, "Mountain Master, you don't mind if I have to leave for a few years, do you?"
Upon hearing this, both Minister Liang and Qinghu Yue's expressions changed.
The disciples of the fourth and even the first part were all invigorated upon hearing this, their eyes filled with undisguised envy as they looked at Zhou Fuling.
Only Xu Qingning looked at Zhou Fuling, her eyes revealing a subtle mix of emotions and worry.
Seeing that Zhou Fuling was still in a daze, Minister Liang said, "Good child, what Master Song Huo means is that she likes you very much and wants to personally take you as her disciple and personally guide you after the competition!"
Ling Fu, who was in the crowd, felt a mix of emotions when she heard this.
Everyone had heard of the renowned Fire Immortal Master. Ling Fu also knew that she and her husband were rare elders of good character, and also martial arts fanatics. With her protection, there was probably no more worry in the Southern Continent.
Ling Fu felt an indescribable envy towards Zhou Fuling.
Only the Miao Mountain Master said, "Of course I don't mind. That's her destiny."
Zhou Fuling also said, "Master Songhuo, it is my honor to receive your guidance."
Song Huo said, "You will definitely achieve something in the Elders' Council. With me and Master Long here, we won't let you, little girl, be defeated for no reason and die at the hands of some ignorant villains."
Zhou Fuling said, "Thank you very much. This is a great favor to me."
The two left.
Zhou Fuling watched the two leave, her feelings a mix of emotions.
Master Miao and Zhou Fuling exchanged glances, both knowing in their hearts: "Tomorrow, Zhou Fuling and Immortal Master Songhuo will definitely have a fierce battle, possibly even a life-or-death struggle for the position of sect leader. It's just that Songhuo doesn't know Zhou Fuling's purpose yet, and still wants to take her as his disciple."
Xu Qingning also knew this, and silently looked at Zhou Fuling.
But thinking of Zhou Fuling's performance in the test, which had attracted the favor of Song Huo and others, he was also very happy.
There was also a hint of realization mixed in.
With Zhou Fuling's remarkable strategic skills, who knows where she will go in the future?
Looking at himself again, he must find peace within himself; Dongzhou is still mired in the mire. Where will he himself go from here?
After Long Shi and Song Huo leave, the fourth group will go to a resting place. The tests of wit and strategy will be held on the same day, and the martial arts test will be held tomorrow.
They headed towards the lower hall of the Cloud Candle Tower.
Zhou Fuling noticed that Xu Qingning seemed to have a hint of sorrow mixed with his joy, and wondered what was wrong with him.
On the way, seeing that no one was around, Xu Qingning went to a private room to rest and whispered, "Tomorrow, you and Master Songhuo will definitely have a battle. It will most likely be in the final round."
Zhou Fuling asked, "What are you thinking about? You seem a little unhappy."
Xu Qingning: "Why am I not happy?" He was puzzled and worried that Zhou Fuling might misunderstand that he didn't want her to win.
He didn't want their relationship to go back to what it was half a month ago. But he wouldn't tell Zhou Fuling.
Zhou Fuling said, "Your unhappiness has nothing to do with the competition. It has nothing to do with me."
Xu Qingning was taken aback, then said, "I was just thinking about some things in Dongzhou. Do you still care about me and Dongzhou?"
He looked into Zhou Fuling's eyes and realized he had spoken out of turn.
Zhou Fuling said, "I don't care about Dongzhou." But she didn't reply.
The two remained silent for a while, looking at each other, both feeling quite strange.
Xu Qingning really wanted to ask, "What about me? Why don't you answer?" But she didn't ask.
Fortunately, Minister Liang came to call Zhou Fuling and mentioned that as the winners of the strategy test, they would be choosing their opponents for the martial arts test.
...
Liang Bu Cheng coughed and said, "According to the rules of the Yun Ning Grand Competition, the winner of the martial arts test can choose his opponent."
"Therefore, all three of us can choose to select our opponents first. Ling Fu, as the strategist, will choose first, and Hu Yue and I, as the assistant strategists, will choose later."
Zhou Fuling said, "Okay."
She pondered to herself, "This martial arts test is the real challenge. I have the Soul-Devouring Powder, but how am I supposed to fight? The biggest problem is that the later I use my internal energy, the better, but everyone on the field is a master. How can I fight without using my internal energy?"
Minister Liang asked, "What are your thoughts?"
Zhou Fuling remained silent for a while before saying, "Perhaps we should face off against the third installment to improve our ranking."
Upon hearing this, Minister Liang was taken aback, but nodded in agreement.
The final rankings of the Yun Ning Grand Competition were determined through a three-way competition. The rankings determine future resources and cannot be changed by the new sect leader.
If the fourth part wins the martial arts test against the third part, it will greatly benefit the fourth part.
"That's exactly right."
Qinghu Yue suddenly knelt down: "Master, I want to fight Ning Hong from the second part. I beg you."
Liang Bucheng was stunned, but seeing Qinghu Yue's eyes filled with tears, he suddenly understood.
Qinghu Yue had a senior sister with whom she shared a deep bond, but she was murdered due to a conspiracy in the second part of the story.
Qinghu Yue is seeking revenge.
But as his master, how could he not feel pain in his heart when faced with this matter?
Liang Bu Cheng sighed, "Hu Yue, do you want another child of mine to die?"
Qinghu Yue said, "Master, I'm afraid I won't have another chance. I must face Ning Hong myself. Even if I lose, as long as the mother and her two children in the second part lose an arm or a leg, that's enough... Let me go, I will have no regrets even if I die. Master, you don't need to worry about your disciple, just go and choose the third part."
Qinghu Yue paused, then choked up, "I only beg Master to allow me to choose Ning Hong."
Minister Liang couldn't help but sigh. He had witnessed Qinghu Yue's condition these past few days. Sleepless nights, inexplicably tormented. Wasn't he the same?
His heart was filled with inexplicable hatred, and he was somewhat inclined to choose Ning Hong.
But at the moment, I felt that the overall situation was more important and I couldn't make up my mind.
Zhou Fuling said, "Minister Liang, why don't you just eliminate the Third Division first? The First and Third Divisions definitely won't attack us first; if they're going to fight, they'll besieging the Second Division, which consists of Ning Chengshan and his two companions. Let's not risk the First Division's dominance."
"Why don't we wait until they've worn each other down before making a move?"
Qinghu Yue asked, "Who do you choose?"
"Shu Minglian." Zhou Fuling had already thought of this answer.
Qinghu Yue pursed her lips but shook her head.
Zhou Fuling had anticipated her reaction.
Zhou Fuling is determined to choose Shu Minglian.
However, Qinghu Yue had no chance of defeating the other two people in the third part, namely the Minister Liu Wuxing and her adoptive husband Zhong Dashan. Qinghu Yue was also obsessed with avenging Xiang Ninghong.
“It’s fine for Hu Yue to go and fight Ning Hong.” Zhou Fuling thought for a moment. She also wanted to see Ning Hong’s background, even though it wasn’t the best solution.
However, if Qinghu Yue selects Ning Hong, it can also eliminate Liu Wuxing from the third part, which Zhou Fuling thinks is not bad.
"After the Minister and I chose the two from the third department, the remaining member of the third department will definitely be eliminated."
"What do you mean?" Qinghu Yue and Liang Bu Cheng hadn't reacted yet.
Zhou Fuling said, "After we choose our opponents, the next tribe to choose their opponents is the Yunyi tribe (the first tribe), which ranked second in the trial. Their participants are Dragon Master, Songhuo Immortal Master, and Ning Chaoxue."
"Dragon Master, Fire Immortal Master, and the Third Division are all supporting Ning Chaoxue, the direct descendant of Yun Ning. Therefore, Dragon Master and Fire Immortal Master will definitely investigate the Second Division first before deciding how to fight later. Ning Chaoxue will choose to avoid the battle with the remaining person in the Third Division."
"And that person, facing Ning Chaoxue, will lose regardless of whether he can beat her or not. Is that clear enough?"
Both Liang Bucheng and Qinghu Yue suddenly realized.
Qinghu Yue felt a surge of joy.
That way, her revenge won't delay the fourth installment.
Zhou Fuling looked at Liang Bucheng.
But Liang Bucheng let out a heavy sigh.
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