Gone With The Bustling World - Chapter 66
Translator: Antonia
The announcement of the Twelve Strategies of Promotiontriggered an explosion nationwide!
The was a move touching the foundation of the country! A spark of fire could burn down the whole plain. If it wasn’t strangled in the cradle, a great disaster would come sooner or later!
The face of Emperor Jiarui, far away in the capital city, turned blue from rage, scolding, “Fang Junqian must be the one who ruin Daqing!”
Duke Fang just handsomely ignored him.
Murong Li, the new king of Xiongye, after suppressing a few rebellious brothers, also hit the ceiling because of the policy as well as their former feuds!
He proclaimed, “Bafang is truly a common enemy against all nations! With Fang Junqian alive, the world can’t have peace!” He also threatened, “Xiao Qingyu, you killed my father; I’ll never share the same sky with you!”
Hearing of that, Childe Wushuang sneered, “I’m waiting.”
After Yi Feisa, the king of Liaomeng was shot to death by Duke Fang in Kuanglan Battle, his son Yi Feizhe took the throne. The first thing he did afterwards was to raise the reward of man-hunting Qi Wuyou from twenty thousand taels of gold to one hundred thousand.
Yi Feizhe claimed, “Qi Wuyou is a traitor against Liaomeng. He deceived his king and should be punished by heaven and men! Anyone who kills Qi Wuyou will be granted a reward of 100,000 taels of gold and an official rank!”
Duke Fang couldn’t help joking, “I didn’t know Advisor Qi worth so much. If in the future, Bafang becomes weak financially, Advisor Qi will be our solution!”
Qi Wuyou forced a laugh.
The nobility class of various nations kept threatening and placing pressure… They even put a ban on the trade with Bafang, in order to isolate and blockade the town.
Being faced with such a situation, Duke Fang commented with two words, “Hold up!”
Xiao Qingyu handled the public affairs day and night, while the spies sent to nations were ready to take actions and publicize the benefits of theTwelve Strategies of Promotion. Official roads were repaired and guarded by more soldiers to protect the businessmen and travelers. And the first examination for selection and promotion officials was around the corner. Childe Wushuang would personally preside over it to select talents from the world…
Not only him, all the officials in Bafang were on the go, sleeping less than four hours each day.
Looking at each other’s dark eyes, everybody wanted to cry…
The isolation and blockade didn’t reduce the enthusiasm of people. Knowing the carrying out of the policy, talents from all nations travelled all the way to Bafang.
The official roads were sealed? Fine, I’ll just take the mountain trails.
The government forbad? Fine, just take me as a missing person. Could they try to find me?
Just like a creek destined to run into the ocean, they couldn’t be stopped by any people or power!
For a time, all talents gathered in Bafang!
During the reign of Huanyu, there appeared a truly prosperous age where talents of all sorts playing a role, safeguarding the country, making it thriving and creating a long-lasting peace!
There were famous officials known for centuries, among which the most renown ones were the Eighteen Talents of Cangling Pavilion! What was more amazing was that over half of them were selected and recommended by Xiao Qingyu—Childe Wushuang.
The historians of later generations commented: Childe Wushuang has a rare keen eye for talents. Although he has difficulty walking, he boasts a broad chest to be outshone by others. Twelve people of the Eighteen Talents were recommended by him, who selects only those with real talents and can benefit the people. The feats are great and respectable!
In autumn, Jia Muqi got married. The girl was the daughter of the owner of the biggest silk dealer. The lady was teased by a few rogues on street, while General Jia passed by, easily kicked the rogues away and helped the lady out.
Hence, the two fell in love with each other. As a result, Duke Fang personally visited her as the match-maker, made the proposal, and forged a sweet marriage.
The wedding was approach, and Jia Muqi, face overflowing with joy, was nice to everybody and smiled in every second, making others roll eyes at him…
One day, they chatted.
Duke Fang suggested, “Old Jia, what about I be your best man on the wedding day?”
Jia Muqi was about to agree, when Childe Wushuang said coldly, “Jia, don’t listen to him. Duke Fang isn’t being nice. He’s young and handsome. Don’t you fear that he’ll take away all the attention? By then, the guests won’t be able to tell who’s the groom.”
Jia Muqi came to the sudden realization: Right! That’ll make a fool of me?! Bad guy!
Childe Wushuang pressed his lips and tittered, “In my view, Shenghu is a proper candidate.”
Li Shenghu patted on his chest and promised, “No problem!”
Everyone stilled, and then burst out laughing!
Duke Fang pointed at Xiao Qingyu and stuttered from laughing, “Qingyu…you, you’re so bad…hahahahahaha!”
Li Shenghu thought slow and didn’t understand why everyone was laughing.
Wait… Duke Fang shouldn’t be the best man because he was too handsome and might outshine old Jia. Then, Childe said I was a suitable candidate, it meant…
I was uglier than old Jia and could serve as a foil!!??
Li Shenghu instantly made a sorrowful whine, “Childe~~~~!!”
Xiao Qingyu finally couldn’t help it and laughed. His laugh softened his eyes, sweetened his clothes and captivated the world.
Lord Fang lost himself in the smile, only feeling it sneaking into his bone, melting with blood and twining all around his soul, and it couldn’t be forgotten anymore, never, ever…
Qi Wuyou said to himself: It wasn’t pleasant to be joked by Childe, but it was different when the object was another man!
The veteran general Tai Yan cared more about Duke Fang’s marital status, “Duke is turning eighteen this year, right? When do you plan to get married?”
Duke Fang squinted at him, “I have no plans currently.”
The attention of everyone immediately shifted from Jia Muqi to Duke Fang.
“Eighteen isn’t a very young age. Your big day will come soon!”
“I heard the imperial members could get married at sixteen!”
“Oh? Do you have something in mind Duke? By then, we’ll beg for an auspicious wine.”
Duke Fang raised his eyebrow, “I have to worry about that? Just mind your own business. You’re quite old and not married. Don’t you fear no one is willing to marry you?”
“We don’t fear. Anyway, we rough men would feel uncomfortable when women are around. But Duke, you’re different. Once you get married, numerous hearts will be broken!”
“I’m wondering what type of girl is to Duke’s taste?”
As soon as Tai Yan asked this, everyone was all ears!
“Hehehe…” Duke Fang stopped laughing and put on a serious face, “I don’t have high standards.”
Then his hands rested on Xiao Qingyu’s shoulders as he smiled evilly at his ear, “Just the same as Qingyu.”
Everyone was rendered speechless.
Li Shenghu was frantic, “Not high standards!???”
Qi Wuyou regretfully shook his head, “Duke Fang is going to be single forever…”
Jia Muqi said with sympathy, “Duke, be prepared to be single for a lifetime.”
Fang Junqian didn’t mind, “It doesn’t matter, as long as I have Qingyu.”
As long as he stayed with me… Among all people in all places in the world, I happened to meet and get to know him. This must be arranged by heaven.
What else could he want with such a person standing by his side?