Martial Cultivator

After everyone left, the Minister of Works said softly, ”Commander Chen, there are many ears when there are many people, but this official still has a question I want to ask. His Majesty’s sudden action - does it imply that our Great Liang will soon have another war with the demon race?”

The war at the Northern Frontier had only ended less than a year ago, and they had promised a decade of peace. If another war were to break out, he worried about how many more lives would be lost.

Chen Chao frowned, smiled bitterly, and shook his head as he said, ”Your Excellency, I truly don’t know how to answer that. His Majesty’s thoughts are not entirely open to me. As subjects, how could we ever fully understand what His Majesty is thinking? But, Your Excellency, do not let these thoughts prevent you from doing this task properly.”

”The improvement of our Great Liang’s armaments is not for the present but for the future generations. Having a sword and not using it is fundamentally different from having no sword at all.”

Chen Chao looked at the Minister of Works, somewhat worried that he might act irrationally, like those other pedantic scholars.

The Minister of Works laughed and said, ”Rest assured, Commander Chen, this official understands this principle well. But what you said is truly apt - having a sword and not using it is indeed totally different from having no sword at all.”

Chen Chao said softly, ”If such a war happens again, the casualties will be much greater.”

The Minister of Works nodded and smiled. ”I, this old bag of bones, probably won’t make it to the North in this lifetime. But knowing that what we’re doing now might save the lives of some young men up there in the future, and provide more stability for the people of Great Liang, it fills me with genuine happiness. So, Commander Chen, you don’t need to remind me too much. As long as this matter is in my hands, this official will make sure it’s done well!”

Chen Chao said with vicissitudes of emotion, ”With Your Excellency’s assurance, I believe the frontier troops will have a bit more strength when wielding their sabers.”

The Minister of Works sighed, then suddenly smiled and asked, ”Commander Chen, do you also think that most of us scholars are quite meaningless?”

Chen Chao grinned at the Minister of Works. ”Is Your Excellency trying to set a trap for me?”

The Minister of Works laughed heartily and said nothing more.

……

……

After discussing many details with the Minister of Works, Chen Chao finally walked out of the main hall of the Ministry of Works. But after only a few steps, a lean middle-aged official hurriedly walked towards him. This person was in a rush to deliver a dossier to the Minister for immediate review, and in his haste, he collided with Chen Chao. ”Sorry, sorry.”

The official hastily apologized, but before he could look up, Chen Chao was already smiling and speaking, ”Elder Brother Mi!”

Hearing these words, the official looked up and saw Chen Chao before him. He quickly and joyfully exclaimed, ”Younger Brother Chen?!”

This person was none other than Mi Ke, who had recently been transferred to the Divine Capital!

The two had worked together for a long time in Tianqing County and had become genuine friends.

Moreover, Mi Ke had helped Chen Chao greatly in the past.

”Congratulations, Elder Brother! You’ve had a smooth career these past two years. How come you’ve come to the Divine Capital and haven’t looked me up for a drink?”

Seeing an old friend here, Chen Chao could not help but feel vicissitudes of emotion.

Mi Ke laughed heartily and said, ”Younger Brother Chen, you’re now a renowned figure in Great Liang and a close aide to the Emperor. This elder brother doesn’t have the face to impose on you.”

Chen Chao teased, ”Elder Brother, are you avoiding me because you feel hosting another promotion banquet would be too expensive?”

With a smile on his face, Mi Ke thought about how, since being transferred to the Divine Capital, he had often been marginalized as a local official newly arrived in the capital. This made him think it might have been better to stay as a regional magistrate, where he was the main authority and did not have to endure so much. Normally cautious, seeing Chen Chao brought him some relief and a genuine smile.

”When I first came to the Divine Capital, I did inquire about you, Younger Brother Chen. But I heard you weren’t here, so I let it go. I didn’t expect you’d be back so soon. When you have time, let your elder brother treat you to supper!”

One of life’s great joys was meeting an old friend in a distant place, and this was just that.

”But I can’t chat leisurely right now; I have some official business to attend to.”

Chen Chao nodded and smiled, ”Then you go ahead, Elder Brother Mi. When you have time, send word. I won’t miss that meal.”

Mi Ke nodded with a smile, ”Sure thing, sure thing.”

——

In Tianqing County, it was a bright sunny morning, but by the time Zhou Gouqi finished his lunch and sat idly on the doorstep, the distant sky suddenly became overcast with dark clouds. Soon, a torrential downpour started. Zhou Gouqi stared at the unruly sky and cursed lazily, ”Damn this goddamn weather.”

A woman in the courtyard was busy gathering the items that had been drying. Although she was very busy, she did not ask the man to help.

Zhou Gouqi remained sitting on the doorstep, not intending to get up.

The rain was heavy and soon soaked his pants, but Zhou Gouqi did not care. He just silently watched the distance until a wooden bird appeared at the edge of his vision.

Zhou Gouqi stood up and looked up at the sky.

He watched as the wooden bird finally landed on the doorstep.

Zhou Gouqi reached out and untied the item from the bird’s leg.

Then the wooden bird flew away.

”Who the hell has nothing better to do than send Your Father a letter?”

Zhou Gouqi glanced at the envelope, which had Chen Chao’s name on it.

”That brat, he remembered Your Father.”

Zhou Gouqi smiled as he tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter. But his expression quickly turned serious, and his hands even began to tremble slightly

His eyes were filled with complex emotions - anticipation, regret, and longing all at once.

His legs became weak, and he sank down onto the doorstep.

Zhou Gouqi took a deep breath, his face clouded with dark thoughts.

This man, who had long ago given up the position of academy headmaster and his identity as a scholar, was now overwhelmed with sorrow, far greater than anything he had felt before.

At some point, the woman had come up behind him, and she asked with concern, ”What’s wrong?”

Zhou Gouqi did not turn around and remained silent.

The woman glanced at the letter in Zhou Gouqi’s hand and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. ”Are you going on a long trip? If you need to go, just go. I’ll wait for you at home.”

Zhou Gouqi lowered his head. ”Who told you I was going on a long trip?”

The woman just said softly, ”I know you have things to do. Just go do them. I’ll wait for you.”

Zhou Gouqi waved his hand. ”Let me be alone for a while.”

The woman opened her mouth as if to say something more. But in the end, she said nothing and turned back into the house.

Only then did Zhou Gouqi slowly raise his head, gazing at the rain. He extended his hands, catching a handful of rainwater and rubbing it on his face. The rainwater trickled down, soaking his clothes. He lifted his head and murmured, ”I also want to fly kites again.”