If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1005 See you again

Wei Liaozi returned home in a daze. The carriage had stopped, and he had walked through the gate, still seemingly not in a daze.

"Lord Lieutenant?"

Shao Fu Zhang Han stepped forward, and seeing his absent-minded appearance, he felt a little worried and became even more cautious. "Master Yu still disagrees?"

"Agree to what?"

Wei Liaozi snapped out of his daze and saw that several ministers who had just parted ways in the court had already arrived in his living room.

They were all "feather party members" who brought their own food.

Chief Clerk Sima Xin asked curiously, "Didn't the Grand Commandant previously seek out Master Yu to discuss the matter of the 'Grand Tutor'?"

"Oh, I did talk to her, advising her to strive for advancement, to appear more often in Xianyang, to associate with powerful and influential figures, to build her reputation, to cultivate her following, to seize power, and to change the current situation in Qin."

Wei Liaozi sighed, "But Yu Fengxian has her own ideas, so you'll just have to wait and see."

"Waiting for what? Doesn't Master Yu want to become Grand Tutor? What is she planning to do?" Ying Ziying asked in confusion.

"She wants to be the Grand Tutor, and she doesn't object to my suggestion of the 'Ancient Grand Tutor'."

"We'll continue to build momentum for her. As long as she's willing, no one can take the position of 'Grand Tutor' away," said Wei Liaozi.

"We're just creating hype, but she's not doing anything? Many people are still observing and waiting for her reaction! No matter how much we do, it's not as good as her personally winning people's hearts," Ying Ziying asked.

Wei Liaozi said, "She has only become Grand Tutor, but Prime Minister Li disagrees. Lao Ai and the Empress Dowager also seem to have other ideas."

What do you expect her to do now?
Reforming corrupt practices, revitalizing the Qin Dynasty, and defying fate—every step was more difficult than becoming the Grand Tutor.

The obstacles encountered were also greater.

“But the Grand Commandant and we all support Master Yu and believe in her ability to turn the tide,” Ying Ziying said.

Wei Liaozi scanned the group of "feathered followers".

Some of them brought their own food and genuinely believed that Master Yu was awesome, like Ying Ziying.

There were also those who were hesitant at first, but chose to stand on Yu Tianshi's side because of him, such as Zhang Han.

There were also those with ulterior motives, bribed by someone, who championed the appointment of Yu Fengxian as Grand Tutor, thus ensnaring her on the sinking ship of the Qin Dynasty.

The "Yu Party" alone has a complex composition.

No wonder Yu Fengxian wanted us all to "die out" so that positions and power could be vacated.

Sigh, she was clearly the protagonist of this great calamity, with the heaviest calamity aura on her body, so how come she wasn't blinded by the calamity aura and lost her reason?
At this moment, he is calmer than someone "involved".

Even someone who calls himself an "outsider" can see things much more clearly.

"We must take things one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time. First, we should support her in becoming Grand Tutor."

"Having the title of Grand Tutor makes things much easier," he said slowly.

Without a doubt, Yu Fengxian had a heart-to-heart talk with him today.

But he couldn't confide in everyone in front of him.

He didn't quite agree with Yu Fengxian's way of being a subject, but now he felt more at ease with her "conduct".

"That's enough for today. Zhang Han, come with me to the study to continue our military strategy drill. The rest of you, I won't keep you for dinner."

After all the officials left the State Commandant's office, Wei Liaozi led Zhang Han to his study, but did not take out any military books to teach him.

"Do you know why I transferred you away from the 'Northern Army' and secretly arranged for you to have a job that has nothing to do with the military?"

Zhang Han paused for a moment, then said, "The Grand Commandant is cultivating his subordinates. The 'Minister of the Imperial Household' is ranked among the Nine Ministers, a position of great prestige, much better than being the Left Commandant in the Northern Army."

The Imperial Guard stared into his eyes. "Are you happy? Are you satisfied?"

Just as Zhang Han was about to nod and say he was satisfied, the Grand Commandant added, "I don't want to hear any polite words."

Zhang Han smiled wryly and said, "Leading troops into battle is indeed hard work and very dangerous."

The Shaofu (a high-ranking official) was leisurely yet wealthy, but his subordinates were truly unaccustomed to the mundane life in Xianyang.

To fight on the battlefield, earn military merits, and finally become a general in a regional army—this has been the long-held dream of his subordinates.

“I understand your ambitions, and I’m deliberately suppressing and hiding you,” the Grand Commandant sighed. “You can blame me, I do have my own selfish motives.”

Just as you were about to realize your grand ambitions, the First Emperor died, and the Qin Dynasty's fate was sealed.

Without the blessing of humanity, the Qin Dynasty can no longer easily produce outstanding talents as it did in the past.

The elites of the world will leave the Qin Dynasty and join the ranks of the common people, ensuring that they are destined to be chosen by Heaven.

You are probably the last 'general' of the Qin Dynasty.

Although you are not as good as Meng Tian and Bai Qi, you are at least 80-90% as good as Li Xin.

"Hiding you away is like a wealthy man burying silver in his cellar. Even if his unworthy descendants squander the family fortune, the family can still continue to exist thanks to the silver hidden away by their ancestors."

Zhang Han felt a mix of emotions: excitement, indignation, joy, and dissatisfaction.

Although General Li Xin was also a famous general of Qin, he was clearly a level below Meng Tian, ​​Bai Qi, and Wang Jian.

He only possessed about 80-90% of Li Xin's level.
“My Lord, even the oldest General Li is still alive! Judging by his health, he could easily live another hundred or eighty years.”

Guowei Liao glanced at him and said, "The rich man who dug a cellar to hide silver must have done so before his spendthrift son showed any signs of being a spendthrift, but before the family fortune was completely squandered."

Zhang Han's expression twisted. "How much longer must I hide? Am I supposed to wait until a hundred years have passed, until all of you old military commanders have died of old age or in battle?"

“How can the Great Qin last another hundred years!” Guowei Liao sighed, then said, “I was just about to tell you about your future.”

I want you to become Yu Fengxian's confidant.

When she needs a military general to rely on in the court, that's when you'll shine.

If she doesn't need it, just keep waiting patiently.

No matter what happens to the Qin Dynasty, never volunteer for help.

Even when someone recommends you, you decline, saying that you haven't been in the military for many years and your skills have become rusty.

But from today onwards, you should make more contact with your old friends from the "North and South Armies" of Xianyang.

Zhang Han exclaimed in surprise, "What does the Grand Commandant mean by this?"

"Isn't what I said clear enough?" Wei Liaozi further explained, "Although Yu Fengxian is incredibly powerful and has unparalleled Taoist magic, she is an outsider who has only been in Xianyang for a short time and doesn't go out and socialize much."

Alone and isolated, surrounded by officials and soldiers, and with 200,000 troops in Guanzhong, who could she truly trust and rely on?

As the saying goes, one tree cannot support a forest.

Without trusted confidants, whatever she wants to do will be impossible once she encounters obstacles.

You can't expect to use some supernatural powers to kill off those who don't cooperate when problems arise.

The imperial court is not a battlefield, and governing a country is not about fighting and killing. If all the capable and veteran ministers are killed, who will help her handle important military and political affairs?
As for civil officials, I will recommend a few for her; as for military generals, you will be the leader.

In addition, there was Ying Ziying, who represented the royal family.

She's now a force to be reckoned with in Xianyang, with three legs between her and her own feet, ready to make her mark.

"With the support of the Grand Commandant and with our support, isn't that enough?" Zhang Han asked with a complicated expression.

Guowei Liao shook his head and said, "Our support is just a castle in the air. Our own faction is the foundation."

Moreover, to tell you the truth, I am nearing the end of my life, probably this year.

"Ah, how is that possible? Didn't the Grand Commandant consume the longevity fruit?" Zhang Han exclaimed in surprise.

Guowei Liao sighed, “You know my origins. I came to Qin from Wei, and in my early years I even witnessed the division of Jin into three states: Han, Zhao, and Wei. You do the math, how many years have I lived?”

The old man's name was simply "Liao," and his surname was "Guowei," but "Guowei" was actually an official title.

His grandfather and father both served as "Guowei" in the State of Wei.

He went to the Qin state and became the "Guowei" (Commander of the State), and Guowei became his family name.

“It’s been over ten thousand years,” Zhang Han murmured.

"Eighteen thousand six hundred and forty-three years old! I am not an immortal. I have only lived to this day by borrowing the fortune of the dynasty to avoid the heavenly tribulation. I have reached my limit and am already content," said the Imperial Commandant.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Han asked, "Does the Grand Commandant trust Master Yu so much?"

He believed she could change the fate of the Qin Dynasty, and went to such lengths for her.

The Grand Commandant said in a deep voice, "It's not for her, it's for the Great Qin. Whether she can change the fate of the Great Qin, I don't know."

But I am certain that in this great calamity, with her wisdom and supernatural powers, she can ensure the best possible outcome for both Qin and for you.

Xiaoyu was unaware that Wei Liaozi was cultivating confidants for him.

After leaving the palace, she sat in the "single sedan chair" again and took out "Wei Liao Zi" to read it carefully.

This military treatise was not written in one go.

There were many signs of alteration, and the paper was yellowed.

Clearly, like Bai Qi's military treatise, Wei Liao Zi is another out-of-print manuscript.

As Fatty Mole passed by Xiankeju, Xiaoyu looked up at the building, had a sudden thought, silently did some calculations, and said, "Fatty Mole, let's go back to the Grand Tutor's Mansion."

"Miss, shall we go directly to the Grand Tutor's Mansion on Zhuque Street?"

“Okay, you don’t need to take shortcuts, just take the main road,” Xiaoyu said.

Although no one lives there for most of the year, the Grand Commandant's mansion still has a steward and several servants.

Xiaoyu didn't bother them.

After entering Meng Qi's study, he continued reading "Wei Liao Zi" and did not ask anyone to prepare lunch or dinner.

Fat Moller found a spacious courtyard to practice martial arts, and then went to sleep in a guest room after dark.

At midnight, Xiaoyu looked up from his military book, glanced out the window, and suddenly smiled, a hint of reminiscence appearing on his face.

It was the dead of winter, and it was still snowing in Xianyang! Of course, the windows had to be closed to cover it up.

However, the Grand Tutor's study used glass windows. In this era, they weren't called "glass," but rather "liuli" (琉璃).

The glass that the sorcerer refined in his alchemy furnace was even more transparent and lustrous than the glass of his previous life.

She spotted the proud red plum blossoms outside the house.

The bright red plum blossoms and the pure white snow create a striking contrast.

Apart from the howling wind pounding against the windows, there was no other sound.

Xiaoyu waited for a full three minutes, but no one came to knock on her window.

"Think about it carefully. If even you couldn't figure it out, how could I have survived until now?"

The room was quiet, and she seemed to be talking to herself.

“I won’t shed tears until I see the coffin!”

She stretched out her right hand, her slender fingers gently twisting the candlelight between them into a thin, solid thread.

The silk thread, two feet long, was held between her fingertips and flicked towards the window.

The light transformed into a sharp and bright sword aura, piercing through the glass window and flying straight to the plum tree, but then it took a detour and came to the back of the plum tree.

"Clang clang clang~~" The sound of metal clashing rang out, and a dark figure tumbled out of nothingness.

"You can really see me and recognize my identity? Is this what they call 'the divine eye that discerns right from wrong'?"

A clear, melodious female voice, tinged with a hint of resentment, came from outside.

Xiao Yu smiled smugly and arrogantly, "How many days have you been in Xianyang? You must have inquired about 'Grand Tutor Yu' to be able to find this place."

Do I go back to the Grand Tutor's mansion often? I've been waiting for you for so long!

"You actually returned to the Grand Tutor's mansion because of me?!"

The shadowy figure approached the window, took a step forward, passed directly through the wall, and stood opposite Xiaoyu.

Looking at the beautiful young woman of eighteen or nineteen, carrying a four-foot-long jade bone immortal sword on her back.

Wearing a red jacket and skirt, she didn't look bulky at all; instead, it accentuated her slender waist and full breasts in a breathtaking way. She had no hair accessories on her head, only a single ponytail tied with a gold headband.

A delicate, rosy face, more beautiful than the red plum blossoms outside the window, was revealed in a straightforward manner.

Xiaoyu still vividly remembers the phoenix eyes; they remain bright, clear, and full of life.

Although he was looking at her with a serious scrutinizing gaze, his slightly thick willow-leaf eyebrows were furrowed into an inverted "V".

The two women, one standing and one sitting, sized each other up for a while before exchanging a glance and laughing.

"Have you been practicing swordsmanship with the South Sea Divine Nun all these years?" Xiao Yu asked.

Dou Gengyan found a chair and dragged it to sit down opposite her.

Because the immortal sword on her back was very long, she stood up straight, like a sharp sword returning to its sheath.

Dou Gengyan tried her best to keep her pretty face expressionless, but there was still a hint of smugness between her brows.

"What's so great about practicing swordsmanship? I already formed my Golden Core two years ago after risking my life for him!"

She could barely contain her smile.

Xiao Yu sighed, "A quick-to-become Earth Immortal like you, willingly offering yourself to face the tribulation, isn't that just courting death? And you still dare to come to Xianyang, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

(End of this chapter)