As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 252 Uncle
"Look, their irrigation canal is almost finished."

"After all this, I've become the laughing stock."

Under the bright sunshine, Mingchen stood atop a small hill, quietly gazing into the distance.

Following his gaze, one could see a long ravine stretching for hundreds of miles, with no end in sight.

People, like tiny ants, dug and chiseled around the gullies, constructing projects.

It looks spectacular.

Humans can alter nature and change the environment to suit their needs.

This enormous project can be considered a miracle.

Standing atop the mountain, a gentle breeze caressed his face. He shook his head, sighing repeatedly.

A man like him was naturally unafraid of being captured by the mortals of Beilie. He didn't listen to the teahouse waiter's advice, rested briefly, and then came.

At this rate, the canal will be able to supply water next year.

The fierce tiger Bei Lie will also break free from its cage and be no longer bound by its chains.

The further and larger the scope of a plan, the more likely it is to encounter unforeseen changes and spiral out of control.

When Mingchen devised the plan for Bei Lie, he thought he would lock him up for at least ten or eight years, but unexpectedly, in less than five years, the plan was almost complete.

The story of exchanging half a prefecture for a single policy became famous throughout the land, but in reality, Mingchen's main purpose was to stop Beilie and waste national resources on building the canal.

However... the half-state they gained in exchange was immediately given away by the State of Chen, along with two other states.

The period of national lockdown was greatly shortened, and Mingchen's initial predictions were not realized.

However, this only fulfilled Mingchen's wish to exchange half a prefecture for a single strategy, and it was merely a title that the two kings wanted to compete for.

If Bei Lie wins in the future, who knows if he'll become a clown!
Of course, it doesn't really matter.

At that time, we could only foresee the present, and our ideas about the future were just rough plans.

He could not have foreseen Old Dong's usurpation of power, the Jinglan Alliance's entry into the mainland, the Blood-Clad Army's rapid rise, or the development speed of the new Qian Yuan far exceeding his expectations...

Everything went beyond what was expected at the time.

Now that demons and monsters have emerged, it seems only natural that Beilie should speed up the construction of the canal.

"Young master, how about I help you get rid of those troublesome people?"

The little bird is cute, but it says some creepy things.

Hearing Mingchen's感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion), she flapped her wings repeatedly, her eyes shining.

She would not tolerate anything that was detrimental to Mingchen.

"What killing?! Stop resorting to violence all the time!"

"We are immortals, not demons!"

Mingchen caught the little bird and kept pinching her cheeks.

I haven't even said anything to her for assaulting me without my consent on the small boat!

This unlucky guy got stronger and never lost a fight again, so he got a little cocky and carried away with his success.

She'll feel better if someone comes and keeps her under a mountain for five hundred years.

“If you’re going to kill someone, you have to do it in a roundabout way. Define them as villains and execute them openly and honestly.”

"What they are doing is simply a matter of benefiting the people, a great deed that will make them famous for all time and save the world. If you try to obstruct it, wouldn't you become a demon?"

"If things don't work out, it'll just give people something to say!"

"Oh……"

The little bird nodded as if it understood.

Mingchen looked at the irrigation canals stretching for hundreds of miles in the distance and smiled gently: "If it's fast, then it's fast. It's a good thing after all."

As the mouse once said, aren't all the people in the world people?

Farmers who toil in the fields should be able to live a better life; they shouldn't be burdened with the calculations between nations.

"who?!"

Mingchen arrived openly and made no attempt to conceal himself.

Not long after, several shouts suddenly came from behind.

Several tall Northern Lie soldiers ran over, looking at Mingchen with unfriendly expressions.

The waiter at the teahouse just said that Beilie takes the irrigation canal very seriously and strictly prohibits unauthorized personnel from approaching it.

Clearly, Mingchen is now one of these irrelevant people.

"I have heard that the Crown Prince of Beilie is also building a canal. Would you please inform him that you would like to grant me a meeting?"

Facing several soldiers wielding knives, Mingchen remained calm and fearless, refusing to answer their questions.

Instead, she smiled faintly and cupped her hands in a gesture of respect to them.

"Prince?!"

"Ah!"

"Where did you come from, you lunatic?!"

"Do you think you can just see someone like the Crown Prince whenever you want?!"

The soldiers had never seen such a strange person before, and they were so angry at Mingchen's fantastical reply that they laughed.

Where did this madman come from? It's one thing to spy on the country's important canal construction project, but to dare to talk about wanting to see the Crown Prince?

If just anyone could see the Crown Prince, then the Crown Prince wouldn't need to do anything else; he could just meet people every day.

"Go to jail and stay there!"

"Men, tie them up and take them away!"

The leading officer glared at Mingchen.

Mingchen does appear to be from a wealthy family, but so what?

Even wealthy families in Beilie must abide by the rules.

They are soldiers, and the most important thing for soldiers is to follow the rules and do what is ordered. No one can find fault with them.

This madman actually had the audacity to come to this forbidden area with his daughter and dog, showing off.

Several soldiers behind him received the order, stretched their limbs, and prepared to take down Mingchen.

Mingchen shook his head and sighed, "White Wolf, scare them a bit and make them talk to me properly."

Their current positions are not equal, and no matter what you say, the other party will not listen.

Upon hearing this, the white wolf trembled.

In the next instant, to the astonishment of all the officers and soldiers, a cute little white dog swelled up dozens of times in the blink of an eye, transforming into a white wolf carrying a large knife.

Its blood-red eyes gleamed with ferocity, and its fangs and claws were menacing, sending chills down one's spine.

An invisible, terrifying aura gradually spread outwards, pressing down on the hearts of everyone present.

Judging solely from its appearance, the white wolf's look is quite imposing.

Everyone has their own expertise; this seemingly impressive but ultimately weak product is still pretty good at making a show of things.

"This...this...this is a demon, a monster!"

The soldiers who had just been trying to capture Mingchen suddenly shuddered, staring in horror at the giant wolf that had suddenly appeared. Their legs went weak and they fell to the ground.

They were just ordinary mortals.

Ultimately, there will be fear, there will be apprehension.

"Can you talk to me properly now?"

Standing beside the imposing white wolf, Mingchen smiled with narrowed eyes and asked the leading officer.

With a gun pointed at their foreheads, everyone can communicate calmly and peacefully.

The leading officer was slightly better, but he still looked at Mingchen with a serious expression: "Who are you?"

This matter is clearly beyond his ability to handle.

"As I said, you all should go and inform the Crown Prince that you wish to meet me."

Mingchen waved his hand with a smile, and the white wolf beside him transformed into a little white dog according to his will.

"This……"

The white wolf turned into a puppy, and its imposing presence vanished.

The officer breathed a sigh of relief, but still hesitated, saying, "Sir, it's not that I don't want to give you my name, but you must at least leave me your name!"

Mingchen didn't make things difficult for him, and said with a smile, "Just say that I am an old friend of your Northern Emperor, and that I deserve some credit for this irrigation canal..."

His Majesty's old friend?!
Does Your Majesty have any friends?

You Northern Emperor? Isn't he a Northern Lie person? From the Qian Yuan era?!

A canal?!
The officers and soldiers stood there, staring blankly at Mingchen, their thoughts racing, growing increasingly horrified.

Whether what such extraordinary people say is true or false, it is clearly beyond the capabilities of these people.

"I understand!"

"Please wait a moment, I will go and inform them immediately!"

……

"Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen!"

"Without your help, our great cause of saving the lives of our people would have taken another eight or nine years of hard work."

"The remarkable achievements we have made in just two years are inseparable from your hard work." "If this Linxu Canal is successfully completed, I will certainly recommend you all for credit, not only for your current fame and fortune, but also for your contributions for generations to come. Such a virtuous name, which benefits the country and its people and will be remembered for eternity, will be recorded in history and passed down through the ages!"

At the irrigation canal construction site, a simple shed has been set up.

The young man was dressed only slightly better than ordinary people, looking travel-worn and somewhat tired.

He was young and hadn't fully grown up yet, so his physique wasn't particularly robust, but his eyes were resolute, and the outline of his face vaguely revealed the brilliance of a domineering ruler.

This is Qin Qi, the Crown Prince of Beilie, son of Emperor Qin Lou of the Northern Dynasty. Qin Lou attached great importance to the canal construction and specially sent the Crown Prince to supervise it.

In harsh environments, bearing shame is the best way to temper heroes.

This crown prince was also extraordinary, completely different in temperament from Qin Lou, yet equally outstanding. At around ten years old, he possessed a dignified appearance, remarkable bearing, and lofty ambitions—the very qualities of a wise ruler. Upon arriving at the site of the canal construction project, he immediately began organizing the work, tirelessly working on the front lines and personally participating in the construction, neglecting sleep and meals.

Despite his noble status, he was also hardworking and did not act arrogantly as a prince. He ate and slept with the workers, which was admirable.

Standing in front of him were several individuals with strange shapes and appearances.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will certainly serve you with utmost loyalty."

"We will do our utmost!"

These people are the so-called immortals in folklore. They have some special powers, such as splitting the earth and opening mountains, and diverting water... After the Gao brothers, more and more of them joined the Bei Lie camp.

They played a vital role in the entire canal construction process; one person's work was equivalent to that of ten thousand. Thanks to the help of these people, the canal has been completed to its current progress.

Just then, a soldier outside relayed a message: "Reporting, Your Highness!"

"Soldiers on patrol have important news to report!"

"Oh?"

Qin Qi raised an eyebrow, then said, "Let him in!"

A soldier rushed in, making the important figures present somewhat nervous. They avoided eye contact and bowed to the crown prince.

It turned out to be the patrolling soldiers who had discovered Mingchen.

He was lucky; the crown prince happened to be nearby.

"What's the matter?"

Unlike Qin Lou's domineering manner, Qin Qi appeared quite peaceful as he asked the soldier a question. Although young, he possessed an inexplicable air of authority that made one forget he was just a child.

"Your Highness, I was patrolling the mountains just now when I encountered a strange man observing the progress of the irrigation canal construction. When we approached him to reprimand him, he insisted on seeing you."

Qin Qi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, not feeling offended at all, but simply asked, "Oh? He wants to see me? Did he say who he is? What does he look like?"

The crown prince is not a fool.

He knew very well that if this person didn't have any special abilities, he would have been dealt with on the spot by the patrolling soldiers, and the news wouldn't have reached him.

In other words, this person is at least an extraordinary individual with special abilities.

At the very least, the officers and soldiers couldn't handle it.

"He looked very young, handsome, about twenty years old, with a little girl, a red bird, and a white dog, which could suddenly grow into a terrifying giant wolf."

This soldier was very observant; he hadn't even forgotten Fuyao.

Finally, he glanced at the Crown Prince's expression and continued, "He said... he is an old friend of His Majesty, and that he also contributed to the construction of the irrigation canal."

Qin Qi raised an eyebrow: "An old friend of Father Emperor? A contribution?"

"His Majesty's old friend?! How arrogant!"

"We dare not claim any credit for this irrigation canal!"

Beside the prince, a burly and imposing man, upon hearing the soldier utter such presumptuous words, snorted coldly, his face full of anger.

I felt that this strange man I had never met was a madman.

Qin Qi did not speak, but lowered his eyes in thought.

A friend of the Emperor?
The emperor cannot make friends with just anyone!

Because the emperor is noble and supreme, he is inherently superior to others. Friends, on the other hand, are equals, and equality would undermine the emperor's ruling position.

Qin Qi had never heard of his father having any friends.

General Tian Hong, a pillar of the state with outstanding achievements and numerous military exploits, is one example. Apart from him, I haven't heard of any others...

Suddenly, his eyes flashed, as if he had thought of something.

If we're talking about friends, there is indeed one special individual. Not many people know about this matter, but coincidentally, the crown prince does.

That maverick arrived in the enemy state of Beilie, acted recklessly and arrogantly in the court, openly killing people, and becoming famous throughout the world by using the names of his father and the Qian Emperor.

Even now, he still savors the man's actions after arriving in Beilie. The man seemed reckless, but in fact, the details were worth examining, and he could still learn something from him from time to time.

He always felt a pang of regret that the man had streaked across the northern sky like a shooting star; his father couldn't keep him, and he himself couldn't even catch a glimpse of him.

Young and handsome, and he has done a good job in repairing the canal... all of these match up.

Shouldn't that person be second only to Ji Qu, above everyone else? How did he arrive in Bei Lie so quietly?
"Your Highness, allow me to arrest that foul-mouthed madman and punish him properly so he can await further instructions!"

What an arrogant fool! He even made the Crown Prince personally go to see him.

The burly man beside him shuddered and pleaded with the crown prince.

He is the Crown Prince's bodyguard, a powerful warrior, and his loyalty is beyond question.

Qin Qi shook his head and reassured his subordinate: "Tu Zheng, I know you are sincere, but this person is indeed extraordinary."

She then turned to the tense soldiers and asked, "Soldier, where is that man now? Take me to see him immediately!"

The crown prince left in a hurry, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

……

"I was unaware of my uncle's arrival. I was so busy with many matters that I was unable to greet him. I hope my uncle will forgive me."

As the sun set and the afterglow faded, it was already quite late by the time the Crown Prince arrived.

Under the shocked gaze of the burly guard beside him.

The Crown Prince strode over, and upon seeing Mingchen, still fuming, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow and addressed Mingchen with utmost courtesy.

As the noble crown prince of Beilie, he treated Mingchen, a young prodigal son, with the respect due to an elder.

Mingchen quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Your Highness is too polite! Your Highness is too polite! Your Highness is of noble birth, how can you address me as 'Uncle'? You are making me feel very uncomfortable."

Good prince!
Good prince!
Good prince!
This Beilie is truly a place where talent is rare despite its remoteness.

One powerful monarch after another was born.

This crown prince born to Qin Lou is no ordinary person either; he is exceptionally outstanding. None of the leaders of these past generations have been bad.

A domineering and unrestrained ruler with unparalleled power, and a wise and benevolent ruler who safeguards his country.

The ruler of the Northern Fierce Kingdom is truly like the rising sun, full of hope.

No wonder the boatman on the boat said those things to him.

Without Mingchen, Qianyuan would be utterly ruined. The Northern Liequ army is strong, with fierce troops and ample supplies. The Qin family father and son are skilled in both offense and defense, and exceptionally capable. Who in this world could be their match?

This was Mingchen's first time meeting the Crown Prince of Beilie, but even at this first meeting, the child, who was not even as old as him, amazed him.

Despite holding the high position of Crown Prince, he showed no arrogance whatsoever. Even when Mingchen's message was somewhat provocative, he showed no anger whatsoever. He was not domineering, and his behavior was humble, proper, and measured.

The fact that he called him "uncle" is enough to prove his magnanimity and character.

From the perspective of social status and etiquette, Mingchen is a friend of the Northern Emperor, and Qin Lou is not someone who can't accept defeat; he acknowledges Mingchen's status. Therefore, as a son, Qin Qi has no problem addressing Mingchen as "uncle" according to etiquette.

Mingchen's status is also quite high; in a sense, he is the ruler of a country. It's better to be on good terms than to make enemies. Qin Qi, as the Crown Prince of Beilie, calling him "Uncle" to bring them closer is not wrong.

In this era, when people in positions of power meet, they either painstakingly dig out a few connections from the most obscure corners of the world and try to build rapport with each other.

As long as you haven't become enemies, you should be as friendly as family, making it impossible for anyone to find fault or even sense any malice. Once you become enemies, you must act swiftly and decisively, eliminating your opponent in one fell swoop, leaving them no chance to recover.

A dog that bites won't bark until it kills someone.

Provoking trouble for no reason is the worst thing you can do.

There was no one else around, and the news wouldn't get out. If Mingchen were smart, he wouldn't go out and publicize it so openly. Therefore, no one would know that the Crown Prince addressed Mingchen as "uncle," and it wouldn't affect his dignity at all.

Calling Mingchen "uncle" didn't actually make Qin Qi lose face.

Face is never something given by others; it is something one earns oneself. To cling to one's status and position, acting superior and immediately resorting to interrogation to establish authority, is actually a sign of inferiority.

Upon meeting, Qin Qi could not find a single fault in the very first sentence.

So young, so intelligent, so clear-headed, always rational, neither arrogant nor conceited.

What a fine prince! Qin Lousheng's good son.

The threat level from Bei Lie needs to be raised to a new level.

"Why shouldn't I accept it!"

Mingchen's reply also revealed his identity, confirming Qin Qi's guess.

It really was Mingchen!
That special person who left behind many legends in this world, a trendsetter of the times.

This unpredictable minister changed the entire situation of the Qian Yuan era.

The Qin family father and son could also see Mingchen's extraordinary talent.

Qin Qi remained respectful and said to Ming Chen, "My uncle and my father are relatives and friends, and my father acknowledges this!"

"Then Qili should rightfully address you as 'Uncle'."

"Uncle is intelligent, quick-witted, and exceptionally talented—a true genius of our time! His proposal for the construction of water conservancy projects for our Beilie region, which will save the lives of our people, is a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. He is truly a hero of Beilie, and I am deeply grateful!"

"I have long admired your name, Uncle, and I hope you will accept my bow!"

(End of this chapter)