Chapter 911: Chapter 48: Calling in Favors Everywhere, One Year Later, Attaining a Top-level Dharma Body!
Zhao Xing also pointed at the map: "Correct, if we don’t consider living space and only talk theory, all the people of Pinghai State could be piled into Anshan County."
"However, individuals vary in strength, so their survival space needs also differ."
"Your Azure Dragon Body Method, Brother Xia, moves casually over a thousand meters."
"If you were to live in a small estate, you’d naturally feel cramped because you’d find yourself hitting walls just from casual movements."
"The stronger a person is, the more space they need."
"Why do the strong always need to occupy such large fiefs? Because it’s a fundamental need of life."
"The strong always come from the weak." Zhao Xing’s finger slid over the map.
"What we’re doing today may be overlooked or dismissed by many folks."
"But Brother Xia, wait a few years, or even decades, and you’ll find that our actions today are immeasurably meritorious!"
Xia Jing looked at Zhao Xing’s spirited demeanor and was taken aback: "Mr. Zhao, did you cast some magic?"
"No, why?"
"Then why do I feel like you’re glowing all over?"
"Hahaha."
.....
Starting from May 14, Zhao Xing’s clone in Linhai County and Xia Jing began their plan to protect the people.
This decision garnered strong support from Lu Bang, Tian Shan, and Fan Zhaoli.
Tian Shan even expressed willingness to contribute eighty percent of his wealth to the cause.
At first, the people of the Heavenly Time Sect like Mei, Ge, and Cheng were puzzled, but they quickly came around after Zhao Xing’s persuasion.
There’s no choice; after all, he’s our Saint Heir.
Isn’t it just burning money?
With the Saint Heir’s command, not to mention burning money, I’d burn myself!
Zhao Xing’s prestige among the Ministers of Agriculture meant he effortlessly unified these people’s thoughts.
Even military leaders like Wei Yuan, Li Yuanzhen, and those Military Minister of Agriculture Officers accustomed to earning merits resisted at first, but eventually followed Zhao Xing.
Still, many soldiers didn’t understand.
Firstly, they didn’t understand why a formidable army should engage in such unrewarding work.
Earning merit and rewards wouldn’t be quicker than cutting off an enemy’s head.
Secondly, they couldn’t grasp Zhao Xing’s policy of no compensation or reward, nor did they understand Tian Shan’s move to fund the venture himself.
Zhao Xing didn’t force them.
If paths don’t align, there’s no need to work together. As brothers, you find a good opportunity, and you’re free to leave.
Zhao Xing instructed Xia Jing to report to Shangguan in the Military Realm to transfer those officers unwilling to participate elsewhere.
Once the action philosophy was unified, the remaining individuals commenced the execution plan.
Besides the activity starting in Linhai County, Zhao Xing’s other clones were also busy.
Pinghai State, Tianyue Prefecture, Yulong County.
The bright moon hung high, its pure light cascading into the ancient courtyard.
A woman dressed in plain garments sat gracefully before a beautiful guzheng, her posture as elegant as a captivating painting.
Her fingers gently stroked the strings, like a spring breeze brushing past petals, tender and delicate.
With the touch of her fingertips, a crisp and pleasant note flowed out like a clear spring, instantly breaking the night’s silence.
The sound was like an ethereal melody, pure and clean, seemingly penetrating one’s soul.
The woman slightly bowed her head, appearing both focused and tranquil. Her fingers danced across the strings, sometimes light and airy like a swallow, sometimes strong and forceful. Each pluck of the strings seemed to carry a mysterious power, drawing people unconsciously into it.
As she played the stirring melody, the notes poured down like a storm, full of strength and passion.
The strings trembled violently under her hands, producing a resounding clamor as if recounting a grand battle tale. The intense rhythm quickened one’s heartbeat as if immersed in a fierce fight.
"Stop!" Suddenly, a low shout interrupted the music.
Opposite the instrument, a tall and bulky general dressed in golden armor stood up.
He walked toward the woman step by step, like a tiger stalking a rabbit.
When he reached nearby, he placed one foot on the instrument stand, looking down at the musician below.
"Qin Qingqiu, I’m tired of hearing war tunes these days." The Green Armor General said, "I’ve fought enough battles myself, why don’t you play something different?"
"Marquis, I’m a musician of the Music Bureau, not a geisha from a brothel music workshop."
"Oh?" The Green Armor General shifted his foot, trampling the sheet music beside the guzheng. "So what?"
Qin Qingqiu showed some distress in her eyes but still said, "Marquis, I can only play war tunes, not decadent songs."
"The Marquis insists you play." The Green Armor General looked at Qin Qingqiu behind her with a smirk.
Humiliation flashed in Qin Qingqiu’s eyes, but there were many sisters from the Music Bureau behind her.
If not for them, she would’ve chosen death earlier than suffering the barbarian general’s humiliation.
"Don’t want to?" The Green Armored General pulled out a music score from his bosom. "If you don’t play, you’ll regret it."
Qin Qingqiu glanced at the surrounding soldiers, took a deep breath, then touched the strings saying, "I will learn on the spot, if poorly played, please excuse me Marquis."
Then, Qin Qingqiu began to play the tune hesitantly.
As the leisurely music spread, the surrounding soldiers instantly became infatuated, their breathing turning rapid.
Qin Qingqiu’s face changed as she realized it was an erotic tune with aphrodisiac effects!
"You..." she immediately stopped.
"Hahaha, if you play it, you’ll regret it more!" The Green Armor General immediately took off his armor, his face filled with lecherous intent, reaching for Qin Qingqiu.
Behind her, those soldiers also howled as they rushed towards the imprisoned musicians.