The Demon Lords

Chapter 988 - 228: Magic Stone

Qian State,

Imperial Capital,

Heated Room;

The Qian people are fond of luxury and pursue elegance. As the head of Qian State, naturally, one leads in this area. In a year, perhaps only before spring plowing does one go to the fields for a show, teaching the importance of spring plowing to the people. The rest of the time, he scarcely touches the smoke and fire of the mundane world.

In the war years, the Yan people once ravaged the imperial capital, but now, within the city, songs are sung, dances are danced. You might say the Qian people heal wounds and forget the pain, but this is also a manifestation of the vast lands and dense population of Qian State.

With a vast domain and abundant resources, they can afford splendor.

Inside the heated room, the head of state wears an open daoist robe, holding a handful of dried fruits, watching as the artist paints ahead.

The scroll is long and wide. The person holding the brush is Xu Fangyan, the contemporary saint of painting in Qian State. On both sides of him are also renowned painters; on the left is Gu Zhutong, a famous artist from Jiangnan, and on the right is Kong Mingzhou, a palace painter.

Even the person beside them grinding the colors is an outstanding figure outside.

"Head of State, by next spring, this ’Winter Solstice Snow Picture’ will be completed. This work is bound to be renowned for centuries."

The speaker is Yao Zizhan, dressed in white, sitting beside the head, holding a cup of wine.

One could say, at this moment, in this heated room, the true fortunes of calligraphy and painting of the entire Qian State are gathered, and even most of the literary essence of the entire east is here, without exaggeration.

The head nods, throws a fruit into his mouth, and slowly chews.

Other pictures,

Some depict spring days, some scorching summers, and some autumn falls, but he chooses to paint the winter scenes of the imperial capital.

The prosperity of the imperial capital, even winter cannot veil.

This is the clamor he desires, the scene he longs for.

Everyone’s grandeur is different,

The Yan Emperor likes to stand on the city, with a wave, commanding gold spears and iron horses;

He, Emperor Zhao, prefers the center of a heated room, raising his eyes, surrounded by culture.

It’s hard to say which is better, ultimately, both form their own atmospheres.

"Master Yao."

"Head of State, here I am."

"I quite like the young Tianlang, but I worry that being overly rigid can lead to breaks. Young men, when fiery, may disregard everything. The formal banquet hasn’t even started, and if he eats something wrong with the cold dishes, it wouldn’t be worthwhile."

"Head of State, on my last return from Jin land, I drank with Zhong Wenhao, and Tianlang was there too. This child, seemingly young, isn’t actually reckless.

As the saying goes, jade must be carved to become an artifact. Tianlang once told me that the Qian army fears the Yan like a tiger because, since Emperor Taizong’s northern expedition a hundred years ago, when the Yan army advanced south in the last two years, every time the Qian army fought in open battle, they quickly crumbled, only daring to hold fortified positions.

Armor can be repaired, cities can be built, horses can be raised, soldiers can be recruited, but that particular courage in the heart can’t be regained without successive victories."

"Sounds like there is indeed some truth."

"Youthful vigor, yet what our Qian State needs now."

"Vigor, vigor indeed." Emperor Zhao picked up a cup of fruit liquor, took a sip, and said, "He is a frontline general, naturally thinking about conquering cities and capturing enemy generals, but I, as the head of state, think about how he has already made quite a name for himself, causing the Yan people to suffer some losses. If he falls, it would be a splash of cold water on the martial courage of our Qian border army.

Governing a great nation is like cooking small fish; cooking with fierce fire may be satisfying and bright, but when the wood is gone and the fire dies, only then can you truly see the mess scattered all around.

What our Qian State desires is lasting national fortune, not to spare everything to defeat Yan State, leading it to vanish like smoke and disperse, as for the Yan Emperor, he’s used to gambling. If he doesn’t gamble, he has no chance to turn the tide, but you can ask him, if he had a choice, would he be willing to gamble?

The affairs of the world are noisy and agitating, strange and varied, ultimately when you see where you sit, whether it’s a wooden stump, or redwood, or the... dragon seat.

This dragon seat also has its particulars, doesn’t it? How much silver, how much gold, how many Eastern Pearls embedded, all matter differently."

"Yes, as the head of state says."

"This is why, in the past two years, while I have vigorously promoted military families, I still focus on cultivating literature. In the previous years, unable to match the Yan people, all faults and responsibilities were piled on the civil officials, it is possible, but that indeed is somewhat too simplistic.

Just like the opposite Yan State Emperor, when the aristocratic families don’t obey, he tramples them with his horses, it’s certainly gratifying, but the nation’s foundation is lightly shaken, generals rise in number, if not for the support of those two Lords, Yan State, despite its peak, is destined to fall in the second generation.

Master Yao, my intentions are simple, the purpose of creating this ’Winter Solstice Snow Picture’ is clear, to show you all that the national policy of favoring the scholar-bureaucrats in Qian State won’t change.

I’ve given them face, they must step back and not take more than due, otherwise, towards that other Emperor, I don’t want to emulate, but I’m not incapable of doing so."

"Yes, head of state, I understand."

"Additionally, I’ve decided to reappoint a Tri-border Commissioner, Master Yao, I would rely on you to again toil for me and for Qian State."

"But, head of state, I am only versed in literature, knowing nothing at all about military affairs."

"Hahahahahaha."

"Why does the head of state laugh?"

"Master Yao, someone once said to me what you said earlier, he told me face-to-face, saying, ’You don’t understand military affairs.’

"Oh, who was so bold?"

"How was he bold?" the head of state asked back.

"Bold enough to speak the truth."

"Hahahahahaha."