128. Long Xiao

Chapter 128: Long Xiao

Everyone was surprised. Although they had their own motives for proposing punishment, even those ministers close to the Li family had at most excused Li Hao's youthful indiscretion and occasional arrogance.

Where did the talk of noble aspirations and patriotism come from? For these stubborn scholars to give such high praise was no easy feat.

The Grand Tutor respectfully said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago, a student of mine returned from Qingzhou City and brought back a book of poems. According to my student, all the poems in this book were written by the young master of the Li family. He verified this from many sources, ensuring its authenticity."

"Oh?"

Emperor Yu was surprised. The young man could write poetry?

Then again, if he could play chess, why not write poetry?

In his mind, chess was much harder than poetry.

Of course, he would never admit this to the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, lest they argue until his head ached.

"Receiving this poetry collection, I feel deeply ashamed. We scholars read sage texts and observe the vast rivers and mountains of the world, yet in the end, we are outdone by a child who spends his days sitting in a courtyard. Truly, we are unworthy before Your Majesty."

As the Grand Tutor said this, he raised his hand to cover his face slightly, showing a look of lamentation and regret.

Everyone was stunned.

Had this old man been bewitched?

When had they ever seen him utter the word "ashamed"? Usually, he would argue stubbornly even without reason, but today, he admitted defeat?

Emperor Yu, intrigued by this, said, "Stop keeping us in suspense, Grand Tutor. Tell us what is the reason."

Grand Tutor Zhao Shugong then pulled out the poetry collection from his wide sleeve and presented it with both hands.

When Chief Eunuch Chu Jiuyue took it and handed it to the emperor, Zhao Shugong looked at the Commander of Liangzhou, flicked his sleeve, and his eyes gleamed as he said, "Indeed, the father and son fought, which is against the norms, but saying that the reason doesn't matter is wrong!"

"Our Great Yu respects etiquette but does not adhere to dead traditions!"

"Otherwise, what are we but a group of outdated and rigid people?"

Are we not?

The military officials quietly sneered.

Zhao Shugong, his eyes sharp, loudly proclaimed, "I ask you all, can someone who says, 'Only to die on the battlefield for the country, what need to return wrapped in horsehide,' not be considered patriotic?"

"Can someone who says, 'Since ancient times, who hasn't died? Let my loyalty illuminate history,' not be patriotic?"

"'Don't talk of being conferred a title, a general's success is built on ten thousand bones!'"

Staring directly at the Liangzhou Commander, Zhao Shugong's eyes burned, and his voice resonated through the hall, "This phrase advises against seeking titles and ranks, understanding that a general's success comes at a great cost! Feeling compassion for fallen soldiers, and not seeking fame!"

"I ask all of you, someone who holds the world in such regard and cares so little for fame, what kind of person must they be?!"

"Just for this, how many can truly achieve it?!"

Everyone was stunned, some speechless, though a few were indignant, feeling the implication that they were seeking fame.

The Liangzhou Commander's face changed. Those words had a profound impact on him.

His anger towards the young man from Qingzhou stemmed mainly from his fear of Tianmen Pass falling, endangering the people of Liangzhou.

But that phrase, "what need to return wrapped in horsehide"! As someone who had long seen the horrors of war and the many soldiers who could not even leave a complete body, it brought tears to his eyes.

Those soldiers who fought and guarded with their lives, their hearts bore the same sentiment, only unable to express it as eloquently.

At this moment, Emperor Yu was also reading through the poetry collection handed over by Chu Jiuyue. His expression grew solemn and contemplative.

"Even if he is patriotic and a loyal general, the fact that he drew his sword against his father is undeniable!" someone suddenly said.

Zhao Shugong looked at the speaker, sneering, "Indeed, it's a fact, but is a fact necessarily the truth?"

The person was stunned, his thinking disrupted by this statement.

That's why these stubborn scholars were so good with words, capable of stumping someone with a single sentence.

"Flowers in the mirror, moon in the water; what you see is not always the truth."

Zhao Shugong coldly said, "Let's assume it's true. Does the Marquis of Xianwu have no fault at all?"

"Isn't exiling his son to Tianmen Pass a severe enough punishment? I ask, who here dares to guard Tianmen Pass?"

"…"

Everyone was silent. They had been discussing the issue of father and son, but now the fire was directed at them.

"A young man with such a sincere heart, if he can care for the people so, why can't he tolerate his father? There must be other reasons that need to be investigated!" Zhao Shugong loudly said.

Those who had proposed punishing Li Hao were at a loss for words.

With the Hanlin Academy on their side, and those who were already arguing, this matter seemed to be leaning towards their opponents.

"Just a few poems don't prove anything. Anyone can say a few words," another military official said coldly.

Zhao Shugong sneered, "Then let's hear what you have to say."

"I am only skilled in warfare, not poetry, but I can still say this simply: loyalty to the emperor and service to the country, we are willing to die a thousand times for it!" the commander said.

Zhao Shugong snorted, "If your heart isn't filled with fervor, you can't write such deep and powerful poetry. Such plain words can be said by anyone."

As scholars, after reading the poetry collection, they had great admiration for the young man they had never met.

Seeing poetry is like seeing the person, they knew that if someone had a twisted mind, they might be able to write one or two, but certainly not so many loyal poems.

At first, they didn't believe it, but after constant inquiries and understanding, they confirmed that these were indeed all written by that young man.

To find such literary talent among the rough and wild military men was a revelation that deeply impressed and moved them.

"A lifetime of battle across three thousand miles, one sword to block a million troops!"

At this moment, Emperor Yu's voice softly echoed, making everyone's hearts tremble.

Such grand and magnificent poetry!

Emperor Yu's eyes gradually lit up, and the image of the genius youth from Qingzhou became clearer in his mind.

"Good poem, good young man!"

Emperor Yu smiled, not hesitating to praise.

Those who wanted to argue further fell silent, their faces changing slightly.

With the Emperor's endorsement, there was no point in continuing the discussion.

They could only hope that the harsh winds and snow outside the frontier would indeed break the young man...

The court was dismissed.

In Qianming Palace.

Emperor Yu paced inside, with Chu Jiuyue following slightly bent over behind him.

"How did you find that boy during the True Dragon Banquet?" Emperor Yu asked as he walked leisurely, stopping by a flowering tree. Only one flower bloomed on the tree, and snowflakes fell on its branches.

Seeing this, he suddenly recalled a line from the poetry collection: "When September comes in the ninth month, my flowers bloom and all others perish!"

His lips curled up slightly. The little fellow's aggressive chess moves could indeed match such a murderous poem.

Chu Jiuyue pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I observed that the boy behaved casually and freely, yet his temperament was calm and steady, not like one who is frivolous or arrogant. That day, the incident indeed started with the Buddha Lord's direct disciple harboring killing intent, though very subtle, but I still detected it..."

Emperor Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a low voice, "The Buddha Lord..."

He looked into the distance and said softly, "It's snowing again. I wonder how that child is doing outside the frontier. I've heard that General Wu withdrew all the troops from that side. It seems he has understood the hint in my previous words and plans to abandon that place."

Chu Jiuyue kept his head down and remained silent, knowing when to speak less.

"If you have time, make a trip. I heard the child left in a hurry without a sword. Bring him one on my behalf."

Emperor Yu smiled and said, "Just send the... Longxiao."

Chu Jiuyue's heart trembled. That was the top of the Ten Great Swords in the world.

The Emperor's fondness for the Li family's young man seemed deeper than he had imagined.

"Yes." He responded respectfully.

"Tiangang isn't afraid of his son dying, but I am a bit worried..."

Emperor Yu chuckled and said, "Also tell him that if he gets tired, he can return to the Great Yu State. I'll allow him to study in the outer hall of the Qiandao Palace with the princes."

Chu Jiuyue's pupils shrank slightly, but he still responded respectfully.

...

...

On the border of Liangzhou, Tianmen Pass.

The once grand Cangya City was now only a small mound.

Heavy snow fell, blanketing the camp tents and covering the bodies of yesterday's slain demons.

"It's snowing."

Li Hao paused his writing of the martial arts manual, using his power to shield the paper from the wet snowflakes.

"Snowy days are not good for fishing..."

Li Hao murmured, looking towards Qingzhou, wondering if it was snowing there and if the lake had started to freeze...

"Today, you two should consider leaving."

Li Hongzhuang said to Li Hao and Li He.

Li Hao's eyes moved slightly, and he looked at her quietly.

Li Hongzhuang smiled calmly and said, "Did you question about the situation at Longshan Dojo when you wiped out their lairs yesterday? There are more than one Three Immortal-level great demons there. You killed Chihu Jun, the mount of that old dragon. They will definitely retaliate!"

"All these years, they haven't launched a full-scale attack. I suspect it's intentional."

Li Hao thought of what he had investigated and asked, "Do you know why?"

"There are several possibilities. The first is to use this to demand more live sacrifices from Northern Lin. The second is to slowly nibble away at our Li family. After all, directly breaking through Tianmen Pass isn't very meaningful. Longguan Dao has long been occupied. They can already enter at will, just not in large numbers."

"On the contrary, trapping us here can continuously consume our resources. That old dragon might have a grudge against our Li family ancestors, doing it on purpose."

Li Hao nodded, it seemed Li Hongzhuang knew as well.

"But today, they will likely come with anger and won't hold back." Li Hongzhuang said.

As she finished speaking, the ground seemed to tremble slightly.

The three of them looked towards the camp's edge simultaneously.

There, several towering figures appeared at the end of their vision