Niao Ni
Chapter 669: Thus Should One Think
At this time, everyone around the Sword Hut was kneeling, even the members of the Qing Kingdom's delegation. They sincerely knelt and bowed before the coffin of Great Grandmaster Si Gu Jian. This was a minor etiquette detail that His Majesty the Emperor of Qing had personally approved before their arrival, and no one had deviated from it in the slightest.
Therefore, Fan Xian's tall figure standing up appeared particularly conspicuous. Out of the thousand or so people inside and outside, only he and Yun Zhilan were standing in front of the large black coffin.
Fan Xian was unwilling to kneel before anyone in this life. Aside from heaven, earth, and his parents, even kneeling before the Emperor, his old man, during court sessions did not make him happy. Today, he had knelt with sincerity out of respect for the strong and the deceased. However, the last words that Yun Zhilan conveyed shocked him and transformed the faint respect he held for Si Gu Jian into a simmering anger.
Everyone had clearly heard the last words of Si Gu Jian relayed by Yun Zhilan. These were the words that the thirteen disciples of the Sword Hut had heard simultaneously at his bedside. Yun Zhilan would not fabricate them, nor would he dare to. As a result, everyone's gaze was focused on the Little Fan Master, the Little Fan Master who had suddenly stood up.
From Dongyi?
Personally taught sword techniques?
Truly a great talent?
Preside over the Sword Hut's opening ceremony?
Countless shocked, doubtful, and curious gazes landed on Fan Xian, but they did not cause his clothes to tremble in the slightest. He simply looked quietly at Yun Zhilan, as if trying to discern whether he had imagined the words or what.
In one simple sentence, four pieces of information were revealed, four things that Si Gu Jian wanted to announce to the world.
Fan Xian's mother was Ye Qingmei. Although Ye Qingmei had helped Qing Kingdom rise in the world, she should be considered a person from Dongyi City. This was not a secret. As for the matter of personally teaching sword techniques, since Si Gu Jian had said so in his last words, everyone naturally believed it. A Great Grandmaster had the qualifications to impart the true meaning of Si Gu Jian's sword to the Little Fan Master. As for the evaluation of being a great talent, everyone also thought that the Little Fan Master deserved it.
The problem was that these pieces of information vaguely revealed a kind of flavor, a kind of closeness, a kind of flavor that seemed to want to pull Fan Xian into Dongyi City.
The maternal line referred to blood relations, teaching the sword was the righteousness of a mentor and disciple, and being a great talent was Dongyi City's recognition of Fan Xian.
As for the final request for Fan Xian to preside over the opening ceremony of the Sword Hut, that was the most important.
The Sword Hut had existed for decades, but the actual opening ceremony with the acceptance of disciples had only occurred for a little over twenty years. Each time, the person presiding over the opening ceremony was none other than Si Gu Jian himself.
Apart from the three years when he was seriously injured and waiting for death, Si Gu Jian paid special attention to the opening ceremony of the Sword Hut. This had created a tacit understanding in the world.
Whoever presides over the opening ceremony must be the master of the Sword Hut.
Si Gu Jian's last words designated Fan Xian to preside over the opening ceremony, which naturally meant that he had handed over the Sword Hut, which contained countless experts and three generations of disciples, to him.
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This was indeed something that Fan Xian had not expected. In the past two days, he had been thinking about how to truly make the twelve swords besides Yun Zhilan work for him. The Thirteenth Young Master did not need to be considered; he had already figured out the young man's temperament. What about the other Sword Hut experts?
He hadn't expected that Si Gu Jian had thought of this problem for him in advance and solved it. However, the way the problem was solved left Fan Xian dumbfounded.
Three pieces of information, one last wish, the Sword Hut belonged to him. From now on, his words would be equivalent to the words of Si Gu Jian back then. A mountain gate was now in his hands. It seemed like a wonderful thing, but Fan Xian knew that behind the wonderfulness was Si Gu Jian's hidden ruthlessness.
This was a needle, a needle stuck between Fan Xian and his Emperor father. As a Qing subject, he had become the master of the Sword Hut. What would the Emperor think? Even if the Emperor trusted Fan Xian, would he be able to watch Fan Xian's power in the open grow stronger and stronger? Especially when Dongyi City showed such closeness and loyalty to Fan Xian!
Even if the Emperor's heart was as vast as the sea and his confidence as bright as the sun and moon, and he didn't care about anything, what about his emotions? People were creatures controlled by emotions. The Emperor definitely wouldn't like his illegitimate son to be too bright, even brighter than himself.
In the sky, there can only ever be one sun.
Fan Xian stared at Yun Zhilan's lips. Only then did he realize that Si Gu Jian had ultimately tricked him before his death, digging a pit for him to jump into.
Yun Zhilan seemed not to notice his gaze at all, calmly and steadily recounting all of Si Gu Jian's last words. Then, he walked in front of Fan Xian, respectfully bowed, and said, "Please."
Please what? Please take the seat? Please go ahead? A cold smile appeared on the corner of Fan Xian's lips, and he subconsciously glanced at the crowd below. At this time, everyone in the field had stood up, but they were still staring at everything happening in front of the black coffin with astonished expressions.
Fan Xian glanced at the delegation officials, especially the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites sensed his gaze, frowned, and thought for a long time before slowly nodding.
The ideological exchange between the two adults within the Qing Kingdom delegation ended here. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites naturally knew what the Little Fan Master was worried about. However, seeing that Dongyi City was about to submit, he did not want this matter to affect the overall situation. The Qing people's ambition to expand their territory was too strong, so much so that the Vice Minister believed that His Majesty would not be angered by the Little Fan Master's unauthorized acceptance of the position of the Sword Hut's master.
Fan Xian silently thought for a long time, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of this matter in his mind, especially guessing what kind of reaction the Emperor, his old man, would have after knowing about this.
Yun Zhilan was not in a hurry, looking at him with a hint of sarcasm, waiting for his response.
Fan Xian knew what the other party was mocking. Just like what his father had said, he was indeed acting a bit hesitant and indecisive. However... how could these people know that those who wanted to accomplish great things had to be cautious, especially when facing that unfathomable Emperor, his old man.
Finally, Fan Xian took a deep breath and said with a smile, "I didn't expect that even after your master died, he still wouldn't let me go."
"Since we want to help Little Fan Master establish an immortal achievement, the Sword Hut disciples must naturally serve under your command." Yun Zhilan seemed unable to hear the sharpness in his words, and said, "It's getting late. Please take the sword and then go to open the Sword Hut."
Fan Xian didn't move, and suddenly asked, "After opening the Sword Hut, all three generations of Sword Hut disciples will listen to my orders?"
"That's right."
"What about you?" He looked into Yun Zhilan's eyes and said with a smile, "If I asked you to dig 36,000 earthworms, would you agree?"
Digging earthworms was an interesting segment from another story in another world. Yun Zhilan had never heard of it, but that didn't prevent him from answering extremely quickly. It was obvious that whether it was the deceased Si Gu Jian or him at this time, they had made sufficient preparations for Fan Xian's question.
"I am now the City Lord of Dongyi City. Since I have taken office, I have broken out of the Sword Hut." Yun Zhilan said with a sigh, but there was no sense of loss in his words. "Now that I am no longer a member of the Sword Hut, you can't control me, Master."
"I see." Fan Xian thought to himself that Si Gu Jian was indeed not completely at ease with him and still wanted to separate the most troublesome Yun Zhilan from the matter. After a pause, he returned with a slightly sarcastic smile and said, "But don't forget that your position as the City Lord of Dongyi City still requires the imperial decree of my Great Qing Emperor. If His Majesty doesn't like you, you won't be able to do it."
Yun Zhilan's expression remained unchanged, and he replied, "I think Little Fan Master will make this come true."
The two of them spoke in extremely low voices, and they were standing alone in front of the black coffin, so there was no need to worry about others hearing them. Fan Xian understood that his words were testing whether he was willing to cooperate and even form an alliance with the power of Dongyi City or return to being a pure Qing subject.
Si Gu Jian's sudden move after his death had indeed disrupted Fan Xian's plans. He had to worry about the reaction from Kyoto, the reaction from His Majesty. However, although this move was somewhat insidious, it was not something that Fan Xian could not accept. At least, it was much better than the situation he had been worried and afraid of before.
He had always been afraid that Si Gu Jian would suddenly leave a last wish for Shadow to take over as the master of the Sword Hut.
In that case, Si Gu Jian would be forcing Fan Xian's faction to directly turn against His Majesty the Emperor.
And the current scene, although it might also create some cracks between Fan Xian and the Emperor, Si Gu Jian had still mercifully given Fan Xian more time to prepare.
Thinking of the many secret moves that this thin Great Grandmaster had laid out before his death, Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh. He also thought of the secret moves that Ku He had laid out in Xiliang and Kyoto before his death. Only then did he realize that the realm of a Grandmaster was not only in martial arts cultivation but also in people's hearts and worldly affairs. Everything was a wonderful and profound concept.
Fan Xian lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, then looked at the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites below and nodded slightly. Then, he gently held Yun Zhilan's hand.
Yun Zhilan frowned slightly.
"Smile a bit. Since we're acting, we have to act beautifully. We'll be partners from now on, just like my Great Qing Dynasty and your Dongyi City."
Fan Xian didn't look at him. Instead, he smiled and raised Yun Zhilan's hand.
The hand of the second-generation Sword Hut master and the unknown generation of Dongyi City Lord were tightly clasped together in front of Si Gu Jian's black coffin, in front of countless viewers.
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The opening ceremony of the Sword Hut was not complicated, but it had a sacred feeling to it. Fan Xian himself did not have a sacred belief in swords, but when he gently pushed open the closed door of the thatched hut, he found that the Sword Hut disciples' attitude towards him had subtly changed. The kind of respect and cooperation began to have some heartfelt meaning, even Wang Shisanlang was no exception.
After everything was done, Fan Xian returned to the Southern Qing delegation and entered a quiet room with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. This time, it was just the opening ceremony and the second negotiation. Although the negotiation went extremely smoothly, it was ultimately the final merger stage. Therefore, the highest-level Qing Kingdom officials sent besides Fan Xian were this Vice Minister.
If it were really to announce to the world that Dongyi City belonged to Southern Qing, I'm afraid not only the Minister of the Ministry of Rites but perhaps even His Majesty the Emperor would be very interested in coming in person to accept the map and enjoy the kneeling of thousands of Dongyi people who were once foreign subjects.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites looked at the Little Duke, who was lost in thought and silent. After a long time, he said in a gentle voice, "Little Duke, don't worry too much. We know exactly what Dongyi City is thinking. We're used to it, so we'll defeat it on our own."
"That's true, but there are still some improprieties." Fan Xian sighed and said gently, "I still have to trouble you to quickly write a memorial and send it back to Kyoto. It's necessary to let His Majesty know about this matter as soon as possible."
He couldn't help but say with annoyance, "If I hadn't been forced into a corner today, in theory, I should have waited for an imperial decree before daring to take over."
"The people of Dongyi City are still a bit unwilling." The Vice Minister shook his head and said, "But His Majesty is wise and will definitely see through these people's instigation at a glance."
Fan Xian smiled, knowing that this Vice Minister had seen his worries, but the other party did not know what he was really thinking. He naturally wouldn't reveal it, and he said with a frown, "It seems that I have to return to Kyoto once."
"Although the negotiations are going smoothly right now, the resistance from Dongyi City is still very strong." The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites rolled his eyes and said, "If the Little Duke is not here to oversee, I'm afraid things will change. Before coming here, His Majesty strictly ordered that we must make this happen in one fell swoop. I think you should continue to oversee here, and I will return to Kyoto to report these specific matters to the imperial court."
That was exactly what Fan Xian wanted to hear. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Master."
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A stone was pressing on Fan Xian's heart. He knew that the identity of the master of the Sword Hut would not immediately weaken the Emperor's trust in him, but in recent years, he had done many things that were too much, all of which were digging meat out of that trust. Who knew when that piece of meat would be eaten up by him?
Si Gu Jian's move was to prevent Fan Xian from selling Dongyi City in the future—he would sell Dongyi City to Fan Xian first. Rather give it to Fan Xian than to Emperor Qing. If Si Gu Jian lost the bet, that would be the end of it. And no matter how much Fan Xian and the Emperor quarreled, what did it have to do with the dead Si Gu Jian?
Fan Xian came to the coast outside Dongyi City again. He narrowed his eyes, sat on a bluestone, and looked at the slowly rising and falling white waves, as if he saw Si Gu Jian's cold and emotionless eyes inside.
"Everyone is forcing me onto that road. Have you ever thought that I would be very tired?" Fan Xian asked Si Gu Jian in the waves.
Si Gu Jian seemed to answer with a sentence, "Should I love you and the Qing people?"
Fan Xian shook his head.
Si Gu Jian said, "So whether you are suffering or not, whether the Qing Kingdom is in chaos or not, what does it have to do with me?"
Fan Xian looked at the waves and said with a smile, "I can suffer, but I can't die, and the Qing Kingdom can't be in chaos. I love the Qing Kingdom more than your Dongyi City."
"It's our Dongyi City."
"I am a Qing person."
"You are not a Qing person, you are a person of the world."
Fan Xian slowly woke up from his dream and thought that he was not actually a person of this world, but why couldn't he bear to part with the people of this world? Could it be... that the idealistic brilliance left in this body by Mother Ye Qingmei had finally begun to dissipate?
Do your best and leave the rest to fate. If you can't stop the arrival of a bloody war, if you can't change the changes in history, then leave this world and live your own little life.
That's how you should think.
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(This is a supplement to the chapter on November 5th, huhu, finally relaxed...)