Chapter 923: Chapter 37: The True Foundation of the Clan’s Expansion and Strength

Sun Xiaole quickly said humbly, "Mr. Chuan overpraises me, it’s all thanks to the family’s nurture." He was included in the key cultivation list to join the Wang Family General system, though he wasn’t in a martial position.

"Ying Lai, the person you recommended is quite good." Wang Shichuan nodded in satisfaction, "You’re reliable for once; this child would outperform you if not for coming from a commoner family."

Wang Yinglai stamped her foot in protest, "Sixth Brother, when am I ever unreliable? I’m not like Wang Yingqi and Wang Yingxuan, those little troublemakers who stir up trouble all day."

"Okay, okay, you’re fairly reliable. Your graduation exam results were also good, coming first in the class." Wang Shichuan said with a laugh, "I heard Fourth Grandpa even personally commended you, saying you’re a model for the younger generation of girls."

"Naturally, I heard that Sixth Brother used to be at the bottom of the class, only to strive harder after being thrashed by Fourth Uncle."

"Oh, you little troublemaker dare to expose my weaknesses."

Listening to them joking, Sun Xiaole kept his head down, pretending not to hear. The gap in their statuses was too vast; he couldn’t afford to overstep his bounds.

"Sun Xiaole, since Yinglai recommended you and your professional knowledge is also solid." Finally, Wang Shichuan said, "I have an important task for you, though it’s slightly dangerous. Would you be willing?"

Sun Xiaole immediately straightened his expression, "I’m grateful for the Wang Family’s cultivation and would not hesitate to go through fire and water."

...

While the Wang Family was persevering and steadily developing.

In the Zhuozheng Pavilion of the Gui Long City Imperial Palace.

Emperor Longchang’s greatest recent enjoyment was watching intelligence summaries from all directions, about Prince Kang, Prince Anjun, but what he loved the most was those about the Wang Family.

"Interesting, who would’ve thought that tiny Ping’an Town could produce such a flourish at the hands of Wang Shouzhe, I underestimated him."

"How did I, in the past, not notice that such a small Changning Guard had so high a tax revenue? The contribution of the Wang Family to the nation isn’t small."

But as he continued to look, something seemed off.

Emperor Longchang’s face turned increasingly sour, "What audacity, this Wang Shouzhe truly has audacity. Daring to, after a drink with Yingji, recklessly comment on My achievements. Two parts fault, eight parts achievement!"

"What is this about Me liking exploration over internal development, resulting in the whole nation being relatively poor!"

"Listen to this, what kind of talk is it? I spent most of My life warring against Western Jin and Southern Qin, yet he does not see Me as defending the homeland, but audaciously opines I’m a warlike ruler. Facing two with strength, yet being slandered by this ignorant kid."

"Calm down, Your Majesty, calm down, Wang Shouzhe doesn’t even know our people are with him, hence he spoke so recklessly." Old Yao was sweating in anxiety on the side, silently grumbling that the lad surnamed Wang could indeed cause trouble.

Why drink and then spew nonsense?

"Doesn’t know? Can ignorance excuse unauthorized secret criticism of Me?" Emperor Longchang’s good mood vanished, furious enough to smash the table, "The greatest achievement of My life is opposing two great empires undefeated. If he dares, let him come criticize to My face at the Zhuozheng Pavilion, what’s with the secret criticisms?"

"Your Majesty, calm down, over the years, how many secret criticisms have you not heard from the secret agents?" Old Yao quickly soothed.

"That’s different, I actually admire that Wang Shouzhe kid. Hmph, truly casting pearls before swine." Emperor Longchang was quite angry, "Old Yao, deliver My decree, summon that kid to the capital, I want to face him for confrontation."

"Your Majesty, that mustn’t be." Old Yao bitterly advised, "Things we privately hear, just hear and let go. Besides, Wang Shouzhe did speak some good of Your Majesty."

"Look, Your Majesty, look. But speaking of this generation’s Emperor’s Son, sigh, Brother Long, why is each generation worse than the last? The current Your Majesty, though having various..., still counts as a brilliant and wise Lord, with strong comprehensive capabilities. A lifetime of constant minor mistakes, but no major ones."

"Now, these two quasi-crown princes, one is hypocritical and cunning, merely engages in intrigue and manipulation. Should they take the throne, our Daqian could be plunged into chaos, everyone in fear, internal consumption would engulf us."

"The other, well, is a dullard who only knows to work hard, but has no grasp of the Emperor’s Art of Power; should they ascend, wouldn’t they be easily managed behind the scenes by ministers? Leading to an emperor overshadowed, what a joke that would be."

"This is called a compliment?" Emperor Longchang’s old eyes widened, almost bursting with anger, "What do you mean by each generation worse than the last? Or saying My generation is just making do? What do you mean by a lifetime of minor errors, no major ones? What’s having various...?"

"Ultimately, there’s still some praise, praise." Old Yao tirelessly tried to persuade, "After all, they were drinking behind closed doors, merely talking in private, Your Majesty shouldn’t take it to heart."

"Hmph! The only part resembling a human word was indeed those two quasi-crown princes being such nothing; alas, our Daqian Kingdom’s fortunes are poor." Though extremely annoyed, Emperor Longchang also found Wang Shouzhe’s comments on the quasi-crown princes to be quite reasonable, regrettably said, "If Hao’er were here, would the kid dare criticize, saying my Royal Family couldn’t produce an outstanding child."

"By the way, didn’t that kid align with Prince Anjun?" Emperor Longchang shifted thoughts, "Shall we pass on those words to Prince Anjun, let them sow discord between him and his liege?"

"Your Majesty..." Old Yao was speechless, is such a thing even conduct befitting a dignified emperor?

"I was just joking, how could I be so petty, unable to handle a single ’admonition’?" Emperor Longchang thankfully retained some rationality, not being petty to the extreme.

"Prince Anjun hasn’t left yet, right? Send that dullard for an audience, I need to teach him the Emperor’s Art of Power properly, lest Wang Shouzhe’s ’treacherous minister’ family dominates the court and secretly controls it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Also, send an edict to Longzuo County’s Commandery Governor Taishi An Kang, inform him that the National Treasury is empty, under the unchanged tax rate of Longzuo County, tax revenue must increase by fifty percent in ten years. Otherwise, I’ll replace him with a Commander friendly to Prince Kang for Longzuo County."

"Hehe, Wang Shouzhe, Wang Shouzhe, aren’t you quite the capable one? I’d like to see how strong you truly are? Daring to secretly criticize Me, I’ll give you some hard time, see if it angers you!"

Old Yao was instantly speechless.

Your Majesty is planning to remotely spar with Wang Shouzhe, just seeking some entertainment.

...