Protect Our Patriarch

……

Emperor Longchang gave Wang Shouzhe a fierce side-eye, silently pondering, Wang Shouzhe, oh Wang Shouzhe, your luck is truly something. It's fortunate that my self-restraint has improved over the years.

If it were back in my younger days, with my fiery temper, heh heh heh~~~

At that moment, he couldn't be bothered to argue with Wang Shouzhe any longer and simply pretended to meditate, closing his eyes and saying nothing.

Beside him, Commandery Prince An's face was pale, beads of sweat on his forehead.

This banquet was undoubtedly the most nerve-wracking event he had ever experienced in his life.

Every moment, every breath, he could feel the emperor's overwhelming anger, as if at any moment, hundreds of executioners would be summoned to turn Wang Shouzhe into minced meat.

Such audacity!

Commandery Prince An never imagined that Wang Shouzhe would be so bold, daring to criticize the emperor's vanity right to his face, straightforwardly pointing out the pros and cons of his rule.

After a few words, he felt his back drenched in sweat, filled with lingering fear.

Fortunately, after a brief moment, Emperor Longchang calmed down, his expression much improved. He gave Wang Shouzhe a deep look and said, "Shouzhe, your words are like gold and jade, awakening the deaf, making me reflect deeply."

"Your Majesty overpraises me," Wang Shouzhe replied with a graceful bow. "These are just the words of a humble villager, and I am grateful for Your Majesty's magnanimity in not taking offense. In truth, Your Majesty's overall achievements far outweigh the mistakes, and you can be considered a rare pioneering wise ruler, destined to be remembered in history."

With Wang Shouzhe's sharp tongue having already been unleashed, these words, though somewhat harsh, were indeed much more comforting.

Emperor Longchang's mood improved slightly, and he said with a smile, "Shouzhe's wisdom and demeanor are unmatched in my lifetime. No one in the world can compare. Our family’s Mingyuan, though kind-hearted, is far less talented than Shouzhe."

"For the sake of our Great Qian's eternal foundation, I have thought it over and decided it might be better to pass the position of Imperial Heir to you. You needn't worry about the bloodline issue; our Wu Clan has always been open-minded. You just need to marry a virtuous princess and join our family."

"What do you think, Shouzhe?"

Wang Shouzhe broke into a cold sweat, his face turning pale.

Emperor, are you trying to get back at me like this? Playing the Liu Bei's entrusted orphan card is too much of a pretense. And asking me to marry in... I already have a large family of descendants, and if I dared to mention marrying in, I fear Ruolan would chop me up.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's favor." Wang Shouzhe silently criticized the emperor in his heart but had no choice but to stand up again and bow, "I am but a humble villager who enjoys nothing more than farming, developing the family, and raising my descendants. The position of emperor may seem glorious, but it comes with a heap of responsibilities and troubles. Not to mention the emperor's position, I can't even handle being a city or commandery governor."

Emperor Longchang chuckled, "Since Shouzhe likes peace, why join the Imperial Heir Struggle? Isn't it better to stay in Changning as a wealthy landowner than to stir up trouble in the Imperial Capital?"

Wang Shouzhe's brow twitched, and he glanced at Emperor Longchang, saying quietly, "Your Majesty, may I speak bluntly?"

"Uh..." Emperor Longchang's mouth twitched, hesitated slightly, and waved his hand, "Fine, as long as you don't criticize me."

"Your Majesty asks why I joined the Imperial Heir Struggle?"

Wang Shouzhe took a deep breath.

He had been holding back his emotions for a long time, and now he finally found an outlet. His tone unconsciously became agitated, filled with complaints: "Does Your Majesty think I wanted to get involved in this mess?"

"The Imperial Heir Struggle, how dangerous is that?"

"Our Wang Clan is just a sixth-grade family. If possible, I would have stayed as far away as I could. But damn it, it was all because of that bastard Commandery Prince Kang forcing us! I was living comfortably in Ping'an Town, farming and enjoying life. But Commandery Prince Kang's lackeys came to expand their influence, forcing the Qian Clan and our Wang Clan to take sides."

"You say forcing, fine. If Commandery Prince Kang were a wise and virtuous ruler with the potential to be a great emperor, I might have accepted it. But what is he? Narrow-minded, vindictive, and utterly unscrupulous."

"If our Wang Clan boarded that sinking ship, who knows where we'd end up, likely becoming a stepping stone to be discarded."

"And that's not even the worst. My biggest fear is that once we're on board, he'll have our Wang Clan do despicable things, like smuggling or treason. Your Majesty, should I do it or not?"

"Is it our Wang Clan's fate to be targeted by a pack of wolves? What else can I do? To protect the Wang Clan and the future of the Great Qian, I have to exhaust my mind and efforts. Is it easy for me?"

Wang Shouzhe's words came out in a torrent, like a machine gun.

Even Emperor Longchang, with his thick skin, felt a bit embarrassed.

Looking back, the things Commandery Prince Kang did were indeed quite troubling and excessive.

No wonder Wang Shouzhe harbored such resentment.

Moreover, Commandery Prince Kang's personality was just as Wang Shouzhe described. If he were to ascend to the emperor's position, it would be bad news for the Wang Clan. He might quietly squeeze a small sixth-grade family out of existence.

"Alright, alright, I understand your difficulties, Shouzhe. I don't blame you; it's Wu Chengsi's own lack of virtue." Emperor Longchang couldn't take it anymore and stopped Wang Shouzhe from continuing.

Ultimately, it was also his failure as an ancestor to guide and supervise.

At the same time, Emperor Longchang couldn't help but criticize Wu Chengsi. That kid truly wasn't cut out to be an emperor. He started with a good hand but managed to ruin it.

Wu Chengsi, after all, came from the direct line and had a good foundation. He initially held a considerable advantage. If he hadn't been so eager for quick success and had taken his time to develop, how could the position of Imperial Heir have slipped away?

However, Wu Chengsi's biggest mistake was provoking Wang Shouzhe and forcing him to participate in the Imperial Heir Struggle... which ultimately benefited the less ambitious Commandery Prince An.

It's truly a matter of timing and fate. As the saying goes, sometimes you win without trying, and trying too hard ruins everything.

But this is also the Great Qian's fortune. After all, if Commandery Prince Kang had ascended, who knows where the Great Qian would have ended up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity, allowing me to vent." Wang Shouzhe bowed to the emperor, sincerely grateful, "I've been holding these words in my heart for a long time, with no one to confide in. Now that I've said them, I feel much relieved."

"You, at such a young age, have quite a temper." Emperor Longchang was speechless, pushing the delicious food in front of him toward Wang Shouzhe, "Come, have some phoenix wings to calm your nerves."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wang Shouzhe didn't hesitate and began to eat.

Seeing him like this, Emperor Longchang's grudge against him dissipated considerably, and the little bit of probing he had in mind also faded.

Before meeting, he thought Wang Shouzhe was a power-hungry minister, a schemer. But he didn't expect Wang Shouzhe, though clever and astute, to be so "straightforward" and "honest."

This trait was somewhat similar to that of Yingji, a person of true character. No wonder they got along so well.

"Shouzhe, though you turned Guilong City upside down this time, you did achieve quite a bit. After this tax supplement, it's estimated that the national tax will increase by tens of billions of top gold, and the financial situation of various commanderies and guards will become much more relaxed."

Wang Shouzhe's actions had filled the somewhat empty national treasury, giving Emperor Longchang, who was used to living frugally, a sense of pride.

"In addition, it's expected that annual tax revenue will increase by sixty to seventy percent compared to previous years, which is equivalent to a significant boost in national strength."

"Shouzhe, how should I reward you?"

Wang Shouzhe pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, an increase in tax revenue by sixty to seventy percent doesn't mean national strength will increase by the same amount. Our Great Qian's pool is only so big. This time, we merely transferred the wealth of the clans to the official and national treasuries. Your Majesty, the extra tax revenue should not be squandered but used to improve people's livelihoods and develop the economy comprehensively."

"Your Majesty, have you noticed that the lower the social class, the less tax evasion there is? Yet their lives are tight, counting every top gold, every small Peiyuan Pill..."

"Alright, alright, I'll keep it in mind."

Emperor Longchang waved his hand, slightly impatient. He had never been interested in economic development, and seeing a bunch of data made his head spin.

No, no~ just thinking about it gave him a headache.

Rubbing his temples, he pondered, "How about this, you and Mingyuan draft a plan. Mingyuan will soon be appointed as 'Imperial Heir' and stay by my side to learn governance under my guidance. Once your plan is ready, he will oversee it."

"Also, the Longzuo Commandery development plan you submitted through Taishi Ankang, I've reviewed it and found no major issues. Mingyuan will handle it as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Shouzhe and Commandery Prince An responded in unison.

Especially Commandery Prince An, his eyes filled with hope.

The emperor's words today indicated that he was gradually beginning to delegate power.

And Shouzhe's strategy of using the supplemented tax revenue to develop the economy and people's livelihoods, to strengthen the military, and then using the military to support the economy, naturally aligned with his governance philosophy.

Brother Hao, back when you and I discussed and envisioned an ideal nation, Shouzhe and I will gradually realize it. If you have a spirit in heaven, you should be able to rest in peace.

"Shouzhe, though you see many faults in me, I have always kept my word. Whatever reward is due to you, I will not shortchange you," Emperor Longchang generously said, "Feel free to ask for what you lack."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Shouzhe thought for a moment and said, "I heard the royal family has collected eight True Methods. Perhaps you could grant one to our Changning Wang's Clan."

"What?" Emperor Longchang nearly fell over, looking at Wang Shouzhe with a sidelong glance, "Why don't you ask for the 'Azure Dragon Codex' or the 'Azure Dragon Dao Sword'?"

"Well... I don't have the guts for that," Wang Shouzhe chuckled awkwardly, "I was just trying my luck. Maybe Your Majesty has an extra True Method lying around~"

"Get out... True Methods are not something the imperial family has in surplus." Emperor Longchang said disdainfully, "Your Duke of Dingguo's mansion also has two True Methods. Go back and see if you can borrow one from them."

The difficulty of True Method inheritance, though not as troublesome as the Codex, is not comparable to high-grade techniques.

In those high-end auctions, mid-grade and high-grade techniques, though rare, occasionally appear. But True Method inheritance hasn't appeared for thousands of years, showing its rarity.

What is a True Method?

A True Method is a great divine ability, a true power with immense might.

Each True Method inheritance represents a profound understanding and interpretation of the laws of heaven and earth, reaching the legendary level of "Dao." Its mysteries cannot be grasped by merely studying a cultivation manual.

Even if you manage to obtain the manual, you may not be able to comprehend its essence. The most likely outcome is that it remains a mystery, with each word understood but the meaning elusive.

Therefore, human Basalt cultivators, after countless millennia of exploration, created a method of inheritance known as the "inheritance ground."

For example, each of the nine veins of the Holy Land represents a True Method, an inheritance ground.

Non-core inheritors can only cultivate the peripheral techniques of the True Method. Only the true core inheritors have the qualification to enter the inheritance ground and receive the most core part of the inheritance.

And this core inheritance is the most precious part of a True Method.

Each inheritance ground may have a different form, but they all assist the core inheritor in comprehending the True Method's essence.

The most basic aspect is the extremely rich energy, followed by the insights of previous cultivators into the True Method and their interpretations of the laws of heaven and earth, allowing inheritors to directly experience the power of these laws, greatly increasing the possibility of comprehending the True Method's essence.

For instance, Heavenly Thunder Peak in the Holy Land's nine veins is the inheritance ground of the Purple Sky Thunder branch, the Glazed King Hall is the inheritance ground of the True Method of the Glazed King, and the Nine-layer Xuanyuan Tower of the Daqian Wang's Clan is the core inheritance ground of the Wang's Xuanyuan True Method.

Of course, even with an inheritance ground, not everyone can comprehend the True Method's essence. It requires compatible aptitude and bloodline.

A Basalt cultivator with a prodigious aptitude or an incompatible bloodline may have a minimal chance of comprehending the True Method's essence, wasting an inheritance opportunity with extremely low cost-effectiveness.

Without receiving the core inheritance of the vein, breaking through to the Divine Realm with this technique is extremely unlikely.

Unless you have unparalleled aptitude, a terrifyingly powerful innate Dao body, you might have a chance to forge your own path to divine abilities without relying on True Method inheritance.

Of course, some innate spiritual bodies can forge their own path to divine abilities without relying on True Method inheritance, but the probability is much lower than that of an innate Dao body. The most likely outcome is spending a lifetime exploring and making mistakes, never finding the path to divine abilities until the end of life.

That would be too unfortunate.

Currently, the Changning Wang's Clan has three innate spiritual bodies.

Liyao already has a path, with the "worst" being the core inheritance of the Tianyi True Water branch of the Holy Land.

Wang Shouzhe's hope for her is to further obtain the inheritance of the "Lingyun Codex" in the Lingyun Holy Land.

The "Lingyun Codex," as the only codex of the Lingyun Holy Land, is a versatile cultivation codex, compatible with multiple bloodlines, making it highly suitable for the core inheritance of academies or Holy Lands.

The "Azure Dragon Codex" of the Daqian royal family, on the other hand, has stricter requirements, compatible only with multiple dragon-related bloodlines.

Naturally, the highest compatibility is with the Wu Clan's unique Azure Dragon bloodline, and other bloodlines, even if the Wu Clan is willing, have poorer compatibility.

Various thoughts about codices and True Methods quickly passed through Wang Shouzhe's mind.

After composing himself, he said to Emperor Longchang, "Your Majesty, our Wang's Clan has two True Method inheritances, the 'Wang's Xuanyuan True Method' and the 'Xuanbing Lifen True Method.'"

Clearly, the "Xuanbing Lifen True Method" is not suitable for Wang Shouzhe.

And though the "Wang's Xuanyuan True Method" is a more universally applicable True Method, the Nine-layer Xuanyuan Tower requires centuries to accumulate enough energy to initiate the core divine ability inheritance of the True Method.

Although the Nine-layer Xuanyuan Tower can usually initiate two inheritances with accumulated energy, it cannot be squandered recklessly. After all, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion intends to support a new Divine Realm seed.

The inheritance opportunity of the Nine-layer Xuanyuan Tower must be reserved for this new Divine Realm seed.

Therefore, after mutual discussion, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion agreed to allocate one inheritance opportunity of the "Xuanbing Lifen True Method" to the Wang's Clan, but the "Wang's Xuanyuan True Method" inheritance could not be provided.

Wang Shouzhe naturally understood this and couldn't possibly force the "Wang's Xuanyuan True Method" inheritance.

After all, though the Changning Wang's Clan and the Daqian Wang's Clan share the same ancestor, they are already distant branches, with bloodlines quite far apart. The fact that they are willing to share an opportunity while ensuring their own inheritance is already a great favor, and Wang Shouzhe is very grateful.

This is due to their shared lineage; if it were another clan, daring to ask would likely result in being driven out.

Originally thinking the royal family had many True Method inheritances, Wang Shouzhe wanted to try his luck, but the emperor flatly refused.

Indeed, even the Lingyun Holy Land, with its motto of "educating the world," would not grant any core True Method inheritance without true commitment, let alone the royal family with higher thresholds.

Unless willing to marry in... and become a consort prince or something.

"Oh, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is preparing to cultivate two Divine Realm seeds now?" Emperor Longchang immediately saw through the situation and laughed, "Indeed, with the Zhao Clan's losses and their momentum suppressed, it's a good opportunity for the Daqian Wang's Clan to rise again, even if it means selling everything."

"Your Majesty is wise," Wang Shouzhe praised.

"Flattery won't work; stop asking for the moon and quickly choose another reward." Emperor Longchang waved his hand.

"Well... Shouzhe has no other needs at the moment." Wang Shouzhe thought for a moment and shook his head.

"What?" Emperor Longchang glared, "Shouzhe, do you have any dissatisfaction with me? Do you think I'm too stingy? Honestly, though the royal family has eight True Methods, there isn't one suitable for you to borrow an inheritance from at the moment. We can't waste a True Method inheritance opportunity and hinder your development potential, can we?"

"Your Majesty, Shouzhe has no such intention. It's just that there are indeed no other needs at the moment," Wang Shouzhe said earnestly, "Perhaps we could leave the reward opportunity for now. When Shouzhe has a need someday, I will come to Your Majesty for a reward."

"That's not acceptable. I don't like being owed, nor do I like owing others..." Emperor Longchang furrowed his brows, seemingly contemplating an appropriate reward for Wang Shouzhe.

Then, the two of them stared at each other, unable to come up with a good idea for a while.

"Your Majesty," Old Yao whispered from the side, "there's a shield-type Divine Spirit Artifact in the Divine Weapon Hall that seems quite suitable for Shouzhe."

"Divine Spirit Artifact? You mean 'Safety'?" Emperor Longchang's heart skipped a beat, showing a troubled expression, "Shouzhe's contributions are indeed significant, but directly rewarding a Divine Spirit Artifact might be a bit excessive?"

The total number of Divine Spirit Artifacts in the royal family isn't small, but each has its place, and there aren't many left in the Divine Weapon Hall.

A mature Divine Spirit Artifact is valued in the billions. Even a Divine Ability Master would have to sell everything and might still end up in debt.

"Your Majesty, Shouzhe has indeed made significant contributions to the Great Qian, and 'Safety' isn't particularly popular due to its personality," Old Yao suggested, "Why not grant it to him, so he can appreciate the royal favor and continue striving for the Great Qian's rise."

"Very well, let's summon 'Safety' and see if it's willing to follow Shouzhe," Emperor Longchang knew Safety's temperament, being picky about its master. If it didn't want to follow someone, even threats wouldn't work.

As for letting Wang Shouzhe enter the Divine Weapon Hall to choose...

Once bitten, twice shy, Emperor Longchang, having suffered once, wouldn't allow it.

Anye had already picked an incomplete Dao Artifact flag. What if Wang Shouzhe managed to get a Dao Artifact? The Wang Clan's youngsters need to be watched.

Old Yao, knowing the emperor's intentions, chuckled inwardly and went to carry out the order.

In no time, the Divine Spirit Artifact "Safety" was brought in.

It came in, holding a kite-shaped shield resembling a water droplet, taking small steps.

As it walked, the shield muttered, "Old Yao, tell me, who is the emperor planning to reward me to? Let me tell you, I have certain standards for my master. Too handsome won't do, too prone to romantic entanglements, not safe..."

"Also, can't be too ugly. Too ugly leads to bullying, resulting in a twisted personality, prone to causing trouble..."

"Can't be too low in intelligence either. Low intelligence leads to impulsive actions."

Blah blah, blah blah, the shield hadn't even arrived, and it was already being picky about its master.

Old Yao ignored Safety's nonsense, maintaining a straight face, and after entering, bowed to Emperor Longchang, "Your Majesty, the Divine Spirit Shield 'Safety' has been brought."

"Safety~ after all these years, you're still the same cowardly self." Emperor Longchang seemed quite familiar with Safety, his expression somewhat helpless, "Can't you change your temperament? I almost decided to destroy you."

"I'd rather be destroyed than serve an incompatible master. I don't want to see one master after another die before me; it's too damaging to a shield's reputation." Safety replied confidently.

It was both cowardly and fearless, a paradoxical entity.

As it spoke, its water droplet-shaped shield face tilted slightly, as if "observing" Emperor Longchang, its tone quite sentimental, "It's truly remarkable that Your Majesty, with your temper, has lived to old age. I thought you'd have died on the battlefield long ago."

Emperor Longchang's face darkened.

If it were a person speaking to him like this, he would have slapped them long ago. But facing a Divine Spirit Artifact, especially one known for its foolishness, what could he do besides get angry? Could he really destroy it?

"Go, go~ meet your future master." Emperor Longchang waved his sleeve, pointing at Wang Shouzhe, not wanting to deal with Safety anymore.

He felt Wang Shouzhe and Safety were quite "compatible," both "straightforward" in speech and equally annoying.

"Is Your Majesty planning to reward me to him? No, no, this kid is too handsome, too charismatic, too prone to unnecessary romantic debts, not safe at all." Safety's first impression of Wang Shouzhe was very negative.

"......"

Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitched.

Since when was being handsome a crime? How was he unsafe?

"Safety, this is your last chance." Emperor Longchang's expression was stern, "If you refuse again, I'll have to destroy you."

"Alright, alright, let me test him first. If he fails my test, then you can destroy me." Safety was still principled.

It flew up with a "whoosh," spinning around Wang Shouzhe a few times, asking as it spun, "If you find yourself in a battle with less than a fifty percent chance of victory, would you fight to the death or retreat?"

Wang Shouzhe answered without hesitation, "I wouldn't let myself be in a battle with only a fifty percent chance of victory; the probability of that happening is too low. If I were unfortunate enough to encounter it, I would naturally retreat immediately. After all, life is precious, and a fifty percent chance is too low."

"Very well, I appreciate that attitude." Safety continued, "Let me ask you, is the sword more important or the shield?"

Wang Shouzhe pondered briefly, "Actually, I already have a Divine Spirit Artifact shield. However, I still hope to obtain another shield. This way, I can employ a dual-shield strategy, greatly enhancing safety."

"Dual-shield strategy? You're that afraid of death?" Even Safety was surprised, liking this cautious master!

"It's not called being afraid of death; it's called being cautious. After all, only by staying alive can one have endless possibilities."

"That's so true. Master, can you tell me more about the dual-shield strategy?" Safety was excited, as if discovering a new world.

Wang Shouzhe explained it briefly.

"Good, good, interesting, interesting. Why didn't I think of that? In that case, Master, we should also acquire some powerful one-time treasures for protection, so we can fight even higher-level Basalt cultivators."

"I've already stored quite a few of those, but I feel it's not enough. I plan to acquire more when I have the chance..."

"Master~~ please take me with you. I've finally found my true master."

"I also think you're quite suitable for me, complementing my defensive shortcomings..."

For a moment, the man and the shield chatted enthusiastically, like a spark meeting dry wood.

Emperor Longchang and Commandery Prince An exchanged glances, both looking on in disbelief.

What kind of life has Wang Shouzhe led? He already has a Divine Spirit Artifact shield and still feels unsafe, lacking in defense... Does he want to arm himself like a turtle?

But in this case, he and "Safety" are indeed a "perfect match."

……