Chapter 47: The Na of the Demon
Xu Ning initially wanted Xia Yun to take his ti and develop his territory further before launching any external campaigns.
However, he then realized that Xia Yun, as the forr King of Lingnan, had a special emotional attachnt to the region. His eagerness to reclaim it was understandable.
Xu Ning advised against a hasty attack to avoid arousing suspicion from neighboring powers. Instead, he suggested implenting the previously ntioned economic warfare strategy—the sa one he had proposed years ago against the Cangming Empire.
This strategy could be applied to multiple countries simultaneously, weakening them without direct conflict.
Xia Yun was imdiately excited, as Xu Ning's suggestion ant he could potentially conquer several countries at once, vastly expanding the territory of Da Xuan through economic ans before the final military strikes.
However, another problem arose: money and resources.
Implenting this plan against multiple countries simultaneously required substantial financial support. The treasury would be stretched thin.
Xu Ning's solution was simple: heavily support dostic agriculture. With mid-grade mortal-level corn seeds, food production would skyrocket. Food wouldn't be a problem.
Later, fearing it might not be enough, Xu Ning gave Xia Yun so mid-grade mortal potatoes, instructing him to promote their large-scale cultivation. They would have surplus food to export or use as leverage.
Thus, a grand plan quietly began to take shape across the kingdom.
In the following days, Xu Ning was completely idle when not advising on state matters. He spent his ti in the Hanlin Academy except for court sessions.
In his spare ti, he would discreetly purchase pig iron and cloth.
With the addition of armor for his personal use, Xu Ning now had another mouth to feed for pig iron. The upgrade costs were adding up.
He also planned to upgrade three sets of clothes: one set for his everyday scholarly attire, one set for nightti travel, and one set of plain linen for blending in.
This would require a large amount of cloth, which he bought slowly over ti to avoid suspicion.
Furthermore, since he could stay in the capital city for an extended period, Xu Ning lit a controlled fire in his courtyard and continuously improved its quality to feed the lanterns, slowly upgrading them.
Ti passed peacefully in this way.
Five years later, Da Xuan's long-planned grand sche finally ca to fruition. The neighboring economies had been weakened, their treasuries drained. Da Xuan's 100,000 iron cavalry instantly mobilized, sweeping across four or five surrounding countries in a lightning campaign.
Da Xuan's territory expanded three or four tis in an instant, reaching an unprecedented scale. The kingdom had beco an empire.
Xia Yun was hailed as a great emperor of all ti, a conqueror without peer.
Xu Ning had been living a peaceful life, focused on his studies and upgrades, when Xia Yun held a grand ceremony to reward those who had contributed to the success of the campaign. Xu Ning was imdiately listed as the greatest contributor.
Only then did everyone realize that this vicious economic and military sche was actually devised by Pri Minister Xu Ning. Many people then unearthed nurous important decisions over the years, all bearing the Pri Minister's shadow.
Pri Minister Xu Ning was already a legendary figure, having supported the emperor in his ascension to the throne and offered nurous brilliant strategies in recent years. His abilities were truly extraordinary, seemingly unmatched.
Later, the common people, who benefited from his policies, called Pri Minister Xu Ning the "Great Demon Pri Minister of All Ti" with affection. His enemies, however, called him the "Great Demon Pri Minister" with fear, dreading his sches and even turning pale at the re ntion of his na.
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That day, ng Yangming ca to see Xu Ning again at his residence.
But this ti was different. He was accompanied by a young boy, perhaps seven years old.
Xu Ning was grilling at by the fire in his courtyard when he saw the child beside ng Yangming. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Senior, is this your son? I didn't know you had such a young child."
ng Yangming's face darkened upon hearing this. "I'm so old, and you call this a son? I'm well past that age, you brat."
Xu Ning asked in confusion, "Then who is he? A relative?"
ng Yangming replied proudly, "My great-grandson. Lingzhu's child."
Xu Ning was surprised. "ng Lingzhu's son? He's already so big? Ti flies."
ng Yangming said, "He was born when you and I ca to Mingdu City back then. He's seven years old now! Can you believe it?"
Xu Ning suddenly realized why ng Yangming hadn't brought ng Lingzhu with him when he ca. She had married and had a child. It was a natural path.
In the blink of an eye, the girl who had once expressed her feelings for him was now a mother.
Xu Ning could understand her. Although ng Yangming was a Grandmaster, he was already quite old. She was probably trying to fulfill ng Yangming's last wish by giving him a great-grandson to carry on the family.
"Shen Yun, quickly call him! Call him Master!" ng Yangming hurriedly reminded his great-grandson, nudging him forward.
Shen Yun quickly bowed to Xu Ning, his voice clear and respectful. "Sir, this humble student greets you."
Xu Ning waved them over. "Co and sit down, everyone. Co and have so barbecue. We can talk while we eat."
"That's great! That's exactly why I ca!" ng Yangming said, grinning. He then pulled the still sowhat shy Shen Yun to sit next to Xu Ning.
After Xu Ning finished grilling, ng Yangming took a skewer, handed one to Shen Yun, and then started eating by himself, savoring each bite.
"I must say, Xu boy, I could eat your barbecue forever," ng Yangming praised as he ate, grease on his chin.
Xu Ning replied with a smile, "Of course! It's a secret recipe."
They ate until the afternoon, talking and laughing.
"Alright, Xu boy, we'll be going now," ng Yangming said, standing up after a satisfying al.
Xu Ning waved. "I won't see you off. Co back anyti."
ng Yangming nodded, but after taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back. He slapped his forehead. "Look at my mory, I've completely forgotten! I ca here this ti to let you see if this kid Shen Yun can follow you in the future, learn from you. See what he can pick up. I want him to learn from the best."
Xu Ning was speechless. "You can't teach him martial arts yourself? You're a Grandmaster."
ng Yangming sighed. "I have, but I always feel that fighting and killing isn't suitable for him. He's not a natural fighter. He just needs to learn sothing to protect himself, maybe so strategy, so knowledge. That's your specialty."
Xu Ning considered. "That depends on what he likes. How about this, let him co over tomorrow. I'll ask him so questions, see where his talents lie."
Xu Ning had lived here for six years, and this large mansion, with so many secrets and no servants, always felt empty. A child would add so vitality. And he had ti.
Upon hearing this, ng Yangming's face imdiately lit up with joy. "Okay, okay, I'll have him co over tomorrow. Thank you, Xu boy."
After leaving the Pri Minister's residence, ng Yangming led Shen Yun along the road, both in high spirits.
Shen Yun couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with awe, "Great-Grandpa, was that the first pri minister of Da Xuan in history? The legendary Great Demon Pri Minister? He seed so humble, so ordinary. He didn't look like a pri minister at all, let alone a demon."
ng Yangming chuckled, patting the boy's head. "You don't know anything, child. This is called concealing your abilities and waiting for the right ti to act. If your true skills are imdiately obvious to everyone, can you still call it concealnt? The most dangerous tiger looks like a sleeping cat."
Shen Yun nodded, seemingly understanding, then asked, "Then should I keep my true abilities hidden from you too, Great-Grandpa?"
ng Yangming laughed heartily. "You're really smart, kid. I didn't underestimate you! Your teacher is a man of great ability, a once-in-a-lifeti genius. You should learn everything you can from him, absorb it like a sponge."
Shen Yun nodded vigorously, his eyes bright. "I know, Great-Grandpa, this is a rare opportunity. I won't waste it."
ng Yangming said proudly, "Of course! You're the only one in Da Xuan with this opportunity. Last ti, His Majesty wanted to send the Second Prince over to study with your teacher, but your teacher refused! Can you believe that?"
Shen Yun couldn't help but open his mouth in shock. "He even refused His Majesty! Aren't you afraid of offending the Emperor? That's dangerous."
ng Yangming laughed. "Hehe, in the entire Da Xuan, only your teacher dared to refuse His Majesty. And the Emperor just accepted it. Speaking of which, His Majesty's ascension to the throne owes a great deal to your teacher's strategy and support..."
Then, as they walked, ng Yangming told Shen Yun the story of Xu Ning and the current Emperor, the history of their alliance, and the campaigns that had built the empire.
---
The next morning, Shen Yun arrived at the Pri Minister's residence early, waiting patiently.
Although he knew his teacher would have to attend the morning court session before returning, Shen Yun didn't dare to be impolite. He arrived at dawn, standing by the gate.
It wasn't until noon that Shen Yun saw his master leisurely arrive, riding a familiar black ox that seed to glide down the street.
Shen Yun quickly went over, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply. "Shen Yun greets you, sir. I am honored to be here."
Xu Ning nodded slightly, dismounted from the ox, and went to open the door.
The ox, without a leash, was remarkably obedient. It followed closely behind his master, as if it understood every word.
The ox itself gave Shen Yun a sense of wonder. He had never seen such an intelligent animal.
"Co in," Xu Ning said as he opened the door and entered.
Shen Yun hurriedly followed, his heart pounding with excitent and nervousness.
As he crossed the threshold, he was suddenly startled. The courtyard seed... different. Almost magical.
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