Chapter 114: Struggling in Poverty

The first court assembly after the New Year.

Jiang Yuan looked down from his high seat at the ministers gathered below.

“How did everyone fare this past year?” Jiang Yuan asked with a smile.

“Your Majesty is gracious. It has been a good year,” came the reply.

Only a handful of ministers, including Shang Rong, could speak so casually with Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan nodded with a smile. “I have not attended to state affairs recently. Is there any major matter in the court?”

He asked casually, for it was the New Year; no one would cause trouble out of boredom. But in a few days, who could say?

Seeing no one step forward to report, Jiang Yuan waved his hand. “Then, the court is dismissed. Whether you all can have another good year remains uncertain.”

The ministers understood these words well. With the Western Earl Ji Chang’s rebellion looming, it was indeed uncertain if this year would be peaceful.

“Court dismissed!” The sharp voice of the eunuch echoed, and the ministers dispersed.

However, Shang Rong and Bi Gan, two key ministers, remained.

“Does Your Majesty have a strategy against Western Qi?” Shang Rong asked directly.

Jiang Yuan smiled. “My strategy is simple: kill. Anyone who dares rebel will be executed.”

“But Western Qi’s forces are nearly equal to Great Shang’s. If they rally other lords, Great Shang may be in grave danger,” Shang Rong said with concern.

Jiang Yuan waved off the worry. “Their forces are indeed no match for mine, but they have disciples of the Sage supporting them. That is troublesome.”

“Your Majesty means their generals might be stronger than Great Shang’s in battle?” Shang Rong asked curiously.

He was versed in governance but less so in warfare.

Sometimes, sheer numbers don’t guarantee victory, especially in this primordial world teeming with True Immortals and Golden Immortals. Numbers alone are ineffective.

“Minister Shang understands well. The disciples of the Primordial Lord’s sect, the Chanjiao, aid Western Qi to overthrow Great Shang’s rule. As for Great Shang, its allies are pitifully few,” Jiang Yuan lamented.

Shang Rong may not yet know the Sage’s designs on Great Shang, and Jiang Yuan had no intention of telling him.

Such matters were futile to discuss and would only cause needless worry. Matters involving immortals were beyond Shang Rong’s control.

“What then is Your Majesty’s next move?” Shang Rong asked.

“Minister Shang and Uncle Bi Gan shall maintain order in the court. These rebellions will be handled by myself and the generals,” Jiang Yuan said calmly.

Shang Rong bowed. “Then I shall take my leave.”

Jiang Yuan nodded and was about to leave the Jiujie Hall when suddenly his eyes lit up.

From afar, a man and a woman sped toward him.

The man was Zhang Kui, whom Jiang Yuan had ordered home. The woman was naturally Zhang Kui’s wife.

“General Zhang has returned?” Jiang Yuan stepped forward with a smile.

Zhang Kui saluted respectfully and then introduced the woman beside him. “This is my wife.”

Jiang Yuan looked at Gao Lanying; the woman was full of heroic spirit and extraordinary presence.

He then glanced at Gao Lanying’s system panel.

Character: Gao Lanying

Title: Wife of Zhang Kui, Commander of Mianchi County

Realm: Perfected Golden Immortal

Possessions: Solar Divine Needle, Sun and Moon Blade

Cultivation Method: Peach Blossom Divine Scripture

Mount: Sun and Moon Xumao Horse

Loyalty: 80

Affinity: 80

Potential Tyrant Value: 750

This unexpected Gao Lanying was a perfected Golden Immortal, which greatly pleased Jiang Yuan.

No wonder Zhang Kui was a weakling—he could neither fight nor argue effectively against such a formidable wife.

Jiang Yuan smiled at Gao Lanying. “Lady Zhang is indeed a heroine among women. It’s no wonder General Zhang has spoken of you so often before me.”

“I hope, General Zhang, that you will bring your wife to Chaoge. Lady Zhang would have no objections, I presume?” Jiang Yuan asked.

Gratitude flashed in Zhang Kui’s eyes.

He had not returned home for so long, and if his wife knew he had never mentioned her before the king, he would likely face another round of domestic scolding.

“My husband is a general of Great Shang. Serving Great Shang is his duty, and as a citizen, I wish to contribute to the realm,” Gao Lanying said, clasping her fists.

“Your thoughts are truly a blessing to Great Shang. I have kept General Zhang by my side for some time before the New Year; I hope Lady Zhang does not hold it against me,” Jiang Yuan said.

“Your Majesty jokes. This is what a general of Great Shang should do. Even if it means braving fire and water for Your Majesty, it is an unquestionable duty,” Gao Lanying replied with a smile.

Gao Lanying was not the type to flatter because Jiang Yuan was the king. Yet she loved her husband deeply.

Zhang Kui had told her Jiang Yuan was a wise ruler. Initially, she was skeptical.

But seeing her husband’s true Golden Immortal realm, even she had to believe.

Since her husband had chosen the king, Gao Lanying would not go against his wishes.

Though she usually managed household affairs, she believed such matters of state were best left to her husband. Whatever choice he made, she would accept.

To be honest, Gao Lanying was not optimistic about Great Shang’s future—not because of anything else, but because the king’s recent reckless actions had long lost the hearts of the people.

Although Jiang Yuan was striving to make amends, many things could not be fixed with hindsight.

Fixing the fold after the sheep have escaped was already too late.

“Dog System, how many tyrant points are needed for Gao Lanying to ascend to the Great Dao Golden Immortal realm?” Jiang Yuan silently called upon the system.

His current situation was precarious.

After all, the Primordial Lord was a Sage; he had no trump cards. The more experts by his side, the better.

Yang Jian and Nezha both had impressive talent and strength, but growth took time.

Western Qi would not give them that chance.

Moreover, both Nezha and Yang Jian were third-generation disciples of Chanjiao. Whether Chanjiao had left some contingency in them was unknown.

Especially Nezha—Jiang Yuan felt that boy definitely had Chanjiao’s tricks.

And that boy… was far too easily swayed.

He had no idea how Chanjiao might reclaim Nezha.

Headache…

Time was short. Jiang Yuan felt he must find a way to meet the Heavenly Teacher, though the latter might not want to see him.

But Jiang Yuan’s resolve to recognize him as a father surpassed even that of Shennong and Suiren.

After all, the Heavenly Teacher still controlled the Jie Sect.

More importantly, the Heavenly Teacher was free and could lend aid anytime!

Jiang Yuan indulged in a brief daydream.

“To elevate Gao Lanying to the Great Dao Golden Immortal realm requires 399 tyrant points,” the system responded flatly.

“How many tyrant points do I have now?” Jiang Yuan asked.

“256 points,” the system replied.

Jiang Yuan was stunned. After ascending to Golden Immortal, he had only 87 tyrant points left. The rate at which tyrant points grew was accelerating.

Still, he realized he was a pauper!

So poor! Jiang Yuan howled inwardly.