Chapter 263: h.o.a.rd As Rare Commodity

Translator:

Myuu

Editor:

Myuu

“Is there really a person with such valor and vigor?” Eunuch Xue stood up unconsciously after listening to Eunuch Liu’s account. He stared at Eunuch Liu with a shocked expression and his voice rose two pitches higher, “That Yan Liqiang is just fifteen years old based on Lord Sun’s previous explanations…”

“If I didn’t see it with my own eyes and experience it first hand, I would never believe that a fifteen-year-old youth could actually possess such extraordinary power. The thirty-foot-long metal pole which weighed more than a thousand jin looked like a normal wooden pole in his hands as he jabbed that thing toward me with a whoosh. I was careless and almost fell to it in just one move. This is true, raw power that no stratagem can win against. Even if my cultivation base is higher than his, he has already closed the gap between our cultivation levels with just his power at that precise moment…” Eunuch Liu lifted up his wrist while explaining to Eunuch Xue as he rolled up his sleeves, “Look at this, Big Brother. My wrist is still somewhat swollen ever since I received the bludgeon of his pole from that time!”

Eunuch Liu was an elder of the imperial palace who had the ability to handle situations with ease due to his bountiful experience. As soon as he arrived at the imperial palace from Deer Villa, he was able to meet Eunuch Xue in one of the private rooms in the Directorate for Royal Apparel after a brief notice. What the outsiders didn’t know was that both Eunuch Liu and Eunuch Xue entered the palace together when they were very young. Even though they were eunuchs, they had been helping and relying on each other throughout their lives as brothers. Additionally, both of them were trusted by the Emperor. Their relations.h.i.+p was also considered quite special.

“When Lord Sun came to us that day, he only said that this youth was a person of great potential. Amongst the youths, he is considered to be a rare talent who is meticulous, loyal, and trustworthy. Lord Sun did not mention that this youth would have such a capability like this…”

“If Lord Sun knows about it, we won’t be discussing this topic now. I believe that Lord Sun doesn’t even know Yan Liqiang possesses such capability. Otherwise, Lord Sun would have kept him by his side. With a little bit of guidance, he will be bound for greater purposes. Lord Sun would never let him leave that easily and ask other people to give him a new job…”

“Then, my brother, what you mean is…”

“Isn’t this the reason why I came to discuss this with you right now? With the treacherous ministers and traitors led by Lin Qingtian dominating the current political situation in Imperial Capital, they have been casting hostile eyes at the Emperor while pressuring him. You and I clearly know about the situation regarding the Emperor. At this moment, the Emperor is trying to bring in people of talent. Big Brother, you haven’t seen it with your own eyes. But if you did see it, you will know that even peerless and exalted champions who already exist in this world might just be mediocre at the age of fifteen. We have pledged our loyalty to the Emperor, so it is natural for us to think of a way to keep this kind of peerless talent for him. This kind of person is spectacular at just the age of fifteen. I know he will not bite back at the Emperor even after ten years pa.s.sed by…”

“Brother, what you’re saying is that we should put in more consideration on behalf of the Emperor due to our pledged loyalty to him. Otherwise, when those treacherous rebels manage to usurp the throne, we will surely not be allowed to live!” Eunuch Xue solemnly nodded, “What’s Yan Liqiang’s current job at Deer Villa?”

“He is a superintendent of the archery range but as a sinecure awarded as the Yingyang Commandant!”

“As you said, a Yingyang Commandant’s position is indeed a little too low. He is a dime a dozen amongst the Imperial Cavalry Unit!” Eunuch Xue creased a frown on his forehead and began pacing around the room, “With both of our abilities, it will not be a problem to promote Yan Liqiang a few positions higher within the Imperial Cavalry Unit. However, if we truly wish to win his heart and make him truly useful for the Emperor, I’m afraid we still have to properly plan and prepare first…”

“Whatever we can give to him, Lin Qingtian and his accomplices will be able to do the same as well, or perhaps more than what we are capable of, simply because he is a person of high position with privileges. On top of that, he was able to make connections with several true heroes and peerless warriors too. What he thinks might be rare now might not be scarce in the future. In my opinion, Yan Liqiang is young, kind, and affectionate. He even brought his dog along to travel from Gan Province to the Imperial Capital. Unable to part with it, he even came to me to ask for pardon on behalf of his dog. Right now, he is alone and has no one to depend on. Now is the right time to allow him to return. If we let this moment slip by, I fear it might be too late when he truly rises to the top one day!” At this point, he clenched his teeth before he continued, “I’m saying this only to you, Big Brother. I feel that it is best if the Emperor could handle this matter personally. You must not delay this any longer and avoid stirring up more trouble. Under the grace of heaven, the young man will not be completely indifferent and harbor deep grat.i.tude toward you!”

……

After an hour had pa.s.sed, Eunuch Xue realized that the man sitting behind the imperial desk had a new, bizarre expression on his face as he was personally giving his account on Yan Liqiang’s matters in the royal study with proficiency. He had no idea whether the man was delighted or angry while listening to his report. As Eunuch Xue continued to look at the expression in the man’s eyes, his felt his chest begin to tighten. He did not dare to continue the rest of his account from there on.

After all, the man sitting in front of him was the Emperor. Even if Eunuch Xue had become audacious, he would not dare to teach this man how to run things around here.

“Alright, I understand…” That man finally put down the memorial in his hands after a long while and said in a calm tone, “It’s good that you and Liu Tao are both exceedingly faithful to me. You even paid close attention to those with useful talent outside of the palace for me too!”

“This is my duty!” Eunuch Xue stared at the wood grains of the lacquered floor in the royal study without the slightest courage to lift up his head, “I am Your Majesty’s eyes and ears. Whatever your faithful servant sees or hears, Your Majesty will the notified of everything. Your Majesty conquers all corners of the land, so the heroes and champions of the world are your subjects. Naturally, they should be of service to you!”

“Alright, I understand. Step down…” The Emperor had an indifferent expression on his face as he waved his hand lightly to Eunuch Xue.

“Understood. Your humble servant will take his leave!” Eunuch Xue moved backward and headed toward the door to leave the royal study.

“Wait a moment!” The Emperor swept his gaze toward Eunuch Xue’s head of silver hair and surveyed him for a while. Suddenly, he sighed, “When you and Liu Tao first came to serve me, both of you were still in your early youths. Now, both of you have gray hairs all over your head. Later, I will have the imperial physician deliver some Qingwu Pills to you. Give Liu Tao some when you see him. Take care of your bodies, both of you. I am still young, so you aren’t allowed to be old just yet…”

Tears abruptly flowed down on Eunuch Xue’s cheeks. He bowed deeply the man behind the imperial desk and sobbed, “Your humble servant… thanks Your Majesty…”

……

It wasn’t until Eunuch Xue left the royal study that the Emperor’s calm expression began to morph into a complex one, perhaps with a hint of excitement. What Eunuch Xue didn’t see just now was the tightened fist that the Emperor had placed below the imperial desk when he spoke about Yan Liqiang. It was only now that the Emperor was able to relax his fist.

The Emperor faced one of the windows in the royal study and gazed into the distance. That distance was where Deer Villa was situated.

“Can this be what they call an awl-point finding its way out of the bag? It’s only been a month and you have already shown your capability and talents. At first I intended on paying you a visit after a few months, but looking at the situation now, I don’t think that’s possible anymore. Well, it’s fine if it’s ahead of the antic.i.p.ated time. If we are to go with the flow, then so be it…” The Emperor muttered to himself while revealing a faint smile on his lips. He was feeling exceptionally good at this moment because he was finally somewhat convinced. G.o.d was still taking his side after all…

……

Just as Eunuch Liu’s carriage was rolling out of the Imperial Capital, Lu Peien was just opening the curtains of his carriage to look at the humongous city wall of the Imperial Capital and its hustling large crowds. He then ordered the coachman, “After you enter the city, turn right and go to the Gan Provincial Guild Hall first…”

The two carriages pa.s.sed by each other at the gates to the city…