Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 1175 - 1175 54 Meng Shuais Military Records Complete

Chapter 1175: Chapter 54 Meng Shuai’s Military Records Complete [2 in 1]_3 Chapter 1175: Chapter 54 Meng Shuai’s Military Records Complete [2 in 1]_3 Great Qin gave Meng Fang a great deal of face, leading civil and military officials twenty miles out of the city to welcome him.

Flags and banners filled the scene, fluttering in the wind!

“My great minister has returned!”

The Qin Emperor laughed heartily, striding forward like a dragon or tiger, and reached out to support Meng Fang who was about to bow, “General, you have worked hard in the battles!”

“It is my duty.”

Meng Fang responded indifferently, “Entrusted by Your Majesty, I led the troops for three years. With Your Majesty’s trust and the soldiers’ dedication, we have been fortunate enough not to fail our mission and I have come to report back today.”

With that, he presented the Dragon Seal Sky Sword.

“Today, I report back!”

“Good! Good! Good!”

The Qin Emperor exclaimed thrice in approval, then laughed heartily and waved his hand as Shi Hongzhen, the chief steward, hurried forward to collect the military tokens and precious sword.

The Qin Emperor personally held Meng Fang’s arm and said, “You have united the world, your meritorious service is immense. For this return to the capital, you shall ride with me!”

“I dare not! I would not dare to die ten thousand times over!”

Meng Fang firmly refused and absolutely would not accept.

The Qin Emperor was also agreeable and changed to the highest form of ceremonial reception for a commander returning to court.

“You are too cautious, my lord. Those soldiers who fought for the country can also be brought back so that I can have a good look at the loyal and courageous men of Great Qin and reward them accordingly.”

“Your Majesty places too much importance on this, the soldiers have traveled and the aura of fierce battles has not yet dissipated; meeting hastily, I fear it might offend the nobles.”

Meng Fang said, “As for the merits and contributions, they have been duly recorded and will not be overlooked.”

The Qin Emperor joked with a smile, “The General is too cautious. After all, I have also fought a few battles and though I dare not claim to be an ‘Emperor on horseback’, I have personally witnessed the smoke of war.”

“Yes, Your Majesty’s awe-inspiring presence ensures that Great Qin is invincible in battle,” Meng Fang replied.

At this moment, a person behind the Qin Emperor interjected lightly, “Does the General mean that because of His Majesty’s awe, the General’s merit can be overlooked?”

This sudden remark truly astounded everyone.

The disdain in it was almost undisguised.

Taken aback by this turn of events, Meng Fang momentarily paused, then asked, “And who is this?”

“I am but a humble Court Counselor, Lv Shi Yun.”

Meng Fang inquired indifferently, “May I know what your official rank is?”

Lv Shi Yun’s face changed.

This statement from Meng Fang was tantamount to saying he did not recognize his superiors.

In Great Qin, military achievements are highly valued, and the rewards for military service far exceed other considerations, and the General of Qin country, ranked equal with the chief civil servant, far exceeds that of Lv Shi Yun’s court counselor. By so rudely interjecting, Lv Shi Yun was indeed showing a lack of respect for propriety.

But Lv Shi Yun, considering himself highly favored by the Qin Emperor in recent years, regarded himself very highly, how could he respect a mere warrior?

Moreover, now that the world was united under one ruler, weapons should be stored away and horses released to pasture; even if you are called a General, there is no use for battle now. What more could you do?

A general without battles is like a tiger without claws. Especially you, Meng Fang, without any family background, merely a rustic fellow from the hinterlands, what is there to fear from you?

“The general does cut quite a figure.”

Lv Shi Yun said mockingly, “No wonder you dare to have His Majesty come out of the city to greet you.”

Meng Fang laughed upon hearing this and said, “I am ordered by the decree to return to the court, a day of great joy; I would not want to spoil His Majesty’s pleasure.”

The Qin Emperor frowned and said, “Dr. Lv, hold your tongue.”

“Yes.”

Lv Shi Yun bowed and withdrew, his purpose achieved.

These brawling warriors are indeed prone to provocation.

As expected, another civil servant spoke out, “If the General were to spoil His Majesty’s pleasure, what then?”

Meng Fang responded calmly, “As a veteran of a hundred battles, serving my Emperor to unite the world, today I return to court jubilant and excited; how could I dare ruin His Majesty’s joy?”

“The General speaks rather boldly!”

Lv Shi Yun couldn’t help but add another phrase.

Meng Fang’s hand pressed against the hilt of his sword as he said coldly, “My sword is even bolder; would you like to try it?”

The Qin Emperor’s expression darkened as he shouted, “Lv Shi Yun! Who gave you the audacity to mock a veteran on the day the army returns to court?!”

“I am guilty!”

Lv Shi Yun knelt down.

The Qin Emperor, holding onto Meng Fang, said, “General, do not be angry; today is a day of joy.”

Meng Fang responded heavily, “I dare not; I am apprehensive.”

The soldiers behind Meng Fang all kept their mouths tightly shut, desperately suppressing their temper.

They nearly wished they could rush forward and hack these two old fools to pieces!

But it was truly not suitable to cause a scene today.

Meng Fang also did his best to suppress the anger in his heart.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t suppress it, but that he deliberately chose to do so.

Now that the situation was clear, it was evident that the Qin Emperor was testing him, something Meng Fang was well aware of.

Otherwise, under no circumstances today would it have been Lv Shi Yun’s turn to speak.

Or it might be said that at the very first word from Lv Shi Yun, the Qin Emperor should have stopped him, or even killed him with one sword strike.

Meng Fang chose to actively engage and confront Lv Shi Yun, not yielding an inch; although it seemed reckless,

it was actually the best self-preservation strategy at the moment—as a military commander, the less scheming and less ambitious you are, the more favored you are by the monarch!

Moreover, Meng Fang himself did not covet power. If it were not for considering the future of his subordinates, he might have torn off the mask and killed him with one sword strike.

His gaze swept around, searching, and immediately spotted that dazzling red attire!

Among the crowd outside the city, Yu Rou, dressed in red, was gazing at him tearfully.

Yu Rou and Meng Fang had been married for years but had mostly been apart. Shortly after their wedding, they were plotted against, separated for many long years—a wait of three years upon three years, night and day longing for her husband’s return.