Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 658 - 658 0425 Unfair

Chapter 658: Chapter 0425: Unfair Chapter 658: Chapter 0425: Unfair Chapter 0425: Injustice

Zhou Qingyu continued to share the details with Qi Tian. At first, Bei Rong Kingdom had no intentions of waging war against the Great Zhao Nation. They dispatched a diplomatic party with two demands: the first one was to expand the type and scale of trade between both nations, and the second one was tax reduction. However, the delegation was first received in the Capital City, where they were unable to meet with the Emperor and were avoided by the Crown Prince. Afterwards, they requested a meeting with the cabinet ministers, but were not granted even a mere token of approval by any of them. With anger in their hearts, the delegation returned to Baoding Prefecture. While residing in the Prefecture Government Office, the Bei Rong delegation requested to meet with the Prefecture Magistrate, hoping that he would discreetly facilitate the expansion of trade in terms of type and scale without acquiring consent from the Capital City. The delegation’s request was categorically rejected by the Prefecture Magistrate, leaving no room for further negotiation.

Bei Rong Kingdom, initially hopeful, but were thus all in vain. In a fit of anger, the Bei Rong royal family launched an attack after finding out that Yanming Pass was still guarded by merely five thousand soldiers. They dispatched an army of fifty thousand troops to lay siege on Yanming Pass.

Yanming Pass’s five-thousand-strong garrison was able to hold out for less than a day before its total annihilation. Upon the fall of Yanming Pass, the Bei Rong troops continued their campaign into Great Zhao, sweeping everything in their way until they reached Erding City.

With a frown hidden within, Qi Tian thought to himself that the initial demands posed by the Bei Rong delegates were not unreasonable. The expansion of trade would benefit both countries, and negotiations concerning tax reduction were not unreachable. If an agreement could be reached, perhaps this perennial enemy of Bei Rong could turn into an ally of Great Zhao Nation. However, such an excellent opportunity was missed due to the lack of accountability among the cabinet ministers of the Capital City. The Crown Prince, in particular, was serious adrift, neglecting such a serious national incident, only being consumed by fear of Prince Zhao usurping his position, showing not the least bit responsibility for a prospective ruler.

Qi Tian feels even more determined to replace the Crown Prince. Such a person staying in the position of Crown Prince is sure to bring no blessings to the Great Zhao. He might even cause bigger trouble in the future.

Qi Tian continued to ask, “Let’s not talk about the defending troops, why aren’t there any cultivators here?”

Zhou Qingyu sighed upon hearing this, “County Master may not know, but our Erding City hasn’t had a County Master Mansion for decades.”

“Impossible,” Qi Tian said in shock, “as far as I know, there is a County Master assigned to Erding City in the roster of the Taichang Temple. Isn’t the Taichang Temple supposed to allocate large amounts of money and cultivation resources to the County Master Mansion every year? Have you not seen these resources?”

Zhou Qingyu replied, “I have been in Erding City for over a decade. I dare not speak for the time before my tenure, but during my tenure, I have never heard of a County Master Mansion or seen the funds and cultivation resources allocated by the Taichang Temple.”

“How is that possible?” Qi Tian looked incredulous.

Zhou Qingyu seemed hesitant to speak. Qi Tian asked, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Zhou Qingyu then said, “I heard that it’s not just Erding City, there are several cities that are supposed to have a County Master Mansion, but in reality, they do not. I’m not sure if there’s something fishy going on. What I do know is that there are some commanders in our army who would create phantom positions. Once the salaries are paid from above, these funds fall directly into their pockets.”

“Drawing salaries for phantom positions?” Qi Tian furrowed his brows.

Zhou Qingyu lowered his head and dared not continue speaking on this subject.

Qi Tian continued, “Even if there’s no County Master Mansion here, couldn’t you have gathered some money to invite some cultivators for support?”

Zhou Qingyu forced a smile, “This place is poverty-stricken and doesn’t have much money. We also haven’t received any military pay for the last three months, so there isn’t much we could chip in. Moreover, even if we had the money, I wouldn’t know where to invite cultivators from. I did send people to the County Master Mansion for help, but none of them have since returned.”

Qi Tian nodded, now more or less aware of the basic situation. Due to either the knowledge that the Great Zhao’s cultivators won’t be deployed, or the desire not to escalate the warfare, the Bei Rong didn’t send cultivators to join the war.

“Alright, I roughly understand the situation now. General Zhou…”

“I am at the County Master’s disposal,” Zhou Qingyu quickly responded.

Qi Tian spoke, “Since I happened to be here this time, I will help you drive off the Bei Rong people. After they retreat, you need to undertake the responsibility of defending this land, quickly organize the soldiers to retake Yanming Pass, and send people to guard it properly. As for Erding City, you need to guard it well. As for the lack of a County Master Mansion in Erding City, I will find a way to solve it. I believe that it won’t take too much time.”

Zhou Qingyu appeared to be in a difficult position. With the Bei Rong army on their doorstep, he was already struggling to defend Erding City. On top of that, Qi Tian was now asking him to prepare to guard Yanming Pass – was this a joke? Even disregarding this, he was only a thousand household official and had not more than a thousand soldiers who could fight. It would be daunting enough to defend a county, let alone taking charge of Yanming Pass. This young County Master really had a sense of humor.

Qi Tian knew why Zhou Qingyu was hesitant. With a wave of his hand, several large chests appeared on the ground. Qi Tian walked over and opened each box, one by one, revealing a room full of bright silver splendor. These chests were part of the treasure Qi Tian had whisked away from the Chi Di royal court treasury. Every chest contained fifty thousand taels of silver, a total of four chests amounting to two hundred thousand taels of silver.