Chapter 649 — A Sense of Loss
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 5
In the imperial palace, many of the maids wore the wan, sallow look of the underfed, and their clothing was exceedingly plain; some were seated outside the door of the imperial kitchen, plucking vegetables, and watching them, Shen Mu was seized by the illusion that he had wandered into a vegetable market. Surely the State of Jingping was wealthy beyond question: the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping had opened two broad highways linking the Western Land and the Central Land, binding the West to Jingping, and trade flourished; Shen Mu had seen with his own eyes how the court, high and low, built bridges and paved roads and how the common folk lived in comfort. And yet the emperor and his palace had grown poor.
It must be the war in Taihuangtian that had drained the treasury, leaving the national coffers empty. The war in Taihuangtian was a bottomless pit; there was no economy to speak of out there, and once fighting began everything depended on Jingping as the great rear base, supplying Taihuangtian with baggage trains, military pay, grain and fodder, and primordial arms. What was more, the common people of Taihuangtian were migrating into Jingping without cease, and settling them, too, required money and grain from the treasury - no small expense.
No wonder Emperor Yanfeng, on learning that an alliance with the remnants of Chiming could turn a handsome profit, had been beside himself with delight and lost all decorum.
Before long Yan Zhigui came and said, "Your Majesty, the envoys have been settled in. May I ask, Your Majesty, how shall we conduct the negotiations with the envoys of Chiming? " Emperor Yanfeng handed Yan Zhigui the list Shen Mu had drawn up and said, "Negotiate according to the terms on this list.
And I will further grant the remnants of Chiming a place to dwell, open trading ports, break through roads - tower ships and flying carriages, everything they could wish for. " Yan Zhigui looked over the list and was startled; he glanced sidelong at Shen Mu and said, trembling, "Lord Shen, this list - you are not joking?
" Shen Mu said, "I am not joking.
Chi Xi will agree as well. These divine weapons and fine arms are of little real use to the remnants of Chiming; they have not the men to wield such things.
Lord Yan need remember only one point: it is they who have need of us, not we who have need of them. And one thing more - the Wheel of Creation must be obtained, by whatever means. " Yan Zhigui hurried off.
Emperor Yanfeng sighed with feeling: "For some time now reports of battle have come from Taihuangtian without pause. They set my blood racing and my heart in my throat by turns; I wished I could go to the front myself and slay the enemy.
The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping has compiled the cultivation methods of Taihuangtian, and I have pondered them long and gained a great deal - only that I cannot take the field myself leaves me with some regret. " Just as he spoke, a delighted voice rang out: "Oxherd! " Shen Mu looked toward the sound and said in surprise, "Sister Xiu! How have you come back from Taihuangtian?
" Ling Yuxiu came flying toward them; seeing Emperor Yanfeng standing right beside Shen Mu, she hastily slowed her pace, composed her face into something grave, and came forward with measured, dignified steps.
Emperor Yanfeng laughed: "There has been no great battle in Taihuangtian of late, so Xiu'er came home. I still have some state affairs to see to; I will go on ahead. " He walked away, turning his head from time to time to look back, and only when he saw that Shen Mu and Ling Yuxiu stood there without any excessive conduct did he leave at ease. The moment Ling Yuxiu saw him go, she seized Shen Mu's hand and strode forward, laughing: "Since my father became a god he has grown more and more imposing - only a little sneaky with it.
He is probably still hiding in some dark corner watching us.
Let us go to the imperial garden and shake him off!