King Liqin's words were sudden and did not seem to have anything to do with Fang Zhengzhi's sword. However, Fang Zhengzhi understood what he was saying.
He thought back to the first time he held the Traceless Sword in the World of the Sage. That stunning strike and the curse that followed him for the rest of his life. Fang Zhengzhi suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia.
"Life is what I want, righteousness is what I want. If I cannot have both, I will sacrifice my life for righteousness." This was a famous saying by Mencius. Fang Zhengzhi used it to describe the Sagely Battle God Meng Tian sacrificing his sword for righteousness.
"Hmm?" When King Liqin heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, his murky eyes lit up. Then, a warm smile appeared on his wrinkled face. "I thought Your Majesty had obtained a good sword, but I didn't expect you to obtain someone who knows how to use the sword! Good, what a good 'sacrifice for righteousness'. Very good! "
All of the officials were confused when they heard King Liqin's words. They did not understand what King Liqin and Fang Zhengzhi were talking about.
Fang Zhengzhi presented the sword, but King Liqin did not comment on it. He merely said, "So that's how it is." Then, Fang Zhengzhi used the phrase "sacrificing one's life for righteousness". Finally, King Liqin actually said "good" three times.
What was going on?
Ever since the late Emperor ascended to the throne, he had been living in peace and had never cared about the state of the court. But today, he suddenly appeared in the court. This was already a strange thing. Now, he strangely praised Fang Zhengzhi for no reason.
This scene left all the civil and military officials in the imperial court in bewilderment and shock.
Then, something even more shocking happened. After Prince Liqin said this, he actually ….
Left!
Chi Guyan also left with him.
King Liqin didn't take the sword from Fang Zhengzhi. He didn't even take another look at it before turning to leave. Most importantly, he had a satisfied expression on his face.
Didn't he say that he liked swords?
What was going on now?
And why did Chi Guyan leave? What was her motive for coming to court? She did not say a word. All she did was stay by King Liqin's side.
She was like a spectator.
But... Chi Guyan was wearing the official robe of the Great Xia Dynasty. She was wearing a Roc Golden Crown on her head. Therefore, it was impossible for her to just be a spectator.
He was not a spectator, but he left without saying a word …
The civil and military officials all looked at each other, most of them unable to understand what was going on. Only a few people had a glimmer in their eyes. Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was one of them.
"Double Dragon Roll Champion, shocking the world!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping narrowed his eyes. "She can sway the Emperor's heart without saying a word. Who will she support in this fight for the throne?"
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping did not speak further. He could see the emotions in Emperor Lin Mubai's eyes. He could understand. How could the high and mighty Emperor not see through it?
Although Prince Li of the First Rank's words were unclear, the meaning behind his words was clear. He had obtained a sword, and there was someone who understood swords. Then, it was obvious who this person was.
Moreover, there was Chi Guyan's position. Although she did not say a word, she was standing in the Imperial Court. Her position was clear as well.
"Fang Zhengzhi, you have contributed greatly today. You have also killed the Vice Domain Chief of the Demon Race, Ying Shan, and saved my Princess Ping Yang and dozens of elites of the Great Xia Dynasty. All of the officials in the Imperial Court are asking for rewards for you. I cannot be too stingy. Today, I will make you the 'Sword Envoy' of the Great Xia Dynasty and give you a thousand gold coins. In the future, you will wield this sword. Raise the prestige of the Great Xia Dynasty! "
Emperor Lin Mubai's voice rang out at this moment. Everything seemed to be within Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's expectations. Unexpectedly, Emperor Lin Mubai gave Fang Zhengzhi the position of Sword Envoy.
A position that had never been recorded in the Ministry of Manpower …
As such, the meaning behind this was quite intriguing.
When the civil and military officials heard Emperor Lin Mubai's words, they all had different expressions on their faces. Some were jealous, some were smirking, some were envious, some were mocking …
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but … can I ask a few questions?" Fang Zhengzhi did not look at the expressions on the faces of the officials. He was most concerned about whether he would be restricted as an official.
If there were too many restrictions, could he resign?
"You are now the Sword Envoy. You cannot address yourself as a commoner. You have to address yourself as an official!" Emperor Lin Mubai's expression showed a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Yes, may I ask a few questions?"
"Go ahead."
"What is the role of the Sword Envoy?"
"You will wield this sword and raise the prestige of the Great Xia Dynasty. Your most important duty is to protect this sword on my behalf." When Emperor Lin Mubai said this, he paused for a moment. Then, he continued, "Furthermore … you will be able to enter and leave the palace freely and remonstrate with me!"
When Fang Zhengzhi heard this, he more or less understood.
This so-called Sword Envoy was actually just a person in charge of the sword. As for the fact that he could freely enter and leave the palace and directly admonish the Emperor, it was probably just a pretense. If he really carried this sword around the palace every day, he might be treated as an assassin and killed.
However, this was in line with Fang Zhengzhi's personality. Not having to do anything, he could still be an official. Even if he did not do anything, he could still be an official. Wait a minute, he did not even know what rank this Sword Envoy was.
"I have one last question."
"Go ahead."
"This Sword Envoy … what rank is he?" Fang Zhengzhi did not have high expectations for the Sword Envoy. A guard of the sword would at most be a rank seven official. He might even be a rank nine official.
However, when Emperor Lin Mubai heard Fang Zhengzhi's question, he fell silent.
All of the officials looked at each other when they heard this. They all knew that this was not an easy question to answer.
The position of Sword Envoy had never appeared in the Ministry of Manpower before. This meant that this was not an official position. At the very least, this position would not affect the politics of the court.
However, the rank of this position was difficult to decide.
If it was set too low, it would be disrespectful to Sagely Battle God Meng Tian. However, if it was set too high, it would be inappropriate for Fang Zhengzhi's current status.
A commoner who had just passed the Imperial Examinations could become a rank one or two official in the courts? This was not possible.
"Rank four!" Emperor Lin Mubai gritted his teeth and said after a moment of silence.
"Rank four? Thank you, your highness! " Fang Zhengzhi did not expect himself to become a Rank Four official in the blink of an eye. He was surprised.
However, all of the officials' jaws dropped in shock.
Rank four...
This was a really important official in the imperial court. Normally, even a Prefectural Governor of a Prefecture City would only have a Rank 5 official rank. Even a Prefecture City like the Golden Scale City of the Northern Desert would only have a Rank 4 official rank.
Rank four was slightly low compared to Sagely Battle God Meng Tian's sword in the Great Xia Dynasty. However, to a commoner who had just passed the Imperial Examinations...
This was something that had never happened before in the history of the Great Xia Dynasty.
One step and he was already a rank four official. This was a position that many people had spent years or even decades trying to reach. How could they not be shocked?
"Congratulations Brother Fang, you are now the Sword Envoy!" Xing Qingsui's face was pale, but he still bowed to Fang Zhengzhi.
"Thank you!" Fang Zhengzhi returned the bow.
He rarely said these two words to anyone. However, Xing Qingsui's willingness to enter the palace to ask for the sword for him, despite his injuries, surprised him.
Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu also came forward to congratulate him.
All of the other officials looked at each other and came forward to congratulate Fang Zhengzhi.
Of course, they were not here to curry favor with him. Those who were able to establish themselves in the Imperial Court were at least rank four officials. However, this was a form of etiquette. It was the etiquette of the Great Xia Dynasty. How could they not know the etiquette involved?
Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi was no longer a commoner. He was a rank four official of the Great Xia Dynasty. More importantly, what was Emperor Lin Mubai thinking?
No one could guess.
King Duan clenched his fists tightly, his gaze cold. Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's gaze was equally dark, as though it was about to drip water.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's expression did not change much. He walked over to Fang Zhengzhi's side and praised Fang Zhengzhi for his achievements.
This was somewhat surprising. Only those who knew Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping would know that Yu Yiping wanted to kill Fang Zhengzhi in such a manner.
"Hmph, what's so great about him? He's just a primary fourth rank …" Ping Yang raised her head high as if she was extremely disdainful. However, there was a faint glimmer of light in her clear eyes …
...
The wind in the capital had stopped. Rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and landed on the ground. It was a nice day.
However...
Far from the capital, there was a new storm in the Northern Lands.
Cang Ling Mountain was the largest mountain in the Northern Lands. It was poor and backward, but there were tens of villages and thousands of households at the foot of Cang Ling Mountain.
These villagers relied on the mountains to make a living. They stood aloof from worldly affairs and were hardworking and simple.
Many of them had never left these villages in their lives. Their only wish was to live. To the Great Xia Dynasty, the survival of these villagers was not as important.
Platoons of armored soldiers arrived at these villages. They held shining spears in their hands, their armor emblazoned with the Great Xia Dynasty's insignia.
"Seal the mountain!"
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