After reading this secret letter, Suo Lun could not help but smile!
He had once told Zhi Yan that he wanted to put Jian Ze to good use, and it all depended on whether Jian Ze knew how to conduct himself.
At that time, when Zhi Li was fleeing, neither Jian Yong nor Jian Ning had run away. Instead, they had voluntarily surrendered to Suo Lun. Not only that, Jian Yong had even voluntarily gone south to Tian Lang Pass to persuade Jian Ze to surrender, and Suo Lun had agreed.
He had never expected such an outcome.
Jian Ze had actually demanded that Suo Lun personally come to recruit him, and that he must visit the thatched cottage three times.
Suo Lun laughed soundlessly again and again. Jian Ning quickly put down his chopsticks, stood up, and bowed respectfully.
Suo Lun said, “When Zhi Li was recruiting your uncle Jian Ze back then, did he stand outside his courtyard for three days?”
Jian Ning said in a trembling voice, “Yes!”
Suo Lun said, “Zhi Li truly did show respect for the worthy and thirst for talent. Do you think Zhi Li was a wise ruler?”
Jian Ning was instantly so frightened that he shuddered, and immediately knelt on the ground, saying, “Zhi Li was a muddle-headed person. How could he compare to even one ten-thousandth of Lord Suo Lun!”
Suo Lun continued, “Is showing respect for the worthy and thirsting for talent a quality and posture that a wise ruler ought to possess?”
Jian Ning kowtowed and said, “It, it is not necessarily so. So-called respect for the worthy is more often the mark of a hypocritical ruler.”
“Jian Ning, you truly know how to speak.” Suo Lun smiled, then his gaze turned to Mentor Ni Ya.
Ni Ya lowered her gaze and continued to enjoy the food. In any case, everything before her had nothing to do with her.
Suo Lun had invited her to dinner to help her vent her anger. At this moment she was already quite happy inside, and was not concerned with the matters Suo Lun was speaking of. She did not even care whether the Jian family would be put to good use in the future.
After all, she was a kind woman. Having seen the ugly state of her former husband Jian Ning, all her anger had dissipated.
Suo Lun said, “For thousands of years, a saying has circulated: as a ruler, one must be close to worthy ministers and distant from petty men! Mentor Ni Ya, how do you think one distinguishes between petty men and worthy ministers?”
Ni Ya rested her chin on her hand and said, “Petty men are probably those who become officials through flattery and sycophancy. Worthy ministers are probably those who become officials through real ability.”
Suo Lun smiled, “A certain person named Wei Xiao Bao once said that all those who know how to flatter are petty men. All worthy ministers with real ability do not know how to flatter. The Southwest Legion commander Jian Ze has never known how to flatter, and is very poor at conducting himself! When Jian Yong went to persuade him to surrender to me, guess what Jian Ze said?”
Jian Ning immediately prostrated himself completely on the ground, not moving a muscle.
Suo Lun said, “Jian Ze said, let me visit the thatched cottage three times, and personally go to invite him.”
The moment these words were spoken, Jian Ning immediately kowtowed repeatedly, saying in a trembling voice, “Lord, please forgive me! Lord, please forgive me!”
Suo Lun said, “Jian Ze has always prided himself on only doing things, not conducting himself, and even less on performing. He detests performing. Now it seems he does not detest performing, but rather detests performing himself. Instead, he likes watching others perform for him!”
Was not the so-called visiting the thatched cottage three times and showing respect for the worthy, to a large extent, merely performing?
Suo Lun’s words were already spoken with extreme harshness. Jian Ning was already kneeling on the ground, trembling.
Suo Lun said, “What kind of person am I? I also do not like performing. Even at the most difficult times, I was unwilling to perform to entertain others. Now is precisely the time when I am riding high, so of course I am even less willing. However, there is one good thing about me, and that is I will not force others to perform for me. If you are willing to perform, I am also willing to watch. If you are not willing to perform, I will not blame you!”
“Your humble servant is willing, your humble servant is willing!” Jian Ning kowtowed repeatedly.
Suo Lun said, “If a person possesses noble moral character without any stain, then even if he makes some unreasonable demand of me, I have no qualification to kill him. But if someone is not clean himself, and still dares to climb all over my face, then I will certainly kill. Your uncle Jian Ze does have some ability, but it is merely passable. As for moral character? Lower-middle grade. It is just that my hands are truly empty and I have no one. After the kingdom’s southward expansion ended, the Fury Wave Kingdom has been at peace for almost several decades, and no genius military stars have emerged. When there are no heroes, mediocre men become famous. Your uncle Jian Ze has gained some slight reputation, but…… one cannot regard oneself as a thousand-li horse, do you agree?”
At this moment Jian Ning was truly so frightened that his entire body was trembling. In his heart he hated his uncle Jian Ze to the extreme.
You despicable clown, we placed the hope of our family’s glory and wealth upon you. And what did you do? You actually started putting on airs.
How did those civil officials of the Southeast Province die? How was Yan Wu Zhi slapped in the face again and again, and finally knelt before Suo Lun to pledge loyalty?
Yan Wu Zhi was a civil official. After kneeling and kowtowing, the matter was over.
But Jian Ze was a military official, one who was to lead troops, one who was to grasp the tools of violence. Once he was no longer of use, there was only one consequence, and that was death!
Bastard, an utterly stupid bastard!
The Dragon Guard Legion commander! The Fury Wave Kingdom’s de facto number one military officer! Just like that, it was lost!
The Jian family’s chance to become a top-ranking noble family had just slipped away. Jian Ze, you deserve to die. You should be torn into ten thousand pieces!
Father Jian Yong had not hesitated to give his own concubine to Zhi Li to play with. He, Jian Ning, because of a single word from Zhi Li, could only obediently agree to send his wife Ni Ya to him. Who knew how heart-wrenching that had been for him at the time.
But for the strength of the family, he could make any sacrifice.
You, Jian Ze, are so remarkable, demanding that Suo Lun come to pay his respects to you, to beg you? Who the hell do you think you are? You are merely a fierce dog raised by the royal family. It is just that the leash has changed from the king to Zhi Li, and now to Suo Lun.
At this moment, truly no words could describe the grief and anger in Jian Ning’s heart.
“Be close to worthy ministers, distant from petty men!” Suo Lun recited once more, then said, “Jian Ning, are you a petty man?”
Jian Ning immediately kowtowed and said, “Yes, your humble servant is a petty man. But I strive to be a capable petty man, one who can share worries and toil for the lord, and establish merit and achievement.”
The phrase “be close to worthy ministers, distant from petty men” comes from Zhuge Liang’s “Former Memorial on the Expedition.”
This phrase is both right and wrong!
From Zhuge Liang’s perspective, it is naturally right. From the hearts of literati and scholars, it is naturally right as well, because they can very much identify with the worthy ministers.
But from the ruler’s perspective, this phrase is not necessarily so correct. Where in this world are there so many worthy ministers and gentlemen?
Sometimes, petty men are much more useful than worthy ministers!
“Jian Ning, shall I give you a chance?” Suo Lun said, “You go to the Southwest Legion, and continue to be your commander of ten thousand cavalry. But your future achievements will depend on your performance!”
The moment these words were spoken, Jian Ning was overjoyed. He desperately kowtowed to Suo Lun, directly knocking his head until it was covered in blood.
No words could express the wild joy in his heart at this moment. Although he was still a commander of ten thousand cavalry, he was an exceedingly intelligent person, and immediately caught the implication in Suo Lun’s words.
If you perform well, in ten years you, Jian Ning, will be the commander of the Southwest Legion.
“Your servant Jian Ning is willing to pledge loyalty to the lord for generation after generation. If I violate this, may heaven strike me down and earth destroy me.” Jian Ning said tearfully.
Back then, Jian Ning had also sworn thus to Zhi Li.
As a result, after Zhi Li was defeated, he immediately defected to Suo Lun and swore thus to Suo Lun.
But Suo Lun would not hold it against him. When water is too clear, there are no fish. When a person is too scrutinising, there are no followers.
Life is like a play, all depending on acting skills. They are neither your wife nor your family. Why should they lay their hearts bare to you?
Furthermore, if Zhi Li had not been defeated, how could Jian Ning have betrayed him?
“Come, let us go meet this uncle Jian Ze of yours.” Suo Lun said.
Jian Ning was startled, then bowed and said, “Yes!”
Immediately, Suo Lun, Zhi Yan, Zhuang Zhi Xuan, Jian Ning, Tu Li Wen and others mounted griffin beasts and headed for Tian Lang Pass!
And at this moment, through the deliberate spreading by certain people, the Southwest Legion and the so-called Southeast Punitive Army had already learned the news of Zhi Li’s great defeat. The entire military camp was in a state of panic!
……
After more than an hour, Suo Lun and the others descended at Jian Ze’s great camp!
Jian Ze was an arrogant person, and his central army tent was also outstanding and unique, built upon a mountain. Every time he walked out of the tent, he could look down upon the several hundred thousand troops below.
Hearing the sound of the griffin, Marquis Jian Yong immediately rushed out. Seeing Suo Lun and Zhi Yan in person, he could not help but be startled, then immediately knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed to the earth, not moving a muscle. He did not even exchange any greeting with his son Jian Ning!
Why had Suo Lun come to Jian Ze’s great camp?
He wanted to give Jian Ze one last chance, just as he had said, he truly lacked people at hand. Jian Ze’s ability was merely so-so in Suo Lun’s eyes, but when choosing a general from among short people, one picks the tallest! After a long period of peace, where could one find so many famous generals?
If there truly were someone as awesome as A Shi Mo at his peak, Suo Lun would not hesitate to visit the thatched cottage three times.
If there were a perfect famous general like Father Suo Long, Suo Lun would be willing to play the grandson.
After learning of Suo Long’s deeds, Suo Lun truly only wanted to curse in his heart, fool! But when he became the lord himself, he truly yearned day and night for a perfect commander like Suo Long!
Count Suo Long, his martial prowess was no less than Tu Ling Tuo’s, and his military achievements were even greater. But he did not grasp for power, nor was he greedy for wealth. He was brave, upright, powerful, and loyal.
But every time a military campaign ended, he immediately returned to Tian Shui City, not taking a single soldier with him.
In these several decades, apart from the Rouran great war, the Fury Wave Kingdom had not experienced any other large-scale military affairs. But there were constant small frictions with neighbouring countries, and the barbarian tribes had also several times penetrated deep into the kingdom’s territory to plunder, burn, and kill.
Every time the king asked Tu Ling Tuo to dispatch troops, certain benefits had to be given, either promoting his family members in rank, or increasing his fief, or augmenting his military power.
And every time the king asked Suo Long to dispatch troops, there was never any need to promise any conditions. He could always complete the king’s tasks properly and satisfactorily, and actively conserved the nation’s resources, using the smallest price to exchange for the greatest victory. After triumphantly returning, he immediately handed over military power and returned to the Tian Shui City fief.
The king wanted to promote Count Suo Long in rank, but every time it was pushed aside by him using the kingdom’s ancestral system. So despite establishing magnificent military achievements, he was still a count at the time of his death. And Tu Ling Tuo was already a duke, still thinking of being promoted to kingly rank.
At the time of his death, Count Suo Long still only had a little over ten thousand Tian Shui City guards in hand. And Tu Ling Tuo already controlled five to six hundred thousand troops.
Count Suo Long was an old-school noble who was so upright as to be almost pedantic.
Nowadays there was one person somewhat similar to him, and that was the City Lord of Luan Yang, Tu Li Wen.
Of course, whether in martial prowess, military talent, or even moral character, Tu Li Wen was far inferior to Suo Long. But compared to others, Tu Li Wen was already exceedingly rare and precious.
The reason Suo Lun had brought Tu Li Wen along was that he wanted to replicate the trajectory of his father Count Suo Long, and let him take command of the Southwest Legion.
Of course, he was still willing to give Count Jian Ze one chance.
Now, as long as Jian Ze voluntarily came out to kneel and pledge loyalty, then Suo Lun and Zhi Yan’s trip would be regarded as showing respect for the worthy, a personal visit.
And if Jian Ze was foolish and continued to put on airs, then……
……
After descending from the griffin beast, Suo Lun stood outside the central army tent, quietly motionless.
Marquis Jian Yong immediately shouted loudly, “Jian Ze, Princess Zhi Yan and Lord Suo Lun have come in person. This is a heavenly grace. Quickly come and kneel in obeisance!”
Inside the central army tent, Jian Ze’s breathing became rapid. He was instantly so excited that his face flushed red and his heart beat wildly.
He had gambled correctly. Not only had Suo Lun come personally, but even the future queen had come. Thus, his, Jian Ze’s, prestige would spread throughout the entire Fury Wave Kingdom.
The other commanders on the battlefield, whether Tu Ling Tuo or Chu Ye, presumably all went to kneel before Suo Lun on their own initiative, selling themselves in allegiance.
Only he, Jian Ze, because of his dazzling military achievements, had caused the two lords to come to receive him personally.
Thus, no one could block Jian Ze’s radiance. He was destined to become the number one man in the military.
Next, he faced a choice: take the good outcome and withdraw, immediately go out to kneel.
Or persist to the end, using Suo Lun and Zhi Yan as his stepping stones, letting his prestige pierce straight to the heavens!
Very quickly, Jian Ze decided to gamble once more!
Since Suo Lun had not only come himself but also brought Princess Zhi Yan, it was evident how intensely he wished to show his posture of thirsting for talent. Then if he persisted a while longer, he would certainly obtain even greater initiative.
Instantly, Jian Ze sat motionless in the tent, holding a book in one hand and stroking his beard as he read. This posture was somewhat similar to Guan Yun Chang reading the “Spring and Autumn Annals,” and he completely ignored the shouts of his elder brother Jian Yong from outside.
Jian Yong’s heart trembled, “Jian Ze, the two lords have come. Why have you not come out to kneel in audience?”
At this moment Jian Yong’s voice was already filled with panic and unease.
Only then did Jian Ze say indifferently, “My lords are King Zhi Bian and Young Lord Zhi Li. When were there ever Suo Lun and Princess Zhi Yan? How come I do not know?”
Then, his voice rose, “Lord Suo Lun, you and I are loyal to two different masters. It is inconvenient for us to meet. Please leave!”
Suo Lun said from outside, “Count Jian Ze’s loyalty to Lord Zhi Li truly moves me beyond words.”
Jian Ze said, “Lord Zhi Li showed respect for the worthy, taking off his own clothes to clothe me, and pushing his own food to feed me. Though Jian Ze is unworthy, not a single day has passed when I dared to forget!”
This meaning was extremely obvious. Zhi Li treated me so well. If you wish me to surrender to you, you must at least offer better conditions.
Jian Ning’s gaze turned to his father Jian Yong. The meaning was very clear, had you not told him about the matter of Yan Wu Zhi and the Southeast civil officials?
Jian Yong felt wronged in his heart. He had spoken of the Southeast civil officials’ suicidal deeds and Yan Wu Zhi’s matter many times over.
But Jian Ze felt that he was completely different from them. He was a military talent seen once in a hundred years. Moreover, Suo Lun had ultimately still put Yan Wu Zhi to good use?
Furthermore, letting him, Jian Ze, just surrender like this and hand over the hundred thousand plus troops in his hands to Suo Lun, he truly was not resigned.
Suo Lun said, “Since you are so loyal to Zhi Li, then I shall fulfil your beautiful name. Since ancient times, heroes do not serve two masters! Someone, send Count Jian Ze on his way!”
Instantly Princess Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhi Xuan entered the tent!
Jian Ze’s heart was filled with terror. Suo Lun’s final words were like thunder and lightning, even causing him to be unable to react for a moment.
Seeing Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhi Xuan enter, he abruptly tried to stand up, but his entire body was directly immobilised, completely unable to move.
Both Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhi Xuan possessed ice-jade bodies, so naturally they would not touch Jian Ze.
The clever Jian Ning immediately rushed in, grabbed Jian Ze, and dragged him out, directly pressing him to kneel at the edge of the mountain cliff.
Jian Ze’s soul flew away in terror.
He had never seen a lord who played so completely outside the rules. Since you had already come, and even brought Princess Zhi Yan, why did you not act out the play of showing respect for the worthy to the very end?
Instantly, Jian Ze’s gaze was filled with boundless pain.
Princess Zhi Yan released the immobilisation below his neck.
“Why like this, why like this?” Jian Ze said in pain and anger, “I am a famous general of great stature. Why can you not grant me my dignity?”
Suo Lun said, “You do not perform to please others? Then why must I perform to please you?”
Jian Ze roared, “You are the lord! You are the lord!”
Must a lord perform to buy people’s hearts? What kind of reasoning is this!
Suo Lun raised his hand, and Jian Ning drew his great sword, about to strike down.
Jian Ze’s heart was making a life-and-death choice. If at this moment he begged for mercy, if at this moment he surrendered? Although he would lose all face, perhaps he could preserve his life, perhaps he could still be put to good use?
Yan Wu Zhi had surrendered and compromised at the final moment, and was still put to good use by Suo Lun.
But…… such shameless conduct, he, Jian Ze, truly could not bring himself to do it.
Instantly, he closed his eyes in boundless pain.
Jian Ning raised the great sword high, about to strike down!
“Wait!” Suo Lun spoke.
Instantly, Jian Ze’s heart relaxed, feeling the wild joy of having escaped death.
Suo Lun said, “At the final moment, Jian Ze still did not surrender or beg for mercy. Such unyielding backbone, even if it was merely pretended, I shall also grant him his dignity!”
Then he walked forward, drew his own sword, aimed it at Jian Ze’s neck, and struck down fiercely!
Blood spurted forth.
Jian Ze’s head rolled down from the mountain cliff, his eyes still wide open, dying with remaining grievance.
Jian Yong’s heart trembled. The Fury Wave Kingdom had once again welcomed a lord of unpredictable moods. It was just that this lord was even more fierce and overbearing than Zhi Bian, and even more powerful.
The queen was the ruler, and the regent prince was also the ruler.
For the next several decades, it would again be an era of strong ruler and weak ministers.
……
Two days later!
Young Lord Zhi Li suddenly appeared at the southern border city, vigorously recruiting the wandering warriors there, putting on an attitude of refusing to admit defeat and fighting Suo Lun to the end.
At the same time, his trusted eunuch Li Cheng Lian, leading over a hundred experts, and having hired several hundred warriors and over a hundred sorcerers from the Demon Continent, secretly infiltrated the royal capital Zhi Du.
Their goal was only one, and that was to assassinate the king!
This was a path of nine deaths and one life, but Zhi Li had no other choice.
And after he publicly appeared at the southern border city, he immediately mounted a griffin beast and infiltrated the royal capital.
He snuck back to Zhi Du, first to directly command the matter of assassinating the king. Second, to personally capture Suo Lun’s son in his hands, to use as a hostage.
Tu Ling Tuo had said that sending Suo Lun half a finger or something similar would be extremely shocking, making Suo Lun not dare to act rashly in the future.
Moreover, Fu Ling Xi had personally sent him a letter, asking him to make a trip to the Zhi Du Sacred Hall, as there was an important matter to discuss!