xymnovel Chapter 10 The Storyteller! Xu Longxiang's Prestige Among the People
Chapter 10 The Storyteller! Xu Longxiang's Prestige Among the People
Half an hour later.
Qin Mu changed into a moon-white brocade robe. The fabric was top-quality cloud brocade from Jiangnan, embroidered with dark bamboo leaves in silver thread, exuding understated luxury.
Her long hair was simply tied up with a white jade hairpin, with a few strands falling across her forehead.
A jade pendant hung from his waist, and he held an ivory folding fan in his hand.
He looked like a young master from a prominent family traveling around, handsome, refined, and with an extraordinary air about him.
He only had one person with him.
Yunluan also changed her clothes.
She removed her silver armor and put on a black outfit with a matching cloak, replacing the sword at her waist with a standard longsword.
Her long hair was tied high in a ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.
She was naturally beautiful, but she always had a stern face and wore armor, which made her look heroic but less feminine.
Now, dressed casually, her heroic spirit is tempered with a touch of feminine grace, giving her a unique charm that is truly stunning.
His eyes remained icy, like a frozen pool, keeping strangers away.
She followed half a step behind Qin Mu, seemingly casual, but in reality, her whole body was tense, her eyes and ears alert to everything around her.
The two quietly left the palace through a side gate.
Upon seeing the token in Yunluan's hand, the gatekeepers respectfully allowed her to pass without saying a word.
The imperial city is very large.
The palace is located in the due north direction and occupies one-third of the area.
The rest of the area consists of government offices and government departments on the east side, the residences of princes and nobles on the west side, and a commercial district on the south side, lined with restaurants, teahouses, and shops, making it the most bustling area.
Qin Mu and Yun Luan walked on the main street of the South City.
It was morning, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians.
Street vendors carrying vegetables on shoulder poles called out their wares, waiters at restaurant entrances enthusiastically solicited customers, ladies in silk shops selected fabrics, and street performers put on shows, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The air was filled with various smells.
The aroma of freshly baked sesame cakes, the sweet fragrance of roasted chestnuts, the rich scent of face powder, and the pungent smell of horses and livestock.
Noisy, yet full of life.
Qin Mu took a deep breath.
He hadn't walked through the streets like this in a long time.
The last time he left the palace was half a year ago, before he ascended the throne.
At that time, he was still the crown prince. Occasionally, he would sneak out to listen to the people's discussions and see their hardships.
After ascending the throne, he was busy consolidating his power. Later, he found that the country had already been well managed by his subordinates, so he simply gave up and indulged in sensual pleasures all day long, and never left the palace again.
Walking down the street now, looking at this bustling scene and listening to the noisy crowds, I feel as if I've stepped into another world.
"Yunluan," Qin Mu suddenly spoke.
"Young Master," Yunluan replied immediately, changing her form of address.
"Tell me, how well is the country governed?"
Yunluan was silent for a moment before replying, "Peace and prosperity throughout the land, and people living in peace, are signs of a golden age."
"Yes, it's a golden age."
Qin Mu waved his folding fan, his gaze sweeping over a little girl picking out beaded flowers at a street stall, her face beaming with an innocent smile.
"But this prosperous era, in the eyes of some, is a bargaining chip that can be usurped."
His voice was very soft, and only Yunluan could hear it.
Yunluan's eyes turned cold: "Young Master, would you like to...?"
"No need," Qin Mu waved his hand. "Let them jump. The higher they jump, the harder they'll fall."
He paused, then continued, "Do you think the people would support an emperor who indulges in pleasure all day, or a general with illustrious military achievements?"
Yunluan answered without hesitation: "Young Master."
"So sure?" Qin Mu raised an eyebrow.
"Although the young master rarely attends court, his policies are clear and efficient, taxes have been reduced again and again, and corrupt officials have almost disappeared. The people don't care who sits on the throne, they only care about who can make their lives better."
Yunluan said calmly, "Life now is more than 30% better than it was during the late emperor's time."
Qin Mu smiled.
That's true.
Although he was slacking off, the civil and military officials he obtained through daily check-ins were all capable ministers who could govern a country well.
With Zhuge Liang and Guo Jia in charge of governance, and Xiao He and Zhang Juzheng assisting them, it would be difficult for the government not to govern well.
With the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) and Dongchang (Eastern Depot) monitoring all officials, corrupt officials had nowhere to hide.
The people are indeed living better than in the previous dynasty.
This is one of the reasons why he dares to slack off.
"Let's go to the teahouse and have a seat." Qin Mu pointed ahead with his folding fan.
At the street corner, a three-story wooden building stands with three large characters on the plaque: Tingfenglou (Listening to the Wind Pavilion).
This is one of the most famous teahouses in the imperial city.
The first floor is a lobby for storytelling, the second floor is a private room for business discussions, and the third floor is a quiet private room.
Qin Mu took a step and walked over.
Yunluan followed closely behind, her hand always resting on the hilt of her sword.
Inside Tingfeng Tower, the place was bustling with noise.
The lobby on the first floor had more than 30 square tables, and almost all of them were occupied.
The tea drinkers sat in twos and threes, some talking in hushed tones, others eating melon seeds and drinking tea, all their eyes focused on the high platform directly in front of them.
On the stage, an elderly man in his sixties, dressed in a blue long gown, was speaking animatedly, holding a gavel.
The old man's surname was Chen, and he was known as Mr. Chen. He was the top storyteller at Tingfenglou, and had been performing in the capital for thirty years. He was eloquent and well-informed.
Qin Mu and Yun Luan walked in just as they reached the climax of the story.
"...In the blink of an eye! The Northern Heir, Xu Longxiang, riding his swift steed and wielding his spear, let out a long roar and charged straight into the Northern Barbarian central army tent like a tiger among sheep!"
Mr. Chen slammed his gavel, his voice suddenly rising in pitch.
"The Northern Barbarian Left Wise King Tuoba Hong was also a renowned Celestial Realm expert who had been famous for many years. When he saw Xu Longxiang charging at him alone, he was not surprised but delighted. He laughed loudly and said: 'You little brat, you dare to be so arrogant? Today I will take your head and use it to sacrifice to my royal banner!'"
"Having said that, Tuoba Hong activated his true energy, and black energy surged around him, transforming into a ferocious black wolf phantom that opened its blood-red maw and lunged straight at Xu Longxiang!"
The tea drinkers below the stage held their breath, listening intently.
Qin Mu glanced around and saw an empty table in the corner, so he led Yun Luan over to sit down.
The waiter immediately stepped forward, and Qin Mu ordered a pot of Biluochun tea and two plates of snacks.
Tea and refreshments were served quickly.
Qin Mu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze fell on the storytelling stage.
Mr. Chen continued speaking with spittle flying everywhere:
"What a Xu Longxiang! Facing the full-force attack of a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert, he neither dodged nor evaded. With a flick of his wrist, the tip of his Breaking Army Spear burst forth with a dazzling golden light!"
He then shouted in a loud voice: "We men of the North have no fear of barbarians!"
Before the words were even finished, a spear thrust out!
"This shot was as fast as lightning and as swift as thunder! When it was fired, the wind and thunder roared, and the world changed color!"
"The moment the black wolf phantom touched the spear tip, it crumbled instantly, like ice and snow meeting the warm spring sun!"
"Tuoba Hong was terrified and tried to retreat, but it was too late. The spear tip, like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, pierced straight through his chest!"
Mr. Chen imitated the sound of being shot, and the gavel struck again:
"Pfft—!"
"Blood splattered three feet high! Tuoba Hong, the Left Wise King of Northern Mang and a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert, was actually killed by Xu Longxiang with a single spear thrust!"
In an instant, the Northern Barbarian army was thrown into chaos! Xu Longxiang seized the opportunity, raised his spear high, and roared: Kill!
"Eight thousand northern cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave, slaughtering the two hundred thousand Northern Barbarian troops, leaving them routed and their corpses strewn across the battlefield!"
"In this battle, Xu Longxiang's name resounded throughout the world! The people of the Northern Border called him the Little King of the Northern Border, the army revered him as a war god, and the Northern Barbarians trembled at the mere mention of his name!"
"Indeed: A young hero emerges from the northern border, shattering the Mang King's court with a single spear thrust! He commands eight thousand cavalry on the battlefield, slaughtering the barbarians until they dare not invade!"
After Mr. Chen finished speaking, the gavel slammed down heavily.
"Snapped!"
"That's all for today. To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!"
There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by thunderous applause and cheers.
"good!"
"General Xu is mighty!"
"This is the general of our Great Qin!"
The tea drinkers cheered enthusiastically.
Qin Mu watched quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Yunluan sat beside him, her brows slightly furrowed, and said in a low voice, "Young master, this storyteller..."
"It's alright." Qin Mu waved his hand. "That was quite a vivid description, though a bit exaggerated."
He was telling the truth.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard has a detailed battle report on Xu Longxiang's battle.
Indeed, he defeated the Northern Mang army of 200,000 with 8,000 iron cavalry, and he did indeed kill the Left Wise King Tuoba Hong.
But the process was by no means as easy as the storyteller made it out to be.