"This lady is..."

Murong Daoye glanced at the woman beside Yuan Qingshan and asked aloud.

"This is my wife, Madam Du."

Yuan Qingshan said, "In my years of wandering, I was fortunate to have her accompany me."

"Greetings to Madam Du."

Murong Daoye nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Madam Du for a moment, deep in thought.

Since ascending the throne, Yuan Qingshan had not yet appointed an empress.

Although he lived a reclusive life, he had heard some rumors.

The three of them took their seats.

The tea leaves were already placed in the teacup.

Murong Daoye picked up the kettle on the table, and within a few breaths, steam began to spew from the spout with a whistling sound.

The water in the pot was already boiling!

Yuan Qingshan's eyes lit up.

This seemingly ordinary skill demonstrated Murong Daoye's deep inner power.

Moreover, to boil water without damaging the kettle showed the subtlety of this power!

Murong Daoye, unhurriedly, poured the boiling water into the teacup.

A faint aroma of tea immediately wafted out.

"Why has Your Majesty graced me with a personal visit?"

Murong Daoye pushed the freshly brewed tea toward Yuan Qingshan and asked quietly.

This War God, so direct and forthright, caught Yuan Qingshan slightly off guard.

Yuan Qingshan pondered briefly and then said, "Over the years, the Court has decayed, and the people's grievances are boiling; noble virtues are discarded, while common beliefs resound, villains rise high, and virtuous men remain unknown, leaving heroes like the old chieftain in obscurity."

"Now Qian Country faces internal and external troubles, with everything in disarray. As I newly assume the throne, I need someone to help stabilize the Court and deter the wicked."

"I am here today to humbly ask the old chieftain to come out of retirement and uphold the nation's integrity for the well-being of the people."

Upon hearing this, Murong Daoye looked as composed as ever, silently regarding Yuan Qingshan.

Yuan Qingshan did not dodge Murong Daoye's gaze, his expression calm.

"To whom is His Holiness referring when he speaks of the wicked?"

Murong Daoye inquired.

Yuan Qingshan replied, "From top to bottom, the wicked are everywhere; now we only lack a sharp, chilling sword to slay these demons and monsters!"

Murong Daoye sighed softly and said, "From what I know, Your Majesty has just reinstated the Grand Commandant. Even if I were to come out of retirement at my age, what could I possibly accomplish?"

Yuan Qingshan said gravely, "I wish to establish the position of Grand General—only the old chieftain's prestige and strength qualify for this role."

Murong Daoye's heart stirred, casting a meaningful glance at Yuan Qingshan.

This Emperor Qian indeed has deep calculations.

After the previous dynasty fell, many vied for power, leading to repeated clashes between the Murong Family and the Yuwen Family, like water and fire.

Though they later both became part of Qian Country, the grudges between the two major clans remained.

This Emperor Qian must have noticed something, thus wishing for my return to take on the role of Grand General.

In fact, Yuan Qingshan had already sensed a crisis upon noticing the Yuwen Family growing close to the Profound Celestial Sect.

After much consideration, he chose Murong Daoye.

Firstly, if Murong Daoye came out of retirement, he could take away some of the military power from the Grand Commandant.

Secondly, within Qian Country, the only entities capable and with the foundation to counter the Yuwen Family are the other three great clans, with the Murong Family being one of them.

Due to past grudges, it would be impossible for the two families to ally.

Switching to the Changsun Family or the Dugu Family might invite disaster, nurturing tigers to devour later.

Once Murong Daoye assumes the role of Grand General, he would surely balance against the Yuwen Family.

Moreover, such a proposal is hard for Murong Daoye to refuse.

Seeing the Yuwen Family rise from the Pingzhou rebellion to become the most prominent among Qian Country's four great clans,

If the Murong Family does not act, they might face suppression in the future.

Given Yuwen Mao's ruthlessness, the Murong Family could face total destruction!

This point, Yuan Qingshan believed Murong Daoye understood all too well.

What Yuan Qingshan needed to do was offer him an opportunity.

"I need to think over this matter since I am getting old, and my mind is not as sharp,"

Murong Daoye pondered for a while and did not immediately respond, saying, "If Your Majesty has no other matters, why not stay at my residence for a few days?"

Seeing that Murong Daoye seemed unmoved, Yuan Qingshan said again, "Besides the position of Grand General, there's another position I wish for the old chieftain to concurrently assume."

"Oh?"

Murong Daoye raised an eyebrow slightly.

There were indeed some token positions within the Court.

Though they seemed high in grade, they held no actual power and were merely titular.

If these were such positions, they held no appeal to him.

Yuan Qingshan spoke solemnly, "As I've just said, Qian Country now needs a sharp sword to slay the wicked and oversee all officials."

"Isn't this the responsibility of the Cyan Dragon Bureau?"

Murong Daoye countered.

Yuan Qingshan chuckled and said, "I am considering establishing a bureau apart from the Four Symbols Bureau, called the Qilin Bureau, to oversee not only all officials but also the Four Symbols Bureau."

Although the Pingzhou rebellion was quelled, he had sensed many irregularities during the process.

Among the Four Symbols Bureau, the Cyan Dragon Bureau might have significant issues!

Murong Daoye gave Yuan Qingshan a deep look.

At first, when Yuan Qingshan visited, he did not think much of this young Emperor Qian.

Different from the late Emperor Qian.

This young man, having wandered outside for many years, returned to the Capital City and ascended the throne amidst the power struggles of various forces.

But essentially, this young emperor lacked prestige, insufficient in personal strength to maintain control over the Court.

This throne, which Yuwen Mao barely ascended to, was perilously shaky.

The waters in the Capital City ran deep—so deep that even he needed to weigh the risks of entering.

But this Emperor Qian, having been outside for over ten years, seemed to have already detected anomalies within the Four Symbols Bureau upon his ascension!

Thus, he devised this method to check the Four Symbols Bureau and cleanse the Court.

For a prince without any foundation to achieve this in such a short time is already remarkable.

It seems that quelling the Pingzhou rebellion was no mere coincidence.

Yuan Qingshan gravely declared, "I wish to have the old chieftain concurrently assume the position of Lord of the Qilin Bureau. Only someone as honorably righteous and straightforward as the old chieftain can wield this sword!"

Honorably righteous?

Murong Daoye fell silent.

He felt unworthy of those four words.

For there was always someone he felt guilty toward.

Murong Daoye took a deep breath.

The Grand General position, combined with being the lord of a bureau overseeing the Four Symbols Bureau.

Once he stepped out, he would become one of the most powerful figures in the Capital City!

This temptation was indeed substantial.

Yet, he still refrained from answering hastily, pondering for a long time and then asking, "Does Your Majesty have any other matters?"

"The old chieftain just mentioned your mind was not sharp, but now it seems you are too modest."

Yuan Qingshan laughed softly, then glanced at the woman beside him, his gaze turning much gentler, "There is one more matter, a private one of mine, that I hope you will agree to."

Mentioning this, Yuan Qingshan already changed his address, adopting the tone of a junior.

"I dare not presume."

Murong Daoye's expression turned solemn, "Your Majesty, please speak freely."

Yuan Qingshan said, "Madam Du lost her parents in childhood and comes from a humble background. I wish for the old elder to take her as an adopted daughter."

"Alas."

Murong Daoye sighed softly.

Until now, no matter what Yuan Qingshan said, his expression had hardly changed.

It was only now that he sighed, his gaze on Yuan Qingshan turning a bit complex.

In truth, when he saw Yuan Qingshan with Madam Du, he had already harbored a suspicion.

He just did not expect Yuan Qingshan would eventually make this decision.

Previously, he had heard some rumors from the Capital City.

The Emperor Qian desired to establish an empress but faced significant obstacles.

The reason being Madam Du's lowly background, and the huge gap between their statuses.

A lady from the Dugu Clan was being put forward for the palace, regarded as the best candidate for empress.

Yet, this Emperor Qian never agreed to it.

In reality, this presented Yuan Qingshan with a great opportunity!

Once the Dugu Clan's lady became the empress, he would form an alliance with the Dugu Clan, gaining tremendous support.

Yet now, Yuan Qingshan had forwent the most advantageous choice for himself, instead bringing Madam Du on a visit, asking that she be taken as an adopted daughter...

Being from the Murong Clan, this would openly pave the way to make Madam Du the empress.

Murong Daoye, who had just viewed Yuan Qingshan in a different light, now did not know whether to call this young emperor wise or foolish.

Perhaps, this matter was the most significant reason for this visit.

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