Chapter 2562: Chapter 122: Six Bodies Braving Life and Death Together, Storms Converge as Dragons and Tigers Clash!
In the present Northwest, it is a bitter cold region.
The people living here have been tempered by the harsh nature into having a will like steadfast ice and hard iron.
The alliance of the Northwest Five Countries has been formed for mutual protection, to resist the strong nation of Jingguo for many years.
A few small countries banding together, clashing head-on with the Military Court Empire, have not retreated once over the years, almost becoming a legendary tale.
But during the Jingguo’s westward expansion war erupting at the end of last year, the Jing Shepherd Battle and Qi Xia Battle broke out one after another, Jinguo couldn’t spare the attention, and the alliance of the Northwest Five Countries was heavily battered.
More than half of Gao Country and part of Liao Country were swallowed by Jingguo in one go.
It was the Winter Emperor Xie Ai of Snow Country who suddenly emerged, challenged the Dragon Martial Great Commander Zhong Jing of Jingguo, and Jinguo’s victory over Mugu eventually halted the fierce and sharp westward expansion of Jingguo.
The people of Snow Country fervently believe that the Winter Emperor Xie Ai is the reincarnation of the Frost Fairy Lord Xu Qiuci from two thousand years ago, historically creating a myth of reincarnation and rebirth, some believe it, others do not.
But for the alliance of the Northwest Five Countries, belief is not important, the existence of the Winter Emperor is important. The willingness of the Winter Emperor to stand up is even more important.
The alliance of the Northwest Five Countries now desperately needs the strength of Snow Country. The present Northwest likewise desperately needs one more Yandao True Monarch!
The so-called alliance of the Northwest Five Countries includes Liao Country, Zhen Country, Gao Country, Iron Country, and Han Country. Among them, Iron Country is the strongest, with an ancestor True Monarch, although long secluded, is nonetheless a deterrent. Gao Country is the weakest, and before the westward expansion war, it only had two God’s Arrivals in total.
Of course, whether it’s Gao Country’s Grandmaster Yu Jingqiu or the current Gao Country Monarch, they have both grown amidst the ferocious battles against the strong army of Jingguo, much stronger than ordinary small country God’s Arrivals, and certainly not comparable to some weak God’s Arrivals holding up a small sect alone.
Regrettably, since the accidental death of his only son, Gao Country’s Grandmaster Yu Jingqiu has been somewhat unable to recover.
Especially since this matter originated from the Nine Chapters Jade Bi in the Mountain and Sea Realm of Chuguo’s Beihui Wind.
He originally prepared the opportunity for his son, but his son died because of it, and the Jade Bi disappeared along with it.
With no results from demanding the Jade Bi, the Evil Face Commander Wu Xi of Chuguo personally came to Gao Country, enraged, and publicly slapped Yu Jingqiu in front of Gao Country’s monarch and ministers, shaming him.
With his heart and soul, he was instead burdened, everything he sought was lost, his face and heart both wounded.
During the following Jingguo westward expansion war, Yu Jingqiu personally went to battle, fought valiantly several times, and sought death several times. But ultimately did not die, Gao Country however suffered the most losses in this war...
The difference in strength was too great, toyed with thoroughly by the Shesheng Grand Commander Cao Yuxian of Jingguo.
The once highly esteemed Grandmaster Yu Jingqiu of Gao Country, suddenly faced public resentment.
He couldn’t retreat, couldn’t abandon the country and leave, couldn’t sacrifice himself, could only force himself to hold everything up. Because the current Gao Country had already retreated to the edge of a cliff. Once they lose him, this beam, they could immediately declare the country’s extinction...
Jingguo is the Military Court Empire, the so-called Military Court, similar to a council of military leaders. Among the Six Protectors, Seven Guards, and Thirteen Armies, aside from the few strong military forces personally managed by the royal family, the rest have considerable autonomy.
Of course, the dignity of the Tang royal family remains supreme in Jingguo.
The majority of Gao Country’s territory is now divided between Jingguo’s Valiant Cavalry and Shesheng Army.
The former falls under the Great Commander of the Valiant Cavalry Xiahou Lie, and the latter under the Shesheng Grand Commander Cao Yuxian.
Though neither of them will station themselves here, as long as the military flag is planted, Gao Country people dare not approach. Just the valiant generals under their command are enough to sweep across the current Gao Country.
It’s hard for people to imagine with what kind of willpower and with what kind of mindset Yu Jingqiu is sustaining the last piece of dignity of this country.
Millennia later, someone might reevaluate him, maybe no one will remember him, maybe Gao Country will no longer exist.
But his choice is right here.
His life is imprinted at this moment.
In the palace garden of Gao Country, which can even be considered simple, with simple furnishings and bows and blades hanging on the walls, the not-yet-nine-year-old Crown Prince of Gao Country, Li Bangyou, is kneeling at the desk, reading seriously.
He reads from "History of Chiseling the Sea" Volume Three of "Jinglue".
As he nods his head thoughtfully, he suddenly thinks of something, frowns, puts down the book scroll in his hand, and respectfully performs the disciple’s ritual, "Grandmaster, the student has questions."
Sitting cross-legged above him, Yu Jingqiu pulls his mind back from national affairs, reluctantly dispelling fatigue, and gently asks, "Crown Prince, feel free to ask."
Li Bangyou, with his childish voice, clear and innocent laments, "The student reads history, frequently encountering old records. As I compare ancient and modern, my heart is very anxious, I don’t know where to find peace."
Yu Jingqiu looks at him and says, "Explain in detail."
Li Bangyou straightens somewhat and asks, "When a general loses a battle, what should happen?"
Yu Jingqiu answers without hesitation, "Punish them."
Li Bangyou asks again, "When a general loses territory, what should happen?"
Yu Jingqiu says, "Execute them."
Li Bangyou continues asking, "When governing loses the people, what should happen?"
Yu Jingqiu says sternly, "Dismiss them."
Li Bangyou goes on, "When governing loses the country, what should happen?"
Yu Jingqiu is silent for a moment, then says, "Annihilate them."
"Then the student doesn’t quite understand." The small-bodied Li Bangyou raises his head high, and at this moment, his spine straightens, and the jade crown on his head seems to scoop up the heavenly light, "There are people who lose territory as generals, lose the country as governance, fail in diplomacy, and lose troops in foreign warfare. How can they still sit grandly before me, teaching me to read, behave, and govern the people?"
Yu Jingqiu’s gaze suddenly becomes sharp and intense, but immediately grows mournful and diminished.
