Who was Cao Jie?

He was the Spring Death Army Commander during the Qi Jiu reign, ranked in the Qi Department of Military Affairs, second only to Jiang Mengxiong.

He was one of the true core figures of the military, absolutely among the top echelons of Qi.

In a sense, his attitude could represent the attitude of the military.

And Cao Jie’s words… were too harsh!

They practically pointed directly at Huang Yixing’s nose, calling him small-minded, accusing him of being unable to shed old habits, a fawning sycophant.

Although his voice was not loud, these words silenced the entire assembly.

Huang Yixing’s face was ashen, and he was speechless. The other officials of Hengyang Commandery present also stared at their shoes, as if their minds were elsewhere.

The drums stopped, and the firecrackers dared not continue.

Only the little girl who had offered flowers to Cao Jie, although she sensed the unusual atmosphere, didn’t quite understand what these adults were saying.

Remembering only the instructions she had received, she still walked forward, timidly saying, “Commander… I’m giving you flowers.”

She had forgotten the congratulatory speech, after all.

Her mouth pursed, and she was on the verge of tears.

Cao Jie accepted the flowers, reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling, “Thank you.”

The little girl, having completed her task, immediately smiled again.

Cao Jie then looked at Huang Yixing, his face no longer showing any sign of anger: “Send the children back. The offering at the Imperial Ancestral Temple requires an auspicious time. We won’t be staying in Hengyang Commandery.”

Huang Yixing awoke as if from a dream: “Alright, alright, good!”

This time, he had learned his lesson. He turned and called out, “Please escort the children and elders onto the carriages and send them home first!”

Those below quickly became busy.

The Heaven-Covering Army stood still, their discipline absolute.

The Qi observation team following behind also dared not risk drawing the current ire and remained silent within their carriages.

It wasn’t until the carriages carrying the elders and children from Hengyang Commandery had driven away that the procession began to move forward.

And this time, only the officials of Hengyang Commandery, led by Huang Yixing, stood on either side of the road, respectfully seeing off the convoy.

Back in the carriage, Jiang Wang’s face was expressionless.

He had known what kind of person Huang Yixing was for a long time. After today’s events, he didn’t care how Huang Yixing would fare in the future.

As early as the battlefield of Chisheng Commandery, Chongxuan Chuliang’s evaluation of Huang Yixing was only four words – “Selling the country for fame”.

At that time, Huang Yixing sought fame, while Chongxuan Chuliang sought stability, so he granted Huang Yixing fame, and didn’t even care if his own fearsome reputation grew stronger. He allowed people to spread rumors that the “Fierce Butcher” intended to kill all the people of Yang Province, and that it was Huang Yixing who knelt for the common people, stopping the butcher’s knife.

In reality, by what right could Huang Yixing, just Huang Yixing, stop Chongxuan Chuliang’s butcher’s knife?

Forget about “never kneeling to anyone in my life, only for the common people,” even if he rolled on the ground for the common people, slapped his own face for the common people, slapped himself to death there… he wouldn’t even frown.

It was the Fierce Butcher himself who sheathed his blade.

And now…

Yang Province was settled, and the people of Yang Province were all reconciled.

Huang Yixing’s value was becoming increasingly small.

Perhaps he himself was aware of this, which was why he was so eager to finalize his position as the Governor of Hengyang Commandery as soon as possible, fearing that he would be stripped of the fruit at the last moment.

At least in the position of the Governor of Hengyang Commandery, he wouldn’t be so easily moved.

Cao Jie was angry because he, as the ruler of a region, instigated young children to flatter him, and he had endured it once, but could not endure it the second time. This also showed the attitude of the Department of Military Affairs towards this person.

Ji Cheng, who died for his country, although he created many obstacles for Qi, was instead more respected by the soldiers of Qi.

Jiang Wang sympathized with the elderly who had lost their former country and found it difficult to regain a sense of belonging, but he had little fondness for Huang Yixing, who was also an elder from the former Yang Province.

And Chongxuan Zun didn’t even get out of the carriage. After all, the enthusiastic welcome from the people of Hengyang Commandery wasn’t for him, who had only taken second place…

The convoy rumbled away, and the banners representing Qi gradually disappeared from view.

Huang Yixing’s head, which had been nearly touching his knees, slowly rose.

“Jiang Wang respects the elderly, Cao Jie cherishes children.”

He gave a forced, mirthless smile, grinding his teeth, “The pride of the nation, the famous general of the nation, they are all the backbone of their Qi. Only I, Huang Yixing, am a groveling sycophant, disliked both inside and out!”

“Sir…” a trusted official beside him advised.

Huang Yixing glared at him: “What, I can’t say it?”

He was somewhat out of control: “I can’t even curse myself?!”

Everyone remained silent.

The convoy traveled through Hengyang Commandery and continued on its way.

Tian Antai, the鎮撫使 (zhenfushi, roughly equivalent to a Prefect) of Rizhao Commandery, also personally welcomed them by the roadside, but he was only accompanied by two attendants and did not make a grand display.

He didn’t even block the road, just loudly said a few festive congratulatory remarks from the roadside.

Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Zun both came out to thank him.

Interestingly, one of the attendants accompanying Tian Antai was precisely Du Gu Xia, the current Mayor of Qingyang Town.

This shows that Tian Antai was not entirely without skill. Since taking office, his governance of Rizhao Commandery had been evident to all and was no worse than anyone else’s. In fact, it was subtly the most developed of the three commanderies.

Perhaps it was only because he was Tian Anping’s brother that people placed too many… unrealistic expectations on him. Hence, he appeared mediocre.

Towards this noble son of the Tian clan, Cao Jie’s attitude was quite amiable, and he even specially got out of the carriage to say a few words to him.

It was only natural that Qingyang Town was decorated with lanterns and streamers today, celebrating the Lord Enfeoffed’s victory at Guanhai Pavilion. Cao Jie even joked about stopping at Qingyang Town for a short rest, but Jiang Wang quickly refused.

There are priorities in matters, and it is also important for people to be self-aware.

Many people are ruined by “lack of self-awareness.”

Among the three commanderies of Yang Province, Chisheng Commandery, where Gao Shaoling was located, was not on the route of the returning convoy at all. He only sent a congratulatory letter through someone, delivered halfway, and the handling of the matter was also very well-measured.

It is true that many people regard the Jinghai Gao clan as nouveau riche, looking down on their foundation and cultivation. But Gao Shaoling is, after all, the most presentable talent the Jinghai Gao have, so he must not be too bad.

In fact, it was only after the convoy left Yang Province that Jiang Wang slowly began to feel more differences.

Although Yang Province had been assimilated and was now Qi territory, after so many years of history, it could not be completely erased, and there were still significant differences compared to the previous Qi territory.

Dingyao, Yangshan, Fengxian, Cangshu, Baolong…

Along the way, the people of Qi crowded enthusiastically by the roadside, cheering and leaping for joy. There was only joy, no timidity or fear.

The local soldiers stood on both sides of the road, maintaining order, and none of them blocked the carriages. The local officials also only had one or two representatives present to congratulate them, and the congratulatory reports from the local governors were sent directly to Linzi. There was no need for any flattery.

Whether a country is strong can be seen simply by whether its citizens are confident.

The true temperament of the Qi people still needs more time to be cultivated by the people of Yang Province, and that is not their fault.

Only when the country is like this can the people be like this.

Of course, if it had always been governed by people like Huang Yixing, perhaps the atmosphere would be difficult to change.

Jiang Wang suddenly thought –

Was this why someone as good-natured as Cao Jie suddenly lost his temper?

Changing customs is not the work of a day or two.

Another point worth mentioning is…

Surrounding the returning pride of the nation, many women of Qi boldly showed their affection.

Along the way, they threw flowers and fruits, enthusiastic and generous.

They also boldly threw things like fragrant sachets and silk scarves onto the carriages.

After all, these were refined gestures, and the soldiers maintaining order would not stop them.

And Chongxuan Zun, who only took second place, surprisingly had more things thrown into his carriage than Jiang Wang, who had taken first place!

Chongxuan Sheng and Shi Si had already gotten off the carriage after the convoy entered the Qi territory and returned to the carriage in the observation team. Therefore, there were no other influencing factors…

It must be that the people of Qi are too kind and don’t hesitate to comfort those who have failed!