Chapter 700: Shui Wuyin’s Persistence
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Based solely on Wu Ying's capabilities and skills, putting aside the possibility of producing an abundance of talents, it would not be an issue at all for him to foster prodigies fit to rule half the land of the Empire of Yutang if he were to open a class and take in students. The titles he had written and produced were evidence of that.
"How many do you need, in particular?" asked Leng Daoyin.
Wu Ying counted silently and answered, "I can select from a total of twenty people, but there can be no more than ten who can remain. Ultimately, I can only choose one successor each for the civil and military arms."
"Well, that doesn't sound like too many, does it?" Tie Zheng said.
Wu Ying rolled his eyes and scoffed.
The rest of the group understood what he had meant. This was a task of coaching the talents from scratch. Who could possibly know how much effort had to be put in; ten were already plenty, how could it be considered few?
However, Wu Ying continued his explanation, "Other than the two who I will hand-pick in the end, the eight whom I have eliminated, even if I were to be modest, wouldn't have any issues governing a territory."
The quintet's eyes radiated.
"Any particular requests?" Old Mistress Shangguan was even more thorough in her queries.
"The two whom I prioritize needs to be supported by their family background," Wu Ying said, "Otherwise, it'll take far too long to wait for them to slowly ascend, step by step."
No one objected to this pertinent point. The request of possessing an adequately high starting point was reasonable.
"The other eight... other than their characters, I have no other request," Wu Ying said.
"This shouldn't be a challenge," Qiu Jianhan spoke first and said, "The few of us will become the chief examiners for you. You don't have to worry about fairness and impartiality."
The rest of the elders nodded in agreement.
"I'll trouble you for your assistance then." Wu Ying bowed and said, "I know that Old Sirs are occupied with various work and even more personal affairs. Wu Ying does not dare to detain you for long. Please, do head back."
The quintet looked at each other in bafflement when they heard him, not knowing the appropriate response to give.
'You invited all of us here just to give this mission to us?'
'You sent an invitation, brother! Forget about wine or dishes, we didn't even have a cup of water upon arriving here and now we're being chased away!'
'I can't imagine that there would be such a thing in this world! Such a person!'
'Even if you're talented, a genius, very remarkable… fine, you're remarkable!'
Fang Qingtian did not know whether he should be laughing or feel annoyed. "Wu Ying, I am guessing that you had no intention to set out a meal?"
Wu Ying glanced at the Old Grand Commandant coldly and replied, "This lower subordinate has always lived frugally. I don't have any money with me now. I've taken too much advantage by living on the country's generosity all these years – how can I be greedy?"
His implied meaning was, "Do you want me to prepare a meal? That would be forcing me to be corrupted, coercing me to be depraved. What's the meaning of this?"
The five elders were stunned into speechlessness once again.
They admitted defeat!
Qiu Jianhan huffed, "This fellow is deserving of the surname Wu indeed!"
Once the comment had been made, everyone thought of the stoic, impartial, official and could not help studying Wu Ying's face with uncertainty, thinking if the two of them were twins. This duo were the two oddballs of Yutang's imperial court.
"You… and Wu Lie…" Leng Daoyin finally let the question out of the bag. "Are brothers?"
Wu Ying gazed at Leng Daoyin silently, just staring at him quietly for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Is everyone in the world with the surname Leng your brother?"
Leng Daoyin was momentarily at a loss for words.
'My brothers? What crap? Leng isn't a common family name, but there'd still be millions of people with this surname in this world.'
'Who could give birth to so many people? This bastard's words are true…'
"Hahaha!" Qiu Jianhan laughed gleefully.
Wu Ying gazed at him with unfriendly eyes, his stoic expression. He finally said, "Please, bid your leave. I have things to attend to."
The five elders were instantly clouded by anger. Even the emperor would not have spoken like this to them! It was their first time being chased away.
The five of them stood up huffily and left with curses mumbled under their breaths.
Fang Qingtian suddenly turned around as he reached the door, "Hold on, that can't be it. Your attire and meals are covered by the country. Where, then, are your many years of stipend?"
Old Grand Commandant Fang's sudden question was insightful. Yutang's stipend and rewards towards the militants were generous; Wu Ying's position was incredibly high and he had no burden of a family. He should be rather wealthy; how could he be without any money?
"It is all kept in the Board of War's account. This lower subordinate has never used money – there's no need to collect it. I'll need to think of how to place it and ways to spend it. It'd only be a hassle for me."
Old Grand Commandant Fang's mouth was agape. He looked at the ghostly fellow like he was looking at an immortal. After a long, long time, he shut his mouth with a crack and left without a word.
There was only a single word in his mind – 'Amazing!'
There were actually people in this vast world who refused to take his salary just because he thought spending was a hassle – how shocking!
The five elders who remained skeptical went to check the bursary of the military. Obtaining Wu Ying's stipend record, they realized that Wu Ying did have a generous amount of stipend, having gathered hundreds of thousands of silver taels already. In spite of this, there was also no record of him collecting them. He truly had a healthy amount of savings.
Qiu Jianhan shook his head sighing, "I thought he was a god who can rule the world – he's actually a ghost who can ascend to immortality and descend to the underworld as well. He probably won't have to use any form of money in our human realm in this life time… This old man should really start to work for him."
"Me too. Better hurry and do what we have been appointed to do." The quintet turned and departed filled with approbation.
"Cough, say… Sir Wu probably won't want this wealth he's accumulated in the future." Tie Zheng's eyes were glowing. "Why not give them all to me?"
"Take them!"
The Old Grand Commandant immediately approved of the idea.
Of course, Tie Zheng was not spending it for himself. Wu Ying would not be spending this fortune anyway; he might as well let Tie Zheng have it instead. The families of the fallen soldiers would have more to make ends meet; it would always be better than letting the silver taels collect dust in the bursary.
In spite of this, if it had not been their meeting today, Tie Zhen and the other personages would not have utilized Wu Ying's sum of silver taels on their own accord, despite knowing that he would not be laying a finger on them. Now, the situation was vastly different!
Wu Ying had readily given the precious guides that contained his lifetime knowledge – what the silver taels were worth!
Such genius, such talent, such a phantom of a prodigy, one who was so noble and upright in character, would not care for worldly fortunes. It would be best to take them and use them on those who needed it more.
The sum had been seized by Tie Zheng without any guilt.
…
Yun Yang found out about Wu Ying's action soon enough.
Facing Shui Wuyin's questioning gaze, Yun Yang kept silent for a long time.
"Boss, what should be done about this?"
"Let him be," Yun Yang sighed,
Shui Wuyin was rather reluctant. "This... is one of the culprits. He can't be allowed to do whatever he wants!"
Although Shui Wuyin said nothing about Yun Yang pardoning Wu Ying previously, he was nevertheless indignant. The only difference in attitude between him and Yun Yang was that Yun Yang would sometimes opt for the greater good under certain conditions.
On the other hand, Shui Wuyin was much more direct – if you performed a misdeed, you would be a villain for the rest of your life! You should be executed!
Truthfully, such thinking was rather extreme and tended to go overboard.
"Mm, let him be," Yun Yang said, "You have to help him to recruit disciples as well. You must go through the background of these disciples thoroughly to make sure they're clean!"
Shui Wuyin heaved a deep sight and did not say a word for a long time.
"Is there a problem?" Yun Yang frowned.
"I only have one request." Shui Wuying said firmly, "When Wu Ying dies, no matter how he meets his end, I want to see his dead body!"
Yun Yang closed his eyes. "It shall be allowed!"