Peace Order

Changsun Wugou had a feeling: "They will meet."

Changsun Wuchou sighed: "Better it be so."

He patted his stomach, self-mockingly said:

"Shi Dalin says, this is exhaustion from deep thought, longing but getting nothing. His medical skills were honed in the chaotic times of war, and there is no cure for this. Unless Hou Zhongyu, who died fourteen years ago in the Qilin Palace, returns, it cannot be healed."

Changsun Wugou asked: "Hou Zhongyu?"

"The legendary magician of the previous dynasty, evaluated by historians as ’lacking in private virtue, the path of a magician, unparalleled for three generations, seeking the Way, swearing to kill the master’?"

Changsun Wuchou said: "Indeed, my Qilin Army rose from nothing and even now, the military medical officer system and the pill system are built upon what Hou Zhongyu left behind."

"He wasn’t a peerless genius like Zhang Ziyong."

"Yet he was obsessively determined, and after dismantling Zhang Ziyong’s methods, they could instead be used by everyone under Heaven. His Majesty believes that judging a person cannot be simplistic or one-sided. Like Hou Zhongyu, his crimes matter in the era, but his merits last for a millennium."

"His Majesty has established Lingyan Pavilion to record the achievements of various figures in chaotic times."

"Although Hou Zhongyu was the first grand enemy of His Majesty, he is still placed at the top of Lingyan Pavilion, His Majesty personally wrote and drew, standing alongside Beiding Duke Yue Qianfeng and others."

"Those future generations studying medicine and mystical skills learn his knowledge but should not emulate him personally."

"As for the old fellow Shi Dalin."

"Currently staying in the Capital City, adjusting the health for Mr. Yan Daiqing."

"During those years of chaos, the Qilin Army’s gradual rise amidst turmoil was due to His Majesty’s wise and divine martial prowess, the people’s valiant spirit, and the strategist’s ingenious plan, but Mr. Yan Daiqing’s management in the later stages was also very meritorious."

"However, Mr. Yan Daiqing’s body was somewhat weakened and is now gradually recovering."

Changsun Wuchou pressed his abdomen and sighed deeply: "Oh, the pain, oh, the pain, yet I do not know when this pain in the stomach and intestines can be solved, what medicine can heal it."

Changsun Wugou gently pushed his elder brother.

"Elder brother’s words are presumptuous."

Changsun Wuchou wanted to say more, but heard the door open, an elder walked over, Changsun Wuchou’s expression changed, rose to salute and said: "Old Duke..."

The visitor was the former Duke Li Shude.

This individual, who shone brightly during chaotic times, never backed down from facing Lu Youxian or Prince Qin. Upon stepping down from his position, he lived quite comfortably, now more spirited than five or six years ago, his gaze sharp, his facial hair neatly groomed.

He raised his hand for Changsun Wuchou to rise, asked him about the previous topic, and having no choice, Changsun Wuchou explained it thusly.

Old Duke Li Shude, after listening, sighed deeply:

"Childish talk!"

"Step aside, step aside!"

Changsun Wuchou was stunned: "Old Duke, what are you going to do?"

Li Shude laughed loudly: "I am going to get you medicine."

He squeezed between Changsun Wuchou and Changsun Wugou, walked past three halls, entered the main hall of the Duke Mansion, and saw Li Zhaowen standing with his hands behind his back, looking at numerous scrolls, seemingly lost in thought. Li Shude directly asked:

"Erlang is here, what kind of demeanor is this?"

Li Zhaowen turned and said: "Father."

Li Shude asked: "Why won’t you go to see His Majesty for three years?"

Li Zhaowen explained all his reasons for not wishing to meet Li Guanyi, calmly said: "I am the nation’s Duke, an eminent contemporary general, how could I stay in the palace?"

Li Shude touched his beard and said: "But hasn’t His Majesty come?"

Li Zhaowen paused.

Li Shude feigned surprise: "Nobody said you have to return to the imperial palace with His Majesty."

"Hasn’t His Majesty come?"

He pointed at the Duke Mansion: "Is it because our house is not spacious enough or are there not enough beds at home?"

Li Zhaowen paused, said: "That is His Majesty, I am the minister..."

Li Shude laughed heartily, he said: "You have forced me to retire from the Duke’s position, and in your youth, you led the Xuanjia Army to fetch the king’s seal of Tuyuhun, why suddenly become timid now?"

"Then let me make it clear."

"If a Duke enters the palace, that surely should not happen."

"But if the Emperor and Empress, wielding the Three-foot Sword, establish unprecedented feats, shouldn’t they have some spirit? What are you thinking?"

Li Shude pushed his daughter’s shoulder, admonishing:

"Life is full of regrets, and at this time you are still concerned with the historian’s pen? Scholars lightly criticize those within tombs, and those in tombs laugh at scholars’ hubris."

"The White-hooved Steed is already outside, go forth, go forth!"

Though a Nine Layers Heaven Grandmaster, his daughter was pushed by her father, took a step out, her face shifting from hesitation to determination, becoming as spirited as in her youth, she exhaled and said: "Yes!"

Hoofbeats thundering, Dragon Horse galloped.

Li Shude watched his daughter’s figure, shook his head and sighed, always following Li Shude’s eminent general Xiahou Duan said: "Old Duke, you are..."

Li Shude lamented: "I am no longer the Duke, Duan."

"Just call me Shude."

"At this moment, I no longer need to worry about the family or Ying Country. Heaven knows, what I need to do is merely help my daughter. She has been confident and independent since childhood, and sometimes, becomes awkward."

"Those with a strong and self-sufficient nature often cannot overcome themselves."

"I am her father, I must assist her."

"Moreover..."

Li Shude’s face showed a faint quirky smile: "Besides, His Majesty also has the surname Li, my family does not lose either way..."

Xiahou Duan’s gentle smile on his face froze.

"???"

He almost blurted out: "Didn’t you say, Heaven knows, it is for your daughter’s future?"

Li Shude laughed:

"Heaven knows, but it’s not my conscience."

Xiahou Duan finally couldn’t hold back, kicked at Li Shude’s waist. Li Shude fell to the ground, yet he neither felt anger nor annoyance. He simply lay there, laughed loudly, felt decadent yet satisfied, satisfied yet messy, spread his arms, white hair and beard, said:

"How will future generations speak of me?"

"Hahaha, lying down is still a victory."

Emperor Qin, Li Guanyi, touring the Western Regions, on the seventh day.

The Duke Mansion in the Western Regions, Li Zhaowen, leaves the Duke Mansion, leading the Xuanjia Army. The thunderous hoofbeats draw the world’s attention, stirring the entire Western Regions, awaiting this encounter.

And Emperor Qin, on this day, sees an old acquaintance by the roadside.