Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Ariq Bai disregarded his pain and stood up in anger.

He was no longer the man accustomed to mediocrity. Fang Zheng Yi's words were nothing short of humiliation to him.

However, his chest puffed up in anger, he suddenly deflated like a punctured ball, his waist slumping.

His heart was filled with bitterness, and he said with a wry smile: "Indeed, what teacher says is true, perhaps I will indeed be powerless at that time..."

Fang Zheng Yi sighed softly, patted him on the back, and comforted him: "Don't be impulsive, take one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time."

"If you want to achieve something, you should do it this way. If you have no achievements in your previous life, naturally no one will be willing to entrust you with important tasks."

"But you have improved now, and you are full of fighting spirit. Your teacher sees all of this."

Hope flickered in Ariq Bai's eyes again: "Thank you, teacher, but what else can I do? I can't beat my eldest brother, not even my third brother. Although there have been some changes now, my father may not be willing to let me do anything."

Fang Zheng Yi responded softly, then closed his eyes and pondered: "Your teacher does have a way, but I don't know if you can do it."

"Teacher, please speak. As long as it doesn't conflict with the interests of my Great Jin, I will try my best to help."

Although Ariq Bai trusted Fang Zheng Yi, the topic of war between the two countries was already out in the open, and a trace of vigilance arose in his heart.

"To be honest, your teacher is afraid of death, not only afraid of my own death but also afraid that the delegation I brought will have an accident with me. Although Pagba has promised not to harm me, I don't believe him. Once the war starts or ends, many people who follow me will be in danger, so the only one your teacher can count on and trust is you."

"My idea is very simple. After the war starts, Pan Tai City, as the capital, will definitely send someone to guard the city and take charge. You should try to get the emperor to assign you this responsibility of guarding the city. This way, your teacher can rest assured about the safety of the delegation, and it does not conflict with the national interests of Great Jin. What do you think?"

Just guarding the city...

Ariq Bai said in disappointment: "It really doesn't conflict, but it's also an inconspicuous task. There's nothing to defend in Pan Tai City. I'd rather be involved in the battlefield and fight alongside my father. If I'm just guarding the city, I'll be looked down upon in the future."

"Teacher, you once told me that wealth and honor are found in danger, is there no better way?"

I'm already seeking wealth in danger!

Fang Zheng Yi advised: "Not so, my disciple, you must not underestimate the responsibility of guarding the city. Taking good care of your home is more important than anything else."

"Wealth and honor are found in danger, but they are also lost in danger. You only have a one in ten chance of gaining, but a nine in ten chance of losing. You should be clear about the risks of war."

"Your foundation is weak now, and people don't trust you enough. You should accumulate your reputation bit by bit, and you must not take any risks."

"The so-called accumulation of strength is the reason for this. When you have a deep foundation one day, it will not be too late to amaze everyone, even if you fail, you will have the opportunity to rise again. If your father really agrees to let you go to the battlefield, as long as you lose one battle, no one will trust you or give you tasks after that. You cannot afford the cost of failure."

"On the other hand, guarding the city is a sure-win deal! Think about it, when your father returns to the capital exhausted, and sees that you have managed Pan Tai City into a prosperous place, that is the real great achievement!"

"Whether you win or lose the war, what the emperor will consider at that time is to reuse talents who are good at recuperating and governing, not generals who are good at fighting. At that time, your chances of being reused will greatly increase, and sooner or later you will reach a height that people look up to."

What Ariq Bai sought was achievement and recognition, not fighting.

Fang Zheng Yi knew this well, and almost every word he said touched his heart.

Ariq Bai also fell into thought, and after a while said: "What teacher says makes sense. If I take the initiative to ask my father to take on the responsibility of guarding the city, there will naturally be no problem, but I still want to...."

"Do you still remember what your teacher told you? A person must win once in their life."

Fang Zheng Yi interjected: "This time is a sure-win opportunity, although it's just a small win, but after that, what awaits you is a medium win, a big win, winning like crazy!"

"Of course, your teacher also has factors to consider for his own safety. Everything is up to you. If you don't like this method, then your teacher really doesn't have a better way. In my opinion, given the current attitude of National Preceptor Pagba and the emperor towards you, the chances of taking you to the battlefield are not high. Even if you go, it will be difficult to lead elite soldiers personally. At that time, you will not only embarrass yourself but also miss a stable opportunity."

Fang Zheng Yi's words hit Ariq Bai's heart one by one.

His temperament was already somewhat soft and he was risk-averse.

After Fang Zheng Yi's analysis, although Ariq Bai was unwilling, he was more afraid of failure, and gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, then I will follow teacher's suggestion and find an opportunity to ask my father to take on the responsibility of guarding the city. At that time, I will protect teacher."

Fang Zheng Yi said with relief: "It's good that you can think this way." Immediately, his expression became a little painful again, "The two countries were originally on good terms, but I really didn't expect it to come to this point today."

"I hope that after the war ends, I can return to Great Jing smoothly. In any case, your teacher owes you a favor."

Ariq Bai sighed helplessly: "I didn't expect such a thing to happen either, but teacher has taught me wholeheartedly, and I will keep this kindness in my heart."

Fang Zheng Yi smiled slightly: "The country belongs to the country, and the individual belongs to the individual. Disciple, I won't say more. The national preceptor is still waiting for me outside."

Ariq Bai wanted to stop him and say a few more words.

Although the residence was large and there were many imperial relatives, only Fang Zheng Yi was willing to chat with him sincerely, and he was really reluctant to part.

But seeing that he had already left without looking back, he could only give up in disappointment.

As soon as he came out, Pagba immediately greeted him and asked: "Brother Fang, why did you chat for so long? What did you say to the Second Prince?"

Fang Zheng Yi pointed to his head with a blank expression: "It seems that the Second Prince's head is injured. I just asked about the golden token, and then told him frankly that you tricked me into coming here and were preparing to start a war between the two countries, and he got angry."

"He kept pulling me and asking questions, not letting me leave. National Preceptor, why are you asking this?"

Upon hearing this, Pagba nodded with concern: "It's nothing, just asking casually. Brother Fang, are you at ease now?"

"I'm at ease. I hope that the national preceptor can keep his promise and not harm the other members of the delegation. I will help you create the Heaven-Defying Artifact, but I cannot guarantee the time."

"Brother Fang doesn't need to worry about this. His Majesty has allocated the best craftsmen and the most manpower. You can arrange whatever you want. I think even the most difficult things will be enough for you to create within a month. If you can't create it, I think my promises... I'm afraid they can only be voided."

"Enough small talk, Brother Fang, let's go. I have already arranged a place for you in the city."

.....