0p0 Chapter 229 I Pray for Peace and Tranquility for My Country
Chapter 229 I Pray for Peace and Tranquility for My Country
Uncle Tian didn't expect Xu Ning to bring up the matter of Qianyan Army.
He stroked his short beard and pondered, "I still want you to take over my position. There are too many forces involved over there. I can arrange for many people to help you here."
Xu Ning said with a wry smile, "Uncle Tian, please stop assigning me work, okay? And you call this the military? Wouldn't it be better to give Zhiyi this Tian Shu Star? Look, he's admitted his mistake now, and he's doing quite well here with you."
Zhiyi, who was standing to the side, chuckled upon hearing Xu Ning's words. "I'm a criminal now, so please don't try to make me a target of hatred."
Seeing that Zhiyi could even laugh and make fun of himself, Xu Ning knew that he had gotten over his inner turmoil and said to him, "Belial has been active recently. If you want to ask her about alchemy, you can go to Qunyu Pavilion after work and ask her to come down in advance."
Zhiyi was overjoyed and gratefully cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Xu Ning.
When Xu Ning mentioned that Zhiyi wanted to learn alchemy, Uncle Tian pondered for a moment, but ultimately didn't ask any questions.
Xu Ning then started recommending Ye Lan to Uncle Tian again.
"Ye Lan is quite good, isn't she? Her curious nature, her dark temperament, and her instinct to be vigilant even in times of peace are a perfect match for the position of Tian Shu."
Uncle Tian frowned as he listened to Xu Ning's ramblings, saying, "What kind of nonsense is this? I must say, Ye Lan is indeed more suitable for this position than you and Zhi Yi. But..."
Uncle Tian sighed and lowered his voice, saying, "But I always feel that there is a crazy self-destructive tendency in her mind, which is very unreliable. We still need to observe her more."
Xu Ning looked at Uncle Tian speechlessly and said cautiously, "Perhaps it's not a self-destructive tendency, but a deep-seated masochist... Never mind, let's talk about that later. Let's talk about Qianyan Army instead."
Uncle Tian picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, frowned, and put it down again. He watched Xu Ning across from him sipping from the gourd one cup after another, and he couldn't be angrier.
"You're talking about that guy who was sleeping on duty the other day, right? When Fengyan found out, he gave him a severe beating and sent him to stand guard at Liuli Peak."
Xu Ning shook his head and said, "Uncle Tian, that's not what I meant. One or two people slacking off has nothing to do with the overall situation of Liyue."
"When I first arrived in Liyue a few years ago, I didn't pay much attention to the Thousand Rock Army. But after returning this time, I clearly felt that the Thousand Rock Army guards on duty in Liyue Harbor were extremely weak, obese, slovenly, and there were many who kept cats and dogs and were absent-minded."
Uncle Tian was silent for a moment before saying, "Liyue has been peaceful for hundreds of years under the protection of the Emperor. It is normal for the army to be somewhat lax. But I believe that they are still willing to shed their blood for Liyue when they are needed."
Xu Ning said solemnly, "I have never doubted this point either. But the only thing I don't agree with is the idea of shedding blood. I would rather see them as invincible and unstoppable, and it should be the enemies who die by their guns who shed blood."
"The reason I'm telling you this is because there's a question I've wanted to ask for a long time."
Xu Ning looked into Tian Shu's eyes and asked, "Where are the rock spears of Liyue? Why have I never seen any Thousand Rock Army soldiers holding them? Even the elite guards stationed at key locations like Jade Peak and Moonsea Pavilion, I have never seen them with them."
The rock spear that Xu Ning mentioned is actually called the "Thousand Rock Long Spear".
Just like the Favonius legacy of the Mondstadt people, the "Favonius series" weapons inherited by the Knights of Favonius have become the main equipment of the Mondstadt military.
There are also two extremely important lineages in Liyue.
They are the "Thousand Rock Ancient Sword" and the "Thousand Rock Spear" left behind by the Thousand Rock Legion, who spontaneously followed the Rock King Emperor in battle.
On the day Liyue Harbor was built, the Thousand Rocks Guild, which formed spontaneously, took "Rock Army" and "Liyue" as its banners, advancing and retreating together, and never abandoning each other.
Those who wield the Ancient Sword of Thousand Rock under the banner of "Liyue" use themselves as shields to protect the peace of Liyue.
Those who wield the Thousand Rock Spears under the banner of "Rock Lord" use their bodies as spears, advancing fearlessly to quell demons and pacify evil.
"Does Liyue still possess the Thousand Rock Spear Formation, once invincible with a thousand men fighting side by side?"
Uncle Tian picked up the herbal tea on the table and took a sip; his throat felt slightly hoarse.
"Did the Emperor instruct you to ask this?"
Xu Ning chuckled.
"How could Your Majesty concern yourself with such a trivial matter? It's just something I wanted to ask myself. If it's inconvenient for you to say, just consider it me making small talk."
Uncle Tian sighed, pushed aside his teacup, and tapped his table.
Under Hui Xin's murderous gaze, Xu Ning picked up a porcelain bowl and poured a bowl of "Thousand Winds" for Uncle Tian.
Uncle Tian took a slow sip and sighed, "How could we dare to throw away the things left by our ancestors? But it's true that we don't value them as much anymore."
"Those long spears and ancient swords were all carved from bedrock and stone pillars imbued with the divine power of the emperor. Although they were incomparably sharp, they were also extremely heavy. Ordinary soldiers could not wield them at all. Even in that era of war, only the most elite soldiers could use them."
"Since the Yun and Han families have made great use of weapon forging, these two types of rock-made weapons have been sealed in the warehouse and have never been used again."
Xu Ning understood as soon as he heard the two surnames.
Although rock spears and rock swords are powerful, they are too heavy to be used by ordinary soldiers and warriors.
Therefore, these two weapons, which were forged into the "Prototype" and "Black Rock" series, replaced the legacy of the Thousand Rocks Guild.
"So, you're saying we don't actually lack good weapons, right? They're all hidden away in the Black Rock Factory?"
Uncle Tian glared at Xu Ning, "Don't talk nonsense when you're outside."
Xu Ning nodded in agreement, then asked, "You must have tested them, right? Which weapon is superior, the new one or the Thousand Rock weapon?"
Uncle Tian laughed and said, "How could we not have tried it? A few years ago, during the Layered Rock Abyss mine disaster, the Thousand Rock Army was ordered to rescue people. The rocks were hard and heavy, making them difficult to break and move. The Black Rock Factory's weapons were used to break the rocks, which was both a waste and unsatisfactory."
"At that time, someone suggested taking out the Thousand Rock Spears from the stockpile, and having two people work together to break the rocks with the spears."
Xu Ning hurriedly asked, "How was the effect?"
"Piercing through the rock was extremely easy, but as time went by, the divine power attached to the gun gradually diminished, and many weapons broke and cracked due to years of neglect."
Uncle Tian glanced at Xu Ning and said, "If you want to take a look, just ask Gan Yu for a slip and go to the warehouse to get two."
Xu Ning immediately laughed, "Uncle Tian, you really understand me. Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll go find Miss Gan Yu in a bit."
Uncle Tian stared at Xu Ning for a long while, then suddenly sighed, "Ever since you came to Liyue, I have been very concerned about you. You are extremely indifferent to fame and fortune, yet you are extremely attentive to all kinds of affairs in Liyue. Xu Ning, what exactly are you seeking?"
Upon hearing Uncle Tian's question, Zhiyi paused in his work and looked over.
He was just as curious about the answer to this question.
Xu Ning was taken aback by Uncle Tian's question, then suddenly laughed and said, "Uncle Tian, isn't this obvious? My home and the people I love are here, so naturally I'm just praying for peace and safety for my family and country."
"Isn't it normal to put in some effort to achieve this goal?"
Uncle Tian nodded approvingly, then asked, "Can't we still say that the country is safe and sound now? With the Emperor's protection..."
Xu Ning waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "I don't really agree with the fact that we Liyue people are used to constantly talking about the Emperor. Although we Liyue have walked with the gods for countless years, can we continue to do so for a hundred or a thousand years? If the gods are no longer here one day, where will we go?"