Seeing the struggling expression on Liu Wenxuan's face, Ye Tian smiled faintly: "Minister Liu you need not to force yourself. Even if you choose not to join, I will not harm a single civilian in Tianxing Province."
Hearing this, Liu Wenxuan was deeply moved.
This is the bearing that a superior should have!
If half of the Star Luo Empire's upper echelons were like Ye Tian, how could he feel hopeless about the Star Luo Empire?
Gritting his teeth, Liu Wenxuan bowed respectfully: "I have no objections to the General personally, it's just that Spirit Hall is ultimately an outsider."
"The General choosing temporary cooperation is acceptable, but please don't be constrained by them."
The Star Luo Empire had been established for a thousand years. Deep in his heart, he already considered himself a Star Luo person, possessing pride belonging to the Star Luo Empire.
Therefore, Liu Wenxuan didn't want to be ruled by the foreign Spirit Hall in the near future.
"This continent will ultimately be unified," Ye Tian said calmly.
He didn't elaborate further. The rest was for Liu Wenxuan to slowly comprehend.
Ye Tian actually understood Liu Wenxuan's feelings very well - it was nothing more than melancholy over the disappearance of the Star Luo Empire concept.
With his hands behind his back, Ye Tian said calmly: "After the continent is unified, I cannot predict whether Star Luo's nobles will still exist."
"But one thing is certain - the lives of civilians will definitely be better than now."
Liu Wenxuan fell silent, deeply agreeing.
He cared about the common people and had once envisioned a unified Douluo Continent.
Because there would be no competition between factions, military service and wars would be greatly reduced.
The upper echelons would also reduce military expenditures, thus the taxes imposed on civilians would also decrease.
The common people would at least be able to welcome a hundred years of peace.
This was exactly what Liu Wenxuan had always wanted to do but was powerless to achieve.
"I am willing to unconditionally join under the General's command!"
Liu Wenxuan took a deep breath. At this moment, he was completely convinced.
Because he saw something called hope in Ye Tian.
This was something Liu Wenxuan had never seen in the first half of his life.
This young man possessed a magnificent vitality that gave Liu Wenxuan reason to believe that in the near future, the youth would make his mark on the continent!
But what Liu Wenxuan didn't know was that Ye Tian was already famous on the continent.
Whether it was the upper echelons of Heaven Dou Empire or Spirit Hall, no one didn't know this former mastermind.
It's just that Liu Wenxuan had been staying in Tianxing Province in recent years, with limited channels for obtaining information, so he didn't know about Ye Tian's deeds.
If he had known, he probably would have kowtowed in submission long ago.
As the first renowned scholar to surrender in Tianxing Province, Ye Tian was very generous, saying: "When Minister Liu arrived, my army had already set out to attack Tianxing City. Why don't Minister Liu serve as the Governor of Tianxing Province?"
To be honest, Ye Tian really didn't want to manage local civil affairs.
Just thinking about the mountains of memorials made Ye Tian's head hurt.
It was better to let Liu Wenxuan handle such matters.
Anyway, he didn't expect to collect much money from Tianxing Province.
Hearing this, Liu Wenxuan was stunned again.
Ye Tian currently only had the territory of Tianxing Province! Yet he was entrusting it all to his management.
This complete sense of trust made Liu Wenxuan feel somewhat moved for a moment.
Could it be that General Ye Tian knows of my governing talents?
Liu Wenxuan had always believed he possessed the talent to govern the country.
Even serving as Prime Minister wouldn't be a problem.
But coming from a humble background, with no backing in the imperial court, he could never climb to that position no matter what.
But now things were different.
Ye Tian's faction, as a startup team with Spirit Hall as a powerful ally, was very likely to sweep through the Star Luo Empire.
As one of the first renowned scholars to join, his official career wouldn't necessarily be spectacular in the future, but at least it would be smooth sailing!
Perhaps there really was a slight possibility of obtaining a position comparable to Prime Minister!
Thinking of this, Liu Wenxuan's heart surged even more.
At the same time, Liu Wenxuan also knew that whether one was a mule or a thoroughbred, one had to be tested.
This appointment as Governor of Tianxing Province was very likely Ye Tian's test for him.
"Please rest assured, General Ye. I will certainly do my utmost, working diligently to govern Tianxing Province! I will also implement the military merit land-granting policy that the General has established!"
Speaking of this, Liu Wenxuan showed some hesitation.
"Speak directly if you have something to say."
"General, the Governor's office will need many clerks and assistants to fill positions..."
"You make the decisions yourself," Ye Tian said casually. He had few officials under him, so naturally he wouldn't assign any to Liu Wenxuan: "Minister Liu has been teaching in Tianxing Province for so many years. Recruiting a few disciples shouldn't be difficult."
Hearing that Ye Tian was letting him recruit freely, Liu Wenxuan was even more moved.
Ye Tian's delegation of authority was truly thorough!
He had originally thought that Ye Tian would place several trusted confidants by his side to monitor his governance of Tianxing City.
He hadn't expected the other party to disdain doing such things at all!
How much trust this showed in him!
Liu Wenxuan couldn't contain the tears in his eyes.
At nearly fifty years old, he had finally encountered a confidant!
"The General's kindness in recognizing my worth, this subordinate will never forget until death!"
Liu Wenxuan completely let down his guard, kneeling on the ground completely.
"Minister Liu needn't go to such lengths."
Ye Tian hurriedly helped him up - he didn't like being kowtowed to.
Thus, Liu Wenxuan added another point to his evaluation of Ye Tian: courteous to wise men.
Such a person, if he could become a ruler, would surely be a blessing for the Star Luo people!
Zhou Long's attack on Tianxing City was without suspense.
Tianxing City's defenses were already sparse.
Moreover, the Governor had fled early, causing panic throughout Tianxing Province.
Zhou Long's twenty thousand troops arrived at Tianxing City.
The magnificent twenty thousand army formed a line, shooting large quantities of leaflets into the city with arrows.
They told the defending soldiers that this attack would only punish the main culprits, others were innocent, and those who surrendered would be granted land!
Just one wave of psychological warfare caused the defenders of Tianxing City to fall into chaos.
But the defending general, with a determination to die, consecutively executed over ten soldiers before suppressing the situation.
However, this only lasted half a day.
When night fell, soldiers mutinied, secretly opening the city gates.
Thus Zhou Long captured Tianxing City without breaking a sweat.
News reached the port.
After learning of this, Ye Tian praised greatly: "It seems Elder Zhou's blade isn't dull yet - his command skills are quite superb."
Gu Yuena rested her head on Ye Tian's shoulder, pouting: "If you let me go, I could blast open the city gates with one big move."
Ye Tian smiled and stroked Gu Yuena's beautiful hair: "Elite combat power like you should be saved for the cutting edge."
"Don't worry, when we attack Star Luo City, you'll have space to display your abilities."
"Fine then," Gu Yuena answered melancholically.
She really wanted to help Ye Tian.
However, these past days, Ye Tian hadn't assigned her any tasks at all.
Even Xiao Bai and the Sea Witch were busy protecting supply lines, but only she had nothing to do.
Being unable to help Ye Tian was really frustrating.
(End of Chapter)