Chapter 126: The Imperial Master Arrives

The fall of Kobe means that the gates of Sanchung County are wide open, and the Taoist army can march straight in and approach Komono Castle.

For the Taoist, Komono Castle is not very important, but the Ise Shrine next to Komono Castle is of great significance.

In all the wars in Fenglinzhou, Ise Shrine has maintained a transcendent status. Even if someone attacks Komono Castle, it will not affect Ise Shrine. But this time is different. The Taoist came for Ise Shrine. It can even be said that the ultimate goal of the entire February offensive is Ise Shrine. Only by conquering Ise Shrine can the plan be completed.

The Taoist raised a slogan and marched towards Ise Shrine.

However, before that, some of the Taoist leaders took a flying boat back to Xiujing Camp to participate in the dinner to welcome the arrival of the national teacher.

The venue of the banquet was not set in the camp, but in Xiujing City, where the Fenglinzhou Daofu was located.

Chinese banquets are always serious. The national teacher did not want to create an overly tense atmosphere before the war, so he adopted a Western-style banquet with a more relaxed and lively tone. Including the new regent, Toyotomi Hideshige, the swordsman Yagyu Munemasa, Fugui Palace, Jixiang Palace and other important officials of the prime minister's mansion, were also invited to attend the banquet.

It is worth mentioning that Jixiang Palace did not give in, but her attitude had wavered. At least she was no longer seeking death. In addition, her realm cultivation was sealed, so she also attended this dinner.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu, two rising stars who shone brightly on the battlefield of Ise, were naturally invited. Not only that, the two were able to follow Qingwei Zhenren, Zhang Da Zhenren, Zhangfu Zhenren, the chief, the second seat and others to welcome the national teacher's ship.

The huge "Yinglong" slowly landed on the sea, lowered the gangway and connected to the pier extending into the sea.

Because the position of the pier is limited, the number of people who can board the pier to welcome the national teacher is limited, which also represents a special status. The position on the pier is like the arrangement of civil and military officials when they go to court. The higher the status, the higher the ranking. Qingwei Zhenren naturally stood in the first position on the left, and the first person on the right was Zhang Qihan, the Great Zhenren.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were just in the middle, almost at the head of the deputy hall master level. Before them, all were second-grade Taiyi Taoist priests.

The figure of the national master Li Changgeng appeared on the gangway and waved to everyone. M..

Everyone saluted.

After the national master walked down the gangway, only Qingwei Zhenren and Zhang Qihan greeted him: "National Master."

"Thank you for your hard work." The national master greeted the two.

After the national master, Li Changge and Yao Pei also walked down the long gangway "Yinglong".

Li Changge's words came true, and the two really came to Fenglinzhou on the same boat.

It is said that there are three Taoist masters plus Qi Xuansu, but after the February offensive, there was a certain gap between the four. Qi Xuansu was originally a leader with the great merit of recruiting Linglu Mountain, but in order to seek a semi-immortal object, he gave part of the credit to Zhang Yuelu, so the two of them were on par. Li Changge and Yao Pei fell behind in all aspects. When the war was over, it was almost inevitable that Qi and Zhang would be promoted to the second place or take the place of the second place. Li and Yao would have to endure the position of deputy hall master for a while.

It was not that Qingwei Zhenren was selfless and gave all the credit to Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu, but he had to do it. He first sent the Yin-Yang Master of Tsuchimikado to recruit Suzuka Mountain, but the Yin-Yang Master of Tsuchimikado failed, so he sent Qi Xuansu.

In fact, this was not a simple task. If Qi Xuansu did not have the three Yin objects to escort him, he would not be able to see Suzuka Gozen anyway. It was equivalent to Qi Xuansu bringing a pseudo-immortal to complete the task. In other words, this task was aimed at pseudo-immortals. It was normal for Qi Xuansu to fail to complete it, and it was unexpected that he completed it.

Next, they attacked Jiuju Castle and killed Honganji Pinru. Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu played the role of a celestial being in the stage of creation, which was equivalent to the lower-ranked Canzhi Zhenren.

This was also the reality that Qingwei Zhenren had to face.

Externally, we must win the hearts and minds of the people and take the position of justice. Internally, we must ensure that the war progresses smoothly and minimize casualties. In addition to pouring out artillery shells at all costs, we must also frequently use high-end combat power to open up the situation. He cannot hide Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu who have the "Tianshi Male and Female Sword" at this time.

As Taipingdao has repeatedly emphasized, winning the battle of Fenglinzhou is the most important thing at the moment, and everything else is trivial.

In other words, can't the huge Zhengyi find a semi-immortal object suitable for Zhang Yuelu? Must the sword of the Tianshi be used? Not necessarily. It was the Tianshi who saw this and deliberately gave the "Tianshi Male and Female Sword" to the two, allowing them to come to the Fenglinzhou battlefield to make achievements and strive for the first-mover advantage. The sentence "It's better to give it to you to kill more Japanese pirates on the Fenglinzhou battlefield" is not a lie.

Qi Xuansu only gradually understood it now. This is to take advantage of the situation and go with the flow.

The Tianshi seems to have done nothing, but he is not at a disadvantage. Zhang Yuelu, whom he values, is expected to become the youngest second-rank Taiyi Taoist priest. Zhang Jucheng, whom he wants to recommend, took advantage of the special opportunity of the Fenglinzhou war to force the Li family to compromise, and crossed the most difficult threshold. He is about to become the head of the Jiangnan Daofu. At this position, it is almost inevitable to be promoted to the palace. Bai Yingqiong of Zhengyi also took advantage of the situation and was only one step away from the Chanzhi Zhenren. At her age, she can completely become Zhang Yuelu's right-hand man. In fact, it is almost a default that Cihang Zhenren is unable to compete for the position of the Grand Master. Tianshi also began to plan for the next thirty years when he knew that it was impossible to do so, and the effect was remarkable.

Qi Xuansu couldn't help but sigh. The Heavenly Master looked like a kind and amiable old man. He didn't pretend to be mysterious or say profound words on weekdays, but his methods were really clean and neat. He killed his sister and brother-in-law without hesitation. It can be said that he killed his relatives for the sake of justice and cut off his arm. Whether it was the granddaughter of his brother or the granddaughter of his cousin, as long as she had a promising future and ability, she was his granddaughter and had the capacity to tolerate others. A series of layouts and plans were really plain and there was no such thing as others not understanding them. It highlighted a natural outcome, which was somewhat like a good fighter without great achievements.

As for the National Master, he had another style, which was more domineering.

The three deputy masters had been evenly matched for many years, maintaining a balance and each had his own strengths.

After the banquet began, the National Master made a brief speech, mainly on behalf of the Taoist sect and Jinque to affirm the series of achievements of the Xiujing Camp during this period of time.

Because it was a Western-style banquet, it was more casual and divided into three stages. The first stage is the prelude cocktail party, a self-service meal, which is probably about one person holding a glass of wine to socialize. The second stage is the dinner time. Chinese banquets prefer round tables, while Western banquets use long tables. The third stage is the after-dinner cocktail party. Men and women are separated, and this is also the time to talk about business.

After the frequent exchanges between the Taoist sect and the Holy Court, in order to entertain guests, they gradually learned some Western etiquette. The Central Plains has always been like this, good at learning, from kneeling to chairs, all are the same.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu are naturally together. Zhang Yuelu is a wine lover and will not miss such an opportunity. He asked the Taoist who was in charge of the waiter for a glass of fine Western white wine and tasted it slowly.

Soon, the two met Li Changge and Li Zhuyu. In terms of clan relations, Li Zhuyu is Li Changge's granddaughter, but in terms of Taoist relations, Li Zhuyu is actually Li Changge's senior sister, and the two have no blood relationship.

Qi Xuansu said: "I heard that Brother Yongyan has cleared his name. I am glad to hear that."

Li Changge smiled: "What do you mean by clearing your name? I cannot escape the sin of negligence. I returned to Fenglinzhou this time to atone for my sin. Brother Tianyuan and Friend Qingxiao have made many military achievements. I have heard about them in Jiangnan."

"Brother Yongyan is too kind. I am just doing my duty as a Taoist." Qi Xuansu said modestly.

Zhang Yuelu did not like this kind of socializing very much. Since Qi Xuansu was there to deal with it, she spoke less and just drank by herself.

It is not groundless that people say that Zhang Yuelu is difficult to get along with.

Of course, there are people who are even more unsociable than Zhang Yuelu, and that is Yao Pei.

At this time, Yao Pei was standing alone in a corner. Most of the people present were second-grade Taiyi Taoist priests, and the worst was third-grade Youyi Taoist priests. There were few ordinary people. Yao Pei certainly didn't stand out from the crowd, but he kept a certain distance from everyone. Compared with Zhang Yuelu, who was accompanied by someone, he was quite independent.

However, Yao Pei enjoyed this loneliness, drinking alone and enjoying himself.

In a short prelude, Zhang Yuelu drank at least a bottle of white wine, half a pot of yellow wine, and a glass of white wine. If she were an ordinary woman, she would be unable to find the north in Qi Xuansu's arms, but Zhang Yuelu was still energetic and not drunk even without practicing.

There was nothing much to say about the dinner. Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were at the end of the long table, far away from the national teacher. Li Changge and Yao Pei were no exception and were arranged opposite Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu.

At the after-dinner cocktail party, Qi Xuansu and Li Changge and others were together, while Zhang Yuelu, Yao Pei, Li Zhuyu and others were together. In fact, there was nothing serious to talk about. After all, the Taoism was different, and the Taoism was different, so they didn't plan together. It was nothing more than talking about some insignificant fun things.

However, other people, including the superiors of the Prime Minister's Mansion, gathered in groups of three or five in different small rooms, surrounded by smoke. From time to time, one of them walked out and went to the next small circle with smoke all over his body.

Various waiters ran back and forth, delivering various wines or other necessary things.

The National Master and Qingwei Zhenren also had a private conversation at this time.

The two sat on a Western-style sofa, separated by a coffee table.

"Wuqiu, I came here this time not because I don't trust you, but just in case." The national teacher leaned back on the chair, "It is said that military affairs are the continuation of political affairs, but don't you know that to achieve the ultimate strategic goal, it still depends on the outcome of the war. Once the war begins, it must follow its own principles and rules, which cannot be violated by anyone, and will not change because of someone's will, but only because of specific actions. War is not a tamed horse that can be controlled by anyone. It will not recognize the right and wrong positions in front of it. If you are not careful, you will suffer a great loss and die miserably."

Qingwei Zhenren was silent for a moment: "National teacher means... the last battle, no more holding back?"

National teacher said calmly: "Follow the objective laws of war, what we want is the result."