The rays of the rising sun shine on the sea, the sea breeze blows gently, the microwaves stir, and there are sparkling waves.
Qi Ning consoled him: "It's my fault that bringing up old things again makes General Shen sad."
"The words of the Marquis are serious." Shen Liangqiu said hurriedly: "The second young master passed away due to illness, and the humble general was helpless. When traveling, he could only go to various temples and copy everything for the salvation of the second young master." He smiled bitterly and said: "This is a big event. The governor passed away, and the humble general was still not protected, and in my heart...!" He shook his head and sighed.
Qi Ning patted Shen Liangqiu's arm gently before saying, "After three years of traveling, General Shen must have gained a lot of experience and must have made many friends, right?"
"I have met many people, but very few have the same temperament." Shen Liangqiu looked at the vast sea: "It is often said that having a confidant in life is enough, but how difficult is it to find such a confidant?"
"It's enough to have a confidant in life...!" Qi Ning thought thoughtfully, nodded slightly and said, "General Shen is right." Then he smiled and said, "Fortunately, the second young master of Tantai and the governor of Tantai were both friends with you during their lifetimes. As a confidant, General Shen is considered lucky."
Shen Liangqiu's lips moved slightly, but he hesitated to speak, but finally said nothing.
"General Shen, the Commander-in-Chief has passed away. The most important thing for the East China Sea Navy next is to have a new Commander-in-Chief of the Navy." Qi Ning suddenly said: "In your opinion, who can take up this responsibility?"
Shen Liangqiu frowned slightly, shook his head and said: "Master Marquis, who will command the East China Sea Navy? This requires the imperial court to issue an order. I really don't dare to speculate!"
"There is no one else here, and I mentioned it first, so you don't have to be shy." Qi Ning smiled and said, "Neither of you nor I can decide who will be the naval commander. Even if we have nothing to do, we can chat for a while. It won't harm the overall situation."
Shen Liangqiu hesitated for a moment and then said: "Master Marquis, it took the old Marquis and the Grand Governor how many years it took to train the Donghai Navy into an army that could rival the Dongqi Navy. We, the Chu State, have not yet unified the world. In the future, whether we are conquering the Northern Han Dynasty or the Eastern Qi Dynasty, the East Sea Navy will be a great help. Therefore, I feel that the imperial court must think twice and be cautious when appointing a new governor."
"General Shen wants to say that if the imperial court sends a layman who doesn't understand navy and military affairs and gives random instructions, it may ruin the years of hard work of the old marquis and the governor. Is that what you mean?" Qi Ning asked with a smile on his lips. road.
Shen Liangqiu hurriedly raised his hands and said, "I don't dare to...!"
"Don't think too much." Qi Ning said calmly: "Actually, this is what I mean. From the time when the old Marquis founded the Donghai Navy to the present, the imperial court has invested a lot of financial and material resources, and the old Marquis and the Grand Governor have also worked hard to , including you, General Shen, countless naval officers and soldiers have devoted their blood and sweat to the strength of our Great Chu Navy. If we really send a mediocre and incompetent person here, I will definitely write a letter to the imperial court."
Shen Liangqiu looked slightly relaxed, feeling relieved, and solemnly said: "The Marquis is wise!"
"Then tell me, who is worthy of this position under our great Chu?" Qi Ning looked at Shen Liangqiu and asked.
Shen Liangqiu thought for a moment and then said: "Master Marquis, if you want to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, you must meet at least three conditions. First of all, you must understand the military affairs of the Navy. It is best to come from the Navy. The legions are completely different, and I’m sorry to say such disrespectful words, but it may not be appropriate to send General Yue from the Qinhuai legion here at the moment.”
"This is a good point." Qining said: "To lead the navy, it is natural to need an expert. Sending an amateur here will only be counterproductive."
"Secondly, we must be civilized and military." Shen Liangqiu said: "Both the old marquis and the chief governor are famous generals who are civilized and military. They are deeply respected by the navy officers and soldiers. If they cannot be civilized and military, the entire army will naturally It is difficult to feel a sense of awe when one is disappointed in one’s heart.”
Qi Ning smiled and said: "That means you have to be capable. The soldiers of the Donghai Navy all came out under the command of the old Marquis and the Commander-in-Chief. If anyone is sent, everyone will compare him with the previous two Commander-in-Chief. If the gap is too big If it is too big, it will inevitably make the soldiers dissatisfied." He then asked: "What is the last condition?"
"Of course I have to be loyal to the imperial court." Shen Liangqiu said solemnly.
"The navy's talent, prestige, and loyalty!" Qi Ning nodded and said: "With these three points, he can indeed take on a big responsibility." Then he frowned and said: "When it comes to prestige and loyalty, there are many generals in the DPRK, but... to say the least... There are very few people who can understand navy and military affairs. I have been thinking about it, but I can’t think of a single person who is a general in the DPRK and Central Government who possesses all three." He sighed and said: "The old Marquis is old. It's already high, otherwise...!" He didn't say any more.
Shen Liangqiu said: "The reason why the imperial court has not issued an order for a long time may be because it is in trouble for selecting a new naval commander."
Qi Ning was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "Actually, I have thought of a candidate who is the most suitable."
"I ask you for advice!" Shen Liangqiu said with cupped hands.
Qi Ning put one hand behind his back and said: "This person is from the Donghai Navy. He is extremely familiar with naval affairs, has outstanding talents, and has sufficient prestige among the Donghai Navy. The most important thing is that he is loyal to the imperial court. General Shen This person has all the three points mentioned, and he can be said to be the most suitable candidate."
"What the Marquis is talking about...?"
"It's far away and yet so close." Qi Ning raised his finger and pointed at Shen Liangqiu's chest, laughing and saying: "General Shen, besides you, is there anyone else?"
Shen Liangqiu was startled, but immediately bowed and said: "Master Marquis, this humble general is terrified, this...!"
"General Shen, I am not talking politely to you." Qi Ning said solemnly: "You have been following the Commander-in-Chief to manage the navy. Regarding the situation of the navy, you are the only one who is responsible for the situation of the navy from top to bottom. The most familiar. If you take over the post of Grand Governor, the Donghai Navy will be able to transition smoothly without any disturbance. This is the best result for both the Donghai Navy and the imperial court."
Shen Liangqiu frowned slightly and moved his lips slightly. Qining continued: "After my father passed away, the imperial court decreed that General Yue Huanshan, my father's deputy general, should take over the position of general of the Qinhuai Army. Because of this, Qinhuai The legion was calm, and General Yue was able to shoulder the heavy burden left by his father in the shortest possible time. Now the situation of the Donghai Navy is almost the same as that of the Qinhuai legion. As the deputy general next to the governor, you should also shoulder this burden. .”
Shen Liangqiu finally said: "Master Marquis, although I am willing to relieve the worries of the court, I am afraid that my ability is not enough, but I will miss the important affairs of the court."
"It's easy to say that you can shoulder the heavy responsibility." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Although I may not be able to influence the court's decision, if you successfully catch the Black Tiger Shark this time, I will repay your merits. , I can recommend you to the Emperor as the Commander-in-Chief of the East China Sea Navy, what do you think?"
Shen Liangqiu immediately knelt down on one knee and said respectfully: "I would like to thank you Lord Marquis for your support. It is a great kindness and kindness that I will never forget!"
Qi Ning stretched out his hand to help him up, shook his head and said: "General Shen, there is no need to thank me. I am also promoting talents for the country." After a pause, he chuckled: "But all this will have to wait until this operation is over. The only way is to arrest Living in Black Tiger Shark, General Shen has made great contributions, so I can recommend him to the court, otherwise...!"
Shen Liangqiu said: "General, I understand that if the information this time is correct, I will definitely be able to capture the Black Tiger Shark!"
Qining laughed, then turned around, holding his hands on the bow railing, facing the sea, the ship was still heading towards the rising sun.
"There are calm waves on the sea, but there are undercurrents under the sea." Qining looked at the sea, thought of something, and asked: "By the way, General Shen, there is one thing that I have always been curious about. I wonder if you can help." May I clarify your doubts?"
"Master Marquis, please speak!"
"In the legend, there are four great beasts, blue dragon, white tiger, red bird, and Xuanwu." Qi Ning looked at Shen Liangqiu: "And the Xuanwu beast is hidden in the sea. I heard that the Xuanwu beast has a Xuanwu pill in its mouth, which can revive the dead and change the world. Fate, is this true?”
"The dead come back to life and change their fate against the will of heaven?" Shen Liangqiu was startled, then smiled and said: "I have actually heard of the mysterious Xuanwu beast that the Marquis mentioned."
"Oh?" Qi Ning was very interested: "Is this really possible?"
Shen Liangqiu shook his head and said: "I have heard of the Xuanwu Sacred Beast, but I have never heard of the Xuanwu Pill that can defy the heavens and change your destiny." After a pause, he said: "In the mouths of the fishermen in the East China Sea, it is really true. There is an ancient legend passed down from generation to generation, which is about the mysterious beast Xuanwu."
Qi Ning turned around and leaned against the railing, saying: "Come on, come on, tell me, what kind of legend is it?"
Shen Liangqiu said: "As the Marquis said, there are rumors that there are four great beasts between heaven and earth, the green dragon, the white tiger, the red bird, and the Xuanwu. Everyone thinks this is just a myth, and no one has ever seen the four beasts, but there are rumors that although the four Not all great beasts can be seen, but some people have really seen the white tiger beast and the basalt beast. The white tiger beast is hidden in the mountains of southern Xinjiang. Some southern Xinjiang hunters revealed that they have seen the white tiger beast suddenly appear in the mountains. .”
Qi Ning said "Oh", and Shen Liangqiu continued: "The Xuanwu beast is hidden at the bottom of the East China Sea. According to the legend passed down, the Xuanwu beast is blessed by heaven and earth. As long as you can eat a piece of Xuanwu meat, you can live longer."
Qi Ning wondered whether the Xuanwu beast was the incarnation of Tang Seng, but did not interrupt. Shen Liangqiu continued: "But if you want to see the Xuanwu beast, you must have good karma accumulated over several lifetimes. Ordinary people can't." It is impossible to see it. Moreover, the rumors also say that the basalt beast will climb up an island in the East China Sea every thirty years, saying that it is to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on the island...!" He shook his head and sighed: "This is all. It’s just a folk legend and cannot be taken seriously.”
"Climbing an island every thirty years?" Qining asked in surprise: "Why is this?"
"There is no explanation in the legend, and there are even more divergent opinions on which island the basalt beast will climb on. There is no definite answer. There are hundreds of islands and reefs in the East China Sea, large and small, and no one can tell clearly about the basalt beast so far. Which island will you climb on?" Shen Liangqiu smiled faintly: "Few people tell these legends now, and everyone must know that they are just stories compiled by the ancients."
Qi Ning thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "It is a rule for migratory birds to migrate south. Maybe it is also a rule for the basalt beast to come ashore every thirty years!"