454: Different paths lead to the same goal

As expected.

A prince without dreams of becoming Emperor is not a good prince.

Moreover, the history of Great Qian includes female Emperors, which destined the power struggles in Great Qian to be even more ruthless than those of ordinary dynasties.

Both princes and princesses must participate in this.

However, in most cases, those who support princes outnumber those who support princesses.

This is also an old tradition.

Although Great Qian has had female Emperors, there have been far more male Emperors in its history.

Jiang Ning felt he had heard some quite extraordinary news today.

At this moment, Zhao Mianshuang pushed the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus toward Jiang Ning. "Brother Jiang, what do you think? Do you want to plot a grand endeavor with me?

You are capable. The guidelines you gave the Student Union contain many things that exceed my understanding.

But I think they are good, truly good.

If cultivation had no threshold in Great Qian, and everyone could cultivate and achieve Immortal Ascension, what would Great Qian look like then?

If barriers were removed from every industry and people could find the profession that suits them, how many talented individuals would Great Qian produce?

So, Brother Jiang, this Seven-Colored Snow Lotus is really nothing to you. Truly, I even feel that what I am giving you is too little.

I don't have many forces behind me, nor do I have many capable soldiers or strong generals under my command; I am even inferior to the Fourth Prince.

Not to mention the eldest First Prince, or the Third Prince, whose maternal clan possesses great power.

This is a life-threatening business.

Brother Jiang, are you willing to do this with me?"

Jiang Ning looked at the Seven-Colored Snow Lotus before him.

He hesitated for a long time.

In the novel, the First Prince eventually seized the throne. If he followed the original plot, following the First Prince would be best.

Since he wanted to obtain resources in Great Qian and stir up the situation, he would inevitably face the struggle for the throne.

But Yun Qingyao was dead, and Gu Yanqing had been taken to the Demon Race.

Without these two major helpers, given the First Prince's 'honest and simple' personality, the chance of him seizing the throne was too slim.

The Third Prince had instead become the prince with the greatest power now.

As for this Sixth Princess, who had died long ago in the original work... Jiang Ning didn't know how to choose.

Zhao Mianshuang stared into Jiang Ning's eyes. Seeing this, she chuckled. "Brother Jiang, this is no small matter. If you agree today, you might regret it in the future.

If you don't agree today, we might still end up together in the future.

It's nothing; you don't need to answer me now."

"Take this Seven-Colored Snow Lotus; I don't know if it will help you or not," Zhao Mianshuang said confidently. "If the ideals of the Student Union represent the world you envision, Brother Jiang,

I firmly believe that we will come together sooner or later.

This is a gesture of friendship for my future comrade. Brother Jiang, do not decline again."

Since she had put it that way...

Jiang Ning directly put the jade box into his Small World.

Zhao Mianshuang was right.

Whether it was the development of the Student Union or his future path of cultivation,

in the end, the two of them would inevitably walk the same path.

The Third Prince was utilitarian, which Jiang Ning disliked.

The First Prince had good character, but Jiang Ning felt that without Gu Yanqing, the First Prince would not meet a good end.

After considering everything, siding with Zhao Mianshuang was the best option.

After accepting it, Jiang Ning cupped his fists. "If Miss Zhao's original intentions remain unchanged, we will surely walk together in the end."

Zhao Mianshuang was in high spirits.

"Brother Jiang, drink!"

"Drink!"

Jiang Ning and Zhao Mianshuang drained their cups.

Shen Jinhuan listened from the side, knowing that during this banquet, her Revered Master and this Sixth Princess had decided on something extraordinary.

This Zhao Mianshuang had quite an eye; with Revered Master's help, she would surely succeed.

Having lived with Revered Master for so long, they had encountered many ups and downs, but Revered Master had never let anyone down.

He could always shoulder the burden and hold up a corner of the sky for her and their friends.

After a few more drinks,

Jiang Ning asked about the Prefect of Yunhai, Zuo Mingyu, and the matters regarding the Student Union.

These were of the same nature.

In fact, they were the same thing.

Zhao Mianshuang said, "Zuo Mingyu was taken care of by me last year. I collected evidence of Zuo Mingyu harming the people for the sake of his promotion and used my channels to let my Imperial Father know.

Imperial Father directly sent the Captain of the Golden Scale Guard to take Zuo Mingyu's head."

"He was actually willing to kill him?"

Jiang Ning hadn't expected that the old rival he had always worried about would die just like that.

Zhao Mianshuang said, "This is no small matter. The Great Qian Immortal Dynasty is not a Sect; the Great Qian Immortal Dynasty is a nation. Since it is a nation, one must understand the value of the people's hearts.

Many of Great Qian's Loose Cultivators come from among the common people.

There are also some Sects and Gangs keeping an eye on Great Qian.

If this matter isn't handled well and the people's hearts are lost, it's easy for those Loose Cultivators, Sects, and Gangs to find fault.

He was just a Zuo Mingyu; his cultivation level wasn't enough for my Imperial Father to cherish his talent."

"Then the Student Union..."

"The Student Union is doing quite well now."

Zhao Mianshuang said, "I wouldn't dare forget Brother Jiang's instructions. The person currently in charge of Yunhai Prefecture is one of mine; he is a normal Cultivator and does not follow the Incense Dao.

On the surface, Imperial Father and the other princes know that it is my territory.

In secret, I support the development of the Student Union. I believe that the Student Union will eventually become my greatest aid.

I have also done sufficient preparation.

On the surface, I have my people investigating the Student Union, but it's just for show."

At this point, Zhao Mianshuang smiled at Jiang Ning. "Guiding Teacher, I am helping you now; you must help me later."

Jiang Ning hadn't expected the Student Union to be living so comfortably now.

Originally, he had thought about rushing to Yunhai Prefecture to give the Student Union a hand.

From the looks of it, he could stay in the Imperial City for a few more days.

The matters of the Student Union were not urgent.

"Miss Zhao must be joking. No matter how much the Student Union develops, it's impossible for it to grow into an army that can help you seize the throne within a few years."

"Brother Jiang, the Student Union is your brainchild; do you have so little confidence?"

Zhao Mianshuang laughed. "Then let me keep you in suspense. When Brother Jiang reaches Yunhai Prefecture and sees the current state of the Student Union, you will definitely be shocked.

Once the people's yearning for a better life has a chance to be realized, they aren't being forced to move forward; they are moving forward of their own urgency.

Everyone is putting in their heart and effort; this is a formidable force.

I won't say more; Brother Jiang should go see for himself."

As Jiang Ning listened, he became more and more curious.

Had the Student Union really changed that much?

He didn't dwell on that question.

Instead, he mentioned the matter of the spirit boat being hijacked on his way to the Imperial City.

Zhao Mianshuang sneered. "Those are all the industries of my Fourth Imperial Brother. My Fourth Imperial Brother is sinister and cunning, but he is still quite thorough in his work.

I've investigated this slave business for a long time, but I can't find any evidence that points directly to him.

Since the hijacking has nothing to do with the Slave Market,

the Slave Market hasn't violated Great Qian's laws, and I can't find an opportunity to shut it down.

There's no way around it; that's the most headache-inducing part of this matter."

Zhao Mianshuang shook her head.

This matter was also a thorn in her side.