700 Shui Wuyin’s Persistence (1/2)

Based solely on Wu Ying's capabilities and skills, putting aside the possibility of producing an abundance of talents, it would not be an issue at all for him to foster prodigies fit to rule half the land of the Empire of Yutang if he were to open a class and take in students. The titles he had written and produced were evidence of that.

”How many do you need, in particular?” asked Leng Daoyin.

Wu Ying counted silently and answered, ”I can select from a total of twenty people, but there can be no more than ten who can remain. Ultimately, I can only choose one successor each for the civil and military arms.”

”Well, that doesn't sound like too many, does it?” Tie Zheng said.

Wu Ying rolled his eyes and scoffed.

The rest of the group understood what he had meant. This was a task of coaching the talents from scratch. Who could possibly know how much effort had to be put in; ten were already plenty, how could it be considered few?

However, Wu Ying continued his explanation, ”Other than the two who I will hand-pick in the end, the eight whom I have eliminated, even if I were to be modest, wouldn't have any issues governing a territory.”

The quintet's eyes radiated.

”Any particular requests?” Old Mistress Shangguan was even more thorough in her queries.

”The two whom I prioritize needs to be supported by their family background,” Wu Ying said, ”Otherwise, it'll take far too long to wait for them to slowly ascend, step by step.”

No one objected to this pertinent point. The request of possessing an adequately high starting point was reasonable.

”The other eight... other than their characters, I have no other request,” Wu Ying said.

”This shouldn't be a challenge,” Qiu Jianhan spoke first and said, ”The few of us will become the chief examiners for you. You don't have to worry about fairness and impartiality.”

The rest of the elders nodded in agreement.

”I'll trouble you for your assistance then.” Wu Ying bowed and said, ”I know that Old Sirs are occupied with various work and even more personal affairs. Wu Ying does not dare to detain you for long. Please, do head back.”

The quintet looked at each other in bafflement when they heard him, not knowing the appropriate response to give.

'You invited all of us here just to give this mission to us?'

'You sent an invitation, brother! Forget about wine or dishes, we didn't even have a cup of water upon arriving here and now we're being chased away!'

'I can't imagine that there would be such a thing in this world! Such a person!'

'Even if you're talented, a genius, very remarkable… fine, you're remarkable!'

Fang Qingtian did not know whether he should be laughing or feel annoyed. ”Wu Ying, I am guessing that you had no intention to set out a meal?”

Wu Ying glanced at the Old Grand Commandant coldly and replied, ”This lower subordinate has always lived frugally. I don't have any money with me now. I've taken too much advantage by living on the country's generosity all these years – how can I be greedy?”

His implied meaning was, ”Do you want me to prepare a meal? That would be forcing me to be corrupted, coercing me to be depraved. What's the meaning of this?”

The five elders were stunned into speechlessness once again.

They admitted defeat!

Qiu Jianhan huffed, ”This fellow is deserving of the surname Wu indeed!”

Once the comment had been made, everyone thought of the stoic, impartial, official and could not help studying Wu Ying's face with uncertainty, thinking if the two of them were twins. This duo were the two oddballs of Yutang's imperial court.

”You… and Wu Lie…” Leng Daoyin finally let the question out of the bag. ”Are brothers?”

Wu Ying gazed at Leng Daoyin silently, just staring at him quietly for a moment, and suddenly asked, ”Is everyone in the world with the surname Leng your brother?”

Leng Daoyin was momentarily at a loss for words.

'My brothers? What crap? Leng isn't a common family name, but there'd still be millions of people with this surname in this world.'

'Who could give birth to so many people? This bastard's words are true…'

”Hahaha!” Qiu Jianhan laughed gleefully.

Wu Ying gazed at him with unfriendly eyes, his stoic expression. He finally said, ”Please, bid your leave. I have things to attend to.”