Sheng Fu

Chapter 1011 Let's get personnel matters done first.
"How did you determine it was that Ji family, Senior Brother?" Jing Hanqing asked, slightly puzzled.

Jing Hanqing, Guo Sheng, and the others didn't doubt Fu Cheng's judgment, but were curious about how Fu Cheng deduced that it was the Ji family.

Fu Cheng's expression hardened as he said, "I once worked with Yuwen Jun on the shores of the North Sea for a period of time, and at that time I vaguely sensed that there would be a marine business that would disrupt the North Sea."

"We explored the vast sea and discovered that the Ji family had been to the North Sea."

"Judging from the signs, the Ji family also had dealings with Ji Nan, a general of the Divine Clan, but there is no evidence."

“Ji Tong is of the same generation as us, but in recent years he has rarely interacted with other young people. It seems that he has become a powerful figure in the family.”

“Using the people at the bottom to fight against us, using their strength against them, is indeed a very vicious tactic.”

"Although we escaped unscathed this time, thinking about it carefully still sends chills down my spine."

"Such underhanded tactics, if they succeed even once for the opponent, can put us in a completely passive position."

"After all, throughout history, only the lower classes are the easiest to fool."

Upon hearing Fu Cheng's words, the expressions of Jing Hanqing, Guo Shenghe, Huang Chun, and the others gradually became serious.

The elderly couple, kneeling on the ground, felt their hearts sink to the bottom upon hearing these secret conversations. Knowing so much, they knew they would inevitably be killed to silence them.

Guo Shenghe looked at the elderly couple and asked in a deep voice, "Who gave you the poison?"

"This is clearly a curse-inducing powder."

"Unlike the violent poison of those bandits."

The "Soul-Destroying Powder" can cause a person's true essence to dissipate and their blood and energy to weaken in a short period of time after being poisoned. Once they encounter an expert of the same level, they will become lambs to the slaughter.

It would be truly unexpected that the old shopkeeper who sold beef and mutton would poison Guo Sheng and his group.

In fact, Guo Shenghe didn't realize that his secret sauce was not only delicious, but also contained several holy medicines to prevent him from being poisoned.

During the meal, Guo Shenghe suddenly realized that the hidden medicine in the sauce was taking effect and that he had been poisoned.

Guo Shenghe only pretended to Fu Cheng and the others that he had discovered the poisoning from the beginning in order to maintain appearances, but in reality, he was only aware of it later.

The old shopkeeper, kneeling on the ground, trembled all over and stammered, "That man was wearing a mask..."

Upon hearing this, Guo Shenghe rolled his eyes and laughed angrily, "That's such an old-fashioned saying."

Fu Cheng joked, "Since it's something that can't be seen in public, naturally you have to wear a mask."

"Kill him."

Upon hearing this, Guo Shenghe, Jing Hanqing, and Huang Chun immediately looked at Fu Cheng with strange expressions.

Liang Ning and Li Huaiyi were also surprised.

"Uh, this would be considered indiscriminate killing!" Gao Zhi cautiously warned.

Fu Cheng's decision came as a surprise, catching the group off guard.

"Spare me! Spare me..."

The elderly couple knelt down repeatedly, kowtowing and begging.

"If our families weren't being controlled by them, we would never dare to poison our guests," the old shopkeeper pleaded tearfully.

Fu Cheng said calmly, "If that's the case, then you deserve to die even more!"

At that moment, everyone understood the implied meaning.

With a single thought, Li Huaiyi unleashed two sword energies that pierced through the throats of the elderly couple.

Both men were doomed either way. Logically speaking, they had deliberately poisoned the couple, and Bei Fang Qilu was forced into self-defense. Furthermore, their families were being held captive; only by dying could their families be spared. This decision wasn't difficult. If the situation weren't so urgent, Fu Cheng might have been merciful and tried to rescue the elderly couple's family, but right now, there was simply no time for that.

Furthermore, Fu Cheng also keenly sensed that the Ji family might not be far from him.

As long as these seven people make the slightest move, Lingxiao's powerful figure will detect their whereabouts and motives.

Regardless, the elderly couple were facing a certain death.

"What do we do next?" Li Huaiyi asked Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng said, "The notices about the new policies have already been posted on the city walls of all the major and minor prefectures in the northern region."

“We will return to the Northern King’s Palace, and I will issue another royal decree.”

"The Northern Seven-Character Quatrains have been completed. Those in the North who support the new policies are welcome to go to the Northern Prince's Mansion to recommend themselves. This time, we will not consider background or social status, but only ability."

"Even among those from humble backgrounds, there are occasionally some exceptionally talented individuals."

"This time, the Northern King's faction will rise to power; whoever dares to stand in their way will die!"

Jing Hanqing's eyes were slightly dazed; it was the first time she had seen such a kingly demeanor in Fu Cheng.

She probably understood how splendid Yuwen Jun was in Wu Mi's eyes.

……

Bazhou, inside the Prime Minister's residence of Bai Xiaowei.

Looking at the mountain of memorials piled up on the desk, Bai Xiaowei felt a headache coming on. He figured that His Majesty the Emperor probably had even more memorials than this. The thought that His Majesty had to work even harder than he did immediately eased Bai Xiaowei's mind.

Outside the door, Zong Liang's footsteps could be heard. He rushed over and said, "Fu Cheng has set off to return to the Northern King's Mansion. Judging from the signs, he is preparing to raise the Northern King's banner in a grand manner."

Bai Xiaowei asked instinctively, "Was there any trouble?"

Zong Liang said, "It seems that we were surrounded by a group of bandits, but we don't know the specific details."

A bunch of bandits!?

Bai Xiaowei sneered, "It's the same in any era. First, you fool the people at the bottom into risking their lives, and then the powerful and wealthy come out to divide the spoils. It's an old trick, but it's a golden rule."

"Send orders to your trusted confidants in all regions to fully cooperate with whatever Fu Cheng does next."

"Anyone who obstructs our path will be killed without mercy."

"If any local official refuses to yield even unto death, he may be executed first and reported later."

Zong Liang replied somewhat guiltily, "In that case, the commotion in the north will be greater than in the south. According to current intelligence, there is only a surge of public opinion in the south, but His Highness the Prince of the South has not yet made any decision, let alone taken a clear stance."

Bai Xiaowei smiled demurely and said, "Xie Yiming will have a clear attitude. It's just that older people tend to be more cautious and consider the big picture when doing things, unlike Fu Cheng, a young man who, once his sword is drawn, will inevitably be stained with blood."

"I reckon the southern region will be safe in just a few days."

Zong Liang said, "However, some shops have already begun to close down in order to resist the new policy."

“I’m afraid it will affect overall fiscal revenue.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaowei immediately fell silent.

The economy is the underlying issue. After thinking it over, he asked, "How many people can we spare to maintain order?"

If the people naturally form opposing camps, then all government affairs will fall into chaos.

"We don't have enough manpower," Zong Liang said, bowing his head.

Bai Xiaowei took a breath, a ruthless glint appearing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Then let's get the personnel matters done first!"