Knife splashing

Chapter 409: The troubles of the world never stop

The autumn wind rises, the sky is high and the clouds are vast, and the long wind sends the geese home for thousands of miles.

As soon as the morning mist dissipated, the gate of Yunyang city was opened.

The restaurants near the pier were crowded with people.

"Sanhe soup, Sanhe soup!"

"Physalis hybrid noodles~"

"Hey, buddy, give me a bowl of rice flower tea."

The laborers working, the boatmen preparing to board the ship, the coachmen from the city...all kinds of people gathered together, it was very lively.

Today, Yunyang Prefecture is far more prosperous than before.

The reason was very simple. When the imperial army was dispatched, all the mountain people in the Jingxiang mountain area were driven out.

Following the method proposed by Yuan Xun, the governor of Yunyang, all the mountain people were dispersed and resettled, and new villages were built one after another.

Ezhou is a land of fish and rice. As long as the people can survive the first two years, although they cannot be said to be rich in food and clothing, they can at least settle down.

Moreover, this time, the imperial court also issued an edict to exempt Yunyang Prefecture from taxes for three years, and there will be tax reductions in the next two years.

Everything in this world is related to money.

Now that the court has a new way, it can naturally do things with great ease.

To date, there are already millions of people who have moved out of the mountains. Food, clothing, housing, transportation, firewood, rice, oil and salt all require money, and money can be earned everywhere.

Yuan Xun, the governor of Yunyang, was a well-known official with good governance. After a series of decrees were issued, although the area around Yunyang was in a state of disrepair, it became full of vitality.

Merchants and peddlers from all over the country also flocked to the place.

There is another reason, which is difficult to state explicitly.

Some time ago, Yunyang Prefecture was shrouded in dark clouds, with 200,000 troops stationed there, a curfew in place, and extremely strict checks on movement.

There are also those with evil intentions who set up checkpoints to demand benefits.

Trade returned to normal only after the troops left.

The war in the distance became idle talk in the restaurant.

"The Tusi army attacked Yichang at night, and many people died. Fortunately, the captain of the Duwei Division, Yuan Kejian, warned in advance, and the children of the Huang Meilei family burned food in the middle of the night. The people in the city rose up in resistance, and they were able to hold on..."

"A great victory in Zigui County. The imperial court used thunderous artillery. I heard that several hilltops on the opposite side were flattened..."

"I heard there is a crocodile god guarding the river?"

"That's right. I saw it with my own eyes. A fish monster was about to cause trouble and overturned a passing boat, but it was torn into pieces by more than a dozen alligators..."

"It's so effective. I need to pray more often in the future..."

"When will this chaos be settled?"

"Who knows..."

Ordinary people are like this. As long as the knife is not on their necks, the war in the distance is no different from a play.

The change in the battle situation is not important.

It’s only when a hero appears that people will talk about it.

…………

"We're about to cross the river."

In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, Captain Huang was also talking about this matter.

He drank a sip of tea slowly, then covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed twice. Although he looked weak, his aura as a thousand households commander became more and more apparent.

"Is Lord Huang okay?" Li Yan asked in a deep voice.

"fine."

Captain Huang shook his head. "When I went into the mountains before, I was ambushed and my lung meridian was injured. I'm afraid I won't be able to move in the future. I'm like a useless person."

Li Yan laughed in silence, "Your Excellency is using your brain, and there are naturally other people who can do the physical work. I know Wang Jingxiu from Wudang Mountain, who has superb medical skills. How about introducing him to you?"

"Then it'll be hard work."

Captain Huang did not refuse.

Although he was in a high position and was one of the most important figures in Yunyang Prefecture, he had no relationship with a Taoist master like Wang Jingxiu.

After saying this, he continued, "The imperial court's 200,000-strong army is approaching, and Tusi City has been defeated in succession. They have retreated into the mountains, relying on the advantages of the terrain to continue their maneuvers."

"I guess the emperor wants to take advantage of this opportunity to quell the rebellion and complete the transformation of the natives into commoners, or even conquer the entire Miao region."

Li Yan thought thoughtfully, "This way, it will take a long time."

Captain Huang took another sip of tea and nodded, "If we want stability in Southern Xinjiang, we must completely control Miao Xinjiang. Your Majesty has a grand vision and will definitely not leave any hidden dangers behind."

"But after the army crosses the river, the Yangtze River area will be stable. If you want to enter Shu, it will be a good time to do so."

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "The situation in Bashu is a bit complicated. I heard some news that the King of Chengdu is a bit restless, and there may be problems with the Duwei Division over there."

"If you go, be careful."

"Oh?"

Li Yan's pupils shrank, and he saluted and said, "Thank you for your reminder, sir."

He has a good relationship with Captain Huang.

With the help of his intelligence, the other party rose rapidly to the top and entered the Zhenfusi Yamen. It might be difficult, but this was the end of the road in Yunyang.

The other party definitely did not say this without reason.

Captain Huang was also a busy man. After saying these things, he immediately stood up and said goodbye, striding away with a few of his men.

After they left, Li Yan took down the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coin Knife Tassel hanging on the door frame.

When they returned to Yunyang this time, Li Yan and his party originally planned to find an inn to stay in and had no intention of coming to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.

After all, Master Lin, the treasure-hoarder, said that the Chen family of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce is not a good family. They seem to be friendly and often give small favors, but if you are not careful, you will be calculated by the other party.

But many things are always beyond our control.

After arriving in Yunyang, they found that all the inns in the city, big and small, were packed with merchants from all over the place. In addition, at the invitation of Han Kun, the elder of the Cao Gang, they also came to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce.

However, Li Yan was more cautious.

Wang Daoxuan was asked to set up a small Feng Shui layout in the room. Whenever he was discussing important matters, he would hang the Three Talents Demon-Suppressing Coins on the door frame, which would interfere with the magical detection and prevent people from eavesdropping.

Sure enough, not long after, the Chamber of Commerce's young master Chen Jizu came knocking on the door, still with that elegant look, "Young Master Li, my father is hosting a banquet tonight and has invited merchants in the city. Elder Han will also be there. I wonder if you..."

"I'm so sorry."

Li Yan smiled and said, "A senior from Wudang is coming tonight, and I have to go meet him. I also have to go to the government office tomorrow to do some work, so I am too busy during this period of time."

Chen Jizu's expression remained unchanged, "Okay, Master Li, you are busy."

After saying that, he bowed and left.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and closed the door.

He knew what these people were up to.

Because of the war in the southwest, the Paijiao sect, whose headquarters was located in Dongting Lake, had lost the trust of the imperial court and was also in some chaos internally.

After all, there are also forces from Tusi City involved in Paijiao.

Seeing an opportunity, the Cao Gang decided to consolidate their forces, take the opportunity to cross the river and get involved in the Paijiao territory.

Li Yan really didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing.

In the early stages of fighting in the underworld, it seems that there are a lot of profits to be made, and I believe that the Cao Gang will also spend a lot of money to win them over. However, once you are involved, you will get deeper and deeper into it and be led by the nose.

He has enough troubles already.

Zhao Changsheng, the Ghost Cult, the Fengdu Underworld, the Jiutian Yingyuan Thunder Palace... all kinds of mysteries shrouded the place, and Li Yan had to act carefully.

Thinking of this, Li Yan turned around and pulled out a huge wooden box from under the bed. After opening it, he found the Bichen Dragon Ball and the dragon horn inside. There was also a box containing the precious medicine dug from Shennongjia.

After picking up the box and checking the surroundings, Li Yan closed the door, left the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, and headed towards the City God Temple.

Not long after arriving in Yunyang, news came that the battle in Baokang County had ended and the time for passage along the Yangtze River was still uncertain.

So, Sharifei and others collected some supplies, hired some craftsmen, and returned to Shennongjia.

They wanted to offer some tributes to the mountain god "Zou Yu" and have someone build a simple temple for him.

On the one hand, he wanted to thank the mountain god "Zou Yu" for his help at that time, and on the other hand, he wanted to establish a good relationship with him and find the precious medicine in Shennongjia.

The other mountain gods are dead, and now "Zou Yu" is the only mountain god in Shennongjia. Without obstacles and constraints, his strength and power will increase rapidly, and he will be considered a big boss in the future.

With its help, Shennongjia is no longer dangerous.

Therefore, Li Yan did not go with them this time, but stayed in Yunyang to deal with various forces and prepare for the trip to Shu.

Watching his receding back, the two people on the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce withdrew their gazes and closed the windows.

Inside the room were the Chen family father and son from the Chamber of Commerce.

"Father, I'm afraid Li Yan won't agree."

Chen Jizu shook his head helplessly.

"That's natural."

His father Chen Yuanqing stroked his beard and said, "Things are different now. Although this man is traveling around the world, the people he associates with are all of high status. Han Kun is probably overthinking if he wants to borrow his power."

Chen Jizu hesitated for a moment and said, "Don't blame me, father. In my opinion, we should stay away from them."

"This person is too prone to causing trouble. He has been hostile to the Ghost Cult several times. The rewards offered for him in the Jianghu and Green Forest are getting higher and higher. If we get too involved, we will suffer from him instead."

Chen Yuanqing's eyes were filled with satisfaction, and he stroked his beard and said, "After these years of experience, my son has indeed grown up a lot."

"But there are some things you haven't seen clearly. If you only focus on one place, you won't be able to see the big picture and make misjudgments."

"After the war in the southwest is over, the imperial court will completely control the Miao border, eliminate the hidden dangers in China, and deter local tyrants."

"They are the biggest support of the local faction. When the world is in chaos, they rise up. No matter how the dynasties change, these people are nothing more than changing the mountain to worship, even the Kong family and Longhu Mountain are the same."

"The grievances between the imperial court and the localities have never been severed since ancient times. The imperial court has to both appease and suppress."

"Although the losses in the southwest riot were considerable, it also gave the emperor an excuse to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble."

"So, this battle was fought slowly and steadily."

“So, the court allowed the war to spread to the southwestern states.”

"That's why the Cao Gang dared to take action against the Pai Sect."

"The south is rich, the clans are powerful, and there are many legal lines. There are dozens of families like my Chen family, big and small."

"The Emperor's real target is us!"

Hearing this, Chen Jizu suddenly felt a chill on his back and said in a trembling voice: "We are the Haipai, and we have always supported the emperor."

"Hahaha…"

Chen Yuanqing shook his head and sneered: "Although there are many people who benefit from the opening of the sea, who are not local tyrants who are truly qualified to play?"

"The so-called Kaihai faction and the local faction are actually the same. It's nothing more than a struggle for interests. Now that the Kaihai faction has the upper hand, does your Majesty have the chance to sit back and do nothing?"

"Didn't you see that the local authorities sent some people to watch the joke?"

"Killing a few chieftains is nothing. When the emperor reorganizes Jiangnan in the future and kills so many people, not many people will be able to laugh!"

Chen Jizu's face turned pale, "Then...what should we do?"

Chen Yuanqing smiled and said, "Of course I will surrender to the emperor as soon as possible, so this time, I will fully support the Cao Gang."

Chen Jizu felt sweat on his forehead and gritted his teeth and said, "If the cunning rabbit dies and the running dog is cooked, what should I do?"

Chen Yuanqing looked calm as he looked out the window. "Your Majesty has great ambitions, but unfortunately, you are only a few years younger than me."

“We can’t see what the future holds…”

…………

Li Yan naturally didn't know what the Chen father and son were plotting behind the scenes, and even if he knew, he wouldn't care.

The world is bustling, and everyone is going there for the benefit of others.

Everyone is calculating, but everyone is in a game. There is never a shortage of ambitious people in China.

As he strode along the streets of Yunyang, he could clearly feel that Yunyang City was becoming more and more lively, with large-scale demolition and construction going on everywhere.

There were many people walking on the street, all kinds of people mixed together.

Today, he has a great reputation both in the martial arts world and in the Taoist sect, so people keep bowing to him.

Of course, there is more secret spying.

Li Yan didn't care and came to the City God Temple carrying the wooden box.

Before the people arrived, Gu Hanzi from the Yunyang Law Enforcement Hall came out with several Taoists to greet them.

"Young Master Li, your uncle is here."

Gu Hanzi's face was full of enthusiasm.

Ever since Li Yan first came to Ezhou and met him in Shangjin City, Gu Hanzi has been very interested in him.

It turns out that he had a good eye.

Li Yan took action several times and helped Zhenwu Palace solve big problems.

"Master Taoist, you're welcome."

"No way, the senior masters are all inside, please come in, Mr. Li."

After welcoming Li Yan into the City God Temple, Gu Hanzi turned around with cold eyes and glanced around the street. Seeing a group of people leaving with their heads down, he snorted coldly and returned to the City God Temple.

The treasures on Li Yan's body were amazing. Even if they were placed in a wooden box, they could not hide from the magical detection and attracted a lot of attention.

Arriving at the City God Temple and entering a side hall, Li Yan's eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly bowed and said, "Greetings to all the seniors, and to the headmaster."

He sent someone to deliver a message, one to notify Wang Jingxiu to come and get the medicine, and the other to discuss with the Zhenwu Palace how to deal with the spoils.

Unexpectedly, not only Wang Jingxiu and Yu Longzi, but also the head of Wudang Mountain, Yu Chanzi, were in the hall.

"Hahaha…"

Taoist Wang Jingxiu was all smiles, "My dear friend, if you take the Jiao treasure, we have nothing to say. I will naturally come to watch, don't let them take advantage of you."

Yu Longzi glanced at him calmly and said, "Brother, don't talk nonsense."

After that, he turned to Li Yan and said, "Whether it is the Dust-Repelling Bead or the Dragon Horn, they are both very useful. Since you have helped me several times, I, Wudang, will not treat you unfairly."

"You need to take the Dust-Repelling Bead away to the Five Dragon Palace and set up a Feng Shui formation in the Zhenwu Dragon Cave. As for the Jiao Horn, I will add some spiritual materials and send it to Qingcheng. Ask a fellow Taoist to help you forge a magic weapon."

"Young friend, do you think this arrangement is feasible?"

"Thank you, senior."

Li Yan was overjoyed when he heard this; this was indeed unexpected.

Even the Zhenwu Palace had to hire someone to forge magical instruments. It was conceivable that the person who did it must be extraordinary.

"Someone will explain this to you later."

After Yu Longzi finished speaking, he took Wang Jingxiu out of the hall, closed the door, and took away the Taoist priests around.

During this process, the head master Yu Chanzi remained silent.

Li Yan knew that the other party asked Yu Longzi to leave because he must have spoken to him alone.

Sure enough, Li Yan was shocked by Yu Chanzi's first words.

"I set up a trap, but unfortunately Zhao Changsheng escaped..."

　Second update in the afternoon
　　
　
(End of this chapter)