Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 293 Willing to Fight
"Master Yue." All the cultivators saluted together. At this time, most people in the field looked at Yue Feng with unfriendly eyes, which was inevitable.

The second-grade top-grade spiritual vein is very valuable in the eyes of various families. It was just taken away by the ancestor of the Yue family without any evidence. It would be strange if Yue Feng, the backbone of the Yue family, could get any good face in the hall at this moment.

Ye Zhen, who was sitting in the middle, had a completely different expression from most of his companions. The anger that had risen between his brows faded, and instead a hint of a smile appeared.

Shujianmen was incorporated into Xinyunmeng, which was controlled by Tie Liuyun, who was now fighting fiercely with Yue Family of Hancheng.
Ye Zhen knew which ship he was on. It was true that the Fei family of Yingzhou had a great reputation, but it was also true that "the county magistrate was not as good as the current manager." If Kang Dabao, who had just quarreled with him, was the legitimate son-in-law of the Yue family of Hancheng, how could he have the courage to get angry?

But before he could calm down and walk forward to chat with Yue Feng with a smile, he saw the latter striding towards the position of the head of Kangda.

"Brother, you have made a great contribution again." This time, the smile on Yue Feng's face was much more sincere.

Laoniu Mountain in Baisha County is quite far away from Chongmingfang City. The battlefield has not been cleaned up yet, but Yue Feng has already received the news.

Kang Dabao didn't know whether it would take half a day to get a top-notch fake pill like Yue Jing's, but he secretly guessed that it would be impossible to build a real foundation.

Looking at Yue Feng again, he didn't look tired at all. Kang Dabao thought that he might have come here early with Yue Jing, but just stayed nearby beforehand and didn't show up.

"Why are you coming out at this time? What good news do you have?"

Kang Dabao didn't know what Yue Feng was up to, but he put on a formal smile, not really sincere, and answered, "No, it's all our comrades in the alliance who are eager to serve the country. How could I have done anything meritorious?"

Yue Feng, however, did not take it seriously and warmly took Kang Dabao's hand, "The head of the family has already said it in the letter, saying that you have made great contributions in this battle, and he will definitely ask for credit for you in front of the uncle."

After these words were spoken, the expression of the head of Kangda remained unchanged, Ye Zhen's face twitched slightly, the heads of other families were either envious or jealous, and even Nanny Sun, who had always been calm, began to frown slightly.

A thought flashed through the old woman's mind: "It's time to remind the master that the relationship between the son-in-law and the Yue family and other local cultivators in Yunjiao is too close."

Kang Dabao could sense that something was wrong with the atmosphere at the moment. After a few polite words, he changed the subject and said, "Master Yue said earlier that he had some good news. I wonder what it is?"

"Hey, look at my memory!" Yue Feng smiled lightly, "The Patriarch said that the families in the New Cloud Alliance have worked hard, so he will give them 50,000 spirit stones as a reward."

Fifty thousand spirit stones are not a small amount, but compared with a huge spirit vein, it is far less than that.

But it is better to have something than nothing. Previously, each family thought that Yue Jing had taken it away by force, but now they have 50,000 spirit stones as a backup, and they actually have some thoughts in their hearts that "the Yue family has a bottom line in their actions", which is quite funny.

Kang Dabao was extremely disappointed, but he also sensed something else, but he said nothing. He just followed the other practitioners in bowing and expressing gratitude.

"I have something private to say to Brother Kang. Is it convenient?" Yue Feng looked at Master Kang and said.

The latter was stunned at first, then shook his head, glanced at Ye Zhen intentionally or unintentionally, and then turned to Yue Feng and said, "There is another amount of money that needs to be discussed with Alliance Leader Ye."

"What amount?" Yue Feng asked subconsciously, somewhat anxiously. After he said it, he realized that something was wrong and smiled apologetically: "Please don't blame me for my mistake. In this case, I will wait for you in the side hall until you finish your work."

Without waiting for Kang Dabao's response, he cast his gaze on Ye Zhen again and said softly, "Alliance Leader Ye, I have something important to do. Please hurry up."

Ye Zhen started to laugh when he heard what was said. Just as he was about to answer, he saw that Yue Feng had already finished speaking and left with a fist salute.

"This guy is really arrogant. Does he only respect Kang Dabao in this situation?"

Ye Zhen's heart instantly became furious, and he looked at Kang Dabao with a sinister look: "Is this guy going to be the son-in-law of the Yue family again?"

Kang Dabao knew that Ye Zhen was upset, but he didn't care at all. Instead, he asked, "Alliance Master Ye, how about we do as we discussed before and remove the two second-level formation-breaking beads from our sect and then divide the spoils?"

"Okay, as you say." Ye Zhen let out a long breath, with the word unhappy written directly on his face.

Shan Sheng and others showed bitter smiles on their faces. They really came here just for show. Ye Zhen was too lazy to even save face.

If this continues, each family will become a vassal in name only.

"Alliance leader is very righteous." The head of the Kang family achieved his goal but did not stop. Instead, he pressed on step by step and proposed: "Although the Changning Sect has retreated, there are still many rebellious monks in Baisha County. It is time to settle accounts."

These words made everyone in the room look bright. What is a reckoning? In the end, isn't it just a word "robbery"? !

Magical elixirs, magical stones, magical flowers and herbs, immortal seedling furnaces and tripods. What is there that cannot be snatched?
If the backboneless Baisha County is really robbed, how much can the remaining thousand monks of the New Cloud Alliance who still have fighting power get back after scraping the ground three feet deep? !
The saying "thieves pass by like a comb, and soldiers pass by like a rake" is not just a scare tactic!
Isn't it the same if we can't get what we want from Changning Sect by extorting it from these big and small forces in Baisha County?
But why would the head of the Kang family, who has always been good at acting and flaunting his kindness, come up with such an idea that is in line with everyone's wishes today?
Ye Zhen was angry before, but after hearing Kang Dabao's words, he started to get angry and became polite: "Master Kang, which family should we start with?"

"How can we raise an army of benevolence and righteousness?" Kang Dabao shook his head to deny everyone's guess, and took out a map of Baisha County found in Changning Sect.

Nearly 200 forces of varying sizes were marked on this map, of which about 31 were marked with red crosses.

These were the die-hard vassals who had moved here from various places with the Changning Sect. Most of them had been killed or captured by the monks of the New Cloud Alliance at the beginning of the siege of Laoniushan Mountain.

The remaining forces without a cross are basically the forces that have been operating locally.

The head of the Kang family picked up the red pen and divided the families into five groups. According to the size and number, they were ranked in order of heavy, book, single, son, and rice.

"Since these forces refuse to obey the king's rule, let's divide them up like this. From now on, the five families will collect taxes according to the years and pay them to the state court every year."

When the heads of the various families heard this, they all became extremely reserved and came closer to the map to look at it carefully. Although the Yue family members at Laoniu Mountain did not allow them to move, Yue Jing did not mention a single word about other places in Baisha County.

Chongming Sect received the most, and several of the more wealthy and famous forces in Baisha County were also included in his family. Shujian Sect received a little less, and the rest of the families received less in turn.

But Kang Dabao's greed was not bad. In the end, even the Hemu Sect, which got the least, had nearly ten Qi training forces to exploit.

This is much less risky than directly robbing the entire county, and the future profits will be even more considerable. After all, everyone knows that a steady stream of business is better than exhausting the pond to catch all the fish.

However, everyone knew in their hearts that what Master Kang did was somewhat taboo.

Since the provincial government gained a firm foothold in Yunjiao Province, tax payment in each county has generally been managed by the county chief.

Families like the Xue and Lu families, who had a close relationship with Emperor Chongming and were quite close to him, had to send men to fight in the war, but their taxes in recent years were still paid to the Pingrong County Government.

At most, during festivals and birthdays, one could offer some local products to Chongming Zong as a token of appreciation. Even then, it had to be someone else's initiative to give it to him, and he could never ask for it himself.

However, there are still some large sects that require their vassals to pay two taxes, one to pay the state court and one to provide for themselves.

But the risk is quite high. As long as the small families below can't stand it anymore and dare to report to the county government, the county will really quarrel and destroy the whole family.

The current county chiefs were no longer as powerful as before, and many of them were true foundation builders. Even if they were truly incapable, the Yunjiao State Court, which was gradually gaining strength, would naturally provide help.

However, there are sects and families that collect taxes on behalf of the state government.

For example, the taxes of Xuanwei City have always been collected by the Fei family of Yingzhou; in recent years, the Yue family has also gained trust and has taken over the taxes of Hancheng again.

However, these families are all quite close to the Earl of Nan'an.

Compared with them, the other families in the New Cloud Alliance not only have much worse relationships, but their strength is also not even up to par.

It would be a lie for Ye Zhen to say that he was not tempted. Jingnan Prefecture was richer than Yunjiao Prefecture. The number of cultivator forces that Kang Dabao had casually obtained was more than what his Shujian Sect had managed in Wang County for many years.

After thinking for a while, he was the first to speak: "This is a serious matter, Master Kang, please don't tease us, if..."

Kang Dabao interrupted, "Whether it succeeds or not, I will go and talk to Sima Fei. Even if it fails, not even a hair on my body will be lost. Why should Alliance Leader Ye worry?"

"What about this share?!" After hearing this, Ye Zhen's old eyes showed a little dissatisfaction.

"Then may I ask, Alliance Leader Ye, do you have Sima as your Mount Tai, or do you have Jin Ye Zhuji as your uncle master?" Kang Dabao's words made Ye Zhen look embarrassed.

The latter had never thought that Kang Dabao could speak so frankly and shamelessly.

"Oh, I hope that Sect Leader Kang's plan won't become a castle in the air." Ye Zhen was in a really bad mood right now. He hastily distributed all the previous spirit stones according to the plan, and without saying anything more, he left with the Shujian Sect's foundation-building people.

After Ye Zhen left, the remaining three families looked at Master Kang very warmly.

When the New Cloud League was still the Lianshui League, for a long time, the Shujian Sect was the most powerful sect in the league, but there were only three or four people who had established their foundation in the world.

Although Zifeng Valley and Feiyue Shan Family are a little inferior, generally speaking, there are at least two or three true foundation-building cultivators in the sect.

Therefore, although the Lianshui League is not very strong, the relations among the various families within it are quite harmonious, and there is no question of oppression or bullying.

But in recent years, one family has grown while the other has declined. Now, the Shan family and Zifeng Valley have suffered a series of misfortunes and have gradually declined. Together with the three new families of Hemu Dao who have joined the alliance, the number of foundation building is only half of that of Shujianmen. In terms of quality, they are far inferior.

Due to the imbalance of power, Ye Zhen, who had always presented himself as a peacemaker and a good guy, also changed his temperament and became almost uncivilized towards the other families.

The Shujian Sect continues to dominate the alliance, which is definitely not something that other sects would like to see.

If this continues, if something unexpected happens to the Shan family and Zifeng Valley again, they might be completely wiped out by their ally, the Shujian Sect.

Compared with the increasingly violent Ye Zhen, the newly rising Chongming Sect Master Kang was much easier to get along with. Even the Hemu Dao Master Han, who had been at odds with him recently, was more willing to get closer to Kang Dabao.

However, Kang Dabao was not impressed at all. After dealing with him with a few words, he politely sent the reviewer who had greeted him with a smile back.

Only when facing Shan Sheng who came up last did he change his expression to a serious one.

It was impossible for those two families to get benefits just by talking. Since the Kang family leader started his career as a traveling merchant, he had never done such a loss-making business.

But Shan Sheng was different from the other two families. When they conquered Mijia Village, they actually sent troops to help. It was only right that the head of Kangda would return the favor.

At this time, Mo Wen also found an excuse to retreat. In the battle of Qiaogong Fort, there was also a life-and-death struggle, and as usual, twenty or thirty disciples died. They had gnawed open their bones with broken teeth, but when they extracted the marrow, they couldn't even taste the flavor.

Even though he knew that Qiaogongbao was still guilty, it was considered good that they did not end up like the other families in Changning Sect, with their families torn apart and their loved ones killed. However, Mo Wen still felt uncomfortable.

As soon as Mo Wen left, there were no outsiders in the hall. Shan Sheng no longer concealed his request and told them:
"Shan, I would like to ask for a favor. I hope that Master Kang will grant my request."

"Don't be polite, Mr. Shan. You can talk as you like."

"It is said that Sect Leader Kang once received five spiritual objects of the five elements from the provincial government to build his foundation," Shan Sheng said. Seeing Kang Dabao's expression change slightly, he paused for a moment, changed his tone, and said earnestly:
"To be honest, I don't have much time left, and all I worry about after my death is my family and descendants. That's why I am so presumptuous today and want to use the power that Sect Leader Kang has previously allocated as collateral to exchange for a spiritual item for the foundation-building of my descendants."

Kang Dabao raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this. He indeed had quite a few spiritual objects for foundation building in his hands. He even had a top-grade foundation building pill that could increase the probability of foundation building by 50%.

But then again, which family would complain about having too many rare items like foundation-building spiritual objects?
Shan Sheng is also a cunning man. He hasn't even asked Sima Fei for help with the previous plan. Seriously speaking, this matter is indeed as Ye Zhen said, and there is indeed a possibility that it may be difficult to achieve.

This guy Shan Sheng actually took the pie that Master Kang had just drawn and fed it to Master Kang himself. He was simply getting something for nothing and was really going against the will of Heaven!

Just when Kang Dabao was sighing, not expecting that Shan Sheng, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, was not a good guy, the latter smiled again:

"Lend me one copy. If the Shan family fails to return two copies within sixty years, I will mortgage the Shan family's land in Feiyue to Chongming Sect as proof."

Kang Dabao's expression softened instantly after hearing this: "After all, there aren't many people in Chongming Sect who want to build their foundation in such a short period of time. Does this business seem feasible?"

"Why would Brother Shan do this?" This deal is an advantage, but Master Kang is a respectable man, so even if he really wants to do it, he has to pretend to persuade him again.

"Alas, without a foundation to guard, it's like a pile of eggs. The immortal mountains and spiritual veins are all guarded by other families."

Shan Sheng just smiled bitterly, and then said: "This matter is not urgent. Shan can still hold on for a few more years. I hope Master Kang will seriously consider it. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, the Shan family will owe a favor to Emperor Mingzong." After that, he retreated again.

Jiang Qing, who had been silent the whole time, also spoke up: "I heard that the few foundation-building seeds that the Shan family had recently decided on did not come for this campaign and stayed at home."

Kang Dabao did not mention this matter, and said to Jiang Qingyan: "Give 5,000 of the spirit stones you got earlier to Mo Wen."

After hearing this, the latter felt that it was unnecessary, but he did not ask any more questions and went straight to work.

After giving Jiang Qing instructions, she finally turned to Madam Sun and said, "Madam, you have worked hard this time. I will have to trouble you to distribute the compensation and rewards to all the colleagues in Qinghan Courtyard one by one later."

"My dear son-in-law, you are kind and virtuous." Nanny Sun bowed her head and then remained silent for a moment before reminding him, "I would like to say one more thing. The provincial government may not approve your idea of ​​collecting taxes for Baisha County."

Kang Dabao just smiled and said, "Whether it succeeds or not, we have to give it a try. If we get the best, we can collect taxes and people; if we get the middle, we can get no taxes and people; if we get the worst, there will be no loss. So what's the harm?"

Nanny Sun thought for a moment and said softly, "If we show our ambition, we may lose the trust of the Lord."

Kang Dabao smiled even more: "Master, you are not afraid of your subordinates' ambitions. Maybe you are only afraid that they can't accomplish anything."

After hearing this, Nanny Sun's eyes lit up. Sect Master Kang continued, "Sima Zeng said that there are still more dead people behind. I am the Sect Master, and I must find a way to reduce the number of deaths in my sect."

Nanny Sun had never thought that Kang Dabao would reveal his true feelings to her like this. She was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening. She changed her words and said, "This matter is over, and the son-in-law has no other instructions. In this case, I will arrange everything and go to Xuanwei City to accompany the young lady."

Seeing that Nanny Sun understood, Kang Dabao smiled and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Nanny. Please tell Shu He that I will be waiting for her at home."

Nanny Sun agreed, bowed and left.

After he left, Kang Dabao suddenly stopped smiling and went to the side hall where Yue Feng was.

————Xuanwei City, Yunjiaozhou Court

It has been a long time since so many high-ranking officials from the Yunjiao provincial court gathered together.

After listening to Yue Jing's words, Kuang Liuting, who was sitting at the top, showed a hint of joy between his brows:

"Good, the New Cloud Alliance has done a good job, and Senior Yue has worked hard. From now on, a county magistrate will be sent to Baisha County, and the county officials must be prepared as soon as possible. Order them to comfort the people and govern earnestly."

When Tie Liuyun heard this, he also felt proud.

Yue Jing was still in high spirits in Tie Liuyun's mansion, but when it came to the provincial court meeting today, his face turned pale as paper, as if his vitality was damaged.

"Ahem, serving the country is our duty, and I dare not complain about the hardship!"

Kuang Liuting knew that this was a cliché, but he still liked to hear it, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

Seeing that Kuang Liuting was in a good mood, Gun Shilu stood up and suggested: "My Lord, according to what Taoist Yue said, Pingrong County Magistrate Kang Dabao played a great role in this battle, and the wandering cultivator Heilu Taoist served with all his heart, so we should show our appreciation."

Sima Fei wanted to avoid suspicion and didn't say much, but the military commander Qin Sufu came out to support him and echoed him.

"That makes sense." Kuang Liuting pointed to the provincial governor Zhu Tong and said, "As for the rewards, you will take the lead in asking Gongcao to come up with the rules. Go through them and bring them to me when you are ready."

Zhu Tong bowed and accepted it. Fei Nan'ao and he were close friends, so he was not afraid that the former would be stingy.

This is the atmosphere in the Xian Dynasty. In order to protect their reputation, officials can only support each other's juniors.

In response to Gunshilu's speech, Yue Jing and Tie Liuyun rarely objected to the proposal of the Gyeonggi Party. Kang Dabao, an inconspicuous little character, seemed to have become a rare figure recognized by both factions, which was also rare.

Yue Jing coughed and continued, "My Lord, I think that Baisha County has just been recovered, and it is difficult to maintain order because of the wolves surrounding it. It is difficult for an ordinary person to do a good job as a county magistrate, so we need to send someone with a high level of cultivation to guard the county."

Kuang Liuting thought it made sense and asked, "Does the senior have any recommendations?"

"In recent years, many of the great families in the capital have moved south with their families under the order of Lord Bo. Yunjiao Prefecture has been pacified. Perhaps one or two fake Dan families can be transferred to Baisha County so that they can better serve the prefecture court."

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was shocked.

Fei Nan'an, who had been silent, also turned his gaze to Yue Jing. Seeing the negligible smile on the latter's lips, Fei Sima sneered in his heart: "Old man, are you waiting for me here?!"

Yue Jing has always been doing everything he can to weaken the strength of the people from the capital. Now that he has finally found a plausible excuse, how can he let it go easily?

Kuang Liuting knew that Yue Jing was plotting something, but he was not dissatisfied. As long as it was truly beneficial to the public, he would not care about the latter's little thoughts.

Just as he was about to agree, he saw a middle-aged Taoist priest with black shoes and messy beard rushing out of the meeting hall, carrying a hairy-faced monkey that was barely breathing on its back.

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