Ancestors, please don't crawl out again.

Chapter 119 The Great Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu King

Diancheng Imperial Palace.

Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty sat on the throne he brought from the heavens, or rather, on a massage chair, looking deep in thought...

Of course, he was just digesting the knowledge about the world that he had just received from his grandson, who was already approaching thirty.

It's not very complicated.

It's a story about a prestigious family that messed things up.

These prestigious families have a history dating back to the Han Dynasty or even the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. In this world where martial arts and Taoist magic coexist, this means that their ancestors were elites who emerged from countless chaotic eras, possessing either formidable martial skills or profound knowledge of Taoist magic, including leaving behind treasures passed down through generations. Under the Nine-Rank System, these families gradually reached a tacit understanding, using the Nine-Rank System to determine their social standing and to divide power based on their social standing, eliminating the need for competition among families.

After all, fighting will lead to death.

We can't risk our lives.

How can you make money if you work so hard?

Once social status and power distribution are determined, all that's left is to enjoy it.

Before, the Three Kingdoms period required some effort to establish a balance of power, but after the Sima family unified the country, they were no longer under any pressure. As a result, they indulged in pleasure, pursued art, and even took things like Five-Stone Powder.

Practice?

That’s so tiring!

Ultimately, their abilities deteriorate rapidly.

Although they understand these things, the problem is that it doesn't stop them from enjoying life. What can troublemakers do if they rebel? Even if they do rebel, they still have the ability to crush them.

The Crimson Cloud Sword was no match for Shi Hu in Liu Kun's hands, but it was still invincible against unruly commoners.

Moreover, he couldn't defeat Shi Hu because he had been worn down by the rabble earlier. If he hadn't been so severely weakened, Shi Hu still wouldn't have dared to challenge him one-on-one. Seeing the Crimson Sky Sword fully restored, Shi Hu immediately turned and ran, because he had indeed been seriously injured by such weapons before. Since he had these treasures in hand, casual cultivation was enough to suppress the rebellious commoners. So what motivation was there for arduous training? Arduous training was for becoming the victor in battles among those of the same level, but it was completely unnecessary for dealing with the commoners. Furthermore, the Nine-Rank System had already determined the ranks, so there was no need to fight to the death among those of the same level.

This is a tacit understanding among the entire ruling class.

Even if they have some struggles and political ups and downs, none of them will touch their rival families or their spheres of influence.

Valve, you know!
Every prestigious family has its own de facto hereditary territory. If a member of the family becomes an official in the imperial court, the family enjoys the service of servants and the offerings of serfs in the local area. If the official is capable, he will rise to power; if he is not, he will step down. But the family will always be the de facto ruler in its own territory.

Ultimately, the power struggles within the imperial court were merely a game played by these aristocratic families.

It's for entertainment.

Then these aristocratic families use their monopoly on knowledge, wealth, force, and discourse to ensure that the lower classes do not rise up. As long as this tacit understanding is maintained, they can remain forever high above, forming a solidified world where the wealthy will always be wealthy, the poor will always be poor, the common people will always be common, and the servants will always be servants.

For a ruler, this is undoubtedly the most perfect solution.

But all of this was shattered by the Five Barbarian Tribes.

The latter's migration, like in the original history, began in the Han Dynasty. Defeated and surrendered, they were gradually recruited as henchmen and migrated inland. They possessed their own martial arts or systems similar to Taoist practices, and their leaders resembled those of the upper-class aristocratic families. However, they were well aware that they had to constantly grow stronger, otherwise they would forever be lackeys of these upper-class families. Therefore, they remained subservient generation after generation, feigning obedience while secretly striving for advancement. Until the War of the Eight Princes, during the struggle for the throne among the Sima clan, the frequent changes in power meant that those unable to quickly gain the support of the upper-class families began to rely on them. The Five Barbarian Tribes finally had their opportunity…

"Is this a tradition passed down through generations of the Jie people?"

Yang Feng said suddenly.

"The Jie people are a separate tribe of the Xiongnu, and even the Xiongnu do not know where they came from."

They have always been dependent on them.

However, such mixed Hu tribes were not uncommon, and no one cared about them. When the Xiongnu migrated inland, they migrated inland with them. They had an ancestral blood sacrifice technique to worship their evil god, but they did not dare to use others as sacrifices before. They only used their own people as sacrifices. Although the court had known about this for a long time, it did not take it seriously and even made it a laughing stock.

During the War of the Eight Princes, Shi Le and Ji Sang rose to power as eighteen bandits. Amidst the chaos of war, no one intervened, allowing Shi Le to use the abducted people as sacrifices. Previously, sacrifices were made using only a few of their own people, as they couldn't handle more. However, Shi Le could use thousands, even tens of thousands, of people as offerings at once, ultimately summoning what he called divinely inspired monsters. Each divinely inspired monster was linked to the souls of its trusted followers, and the more living people it devoured, the stronger its linked followers became. Thus, its subordinates left almost no survivors in their wake.

He was also extremely cunning, constantly allying with powerful clans and cultivating relationships with aristocratic families, thus continuously expanding his power and eventually becoming a regional hegemon.

Liu Kun said cautiously.

"They're eating the poor, and you just turn a blind eye?"

Yang Feng sneered.

Liu Kun didn't dare to speak.

The truth is, nobody really cares about them.

For the elite families, the lowest-class commoners are actually referred to by another term.

Raw mouth.

It makes perfect sense for the Hu people to feed the monsters raw.

Shi Chong, who killed three beautiful maids to persuade people to drink, and Shi Le, who fed thousands upon thousands of people to monsters to obtain soul energy, are essentially no different. This includes the guests he persuaded, since the latter watched him kill three beautiful maids without changing his expression, and his only response was, "What does it matter to me if you kill your people?"

In their eyes, the lives of ordinary people are no different from those of livestock.

They are all newcomers.

Since that's the case, of course they won't interfere; in fact, they might even be able to use Shi Le after he becomes stronger.

Wang Jun, who had just been killed by Shi Le, had previously regarded Shi Le as his loyal dog. This guy, who wanted to seize Youzhou, was tricked by Shi Le through a series of performances. When Shi Le's army marched north and his subordinates asked for help, he even said that Shi Le was going to help him. As a result, the latter directly entered Youzhou City and killed him.

"And what about the Xiongnu?"

Yang Feng asked.

"The leaders of the Xiongnu all possessed secret incantations passed down through generations. These incantations were tattooed on their bodies by their fathers and then performed through sacrificial rituals. They claimed to have the power of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, and that they were like ferocious beasts in battle, unaware of pain or fatigue, especially under the moonlight."

Both Liu Yuan and the current Han emperor Liu Cong were renowned scholars in their time, having long been allies of the Han. Liu Yuan served under Sima Ying, who, wanting to use the Xiongnu to eliminate Sima Teng and Wang Jun, ordered Liu Yuan to return to his troops and rally the Xiongnu. However, Liu Yuan watched as Sima Ying was defeated, proclaimed himself a nephew of the Liu family, and swore brotherhood with the Han, with the younger brother succeeding the elder brother. Therefore, he adopted the Han title and posthumously honored Liu Shan as the Later Emperor. After his death, his eldest son Liu He succeeded him, but was murdered by Liu Cong.

Liu Kun said.

"The legitimate Han dynasty's Xiongnu king?"

Yang Feng couldn't help but laugh.

But thinking about it now, it's still quite ridiculous.

Liu Cong, the Xiongnu king who proclaimed himself Emperor of the Han Dynasty, destroyed the Western Jin Dynasty and captured Emperor Min of Jin, making him responsible for lifting the toilet seat for him.

The fact that they even posthumously honored Liu Shan is even more ridiculous.

Liu Kun, who did not understand Emperor Gaozu's perverse sense of humor, could only force a smile.

"Let's go, gather your troops, and I'll take you to see this guy who dares to usurp the title of Emperor of Han. Not just anyone can call himself the Emperor of Han."

Emperor Taizu Gaozu rose and said, “Emperor Taizu Gaozu, the journey to Chang’an is long and arduous, and Pingyang is now under Liu Cong’s control. Please grant me a few days’ permission so that I may gather provisions before heading south.”

Liu Kun quickly said.

The only place he could control was Bingzhou, or rather the Jinzhong Basin. This place was indeed the best, but unfortunately it was now in ruins, and the remaining people were hiding in fortified villages. When he took office, even Jinyang was almost a ghost town.

Beyond Sparrow Valley to the south lies Liu Cong's territory.

"No need, I'm just going to take a look. You can just gather three thousand cavalry."

As Yang Feng spoke, he put away his throne.

"But military rations..."

Liu Kun hurriedly said.

"It's only a few hours away, why would we need any military rations? Let the soldiers eat their fill first."

Yang Feng said.

Liu Kun was dumbfounded.

Clearly, he couldn't understand how he could get to Chang'an in half a day.

Of course, an hour later, he already knew that Emperor Taizu Gao was not acting crazy.

Changan.

Emperor Gaozu's imperial carriage slowly emerged from the spatial rift. Liu Kun, standing atop it, looked at the city before him with a complex expression. Their appearance was too sudden; the city gates were all open, and the Xiongnu soldiers guarding them were staring at them in astonishment. Meanwhile, a group of Xiongnu cavalrymen patrolling outside the city were galloping toward them.

“Back then, your ancestors inscribed their names on Yanran Mountain and sealed the wolf's lair, but now you have allowed the Xiongnu to take over Chang'an.”

They are utterly unworthy to be descendants of the Liu family.

Emperor Taizu Gao said angrily.

Liu Kun had no choice but to quickly apologize. Following Emperor Taizu Gao, his main task was to apologize.

Behind them, cavalrymen poured out in an endless stream.

The cavalry that had been charging towards them were so frightened that they quickly turned and headed towards the city gate. But the next moment, Emperor Taizu Gaozu transformed into golden light and instantly appeared in front of them. The leading officer, holding a spear, charged straight forward. Emperor Taizu Gaozu drew his Crimson Sky Sword, and before he could get close, it instantly transformed into a blood-red sword and swept across them. The surging sword light, like a blood-red scythe, swept through the cavalry, and the cavalrymen's bodies and horses' heads fell to the ground.

The one at the very front reacted the fastest. The instant the Crimson Sky Sword was drawn, he threw himself off his horse without hesitation and then flipped himself up.

Yang Feng looked at him with great interest.

With a hint of ferocity, the man threw off his armor and tore open his chest, revealing a dense array of tattoos.

He howled at the sky like a wolf.

He then slashed his face open, letting the blood flow down his cheek. As the first drop of blood fell onto his raised chest, it instantly transformed into rapidly spreading lines of blood that spread across his tattoo, turning it crimson. As the blood continued to drip, the tattoo continued to turn crimson, eventually becoming a body covered in crimson runes.

He howled like a wolf again.

The next moment, he started running wildly towards Yang Feng.

Holding the swords in both hands, he leaped up the instant Yang Feng swung the Crimson Sky Sword, dodging the sword's edge while simultaneously slashing down at Yang Feng in mid-air.

however……

A halberd appeared out of thin air.

Unable to dodge in mid-air, he screamed in terror, using almost all his strength to crash straight into the halberd spike, and was pierced through, left hanging in mid-air by Yang Feng.

Yang Feng looked at him with a strange smile.

This guy truly felt no pain. He was stuck on the halberd, struggling and howling like a fish impaled on it, but he couldn't break free of the halberd's spike. With a fierce look on his face, he swung his blade at his own body. After severing his left ribs, he twisted his body with all his might and miraculously broke free from the halberd's spike.

The moment he landed, he lunged at Yang Feng.

But the next moment, Yang Feng swung the Crimson Sky Sword at an extremely fast speed.

His arms landed almost simultaneously.

Then there's his body.

Even after his arms and legs were severed in an instant, he continued to struggle on the ground, his blood gushing from all his wounds. Then, as if suddenly drained, his entire body began to shrink. In just a few seconds, he remained in that struggling posture, his mouth agape as he breathed his last, his face looking as if he had aged fifty years in an instant, with obvious signs of decay.

"So what he burned was not the power of the sun and moon, but themselves. They used blood sacrifice spells to burn their own bodies to gain temporary strength. The worship of heaven and earth and the sun and moon was just a cover-up to gild their own faces."

Yang Feng sneered.

Indeed, saying you're burning your own body is definitely not a very noble thing to do.

But mentioning the power of heaven, earth, sun, and moon immediately elevates the level of sophistication. However, the advantage of this kind of talisman technique is that it can be mass-produced, since it's just tattooed on. There might be accompanying cultivation techniques, but the key is definitely these talismans themselves.

Of course, Yang Feng had no interest in this. What was the point of further strengthening him? He could never become a zombie like a perpetual motion machine. If he got shot in the leg, he would probably be at the mercy of others. If one shot wasn't enough, he would get two, and if that wasn't enough, he would get a cannon.

Liu Kun silently stared at the corpse on the ground, whose hair had turned white rapidly.

Yang Feng had already turned around and was looking at Chang'an City.

By this time, the city gates were closed, and soldiers were running around on the city walls. Several of them, clearly officers, had even begun to enter a blood sacrifice state. They pulled open their faces, filled their bodies with pre-printed runes with their own blood, and then entered a berserk state. The ordinary Xiongnu soldiers, however, clearly did not have this ability. They could only hold their bows and arrows, watching outside with trepidation. It was obvious that even if mass production were possible, they would only receive a portion.

Can understand.

If even the lowest-ranking soldiers have this ability, then how can a chief still be a chief?
Ultimately, the Xiongnu nobles were no different in controlling the lower classes. They would not allow the lower classes to gain the same power as them. They were hereditary chieftains, and they were capable of killing their lower-class followers, who were even more dangerous than their enemies.

Meanwhile, cavalry continued to pour out from the spatial rift behind Yang Feng, and those that had already poured out quickly formed ranks with their backs to the Wei River.

"With the Great Han Emperor Gaozu here, where is Liu Cong? How dare the Xiongnu usurp the title of Han?"

Yang Feng shouted.

"Liu Cong, come out quickly!"

"Liu Cong, the real Emperor Gaozu of Han has arrived, why don't you, the imposter, show yourself?"

……

The soldiers behind them shouted.

(End of this chapter)