You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

"This is really good stuff."

Lu Zuo smiled and said, "His Majesty recently sent people to manufacture a batch of ammonia fertilizer. Although the quantity is not large, it will be transported over in batches later."

What is ammonia fertilizer?

Shen Luoyan looked bewildered. Why did Lord Lu and the Emperor keep using such novel terms?

"oh."

Lu Zuo explained, "So-called ammonia fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that can increase grain production."

"However, the method of fertilization is more complicated. It requires deep application and covering with soil, and the amount used should not be too high. About sixteen catties per mu is enough."

Shen Luoyan nodded in realization, then asked, "How much will that increase production?"

"Probably 30% to 40%."

Three or four tenths?

Shen Luoyan's eyes narrowed, and she exclaimed inwardly, "Wow!"

How can you talk about 30% or 40% so casually?

This could increase the annual production of Nantong by more than one million shi!

If we plant that corn...

It can increase production by three to four million shi per year!

Hiss!

Shen Luoyan took a deep breath, her eyes shining even brighter, as if she could see a bountiful harvest in her heart!

"The items are placed on the south slope outside the city, and I've already had them looked after."

"You can just take some people and go get it later."

After a pause, Lu Zuo inquired about Shen Luoyan's recent situation in Nantong.

Upon learning that everything was normal and thriving, Lu Zuo felt relieved and could proceed to Dongyang with peace of mind.

"Luoyan, I must rush to Dongyang today to oversee the suppression of Buddhism."

"All matters, big and small, in Nantong are now entrusted to you."

After giving a few instructions, Lu Zuo left the prefectural governor's mansion to find Madam Cai and Zhu Yuyan.

Since the master and apprentice arrived in Nantong, Lu Zuo has left them here to help out because he is short-handed.

……

A short while later, in a courtyard within the city.

This place is surrounded by white walls and drooping green willows. There is a garden in the courtyard. It was once the residence of a small family from Nantong.

There are three or five old plum trees in the garden, and a rockery made of lake stones is built in the southeast corner, with lush greenery growing in the crevices between the stones.

Beside a pond where two fallen leaves floated, Madam Cai frowned slightly and murmured, "This is getting a bit troublesome..."

"Master, what exactly happened?"

Madam Cai handed the newly acquired carrier pigeon message to Zhu Yuyan: "Take a look for yourself."

Zhu Yuyan reached out and took it. On a small piece of paper, it read: "The Master of Jingzhai has successfully assassinated the Turkic Khan."

"this……"

Although it was short, it made Zhu Yuyan's heart skip a beat!

"With the death of the Turkic Khan, the war in the north of the Sui Dynasty will surely end soon."

"Within three years, or even just two years..."

"The Sui Dynasty can then focus all its efforts on dealing with the Southern Chen Dynasty."

"Master, this is more than three years ahead of schedule!"

Madam Cai nodded: "It seems we need to hurry too."

"After Elder Xia and Elder Xi arrived, they immediately took advantage of the imperial court to develop a secret branch in Jiangnan."

dong dong dong.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

The master and apprentice stopped their discussion. Zhu Yuyan went to the courtyard gate, reached out and pulled the bolt, and slowly pushed it open.

With a creak, a tall, upright figure came into view.

"Lord Lu?"

Zhu Yuyan stepped aside to let him in, and asked, "What brings you here?"

"I have come to request the assistance of the Imperial Preceptor and Lady Cai to accompany me to Dongyang to quell the Buddhist sects and aristocratic families, large and small."

The new army in Nantong has already shown initial success, and has recruited a large number of martial arts practitioners from humble backgrounds and masters of the martial arts world.

The situation in Dongyang was different. There were only 5,000 garrison troops, but it governed three prefectures and 27 counties, so the manpower was severely insufficient.

The Shenwu Battalion will be stationed in the capital again to intimidate the six great families.

Lu Zuo could only transfer all the experts he could muster to Dongyang, prioritizing quality over quantity.

As I said before...

He is still severely short of manpower and troops!

"Since Lord Lu is here, please take a look at this first."

As they were talking, Madam Cai walked gracefully over from a distance and handed the note to Lu Zuo.

"The Great Khan of the Turks is dead?"

After glancing at it, Lu Zuo's eyes narrowed. Now, it wasn't just a shortage of men and soldiers, but time was also running out...

Based on the historical timeline, he has at least six more years to develop.

Looking at it now, it seems there aren't even three years left...

Whether it's the training of the new army or the development of agriculture and handicrafts, three years is only the beginning to show results.

It seems...

I need to think of a way to delay this...

Thinking of this, Lu Zuo raised his eyes to look at the stunningly beautiful Lady Cai in front of him and asked, "Madam, the Turks are not united to begin with, and now that the Great Khan is dead, they will surely fall apart."

"Is there any good plan to cause some trouble for the Sui Dynasty?"

Lady Cai pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "The Sui Dynasty is at its peak, with a wise ruler and upright ministers; it is unlikely that chaos will arise."

"Moreover, the Sui Dynasty had countless masters, and the Buddhist sect also led the righteous path of the martial arts world."

"Whether in the imperial court or in the martial world, it will be difficult for him to achieve anything."

Lu Zuo asked, "What if it's a struggle for the throne?"

"As far as I know, Crown Prince Yang Yong is lustful, extravagant, and incompetent, while Prince Yang Guang of Jin is ambitious and has long coveted the position of Crown Prince."

"If the Sui court falls into chaos because of this, it will certainly delay the invasion of Chen, buying Your Majesty about a year!"

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Madam Cai thought for a moment and said, "This method may be feasible."

"But we need to gather intelligence before we can make a decision on the specific rules."

"Before that, let the Yin Gui Sect help you pacify Dongyang."

After a brief discussion, the group set off for Dongyang.

Before leaving, Lu Zuo made a point of taking the mother pendant of the mother-child teleportation pendant with him so that he could return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation in Jiankang Palace at any time.

.......

As night fell, the moonlight was dim.

"Lord Lu, let's rest up ahead."

Lu Zuo and the others traveled swiftly, and when they arrived near a valley, Zhu Yuyan had already exhausted about half of her internal energy and suggested that they rest for a while ahead.

Most of the time, martial artists don't let their internal energy be depleted too much while traveling, in order to avoid encountering unexpected situations.

Those who are entangled in grudges will especially ensure they always have the capacity to deal with their adversaries.

Lu Zuo nodded: "Alright."

"The smell of blood?"

suddenly!

Madam Cai's eyes narrowed, and then she suddenly accelerated, arriving in the valley in the blink of an eye.

She glanced around the area and soon her eyes fell on a corpse covered in wounds and dripping with blood.

"Opening the inner realm of heaven and earth?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Lu Zuo and Zhu Yuyan's ears. The two exchanged a glance and then moved to Madam Cai's side.

"Does the lady recognize him?"

Madam Cai shook her head: "I don't know her."

Lu Zuo glanced at the corpse and asked疑惑地问, "How did the lady know he had opened up the inner world?"

Zhu Yuyan chimed in, "Even after death, the aura of a martial artist who has opened their inner world will not immediately dissipate; it will linger for several hours."

"Ordinary people would not be able to discern such an aura."

"But if one cultivates the Heavenly Demon Force Field of my Yin Gui Sect, one can identify it."

"strangeness……"

Zhu Yuyan pondered for a moment, then said, "How could a martial artist who has reached the Inner Heaven and Earth Opening Realm die here, and in such a gruesome manner... Hmm?"

"What is this?"

Her gaze suddenly fell on the deceased's neck. She then stepped forward, bent down, and with a slight lift of her slender hand, pinched the already disheveled collar of the garment with two fingers and pulled it aside...

Beneath the fabric, on the deathly white chest, several eerie scarlet streaks snaked out.

Its color was dark and dull, like congealed blood, radiating from the chest like ferocious tree roots or several lurking centipedes, twisting and coiling all the way up to the depths of the neck.

The edges of the patterns are not neat, and upon closer inspection, they seem to pulsate slightly as if they are alive...

Of course, that was just an illusion created by light and shadow on cold skin.

The Six Souls Curse?

Lu Zuo's pupils suddenly contracted sharply, and he instantly thought of one person...

The Emperor of the Underworld!

Lu Zuo's trip to the world of Qin's Moon led him to a conclusion about one thing.

The Underworld Emperor is most likely the successor of the Netherworld Pavilion!

In this world, if there is anyone else who knows the martial arts of the Yin-Yang School, besides myself, it is probably only him.

If it truly is the King of the Underworld, then the identity of the deceased becomes obvious...

Shadow Guard!

Didn't this grandson go north? When did he turn back to the south?

Lu Zuo narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the corpse on the ground, feeling a sense of unease.

"How could a martial artist at the Inner Heaven and Earth Opening Realm die such a gruesome death?"

Madam Cai walked over slowly, murmuring to herself, "Just who is this person who made this move?"

"In this world..."

"I haven't heard of anyone achieving the state of oneness with nature."

"It may not necessarily be a matter of harmony between heaven and man." Zhu Yuyan glanced at Lu Zuo: "Didn't Lord Lu single-handedly kill two people who had opened up the inner world?"

Mentioning this matter, Madam Cai recalled that astonishing scene.

She nodded: "Regardless of who the other party is, it's not a good place to stay. Let's find another place to rest."

……

Several days later, in Dongyang City.

Although a huge change occurred here, so much time has passed that it has returned to its former bustling state.

On the streets, cars and pedestrians thronged, some hurrying along, others strolling leisurely, their figures intertwined in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Shops lined the roadside, and restaurants and teahouses were bustling with customers.

The various food stalls were bustling with activity, with steaming steamers, sizzling oil pans, and fragrant grilled skewers...

"I never imagined that such a huge change in Dongyang would result in such a lively scene?"

Upon entering the city, Madam Cai discovered that the city's condition was completely different from the desolation she had imagined, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"Without those blood-sucking aristocratic families, the common people will naturally prosper much more."

Lu Zuo walked side by side with her, strolling slowly on the bluestone street, and said with a faint smile.

Zhu Yuyan, who was standing to the side, glanced at him and said, "Lord Lu seems to have some reservations about aristocratic families..."

Lu Zuo smiled, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine!

His eyes suddenly sharpened, and he turned around abruptly, but apart from the passing crowd, he did not notice anything unusual.

What a brilliant tactic...

With my current sensory abilities, I can't even detect it?

Could the person spying in the shadows be a Shadow Guard?

Zhu Yuyan noticed his unusual behavior and asked, "Lord Lu, what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Lu Zuo shook his head. "Let's go, let's go to the Prefect's Mansion first."