A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

The General's Mansion in Luoyang.

"Father, I'm back."

Yang Jian stood in front of Yang Zhong, the father and son facing each other.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Looking at his son, Yang Zhong noticed that Yang Jian's entire demeanor and spirit had changed.

He smiled with satisfaction. After nine years of training in the lower realms, Yang Jian had made significant progress in both his cunning and composure.

This is the quality that an excellent leader should possess.

"Aren't you supposed to arrive in Luoyang in a couple of days?"

"I imagine there are many people in Luoyang waiting for me. I didn't want to be stuck at the city gate, so I rode back early and had the carriage follow the planned route."

Yang Jian explained.

"Then I'll spread the word that you're back as soon as possible, otherwise it will be a blow to your reputation if all those people wait for you at the door."

Yang Zhong stroked his graying beard and said with a smile.

"Now that you're back, the Yang family is in your hands from now on."

"Do whatever you want to do, your father will support you."

"Thank you, Father."

A strange light flashed in Yang Jian's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

The power of the Yang family was indeed something he needed; with this status, he could better carry out his plans.

"There is something I must remind you: His Majesty's health is deteriorating day by day."

Yang Zhong reminded him

Yang Jian nodded; he didn't have much time left.

"And there's one more crucial point."

"The Wei family."

"What are you planning to do?"

Yang Zhong closed the door, stood at the doorway and looked around. After confirming that no one was around, he spoke in a low voice.

Yang Jian pursed his lips. "The emperor is incompetent, and the people are suffering terribly. The Wei family, for the sake of the people and all the people under heaven, will only turn a blind eye."

"But why you?"

"Just because you spent a few years working among ordinary people?"

"Nowadays, there are plenty of officials in the imperial court who have worked at the grassroots level."

Yang Zhong pointed out the most crucial issue incisively.

"And more importantly, was the emperor incompetent, or did we choose a capable one?"

"If it is the latter, then we also bear some responsibility for the suffering of the people."

"To be the vanguard of the king, that will be our only fate."

Yang Jian had to admit that experience matters.

Yang Zhong immediately pointed out the two things he was most worried about.

"Father, what have you taught me?"

Yang Zhong pointed to the world map hanging on the wall. "What do you think?"

Yang Jian narrowed his eyes, examining the map.

"The Chinese civilization sphere? What does that have to do with what we're about to do?"

"What you see is the Chinese civilization sphere; what I see is a field of witchcraft."

"Each country is a Gu King, and they must fight each other to determine the strongest one."

"The Wei family is the ones who raise Gu poison."

"They want to use this method to select the strongest country."

Yang Zhong stared at the world map with a dazed look in his eyes. Even after ruling the entire empire for so many years, he still found such a mind and spirit incredibly terrifying.

What gives the Wei family the audacity to be so arrogant? Aren't they afraid of their plans backfiring one day?!

He couldn't understand it; perhaps this was where he fell short compared to the outstanding members of the Wei family.

Yang Jian remained silent, instead intently recalling every major event the Wei family had accomplished.

The more he recalled, the paler his face became, because he realized that what his father had said might very well be true.

How terrifying is it to use the entire world as a breeding ground for venomous insects?

"What is their purpose? What is the purpose of raising such a Gu King?"

"have no idea."

Yang Zhong's tone was filled with a complex mix of emotions, including apprehension, longing, doubt, and fear.

"For hundreds of years, from ancient times to the present, no one has known the answer."

"Then let's give it a try and see if I'm the Gu King they're looking for!"

Yang Jian quickly adjusted his mindset, and his resentment turned into a raging fire, which also became his motivation.

Looking at his son who had regained his spirits, Yang Zhong felt gratified. He was old, and after discovering the truth, he felt only fear.

But his son was able to turn this into motivation, and that alone made him stronger than his father.

"What are your plans next?"

Yang Zhong asked.

Yang Jian's gaze fell once more on the map on the wall, and he decided to change his plans.

"join the army."

"I still need my father's help to control the government, and I need to accumulate enough military merits to prove myself."

"Leading troops to expand territory?"

Yang Zhong frowned; this was no simple matter.

The territory of the Great Qian Dynasty now inherited from the Great Han Dynasty, encompassing the entire land of China.

Expanding outwards is extremely difficult, even just the march itself.

Even if you capture it, it will be very difficult to hold it.

There's a reason why the country's territory has remained at the same distance for so many years.

Seeing Yang Zhong's hesitation, Yang Jian slowly said, "Before that, I will go to the Wei family first."

"I believe the Wei family has a way to overcome the distance."

"Otherwise, this Gu King would never have been born."

A word to awaken the dreamer.

To cultivate a Gu Emperor capable of unifying the world, one must naturally possess the ability to quickly send troops across the land.

Just as Yang Jian said, without this ability, it will always be just a mirage.

……

The Wei family in Luoyang.

Yang Jian presented his visiting card and was invited inside.

This scene was witnessed by many spies stationed at the Wei family's gate, who reported it back, alarming numerous families and the emperor in the palace.

All the prominent families were curious as to why Yang Jian visited the Wei family as soon as he returned.

The emperor inside the palace was terrified. Why was Yang Jian visiting the Wei family?

In this world, besides the emperor, is there anyone else who deserves Yang Jian's visit to the Wei family?!

No!

What was Yang Jian planning to do?!

But the Wei family was like an iron barrel, and not a single piece of news could get out.

Although he had secretly developed some power, no powerful family in the world could obtain information about the Yang family, let alone him.

He was like a prisoner, waiting in the palace for his fate to be decided.

"Rare visitor."

Wei Ying, the current head of the Wei family, received Yang Jian in his study.

Given Yang Jian's current status and position, he was not worthy of being personally received by him.

Unfortunately, none of the Wei family members qualified to receive Yang Jian were at their residence. In addition, Wei Jian was also curious about and supportive of Yang Jian's trip to the common people, so he personally received him.

Yang Jian bowed respectfully to Wei Ying before slowly sitting down, daring to sit on only half of his buttocks.

"Ruojin, there's no need to be so reserved."

"You've been living among the common people for nine years; I wonder if you've gained anything?"

Wei Ying took the initiative to start a conversation with Yang Jian about his life in the first nine years of his life.

"Life is hard for ordinary people."

Yang Jian exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

"What the common people yearn for is nothing more than a full meal and warm clothes."

"It's easy to feed one person and clothe them warmly."

"But it's incredibly difficult to ensure that everyone in the world has enough to eat and warm clothes."