I Possess a Scroll of Demon-Subduing Records

When the Hanzhong military camp discovered this situation, they were on high alert but dared not go out.

At that moment, they heard a crisp sound.

"Listen up, you inside! I am Princess Tianxuan, personally appointed by His Majesty. The Liang rebels have caused chaos and disorder in the court. I have been ordered by my father to raise an army to suppress them."

Now that Hanzhong Commandery is in my hands, are you all willing to follow this princess and achieve great deeds?

"..."

At the inn in Hanzhong County, when Liu Jian arrived with his troops, Lin Yi had almost fully recovered.

However, he still pretended to be weak and discussed the uprising with Chen Nan.

As soon as Liu Jian arrived, Chen Nan introduced him to Lin Yi: "This is my nephew, Liu Jian, the current military governor of Baishui County. He has secretly taken control of Baishui County and has now brought five thousand elite soldiers into the city."

To prepare for today's events, we have also planted spies in Shangyong, Shangluo, Langzhong, Baqu, Jinshou, and other places. Once we raise the banner of rebellion in Hanzhong, responses will come from all directions, and we will surround Jinchang, Weixing, Songxi, and other places. Liangzhou will then be ours for the taking.

As he spoke, Chen Nan showed Lin Yi a map. This map was certainly not as accurate as maps drawn in later generations, but the general locations and cities were clearly marked, and the mountains and rivers were also simply marked.

"Once we take Liangzhou, we can take the route through Yinping and advance into Yizhou. With the natural defenses of Bashu, we can attack or defend as needed, and our great cause can be accomplished."

In order to recruit Lin Yi, Chen Nan naturally revealed his battle plan without reservation, since the battle plan was still just a pie in the sky.

If you succeed, everything will be fine; but what if you fail?

Yizhou has always been highly valued due to its terrain, and those who can guard this place are the emperor's most trusted confidants.

Obtaining Yizhou is not something that can be solved simply by "taking the route through Yinping".

Chen Nan looked at Lin Yi nervously, worried that he would realize that he and Liu Jian were not actually that strong. However, Lin Yi's thoughts were even more unexpected.

“I think your idea is too conservative. Taking Yizhou is indeed a good place to settle down, but since we are going to start a rebellion and overthrow Xiao Zhao’s tyranny, how can we think about having a place to hide from the beginning?”

In my opinion, after we start our uprising, we don't need to deliberately seize Yizhou. Instead, we should head southeast, take Jingzhou and Xiangzhou, and cut off the connection between Yizhou and the imperial court. If we hold out for a long time, it will be much easier to take Yizhou later.

"At that time, with the southwest under our control, quelling the rebellion will only be a matter of time!"

Chen Nan: "..."

He thought he had already drawn a big enough pie in the sky, but he didn't expect Lin Yi to draw an even bigger one for him and Liu Jian.

He wouldn't even dare to think of such a line of thought!

For a moment, Chen Nan was also somewhat disappointed in Lin Yi. Did this young man think that their military might was invincible?

They were still too young.

But it doesn't matter. What he needs is not Lin Yi's wisdom, but his strength, as long as everyone has the same goal.

"Fellow Daoist's words are reasonable, but the most urgent task is to take Liangzhou and let the world know of our existence. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

"you're right."

"Would you be willing to join us, fellow Daoist?"

"Of course I'm willing."

Lin Yi grinned, looking innocent and harmless, as if he were just a muscle-bound alien with no brains.

Chen Nan and Liu Jian were overjoyed upon hearing this. Liu Jian exclaimed excitedly, "With your help today, we are better off than with a million elite troops!"

Lin Yi still smiled. He had already figured out that Liu Jian was no ordinary person. Although he was said to be Chen Nan's nephew, Chen Nan frequently exchanged glances with him and was very respectful when introducing him.

Clearly, Liu Jian was the one in charge between the two.

Lin Yi saw through it but didn't say anything; in this situation, just laughing it off was enough.

He was thinking to himself that since Chen Nan and Liu Jian had long harbored ambitions for Hanzhong and had brought so many troops with them, Xiao Yue's plans were probably doomed.

Since that's the case, Lin Yi doesn't plan to give Xiao Yue any more tests. If she's unlucky, there's nothing he can do.

Just as Lin Yi was worrying about Xiao Yue, a soldier rushed over and reported to Liu Jian, "General, something bad has happened! A large number of troops are surrounding us."

"???"

Liu Jian and Chen Nan were both dumbfounded. Where were there any soldiers left in Hanzhong Commandery?

The people in the military camp have been appeased by Chen Nan, and he has left behind a few trusted confidants. There shouldn't be any unusual movements.

"Whose unit is it?"

Just as Liu Jian posted his message, a chorus of voices could be heard outside.

"By order of Princess Tianxuan, quell the rebellion; those who surrender will not be killed!"

Lin Yi: "..."

"Princess Tianxuan?"

Chen Nan and Liu Jian didn't know which princess this was. Being in the border town, they were more concerned about the Liang King's forces and knew little about the people around Xiao Qian.

In addition, Xiao Qian had many children and bestowed many titles upon princesses and princes, none of whom were particularly noteworthy, so naturally no one paid any attention to them.

In fact, Princess Tianxuan was quite favored when Xiao Qian was in power because she was intelligent and knew that Xiao Qian had a heart for Taoism, so she often discussed Taoist classics with him.

This is also why she was able to be named Princess Tianxuan.

Tianxuan, one of the Seven Stars, the title seems a bit incongruous, but it is enough to show Xiao Qian's fondness for it.

Getting back to the point, while others might not know the inside story, Lin Yi did know Xiao Yue's identity. He was just a little surprised that Xiao Yue had so many soldiers in such a short time.

Just by listening, there were hundreds of people shouting.

The grand scale of the event caused both Chen Nan and Liu Jian to look somewhat solemn.

Lin Yi hadn't originally intended to help Xiao Yue, but now that she had obtained Hanzhong County through her own abilities, Lin Yi didn't mind giving her a push.

"You two need not be nervous, they are our own people. Princess Tianxuan is my disciple, and also the most beloved princess of the former Qi emperor."

Since both of you are here to fight the traitor, you are naturally not enemies of the princess.

Chen Nan: "..."

Liu Jian: "..."

Their current feelings are just like Wu Sheng's before—frustrated and unable to express them.

The reason they used the pretext of restoring the Southern Qi dynasty was because Xiao Qian had only recently abdicated, and the world was still unsettled, so this was a convenient excuse.

Moreover, it was only in name; they didn't really want to restore the country, but rather to establish a new dynasty.

Dynasties rise and fall, like the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward.

The Liu Song dynasty was already a thing of the past, its fate sealed. It would be too difficult for them to rebuild the Liu Song dynasty; it would be better to borrow the skin of the Xiao Qi dynasty and start anew.

But they never expected that just by borrowing a skin, they would run into the real person, which made things awkward.

You were just saying you were going to fight the rebellion for Qi, but now look at how their princess is, with a more righteous background than you! So, are you going to side with the princess or not?

If you follow along, all your hard work will be wasted on someone else; if you don't, their ambition will be obvious.

Even if everyone knows perfectly well what this so-called loyalty to the emperor really means, they can't just bring it out into the open and tear off the mask of civility.

For a moment, Chen Nan and Liu Jian were both in a dilemma.

Chen Nan now regrets telling Lin Yi so much about his plans. Now, Lin Yi's feigned ignorance has left him speechless.

To launch an uprising, one must not only use force, but also have a legitimate reason for it.

In fact, Lin Yi did not mean to belittle them. After all, he had been helped by someone, so why would he repay kindness with enmity?

However, he couldn't help Liu Jian and Chen Nan deal with Xiao Yue, so he hinted that they weren't enemies and shouldn't fight amongst themselves.

If it's misunderstood, there's nothing you can do.

Fortunately, Liu Jian was quick-witted. In this situation, sophistry was useless. He had to talk to Xiao Yue face to face, see her attitude, and then state his position.

But regardless of the outcome, things are not looking good today.

It seems unlikely that Hanzhong Commandery will be captured smoothly.

"Lord Chen, Princess Tianxuan may have some misunderstandings and regard us as traitors. Why don't we go and see her?"

Chen Nan also realized what was happening, nodded, and then gave Lin Yi a resentful look.

Lin Yi: "..."

He really didn't mean to scam anyone!

In this situation, it was inconvenient for him to go out with Chen Nan and Liu Jian, so he could only sit down and secretly eavesdrop.

Outside, both sides in the negotiations appeared very serious.

After exchanging glances for a moment, Chen Nan and Liu Jian quickly understood each other's bottom line.

They could abandon Hanzhong City, after all, they had no reason to attack a princess supported by the army; it would be a losing proposition.

However, they could not accept being recruited by Princess Tianxuan.

This is the bottom line.

On the other side, Xiao Yue was also very nervous, but at the same time, she was also very excited.

Because she successfully deceived the Hanzhong army into pledging allegiance.

It's quite simple; the way she gained the loyalty of the Hanzhong army was purely through deception.

The Hanzhong army no longer has a general, only four captains, one of whom is Chen Nan's man.

But Chen Nan didn't tell him his true identity; he was still using the name of Southern Qi.

Therefore, when Xiao Yue went to seize the camp, one of the first to surrender was already there.

The other three were He Qian's confidants. He Qian naturally had his own selfish motives and would not let these people be too loyal to Xiao Zhao, but rather to himself.

But now that He Qian is dead, this gives Xiao Yue an opportunity.

Xiao Yue stormed into the military camp, revealed her identity, and emphasized that she had already taken Hanzhong County, and that the fires everywhere were caused by her troops.

She didn't bring her troops because she felt that the Hanzhong army was not a rebel, and that they had rendered meritorious service in guarding the border over the years. She believed that as long as they submitted to her, they would have a bright future.

Promising huge profits is certainly not enough.

After demonstrating that she had taken control of the situation, she began to accuse Xiao Zhao of colluding with demons and harming the people.

That would have been enough; it wasn't enough to resonate with the soldiers. But soon, Xiao Yue shared the story she had just made up.

It is said that she once saved a little girl whose father was stationed on the border and had not returned for several years. Her mother was at home raising children and taking care of her in-laws, and she could not support them all alone. Moreover, because she was good-looking, she was coveted by others.