Martial Arts: I am in the Ming Cult and I am building a dynasty

There is no strong backing, no vast ocean to rely on, and even less foundation for having a say.

So in most of the time.

These merchants from the Jiangnan Road Merchant Alliance cannot even send money out and can only be exploited.

This is also the reason why these merchants rushed to give money when Yang Zhao spread the news and asked them to contribute in the war against Yanziwu.

The scholar-farmer-artisan and merchant system under the rule of the Song Dynasty was so overbearing.

In this way, Yang Zhao easily achieved his goal in just one morning.

With the support of Jiangnan Business Alliance, the rest is on the way.

How far he can go depends on Zhu Baiwan's own ability.

After conquering Zhu Baiwan, the reason why Yang Zhao did not let Zhu Baiwan develop as much as possible was for this day.

With the support of Yang Zhao, there is a ready-made business alliance framework.

If Zhu Baiwan had enough ability, he would be able to become the top business overlord in Jiangnan and even in the three coastal areas in a very short time, and be able to control half of the Song Dynasty market.

After leaving the Jiangnan Merchant Alliance behind, Yang Zhao rushed to the Pingjiang military camp without stopping.

Pingjiang Military Camp is the largest imperial guard command center in Jiangnan Road.

Even Xiao Qinyan, a half-prime minister from the central government, was given the title of Jiedushi of Pingjiang Army when he came to Jiangnan to perform his duties.

At noon, along the banks of the Yangtze River flowing through Taihu Lake.

A team of extremely strong armored knights arrived at the gate of Pingjiang military camp, raising a trail of dust.

Nothing like the show of force that Yang Zhao had imagined happened.

At this time, at the gate of the Pingjiang military camp, a group of Song Dynasty officers led by Xiao Qinyan and Wang Jian were lined up in an orderly manner, waiting for the arrival of Yang Zhao and others.

"Sir Yang, I am Xiao Qinyan, temporarily serving as the military governor of Pingjiang Army. We meet again."

"Your humble servant Wang Jian greets the commander-in-chief of the cavalry and infantry."

"Your humble servant Zhang Yu greets the commander-in-chief of the cavalry and infantry."

"Your Majesty..."

Seeing the people at the gate of Pingjiang military camp, Yang Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly and he quickly dismounted from his horse.

The fact that Xiao Qinyan, Wang Jian and others appeared at the gate of the military camp with such a respectful attitude had, in a sense, already expressed some tendencies.

Thinking of some hints Zhao Shirong gave before he left last night, Yang Zhao quickly understood what these people were thinking.

Xiao Qinyan was a veteran of three dynasties and had served as prime minister twice in the central government of the Song Dynasty. For a period of time, he was called an able minister and a wise minister, and for a period of time, he was called a treacherous prime minister. However, even when he was demoted to a local government, he was still known as a half-prime minister.

Wang Jian was a powerful general. In Yang Zhao's memory of his previous life, he was the backbone of the resistance against the Mongols in the late Southern Song Dynasty. He defeated the Mongolian army several times, defended Hezhou, and even dealt a heavy blow to Mengge. Unfortunately, he has not yet become successful.

Yang Zhao did not have a deep impression of Zhang Yu. He only knew that this person was Deputy General Wang Jian.

A group of civil and military officials who had lost their power in the court and had no background were so respectful to Yang Zhao, who was still a commoner.

Most of these people wanted to connect with the Taizu lineage of the Song Dynasty royal family represented by Zhao Shirong through me.

But it doesn’t matter, as long as there is a demand, we can get it.

What's more, if these people want to board the ship of the Song Dynasty royal family's Taizu lineage, doesn't that mean they have to be loyal to Zhao Shirong?

How is this different from being loyal to yourself?

After figuring out the key points, Yang Zhao quickly laughed and said, "Mr. Xiao, you are too polite. General Wang, General Zhang, and all the generals, please stand up quickly."

"I have just arrived and was appointed to this position. I hope Lord Xiao and General Wang will give me more guidance."

Seeing Yang Zhao's friendly attitude, Xiao Qinyan said, "Master Yang is the descendant of a famous general, and he has unparalleled martial arts skills. It is because of Master Yang that we need his protection!"

Yang Zhao pretended to laugh in appreciation and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Old Master Xiao. Can we talk inside?"

"Master Yang, please go first."

The smile on Xiao Qinyan's face deepened. He extended his hand and led Yang Zhao to the main seat.

In a sense, this is also a kind of temptation that civil servants are good at using.

If Yang Zhao had not declined and taken the main seat, he would have been considered a tyrannical and unwise person who could be manipulated.

If Yang Zhao declines and lets Xiao Qinyan take the main seat, then he is a man of courage and strategy who needs to be won over.

After all, Xiao Qinyan still held the title of Jiedushi of Pingjiang Army.

Even if it is just a title, in official circles, it is often necessary to respect it.

Yang Zhao naturally saw through the other party's temptation.

But for Yang Zhao, even if he saw it, he didn't care at all. He showed Xiao Qinyan a meaningful smile and strode directly into the military camp.

Chapter 74: Does Mr. Xiao feel embarrassed?

The connection between the imperial court and the underworld was sometimes very fragmented and sometimes very close.

When walking in the world, most people only care about strength, not scheming.

As for getting around in the imperial court, it would be difficult at best if you don't have the strength, and without scheming you can't make a single move.

Following behind Yang Zhao, Xiao Qinyan felt something was not right.

Although he had only met Yang Zhao once, Xiao Qinyan felt that Yang Zhao's performance at the Beggar Gang meeting yesterday did not seem like that of a reckless person.

Even the test just now at the gate of the military camp was just the instinct of Xiao Qinyan as an official for most of his life.

But Yang Zhao’s performance now made Xiao Qinyan very uneasy.

Soon, the group arrived at the military tent.

Without giving Xiao Qinyan time to think, Yang Zhao had already walked up to the top position in the center of the commander's tent in a very majestic and domineering manner and sat down with his horse and sword in his hands.

This made Xiao Qinyan's heart skip a beat.

Even a kid on the street would know what the commander-in-chief's representative meant, so there was no way Yang Zhao didn't know it.

Among the entire Jiangnan Road Imperial Guards.

The Jiedushi of Pingjiang Army is always the top leader, the Pacifier of Jiangnan Road is the second in command, and then there are positions such as the Chief of Cavalry and Infantry Army.

But now, Yang Zhao, the 'chief of cavalry and infantry', has taken his own position.

Wang Jian, Zhang Yu and others saw this scene and dared not say anything.

But Xiao Qinyan couldn't do that. His expression changed drastically and became serious as he thought about what Yang Zhao meant.

"Mr. Xiao, please sit down as you like, just like you are at home. Don't be polite!"

Yang Zhao sat in the main seat with his arms and legs spread out, looking directly at Xiao Qinyan with a half-smile on his face.

What a bad old man, and he's still trying to test you.

Don't even think about what time it is.

Just the night before yesterday, the pacification envoy of the Pingjiang military camp was beheaded by a master from Yanziwu.

People like this are probably stupid even if they are officials.

Seeing Xiao Qinyan motionless.

The smile on Yang Zhao's face quickly faded, and he said faintly, "Old Master Xiao doesn't give me face? Why, does Old Master Xiao think that what the Yanziwu thieves can do, I, Yang, can't do?"

Duang!

When Xiao Qinyan heard Yang Zhao's words, he felt a loud bang and his mind went blank.

Immediately afterwards, visible cold sweat dripped from Xiao Qinyan's forehead.

I am so fucking stupid.

This is not the Chuigong Palace in Bianjing City, and we are not facing those pampered civil servants.

This is Suzhou City, and the rebels we are facing are those high-ranking martial artists.

"Master Yang, no, Master Yang, this old man..."

"It's just a momentary distraction, right?"

"Yes, Master Yang is right. I was distracted for a moment and failed to follow etiquette. Please forgive me!"

A wave of intimidation was thrown at him, and Xiao Qinyan immediately understood.

Not only has the attitude changed a lot, but even the way of addressing him is no longer so official, but instead he uses the respectful title of "Young Master".

Although Xiao Qinyan had already semi-retired and lived in Jiangnan, he had still heard of Yang Zhao's reputation in the martial arts world, for example, he had killed three Shaolin Grandmasters and fought against the Drunken Monk.

After finishing speaking, Xiao Qinyan sat down consciously.

Yang Zhao smiled with a fake smile and said, "Master Xiao, I heard that your eldest son Gu Qianfan fell in love with a girl from a tea family in Qiantang?"

Xiao Qinyan smiled stiffly and said, "Yes, my son is useless and I won't show up. I'm sorry to make you laugh."

Yang Zhao waved his hand and said, "It's okay. Let your eldest son send the girl from the Cha family to the West Garden. I'm still short of a tea-serving dancer. The deadline is tomorrow. Do you understand?"

Xiao Qinyan was embarrassed and said, "This... This is not good..."

Yang Zhao said nonchalantly, "Why, Master Xiao, do you feel embarrassed? How about this, the head of the Cha family girl or your son, you choose one!"

Xiao Qinyan's face changed drastically, and he tried his best to suppress his anger, saying: "Young Master Yang, after all, I am..."

Yang Zhao sneered and interrupted, "Master Xiao, think carefully before you speak. If I send someone to take it, it will be the heads of your entire family."

"The Gusu Murong clan is rebelling, Jiangnan is in turmoil, and the rebels are rampant. Do you think that even if the emperor knows about this, will he blame Yang for it?"

For the sake of a semi-retired old man, he punished a powerful celestial being and the world's number one genius.

Unless the current emperor is mentally retarded, he would never do such a stupid thing.

Xiao Qinyan still wants to use the court's tricks to suppress him. He must be crazy.

Yang Zhao did not show his aura of a peak grandmaster, just stared at Xiao Qinyan with great amusement.

There is no doubt that this is a blatant threat.

After a while, Xiao Qinyan was defeated and said dejectedly: "I will send someone to send the girl from the Cha family to the West Garden. Please show some mercy, young master."

"Humph!"

Yang Zhao snorted coldly, and let this tactless old man go.

Then, Yang Zhao looked at Wang Jian, Zhang Yu and a group of Pingjiang officers who were still in the tent.

Wang Jian was the first to react and said, "I, Wang Jian, pay my respects to you, sir!"

Zhang Yu followed closely behind and said, "I, the humble general Zhang Yu, pay my respects to you, sir!"

Everyone: "We are here to see you, sir!"

In the Song Dynasty, military generals had a low status to begin with. If they didn’t know what was best for them when they met a man like Yang Zhao, they would probably lose their heads.

Even Xiao Qinyan has bowed his head, so isn't it normal for us generals to show loyalty?

Seeing this, Yang Zhao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Sit down, and each of you report on the various aspects of the Pingjiang military camp. Remember, I want to hear the truth, don't use the tricks that fool people in the court."

The expressions of Wang Jian, Zhang Yu and others changed slightly, but they still did not dare to have any opinions and began to report honestly.

“水军三营战船17条，共480余人，弓弩200、皮甲100、铁甲30……”

“步军一营，共220人，枪矛200、刀盾100、弓弩30、铁甲30……”

"One cavalry battalion, 80 men in total, 50 war horses, 20 bows and crossbows, 20 armored soldiers..."

The imperial guards of the Song Dynasty have always been rotten. The imperial guards in the capital are rotten, and the imperial guards in the local areas are even worse.

For example, the current Pingjiang Army.

According to the normal configuration, the army has five battalions, each battalion has five cities, each city has one hundred people and is 70% equipped.

There should be 1500 soldiers in this military camp at this moment, more than 1200 full sets of equipment, at least 400 horses and more than bushels of food and fodder.

But in reality, let alone half, it doesn’t even meet the half standard.

Yang Zhao's eyebrows twitched wildly, and he suppressed his anger and said, "Has the current Song Dynasty's imperial guards become so rotten? What about the imperial guards' training? Don't tell me that you are worse than the wing troops."

Wang Jian looked embarrassed and said, "Sir, the envoy of appeasement has not arrived for several months, and the army is short of food and grass, so..."

Yang Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, with murderous intent surging in his heart.