Chapter 268: What a big move by Luo Tianzong!

“I want to know what Jia Cong wants.”

Emperor Shunde turned his head to look out the window. This sound seemed like a question, but also like he was talking to himself.

Seeing no response, he turned his head back.

But Xia Shouzhong had already lowered his head deeply.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Otomo, I have no doubt about Marquis Jing’an’s intentions!”

“If this southern expedition goes smoothly, Daqian’s territory will double. In the history books of later generations, my name will be comparable to that of the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor!”

“I have personally gone to the Ziwei Secret Room to inquire before, and the fifth realm exists.”

“The benefits that secular power can bring are no longer helpful to cultivation.”

“The court cannot continue to waste the friendship between Jia Cong and me forever…”

“No matter how much friendship there is, it will eventually run out.”

……

“Your Majesty, the Imperial City Department has heard some news.”

“Marquis Jing’an built temples in Jiangnan, Shandong and other places, collecting incense and offerings in order to forge a Taoist army made of ghosts.”

“Among them, there are many who are comparable to the third realm. According to the intelligence from the Imperial City Bureau, it is roughly estimated that there are no less than a hundred of them!”

“I guess this might be the work of Luo Tianzong, the master behind Marquis Jing’an.”

“A Taoist soldier from the third realm?”

“The strength of the Luo Tian Sect behind Jia Cong really cannot be underestimated.”

Emperor Shunde was surprised at first.

The third level of Taoist soldiers, even the royal family doesn’t have the means to train them.

The great scholar who was first suppressed by Jia Cong in the Imperial City Bureau could only be said to be a puppet, not a Taoist soldier.

It is even more impossible to refine it in batches.

The most important thing is that in just a short period of time, hundreds of third-level masters have been refined.

Then he muttered to himself.

“But now, even the fifth-level fighting that was rarely seen in the past thousand years and sects like Luotian Sect that have been hidden for countless years have appeared.”

“It seems that in all likelihood, something big is really going to happen.”

“Big companion, please pass a message to Jia Cong in private.”

“Tell him that I tacitly allow him to collect incense and refine Taoist soldiers in Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces!”

“Your Majesty, this?”

Xia Shouzhong was startled when he heard this and looked up in surprise.

Shandong, Jiangnan, then Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi!
It covers nearly half of Daqian’s sea territory and is connected to the countries in Southeast Asia!
Even during the violent Yuan Dynasty, even Tibetan Buddhism, which was the state religion, was not allowed by the Yuan Dynasty royal family to collect incense in such a large area.

“I know what Otomo wants to say.”

Emperor Shunde saw Xia Shouzhong’s surprise and doubt, and rarely spoke up to explain.

“It’s a different time now. I have a feeling that recently all the top-notch forces, such as Longhu Mountain and Gexian Sect, have started to move more frequently.”

“Buddhism may appear calm on the surface, but it is also stirring up trouble in secret.”

“My royal family occupies the great cause and controls the world, but once something unexpected happens, we will be unable to stand alone in the face of so many top-notch forces.”

“Also, the temples built by Jia Cong are not like those Buddhist temples that do not produce anything but are only interested in making money.”

“The Ministry of Revenue has made a preliminary estimate that the tax revenue in Shandong and Jiangnan this year has at least doubled compared to previous years.”

“Millions of acres of land were rented out cheaply by Jia Cong in accordance with the laws set by the court.”

“It has benefited hundreds of thousands of poor people.”

“It’s a win-win situation for both the court and Jia Cong!”

“Your Majesty, please forgive me. I just, just…”

When Xia Shouzhong heard this, he quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

“Get up, Otomo. I know you are only thinking about me, and I don’t mean to blame you.”

Emperor Shunde waved his hand and changed the subject.

“Let’s not talk about this for now. How is the matter I asked you to investigate going?”

“Your Majesty, there is some clue, but it is not certain yet.”

“Tell the Imperial City Bureau to speed up. It is impossible for them to go with my token. That person won’t have much time left.”

“I obey your order!”…

“Your Majesty, Duke of Wei Chu Zhaozhong, Prince Zhongshun, Prince Anshun, and Princess Yongning’s consort are outside seeking an audience.”

Just then, the voice of the young eunuch reporting from outside the imperial study was heard.

“Hey, Otomo, look, isn’t the second batch of the imperial army coming to the south?”

“If I’m not mistaken, these people must have been turned away by my father before coming to the Imperial Study to ask to see me!”

“My younger brother does have some influence after all.”

Emperor Shunde chuckled and then spoke to the outside.

“Send them in!”

……

Annan

Thang Long, the capital
It started a month ago when we heard that the Daqian navy was gathering in Quanzhou.

King Annan realized something was wrong.

Annan is a long and narrow country, with its capital, Thang Long, only 300 miles away from the coastline.

It took a month to mobilize elites from all over the country.

Most of Annan’s power is concentrated in Thang Long City.

There were a total of 200,000 elite soldiers and 100,000 young and strong laborers in the city.

“His Majesty!”

“The Daqian army is coming outside the city!”

In the palace, a eunuch walked hurriedly into the bedroom of King Li Weiping of Annan!
“Got it, let the general follow your orders!”

Li Weiping waved his hands, his face calm.

The slightly protruding teeth were revealed in the open mouth.

Only after the eunuch left did he stand up and pace around the hall.

“Can you really help me resist Daqian’s army?”

“Your Majesty, if you hesitate and are timid in the face of a crisis, you are not a qualified king!”

As soon as the words fell, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from the corner of the empty hall.

Although the words were spoken respectfully, the tone was full of mockery with a sense of superiority.

“Haven’t you already felt our power yourself?”

“It only takes a little cost and sacrifice.”

“You will gain a long lifespan of at least a thousand years.”

“And a strong body that won’t die as long as the brain and heart are intact.”

“Your five thousand soldiers have undergone a complete transformation, haven’t they?”

“Defeating the Far Eastern Empire’s army outside the city is only the first step.”

“My king, as long as you can prove the value of your existence.”

“Those members of parliament who are about to become corrupt can provide you with a steady stream of support.”

“Even annexing the Far Eastern Empire in the north will be easy for you!”

Li Weiping clenched his fists. Having sat firmly on the throne of Annan for decades, Li Weiping was no ordinary person.

But when he thought about his current situation, he finally unclenched his fists helplessly.

“The Marquis Jing’an of Daqian is now in your hands.”

“I will go to the city wall to supervise the battle!”

“I hope you can keep your word!”

“Of course, my dear king, the parliament never jokes about its allies!”

Hearing the sound coming from the corner of the hall, Li Weiping snorted and walked out of the hall.

“Jie Jie Jie!”

“What choice does a king have except to fight hard when he is isolated and helpless?”

“This test is not just about facing one side!”

“I hope the one outside the city won’t disappoint us!”

……

(End of this chapter)