Secret Records of the Leader of the Beichen Sword Sect-Chapter 1023 - 522: Joining the Cause (Part 2)

Chen Xuantian also shook his head, truly unable to stand these little brats who run away from home at the slightest hint of conflict. He pulled a cloth bag from his sleeve and tossed it in front of him.

"Do as you please. Overall, this calamity has passed. The main culprits, the Evil Demons and Heretics in the Southern Border who set up Magic formations and harmed souls, have already been executed. I preserved their heads in lime for you. Take them back to the Six Gates and report; maybe they’ll promote you to arrest officer."

Unexpectedly, Yang Yunzhao still shook his head.

"I didn’t do this for an office promotion, and besides, hasn’t the matter been settled? The main culprit is still out there."

Chen Xuantian glanced sideways at the fleet flying the Vermilion Bird Flag, sailing across the lake.

"What, are you planning to destroy the Nangong Family as well? Let’s be honest, I can be friends, I can slay monsters, I can kill Demon Paths, but I won’t get involved in the political fights and power struggles of the Immortal Palace.

I also advise you to question how many perfect people exist in this world? Most people are shortsighted, profit-driven fools who forget honor for gain. Everyone has their flaws, so don’t always hold officials to saintly standards. Let it go.

If you want to enjoy the mortal world and experience wealth and prosperity, have your fun, but meddle too deeply, and you’ll just be used as a pawn in the end, eventually caught up in a web of grievances and love-hate ties. Will you still practice immortality then?"

Yang Yunzhao shook his head,

"I know that Mystic Sect Mountain People aren’t interested in such matters. My own affairs won’t drag you in.

But the reason I came here is to conduct land surveys. Only by investigating the population and disciplining the rich family can the rear taxes be stabilized.

Only then can the court fully launch the Northern Expedition, sweep away the enemy army and rebels, end this unrest, and restore peace throughout the land."

"Ah, peace throughout the land..."

Chen Xuantian was too lazy to try refuting the boy’s worldview. If he can’t be convinced, then so be it. He casually asked,

"Alright then, let’s assume you can traverse Li Jiang, check the population and taxes. What next?

You’re going to go door to door and force those large households to relinquish their hidden population and land? To whom? The court? 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

There has to be someone in charge, does there? How can you guarantee it won’t become another Nangong scenario?"

For a moment, Yang Yunzhao hesitated, as he had only been in Li Country for a couple of days and had already experienced so much. He knew that relying on himself alone would accomplish nothing. But with more help, things could be different.

In the end, seeing the head before him, he decided to trust this friend. Though newly acquainted, he was willing to face life and death together and share even a mouthful of soup. He opened up about his background,

"While serving in Jiangdu, I became friends with someone, an Inner Historian of the court, a person like no other—generous, capable in both literature and martial arts, with unmatched talent, and a heart full of loyalty and justice!

What’s even more remarkable was that during his tenure, he disciplined the landlord rich family, kept officials in line, sheltered Northern refugees, cultivated wasteland, and rejuvenated livelihood. In just a few short years, Langya transformed into something entirely different, vibrant and thriving, starkly contrasting with other counties embroiled in Southern and Northern disputes!

I’ve offended Gate Valve playboys multiple times, been on the brink of life and death, and he’s the one who repeatedly saved my life! Not only mine, but he treats everyone regardless of social standing or wealth, appoints solely based on talent, and holds public justice dear! Whether you’re from an aristocratic family or a poor family, Southern or Northern people, as long as you have a heart of justice, you’re welcome to share a drink and bond as brothers!

Such magnanimity, such ambition! Naturally, it wasn’t just me; he attracted many like-minded youths! So many young people in this world are dissatisfied with the old guard sitting idly in their positions! With the Inner Historian as the backbone, we’ve long sworn brotherhood, pledged a blood oath to restore the world and rescue the people!

And now, the court’s newly appointed General of Western Expedition is the Inner Historian’s closest friend and sworn brother! This General of Western Expedition comes from the Yingchuan Yu Family, the leader of the Central Plains aristocratic families! The Three Grand Marshals is his brother, and the Emperor and Empress is his sister! His family controls much of the court! They are our strongest support in the court!

Recently, the court also appointed the Inner Historian as the Assistant General, recruiting Northern refugees, training new troops, and stationing them at Jingkou to safeguard Jiangdu—organized by him! With court support, new troops at hand, and our brotherly unity, it’s the perfect opportunity to accomplish grand deeds!

We’ve planned for some time. Currently, the forces of Zhen, Xun, and Kun countries, the Gate Valve forces are deeply entrenched, and the court still relies on their vassal soldiers’ taxes to resist the Stone Dragon, so it’s unwise to confront them hastily. But the rich family of Li Country’s divided territories have been weak for some time, lacking local unity, and not too strong; we can test our skills with them! It’s a starting point for experience!

Therefore, I volunteered with a few brothers to head south first, not only to measure lands and check populations, gather solid evidence to secure a court decree from the Inner Historian, no—for the Assistant General to gain legal authority! We must also secretly investigate the local rich family’s strength, the Nangong Family’s various military forces, and detailed maps of every checkpoint!

Once all preparations are complete, the Assistant General can command the army, sail downstream and seize Yun Meng, suppress the Nangong, annexing the thousand-mile Li Jiang—the foundation for a great empire!"

"Oh~~ so you, with your thick eyebrows, were playing the role of an undercover investigator all along..."

Chen Xuantian chuckled, ready to mock and dampen his enthusiasm when suddenly a thought struck him. After calculating with his fingers, he frowned,

"Hold on! This Inner Historian you mentioned, could it be Huan Tianyuan?"

Yang Yunzhao’s eyes brightened,

"Huh? You know him too? Perhaps you’re also a brother of ours!?"

Chen Xuantian furrowed his brows,

"No, isn’t he supposed to be the Prince Consort? And he should have already been removed from that position... How did he end up becoming an Inner Historian General? Who’s protecting him...?"

Yang Yunzhao’s blood surged, glaring with bright eyes,

"I don’t know about being the Prince Consort, but I heard that ten years ago, there was a major battle between Immortals and Demons in Jiangdu, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, the court on the verge of collapse, officials fleeing chaotically, and the country facing imminent overthrow.

At that time, Inner Historian was the one who bravely stepped forward, rallied the people, organized disaster relief and rescued the wounded. Rumor has it he personally picked the Emperor from beneath the rubble of corpses. That’s why he gained the court’s recognition, was titled a county noble, and rapidly promoted.

For years, though the Three Constellations Ministers and North and South Immortal Gates have been dissatisfied with him, due to his merit of protecting the Emperor, he remains in the Emperor’s favor, and no one dared confront him. Even confined to the Inner Historian position for ten years, he is like an awl in the bag, the tip eventually visible!

Now the court officials are aging, endlessly fighting for power! Yet Fuguo’s fame resonates throughout the world, gaining public support and gathering allies! No one can suppress him anymore! Who else to turn the tide and restore the world than Fuguo?"

Chen Xuantian pondered for a moment, then suddenly began plucking grass around him, dividing a bunch of foxtail grass in his hands, thinking deeply for a quarter of an hour, then his expression changed, threw the grass away, and grabbed Yang Yunzhao’s hands, smiling broadly,

"Ah~ Brotherly words! Quite agreeable! What you said is absolutely correct!

In a chaotic world, a man must wield a three-foot sword to achieve unparalleled success!

Though I am a rural Mountain Man, I have passionate blood! I understand national righteousness and am willing to serve the country faithfully!

To establish morality for Heaven and Earth, to set destiny for the people, to continue the sacred learning legacy, to bring peace for all generations!

SAY NO MORE! I’m in!"

"..."

For some reason, Yang Yunzhao felt his blood enthusiasm cool down instead...