Chapter 1 Tea House Gossip

In an open-air tea house by the official road.

Many passersby were resting here, drinking tea and chatting idly.

The topic of conversation naturally revolved around the recent changes in the political situation, namely the imperial court's failed expedition to Huyang.

"That Chen Feng erected the banner of rebellion and gathered a million people in Huyang. He is truly a colossal bandit, unseen in a hundred years. Now that he has repelled the government troops, who knows what actions he will take."

"Since he is a rebel, he will most likely sweep across the land. When the time comes, battles will be incessant, and the world will be in chaos."

"Alas, the imperial court's conquest was fruitless, and they even lost Huyang. Now, Chen Feng's wings are full, and I fear the imperial court will find it difficult to subdue him."

"Hmph, the government troops who flooded Huyang were not good people either."

"Careful, careful!"

The crowd conversed back and forth.

This place was located in the northern part of the Central Plains. The turmoil in Huyang had not yet spread here. Everyone's tone was somewhat heavy, and they felt worried about the future, but not to the point of panic.

Now, Chen Feng's name was already linked to the word "rebel." The people outside Huyang did not dare to openly support Chen Feng. They were more restrained in their conversations, mostly cautiously standing on the side of the imperial court.

People in various places had complex feelings toward Chen Feng. They admired his actions of eliminating evil, punishing treachery, and executing the powerful, but they also felt that he was stirring up trouble and causing chaos in the world.

The wealthy hated him, those who could barely make ends meet were in awe, and some even complained. Only those at the bottom of society were his staunch supporters. People of different social classes had different perspectives, but apart from the people of Huyang, the vast majority wanted to keep their distance.

In a corner of the tea house, two young men were sitting, one dressed in black robes and the other in white, both of whom were heroic, but their temperaments differed.

The young man in white was named Wei Chong, and his temperament was gentle, while the young man in black was called Jiang Di, and his brow was sharp.

The two were from the same master and addressed each other as fellow disciples. They had been down the mountain for several days.

Listening to the idle chatter of others, a glint flashed in Jiang Di's eyes, and he curled his lips and said:

"This Chen Feng claims to be eliminating harm for the people and acting in accordance with the will of Heaven. Senior Brother, what do you think of this person?"

Wei Chong took a sip of tea and said softly: "Junior Brother wants to ask if this person is worth serving?"

Jiang Di chuckled: "That's right. This person claims to be rising up for the people. It's estimated that this is just up Senior Brother’s alley, and he is the number one expert in the world today. Perhaps he can accomplish something."

Hearing this, Wei Chong pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"When this person started the uprising, his declaration was 'hold the heavens to sing for the people, occupy the position of king and marquis, make wealth equally divided, and the powerful should be punished.' Although it sounds heroic, it is more like gathering popular resentment. It is not a long-term plan to improve people's livelihoods."

"Popular resentment can only be used for a while. It can be used to sweep across the world temporarily, but if one strikes a drum to muster courage, the courage flags the second time and exhausts the third time. It will be difficult to continue the uprising halfway. The fundamental thing that the people want is still food and survival. Venting anger can only be used for a while."

"Moreover, people must have selfish desires. After Chen Feng becomes powerful, some of his subordinates will definitely become corrupt, covet fame and fortune, and seek personal gain, also riding roughshod over the masses. At that time, what equality will there be? So, in my opinion, this Chen Feng is brave, but in reality, he can only stir up chaos and cause temporary disaster. In the end, I am afraid it will be difficult to achieve anything."

After listening, Jiang Di chuckled twice: "Senior Brother's view is quite in line with mine. He can only temporarily win over the hearts of the people, but it will be difficult to last long."

Wei Chong raised an eyebrow: "Junior Brother is not optimistic about Chen Feng either?"

Jiang Di curled his lips and commented casually: "This Chen Feng has the habits of a common brigand. He is too violent. Relying on his own martial strength, he cuts himself off from the powerful and aristocratic families, leaving no way out. He is not a great leader and is not worth serving. Those who are willing to join him are only common brigands and poor people. There will be no children from aristocratic families or scholars. How can he compete for world domination? Even if he takes advantage of the situation and manages to overthrow the imperial court, he will not tolerate the powerful like this, and the country will not be stable. In the end, he will only be making wedding clothes for others."

Wei Chong pursed his lips and shook his head without speaking.

Although they were not optimistic about Chen Feng's uprising, their starting points were different. Compared to himself, his junior brother valued this person's capital for hegemony even more.

Wei Chong was not surprised by this. Having practiced martial arts together since childhood, he knew that his junior brother's ambition to make a career for himself was far greater than his own.

At this time, Jiang Di spoke again, changing the subject and asking: "A chaotic world is about to come. Master asked us to establish our merits. Have you made any plans? Are you going to help the imperial court quell the chaos, or support a hero to compete for world domination?"

Wei Chong calmed down and sighed: "I haven't thought it through yet. I plan to go to the capital first to see the atmosphere of the imperial court and see if there is any saving this Great Xia."

Jiang Di nodded and said slowly: "In that case, let's part ways here." Wei Chong was stunned: "Junior Brother?"

Jiang Di's eyes flickered: "A chaotic world is rising, and heroes are rising together. There must be a hero who will be born. I plan to travel around and wait for the opportunity to choose a hero to assist. I won't be with you."

Wei Chong was silent, but not too surprised in his heart.

Although the two were from the same school, their pursuits were different. His junior brother had always been arrogant, and he preferred to go it alone and establish his own career rather than join forces with him.

"Alas, it seems that you and I will eventually have to part ways. Let's do it today."

Wei Chong sighed. Knowing that his junior brother had made up his mind, he did not try to persuade him to stay.

"Okay, then goodbye... Perhaps one day, you and I will have a chance to compete."

After saying this, Jiang Di got up and left the tea house.

After walking a few steps, he paused, looked at Wei Chong one last time through the railing, and said casually:

"Also... don't die easily."

After saying that, Jiang Di left without looking back and strode westward.

Wei Chong shook his head, paid the bill, and left the tea house, walking in the opposite direction.

On the official road where the setting sun was gradually setting, the two men went further and further apart, each going their own way.

As the military situation of the defeat in Huyang was transmitted back to the capital, the imperial court and the public were shocked.

Another day at court. The capital city, the Purple Ultimate Palace.

"Four hundred thousand troops were sent to suppress the bandits, but in the end, they were defeated. The commander of the three armies is so incompetent, wasting my painstaking efforts!"

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The Emperor was furious, and the ministers did not dare to speak.

After the Emperor finished scolding, Qin Song stepped forward and carefully said:

"What the Emperor said is very true. Although Generals Ma Zhen and Huang Ping died for the country, they cannot escape the responsibility for their unfavorable command. They wasted the national treasury's money and made no achievements... The commander of the three armies was recommended by Grand Secretary Pang. I wonder what Grand Secretary Pang has to say?"

The Emperor's gaze immediately turned to Pang Hong, quite unkindly.

Pang Hong swallowed and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground to confess his guilt: "This minister was blind to talent. This minister is guilty!"

The Emperor said coldly: "Grand Secretary Pang, you strongly promoted the dispatch of troops, and I had high hopes for you, but you have greatly disappointed me." "This minister is guilty!"

Pang Hong was sweating profusely, and he had already cursed Ma Zhen in his heart.

He had instructed Ma Zhen to delay the battle for a long time, but in the end, he did not even last half a year.

Now it was good, not only did he not make much money, but he would also be implicated.

At this time, the Left Prime Minister Lü Wenzong took a few steps forward, as if to defend Pang Hong, and said softly: "Your Majesty, although Ma Zhen's command was defeated, he also preserved most of the military strength, and he adopted the strategy of flooding the bandits, but in the end, he failed."

It would have been better not to mention this matter. Now that it was mentioned, the ministers were agitated and accused Ma Zhen.

The ministers were all opposed to the poisonous plan of flooding Huyang on the surface, after all, they had to consider their own reputations.

Some things can be done but not said. If they openly agreed, they would probably be criticized and their lifelong reputation would be ruined... especially since this plan had failed.

If it failed, it must be wrong.

Moreover, someone had to take the blame for the defeat. No one wanted to exonerate Ma Zhen.

However, regardless of whether the ministers secretly supported the flooding strategy, they all felt that Ling Fengzi's disaster relief efforts were very inappropriate.

Soon, a member of the Qingliu faction opened his mouth to impeach with a look of indignation:

"Your Majesty, although Ma Zhen's actions were wrong, Taoist Ling Feng's actions were even more inappropriate. As a Celestial Master in the court, he actually helped the rebels with disaster relief. This matter has already spread among the people and greatly damaged the court's face. We must not continue to condone him. May Your Majesty see clearly!"

The ministers echoed one after another, and their attitudes were similar.

A high-ranking expert representing the imperial court actually went to help the rebels. What was the meaning of this? Even if it was disaster relief, it was not allowed!

The impact of this was too bad, making people afraid to think deeply!

According to the ministers, the poisonous plan of flooding was wrong, but this was the rebels' predicament. The government troops should sit idly by, otherwise, they would be helping the bandits.

This obviously revealed their true thoughts... They shouted against it, but if the flooding plan could really severely damage the rebels, they would probably be happy to see it happen, criticizing it severely while secretly rejoicing. As for the tens of thousands of people in Huyang who were affected by the disaster, naturally no one really cared.

The Emperor listened to the ministers' impeachment, his eyes flickering, and finally said slowly:

"Taoist Yufeng must have his reasons for acting. When he returns, let him explain it clearly. Your beloved ministers do not need to mention it again for the time being."

He could not help but be suspicious of Taoist Yufeng in his heart, but he still held back.

With the precedent of Ma Zhen being captured from among tens of thousands of troops, Ling Fengzi's importance rose again in the Emperor's mind.

On the other side, in Huyang, the Hongzhou Prefecture.

Zhou Jing stood on the city tower, overlooking the mountain stronghold soldiers and horses entering the city in single file.

Now, Dragon King Stronghold had officially occupied the state and seized the city. The various prefectures of Huyang were basically taken over by the mountain strongholds, becoming a force governing one side.

He watched for a while, retracted his gaze, and opened the panel to check the messages.

[Achievement [Local Overlord] triggered]

[Obtained 10000 Star Realm Points, 20 Informational State Particles, [Aptitude Improvement - Charisma (Medium)] x1, [Aptitude Improvement - Leadership (Small)] x1]

[Life Goal [Are Kings and Generals Born That Way?] has been completed] [Obtained 80 Informational State Particles]

[Current Apostle Stabilization Progress: 9/240]

"Sure enough, once I occupied Huyang, I completed this life goal. Now there is only one left... In addition, I repelled the government troops, severely damaged the imperial court's prestige, and created a trend in the world. There will be a constant stream of collection and placement income. It will be easy for the progress to rise to over 1000."

Zhou Jing nodded secretly.

The first step of the strategy was considered to have been achieved, allowing Dragon King Stronghold to be a bandit here and develop a base of operations.

The next step was to personally lead troops to attack the nearby territories, exert his unstoppable personal martial power, break through cities upon cities, act as a roving bandit constantly wandering outside, and echo the base of operations from afar.

Overthrowing the imperial court was not the direct purpose. Killing the powerful and aristocratic families was the last life goal. If he did not kill enough aristocratic families, the change of dynasty would not satisfy the life requirements.

However, the aristocratic families and gentry were scattered everywhere, and it would take time and effort to eliminate them one by one.

When he killed many of the powerful in the south, the aristocratic families in various places would naturally be like startled birds, forced to move to safe areas, such as going north to the capital to take refuge.

After all... Ling Fengzi was sitting in the capital, and in the eyes of the aristocratic families, it would at least not fall.

At that time, it would be the perfect time to reap the harvest!

"As for the next target of attack..." Zhou Jing stroked his chin, his eyes flickering.

He might as well choose the neighbor Jiangchun. After all, he was too familiar with Ning Tian Prefecture.

This Great Xia Auxiliary Capital had nests of powerful people, what centuries-old families, what founding nobles, what royal clansmen, everything was available, and he could kill them to his heart's content.

Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes: "That's right, I should also settle the score with the people behind the scenes who hired a bunch of fools from the Ning Tian Prefecture aristocratic families to intercept and kill me last time, lest they really think things have passed."