Chapter 567: Reading Association, Zhongshu Sheren

Chapter 567: Reading Association, Zhongshu Sheren

Chapter 567: Reading Association, Zhongshu Sheren

September 21, the 20th year of Yongqing.

The Battle of Qingzhou officially ended.

The Northern Wei army that marched south was said to have 300,000 soldiers, but was almost completely wiped out. After winning the battle to defend Dongyang, Prince Yong of Southern Liang recaptured Dengfeng City twice. The Northern Wei general Hou Yanshan escaped on his own.

Prince Yong and Prince Changling of the Northern Wei Dynasty fought against each other on the outskirts of Dengfeng. The process was obscure, and the result was the fall of Yuan Changling.

The next day, in the evening, at Prince Yong’s Palace in Dongyang City.

Jiang He sat in Chengyun Hall and made military adjustments.

Dengfeng City, the northern gateway of Qingzhou, was stationed with 10,000 direct troops and 20,000 Qingzhou troops, commanded by the general Asan.

The eight hundred Skeleton Dragon Riders and the last thousand-man Yongwang Guards were eventually transformed into a thousand Skeleton Dragon Riders, bringing the total number of the direct dragon cavalry to six thousand, occupying all the B-grade Yang steel armor and weapons.

In the core city of Qingzhou, Dongyang, there is a 10,000-man direct force of the Cuifeng Army stationed there, commanded by Dongyang Commander Ada.

After the battle of Qingzhou ended, Ah Er was promoted from a small soldier to the second-rank general of Gaomi through what Pei called a lot of operations. He led the Skeleton Dragon Cavalry to Gaomi City, the southeastern gate of Qingzhou, where 30,000 Southern Liang soldiers were stationed.

"There are 26,000 direct descendants, and the number of Southern Liang soldiers that the palace can influence is 50,000."

"The good news is that most of the 76,000 men can eat the imperial rations, but it's not enough."

Jiang He sat in the big chair and pondered. He didn't intend to take away the corresponding food and wages just because the evil soldiers didn't need to eat. After all, these guys also needed money to eat, drink and have fun.

"First of all, congratulations to His Majesty for becoming the Lord of Qingzhou."

Pei Yuyou smiled and handed over a newspaper.

At this moment, King Yong had already become a well-known figure throughout the world.

Jiang He took the official report and found that the ranking had been updated again.

The best in the world - Lu Tianzhen.

The second best in the world: Xiao Qingzhi.

The third highest priest in the world.

The fourth best in the world: Zhao Shukui.

The fifth in the world, the leader of the evil cult.

The sixth best in the world: Xie Annan.

The Seventh in the World: Prince Yong
The eighth in the world: Man Khan.

The ninth in the world: Wuhuan.

The tenth in the world is the old monk who is in deep meditation.

Jiang He was slightly surprised. According to the ranking, Xie Annan, who was ranked sixth in the world, also had the ability to kill Yuan Changling. In this world, those who could reach the top of the land immortals were not mediocre people, and there was a huge gap between people at the same level.

The seventh in the world: King Yong.

Southern Liang Dynasty, royal family.

Martial arts review: His weapons are unknown, his cultivation is unknown, his methods are unknown. He killed the eighth best in the world in the battle of Qingzhou. It is suspected that he has not yet achieved the status of a land immortal. His appearance is unique in the world.

Overall review: The Lord of Qingzhou, the peak of martial arts.

Because Yuan Changling killed the Jiuliu Sect's spies in advance, the battle process was not leaked. This was also the main reason for the birth of the Dragon Spear.

However, compared to himself, Jiang He was more concerned about the tenth person in the world. This guy was actually a newly achieved land immortal.

The tenth in the world is the old monk who is in deep meditation.

Tianchan Temple of Southern Liang Dynasty.

Martial arts review: He was the third best in the world thirty years ago. Because he practiced the profound art of withering Zen, he secluded himself in Tianchan Temple to gain a lifespan of sixty years, which caused his realm to fall. During this period, the quota of nine land immortals was reached, so he has been in seclusion until now. Due to the death of Yuan Changling, Emperor Wu of Liang gave him part of the national fortune, and he returned to being a land immortal. His strength is unknown.

Overall review: Thirty years of Zen, the years are ups and downs.

"Not good." Jiang He thought to himself.

The new land immortal obviously has a close relationship with Emperor Wu of Liang. A top-notch combat power will inevitably bring about new changes.

…At the same time, in the capital of Jiankang.

After more than a year, the imperial palace held another grand court meeting.

The Golden Throne Hall is filled with the scent of agarwood.

The civil officials are in the east and the military officials are in the west, forming two rows of court processions.

The current Prime Minister, Xie Anyi, sat at the front, wearing a dragon robe and a purple ribbon. Behind him, officials from the Censorate, wearing green shirts and black boots, stood solemnly with their eyes lowered. The Censorate, which used to always follow the Prime Minister's footsteps, showed clear signs of division today.

"…When a country has fertile fields but its people are not able to eat, it is because they do not have adequate equipment. A wise man changes with the times, and a knowledgeable man makes decisions based on circumstances."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a middle-aged scholar said, "I think that when you are in charge of the mountains and seas, you should take over all the power of salt and iron."

In an instant, the Golden Throne Hall was as silent as a tomb.

Although some of the dignitaries were prepared, they still couldn't believe that this small seventh-rank official would actually mention the "state-run salt and iron industry."

Salt and iron were the most profitable industries, and had been controlled by local families since the founding of the Southern Liang Dynasty. Like the prime minister's power to return titles, they were the basis for "co-governance of the world."

Simply put, it's money.

The Southern Liang Dynasty looked down on merchants, but it did not look down on money. These are two fundamentally different concepts.

Among the gentlemen in the front row, Lord Pei closed his eyes and rested.

This Zhongshu Sheren was a recently rising upstart, holding a low position but with great power, and was qualified to be involved in cabinet work. He and his cronies were the emperor's mouthpiece. The reason why Emperor Wu of Liang sacrificed himself in Tianchan Temple not long ago was because he had failed in the last battle over whether salt and iron should be state-run.

In the most recent imperial examination, there were a total of 100 people with brilliant literary talent, which directly alarmed high-ranking officials from six ministries. These people were called "The 100 Heroes of Yongqing" at the time. Because they were of the same year, they formed a "Reading Club", which became a new faction under the shadow of the emperor.

"Why compete with the people for profit?"

The Prime Minister did not move, and the Ministry of Revenue stepped out and said:
"You have all donated a lot of money to support the temples. Yi, Xu, Yang and other states have bandits growing stronger. If the court competes with the people for profit, there will be endless troubles. Some people should not try to attract attention by making a scene."

Unlike the first time Emperor Wu of Liang sacrificed himself to a Buddhist temple, the aristocratic families pooled money to settle the matter. This time, the prime minister and others chose to increase taxes. Just after the summer and autumn taxes, they added the "golden body tax". As a result, bandits rose up all over the country, many local officials were dismissed, and both the aristocratic families and the imperial power suffered losses.

"It is beneficial to the country and harmless to people." said the Secretary of the Central Secretariat.

"It's a national issue, how can you just say it's harmless?"

"It is absurd, and this person must be the one who harms the country."

There was a sudden buzz of discussion in the court.

An old voice was heard from the dragon throne and under the curtain.

"Xie Qing, what do you think?"

Prime Minister Xie stepped out, and the Xie family behind him was the leader of the aristocratic family.

"I think it might be worth a try."

Lord Pei opened his eyes and said "maybe we can give it a try", which means "you might as well give it a try", because of the difference in the number of immortals on land, under the current circumstances, the confrontation will not take place directly in the court.

"I feel at ease when you say this."

Emperor Wu of Liang said slowly: "The divine monk Ku Chan is appointed as a doctor of sutras, and the governor of salt and iron of Prince Yong is ordered to inspect both sides of the Yangtze River from today. Bring a list and record the location of salt and iron for future use."

In an instant, one could hear a pin drop in the court.

The two land immortals greatly strengthened the royal foundation.

The turmoil regarding the state-run salt and iron industries is about to begin.

Emperor Wu of Liang chose to send princes of the royal family, and the so-called records were nothing more than a list of names to be launched for purge one day. Prince Yong was now feared by the world and his army was at its peak, and there were only a few people in the forty states in the north and south who dared to forcibly stop him.

Prime Minister Xie secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Xiao Qingzhi, Prince Yong, and the old monk Kuchan were the three top fighters. He was not sure if his own brother could withstand it. However, losing the salt and iron would definitely be an unbearable blow to the family, and a sin that would be remembered for generations to come.

"Let's adjourn the court." Emperor Wu of Liang said indifferently.

Without waiting for his ministers to see him off, the emperor who had been on the throne for decades stood up and left. He made no effort to hide his disgust for the current court, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

Lord Pei sighed lightly, he was done with pretending.

"Farewell, Your Majesty." The Secretary of the Central Secretariat greeted him with a slightly pleased look on his face. If the official operation could be successfully promoted, they [the Reading Guild] would definitely be able to rise quickly and possess enormous power.

(End of this chapter)