Chapter 153: The Loyal South Shaolin

Since ancient times, creating a label for oneself has been the first step in laying the groundwork for cooperation.

Because sometimes, the real reason for doing things is not convenient to expose.

For example, Seeing Chu Tianshu came to find South Shaolin with the intention of integrating the forces of South Shaolin, using this as a foundation to pry into all parties, strengthen himself, and beat the Japanese pirates and bandit soldiers around him to a pulp.

The reason?

Because after he came to this world, he looked around and found that nothing was pleasing to his eyes.

If it is not pleasing to the eye, it must be changed; this is a very normal thing.

Moreover, he still wants to seek the aura of the world, and he still harbors the thought of accumulating experience for his own forces back home in the future.

But these real reasons are not suitable to tell the abbot of South Shaolin.

Unless a mere expert of unknown origin can be strong enough to grab the whole of Shaolin and force them to pin their hopes on him.

Otherwise, the driving force that can penetrate to the lower levels of Shaolin will become very weak.

One must give them a big luxury, and also give them a close hope, to stimulate their own motivation.

Fortunately, when traveling abroad, identities are all given by oneself.

The identity of a descendant of the Vertical and Horizontal School, regardless of its credibility, can at least give people a preconceived impression.

The first impression of a descendant of the Vertical and Horizontal School is naturally to associate them with the Vertical and Horizontal School.

The Vertical and Horizontal School in history was specifically designed to foster a force in chaotic times, stir up trouble everywhere, and seek fame and profit from it.

Su Qin served the Duke of Yan and, with the strategy of the Vertical Alliance, made the State of Yan develop steadily, helped the State of Yan regain lost territory, and laid the foundation for the State of Yan to expand a thousand miles into Liaodong later.

Zhang Yi served as the Prime Minister of Qin, making Qin even stronger, which also needs no further mention.

The objects assisted by the descendants of the Vertical and Horizontal School all escaped their predicament and gained huge benefits.

Abbot Master Miao Fan heard this and did think of the Vertical and Horizontal School, but he also instinctively didn't quite believe it.

After all, the last time the Vertical and Horizontal School shone brightly was too long ago from the current era.

But he couldn't help but feel a little moved.

Only because South Shaolin has long been in a predicament.

"Namo Amitabha."

Abbot Master Miao Fan used this Buddhist chant to calm his mind, "In the current world, there are actually descendants of the Vertical and Horizontal School; it is hard to believe completely."

"Moreover, if you are a descendant of the Vertical and Horizontal School, why not enter the imperial court as an official, but cast your gaze on our martial world?"

Seeing Chu Tianshu didn't care and smiled: "The dynasty system has changed several times. With the current imperial court structure, how much room for maneuver does a descendant of the Vertical and Horizontal School have in it?"

"Moreover, the Great Ming is decaying, and in the martial world and among the people, all parties are actively strengthening themselves."

"I see that in the current martial world, talents are recruited without sticking to one pattern, and there is vitality everywhere, with great potential."

"Who knows if those who govern the world in the future will not originate from the people in the martial world today?"

Seeing Chu Tianshu was calm and unhurried, speaking eloquently, but his tone slowed down at the end.

"Of course, with the vastness of the world, it is not easy to plot."

"I came to find South Shaolin just to let South Shaolin escape its predicament first, seek to occupy one side, and then talk about the future."

Abbot Master Miao Fan pondered and did not speak.

Seeing Chu Tianshu knew that the other party already had a tendency to take the bait.

With an identity label, the other party will complete the whole impression in their own heart, and the more they complete it, the deeper it will be.

By then, showing strength and interfering in specific affairs will not be mere military coercion.

But "worthy of the style of a descendant of the Vertical and Horizontal School," "I have actually received the full assistance of the Vertical and Horizontal School"!

This little bit of longing for the achievements of the ancients, and the sentimentality exaggerated and beautified in the legends of generations, is sometimes unimportant, but sometimes it is also very important.

"South Shaolin is indeed in a dangerous situation."

After a long time, Abbot Master Miao Fan spoke again, admitting this matter.

South Shaolin has grown very fast over the years, and naturally, it has offended many people, especially since lay disciples operate outside and inevitably have conflicts with other gangs and sects.

When they had just experienced the change of dynasty, everything was waiting to be done, and most of them had relationships in the official circles, and they had to consider the influence, paying attention to fighting without breaking.

However, in recent years, the control of the Ming court has weakened day by day, and the Japanese pirate menace has given too many people an excuse. When many gangs act, they no longer follow the rules.

Moreover, the forces of all parties are expanding, and the early room for maneuver has been eroded, and the disputes between each other have reached an irreconcilable degree.

Fortunately, South Shaolin has feuds with other sects, and the sects themselves also have feuds, so this situation can still be maintained.

Until the Japanese pirate leader at sea began to sell Japanese swords to coastal gangs that also acted as pirates.

Liuyun Prefecture also sold curved swords from outside the pass to the southeast.

The situation changed suddenly, highlighting South Shaolin.

Why is it that the weapons of other sects are not enough, some gang workshops have poor production, and some don't even have industries for mining and smelting iron.

Why is it that South Shaolin can be self-sufficient and sell in large quantities to the outside world?

If South Shaolin were just a workshop specializing in weapons, and were not outstanding in food, clothing, medicine, martial arts, etc., and still had dependence on the outside world.

Then everyone could endure it.

But after a careful check, it was discovered that South Shaolin was also doing quite well in these aspects.

Who could endure this?

It can be said that the Japanese pirates and sea bandits along the coast are already restless, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to reach a consensus to tear South Shaolin, this fat cow, to pieces and swallow it alive.

In the Central Plains, Liuyun Prefecture is also eyeing covetously.

"Many people with insight can also see the current crisis of South Shaolin. There have been well-intentioned reminders, but this old monk was just trying to save face and was unwilling to easily reveal his heart to the benefactor."

Abbot Master Miao Fan said regretfully, "However, we in South Shaolin never thought that the situation would evolve to this step..."

The idea of the previous abbot was that while South Shaolin managed these industries well, it could also bribe officials of successive dynasties, and even offer them to the imperial court, continuously maintaining a good relationship with the imperial court.

In this way, although South Shaolin's industries have been increasing, they have also been decreasing.

The whole size would not be too eye-catching, and the backing and connections would become more and more stable.

Who knew that after Zhu Yuanzhang died, there would be the Jingnan Campaign; after the Ren and Xuan reigns died, there would be the Tumu Crisis, and the emperor captured by foreign tribes could return to ascend the throne again.

The change in the imperial court situation was too subversive.

South Shaolin has not dared to bet easily in the past few decades, silently cultivating in the martial world.

Since the revival of the sect, the tone set was very good, and the lay disciples were united and capable.

People of Master Miao Fan's generation also felt that this was very good when they were in their prime, and they also felt that the older generation was always beating and warning them, which was a bit too careful.

By the time they became abbots and heads, and took stock of the overall situation, they looked back and realized how thick a family foundation South Shaolin had accumulated.

Once things exceed a certain limit, if one wants to give up industries and bribe relationships, the insiders won't agree, and the outsiders won't be at ease.

Without cleaning up the original high-level officials, who would dare to accept South Shaolin's gifts?

Even if the imperial court were to look at it, it would only feel that the current South Shaolin is definitely a group of people with ulterior motives.

If the previous abbot secretly revealed his heart, he would surely say.

My South Shaolin had at least more than half a heart of loyalty in the past, which can be witnessed by the sun and the moon; it is only to blame the Great Ming for not being strong enough!

In fact, the previous abbot was more inclined to be a martial arts person, and being able to manage such good operations mostly relied on talent, not on how professional education he received from childhood.

Otherwise, he would know that things like this, where a force among the people cannot stop its own footsteps because of the change of the situation, are not uncommon in history.

For example, the Quanzhen Sect flourished at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, but it could not stop its footsteps, and later it was severely beaten by the Yuan emperor.

There is also no lack of wealthy merchants who grew so strong that they could not stop their momentum and were killed by others.

"In my opinion, the biggest problem for South Shaolin now is not that it is difficult to defend the home in terms of strength, but that you leaders are indecisive and too weak."

Seeing Chu Tianshu said bluntly, "Abbot, why don't you dare to fight them with real swords and guns?"

Abbot Master Miao Fan was startled and said: "If we take action against a certain party first, wouldn't that give them an excuse?"

"You don't take action, just wait for them to connect and give South Shaolin a devastating disaster?"

Seeing Chu Tianshu said lightly, "When that day comes, I suppose there will be sounds of killing in all directions."

"Blood spilled on the Great Hero Hall, fire burning South Shaolin, like red lotus flowers blooming in the mountains, it must be spectacular."

His speaking speed slowed down, and he said sincerely, "From the moment curved swords and Japanese swords flowed into the southeast in large quantities, it meant that they would inevitably take action against South Shaolin."

"If you take the initiative to attack, show your momentum, and show your prestige, not only can you complete a transformation for South Shaolin itself, but you can also let many people who only see honey and not knives weigh it again."

Abbot Master Miao Fan pondered: "If the benefactor has any high opinions, you might as well say them all at once."

"Liuyun Prefecture is a Central Plains gang after all. Although its reputation is bad, it is easy to be regarded as a martial arts dispute by the public if you provoke them first."

Seeing Chu Tianshu said this, his spirit radiant, holding up a finger, his words sonorous and powerful.

"Therefore, the first point: attack the Japanese pirates first!!"

"Although there are fake Japanese pirates among the Japanese pirates, they were originally sea merchants and fishermen, but they roam and ravage, harming countless people. The sins of the real Japanese pirates need not be mentioned."

"Killing Japanese pirates is where the righteousness lies; it is the best opportunity to change the momentum of South Shaolin, and it is also conducive to recruiting local brave men in the future, expanding disciples on a large scale, and strengthening our sect."

Abbot Master Miao Fan hesitated: "There is a biggest leader among the Japanese pirates, named Chen Zuqi, known as the Heavenly King Marshal. He has over ten thousand men under his command, and another thousand real Japanese pirates, who are brave and good at fighting."

"South Shaolin disciples may not be afraid of fighting other Japanese pirates, or even fighting this group of fierce bandits under him."

"But he himself is the biggest problem."

Many well-known leaders among the Japanese pirates are sea merchant noble clans, who had a certain family foundation from the beginning.

And Chen Zuqi was originally just a small disciple of a gang along the coast.

He was able to become the Heavenly King Marshal with the greatest power among the Japanese pirates because he was outstanding in aptitude, superb in martial arts, and practiced his internal power higher and higher, bringing absolute prestige with his martial force.

In the early years of several major confrontations with the government army, the Japanese pirate group of bandits were all led by him, killing their way into the city.

In the southeast martial world, there were originally several sects with quite a bit of backbone and self-reliance on their martial arts, who could roam and attack even when encountering large groups of pirates, and had quite a few battle results, declaring that they would specifically kill Japanese pirates.

Chen Zuqi moved several times, traveling light, and slaughtered these sect experts.

He has become the highest authority in the hearts of the Japanese pirate group, respected as a god.

It is not that South Shaolin has not thought about taking action against the Japanese pirates, but as soon as they think of the deeds of this person leading his personal guards to attack, they feel uneasy in their hearts.

If they anger this person and he ignores the risk and really kills his way to South Shaolin, I fear South Shaolin will fall even earlier.

Abbot Master Miao Fan even thought about inviting a few real masters from Shaolin on Mount Song to come and help.

But this kind of invitation is never a long-term solution.

Moreover, Shaolin on Mount Song is in the Central Plains, and the current biggest gang in the Central Plains is Liuyun Prefecture.

South Shaolin does not have many spineless people.

But people like Chen Zuqi and the Liuyun Prefecture Master have too strong a deterrent power, making them have to think more.

"I heard that among the high monks of the Miao generation in South Shaolin, there are four who are top experts in the martial world."

Seeing Chu Tianshu asked, "If the four of you join forces against Chen Zuqi, what will be the outcome?"

Abbot Master Miao Fan smiled bitterly: "With the lives of the four of us, we should be able to make him suffer some injuries."

Seeing Chu Tianshu said: "What if there are five of the Miao generation?"

Abbot Master Miao Fan stared at him and said: "The benefactor actually has such confidence in your own martial arts?"

"What if there are six of the Miao generation?"

Seeing Chu Tianshu did not stop speaking, "In addition to the four masters, add two more Abbot Miaofans, can this Chen Zuqi be forced to know when to retreat after the exchange?"

Master Miao Fan's heart moved greatly.

It is not that there are no other experts among the pirates, but South Shaolin is not just the four old monks.

If they can really contend with Chen Zuqi, many things may not be impossible to try.

"Amitabha."

Master Miao Fan said solemnly, "What the benefactor means by adding two more old monks, does it mean you and your sect, or..."

Seeing Chu Tianshu chuckled, his gaze returning to the giant stone.

"Master, if two Miaofans fight you, how many moves will it take to win?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 154 =====