Chapter 12

Just like how the Yellow Turban Rebellion led by Zhang Jiao at the end of the Han dynasty might have been pushed by aristocratic families behind the scenes.

Now, the Taiping Sect growing strong within the Da Qian dynasty surely has a bunch of behind-the-scenes backers, with old silver coins supporting it.

Otherwise, Zhang Jiao has only been on the Tianwu Continent for a short time; it would be utterly impossible for him to rally such a large-scale Taiping Sect.

Even if there were no locals to show the way, Zhang Jiao's Taiping Sect might have been crushed by the Da Qian court before it could even develop.

Therefore, Su Ye estimates that most of those in charge of the Taiping Sect now are from those behind-the-scenes forces.

In other words, the Taiping Sect, this winery, probably only has a few drops of genuine liquor from Zhang Jiao and his disciples—not enough to fill a single bottle.

Probably only the name 'Taiping Sect' was coined by Zhang Jiao; everything else is enthusiastically funded by kind-hearted philanthropists.

Therefore, this Yellow Turban Rebellion is likely a power play between the major factions of the Da Qian dynasty and the imperial household.

Of course, the other four great dynasties and other kingdoms also surely lent a hand in secret.

And this winery of the Taiping Sect, composed of various fake liquors, welcomes anyone who targets the Da Qian imperial household—then we're brothers!

"So there probably aren't any people from the Cloud Prince's Mansion and the Nine Heavens Army inside the Taiping Sect, right?"

Su Ye suddenly thought of a possibility, his expression turning somewhat strange.

The Da Qian dynasty has been founded for over five hundred years; the affection between the three great surnames' kings and the imperial household has long been exhausted, they can't even share a pot.

After all, the Da Qian dynasty only has the Nine Provinces, and the three great surnames' kings already occupy three provinces.

Moreover, over the past century or so, the hands of the three great surnames' kings haven't been clean; they've started reaching for the large provinces neighboring their guarded territories.

If the three great surnames' kings really succeeded, wouldn't the imperial household be left with only three provinces?

What is this? Role reversal?

I woke up to find the territories of the three great surnames' kings surrounding me?

Afterward, it'll probably be 'Why does His Majesty rebel?'

So over the past century or more, the Da Qian court has also been desperately cutting down the three great surnames' kings.

In every aspect they put obstacles, mainly aiming for little harm but extreme humiliation.

Can the three great surnames' kings tolerate that?

Therefore, as long as it concerns the Da Qian imperial household, the three great surnames' kings will definitely take the lead in charging forward!

So the more Su Ye thought about it, the more he felt that the Cloud Prince's Mansion and the Nine Heavens Army definitely had a hand in the Taiping Sect, and a deep one at that!

So what's the situation?

On my sickbed, I sat up in alarm— the black hand turned out to be my own?

As expected, I'm still too naive.

Su Ye clicked his tongue, his expression somewhat subtle.

If that's the case, then he wouldn't have so many misgivings.

War Gods like Baihu and Yuwen Chengdu, with their distinct traits, definitely can't take action.

Just their unique Baihu Slaughter-World Spear, Baihu Holy Blade, and Zhang Yang's Phoenix-Winged Golden Hammer.

Plus, as War Gods they have their own exclusive fighting style; once they act, they'll surely give themselves away.

But they can't act; Meng Zhang can!

With Meng Zhang, a top-tier holy marshal who is a base commander-in-chief 104, lending strong support.

Not saying to let the Taiping Sect's peasant militia overwhelm the Da Qian regular army, but at least they can hold their own for a while.

Even with the Yellow Turban Army's exaggerated numbers, having a numerical advantage and being able to expend non‑own forces without worry.

Su Ye doesn't think anyone could defeat Meng Zhang, a base commander-in-chief 104, head‑on under these conditions.

Moreover, Meng Zhang only coordinates from the center, never exposing himself, so the danger of exposure is greatly reduced.

Thinking this, Su Ye slowly set down the intelligence in his hand, rose, and walked toward the study inside the mansion.

Usually Su Kai likes to handle government affairs in the study of the mansion.

"Father, does the Taiping Sect have our hand in it?"

Entering the study, Su Ye didn't stand on ceremony, sat beside Su Kai, and asked bluntly.

While asking, he also poked his head to look at the scroll in Su Kai's hand.

Su Kai glanced at him, shoved the official documents in his hand into Su Ye's, and pushed the whole tall stack of documents on the desk, equal to anyone's height, straight toward Su Ye.

"How do you know."

"Oh, I had forgotten."

Su Kai, with his hands slowly clasping together, casually asked a question, then suddenly recalled Su Ye's net.

Although the net was implanted and spread across various states, its informants and such still had some communication with the Cloud Prince's Mansion's intelligence system.

Afterward, the net internally integrates the important information gathered by the two intelligence organizations, summarizes it, and sends it to Su Ye's hand.

"Then what countermeasures does the Taiping Sect have against that undefeated War God?"

Feeling something amiss, Su Ye shifted his chair outward a bit and asked curiously.

Gu Changqing, the Da Qian dynasty's undefeated War God, also a veteran official of three reigns, a minister entrusted with the orphaned emperor, exhausting himself to preserve the Da Qian foundation.

Over these years, campaigning east and west, he has stabilized the Da Qian realm and steadied its fortunes.

He is upright and unyielding, highly prestigious, and wholly loyal to the imperial household.

He possesses the golden whip bestowed by the former emperor, which strikes down foolish rulers above and treacherous ministers below; even the current Qian emperor holds him in great reverence and fear—his literary talent can pacify the state, his martial prowess can define the nation.

He can be said to be a Wen Zhong–type figure.

"Huh?"

"None!"

Su Kai gave his qilin‑son a strange look, seeming to wonder why such a foolish question would come from his mouth.

If the three great surnames' kings truly had confidence to topple Gu Changqing, this undefeated War God, why would they still be playing house with Da Qian?

They had already rolled up their sleeves and stood shoulder to shoulder.

In that case, let Meng Zhang's uncle lead our forces in the Taiping Sect—how about that?

Su Ye ignored his father's look of him as a fool and instead began to consider the Cloud Prince's Mansion's forces in the Taiping Sect.

Huh?

Feasible? Trustworthy?

Su Kai glanced at Su Ye in surprise and spoke softly.

Is the ability feasible? Is the loyalty trustworthy?

Yes!

Meeting Su Kai's questioning gaze, Su Ye nodded firmly.

Then let him come over.

Seeing Su Ye's resolve, Su Kai didn't ask further.

The future of the Nine Heavens Army belongs to Su Ye, since he finds it trustworthy.

Then it's trustworthy!

It's at most just a idle move.

The three great different-surname kings never thought a mere peasant uprising could harm the Da Qian dynasty.

I've just been disgusted before; this time I'll just go back a bit.

What exceeds everyone's expectations is that the scale and scope of this uprising far exceed anyone's imagination.

Various forces entered one after another, several emperor stars rose, stirring up wind and rain.

Even a group of outsiders got involved.

Your Highness, Heir Apparent, General Meng has arrived.

In the father-son's exchange, Meng Zhang, summoned from the army camp, also arrived.

Let the uncle in!

I'll go inspect the army camp.

Upon hearing Meng Zhang had arrived, Su Ye gave an order to the outside and hurriedly got up.

As Meng Zhang pushed the door in, Su Ye patted his shoulder and quickly left.

Next, the Lord of the Nine Heavens Army Su Kai examined Meng Zhang; Su Ye just waiting there was pointless.

Moreover, he didn't want to be caught by Su Kai to do hard labor in the study for an afternoon, drowning in endless government affairs.

After a few hours, when Su Ye leisurely returned to the Cloud Prince's Mansion,

Meng Zhang had also set out.

Alone with several of Su Kai's dark guards, he passed through Dongling Pass and secretly headed to the Central Region's Taiping Sect main altar.

A great net aimed at the Da Qian dynasty is also gradually being drawn!

(End of chapter)