Chapter 200: Abandoned History, Standing Pasture

Regarding the matter in Kyoto, Lord Shiliuye should have heard of it, right? The Lord is worried, yet we are powerless to help. We are truly ashamed, sigh~

At the Songye manor, in an ancient, elegant pavilion, Songye Qingzhi watched the falling snow and tightened his hand lamp; his sigh made Lord Shiliuye look aside.

A few days after the city nobles were annihilated, Songye Qingzhi again invited Lord Shiliuye to be his guest.

Lord Shiliuye saw his expression of grief, almost genuine, flawless; but under the Copy Wheel Eye any detail would be captured, let alone Songye Qingzhi, a mere ordinary man.

Of course, the main reason is that Yan Shifan had previously investigated Songye Qingzhi and knew he was not a loyal and sincere person.

"I heard the Lord repeatedly ordered that the city nobles should help suppress bandits. Why not, Lord Songye, lead the response and eradicate the mountain bandits? If this succeeds, the Lord will surely value you."

Lord Shiliuye drank his wine, with no intention of cooperating with Songye Qingzhi.

Songye Qingzhi twitched the corner of his mouth; he is already the Finance Minister and the uncle of two young lords—what respect does he seek? Moreover, can he just eliminate the bandits by saying so?

"Lord Shiliuye's words are reasonable; it's just a pity we lack strength. If we had a strong ally like Lord Shiliuye, perhaps we could give it a try."

Songye Qingzhi wanted to let Erlang achieve merit and attempt a usurpation, but the Lord values Erlang so much that he gives no chance to other heirs.

He probed Lord Shiliuye, not truly seeking his help, but to find out whether these mountain bandits were sent by Konoha.

Not only him; many nobles in the capital, including the Lord, suspect Konoha.

After all, there are so many powerful ninja within the Fire Country, making Konoha highly suspect.

It was only that the Hokage had previously mentioned that ninja could infiltrate the country through trade routes at the border, so it cannot be confirmed for now.

"Hehe, what's so hard about me taking action? Just commission a mission to Konoha; as soon as the Hokage issues the order, I will lead a squad to clear the surrounding mountain bandits."

"Commissioned mission."

If the Lord were willing to commission a mission, he wouldn't be sighing inside; moreover, those around the Lord have an opposing stance toward Konoha, especially after Dongmao and Beizi's deaths, the radicals have subtly gained the upper hand.

"Hehe, that may be so, but unfortunately the state's finances are unsustainable; there is no longer any capacity to commission Konoha."

Songye Qingzhi nodded repeatedly in praise, but his brows showed a hint of difficulty: "Aside from Konoha, are there any other solutions?"

"Oh?"

Lord Shiliuye raised an eyebrow, stood up and said, "No money?"

Lord Shiliuye surveyed Songye Qingzhi from head to toe; for an outsider, even a ninja would find this move offensive, yet Songye Qingzhi merely smiled helplessly and even nodded.

"As the Finance Minister, I naturally know the state of the treasury; it is far from optimistic. If Lord Shiliuye has another way to resolve the bandit problem, the Lord would be immensely grateful."

Songye Qingzhi's words, Lord Shiliuye didn't believe a single word. Though he had known Songye Qingzhi only briefly, the other's extravagance even surpassed the entire Police Department.

In terms of wealth, Lord Shiliuye couldn't even afford to offer the other a shoe.

"Hehe, Lord Songye, I truly appreciate the Lord's gratitude, but I lack money, and Konoha lacks money as well. Let the Lord's gratitude go to those who are capable. Of course, if the Lord is in a hurry, just summon the nobles of each province for help!"

Lord Shiliuye let out a cold snort, his words dripping with contempt and dissatisfaction, and after speaking, he turned and left.

As he left, he muttered, "Want to suppress bandits without money!"

"The nobles of each province?"

The nobles of each province had been harassed by mountain bandits several times, pleading to the Lord for help; now to ask them for assistance is laughable. Yet Songye Qingzhi's eyes lit up; he didn't get up to see Lord Shiliuye off, but instead muttered to himself and immediately entered the Lord's manor to request an audience with the Lord.

That day, the Lord's manor issued an order for the nobles of each province to form ninja and samurai units to go to the capital region to suppress the bandits.

The news quickly reached Konoha; Yan Shifan merely let out a light laugh, looked at Sima Yi and said, "It has begun; we'll be busy for a while. Sir Sima, are you interested in going to the capital for a look?"

Sima Yi set down the scroll, smiled and said, "The Eastern Tower has been arranged for a long time; let the Eastern Tower handle domestic affairs. May your banner rise in victory."

Yan Shifan, unaware of how much money he had pilfered from Shisui's hand and how many ninja he had raised abroad, and though Sima Yi had awakened the Kaleidoscope, why would he put himself in danger? "Hehe, then I'll take Sir Sima's good words."

The enhanced Sima Yi not only awakened the Kaleidoscope but also rejuvenated his body; his entire spirit and vigor surpassed even Yan Shifan's, truly enviable.

He must proactively earn merit by solving some problems; otherwise, if Shisui heeds Sima Yi's treacherous scheming and summons another strategist next year, that would be too terrible.

Immediately, Yan Shifan took his guards and left Konoha for Kyoto.

When Shisui learned of the news, he was stunned; he slammed the table, glaring angrily at Gongping before him.

"How could you let the teacher leave Konoha? Why didn't you stop him?"

Gongping wore a troubled expression; no one had told him he couldn't let the Third Elder leave Konoha. Yan Shifan held a pivotal position throughout the Uchiha, and if he wanted to leave Konoha, how could Gongping stop him?

"Fine, the teacher wants to go out, you can't stop him; it's my misconduct."

Shisui recovered, sighed, and sat down again.

Sima Yi certainly knew of Yan Shifan's departure, but the two always liked to act first and report later; he was accustomed to it.

"Send two more squads; it's dangerous outside now, we must protect the teacher well."

Shisui gave the order, Gongping complied and hurried away; Shisui no longer felt like staying in the Hokage Tower, so he returned directly to the clan lands while Nara Suzaku was absent.

Soon, he learned the whole story from Sima Yi; Shisui's mood was complicated, and he could only sigh, "Teacher, why must you endure this again?"

A few days later, as a heavy snow blanketed Konoha, Konoha finally entered the new year, yet the entire Konoha leadership felt no joy at the arrival of the new year.

"Lord, what does this mean? Must it be so decisive?"

"Because the bandit problem prevents the funds from being sent—what a joke. Is the Lord's guardian ninja a vegetarian? Absolutely absurd!"

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was somewhat oppressive. Though the Lord's allocations had been decreasing, there was still some. This time, however, citing the bandit trouble and hazardous routes, the 52-year allocation to Konoha was postponed.

"The Lord no longer fits the current ninja world; such a person only hinders Konoha's development. In my humble opinion, only by controlling the Lord and seizing the Fire Country can Konoha return to its former glory."

A cold voice rang out, and everyone's chatter abruptly ceased.

Although they were dissatisfied with the Lord, directly controlling him was somewhat treasonous; however, after seeing the speaker's identity, the crowd fell silent again.

The person was Danzo!

Shisui was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Danzo's opinion to align so well with his own, but the timing was wrong, and he couldn't act on it. He frowned and retorted, "The Lord is the sovereign of the Fire Country; Danzo, as an advisor, if it harms unity, please refrain from speaking."

Danzo was taken aback, feeling Shisui's rebuke was rather odd.

Nevertheless, he didn't think much; seeing Shisui reject his proposal, he thought, "Just another Rizhan."

"Hmph, you ignorant brat!"

Having said that, Danzo flicked his sleeve and left.

The crowd saw this, their faces showing displeasure; in fact, if the daimyo didn't give money, letting them switch to another daimyo wouldn't be impossible.

Only Nara Suzaku, who understood the reason, remained relatively calm; the ninja they sent out, together with the mountain bandits, had robbed many nobles, and Konoha now wasn't short of money, only lacking a means of steady income.

"Send people to Kyoto to see what actually happened. As for this year's departmental budgets, rest assured, the reclaimed ill‑gotten funds are still plenty, enough to cover Konoha's expenses for this year."

Huh— the crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief, all praising the Hokage's wisdom. After they left, Nara Suzaku asked, "Hokage, the daimyo has ordered the nobles of each province to send help. Although we've already dispatched reinforcements, with those nobles' strength plus the daimyo's guards, can our men hold out?"

"Don't worry, the reinforcements are very strong; unless a thousand ninja armies encircle us, there won't be a problem."

Nara Suzaku suddenly recalled the missing Izayoi and instantly let out a sigh of relief.

"Moreover, Senior Suzaku, do you think the provincial nobles will honestly help the daimyo?"

When they were previously harassed by mountain bandits, they repeatedly appealed to the daimyo, who never gave them a glance. Now that trouble arises and he asks them for help, does he really think they're loyal subjects?"

"Even if insincere, it's still the daimyo's order; at most they'll stall a bit, but they won't dare refuse."

"They act only because they have no reason; what if I give them a reason?"

"Hokage, you say…"

Ten days later, a luxurious four‑horse carriage arrived from the south, leaving a deep, long rut as it entered the chaotic capital region.

Outside the capital, at an ordinary manor, Yan Shifan stepped down from the carriage and casually untied the brocade robe draped over his shoulders.

"Third Elder!"

Izayoi stepped forward; although he possessed the Kaleidoscope and held a high rank in the clan, second only to Shisui, when the two elders were not present, any Uchiha before them must remain humble.

Without them, there would be no Uchiha today.

"Hmm, do the provinces have reinforcements?"

The ten‑plus day journey left Yan Shifan a bit weary, but he paid it no mind and, upon alighting, got straight to business.

"Hokage, we've received word: the ninja who were lurking in each province have begun to act, and nobles across the lands have politely declined the daimyo, citing severe local bandit trouble."

"Hahaha, good, as long as nothing goes wrong on your side, Hokage, you should be ready to act at any moment these days. Whether it's the Fire Temple or foreign ninja, anyone who dares step here will be dealt with."

With Izayoi's strength, unless surrounded by a massive army, his Uchiha identity will never be exposed.

"Yes!"

Izayoi went down to make preparations; Yan Shifan looked at the light snow outside the manor and smiled, "A timely snow heralds a bountiful year~"

Inside the manor, merriment and vitality filled the air, while the daimyo's mansion twenty li away was oppressively gloomy.

The young noble pushed forward by Matsuno Keiji knelt on the steps, head bowed to the ground, trembling as he explained to the opposing daimyo.

If the person below were Matsuno Keiji, the daimyo, considering the Matsuno family's influence, wouldn't do anything to him; but this is just an unlucky fellow, so the daimyo has no reason to harm him.

At a single command, over ten swordsmen entered the hall, dragged the man out, and executed him amid their shouts.

"Damned Uchiha, damned lowborn!"

Inside the mansion, Matsuno Keiji lowered his voice in a curse; although it was all the Uchiha's fault, he could not mention the Uchiha nor seek revenge on Izayoi.

Losing would be a futile death; the daimyo hasn't prepared to break ties with Konoha, so he won't sever relations over this.

Winning would be even more painful; with the Uchiha's power, the Matsuno family would live in fear for decades to come.

"Fine, I won't get involved in this any longer; I'll stay in the mansion, the mountain bandits can't touch me anyway."

Matsuno Keiji sighed, his whole body collapsing into the arms of the maid beside him.

"Then the music plays, then the dance~"

However, after only three days, while Matsuno Keiji was lost in his gentle reverie, a secret report from a subordinate startled him, and he leapt three feet into the air.

"Damn, someone actually dared to act without my permission!"

Matsuno Keiji's hands trembled; a young noble under him had gone over his head to propose to the daimyo that they take money to Konoha for a commission! The daimyo wasn't angry and even promoted the noble, sending him to Konoha for negotiations, but word has it he was killed by bandits as soon as he left Kyoto.

"Someone wants to harm me!"

Matsuno Keiji turned pale, cold sweat pouring over his body.

Although the previous scheme wasn't executed by him personally, the daimyo surely knows it was his idea; this time his men have again stepped on the daimyo's tiger whisker, and even a great influence can't withstand such depletion!

Matsuno Keiji immediately convened his think tank, sought a clever plan, and informed the daimyo.

The daimyo promptly dispatched a large army to escort letters to the Country of Thunder and the Country of Earth, preparing to entrust the mission to them. How could a dignified daimyo be threatened by Konoha? Especially now that the entire capital believes this is Konoha's doing, the daimyo naturally refuses to compromise.

However, after confirming the bandits' origin, the radical guardian ninja who had been shouting to eliminate the Hokage fell much quieter.

But the daimyo didn't have two days of ease; soon news arrived that those they sent abroad died at the hands of wandering ninja before even leaving the country.

The information was delivered by Konoha's border garrison.

Bang— "How could this be!"

The daimyo was incensed; although he had always sought to control Konoha, this direct confrontation was his first, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

"Daimyo, the entire capital is now sealed off; your edicts must pass through Konoha before they can leave. In my view, compromise is the only option now."

"Hohoho— are you saying that?"

The daimyo covered half his face with a fan, his odd smile reaching the ears of the crowd.

The person below was just a young noble, but he bluntly claimed he could solve the daimyo's predicament, which is why he was brought forward.

Now it seems he's merely a fool bought off by Konoha.

"Compromise?"

"Does he not know how?"

But after compromising today, next time Konoha will use the same tactic to force him to increase allocations; he used that very method years ago to gradually test the third generation's limits, slowly infiltrating Konoha and reducing its funding.

Now forcing him to compromise—how can that be allowed?

"Daimyo, today's crisis in the capital stems from the nobles' weak power; if there were forces capable of standing up to Konoha, Konoha would never be so reckless."

"Forces that can rival Konoha?"

The daimyo's eyes lit up; if the nobles were strong enough, he could balance both sides, command all parties, and would never give Konoha a chance to exploit a gap.

"In your opinion?"

They could have the nobles across the lands secretly train ninja! As for Konoha, they're only after money, using it as an excuse to replenish their funds. I expect they won't overstep; just wait three to five years, and when the nobles have produced enough ninja, the Lord will again act against Konoha—how could they possibly resist?

The Lord narrowed his eyes slightly; it's not that he lacks the ability to deal with these mountain bandits, the problem is his subordinates can't find men. If a large army gathers, the movement is too conspicuous; if they disperse, it looks like sending people to their deaths. That's when he's truly at a loss.

Hoo ho ho, good idea, let's do it that way!

Lord, wise!

(End of chapter)