Chapter 596

~24 min read 4,792 words

Jade Prefecture City is Wu Tie's current lair.

Translation: Jade Prefecture City, Wu Tie's current stronghold.

Jade Prefecture City is Wu Tie's current lair.

We'll output: 【1】 Jade Prefecture City is Wu Tie's current lair.

Linghu Qingqing granted him the Nine Provinces Fief, which roughly follows a nine‑palace layout, centered precisely on Jade Prefecture.

Linghu Qingqing granted him the Nine Provinces Fief, which roughly follows a nine‑palace layout, exactly centered on Jade Prefecture.

Translation: "Linghu Qingqing granted him the Nine Provinces Fief, which roughly follows a nine‑palace layout, centered precisely on Jade Prefecture."

Linghu Qingqing granted him the Nine Provinces Fief, which roughly follows a nine‑palace layout, centered precisely on Jade Prefecture.

Therefore, Jade Prefecture City naturally became Wu Tie's capital.

Translation: "Thus Jade Prefecture City naturally became the capital of his fief."

We'll output: 【3】 Thus Jade Prefecture City naturally became the capital of his fief.

Huang Lang seemed energized, wielding his little whip each day, driving the officials and runners of the Peace State to madly dash about, working hard like a herd of horses that refuse to eat grass.

We need to keep the simile. Translation: "Huang Lang was as if injected with chicken blood, daily cracking his little whip, driving the officials and runners of Peace State to madly dash about, working hard like a herd of horses that refuse to eat grass."

Huang Lang seemed energized, wielding his little whip each day, driving the officials and runners of the Peace State to madly dash about, working hard like a herd of horses that refuse to eat grass.

We'll output: 【4】 Huang Lang was as if injected with chicken blood, daily cracking his little whip, driving the officials and runners of Peace State to madly dash about, working hard like a herd of horses that refuse to eat grass.

He expanded Jade Prefecture City, straightened the civil and military offices, appointed officials and runners, took stock of the industries of all provinces, prefectures, and cities, and ordered the powerful clans and local tyrants of each province to go to Jade Prefecture City to pay audience at the Prince An's mansion.

Translation: "Expanding Jade Prefecture City, straightening the civil and military offices, appointing officials and runners, tallying the industries of all provinces, prefectures, and cities, and ordering the powerful clans and local tyrants of each province to come to Jade Prefecture City's Prince An's Manor for audience."

We'll output: 【5】 Expanding Jade Prefecture City, straightening the civil and military offices, appointing officials and runners, tallying the industries of all provinces, prefectures, and cities, and ordering the powerful clans and local tyrants of each province to come to Jade Prefecture City's Prince An's Manor for audience.

In short, he was extremely busy.

Translation: "In short, they were busy beyond measure."

We'll output: 【6】 In short, they were busy beyond measure.

Old Iron, Pei Feng, and the Wu Jin brothers, relying on the 120,000 Wu tribe youths as core, newly recruited soldiers and reorganized the army.

Translation: "Old Iron, Pei Feng, and the Wu Jin brothers, relying on the 120,000 Wu Tribe youths as core, newly recruited soldiers and reorganized the army."

Old Iron, Pei Feng, and the Wu Jin brothers, relying on the 120,000 Wu tribe youths as core, newly recruited soldiers and reorganized the army.

We'll output: 【7】 Old Iron, Pei Feng, and the Wu Jin brothers, relying on the 120,000 Wu Tribe youths as core, newly recruited soldiers and reorganized the army.

Wu Tie's title was Prince An; the Peace State was his fief, and it was natural for him to have an army under his command to garrison the borders and suppress dissent.

Translation: "Wu Tie's title is Prince An, Peace State is his fief, and it is only natural for him to have an army to garrison the territory and suppress the disobedient."

We'll output: 【8】 Wu Tie's title is Prince An, Peace State is his fief, and it is only natural for him to have an army to garrison the territory and suppress the disobedient.

Besides, it's unknown who spread Wu Tie's infamy of having killed and refined all officers and soldiers of the Four Gardens Twelve Guards with the Black Heaven Cauldron. In short, although Old Iron and Pei Feng's recruitment banner has been raised, for now no one has come to enlist.

We need to keep the quoted phrase. Translation: "Besides, it's unknown who spread Wu Tie's infamy of having killed and refined all officers and soldiers of the Four Gardens Twelve Guards with the Black Heaven Cauldron. In short, although Old Iron and Pei Feng's recruitment banner has been raised, for now no one has come to enlist."

Besides, it'sunknown who spread Wu Tie's infamy of having killed and refined all officers and soldiers of the Four Gardens Twelve Guards with the Black Heaven Cauldron. In short, although Old Iron and Pei Feng's recruitment banner has been raised, for now no one has come to enlist.

In a short time, the notoriety of Prince An Huo Xiong would spread foully across thirty thousand li, and this fame combined with infamy would be hard to wash away for a while.

We need to keep quotes. Translation: "In a short time, the infamy of 'Prince An Huo Xiong' stinks against the wind across thirty thousand li, and this notoriety combined with infamy will be hard to wash away for a while."

In a short time, the notoriety of Prince An Huo Xiong would spread foully across thirty thousand li, and this fame combined with infamy would be hard to wash away for a while.

We'll output: 【10】 In a short time, the infamy of "Prince An Huo Xiong" stinks against the wind across thirty thousand li, and this notoriety combined with infamy will be hard to wash away for a while.

Besides this, Wu Tie also encountered more minor troubles.

Translation: "Besides this, Wu Tie also encountered many more minor troubles."

We'll output: 【11】 Besides this, Wu Tie also encountered many more minor troubles.

Sima Wuyou used an extremely absurd method to easily let Sima Xian abdicate the Great Jin's realm to Linghu Qingqing, successfully avoiding a terrifying war that could have stretched a million li with casualties in the tens of billions.

Translation: "Sima Wuyou used an extremely absurd method to easily let Sima Xian abdicate the Great Jin's realm to Linghu Qingqing, successfully avoiding a terrifying war that could have stretched a million li with casualties in the tens of billions."

Wu Tie could not imagine that over a dozen national‑treasure‑level divine artifacts, when unleashed in a battle among hundreds of millions of soldiers, would erupt in the most densely populated core region of the Great Jin Divine State, creating a horrifying scene.

Translation: "Wu Tie could not imagine what a horrifying sight it would be if over a dozen state‑level divine artifacts erupted in battle among a formation of hundreds of millions of soldiers, and the clash erupted in the most densely populated core region of the Great Jin Divine State."

We'll output: 【13】 Wu Tie could not imagine what a horrifying sight it would be if over a dozen state‑level divine artifacts erupted in battle among a formation of hundreds of millions of soldiers, and the clash erupted in the most densely populated core region of the Great Jin Divine State.

Regardless of whether Sima Wuyou considered the casualties of ordinary commoners and soldiers, his decision truly avoided a destined bloodbath of a war, and Wu Tie greatly admired him.

Translation: "Regardless of whether Sima Wuyou considered the casualties of ordinary commoners and soldiers, his decision truly did avoid that destined mountain‑of‑corpses, sea‑of‑blood great war, and Wu Tie greatly admired him."

Regardless of whether Sima Wuyou considered the casualties of ordinary commoners and soldiers, his decision truly avoided a destined bloodbath of a war, and Wu Tie greatly admired him.

We'll output: 【14】 Regardless of whether Sima Wuyou considered the casualties of ordinary commoners and soldiers, his decision truly did avoid that destined mountain‑of‑corpses, sea‑of‑blood great war, and Wu Tie greatly admired him.

But his terrible idea……

We'll output: 【15】 But his terrible idea……

Wu Tie presented the heads and divine fetuses of the First Army father‑son to Linghu Qingqing; this infamy brought about a dozen frenzied assassinations within just two days.

Translation: "Wu Tie presented the heads and divine fetus of the First Army father‑son to Linghu Qingqing; this infamy brought about a dozen frenzied assassinations within just two days."

Wu Tie presented the heads and divine fetuses of the First Army father‑son to Linghu Qingqing; this infamy brought about a dozen frenzied assassinations within just two days.

We'll output: 【16】 Wu Tie presented the heads and divine fetus of the First Army father‑son to Linghu Qingqing; this infamy brought about a dozen frenzied assassinations within just two days.

Wu Tie did not expect that Sima Wuyou, the First Army father‑son now off somewhere enjoying themselves, and the generals loyal to Sima Wuyou would also not have anticipated this.

Translation: "Wu Tie didn't expect that perhaps Sima Wuyou, the First Army father‑son now off somewhere enjoying themselves, and those generals loyal to Sima Wuyou also hadn't anticipated this."

Wu Tie did not expect that Sima Wuyou, the First Army father‑son now off somewhere enjoying themselves, and the generals loyal to Sima Wuyou would also not have anticipated this.

We'll output: 【17】 Wu Tie didn't expect that perhaps Sima Wuyou, the First Army father‑son now off somewhere enjoying themselves, and those generals loyal to Sima Wuyou also hadn't anticipated this.

Even within the former Great Jin Divine State's army and populace, there remained a large group of previously insignificant, even impoverished and low‑born subjects who still remained loyal and devoted to the Great Jin Divine State, the Sima imperial clan, and the First Army commanders.

Translation: "Once, within the army and populace of the former Great Jin Divine State, there remained a large group of previously insignificant, even impoverished and low‑born subjects who still remained loyal and devoted to the Great Jin Divine State, the Sima clan imperial family, and the commanders of the First Army."

We'll output: 【18】 Once, within the army and populace of the former Great Jin Divine State, there remained a large group of previously insignificant, even impoverished and low‑born subjects who still remained loyal and devoted to the Great Jin Divine State, the Sima clan imperial family, and the commanders of the First Army.

They were not particularly strong or prominent, nor flashy before; they might be a minor officer in the army, a minor clerk in the office, or merely an insignificant street figure who daily dealt with the ruffians of the market streets.

Translation: "They were not strong in strength, not high in status, not particularly conspicuous before; they might be a minor officer in the army, a minor clerk in the office, or merely an insignificant street figure who daily dealt with the ruffians of the market streets."

We'll output: 【19】 They were not strong in strength, not high in status, not particularly conspicuous before; they might be a minor officer in the army, a minor clerk in the office, or merely an insignificant street figure who daily dealt with the ruffians of the market streets.

It was these people who, from Qingqiu City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days boldly launched a dozen desperate suicidal assassinations against Wu Tie.

Translation: "It was these people who, from Green Hill City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days boldly launched a dozen desperate suicidal assassinations against Wu Tie."

It was these people who, from Qingqiu City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days boldly launched a dozen desperate suicidal assassinations against Wu Tie.

We'll output: 【20】 It was these people who, from Green Hill City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days boldly launched a dozen desperate suicidal assassinations against Wu Tie.

A common man's anger can cause blood to flow five steps.

Translation: "A common man's resolve, blood flows five steps."

We'll output: 【21】 A common man's resolve, blood flows five steps.

Toward Linghu Qingqing, these people felt somewhat bewildered.

Translation: "Toward Linghu Qingqing, these people felt a bit lost."

We'll output: 【22】 Toward Linghu Qingqing, these people felt a bit lost.

Linghu Qingqing is the legitimate heir of the Great Jin Divine State's realm and sacred altars; she is the Divine Emperor Sima Xian of the Great Jin Divine State, who personally read the edict and joyfully abdicated the realm and sacred altars and the commoners to Linghu Qingqing.

We'll output: 【23】 Linghu Qingqing is the legitimate heir of the Great Jin Divine State's realm and sacred altars; she is the Divine Emperor Sima Xian of the Great Jin Divine State, who personally read the edict and joyfully abdicated the realm and sacred altars and the commoners to Linghu Qingqing.

Therefore, these loyal subjects of the Great Jin Divine State were filled with resentment and frustration, having nowhere to vent.

Translation: "Thus the loyal subjects of the Great Jin Divine State are filled with resentment and frustration, having nowhere to vent."

We'll output: 【24】 Thus the loyal subjects of the Great Jin Divine State are filled with resentment and frustration, having nowhere to vent.

Having entrusted the sacred thing they guarded to someone else, what could they possibly say?

Translation: "The object of their loyalty has directly handed over the divinity they guarded in their hearts to someone else—what can they say?"

We'll output: 【25】 The object of their loyalty has directly handed over the divinity they guarded in their hearts to someone else—what can they say?

Well, Wu Tie himself stepped forward.

Translation: "Well, Wu Tie himself stepped forward."

We'll output: 【26】 Well, Wu Tie himself stepped forward.

He launched a surprise attack on the remnants of the former dynasty's forces under the First Army's command.

Translation: "He launched a surprise attack on the army units under the First Army's command, remnants of the former dynasty."

He launched a surprise attack on the remnants of the former dynasty's forces under the First Army's command.

We'll output: 【27】 He launched a surprise attack on the army units under the First Army's command, remnants of the former dynasty.

He personally killed the First Army father‑son and slaughtered many of its officers and soldiers.

Translation: "He personally killed the First Army father‑son and slaughtered large numbers of its commanders and soldiers."

We'll output: 【28】 He personally killed the First Army father‑son and slaughtered large numbers of its commanders and soldiers.

Some even believed that Wu Tie single‑handedly crushed the last hope of the Great Jin Divine State's restoration and extinguished its final vitality.

Translation: "Some even believed that Wu Tie single‑handedly wiped out the last hope of the Great Jin Divine State's restoration and extinguished its final vital energy."

We'll output: 【29】 Some even believed that Wu Tie single‑handedly wiped out the last hope of the Great Jin Divine State's restoration and extinguished its final vital energy.

Therefore, some shouted the slogan of perishing together with the treacherous Prince Huo Xiong.

Translation: "Thus some shouted the slogan of perishing together with the 'Treacherous Prince Huo Xiong'."

We'll output: 【30】 Thus some shouted the slogan of perishing together with the "Treacherous Prince Huo Xiong".

From Qingqiu City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days.

Translation: "From Green Hill City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days."

We'll output: 【31】 From Green Hill City to Jade Prefecture City, in just two days.

On the road, someone blew themselves up.

Translation: "On the road, someone self‑detonated."

We'll output: 【32】 On the road, someone self‑detonated.

Crouching in the mansion, someone blew themselves up.

Translation: "Crouching in the prince's manor, someone self‑detonated."

We'll output: 【33】 Crouching in the prince's manor, someone self‑detonated.

Taking a sip of tea, the water was poisoned.

Translation: "Taking a sip of tea, the water was poisoned."

We'll output: 【34】 Taking a sip of tea, the water was poisoned.

Wanting to wash his face, the maid who brought the washbasin and towel—a delicate little maid whose cultivation hadn't even reached the third layer of the Chonglou Realm—actually held a small sprinkler and sprayed Wu Tie's face with a faceful of extremely corrosive, highly toxic poison water.

Yuzhou City, Prince An's mansion, the great hall.

This mansion was originally the Yuzhou prefectural office; now it bears a plaque reading "Prince An's Mansion".

However, the prefectural office's specifications are clearly inadequate for Wu Tie's current title. Around the prefectural office, land acquisition work is underway; the office's area will expand thirty‑fold, and a brand‑new, splendid mansion will be built.

Moreover, Yuzhou City's specifications are also unfit for the capital of a fiefdom; the entire city wall has been torn down, and the whole city is being replanned and rebuilt.

With Yuzhou's financial, material, and human resources, the new mansion could be finished in at most half a month; as for the new Yuzhou City… oh, the future Yuzhou City will be renamed "Anyi" and become the capital of the State of An.

The name Anyi was actually proposed by the Demon Chapter King; he said he greatly admired the name and that it perfectly matched Wu Tie's fief, so all of Wu Tie's relatives, friends, and civil and military officials approved this city name, which carries beautiful symbolism and ancient origins.

Inside the great hall, Wu Tie sat on the throne, wearing a helpless expression as he looked at his own trusted aides in the hall.

"These days, as you come and go, bring more guards; from the armory, take any fine life‑protecting immortal weapons or secret treasures you can, and wear them carefully."

Wu Tie rubbed his brow with a slight worry, then sighed: "Now my reputation stinks across the world; tsk, those loyal ministers and virtuous officials of the Divine State of Jin all harbor thoughts of tearing me to pieces. But is this my fault? Is it my fault? Why don't they go kill Linghu Qingqing instead?"

"Gee, I've figured it out—these guys are just picking on the soft persimmon; they dare not act against the current divine emperor, so they think I'm an easy target, right?"

Wu Tie shook his head and pointed fiercely at the Demon Chapter King and the other old comrades from the Three Linked Cities standing nearby: "Especially you all—your strength is insufficient; be extra cautious, extra cautious—I don't want to have to collect your corpses one day."

Inside the great hall, Huang Lang, Li Ergouzi, and the other core subordinates Wu Tie had brought back from Dazhou State were all grimy‑faced, looking at each other, full of resentment and helplessness.

Since it involved state secrets, Huang Lang and the others did not know Wu Tie and Sima Wuyou's calculations.

They merely thought Wu Tie had sincerely defected to Linghu Qingqing, even using the First Army and others as a token of allegiance.

As subordinates, they frankly didn't think this was all that bad.

After all, their loyalty to the Divine State of Jin was, frankly, just that… they were all exiled criminals sent to Dazhou; how could one expect them to be loyal or devoted to Jin?

But seeing their lord become a street‑rat that everyone shouts at, and themselves also suffering several narrow‑escape assassination attempts… this feeling is awful!

The taste of being condemned by thousands is not something everyone can bear gladly.

"Your Highness is absolutely right… you all must be extra careful these days." Huang Lang resignedly stepped out of the ranks and said solemnly: "Moreover, for a long time to come, everyone under the Prince An's mansion must stay on high alert."

Huang Lang shook his head, a flicker of alarm crossing his eyes: "The dynastic change in the divine state is unprecedented… but in the Divine State of Jin, there once was a fief king who was framed and had his household exterminated; that king's trusted aides and die‑hard retainers continued assassinations and revenge for three thousand years… three thousand years."

Huang Lang said in a deep voice: "That is merely the familial foundation of a fief lord, already so entangled; what more of the Divine State of Jin?"

Huang Lang's face twitched violently: "We, every one qualified to stand in this hall, are the Prince's right‑hand men, his trusted aides, those he can rely on and employ; therefore… each of us must prepare ourselves mentally for the next ten thousand years, constantly ready to be assassinated and retaliated against, staying ever vigilant."

Huang Lang gave a wry smile, glanced at Wu Jin and the others: "Besides being careful against assassinations, everyone should marry more, have more children, propagate the bloodline… hey, just in case, right?"

Wu Jin and the others' faces twitched, and they remained silent.

What is this supposed to be?

They are all utterly helpless ah

The few Wu Jin brothers know full well Wu Tie and Sima Wuyou's calculations, and that is why they feel helpless

Those assassins… you say, if they found their own heads, would that be killing or not killing?

Ah, Wu Tie's cultivation is like a monster's; those assassins can't do anything to him. But the few Wu Jin brothers don't yet have the strength to face raging winds and huge waves as easily as strolling in a leisurely courtyard; one slip, as Huang Lang said, could truly lead to a mishap here…

Wu Tie gave a heavy cough, interrupting Huang Lang's words

"All right, all right, don't say these uncomfortable things. Wealth and honor… wealth and honor are sought in danger; sometimes, some things, ah, are beyond our control."

Wu Tie raised his head, looked at the hall's ceiling, and murmured: "I also have it hard; I once dreamed of a few peaceful days, eating my fill, drinking my fill, holding my beloved wife close and living out my life in comfort… but, circumstances make heroes; sometimes things are truly beyond our control. If you were me, would you willingly get involved in all this right and wrong?"

Wu Tie spoke from genuine feeling

In the hall, only Lao Tie, Wu Jin, Wu Yin, and Wu Tong could truly understand the meaning behind Wu Tie's words

Even Pei Feng, standing beside Wu Tie, still lacked that level

"Well, since it's already done… then I cannot regret, be weak, hesitate, or pity—having done it, it's done." Wu Tie rose, his gaze like a blade, sweeping over the dozens of civil and military officials standing in the hall, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, stay vigilant; the Five Elements Spirit retinue is the most reliable—your guard corps will be entirely composed of Five Elements Spirits."

"For everyone newly joining our Prince An's civil and military system, regardless of rank or strength, we will conduct strict vetting… You know how to handle these matters, so I won't belabor them."

"Furthermore, all affairs of An must be swiftly put on track. I want An to be stable and peaceful, allowing its people to live carefree and content, to dwell and work in happiness—not a state where hearts are panic‑stricken, war rages everywhere, and safety is uncertain from moment to moment."

"These matters, Huang Lang—you are my right minister of An; all administrative affairs are up to you… Uh, Mo Zhang Wang, you are Huang Lang's deputy; bring your people and study diligently under Huang Lang."

"Lao Tie, you are my left minister of An, assisted by the few Wu brothers; determine how many troops the Nine Provinces should have, and quickly work out a plan. As for not being able to recruit troops… increase military pay!"

Wu Tie snapped: "I don't believe that, if you give enough money, anyone would refuse it."

"Send an official document to all the military families and households of the Nine Provinces… Ordinary civilians may refuse conscription, may refuse to join my army… but they are military families, they must unconditionally obey my orders."

"In short, you handle this."

"Pei Feng, you are my deputy and the person I trust most; ah, the duty of overseeing military discipline, civil and military officials, common folk, and noble clans falls to you."

"In short, the former Divine State of Great Jin had a Demon‑Suppressing Hall; Pei Feng, you are my Demon‑Suppressing Hall chief… However, the Hall's authority is limited, whereas your authority—basically, anything I can do on my own territory, you can do as well. So it's decided: if you see something displeasing, just chop off the head."

Wu Tie smiled and nodded at Pei Feng

Pei Feng narrowed her eyes, smiled sweetly, and agreed

She loved to hear Wu Tie's words

Huang Lang and the others shivered; well, Wu Tie had made this clear, so Pei Feng could now exercise all the authority of the Prince of An

Huang Lang glared fiercely at the few civil officials under his command, warning them to stay alert: on An's soil, provoking Wu Tie might be nothing, but provoking Pei Feng…

Wu Tie smiled as he looked over everyone in the hall, pondered for a moment, and gave a slight nod

"Besides, everyone knows His Majesty issued an edict that taxes across the realm will increase over the next ten years… Although An is my fief, logically these taxes shouldn't concern us."

"However, as a fief we need not pay tax to the emperor, yet the annual tribute cannot be lacking… and this tribute, too, must be increased."

"So we must find a way to open new sources of wealth."

Wu Tie hammered his fingers on the case before him, finally uttering his most important and sole concern today

"We must not compete with the people for profit."

"Therefore, the Prince An's estate will establish a 'Reclamation Corps'—military colonies."

"The manpower for these colonies will consist mainly of purchased slaves, captured drifters, and convicted criminals; they will develop farms, herb fields, ranches, mines, and so on, while building colonial cities—all residents of these cities will be the Prince An's private slaves, and all their production and labor will be to make money for me… In short, whatever makes money, we will do."

"This will be the top priority of the Prince An's estate for the coming years, decades, centuries, even millennia; whoever dares block my moneymaking scheme—hehe, my Black Heaven Cauldron won't mind swallowing a few more."

Wu Jin, Wu Yin, and Wu Tong's eyes suddenly lit up

Military colonies, establishing colonial cities composed mainly of slaves, drifters, and criminals—these colonies are entirely the Prince An's private slaves!

Such cities, such composition… how many denizens of the underworld could they accommodate, ah!

Truly, it is a marvelous decision

◈

End of Chapter

Press ← / → to navigate

Ch. 596 / 113253%