Chapter 613

After the first month, the weather remained cold.

On the surface of the river outside Wanzhou City, a thin layer of ice floated.

Crack!

The boatman, Old Chen the Hunchback, poked seven or eight times with his pole, breaking the ice layer, and the covered boat barely squeezed into the pier.

The copper bell hanging at the bow of the boat had long frozen into an ice lump, but the cursing of the peddler Old Zhao in the cabin was even crisper:

"Damn it, the dog-day Heaven, it's been three days since the Awakening of Insects, and the hemp rope I use to carry my goods is still frozen stiff!"

At the stern of the cabin, a medicine gatherer huddled, the whiskers of the angelica in the bamboo basket in his arms covered in frost; he wrapped his tattered cotton coat tighter and chimed in:

"Who's to say it isn't? It's been snowing since the New Year, and it's still this cold after the New Year; this hasn't happened in previous years, why does it feel a bit evil..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the cabin became quiet.

The peddler Old Zhao narrowed his eyes and whispered: "Do you think it has anything to do with that matter in Chengdu Prefecture?"

"It really might; I heard it was quite chaotic there, the common people all went mad, the snow was terrifying, and there was even an earthquake..."

"Hey, hey, hey, everyone, we've arrived, stop chatting!"

Old Chen the Hunchback heard this and hurriedly interrupted them.

That matter in Chengdu Prefecture had already passed for a month; even though the common people rarely traveled far, they had heard about it through merchants from various places.

For a time, rumors flew everywhere.

Unscrupulous merchants took the opportunity to speculate, saying that there would be military chaos in Shu, making the common people hoard grain and salt, causing prices to soar...

There were also swindlers wandering the martial world who set up schemes saying that demons would soon arrive in Shu, selling peach-wood charms everywhere, cheating many common people...

The Imperial Court had already strictly forbidden discussing this matter and had arrested many people on charges of spreading evil rumors to confuse the public.

Old Chen the Hunchback did not want to invite trouble.

Everyone also knew the severity and stopped talking nonsense; after arriving at the Wanzhou ferry, they went ashore and left one after another.

At the stern of the cabin sat two men.

One tall, one short, one fat, one thin, their faces charred black, wearing bamboo hats, and carrying a large cloth bundle on their backs.

Since boarding the boat, the two of them had lowered their bamboo hats, ignored everyone, and closed their eyes to rest, only moving their ears slightly when they heard the discussion about Chengdu Prefecture.

After the others left, the two of them slowly stood up.

"Boatman."

The tall man spoke with an accent from western Hunan and asked: "In Wanzhou City, is there a teahouse called 'Drunken River Wind'?"

"Yes, yes."

Old Chen the Hunchback smiled broadly, "It's in the south of the city; the Luzhou Luo Family Old Cellar wine there tastes pretty good."

He saw at a glance that the two were travelers of the martial world.

The rebellion of the Yang family in Bozhou had just been quelled, and many greenwood men were running around in the southwest; he did not want to provoke ruthless people and lose his life.

"Luo Family Old Cellar?"

The short, fat man with a full beard smacked his lips and asked: "I remember, isn't the Luzhou Old Cellar best at the Du family's?"

Old Chen the Hunchback smiled and shook his head, "You might not know, but the Du family has fallen and has been sealed by the Imperial Court; as for what exactly happened, this old man doesn't know either."

He had naturally heard some things, but not knowing the background of the two, saying too much was just asking for trouble.

Fortunately, the two were not interested in the grievances of the Luo family; after asking for the location of the tavern, they left the boat and headed straight for the city.

Wanzhou City was not large, and they soon found the place.

They saw a teahouse in the south of the city, the "Drunken River Wind" wine flag at the eaves drooping, the wood black, looking like it had been there for quite some time, but it was kept very clean.

"Are you the two gentlemen from the Tang family?"

A man walked out of the teahouse, tall and upright, his temples gray, wearing a green robe, his temperament very outstanding.

It was Zou Shaohai, the president of the Shu Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui.

"Greetings, President Zou."

The two did not dare to be negligent and cupped their hands in greeting.

Not to mention this Zou Shaohai before them, he was a Gang-strength expert who had recently risen in Shu, and his methods were also very formidable.

After getting along with Li Yan and the others, under the name of suppressing the Dragon-Worshipping Sect, he united many sects in Shu, including many sects among the "Eight Leaves" of Emei, all of which had joined the Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui.

Originally, the Shu Shaanxi Shaanxi Shen Quan Hui was not highly regarded by everyone.

But under his organization, the momentum grew stronger and stronger, already showing signs of becoming the third largest force in Shu after Emei and Qingcheng.

"Hahaha..."

Zou Shaohai laughed heartily and raised his hand, "Please, the two of you."

Leading the two to a private room upstairs, after the tea doctor filled their cups, Zou Shaohai smiled and said: "I happened to be busy nearby, and upon receiving the news from the two of you, I came here immediately to wait."

With his current prestige, having to come out to welcome them personally, the identities of these two were naturally not as simple as they appeared.

These two were both from the Meishan Sect.

Nowadays, in the entire martial world, the Meishan Sect's momentum was not small, just because they were the first to come up with fire-weapon arts.

The power of the new-style fire weapons had already changed the order of the martial world, and the Meishan Sect being able to stand out at this time showed their luck.

Therefore, Zou Shaohai also attached great importance to them.

"President is too polite."

The tall, thin middle-aged man's expression was solemn, and he cupped his hands: "My brother and I have come here this time to handle the matter of Tang Ling, and we must trouble the President to help."

Tang Ling of the Meishan Sect was the most outstanding disciple of their generation, even known as the number one demon hunter in western Hunan.

To avenge his sister, he shot and killed the third son of the Shu King in the street, and then followed the Wuxiang Young Master.

While in Chengdu, the Shu King had his men search the city, and the Wuxiang Young Master, in order to escape pursuit, sold everyone out directly.

Although that Wuxiang Young Master eventually ended up with no bones left and his soul scattered, Tang Ling and the others were also arrested and thrown into prison, and after the battle at the Shu King's Palace, they were sent to the Chongqing Prefecture Yamen.

Hearing the two's inquiry, Zou Shaohai sighed and shook his head: "This matter is not easy to handle."

Saying this, he whispered: "This matter was a layout by demons; regardless of how much the Shu King participated, the dead are gone, and coupled with the Emperor's consideration of friendship, he was not labeled a rebel and was even given a thick burial."

"The Shu King was not a rebel, but Brother Tang killed a member of the Imperial family in the street, the evidence is conclusive, and he even used new-style fire weapons..."

The short, fat middle-aged man drank a sip of tea and smiled: "President Zou, if the matter were easy to handle, we wouldn't be troubling you."

"Since you are willing to see us, this matter can definitely be handled!"

Zou Shaohai was stunned, then smiled: "This must be Brother Tang Hai; I heard you are resourceful, and it is indeed well-deserved."

"That's right, this matter can indeed be handled, but you have to find the right person."

Saying this, he dipped his finger in tea and wrote two characters on the wooden table.

"Li Yan?"

The short, fat old man glanced at it and frowned: "I heard some things on the way; this Li Yan is a junior who has recently risen in the Mystic Sect and martial world, and he also participated in quite a bit of that chaos in Chengdu."

"But he is young after all; can he really influence the Imperial Court?"

"You two might not know."

Zou Shaohai drank a sip of tea and sighed: "Mount Qingcheng has already sent out invitations to hold a Treasure-Opening Assembly, and he is one of the main guests."

"Oh?"

The short, fat old man was stunned, his expression becoming solemn.

Mount Qingcheng in Shu is a famous existence in the entire Mystic Sect and martial world; even though the Meishan Sect's momentum is boundless now, it is still a Dharma lineage and cannot compare to the orthodox Mystic Sect.

To become an orthodox Mystic Sect, one must go through careful planning; they have come this time not only to save Tang Ling but also to participate in the Treasure-Opening Assembly.

They have no interest in any treasures.

The key is to take advantage of this opportunity to reach cooperation with several forces, send disciples of the sect to serve in the army, and seek support from the Imperial Court.

The key to an orthodox Mystic Sect is to participate in national sacrifices.

This is the greatest opportunity for the Meishan Sect in a thousand years.

Not only them, but the Vice Sect Leader has already gone to Qingcheng in advance.

I heard that important figures from all sides have been sent this time; it can be considered a grand event of the Mystic Sect, and being able to be a main guest is definitely not simple.

Before he could inquire, Zou Shaohai said:

"Just watch, after the Treasure-Opening Assembly, Li Yan will become famous throughout the world, and the key is that the Imperial Court officials who benefit from this will all give him face!"

"Oh?"

The two from the Tang family understood immediately...

Night deepened, Chongqing Commandant's Yamen.

"Clang, clang, it's the third watch, watch out for fire and candles~"

The sound of the night watchman approached and then drifted away, startling the night crows on the eaves, which fluttered into the cold night wind.

Before the desk, Zhao Xianda used a beef-tallow candle to carefully examine several letters, occasionally marking them, occasionally frowning in thought.

Not only him, but the entire Commandant's Yamen was almost brightly lit.

The matter in Chengdu Prefecture had already caused a huge uproar in the capital.

Although he had risked going to Chengdu and performed extraordinarily in the great battle, snatching a share of the credit for the Shu Commandant's Yamen, the Imperial Court had given no commendation, clearly showing that the Emperor was very dissatisfied with them.

The entire Commandant's Yamen was filled with anxiety.

You know, no news is often the worst news.

They are the Emperor's running dogs, responsible for monitoring the world; it was not impossible for them to be punished for causing such a big incident.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xianda continued to examine the letters in his hand.

"On the twentieth of the first month, the Imperial army that had just left Bozhou turned to Chengdu to suppress the rebellion and pacify the disaster victims; hundreds of garrison officers were arrested and sent to the capital for processing..."

"The troops of the garrisons near Chengdu all received orders to be dispatched to Minnan, the Shanzhou garrison expanded its troops, and some were transferred into Shu..."

It seems the Imperial Court has taken the opportunity to reduce the power of the Shu King.

That Fifth Commandery Prince, Xiao Jinghong, because he helped quell the rebellion, has been officially enfeoffed as the Prince of Chengdu, with his fief reduced to one city.

Even so, the Imperial Court no longer trusts the Shu King's lineage.

These were all within expectations.

The Emperor in the capital might even use this to make trouble and further weaken the authority of the feudal princes in various places.

But why send the troops from Shu to Minnan?

Zhao Xianda thought deeply, recalling the briefings he had read earlier.

Japan invaded the Three Han lands, and coupled with internal unification, Japanese pirates ran rampant along the coast, and Dutch pirates often raided the coast.

Could it be that they were sent to fight?

Zhao Xianda shook his head slightly and continued to analyze the remaining letters.

After this incident, the military power in Shu would definitely be taken over by outsiders, and it would not be weakened, as they still had to suppress and guard against Tibet and the southwest.

What he cared about was another matter.

The matter in Chengdu Prefecture was far from over.

The appearance of the Nine Cauldrons triggered turmoil, and the Imperial Court had already ordered a ban on discussing this matter, not allowing the news to leak.

But some things definitely couldn't be stopped.

The common people might not care, but those with ulterior motives would inevitably pay even more attention to this matter.

It involves the destiny of the Divine Land and the foundation of the dynasty.

This is their chance to clear their names.

And it is also his hope for further advancement...

Recalling the situation Li Yan had told him, Zhao Xianda took out more materials from the side and piled them on the desk.

Some of these materials had already turned yellow and brittle, eaten by insects and rats; those were records about the Ghost Sect from the Song Dynasty and the previous dynasty...

Others were very new, records of abnormal events in various places.

Logically speaking, these things belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall, but Zhao Xianda was very skeptical of their abilities.

The Law Enforcement Hall was composed of people from the Mystic Sect; perhaps they understood arts and had stronger combat power, but when it came to investigating cases, they were far behind them.

Recalling what Li Yan had said, Zhao Xianda felt a chill in his heart.

People like Lu San were not the only ones!

Zhao Changsheng might be their liaison.

There is a saying: the young shouldn't enter Shu, and the old shouldn't leave Shu.

Shu is too comfortable, and the news is somewhat closed off.

He, Zhao Xianda, does not want to be trapped here for the rest of his life...

Chengdu Prefecture, Shu King's Palace.

A team of yamen runners wearing soap boots, carrying lanterns, walked past the empty palace square, each with an uneasy look in their eyes.

Many of the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids in the Wang Gong had participated in the rebellion at the time, and they were either dead or injured.

The Imperial army came to take over, and regardless of whether they were bewitched by demons, they were all suppressed and beheaded, and together with the soldiers who died at the time, the corpses were piled like mountains.

Now, the damaged parts of the Wang Gong were still not repaired by anyone.

Although the corpses had been cleared and the high-ranking people from Mount Qingcheng had performed rituals, it was empty and uninhabited, and walking through it still made them feel their scalps tingle.

The only place in the Wang Gong with lamp light was the Donggong.

But after the patrolling yamen runners walked past, they would subconsciously stay away.

That was where the Fifth Commandery Prince, the current Prince of Chengdu, lived.

What happened in Chengdu, although sealed, was clear to everyone from the common people to the officials.

This Prince of Chengdu was already completely alone.

The common people of Chengdu Prefecture all had family members who had passed away; almost every household hung white silk, and one didn't know how many people cursed him all day long.

Outside the Shu King's Palace, it was often piled with garbage, and people would urinate and defecate; after the Prefecture Yamen sent people to clean it up, it would appear again the next day.

Gradually, they couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

The officials of Chengdu Prefecture avoided him like the plague.

Everyone knew that getting close to the Shu King's lineage was just seeking one's own death, and even the mentor of the Fifth Commandery Prince, the great Confucian scholar Yang Duo of Shu, had abandoned him.

Of course, no one dared to go too far.

Xiao Jinghong's maternal family was, after all, the Cheng family.

Cheng Jianxian Cheng had suppressed Shu for decades and was also a figure like a god in the hearts of the common people; before he died, he swung his sword to suppress evil, and his demeanor and deeds had long spread everywhere.

Many people in Chengdu Prefecture had set up longevity tablets for him.

The tomb next to the Wu Hou Shrine was piled with various offerings, and since the burial, the incense had been constant.

Xiao Jinghong being able to become the Prince of Chengdu was also for this reason.

But that was as far as it went.

With the Cheng Jianxian dead, the Cheng family was similarly dissatisfied with him...

Inside the Donggong hall, the candlelight was dim.

Because there were no palace maids to clean, many places were covered in dust, and the cracks that appeared due to the earthquake had not been repaired to this day.

The cold wind blew in with a *whoosh*, and the candlelight flickered unsteadily.

In the great hall, there was only Xiao Jinghong.

His expression was gloomy, holding the blood-stained robe of the Commandery Princess when she died, sitting alone on the throne, silently watching the bright moon outside the window.

The candlelight flickered, and his face was also bright and dark...

Also looking up at the bright moon was Li Yan.

By the Jinjiang, a Long Numiao had already been built.

Li Yan had promised to help the Dragon Lady gather incense and build a temple.

These days, he had been busy with this matter.

Originally, building a temple was not that simple; not only did it require the consent of the Imperial Court and the orthodox Mystic Sect, but the local common people also had to be convinced.

But after the battle at the Wang Gong, none of these were problems.

Ling Yunzi of the Qingcheng Sect handled this matter personally, holding the Sect Leader's order, performed a grand ritual, and the Yamen also obtained the Imperial Court's edict, officially conferring upon her the title of "Bibo Zhaoling Yuanjun."

The matter of helping people resolve curses in Chengdu Prefecture also spread widely.

In a short period of time, the Long Numiao already had flourishing incense.

The common people were not stupid; they knew there was a true god in the temple, so they naturally worshipped devoutly, hoping that this Dragon Lady would protect Chengdu with favorable weather and fewer disasters.

It was already late at night, and the surroundings of the Dragon Lady Shrine were quiet and deserted.

Wang Daoxuan and the others all walked out and stood by Li Yan's side.

"Can we really go in?"

Sha Lifei was full of excitement, his voice trembling.

They were not working for nothing this time.

The reward promised by the Dragon Lady was the treasure of the Dragon Palace Water Mansion.

"Of course we can."

Li Yan laughed dumbly, "I'm just afraid you won't be able to carry it..."

*Splash, splash! *

Before he could finish his words, the water waves in the Jinjiang surged.

Thick white fog spread from the center of the water, quickly permeating the shore and enveloping everyone.

Li Yan and the others immediately sat cross-legged and soon entered a dream...

(End of chapter)