Chapter 196: Wen Gu is my nemesis!

Those with the channels and means to receive such news all have family foundations and connections; the news simply cannot be contained.

But the Du Family expressed their stance, and a clear "prohibition" was just telling them:

I cannot control what you do in private, but you cannot discuss it openly! Do not break the rules!

Once some matters are brought out into the sun and discussed openly, the situation becomes difficult to control.

Right now, Xinzhou has only taken the first step, and it is not as if it can be completely cured; there are still time restrictions, and what happens later is yet unknown! The wealthy families remaining in Jizhou, whatever they want to do, had best weigh things carefully first!

Before the incoming merchant caravans bring more shocking news, the Du Family also declared that the divine doctors and Master they support have likewise made gratifying progress! It is not just the Du Clan; the other factions are all the same. Regardless of the actual facts, progress is progress, so first stabilize the hearts of the people! Although those fanning the flames and spreading rumors were suppressed by the Du Family using forceful means, the restlessness underneath has not ceased.

This day, the Head of the Family of the Du Family quietly arrived at a mountain.

There were guards stationed at the foot of the mountain, and there were no clear paths on the mountain, but in hidden places, there were winches and zip lines; wanting to go up the mountain or transport goods was done through tools like hanging baskets and hoisting cradles. Seen from below, this mountain was not conspicuous.

Jizhou has many mountains and many strange rocks; people coming to Jizhou focus their attention elsewhere and would not notice this place.

Outsiders do not know that the summit of this mountain is flat and has houses built upon it.

In earlier times, it was a place inhabited by mountain bandits; this location was easy to defend and hard to attack, with strong concealment.

But later, when the salt brine and Well Fire of Jizhou were discovered, someone wiped out the mountain bandits and seized this treasure land.

Centuries have passed, and this area on the mountain fell into the hands of the Du Family.

The buildings on the mountain were also built to be more imposing and luxurious.

However, it is not the She Family living on the mountain now.

The Head of the Family of the Du Family used a hanging basket like a carriage to go up the mountain, and the small building complex appeared before his eyes.

Passing through corridors guarded by layers of sentries, he arrived in front of a house.

Inside, a young man stood by the window, holding a letter and looking it over.

The young man wore a set of brown casual clothes; at first glance, they seemed elegant and simple, restrained and subtle, but if one observed carefully, one would discover the fabric was extremely exquisite, with complex and magnificent patterns embroidered in dark thread; if one's status did not reach a certain level, one truly could not use such things!

The Head of the Family of the Du Family walked over and performed a salute: "Your Highness!"

The young man in the room was none other than the ninth son of the late Emperor, Prince Yong.

But there was not much respect on the face of the Head of the Family of the Du Family; it was more like the social etiquette between equals.

Seeing this, the guard beside Prince Yong stared, silently rebuking him with "You are rude!"

The expression of the Head of the Family of the Du Family did not change.

He was quite respectful to Prince Yong at first, but later, the differences between the two grew larger and larger. After establishing a faction and carving out a territory, he tasted the flavor of power, and it was inevitable that he would have some other thoughts. However, at the current stage, both sides were still in a cooperative relationship. Otherwise, he would not have performed that salute just now!

Prince Yong turned around at this moment, his eyes full of gloom.

He was in a terrible mood right now, and his attention was not on the behavior of the Head of the Family of the Du Family just now; he had not noticed it at all.

What Prince Yong was thinking about right now was entirely the content of the *Xinzhou Times*, and the changes it would bring.

"Jizhou is unstable?" Prince Yong said.

The Head of the Family of the Du Family was not surprised that the other party was well-informed. Prince Yong also had flying messengers to transmit letters; even if the news was delayed, it would not be by much.

"The roads are a bit restless, but it has been temporarily suppressed," the Head of the Family of the Du Family said.

Prince Yong looked over with a sneer: "When you made a move against the Bai Family back then, you should have wiped out the entire Bai Family along with it!"

Just cook up some accident, set a fire, and eradicate the entire Bai Family to eliminate future trouble! There wouldn't be today's trouble!

The Head of the Family of the Du Family said: "The Bai Family is a large family after all. After Master Bai Zi passed away, they also behaved very honestly, so it was inconvenient to act immediately." Or rather, the Bai Family disguised themselves too well at the time and acted too uselessly, lowering everyone's guard, and everyone was single-mindedly focused on carving up the resources of the Bai Family. Who could have imagined that the Bai Family could actually cause so much trouble! It was even highly likely that they had already hooked up with Xinzhou!

The Head of the Family of the Du Family felt stifled just thinking about it!

Facing this sneering look from Prince Yong, the Head of the Family of the Du Family was also very unhappy.

He thought to himself: How much better are you than me?

Previously, Prince Yong acted without authorization and planned an assassination attempt against Zhao Shaozhu, which not only failed but instead provoked retaliation from Xinzhou, and they still had to have the Du Family stand in front to take the blame? The Head of the Family of the Du Family thought: I only underestimated one Bai Family, but you offended the entire Xinzhou!

If it weren't for the fact that there were no conditions for war, the armies of both sides would have already started fighting!

But it wasn't much better now.

Military force could not be used, but their important salt industry in Jizhou had suffered a major setback!

The two partners despised each other.

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat oppressive, and it was only after a long silence that it eased.

After all, their interests were tied together, and there were still matters to discuss.

The Head of the Family of the Du Family stated his purpose: "This time, I came to invite the Master beside Your Highness to preside over a sacrificial ceremony to pray to Heaven and bless the people, so as to stabilize the hearts of the people." There was more than one Master beside Prince Yong, each with their own strengths, and the Head of the Family of the Du Family was speaking of the one who was proficient in sacrificial rituals.

Regarding this, Prince Yong was very generous: "You may."

"Using sacrifices to calm the hearts of the people is indeed a good method," Prince Yong agreed, "As long as there are soldiers in hand, there is no need to worry about those noble families making too much of a scene." As for those lowly commoners at the bottom...

What do the lowly commoners understand?

They are easy to fool.

The two discussed for a while, and the Head of the Family of the Du Family took the Master given by Prince Yong down the mountain.

Although the Head of the Family of the Du Family did not think those lowly commoners had the guts to rebel right now, he still had people keep a closer watch, and if anyone showed a tendency to cause trouble, they were to be killed first. At the same time, he gathered supplies and deployed personnel to prepare for the prayer to Heaven as soon as possible, to hold a lively and grand Dharma Assembly.

The common people of Jizhou were indeed encouraged by the news announced one after another by the Du Family.

Compared to the news coming from distant Xinzhou, which was unknown whether it was true or false, coupled with the inferiority complex of the grassroots commoners regarding their own status, they were more willing to choose what was close at hand and pin their hopes on the worship of God and Buddha. The Du Family wanted to make a big show and hold a lively Dharma Assembly. The Head of the Family of the Du Family had the people of the family, including the women in the back courtyard, burn incense and worship gods more often recently to stir up the atmosphere! He also had the family disciples behave themselves recently and cause less trouble!

On the mountain, Prince Yong's mood was not very good.

The guards told him that the attitude of the Head of the Family of the Du Family was becoming increasingly disrespectful, but now was truly not the time to tear off the mask.

Before the chaotic times, he already had dealings with the Du Family.

Prince Yong had ambitions from a very early age.

He had many Masters by his side, but only one was respectfully called "Immortal Master" by him.

The Immortal Master once said to him: "Although there is a Crown Prince in the imperial court, the mandate of Heaven is not yet decided."

Prince Yong believed this very much.

The Crown Prince's position is unstable; among those adult imperial princes, who doesn't have the ambition to vie for it?

The family behind his birth mother had also long since begun to scheme.

The Immortal Master once said: "Heavenly fate is not immutable; it is in flux and is closely linked to the spiritual mountains and blessed lands between heaven and earth."

Thus, Prince Yong secretly sent men to search for those spiritual mountains and blessed lands imbued with destiny, and he discovered the Jinchan Ridge in Xinzhou.

Upon learning that the mountain cave within was vast and could store wealth, it was simply an unexpected joy!

He then believed even more in the Immortal Master's theory of "spiritual mountain destiny."

The Du Family was also secretly supporting Prince Yong, who was not famous but harbored hidden ambitions.

A Minister Xue almost ruined things, but fortunately, the matter was suppressed.

However, the undercurrents beneath the surface became increasingly turbulent. The situation among the imperial princes in the capital grew more and more delicate.

Prince Yong felt he saw an opportunity.

Who knew that the world would fall into chaos so quickly!

He had no time to make comprehensive arrangements and could only urgently seek a place of refuge.

Prince Yong went to consult the Immortal Master again.

He provided several options, and the Immortal Master chose Jizhou among them, stating: "The earth energy of the imperial capital has waned, but this place is filled with spiritual energy, winding and vast; it is a land of good fortune!" Once Prince Yong heard this, how could it not be so!

Jizhou has brine and Well Fire; its earth energy is absolutely flourishing!

There is also water here, which is favorable for water transport, so there is no need to worry about the transportation of goods.

The terrain also became a natural protective barrier, capable of blocking those mindless monsters.

It is indeed a land of good feng shui and an excellent place of refuge!

Thus, Prince Yong pushed the Du Family to seize Jizhou and take this blessed land of feng shui.

Jizhou also has a legend of a divine bird.

A long time ago, a scholar once traveled far to this place,

saw a divine bird covered in flames, and wrote a poem to praise it.

Before this, that scholar had been frustrated and unsuccessful, but after seeing the divine bird, his path in the imperial examinations was smooth, and he realized his lofty ambitions!

This matter is not a false rumor; at least the person involved was real, and that person's subsequent career rising to the clouds was also real!

After Prince Yong arrived in Jizhou, he immediately sent men to search for traces of the divine bird in order to absorb the spiritual beast's destiny.

The Immortal Master said that he was not directly stealing it, just borrowing it temporarily.

When the great cause succeeds in the future and he sits in a high position with dragon energy protecting his body, he will return the borrowed spiritual energy to the world.

"It is just borrowing it for a moment; it does not violate Heaven, so there is no need to worry about heavenly punishment."

This explanation from the Immortal Master completely relieved Prince Yong of his psychological burden.

Exactly!

I am just borrowing it, not refusing to return it; every time I perform a sacrifice, I give so many offerings!

"The Father of Heaven and Mother of Earth, and all the spirits and gods, they are all magnanimous; they will not haggle with me over such a small matter."

Prince Yong kept having people search for where the divine bird was in Jizhou.

Every mountain peak, valley, stone bridge, and small path related to birds was requested to be surveyed by a Master of geomancy.

But because Jizhou had legends of a divine bird in the past, many places were named in relation to birds. There were too many places, and after searching for a long time, the results were not satisfactory. Given the precedent of Jin Chan Ku, after surveying them once more, they selected those places on the mountains with strange rocks that resembled a divine bird to see if there were any wonders on the mountains. Since the Jinchan Ridge was found to be able to store treasure inside, then the place where this divine bird resides must have divine traces, right?

However, up to now, nothing has been discovered.

Prince Yong had no choice but to ask the Immortal Master to set up arrays and perform feng shui secret arts in those places where bird-shaped divine stones appeared.

Later, upon noticing that the Zhao Family was investigating missing military supplies, to prevent the Zhao Family from tracing the military supplies to the secret warehouse, he did not hesitate to sacrifice multiple secret agents and planned an attack, wanting to kill the Zhao Shaozhu to disrupt Xinzhou. A sure-win situation, yet it did not succeed!

It was actually broken by someone!

Although it is unknown exactly how the deadlocked situation was broken, based on the available information, it was indeed that Wen Gu who broke it.

Since then, Prince Yong felt that his luck was not very good.

"That Wen Gu is a jinx to me!"

Prince Yong only said it casually at the time, then had people continue to pay attention to the movements in Xinzhou and also keep an eye on this person, Wen Gu.

If it were not for performing a great service and gaining the absolute trust of the Zhao Family, it would be impossible for someone with Wen Gu's background to hold heavy power in the Patrol Guard Division.

Because Zhao Shaozhu was attacked, the Zhao Family conducted another cleanup of Xinzhou. The secret agents and pawns Prince Yong had buried in Xinzhou were lost one after another.

Although he felt a bit of heartache, it was only a little.

The buried secret agents were uprooted, and the death squads left in Xinzhou were all killed, but Pei Jun was also seriously injured!

Prince Yong felt that although his side suffered great losses, crippling one of the opponent's great generals was still very gratifying.

He originally thought that the Xinzhou side would be temporarily depressed.

However, what followed immediately was the excavation of the Jin Chan Ku main warehouse!

Prince Yong was simply furious when he found out!

That ferocious expression, with bloodshot eyes, looked as if he wanted to devour someone!

Later, he received news that the Zhao Family had renovated Jin Chan Ku.

The Immortal Master told Prince Yong: "The spiritual energy of Jin Chan Ku is flowing away; the wealth-guarding array has been broken, and the Zhao Family has an expert setting up arrays there. I am afraid that place can no longer be relied upon." The spiritual energy of the Jinchan flowing away meant that this spiritual beast could no longer bring him destiny!

Wanting to kill but unable to, Prince Yong made himself sick with anger for quite a while.

When lying on his sickbed, Prince Yong was still muttering: "Wen Gu is a jinx to me!"

Now, having just recovered from his illness, he received an urgent message and saw that copy of the Xinzhou Times.

He saw the names highlighted in the Xinzhou Times.

It was Wen Gu again, again, and again!

"He is a jinx to me!!"

Prince Yong truly feels now that Wen Gu is a jinx to him!

With one thing after another going poorly, Prince Yong deeply feels that his own fortune is being sapped.

The solution is either to kill Wen Gu immediately, or to hurry and find the Divine Bird to absorb its spiritual Qi and turn his luck around!

But it is not easy to kill Wen Gu right now; the manpower left over in Xinzhou is limited, and their abilities are limited. Conversely, Wen Gu is surrounded by experts and is cautious when traveling. For the time being, there is truly nothing that can be done to him.

If he wants to turn his luck around as quickly as possible, he might as well think about how to uncover the mystery of the Divine Bird.

Prince Yong irritably instructed his trusted aide beside him: "Send more men to search for traces of the Divine Bird! Whoever finds it first will be heavily rewarded! Offer a large bounty among the common people as well!" Of course, he had not done nothing regarding Wen Gu. He could not go to Xinzhou, but he chose another method of long-range attack.

Prince Yong summoned a Master to conspire in secret.

He brought out a traditional secret art that, from ancient times to the present, has been feared and dreaded by both imperial authority and the nobility alike—

Stabbing a straw effigy!