[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn":3,"chapter-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-72":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Thirteen Years as King of the Great Song, I Learned I Was the Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271767,4437,"Chapter 72: Control of the Four Routes","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-72",72,"\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Your Majesty, Wang Wen Gong has only a grandson as heir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Wen Gong was Wang Anshi, who had two sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Wang Pang, rose to Director of the Longtu Pavilion but died at thirty-three from illness in the ninth year of Xining. His second son, Wang Pang, succumbed to madness under pressure from his father and brother, slashed his own child to death with a knife, and died shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eldest daughter married Wu Anchi, Director of the Tianzhang Pavilion; his second daughter married Cai Bian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xu said: “A grandson is fine—as long as the family line continues. Extend my regards to them, to show the court has not forgotten the Wang family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti thought: “If I don’t meet them, nothing happens. But if I find relatives acting unlawfully and disgracing Wang Wen Gong’s name—what should I do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti blinked slightly, then smiled: “Prince Yan may decide as he sees fit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, at court, Zhao Xu issued an edict appointing Zhao Ti as Pacification Commissioner over the Four Routes: Jiangnan East, Jiangnan West, Zhe East, and Zhe West, to inspect Jiangnan and depart in three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pacification Commissioner was a temporary post during wartime or after major events, with authority over all military, civil, and administrative affairs in the assigned routes—immense power indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti returned to his mansion to prepare. At this time, the Ming Cult had risen in rebellion, which was detrimental to the New Policies; the old faction in court would seize the chance to stir trouble. Zhao Xu had the Wude Bureau’s Crimson Dragon Corps roaming the land, with excellent intelligence—they must have sensed something amiss with the Ming Cult, hence the idea of surveillance or suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong was still under house arrest at the Golden Wind Tower; the white-haired, white-browed elder had been transferred to the Infantry Command’s prison. That evening, Zhao Ti went to the tower and ordered Yang Yunchong brought before him for interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong, pale and disoriented, was dragged in by Hou San and Zhu Si. Upon seeing Zhao Ti, he collapsed to his knees with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said coolly: “Have you thought it through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong’s emotions were tangled—he hadn’t decided yet, yet somehow he had knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself: Now that I’ve lost all my cultivation, I’m useless. The sect won’t value me again. But I don’t want to die. And that white-browed elder has already defected. If he can, why can’t I? He’s a royal prince of the court. If I defect… perhaps I’ll truly gain wealth and honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This criminal… this criminal has come to his senses,” Yang Yunchong bowed his head. “I’m willing to serve Your Highness. But I’ve lost my cultivation—what use am I now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “The Ghost Fan Tower’s methods were crude—they know nothing about removing cultivation. If you serve well, you may yet recover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Recover?” Yang Yunchong froze. If this prince said it, perhaps he truly had a way to restore cultivation. His face lit with fervor: “Your Highness, if I can regain my power, I’ll do anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou San sneered beside him: “Are you that powerful? So eager to get it back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong hurriedly said: “I’m not that strong—but I need some cultivation to serve Your Highness properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti asked: “Tell me, what’s the name of that white-haired, white-browed elder? What’s his position in the Ming Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong blinked: “Didn’t Your Highness already know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The young master told you to speak—why all this nonsense?\" Zhu Si snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His name is Yin Mu Chang, the White Rainbow Sword. He’s a rogue within the sect.” Yang Yunchong frowned inwardly—could it be they suspected Yin Mu Chang lied and wanted him to verify? Yes, of course. To become a hound for the court isn’t easy. As the old saying goes: serving the sovereign is like serving a tiger. Serving a prince must be much the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yin Mu Chang… rogue…” Zhao Ti nodded. The Ming Cult is powerful; this journey south won’t be easy without guidance. Recruiting insiders who know the sect’s workings will save much trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is that young girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young girl? Your Highness, what young girl?” Yang Yunchong asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The one who was with Yin Mu Chang—roughly this appearance…” Zhao Ti gave a brief description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong shook his head: “Your Highness, I don’t recall. I don’t know who you mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou San said: “If you’ve defected, don’t hide anything—it benefits you nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong furrowed his brow, thinking hard, then said again: “Your Highness, there are many women in the sect. None are as easy to identify as Yin Mu Chang with his white hair and brows. I truly don’t know who you mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti pulled out the portrait drawn in the Duan Prince’s mansion and tossed it forward: “Recognize her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong took it, studied it for several breaths, then shook his head: “Your Highness, I’ve never seen her face. Her attire and style are unknown in the sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti said: “Didn’t you come to Dongjing to find her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong replied: “The sect wanted to establish a branch in Dongjing. Several teams were sent to investigate. My group wasn’t assigned to meet her. The sect’s divisions are meticulous—each team operates independently. Once they find a lead, they send word back, and then a Dharma King is dispatched to take command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who did you meet?” Zhao Ti frowned. He hadn’t expected the Ming Cult to be so meticulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t lie before. My contact lives in Biexie Alley—his name is Chen Bandao. He’s lived in Dongjing a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So only Yin Mu Chang knows who the girl in the portrait is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness said the two were together—likely so,” Yang Yunchong said cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Then come with me to the prison. Convince Yin Mu Chang.” Zhao Ti said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Yang Yunchong froze. Didn’t the man already defect? Why persuade him again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quickly, Young Master Yang!” Hou San said with a cold smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Si clamped a hand on his shoulder: \"Young Master Yang, stop daydreaming. From now on, serve the young master with all your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong gritted his teeth. Since he’d already defected, worrying about anything else was pointless. Do as told.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They left the mansion and headed straight for the Infantry Command Headquarters. The Imperial Guards Command had a prison outside the city, but since it lacked a Commander-in-Chief, it had long been abandoned. The Infantry and Cavalry Commands each built their own prisons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the prison, it was dim. Only Yin Mu Chang was held there, guarded by over a dozen jailers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was pale and sallow, his expression wracked with agony. For days, the Illusion Yin Qi had tormented him—unable to die, unable to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was still Zhao Ti’s lightest touch—only a trace of inner power. Otherwise, he’d be far worse off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the visitors beyond the bars, he widened his eyes—but his mouth made no sound. His meridians and acupoints were frozen by the Illusion Yin Qi, paralyzed and unresponsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou San took the keys from the jailer, unlocked the cell, and the group entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Mu Chang’s gaze first fixed on Zhao Ti, then landed on Yang Yunchong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong saw him bound to a wooden post, weak and furious, and felt a pang of guilt. He quickly lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti reached out and pressed his finger to Yin Mu Chang’s Tianchi Point. The faint Yin Qi within him seemed drawn by magnetism, instantly flowing toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That trace of Qi was much weaker than before—but not yet gone. When Zhao Ti took it away, Yin Mu Chang exhaled a long, relieved breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Si brought over a chair. Zhao Ti sat again by the prison gate: “Young Master Yang, persuade him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong looked up at Yin Mu Chang and forced a smile: “Master Yin, long time no see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Mu Chang glared at him, throat gurgling. After a long moment, he rasped: “Why betray the sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong took a deep breath: “Master Yin, there’s an old saying: those who understand the times are heroes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pah!” Yin Mu Chang spat a mouthful of blood directly onto Yang Yunchong’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong wiped it off with his sleeve and pressed on: “Master Yin, the ancients said: mastery of literature and martial arts is sold to the imperial house. The apricot blossoms on Yushan are blooming—don’t you miss returning? If you serve the Prince, you’ll regain your freedom at once. Wealth and honor are within reach. Why cling to the Ming Cult’s outlaws?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Mu Chang’s eyes bulged: “I’ll kill you, traitor!” He strained forward, chains clanging wildly—Yang Yunchong stumbled back a step in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Ti shook his head. It wasn’t that Yang Yunchong lacked eloquence—it was that Yin Mu Chang had not the slightest intention of surrendering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said coolly: “Remove his cultivation. As the Ghost Fan Tower removed yours—do the same to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yunchong knew this was his blood oath—he couldn’t refuse. He whispered: “Yes, Your Highness…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Zhao Ti had just finished breakfast when Zhou Dong arrived in haste: “Your Highness, a message has arrived from Dali.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1544,"2026-06-19T22:30:31.989Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bfe0c73602b4c4712e62ccfdc0130e0e2e02b216c98e7b211ac8a2b7d65fa9d4","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-73","thirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-chapter-71",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthirteen-years-as-king-of-the-great-song-i-learn-cover.jpg"]