Chapter 761: The Twenty-Seventh Year of Hongguang

Inside the Hall of Cultivating the Heart, Ye Ze roughly outlined the relevant matters for the Blue Patrol Pavilion referendum on March 1st.

The Emperor will not be in attendance at that time, but the Pavilion Masters of the Supervisory Pavilion and the Stop-Goe Pavilion will both be present.

Furthermore, the referendum ceremony on that day will be personally presided over by the Chief Grand Secretary, Ye Ze.

After the twenty-three members of the Blue Patrol Pavilion are elected, the Grand Marshal of the Military Council, Wen Ren Zheng, will personally bestow upon these twenty-three individuals the jade tablets that symbolize their status!

With the Chief Grand Secretary presiding, the God of War presiding over the proceedings, and the Pavilion Masters of the Supervisory Pavilion and the Stop-Goe Pavilion present as witnesses, such a standard is already extremely high.

For many people in the Jianghu, March 1st can absolutely be considered the peak of their personal reputation!

After Ye Ze finished his introduction, the Emperor, who was sitting in the main seat, put down the booklet in his hand.

He looked at Ye Ze:

"The Blue Patrol Pavilion is to be set up with twenty-three members and patrol groups, but no Pavilion Master?"

Ye Ze: "Your subject intends to leave the position of Pavilion Master vacant for now."

"Why?"

"The Blue Patrol Pavilion is being established to strengthen control over the Jianghu and powerful local clans across the various regions. At this stage, even if twenty-three members are elected, they may not truly command respect within their own provinces, let alone across the entire nation. Under such circumstances, selecting a Pavilion Master would merely be for show."

"Then in your opinion, when would it be appropriate to select a Pavilion Master?"

"Your subject believes that when someone appears who can make the entire Jianghu submit, that is when a Pavilion Master can be selected."

Upon hearing this, Li Fei, who was to the side, felt a stir in his heart.

He immediately recalled the first sentence Ye Ze said to him after they met that night:

"Have you ever thought about becoming the person in the future whose single word can decide the affairs of the Jianghu?"

So this was where that 'pie in the sky' was meant to land?

"Make the entire Jianghu submit?"

The Emperor glanced at Li Fei inadvertently, "That is no easy task. What if such a person never appears?"

"Then the position of Blue Patrol Pavilion Master shall remain vacant indefinitely."

Ye Ze said.

The Emperor looked at Wen Ren Zheng on the other side: "What does the Grand Marshal think?"

Even though Wen Ren Zheng had restrained his aura, sitting there, he still resembled a towering mountain:

"Your subject believes the Chief Grand Secretary is correct. If one cannot command respect, forcing the selection of a Pavilion Master would only be a joke."

This tone was mixed with the scent of iron and blood from the battlefield, making Li Fei feel as if he could hear the sounds of gold-clashing weapons and galloping horses.

"Then let it be so for now."

The Emperor made the final decision.

Then he picked up another booklet on the table beside him and, while flipping through it, said:

"Grand Marshal, speak about your memorial."

"Yes."

Wen Ren Zheng's expression was solemn; even when reporting official business, it was as if he were going into battle to kill the enemy, his tone stern and murderous:

"According to the contribution point system for the Blue Patrol Pavilion established by the Chief Grand Secretary, taking Qi-Transformation stage martial artists as an example, for every early-stage Qi-Transformation martial artist recommended by local consultants to join the military, 100 contribution points can be earned; if a mid-stage Qi-Transformation strength-refining martial artist is recommended to join the military, 200 contribution points can be earned. If an individual has special talent or combat power, the contribution points can be increased based on specific circumstances. Your subject has written the relevant details in the memorial."

Upon hearing this, Li Fei could not help but suddenly realize.

No wonder Wen Ren Zheng would personally bestow the jade tablets upon the twenty-three members of the Blue Patrol Pavilion later on; it turns out the Blue Patrol Pavilion has a connection with the military!

Li Fei had originally been wondering if it was giving too much face for someone of Wen Ren Zheng's status to bestow jade tablets upon a group of martial arts masters.

Now he understood.

It turns out that Ye Ze's creation of the Blue Patrol Pavilion actually included the intention to strengthen the military power of the Great Lan Dynasty!

Consultants of the Blue Patrol Pavilion have a certain quota every year to exchange for cultivation resources from the imperial court.

And besides the fixed quota, members of the Blue Patrol Pavilion can also use contribution points to directly exchange for resources and secret manuals.

As for the methods of obtaining contribution points, Ye Ze only mentioned one just now: reporting illegal and disciplinary violations.

This is already the primary work of the Blue Patrol Pavilion; Ye Ze linked it to contribution points to entice people, thereby stimulating everyone's enthusiasm.

Those top-tier major powers might not look down upon the cultivation resources provided by the imperial court, but these resources are still very attractive to other forces.

It could even be said that many forces have never been able to compare with those top-tier major powers precisely because of a lack of resources.

This move by the imperial court is no different from giving these forces a chance to change their fate!

And besides reporting illegal and disciplinary violations, Ye Ze also provided a second way to obtain contribution points, which is what Wen Ren Zheng is saying right now—recommending martial artists to join the military.

For a long time, there have been three models for the imperial court to cultivate martial artists:

Cultivation by local martial arts halls, cultivation by the twelve universities, and cultivation by the Military Council itself.

And apart from the martial artists cultivated by the Military Council itself, the vast majority of martial artists coming out of the first two methods choose to join the local Stop-Goe Courts or the local city guards.

Because those places have more perks and life is easier.

As for the border troops, they guard bitter and cold places with no perks to be gained, life is arduous, and the danger is greater.

So not many people are willing to go.

Whenever there is a major war, the Military Council needs to have the Stop-Goe Pavilion temporarily conscript martial artists to fight with the army.

Under this model, the martial artists fighting with the army lack daily training and have no experience in coordinating with the military, so they are naturally inferior to those who have stayed in the military for a long time.

Now that Ye Ze has created the Blue Patrol Pavilion, Jianghu forces, powerful clans, and aristocratic families everywhere can recommend martial artists to join the military in exchange for contribution points.

Besides being able to exchange for resources, contribution points also directly affect an individual's say within the Blue Patrol Pavilion.

This move by Ye Ze is clearly telling the entire Jianghu: whoever contributes the most to the imperial court, the imperial court is willing to support them as the leader of the Jianghu!

First, there was the elevation of the status of Buddhism, letting Pudu Temple and the world's Buddhist sorcerers refine evil artifacts for the imperial court.

Now, profits are being shared with the Jianghu to absorb Jianghu forces into the military.

This series of actions can be described as interlocking.

This made Li Fei think of the New Heaven Society.

The New Heaven Society wanted to stir up chaos in the Great Lan Dynasty by using the case of the assassination of the Emperor, but looking at it now, it seems like they are helping Ye Ze push forward his 'Blue Patrol Pavilion Plan'.

If it weren't for the shock to the court and the public caused by the three major cases, Ye Ze wouldn't have been able to push this plan forward so quickly and smoothly.

Thinking of this, Li Fei's admiration for this Chief Grand Secretary grew a bit more.

This tactic of using one force to strike another is indeed formidable.

Next, the Emperor chatted a few words about Wen Ren Zheng's memorial and consulted Ye Ze's opinion, ultimately approving it as well.

Then Ye Ze and Wen Ren Zheng took their leave, and only Li Fei, this one official, remained in the Hall of Cultivating the Heart.

"Li Fei."

The Emperor finally called Li Fei's name.

"Your subject is here."

Li Fei did not continue sitting but honestly stood up to salute.

The Emperor looked at him without telling him to sit down.

Li Fei suddenly had the feeling that he had been seen through, almost subconsciously activating his Flying Sword Body, and a layer of faint golden light enveloped the surface of his body.

The Emperor watched this scene calmly, and only after a few seconds did he speak:

"Is this the 'Refining the Body into a Weapon' of Bai Zihao?"

Li Fei restrained the golden light on his body, recovered from the sword state, and said truthfully:

"Yes, your subject is practicing the top-grade Flying Sword Body recorded in the secret manual."

"Has the Dao foundation been balanced?"

"Yes."

"Using techniques to refine martial arts, merging law and martial arts into one—even Lin Tianyi could not achieve such cultivation. You have done very well."

The Emperor's tone softened.

Upon hearing this, Li Fei also relaxed and cupped his hands:

"I am fortunate not to have failed the mission, and I hope I have not disappointed Your Majesty."

The Emperor did not comment on this, only saying:

"Sit."

After Li Fei sat down, he continued:

"I am already aware of last night's events. Did Lou Hongtao inform you of the inside story?"

Li Fei: "Pavilion Master Lou told your subject about the Military Council and the Supervisory Pavilion secretly trading martial arts secret manuals and resources with Western countries."

"What is your opinion?"

"Your subject does not understand the major affairs of the military and the state; your subject only knows that someone is secretly trying to harm your subject."

Hearing this, the Emperor's gaze on Li Fei became a bit heavier:

"Regarding the trade with the Western continent, blocking is not as good as channeling, which is why the Military Council and the Supervisory Pavilion intervened.

But once the trade begins, many things are no longer under control. You happened to catch someone trading top-tier Dao foundations and peerless-level martial arts with the Western continent this time, but little do you know that others may have already traded long ago."

Li Fei remained silent; he understood the Emperor's meaning.

In fact, he had already figured it out after listening to the inside story Lou Hongtao told him early this morning:

Since the Military Council and the Supervisory Pavilion have already personally entered the game, how could they hide it from everyone? If the imperial court's own shadow is not straight, how can it strictly demand it of others?"

Since the imperial court itself is trading with the Western continent, it is very difficult to be fair in this matter.

If it were just punishing some small forces, that would be one thing, but among the forces that can produce top-tier Dao foundations, which one is simple?

If one really wants to make a big deal out of it and punish them severely for treason, aren't they afraid that others will directly drag the Military Council and the Supervisory Pavilion into the water?

At that time, the one who would lose the most would certainly be the imperial court.

That is why Li Fei just said he does not understand state affairs; what he cares about is someone secretly plotting to harm him.

"You are a high official of the imperial court, the Marquis of Jing'an personally enfeoffed by Me. You do not care about state affairs, yet you only care about your personal safety?"

The Emperor asked in a cold tone.

Li Fei immediately felt a suffocating and terrifying pressure!

His Flying Sword Body was triggered, and he entered the Sword State: Golden Body and Jade Marrow directly, stimulating his strongest defensive power as a faint layer of golden light appeared on his skin once again.

But this time, Li Fei felt that his pride-and-joy Sword State was like a piece of white paper, ready to be torn apart at any moment!

This was the first time he had intuitively felt the power of the Son of Heaven.

Vast, towering, high above, and full of majesty!

Previously, everything he had felt from this Ninth-Five Supreme before him was appreciation and favor, regard and admiration; he had never felt the wrath of the Son of Heaven.

Bearing this terrifying pressure, he rose from his seat bit by bit, struggling to stand up straight:

"Your subject knows his error."

Watching the young man before him who still struggled to keep his back straight under his terrifying pressure, the Emperor suddenly understood the mindset of the Founding Emperor.

In the past, the Founding Emperor possessed great talent and strategy, with a cultivation base reaching the peak of the Martial Saint realm.

In the end, he swept across the six directions and unified the Eastern Continent; besides his personal martial prowess, the group of fierce generals under his command also contributed significantly.

At that time, there were several fierce generals who could be called unruly and rebellious, often contradicting even the Founding Emperor.

The Founding Emperor was sometimes very annoyed by these men, but he still entrusted them with important tasks, and in the end, his appreciation for them remained greater.

Now, the Emperor had a similar feeling toward Li Fei.

He withdrew his pressure:

"Do you know why I enfeoffed you as the Marquis of Jing'an?"

The pressure suddenly vanished, and Li Fei almost lost his footing.

His body swayed, and he managed to speak:

"Your Majesty hopes that your subject can eliminate violence, stop conflict, and bring peace to the world."

"Not bad, bring peace to the world!"

A smile finally appeared on the Emperor's face, "It seems you are not completely ignorant."

After saying this, he walked straight toward the outside of the great hall, actually leaving directly.

Li Fei stood stunned in place, not understanding what this meant.

A few seconds later, Feng Cheng walked into the great hall with a eunuch.

The eunuch following behind him held a wooden box that looked somewhat heavy.

"Marquis of Jing'an."

"Eunuch Feng."

"This is the information His Majesty specifically ordered to be prepared for you."

"What kind of information is it?"

"First-class secrets of the Military Affairs Office."

"Ah?"

Li Fei was stunned, not expecting this answer.

Feng Cheng took the wooden box from the eunuch, personally handed the box to Li Fei, and instructed:

"This information can only be read in this hall. After you finish reading, I will have someone come to collect it."

"Very well, thank you, Eunuch Feng."

Li Fei thanked him.

"Then I shall not disturb the Marquis of Jing'an further."

Feng Cheng left with the eunuch.

Inside the great hall, only Li Fei remained.

Li Fei sat back in his original seat and opened the wooden box.

Inside were several booklets without covers, as well as some letters.

Li Fei picked up the top booklet, opened it, and was somewhat surprised after a glance.

This booklet recorded the war in the twenty-seventh year of Hongguang when the Seven-Nation Alliance attacked the Great Lan Dynasty!

Regarding that past war, Li Fei had not found detailed records in middle school, at the Martial Arts Academy, or at the Wu'an University.

All the information he could find consisted of only a few scattered sentences; he only knew that in the end, ten thousand Great Lan Iron Cavalry defeated the one hundred and twenty thousand Western Alliance forces outside Lanling City.

He knew nothing of the other details.

Now, the book in Li Fei's hand recorded in detail the entire process of that war from beginning to end:

January 4th, the twenty-seventh year of Hongguang, the Great Lan Dynasty had just finished celebrating the New Year.

A large number of ships suddenly landed on the west coast, and squads of soldiers holding firearms disembarked.

The total number of invading Western Alliance forces was one hundred and sixty thousand, among whom nearly twenty thousand were transcendents!

For this battle, the seven Western nations had each dispatched at least one-fifth of their transcendents; it could be said they had sent out all their elites.

Besides this, there were heavy machine guns, mortars, howitzers, and airplanes!

The Great Lan Dynasty occupied the Central Plains region of the Eastern Continent and had deployed border troops in the east, south, and north, but only the west had none, because the west faced the sea.

Although the Western Continent had been discovered by that time and the two continents had been trading with each other for several years, the Great Lan Dynasty had never conceived the idea of launching a long-distance expedition to the Western Continent.

It was not because the Great Lan Dynasty lacked ambition at that time, but because the Great Lan Dynasty's maritime technology was still in a very primitive stage and could not possibly support a transoceanic expedition.

Likewise, the Great Lan Dynasty, which did not understand the technological level of the Western Continent at that time, judged others by itself and believed that the Western Continent could not possibly attack them either.

Therefore, no border troops were deployed in the west, and there was no border defense line.

When the Western Alliance forces landed, they encountered almost no resistance and easily captured several coastal cities.

The Great Lan Dynasty at that time was still in the cold weapon era; even with martial artists, martial artists of the Body-Breaking realm would be in mortal danger when facing the gunfire of a dozen guns in an open area.

Only martial artists at the middle stage of Qi Transformation who had cultivated internal power could barely block rifle fire, but many still could not withstand close-range rifle fire.

Furthermore, the Alliance's weapons were not just pistols and rifles; there were heavy machine guns, cannons, and even bombers!

Under these circumstances, the defense lines organized in the west of the Great Lan Dynasty collapsed almost at the first touch!

Even with Martial Dao Masters leading Dao-Foundation realm martial artists to carry out assassinations to kill the Alliance commanders, these people did not gain any advantage when encountering the transcendents of the Western Continent, and they were at a disadvantage in terms of numbers.

Moreover, among the Western Alliance forces, there were many Marquis-level powerhouses comparable to Martial Dao Masters, and above them were Duke-level powerhouses comparable to Grandmasters and several Princes!

Therefore, all the martial artists who went to assassinate were killed in battle, and no one succeeded.

In just one month, the one hundred and sixty thousand Western Alliance forces captured an entire province with fewer than one thousand casualties of their own.

PS: I am feeling unwell today, so I can only update a little; I will try to update more tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)