Zhang Yang persuaded Huo Zhu and the others, and left Linhai City immediately.
Before leaving.
Zhang Yang learned about the six imperial uncle families from Zhu Zhi's intelligence network.
Although they were not in Linhai City, they were not far from Linhai City.
At this moment.
The six imperial uncle families were in a small town next to Linhai City.
After all, the six imperial uncle families had mobilized their entire forces this time, and it was definitely not suitable for camping with their families and dependents.
They were numerous, so they had to take over the small town and all reside there.
When Zhang Yang arrived, he did not deliberately conceal his whereabouts, so he was seen by the guards of the six imperial uncle families immediately.
"Who is it! This town is prohibited from entering and exiting at night." The guard stopped Zhang Yang's advance.
"It's me, Zhang Yang." Zhang Yang stopped and directly reported his name.
What!
Zhang Yang!
The guards were all greatly alarmed upon hearing this.
They had heard of the reputation of the King of Jiangnan, Zhang Yang.
The guards were very surprised how Zhang Yang knew they were here!
"What are you doing here?" the guard asked.
"I have something to discuss with the six old ancestors. Please inform them of my arrival." Zhang Yang said straightforwardly.
Without any hesitation, he stated his purpose.
Someone from the guards immediately went to report the matter.
They watched Zhang Yang vigilantly, their faces tense.
Although Zhang Yang had resigned from the position of King of Jiangnan, his own strength was formidable, and they were still very afraid.
His sudden appearance here must have been due to some leaked information.
It was even more likely, as rumored in the imperial city, that Zhang Yang truly had deep ties with Linhai City.
Otherwise, why would he be near Linhai City?
Soon.
The guard who went to report returned, accompanied by the old ancestors of the six imperial uncle families.
Upon hearing that Zhang Yang was coming, they did not dare to delay and came personally.
"Zhang Yang, how did you know we were here?" Ancestor Shangguan asked.
The other ancestors also nodded at Zhang Yang and greeted him.
They did not have much conflict with Zhang Yang themselves, so they were not enemies.
"Heh heh, Old Ancestors, may I speak with you privately?" Zhang Yang smiled at them and then said.
The six ancestors exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Alright, then please come in with us."
Zhang Yang nodded and followed the six ancestors into the town.
Although.
The six ancestors were curious about Zhang Yang's purpose for coming, they did not guard against him.
After all, they all knew Zhang Yang's strength. If he had truly intended to make a move, he would have done so at the town entrance.
He wouldn't have waited until now.
Soon.
Zhang Yang followed the six ancestors to a room.
After being seated, Zhang Yang did not delay and said directly.
"Six Old Ancestors, I won't be polite. I have something to discuss with you today."
"Zhang Yang, please say whatever you need to say. Although our past actions were somewhat unfair to you, we still cherish our friendship." Ancestor Shangguan stated.
"Yes, we were forced to do what we did back then. It was all the Emperor's command." Ancestor Huang family said.
"Alas... we dare not disobey the Emperor's words, otherwise we wouldn't have to bring our families and dependents to this small town." Ancestor Huangfu said.
The other ancestors also complained.
Their bringing their families and dependents to Linhai City this time was all out of necessity.
No one knew what the outcome would be if they disobeyed the Emperor's orders.
Although coming to Linhai City was a near-death experience, it was better than certain death in the imperial city, and being passively subjected to danger.
And Zhang Yang, upon hearing their complaints, was even more delighted.
It seemed that these six ancestors did not have a good impression of the Emperor, which would be more conducive to his persuasion tonight.
Then.
Zhang Yang said.
"Six Old Ancestors, then I won't beat around the bush. I'm actually here today to tell you a secret."
The six ancestors were stunned and looked at Zhang Yang curiously.
"What secret?"
"The current Emperor may not be the real Emperor; he is an imposter." Zhang Yang said.
As soon as these words were spoken.
The six ancestors shot up from their seats.
Their faces were filled with shock.
"Zhang Yang, is what you're saying true? Do you have any evidence?" Ancestor Shangguan asked seriously.
"Yes, Zhang Yang, such jokes cannot be made. We have been in the imperial city all along. If the Emperor were an imposter, we shouldn't have failed to discover it." Ancestor Huang family said.
"That's right, can you provide evidence? Or do you want to use this excuse to sow discord among us?" Ancestor Huangfu asked.
The other ancestors also looked at Zhang Yang, hoping he could produce some evidence.
After all.
They had already suspected that the Emperor was fake when the Emperor ordered them to leave the imperial city for Linhai City.
Now that even Zhang Yang said so, they were even more suspicious.
If Zhang Yang could provide evidence, then they would not have to obey the Emperor's orders to attack Linhai City this time!
However.
To their great anticipation, Zhang Yang shook his head.
"I have no evidence. This is all our own speculation. My father, Zhang Yingxiong, told me..."
"..."
Then, Zhang Yang told the six ancestors about Zhang Yingxiong and the other ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia.
After listening.
The six ancestors were even more astonished.
They knew that the five ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia were still alive.
Because the Emperor had been asking them to help find people!
Vaguely.
The six ancestors began to believe what Zhang Yang said.
They also seemed to understand why the Emperor wanted them to find the five ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia!
It was probably for this reason!
"Zhang Yang, do your father and the other ministers of the Five Dragons of Huaxia have any evidence?" Ancestor Shangguan asked.
"No. If I had evidence, I would have clashed with the Emperor in the imperial city that day." Zhang Yang said with a wry smile.
"This matter is all speculation by my father and the others, but I don't think they would speak without basis. Given the sacrifices the Five Dragons of Huaxia made for the world back then, they would definitely not speak carelessly."
Zhang Yang looked at the six ancestors seriously.
The six ancestors fell into deep thought. They had witnessed the contributions of the Five Dragons of Huaxia firsthand.
They did everything themselves, unlike them who only slacked off.
Such a force dedicated to the country would indeed not joke about the Emperor being an imposter.
Otherwise, the world would surely be in chaos.
But...
Without evidence, they still couldn't believe it was true.
After all, they had been in the imperial city all along and had some understanding of the Emperor's temperament and lifestyle.
If the Emperor was an imposter, how could he have managed to be the same as before?
Even his habits and daily routines were the same!
"Then what do you mean by coming to us today?"
After thinking for a long time, the six ancestors could not make up their minds, so they put the matter aside and asked Zhang Yang about his purpose for coming.
"I came to you today to seek your help. It's not just me who knows that the Emperor is an imposter. Elder Zhu Zhi, a descendant of King Ming, and the Beast King of Zhenxi also know."
"So I want you to join us and join the ranks of those opposing the Emperor."
Zhang Yang had barely finished speaking when the six ancestors immediately retorted.
"You want us to join you, and with the descendants of King Ming? We cannot do this. Even if the Emperor is fake, what would happen if we joined forces with the descendants of King Ming?"
"It was hard-won to establish this empire, and we finally drove out the descendants of King Ming. Now you want us to join forces with them. Even if the Emperor is fake, what happens to the empire after we deal with the fake Emperor? Who will the empire belong to?"
Hearing this.
Zhang Yang smiled.
It was too early to consider the ownership of the empire when the Emperor had not even been dealt with yet.
Although Zhang Yang had never mentioned this matter to Zhu Zhi, he believed that with Zhu Zhi's personality, as long as they were given a place to survive.
Whether they wanted the empire or not would be the same.
After all, Zhang Yang was already completely familiar with the conduct of the descendants of King Ming.
"You don't need to worry about this matter. The ownership of the empire can be discussed after we find the real Emperor."
"Besides, isn't it too early for you to consider this? The current fake Emperor is already making you struggle to breathe. Otherwise, why would you obey the Emperor's orders and come to Linhai City to die?"
"Six Old Ancestors, to be honest with you, you know the strength of the descendants of King Ming. Isn't the Emperor's action of sending you here somewhat like killing people to silence them?"
"After all, paper can never wrap fire. You are witnesses to the Emperor's rise to power. If the current Emperor is an imposter, he will eventually be exposed over time."
"So, for safety's sake, if you all die, no one will ever know this secret?" Zhang Yang said with a smile.
This...
After listening, the six ancestors fell silent.
Zhang Yang was right. They were all in dire straits now.
Why bother considering the empire?
Even their own family members were almost forced to death by the Emperor.
"Even so, we still cannot accept joining forces with the descendants of King Ming," Ancestor Shangguan said solemnly.
"That's right, at the very least, you can find evidence that the Emperor is an imposter, otherwise, we have no way to convince our clansmen," Ancestor Huang family added.
"We need a reason, a reason to resist," Ancestor Huangfu added.
Hearing this.
Zhang Yang smiled.
He knew that the six ancestors had wavered, but they were still lacking a good reason.
And Zhang Yang had this reason!
"Six Old Ancestors, don't rush. I have another secret to tell you."
"Do you know what happened in the Western Border last night? Last night, the number one general of the Guma Kingdom, Bulongduo, led fifty thousand elite gladiators to attack the Western Border!"
"However, they did not succeed. They were all killed by me and the Beast King of Zhenxi!"
What!?
As soon as these words were spoken.
The six ancestors were completely shocked.
The Guma Kingdom had always been their strongest rival!
Especially Bulongduo, he was a formidable opponent, the number one general of the Guma Kingdom, a renowned Yuanfu realm expert!
"You said you and the Beast King of Zhenxi killed Bulongduo? And fifty thousand gladiators?"
The six ancestors exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course. If you don't believe me, I have photos here."
As he spoke, Zhang Yang took out photos from his phone, which were of Bulongduo being subdued and his dead body.
Seeing this, the six ancestors couldn't help but swallow.
"It really is Bulongduo. You actually killed them!"
"My heavens, Bulongduo's strength is immense, even reaching the fifth or sixth star of the Yuanfu realm. How did you kill him?"
The six ancestors looked at Zhang Yang in astonishment.
"Heh heh, fifth or sixth star, not very strong." Zhang Yang smiled mysteriously, but did not reveal his own cultivation level.
But the more he acted like this, the more the six ancestors were alarmed.
They knew the strength of the Beast King of Zhenxi.
He had only recently broken through to the Yuanfu realm, so even if he was powerful, he would only be at the second or third star.
But Bulongduo was fifth or sixth star. The gap was not small. This could only mean that the person who killed Bulongduo was Zhang Yang!
Immediately.
The gaze of the six ancestors towards Zhang Yang changed.
It became completely different.
"You kid, you've been hiding your strength quite well. No wonder you could leave the Shennong Gorge alive," the six ancestors sighed.
Wait!
Suddenly.
They thought of something.
Last night, many planes flew to Linhai City.
Could it be...
"Did the Beast King of Zhenxi and the Beast King Army also come to Linhai City?" the six ancestors asked.
Zhang Yang nodded, and then said.
"Yes, they all came. This is the main point I wanted to talk about."
Earlier, the six ancestors' focus was on Bulongduo, and they had overlooked the reason why the Guma Kingdom would send Bulongduo.
"Old Ancestors, have you considered a question? As the number one general of the Guma Kingdom, Bulongduo, it is reasonable to invade the Western Border without him personally appearing."
"But why did the Guma Kingdom let Bulongduo personally take action? And the timing of his action was just shortly after the Beast King of Zhenxi defied the imperial decree?"
"Don't you find it strange?"
This!
Zhang Yang did not directly reveal it, leaving more possibilities for the six ancestors to think about themselves.
Back then.
The Beast King of Zhenxi publicly defied the imperial decree for attacking Jiangnan City, and later made a grand gesture of apology with a thorny branch.
This made it impossible for the Emperor to kill him.
However, afterwards, the six ancestors also heard the Emperor mention that the Beast King of Zhenxi must be eliminated.
So they believed even more than Zhang Yang that Bulongduo was indeed sent by the Emperor!
"I never expected this, truly never expected it."
"The Emperor has such a deep connection with the Guma Kingdom!"
"Logically speaking, the relationship between the two countries is not good. Coupled with the Emperor's arrogant personality, he would never let the Guma Kingdom help him eliminate the Beast King of Zhenxi."
"It seems that the possibility of the Emperor being an imposter is very, very high!"
"That's right, everyone, don't forget one thing. Last night, the Emperor suddenly changed his mind and told us to stay and wait for him! He must have known that Bulongduo and the others were dead, and learned that the Beast King of Zhenxi was in Linhai City, which is why he told us not to act first!"
The six ancestors looked at each other, each stating their thoughts.
In response.
Zhang Yang did not say anything.
But he knew that the six ancestors had believed him.
Then, Zhang Yang struck while the iron was hot and said.
"Six Old Ancestors, I have said what I needed to say. I came with sincerity tonight. I stopped Zhu Zhi and the others and planned to persuade you first."
"Otherwise, with their personalities, they would have already made a move against you. Even if you were careful, you would have been discovered. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found you so easily."
"Now, it is time for you to make a choice."