"My Lord Prefect!"
"My Lord Prefect!"
Along the southwestern coast of Yizhou, under the Han Imperial Dynasty, Liu Hong was appointed as the Prefect of Yizhou. To gain a deeper understanding of the lives of the local people and the implementation and progress of the imperial court's policies, as well as the unresolved issues left by the previous prefect, Liu Hong, upon his arrival in Yizhou, immediately went down to the local areas for extensive tours. Su Dan Novel Network.
Today, the coast was calm. Liu Hong, accompanied by his retinue, was inspecting the situation along the coast. Not long after they began, they saw the sea swell in the distance, with several Azure Scaled Dragons churning on the surface at great speed, shouting as they went.
"It's the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe!"
"What's going on?"
Liu Hong looked out and saw several Azure Scaled Dragons hurrying across the sea, their speed suggesting extreme urgency.
"Hmm?"
The Azure Scaled Dragon tribe was ordered to lead the Han Imperial Dynasty's navy. The West Sea had long been thoroughly cleansed by the imperial army. For years, there had been no trouble. What was happening now?
Liu Hong, looking out at the sea, jokingly said to those behind him, "Has our General taken another wife and is holding a grand wedding banquet, inviting us all to share in the celebratory wine?"
"Ah!"
"Hahaha!"
Liu Hong burst into laughter. Liu Hong and Ao Qing had entered the imperial court on the same day. One was in charge of local administration, the other commanded a million-strong navy. Their relationship was quite deep.
Moreover, Ao Qing's reputation for taking many wives was already widely known among the Han officials. Everyone knew that while the commander of the Han navy might not be exceptional in military strategy, when it came to taking wives and indulging in lust, he surpassed all other generals of the Han Dynasty, with no one able to compete with him.
It was one thing for him to marry within his own tribe, but he did not let other tribes off the hook either. Pigs, cows, tigers – he had them all... and his children were all unique.
"My Lord Prefect, great trouble!"
The Azure Scaled Dragons, still far away, cried out urgently, drawing peals of laughter from Liu Hong and his entourage.
"My Lord Prefect, great trouble!"
"No rush, no rush. Speak slowly. When is your clan leader holding the wedding banquet?"
"We can prepare our congratulatory gifts early!"
Liu Hong stroked his beard, teasingly.
"No!"
"My Lord Prefect, months ago, our clan leader was ordered to the Eastern Wilderness Continent's Scarlet Night Imperial Dynasty to reclaim his ancestral lineage."
"Oh?"
Liu Hong frowned. It seemed he had misunderstood.
"A few days ago, the dragon scale left by our clan leader suddenly developed hairline cracks. This dragon scale is a reverse scale of my clan leader, connected to his life. Now that it's cracked, it's a sign of mortal peril!"
"Yesterday, this dragon scale displayed several lines of text, reading: 'The orthodox lineage is making a move, life is in danger, come quickly to the rescue!'"
"What?"
Liu Hong grabbed the Azure Scaled Dragon and his eyes blazed with ferocity. "You say Ao Qing has been captured and imprisoned by a clan of orthodox bloodline and is in mortal danger?"
Although the Han Imperial Dynasty had solidified its position as a top power in the Eastern Wilderness after the great battle in Chang'an City, when it truly came down to it, the other major powers might not necessarily give the Han Imperial Dynasty much regard.
The Han Dynasty possessed experts in the Venerable realm, but ultimately, it lacked a top-tier Venerable realm expert to preside over it. Without such an expert, who would take the Han Dynasty seriously?
Among the five top powers of the Eastern Wilderness Continent, each had emerged from the War of the Demon Race, fierce individuals forged in seas of blood. Of the six realms of the Eastern Wilderness, the Savage Realm was the most barren and weak. From the actions of the Blazing Cloud Cave in the Myriad Beasts Realm back then, it was evident that the Savage Realm was merely a place of exile for those who defied orders.
How strong could a place of exile truly be?
However, Ao Qing was a vital minister of the Han Dynasty, and this matter could not be delayed!
"Go, take my Prefect's decree, and send an urgent report to the Human Emperor!"
Ao Qing's capture and imprisonment was no longer a matter of a single tribe or a single martial artist; it had escalated to an issue between nations. Ao Qing was an official of the Han Dynasty, and his capture and imprisonment was an insult to the Human Emperor. The ruler is insulted, the minister dies!
This could not be taken lightly!
"Thank you, My Lord Prefect!"
...
"Reporting to the Human Emperor, the commercial empire controlled by the Ling family, in cooperation with the Brocade Guard and the Shadow Hall, which have infiltrated various powers, has gradually opened trade routes with the five top powers. All hidden branches have been established."
"Very good!"
Yang Hao smiled slightly. The coordinated efforts of the Brocade Guard's spies and the Shadow Hall, along with the shops spread across the entire Eastern Wilderness Continent, would not only provide further protection for the spies but also contribute to the Han Dynasty's commercial endeavors and enrich the national treasury.
"Reporting to the Human Emperor, the warriors of the myriad tribes of the Han Imperial Dynasty have all entered the academies and successfully converted their cultivation techniques. This is a detailed memorial for your perusal, Your Majesty!"
"Mmm!"
Yang Hao nodded. The drawbacks brought by the Five Yangs had finally been completely eliminated after several years of effort and significant expenditure of manpower, material, and financial resources. This allowed the warriors of the Han Dynasty to enter the path of orthodox martial arts, free from various constraints!
"Human Emperor, the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe has an urgent report!"
In the Xuanzheng Hall of the Han Imperial Palace in Chang'an City, Wei Zhongxian's expression was grave, and his tone was urgent.
"Hmm?"
Yang Hao looked at the somber expression of Wei Zhongxian and hesitated for a moment. What could have caused Wei Zhongxian such panic?
"Announce!"
"Announce, the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe is granted an audience!"
Wei Zhongxian strode to the outside of the hall and bellowed.
"Human Emperor, our clan leader went to the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe of the orthodox bloodline. Unexpectedly, the orthodox bloodline made a move, explicitly demanding that our clan leader lead the entire tribe to pledge allegiance to the Scarlet Night Imperial Dynasty. Our clan leader refused, and all were subsequently imprisoned. Soon, they will face the solemn tribal law!"
A disciple wailed with grief, crying loudly, "Human Emperor, our clan leader used the unique bloodline communication method of the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe to transmit this matter back to the clan."
"Human Emperor, the life and death of our clan leader are unknown. We implore Your Majesty, out of consideration for the hard work of the Azure Scaled Dragon tribe, to ensure our clan leader's safe return!"
"We beg the Human Emperor to dispense justice!"
"Orthodox Azure Scaled Dragon tribe, Scarlet Night Imperial Dynasty!"
Yang Hao murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. Since the Han Imperial Dynasty had ascended to the ranks of top powers, apart from the always friendly Blazing Cloud Cave, the other four top powers had continuously suppressed it.
To initiate a new era with the people, recuperate, and enhance the overall national strength of the Han Imperial Dynasty, as long as there was no large-scale invasion and no affront to their dignity, Yang Hao had turned a blind eye.
Now, Ao Qing, a commander of the Han Imperial Dynasty's million-strong navy and a crucial minister and general, had been injured and imprisoned without cause by the orthodox bloodline Azure Scaled Dragon tribe of the Scarlet Night Imperial Dynasty.
His life was in danger!
"Scarlet Night Imperial Dynasty, how dare you!"
"Those who offend my Han Dynasty shall be punished, no matter how far!"
"All subjects of my Han Dynasty shall be rescued, no matter how far!"
Yang Hao stood up with a thunderous roar, his imperial might surging.