Chapter 1 Maple Prefecture, South Liang City

Maple Prefecture, Nanliang City.

Two streets away from Yangxiao Hall, a private room on the third floor of a restaurant.

A scholar in green clothes sat by the window, looking at the distant Yangxiao Hall, sighing slightly:

"Daoist Wangquan's hundredth birthday has attracted quite a few people. Nanliang City can't even accommodate them all... I originally wanted to go to Yangxiao Hall to taste the wine and delicacies personally prepared by the Daoist, but it seems there's no chance now. What a pity, what a pity."

Recently, many martial artists have been coming and going to Nanliang City.

The inns near Yangxiao Hall are almost fully occupied, and many residential houses are also filled with people.

The reason is Daoist Wangquan's hundredth birthday.

Another man in a gray robe shook his head slightly upon hearing this: "Brother Xu, you're new here and don't know, this Yangxiao Hall has been almost full every day for the past few years, not because of the Daoist's upcoming birthday."

"After all, he is number one in the world, so it's not surprising."

Xu Chong nodded slightly, drank the wine in his cup, and slowly said:

"Brother Wang, you've lived in Nanliang City for a long time, so you must know many stories about Daoist Wangquan. Why not tell me about them?"

"Brother Xu, you wouldn't be a spy from some family, would you?"

Wang Gang glanced at his friend whom he hadn't seen for many years with some wariness, then laughed:

"Even if you are, it doesn't matter. Daoist Wangquan's deeds are well-known. You can find out from anyone."

"What do you mean by that?"

Xu Chong quickly drank a cup of wine, his wide sleeves concealing the flickering light in his eyes.

"Wangquan Dao is different from other major martial arts sects. The entry requirements are not high. As long as you can enter the Wenxin Hall and read through the Daoist scriptures within three years, you can join the Wangquan Dao. However, not many people have learned martial arts to this day..."

Wang Gang picked up the wine Xu Chong poured and drank it all in one gulp:

"After three years in the Wenxin Hall, the disciples of Wangquan Dao usually have to open up mountains and cultivate land, or go to various places to lecture, before they can learn martial arts."

"Lecturing?"

Xu Chong poured him more wine and pretended to be curious, "Lecturing on the essence of Daoism? Will anyone listen to that?"

"Not just the essence of Daoism, but some other things as well."

Wang Gang was slightly drunk, and gradually became more talkative.

Xu Chong listened, deep in thought.

Wangquan Dao was based in Feng Prefecture. Over the years, Fan Zimin used the name of Wangquan Dao to convey An Qisheng's laws and regulations to various prefectures, counties, gangs, and sects in Feng Prefecture.

Those who committed heinous crimes were killed, those who committed major crimes were killed, and those who committed minor crimes were captured and taken back to Wangquan Dao to open up mountains and pave roads.

The many mountain bandits and thieves who once occupied the Huayan Mountains were also cleared out, and the opening of many trade routes made Feng Prefecture more prosperous.

And many disciples of Wangquan Dao, after three years of hard study in the Wenxin Hall, had to go to various prefectures and counties to lecture and spread the law.

Xu Chong kept asking questions and pouring wine.

Before long, Wang Gang was already drunk on the table.

"Brother Wang? Brother Wang? Wang Gang?"

Xu Chong pushed him a couple of times. Seeing that he was dead drunk, he was still not reassured and took out some sleeping powder, blowing it into his mouth and nose.

Hearing his breathing become even heavier, he pushed open the door and walked into the adjacent private room.

"Brother Xu!"

"Big brother!"

"Brother Shaoqian!"

There were already several people waiting in this private room.

These people were all quite young, dressed in scholars' robes, and elegantly attired. An old man was holding a book, meticulously flipping through it.

Seeing Xu Chong enter, they all looked at him.

"Uncle."

Xu Chong returned the greetings one by one, then looked at the old man holding the book and bowed slightly:

"What Wang Gang and the others said is not much different from what we already know."

The banquet he hosted was naturally not just for Wang Gang alone.

"The current Emperor has been on the throne for only a few years, yet such great changes have taken place. The real culprit is indeed that Wangquan Daoist..."

The old man put down the book in his hand and sighed slightly:

"This move is truly beyond words..."

Since Han Changgong ascended the throne, he has cleaned up the government, opened the imperial examination, reduced the standing army by millions, hid the army among the people, saved a lot of taxes, and reduced the burden on the people.

He also dispatched many great generals, accompanied by experts provided by the imperial court, to clear out bandits all over the world.

Liu Yanchang led the Jinyiwei (embroidered brocade guard), Liushanmen (six doors), and experts from the Eastern and Western Depots to travel around, clearing out powerful bullies, and used the assets of many powerful bullies to create schools, academies, and village schools. Due to the imperial court's invention of printing, many teaching materials were distributed throughout the country.

Both measures were aimed at enlightening the people.

These things, one by one, harmed the interests of many people, and some people were worried about it.

The Xu family was one of them, and only one of them.

There are definitely more Jianghu sects with long heritage than aristocratic families in this world, and the Xu family is a millennium aristocratic family.

A true great aristocratic family that has experienced three dynasties and spanned hundreds of generations.

Over the millennium, the Xu family has produced dozens of dukes and ministers, and even had a divine-meridian grandmaster. It is a true great aristocratic family.

"Uncle..."

Xu Chong's expression changed slightly, and he whispered, "Be careful what you say."

"It doesn't matter."

The old Confucian waved his hand slightly, "That old Daoist's martial arts are high, but he is still just a mortal, not a celestial being, nor a god. It's not as if we can't even mention his name."

His voice was calm, but the others heard a trace of displeasure in it.

Xu Chong then fell silent.

"Look at this book, the font is clear. Although it has no aesthetic appeal, it is better because of its low price. The money the current Emperor saved by disbanding the army is enough for every person in Dafeng to have a copy of many classics..."

The old Confucian glanced at the book and shook his head slightly:

"But the current Emperor doesn't know that making the people know is like cattle and horses. Why should they know too much? The circulation of books throughout the world is no less than those madmen spreading martial arts everywhere in the past...

The harm is immeasurable. This move will bring disaster for thousands of years!"

"Whether it's practicing martial arts or studying, ordinary people can't touch it. How can those civilians compete with us, even if Liu Yanchang opens millions of private schools and academies?"

Xu Chong shook his head:

"Uncle is too worried. This gust of wind will pass. Just like the imperial examination, it once caused panic among countless aristocratic families, but isn't it now controlled by us? This is the case in every dynasty, without exception."

Xu Chong didn't care too much.

Whether it's practicing martial arts or studying, it requires family wealth. Ordinary people don't have that qualification.

Even if all the classics are free, and private schools and academies don't charge tuition, so what?

The vast majority of people in this world will go hungry if they don't work every day, so there's nothing to worry about.

Even if there are a few exceptions, they will either integrate into them or be crushed to death. How can they shake the status of the aristocratic family?

"Do you think I'm afraid of the Xu family's status being shaken?"

The old man's expression sank slightly, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Xu Chong immediately knelt on the ground and repeatedly said he dared not.

"All things in nature have their uses. Grass and trees are eaten by cattle and sheep, cattle and sheep are eaten by beasts, and beasts are eaten by humans... People have scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Some people farm, some people make crafts, some people do business, and some people manage the people. This is each fulfilling their duties..."

The old man looked at Xu Chong and said lightly:

"When farmers don't think about farming, artisans don't think about crafting, merchants don't think about doing business, and dukes and ministers interfere with other things, the world will be in chaos. My Xu family has been officials for hundreds of generations, experienced thousands of years and three dynasties, and seen too much. This is a sign of great chaos in the world.

Why else would I come here, if not for the Xu family's position?"

"This child knows his mistake."

Xu Chong respectfully kowtowed, his face ashamed.

The other people listened to what the old man said, and they all knelt on the ground, listening to the teachings.

"You must remember that my Xu family serves as officials, not to rule the people for the king, but to patrol and guard on behalf of heaven. No matter who the king is, and no matter how the dynasty changes, what we are upholding is the law of humanity!"

The old man tapped the table lightly, not looking at the kneeling juniors, his old eyes looking outside the door:

"Lord Liu, how much longer do you want to listen? Why not come in? Standing outside the door is not our way of hospitality!"

Lord Liu?

What Lord Liu?

Xu Chong and the others were all shocked.

In today's world, there are not many who can be called "Lord" by the old man. It must be Liu Yanchang, who holds the highest position in the current court and controls the Jinyiwei and Liushanmen!

Clap clap clap~

Crisp applause sounded.

Liu Yanchang pushed the door open, his wild goose-wing saber faintly visible beneath his scarlet cloak.

"Liu Yanchang!"

Xu Chong's face was solemn.

The others were also filled with fear.

In today's court, this person holds the most power and is the most feared. The current Emperor trusts him immensely, not only allowing him to control the Liushanmen and Jinyiwei, but even the Eastern and Western Depots, and even many of the court's enshrined experts are at his disposal.

He even has the right to mobilize local garrisons!

For several years, he has traveled the world, and wherever he goes, heads roll. He has killed countless aristocratic families, bandits, landlords, and tyrants.

A god of slaughter.

"Well said, but..."

Liu Yanchang strode in, his indifferent gaze sweeping over everyone, finally landing on the old man:

"Xu Changying, how can you be worthy of talking about the laws of humanity?"

Faced with Liu Yanchang, the divine-meridian grandmaster who holds the most power in the current court, Xu Changying's expression remained unchanged. He waved his hand to stop the several juniors, and then said lightly:

"If I, an old man, am not worthy, then is you, Liu Yanchang, worthy? My Xu family has been officials for hundreds of generations, experienced three dynasties, and produced dozens of dukes and ministers. I..."

Slap!

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Yanchang slapped him to the ground:

"Just a three-surname slave, and you still dare to show off again and again?"

"You!"

Xu Chong and the other three turned pale with anger.

Liu Yanchang's eyes narrowed, and an invisible aura enveloped the entire room, pressing down on everyone like a mountain.

"Pfft!"

Xu Changying rolled three times on the ground, knocking over screens and tables. A mouthful of blood with teeth flew out:

"Liu Yanchang, you're just a dog..."

He wanted to speak, but the water-like wild goose-wing saber had already fallen directly into his mouth and returned to its scabbard without any movement.

Thud~

Only then did a severed tongue fall to the ground.

"You probably forgot why your Xu family has been able to stand for thousands of years?"

Liu Yanchang slowly loosened the scabbard and said leisurely:

"A blade of grass on the wall. Now that you don't want to nod, there's no need to keep your head."

He glanced indifferently at Xu Chong and the others who were furious and filled with rage under his aura, and turned to leave:

"Send them to Wangquan Mountain and let this official see if the world will be in chaos if scholar-officials open up mountains and mine!"

"Yes!"

Outside the door, Wang Gang walked in with a simple and honest face, but there was no trace of drunkenness.