Chapter 713: Blackmail |
To run to any doctor when the illness becomes severe (to seek any way out of a critical situation)
“Ah!” Gu Wu Chun cried out before he could collect himself.
Outside, upon seeing what was happening, the Song Kingdom cultivators immediately tried to rush in, but their path was blocked by disciples of the Thousand Beast Sect. From various other directions, more disciples appeared, immediately surrounding Gu Wu Chun’s protectors.
Several cultivators couldn’t calmly watch Gu Wu Chun being harmed, but they also didn't dare to cause a commotion within the Thousand Beast Sect.
After all, starting a fight with the Thousand Beast Sect was tantamount to seeking their own demise.
Fortunately, Gu Wu Chun behaved nobly. He raised a hand, gesturing for them not to interfere and to descend the stairs.
Si Hai Tang scornfully flicked away the mustache hairs he held in his hand.
All the elders glared menacingly at Gu Wu Chun.
Feeling his chin and seeing his blood-stained palms, Gu Wu Chun chuckled and shook his head bitterly.
Whoosh! He took a sword from a sword rack. And with his thumb, he began to glide along the blade.
Everyone thought he intended to commit suicide, who knew he started using the sword as a mirror. He looked at his reflection on the blade. He brought the sword to his mustache and began to trim it too.
Then, before everyone, he began to distribute the mustache hairs. He whispered, “Under normal circumstances, the Chancellor would not dare to offend the Thousand Beast Sect. Only for the sake of self-preservation, will the Chancellor be capable of many things.”
“Phew!” He blew on the mustache hairs again: “Of course, the Chancellor does not possess the hard power to contend with the Thousand Beast Sect. He lacks hard power, but he has soft power. If the Chancellor falls, it will affect many people. And the people under the Chancellor’s command will do everything possible to protect their own interests. They will not allow their enormous tree to fall. They will certainly seek every possible method.”
“For instance, the Thousand Beast Sect cultivates herbs and forests here. Usually, no one comes here. However, what if someone carelessly starts a fire here? There are many bandits around. It would be easy for bandits to escape. Then the Thousand Beast Sect will face problems. Therefore, I don’t think the Thousand Beast Sect should calmly watch as disorder and chaos begin in the Song Kingdom. Otherwise, such a large sect will have to confront the entire cultivation world of the Song Kingdom!”
“Bandits can come from anywhere, but if the Chancellor is still in power, he can still keep them in check. But if the Chancellor falls, it's unknown how many people under his command will start causing chaos. Then, the Thousand Beast Sect will truly have to worry. Constantly guarding its borders. Which would only delight the three major sects! And if the Thousand Beast Sect finds it difficult to live here? Where will the Thousand Beast Sect go then? Which kingdom will be willing to accept such a giant as the Thousand Beast Sect?”
“The Thousand Beast Sect, being a trade organization across the entire world, worries about offending the Yan Kingdom, why not worry about offending the Song Kingdom? As I said, the Song Kingdom may lose the battle, but it will not disappear! The Thousand Beast Sect has been on Song Kingdom territory for so many years; without its own sphere of influence, how can it ensure its protection? The imperial court treats the Thousand Beast Sect well, and the Chancellor also treats the sect well. Now the Song Kingdom is in trouble, and the Chancellor is also in trouble. If the Thousand Beast Sect doesn't extend a helping hand, where would such an attitude be fair? No matter if it’s the imperial court or the Chancellor, they will then no longer need to continue protecting the sect’s territory.”
“The Emperor is the master of the kingdom; he must consider everything. Some things he wouldn't dare do, so as not to cause chaos. But the Chancellor is different. If he is pushed into a corner, the Chancellor will secure his own means of survival. And he will not care about the revenge that will come later. He will need to resolve the current calamity!”
Little could be seen from the sword’s reflection. Shaving a mustache with a sword was inconvenient. Gu Wu Chun felt his beard and mustache. Then he went and put the sword back on the sword rack.
He turned around and wiped the blood with his sleeves. Then he approached Si Hai Tang again: “Beard and mustache are trifles. No, but they can grow back. Who asked Gu Wu Chun to behave so brazenly. Only, this humble Gu had no choice. Secretly, gentlemen, I will tell you that the Chancellor has issued an order. He ordered me to send back news today. If the Thousand Beast Sect agrees to help, then all is well. If the Thousand Beast Sect breaks ties with the Chancellor, then the Thousand Beast Sect members at court will not withstand the Chancellor's pressure. Then the Thousand Beast Sect will have to find another refuge. At the very least, there will be no place for the Thousand Beast Sect in the Song Kingdom! Ugh...”
Si Hai Tang, with eyes full of fury, grabbed him by the neck and began to choke him. How dared a mere mortal walk around and threaten them like this!
Seeing Gu Wu Chun turn red and gasp for his last breath, two elders rushed to Si Hai Tang’s sides. They were afraid Si Hai Tang would strangle him. And thus ruin the last chance for good relations between the Thousand Beast Sect and Zi Ping Xu. Before a final decision, it was still better not to kill Zi Ping Xu’s envoy. After all, Zi Ping Xu's envoy had good relations with Gu Wu Chun.
Si Hai Tang loosened his grip and threw Gu Wu Chun to the ground. He immediately began to cough and breathe deeply.
Catching his breath, Gu Wu Chun spoke again: “Now the Thousand Beast Sect has an excellent opportunity. Usually, the three major sects exert pressure on the Thousand Beast Sect. They don’t allocate territory. But in the current situation, when the three major sects are in danger, and the Chancellor holds influence over the three major sects. The three major sects might make concessions and allocate enough territory for the Thousand Beast Sect. What’s wrong with that? Then no one will be able to disturb the Thousand Beast Sect.”
“Get him out!” Si Hai Tang roared furiously.
Immediately, two disciples came, seized Gu Wu Chun, and indeed began to drag him out.
Even the cultivators who accompanied Gu Wu Chun were escorted out beyond the mountains.
Although he was expelled from the sect, Gu Wu Chun had no intention of leaving. He found a stone, sat on it, and waited...
In the main hall of the Thousand Beast Sect, the sect's high command discussed Zi Ping Xu’s scheme. They couldn't help but discuss it, as it was Zi Ping Xu's ultimatum.
If they didn't help, they would break ties with Zi Ping Xu!
In normal times, who would dare threaten the Thousand Beast Sect like this? But now was indeed a time when Zi Ping Xu, in desperation, was ready to do anything.
Elder Chao Jing entered the hall and asked, “I heard that Zi Ping Xu is threatening us?”
Si Hai Tang retorted, “What does Chao Sheng Huai say?”
At these words, Chao Jing felt uneasy. He was angry that his grandson had dragged him into this: “I asked him, he confirmed that the Song Kingdom’s envoy was killed by someone from the Yan Kingdom. It must be true.”
If Chao Sheng Huai were about to be killed, he still wouldn't dare admit that Niu You Dao had severely deceived him.
Si Hai Tang chuckled coldly: “The Yan Kingdom people aren’t foolish, why would they do such a thing? Clearly, there’s a dirty trick by the Song Kingdom behind this. It’s obvious that the Song Kingdom has been preparing for military action for a long time. Only, they didn’t think that they would lift a rock only to drop it on their own foot. Instead, the Yan Kingdom struck back, raising chaos for them. And now they are running to any doctor when the illness became severe. And they’re dragging my Thousand Beast Sect along with them. A bunch of useless good-for-nothings!”
Everyone nodded their heads. Indeed, everything was clear. Moreover, Wu Gun Lin’s rebellion in Cangzhou was quite timely. Clearly, this plot had been prepared long ago. If it wasn't the Song Kingdom, it would be a very strange phenomenon.
Now, Chao Sheng Huai’s matter held no importance. They were discussing Zi Ping Xu’s ultimatum. Someone even suggested sending someone to kill Zi Ping Xu. However, these were words spoken in haste. After all, the Chancellor of a country is not easily killed; he would certainly have strong protection. And even if they did manage to kill the Chancellor, not just one Chancellor would begin to act against them.
First, six hundred thousand prisoners were buried alive, then cities were slaughtered. Fear of the Yan Kingdom army began to spread throughout the entire kingdom. Because of this, few had the desire to oppose Meng Shan Min. The territories through which the Yan Kingdom army passed only expanded. And the enormous river of common people from the Song Kingdom had already turned into a sea that avoided calamity and flowed deeper into the kingdom.
Wherever the Yan Kingdom army went, huge numbers of common people left their homes with tears in their eyes. Few dared to remain.
Gradually, the people's suffering increased and increased. The area of devastated lands grew. Ultimately, this dealt a severe blow to the Song Kingdom's state system. A great imbalance appeared in the supply and demand of goods. Logistics were disrupted.
The enormous flow of refugees disrupted the Song Kingdom's supply chain.
Now the Song Kingdom no longer hoped for victory as before.
In the commander-in-chief’s tent, Jin Jue stood before a map and slowly muttered: “There is imbalance in the Song Kingdom; their forces are being depleted. Meng Shan Min now has hope!”
The commander standing to his left said, “The Song Kingdom’s imperial court is urging our imperial court. They want us to attack the Yan Kingdom as soon as possible.”
The commander standing to his right, pointing at the map, said, “The Advisor for Public Works is correct. Meng Shan Min wants to unleash destructive waters upon the Song Kingdom, so we can then attack the Song Kingdom.”
The one on the left said, “I understand that. But will Meng Shan Min allow us to easily seize the Song Kingdom like that? He wants to wear them down a bit, and then together with them, confront us. Then we will gain nothing. Therefore, I believe we need to start our attack on the Yan Kingdom!”
Jin Jue, crossing his arms and looking at the map, said, “Why would we gain nothing? The Song and Yan Kingdoms have already expended much strength in such battles. Aren't we already benefiting from this? They haven't exhausted enough of their strength yet. The Song Kingdom still has power, and Meng Shan Min is dangerous... Let Meng Shan Min roam the Song Kingdom a while longer, let him drain their strength. Then, even if we don't deploy troops, they won't dare provoke us for some time. Moreover, both kingdoms will be subservient to us. Isn't that a win? There's no need to rush, we need to act more cautiously. That would be better.”
The commander on the left said, “My Lord, can you withstand the pressure from the imperial court? Haven’t you been consistently enduring their pressure for this very purpose?”
Jin Jue looked towards the Zhao Kingdom: “The Zhao Kingdom is silent. As long as the Zhao Kingdom doesn’t attack, I won’t dare risk our army and attack the Yan Kingdom. If we start attacking the Yan Kingdom, the Zhao Kingdom could launch an attack on us where we would be undefended. Why take such a risk?”
The commander on the left smiled bitterly and said, “The Zhao Kingdom is constantly restrained by the Qi and Wei Kingdoms. Shall we just calmly miss this opportunity?”
Jin Jue: “If we attack the Yan Kingdom together, then both the Song Kingdom and we will become fools! Am I blind? No matter how tempting the piece of meat, as long as there is danger nearby, I will not deploy troops. Only if the Zhao Kingdom attacks the Yan Kingdom, then I can attack as well. I will not risk the fate of the Han Kingdom. And I will not send troops to a useless death. No need to rush, we need to act more cautiously. That would be better.”
The commander on the right said, “Are we really going to wait until the Song and Yan Kingdoms sit down for peace talks?”
Jin Jue: “Let’s wait a little longer. When their 'fire' starts raging, let the imperial court begin negotiations with the Zhao Kingdom. Let the Zhao Kingdom attack the Yan Kingdom, and we will attack the Song Kingdom. When the Zhao Kingdom begins its attack, then it will be our time. There’s no need to be greedy. Let others also get a taste. What we can eat, we will eat. And we will eat what fits in our stomachs. If the Zhao Kingdom does not act, neither will we. As long as we keep up the pressure, the Zhao Kingdom shouldn't think of profiting from us either. In short, there's no need to rush, we need to act more cautiously. That would be better. Luo Zhao, that fool, mindlessly attacked the Yan Kingdom’s capital. Ah, I don’t know what he was thinking?”