Longzang

Chapter 908 Currency Issuance
Zhang Sheng still appeared as a monk in a blue robe, sitting in a chariot. The chariot moved forward slowly, with some undulations but no noticeable bumps.

This time, Zhang Sheng selected only the young men and women of the Xu family. He only adjusted their equipment and then trained them for half a month before completing the task. Now, among the ten thousand Xu family youths, a thousand are at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the weakest of the rest are at the Great Perfection of Body Forging. All the warriors are heavily armed cavalry infantry. A hundred chariots also accompany them, with cannons mounted directly on the chariots.

In the end, this army numbered 12,000 men, marching forward with an aura of azure sky, their military spirit extremely concentrated, forming a square shape like a box, slowly advancing.

Inside the carriage, Feng Chutang was also traveling with the army. He glanced at the red-faced Taoist priest sitting next to him, bowed to the priest, and then said to Zhang Sheng, "Why don't we head west, but instead go to the State of Zhao?"

Zhang Sheng put down his book and said, "The greatest threat from Qingming is the Western Jin, followed by the Zhao. The Western Jin has too many karmic ties, and we'll have to wait for Yuan'er to return and resolve them. The Zhao is not as complicated, but a war is inevitable sooner or later. After Yuan'er became the Grand Councilor of the South, both sides tested each other, but neither battle was particularly satisfying. So this time, I want to have a proper battle with the Zhao to see their true strength."

Feng Chutang said, "Although we have superior military equipment, if we want to fight Zhao, not to mention that we would have no legitimate reason to fight, we don't even have enough people right now, do we?"

Zhang Sheng said, "This battle is just a test of each other's strength, so Zhao will not send too many troops, otherwise it would be meaningless."

Feng Chutang looked worried and said, "If war breaks out, and things get out of control, it could lead to endless trouble. The Zhao Kingdom is powerful and has an immortal overseeing it, so it's not easy to deal with."

Feng Chutang spoke tactfully, but it was clear he disapproved of fighting Zhao at this time. Qingming had already dispatched several armies, but most were heading towards the Wu tribe, while a few, like Xiaoyu, had taken a different route, attacking the mountain people from afar. Only Zhang Sheng was heading straight for Zhao.

Feng Chutang tried to persuade him several times, but Zhang Sheng remained unmoved. Helpless, Feng Chutang looked at the red-faced Taoist and said, "Uncle-Master Fenhai, you are highly respected, what is your opinion on this matter?"

The old man's face flushed red instantly, and he cursed Feng Chutang in his heart for his extremely vulgar words.

The old Taoist himself is still hovering in the late stage of the Dharma Aspect realm, and is still some distance from perfection. If it really comes down to fighting, he can probably only steadily suppress the old Taoist Chuhe, who neither calls out his adoptive father nor his brothers.

Moreover, Fenhai has been so engrossed in boiling water in the lake day and night for the past ten years that he has almost forgotten about home. How could he have time to pay attention to these extremely boring military and national affairs? When the army is on a campaign, what is more important than the bathwater getting cold?

If Wei Yuan hadn't suddenly disappeared, leaving Qingming without a master, and Xuan Yue Zhenren hadn't summoned Qingming to protect Zhang Sheng, Fen Hai would probably still be living a carefree life in the mountains, oblivious to the passing of time.

At this moment, Feng Chutang's question put Fen Hai in a precarious position. Feng Chutang repeatedly gave Fen Hai meaningful glances, but Fen Hai had no idea what those glances meant.
I just overheard Feng Chutang and Zhang Sheng talking about fighting a war with the Zhao Kingdom. But if they want to fight, then so be it. Fen Hai has no idea why they need to fight, let alone whether they should fight at all. After thinking it over for a long time, Fen Hai finally managed to utter one sentence: "If you want to fight, then fight."

Feng Chutang stamped his foot in anxiety, knowing that Fen Hai was out of the question. Both Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan were learned scholars, their cunning and shrewdness surpassing even the most formidable, so Feng Chutang assumed Fen Hai was no less capable. Out of respect for Wei Yuan, his advisor, and Zhang Sheng, his teacher, Feng Chutang had only intended to bring up Fen Hai to persuade Zhang Sheng to withdraw his troops.

Unexpectedly, the moment Fen Hai opened his mouth, Feng Chutang knew he was an oddball in the Tianqing Palace. From top to bottom, who in the Tianqing Palace didn't know how to fight?

However, Zhang Sheng also knew of Feng Chutang's concerns, so he said, "Senior Brother Feng, there's no need to worry. I think King Zhao is also eager to fight this battle, and we must all have a tacit understanding."

"What if they send someone who doesn't have any coordination?"

Zhang Sheng smiled and said, "If you don't even have this much understanding, coming here would just be suicide."

Upon careful consideration, Feng Chutang realized this made sense. Someone who couldn't even discern this much couldn't be particularly formidable in battle; at best, they were just a fierce general. Feng Chutang, currently possessing the Dharma Image of the Nether Dragon, was least afraid of magical combat, and therefore confidently believed that no matter what kind of fierce general Zhao produced, he should be able to handle them.

Seeing that Fen Hai's expression was unusual, and that he seemed to open his mouth several times but then closed it again, Zhang Sheng knew that Fen Hai was still worried. So she decided to reveal more information to avoid worrying her teacher.

Zhang Sheng then said, "The Zhao Kingdom is ruled by a single immortal king, and the king is diligent and hardworking, enjoying great popularity. It would be extremely difficult to subdue the Zhao Kingdom on the battlefield, and it would only unite the people of Zhao, which would be somewhat counterproductive. Therefore, if we want to dismantle the Zhao Kingdom, we must start from within."

Zhang Sheng's words had no effect whatsoever; both Fen Hai and Feng Chutang's expressions grew even more grim. They exchanged a glance, both seeing the other's worry—Zhang Sheng truly intended to destroy the Zhao Kingdom!
The Zhao Kingdom, not to mention its army of millions and the presence of an immortal, was no ordinary noble family. For a mere Dao Foundation Establishment cultivator to destroy an immortal's kingdom? That was utterly absurd.

However, Zhang Sheng did not continue speaking. The army moved forward quickly and soon arrived at the Azure Water Realm.

The Azure Water Realm is now almost bordering the Azure Netherworld, and its expansion is severely restricted, making further northward expansion virtually impossible. Li Chengfeng, having received the news early on, personally led an army of 100,000 to meet them at the edge of the realm.

Li Chengfeng had formed his ranks early, but after waiting for a long time, Zhang Sheng's troops still hadn't arrived. A burly lieutenant beside him said, "Your Highness, I heard that man only brought about ten thousand men. Our firearms are not weak either. Why don't we take advantage of his unstable foothold and give him a good beating, crushing Qingming's arrogance?"

Li Chengfeng's face darkened, and he said, "Without my order, no one is allowed to move. Otherwise, it will be considered disobedience! Even if the tip of their spear is pointed at you, as long as it doesn't penetrate, you are not allowed to make a move!"

The fierce general said sullenly, "Wei Yuan is nowhere to be seen, and he's probably not coming back. What are we afraid of now?"

"What do you know? Shut up!" Li Chengfeng snapped, silencing the fierce general. This general was newly recruited and unaware that Li Chengfeng's growing power and ability to maintain one of the strongest armies among the princes was entirely due to his monopoly on trade with Qingming. Qingming's brocade, cloth, grain, and steel weapons were all essential to Zhao. Qingming also took as much of Zhao's spirit wood, medicinal herbs, raw silk, and refined minerals as possible.

At this moment, several scouts galloped back from afar, blowing horns as they went. Li Chengfeng's spirits lifted, knowing that the Qingming Army had arrived. Just then, on the distant horizon, clouds rose and dust billowed, indicating the appearance of a large army.

Zhao Jun's generals all focused their gazes, observing the military aura in order to assess the strength of the renowned Qingming Army.

Soon, amidst the smoke and dust, the military spirit became apparent.

Upon seeing this, all the generals' expressions changed drastically, and some were even at a loss for what to do.

Ordinary troops whose military aura is concentrated and undispersed, helping the strongest in the army to resist powerful enemies and dispel the power of heaven and earth, can be called elite. A few troops whose military aura is so solid that it can conjure divine objects and sacred beasts, or even mountains and seas, can be called the strongest army in the world. Just like the nine armies of the Great Tang, each army has its own unique military aura.

The most recognized military might is found in the majestic scenery of mountains and marshes.

But the aura of the Azure Sky Army before them was extremely solidified, a sight rarely seen in the world. However, this alone was not enough to make the veteran generals and fierce warriors of Zhao change their expressions. But then, the aura of the Army appeared in the dust, its shape perfectly square, like a box, and it simply moved towards them!
Where in the world can you find such military spirit?!

Li Chengfeng was also taken aback, then deeply puzzled. But years of experience told him that whenever something strange or unusual appeared in the Azure Sky, it was best to observe first and never try to probe it rashly, otherwise one might die suddenly.

Li Chengfeng did not want posterity to record him like this: "...Li Chengfeng fought Qingming at Bishui in a certain month of a certain year and died at the age of fifty-seven."

The Qingming troops moved swiftly, and only when they were close did all the infantry dismount and form a neat hollow square formation, with several chariots leading the way, and drove to the front of the Bishui army's formation.

A cultivator in a blue robe emerged from the army and flew over alone. Li Chengfeng hurriedly went to greet him, accompanied only by two assistants.

Li Chengfeng cupped his hands and said, "Li Chengfeng is the Jiedushi of Biyue in the Great Zhao Dynasty. May I ask how I should address you, Senior Brother?"

The monk in the blue robe returned the greeting and said, "So you are Military Governor Li. I am Zhang Sheng, and Wei Yuan is my disciple."

Li Chengfeng was filled with respect and said, "So it's Master Zhang!"

Zhang Sheng said, "I have come here to discuss trade matters between our two sides with Your Highness. I have reviewed past trade and there are still many areas for improvement, which is why I have come to discuss them in detail with Your Highness."

Li Chengfeng's expression changed, and he said, "This is a big matter! Could you please invite Master Zhang to come to the city to discuss this in detail, and let me do my duty as a host?"

“That would be best,” Zhang Sheng said without hesitation.

Li Chengfeng then walked alongside Zhang Sheng, letting the Qingming army proceed to the foot of Biyue City. Zhang Sheng then entered the city with only a few dozen men, unafraid of any ambush.

Several newly arrived, fierce generals, eager to make a name for themselves, felt this was a golden opportunity and wanted to ambush some executioners to set up a trap. However, Li Chengfeng severely reprimanded them, even verbally abusing the two generals sent by the King of Zhao. This showed no respect whatsoever to the King of Zhao.

The two generals suffered an undeserved calamity and had no idea where they had gone wrong.

Little did he know that in Li Chengfeng's mind, as long as he could stabilize the trade with Qingming, he would be sitting on his laurels. The Crown Prince's power had already been caught up by Li Chengfeng. As long as Li Chengfeng didn't make any mistakes, the balance of power would shift, and Li Chengfeng would only grow stronger.

After the banquet, the two sides moved to a secret room, dismissed the servants, and Li Chengfeng left only a few trusted confidants by his side, while Feng Chutang sat next to Zhang Sheng.

Li Chengfeng first introduced the current state of trade between the two sides, and then said: "...Now that the road has been completed, the volume of freight transport is more than three times that of the past, and there is still room for growth. What we lack now is a type of freight truck that can travel long distances and has a large carrying capacity."

Li Chengfeng's implication was that he had his eye on Qingming's chariot again.

However, Zhang Sheng smiled slightly and said, "The current trade bottleneck is not in the transportation of goods, but in the means of transaction. Each transaction is very troublesome in terms of settlement, and it is bound to be chaotic when the volume is large. In the future, as the volume of goods increases, the amount of immortal silver or green coin required will also increase, which will always cause inconvenience. Therefore, I wonder if the Four Palaces have considered issuing Azure Water Coins?"

Li Chengfeng was taken aback at first, but then, as he thought about it, his expression changed and his heart fluttered!

(End of this chapter)