Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 148 Coming for Lin Chen
The capital of Daliang State.

In the imperial court hall, all the third-rank officials in the capital are present here.

Everyone had a gloomy face. The death of Daliang Zhenbei Hou not only meant that the northern border would be unstable, but would also affect the entire Daliang.

The Marquis of Zhenbei has a very high reputation among the martial artists in Daliang.

Emperor Wu of Liang glanced at the ministers below him and said in a deep voice: "Before the old marquis passed away, he left a will to bury him in the northern border to accompany Emperor Taizu. There is no need to hold a grand funeral for him. What do you think, my dear ministers?"

"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate. The old marquis has made great contributions to Daliang. How can his funeral not be a state funeral? I am afraid that many soldiers will complain."

"This old minister agrees. The old marquis must have a funeral and must be treated as a state funeral."

The two elders at the front spoke, and the purple-robed elder in the middle asked, "If we hold a state funeral, how should we announce the old marquis's achievements to the people of Daliang?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence.

They knew about the old marquis’s achievements, and the warriors who had entered the realm of martial arts also knew about it, but the common people did not know about it.

In order to publicize the old marquis's achievements, it is necessary to inform the people of the true situation in the northern border, which is contrary to the oral order of Emperor Taizu.

The affairs of the demon tribe must not be spread among ordinary people.

"Your Majesty, my Lords, I have something to say."

After a while, a middle-aged man in the hall stood up and said in a loud voice: "The Emperor Taizu issued a sacred decree that it was not allowed to reveal the affairs of the demon tribe to ordinary people because the people were afraid of hearing about the demon tribe. However, our Daliang has been different for more than 200 years. There is really no need to hide the affairs of the demon tribe from the people."

As soon as these words were spoken, the already silent hall became even quieter, and you could hear a pin drop.

That was the imperial edict of Emperor Taizu!

"Qiao Qing, do you know what you are saying?" an official shouted.

"Master Ge, I know what I am talking about. I am able to stand here and be in the same hall with you all because of the policy of revitalizing the country through martial arts set by Emperor Taizu."

Before Qiao Qing opened his mouth, he thought about how much of a stir his words would cause.

"But ask yourselves, gentlemen, is the Emperor Taizu's decree still applicable today?"

"In the past three hundred years, Daliang has produced so many sixth-rank warriors, and so many families behind these warriors. The affairs of the demon race are no longer a secret, but only the lowest-ranking people know about it."

"Master Cui, I have a question for you. The traces of demons occasionally appear in Daliang. Are all the people who know about the demons really taken to the military camp?"

The second official from the left row twitched his mouth when he heard this. The people below had long turned a blind eye to the fact that the people knew about the demon clan.

Seeing that Lord Cui did not answer, Qiao Qing was not surprised, and then continued: "After the death of the old marquis, the monsters in the northern border, the sea tribe in the East China Sea, and even the monsters hiding in Daliang will probably take action. By then, the number of people who know about the monsters will be several times, dozens of times, or even hundreds of times more than now. Lord Cui, is he going to send all these people to the military camp?"

The officials in the hall had thoughtful looks on their faces, and they had to admit that what Qiao Qing said made sense.

In fact, Emperor Taizu's edict was no longer timely, and they had noticed it long ago. However, because of Emperor Taizu's high prestige, no one discussed the matter in the court.

Seeing that no one came out to refute him, Qiao Qing looked at Emperor Wu of Liang on the steps of the hall and said, "Your Majesty, I request that this imperial decree of Emperor Taizu be revoked."

Emperor Liang Wu did not respond, but looked at the three old men in front of him and asked, "Do you three have any suggestions?"

"I feel that the Emperor Taizu's decree was only intended to eliminate the fear of the people of Daliang about the demon race. Now, even if the people of Daliang hear about the demon race, I'm afraid they won't be afraid. So there is really no need to hide this matter any longer."

"The veteran seconded the proposal."

The other two elders gave the same opinion.

Emperor Wu of Liang had a gleam in his eyes: "Okay, in that case, I will go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple tomorrow and apologize to Emperor Taizu."

To plead guilty means to abolish this imperial decree.

"Wen Ge should draft an imperial edict to record all the achievements of the old marquis. In addition, if you have any good suggestions on how to inform the people of Daliang about the monster tribe, you can write to me."

Telling the people about the monsters seems simple, but in order to make the people not afraid of the monsters, they must also understand the monsters, and the balance needs to be just right.

"The three old men stay, and the others leave."

Emperor Wu of Liang was a man of swift and decisive actions. When the other officials in the hall heard this, they knew that His Majesty wanted to discuss with the three adults how to deal with the crisis that might arise in Daliang after the old marquis left.

Although Daliang was prosperous, it also had many external enemies, so it couldn't sit back and relax. There were even internal troubles!

……

……

Jiangnan Road.

The new military secretary took office.

Su Lingchuan and other directors of the Military Administration Office personally went to the gate of the Military Administration Office of Raozhou Prefecture to greet them.

After a while, the sound of horse hooves was heard, and everyone saw a figure riding a horse, covered in dust.

"It's Lord Xing."

Although Su Lingchuan and others were somewhat puzzled about Lord Xing riding alone to take office, the powerful aura on him had already revealed his identity, and they all saluted.

Xing Huaifeng got off his horse and said with a smile, "No need to salute. The position of Director of the Military Affairs Department is related to the martial arts education of the whole prefecture, and the responsibility is heavy. I was suddenly transferred by the Military Affairs Department and dared not delay for a moment."

Hearing what Lord Xing said, Su Lingchuan curled his lips slightly. The position of Director of the Military Administration Department was indeed a heavy responsibility, but Raozhou Prefecture would not be in chaos just because there was no director for a few days.

The original court rules of Daliang were that deputy officials were responsible for managing daily affairs, while the chief official was only responsible for arranging some major matters.

To put it bluntly, there is nothing major happening in Raozhou Prefecture right now, and even if the position of Director of the Military Administration Department is vacant for a month, it will not affect the operation of the Department.

"Lord Xing is willing to teach martial arts in Raozhou Prefecture. He is truly a role model for us."

"You are not worthy of being a role model. Please follow me in."

Xing Huaifeng took the lead and stepped into the gate, followed by Su Lingchuan and others.

The lobby of the Military Administration Department.

Xing Huaifeng sat at the main seat, looked at the people who were seated, and said in a deep voice: "I don't like to be polite, so I won't say any official words. When I entered the city gate this time, someone gave me a letter of accusation."

When Xing Huaifeng said this, the expressions of the eleven directors of the military administration offices present changed slightly.

A new official has three things to do when taking office. Why is Lord Xing so impatient?
Letter of accusation?

Did someone report these directors?
"Is Lord Su from Poyang County here?"

"The subordinate is here."

Su Lingchuan stood up from his chair. He didn't expect that the new director's first anger would be directed at him. Could it be because he was the disciple of the previous director and that he disliked him?

No wonder the teacher reminded me to govern Poyang County well. I guess he anticipated this situation.

"This fire wants to burn on my head, I'm afraid I've found the wrong person."

Su Lingchuan muttered to himself, but he was not too flustered. In terms of political achievements, in the more than half a year since he took office as the director of Poyang County Military Affairs Office, Poyang County had achieved much better results than his predecessor.

"Master Su, is there a student named Lin Chen in your Poyang County?"

Hearing what Xing Huaifeng said, Su Lingchuan was stunned. Could it be that he guessed wrong? Wasn't this Xing Huaifeng targeting him?

After all, Lin Chen is his political achievement, but Lord Xing just mentioned the letter of accusation again.

In the lobby, Zhang Wangshan and others also had doubts in their eyes. At first, they also thought that Lord Xing would first target Su Lingchuan, but when it came to Lin Chen, that was impossible.

"Your Excellency, there is a student named Lin Chen in Poyang County. He has already gone to the special training ground of the Military Administration Department for special training."

"Go to the special training ground for special training?" Xing Huaifeng narrowed his eyes slightly: "Master Su, do you have any detailed information about Lin Chen?"

"Your Excellency, I am a little confused by what you said. Lin Chen meets the genius requirements of the Military Administration Department and has been approved by the Military Administration Department. Lin Chen's strength is also obvious to other adults." "Sir Su, please don't misunderstand my meaning."

Xing Huaifeng looked at the sharp words in Su Lingchuan's words and suddenly sighed: "I know what it means to you to have a talented student under your jurisdiction. Lin Chen is a student of your Poyang County Martial Arts School, and also a student under my jurisdiction."

"It's just that when I entered the city, someone wrote a letter to report Lin Chen. If it was an ordinary person, it would be fine, but this person happened to be Lin Chen's cousin, and he reported that Lin Chen was unfilial, disrespectful to his grandfather, and disrespectful to his elders."

Su Lingchuan's expression changed, and Xing Huaifeng continued: "It's true that Daliang needs martial arts geniuses, but what we need more is talented martial artists with excellent moral character. If Lin Chen's character is really problematic, it is the job of my Wuzheng Division and Wuzheng Office to investigate thoroughly."

"Your Excellency's words are a bit too arbitrary. As far as I know, Lin Chen was born in Linhu Village. The villagers all praised his character. Even the students who studied in the same school and martial arts hall with him were full of admiration for Lin Chen. All of this is recorded in Lin Chen's file. You can find out by just checking it."

Su Lingchuan couldn't tolerate anyone picking on Lin Chen, even if the other party was his direct superior.
My teacher was transferred, but it was a step up. As long as I don't make any mistakes, even if Lord Xing is the director, he can't do anything to me.

The only disadvantage is that it will be impossible to get additional resources from the Military Administration Department in the future, but the resources that should be given still have to be given, otherwise the major families in Poyang County will not agree.

"After all, the records on paper were written by others. I believe what I see with my own eyes. I have decided to investigate the matter of Lin Chen myself. Whether it is true or not, the truth will soon come out."

Xing Huaifeng's aura as a seventh-rank warrior emanated, and the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly became solemn.

"I have always been a resolute and vigorous person in my work. Please accompany me to Poyang County."

Su Lingchuan's pupils contracted. He didn't expect that Lord Xing would go to Poyang County for investigation immediately after arriving in Raozhou Prefecture.

No matter how resolute and vigorous one is, there is no reason to act like this.

He had a guess in his mind that this Lord Xing might have come with ill intentions and was specifically targeting Lin Chen.

Although Daliang has moral requirements for its students, as long as the three generations of their ancestors have not done evil and have not committed such cruel acts as killing their brothers and fathers, the Wuzheng Institute will not investigate other aspects too thoroughly.

But what he couldn't understand was how Lin Chen had offended Lord Xing. Given Lin Chen's situation, he had no contact with Lord Xing at all.

……

……

The Huo family of Raozhou Prefecture.

The old patriarch of the Huo family was playing chess with his son with his eyes narrowed.

"Father, is it necessary to act so hastily against Lin Chen?" Huo Kang was confused. Lord Xing had just taken office, and his father had already arranged for Lin Ming to report Lin Chen. Wasn't he a little too hasty?

"Now that the knife has been sharpened, it must be used."

"Father, what I mean is that Mr. Xing has just arrived in Raozhou Prefecture. I'm afraid he might be afraid, or because of Lin Chen's talent, he might choose to handle this matter privately."

Snapped!
Huo Zhong dropped a chess piece onto the chessboard, making a crisp sound.

"The Li family revealed to me a piece of news. Xing Huaifeng and Li Yuan were both candidates for the imperial examination in the same year."

Huo Kang opened his mouth slightly and said, "This time Xing Huaifeng was able to be transferred to the position of Director of the Military Affairs Department of Raozhou Prefecture. Was it the Li family who was behind this?"

"Otherwise, how do you think Xing Huaifeng could be the director of the Military Administration Department? There are many seventh-rank warriors in a prefecture, but there is only one director of the Military Administration Department."

"If this is the case, Lin Chen's reputation as an unfilial son will certainly be confirmed. Even if there is a hidden truth, he can forget about competing for the title of Jiangnan Dao student model."

"If you hit the snake, you have to kill it. Not only will he lose the chance to become a model student of Jiangnan Dao, but he will also be disqualified from taking the future martial arts exams."

Huo Zhong glanced at his son. Lin Chen's talent in martial arts was obvious. What the Huo family was planning today, when Shu'er and Li Zhe got married, could not be hidden from those who were interested. If Lin Chen was given the opportunity to rise, he might be a big threat to the Huo family in the future.

With the qualification for the martial arts examination abolished, Lin Chen could no longer obtain training resources from the Wuzheng Office and the Wuzheng Department. Given his family background, he would only be able to practice martial arts for the rest of his life.

After a few years, he would arrange for someone to kill Lin Chen without anyone knowing. No one would offend the prosperous Huo family for a fallen genius.

"We also have to thank the old marquis for his death. If he hadn't passed away, several warriors who were qualified to compete for the position of director would have left for the Northern Frontier. Even with the help of the Li family behind the scenes, Xing Huaifeng might not have been able to take over the position of director of the Military Affairs Department of Raozhou Prefecture."

Good winds will help our Huo family rise to prominence. For this reason alone, I should burn a few more incense sticks to this old marquis.

……

……

In Poyang County, He Ruyun received a report that the Director of the Military Administration Department and many directors had come to Poyang County and he was also shocked.

Judging from the time, this newly appointed director should have just taken office. Did he come to Poyang County as soon as he took office?

Thinking about what Su Lingchuan mentioned to him a few days ago, He Ruyun had a guess in his mind that this Lord Xing might have come with bad intentions.

"Sir, there is someone outside the door who wants to see you. It's the person next to Sir Su."

Listening to his subordinates' report, He Ruyun immediately waved his hand and said, "Let him in."

After a while, Su Lingchuan's confidant hurried in and said, "Master He, my master asked me to inform you that this time Master Xing is coming for Lin Chen."

"You are here for Lin Chen, explain it to me clearly!"

If it was aimed at Su Lingchuan, He Ruyun would have to consider whether to intervene, but since it was aimed at Lin Chen, there was no need to consider it.

He is the county magistrate of Poyang County, and Lin Chen is a native of Poyang County. Although there are talented warriors under his rule and their great achievements are made in the Military Administration Office, he, as the county magistrate, can also benefit from it.

The most important thing is that the director of the Military Administration Department really has no control over him, as his superior is the prefect of Raozhou Prefecture.

He had also inquired about the origins of this Lord Xing. Although he was a seventh-rank warrior, he was already over sixty years old, and that was all he would be for the rest of his life. Moreover, the Xing family behind him had only produced one ninth-rank warrior before him.

"Lin Ming personally reported Lin Chen for being unfilial?"

He Ruyun recalled for a moment, it seemed that the people below had reported to him that a cousin of Lin Chen was involved in a human trafficking case, and the people below wanted to ask whether a city-wide search should be conducted for Lin Chen's cousin.

At that time, out of Lin Chen's consideration, I did not make any instructions. The people below would understand what I meant.

There is no need to search the entire city for Lin Chen's cousin, but if he shows up on his own initiative, he must be arrested.

"Tell Captain You that now that the criminal has shown up, why don't you arrest him immediately?"

Su Lingchuan's confidant immediately understood what He Ruyun meant. He was trying to delay deliberately to buy time.

"Don't bother with two masters for one thing. I'm stalling here. You go to Linhu Village. The village chief is a smart man. Tell him about this matter and he will know what to do."

"Thank you, sir." Su Lingchuan's confidant replied excitedly.

……

……

"Brother Zhang, thank you."

On the other side, Su Lingchuan, who had just entered the city from the North City, glanced at Xing Huaifeng who was a dozen feet ahead, and whispered a word of thanks to Zhang Wangshan beside him.

The city was bustling with noise. Although Xing Huaifeng was a seventh-grade cultivator, his energy and blood were already beginning to decline at his age, so he could not hear the conversation between the two at such a distance.

He was able to reveal the situation to his confidants only because there were not enough horses in the Wuzhengsi stable and he was delayed in temporarily borrowing horses.

There had naturally been enough horses in the Wuzhengsi stables in the past, and Su Lingchuan was well aware of this. He knew even better that the person in charge of the stables at the Wuzhengsi was a distant relative of Zhang Wangshan.

"Although I am very dissatisfied with losing to you in the county fight, I am convinced of Lin Chen. I don't want to see such a good seedling being ruined by some people."

Zhang Wangshan whispered that after the county fight was over, Shen Ge wanted to know more details about Lin Chen, so he ordered people to collect it. After reading Lin Chen's experience in learning martial arts, even he was moved.

Su Lingchuan nodded: "I won't let him succeed."

"This Lord Xing Huaifeng and Lin Chen should have never met before. I'm afraid there must be something hidden."

Zhang Wangshan pursed his lips towards Xing Huaifeng's back, and a gleam of light flashed in Su Lingchuan's eyes. He thought of the Huo family in Raozhou Prefecture.

(End of this chapter)