Hyperdimensional Player

Chapter 348 Debauchery and Tyranny? Governing by Doing Nothing? Conquering Annam!
Outside the imperial city.

"You came just in time."

Duncan saw the monk Bujie outside the palace gate with a bitter expression on his face, seemingly unable to understand his expression at all. He directly pulled him by the hand and led him to the main hall, pointing to the map in front of them and saying, "Look here."

After he finished speaking, he pointed to the west of the map, in the direction of the Potala Palace.

Even after becoming emperor, Duncan didn't have any imperial airs. However, his demeanor was natural and commanding, making people submit. After all, it was such a small country, and he really didn't need to take it too seriously. If he couldn't even manage this tiny place, how could he manage a vast empire spanning Eurasia and Africa?

"How about it?"

"Interested?" Duncan asked, turning his head.

Master Bujie looked on in astonishment, then looked up at Duncan, then at the map, as if he understood something. His expression gradually became serious as he said, "His Majesty wants me to go here to spread Buddhism?"

The territory of Tantric Buddhism.

Duncan smiled and shook his head, saying, "No, it's to go to Vajra Subdue Demons."

"Han Buddhism is greedy for money, but it does not harm people."

"That might not be the case with Bon."

"The Buddhist sects in the Central Plains have too many idle people. Those holy monks and eminent monks have nothing to do. Out of respect for you and Buddha, I can't go on a killing spree."

"This is a good opportunity to find them a place to go."

Duncan naturally knew Master Bujie's purpose in coming. In his eyes, the monk Bujie's reputation was more effective than that of Buddha, since he did not owe Buddha any favors.

Kill some, keep some, and use some.

The monk Bujie's reputation is useful, but that's about all it can be used for; asking for anything more would be excessive.

The Great Free Heaven Demon Lord is not someone to be trifled with.

"Western Regions Vajra Sect".

The monk Bujie seemed to know Duncan's thoughts and knew that he could no longer ask Duncan to make an exception for Buddhism.

He witnessed Duncan's rise firsthand and knew just how terrifying the talent of the man before him was.

Not to mention that he now has many experts around him.

Even disregarding figures like Lu Shanjun, Fu Jianhan, Jade-Faced Lady, and Miss Sun, the sheer number of experts from the military, Mohist, medical, and agricultural schools combined would be enough to give Buddhism a run for its money. If the Ming Cult and its demonic branches were added, they would be in deep trouble.

His expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "I have long known about the different Buddhist sects in the Western Regions."

"If Your Majesty intends to launch a campaign to the Western Regions..."

"The Zen school is willing to serve like dogs and horses."

look.

There are sensible people in Buddhism too.

Duncan simply picked up his pen and drew an X on the map, saying calmly, "If anyone in the Buddhist community is willing to help, all past transgressions will be forgiven."

"I wish to restore the territory of the Han and Tang dynasties."

"The beliefs in the Western Regions are too chaotic, and I also dislike some of the practices of the Tantric sect. It would be good for you to correct them."

Buddhism has its own way of using things.

If they were used in the Central Plains, they would be seen as bald monks who greedily amass wealth, but if used in the Western Regions, they would truly be living bodhisattvas who save people from suffering.

Chinese Buddhism is a product of the suppression and domestication of Buddhism by the Three Wu and One Zong emperors.

They are greedy, but not ruthless. Releasing them out to reorganize the Western Regions and spread Mahayana Buddhism would be a good thing.

This world is a giant makeshift operation, and the worst thing is comparing people and goods.

If the war were to reach India in the future, Buddhism might have to step in to stabilize the situation. After all, Buddhism is returning to its original place, under the Bodhi tree, where it can have a proper discussion with Hinduism.

They can't afford to lose again, can they?

If that were the case, then Shakyamuni's disciples and followers would be utterly disappointing.

The Vajra Sect of the Western Regions was merely a whetstone.

The Buddhist sects in the Central Plains can't fight amongst themselves all day long. When Duncan has some free time, he should give these bald monks a good talking-to. They should all get out of here and go preach Buddhism in the Western Regions. It would be best if they could also scout out the area and see what's going on on the subcontinent.

They're so idle all day long, not doing anything productive. If the masters of Buddhism were truly capable, Duncan could take over the faith of the Indian subcontinent. Even if Buddhism is bad, it's still better than the Indian caste system.

By the way, he can also repay the favor he owes Mithra. Don't be too picky, brother. You can also believe in Maitreya Buddha in India.

If Buddhist monks are incompetent at everything but keep jumping around aimlessly, they shouldn't blame Duncan for going on a killing spree!

The opportunity has been given.

Whether or not one can grasp it depends on whether the eminent monks of Buddhism can attain enlightenment.

Whether those holy monks and bald ascetics in Buddhism have attained enlightenment or not, Duncan doesn't know, but Master Bujie in front of him has clearly attained enlightenment. No wonder the monk Bujie has become a high-ranking Buddhist monk.

Duncan has given Buddhism a way out.

That means going to the Potala Palace to discuss the Tao!

If the Buddhist community is willing to stand by Duncan's side and go west to preach, then even if they are a little greedy, Duncan is willing to tolerate it. After all, there is a limit to how greedy the Buddhist community is, and it is within an acceptable range. As long as they are given a periodic reminder, it will be fine.

If they get too greedy, Duncan wouldn't mind slaughtering a batch of pigs for the New Year.

"It seems like we absolutely have to visit the Potala Palace!"

When Master Bujie walked out of the palace, he still looked a little dazed. The boy he had met back then seemed to have not changed at all, and even came out of the palace gate to warmly welcome him.

But everything has changed, and his words carried an undeniable air of authority.

If Buddhism cannot help His Majesty control the faith in the west, then the Buddhist community in the Central Plains will likely face another major purge.

This is an opportunity for them to atone for their crimes and perform good deeds.

Master Bujie held several scrolls of secret texts in his arms, all of which were copied by Duncan and given to him, including eight diagrams of the Everlasting Youth Technique. On the day of the battle in the Valley of Villains, Monk Bujie was seriously injured and had been recuperating in the Valley of a Hundred Flowers until he returned to the Treasure Mystery Cave. Only then did he regain his mobility with the help of rare and precious materials, and then gradually recover his power through secret techniques.

His injuries have mostly healed. If he can comprehend the secret techniques, he might be able to recover to his full strength and even advance further.

"Go to hell."

"Let those bald monks do whatever they want."

The monk Bujie also had a fiery temper. He had a personal relationship with Duncan and was caught in the middle, so he decided to grit his teeth, ignore the mess in the Buddhist community, and go to the Western Regions to take a look.

It just so happens that he also needs to travel and cultivate secret techniques, and also see what the Supreme Yoga method of the Vajra Sect in the Western Regions is really like.

He said that there was an opportunity for me to attain enlightenment as a Vajra Arhat in the Western Regions.

"Prove the Way through killing."

"The wrathful Vajra."

The monk Bujie looked puzzled and wondered to himself, "What exactly is the situation in the Western Regions?"

Are there many corrupt elements within Buddhism?

who cares.

Watch as you walk.

Monk Bujie was originally a fierce and reckless man. He carried the Flying Dragon Zen Staff and prepared to set off today, heading to the Western Regions. He still believed Duncan's words, after all, Fu Jianhan, who was weaker than him back then, had now broken through to the Dao Realm.

Duncan said that the Western Regions held the opportunity for him to attain enlightenment as a Vajra Arhat, so it must exist; it's just that the mystery is currently unknown.

Before leaving, Duncan gave him three volumes of secret manuals, as well as some collected secret techniques and arts. The meaning was clear: he was telling the monk Bujie not to get involved in those messy things, to focus on his cultivation, and that he still had his merits recorded in his little notebook. He was also reminded not to forget to ask the Buddha for the Arhatship.

After leaving the Xingwang Mansion, the monk Bujie was too lazy to see any more Buddhists and headed straight for the Potala Palace.

This journey westward is to seek the true Dharma.

The monk Bujie felt completely at ease, thinking that the road was right under his feet and all he had to do was walk. He laughed heartily and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

"Has Master Bujie left?"

Before anyone knew it, Miss Sun appeared outside the palace gates.

Duncan stared at the map before him and slowly nodded, saying, "We should travel to the Western Regions."

Miss Sun slowly approached him, tilted her head slightly to gaze at the man beside her, twitched her nose, and said softly, "It's best to avoid the women in Liu Chang's palace; most of them are remnants of the demonic sect."

Duncan smiled, took her slender hand, and, true to his scumbag nature, said without batting an eye, "It's just for fun."

"I'll also take the opportunity to study the Yin-Yang Secret Manual of the Demonic Sect."

It is good to know.

Knowing that Duncan had mastered many demonic arts, Miss Sun felt somewhat relieved to see his calm demeanor and that he had not been bewitched by those demonic women.

It's all her best friend's fault.

If it weren't for the Jade-Faced Lady helping him comprehend the Path of Ruthlessness, he wouldn't have been so heartbroken that he indulged in sensual pleasures and even recruited many members of the Demonic Sect.

While the remnants of the Demonic Sect are certainly not to be trusted, the Benevolent Mother of the Great Ming Venerable Sect is not someone to be trifled with either.

Demons dance wildly.

The enchantresses all arrived.

If Sun hadn't witnessed Duncan's journey to where he is today, how he broke through to the Dao realm with the promise of a child, reshaped the entire Southern Han Dynasty, restored peace to the world, and allowed the people to live and work in peace, she would have thought he was the yet-to-be-born evil emperor of the demonic sect just by looking at the group of demons and monsters gathered around him.

Ugh.

Witches and enchantresses are still human; anyone can use them, as long as they are used well.

No matter how many demons and monsters surround Duncan, they are not as demonic as a single finger of his. What are the Ming Cult? What are the Six Branches of the Demonic Sect? Under his command, the Great Demon Lord, these demons and monsters are just the right tools to do things that the righteous sects do not want to do or are not convenient to do.

Now that Duncan is in control of the entire Southern Han situation, are we going to have the physicians from Medicine King Valley and Hundred Flowers Valley do the dirty and tiring work?
You should just focus on treating and saving lives.

Those who have worked with the Demonic Sect all say they are good; they are not only capable of getting things done, but also of taking the blame.

"What is this?" Duncan asked, looking at the medicine box that was handed to him.

Miss Sun's expression remained unchanged, but her face flushed slightly, and she said in a calm tone, "You can use the qi-replenishing and essence-boosting pills."

I don't think I need this thing.

But since it was a token of the other party's goodwill, Duncan accepted it. It seemed that his recent activities had already spread, and even Miss Sun knew that he had taken in quite a few witches and enchantresses. It was estimated that before long, news of Duncan's lust for beauty and his taking in all of Liu Chang's concubines would reach the hands of the Taoist sect.

Palace secrets are not so easily spread.

Although Lu Qiongxian was a fence-sitter, she was capable of handling things. With her in charge, the news coming out of the palace could only be what Duncan wanted others to know.

Now that the Southern Han has reduced its army by more than half, and with Duncan indulging in women and enjoying all the riches and luxuries of life, it's likely that many people can feel a little relieved.

To this day, Duncan has never attended a single day of court.

The court has its own selected talents to handle all matters. If they can't even manage such a small area, they're all useless. They're not even as good as the provincial governors of the empire. Either replace them or they'll lose their heads. Duncan is only in charge of the overall strategy; if he can't do it well, there are plenty of people who want the job. (Note: In the Roman Empire, the provincial governors had more power than most kings.)
"The Toad Taoist has been brought along," Miss Sun said before leaving.

Duncan nodded slightly, satisfied. "Let him meet Li Fengji. He's quite familiar with places like southern Xinjiang and Jiaozhi."

Not long after Miss Sun left, Lu Qiongxian's alluring figure appeared. She had clearly dressed up carefully, and behind her were Consort Li and Lady Li, who were on the verge of tears. They had begged for several days and finally got Lu Qiongxian's arrangement. If they did not receive her favor, their days in the palace would become more and more difficult.

"His Majesty."

"Should we arrange for someone to serve me tonight?"

Lu Qiongxian is now practically the head housekeeper of the palace. Duncan was willing to delegate authority, and she managed everything inside and outside the palace in an orderly manner, with a different schedule every day.

Duncan's expression gradually turned serious, and he slowly shook his head, saying, "We'll talk about it later."

"Gather the experts from the palace to the side hall."

"I have something to tell you."

It's time to get down to business.

Given the current strength of the Southern Han, it simply does not have the resources to attack the Southern Tang and other places. Hundreds of thousands of people are starving and desperate for food. How could it possibly send troops at this time?

But you can't just sit idle; you can fight some small monsters first and develop your strength.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qiongxian's expression turned solemn. During this period, Duncan had ordered her to take control of all the eunuchs in the Southern Han Dynasty, selecting those with the necessary qualifications to teach martial arts. In total, there were already over a hundred masters, some of whom were separately arranged to form another force outside of the Ming Cult.

"Yes." Lu Qiongxian gestured for the two sisters to wait in the side hall, and then she quickly left.

Only she could guess some of Duncan's strategies.

In the Southern Han Dynasty, public opinion was somewhat that the emperor was now compassionate towards the people but still indulged in debauchery and neglected state affairs. As for Lu Qiongxian, rumors about her were rampant. Some busybodies said that she was skilled in bedroom arts and had bewitched three emperors, jokingly calling her a veteran of three reigns.

She has already borne all the blame.

However, she had to take the blame because she was originally a member of the Demonic Sect. She was very clear about her position. She was just a pawn in His Majesty's hands. Whatever role he wanted her to play, she would play it well.

She even gathered a group of beauties and secretly spread rumors in the martial arts world that the entire Hehuan branch of the Demonic Sect had been taken over by His Majesty.

Another debauched and tyrannical emperor, but at least he could do some practical things, though he never attended court to handle state affairs.

Although the imperial examination system was restored, Li Fengji and others, because they had been castrated, found themselves in an awkward position within the scholar-official class. They were seen as a duality of eunuch and castrated official, reminiscent of the Southern Han dynasty's heavy reliance on palace maids and eunuchs.

It all seemed like they had just changed the emperor.

What Duncan wants is not fame, but a period of development.

It didn't take long.

Dozens of pale-faced, beardless eunuch experts gathered on one side of the side hall. Most of them were marked with three stars, and there were also some eunuchs marked with four stars, but no experts at the Innate Realm had appeared yet.

The Southern Han Dynasty had over 10,000 eunuchs, many of whom were scholars; they were far more than they could possibly use.

There will definitely be one or two masters of Dongfang Bubai's caliber emerging from here.

Duncan sat on the dragon throne, surrounded by several eunuchs and palace maids, all of whom were selected by Lu Qiongxian. He continued Liu Chang's policy of making good use of palace maids. The entire palace was basically under Lu Qiongxian's control, but they were not capable of interfering in politics.

Those who disobeyed all died.

If Lu Qiongxian doesn't do a good job, other palace maids will naturally want to do it; the competition among the demonic sect's enchantresses is fierce.

Duncan possesses many skills, so training him wouldn't be difficult.

"I intend to quell the rebellion in Jiaozhi. I entrust this matter entirely to you. Can you accomplish it?"

Duncan looked down at Li Fengji, who was kneeling in front of him. He was quite a talent, after all, he was a third-place scholar in the imperial examination, and he even learned martial arts faster than others.

A surge of ecstasy welled up inside me.

coming.

finally come!

The opportunity to make a name for oneself in history has arrived.

Li Fengji looked up instantly, his gaze resolute, and said, "If we can muster six thousand elite troops and still fail to conquer Jiaozhi, I will offer my head to Your Majesty."

He knew how strong the Red Army's elite troops were.

Duncan slowly shook his head and said, "I'll give you a maximum of two thousand men, and you can then draw on local militias."

"In addition, I will arrange some experts for you."

master?

How tall is it?
Li Fengji looked puzzled. Duncan clapped his hands, and Toad Daoist, who looked like a zombie, appeared, his demonic aura sending chills down people's spines.

It can be used by the living, the dead, and both the living and the dead.

Duncan isn't picky about who he works for; as long as they're useful, that's fine.

A master of the demonic sect who has entered the Dao realm.

After entering, Toad Taoist ignored everyone else present and knelt respectfully before Duncan, saying, "Your Majesty."

Duncan said calmly, "Are you confident in dealing with the wizards of the Southern Frontier?"

The Toad Taoist smiled disdainfully: "It's just a trivial skill; I can easily defeat it."

That day, the flying head magic of the Southern Xinjiang shaman amused him, making his zombie-like face smile.

That's it.

Duncan looked down at Li Fengji and said calmly, "I'll give you six months."

"Go and prepare quickly."

He needed to be stationed in Guangzhou to pacify Jiaozhi, which was a true test of Li Fengji's ability to serve as prime minister.

In 939 AD, after defeating the Southern Han army, Wu Quan proclaimed himself king and established the Wu Dynasty, breaking away from the rule of the Central Plains dynasty for the first time. This move marked the transformation of the Jiaozhi region from a Chinese prefecture-county system to a local separatist regime.

This kind of change is very damaging.

This is because the people of Jiaozhi began to perceive themselves as belonging to the same lineage as the Chinese during the Qin and Han dynasties, but gradually developed a sense of being a "foreign land" after the Five Dynasties period.

In the original historical narrative, the Song Dynasty did not recover Jiaozhi. Instead, Zhao Kuangyin recognized its tributary status and enfeoffed it as the King of Jiaozhi. It was not until the Ming Dynasty that Jiaozhi was briefly reinstated. Throughout the history of the Song Dynasty, pieces of land in the Central Plains were lost here and there, and before long, it was almost gone.

Jiaozhi, also known as Jiaozhou, was renamed Annam Protectorate during the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Quan declared independence after defeating the Southern Han army.

Duncan is determined to take this land, but now he has a lot at stake, and if he wants to launch an attack on Vietnam, he can only do so with the help of his subordinates.

Those who ate mine, spit them all out!
Duncan wouldn't even be able to take over the whole of Southeast Asia; if he lost Jiaozhou, he would lose face as the King of Kings. Besides, Vietnam is a land that produces quite a bit of food.

The things left by our ancestors cannot be lost; Zhao Kuangyin didn't want them, but he was determined to have them.

The night is getting darker.

Only after the strategy for conquering Jiaozhi was finalized did Duncan send Li Fengji and his men away.

Lu Qiongxian glanced at his expression and, seeing that he was still interested, immediately understood. She clapped her hands lightly, and soon palace servants brought over Consort Li and Lady Li.

The play will continue, and the dance will continue.

Then the music started, and then the dancing began.

By the time others learned the news, the Annam Protectorate would probably have been pacified, Vietnam's rear granaries would be in place, and they could conquer the Southern Tang next year. After destroying the Southern Tang, they would face the Northern Song army head-on.

As if hearing a noise, Duncan looked up and saw two figures, one elegant and beautiful and the other delicate and charming.

Lu Qiongxian has truly caused me great suffering!
He's a professional at playing tyrannical rulers.

Since the fall of the Southern Han Dynasty, Duncan's reputation has never been good. He neglected state affairs, relied heavily on eunuchs and palace women, was lustful, slaughtered aristocratic families, seized the property of scholars and officials, and used cruel methods, such as confiscating property and exterminating families at the drop of a hat. He also took in the remnants of the Demonic Sect. His reputation has become increasingly worse, but the lives of the people of the Southern Han Dynasty have become better day by day.

From the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period to the present, the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, which had suffered severe damage, have begun to recover at an astonishing speed.

Don't know when.

Some basic martial arts techniques from the martial arts world have also spread to the common people, especially in places like Foshan, where a trend of practicing martial arts has quietly formed among the people.

As for the army, most of the Southern Han's troops were just for show, with only one elite force being quite special.

Because they are all martial artists, practicing both military strategy and martial arts.

You need to eat well to have the energy to practice martial arts.

Farming, farming.

Duncan gave a wink, and Lu Qiongxian, with a refined and elegant air, stepped forward to remove her palace attire and personally instructed the palace servants to remove their armor. Even a tyrannical ruler needs a good physique, and this set of skills still needs to be practiced diligently.

Fan Huzi died suddenly on the twenty-seventh day.

Although Duncan still did not attend court, he led his men to the port area of ​​what is now Guangzhou. The Southern Han navy was quite strong, but Liu Chang had misappropriated all the money.

The Southern Han controlled Guangzhou (the world's largest port during the Tang Dynasty) and possessed hundreds of warships, with its main warships being the "Mengchong" (light and fast warships) and the "Haihu" (armored ships).

Naval power can suppress neighboring small countries (such as Champa and Luoyue).

At some point, his reputation seemed to change. His actions of not attending court and completely delegating power led some to praise him as "ruling by doing nothing," as if a sage had been born.

It truly is a case of 'a great Confucian scholar will personally debate the classics for me'.

There has always been a phenomenon in this world: truly capable people often hope that their superiors will interfere with them as little as possible. As long as they are given more power, they are willing to risk their lives to guarantee and take the blame.

Fortunately, there were many such people in this era, and some even conquered a piece of land in the Min Kingdom with only 1,500 militiamen.

The Central Plains region is not lacking in talent at all; what it lacks is the opportunity for talent to demonstrate their abilities.

………………

(End of this chapter)