Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 508 Li Chungang's Revelation
Although the marriage alliance was completed and the process of Northern Liang's submission went smoothly, Xu Fengnian still showed a worried expression from time to time on his way back.

Seeing this, Li Chungang, who was waiting outside the palace to meet them, asked curiously, "Why do you look so worried? Could it be that the Emperor of Ming has refused?"

"no!"

Xu Fengnian shook his head, his lips moving as he recounted what had just happened to Li Chungang without reservation.

Li Chungang chuckled, "What do you think I'm worried about?"

The people nearby immediately looked over.

"If the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty really intends to harm us, even Xu Xiao will only have the option of waiting to die." Li Chungang's words were incisive and sharp: "You don't really think that the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will find it as difficult to destroy Beiliang as it would to destroy Liyang or Beimang, do you?"

Xu Fengnian, Xu Weixiong, Xu Yanbing, and Chen Zhibao all fell silent.

Judging from their expressions, Li Chungang knew they were still somewhat unwilling to give up. He sneered and said, "I know you have confidence in Xu Xiao and Beiliang, but remember this: a celestial being on land can overthrow a nation, and a deity on land can rewrite the course of a war."

"Xu Xiao once trampled across six kingdoms, causing the surrounding countries of Liyang to perish."

"That's only because those old kingdoms weren't very strong, and they didn't have any experts at the Celestial Realm level to protect them. Even the Celestial Immortals were held back, which is why Xu Xiao was able to conquer the world and destroy six kingdoms with his horse."

"What if the ancient state of Chu had a celestial being on land? What if there were ten more celestial beings on land?"

"The Northern Liang army is strong, and the unity between the army and the people is true."

"But that only applies to Liyang, Beimang, Beili, and other countries in the Central Plains."

Li Chungang paused here, then gestured towards the extremely prosperous capital of the Ming Dynasty in front of him, and said, "Look at those Tian Ce soldiers stationed in the capital like statues, and the Cang Yun Army patrolling the roads."

"Do you think that 30,000 men can crush the entire Northern Liang into dust?"

"If it's only 30,000..." Chen Zhibao interrupted reluctantly, his eyes filled with a desperate glint.

Before Chen Zhibao could finish speaking, Li Chungang interrupted him, saying in an extremely solemn tone, "If an army of 30,000 truly comes to the city, your death, Xu Xiao's death, and that of Beiliang are already predetermined."

Xu Fengnian remained silent, while Xu Wei and Xiong Dai frowned, somewhat unconvinced.

Xu Yanbing's expression was complicated, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Seeing that Chen Zhibao was still not giving up, Li Chungang reminded him: "What you can see is just the tip of the iceberg. The 30,000 Tian Ce or 30,000 Cang Yun Army have at least a hundred terrestrial immortals, more than 1,500 celestial grandmasters, and even no less than five terrestrial celestial beings."

"Excessive confidence can sometimes be arrogance."

"Northern Liang? Full-armored Battalion? Or the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry? Or perhaps the Dragon Elephant Army, or the Left and Right Cavalry?"

"Or are they the millions of people in Northern Liang?"

"All of this is based on the premise that the Ming emperor was not determined to destroy Beiliang. Otherwise, if he had sent more than ten celestial beings to rule Beiliang, it would have been like ten peerless immortals descending."

"In just one day, the Northern Liang will be ravaged, its army will be wiped out, and every household in the Northern Liang will be dressed in mourning."

Although Li Chungang's words were unpleasant to hear, they were like a sharp blade piercing directly into the hearts of Xu Fengnian, Xu Weixiong, Chen Zhibao, and Xu Yanbing, leaving them feeling utterly chilled.

Xu Fengnian, Xu Weixiong, and the others fell silent.

Although reluctant, they all knew, having been in the capital for so long, that what Li Chungang said was true. Xu Fengnian, in particular, recalled the scene of those peerless celestial beings appearing in the sky during the coronation ceremony. Seeing the thoughtful expressions on Xu Fengnian and the others' faces, Li Chungang smiled and reassured them, "So, don't worry, His Majesty the Emperor has ulterior motives."

"You should be thankful that at least you still have value in his eyes."

"Xu boy, there's no need to worry too much. The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty knows the true identity of Xu Weixiong, the second princess of Beiliang, and has naturally guessed your and Xu Xiao's thoughts and schemes."

Instead of worrying unnecessarily, you should think about how much benefit you can gain this time.

Upon hearing this, Xu Weixiong turned and looked back towards the palace, muttering to himself, "At least, does it still have any value?"

Her eyes no longer held their usual shrewdness and calculation, but were filled with a deep sense of despair and helplessness.

No matter how many schemes you devise, or how intelligent you become, in the face of such a terrifying power disparity, everything is in vain, a waste of effort and a pointless exercise.

Xu Fengnian felt much relieved after hearing Li Chungang's words.

"That's true. If the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty really wanted to harm us, he wouldn't need any schemes or tricks. He could easily wipe out the entire Northern Liang by simply sending his top experts."

"There is no need to accept my second sister's marriage alliance with Beiliang."

Chen Zhibao and Xu Yanbing nodded silently, and even Xu Weixiong expressed his approval.

They were blinded by their own involvement and failed to grasp this point. They were simply convinced that Zhu Jinzhen's decision to accept Xu Weixiong as a concubine after learning her true identity might be part of a larger conspiracy and scheme.

I never expected that they would disdain such a thing.

Perhaps it's also related to their pride and arrogance?

Several people asked themselves honestly and smiled bitterly to themselves.

Suddenly, Xu Fengnian seemed to realize something and looked at Li Chungang strangely: "Old Li, what did you mean by your last sentence? Benefits? What benefits?"

"Huh? You don't know?"

Li Chungang was stunned, his steps faltering. When he came to his senses, he looked at Xu Fengnian as if he were looking at a fool. But when he noticed that Xu Weixiong had the same expression, and Xu Yanbing and Chen Zhibao were both looking blank, he immediately revealed a look of pity for a fool.

"Hiss, Lao Li, just say what you want to say, don't stare at me like that... It's kind of creepy." Xu Fengnian chuckled and deliberately shook his body, as if to shake off the goosebumps on his skin.

Xu Weixiong, on the other hand, was more serious and bowed, saying, "Please speak plainly, sir."

"Alright, it seems you really didn't expect this?" Li Chungang rolled his eyes speechlessly and said, "The emperor taking a concubine is not the same as an ordinary person taking a concubine."

"Even if it's an ordinary person taking a concubine, the proper etiquette will still be observed."

"Based on what I've seen and heard in the capital of the Ming Dynasty and my understanding of His Majesty the Emperor, since he has agreed to take a concubine, the gifts he bestows must be quite generous."

"Do you think you'll reap huge benefits?"

Upon hearing this, the group was stunned once again.

Xu Weixiong frowned and pressed on, "A normal wedding requires a generous dowry, but is it the same for taking a concubine? And ordinary gold and silver jewelry aren't really considered a good thing, are they?"

(End of this chapter)