Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 711 The Transmigrator's Three-Piece Set
"Imperial decree?"

Liang Jin gave a disdainful snort in his heart.

Emperor Zhao Yu?

That monarch, thousands of miles away, sitting on a shaky dragon throne, overwhelmed by internal and external troubles, actually believed that this Western Desert, honed by wind and sand and conquered by Liang Jin, was still a directly controlled territory under his control, where he could issue orders and take whatever he wanted at will?
What a big joke!
He casually took a warhorse from a guard.

Liang Jin mounted his horse with fluid and natural movements. Although he was still wearing the Zhenyuan Dragon-Slaying Lock, he no longer had the obvious sluggishness and heaviness of the past.

"Back to the city."

He uttered two words casually, flicked the reins, and spurred his horse toward the winding dirt road below the solitary peak. He did not gallop, as if it were just an ordinary outing.

Seeing this, Bao Rui hurriedly scrambled onto his mount—a docile but clearly untrained ponies—and began to neigh loudly in an extremely obsequious tone:
"My lord! My dear father, my lord! If you're in such a hurry, don't wait for me! The important matter is more important than anything else!"

He shouted as he clumsily maneuvered the reins, trying to keep up with Liang Jin's pace, but his riding skills were truly appalling; he bounced and swayed on the horse's back, looking quite disheveled.
"My riding skills are mediocre at best. Even if I beat the horse's rump until it's swollen, I still can't keep up with you, sir!"

A squad of elite guards had already mounted their horses, their movements perfectly synchronized, silently protecting Liang Jin from all sides, serving both as bodyguards and as part of the entourage for the Marquis's travels.

The clanging of armor and the rhythmic thud of horses' hooves on the gravel road added a sense of solemnity and power against the backdrop of the desolate Gobi Desert.

Liang Jin was not in a hurry to get going.

He rode on his horse, his eyes slightly closed, but most of his mind was focused on his body, carefully sensing and adapting to the physical state after breaking through to the second rank and wearing the Dragon-Slaying Lock.

His strength as a ninth-rank martial artist was enough to easily control a warhorse, but he still needed to work on the subtle control of his strength and the new coordination between his muscles and internal energy.

The ups and downs on horseback served as a dynamic form of training, helping him quickly master his "renewed" body.

Bao Rui's mouth never stopped the whole way.

He knew full well that he was of lowly status and had little knowledge. If he were to discuss important military and political matters, he feared that he would make a fool of himself or even anger the Marquis.

But he had his own way of surviving—that was to collect and tell all sorts of interesting stories, romantic tales, scandals and secrets from inside and outside Hanzhou City.

He spurred his horse closer, lowered his voice but made sure those around him could still faintly hear him, and began to tell his story with great enthusiasm.

For example, which young lady secretly eloped with her lover, which lady couldn't bear the loneliness and had an affair, which famous martial artist shamelessly engaged in a master-disciple affair, and which poor boy seized a business opportunity and became rich overnight...

These stories all revolve around illicit affairs between men and women, moral decay, and sudden changes in fate, filled with worldly desires and absurdity.

Bao Rui recounted the story vividly, with rich details and exaggerated tone. He sometimes imitated the characters' mannerisms and sometimes added exaggerated expressions, making even the most unpleasant things sound hilarious.

Even the stern-faced, disciplined guards standing nearby couldn't help but twitch their lips as they listened. Some couldn't help but sigh at the decline of morality, while others were amused by the bizarre plot and chuckled to themselves.

Liang Jin sat on horseback with his eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting, but a faint smile always lingered at the corners of his mouth.

As he listened to Bao Rui's animated narration, he couldn't help but sigh. If Bao Rui had been born in the information-saturated era of his previous life, and had written some low-brow literature or worked in social media, he probably would have been very successful and become a "gossip king".

The reason he allowed, and even somewhat "appreciated," Pauline to stay by his side was precisely because the guy could bring a kind of direct and undisguised lowbrow humor.

This made him realize more deeply why, throughout history, those rulers who held great power were always surrounded by such courtiers and hangers-on.

Surrounded by so many meticulous and pragmatic talents, one's mind is always on edge. Having a guy who specializes in being "unconventional" to crack jokes can indeed relieve stress to some extent, bringing a twisted sense of relaxation and a down-to-earth comfort.

As long as it is firmly under control and does not cross the line, there will be no major problems.

The group, moving at a leisurely pace, finally arrived at the magnificent Zhenxi Marquis's Mansion in the center of Hanzhou City, accompanied by Bao Rui's monologue.

Armored soldiers stood silently and solemnly before the vermilion gate.

Bao Rui immediately reined in his horse, his face plastered with an even more obsequious smile, and bowed to Liang Jin, saying:
"My lord, we have arrived at your residence. Business is important, so I will not go in and disturb you gentlemen."

He changed the subject, speaking as if seeking credit:

"I have prepared a sumptuous banquet to celebrate your great achievement and successful exit from seclusion! I humbly request that my dear father, the Marquis, do me the honor of attending and giving me a chance to show my filial piety!"

After saying that, without waiting for Liang Jin's clear reply, he turned his horse around with a grin and rode away in a flash.

He knew very well that the Marquis's mansion was full of powerful and arrogant people like Leng You and Mu Zheluo, who despised him, a "filthy creature" who survived by flattering others.

Although they wouldn't touch him out of respect for the Marquis, they couldn't avoid making sarcastic remarks or even finding a pretext to make him suffer.

He didn't want to risk that bad luck.

Liang Jin neither commented nor denied this, and strode straight into the Marquis's residence.

The mansion had winding corridors and deep courtyards. When the guards and servants saw him, they all knelt down to pay their respects, creating a solemn atmosphere.

He went to the study with practiced ease.

This is where he handles core affairs; the layout is simple yet sophisticated, with a faint, calming incense burning.

He had just sat down on the soft couch, picked up the warm ginseng tea served by the maid, and taken a sip when the study door was gently pushed open.

A woman dressed in black, with a cool and aloof demeanor like a secluded orchid, strode in.

She approached Liang Jin, knelt on one knee, her voice filled with genuine respect and a hint of barely perceptible joy:

"Your subordinate, Leng You, respectfully welcomes Your Excellency upon your return from the pass!"

She looked up and examined Liang Jin carefully, a hint of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes:
"Congratulations, Lord Marquis, on your great improvement in skill!"

"Now, the Marquis's aura is as deep as the sea, and your subordinates... can no longer fathom its depths."

Liang Jin took a sip of the tea, savoring its aroma as it filled his mouth, and casually waved his hand.
"Let's skip the formalities. Tell me, what changes have occurred in the internal and external situation during my seclusion?"

Leng You stood up, her expression quickly regaining its usual calm and competence, and began her clear report:
"Reporting to the Marquis, according to the latest intelligence, the Great Qian Dynasty and the Black Dragon Dynasty have reached a complete ceasefire in accordance with the peace agreement."

Her tone was slightly lower as she continued:

"However, the pressure brought about by the ceasefire did not dissipate, but instead shifted directly to the long border between my Western Desert and the Black Dragon Dynasty."

"The main force of the Black Dragon Dynasty's 'Black Wolf Riders,' along with at least three infantry units of ten thousand men each, is gathering in the vicinity of our border town of 'Wolf Kiss Pass.' Their troop movements are frequent, and smoke signals are frequently raised, making their threat obvious."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin paused slightly in his teacup, his brows furrowing imperceptibly.

The Black Dragon Dynasty, this behemoth that reigns supreme in the north and whose people are known for their fierce and untamed nature, has always been the sharpest knife hanging over the Western Desert.

Its ceasefire with Daqian means that it can deploy more troops and resources to the Western Desert.

The key lies in the size of the Black Dragon Dynasty's troop mobilization and the intentions of its top decision-makers.

If it's just border friction and probing, the Western Desert can handle it.

But if the Black Dragon King's court were to make up its mind and mobilize the entire nation's army to march south...

Although Liang Jin was not afraid of a battle, he was well aware that with the current resources and population of the Western Desert, it would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock if it wanted to confront a complete empire head-on.

Moreover, could there be a terrifying existence hidden within the Black Dragon Dynasty, like Zhao Wuji of the Great Qian Dynasty, who transcends the mortal realm and can single-handedly defeat an entire army?
This has always been Liang Jin's biggest worry.

If such a person truly exists, then the defenses of the Western Desert would likely be rendered useless in the face of absolute power.

He wasn't without a backup plan.

The influence of Qingyi Tower has long since infiltrated the territory of Daqian like a spider web, establishing numerous branches and strongholds.

If the Western Desert truly cannot be defended, he can retreat into the Great Qian Dynasty. With the power he holds and the wealth he has accumulated, he can still live the life of a wealthy man, and even secretly stir up trouble.

But that's a last resort!

Giving up this land, which he had painstakingly cultivated and considered his foundation, was by no means his wish.

"If you save people but lose land, you can save both people and land; if you save land but lose people, you can lose both people and land."

Liang Jin put down his teacup, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable determination:
"Order the border commander to closely monitor the movements of the Black Dragon Army."

"If the enemy launches a large-scale invasion, we should not be concerned about the gains or losses of a single city or place. We should allow them to rely on favorable terrain, fight and retreat, shrink their defensive lines, and preserve their strength."

"The western desert is vast and sparsely populated, barren and desolate. We must take advantage of our depth to wage a protracted war against them, slowly wearing down their morale and supplies."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and added:

"Furthermore, those improved formulas I gave you before, order the artisan workshops that Star Demon Sea has merged into to accelerate production at all costs! Gunpowder, flammable oil, the more the better!"

"We must make the Black Dragon Dynasty understand that if we want to take down the tough nut of the Western Desert, even if we can't break their teeth, we'll make them pay a bloody price!"

How could a time traveler not take advantage of that?
And what time travelers like to play with most are cement, gunpowder, and soap, right?
Cement was used to build cities and fortify defenses, soap improved hygiene and boosted morale, while gunpowder and flammable oil were the kings of war in this era of cold weapons that were not yet fully understood!
Previously, he lacked the strength to easily reveal his treasures, fearing that possessing such a valuable item would bring him trouble.

If one were to create such astonishing things when one is weak, one would only be captured and tortured by the strong to extract the formula, either dying a miserable death or becoming a vassal of the strong.

Now that he has joined the ranks of the world's top experts and possesses the Western Desert, he naturally wants to turn these "great weapons" into his own.

Xingmohai was already quite accomplished in prop manufacturing. Liang Jin had seen them use weapons similar to smoke bombs and incendiary bombs, and they were already capable of manufacturing rudimentary gunpowder and oil.

However, Xingmohai has not yet realized the revolutionary horror of gunpowder, nor has he truly developed its value.

With a little guidance, Liang Jin adjusted the proportions of the formula and produced more powerful gunpowder and more intensely burning, more adhesive fire oil.

This will be a crucial trump card for the Western Desert in its fight against powerful enemies.

Upon hearing Liang Jin's instructions, Leng You's eyes revealed deep admiration, not only out of obedience to a superior but also out of awe for his knowledge and foresight: "I will obey your orders, Master! The workshops for improving gunpowder and flammable oil are already operating at full capacity, working day and night."

"People only know that the Soul Jade is incredibly powerful, but they don't know that the creation of the Pavilion Master, once used on the battlefield, also has the power to sweep away thousands of troops and burn cities and boil seas!"

Her tone was filled with emotion:

"In the past, it was because our subordinates were short-sighted, sitting on a mountain of treasures without realizing it."

"If it weren't for the guidance of the host, we probably would never have been able to imagine that these seemingly ordinary things could unleash such earth-shattering power."

Liang Jin nodded slightly, indicating that she didn't need to flatter him and should continue with the matter at hand.

Leng You gathered her thoughts and reported on the next item:
"In addition, the internal strife in the neighboring country of Skhari has intensified recently."

"The power struggle between Consul Bektobe and the Empress Dowager, who is ruling from behind the scenes, has completely turned into an open confrontation. The forces of both sides are frequently moving around near the capital, and a conflict is imminent."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin's gaze sharpened slightly.

Bektobe?

He was familiar with the name; it belonged to the most powerful minister in the Kingdom of Shali, and was also Ayina's father.

Previously, he had firmly controlled the government, and the Empress Dowager and the young emperor were practically powerless.

The fact that the Empress Dowager dares to openly defy her means that she must have gained sufficient power to rely on.

Sure enough, Leng You continued:

"The Queen Mother of the Kingdom of Sihali somehow managed to find the old war god who had retired twenty years ago and successfully persuaded him to come out of seclusion to help her."

"The God of War enjoys immense prestige in the Kingdom of Skhari, with his old followers spread throughout the court and the countryside. His statement has caused a large number of neutrals to side with the Queen Mother. Bektobe is now under tremendous pressure and in a rather precarious situation."

"Currently, both Bektobe and the Empress Dowager's envoys have arrived in Hanzhou City and are staying at the post station, hoping to obtain your support, Lord Marquis."

Liang Jin tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, lost in thought.

The Kingdom of Sihali is also a potential threat to the Western Desert, and its internal turmoil is strategically advantageous to the Western Desert.

Although Ayina had a past with him, personal feelings were insignificant when it came to the struggle for national power, and besides, Ayina could not influence her father's decision.

"Let them fight it out."

Liang Jin finally made a decision:
"We can simply sit back and watch the tigers fight. The more intense the infighting within the Sihali, the better for the Western Desert."

If the power of the Kingdom of Sihali weakens due to internal strife, it would naturally be a good thing for the Western Desert.

In particular, internal strife within the Shalli region could even lead to a brain drain of its talented population to the Western Desert.

Muzhaluo and his family initially joined Liang Jin's cause because of internal strife within the Shhali region.

This caused some unpleasantness between Liang Jin and Ayina.

This time, the internal strife within the Sihali will inevitably become more severe, and perhaps even more capable individuals will defect to Liang Jin.

The only thing he needed to consider was that the internal strife in the Kingdom of Shalli might affect the potential support from this neighboring country in the future fight against the Black Dragon Dynasty.

But Liang Jin never placed his hopes on others.

If you want others to lend a helping hand when you are in trouble, you must first demonstrate that you are worth investing in and have a tenacious vitality.

Leng You nodded, and then reported the most important thing:

"In addition, the imperial envoy dispatched by the Great Qian Dynasty arrived at the Marquis's residence yesterday and is currently waiting in the side hall."

"They... seem to have come merely to deliver a message, and have not shown any intention to discuss with us how to jointly deal with the threat of the Black Dragon Dynasty."

Her tone carried a hint of disappointment and confusion that she could hardly conceal.

In her view, in the face of the threat from the Black Dragon Dynasty, the Great Qian should take the initiative to negotiate a joint defense with the Western Desert.

Liang Jin, however, was not surprised at all; he even revealed a knowing, cold smile.

"Don't be surprised. The Great Qian Dynasty is currently beset by internal and external troubles and is too busy taking care of itself to care about the survival of our Western Desert."

"Send that angel over here. I want to hear what kind of 'imperial decree' His Majesty the Emperor issued to my Western Desert from across thousands of miles."

Leng You may not fully understand the situation of the Great Qian Dynasty, but Liang Jin is very clear about it.

The Great Qian Dynasty has just ceded territory and paid reparations to the Black Dragon Dynasty, severely depleting its national strength. Meanwhile, Princess Kangning and two vassal kings have declared themselves independent, the five southeastern prefectures are suffering from pirate raids, and bandits are rampant in the north.

Corruption was rampant within the imperial court, with nepotism and the failure to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields led to an empty treasury.

Faced with this crisis of national subjugation, the Great Qian Dynasty is probably truly powerless to address the situation in the Western Desert.

Leng You accepted the order and immediately sent someone to summon him.

A short while later, the study door was pushed open again.

The leader was a middle-aged eunuch with a white face and no beard, dressed in the official robes of an envoy of the Great Qian Dynasty, holding a bright yellow brocade imperial edict high in both hands.

Two eunuchs followed behind with their heads bowed, carrying a gilded incense burner and a white jade whisk.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was clearly the so-called "angel".

He entered the study, his slender eyes quickly scanning the room. When he saw Liang Jin still lounging lazily on the soft couch, dressed in casual clothes, not even bothering to set up an incense table, kneel to receive the imperial decree, or even get up, his brows immediately furrowed, and obvious displeasure and astonishment appeared on his face.

He suppressed his anger, deliberately cleared his throat, and a shrill voice rang out in the study, carrying a formulaic reminder:
"Marquis of Zhenxi, the imperial edict has arrived!"

He deliberately drew out his tone, emphasizing the majesty of the imperial edict.

Liang Jin didn't even lift his eyelids, only responding calmly, his voice carrying an undeniable indifference:
"I am feeling unwell and cannot get up."

"Since the angel has a will, let it be read here."

The angel's face instantly turned extremely ugly.

He had anticipated that Liang Jin might be somewhat negligent, but he never expected him to be so dismissive!

This is a blatant disregard for imperial power!
His chest heaved, as if he was about to explode.

But when his gaze met Liang Jin's seemingly calm but unfathomable eyes, and Leng You's icy gaze beside him, the words of rebuke he was about to utter were swallowed back down.

He knew very well that this was not the capital city, and the "Marquis of Zhenxi" in front of him was a true warlord who held the power of life and death, and was by no means someone that a mere eunuch like him could easily control.

Especially since everyone knows that Meng Xinghun killed countless people in the Western Desert in his early years, and rose to power by stepping on mountains of corpses and seas of blood. He is not someone to be trifled with!
After weighing the pros and cons, the angel ultimately chose to compromise.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, forced a stiff smile, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and began to read it aloud in his distinctively shrill voice:
"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"The Western Desert controls the perilous sands and deserts, serving as the northwestern bulwark of our Great Qian Dynasty, a matter of utmost importance. Since being appointed by me to pacify this region, Marquis Meng Xinghun of Zhenxi has driven the barbarians beyond the Wolf Mountain and brought peace to the various tribes under their yurts. Livestock have flourished, and there has been no famine for years; the tribes are loyal, and the beacon fires have ceased to rage. This is all thanks to your tireless efforts and personal coordination, which greatly pleases me and has earned you widespread praise from the court and the public."

"This year, the central government is planning border defenses, intending to increase the number of garrison troops in the north, repair more than 300 li of beacon towers, and provide relief to famine-stricken people in the drought-stricken border areas. The required funds are enormous. Considering that the western deserts have been peaceful in recent years, the fields and pastures have become increasingly prosperous, and taxes have increased. Since you are responsible for guarding the land for the country, you should share the burden of national affairs with me. It is advisable that, starting this year, 50% of the annual tax revenue from the western deserts should be sent to the capital to assist in border defenses and improve people's livelihoods, so that the northwest barrier can be strengthened and all the people under heaven can enjoy peace."

"Your Majesty and your subjects are of one body, sharing weal and woe. You have always been loyal and diligent, and you must understand my earnest intention to protect the borders and care for the people. Do not fail in your duty. Obey my command and quickly instruct your subordinates to carry out the work in accordance with the regulations without delay."

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the study fell silent.

The angel closed the decree, held it in both hands, looked at Liang Jin, and added, his tone carrying a final insistence and a test:
"Marquis of Zhenxi, please receive the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin showed no fear or gratitude whatsoever; instead, a cold, mocking smile slowly appeared on his face.

He understood Emperor Zhao Yu's intentions perfectly.

Zhao Yu intends to collect taxes from the Western Desert to replenish the treasury of the Great Qian Dynasty.

With just an imperial edict, they want to take away 50% of the taxes from the Western Desert?

They want to take away half of the wealth that the soldiers and civilians of the Western Desert have worked so hard to accumulate with just a piece of paper!
Zhao Yu is simply delusional!
Immediately, Liang Jin didn't even bother to get up; he simply raised his hand casually, his five fingers slightly spread.

An invisible suction force was instantly generated!

The angel felt a sudden lightness in his hand, and the bright yellow imperial edict representing imperial power slipped from his grasp. With a "whoosh," it flew through the air several steps as if guided by an invisible thread, and landed steadily in Liang Jin's outstretched palm.

Liang Jin didn't even glance at the imperial edict, as if he had only accepted an insignificant trinket.

He casually tossed the imperial edict onto the coffee table beside him, making a soft "thud".

Then, he calmly looked at the pale-faced, dumbfounded angel, his tone indifferent and without a trace of emotion:
"I accept this imperial edict."

"As for taxes..."

He paused slightly, each word as clear and cold as an ice bead falling onto a jade plate:
"When the angel returns, he may convey my message to His Majesty."

“Our western desert is barren and the people are poor. The taxes are meager and it is not enough to support ourselves.”

"Therefore, we can't afford even a single penny."

(End of this chapter)