Double penetration: This Three Kingdoms has dragon energy

Chapter 133 Chengdu Jinyulou

Xun You looked at Guo Jia's determined eyes and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

He knew these were Guo Jia's true feelings, and he also knew that it was perfectly normal for Guo Jia to think this way.

Because Guo Jia was different from him; Guo Jia came from a poor family.

For those from humble backgrounds, they desperately want their lord's power to grow stronger and stronger.

Because poor families have no family to rely on, their only support is their lord.

Therefore, the stronger the lord's power, the stronger their backing!
As for whether their lord's power would become too great and endanger them.

That is impossible.

Because if the sky were to fall, there would be tall people to hold it up, so it wouldn't hit them on the head.

As for whether they will grow up to be tall.

Well, if they can consistently gain their lord's trust and be given important responsibilities, and if their lord's power truly grows stronger, then sooner or later they will definitely become tall.

But that would be at least a hundred years from now.

Guo Jia has absolutely no reason to worry about such things for his descendants at this time.

Because each generation has its own tasks and missions.

Overstepping one's bounds is never a good thing.

We must trust the wisdom of future generations!

Xun You sighed softly and said, "I have one last question."

"Please speak," Guo Jia said solemnly.

Xun You asked, "Under Lord Ji's command, where are the powerful families outside the city? Are they all to be exterminated?"

This was another chilling situation that Xun You encountered during his inspection of Taishan County.

Ji Qiu was truly ruthless in his attacks on the powerful families outside the city.

The powerful families outside the city all built fortresses in the wilderness and lived there for generations.

The number of family members in Wubao ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands.

Top-tier families like the Yuan family have hundreds of thousands of members.

Generally speaking, even if someone breaches the stronghold of a powerful family outside the city, the usual outcome is simply the execution of the ringleader, the dismantling of the main branch, and the support of the branch families.

We won't let this family line truly die out.

But Ji Qiu was different. After he breached Wubao, he truly punished the entire clan.

Whether you are from a tribe of several thousand or tens of thousands, you will all be forced into hard labor!

But if that were all, it wouldn't have been enough to shock Xun You so much.

After all, there have been many cruel and tyrannical monarchs throughout history, and Ji Qiu is no exception.

The key point is that Ji Qiu did not reward the Wubao and Tiandi, the powerful families outside the city that were about to be destroyed, to others, and instead allowed his confidants to become the new powerful families outside the city.

Instead, they directly confiscated all the wealth, people, and land of these families.

The wealth was collected into the government treasury, the people became commoners, and the land was developed by the government in a unified manner!
And that's terrifying.

This means that Ji Qiu is systematically eliminating the powerful families outside the city!
He wasn't targeting any one person; he was targeting all the powerful families outside the city!
Xun You finally understood why Xun Yu, who was usually resourceful and decisive, had acted out of character regarding the autumn matter.

Perhaps Xun Yu was not as ignorant of the situation in Jiqiu and Taishan County as he had previously imagined.

On the contrary, it was precisely because Xun Yu knew so much about the situation in Jiqiu and Taishan County that he made the decision not to contact Jiqiu for the time being.

Because he knew that if the Xun family contacted Ji Qiu and wanted to choose Ji Qiu as their lord, they would inevitably have to integrate into Ji Qiu's forces.

However, Ji Qiu's forces do not have the same space to survive as the powerful families and clans outside the city.

The Xun family was not only a prominent family outside the city, but also one of the few high-ranking prominent families outside the city!

They would not cut off their own limbs and turn to Ji Qiu at this time.

Therefore, he was destined to keep his distance from Ji Qiu.

In fact, under normal circumstances, their attitude towards Ji Qiu should be extremely hostile, wishing they could eliminate him immediately.

However, perhaps considering Ji Qiu's strength, which they could not eliminate directly, they had no choice but to change their hostility into keeping their distance!
"The powerful clans outside the city are a cancer on the dynasty!"
I think Gongda understands this better than I do.

Why has the mighty Han Dynasty come to this point?
The main reason lies with the powerful families outside the city!

My lord is a man of great ambition, who desires to accomplish a world-shaking feat and establish a great dynasty unlike any other in history. Therefore, he must naturally eliminate the powerful clans outside the city!
However, Gongda need not worry, for our lord will exterminate all the powerful families outside the city.

My lord still left a way out for the powerful families outside the city.

And there is more than one!
Firstly, prominent families outside the city could relocate to areas outside Kyushu.

Currently, the lands outside Kyushu are considered unclaimed territory by my lord and can be occupied at will by powerful families outside the city!
Furthermore, any powerful families willing to relocate outside of Kyushu are allowed to take their people and property with them.

Secondly, they can pledge allegiance to my lord and become his subjects.

Of course, if one chooses to rely on my Lord, then one must abide by my Lord's rules.

All people and land shall be confiscated!
"As for what kind of life you'll lead in the future, that depends on your abilities," Guo Jia said leisurely.

Xun You said in a deep voice, "With such harsh conditions, I'm afraid that Lord Ji's path to hegemony will be exceptionally difficult in the future!"

This autumn seems to have provided a way out, but in reality, it's not much different from not providing one at all.

Move out of Kyushu?

But outside of Kyushu, it's basically all barren land!
Which established family would willingly abandon their ancestral land, cultivated over hundreds of years, to live in such a barren wasteland?!

Serving Ji Qiu and earning a salary based on one's abilities?
It is undeniable that there are indeed many talented people among aristocratic families.

But there are actually far more idiots than talented people!

Most importantly, the vast majority of these so-called talents have risen to prominence because they possess resources far exceeding those of ordinary people.

If they are only allowed to receive a salary commensurate with their abilities, then perhaps they can enjoy privileges for a short period of time thanks to their accumulated wealth over the past few centuries.

But after only one or two generations, they will fade into obscurity.

It is basically impossible to enjoy wealth and prosperity forever by monopolizing resources, just like in the previous hundreds of years!
How could the powerful families outside the city possibly agree to such conditions?
This is a world dominated by powerful clans outside the city.

Whoever the powerful families outside the city support will become the ultimate victor in this chaotic world.

With such potential, Ji Qiu was the most promising person to achieve great things and could even unify the world at a very fast pace.

But he chose this path anyway.

This will make his future path full of thorns and uncertainties.

His future looks like he'll be facing enemies from all sides!

Is it difficult?

My Lord did say something about this. He said that in this world, there are two paths: one is difficult at first and then easy, and the other is easy at first and then difficult.

However, difficulties at first don't necessarily mean great difficulties, because we are currently in our strongest period and can use our greatest strength to solve all problems!
But the later stages are truly difficult.

Because at this point, it's very likely that you are in me and I am in you, making it difficult to distinguish and understand.

Let alone eliminating the enemy, even finding the enemy is not easy!

"What do you think, Gongda?" Guo Jia asked with a smile.

Xun You remained silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh and saying, "Lord Ji's words are truly the greatest truth in the world!"

"Has Gongda already made his final decision?" Guo Jia asked.

Xun You said calmly, "I am willing to serve Lord Ji, but only on my own behalf, and it has nothing to do with the Xun family!"

"Haha, Gongda's talent is unparalleled in the world. Even though Gongda is only serving the lord in a personal capacity, he will surely be highly valued by the lord!"

"When my lord returns, I will recommend Gongda to him immediately!" Guo Jia laughed loudly.

He was not surprised by Xun You's reply.

Given the attitude of Ji Qiu's forces towards the powerful families outside the city, it is impossible for the Xun family to directly pledge allegiance to Ji Qiu.

In fact, not only the Xun family, but probably no other powerful families outside the city will directly pledge allegiance to Ji Qiu in the future.

Only when they are at their wits' end will they truly consider the two paths Ji Qiu offered.

However, the potential shown by Ji Qiu made it impossible for the Xun family to ignore him.

Therefore, Xun You decided to make himself an investment of the Xun family in Ji Qiu.

This is a common practice among the powerful families outside the city.

During times of great chaos, he arranged for his family members to serve in various factions.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Regardless of which faction ultimately wins, the family will always survive. Of course, Xun You made this decision not entirely for the sake of the family; there were two other reasons as well.

Firstly, he really thought highly of Ji Qiu.

Although the path Ji Qiu chose was extremely difficult, it was also extremely bright.

Once it's open, it will be a broad and prosperous road like never before!
Ji Qiu's abilities and qualities laid a solid foundation for him to succeed on this path.

Therefore, he was genuinely willing to pledge allegiance to Ji Qiu and serve him.

Secondly, judging from Guo Jia's previous attitude, he knew that if he refused to submit to Ji Qiu, Guo Jia would definitely not let him leave.

Because he knew too many secrets about Ji Qiu, Guo Jia absolutely would not allow him to take these secrets out of Taishan County.

Therefore, if he refuses to submit to Ji Qiu, he will likely face certain death.

Of course, Xun You already knew this.

He had long ago made the decision to seek refuge with Ji Qiu.

This is what Guo Jia said earlier: if Xun You hadn't been willing to join Ji Qiu, he wouldn't be here!

……

Just as Xun You made up his mind to seek refuge with Ji Qiu, Ji Qiu finally entered Chengdu, the capital of Shu Commandery.

His first stop after entering the city was not the Pu family, but the Jinyulou!
The main building's exterior walls, with their upturned eaves, are inlaid with large, solid pieces of glazed glass mirrors, which refract sunlight into countless fragments of gold.

The Shu brocade lanterns are adorned with gilded tassels, and the wind chimes hanging from the eaves are made of crystal.

The tinkling sounds mingled with the languid music from the gramophone, startling the white pigeons under the eaves as they fluttered past the neon signs.

The words "Jin Yu Lou" were written in vermilion red on it, and the edges were adorned with shimmering glass beads, which looked like burning sunset clouds in the twilight.

Pushing open the carved nanmu door, one discovers that the bronze animal head door knocker is wrapped with a strip of neon lights that flickers on and off.

Instead of ordinary palace lanterns, twelve crystal chandeliers hung high in the front hall, illuminating the white marble floor tiles so brightly that people could see their reflections.

A geisha in a traditional Chinese dress stands barefoot on a glass floor, while koi in an aquarium swim around a coral reef beneath her feet.

Hidden among the carved wooden lattice are Western-style pendulum clocks, the clicking of brass gears mingling with the music of the guqin, and the air filled with a strange fragrance of camphor and perfume.

Ascending the spiral staircase inlaid with mother-of-pearl, each step is embedded with luminescent stones, which shimmer faintly as the skirt sweeps past.

The screen in the second-floor private room is made using the Song Dynasty kesi (silk tapestry) technique, yet it is decorated with modern paintings depicting a beautiful woman resembling a movie poster.

On the gilded coffee table sat an enamel tea set, while next to it, in an ice bucket, glass bottles were printed with Western words. The crisp sound of ice cubes clinking in crystal glasses mingled with the jazz music from the gramophone next door, as if two different time periods had collided at that moment.

The top floor of Jinyu Tower is so luxurious it's almost dreamlike.

The crystal chandelier cast a dazzling light, illuminating the surrounding gold tapestries and gemstone-encrusted ornaments, while the air was filled with the rich aroma of ambergris and top-quality perfumes.

Recently, Qing Shui, the top courtesan and madam of Jin Yu Lou, who is famous in Chengdu, was seen kneeling gracefully on a soft white fox fur carpet, wearing a moon-white silk cheongsam. Her back was straight, and her expression was full of respect and gratitude.

She loosely tied up her long, ink-black hair, with a few stray strands falling beside her fair, porcelain-like cheeks, further highlighting the liveliness and gentleness in her eyes.

Her face, which was not heavily made up, was slightly flushed with excitement. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling, unable to hide the turmoil in her heart.

"Owner."

Her voice was clear and melodious, yet it carried a hint of barely suppressed excitement.

"Your treasures are truly amazing. They've made Jin Yu Lou the most upscale brothel in Chengdu with ease."

Nowadays, all the powerful and wealthy people in this city are flocking to our place.

No news from Chengdu escapes my notice!

"Very good. To have managed Jin Yu Lou to such an extent in just a few months, even with the help of these rare items, your role is also indispensable."

"Looks like you haven't let Hongchang and Wenhe down. Chengdu Station has a good stationmaster!" Ji Qiu stood by the window, his back to Qingshui, and said calmly.

This Golden Jade Building was the headquarters of the Chengdu Station of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The madam of Jinyulou, Qingshui, was the station manager of the Chengdu station of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, she has another identity.

That was Ren Hongchang's maid.

As early as when Ji Qiu was still in Luoyang, Ren Hongchang had already begun recruiting maids.

This was because Ren Hongchang managed the inner quarters for Ji Qiu, and as Ji Qiu's power gradually grew, the inner quarters needed more and more manpower, so Ren Hongchang needed to find some maids to share the work with her.

Secondly, Ji Qiu secretly assigned Ren Hongchang a task.

The purpose was to have Ren Hongchang secretly cultivate swayed intellectuals!

The Bewitching Mind Technique is a very powerful dragon energy technique.

Ji Qiu's achievements today are largely due to this skill.

Therefore, he was well aware of the power of this technique and would never easily pass it on to outsiders.

However, he could not give up on this mind-controlling technique altogether.

Therefore, the best approach is to select loyal subordinates, secretly cultivate them into swaying and manipulative individuals, and use them for his own purposes.

Ren Hongchang then selected suitable women from the families of the soldiers in the rear camp, first taking them in as maids for observation, and then training them after rigorous examination.

If we manage to attract and sway those who are easily swayed by temptation, the number will inevitably be limited.

In fact, currently, besides Ji Qiu and Ren Hongchang, there are only fifteen Bewitching Scholars in the entire Ji Qiu faction.

The vast majority of them were assigned to interrogation agencies within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to conduct interrogations.

Only Shimizu was truly sent out to become the head of a station and block the corrupt scholars on one side!
Because of Shimizu's status as Ren Hongchang's maid, she addresses Ji Qiu as "master" rather than "lord."

After all, maids were household slaves, while "master" was a title for household retainers.

"Thank you for your praise, Master. I will certainly continue to work hard and make new contributions for you!" Qingshui said immediately.

Ji Qiu nodded and said, "Very good! Then let's talk about the Pu family's situation first?"

His purpose in coming to Chengdu was to obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique from the Pu family.

To obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique, one must first understand the situation of the Pu family.

The easiest way to find out what's going on with the Pu family is to have the Chengdu station investigate the matter.

Therefore, he had already notified the Chengdu station about this matter several days ago.

"This... please forgive me, Master. I am incompetent and failed to obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique from the Pu family!"

The Pu family was quite powerful; they were a junior aristocratic family outside Chengdu and a renowned family that made dragon-themed artifacts.

His home not only contained numerous dragon artifacts, but also three peak fourth-rank scholars and 20,000 Wudang Flying Army soldiers!
Such a powerful force is beyond my ability to contend with.

Upon hearing this, Shimizu's expression changed slightly, and he quickly bowed his head to apologize.

The order Ji Qiu had given her earlier was actually just to find out about the Pu family's situation.

But as an ambitious servant, one cannot simply do whatever the master tells one to do.

You should always think ahead of your master and help them complete more tasks in advance; that's how you make progress.

So Shimizu not only went to gather information about the Pu family, but also took direct action, wanting to obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique from the Pu family.

Unfortunately, while she was capable of gathering information about the Pu family, she lacked the ability to obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique.

Not only did they fail to obtain the Earth Spirit Secret Technique, but they also alerted the Pu family, arousing their suspicion.

This created even greater obstacles for Ji Qiu's subsequent actions.

"You!" Ji Qiu sighed softly, unsure of what to say.

Reprimand him; after all, Shimizu meant well and had a very positive work attitude, so we shouldn't criticize him unnecessarily.

If we don't scold her, she did do something wrong after all.

If mistakes are not punished, how can authority be established to deter others?

In the end, Ji Qiu said, "Considering this is your first offense, I'll give you a small punishment as a warning and deduct three months' salary. If you offend again, I will not let you off lightly!"

"Yes, this servant thanks Master for his magnanimity!" Shimizu quickly replied.

He then added, "Master, the Pu family is now on guard. If they want to secretly steal the Earth Spirit Secret Technique again, I'm afraid they will have a hard time succeeding."

Little did they know what the master thought the next step should be.
What else do you need me to do?

"What else can we do? Since it's difficult to seize it secretly, let's seize it head-on!"

Do you think a mere upstart family from outside the city can possibly get away with anything in front of me?
As for you, continue to do your job well and gather intelligence on the Pu family.

"I need to know everything the Pu family has been up to lately!" Ji Qiu said irritably.

(End of this chapter)