The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 437 Murong Xiu

"You want to buy your way into an official position, Cheng Yu? This isn't like you. Shi Miyuan just says whatever he wants, and you still care about being an official?"

Wu Zhengliang knew his nephew very well. He was not the kind of person who could tolerate others' rules and swallow his anger. He could easily cause trouble if he wasn't careful. How could he possibly go into officialdom, associate with those shady and scheming people, or collude with them?

"Fourth Uncle, to be honest, I have grand ambitions that require an official position to carry them out. However, for the sake of the Wu family, this matter cannot be handled in the name of the Wu family."

Wu Zhengliang agreed wholeheartedly. There was no need to ask; Wu Chengyu was definitely planning to do something that would cost him his life. The key was that although he was an elder, he couldn't stop him. Since that was the case, the Wu family couldn't be implicated under any circumstances.

In any dynasty, the sale of official positions is inevitable towards the end. The key is that these officials won't accept money from just anyone, as the risk is too great. Therefore, buying an official position requires connections.

Wu Chengyu is good at killing people, but asking him to buy an official position is a different story. Putting aside whether he can find the connections, he's afraid he might not be able to stand the officials' attitudes and could easily break their necks.

This kind of thing can only be done by someone else, and it must be someone he can trust who can find a way to buy an official position, so his fourth uncle, Wu Zhengliang, is the best candidate.

Wu Zhengliang frowned: "What kind of official position do you want to buy? Since you can't do it in the name of the Wu family, you naturally can't use the Wu family's surname and identity either."

Wu Chengyu said, "I think the position of Gusu Militia Commander is very suitable. As for the person who will serve as the Militia Commander in the future, he should not be called Wu Chengyu. I have already decided on the name: Murong Xiu. What do you think?"

The Gusu Militia Commander was a fifth-rank official, a nominal military post with no actual position, somewhat similar to the security regiments in various regions during the Republic of China era.

These security groups are often a motley crew, and it's considered good if they can maintain local order. Some of these groups are even a major problem in the area themselves.

However, it must be acknowledged that the security regiment is also a well-organized local armed force.

At present, the best choice for an official position that can be purchased and meets Wu Chengyu's requirements is the position of militia commander.

To put it bluntly, buying an official position is just for the title. But with that title, and by spending some money to bribe officials, one can legitimately recruit and train soldiers and establish a local army in Suzhou.

As long as Wu Chengyu maintains a certain size and keeps his superiors well-fed, given the current corruption in the Southern Song Dynasty, unless Wu Chengyu raises the flag of rebellion, no one will care.

Wu Zhengliang pondered for a moment: "Our Great Song Dynasty values ​​literature over military affairs. A militia commander is both a military position and an honorary title. It can be bought, but it is a fifth-rank official position. According to the current market price, it would cost at least seven or eight thousand taels of silver."

"The third branch of the family can pay this money, but if you do something truly earth-shattering in the future, it will be easy to find out that such a large sum of money came from the third branch. Therefore, the Wu family cannot help you pay this time."

"It's alright. I didn't use much of the money my mother left me. I have enough left. I'll fetch it and give it to my fourth uncle later."

"Your identity as Murong Xiu must be able to withstand scrutiny. Your place of origin, background, and resume must all be investigated. I need to think this through carefully."

"Don't worry, Fourth Uncle. All the information about Murong Xiu has been prepared. He is a descendant of my mother's Mu family in Changzhou. There is no one left in the Mu family."

As for the other materials, I have prepared them all. Unless someone insists on pursuing this matter relentlessly and spends a lot of manpower, resources, and time to thoroughly investigate, it's impossible to determine their authenticity.

The rebel army had its own hidden network in the Southern Song Dynasty, and its influence was considerable. It was not difficult to arrange an identity for someone, and this identity was arranged by Hong Niangzi herself. Although it could not be said to be flawless, it was enough to deceive people.

"That's fine. Your third brother, Cheng Lian, was an official in the court, and his mentor, Lord Zheng, was the prime minister. Arranging this matter will not be difficult."

However, since we need to bypass the Wu family, we must find another way. Fortunately, your fourth uncle has some connections. As long as we have enough money, it won't be difficult to become a militia commander.

But you need to think this through. Once you have a militia commander, you'll need to raise soldiers, and raising soldiers is the most expensive thing in terms of money and supplies.

The third branch of the family can secretly provide you with some assistance, but they are currently only managing the family's businesses in Suzhou on behalf of the clan. The profits still belong to the family, and the accounts are reconciled at the end of each year. Therefore, the third branch cannot provide you with too much assistance, otherwise, it will be exposed.

"Don't worry, Fourth Uncle. As long as the money for buying official positions in the early stage is enough, that's fine. As for the money and food for raising soldiers in the future, I have my own way."

Wu Zhengliang looked at Wu Chengyu's face, his expression changing, and finally he sighed: "You are an adult now, and the things you have done are earth-shattering. You have also married the commander of the rebel army. I can guess what you will do in the future, but I dare not think about it."

Chengyu, your fourth uncle will ask you one more time: are you really sure about this? Throughout history, those who have succeeded on this path have faced countless hardships and obstacles; very few have succeeded. It can be said to be a road of no return.

After listening, Wu Chengyu stood up, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply to Wu Zhengliang.

"Fourth Uncle, what Chengyu wants to do is not for fame or fortune, but simply because of the grievances in his heart."

The Song Dynasty was weak and corrupt, and it bowed and scraped before foreign enemies. Regardless of Han Tuozhou's reputation, there has never been a dynasty in history that would behead its own prime minister who advocated war and beg for peace with the enemy. From that moment on, the Song Dynasty was finished.

Over the years, I have wandered around, whether in the Xia or Jin kingdoms. Not only is the status of the Han people low, but they are also constantly bullied by the Xia and Jin people, suffering unspeakable misery. In the eyes of these barbarians, the Han people are like mud that can be trampled on at will, even worse than pigs and dogs.

Even worse, a force is rising in the Mongolian grasslands north of the Jin Dynasty, a force far surpassing the Jin Dynasty in its ability to conquer the world. Yet, they still do not take the Han people seriously. If they gain power in the future, the situation of the Han people will become even more difficult.

Our Chinese civilization, with its thousands of years of orthodox tradition, is about to be severed here along with the weak Song Dynasty.

My wife, Hong Niangzi, is now fighting valiantly against the Jin, working tirelessly every day, treading on thin ice. Her motivation isn't wealth or glory, but to let those Jin people know that if they oppress the Han people too much, someone will avenge them with their own blood, and a sword will be raised for them. But she and her righteous army alone are not enough. I, Wu Chengyu, must absorb the essence of this corrupt Song Dynasty and train a strong army for my Han people.

What I want is to expel the Tartars and restore China. I don't want future generations to say, "After the Song Dynasty, there was no more China."

When Wu Zhengliang heard Wu Chengyu's words, he seemed speechless, but his eyes twitched from time to time, and his fists clenched tightly. He was definitely not unmoved, but he was no longer as passionate as he was in his youth, so he could only force himself to remain calm.

"Back then, my father and your ancestors joined Yue Fei's army because they wanted to achieve this. They fought a hundred battles without retreating, and almost no one survived. It's just a pity that after Grandpa Yue died unjustly, the Han people were like a broken spine, and no one dared to fight anymore."

Now that you are willing to follow the path of the past, your fourth uncle is very pleased. I see little hope for the Song Dynasty. Shi Miyuan is dead, and the court remains weak. Your third brother, Cheng Lian, will become a high-ranking official and bring prosperity to the family, but that's all.

"Do whatever you want. Once you become the commander of the Suzhou militia, if you need anything, just come to your fourth uncle. Your fourth uncle will help you if he can."

Wu Chengyu stood up: "Fourth Uncle, there is something I need right now. I brought back several hundred people from the Jin Kingdom, and we need a temporary place to stay, preferably outside Suzhou City."

Wu Zhengliang thought for a moment: "Thirty miles west of Suzhou, the Wu family bought a manor a couple of years ago. It covers a large area and is located near Xiaonanshan Mountain."

The original owners of the manor were also a powerful family in Suzhou who supported the war faction. However, they were suppressed by Shi Miyuan, resulting in the destruction of their family and the death of their members. Two years ago, they could no longer support themselves and sold the manor to my Wu family.

Someone from that family once joined the army that fought against the Jin dynasty, so they were military officers. That's why there's a training ground in the manor, which is perfect for you.

I'll send people to clean up the place tomorrow, and you can have your people move in.

After hearing this, Wu Chengyu said, "Thank you, Fourth Uncle. Please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

After saying this, Wu Chengyu left the council hall and used his lightness skill to quickly reach the Wu family cemetery. He found the joint tomb of his parents, paid his respects, cleared the weeds, and then dug out a large wooden box three feet underground behind his parents' tomb.

When he left the Wu family, he secretly buried some things that were not easy to carry here, including the silver notes left by his mother, the Taoist scriptures and bronze mirror left by Quanxing, and the martial arts manuals of the Murong family.

Wu Chengyu carried the wooden box back to the council hall and first picked out several secret manuals from the box.

"Fourth Uncle, these are the Mind-Intent Qi-Primordial Skill, the Stele-Opening Hand, the Crane Shadow Flowing Light, and the Dragon City Sword Technique. The clan leader took away all the secret manuals I left behind."

However, those manuals are only for building a foundation, second- or third-rate martial arts. Originally, we planned to teach them only after the clansmen had laid a solid foundation. Now, let's consider them martial arts unique to our third branch.

These may not be considered top-tier divine skills, but they are still at the level of unique techniques. It would be very rare for an ordinary family to have even one of them. Fourth Uncle, you must have chosen some disciples who are trustworthy and have good aptitude to pass on these skills to.

"If any outstanding disciples emerge later, I have even more advanced techniques available, but they must first gain my approval."

After saying that, he took out a silver note: "Fourth Uncle, here is a silver note for nine thousand taels. If it's still a little short, please make up the difference for me first, and I will pay the debt back later."

Wu Zhengliang did not refuse the martial arts manual, but pushed the silver note back: "Chengyu, keep the silver note safe. The money to buy this militia commander was paid by the third branch. I will find a way to balance the account. Since you have set such a great ambition, how can your fourth uncle not lend you a hand? After all, I am also a descendant of the Beiwei Army."

This amount of silver looks substantial, but if it's used to maintain the army, it's merely a drop in the ocean. If we run out of silver later, I'll find another way. Fortunately, the Wu family's businesses have developed quite well in the past two years.”

Wu Chengyu stuffed the silver notes into Wu Zhengliang's hand: "Fourth Uncle, money is a small matter. In the future, we will need to rely on you a lot in Suzhou."

I'm not just trying to comfort you, I really do have a way to get the money, I just don't have time to do it right now. Once I've settled those people in, I'll go and get it. I can't say how much, but it should be enough to support ten or twenty thousand elite troops.

Fourth Uncle, you have always put the family first, and you know that once what I did is exposed, no one in the family will escape.

Just now, Xiao Ershiqi was only sixteen years old. I also met Wu Pingan from Wuweilou. He's a kid from the Ping generation. I also heard that there are already kids from the Kang generation. So, he should call me Grandpa Twenty-One.

"After all, I grew up under the protection of my family, and I can't abandon these children's lives. I'll contact you about some trivial matters in the future, but only as Murong Xiu. Wu Chengyu will have to continue wandering the world."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Chengyu in front of Wu Zhengliang changed his appearance again. This time, he used a face that looked very much like Andy Lau. He was also very handsome, but mature, with straight eyes and a resolute expression. Combined with his physique, which was much taller than Andy Lau's, and the heroic spirit of a martial artist, he was definitely the template for a general in the army.

You could refer to the Huazai version of Zhao Zilong from "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon," which is much younger and also taller and more imposing.

"Murong Xiu greets Fourth Master Wu. I hope Fourth Master Wu will continue to assist me in the future."

"Good, I didn't expect you to have this ability. Now I can rest assured. From now on, only I in the family will know your identity. Sometimes I will send people to contact you and do things for you, but they will not know who you really are."

“In that case, I will go to take over the manor in the west of the city tomorrow. There’s no need to clean it. My boys are all full of energy, so I need to find them something to do. When the time comes, you can send someone directly to Murong Xiu. Wu Chengyu will leave Wujiapo tonight and wander around.”

"Alright, Chengyu, take care, you're twenty-one."

(End of this chapter)