Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 245 Corrosion on the Remains of the Great Yao
After this war, the Kingdom of Zhen was like a war chariot suddenly starting its diesel engine; from top to bottom, from nobles to commoners, the benefits of the war permeated every level, lubricating everything.

After the Jizhou was brought under the control of the army, hundreds of thousands of slaves were created; these slaves were quickly absorbed by the various states of the Zhen Kingdom.

As for rebellion? The powerful families of Jizhou had no chance of turning the tide. Hundreds of thousands of slaves might seem like a lot, but when spread across the eight southwestern states, it was a drop in the ocean. The states themselves sent as many as 50,000 people to transport the slaves.

The terraced fields in the mountains of Lingnan were to be cultivated, while in Xingzhou, all the irrigation canals awaited the labor of these public servants.

Meanwhile, the Chen army also acquired a large number of women from the destroyed aristocratic families.

Those who were beautiful were assigned to the army; while those who were not so beautiful were assigned to the servant camp. Compared to the serfs who toiled to death, these women were to form "shared households" with three to five men.

There were quite a few women who dressed up as ugly and were wrongly assigned to roles.

…the way of a person…

It is worth mentioning that "shared households" were a very common phenomenon in the process of large aristocratic families keeping a large number of servants.

However, those scholars always used the attitude of "a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" to deny that it was they who created the "shared household".

Meanwhile, the new warlords under Xuan Chong investigated the "living conditions of the lowly slave class under the rule of traditional powerful clans" in the east.

This investigation wasn't because Xuan Chong was particularly virtuous, but rather because he was concerned about the issue of "population growth." After all, Xuan Chong was very curious about how powerful families could sustainably exploit the local population.

In the final years of many dynasties, many farmers, in order to avoid heavy corvée labor, willingly became slaves under the banners of powerful families who could conceal their population. The growth rate of slaves in these powerful families was much higher than that of self-cultivating farmers.

This means there is an order that allows servants to reproduce on their own.

The exploitation has not disappeared, but it has changed from exploiting the local people by unworthy aristocratic families to exploiting the defeated territories by armed military groups.

Some scions of noble families were also reduced to servants. Xuan Chong believed that the servants should be given some hope, so that these people, whose lives had fallen so drastically, would have something to strive for in order to survive.

Xuan Chong acknowledged the social hierarchy but rejected the caste system: for individuals within a class, being at the bottom is acceptable; but cutting off upward mobility and keeping people at the bottom generation after generation will accumulate contradictions.

The laws of the Kingdom of Zhen state stipulate that the sons of public slaves who receive literacy education can escape slavery through imperial examinations or military achievements. Of course, military achievements can be accumulated indefinitely, while literacy only allows for advancement up to one generation.

Twenty years from now, the workshops in Zhen will flourish and require a large number of workers. Zhen needs brave warriors who are willing to risk their lives, as well as oxen and horses.

…scars and suffering…

In the 7th year of the Tongzheng calendar, the Chongling Sect began sending disciples into the mortal world because a great calamity had struck the mountains, leaving little room for too many cultivators. A disciple named Sima Ziyang descended the mountain.

The world had changed. In Jizhou, there were many vehicles coming and going. And today, there was something new: rock tracks that could carry the wooden ox and flowing horse trains.

These bluestones, quarried from the mountains, were used to pave the road surface.

Of course, the bluestone wasn't used to pave the entire road. Those bluestone streets were too expensive. Instead, Liangtian Pavilion chose to directly cover the old ruts, creating bluestone tracks similar to railway rails.

To prevent uneven gaps from forming in the stone rails during settlement, a two-meter-deep pit was first dug under the rails, and pier-like stone blocks were driven in to ensure that the bluestone assemblies of the rails fit snugly into these piers embedded in the rammed earth. This ensured that the stone rails would remain stable when joined together.

The vehicles that traveled on these stone tracks were locomotives belching black smoke. The locomotives' wheels were not wooden wheels, but rubber wheels with thick air bladders.

A single locomotive can handle the transport of two thousand shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain over a thousand li (a unit of distance). More importantly, the train saves on transshipment time. This allows grains with high water content and high transport losses, such as taro and potatoes, to be used as a substitute for millet.

This railway line leading to Jizhou is a key project of the State of Zhen, especially in a newly occupied area like Jizhou where order has been reshuffled. It is essential to ensure that military forces can quickly reach the area to maintain deterrence and preserve long-term stability.

However, Sima Ziyang looked at all this and said coldly, "Strange skills and frivolous tricks are rampant, this is a country of unorthodox practices."

He thus traversed the bustling city and arrived at his familiar yet unfamiliar hometown. However, his family's residence had been transformed into a dormitory and school, with strangers coming and going.

He stared blankly at everything. His family was gone? Sima Ziyang, bewildered, picked up his sword and walked towards the gate of the mansion, but the security guard beside him had already been watching him intently. With a loud shout, Sima Ziyang's magical power was completely dispelled. He saw a crimson aura emanating from the security guard with a missing leg.

This security guard is actually the nominal head of this residential compound. The price he paid for losing a leg is enough for him to have enough merit to settle down in a nice place to retire.

Because the elderly man lacks the necessary paperwork skills, he is unable to handle the office work. Currently, the maintenance of this compound is handled by an assistant he has chosen.

But having come from the military, he was unwilling to admit defeat and felt he was a real man who couldn't be a useless piece of trash.

(Men who have broken their legs are often the least willing to admit their disability and try to prove to themselves that they are still heroes.) So they come to guard the gate.

With his mind taken away, Sima Ziyang's magical power seemed to be twisted into a steel knife, and he became stammering when faced with interrogation.

Sima Ziyang: "I...I just came down the mountain. This...this is my home!"

The club president sneered, his mouth twisted: "Your house?"—This old military officer clearly knew about this guy's situation, and so he said without any politeness: "Your house has been leveled."

Subsequently, under the reprimand of this menacing old military leader, Sima Ziyang finally learned that the Sima family had been exiled for disobeying the State of Zhen.

He wanted to roar, but was slapped awake by a rough hand; the boss said: "Young man, let me give you a piece of advice, don't do anything reckless. Although you have some skills, you probably don't have the jade certificate. If you get caught now, you'll be serving hard labor."

The company president, who had a military background, was kind-hearted and let him off the hook.

Sima Ziyang walked away in a daze, but as he passed the distant public slave camp, he sensed something; he saw a robust woman washing clothes. He recognized her as his childhood sweetheart from before he came up the mountain. He took a deep breath, wanting to go and acknowledge her, but hesitated, because he sensed something amiss with this woman's love star.

In the evening, in the slave camp, in the shared home of Yi Luan and San Xiao.

Thick and rough: "Is it comfortable?"

Ruanrou: "Mmm~ Hurry up."

Impatiently: "Flip it over."

Rounuo: "Hmm!"

Fierce: "Here you go."

Just then, a melodious flute tune began to play, and the woman's previously dazed expression vanished as if struck by lightning. "No, no, no!" she cried out frantically, scrambling to her feet, grabbing her clothes to protect herself, then dressing and walking out; but the flute music had already faded into the distance.

In the distant clouds, Sima Ziyang wore a wicked smile as he looked up at the sky. A crescent moon hung in the north as he rode the clouds past, his body radiating purple power.

…The perspective shifts to the war-torn north…

Meanwhile, in the north, Wu Hengyu was leading his army out through the Jishan Pass and attacking; Zhao Cheng had no choice but to lead his remaining troops into the north to fight back.

On December 3rd of the 5th year of the Tongzheng calendar, Zhao Cheng arrived at the front lines. He saw that the assembled soldiers were poorly armored, and their faces showed signs of immaturity—some still bearing the marks of youth, others with loose teeth—mostly newly conscripted soldiers. Just six months prior, the troops he had left in the north were formidable forces capable of sweeping across the land. He couldn't help but reflect on the dramatic ups and downs of the past six months. Zhao Cheng: "For that man, the situation is already settled, but for me, it's not over yet."

Zhao Cheng has now taken command of a newly defeated army. Worse still, he currently lacks official status; the Hao Kingdom has been destroyed by Su Ming, but the "Great Yao" still exists.

At this moment, Zhao Cheng no longer harbored any resentment towards Xuan Chong. While heroes across the land were vying for supremacy, Xuan Chong was still able to focus on governing the country with integrity. This forced Zhao Cheng to acknowledge that this was a case of a wise ruler and a virtuous minister.

Prior to this, Zhao Cheng believed that only by constantly seizing opportunities and snowballing across the world could one become a model of entrepreneurship.

Ultimately, his powerful tool, capable of cleaving through chaos, struck a rock—Xuan Chong; the snowball effect came to an abrupt halt. This forced Zhao Cheng to admit that without a partner in "internal affairs" (the partner who had both brought him success and failure), his path had become far too difficult.

But Zhao Cheng did not concede defeat to Wu Hengyu. With his hair piled high in a bun, Zhao Cheng looked at his equally aged soldiers, and urged his jade lion mount onward, saying to them, "Gentlemen, this is the final battle!"

Four days later, upon hearing that Zhao Cheng had arrived with his troops, Wu Hengyu immediately prepared to break camp and engage in a decisive battle. For Wu Hengyu, the "merit" to be achieved in this battle was so close at this moment.

Subsequently, Wu Hengyu's army charged forward, defeating three Zhao armies along the way.

However, after the fourth wave of attacks, Wu Hengyu unknowingly led his troops too far and were ambushed.

Ultimately, Wu Hengyu lost 1,200 men in an ambush by 30,000 troops. However, Zhao Cheng seized the key supply depot on his rear and implemented a scorched-earth policy, leaving Wu Hengyu with no choice but to retreat with the remaining men.

This great battle allowed Zhao Cheng to establish himself. Meanwhile, the crescent moon in the sky grew ever brighter.

…Moonlight…

In Ya City, Zhen Hao was hosting a banquet for his guests. Under his command were cultivators like Sima Ziyang, as well as warriors wielding swords.

"Come on, everyone, it's my treat!"

High in the sky, a puppet frame was erected, and a veiled woman, covered in thin strings, danced like a puppet. Her expression was full of panic, but she was being led to dance.

We are in a chaotic world now, and all sorts of demons have emerged. In such times, men are often wiped out, while women are not so easy to kill and live a very painful life.

This woman was not young, but the savvy guys in the room all sensed that she had a different kind of aura.

After Zhenhao revealed the woman's identity as Princess Xiasheng, the daughter of Emperor Xu, a purple light flashed in his eyes.

Under Xia Sheng's terrified gaze, the gluttonous feast began. —Back then, she received a blessing from the Purple Evil Moon, fulfilling her wish; how could she not pay a price?
After an incense stick had burned, the hair bun was peeled off along with the snow-white human skin.

…corrosion progresses further…

In May of the 7th year of the Tongzheng calendar, three months after Wu Hengyu's battle west of Jishan, an envoy from the Bo Kingdom arrived.

Judging from the composition of the delegation, Xuan Chong knew that this was not a congratulatory occasion. The delegation included Hong Qiang of the Eastern Market Army, as well as that Daoist Xian.

As expected, after their meeting, the Bo Kingdom envoy sang a folk song: "The flowers of the persimmon tree are so luxuriant. Among all people today, none are like brothers. In the face of death, brothers are deeply missed. On the plains and marshes, brothers are sought after..."

Xuan Chong spent most of his time in the army and didn't have much formal education; however, he did have some understanding of the "refined music" of the nobility. This is similar to a question in the college entrance examination about appreciating classical Chinese poetry, where students are asked to describe the imagery of the poem.

Now that the Bo Kingdom had sent an envoy to perform this song, Wu Fei quickly understood Wu Hengyu's meaning. It meant, "We're brothers, we should team up and kill Zhao Cheng first."

However, Xuan Chong understood perfectly well, and simply sang along with the line: "United in our hearts, we resist foreign aggression; brothers fight amongst themselves within the walls."

Xuan Chong's lyrics were reversed from the original. The meaning is also clear: brothers are brothers, and the country is the country. Even brothers have the helplessness of dividing their family property. When the elder brother and younger brother establish different countries, they have to separate their family property.

Xuan Chong, with tears streaming down his face, said to the messenger, "I also miss the Prince of Bo very much. But now our two families are separated, and I have just arranged a marriage for Lu'er."

Hong Qiang looked at his old superior with considerable helplessness. He had personally witnessed Wu Xiaoque's charade when this former master held Emperor Cheng's funeral, and the scene where he made veiled accusations against him.

Xuan Chong cried even harder back then than he does today; it would be undignified if I didn't know better.

Hong Qiang opened his mouth, but swallowed all his words. He knew that half a year ago, during the struggle for supremacy, the Bo Kingdom had sat back and watched the tigers fight; this former master, who was known for being even more petty than a sparrow, remembered this, and he could only give up.

Little did they know, Xuan Chong wasn't holding a grudge against Wu Hengyu for not coming to their rescue; rather, they had genuinely "split up" now.

Wu Yuanchang and Wu Hengyu can no longer go back to the past when Wu Hanluan was still alive. In the succession of the Bo Kingdom, the principle of "son inheriting father's business" is followed, rather than "brother succeeding brother".

Xuan Chong's side has the people of seven states in the country and complex interest groups, and it is impossible for him to ignore the priority demands of his own interest groups in order to cater to his elder brother.

Even if the two countries were to merge, who would be the leader of the next generation?
Both Wu Yuanchang and Wu Hengyu have ministers by their side. Could it be that a "palace intrigue" is about to break out, and one faction is wiped out to solve the problem of "two masters in one country"?

After Hong Qiang stopped mentioning the joint attack on Zhao Cheng by the two countries, Xuan Chong treated him well and then told him to take some Lingnan herbs and jade back to visit his elder brother.

Although their relationship has been severed, the two brothers will remain brothers for life.

…the pain of parting…

Twenty days later, Wu Hengyu sighed when he saw the jade disc and agarwood sent from his hometown.

He then began to withdraw his troops from Jishan and enfeoffed three generals in the army as dukes to establish a state there.

As for the Emperor Tongzheng, who was originally supposed to die "accidentally," he also designated a piece of land here and moved all the old and young people of Yaodu here.

It should be noted that while Wu Hengyu was campaigning on the front lines, these old retainers and descendants conspired with the former merchants of Yaodu City to seize power in the rear, attempting to become "loyal ministers" for the restoration of the dynasty.

Wu Hengyu originally planned to massacre these people after returning to his capital. However, he now handed them over to his nephew, who then became emperor and established "Dongyao" here.

So, Zhao Cheng wants a legitimate title, doesn't he? Then he must pay homage to Emperor Tongzheng. And if the Zhao army wants to attack Bohai in the future, they will have to cross Dongyao.

…even when broken, the lotus root still has some connecting threads…

In the earthen city of Dongyao, in a small temple, the ancestral tablets of all the emperors of Dayao were placed. Emperor Tongzheng, also known as Jiaying, looked at the temple, then raised his head to look at the Mandate of Heaven, and slowly said, "Could it be that I am really not a descendant of the late emperor?"

Over the years, the spring and autumn sacrifices, under his presiding, could still influence celestial phenomena, but they were different from those of the previous rulers. The celestial phenomena of the previous rulers were a sharp metallic energy coming from the east, while his were a fiery energy; the ministers described this as a change in the cycle of destiny, but in fact, Jia Ying had already sensed that his fate was connected to the west.

Emperor Tongzheng looked in the direction of his mother. Over the years, his mother had become increasingly outrageous, and after leaving Bo, she had recruited male concubines.

Emperor Tongzheng pondered that he must find an opportunity to "admonish" his mother and take the opportunity to assume personal rule.

However, Emperor Tongzheng was unaware that inside the palace where Empress Dowager Li was, her male favorites were now watching in terror as the green tentacles on her chest reached into their bodies.

(End of this chapter)