Demon Emperor

Chapter 64 Suffering
After enduring some hardship, Ruan Hu should get down to business.

After Ruan Hu got up, he looked down at the entire Shiqiao Village from a high place. The river meandered around the village like a ribbon, the farmland stretched out in all directions, and there were even waterwheels and millstones.

At this moment, Ruan Hu was deep in thought.

"How much grain and money can the Chen family get from this estate alone?"

"How many people are there inside and outside this manor? How many soldiers can they muster?"

"Besides this estate, how many other places like this does the Chen family own in Langfeng? How far does their influence extend, and how many people do they control?"

The terrifying aspect of these powerful clans lies precisely in this.

You think so.

These powerful families can only talk to you in the imperial court about the sayings of the sages, and occasionally say that the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed.

That's it?

After Ruan Hu had been emperor for some time, he began to see a different side of Shiqiao Village.

These powerful clans, given the right opportunity, can mobilize their troops to directly control a region, letting the emperor know who truly owns the land of Xicheng.

Who knows, there might be a hundred suits of armor hidden in a warehouse somewhere in this manor.

We're waiting for the right time.

Don't assume that all the Chen family members are weak scholars just because Ruan Hu said yesterday that they come from a scholarly family and have passed down the tradition of poetry and etiquette. Many of the people I met yesterday have been trained in martial arts since childhood.

If one dons heavy armor, one can wreak havoc on all sides.

There might be someone who excels in both horsemanship and archery, capable of leading cavalry into battle.

"drive!"

"Quickly, come with me."

After saying that, Ruan Hu actually saw several young men riding horses and playing in the distance.

"And what about the Huang family?"

Ruan Hu thought of Huang Hui.

In reality, the Chen family and the Huang family are cut from the same cloth; one has less capital, and the other has more power.

Thus, one was submissive, and the other was unruly.

The Huang family behind Huang Hui is even more powerful, able to mobilize more people, and has a greater influence below.

Therefore, he believed he deserved more and constantly obstructed and hindered Nguyen Ho Yin.

"Huang Hui!"

Ruan Hu spoke calmly, but his words carried a hidden murderous intent.

It wasn't just Huang Hui he was targeting, but the entire Huang clan.

It even targets these powerful clans that act like local tyrants.

As the sun gradually rose, its golden light felt scorching on his skin, and Ruan Hu lost interest in watching.

He walked downstairs, surrounded by people, until he reached the front hall, where Chen Guang was already waiting. He then bowed deeply to Ruan Hu.

Early in the morning, Ruan Hu once again experienced the extravagant life of this aristocratic family, and then took a leisurely stroll through the garden.

Finally, Ruan Hu sat in a pavilion, and Chen Guang knelt on the ground and spoke.

"Your Majesty, this is my memorial recommending General Yuchi."

After saying this, he held the memorial high in the air.

Becoming Ruan Hu's pawn, or the emperor's henchman, is not so easy.

The Chen family had to give enough, but a woman certainly couldn't contribute enough; even Chen Guang's only daughter was just an appetizer.

Here comes the pledge of loyalty that Ruan Hu wanted.

"Oh, bring me Chen Aiqing's memorial so I can take a look."

At Ruan Hu’s signal, the middle-aged eunuch beside him immediately stepped forward, took down the memorial, and presented it to Ruan Hu.

Ruan Hu glanced at it briefly and then had the eunuch put it away.

Ruan Hu first showed a happy expression, and then asked Chen Guang.

"The General Yuchi you recommended, my dear minister, has been repeatedly criticized by Minister Huang during court discussions. What do you think should be done about this?"

Chen Guang immediately said, "Lord Huang's loyalty is evident, but war is a matter of great importance to the nation, and it should not be discussed lightly by those who are not well-versed in strategy. Your Majesty should entrust this matter to a capable minister to ensure the stability of the country."

The Emperor tapped the table lightly with his knuckles: "If there is a court assembly tomorrow, Minister Huang will remonstrate openly and face the emperor."

Ruan Hu is essentially asking Chen Guang to directly challenge Huang Hui in the imperial court.

Chen Guang immediately said, "Military and state affairs are of paramount importance, and the emperor's authority lies solely in making decisions. How can a subject be allowed to overstep his bounds?" "As Your Majesty's subject, I absolutely cannot tolerate such overstepping of authority."

This is the end.

Ruan Hu's plan to win over one side and attack the other, thus scattering and defeating them one by one, has truly begun.

The local faction has always been led by the Huang family, and Chen Guang and the Langfeng Chen clan behind him were originally just following the Huang family and cheering them on.

Now that Chen Guang has struck from behind, it's unclear whether Huang Hui can withstand it.

This is a good start.

If Chen Guang could betray Huang Hui, why couldn't anyone else?
The situation in the imperial court was thus opened up.

Ruan Hu then mentioned a second condition: "If General Yuchi is really appointed as the governor, then the logistics and grain transport will probably not be easy."

Langfeng is located in Wujun. The Chen family can be said to be a local tyrant. If Ruan Hu were to send Yuchi Chongwu to the area to wipe out the Huanshou barbarians, he could provide great assistance.

Chen Guang hesitated for a moment, but still agreed.

Ruan Hu was very satisfied.

Not only did it solve the most pressing issue at hand, but it also appointed Yuchi Chongwu to take charge of the newly established Western Barbarian Righteous Army Prefecture and to command all the armies in the war against the Huanshou Barbarians.

They also resolved some issues related to food and logistics, and received assistance from the local Chen clan.

such.

Before the battle even began, Ruan Hu gained even more confidence.

Having achieved these two things, Ruan Hu had basically accomplished his purpose in coming here. However, this was only a verbal agreement, and he still needed to gradually implement it.

Ruan Hu praised Chen Guang, and Chen Guang breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a joyful expression.

Ruan Hu stood up and suddenly brought up another matter.

"I've heard that the Chen family has caravans that can travel to Nanzhao and Baima Gaotian?"

Chen Guang said, "Yes."

Ruan Hu: "Very good. I might need it someday."

Chen Guang: "I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

Ruan Hu: "Then I'll wait."

It seems that Ruan Hu mentioned the caravan of Baima Gaotian and discovered that the emperor was interested in Baima Gaotian and the Qiang people.

Chen Guang, quick-witted, immediately had several strong slaves and servants brought in, though they looked quite different from the people of the Central Plains.

"Your Majesty, these are the Qiang people who came from Baima Gaoxia."

Ruan Hu looked at the Qiang slaves, who were born to ride horses and were highly skilled riders.

It's just that we can't understand each other's language and it's difficult to understand what they're thinking.

"Ah."

"Qiang slaves?"

Looking at these Qiang slaves who had been raised on horseback since childhood, Ruan Hu suddenly thought of the white-haired donkey.

If we combine these Qiang slaves with the secret techniques of the Divine Zou Army, could we create a cavalry force?
The Divine Horsemen Army is quite unique; instead of people riding donkeys, it is the donkeys that drive the people.

The white-headed donkey drives the cavalry, and all the white-headed donkeys are controlled by the donkey's head, whose power comes from the goddess Bai Gu.

Therefore, once the Divine Steed Army was trained, Ruan Hu did not care about the loyalty of the cavalrymen on board.

But the key question is whether this method is feasible.

"Go back and give it a try!"

For Ruan Hu, this was yet another generous bonus.
-
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

When Ruan Hu left Shiqiao Village, he took the beauty with him.

Of course, there's also her zither.

And my cousin.

Ruan Hu's entourage and guards departed in a grand procession, but the middle-aged eunuch stayed behind and issued an imperial decree to the Chen family, or rather Chen Guang, who were seeing them off.

"His Majesty has decreed that Vice Minister Chen is commendable for his loyalty and diligence, and he shall immediately enter the Hall of State Affairs to participate in state affairs."

Chen Guang has gone through several trials and tribulations. First, he risked entering the palace to try his luck. Then, yesterday he offered up his own daughter. Today, he has even staked the entire Langfeng Chen clan on him.

At this moment, I finally got what I wanted.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

(End of this chapter)