Demon Lord Tang Dynasty

"Beep, beep, beep."

Gao Yi frowned and gently tapped the back of the chair.

After meeting with Lu Laosan that day, everything went very smoothly, without any trouble whatsoever.

Now, Gao Yi has led his troops into Cangzhou, and it has been almost half a month since then.

During these two weeks, there were no obstacles encountered.

The Lu family was also very generous, and basically met all of Gao Yi's requests.

Food, seeds, and all sorts of other supplies.

It's like a warehouse with its doors wide open, giving the impression that it has an inexhaustible supply.

Even Gao Yi was somewhat dazed by the exhilarating sensation.

Of course, Gao Yi also knew that this was an illusion.

The Lu family is indeed generous, but they are not fools; they can't possibly have everything they want.

Just like the Yellow Heaven Great Law that the old man mentioned before, Gao Yi didn't see a single word about it.

Thinking of this, Gao Yi raised his eyes and looked at the people standing in front of him.

These are the disciples whom Protector Bai called traitors.

Bai Yue'er was temporarily left on the grassland, while Protector Bai had gone on a long journey and had not yet returned.

Among the short ones, only these few men remained under Gao Yi's command.

"How's your study of scriptures going?"

"O World Honored One, we have already memorized it perfectly."

Upon hearing Gao Yi's question, the group hurriedly nodded.

Gao Yi's face showed a satisfied expression.

These people are all nobody who don't even deserve to have names; their abilities are not even worth mentioning.

Expecting them to accomplish anything significant is wishful thinking.

Fortunately, Gao Yi didn't need them to do anything earth-shattering.

"Very good. Have you remembered all my previous instructions?"

Upon hearing the question, the group all stopped and shouted:

"No burning incense, no offering flowers, and no setting sail."

"Four things to avoid when performing Buddhist rituals, five things to avoid setting up a scripture hall, six things to avoid using loud noise instruments, and seven things to avoid lighting lamps and candles."

"Those who have faith in the World-Honored One will attain true nature and can achieve ultimate bliss."

Gao Yi smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with even greater satisfaction.

Although these people weren't very capable, they were at least obedient, and they had some relevant experience from following Protector Bai.

Yes, after being in Cangzhou for half a month, Gao Yi naturally had to start making some moves.

This time, the people he brought into the Central Plains were not just anyone.

The four thousand cavalrymen were all true elites, with the core being the eight hundred warriors who survived the thousand-mile raid he led.

Besides his soldiers, he brought with him only fanatical believers selected from the original Maitreya tribe.

These are all real seeds.

Unlike Protector Bai, the other party established the Maitreya Cult based on a superficial understanding and pure physical deception.

If Gao Yi hadn't descended from the sky and happened to lend a helping hand, the Maitreya sect might not have become so fanatical.

Gao Yi would certainly not do that; first and foremost, it is the meaning of the classics, which is something that absolutely cannot be ignored.

Regardless of whether it is righteous or evil, the scriptures are the foundation of all teachings.

As things develop, one can also add or modify the meaning of the scriptures to suit one's own interests.

Of course, the Maitreya religion doesn't need such a big fuss now; the Maitreya Descent Sutra is enough for the time being.

"The white lotus blooms, Maitreya descends to earth; it is time."

The group bowed down in unison.

"Yes, we did everything as instructed, opening granaries to help the people, spreading the doctrine, and gathering believers."

"We obey."

The group shouted in unison, then bowed and left the room.

After the Sui Dynasty came to power, Hebei was relatively peaceful and there were no major disasters.

But these days, even in the most prosperous regions, ordinary people don't have an easy life.

Moreover, although Yang Guang's campaigns against Goguryeo involved drawing laborers and soldiers from across the country, they also brought turmoil to Hebei.

Although it wasn't to the point of widespread famine, the foundation of the Sui Dynasty was still intact.

But people dressed in rags and with no surplus food can be seen everywhere in the world.

Such an environment is undoubtedly fertile ground for the Maitreya sect.

For the hopeless common people, like pigs and dogs, the doctrines of the Maitreya sect are inherently highly persuasive and seductive.

Moreover, Gao Yi now possesses a large quantity of grain seeds obtained from the Lu family.

It would be such a waste not to make use of such resources.

They addressed the people's needs by providing seeds and spreading their teachings, employing a three-pronged approach.

The future of the Maitreya sect is clearly visible.

The Maitreya sect today is indeed evil.

But when the sparks of revolution spread and white lotuses bloom everywhere, when Shakyamuni dies and Maitreya rises, it will be impossible to know who is righteous and who is evil.

Gao Yi chuckled softly, temporarily putting aside his thoughts.

The Maitreya sect has made a good start.

But he can't possibly focus all his attention on this matter.

Without strong support, even if the Maitreya sect could sweep across the world, it would eventually be extinguished by others.

Gao Yi looked up at the table, where a huge map lay spread out.

"Cangzhou".

He uttered two words, referring to the place where he was now.

Gao Yi chose this place, naturally not because of Bohai Gao.

Cangzhou is indeed the ancestral home of the Gao clan of Bohai.

However, Bohai High is no longer something he absolutely needs to contact.

After all, with the help of the Lu family, he had already entered the Central Plains.

The Gao family, however, never appeared.

Perhaps because of its decline, no news has been received to this day.

But there is also a greater possibility that the Gao family has other intentions.

Of course, Gao Yi didn't care much about the Gao family's situation.

Now, he only has one target for cooperation, competition, and defense: the Lu family.

Gao Yi's eyes scanned the map.

As can be seen from the map, the area east of Cangzhou in Hebei is not considered a strategic stronghold.

But in reality, that's not the case.

Because a river runs through the entire prefecture from the west side of the center of Cangzhou.

This was Yang Guang's grand undertaking, and his most prized masterpiece: the Grand Canal.

To be precise, it is the Yongji Canal.

This great river connects the north and the south, making it a true hub among hubs.

Because supplies and provisions from south to north all had to cross the river.

Once war breaks out, cutting off the Yongji Canal is tantamount to cutting off the food supply.

Gao Yi shook his head and chuckled softly.

The importance of the Yongji Canal is obvious to anyone who isn't a fool.

He directly chose Cangzhou as his base, and the Lu family did not object at all.

If Lu Laosan's status is not high enough, he cannot make a decision.

But now half a month has passed, and the Lu family has not only made no move, but has also provided money and goods as requested.

Clearly, Gao Yi's choice did not displease the Lu family; in fact, it seemed to align with their expectations.

Thinking about it this way, many things seem to make sense.

To this day, the Lu family has not revealed what they want him to do; they have only said that he should spend money.

However, through the events in Cangzhou, and combined with Lu Laosan's mention of Pingzhou and Youzhou, it became clear that...

Gao Yi already had a general idea in his mind.

"Hehe, the game is becoming clearer and more interesting."