Underworld entries, starting with ghost stories.

Wu Qing looked around, his gaze piercing, as if he could see through the world.

The crowd grew increasingly quiet, feeling that he stood tall and upright, becoming the pillar of the place.

Wu Qing said, "The imperial army will shine brightly in the coming period."

"Powerful generals such as Prince Yang Lin, Grand Master Yang Yichen, Jiangdu Assistant Wang Shichong, Yu Juluo, the famous general who once defeated the Xiongnu, Tu Wanxu, the vanguard general who conquered Liaodong, and Liu Wuzhou, the Eagle-like general, will surely be given important positions by the court in the coming period."

"Although there are rebel armies everywhere, and it is said that there are sixty-four routes of smoke and dust, once a foolish ruler begins to make good use of these famous generals, the so-called smoke and dust will be extinguished with a sprinkle of water."

Dou Xianniang's expression changed: "If that's the case, wouldn't it be impossible to overthrow this tyrannical ruler who has brought so much suffering to the world?"

The others looked at each other, all with worried expressions.

Wu Qing waved his fan and said, "No! In fact, the Sui Dynasty had many famous generals, but why did it suffer a great defeat in attacking Goguryeo, even though it exhausted all its strength and caused the people to suffer?"

"Because a foolish ruler only trusts himself and doesn't trust anyone else at all."

"When fighting Goguryeo, he was worried about his generals, so he ordered that no one was allowed to launch an attack without his permission."

"When he wins, he is unprecedented; when he loses, it is all the fault of his subordinates, which prevents his many elite soldiers from exerting their strength."

"When attacking the most important city of Liaodong, he was vain and ordered his generals to stop the attack as soon as Liaodong surrendered."

"As a result, Liaodong City surrendered every time it was about to be breached, and the generals had no choice but to request permission from the rear. When the foolish emperor sent his own people to accept the surrender, Liaodong City, which had been repaired, refused to surrender again."

"More importantly, this absurd thing happened again and again, which ultimately led to the failure to capture Liaodong City."

"The foolish emperor, without even capturing Liaodong City, still insisted on bypassing it and launching a full-scale attack on Goguryeo. As a result, in that battle alone, he lost 40,000 of his most elite troops."

He held the feather fan to his chest, sighed, and shook his head.

He now finally understood why he had only heard the name "Yang Ying" when he transmigrated here.

Because Yang Ying was Yang Guang's real name.

Every month, two million farmers were conscripted to build Luoyang, the eastern capital; the Grand Canal was excavated; and three campaigns were launched against Goguryeo. Some people say that Yang Guang completed a great project that should have taken several generations to finish in one lifetime, which led to his death.

But few people remember that he was in power for a total of fourteen years, and all these events occurred in the ten years before the Sixty-Four Roads of Smoke and Dust were even opened.

Of all the corvée labor services, what the common people feared most was corvée labor.

Countless people died on the road just to build Luoyang. During the attack on Liaodong, the roads were clogged with corpses, and the ground was littered with bodies.

"I understand what you mean, Qing-ge'er!" Dou Xianniang said softly. "There are indeed many famous generals under the tyrannical emperor."

"But once these people have made merit by quelling the various rebellions, he will be even more wary of these famous generals than of the various rebel armies."

Wu Qing smiled and waved his fan, "Not only will he be more wary, but once the various rebel armies are suppressed, he won't be able to sleep soundly unless he kills or demotes a few of these capable generals."

"However, the imperial court is like a centipede that dies but does not fall down, while the common people are like a spark that can start a prairie fire. The next general who goes to quell a rebellion will know the importance of nurturing bandits to maintain his own importance."

"If they drag out the rebellion, they can still survive. But if they gain merit by suppressing the rebels, their fate will be even worse. That will be the real chaos in the world."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Dan Ailian looked up at Wu Qing, her bright eyes filled with admiration: "Zhuge Liang knew the world was divided into three kingdoms even before he left his thatched cottage."

"Brother Qing, you are in the village and yet you already know the general trend of the world. After hearing what you said, I feel that the whole situation is clear."

Wu Qing felt that comparing himself to Zhuge Liang was too much of an exaggeration.

Because he was a time traveler, he was essentially wise after the event.

But who could resist such a charming and lovely young lady, with such an adoring gaze?

He put his left hand behind his back, waved a feather fan, and smiled slightly.

[Charm Level +1]

[Charm Level +1]

[Charm Level +1]

Only Dou Xianniang glanced at Shan Ailian with a strange look.

A few days ago, people called him "Young Master Wu," but these days they've changed it to "Brother Qing." That's fine, since many people in the mountains call him that.

But what's with this "Brother Qing"?

Have you two become as close as brother and sister?

Dou Xianniang was a little puzzled... I was keeping a close eye on things, wasn't I?

I at least gave you two some space the other day, but today you two didn't even meet before, so how come it feels like your relationship has taken a step further?

Master Cen asked, "What is the more important matter that Qing-ge'er mentioned?"

"In times of chaos, the most important thing is talent," Wu Qing said, fanning himself. "Next, all the forces that are rebelling against the court, including Dou Gong and Gao Shida, will be in a period of extreme darkness."

"For now, we can only stay here and cannot act rashly. Now is the time to make friends with heroes from all over the world and further strengthen our own talent pool..."

As they were talking, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from outside.

"Young Miss! Master!" A martial artist guarding the gate stood by the gate. "An envoy from Erxian Manor requests an audience, saying he is carrying Green Forest Arrows and wishes to see the Young Miss."

Dan Ailian looked at the martial artist and exclaimed in surprise, "An envoy from my Erxian Manor?"

Dou Xianniang said, "Since he is said to be an envoy, then he is definitely not here just for you, Sister Ailian, especially since he is carrying Green Forest Arrows."

Wu Qing gestured lightly forward with his feather fan: "Please invite them here first!"

A short while later, a man dressed in tight-fitting clothes strode in.

"Miss Ailian, it's good that you're safe and sound here." The man saw Shan Ailian and quickly stepped forward to bow.

"So it's Uncle Zhao!" Shan Ailian returned the greeting, then said to Dou Xianniang, "This is indeed a servant of my Erxian Manor, named Zhao Tao. He was originally a bandit from Sichuan, but was rescued by my father after being wanted by the government."

He then said to Zhao Tao, "This is Miss Dou Xianniang, the daughter of the Duke of Jiande, and this is Wu Qing, the advisor of Wuji Village."

Zhao Tao performed the Jianghu etiquette and said, "I have met Miss Dou and Master Wu. I heard about the Wuji Village's victory over four thousand government troops with a few hundred elite soldiers a few days ago when I was in Henan. I have long admired them."

Dou Xianniang asked, "Is Uncle Shan in Henan now?"

"Exactly!" Zhao Tao said. "Because Li Yuan took office as the governor of Taiyuan, my two family heads temporarily went to Henan."

"Because Qin Qiong's mother will soon be celebrating her birthday, my second master has spread the word throughout the greenwood, inviting heroes from all walks of life to come and offer their congratulations."

As he spoke, he bowed before Dou Xianniang and presented her with the Green Forest Arrow.

Dou Xianniang looked at Wu Qing.

Although she now reigns supreme in the mountains, the main reason for her rebellion is that her father was forced to do so.

She was not originally a member of the bandits, and she didn't know whether she should accept the invitation to join them.

Under her questioning gaze, Wu Qing lightly patted his chest with his feather fan and laughed, "There will be times when the wind and waves will be broken, and the sails will be hoisted to cross the vast sea!"

"What was bound to happen has finally happened."