Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

Looking at the military officers below who were constantly kowtowing, Zhao Gou felt a tightness in his chest, a feeling of pent-up frustration with nowhere to go.

But his mind kept flashing images of the 500,000-strong army on the Sichuan border, the camps of the Western Xia army and the Liao cavalry, and the shattered wreckage of warships on the Yangtze River.

At this moment, Li Yuan, who had remained silent, stepped out of the ranks.

"Your Majesty, General Dugu's loyalty to the court is indeed rare, but the concerns that Prime Minister Cai just mentioned are not unfounded."

He glanced at Dugu Ba, who was kneeling on the ground as if his mother had died... no, that's exactly what it meant to be a death of his mother.

"Currently, the Jin dynasty has stationed no fewer than 200,000 troops on the Sichuan border. Although the Liao dynasty has formed an alliance with the Shu king, Temujin's four sons will not remain idle."

"If we really send troops to attack the King of Shu, and if the north and east take the opportunity to simultaneously launch an attack, Xiangyang might become the breakthrough point for the barbarians to invade the south."

Zhao Gou closed his eyes for a long time, and when he opened them again, the anger on his face had subsided.

"Issue my decree."

"King Qin Han of Shu made great contributions in suppressing Japanese pirates and water bandits in Jiujiang. He was specially granted the title of King Zhennan, bestowed with the Nine Bestowments, and his fief was increased by 100,000 households."

Dugu Ba's body went limp, and he slumped onto the cold floor tiles.

Ultimately, fear prevailed; the emperor was ruthless.

"Your Majesty..."

Zhao Gou's tone was stiff and cold.

"General Dugu, your mother rendered meritorious service to the court in suppressing bandits, and I will not treat your Dugu family unfairly. I will posthumously confer upon the old lady the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady. As for other matters, let's leave it at that for today."

He didn't look at the people below again, turned around and walked towards the rear hall.

The old eunuch drew out a shout and yelled at the main hall.

"Dismiss the court."

The civil and military officials bowed their heads and left the Zichen Hall in long lines.

Dugu Ba remained kneeling in the same spot, his ten fingers digging into the stone slab.

"You traitor Qin! If you don't kill me, I'm not worthy of being a son!"

Yuwen Huaji stepped over the high threshold of the main hall and looked up at the gray clouds piled up above.

He turned his head and spoke to Yuwen Chengdu behind him.

"Chengdu, go back and make arrangements. Send someone quietly to Jiangnan..."

Then she whispered something in his ear.

Yuwen Chengdu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Understood, I will go and do it right away."

Before the imperial edict from the palace could even leave Lin'an, a fast horse had already galloped along the official road straight towards the Jiangnan region.

......

Xunyang City.

It is located at the junction of Jiujiang, the Yangtze River, and Poyang Lake.

The original prefectural government office was replaced by Qin Han's men, and the plaque at the main gate was removed and replaced with a sign for the Qin King's Mansion.

Yun Yuzhen has been extremely busy these past few days, as the mess left by the Giant Kun Gang taking over the Yangtze River smuggled salt and canal transport is simply too big.

Just redefining the jurisdiction of the various gangs that came to her for help on the waterways was enough to give her a headache for a while.

But this was a bittersweet experience. The power was immense; with Li Jing's 50,000-strong navy in command, no one dared to harbor the slightest discontent.

Bu Tianzhi and Chen Laomou were sent out to check the accounts of their subordinates. All the properties left behind by the Hai Sha Gang and Shui Long Gang in Jiangnan now had to be re-registered.

When Qin Han finally met Li Jing's three newly recruited brothers, Pang Qingyun, Zhao Erhu, and Jiang Wuyang, he couldn't help but sigh at the unexpected intrusion of the "pledge of allegiance."

One must also acknowledge Li Jing's keen eye for talent.

With Li Jing and his army now in command, it will be easier for Yun Yuzhen to consolidate the Xunyang area.

Qin Han found some peace and quiet in the mansion, so he went to the back garden, stretched, and felt a sense of comfort as he smelled the faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafting from the osmanthus trees.

Suddenly, a melodious and gentle sound of a flute came from the backyard.

Qin Han raised an eyebrow. Were there still people from the prefect's mansion in the backyard?

Walk forward in the direction the sound came from.

After passing the large artificial hill in front, we went through a moon gate made of blue bricks.

At the deepest part of the garden stood a four-cornered pavilion. Right now, a woman dressed in white was sitting in the pavilion with her back to us, holding a jade flute that was entirely emerald green in her hand.

The music has an indescribable sense of coldness and loneliness.

Qin Han didn't make a fuss as he walked over, but the woman sitting in the pavilion seemed not to notice and continued playing her tune.

He didn't stop until the piece was finished, and then he turned his head to look at Qin Han.

The woman wore a white veil, revealing only her eyes.

Those eyes looked very cold and aloof, much like Shi Feixuan's when they first met, exuding a coldness that kept people at a distance.

"Young master, this is the inner residence of the prefect. You have come to the wrong place."

Qin Han chuckled upon hearing this.

"This is my house now. Wouldn't you say I'm trespassing?"

Shi Qingxuan was clearly stunned after hearing this.

She had come to the Jiangnan region these past few days to escape the conflicts and strife in the martial arts world.

The former governor admired her talent and musical skills, which is why he invited her to perform. He was unaware that the governor's mansion had changed hands and now had a new master.

"I didn't know the staff here had changed. I'm leaving now."

As he spoke, he put the jade flute into his sleeve and stood up from the stone bench.

Qin Han took a step forward and stood in front of the steps leading to the pavilion's exit.

"Since you're here, why rush to leave?"

Shi Qingxuan frowned.

"We are complete strangers, it is not appropriate for you to block my way like this, young master."

Qin Han looked her up and down a few times, his gaze lingering for a moment on the jade flute he had just played.

Upon closer inspection, a rather inconspicuous blue lotus was carved at the end of the translucent, emerald-green flute.

This unique logo, this special quality.

Could she be that person's daughter?

"The daughter of the Evil King Shi Zhixuan is indeed somewhat different from others."

Upon hearing this name, Shi Qingxuan immediately became alert.

"You know that man?!"

"I've heard some things about it."

As Qin Han spoke, he took two more steps up the steps, while Shi Qingxuan took a step back into the pavilion to create some distance.

"Don't be so nervous. I'm not interested in your father, but I am interested in you..."

Before Qin Han could finish speaking, Shi Qingxuan suddenly raised her arm, and a white ribbon flew out from her sleeve.

Her hand gesture was sudden; as she flung the ribbon out, she used the force to drift to the side.

The woman's movements were extremely skillful. She lightly touched the railing on the outside of the pavilion with her toes, and then leaped directly out of the pavilion from the side.

Qin Han couldn't help but laugh when he saw this. Was he not as handsome as Xu Ziling?

Why does Shi Qingxuan want to run away as soon as she sees me?!

With a flick of his finger, he deflected the ribbon.

The Grandmaster's domineering aura spread out instantly!

Shi Qingxuan felt an irresistible pressure squeezing in from all directions, and her body, which had just leaped up, was forcefully pressed back onto the ground of the pavilion.

"You... a Grandmaster?!"

Qin Han walked up to her and gently lifted her chin.

"I'm not a bad person, so why are you in such a hurry to leave, Miss Shi?"

Shi Qingxuan was furious and shivering. Was this considered flirting and not being a bad person?

She wanted to turn her head away from his palm, but the aura of a grandmaster made it impossible for her to even make the simple action of turning her head.

Qin Han gently lifted the white veil from her face with a slight pressure of his fingers...