Chapter 189: Before Heading South
In the Northern Ice Palace, Pu E looked at Zhao Cheng in the mirror, his temples already graying.
Wisdom and Courage System prompt: Zhao Cheng’s current loyalty is twenty-four, a significant increase (from less than ten percent to twenty-four), which means his thoughts of usurpation have weakened.
But this change in Zhao Cheng’s attitude left Pu E with mixed feelings.
At this moment, Zhao Cheng’s submission was forced by the situation, more precisely, by a native “NPC” in this world. To force the divine general she redeemed into this state? It was truly beyond her expectations.
“Wu Fei?” Pu E murmured this name; this character had been selected by Zhao Cheng very early on.
Pu E’s impression of Wu Fei was: during confrontations with Zhao Cheng, when tactics and strategies fell behind, he stubbornly dragged out time, forcing the exceptional talent Zhao Cheng to compromise.
Thus, Pu E felt that Wu Fei’s abilities were inferior to Zhao Cheng’s. Since even Zhao Cheng was not used due to “incompatible personality,” there was even less reason to consider Wu Xiao Que, whose attributes were inferior to Zhao Cheng’s and whose personality was even more mismatched.
But the content Zhao Cheng expressed today shocked her: it seemed Wu Xiao Que was hiding other “attribute bars.”
The Wisdom and Courage System re-evaluated Wu Fei based on Zhao Cheng’s words. Wu Fei not only excelled in military tactics and strategies but also had extremely high attributes in politics and economy; moreover, with high political and economic attributes, the operations he executed gave Zhao Cheng, who had only single military attributes, a sense of loss like “the vast Yangtze River flowing east.”
Xuan Chong’s current operations were infuriating to over ninety percent of strategists who opposed him.
Xuan Chong: It’s not necessary to decide a winner in this generation. Build high walls, amass grain, climb technology, stabilize geopolitics. Then trust in the wisdom of future generations!
The vast majority of strategists want to see “superiority” determined in the game they are playing. But Xuan Chong wants to drag this game into the next one, and that next game is a matter for posterity, beyond the control of strategists.
Even the most formidable generals will become unfit due to old age. In the current rising storm, Zhao Cheng at 35 is still in his prime and can overlook most opponents.
But Wu Xiao Que is four years younger than him, with even more vigorous energy, and has always been implementing reforms, promoting technological productivity changes. Zhao Cheng felt he could not outlast him.
Zhao Cheng could not hold out, and Pu E could not hold out either.
…Self-check…
In the Ice Palace, Pu E came to her senses and asked her system: “Check if this person is really just an NPC! Is there any sign of dimensional interference?”
Wisdom and Courage System: “Based on the existing information reviewed, before your arrival caused disturbance, Wu Fei’s character trajectory and timeline were no different from other characters; he should be a native consciousness.”
Pu E: “Don’t tell me ‘should’! Just say whether he is or not.”
Wisdom and Courage System: “Due to the observer effect, after you entered this timeline, all characters’ trajectories will change; it is now impossible to determine if the target character’s (Wu Fei’s) deviated trajectory is influenced by disturbances other than you.”
Pu E opened a “novel”; this was a rough outline of this plane’s plot. She then found Wu Fei’s plot character; roughly speaking, in her novel, Wu Fei’s name appeared only about three times. After Wu Hanluan became the Lord of Rot, the Wu Family split into north and south, with the southern faction cutting ties with the north and continuing their duty to guard Da Yao’s southern border.
If she opened the map of faction territory distribution later in the novel plot, Wu Fei’s territory was just a speck in the Southern Border, with New Common Union rebels to the north and black tide to the south.
But the New Common Union rebels were wiped out by the divine general (Wu Hengyu) she dropped during his debut show, and their territory was inherited by the Wu Family; then Wu Fei gained a technology advantage,Assault south to eliminate the “Li Huo Sect” faction, snowballing all the way south. After Wu Hanluan suddenly died, the situation of becoming the Lord of Rot entrenched in Zhenzhou did not occur; instead, it became Wu Fei’s territory.
The Wisdom and Courage System also noted that Wu Fei had now obtained the hidden divine weapon, Chi You Soldiers.
Pu E: “No matter how you look at it, it seems like the character ‘Wu Fei’ is being controlled by a transmigrator, right?”
Wisdom and Courage System: “Wu Fei’s situation is indeed suspicious.”
Seeing the system somewhat admit it, Pu E had a face full of black lines: so she thought she was playing a single-player
Pu E: “Who exactly dares to do this? Don’t they know this is the space-time zone I contracted?”
Wisdom and Courage System: “After the sixth Plane Great War, our side is in a semi-independent state, and it cannot be ruled out that certain existences in this spacetime have intervened.”
Pu E: “Who would interfere? This is our side’s space-time territory!”
Wisdom and Courage System: “Yes, it is our space territory. According to the rule, our side has the highest authority here, and the surrounding other space forces have all signed space treaties with us. However! We space roamers, when handling ‘variable consciousness,’ will intentionally or unintentionally avoid some treaties. These loopholes that our side created to evade sanctions might be exploited by certain existences, thereby inserting into our space.”
“Now, as long as we don’t have concrete evidence, we cannot prove that Wu Fei’s current trajectory disturbance was caused by forces other than us.”
This kind of “loophole” was created by Pu E in her previous transmigration through “mischief.”
Pu E’s behavior in past transmigrations: “As long as you can’t prove that I was instilling consciousness in a topologically parallel spacetime, you can’t say I ‘instilled consciousness’. The spacetime history I (Pu E) topologized is fictional, not a true historical timeline.”
Pu E roughly understood that some of her past clever tricks had provoked the sanction of certain existences under higher spacetime rule systems.
Pu E murmured, “So exactly when did it start?”
Wisdom and Courage System: “Unclear.”
…Xuan Chong: In this life’s memories, exactly when did I realize that I, Wu Fei, am Xuan Chong the transmigrator?…
The reason Zhao Cheng sought Pu E was whether she possessed a method to extend lifespan? He still had many things to do.
For Zhao Cheng, if he could extend his lifespan, there would be no need to rebel.
However, for some reason, Pu E refused him. Pu E now felt like she had been caught cheating on an exam and didn’t dare to try any more supernatural operations.
Pu E previously reduced Wu Fei’s lifespan, and if she were to help Zhao Cheng cheat by extending his lifespan several times to crush him, Pu E dared not imagine what unexpected developments would follow next.
Who knows if that interstellar warship of immortal artifact level in the Southern Region gets repaired, then blasts him with a cannon.
After Zhao Cheng returned from Pu E, his loyalty dropped to seventy percent once again. He began to think about his future.
Due to the issue of nominal status, Zhao Cheng has always been doing subtraction problems, but the following formula can be applied.
Haotian Force – Anti-Zhao Force = Zhao Cheng Force.
As a minister, Zhao Cheng would eliminate opposing forces from his own faction every time Haotian supported anti-Zhao Cheng forces, in order to resolve issues of disunity and internal strife.
Five years ago, those who opposed Zhao Cheng were the native Dragon Descendants of Haotian. Zhao Cheng chose to establish bases in Sha Prefecture, while Yan and Bo were “cut” out.
Now among the Yao People who have pledged allegiance to the Hao State, a force opposing Zhao Cheng has emerged.
Zhao Cheng had no choice but to send them to “Yongzhou” and then “reduce” them further, however, his two “reductions” were both feeding experience to someone.
One must know that these allegiance seekers originally all came for Zhao Cheng. If Zhao Cheng doesn’t use them, they will start taking crooked paths within the Hao State.
…”Disloyal ones” make it hard for others…
In the summer of Tian You Calendar 4, famine appeared in the Xia Prefecture area, with a thousand li of barren land. After Zhao Cheng returned from Sha Prefecture, he looked at the Xia Prefecture farmlands covered in withered grass, as well as the villages with broken walls and ruins. Zhao Cheng clutched his chest!
Why were only remnants of earthen walls left in the villages? Because when the large army passed by, they needed to consume firewood, so the roof beams were all dismantled. Note: The Yue Family Army’s “Do not dismantle houses even if freezing to death” has extremely high value.
And after the houses were dismantled, the common people wouldn’t return. Indeed, return to accumulate family property and rebuild, only for you to dismantle it again the next time soldiers pass? Now even one planting season has passed, and not a single Xia Prefecture commoner has returned.
Zhao Cheng is now so anxious he’s spitting blood. He, who has always been at maximum extreme conscription, now has no choice but to disband the corps, reorganize them into farmer-soldiers for reclamation. This policy caused extremely strong objections among the troops under Zhao Cheng.
When Xia Prefecture was seized that year, the Hao Army carried out large-scale plunder. But filling the pit after the plunder himself? That is extremely unpleasant.
What’s more, everyone took up the knife to conquer Under Heaven, to enjoy the feeling of others farming while they lorded over it. Now putting down the knife to farm themselves, and after farming well, other armies that didn’t put down the knife come to lord over their fields—what to do?
Xuan Chong’s side farming has strict guarantees; grain handed over from the war zone is even counted as merit. Zhao Cheng’s side recruited too many soldiers; these soldiers haven’t exchanged enough blood reward from Zhao Cheng’s hands—how could they agree to beat swords into plows!
This led to Zhao Cheng occupying Xia Prefecture, reaching the point where discarding it is useless, but losing it is regrettable.
And just before Zhao Cheng occupied here, the various vassal lords on the Da Yao side were also plundering this place. The entire Xia Prefecture is like a woman repeatedly kneaded, already having lost her chastity.
In the eyes of the warlords, there are so many fertile lands under heaven waiting for numerous heroes as bases to rise. Who would have the patience to gently take Xia Prefecture into their arms and cherish it well?
Zhao Cheng is certain his war machine cannot stop. Internally, there are many voices saying the “farming policy” is not urgent and must first get a wave of food and grass and commoners. Someone proposed first attacking Zhenzhou, reasoning that Zhenzhou now has many gathered commoners.
Benevolent governance only works if the commoners are here; now Xia Prefecture is desolate, commoners have all fled—what use is benevolent governance?
Zhao Cheng dismounted and entered a village, found a still habitable house to rest in. Under the roof exposing starlight spots, Zhao Cheng looked at the map. “Attack Zhenzhou?” Zhao Cheng estimated and finally shook his head: From the Wu Family Army’s combat power shown in the Yongzhou aspect, without conscripting 200,000 soldiers, Zhenzhou cannot be taken.
Zhao Cheng reckoned that attacking Zhenzhou now would truly fulfill Wu Fei’s wishes.
In the earthen house, picked thatch grass burned into ash; the personal soldier said to the people outside: “Go pick up some firewood; this grass doesn’t burn well.”
…This fire lacks follow-up power…
The Yongzhou battle report was also here with Xuan Chong. Compared to the shock throughout the Hao State, the Wu Family Army internally did not make a big fuss, but Xuan Chong had this matter in mind.
Yongzhou and Xia Prefecture’s series of cities are the “iron gate” of Zhenzhou this old home; beyond the iron gate is a group of beggars with unquenched thieving hearts, possibly prying the lock.
That’s right—in Xuan Chong’s eyes, the current Hao Army and the other Da Yao fiefdoms are beggars. The Hao Army fighting to now, whether battle soldiers Jade Braves or Tai Yue Luan numbers are increasingly fewer—obviously cannot afford to feed them. And pottery figurines this kind of large giant soldier appearing on the battlefield is increasingly rare; they have all gone to do tamed beasts to ensure peace.
As for the Da Yao side, it’s not much better.
In contrast, here in the Chong Land, even the laborer corps under him have begun to equip engineering weapons including cow cannons, and to train a batch of Fire Rhinoceros Cavalry.
Currently, west of Chong Land, no force large enough to fight into Zhenzhou has risen. As long as Chong Land maintains unity, Zhao Cheng now also cannot sneak in.
The Yongzhou battle was just like this. No need for any superb tactical generals; dispatch a freshly graduated non-commissioned officer to transport high-quality reinforcements up, and this rookie is obedient, willing to cooperate with the local military commander. Then the Hao Army would return defeated.
Xuan Chong does “addition” problems. Resolutely support Wu Fei faction + factions not so resolutely supporting Wu Fei = Wu Family Army faction.
Xuan Chong, by reserving some space for “progress and merit,” gives those in factions not supporting him who understand the times a chance, thus resolving the factions not supporting him. Making those not supporting him into minority individuals.
In the Yongzhou battle, Xuan Chong used two local surrendered generals and promoted a new general for long-term garrison. After winning this “wheelchair-level” campaign relying on solid city defenses, he unsparingly rewarded these meritorious ministers. Immediately triggering a wave of taking sides internally.
…Climbing attachment…
Yongzhou commander Su Ming received tea bricks from the rear, opening trade for his family in Yongzhou, and some letters also came through the trade.
Su Ming saw people from the water faction who were not close to him before starting to probe paths, so he hesitated and wrote a letter to Xuan Chong.
Little did he know that when his letter arrived, it had already been read once by Security.
Security here received Xuan Chong’s instruction: If only people sent by Xuan Chong are around Su Ming, then Su Ming is Xuan Chong faction; if Su Ming has his own fellow villagers, then he might be other factions.
So Security here is highly vigilant about Su Ming contacting his old home folks.
Almost in half a day, Security put the situation on Xuan Chong’s desk. Xuan Chong smiled at these people wanting to climb onto Su Ming for speculation.
Xuan Chong replied telling Su Ming to mind his own work, and told him: “If your friends come to freeload, drive them all away; those now wanting to get close are here to share your merit. If you really lack people, hand over the list of your classmates from non-commissioned officer school, I’ll interview and send them to you.”
Although afterward Zhuge Liang looking back, Su Ming fought a wheelchair bureau, but he proactively offered a pledge of allegiance, willing to go to an unfamiliar place for development. This is his blood labor.
And now all sides know Yongzhou is a wheelchair bureau; you water people want to climb the pole at this time?
Wishful thinking is really good—not unworthy of people from a business place.
In Xuan Chong’s mind: I see you water people make such choices, showing what kind of loyalty to me. For subordinates not showing loyalty, unwilling to take risks for me—why should I arrange a wheelchair bureau for you? —Yongzhou’s position is very important, Su Ming’s loyalty is extremely critical; if Su Ming gathers a wave of disloyal fellow villagers, affecting the loyal Su Ming, then Zhao Cheng might get a chance to “stir things up.”
Xuan Chong sent a letter to Su Dahe: “There cannot be other people in your son’s position there, but I have a job here, profit a bit less, risk a bit higher—ask if your water people there are willing to do it?”
Several days later, after Su Dahe told the state fellow villagers this situation, these fellow villagers thought he forgot origins in pursuit of wealth, thus severed ties with him. —After Xuan Chong received Security’s report on this intelligence, he contemptuously shook his head: “Tch, merchants!”
…Restlessness…
While Xuan Chong was uniting the external, the ironclad bases also had some minor commotions.
These ironclad bases were nagged by the once Northern Army frustrated faction with a wave of “nagging,” starting to whine and advise.
A silly boy named Wu Ling ran over, worriedly saying: “Cai and Heng are outer generals, should not be overly favored, or they will grow too big to control.”
Wu Ling is nominally Xuan Chong’s hall nephew; Xuan Chong, seeing his untimely interjection, rarely showed a disgusted expression.
Note: Normally Xuan Chong is very deep in scheming toward outsiders, hiding even disgust.
This advisor saw such a “good and evil” expression from Xuan Chong for the first time and was also scared silly.
Xuan Chong intimidated: “Who told you to say these words?” Clearly this silly child, after one scare, spilled everything. Xuan Chong, seeing this silly child’s honesty, showed an expression of “you still have salvation.”
Wu Ling saw Xuan Chong’s expression and relaxed in his heart,
Xuan Chong then added a few more guys to the blacklist in his mind, and subsequently scolded this unlucky egg: “How could Yongzhou rebel? Cloth, salt, iron, and draft oxen all rely on what we sell them; and they are on the periphery now, which is our Great Wall! You tear down your own Great Wall, and you go up to hold the line?”
This silly child muttered: “It’s not impossible.”
Before he finished muttering, he got a knuckle to the forehead. Xuan Chong sternly lectured: “Isn’t it just that you feel you didn’t get any merit and you’re aggrieved! After being egged on by a few sarcastic remarks from others, you run to me acting like a villain, letting others use you as a knife!”
Xuan Chong pinched his ear and dragged him to the table: “When have I ever lacked your merit? Is it worth making you feel a sense of crisis, rushing to compete with me for it?”
Xuan Chong pointed at the map: “Did you pay attention in the war strategy classroom? The north has just stabilized, and people’s hearts are restless. I don’t want to move large troops in the north, letting them guard the home and courtyard for me, doing their share of hard work. You want to grab it? With your restless temperament, if you grab this hard work, can you handle it? You go up to hold the line, without me watching, I’m afraid that in three months, you’ll get complacent, drink and mess things up!”
Wu Ling’s two-meter tall frame didn’t dare move under Xuan Chong’s scolding. Scolding him gave Xuan Chong a refreshing feeling like scolding Wu Hengyu. Of course, after he felt refreshed, he gave him a candy.
Xuan Chong pointed at his forehead with a finger: When conquering under heaven in the future, I will definitely take you all with me! Would I lack your share? —But with you like this now, I have to reconsider.”
This silly boy’s eyes lit up, then he scratched his head: “Military Master, I just got itchy staying at home, so~” He slapped his mouth: “Just treat my earlier words as a fart and forget them!”
Xuan Chong: “Itchy? I’m itchy too, and preparing to move; before moving, settle the home properly, don’t wreck the house for me, and I’ll take you along.”
This silly boy wanted to ask more, but after Xuan Chong glared at him, he went back.
Xuan Chong remembered he still had a “southward expedition” task unfinished. So he didn’t keep Zhao Cheng company.
