CHAPTER 1378: CHAPTER 1378: HONOR THE KING AND REPEL THE BARBARIANS

In this world, the Daoist Sect is orthodox.

The Imperial Court does not exclude other miscellaneous schools. The hundred schools contend, and among the people, they flourish everywhere, each preaching their own way.

The main schools include Confucianism, Legalism, Military Strategists, Mo Family, miscellaneous schools, Diplomacy Scholars, Medical Scholars, Yin Yang Clan, and Novelists.

The Military Strategists carry the responsibility of leading armies to war, holding power within the Imperial Court, no matter the dynasty, always being highly regarded.

The main issue in South Yangtze Prefecture at present is the Military Strategists.

Whoever holds this power in hand is the true master of South Yangtze Prefecture.

The Military Strategists are not a single entity; they belong to different forces.

Take the Prefecture Princess Mansion: after years of toil by the Crown Prince, he has only gained one close confidant, Lei Shicheng.

The Lei Family’s ancestors were Military Strategists, following the forefather, Emperor Yu, conquering the land, unifying Great Xia Country, establishing outstanding achievements.

On par with the Lei Family are the Bai Family, Sunx Family, Wuu Family, Wei Family, Zhang Family, Han Family, and Sima Family, with similar status.

These eight families are known as the Eight Sects of Military Strategists.

The clansmen and disciples under them are widespread in the military, and to control the Military Strategists, one must control these eight families.

Currently, the Lei Family stands firmly with the Crown Prince.

The Wei Family and Sima Family are confidants of the Third Prince.

The rest, Bai Family, Sunx Family, Wuu Family, Zhang Family, Han Family, remain unclear, still observing for now.

Yet nothing is absolute; within each family, there are also dissenting opinions.

Some insist on orthodoxy, others are drawn to power.

Ji Wanrong explained the politics, military, and culture of Great Xia Country from start to finish.

Without sighing over any issues, daylight was already breaking.

Luckily, everyone present are cultivators; otherwise, they wouldn’t endure.

Da Heiniu and Bald Dog were quite disrespectful, lying on the table snoring, making Long Fei angry enough to have them carried away.

Even among the Demon Clan, there are hopes pinned on them for the future.

Now it seems, it’s akin to playing the lute to a cow.

Everyone was searching for a solution within the complex web of relationships.

Long Fei finally spoke, "Cut through the chaos with a decisive stroke. Problems that seem more confusing, at their core, are all the same. Disorder is merely surface; one just needs to grasp the essence."

Lin Shanshan patted her cheeks, even applied a mask, with drooping eyes said, "Brother-in-law, can you speak plainly?"

Others chuckled, sipped tea to refresh themselves.

Long Fei continued, "As the Commandery Princess just mentioned, many forces are observing now. Ultimately, it depends on who has the strongest resolve, who can instill confidence in victory. As the saying goes, when one wanes, the other waxes. The weaker we are, the more others will exhibit a position of strength and weakness. People naturally avoid harm and seek benefit; seeing our weakness proves futile, who would stand by us?"

"Indeed, I favor swift decisions!"

Chu Feng suddenly stood up, holding a wine jug, "Young people should act with vigor, not like old men, constantly stable and calculating! In terms of resources, we are not as capable, but when it comes to fighting desperately, those old men aren’t as good as us."

Wang Jie said, "I agree with both of you, besides our youth, we are not opponents in resources or in strategy. Rather than ingratiating various factions disgracefully, it’s better to take a bold gamble. After all, if we lose, we can simply start anew."

"I agree!"

"In favor!"

"I also agree!"

Murong Chong, Wang Jie, Wang Xun all expressed their opinions.

Ji Wanrong decided, "Alright, then this is settled. We have a direction; where should we start?"

She looked at Long Fei.

Long Fei pondered and said, "We cannot disappoint your father’s intentions. Let’s raise the banner of honoring the king and expelling the barbarians. Your father is the Crown Prince, the legitimate heir of this country. Those who prosper follow us, and those who oppose perish. Whoever defies us is a rebel, one who opposes orthodoxy. Even if we act, we have an irrefutable reason."

Chu Feng laughed, "I approve, a rebellion starts with a banner claiming divine intervention! This ’honoring the king and expelling the barbarians’ is used well. We only honor orthodoxy; anyone who stirs trouble is a rebel, and we’ll deal with them."

Others nodded; having been immersed in the outside world, they understood the historical story of ’honoring the king and expelling the barbarians.’"

Ji Wanrong saw clearly and asked Long Fei, "What’s next?"

Long Fei said, "Next, we need to stir up matters, seize the military control. Without something to do, there’s no reason to deploy troops. Only when handling matters can you find reasons to replace insubordinate generals."

"Wonderful!"

"Still, eldest brother Gao Ming!"

"To stir up matters, you must mobilize the Five Camps’ army, a significant event is necessary!"

The group laughed approvingly, even the chronically ill Wang Xun now viewed Long Fei with new respect.

Ji Wanrong pondered, "Stirring up matters isn’t difficult; there is a sizable water bandit force in Yunmeng Marsh. They’ve set up camp on Snake Mountain Island, gathering refugees to wreak havoc, claiming numbers up to a million. Previously, South Yangtze Prefecture sent large armies to annihilate them several times, all were repelled. This time, we can use it well."

Lin Shanshan was astonished, "A million people? Isn’t this world abundant in spirit rice, with so many refugees becoming water bandits?"

Ji Wanrong said, "Even with favorable weather, human misfortune prevails! The Official Residence condones, those feudal tycoons and officials’ children all consolidate land in their territories, akin to situations outside. Wealthy become wealthier, the destitute even poorer. When disaster strikes, the populace starves and rebels."

Long Fei and Chu Feng exchanged a glance and smiled, "Seems we must think of ways for the refugees in the future."

Chu Feng said, "Should we resort to seizing wealth from tycoons, redistributing land as a trump card?"

Long Fei shook his head, "For now, no need. Acting this way too provokes that feudal powers and hinders our development. Strategically, we must disdain, but tactically, step by step must be taken."

Wang Jie laughed, "I understand this; according to the theory in your world, it’s called taking too big a step, prone to snapping!"

The men present all laughed heartily, the women blushed slightly and glared at him.

With the major strategy and minor direction set, Ji Wanrong immediately set people in motion.

Before the large battle, the task was to blow the wind.

First, stir public sentiment, let civilians petition, so Ji Wanrong can implement the plan with rightful authority.

Anyone who obstructs becomes idle worker, or against public will.

When the time comes, raise the flag and strike directly.

As one who has been refined outside, learned an entire history of feudal changes, growing within the Royal Family, Ji Wanrong possesses some scheming.

Soon, the water bandits on Snake Mountain Island helped Ji Wanrong greatly.

They captured nearby Linjiang City, a small county town with a population of just over a million.

In this world, a city of over a million is considered small.

No choice, the land is vast, and people are too many.

The water bandits killed the County Magistrate’s family, even hanging their corpses on the city walls, not sparing the Magistrate’s three-year-old child, their methods rather cruel.

In Linjiang City, the wealthy landowners were all plundered; fighting the bandits cost over a thousand lives.