While Song Jiang was still on his way, Liangshan Marsh had already descended into a bloodbath. Instigated by Shao Jiang, Wu Yong, who was left in charge in Song Jiang's stead, became the target of public criticism. The first to attack was Zhu Tong, who had originally been tricked by him into joining the mountain stronghold, followed closely by the Blue-Faced Beast Yang Zhi. With the chieftains locked in internal strife, the lowly lackeys below could only watch helplessly.
The best fighter, Hua Rong, had followed Song Jiang to the capital, Bianjing. Li Kui was kept under strict watch by Wu Song. The brothers Kong Ming and Kong Liang did not dare to make a move under the glaring eyes of The Three Ruan Brothers opposite them. Lei Heng wanted to stop Zhu Tong but was tightly restrained by Liu Tang. Lu Zhishen stood there gripping his monk's spade, intimidating Song Qing, Chai Jin, and the others into inaction, while Lu Junyi and his group stood aside, watching coldly.
Once the head of the Resourceful Star was chopped off, the great hall was filled with the heavy stench of blood.
A trace of satisfaction could be seen on the faces of many. This wretched strategist's ruthless schemes had harmed many brothers, and today he had finally met his end.
Li Kui bellowed that Brother Song Jiang would be furious upon his return, but the others acted as if they had heard nothing.
Instead, Lu Junyi stood up and spat on Wu Yong's headless corpse: Serves him right!
Just as Shao Jiang was about to say some words to rally the crowd, the system on his shoulder suddenly let out a Huh?
What is it?
The system was a bit puzzled. It sensed the surroundings for a moment longer, then shook its head: It is nothing. I just thought I caught a strange scent for a second.
Meanwhile, Little Hei was retreating at top speed.
That was a close call. Just to watch the drama unfold, it had almost been discovered.
Full of triumph, it returned to Fang Zhiyi's side and, dancing with excitement, reported the situation regarding the transmigrator.
Looks like he will succeed very soon, Little Hei concluded.
Fang Zhiyi, however, shook his head: It is not that simple. Song Jiang's faction has a large number of people. Even if some have been turned, the majority still recognize Song Jiang as their leader. It is just that Wu Yong was indeed unpopular, so his death does not matter much to them. Furthermore, uniting this band of outlaws is no easy task. The current Liangshan is roughly divided into three factions...
Three factions? Aren't there only two? I saw that Lu Junyi also seemed to lean toward the transmigrator's side.
How could that be? Fang Zhiyi dipped his finger in water and drew a few circles on the table. Those who support Song Jiang count as one faction. Led by Song Jiang, there are roughly thirty to forty of them. They have no minds of their own; they just listen to Song Jiang. If Song Jiang says surrender, they surrender; if he says rob, they rob. This bunch is of little use. Another group is the staunch rebel faction, led by this transmigrator, which includes Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Yang Zhi, and the like. Their combat power is astonishing. And then there is a third faction... our people.
Our people?
The transmigrator actually did me a huge favor. He exposed Wu Yong's treacherous schemes with the intention of winning over those wronged generals or former officials. But he never considered that once these people realized they were tricked into joining the bandits, their hearts would still yearn to submit to the imperial court, like Lu Junyi.
Fang Zhiyi clasped his hands behind his back, watching the watermarks on the table gradually fade. These people despise the actions of Song Jiang and his ilk, but they would never want to join the transmigrator's rebel forces either. They are merely waiting for an opportunity.
Little Hei suddenly understood.
Someone hurried in: My lord! As per your request, I have selected over a hundred skilled men from the army to join the Imperial City Department. Please inspect them, my lord!
Fang Zhiyi nodded and strode outside.
After obtaining the approval of Emperor Huizong of Song, he began a drastic reorganization of the Imperial City Department. The first to suffer were the officials associated with Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and even Gao Qiu. Fang Zhiyi fabricated charges against them, either demoting or penalizing them, forcibly tearing this small group out of the core of the Imperial City Department, and then swiftly filling the vacancies with his own trusted aides.
Following this large-scale purge, Fang Zhiyi sought an oral decree from Emperor Huizong of Song to act with expediency. He then had his subordinates select a group of young soldiers from the military to replenish the Imperial City Department. He had only one requirement: a clean background and humble origins.
Fang Zhiyi promised them that as long as they were loyal to the imperial court, high positions and handsome salaries were not just a dream.
Thus, in just a few short months, the entire Imperial City Department took on a completely new look, filled from top to bottom with Fang Zhiyi's minions.
Meanwhile, Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and the others, who had previously been watching coldly from the sidelines, finally realized what was happening and began to guard against Fang Zhiyi. However, Fang Zhiyi had been recommended by them in the first place, and turning against him now seemed a bit too late.
Fang Zhiyi knew exactly how to manipulate an emperor, especially an emperor like Emperor Huizong of Song.
The country now faces internal troubles and external threats. I have dedicated all my efforts to rectifying the Imperial City Department, intending to escort and protect Your Majesty, remaining loyal and serving the country, yet I am being framed by petty men! Fang Zhiyi spoke so earnestly that even Emperor Huizong of Song felt somewhat aggrieved on his behalf.
I know why they have spoken against me to Your Majesty! Originally, for the sake of the court's stability, I did not wish to speak of it, but...
Seeing Fang Zhiyi's conflicted expression, Emperor Huizong of Song waved his hand grandly: I command you to speak!
Your Majesty, as your eyes and ears, the Imperial City Department truly bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the state and defending Your Majesty's safety. However, our current predicament is like sailing against the current; if we do not advance, we will be pushed back. Fang Zhiyi's words left Gao Qiu, who was standing behind Emperor Huizong of Song, completely stunned.
Recently, spies from the Imperial City Department intercepted numerous pieces of intelligence. Tong Guan, Cai Jing, and others have formed cliques for their own selfish interests. Their influence is deeply entrenched and has infiltrated every corner of the imperial court. They amass wealth wantonly and sell official titles. Many decrees in the court are merely tools for them to seek personal gain. What Your Majesty hears and sees is likely deliberately whitewashed by them.
Not only that, but there are also many rebels in the martial world acting under the banner of carrying out justice on behalf of Heaven, when in reality they have long coveted our Great Song's realm. They conspire everywhere, instigating the common people with the intent to subvert our dynasty. Although our intelligence network has done its utmost, due to limited authority, many clues are difficult to investigate deeply, and many rebel remnants cannot be fully apprehended.
Fang Zhiyi looked somewhat remorseful: Failing to share Your Majesty's burdens, I deserve a thousand deaths!
Emperor Huizong of Song gasped. Wasn't it said that the world was at peace under his rule? Why were there suddenly so many problems?
Gao Qiu also recovered from his daze, immediately realizing that this was a great opportunity! A perfect chance to eliminate Tong Guan and Cai Jing!
Your Majesty... although my son is dull and his actions may easily offend others, you know of his loyalty to Your Majesty. If he speaks like this, it must be...
Emperor Huizong of Song's mind was already full of eating, drinking, and merrymaking. Being spoken to like this by the two of them made his head spin.
Then what do you want...
Fang Zhiyi said without hesitation: Relying on Your Majesty's trust, I wish for Your Majesty to grant the Imperial City Department greater authority, in order to guarantee the peace of our Great Song and protect Your Majesty's eternal foundation!
Gao Qiu quickly chimed in: The Imperial City Department acts as Your Majesty's falcons and hounds; they are undoubtedly the most loyal to Your Majesty.
Emperor Huizong of Song suddenly thought of Song Jiang, the bandit leader of Liangshan he had seen that night. To think a mere bandit could actually infiltrate the room he was in... He shuddered.
Granted!
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
iemie, male, Race: Moon. Hobby: Collecting anomalies. At first, he thought he possessed two systems: the Crimson Rainbow Moon and the Clear Cold Frost Moon. One day, he discovered that he himself could also become a system for others, holding the chessboard of fate. The Eighth Epoch, also known as the Eternal Moon Epoch. Humans, witches, elves, bloodline descendants, specters, demons, and spirits together compose a new history. Walking the path on behalf of the moon, before he knew it, Chen Miemie's footsteps were followed by all manner of strange and wondrous anomalies. As time passed, many titles circulated about him—The King in Yellow, Lord of Anomalies, Heart of the Eternal Moon, and more. "Me? I'm just a traveler who enjoys collecting interesting creatures," Chen Miemie said.
ver to a world of cultivation and returned invincible. Modern medicine is child's play compared to elixirs; technological might crumbles before true cultivation. My name is Qin Ning, Earth's sole cultivator!
lity and could only live as an ordinary mortal. He only wished to live a peaceful life. Yet he didn't know— The dog he adopted, because it ate his food, became a legendary demon king. The kitchen knife he casually forged became a peerless divine weapon, causing numerous experts to fight desperately for it. The young disciple he took in became an immortal lord that led an era, due to cultivating the techniques Ye Feng taught him. Even the skeletons he looked down on the most were ominous demon kings that suppressed countless worlds. Many years later, looking at the void shattered with a punch, Ye Feng murmured to himself: It turns out the peerless kings were myself all along...
