201: Chapter 201 As long as you are willing to serve the Song Dynasty, you are a person of the Song Dynasty.

Just then, a crisp and loud shout suddenly came: "Gang Leader Qiao!"

This voice was like a stream of clear spring water nourishing the heart, or a refreshing breeze gently blowing by, causing the lost Qiao Feng to instantly snap back to his senses, his mind suddenly becoming clear.

He and Hong Seven Public looked up at the same time toward the direction of the voice—the person was none other than Zhao Fangcai.

Zhao Fangcai looked at Qiao Feng and spoke slowly: "Gang Leader Qiao, why be so concerned about whether you are a person of the Song State or the Liao State?

As the saying goes, 'A hero's origin should not be questioned.'

Thinking back to the Qin Dynasty, it was precisely because it was not limited by family status or geography and employed Shang Yang of the Wei State that Shang Yang's Reforms occurred, ultimately achieving the powerful hegemony of the Qin State;

General Ran Min was originally a person of the Wei State, yet he also performed great services for Huaxia.

Even if Gang Leader Qiao truly is a person of the Liao State, as long as you are wholeheartedly loyal to the Great Song, then you are a loyal subject and a good citizen of the Great Song.

Conversely, look at those who claim to be people of the Song State but secretly run errands and risk their lives for the Liao and Jin people; what right do they have to call themselves people of the Song State?"

Pausing for a moment, Zhao Fangcai continued: "So in my view, whether one is a person of the Song State or the Liao State depends on where the 'heart' belongs, not on external identity labels.

If a Song person's heart is with the Liao State, how are they any different from the Liao people? If a Liao person's heart is with the Great Song, then they are likewise a citizen of our Great Song!"

These words made Qiao Feng's eyes light up, instantly finding a direction to resolve his distress.

He nodded while thinking, his tone carrying agreement as he said: "Your Excellency's words make perfect sense!"

Zhao Fangcai's words hit Qiao Feng right in the heart—at a time when he was self-deprecating because of his heritage, they gave him the recognition he needed most.

Although he had Liao blood, he was raised by Song people, his heart had always identified with the Great Song, and he had always led everyone to resist the Liao State.

Such actions, compared to most Song people, are perhaps more like those of a true Song person, aren't they?

Moreover, Zhao Fangcai not only possessed high martial arts but also had lofty and comprehensive insights.

His public acknowledgement of Qiao Feng as a Song person, along with his high evaluation, was equivalent to providing a "final verdict" from an official level, carrying immense weight.

Thinking of this, Qiao Feng's spirit immediately rallied.

Hong Seven Public, standing by the side, also couldn't help but praise: "Such an insight into the identities of Song and Liao is truly fresh and reasonable! Your Excellency's broad-mindedness truly earns my admiration!"

Zhao Fangcai shook his head gently and said modestly: "This is merely my personal view.

Within the Great Song court, isn't the reason Dragon State became the most powerful place precisely because it extensively recruits talents from all over the world?

Whether they are people of the Wei State, Zhao State, or Qi State, as long as they are willing to serve the Great Song, they are people of the Great Song.

Therefore, I believe a true great nation should be like this—accommodating many rivers like the ocean to maintain a state of vitality, ultimately achieving national prosperity and the wealth of the people.

Our Great Song should also uphold such a philosophy; the people of Dragon State throughout the world, no matter where they are, as long as they are willing to contribute to the Great Song, are citizens of the Great Song!"

Zhao Fangcai's words were well-reasoned, and every sentence exuded a heroic spirit of traversing the world, causing both Qiao Feng and Hong Seven Public to feel admiration from the bottom of their hearts.

Qiao Feng marveled inwardly: "I never expected that this hero would not only be willing to serve the Great Song but also possess the spirit to embrace the world!

Only such a spirit can unite forces from all sides to gallop across the battlefield and bravely slay the enemy!"

Hong Seven Public was even more convinced in his heart, thinking to himself: "What a phrase, 'the ocean admits all rivers'! Your Excellency's vision is truly remarkable!"

After expressing his insights, Zhao Fangcai changed the subject and asked loudly: "I heard that Gang Leader Qiao has been in charge of the Beggars Clan for eight years. Over these years, you have always led the members of the Beggars Clan to assist the Great Song, taking the resistance against foreign enemies as your own responsibility.

With such contributions, who in the entire Great Song would dare say Gang Leader Qiao is not a person of the Song State? If anyone dares to say so, I, Zhao Fangcai, will be the first to disagree!"

Qiao Feng could hear that Zhao Fangcai's words were full of sincerity and were by no means empty pleasantries; his heart was filled with gratitude toward him, though it was a pity he couldn't enjoy a hearty drink with him right now to express his feelings.

He raised his wine cup and said with a hint of guilt in his tone: "I am ashamed! After hearing Your Excellency's words, I realized my previous thoughts were too narrow.

Whether a person of the Song State or the Liao State, as long as a great man lives in this world with a clear conscience toward himself, the country, and heaven and earth, that is enough. Why dwell on one's origin and the nation one belongs to?"

Qiao Feng was naturally generous and broad-minded. His current situation and the circumstances were completely different from when he was plotted against and coerced in the Apricot Forest—now all the truth was clear, and with Zhao Fangcai using the examples of Shang Yang and Ran Min, a few words had enlightened him.

His mind suddenly cleared: even if he had Liao blood, why couldn't he work for the Great Song?

Seeing Qiao Feng let go of his mental burden and look relieved, Zhao Fangcai smiled faintly: "Gang Leader Qiao, as the saying goes, 'the spectator sees clearly while the player is confused,' the matter of your heritage is originally your private affair, and it is not convenient for me to interfere too much.

However, regarding the blood feud hidden behind your heritage, there are actually other unknown details."

"Hmm?" Qiao Feng immediately showed a surprised expression.

Zhao Fangcai explained slowly: "Regarding the cause of your parents' death, it was actually a conspiracy set up by Murong Bo of the Swallows Nest.

It was he who deliberately deceived Great Master Xuan Ci and Senior Wang Jiantong, causing them to take action against your parents. His purpose was to provoke a war between the Song and Liao states so that the Yan State could take the opportunity to rise again."

"What? Murong Bo? Didn't he die a long time ago?" Hong Seven Public couldn't help but shout in surprise upon hearing this.

Qiao Feng also frowned and asked in a heavy tone: "Murong Bo? Is this true or false? Are you talking about Murong Fu's father?"

"Correct." Zhao Fangcai nodded in confirmation. "The Murong clan were originally descendants of the Xianbei tribe and have been plotting to overthrow the Great Song to restore the rule of the Yan State.

And this Murong Bo only faked his death; over the years, he has been hiding in the shadows sowing discord. Great Master Xuan Ci of Shaolin Temple and others have all been kept in the dark and used by him."

Hong Seven Public hurriedly followed up: "Your Excellency is so clear about this matter, could it be... Murong Bo is currently in your hands?"

Qiao Feng also stared intently at Zhao Fangcai, waiting for his answer.

Zhao Fangcai did not hide it and nodded directly: "He has already been captured and imprisoned by me. Regarding these secrets, they were all revealed to me by him personally."

"To think it was like this!" Qiao Feng was completely stunned. He knew very well that if what Zhao Fangcai said was true, then Murong Bo was the key witness to prove his innocence and reveal the truth of the matter, which was extremely important to him.