173: Still Xu Weixiong? Xu Fengnian scolds his father! (33)

Chapter 172: Marrying Xu Weibear? Xu Fengnian Scolds His Father! (33)

"Your Majesty, all we want is King of Tang as a figurehead."

"Give him a royal mansion, more salary, but no personal guards or anything like that."

"Your old subject has already had Intelligence Agency investigate; this Hong Chang'an is simply not favored."

Li Yang Dynasty's Intelligence Agency, Northern Liang's Fushui Society, and Northern Mang's Spider Web are their respective secret police agencies.

"Emperor Hong arranging his marriage with the Western Chu princess was always meant for him to take the blame at any time."

"This Hong Chang'an is neither skilled in literature nor martial arts, he loves qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, listening to music in Brothel, a complete good-for-nothing."

Yuan Benxi clearly understood Zhao Li's imperial mindset: to act like a prostitute but still want to be seen as chaste.

He wouldn't feel at ease if Emperor Hong wasn't killed.

However, he didn't want to break his word and still needed to keep a King of Tang to save Face and win over people's hearts.

To show the whole world that his great Li Yang Dynasty was universally revered, and the Li Yang Emperor's words were as good as gold.

Yuan Benxi suggested Li Chang'an inherit the title precisely because Emperor Hong had publicly tried to kill Li Chang'an, so there would surely be enmity between father and son.

After hearing this, Zhao Li nodded in satisfaction. When it came to malicious schemes, Yuan Benxi certainly had plenty.

A King of Tang as a figurehead placed near Northern Liang would have no chance of growing powerful enough to restore his kingdom.

One must know that King of Northern Liang Xu Xiao was a ruthless man who had destroyed six kingdoms!

However, Yuan Benxi's ruthless tactics once again astonished Zhao Li.

"Your Majesty, even a figurehead needs to be appropriate. After seven or eight years, the world will be at peace."

"Your Majesty can bestow the King of Northern Liang's Princess upon Li Chang'an, but it's not Li Chang'an marrying the Princess..."

Zhao Li's eyes lit up; this move even arranged the King of Tang's future.

"Benxi, you mean to have the King of Tang marry the Northern Liang Princess and become a live-in son-in-law for the Xu family, making the King of Tang title nominal."

Yuan Benxi nodded and said, "In that case, it even saves the trouble of reducing the vassal states."

"If Xu Xiao is unwilling at that time, he will arrange for someone to assassinate Hong Chang'an, which also saves the imperial court's reputation from being tarnished."

After listening to all of Yuan Benxi's words, Zhao Li was deeply satisfied.

This old fox had arranged everything for Hong Chang'an, the King of Tang, from birth to death.

There was also a hidden concern that neither of them brought up.

Xu Xiao commanded an army of 350,000, making him the Li Yang Dynasty's foremost vassal king.

Such a powerful military force in the hands of a vassal king from a different family made it impossible for Zhao Li not to worry.

However, Xu Xiao's achievements were currently too great, so reducing the vassal states could not be mentioned.

With the Spring and Autumn War completely over, the future struggles between Li Yang Dynasty and Northern Liang would outweigh their cooperation.

"Benxi, it's a good idea, but it's too early to bring it up now."

Yuan Benxi, however, said, "Xu Xiao is in the capital right now; it will be difficult for him to enter the capital later."

"For something like this, it's most appropriate to have him agree in person."

"Moreover, for an King of a different surname bestowed by Your Majesty to marry his daughter, he'll have enough Face!"

Zhao Li nodded and said, "Xu Xiao should also share My burdens! I will personally discuss it with him another day."

A few days later, the night before Xu Xiao left Tai'an City.

In the Baohe Hall of Tai'an City, Zhao Li, Xu Xiao, and Yang Taisui were all thoroughly drunk.

Yang Taisui was an old monk in black robes, learned and well-versed in the classics of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.

Yang Taisui offered strategies, Xu Xiao swept across the land, and together they were Zhao Li's left and right arms.

The three had often ascended the Baohe Hall in Tai'an City together, discussing world affairs, drinking heavily, and sprawling out.

This time, with the world unified and Xu Xiao about to leave the capital, they had another heavy drinking session.

"Monk, Butcher, we have finally unified the world!"

"From now on, the only enemy in this world will be Northern Mang!"

"Within ten years, we will strengthen our military, invade Northern Emperor City, and capture Empress Murong alive!"

Yang Taisui slurred, "If the Butcher had been a bit tougher back then, Empress Murong would have been slain under his crotch long ago."

Three years ago, because of Xu Xiao's growing power, some in the court orchestrated the White Robe Case.

Yang Taisui was one of the instigators, almost killing the Princess Consort Wu Su.

Although Xu Xiao didn't say anything on the surface, he had always held a grudge in his heart.

"You damn monk, what do you know!"

"If she were that easy to conquer, she wouldn't have become Empress Murong."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will watch over the north for you and share your burdens!"

Zhao Li said, "Good, I need you all to share My burdens."

"There's one thing right now that I need your help with!"

"I know my fate; among us three, I will probably be the first to go."

"Butcher, I've found a son-in-law for you! King of Tang Li Chang'an!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiao instantly froze. "How can a tiger's daughter marry a dog's son!"

"How can my Xu Xiao's daughter marry a subjugated royal from the Hong family!"

Zhao Li slowly said, "We just said that the world is unified, and the eight Spring and Autumn kingdoms are all My subjects."

"The Hong family's surrender to the celestial dynasty makes them meritorious individuals, and the King of Tang is a princely title I personally bestowed!"

With Zhao Li saying this, Xu Xiao found it difficult to refuse further.

He could look down on Li Chang'an, but he couldn't look down on a princely title.

Zhao Li took Xu Xiao's hand, looking utterly sincere.

"I won't live for many more years; your daughter is My daughter.

I will arrange your daughter's marriage with the ceremony of a princess!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiao immediately perked up.

"What do you mean, let Li Chang'an be my daughter's Prince Consort?"

"If a King becomes a Prince Consort, what's the point of his King of Tang title being hereditary..."

At this point, Xu Xiao also understood, "Which old fox came up with such a rotten idea."

"You want to save Face, keep a King of Tang as a figurehead, but make me clean up your mess?"

Seeing that Xu Xiao understood, Zhao Li continued, "The things I do, I can't leave the trouble for future generations, can I?"

Xu Xiao thought it over carefully; having a king as a son-in-law didn't seem so bad.

His daughter was still young now, and there would be many more variables in the future.

Zhao Li's meaning was an imperial decree; discussing it with him was already giving him enough Face.

If an imperial decree had been issued directly, such great favor would have been even harder to refuse.

"You are Your Majesty, I'll listen to you."

Half a month later.

Li Chang'an, who had already prepared for escape, received the imperial decree from the Li Yang Dynasty for his inheritance of the title.

Cao Zhengchun angrily said, "This dog emperor actually wants to change Your Highness's surname."

This was precisely where Li Chang'an found himself in a dilemma, as this matter should, by rights, be quite insulting.

However, Li Chang'an had no desire to be named Hong.

Especially after Emperor Hong had done such shameless things, Li Chang'an didn't want to be named Hong for another day.

Changing back to the Li surname was the first thing Li Chang'an intended to do after leaving the imperial palace.

Although Li Chang'an was in Reincarnation, he didn't want to be a servant to all surnames.

"Old Cao, I think Li is a very good surname."

Cao Zhengchun's expression froze as he recalled Gu Dazu's words that had already spread throughout the world.

The people of the world are ashamed to be named Hong!

"Alas... If Your Highness thinks it's good, then let it be Li."

"Next, what do you plan to do, become this King of Tang, or flee for your life?"

If he ran away, he would become a wanted criminal of Li Yang Dynasty, never finding peace anywhere.

Of course, with the System and his skills, developing in hiding wasn't impossible.

However, Li Chang'an needed to increase his influence across five dimensions, and hiding away wouldn't be easy.

From a long-term perspective, Zhao Li didn't have many years left to live.

The overt and covert struggles between Northern Liang and Li Yang Dynasty would soon begin. In a place like Yong Province, though it was a battleground, it was also convenient for profiting from chaos.

Unless the situation was particularly critical, Li Chang'an was not inclined to develop in hiding.

"Old Cao, then let's go to another Brothel to listen to music and be a carefree king!"

Li Chang'an, accompanied by his retainers, set off for Yong Province to become the King of Tang.

Most of the Brocade-Clad Guards followed Li Chang'an north.

However, Li Chang'an did not force those who longed for their homeland, allowing them to gather intelligence locally and plan for restoration.

Four years later, Li Yang Emperor Zhao Li passed away.

The second prince, Zhao Chun, with Yuan Benxi as his mentor, triumphed over Prince Jing'an Zhao Heng in the struggle for succession, becoming the new Emperor of the Li Yang Dynasty.

Zhao Li and Xu Xiao were sworn brothers, their bond still intact, and their conflicts could still be hidden.

Upon Zhao Chun's ascension, he became restless about the overgrown power of this King of a different surname.

Thus, after the year-long mourning period, Zhao Chun officially signaled the reduction of vassal states.

The seven great vassal kings of the Li Yang Dynasty harbored their own intentions, and the already unstable Li Yang world once again faced impending turmoil.

Ling Province, Qingliang Mountain, Northern Liang Royal Mansion.

Fifteen-year-old Xu Fengnian brazenly burst into Xu Xiao's study.

Xu Fengnian was born to the former Northern Liang Princess Consort Wu Su, Xu Xiao's eldest son, and the Crown Prince of the Northern Liang Royal Mansion.

Wu Su was severely injured in the White Robe Case and passed away a few years later.

Xu Fengnian was infuriated that Xu Xiao pretended to be a turtle and didn't avenge his mother, so he always held resentment towards him.

And Xu Xiao, feeling guilty about this matter, had always indulged Xu Fengnian's dissolute behavior.

At the same time, to reduce the hostility of the Li Yang Dynasty, Xu Fengnian also deliberately pretended to be a good-for-nothing.

So, the current Xu Fengnian was already a famous good-for-nothing young master in the Li Yang Dynasty.

"Xu Xiao! Xu Xiao!"

"Has my second sister's marriage been canceled?"

Hearing Xu Fengnian's arrival, Xu Xiao's Face creased into a smile like a chrysanthemum.

"Feng Nian, you're here. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, I have already submitted eight memorials."

"But Your Majesty always says that the late emperor's dying wish cannot be easily changed!"

Xu Fengnian pressed on, "Then why did you agree in the first place!"

"Li Chang'an, a subjugated royal, what right does he have to marry my second sister!"

"I asked Luqiuer, and the Fushui Society investigated Li Chang'an; he's just a good-for-nothing young master, neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts!"

Xu Xiao said, "Feng Nian, don't people also call you a good-for-nothing young master?"

Xu Fengnian crossed his arms and said, "Can he compare to this Crown Prince!"

"He doesn't even look at who my father is, and who his father is!"

Hearing this, Xu Xiao puffed out his chest, a smug look on his Face.

Xu Fengnian continued, "I don't think we can rely on you for this. Let second sister go and break off the engagement, and both sides sign a divorce agreement."

"With the agreement, you can then submit a memorial, and the old emperor should agree, right?"

Xu Xiao thought for a moment, then muttered, "Hard to say!"

"To break off an engagement without permission, that's defying an imperial decree!"

Xu Fengnian slapped Xu Xiao hard on the back, "Xu Xiao, who are you trying to fool!"

"Have you defied few imperial decrees?"

"Last year, the imperial court asked you to reinforce Jiange to assist in resisting the Fan People, did you go?"

"The year before last, the imperial court said that Luqiuer and his men abused the common people and had chaotic military discipline, did you deal with it?"

"Also, the imperial court asked you to report your defense strategy against Northern Mang, which time did you report the true situation!"

Hearing these words, Xu Xiao immediately seemed to have aged ten years younger!

"My son Feng Nian, you have the bearing of a wise king!"

"I never thought you'd secretly start paying attention to Northern Liang's affairs!"

Xu Fengnian angrily said, "Nonsense! I specifically asked Luqiuer about all this, just to shut you up!"

Xu Xiao heard this, but didn't get angry, and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll listen to you this time!"

"I also want to see if my son Feng Nian's plan can help Weixiong cancel this engagement!"

Xu Fengnian added, "Oh, and let Luqiuer go along!"

"With Luqiuer there, no one in this Li Yang world can harm my second sister!"

Seven days later.

Yong Province, Jin City.

At this moment, Li Chang'an was listening to music and enjoying dances in the most luxurious Brothel, Mei Xian Courtyard.

High-class Brothel were often named with 'Courtyard,' 'Mansion,' or 'Pavilion.'

Lower-class Brothel were often named with 'Troupe,' 'Tower,' or 'Inn.'

Every time he thought of this knowledge he had learned in the new world, Li Chang'an couldn't help but sigh that the nuclear war had indeed erased some culture.

The most popular Brothel in the capital of the Qing Yu Nian World was actually called Drunken Immortal Tower, how undignified!

Seven or eight young masters from prominent families in the city were all Li Chang'an's dissolute friends.

The soft and boneless, charming dancers, with slender waists and delicate arms, danced gracefully.

In this alluring and ambiguous atmosphere, the good-for-nothing young masters were parched and consumed by lust.

However, Li Chang'an found it utterly tasteless!

Because the singing was so poor, he somewhat missed Sang Wen.

However, this world also had singers and dancers, for instance, the voluptuous Yu Youwei was exceptional in both singing and dancing.

Once his Martial Skill reached Major Achievement, he would definitely seek her out to properly appreciate her singing voice.

Over the years, Li Chang'an's various rankings had progressed, and the System had settled once, rewarding him with 15,000 Mortal World points.

Li Chang'an spent 17,000 Mortal World points to exchange for Martial Skill, light body techniques, and templates of various Heavenly Bodies characters.

In these years, due to the expansion of the Brocade-Clad Guards nationwide, Li Chang'an's power had steadily risen to over a hundred in rank.

He had also achieved minor success in wealth and arts, but Li Chang'an hadn't put too much effort into them.

World: Snow in the Blade

Age: 17 years old

Realm: Martial Artist Second Grade · Peak

Cultivation Technique: Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill (Ninth Layer)

Martial Skill: Dragon Grasping Skill (Major Achievement), Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms (Minor Achievement), Crossing the River on a Reed (Major Achievement)

Innate Abilities: Clairvoyant Eyes, Photographic Memory, Myriad Worlds Weapon Master

Abilities: (Expand)

Mortal World: 9,000 points (Accumulated 160,000 points)

Rankings: Power 125, Wealth 9600, Martial Prowess 114, Romantic 10,000+, Artistic 8500

After several years of Cultivate, Li Chang'an had reached the Peak of the Second Grade Realm.

He was just one step away from entering the First Grade Realm.

There were approximately 150 First Grade masters in this world, which included Vajra, Profound Finger, Heavenly Elephant, and Terrestrial Deity.

Li Chang'an's current strength should be stronger than some martial artists who had just entered the First Grade.

In these years, he had also exchanged for two more Martial Skill: Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and Crossing the River on a Reed.

Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is a Martial Skill of utmost rigidity and Yang energy, and when paired with Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, it is extremely fierce and unyielding.

Crossing the River on a Reed, on the other hand, is a light body technique suitable for Buddhist Internal Energy.

In addition, Li Chang'an also exchanged for a group of assassins similar to the Six Sword Slaves, called the Eight Exquisites, to serve as his personal guards for handling secret affairs.

The Eight Exquisites templates were all Second Grade cultivation, and after exchanging them two years ago, Li Chang'an found eight people within the Brocade-Clad Guards to fuse with them.

After four men and four women fused with the templates, they had Early Stage Second Grade strength, and now they basically all had Middle Stage Second Grade cultivation.

At this moment, Qian Sha, one of the Eight Exquisites, came to report.

"Your Highness, the Northern Liang Second Princess has come to break off the engagement, accompanied by Chu Lushan, one of Xu Xiao's six adopted sons."

Upon hearing the title of Northern Liang Princess, the Brothel immediately fell silent.

Upon hearing Chu Lushan's name, the Brothel dancers were all so frightened they collapsed to the ground.

Most people play with women, but Chu Lushan, he takes lives!