The road to Jianghu started from the martial arts hall

Chapter 364: Five Thousand Households

Looking at the five people's lonely backs leaving, Fang Xun felt a little sad.

The court is full of twists and turns, with all kinds of visible and invisible struggles existing everywhere. If you are not careful, you will be crushed to pieces.

The reason why those five people were able to retire and return home safely was because Wan Haoren did not want to continue expanding the scope of the attack.

It seems that Wang Zunli is targeting him in this incident, and everyone else is just watching the show, but the water is really deep inside.

The matter of Fang Xun was just an excuse to make use of the topic.

To put it simply, it can be seen as a battle between Wang Zunli's faction and the Six Gates.

On a larger scale, it can even expand to a dispute between civil and military officials.

And Fang Xun was just a target who happened to be caught in the crossfire.

Just now Wang Zunzhi questioned his relationship with Quezhou Yifandu, but Fang Xun and Yu Jiaolong didn't dwell on this topic at all.

No one else, not even Wan Haoren, cared about this at all.

If you really want to follow Wang Zunzhi's words to refute him, you will fall into a trap.

Fang Xun and Yu Jiaolong both knew that Wan Haoren was very unhappy with the Academy of Scholars, so they avoided the main issue and turned around to question Wang Zunzhi.

Sure enough, Wan Haoren exiled Wang Zunzhi's entire family on the spot, and also forced five ministers who came from the Academy of Philosophers to retire and return home.

In the end, no one cared about what happened between Fang Xun and the Ghost-Faced Man, because that was not the focus of their attention today.

Throughout the whole process, the real contenders were the officials of the Six Gates, the Academy of Philosophers, and Emperor Wan Haoren.

Now the Six Gates have won a great victory, but the result is that Wan Haoren only demoted Wang Zunli and six others to make an example of them as a warning to the other officials of the Hundred Scholars Academy, and did not continue to expand the scope of the attack.

As for whether there were other purposes, Fang Xun didn't know.

"Oh, it's really troublesome. Playing tricks with these people is really not my strong point. It's more comfortable in Jiangnan. Others have to guess my thoughts, and I don't have to scheme with others all day long."

After the five people left the hall, Wan Haoren turned his gaze to Fang Xun and spoke slowly.

"Fang Xun!"

Fang Xun's face suddenly became serious, and he bowed slightly and said, "I am your humble servant!"

Now that the troublemaker has fallen, it's time for him to get his reward.

Fang Xun did not think much of this reward. No matter how much the reward was, it was a drop in the bucket for him who controlled the huge power of the Prince of Yue's Palace.

The main purpose was to use this incident to establish his authority and let others know that he was not someone to be trifled with, thus changing their attitude towards himself and Jade Fox.

"At the young age of twenty, he can get to know the Sun God Grandmaster. I thought it was an exaggeration, but after seeing it in person, the second Black Hand Sword on the Human List is indeed worthy of its reputation!"

Wan Haoren looked at Fang Xun, nodded, and said in a friendly manner.

"Some people don't think about promoting this kind of talent, but instead try their best to suppress them all day long. It's really nonsense!"

"Your Majesty is so complimentary"

"No need to be modest, what is yours cannot be erased by anyone!"

After Wan Haoren praised him, his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Fang Xun of Jiangzhou is a man of great martial arts and loyalty. He has made extraordinary achievements during his tenure at the Six Gates. I hereby confer him the title of Marquis of Linchuan County, and award him with jade, gold, silver, and cloth. I will also grant him a fief of 5,000 households in Linchuan, which will be hereditary for his whole generation!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Fang Xun immediately responded with a solemn expression, and was slightly surprised in his heart. He didn't expect that he would be directly conferred a title of nobility.

Linchuan was a county directly under the jurisdiction of Jianye Prefecture, with a fief of 5,000 households. All the taxes paid by the 5,000 households in the county went to Fang Xun.

Of course, there is no real ruling power. The only tax revenue is from the 5,000 households in the county, which is almost one or two percent of the tax revenue of the county.

It can also be inherited without interruption. If Fang Xun and Yu Jiaolong have offspring in the future, the title of marquis can be passed on to one of the children, forming a branch outside the Yue Palace.

This reward was indeed very generous, and Wan Haoren did not take it lightly. Immediately, many envious eyes were cast towards him.

After expressing his gratitude, Fang Xun quietly returned to the crowd, and the matter of his reward was finalized.

Instantly, the oppressive atmosphere in the hall was swept away, and the matter of Fang Xun was over. The next thing was for the six princes to report to Wan Haoren, which was also a three-year custom. The other five princes were in places where the weather was good and there were no major events. The things they reported were all ordinary and nothing surprising.

When it comes to Yu Jiaolong, she attracts everyone's attention again.

In the past two years, Jiangnan has been in turmoil. First, the Black Water Abyss surfaced, and then 800,000 troops from the Miao border were stationed at the Red Wind Pass on the border. At that time, all the houses in Chunyang Prefecture in Jiangzhou were empty.

Afterwards, the seal of the Qinggang Mountain's earth veins was broken and spiritual energy was revived. A super flood broke out in Lingzhou and only five prefectures were left. At the same time, the Tianli Sect launched a large-scale uprising.

Then Quezhou Yifandu appeared out of nowhere, broke the White Lotus Mother's domain and destroyed the Tianli Sect.

Before one wave of troubles subsides, another wave of troubles arises, it is really ups and downs.

Fortunately, things finally calmed down and Jiangnan began to recuperate again.

After Yu Jiaolong had been talking for a long time, the others' eyelids were twitching.

Time passed bit by bit, and when Yu Jiaolong finished speaking, an hour had passed since the court meeting began.

Wan Haoren also sighed slightly about what was happening in Jiangnan.

"Alas, the eight states in the south of the Yangtze River have been plagued by troubles one after another. It has been really hard for King Yue. Fortunately, the situation in the south of the Yangtze River has calmed down, but the burden on you, the King of Yue, has become heavier."

Yu Jiaolong responded respectfully: "Guarding the local area for the court is my humble duty, I dare not say it is hard work."

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear. I hope you will work harder in the future."

After she finished speaking, Yu Jiaolong also retreated back to the queue.

Wan Haoren nodded and continued, "Now all regions are prosperous and the national strength is abundant. Even some diseases in Jiangnan have been wiped out by thunder, and the barbarians in the northern plains can only survive. This makes me feel very relieved."

After a brief summary, his face suddenly became serious, and the others also perked up, stood up straight, and listened attentively.

When Fang Xun saw this situation, he knew that after he and the six princes served as appetizers, the highlight of the day might be coming.

"It should be about the Northern Expedition!"

Sure enough, as soon as Wan Haoren finished speaking, Prime Minister Wei Qingping stepped forward and spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty, Beiyuan has always been a major threat to the Central Plains. Even though it is now in a state of collapse, if you don't kill the snake, you will only cause harm to yourself!

Now is a great opportunity to march north. If everyone in Daxuan works together, it will be easy to destroy the Golden Horde in one fell swoop!"

As soon as Wei Qingping finished speaking, a burly man standing at the head of the military officers stepped out with an exceptionally loud and passionate voice.

"Your Majesty, the troops in the army are also in a state of turmoil. In the past half month alone, I have received no less than a hundred joint letters of request for battle from the border!
Now the army's morale is boiling, and the soldiers are all happy to hear about war.

Please, Your Majesty, issue an order to allow my army to march straight to Beiyuan and destroy those barbarians. I am willing to issue a military warrant. If there is any mistake, I will bring my head to you!"

In an instant, the eyes of all the generals in the hall became fiery.

If the Northern Expedition against the Golden Horde could be won in one battle, they would all be able to reap huge benefits.

A soldier who has made meritorious service can be granted the title of nobility or appointed as a general, and his grace will benefit his descendants.

The civil servants looked at this group of fiery-eyed soldiers, and although they had some complaints in their hearts, no one spoke up to raise any objections.

After all, even the head of the civil servants, Wei Qingping, strongly supported the Northern Expedition, and they also agreed with it.

After conquering Beiyuan, the imperial court will grant them many fiefs, and they will then have the opportunity to become princes ruling over a region!

Immediately, this group of civil officials also spoke up and agreed, unwilling to be outdone.

Now even the Tibetan Buddhism's Snow Mountain, the last pillar of the Northern Plains, has completely turned to the imperial court. If they continue to hesitate and speak out in opposition, they will probably be criticized by people all over the world in the future.

Looking at the unanimous opinion of everyone in the hall, Wan Haoren also felt happy.

To pacify Beiyuan is an unprecedented feat. If it is accomplished in his position, it will surely go down in history.

For a moment, Wan Haoren's mind also became excited.

"Good! I am very pleased that all the nobles are so enthusiastic. Let us unite as one and we will surely be able to wipe out Beiyuan in one fell swoop!"

(End of this chapter)