Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather

After Li Chang and his party arrived at Songhe Prefecture in Jiangnan by boat, they saw a prosperous scene. Merchant ships were crisscrossing the river and sea docks, and carriages and horses were running like dragons in the city streets. Although there were many people in shabby clothes on the country roads, the population was dense and the chickens and dogs could be heard.

But when they entered Yungui, they saw a different scene. Bandits were rampant, and the bandits were arrogant. In the rugged mountains and forests, many villages were empty, and the better villages were building for self-protection.

They were originally traveling by boat along the river, but now Chen Hengchang's rebels were gathering to attack Jiangnan. The river had long been blocked by the rebels, and it was difficult for ships from Jiangnan to enter Yungui. Therefore, they could only travel by land, over mountains and ridges, and travel by night.

It was originally only a half-month journey, but they took more than a month to reach Yangtian Sect.

Yangtian Sect is located in Yunzhou, which is in the west of Yungui. Chen Hengchang did not expand to the west and south of Yungui, so the territory of Yunzhou is still peaceful at present.

Of course, the peace of Yunzhou is also inseparable from the contribution of Yangtian Sect. A powerful sect has a strong deterrent power in the local area. Although sometimes a strong sect will become a mountain on the heads of the government and the people, a powerful sect can also deter the scoundrels within a hundred miles.

At least bandits and thieves dare not make trouble near Yangtian Sect.

Li Chang easily met Du Qiandao, the current leader of Yangtian Sect, with the visiting card of the Yang family and the letter of Yang Zhengshan.

Du Qiandao is over 60 years old this year. He is the disciple of Li Shouning. Since Li Shouning passed away, Yangtian Sect has inevitably declined.

However, Yangtian Sect has been passed down for hundreds of years and has a profound foundation. Although there are no innate warriors in Yangtian Sect at present, the strength of Yangtian Sect is still strong.

Now Yangtian Sect has six masters in the half-step innate realm. Perhaps it will not be long before Yangtian Sect will have another innate warrior.

In front of the mountain gate of Yangtian Sect, Du Qiandao and several elders of Yangtian Sect came to greet him in person.

Before reaching the mountain gate, Du Qiandao saw Li Chang and others waiting outside the mountain gate.

Li Chang and his group of five looked very ordinary. When traveling, they kept everything simple, so their clothes were no different from those of ordinary martial artists, just neat black clothes, with weapons hanging from their waists or on their backs.

Martial artists like them were very common, and he would not be surprised to meet them.

However, Du Qiandao could see at a glance that Li Chang and his five men were extraordinary. It was not because of his strong eyesight that he could see through the cultivation of Li Chang and his five men, but because of the momentum of Li Chang and his five men that made Du Qiandao feel palpitations.

Beside Yang Zhengshan, Li Chang and his followers were like invisible people. They looked extremely ordinary and very casual, and seemed to be worse than the guards of the Yang family.

But after leaving Yang Zhengshan, Li Chang and his followers seemed to have changed their appearance, showing their sharpness and imposing momentum.

"I am sorry for not welcoming you, my distinguished guest!" Du Qiandao came over with a friendly smile and said with a fist.

Li Chang clasped his fist and bowed, "Master Du, you are too polite. It is us who came to visit and disturbed your clan!"

"I am Li Chang, and I am the old marquis's personal attendant!"

The old marquis naturally refers to Yang Zhengshan. Although Yang Mingcheng has also been the Marquis of Jing'an, it is a pity that he is too low-key as the Marquis of Jing'an. Not many people have dealt with him, and he does not have much reputation outside.

"Haha, it turns out that you are the elite soldiers around the old marquis. Come in, come in!" Du Qiandao enthusiastically welcomed Li Chang and the other five into the Yangtian Sect.

The Yang family has been away from Darong for nearly 20 years. As time goes by, many people may have forgotten Yang Zhengshan's achievements, but forces like the Yangtian Sect still know some of the details of the Yang family.

After all, they have dealt with Yang Zhengshan, especially Du Qiandao, who has met Yang Zhengshan.

It's just that Yang Zhengshan was already famous back then, and he was just a junior.

Soon, everyone came to the main hall of the Yangtian Sect. After some polite exchanges, Li Chang took out Yang Zhengshan's letter and handed it to Du Qiandao.

In the letter, Yang Zhengshan first expressed his admiration and remembrance for Li Shouning.

He had dealt with Li Shouning many times. Li Shouning was a sincere person in martial arts. He always wanted to enter the Dao, but unfortunately, he was unlucky and never touched the threshold of entering the Dao until his death.

Yang Zhengshan still respected Li Shouning, an old predecessor.

So Yang Zhengshan said these not out of courtesy, but really felt sorry for Li Shouning.

If Li Shouning were still alive now, Yang Zhengshan might have led him to enter the Dao.

Not only Li Shouning, but also Zhangye and Meng Po Po, they were all blocked from the threshold of entering the Dao, and they were all regrettable martial arts predecessors.

Afterwards, Yang Zhengshan talked about the main business, which was to ask Yangtian Sect to help find Yang Mingzhao.

After reading the letter, Du Qiandao felt a little relieved, but at the same time a little disappointed.

Just asking them to help find someone is a small matter, and they will naturally not refuse Yangtian Sect.

But this matter is too small, not enough for the Yang family to owe them a favor.

Du Qiandao still wants to have more exchanges with the Yang family.

Although the main force of the Yang family is in Chongshan Town, don't forget that the Xingguo Duke of Nanjiang Town is a relative of the Yang family. Their Yangtian Sect is less than 300 miles away from Nanjiang Town.

To the north of Yunzhou is Bozhou, which is the territory of the Black Tiger King, to the west is Wusa Prefecture and Zhenxiong Prefecture, which is the territory of the Nine Heavenly Kings, and to the east is not far from Jiujiang Prefecture, only separated by two prefectures, and the straight-line distance is less than 200 miles.

That is to say, there are rebels on three sides of Yangtian Sect now.

Therefore, Du Qiandao is very upset about the rebels in Yungui and Bashu now. In this messy situation, their Yangtian Sect is at a loss.

Yangtian Sect urgently needs some allies to ensure the stability of Yunzhou, and Nanjiang Town is undoubtedly the most suitable ally of Yangtian Sect at present.

Du Qiandao actually sent people to contact Nanjiang Town a long time ago, and he even supported some food and grass for the soldiers in Nanjiang Town’s camp at the border of Yungui.

Unfortunately, Qu Changkong was not enthusiastic about them and was unwilling to pay attention to them.

As for why Qu Changkong was unwilling to pay attention to them, the reason was very simple. Qu Changkong was the Duke of Xingguo of Darong, and Yangtian Sect was just a Jianghu Sect.

If Li Shouning was still there, Qu Changkong would still look down on Yangtian Sect, but Li Shouning had been dead for more than ten years, so Qu Changkong naturally looked down on Yangtian Sect.

Jianghu Sect is Jianghu Sect, no matter how strong they are, they are inferior to the nobles of the dynasty.

"This is a simple matter. I will arrange it right away and ask everyone to help find him!" Du Qiandao said.

Li Chang took out a portrait, "This is the portrait of the Fourth Master. I'll trouble Master Du for this matter!"

Du Qiandao took the portrait with a smile, glanced at it, and handed it to the disciple behind him, "It's just a small matter. Brother Li, don't worry. As long as the Fourth Master is around Yunzhou, my Yangtian Sect will definitely find him!"

He was not bragging. The Yangtian Sect was a real local snake. It had a very high reputation and power in the martial arts world of Yungui and Bashu. As long as the Yangtian Sect gave an order, the martial arts warriors in Yunzhou and several prefectures around Yunzhou would be willing to help.

This was not a life-threatening matter. It was just helping to find someone. No one in the martial arts forces around Yunzhou would offend the Yangtian Sect for this.

However, Du Qiandao did not expect that they would find Yang Mingzhao so quickly.

He was still chatting with Li Chang, and his disciple came back not long after leaving with the portrait.

"I heard that the old marquis is now on Xingyue Island? I wonder how Xingyue Island is doing?" Du Qiandao was very interested in the recent situation of the Yang family, so he asked.

Li Chang smiled and said, "Fortunately, Xingyue Island is not big, but it is safe and stable."

Just then, the disciple came back and whispered a few words in Du Qiandao's ear.

But his whisper was a bit unnecessary and could not be hidden from Li Chang.

"Master, do we know where this Fourth Master is? Taiping Army leader Yang Zhao should be this Fourth Master!"

"What? Are you sure?" Du Qiandao said in disbelief.

"Yes, Xiao Wu and the others have seen Yang Zhao. He looks exactly like the portrait, and Yang Zhao's surname is also Yang. There are many masters around Yang Zhao. We have never found out Yang Zhao's origin and background before, probably because he was born in the Yang family of Jing'an Marquis Mansion!"

Yangtian Sect is not far from Kuizhou Prefecture and Baoning Prefecture. Before Yang Mingzhao captured Baoning Prefecture, he had not attracted the attention of Yangtian Sect, but after he captured Baoning Prefecture, Yangtian Sect had to pay attention to him.

Yangtian Sect naturally wanted to know about the four rebel forces in Bashu, so Yangtian Sect sent people to Baoning Prefecture City not long ago.

Although Yang Zhao changed his name, he did not change his appearance, and he did not hide from people all the time. He could still be seen in Baoning Prefecture City.

Coincidentally, the disciples sent by Yangtian Sect to investigate the Taiping Army saw Yang Zhao from a distance, and not just one person, but six disciples had seen Yang Zhao's true appearance.

Du Qiandao looked a little strange, and Li Chang's expression also became strange.

Not only him, but also the friends who came with Li Chang looked at each other.

No mistakes, one post, one content, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar!

Taiping Army, Yang Zhao and their Fourth Master!

How can this be connected?

"Ahem, Brother Li should have heard it!" Du Qiandao said a little embarrassed.

This is really embarrassing!

The Fourth Master of Jing'an Marquis Mansion became the leader of the rebels. If this matter spreads, it is unknown how much turmoil it will cause.

Yes, the Yang family moved away from Darong, and Yang Zhengshan has left Darong for many years, but the status of the Yang family in Darong cannot be ignored.

Chongshan Town, Tenglongwei, and even the entire Liaodong are almost all controlled by the Yang family.

If the Yang family becomes a traitor, what will be the reaction of the Darong court?

When Du Qiandao thought of this, he felt that he was not well!

What the hell is this!

The Yang family is going to rebel?

And I know about it!

Not to mention Du Qiandao's embarrassment, Li Chang is also quite embarrassed.

The Fourth Master rebelled!

What's going on!

Li Chang felt that this mission seemed to have become very troublesome.

"Since there is news about the Fourth Master, we will not disturb you!" Li Chang stood up and said.

"This, maybe we are wrong, why don't you stay for a few days, and wait for us to confirm the truth of the matter, and then go to find the Fourth Master!" Du Qiandao thought it would be better to confirm it again, just in case it was a mistake.

Li Chang shook his head, "Please keep it confidential, we can confirm it ourselves!"

This is quite troublesome!

He thought it would be better to go there in person.

And he had to send the news back to Yang Zhengshan as soon as possible.

However, no matter what happened, Yang Zhengshan must be informed of the matter first, so that Yang Zhengshan can prepare in advance to deal with the impact after the matter was exposed!

Du Qiandao thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll let my disciples accompany Brother Li. Our Yangtian Sect still has some face in the vicinity, and can help Brother Li save a lot of trouble!"

"Thank you!" Li Chang did not refuse.

They really need a guide, and the identity of the Yangtian Sect is easier to deal with in Yungui and Bashu than the identity of the Yang family.

Afterwards, Du Qiandao arranged for four disciples to follow Li Chang to leave the Yangtian Sect.

After leaving the Yangtian Sect, Li Chang first asked two companions to go back to deliver the message, and then followed the disciples of the Yangtian Sect to Baoning Prefecture.

The straight-line distance between Yunzhou and Baoning Prefecture is not far, about a thousand miles, but it is not easy to go from Yunzhou to Baoning Prefecture. The mountains are steep and the roads are rugged, which is extremely difficult to travel.

And this way, you have to pass through the territory of the Black Tiger King and the territory controlled by the Bashu government before you can finally reach Baoning Prefecture controlled by Yang Mingzhao.

Now, although the three parties have stopped using troops, they have all set up camps at important passes and blocked official roads.

Fortunately, with the face of Yangtian Sect, all parties had to give Yangtian Sect some face, so as not to block them from moving forward.

But even so, it was already twenty days later when Li Chang and his party arrived at Baoning Prefecture City.

Li Chang stood outside the city, looking at the majestic Baoning Prefecture City with a complicated expression.

Did the Fourth Master really become a traitor?

How should he explain this to the old marquis?

When he left Yangtian Sect, he was still a little uncertain, but along the way, they got a lot of news about Yang Zhao.

This made him basically certain that Yang Zhao, the leader of the Taiping Army, was their Fourth Master.

At this time, he stood outside the city and suddenly felt a little afraid to enter the city.

Meow!

It’s better not to know this!

If you don’t know, then it’s good for you, me, and everyone, but after knowing it, this matter will definitely cause a lot of turmoil.

The first to be affected is the Yang family.

Li Chang has followed Yang Zhengshan for thirty years, so he naturally knows Yang Zhengshan’s attitude towards Darong.

Yang Zhengshan's attitude is generally to not care. As long as the Yang family is not persecuted in Darong, Yang Zhengshan does not want to care about the internal affairs of Darong.

But now that the Fourth Master has become the leader of the rebels, what will Yang Zhengshan choose?

Take the Fourth Master back and then cover up the matter completely?

Or support the Fourth Master in rebellion, completely overthrow Darong, and build a new imperial city?

Li Chang did not know what Yang Zhengshan would choose, but he knew that Yang Zhengshan would definitely be entangled.

"Sir! Should we enter the city?" Xiao Wu, a disciple of Yangtian Sect, asked softly.

Along the way, the four disciples of Yangtian Sect had long known the strength of Li Chang and the other two. There were five people before, and Li Chang sent two people back to report the news. Therefore, there are only two companions around Li Chang now, and the other four disciples of Yangtian Sect.

Xiao Wu is about forty years old and has the eighth level of post-natal cultivation. He is responsible for tasks such as inquiring about information in Yangtian Sect. It was he who came to Baoning Prefecture City to investigate Yang Zhao before, and it was he who recognized that the portrait of Yang Mingzhao was Yang Zhao.