Yinshan Record

Chapter 492 The Intent is on Su San's New Appointment
Not long after Su Che was guided by Yu Lizi to ascend to the Yellow Heaven, the news spread quickly, as these things could never be kept secret.

However, the changes were not limited to this one aspect. First of all, the imperial reinforcements finally arrived.

The imperial reinforcements and the newly appointed Censor-in-Chief of Cizhou arrived late, with soldiers and banners covering the sky. Du Ling, the General Who Conquers the East and Governor of Xuzhou, led his troops back from the northern front and entered Cizhou to confront the Northern Dynasty.

The Great Liang and the Northern Dynasties were divided into north and south, with Xuzhou at the easternmost point of this battle line. Du Ling's long tenure on the eastern front was the best proof of his strength and ability.

Soon, two other generals, General Li Liang and General Wu Sheng, also arrived with their troops. The Liang army gathered in Cizhou City, making it virtually impregnable.

Not long after the situation in Cizhou stabilized, the imperial court sent another envoy. The envoy was a high-ranking eunuch in the palace. He not only conveyed the order for Xiong Shou to return to the capital to report, but also brought along an acquaintance of Su Che.

Li Yizhen, who had once lost an arm and fled in panic, returned to Cizhou as the Imperial Censor of Youzhou and his first action was to create a major prison.

This is a purge targeting the Tiqi system.

First, Shi Chibao, the current apparent leader of the Imperial Guard, was imprisoned for corruption and dereliction of duty. The Cizhou Thousand Household Office of the Imperial Guard was stripped of all authority, and all its members are at home awaiting investigation.

Next came the deliberate purge of the Imperial Guards. First, the centurions were imprisoned one after another, including Lu Bai and Zhu Yi. Then, the remaining Imperial Guards were induced to fabricate various pieces of evidence. In any case, the results all pointed to one thing: Shi Chibao was not only incompetent, but also had been plotting for a long time to collude with rebels to overthrow the Liang Dynasty.

Interestingly, the headquarters of the Imperial Guard in Jiankang did not take any further action, and Su Gong, on whom Cizhou had placed high hopes, did not respond at all.

Li Yizhen successfully completed the purge of Cizhou, and the current Tiji Yamen has become his punishment hall. He seems to be venting all his resentment on Su Che's former colleagues.

However, as the saying goes, "the law does not apply to high officials, and etiquette does not apply to commoners."

No one dared to harass the Su family's residence in Cizhou, nor any of the people living there.

Therefore, the Su residence remained calm and peaceful.

“I also sent someone with a letter to that Li Yizhen, saying that Lu Bai and Zhu Yi were both your people, and told him to be careful. But he turned them down. That’s when I realized that you two didn’t get along very well.”

The little fox said helplessly, "The city is in chaos again. The newly arrived Censorate has issued an order not to allow wealthy households to distribute porridge. They say it's targeting the wealthy households, but it's really aimed at us. Right now, things seem fine inside and outside the courtyard, but there are quite a few spies outside."

"When people leave, the tea cools; they all think that once you're in power, it won't be long before you're back down."

The Yin-Yang Dharma King casually pointed upwards: "And it could also be a test, to see your reaction and whether you have any backup plans."

Su Che nodded noncommittally.

In the end, it's nothing more than these petty tricks.

Since it's not feasible to act openly, then a covert approach will suffice. His relationship with Shi Chibao was indeed lukewarm; at most, they were colleagues. If he were bound by moral self-restraint, he probably wouldn't react immediately.

To outsiders, the fact that he was able to take care of Shi Chibao's family was already considered as doing justice to the friendship between his colleagues.

But they didn't see it that way. Their goal was to create a massive purge, using Shi Chibao to implicate even more people. One Shi Chibao could draw out most of the people from the Cizhou Imperial Guard, and by dragging in their own subordinates like Zhu Yi and Lu Bai, they could fabricate stories against them.

However, these materials will likely be kept under wraps, used to test one's reaction to these matters.

If you simply let it go and use it as a whetstone to hone your character, you'll fall into someone else's trap, and there's much more to come.

Although it's a simple trick, it's classic and easy to use.

"Human nature is nothing more than this." Su Che shook his head: "But since I am a follower of the Yellow Heaven Path, I can't let them bully me to the point of no return."

"how do you want to do it?"

The Yin-Yang Dharma King looked at Su Che and asked, "What about us on this side..."

"Since Li Yizhen is willing to be a pawn for others, he should understand that he has no way out. As for those other people, they still need to be taught a lesson. Although I am not a tiger, I am not someone they can test at will."

As he spoke, Su Che released a bit of his energy, and the Yinshan Cave Netherworld Treasure Talisman appeared behind his head. A point of eerie light shot into the sky, and the magnetic force shattered the energy around him.

The aura emanating from the master of the Rejuvenation Pill was like a towering tree rising from the ground, shaking the earth and reaching the heavens. Su Che clearly told the various forces in Cizhou City.

I am back.

"He's mastered the Primordial Magnetic Divine Power again? Huang Tiandao's 'Two Elements Primordial Magnetic Aurora Orthodox Method'?"

The Yin-Yang Dharma King asked curiously.

"Now that we've given them a heads-up, we're going to hold them accountable."

Su Che suddenly reached out and pinched the little fox's face.

"Interested in watching me become a bully?"

"hey-hey."

The little fox nodded: "Then what role will I play? A seductive concubine or a silly little girl?"

Su Che casually put his arm around the little fox's waist and gently sniffed her hair.

"It does indeed have a pleasant fragrance."

"There are still people here, huh?" Yin Yang Dharma King waved his hand with a hint of annoyance: "What have you learned in Huang Tian Dao? If you have something to do, hurry up and get it over with, don't get in my way."

"This is the Su residence."

The little fox grinned as if it had stolen a chicken: "Isn't it you who should be more or less?"

The Yin-Yang Dharma King waved his hand helplessly.

Su Che smiled gently and led the little fox out of the courtyard.

Cizhou Imperial Censorate.

The clerks who used to walk around the yamen were nowhere to be seen. Everywhere there were warriors in heavy armor, and even Taoist practitioners in Taoist robes walking around. It finally looked like a military stronghold.

In the main hall, three military officers wearing military caps and dark robes were gesturing and pointing at a map.

"Although Yu Chen is dead, the rebel forces are still strong. Although there is no movement from Bailudong, the rebel troops are constantly being mobilized."

The one speaking was Wu Sheng, the Strong Crossbow General. He was a martial artist of the fifth rank, and his aura was dense. He lightly pointed at the map.

"The rebel army is now divided into two groups: Sikong Tu and the ghost soldiers in the east, and the three demons of Xuanshan in the west, and they are subtly opposed to each other. If our army were to overwhelm them in one go, it might just cause them to reunite. It would be better to observe for a while."

"It is true that the rebel army is divided into two groups, but if there is any movement at Bailudong, they may be able to rejoin the line. Moreover, Cizhou is now out of food, and the army supplies rely entirely on Jiankang for transport. If we stop and wait, the court will probably have something to say."

The one who took the lead was General Li Liang of the Cloud Banner Army. He was also a martial artist with the fifth-rank cultivation, but his aura was the weakest among the three.

"Don't pay attention to the nonsense those officials spout."

In the very center was Du Ling, the former governor of Xuzhou and now the acting censor of Cizhou. He looked to be only in his forties or fifties, but his aura was imposing and profound, far surpassing that of his peers. He had a faint scar on his face. This man, who came from Jingkou, had been stationed on the eastern front for many years, competing with the Northern Dynasties. He was a true veteran general.

"When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders. We will fight at our own pace. If there is any shortage of military supplies, just tell me. If we can procure them in Cizhou, we will do so. If Cizhou cannot provide them, I will go to Jiankang to ask for them."

He looked at the map and spoke slowly.

"The court's strategy is to advance from both the north and the south. I will lead the Xuzhou troops south, with two generals supporting me. Feng Yun, the governor of Jiaozhou and general in charge of pacifying the south, will come north to wipe out the bandits with lightning speed. However, Feng Yun is staying in Jiaozhou and not coming out. We can't count on that slippery guy. So we'll have to rely on us."

Du Ling pointed with his finger: "The three demons of Xuanshan are local demon kings. Once we defeat them, they will hide in the mountains. Even with the flying cavalry of the Yunhui Army here, it will probably be difficult to wipe them out in a short time. As for Sikong Tu, he has many ghost soldiers under his command and has also set up many corpse-raising grounds. If we just sit and watch him drag this out, it will probably cause trouble."

"Does the Grand Council mean to deal with Sikong Tu first?"

General Li Liang asked.

"Sikong Tu is the hope of White Deer Cave. If we capture him, does that mean White Deer Cave is going to lead a group of monsters in rebellion?"

Du Ling's words made the two generals laugh.

As a sacred site of Confucianism, Bailudong has always believed that good and evil cannot coexist. Letting them lead a group of monsters in rebellion is tantamount to slapping oneself in the face.

"Moreover, although the ghost army is well-disciplined, it is still inherently flawed and easier to deal with."

Du Ling said, "Three days. In three days, we will march south together. The crossbowmen will divide the battlefield for me and keep an eye on the three demons of Xuanshan and those guys from the Great River Alliance. The Cloud Banner Army will join forces with my main force to defeat Sikong Tu. Once we get rid of this scoundrel, the three demons of Xuanshan will be unable to hold out alone, and this battle will be over. At that time, I will lead the troops back north, and you will all be promoted and ennobled. Cizhou will once again be a peaceful place."

"Should we wait for the imperial court to send a few more imperial censors to Youzhou...?"

General Li Liang asked with some hesitation.

"Don't count on those bastards, all they do is cause trouble."

Du Ling's words were pointed, and the two generals also shut their mouths.

The fierce competition and strife within Cizhou City would naturally not escape their notice.

"Your Excellency, if the Censorate and the Imperial Guards keep causing trouble like this, shouldn't we intervene?"

"What do you mean, 'manage'?"

Du Lingjun, true to his nature, spoke frankly: "I am not from Yongzhou, nor are either of you from Yongzhou. The court has so many generals from Yongzhou, yet they sent only the three of us. Isn't it obvious what the higher-ups mean?"

As the three were talking, a surge of energy suddenly rose from the city, and the genuine Dao essence within it directly informed these accomplished cultivators.

Su Che is back.

"Xingtai?"

Li Liang looked at Du Ling beside him.

The newly appointed Censor-in-Chief of Cizhou gave a mocking smile.

"Damn it, don't be afraid of a lot of dead people at funerals, it has nothing to do with us, hahaha, nothing to do with us."

(End of this chapter)