In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Li Xin was, after all, a renowned general of the empire, so he naturally knew what to do.

Li Xin dispatched a group of elite troops to quietly approach the riverbank, but soon discovered that there was no reaction from the opposite bank after the iron-clad chariots entered the river.

Li Xin immediately realized that the sentry posts on the opposite bank had been compromised by the Zhang family.

After all, the one piloting the Ironclad Warhead this time was a Bloodthorn expert. With Bloodthorn's abilities, eliminating the enemy's sentries would be a piece of cake.

On this point, Li Xin had no doubt about the Zhang family's capabilities.

They're playing the Three Kingdoms mode, while the Zhang family is playing the high-skill mode, where they can take the head of a general from a million-strong army.

As dozens of armored vehicles entered the river, their iron chains stretching across the turbulent waters, they moved in perfect unison, seemingly without any discernible force. The chains that had initially separated the two workshops by several meters gradually tightened in the river, drawing closer together…

When dozens of iron-clad chariots were finally anchored on the river, it shocked Li Xin and all his soldiers.

I never imagined the Zhang family possessed such a miraculous artifact.

Even though the Yalu River is not half as wide as the Heilongjiang River, it is still a river, at least tens or hundreds of meters wide.

"Cross the river!"

Li Xin didn't have time to express any sentiments; every second was precious and could not be wasted.

The soldiers stepped onto the pontoon bridge. Although it felt a little shaky, it was extremely stable and showed no sign of sinking.

In just half a minute, Li Xin watched as the first soldier successfully landed on the other side, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Successful.

As expected of the Zhang family!

Such a miraculous and unexpected tactic will likely be too late for the opposing commander to react by the time he realizes what's happening.

However, even though the Zhang family's experts secretly removed the sentry posts, this large-scale 'smuggling' was quickly discovered by the stationed enemy troops.

Suddenly, the opposite bank was brightly lit, and the sound of drums could be heard from afar, carrying for miles.

However, Li Xin smiled dismissively, knowing it was too late even if he knew.

This is not a ferry; it needs to be transported, unloaded, and prepared in batches before being defeated and surrounded one by one.

At this moment, imperial soldiers crossed the pontoon bridge, and a continuous stream of troops crossed to the other side. Li Xin was confident that the imperial soldiers were no weaker than their opponents.

"Fire!" 590

Li Xin brandished his longsword and, seeing the Jin soldiers preparing to attack, simultaneously unleashed a barrage of fire from ten Hongyi cannons.

These cannons were originally prepared for the Jin army to cross the river. They could easily sink a small boat with a single shot and were also a secret weapon to intimidate the enemy.

Boom! Boom! Boom...

Ten cannons may seem like a stretch, but even a small amount is still something.

Moreover, the sheer intimidation it caused was enough to instill fear in the Jin soldiers and demoralize them.

The two armies clashed, their battle cries deafening, and chaos erupted instantly. Until dawn broke, the 20,000 Jin soldiers, without any support, were completely annihilated by the Empire's 100,000 armored warriors.

With the pontoon bridge in place, as long as the imperial soldiers continued to cross the Yalu River, the Jin army's siege and defense would naturally collapse without a fight.

Meanwhile, Wang Li, who arrived from Yizhou Island aboard a mirage, landed on the eastern edge of the peninsula with 50,000 armored soldiers of the empire and headed straight for the Jin capital, Shangjing.

Moreover, Meng Tian was the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan, and 300,000 troops were dispatched to launch a frontal assault.

The three-pronged approach demonstrates the determination to annex the Later Jin dynasty.

Moreover, the majority of the people in the Later Jin territory were Han Chinese, and they were treated like slaves at the bottom of society.

Therefore, after the empire conquered a place, the Zhang family's accompanying Blood Droplets and Blood Thorns would exterminate the local nobles and distribute grain and land among them.

They were then sent into the interior of the Later Jin Empire in the form of leaflets.

As a result, the Later Jin Empire itself fell into disarray.

Chapter 697 Young Master Fusu

"Young master, we've arrived at Sanghai City!"

The imperial general who escorted Fusu to Sanghai City was changed from Meng Tian to Zhang Han, the Shadow Guard.

With Fusu's own guards being top-notch experts, they arrived at Sanghai City safely and without many incidents.

"General Zhang Han, I heard that the two young masters and ladies of the Zhang family are studying at Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Is that true?"

"Reporting to the young master, the two young masters of the Zhang family are indeed studying at Xiaoshengxianzhuang under the aliases Zizhong and Zijun."

On the surface, the Zhang family only left Zhao Longxiang, the commander of the Chamber of Commerce's guards, and Fa Qiu Tian Guan, an elder of Ghost Street, stationed in Sanghai City. However, they likely have Grandmaster-level experts protecting them in secret.

"The three young masters of the Zhang family have all been born, and I never expected that two of them would be studying Confucianism!"

Prince Fusu had no prejudice against Confucianism.

However, the Zhang family and the Confucian school did not have a very good relationship. Previously, the Zhang family's domineering theories had clashed with the Confucian school in a war of words.

In the end, Zhang Jiasheng won!

After all, Confucianism is all talk and no action; its true strength lies in its writing.

However, the Zhang family were not those reckless individuals, especially the grassroots forces that Zhang Xiaoshan had gathered, which controlled most of the opinions among them.

In particular, the Zhang family's arguments were well-founded, and coupled with the exploitative system of the Donglin Academy and the scholar-officials, they damaged Confucianism.

Therefore, the two sides do not have a friendly attitude.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan ultimately placed his two young masters in a Confucian school for further study, which shows his magnanimity and desire to absorb the essence of all schools of thought!

After all, when it comes to early childhood education, Confucianism truly represents the orthodox path of China.

However, while the Eight-Legged Essay was a path to advancement for those from poor families, it was a form of intellectual confinement for the Zhang family and for people like them.

"By the way, I heard that the Mo family rebels have also arrived in Sanghai City?"

"My lord, you are wise. According to imperial intelligence, these imperial rebels have indeed arrived in Sanghai City and are hiding there."

Moreover, Mr. Zhang San of the Confucian Xiaoshengxianzhuang had close ties with these imperial rebels.

"Confucianism?"

Prince Fusu frowned; this was not good news.

If Confucianism is involved, it will affect the trust of scholars across the land, and if not handled properly, riots are possible.

After all, nine out of ten scholars in the world are Confucian disciples!

"Young master, rest assured, the Confucian scholar Fu Nian is rigid and cautious, and the possibility of his connection with the imperial rebels is extremely small."

The second gentleman, Yan Lu, was a low-key and unassuming man, and had not left Xiaoshengxianzhuang for at least twenty years; the third gentleman, Zhang Liang, was quick-witted, intelligent, and active, a man of great talent, and had close friendships with many masters in the martial arts world.

"Where is Xun Qing?"

Xun Qing was a highly respected Confucian scholar of the older generation.

Moreover, Xun Kuang was the teacher of Li Si, the Prime Minister of the Empire, and even Prince Fusu admired him as a Confucian sage.

Unfortunately, Xun Qing went into seclusion thirty years ago, and even though Li Si visited him many times, he was always turned away.

"Master Xun lived in seclusion in the back mountains, often appearing at the chess club and library, and rarely receiving outsiders."

In the past thirty years, this is the only time I've seen anyone from the Zhang family.

Prince Fusu nodded upon hearing this. In some people's eyes, the Zhang family member's special status was even greater than that of the Dragon Emperor. He then gave the order:

"I will send you a visiting card and pay my respects at Xiaoshengxianzhuang in three days!"

"Yes, son!"

Zhang Han accepted the order and left. After all, Xiaoshengxianzhuang was considered a local strongman in Sanghai City, and they had come with the intention of visiting Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

Prince Fusu, on the other hand, was interested in the two little ones from the Zhang family.

The Zhang family has three generations. The eldest son is currently stationed in the Mo Family's Mechanical City, which, according to the Zhang family's plan, is of paramount importance in the Zhang family's future development.

Although the two young masters and ladies have not yet grown up, they will inevitably become key figures in the future.

···

"Young Master Fusu!"

Upon receiving the invitation, Fu Nian immediately summoned Yan Lu and Zhang Han.

First the Zhang family, then Young Master Fusu, and with the remnants of the Mo family also in Sanghai City, Xiaoshengxianzhuang had become the epicenter of the storm.

Who can blame them when Xiaoshengxianzhuang is the local power in Sanghai City and one of the five prominent schools of thought?

"The arrival of the Imperial Prince must be related to the Mirage incident, and is preparation for the Dragon Emperor's eastern tour."

Zhang Liang was a man of many knowledge in the martial arts world, and he quickly figured out Prince Fusu's purpose.

However, as the prince of the empire and the first heir to the throne, Fusu's status is extraordinary, and his visit to Xiaoshengxianzhuang is of great importance.

"That's why I have this vague feeling of unease, like that omen from thirty years ago!"

Fu Nian felt a heavy weight in his heart, knowing that besides the Zhang family, there were also imperial rebels in Sanghai City.

In particular, Zhang Liang's stance has always been closely aligned with that of the Mohists!

As the senior disciple of Xiaoshengxianzhuang and the head of the Confucian school, Fu Nian had to consider the empire's attitude towards Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

After all, he was not alone; he had Confucian disciples standing behind him, carrying on the thousand-year-old tradition of Confucianism.

Zhang Liang was not in a position of authority and did not concern himself with political affairs; he wanted to do what he wanted to do.

However, Fu Nian was responsible to Confucianism, so he appeared rigid, rule-abiding, and cautious in his actions due to the immense pressure he faced.

One wrong step and you'll lose everything, or fall into an abyss!

"Senior brother, you are overthinking it. It is said that Young Master Fusu is kind, virtuous, and good to people."

They've come here presumably to do some sightseeing, after all, two members of the Zhang family are here, and given the Empire's mission, it's only natural for Prince Fusu to come in his capacity.

Yan Lu saw that Fu Nian's brows were furrowed and his face was gloomy, so he couldn't help but try to comfort him.

After all, Prince Fusu did not give a verbal notice, but sent a formal invitation, which was definitely a friendly and humble attitude. Moreover, Fusu had an excellent reputation.

As the heir to the empire, Fusu upheld the Confucian ideal of kingship.

Moreover, given the millennia-long tradition of Confucianism, Prince Fusu would not easily become hostile or act recklessly.

"The storm is brewing, and there are already signs."

In particular, the third junior brother has close ties with the Mo family. This time, the empire sent not only Prince Fusu, but also the Luo Net, the empire's weapon of mass destruction, and the Shadow Guards who rarely leave the Dragon Emperor's side!

Prince Fusu has come to visit, but I sense his intentions are not good!

Fu Nian couldn't help but glance at Zhang Liang. If it weren't for Zhang Liang, Xiaoshengxianzhuang wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

However, they were fellow disciples for many years, and the three of them were in charge of Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Their personalities complemented each other, and Zhang Liang also had Xun Qing's support behind him.

Even if he were to expel Zhang Liang from Xiaoshengxianzhuang now, it would be of no use; on the contrary, it would seem like an attempt to cover up the truth.

"Yes, I'm sorry to trouble Senior Brother Liang!"

Zhang Liang realized the trouble he had caused and bowed respectfully.

"Alright, get ready."

"Now that the young master is coming, the entire Little Sage Manor must be thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, and the disciples' clothes must also be spotless."

"Don't worry, senior brother, Yan Lu will make the arrangements in a moment."

"Also, inform Guanhailou to prepare food for three days from now, and have Paoding do his best to entertain our distinguished guests!"

"…I'll go and inform Guanhailou about this immediately!"

The three discussed it for a while before going their separate ways.

Fu Nian was in charge of the reception etiquette, Yan Lu was in charge of the sanitation of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, and Zhang Liang took the opportunity to slip away with Zi Yu and Zi Ming.

No one recognized the two within the academy, because the wanted posters posted by the Empire were merely ordinary brush-drawn portraits, not sketches. A portrait could only be described as resembling a person, not a direct sculpture.

Moreover, after tidying themselves up, the two of them looked quite different from before.

However, as a wanted criminal of the empire, he still had nowhere to hide in front of the empire's experts.

"Is this the Guanhai Tower?"

Prince Fusu arrived in front of Guanhuahai Tower, which was the Zhang family's restaurant in Sanghai City.