Chapter One, Chushi Banqiu Prefecture (1)

Jiang Kui raised his gaze and said coldly: "Savage remnants!"

The city wall of Biaozhou, built from basalt mixed with iron juice, is entirely pitch black. A crescent moon casts a faint, clear glow, making Biaozhou appear like a massive black beast quietly lying among the mountains under the moonlight

The burly man Jiang Kui smiled slightly, pointed to the ground, and said, "Of course, it came from below!"

Jiang Kui immediately frowned, looking at the young man and thoughtfully saying: "Is what Lord Chu Feng said true? Are their envoys in the mountains outside the city? Hmm, this matter still needs to be considered carefully. My lords, please take a look!"

Today, the Chu family monopolizes the industries of salt, iron, medicinal herbs, furs, timber, and sericulture in Yanzhou. The number of salt workers, miners, herbalists, carpenters, hunters, and weavers under their employ reaches hundreds of thousands. The people of the entire province say, "Yanzhou is exceptionally prosperous, and the Chu family monopolizes half of it"

Several dark figures emerged from the corners of the streets, standing by the roadside and glancing around at the empty, deserted road on both sides for a moment. Silently, they took out one bronze short staff after another and forcefully inserted them into the street.

The mansion was brightly lit, with crucial areas illuminated. Countless well-dressed servants and guards held their breath, standing solemnly with their hands at their sides. Several teams of guards, clad in soft armor and wearing swords at their waists, led large, robust Tibetan mastiffs, each the size of a calf, as they roamed along the courtyard walls.

Jiang Kuimei slightly furrowed his brows, and he strode up to Chu Ye, lowering his voice to ask solemnly: "There is no need to wait until three days later. I have come here this time to ask you one question: Is what you mentioned in the letter you submitted five days ago true?"

Chu Ye raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, "What is the matter?"

A short staff over three feet long illuminated, with strange patterns flowing on it like living creatures. The staff emitted a faint blue light, which quickly merged into the hazy moonlight, enveloping a massive mansion in the eastern part of Yaozhou City within a barrier several miles in diameter.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard as a thin old man dressed in a blue long gown rushed into the courtyard. He approached the burly man with a thick beard and the young man, and urgently whispered, "Sir, Young Master, Lord Jiang has arrived"

Countless elegantly dressed maids and attendants flitted about like colorful butterflies, bustling around a small courtyard at the center of the grand mansion. Their pretty faces were tightly drawn, exuding an invisible air of suffocating tension.

The master of the residence, the Chu family of Banzhou, is also known as "Half Banzhou"

The young man suddenly stopped beside the burly man with a long beard, placing his hands on the man's shoulders and chuckling dryly, "Father, one must remain calm during significant events!"

In the courtyard, a tall man dressed in a purple satin robe, adorned with festive patterns of the character "wan" symbolizing good fortune, appeared to be around fifty years old. He was a bearded man, trembling with anxiety, his eyes fixed intently on the tightly closed door of the main house in the courtyard

In the southwestern border of the Great Jin, beside the vast wilderness of one hundred thousand, Gai Prefecture, established for less than a hundred years, uniquely occupies the geographical advantage of the one hundred thousand great mountains

Before the ninth generation, the founder of the Chu family was merely a street vendor, wandering through the streets and alleys. It is unknown where such great fortune came from, but his wealth grew exponentially, much like a snowball rolling downhill. Later, he also participated in the grand plan of opening up the wilderness in the establishment of the Jin Dynasty in the region of Biao, thereby laying the foundation for the foremost aristocratic family in Biao.

"Which Jiang gentleman?" Before the young man could respond, the burly man with a thick beard shot a fierce glare at the frail old man.

The burly man with a twisted beard was immediately enraged, pointing at the purple-faced man and shouting: "Jiang Kui, I ordered the closure of all entrances, how did you get in here?"

With laughter, a middle-aged man dressed in a crimson brocade robe, with a square face slightly flushed, and a pair of bright, piercing eyes, strode into the courtyard, exuding an air of righteousness and propriety.

The burly man leaped up and slapped the young man's shoulder, saying: "You scoundrel, this is not just a trivial matter; this is a matter of utmost importance! My Chu family has been passed down for nine generations! Our ancestors, this time we absolutely cannot make a mistake!"

The young man beside him leaned in and asked with a frown, "Lord Jiang, this matter is absolutely true; their envoy is in the mountains outside the city and can meet at any time"

Occasionally, the door would open and close, with several maids and servants hastily coming in and out. Suddenly, a sharp "hiss" sound erupted in the air around the mustached man, as if a skilled swordsman were swiftly wielding his sword.

Suddenly, the burly man stomped his foot fiercely and pointed at the young man who was walking around in a hurry, shouting sternly: "You reckless fool, how many times have I said it? In times of great importance, one must remain calm. Calm, calm, calm, focus your energy, calm your mind, and steady your spirit!"

The weak and weary voice of the night watchman echoed through the streets and alleys of Gengzhou City, while several stray cats and dogs confronted each other at the street corners. The sounds of barking dogs and meowing cats were accompanied by the crash of tiles from the eaves of courtyard walls, shattered to pieces by the fleeing cats.

With a thud, the burly man with a long beard fell to his knees, raising his hands and murmuring softly to the sky: "Oh dear, may the ancestors bless me, I am the sole heir of the Chu family for nine generations, the sole heir for nine generations! I must ensure the safety of my family, and it must be a big, healthy grandson!"

"Lord Jiang Kui!" The emaciated old man shrank his neck and chuckled dryly, saying: "This old servant is aware that in recent days..."

As soon as the words were spoken, a long laugh came from the entrance of the courtyard: "Old Master Chu Ye, this official has traveled thousands of miles to visit at night, how can you close the door to guests? This is not in accordance with the rules, for this official has come with official business."

Before the words had left her mouth, the main door suddenly swung open, and a robust woman rushed out, shouting: "Quick, quick, the hot water is ready, hurry, hurry, the cotton cloth! Tell the doctor to prepare carefully, oh dear!"

In the center of the courtyard, dozens of strong and fierce women stood silently with their hands at their sides, not daring to make a sound under the corridor of the yard

Jiang Kui flipped his hands, placing his fists in front of Chu Ye and his son Chu Feng

Another young man, dressed in a blue scholar's robe and possessing a handsome appearance, was wandering around the courtyard with his hands behind his back, moving about like a revolving lantern. Although his steps seemed slow, his figure cast a long blue shadow, and all that could be heard was the sound of the wind "whooshing" through the courtyard, making it impossible for an ordinary person to clearly see the young man's silhouette

The burly man, Chu Yelao, stiffened his face and coldly snorted, "I have matters at home. In the next few days, whether your affairs are public or private, I have no mind for them. Come back in three days!"

This barrier not only seals off the air but also penetrates underground, transforming into a massive sphere that completely encloses the subterranean area

The weather is dry, be cautious of fire!

The burly man with a fierce beard rudely interrupted the words of the lean old man: "Knowing that there are important matters at home these days, why come to announce anything? Reply to him, I have no time, and I refuse to see guests! If anyone is dissatisfied, feel free to report me to the higher authorities!"