Chapter 10, The Female Thief

As Shi Hao and others entered the city gate, they noticed that the wanted notice was also posted on the announcement board inside the gate. Many soldiers were scattered throughout the city, humorously holding those drawings and asking from door to door.

They consider themselves royalty, marrying into a lowly lineage; what is the reasoning behind this? Some even say...

Master Lu clasped his hands and said: "We are from Xiaohan Mountain City, summoned by the Marquis of Feng County, and have come to Jincheng"

Arriving at the resplendent marquis's residence, he presented his invitation. Soon, someone led him inside, but he was made to wait in a corner before the grand hall

It is said that these tenant farmers, the most marginalized among the common people of Huaxia, are essentially no different from serfs.

There are indeed large families or gentry, such as in the case of Xiaohan Mountain City, that maintain a certain degree of autonomy

Before long, Shi Hao entered the hall to pay his respects to the Duke.

"The stench of wine and meat from the wealthy households, while the bones of the frozen dead lie on the road"—such verses seem to be eternally relevant

U Su Baoteng once again set down her teacup and waved her hand, saying: "Enough, in fact, their complaints are not unfounded. Although I articulate this reasoning well, if it were truly up to me to marry Li Tong off, I would also be unwilling.

At the entrance of Wusu, let the steward summon the young lord of Xiaohan Mountain City.

Master Lu chuckled and said, "My lord, this young lady's face is completely covered. Even if we were to encounter her on the road, I doubt she would still be dressed in this appearance of a female thief. How would we recognize her?"

Wusu Baoteng Road: "When he marries the elegant lady in the future, in name, he will be your son-in-law, and he will be part of our Wusu family. Moreover, I have heard that although Shi Hao is merely a scholar, he possesses considerable abilities. In the past two to three years, he has achieved remarkable results in the development of Xiaohan Mountain City.

Thus, the truly pitiable ones are these most marginalized and helpless common people

The butler replied: "Yes!"

Due to the order from the Yue family, I have dispatched the portrait of the female thief for a search throughout the entire county. However, I must say, if they manage to catch her, it would be a miracle.

Disregarding the advice of the two people beside her, she left in dissatisfaction, shaking off her sleeves

Let us not discuss this matter for now; was that female thief captured last night

Returning to the residence, I took out the Jade Purity Pearl and quietly placed it on the eaves, following the instructions of the Holy Xuan Fairy and the Fire Charm Woman, allowing it to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. After half an hour, I retrieved it.

She had no objections to his appearance, but she did have concerns about his background. If she were to marry him, she feared that any children they had would be considered part of a lowly lineage.

Shi Hao held the invitation as he left the Hou residence, walking along the road

Ushu Treasure: "Elder Brother ... ... "

He did not expect that Wusu Baoteng would actually invite him to attend the Hongtong banquet, it seems that the Manchu court is truly determined to implement the policy of "Golden Summer, One Family"

Shi Hao observed that the soldiers on horseback had divided into several groups and scattered. Among them, a pair of cavalry was galloping in this direction

At this point, Wusu Baoteng sighed and said: "However, it cannot be left undone. A few days ago, I met with Young Master Chongliang from the Yueketai family, and he spoke to me at length. The Jinxia family must continue to unite, and even now it is already too late to start; it should have been done a hundred years ago."

Urumqi Baodi: "Elder brother, why do you say that?"

As the city gate came into view, a large group of people suddenly charged out from the gate.

U Su Baoteng furrowed his brows: "What exactly was lost over at Mingkun View? Why did it alarm the Yueketai family, yet they remain silent about it?"

U Su Baoteng nodded, inquired about some matters concerning Xiaohan Mountain City, and offered some words of comfort

On one side of the river, the other side is characterized by low, dilapidated houses, dirt, and poverty, as if the two banks of this river belong to entirely different worlds

He found it somewhat difficult to comprehend, not knowing who it was that was observing him from the shadows. Yet, he merely stood there, making no sudden movements, pretending to be completely unaware

Master Lu said: "I do not know what this girl has done to provoke such a great commotion. To commit such a serious crime and then escape, triggering a citywide manhunt, she must not be an ordinary person"

He shook his head and led the team forward, clearly aware that they were wasting time, but since their superiors had ordered them to search, they had no choice but to comply

It is not that I believe this policy is inappropriate, but rather that I must consider my daughter... Ultimately, everyone thinks this way.

Another woman whispered, "This is not the same; she is a county princess."

Suppressing the martial arts of the Central Plains, destroying the laws of the Central Plains, extinguishing the path of the Central Plains, annihilating the classics of Central Plains martial arts, and digging up the roots of the Central Plains martial arts... these have indeed been effective. However, it now appears that one wave has been quelled, only for another to rise; this struggle has never ceased.

The resistance of the Huaxia people has been intermittent, with waves of uprisings that have never succeeded in the past, primarily because they lack a unifying figure akin to our Jin Dynasty's Supreme Emperor. However, it has been relentless; for the past three hundred years, they have never compromised.

The man quickly glanced at them, took out a wanted poster from his bosom, and unfolded it in front of them: "Have you seen a woman like this on your way?"

Xiao Han Mountain City is located within Jin City, where there is also a residence. After moving in, Shi Hao took the invitation card and went to the Hou residence

U Su Baodi bitterly smiled and said: "Elder brother, the reasoning is indeed as such, but it is not that simple. Take the small city of Hanshan for example; I have three daughters, and not one of them is willing to marry over there. I still have to select one from the clan and force her to 'lower herself' in marriage.

The steward beside him said: "Is it Deng Liang from the Yuanrong Chamber of Commerce that the lord is referring to?"

Paused for a moment, then came to a stop

A woman beside her smiled and said, "He seems quite handsome, and once he arrives at that Xiaohan Mountain City, he will at least be a young lady of the family."

They moved to the side of the road, and the leading captain stopped in front of them, arrogantly shouting: "Where did you come from?"

-

Beside him was his biological younger brother, Wusubao Di

Look at that U Su Li Tong, who is the same age as me. The lord specially organized this Hong Tong banquet to find her a suitable husband, inviting the young masters from several noble families in the surrounding counties. This is meant for her to choose from, so why am I not given a choice?

Since there is the ability to govern a region, it is possible that in the future it could become a significant support for our Wusu clan. Tomorrow, let the elegant lady also attend the meeting. By the way, since we have invited the young lord of Xiaohan Mountain City, what about that Deng from the Yuanrong Chamber of Commerce...

However, this is a world of supernatural powers and martial arts. Even if one secretly develops for ten years, it is likely still insufficient for the Prime Minister of the Barbarian Court to deal with using just one hand, let alone the 'Supreme Emperor' of the Barbarian Court who has lived for three hundred years.

-

Again, it was said: "Tomorrow at Hongshan in the northern part of the city, there will be a banquet. Several young masters from prominent families in the county town have also been invited. You should go together!" An invitation was written for Shi Hao by the steward.

The purpose of the Jinxia family alliance is to unite all local gentry that can be brought together, to divide the Huaxia ethnic group, and to use the Chinese to control the Chinese. They do not understand the Prime Minister's good intentions, always claiming that the Prime Minister aims to ruin the royal family, taint the royal bloodline, and weaken the authority of the royal family

Shi Hao, Master Lu, and others looked over together and saw a painting depicting a young woman, seemingly a girl, yet her face was veiled, with a five-petaled flower inserted in her hair bun

The Jin clan and the Huaxia people are one family; while it is easy to say such things, how can it be so easily accomplished? In the luxurious hall, Duke Wusu Baoteng set down his teacup and said, "Since the founding of the nation by the Supreme Emperor, the entire Jin clan has been regarded as the royal family, other clans as middle class, and the Huaxia people as lower class. Although the term 'lowly clan' is not found in official documents, over the years, it has become a habit to refer to it this way.

In this world where power is derived from oneself, individual strength is of utmost importance

At this moment, he did not wish to attract too much attention, so he did not go out again. This night, he stayed at his residence.

At this moment, walking outside, the Immortal Ice Technique and the Mysterious Charm Skill within me are simultaneously in operation, to the extent that even walking becomes a form of cultivation

U Su Baoteng nodded, sitting in the luxurious sandalwood chair, and said: "Let Master Hao in. Although Xiaohan Mountain City is not a martial arts sect, it has a considerable population, and the annual tribute of grain and miscellaneous taxes is substantial. It represents the sentiments of the people of Xishu, so it is necessary to cultivate their support appropriately"

Arriving at the Hou residence, as I traveled along the main road, the surrounding buildings were grand and imposing, with colorful carriages coming and going.

-

The person glanced at the wanted notice and couldn't help but mock himself: "Indeed, with such a drawing, where are we supposed to find her? It would be better if they didn't provide a drawing at all and just asked us to inquire everywhere if there is a girl with flowers in her hair and a veil over her face. After all, once she throws off her veil and removes the flowers, we wouldn't know what she looks like anyway"

Ushu Baodidao: "Elder brother, since they are not clear about it, we can just deal with it casually. If we can't catch anyone, it shouldn't be our fault, right? The abbot of Mingkun Temple has quite a few people under him; let him handle it himself."

The royal family has been in a position of power for so many years, and now the Prime Minister wants to consolidate family ties. The major noble families are all dissatisfied, except for the Yue family, which is fully supporting the Prime Minister. The other families are all secretly undermining him. If this continues, it is uncertain what fate awaits the Prime Minister in the future

Urumqi Baoteng Road: "It's him, you should also write an invitation card and have someone deliver it to the Yuanrong Chamber of Commerce, after all, they are all young people, it will be more lively."

Shi Hao had also considered leveraging the remote location of Xiaohan Mountain City to develop agriculture and secretly accumulate strength

U Suya snorted, "Who cares about such a broken mountain village's young mistress? Marrying into a lowly family makes one lowly as well. When you compare people, how can there be such a disparity?"

While at the Marquis's residence, he suppressed his internal energy, not wanting others to discover that he possessed martial arts skills

The侯府 has a vast area, divided into the inner and outer courts, which are separated by tall city walls, with arrow towers placed on both sides.

Wusuyah let out a disdainful and dissatisfied hum, casting a glance at the young man in the distance.

After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Shi Hao faintly sensed that someone was secretly observing him

U Su Baoteng raised his teacup and snorted: "Are you implying that since I wish to comply with the Prime Minister's order to promote unity among the Jinxia family, why don't I marry Li Tong off myself?"

At this moment, due to the government decree of the Jinxia family, she was about to be married off to the young lord of Xiaohan Mountain City, which left her feeling quite dissatisfied

Although her appearance is unremarkable, she is, after all, of "royal" status

He thought to himself: "There must be an opportunity to break free from the relationship with the Wusu clan, without implicating Xiaohan Mountain City."

That voice, sharp yet somewhat sullen, expressed: "Why must I marry such a person?"

However, to put it bluntly, how long can the retired emperor protect us? Those people do not understand that we, the 'royalty', are sitting on a volcano that could erupt at any moment. It may seem that we are in a position of power, but once the volcano erupts, we will be utterly destroyed, with no place to be buried.

On the way to Jin County, I saw many tenants toiling hard in the fields

Shi Hao received the invitation and took his leave. After he left, U Su Baodi said, "Elder brother, are you also letting him attend the Hong Tong banquet?"

On the second day, after calculating the time, he changed into a new set of clothes, took the invitation, and went to attend the gathering

Is that the young lord of Xiaohan Mountain City?" A girl's voice echoed from a corner of the high wall, "He looks quite decent, but unfortunately, he comes from a lowly family.

He opened the red invitation and thought to himself: "Hongtong Banquet?"

After all, it is impossible for the Manchu court to eliminate all the landlords and gentry of the Huaxia ethnic group. For the sake of stability, it is often necessary to appropriately win them over.

The Red Mountain in the northern part of the city is a well-known scenic area in Jinjun, but it has long been occupied by the Wusu clan, who built a palace for leisure. It would not be an exaggeration to say that "commoners and dogs are not allowed to enter." For the so-called royal family, the people of the Huaxia ethnicity are considered "commoners."

Wusu Baoteng Road: "You understand yourself, to what extent the so-called royal family has become corrupt, relying on power to act tyrannically. Where does their power come from? It is all granted by the retired emperor. Without the retired emperor's formidable military achievements that command respect, there would be no entire Jin Dynasty.

By one of the arrow towers, there are three young girls, and the one who speaks is called U Suya.

They simply do not understand that the Prime Minister is helping everyone. By stepping down from this volcano that could erupt at any moment, lowering one's stance a little, treating the Huaxia people with kindness, and being sincere towards those from the Central Plains martial arts community who are willing to ally with us, this is for the good of us all

And the wealthy young men and ladies of official families who come and go on this grand avenue will never see the conditions on the other side

On the contrary, the major noble families of the royal clan, relying on the favor of the retired emperor, possess powerful martial classics and formidable treasures that command respect in their regions. However, over the years, under the corrosion of power and status, their roots have decayed, and their ambitions have faltered. The spirit that once drove the ancestors of these noble families to follow the retired emperor in establishing the dynasty has long since vanished

If this can be found, it would be a miracle! a hunter whispered beside Shi Hao

U Su Baodi said with irritation: "What are you trying to catch? Over there at Mingkun Temple, they haven't even said what exactly was stolen. In the dead of night, that female thief is exceptionally skilled in lightness kung fu, and those Taoist priests didn't even get a clear look at her appearance; they only knew she was masked and wearing flowers.

They rode their horses, recklessly charging at the common people outside the city gates, causing a commotion with chickens flying and dogs barking in panic