Chapter 1, this little official is indeed quite troublesome

A sudden, inexplicable tremor emanated from the heavens, a wave that could only be perceived by those with the power to touch the Dao of Heaven, spreading outward.

Suddenly, some ancient places that have been forgotten by the world seem to have undergone a slight change, yet it also appears that nothing has changed! It all depends on whether there is sufficient capability!

After a change, there is once again silence; as if entering the ancient stillness that has existed since time immemorial

Yet in the heavens, a day has passed, while a thousand years have elapsed in the world! However, some minor changes between heaven and earth have begun to emerge

"Xiao Hao, come here to your father. We are currently facing a problem; let us consider our prodigy." Although Xiao Shilong was a person of authority, he was still very gentle with his son, especially since he was now his only son

Digressing; however, those around are somewhat related. When one is promised, the other is naturally included as well. Through such means, over the years, Xiao Hao has learned most of these individuals' trump cards; he has become a minor expert in his own right

On the left side of Xiao Shilong is a member of the Xiao family; on the right side are members of the Li family, which is the family of Xiao Hao's mother. Although the Xiao family is merely an ordinary prominent family, it possesses a number of intricate relationships. Looking around, all the more than ten people in the hall are relatives within five generations.

However, to directly confront the court would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot, which would only hasten our demise! We still need at least two years of preparation time.

One can imagine that actions such as those of the chancellor would inevitably create countless enemies in the court and infringe upon the interests of numerous individuals; as long as we provide these people with a point of interface, we can simply sit back and watch the changes in the situation unfold.

After listening to his father's explanation, Xiao Hao was also deep in thought. Although he had been studying continuously and focusing on his own matters recently, he was not completely oblivious to the outside world; rather, his understanding was simply not comprehensive.

Hiss... Third Brother, please spare me. A little bean sprout like me can't even withstand five moves under your hands. Xiao Hao felt that these few slaps were about to make his body fall apart

Alright, alright, little brother, you see that your elder brother is wandering in the world, having a good knife is essential for survival, are you just going to watch your elder brother get hurt? How about this, your sister-in-law makes the best mackerel dumplings, from now on, whenever you want to eat them, just have your sister-in-law make them for you, how does that sound? Finally, Third Brother Xiao Hailong began to play the emotional card.

And our Haizhou is just a gap.

The uncle should be able to contact some minor officials, using money to pave the way. We will draft a petition and submit it to the royal court.

In the Confucian ancestral hall, the enduring light of public virtue suddenly flickered! An elderly man with white hair suddenly raised his head, his eyes shimmering with golden light, as if deep in thought

At this moment, facing such difficulties, one feels powerless despite having the will. Although I have been in this world for over ten years, the preparation is still far from sufficient; what little foundation I have can only be considered as seeds. To truly grow into a towering tree, it will require some time. However, it is evident that the current danger must be addressed.

Good! Well said!" Li Yulong shouted.

Little (Xiao) Stone looked at Xiang'er with a hazy, confused, and innocent expression: "Sister Xiang'er is so smart! Little Stone even remembered it wrong, yet Sister Xiang'er still remembers. That... was... something I asked for on behalf of the neighbor's younger brother."

To the east lies a state called Sheng

Including the current situation, promoting the eclectic representative Lü Bi to the position of Prime Minister, and rectifying the gaps, is said to be for the sake of the world, but more directly, it is for the sake of one's own position

"Third Brother" is actually nearly 30 years old, named Xiao Haiyun, and is the third in his family; however, due to being slightly behind in seniority, despite being of an age to be an uncle, he can only be referred to as Xiao Hao's "Third Brother" and belongs to a collateral branch of the Xiao family

Han Sheng and Zhang Yun also grew up alongside Xiao Hao, sharing the same food, drink, and training; naturally, this fostered a strong bond between them, even a very close one, which is one of the ways affluent families pass on their legacy. For some impoverished families, this also represents a means of survival, allowing them to send children they cannot support to well-regarded noble families. If the child performs well, they may even provide financial assistance to their family, benefiting both parties. Generally speaking, wealthy families do not have to worry about betrayal, and poor families do not have to fear being treated as discarded children; such relationships have been passed down through countless generations. For some impoverished families, this also represents a means of survival, allowing them to send children they cannot support to well-regarded noble families. If the child performs well, they may even provide financial assistance to their family, benefiting both parties. Generally speaking, wealthy families do not have to worry about betrayal, and poor families do not have to fear being treated as discarded children; such relationships have been passed down through countless generations.

With a flash, Zhang Yun瞬间 appeared behind Xiang Er, grasping the back of her clothing and lifting her up. "Haha, little girl, let me handle this."

However, more than a decade ago, when Xiao Hao was born and began to understand the world, things changed. First, the Xiao family started producing refined salt, and then the emergence of cast iron followed, leading both families to expand; this also contributed to the growing prosperity of Haizhou.

Hmph, just a mere chancellor, truly insignificant compared to the world. This minor official is too troublesome, and the esteemed chancellor lacks vision! Nevertheless, for the sake of our stability and to minimize future troubles, we must eliminate him at once

However, Li Yulong beside him seemed to have thought of something, looking at Xiao Hao with shining eyes

Xiao Hao, though still very young, listened quietly with a furrowed brow, "Is the current Prime Minister the representative of the Dali royal court, Lu Bi?"

After Xiao Shilong finished speaking, he fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Hao, for he had high hopes for his son. From a young age, Xiao Hao was different from others; he could read and write at the age of 2, devised a method for salt production at 3, and by the age of 5, he had already delineated a base in the Beishan area where various ingenious techniques were researched, enabling the Xiao family to become prosperous within just a few years

Hello, young master. Han Sheng has thick eyebrows, a dark complexion, and a robust physique, exuding the demeanor of a great general

Under the intimidation of Zhang Yun, the refugees dared not continue to gather here. Those who were bold and quick-witted, after inquiring about the situation from the locals, decisively gathered a group of companions and headed north.

The children were very innocent, and soon stood together in front of Xiang'er, shielding her behind them

Therefore, the Prime Minister turned his attention to some areas that he had previously been reluctant to involve himself in. These areas, known as gaps, are typically located at the borders of various states and counties; they are generally small, narrow, and confined, yet they are indeed rich in resources. Over the past year, through the regulation of these gaps, the Prime Minister has already brought sufficient benefits to the royal court and has completely expelled the impoverished families from these areas.

Uncle is right; as the king, regardless of any thoughts or actions, their essence is to maintain their own rule

Xiao Hao stood in the courtyard, listening to the desolate melody, feeling somewhat lost in his heart. "Alas, I do not know where these refugees come from, in this wretched world. Moreover, the Great Li royal court is also in turmoil, the grand edifice is about to collapse"

Recently, I have been studying at home and do not know much about this person and related matters. I kindly ask my father for clarification

The vast fields are filled with wandering birds

"Ha, little mouse, it has been a few months since we last met. How have your skills been? How about we find a time to spar?" A burly man, looking strong and robust, patted Xiao Hao's shoulder with force.

Moreover, our Xiao family and Li family are also impoverished families. Once the prime minister extends his hand, what awaits us will only be the fate of being completely exterminated by the Manchu.

Oh... at this moment, Xiao Shitou could only lower his head and walk to the back of the line, provoking a round of laughter from his companions

Similarly, as the Prime Minister, he himself is a representative of the eclectic scholars in the court of the Great Li, and thus his actions must inevitably be for the benefit of the eclectic scholars rather than entirely for the common people of the Great Li court

Hmph! Xiang'er straightened her face and said, "Little Stone, I remember you; you are the youngest in your family!"

Ultimately, the grand edifice is on the verge of collapse, and the royal court of Da Li is lacking in financial resources; therefore, Lü Bi undertook the rectification of certain corrupt areas and encouraged trade, which provided the royal court with some capital. However, it remains insufficient.

In Haizhou, due to its location in a gap of ungoverned territory—where no officials or others are fond of this barren yet fierce place—it has become a natural land of chaos. Among the local families, the Xiao family and the Li family are two of the more well-known ones. The Xiao family engages in the private salt trade, while the Li family is involved in escorting goods; neither of them is engaged in a legitimate profession, merely being part of the underworld.

Little Stone, lying is not good behavior, today there is none for you! Hmph!" Xiang'er placed her hands on her hips and let out a cute huff, "The rest, line up properly, everyone gets one. Little Stone, you are last!"

Therefore, we now have no choice but to gather together to discuss, but for the time being, there is no good solution.

However, the streets are still interspersed with some even poorer, ragged beggars wandering aimlessly, disrupting this harmony; these are the displaced refugees. Today, the royal court of the Great Li is in decline, the grand buildings are on the verge of collapse, and the number of displaced refugees is increasing; meanwhile, the once barren Haizhou has unexpectedly become a well-known prosperous land!

Alas, ever since the spiritual energy between heaven and earth began to dissipate tens of thousands of years ago, the spiritual energy has now become exceedingly thin, rendering the hope of achieving immortality through a century of cultivation utterly unattainable

"That is hetushu.com. My parents work at the Xiao family, earning about three or two taels of silver a year, enough to cover our food and drink. During busy farming seasons, they can take leave." Little Stone jumped out again

The Xiao family's location is Haizhou, but this state is quite small, self-deprecatingly referred to as a "state"; in reality, it is merely the size of a county. To the east, it faces the sea, while to the west, more than half of the area is mountainous, and within its borders lies the highest peak of the Great Li royal court—Shennv Peak! One can imagine the barrenness of Haizhou. In this world where food is paramount, the amount of arable land directly represents the extent of wealth. Aside from the mountains and saline-alkali land, the remaining fertile arable land in Haizhou is pitifully scarce. To the north lies Yunzhou, and to the south is Qingzhou, both of which serve as granaries for the Great Li royal court; these two states each cover an area of 500 li. Only a small gap, unnamed, lies in between, but the locals have named it Haizhou.

Xiang'er walked at the forefront, while Zhang Yun followed closely behind, effortlessly carrying a package weighing over 30 jin. The two of them exited through the side door, one in front and the other behind. Outside was a world of mud, with the ground muddy after the autumn rain, and the impoverished families, dressed in thin clothing, were busy yet enjoying the joy of the autumn harvest; occasionally, one could hear praises for the Xiao family from the mouths of the farmers.

Father, although the actions of Prime Minister Lü Bi seem to bring a semblance of revival to the court of the Great Li, they are merely superficial. The court of the Great Li has been plagued by serious issues for 500 years, and it is already in a state of critical decline; what we are witnessing now is merely a flicker of light before the inevitable end

Prime Minister Lü Bi compared himself to the loyal minister of the Great Li Dynasty, aspiring to support the Great Li Dynasty: to prop up the crumbling edifice and to turn back the tide that has already fallen. He is known for his integrity and great talent, handling affairs with fairness, at least on the surface, which has earned him praise from both the king and the powerful, as well as from the common people.

Moreover, Father, we must let the people of the world know the 'intentions' of the Prime Minister

Over the past three years, Prime Minister Lü Bi has vigorously reformed the moral conduct, reinstated the rule of law, greatly promoted water conservancy projects, established official academies, and reformed the imperial examination system, leading to a remarkable revival of the Da Li royal court.

This momentum surged forth in an instant, yet it was fleeting. Nevertheless, even so, it still garnered a modicum of attention

However, unless there is an urgent situation, the Xiao family would not likely cause everyone to become anxious, let alone summon their in-laws. Although everyone present was engaged in lively conversation, Xiao Hao still perceived a heaviness in the expressions of those around him.

Little Stone, you have been scolded again. Haha ... ...

Hello, esteemed brothers, I am Xiao Hao, and I have the honor of meeting all of you

The wind comes, and the grains sway gently

Xiao Shilong looked at his son with satisfaction. Although he had only one son, he was clever and bright, and he understood so many things. Even though he had only one son, he was more than capable of surpassing hundreds of others.

We will do it this way

While listening to his uncle's explanation, Xiao Hao enriched his own thoughts, and gradually a mature idea emerged. He clasped his hands together and said to the surrounding uncles, "I have an idea, but it is merely an immature one. I would like to share it so that we can refine it together."

Xiao Haoer, let us not discuss what will happen in the future for now; we must focus on what to do in the present! The court has already set its sights on us, so we must first find a way to get through the current situation!

Although both parties exchanged greetings, neither bowed. Even Han Sheng and Zhang Yun kept their hands resting on the knife handles. In this world, safety is always the top priority

At this moment, Xiao Hao leisurely made his way to the front hall; surrounding the front hall were more than ten guards, some valiant with long sabers at their waists, some graceful with precious swords on their backs, and some agile holding long bows, each one of them not an ordinary character, exuding a strong aura of ferocity; their spirits were high, and if placed on the battlefield, they could at least be considered vanguard warriors

Upon exiting the backyard and arriving at the front yard, one can see two strong men at the entrance, appearing to be in their twenties, each carrying a long knife at their waist. They lead a group of ten individuals who are patrolling, each moving with a vigorous stride and a gleam of sharpness in their eyes, all of whom are skilled fighters capable of taking on ten opponents each.

However, Haizhou was originally barren, with almost no room for development; yet perhaps due to its barrenness, the local customs of Haizhou are fierce. Moreover, being close to the sea, the prevalence of smuggled salt has made it a well-known hub for illicit salt and a gathering place for books. Consequently, many who engage in escorting goods and smuggling come here to seek fortune

Afterward, Xiang'er opened the package and took out some cookies and similar items, distributing three or two pieces to each person according to size. The children who received them left joyfully, some eating them on the spot, while others, a bit older, expressed their intention to take them home for their parents.

As winter arrives, the snow is vast and boundless

Therefore, as long as we can endure the present, we will be safe. Moreover, Haizhou has historically been known for its strong-willed people, perhaps we are not without opportunities

In rural families, it is often said that a child with a humble name is easy to raise, so this child is called "Shitou". This is not a nickname, but rather a given name; additionally, the child’s surname is "Xiao", making him little Shitou. In this area, the Xiao surname is quite common, though this is limited to the local context.

Although the Great Li Dynasty's court has declined, it is still a royal court, one that we cannot contend with! However, if we do not resist, it is likely that the Prime Minister will fabricate any charge against us, leading to our families being destroyed and even our clans being exterminated. Such occurrences have become increasingly common recently

This is already the most perilous moment for us! We do not possess sufficient capability to contend with the court

"Good father." Facing the gaze of everyone, Xiao Hao naturally stood to the left of his father

Well... alright... Since everyone is like this, Xiao Hao can only nod. In fact, it was just a joke. Third Brother has a forged iron long knife at his waist, and all the more than ten guards around him are equipped with forged iron weapons—longbows made of iron frames. However, weapons are always insufficient; in intense battles, they wear out significantly. It is quite normal to replace a knife once a year; in fact, during fierce combat, one might need to change knives after a single battle. Third Brother has a forged iron long knife at his waist, and all the more than ten guards around him are equipped with forged iron weapons—longbows made of iron frames. However, weapons are always insufficient; in intense battles, they wear out significantly. It is quite normal to replace a knife once a year; in fact, during fierce combat, one might need to change knives after a single battle

"Young Master, the Master is calling for you." A lively young maid, around fourteen or fifteen years old, approached. She looked at Xiao Hao, who appeared to be about the same age but had a somewhat profound demeanor. Her expression was a mix of nervousness and admiration.

Now, the Chancellor is actually looking towards us. We have learned through some cooperative relationships that the Chancellor has already submitted a petition, and within at most two months, the army will arrive at Haizhou. By then, it will be very difficult for us to have the strength to resist the royal court's army, and we will also have no allies

It is said that when a person is on the verge of death, they may experience a moment of clarity; perhaps the same can be said for the world. Maybe there will be a brief period of revival!

The liveliness here has attracted many refugees who have wandered to this locality, and they also wish to partake in a share; hunger has driven them to madness

"Hehe, thank you, Brother Yun." Xiang'er had a pure gaze, clearly someone who had not experienced much hardship.

"Sister Xiang'er, my younger brother is sick. Could you please give me another cookie?" A child about seven or eight years old looked at her with a face full of longing and sincerity

Upon hearing this name, Xiao Shilong immediately frowned. "As for which family this prime minister represents, it is not the point; he himself is a talented individual. At a time when the Great Li royal court was on the verge of collapse, he managed to uphold it through his own strength and cunning. Supporting the heavens single-handedly is nothing less than this

It is rumored that his talents encompass Confucianism and Daoism, excel in the study of names and laws, are well-versed in astronomy, and possess a clear understanding of numerology. He is praised by the current king as one who weaves the heavens and the earth, embodying the wisdom of the ancients and moderns. At the same time, he himself holds the position of the foremost eclectic scholar among the various schools of thought in the court of the Great Li dynasty.

Seeing these obviously non-local people, Xiang'er suddenly stood up: "Hey, hey, hey, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters, this is for the children! If you want a meal, walk three miles north from here; the Xiao family is hiring workers. As long as you work hard and earnestly, there will be food to eat."

Those officials and prominent families whose interests have been infringed upon are our allies! As long as we provide an excuse, they will push the matter forward! Ha, I don't believe that Lü Bi will have another chance to seek trouble with us this time

The autumn breeze blows gently, the slightly damp and cold sea wind carries a hint of an aged tone: In the heavens, there are thirty-three, where the celestial beings gracefully dance; in the depths of the earth, there are three thousand three

"General, are we still advancing? Forget it, I do not wish to die on the battlefield!" Xiao Hao said with a disdainful expression.

Of course, there are also some neatly dressed local children running about. Although these children are mostly in old clothes, their spirit and demeanor are clearly not comparable to that of the vagrants

The shining long sword, resembling a pool of autumn water, is adorned with subtle natural dark patterns, and at a glance, it is evident that it is a treasured blade.

Xiao Hao greeted all the uncles, met his father, encountered his uncle, and acknowledged all the elder brothers. However, Xiao Hao elegantly clasped his fists in salute, and then slowly walked to the end of his father's left side to take a seat

The surroundings were eerily quiet, and everyone was looking at Xiao Hao. Those present were all trusted core personnel, and they all vaguely understood that this young man, Xiao Hao, was extraordinary. Just as everyone was about to lose patience, Xiao Hao slowly began to speak: "The grand edifice of the Dali royal court is on the verge of collapse; it is no longer merely a superficial issue, but rather a corruption that has taken root from the foundation. Therefore, even if Lu Bi were ten times more capable, he could only prolong the Dali royal court's existence in a state of misery."

The common people bustle about

In the end, Xiao Hao spoke with a resonant and powerful tone, and despite his small stature, he exuded a certain heroic charisma.

In light of the current crisis, Xiao Hao felt an overwhelming sense of danger looming over him. The Xiao family, to put it nicely, is a prominent household, a wealthy clan; but in reality, it is merely a family of private salt traders, the kind that cannot stand in the light. Looking across the world, such families can only be referred to as impoverished households, and their members are even prohibited from participating in the imperial examination.

What opportunity is there? Xiao Hao did not specify, but everyone present's eyes lit up! Everyone is not foolish, of course they know what it is

Hello, Brother Han Sheng, hello, Brother Zhang Yun. Xiao Hao's voice was clear and crisp, without any pretense

Puff... Xiao Yahu Xiang'er could no longer hold back and burst into laughter. This young master was simply too amusing; he looked no older than thirteen, yet insisted on adopting such a posture, which appeared quite strange to onlookers. However, Xiao Hao was quite pleased with himself, feeling that with his hands behind his back, he exuded a certain kind of imposing presence reminiscent of the eighth member of the Wang family

It is evident that the affluent Haizhou has become a coveted prize in the eyes of others; for instance, currently, the Prime Minister has set his sights on this region; at least, it appears to be so at present

Thank you, Sister Xiang'er. Xiao Hao's voice was clear and bright, his gaze pure; the previously somber expression vanished in an instant, as if it were a thin mist under the blazing sun and fierce wind

Thank you for the praise, Uncle. Xiao Hao slightly bowed, his eyes shining with brilliance. Since we are talking about the essence, we have the opportunity to leverage it. Given the current situation, it is difficult for us to contend on our own, and we cannot find a direct and powerful ally. Therefore, there is only one course of action: let the King dismiss this Chancellor!

Ha, you are still a little sprout. At your age, I was just like this too. In ten years, you will definitely be a material for a leading general!

You little rascal, at such a young age, you have no ambition. What can you achieve when you grow up! How about this, little mouse, as long as you can withstand three of my moves, I will teach you a secret technique, a life-saving technique, mind you. This is a technique that I, San Ge, have comprehended from my experiences in the world of slaughter. Of course, if you cannot withstand even three moves, I can still teach you, but you must provide me with a fine iron long knife, how about that?" The robust man appeared imposing, yet his eyes sparkled with brilliance. Of course, if you cannot withstand even three moves, I can still teach you, but you must provide me with a fine iron long knife, how about that?" The robust man appeared imposing, yet his eyes sparkled with brilliance.

Xiao Hao looked at his maternal uncle, who indeed had the capability to lead the Li family in the world of escorting goods. He was truly not a simple person; although his words were coarse, they directly addressed the essence of the matter

When Xiao Hao entered, everyone was engaged in a heated discussion about something

"The tempered iron broadsword? In the midst of the commoners, there is a pair of eyes particularly bright. A mere guard of an ordinary wealthy family actually wields a tempered iron broadsword! What a remarkable Xiao family!"

Sister Xiang'er is here! Sister Xiang'er is here... As soon as Xiang'er appeared, she was spotted by some mischievous children.

Xiao Hao, today we are all here because we have encountered the greatest problem of the present time, which is that the Wang court has finally taken notice of us, and the current Prime Minister intends to establish a formal county administration here and is preparing to dispatch troops to garrison the area

"Hehe, no need, I can do it!" Xiang'er raised her head, her crescent-shaped eyes filled with a bright, sunny hue, and was about to stride forward; however, the little girl accidentally stepped on her own foot, and with a cry of 'ah', she was about to fall.

Hearing Xiang'er’s laughter, Xiao Hao suddenly stopped, "Sister Xiang'er, everything has been placed in the kitchen."

Xiao Hao'er, come here, let your uncle take a look. Ha, it's been a year since we last met, and you've grown quite a bit. I heard you've been working on some good things recently! Sitting to the right of Xiao Hao's father, Xiao Shilong, is the first person with a few gray hairs at the temples and a scar on his face. Since childhood, Xiao Hao has been somewhat afraid of this uncle; however, he is no longer afraid now.

With a flash, Zhang Yun stood in front of all the outsiders. With a clang, the long knife in his hand gleamed. "Dear uncles, I know everyone is facing difficulties. Although our Xiao family is a prominent household, we are not the kind of people who are wealthy yet unkind. If you walk three miles north, you will see our recruitment site. As long as you work hard, there will be food to eat. You can inquire about the specific situation from the locals." If you walk three miles north, you will see our recruitment site. As long as you work hard, there will be food to eat. You can inquire about the specific situation from the locals.

This is simple. We have been escorting goods for many years, and while we do not have a detailed map, we do have a general one. Uncle Li Yulong said this and then took out a stack of cloth from his bosom, which had maps marked with black, red, blue, and other colors, along with various symbols. Such maps in this world are military-level secrets; even if an ordinary person possesses one, they would not dare to display it openly, as being caught would lead to execution—what is your intention to possess such confidential maps. Such maps in this world are military-level secrets; even if an ordinary person possesses one, they would not dare to display it openly, as being caught would lead to execution—what is your intention to possess such confidential maps.

At the age of thirteen, though still considered a child, Xiao Hao exhibited a certain level of composure, resembling a young adult, which made him appear somewhat like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old. As he walked towards the front yard, hands clasped behind his back and taking leisurely strides, he seemed to embody the demeanor of a distinguished gentleman in the eyes of some.

"Hey, there's no need to think about it; it's obviously the seat under your butt!" Uncle Li Yulong was the first to react.

Xiao Hao turned his head and said, "Uncle, I have an idea now. Who has a map of the Great Li Royal Court? It doesn't need to be very accurate; a general map will suffice. Additionally, it is essential to indicate the distribution of the gaps within the territory of the Great Li Royal Court."

It is said that Yang Qianjun, the first warrior of the Great Li Royal Court and a general of the Zhenxi Army, during a border defense battle several years ago, fought for a day and a night, exchanging 72 long swords in the process, leaving the surrounding area strewn with iron shavings after the battle. Combat with cold weapons is indeed very brutal

Is it true that a great change in the world is about to begin

Everyone suddenly fell into deep thought

Although on the surface he appears to be a good chancellor, he absolutely should not have reached out to us

Hehe, Third Brother, a long sword made of fine iron is worth at least 10 taels of gold outside, and that is the lowest price! 10 taels of gold, which is equivalent to 200 taels of silver, the monthly salary of a third-rank official in the current dynasty! Xiao Hao is not foolish, looking at his Third Brother with a grin.

Wudang Secret Repository, an old Taoist suddenly opened his eyes, a soft white light flickering within them, as the yin-yang fish slowly spiraled in front of him, seemingly trembling for a moment. The old Taoist slowly spoke: "How many times has this been? Is it truly the case that the world is on the brink of chaos, with heroes emerging one after another?"

As soon as Xiao Hao left, Xiang Er hugged a large package and walked out. With her awkward appearance, leaning backward, she resembled a bit of Donald Duck. Zhang Yun, who saw this, couldn't help but laugh and said, "Xiang Er, do you need any help?"

This is impossible! At this moment, Xiao Shilong spoke up, saying, "Kid, don't boast. The Prime Minister has already reversed such a significant decline for the Dali Wang Court. How could they possibly dismiss this Prime Minister?"

At the entrance, after a conversation that lasted for a while over a cup of tea, Xiao Hao finally walked into the hall. The hall was somewhat dim, and at the center sat Xiao Hao's father, Xiao Shilong, a middle-aged man with a slightly dark complexion, exuding a hint of elegance. However, the long knife at his waist indicated that this seemingly refined man was not someone to be easily trifled with.

"Yes, Father. Esteemed uncles, I would like to pose a question: What do you all believe is the matter of greatest concern to the current king?"

Hello, young master. Zhang Yun is somewhat fair-skinned, yet he is also quite capable. He has a relatively tall and slender build, possibly due to his extensive reading, which gives him a hint of a scholarly demeanor.

The people lament the lack of clothing and food

All beings toil diligently

On both sides of the grand master's chairs, there were seven or eight people seated, totaling fifteen individuals. Behind each of these individuals stood a guard; compared to the people at the entrance, these guards were the elite among the elite. From a distance, one could sense the surging vitality within each of them—clearly, they were experts, and moreover, experts who had taken lives

Due to his significant political talent and influence both in aristocratic circles and among the populace, three years ago, Lü Bi was promoted to the position of Prime Minister of the Great Li royal court, ranking just below the monarch. He was in charge of domestic civil affairs and finances, on par with the military general of divine strategy and the censor-in-chief responsible for officials. However, because he was favored by the king, his power was even greater, earning him the title of Lü the Half King