章 117: Chapter 117: Secrets
After greeting the two, Ji Xidong introduced Zhuang Shitong. "Brother Zhuang is from the Tawei's residence and is currently serving as a lieutenant in Zhishang City. He will return after a month or so."
"We have known each other since childhood and can be said to have grown up together. If you need anything, you can look for him as well."
Lu An looked at Zhuang Shitong in surprise and clasped his hands. "Brother Zhuang is serving in Zhishang City. I am truly honored."
Zhishang City was a lonely fortress in the northern part of Da Qi, neighboring the Han and Zhao countries, making it one of the most crucial strategic locations for Da Qi.
In times of war between countries, it was a battleground that all military strategists would fight over, a true battlefield grinder.
Thus, most officials and citizens of Qi Country were reluctant to go there as it was far too dangerous compared to other cities.
However, many determined individuals still volunteered for it, partly due to the presence of Da Qi's military spirit and the "Zhizhi Flag" that fluttered in the hearts of the Qi people.
Three hundred years ago, the allied forces of Han and Zhao, totaling three hundred thousand soldiers, jointly attacked Qi during a critical period of imperial succession.
Amid internal strife and external threats, Tawei Zhuang was entrusted with the crucial task of leading fifty thousand elite troops to hold off the allied forces for a month, preventing any further advance.
After a bitter struggle lasting over a month, both Han and Zhao were forced to withdraw without any gains.
Tawei Zhuang achieved a great victory in this battle, and everyone expected him to seize the opportunity to declare himself king amidst Qi's internal turmoil.
However, he did not. Instead, he took a large flag stained with the blood of soldiers and personally wrote the word 'stop' on it as a congratulatory gift for the new emperor's ascension.
From then on, Tawei Zhuang became famous for this battle, and the northern fortress city was officially renamed Zhishang City.
To this day, the "Zhizhi Flag" still hangs on the city wall of Zhishang City.
Given the significance of this history, the Zhuang family's descendants were also eager to serve in Zhishang City, considering it an honor to be stationed there.
The Zhuang family's respect among the Qi people was closely tied to this historical event.
Lu An nodded. Zhishang City was not too far from his own Ancient County. Both were border areas, but Ancient County and Yongning County did not hold as strategic importance.
After introducing Zhuang Shitong, Ji Xidong then pointed to Gui Jing with a slight smile. "Junior Brother, with such a rare surname, can you guess Gui Brother's background?"
Lu An pondered for a moment and tentatively said, "The Gui surname is the imperial surname of Da Qi. Could Gui Brother be one of the current princes?"
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Ji Xidong, laughing, said to the group, "See, I told you he'd guess wrong."
Gui Jing shook his head and smiled without speaking.
After a moment, Ji Xidong explained to Lu An, "Gui Brother is indeed from the imperial family of Da Qi, but he is not one of the princes."
"Despite his young age, he is a One-Character King, the King of Huai, and the younger brother of the current emperor."
"By the way, the Huai Prefecture in Yongning County belongs to his fief!"
Lu An raised his eyebrows, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Three hundred years ago, during the imperial succession, hadn't the previous emperor already fallen? How could Gui Jing be from that era?
Ji Xidong noticed his thoughts and said to Gui Jing, "Gui Brother, could you tell us about the events from back then?"
"Certainly. Although most people in Qi are not clear about this, it is not a secret among the high-ranking officials in the capital."
"It's quite simple. During the war three hundred years ago, Da Qi had no internal or external troubles. It was just a ruse staged by my elder brother, together with the late emperor and Tawei Zhuang, to lure the enemy in."
At this point, he looked at the current emperor with admiration, seemingly very loyal.
"After the battle, the late emperor faked his death and retreated into seclusion, while my elder brother rightfully ascended the throne."
"Han and Zhao's forces, after several attempts to invade, could not advance even a step further into Zhishang City and suffered heavy losses."
"Under these circumstances, the allied forces disintegrated and no longer dared to touch Da Qi's territory."
Lu An was surprised. He hadn't expected to hear such confidential information at a casual gathering.
After sorting out the events, he suddenly had a thought and asked, "I heard that Zhao will send a delegation to seek marriage at the Shui Tian Law Assembly. Is this true?"
Gui Jing looked at him in surprise and slowly said, "You're quite well-informed. Yes, the marriage proposal is indeed for my niece."
He sighed heavily as if there was something unspeakable.
Lu An wouldn't miss this opportunity. Xiaoqian was to assassinate a prince of Zhao, and no matter how well-prepared, it would be dangerous. If he could find out more, he might discover other methods to complete the task.
He pondered for a moment and continued, "Given Zhao's heavy losses back then, what gives them the courage to propose marriage now?"
"Moreover, I've heard that the Zhao prince is exceedingly foolish, while our eldest princess is exceptionally intelligent. Why doesn't the emperor reject this proposal?"
At this point, Gui Jing showed a helpless expression, seeming quite dissatisfied.
"It's not that the emperor doesn't want to, but that he can't."
"Do you know why Wei fell so quickly to the beast tide?"
Lu An's heart tightened, and he tentatively asked, "Is it not because of the overwhelming beast tide?"
Gui Jing shook his head, his expression grave.
"That's the official explanation. My elder brother suspects that Han and Zhao secretly lent their support!"
The others were clearly hearing this for the first time and were shocked, standing up from their seats.
"Gui Brother, are you joking? Collaborating with demons is a serious crime. Aren't you afraid of retribution from the Four Sects and the Holy Land?"
"It's impossible. Han and Zhao are also human tribes. How could they cut off the root of humanity for immediate gain?"
The people present were incredulous and questioned him repeatedly.
Gui Jing thought for a long time before slowly saying, "It would be impossible under normal circumstances, but what if Han and Zhao have already become demonized?"
"Demonized! Could the demon race be rising again?"
"Gui Brother, are you certain? This is no small matter."
The demon race was a terrifying existence that made all major forces on the entire Mangcang Continent tremble with fear.
Thousands of years ago, the Demon Race, like the human and beast races, was also a part of the Mangcang Continent.
However, their ambition was vast, intending to rule the entire Mangcang Continent, constantly infiltrating the human and beast races.
Many human cultivators and beasts, tempted by the power of the demon race's methods, were eventually demonized and became their lackeys.
Fortunately, both the human and beast races discovered this in time and immediately banned the study of all demon race techniques.
The two races then united to launch a major war against the demons.
The war lasted for several hundred years and ultimately ended with the victory of the humans and beasts. The demon race disappeared from the world.
Afterwards, due to unequal distribution of benefits and various other reasons, the human and beast races gradually fell apart, leading to the current situation.
Few people today have heard the name of the demon race.
However, the people present were clearly exceptions. They were all descendants of major families with explicit records of the demon race in their clans.
Although it was Lu An's first time hearing about it, he understood the whole story through the group's explanation.
Compared to the demon race, he was more interested in the Four Sects and One Holy Land previously mentioned.
After pondering for a moment, he looked at Ji Xidong and asked, "Senior Brother, what are the Four Sects and One Holy Land?"
Ji Xidong was still absorbed in the matter of the demon race's resurgence and was somewhat distracted, but he still explained:
"The Four Sects and One Holy Land are the leaders of the human race on the Mangcang Continent. The Four Sects are located in the four cardinal directions of the continent, while the Holy Land is situated in the central region of the Xia Kingdom."
"To be precise, they are the Lihun Sect in the east, the Jile Sect in the west, the Yuqing Sect in the south, and the Taixuan Sect in the north. The Holy Land is known as the Wuwei Holy Land."
"It's worth mentioning that the Talisman, Formation, Pill, and Weapon Halls are established in each country by the Wuwei Holy Land, aiming to revitalize the human race."
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