blogombal Page 406
Page 406
"What information?"
The guard cautiously accepted the intelligence, and only after confirming that there were no problems did he hand it over to the King of Western Xia.
The King of Western Xia, upon opening the intelligence report, was immediately shaken by a single glance and looked at Helian Tieshu in disbelief.
"General Helian, is the intelligence on this document accurate?"
"It should be true, but the specifics are still under investigation."
However, it can be proven that this group of mysterious and extraordinary experts directly caused the loss of more than 30,000 soldiers in the Liao Imperial Guard. These were fully armed and handpicked warriors of the Liao Dynasty.
Besides, the entire treasury of the Liao Empire was suddenly robbed overnight; this was something no expert from the First-Class Hall could accomplish.
The King of Western Xia looked at Helian Tieshu. Although Helian Tieshu belittled the experts of Yipintang, the King of Western Xia was still aware of the situation.
A group of less than a hundred experts could defeat 100,000 Liao imperial guards in no time.
Moreover, in addition to the loss of 30,000 imperial guards, the national treasury suffered even greater losses.
"Report, Your Majesty, General, the latest intelligence from the Liao Dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, Helian Tieshu's face immediately lit up with surprise.
The framing was flawless, and he could only find a breakthrough from the Liao Dynasty, so he paid close attention to Liao intelligence.
"Bring it!"
Helian Tieshu, who had just received the message, looked horrified after only glancing at it once.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing Helian Tieshu's shocked and fearful expression, the King of Western Xia was also curious.
Similarly, after reading it once, the King of Western Xia also looked at Helian Tieshu with a shocked expression and his eyes were filled with horror.
"Your Majesty, now you should believe that this matter has nothing to do with Yipintang, right?"
These mysterious experts numbered less than a hundred, yet they directly caused the loss of 50,000 Liao soldiers, as well as the indirect loss of tens of thousands of cavalry.
Moreover, these people were able to escape unscathed after committing murder, and even rescued the Xiao family father and son!
Li Yanzong's real name is Murong Fu. He has a life-and-death feud with the Xiao family father and son. Does Your Majesty remember the two peerless masters who stormed into the Yipin Hall in Yinchuan City back then? They were the Xiao family father and son, whose purpose was to assassinate the Murong family father and son.
At this point, Murong Fu would surely take advantage of the situation; how could he possibly go to save the Xiao family father and son?
Moreover, this matter is related to the Dowager Consort!
'impossible! ’
The King of Western Xia shook his head. The Dowager Consort had always lived a life of luxury; how could she possibly be involved with these people?
However, the previous news is enough to prove that this was not the work of Yipintang. If Yipintang really had this power, he would be laughing in his dreams.
"Your Majesty, the Dowager Consort may know more about this matter. She knows everything about the feud between Murong Fu and the Xiao family."
This humble general suspects that this is a conspiracy against our Western Xia and the Liao Dynasty.
Such a mysterious and enigmatic master must belong to a top-tier force among martial artists in the Central Plains. Perhaps the Imperial Concubine can glean some clues from the intelligence!
"this···"
"No need to invite me, I'm already here!"
At this moment, Li Qiushui, who still possessed the secret to preserving her youthful appearance and wore a veil, slowly walked in, led by Princess Yinchuan.
One was stunningly beautiful, the other pure and ethereal; both possessed beauty that could topple kingdoms.
However, the King of Western Xia dared not be negligent. With a mother and a daughter, he quickly stood up and gave up the throne, rather than offering it to her.
How could Li Qiushui not know about this matter?
Especially when I was outside, I heard news about her.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Get up and show the news to me."
Upon receiving the message, Li Qiushui frowned, gradually understanding Helian Tieshu's meaning.
"This must be the work of the Zhang family!"
"Zhang family?"
Besides Helian Tieshu, who knew what Li Qiushui meant by the Zhang family? The King of Western Xia and Princess Yinchuan both looked puzzled, wondering what kind of power the Zhang family possessed.
"Does the Dowager mean that the Zhang family was responsible for this?"
"Indeed, apart from that member of the Zhang family, no other force could have done such a perfect, flawless rescue and frame-up."
Moreover, this isn't the first time such a large-scale massacre has occurred!
"Not the first time? Is that what the Dowager is referring to?"
Even Helian Tieshu, let alone the King of Western Xia, looked at Li Qiushui with a puzzled expression.
"Not long ago, the five ancient temples in Tibet were almost completely slaughtered. Didn't news of Yipintang come over?"
Adding to the shocking case in the Jin Dynasty more than a decade ago, and the recent theft of the Liao Dynasty's treasury, it's clear that this was the work of someone.
This man is extremely ruthless when dealing with foreign races; the Demon Blade incident in Japan last time was also related to him!
Hiss...
Even when Helian Tieshu connected these things, he gradually understood Li Qiushui's hidden meaning.
"As for the mysterious expert?"
The Zhang family's Blood Droplets, Blood Thorns, and Twelve Zodiac Killers... are no challenge for a few martial arts masters.
General Helian, this is not your fault.
A high-ranking general in the army had no idea how terrifying the Zhang family was.
After all, one is in the imperial court, engaging in lofty discussions; the other is in the martial world, ruling over the entire land!
"Your Majesty, Qinglu has reached marriageable age."
I watched this child grow up. He is kind and innocent by nature, and I have never trusted anyone else.
But this time, I want you, Qinglu, to try your luck at the Zhang family's place!
"Zhang family!"
Upon hearing Li Qiushui's meaning, not only should the Zhang family not be punished, but their daughter should also be sent as an apology.
Upon hearing this, the King of Western Xia was immediately enraged, his face turning bright red. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's status, he would have already cursed her and ordered her to be dragged out and executed.
"Your Majesty, I also agree with the Empress Dowager's suggestion!"
"Your Majesty, being in the court, may not be aware of the Zhang family's power? But this intelligence—a mere hundred-strong mysterious force—could cause the Liao Dynasty to lose a hundred thousand troops. The Zhang family is worth winning over."
After calming down, the King of Western Xia understood Helian Tieshu's considerations.
Compared to the other party's 'mysterious assassin,' the experts in Yipintang are not even a hair on their head.
Even Princess Li Qinglu of Yinchuan, after experiencing despair and fear, began to become curious.
"Alright, girl, how could your grandmother harm you?"
Although that young man from the Zhang family is over thirty, he is highly skilled, looks younger than you, and is exceptionally handsome. He is one of the most dashing figures in the Southern Dynasty, even surpassing Murong Fu.
After you marry into the Zhang family, your living conditions in the Zhang household will be better than what you would have in this deep palace.
The only flaw of this guy is that he has too many romantic entanglements.
However, you grew up in the palace, so you should be able to accept these things; otherwise, he would have represented your perfect future!
Looking at the little girl beside her, Li Qiushui's words of comfort were not empty words.
How could she possibly harm her own granddaughter?
Previously, Murong Fu had also proposed to Princess Yinchuan, but Li Qiushui already knew what kind of person Murong Fu was, so she never considered it.
But now, the Zhang family's move has made Li Qiushui worry about the future of her children and grandchildren's empire.
The Zhang family was ruthless in their dealings with foreign tribes, and she worried that Zhang Xiaoshan might take action against the Western Xia sometime soon.
Rather than doing that, it would be better to win over the other party through marriage.
"Grandma, are you serious?"
"Your Highness, the Zhang family has a Grandmaster who is one of the most outstanding in the world. It is said that he has reached the realm of eternal youth!"
Moreover, not only is he himself eternally youthful, but so are the women around him. They haven't changed much in ten years, remaining as beautiful as flowers, stunningly gorgeous—truly one of the wonders of the Nine Provinces!
Chapter 479 Li Qinglu's Curiosity
"Eternal youth?"
Li Qinglu couldn't help but look at her grandmother, Li Qiushui, who was already a hundred years old and was also eternally youthful.
This is something she has always admired, but unfortunately, her skills are still lacking.
"Girl, your skill is still shallow, and your aptitude is not outstanding. It will be difficult for you to master internal martial arts in a short time."
However, the Zhang family should have a solution. According to Grandmother, even the maidservant beside that boy is a top-tier expert, and not just any ordinary one. The Zhang family should possess a higher-level cultivation technique, or one that aids in cultivation!
The ultimate master!
Even Helian Tieshu was shocked when he heard such a secret.
It should be noted that the top expert of Yipintang was formerly the deposed crown prince Duan Yanqing, and before that, it was Murong Fu who impersonated 'Li Yanzong'. Now that Murong Fu is dead, Yipintang no longer has a top expert to guard it.
Zhang Xiaoshan had a maidservant who was a top-notch expert, a powerful figure who would be considered a regional overlord in the outside world.
Compare prices and you'll regret it!
This is the Zhang family's strength; if a few people were to assassinate a Western Xia noble, they simply couldn't stop them.
"Grandma, you're not lying to your grandson, are you?"
"Why would I lie to you? You have an aunt who is the leader of Ghost Street in the Zhang family. I know a lot about the Zhang family."
Otherwise, if I didn't know you, why would I push you into a fire pit?
This young man is like a dragon in the Central Plains, unmatched by any other among the younger generation, and there is no one who can even compare to him.
Compared to Murong Fu of Yipintang, whose achievements were far inferior, Murong Fu was not even worthy of carrying Murong Fu's shoes.
Li Qiushui was also amazed. Based on the information Li Qingluo had gathered about the Ghost Street in Yangzhou alone, the Zhang family was a terrifying behemoth.
"Aunt? I have an imperial aunt? How come Qinglu didn't know?"
"That's your father's half-sister, who had been living in Jiangnan for a long time."
Moreover, most of the nice things you usually take from your grandmother are the filial offerings from your aunt over the years. She controls a ghost street belonging to the Zhang family, and the items there are among the Zhang family's high-end luxury goods.
That's why Grandma said, "You won't be mistreated when you go to the Zhang family."
Li Qinglu then suddenly realized what was going on.
Zhang family?
The Zhang family, which had previously been a hellish place, now filled Li Qinglu with curiosity.
She had never imagined that there was anything more terrifying than royalty.
But now she believed it. If what Li Qiushui said was true, and even a maid in the Zhang family was a top-notch expert, and even a subordinate could obtain those rare and precious luxury items, then how extravagant must the Zhang family be?
"Your Highness, although the Zhang family are merchants, in terms of extravagance, even the royal family of the Nine Provinces cannot compare with them:"
Walls made of glazed tiles, floors paved with celadon—it's said to be a small villa belonging to the Zhang family, but even the royal palaces of the Central Plains dynasties wouldn't be worth much more.
Upon hearing Helian Tieshu's addition, the King of Western Xia glared at Helian Tieshu.
Clearly, Helian Tieshu was now doing everything in his power to arrange a marriage between the Zhang family and Li Qinglu, even at the cost of his reputation.
"Your Highness, the Zhang family is ultimately a merchant family. Qinglu is a princess of our Western Xia Kingdom. Even if she were to become someone's concubine, it would be unbecoming of her status as his principal wife. Your subject firmly opposes this!"
This matter concerns the dignity of Western Xia. As the King of Western Xia, how could he possibly submit to a powerful family from the Central Plains?
Li Qiushui, however, remained unmoved and said indifferently:
"This is not a discussion with you, but rather I am informing the King in my capacity as the Dowager Consort!"
Now that Western Xia is in a precarious situation, facing enemies on both sides, how could the Song Dynasty miss the opportunity if the Liao Dynasty and Western Xia were to go to war? Furthermore, if Western Xia were to form a marriage alliance with the Zhang family, even the Song Dynasty and the Wu Tang Dynasty might refrain from taking advantage of the situation out of respect for the Zhang family.