"Golden figures used to suppress Han fortune?"
Chen Cuo frowned.
And suppress Han fortune?
Though Chen Cuo had already stripped away many stray thoughts and his Dao Heart had grown whole and smooth, a few ripples still stirred within him.
Then he noticed the puzzlement on Guan Yu's face. This was evidently common knowledge among cultivation sects. Perhaps he knew nothing of it because he had joined only recently, spent three years in seclusion, and left the mountain as soon as he emerged. Or perhaps Great Hua Mountain paid it no heed—or, since it involved dynastic affairs, his master had simply been unwilling to tell him.
Whatever the reason, he truly did not know. But he was wearing another identity now and had few reservations. Since he had already cowed them, he might as well ask.
Guan Yu suspected nothing. Who would care whom he asked? Besides, his strength spoke for itself, and her life was in his hands. What choice did she have?
"The root of this lies with Emperor Xiaowen of the Wei Kingdom!"
Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei!
Chen Cuo listened intently.
The emperor was renowned in later ages. Chen Cuo had not expected the matter before him to involve him.
"Emperor Xiaowen reformed officialdom, established the Three Elders System, implemented the Equal-Field System, gathered power into his own hands, and campaigned north and south. He laid the foundations of fortune, with the bearing of one who could swallow mountains and rivers. Alas, he died young, his reign cut short. I served under His Majesty back when I was with the Way of Discord!"
Longing and admiration shone in Guan Yu's eyes as she spoke of the emperor. Fortunately, she remembered the matter at hand and returned to it. "The Taihe Reforms swept away old Xianbei customs,