Northern Liang

"With the world flourishing, why would there be any need for us cultivators to leave the mountains? We can simply stay quietly in the mountains, by the water, comprehending the ways of heaven and earth, cultivating ourselves—that would be wonderful indeed."

Fang Zelin raised his glass and clinked it against Zhang Weichu's.

The two began drinking and toasting, which attracted Xiao Qin's longing gaze from the side.

She did want to try the fine wine, but unfortunately, Uncle Fang wouldn't allow her to drink alcohol right now, so she had to give up on that idea.

"Brother Fang's cultivation is truly enviable. Since Brother Fang began cultivating here, this place has become even more blessed and beautiful."

Zhang Weichu was not exaggerating when he said this.

He was originally a water ghost here, so he knew what Yingping Peak was like.

In the past, this place looked alright to me.

Since Fang Zelin began cultivating here, the place has become even more beautiful and spiritually vibrant.

Being here made me feel much more comfortable.

As a spirit of the underworld, he perceived these changes more clearly.

"I know that. Uncle Fang said, 'A mountain is not sacred because of its height, but because of the immortals who dwell there!'"

Xiao Qin had been eavesdropping on their conversation, and when she heard this part, she quickly spoke up.

Then she looked at Fang Zelin with a hopeful expression on her face, wanting to hear a word of praise.

After all, she remembered Fang Zelin's words perfectly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Weichu burst into laughter, "Absolutely, that's exactly what I mean!"

Yingping Peak is indeed not high, but it is definitely different here after Fang Zelin came along.

Xiao Qin was extremely happy to hear Zhang Weichu say that.

Fang Zelin smiled helplessly; that wasn't what he meant at all.

Now that Xiao Qin has said that, it seems like he's praising himself.

"Brother Zhang, I heard that the Great Qian Dynasty has now annexed all the surrounding vassal states into its territory?"

Fang Zelin changed the subject.

The last time I saw Meng Jiuchuan, I heard him say that he wanted to take over all the other vassal states.

Looking at it now, it seems they've all accomplished that?

"Yes, all the surrounding vassal states have now submitted. Originally, the roads leading to these vassal states were mostly through towering mountains and treacherous forests, infested with miasma and poisonous insects. But under the command of countless capable ministers and officials, official roads have been opened up. Even if the Great Qian Dynasty is gone, these official roads will not disappear."

Zhang Weichu was somewhat moved; in just a few years, so many capable officials and ministers of the Great Qian Dynasty had accomplished these things.

Road construction has always been extremely difficult.

After listening to Zhang Weichu's explanation, Fang Zelin gained a general understanding of the current state of the Great Qian.

Given the current situation, the Great Qian Dynasty has already achieved a great deal, which can be considered a success.

As long as Meng Jiuchuan doesn't do anything outrageous in the future, he will definitely be praised as a wise and benevolent ruler.

Does the current Great Qian Kingdom have any children?

The last time I saw Meng Jiuchuan, he didn't have children yet.

I wonder how many children they have in the past ten years.

"Of course, she did. I heard she gave birth to five princes and seven princesses."

Zhang Weichu answered immediately upon hearing this.

She had twelve children in ten years, which is not bad.

Fang Zelin had probably already made up his mind.

"It's already this late, Brother Zhang, why don't you stay for a meal?"

Since we already have Xiao Qin, it doesn't matter if we have Zhang Weichu as well.

Yingping Peak is rarely visited, but occasionally a few familiar faces come to liven things up, which is just right.

Upon hearing Zhang Weichu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, "Then I shall respectfully accept your offer!"

The cheerful response made Fang Zelin somewhat suspicious; perhaps that was what the other party had come for all along.

After telling Zhang Weichu to do as he pleased, Fang Zelin picked up firewood and started a fire to cook.

He was also chatting with Zhang Weichu about the current situation of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Having been out of the public eye for ten years, Fang Zelin was largely unaware of many things happening in the outside world.

Zhang Weichu was extremely talkative, and he spoke with Fang Zelin about the current situation of the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Brother Fang, do you know about the Northern Liang?"

After talking with Fang Zelin for a while, Zhang Weichu changed the subject and started talking about Northern Liang.

"Northern Liang?"

Fang Zelin frowned upon hearing this, and after a moment's thought, said, "I seem to have heard something about it, but I don't know much about it."

"The Northern Liang Dynasty is several times larger than the Great Qian. After the Great Qian subjugated the vassal states, it reopened the official road with the Northern Liang Dynasty, and it seems that it is preparing to establish friendly relations with the Northern Liang."

Zhang Weichu explained the specific situation of Northern Liang to Fang Zelin in detail.

Fang Zelin immediately became interested upon hearing this.

If I'm not mistaken, there should be cultivators in Northern Liang as well, right?

When Fang Zelin asked this question, Zhang Weichu immediately shook his head, as he wasn't entirely clear on the matter.

If he hadn't known Fang Zelin, he wouldn't have known so much.

Seeing that Zhang Weichu was unclear, Fang Zelin felt a surge of curiosity.

He was curious to know what the cultivators in Northern Liang were like.

"Brother Zhang, please continue."

Fang Zelin added a few more pieces of wood to make the fire burn brighter, then took a few eggs and picked some vegetables from the nearby vegetable garden.

"I've heard that the Northern Liang dynasty has existed for 180 years and is still strong and prosperous, with a powerful army and abundant resources."

"Furthermore, Northern Liang is several times larger than Great Qian, so some people are worried that if they engage in trade with Northern Liang, what will happen if Northern Liang decides to send troops to Great Qian?"

Um?

Fang Zelin was also taken aback when he heard this.

Northern Liang is sending troops to attack Great Qian?

For some rulers, expanding their territory was indeed a matter of course.

However, this could easily cause turmoil in the Human Race Karmic Fortune.

However, if it succeeds, it will make the Human Race Karmic Fortune even stronger and more cohesive.

It has both advantages and disadvantages.

However, as things stand, Fang Zelin believes that the current situation is the best.

If both sides send troops, there will be some twists and turns in the future.

"Last night, I observed the stars and saw no signs of war."

Fang Zelin thought about it carefully. The constellations hadn't changed much last night, except that the Purple Tetrarch Star, which he saw within the Great Qian territory, was much brighter than usual.

Judging from this celestial phenomenon, even if the two sides were to engage in warfare, the Great Qian should be unharmed.

However, such immense Human Race Karmic Fortune may dissipate.

Fang Zelin wasn't very knowledgeable about astrology and couldn't be entirely sure that the celestial phenomena he observed were accurate.

Looking back at Master Qianji, he should be able to discern something.

"If that's the case, then that would be for the best. The country is currently at peace and prosperous; we absolutely must not resort to force."

Zhang Weichu was very fond of the current Great Qian of the Great Qian Dynasty, and his previous subjugation of vassal states was understandable.

Those vassal states weren't exactly honest to begin with, and they would often cross mountains and valleys to plunder.

However, since there is no conflict with Northern Liang now, it is truly inappropriate to create trouble out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, this matter was beyond the jurisdiction of the underworld, and no Underworld Bureau were seen intervening.

He's just here to see if Fang Zelin has figured anything out.