Southern Shaolin's Red-Blooded Loyalty

Throughout history, establishing a personal identity has always been the first step in paving the way for collaboration.

Because sometimes, it's inconvenient to reveal the real reasons behind one's actions.

For example, when Chu Tianshu came to the Southern Shaolin, his original intention was to integrate the Southern Shaolin's power, use it as a foundation to leverage various forces, and strengthen the temple so that he could thoroughly defeat the surrounding Japanese pirates and bandits.

What's the reason?

Because after he came into this world, he looked around and found nothing that pleased him.

It's perfectly normal to want to change things if you don't like them.

Moreover, he also wanted to secure his Fortune and accumulate experience to build up his influence in his hometown.

But these real reasons are not suitable to be told to the abbot of the Southern Shaolin Temple.

A master of unknown origin is unlikely to succeed unless he is powerful enough to control the entire Shaolin, forcing them to rely on him.

Otherwise, the driving force that can be implemented at the lower levels of Shaolin will become very weak.

Give them a grand expectation, but also a tangible hope, to motivate them.

Fortunately, when you're traveling, you give yourself your own identity.

Regardless of its credibility, the claim of being a successor to the strategist Zongheng military strategist) at least creates a preconceived notion.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of someone who is a descendant of the School of Zongheng is the School of Zongheng.

Historically, Zongheng were those who specialized in cultivating power amidst the chaos of the world, stirring up trouble and seeking fame and fortune in the process.

Su Qin served Duke Wen of Yan and used the strategy of alliances to ensure the stable development of the State of Yan. He also helped State of Yan regain lost territory, laying the foundation for State of Yan's later expansion into Liaodong.

Zhang Yi's appointment as Prime Minister of Qin made Qin even stronger, which goes without saying.

Those who were assisted by the disciples of the Zongheng all escaped their predicaments and gained enormous benefits.

Upon hearing this, Miaofan did indeed think of the School of Zongheng, but he also instinctively felt somewhat skeptical.

After all, the last time the Zongheng shone brightly was a long time ago.

But he couldn't help feeling a little tempted.

This is because the Southern Shaolin Temple has long been in dire straits.

Namo Amitabha Buddha.

Miaofan used this Buddhist chant to calm his mind, "In this day and age, there are still people who can Zongheng of the School of Diplomacy; it's hard to believe it entirely."

"Furthermore, if he is a descendant of the Zongheng, why doesn't he serve in the imperial court and instead set his sights on our martial arts world?"

Chu Tianshu didn't take it to heart and laughed, "Dynastic systems have changed many times. With the current court structure, how much room for maneuver can the successors of the Zongheng faction have?"

"Moreover, with the Ming Great Ming corrupt and decadent, various forces in the martial arts world and among the common people are actively growing stronger."

"I observe that the martial arts world today is thriving, attracting talent without being bound by convention, and is full of vitality with great potential."

"Who knows if those who will rule the world in the future will not originate from the people of the martial arts world today?"

Chu Tianshu spoke calmly and deliberately, but his tone softened towards the end.

"Of course, with the world so vast, it's not something that can be easily plotted against."

"I came to the Southern Shaolin Southern Shaolin only to help them escape their predicament and establish themselves as a powerful force in the region before discussing the future."

Miaofan remained silent, lost in thought.

Chu Tianshu knew that the other party was already taking the bait.

With a label of identity, the other person will fill in the gaps in their impression of you, and the more they fill in the gaps, the deeper the impression becomes.

When the time comes, demonstrating strength and intervening in specific matters will no longer be merely a matter of military coercion.

Instead, it was "truly the demeanor of a successor to the Zongheng," and "I have actually received the strong support of the School of Zongheng!"

This yearning for the achievements of the ancients, this sentiment that has been exaggerated and embellished in the legends passed down through generations, is sometimes unimportant, and sometimes very important.

"Southern Shaolin is indeed in a critical situation."

After a long silence, Miaofan spoke again, acknowledging the matter.

The Southern Shaolin has grown rapidly in recent years, naturally making many enemies, especially its lay disciples who run businesses outside the temple, inevitably leading to conflicts with other gangs and sects.

When the dynasty had just changed, everything was in ruins and everyone still had room to develop. Most of them had connections in the government and had to be mindful of the impact, so they tried to fight without breaking apart.

However, in recent years, the Ming court's control has weakened, and the Japanese pirates have given too many people an excuse to act. When many gangs start to operate, they no longer follow the rules.

Moreover, the power of all parties is expanding, and the room for maneuver has been completely eroded. The disputes between them are about to reach an irreconcilable level.

Fortunately, the Southern Shaolin had enemies with other sects, and these other sects also had their own grudges, so the situation was still manageable.

Until the leaders of the Wokou pirates at sea began selling Japanese swords to various coastal gangs that also engaged in piracy.

Flowing Cloud Manor then sold the curved swords from beyond the pass to the southeast.

The situation changed suddenly, highlighting the Southern Shaolin.

Why is it that each faction doesn't have enough weapons? Some factions' workshops can't produce enough, and some don't even have mining or iron smelting industries.

Ironically, the Southern Shaolin is not only self-sufficient but also sells its products in large quantities to other regions.

If the Southern Shaolin were merely a workshop specializing in weapons, lacking excellence in food, clothing, medicine, and martial arts, and dependent on external resources, it would be inadequate.

Then everyone can tolerate it.

However, upon closer examination, it was discovered that the Southern Shaolin had also done quite well in these areas.

Who could tolerate this?

It can be said that the Japanese pirates along the coast were already eager to make a move, waiting for an opportunity to reach a consensus and tear the fat ox, the Southern Shaolin, to pieces and devour it alive.

Meanwhile, in the Central Plains, Flowing Cloud Manor was also eyeing the situation covetously.

"Many discerning people can see the current crisis facing the Southern Shaolin, and some have kindly reminded me that I was merely saving face and unwilling to easily reveal my true feelings to you."

Miaofan said regretfully, "However, our Southern Shaolin Temple never imagined that the situation would evolve to this point..."

The previous abbot's idea was that while the Southern Shaolin managed these businesses well, it could also bribe officials of various dynasties and even offer them to the imperial court, thus maintaining a good relationship with the court.

As a result, while the Southern Shaolin's assets continued to increase, they also continued to decrease.

The overall size will not attract much attention, while the connections and resources will become increasingly solid.

Who knew that after Zhu Yuanzhang died, the Jingnan Campaign would occur, and after Emperor Renxuan died, the Tumu Crisis would happen, and the emperor who was captured by foreign tribes would be able to return and ascend the throne again.

The changes in the political landscape are far too disruptive.

In recent decades, the Southern Shaolin has not dared to make any rash bets, quietly cultivating its influence in the martial arts world.

Since the sect's revival, the established tone has been excellent, with lay disciples being both united and capable.

Miaofan and his generation also thought this was good when they were young, and even felt that the older generation was always nagging and admonishing them, which was a bit too cautious.

When he became the abbot and head monk, and took stock of the whole situation, he suddenly realized just how much wealth the Southern Shaolin Temple had accumulated.

Once things cross a certain line, trying to relinquish assets or cultivate relationships will not be accepted by insiders, nor will it be trusted by outsiders.

Without thoroughly purging the original top leadership, who would dare accept the Southern Shaolin's gifts?

Even if the imperial court were to look at it, they would only think that the Southern Shaolin is now a group of people with ulterior motives.

If the previous abbot had secretly revealed his true feelings, he would probably have said...

Our Southern Shaolin once had at least half of its members with unwavering loyalty, as heaven and earth can attest. It's just a pity that the Great Ming was so disappointing!

In fact, the previous abbot was still more of a charlatan. Being able to run such a good business mostly relied on talent, not the professional training he received since childhood.

Otherwise, he would know that in history, it is not uncommon for certain forces in the private sector to be unable to stop their own progress due to changes in the times.

For example, the Quanzhen Sect flourished in the early Yuan Dynasty and could not stop its progress, but was later severely suppressed by the Yuan Dynasty emperors.

There were also wealthy merchants who grew so powerful that they couldn't stop their momentum and were ultimately killed by others.

"In my opinion, the biggest problem for the Southern Shaolin right now is not its inability to defend itself, but rather that you, the leaders, are indecisive and too weak."

Chu Tianshu bluntly asked, "Abbot, why don't you dare to actually fight them with swords and spears?"

Miaofan was taken aback and said, "If we attack them first, wouldn't that give them an excuse?"

"Are you just going to sit idly by and wait for them to conspire and bring about a catastrophic disaster for the Southern Shaolin?"

Chu Tianshu said calmly, "On that day, I imagine the air will be filled with the sounds of battle."

"Blood stained the Great Buddha Hall, and fire burned down the Southern Shaolin, like red lotuses blooming in the mountains—it must have been a magnificent sight."

He slowed his pace and said sincerely, "The fact that large quantities of curved swords and Japanese swords have flowed into the Southeast indicates that they will inevitably take action against the Southern Shaolin Temple."

"Your preemptive strike, displaying momentum and power, will not only bring about a transformation for the Southern Shaolin itself, but will also make many who only see the sweetness but not the dagger reconsider."

Abbot Miaofan pondered for a moment and said, "What insightful opinions do you have, benefactor? Please share them."

"Flowing Cloud Manor is, after all, Central Plains gang. Although it has a bad reputation, provoking them first will easily be seen by the public as a martial arts dispute."

As Chu Tianshu spoke, his eyes lit up, he raised a finger, and his voice was strong and clear.

"Therefore, the first priority is to defeat the Japanese pirates!!"

"Although some of the Japanese pirates were actually fake pirates who were originally merchants and fishermen, they roamed around and wreaked havoc, harming countless people. The crimes of the real Japanese pirates need not be elaborated upon."

"Killing the Japanese pirates is a righteous cause, the best opportunity to change the fortunes of the Southern Shaolin Temple, and it will also be beneficial for recruiting local militia, expanding our disciples, and strengthening our faction in the future."

Abbot Miaofan hesitated and said, "Among the Japanese pirates, there is a top leader named Chen Zuqi, who calls himself the Heavenly King Grand Marshal. He has over ten thousand men under his command, as well as more than a thousand genuine Japanese pirates, all of whom are brave and skilled in battle."

"Disciples of the Southern Shaolin Temple might not be afraid to fight other Japanese pirates, or even this group of ruthless bandits under his command."

But he himself is the biggest problem.

Many prominent leaders among the Japanese pirates were originally wealthy maritime merchants who already possessed considerable wealth.

Chen Zuqi was initially just a lowly disciple of a gang on the coast.

He was able to become the most powerful Heavenly King Grand Marshal among the Japanese pirates because of his outstanding talent, superb martial arts skills, and ever-increasing skill, which brought him immense prestige through his martial prowess.

In the early years, during several major battles between the Japanese pirates and the government troops, he was always the first to charge into the city.

In the martial arts world of Southeast China, there were originally several families with a strong sense of pride and confidence in their superior martial arts skills. Even when they encountered large numbers of pirates, they were able to fight them off and achieve considerable success. They declared that they would specialize in killing Japanese pirates.

Chen Zuqi made several trips, traveling light and with few followers, and slaughtered almost all the masters from these sects.

He had become the highest authority in the hearts of the Japanese pirates, revered like a god.

The Southern Shaolin had considered taking action against the Japanese pirates, but the thought of this man leading his personal guards in such an attack made them uneasy.

If this person is angered and disregards the risks, actually attacking the Southern Shaolin Temple, the Southern Shaolin might fall even sooner.

Miaofan even considered inviting several true masters from Mount Song Shaolin to come and help.

But such an invitation is never a long-term solution.

Moreover, the Mount Song Shaolin is located in the Central Plains, and the largest gang in the Central Plains right now is the Flowing Cloud Manor.

The Southern Shaolin doesn't have many spineless individuals.

However, the power of people like Chen Zuqi and Flowing Cloud Manor Master was too great, forcing them to think twice.

"I've heard that among the senior monks of the Miao generation at the Southern Shaolin Temple, four are top-tier martial arts masters."

Chu Tianshu asked, "If the four of you joined forces against Chen Zuqi, what would the outcome be?"

Miaofan smiled wryly, "With the lives of the four of us, we should be able to inflict some injuries on him."

Chu Tianshu asked, "What if there are five members in the 'Miao' generation?"

Miaofan stared at him and said, "Does the benefactor have such confidence in his own martial arts skills?"

"What if there are six talented people?"

Chu Tianshu continued, "If we add two more Miaofan, in addition to the four masters, would that make Chen Zuqi back down after the fight?"

Miaofan's heart was greatly moved.

There were other skilled fighters among the pirates, but the Southern Shaolin wasn't just comprised of those four old monks.

If we can truly contend with Chen Zuqi, there are many things we might as well try.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Miaofan solemnly asked, "When you say 'add two more old monks,' do you mean you and your fellow disciples, or...?"

Chu Tianshu chuckled softly, turning his gaze back to the boulder.

"Master, if two Miaofan were to fight you, how many moves would it take them to defeat you?"

(End of this chapter)