https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-29-Fragment-of-the-Inner-Alchemy-Cultivation-Technique/13021581/
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Chapter 30: The Struggle Between the World and the Royal Family
Chapter 30: The Struggle Between the World and the Royal Family
This dossier also elaborated on someone's perspective.
Behind these rebellions were the shadows of sects and aristocratic families, and various churches worshipping evil gods have sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain, and most of these churches also have the backing of certain powers."
The reason for this was that the Martial Sage, who was invincible in the world, had not appeared for thirty years.
Some suspected that the Martial Sage had reached his limit and had already passed away, causing the entire Great Xia to enter a period of turmoil, and various powers began to harbor rebellious thoughts.
This person further proposed a viewpoint: once it was confirmed that the Martial Sage had passed away, the world might return to the era of warring states, and thus, the root of these rebellions was the struggle for military power.
It made the current court exhausted and unable to suppress the rebellions in time, never triggering the military power release regulations, allowing various forces to station troops in their respective territories, freely expand their armies, and also granting aristocratic families and sects the authority to recruit disciples and retainers.
With the relaxation of military power restrictions, various forces had sufficient strength to suppress local rebellions and idolatrous shrines.
Upon reading this, Jiang Ning finally understood.
Why did the Great Xia experience so many rebellions just last year?
This was clearly a struggle between the world and the royal family, not against the court.
The court was a regime formed by various powers.
The release of military power represented the common interests of all except the royal family.
Regardless of ambition, any power hoped to expand its strength, and with that strength, it could either pursue greater ambitions or seek shelter under the strong.
Jiang Ning also understood why the Patrol Bureau was established with lightning speed and why the Martial Sage was stationed there.
It was a strategy to force the royal family to release military power.
This strategy left the royal family with no choice but to release military power; otherwise, the rebellions and idolatrous shrines would not cease, and the court's power would be insufficient to suppress these rebellions, inevitably shaking the foundation of Great Xia and entering a turbulent era.
This struggle against the world's trend was not something the Martial Sage's personal presence could resolve for the establishment of the Patrol Bureau.
Once the Patrol Bureau was truly established, it would also be drawn into this world trend.
At this moment, Jiang Ning's mind was filled with countless thoughts.
He contemplated for dozens of breaths.
Huff—
Only then did Jiang Ning regain his breath.
"Do I have a choice?"
"The chaos I predicted is not about to come, but it's already here! If I don't join the Patrol Bureau, which power can I join?"
"The Patrol Bureau, at the very least, is a temporary haven. If you give me some time, I can rely on my martial arts to establish myself in Luoshui County."
"Now, I can only join the Patrol Bureau to give me this time."
"Moreover, only the Patrol Bureau can provide me with the fundamental method to advance my martial arts."
"Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. The Patrol Bureau is still the largest tree in this world for now, and it won't fall anytime soon! Great Xia, with over eight hundred years of history, won't fall so easily either!"
Amidst these thoughts, Jiang Ning put down the dossier and picked up another one that recorded intelligence about Luoshui County.
Since he was in Luoshui County and had come across this intelligence about the county, he couldn't help but read it.
After a quick glance at the dossier, Jiang Ning understood.
These two dossiers were probably sent by the Commander Wang from the city's garrison.
Because the intelligence recorded in these two dossiers was too detailed, apart from Commander Wang from the city's garrison, who else could provide such detailed information to Wang Jin?
In Luoshui County, it was no secret that Wang Jin and Commander Wang were blood relatives, and many people knew about it.
Commander Wang was very likely Wang Jin's younger brother.
The reason why Commander Wang could remain uninvolved in the power struggle in Luoshui County was not only because he commanded the hundred elite troops outside the city but also because he controlled the entire county's defense forces, which numbered over five hundred.
With the hundred elite troops and the additional five hundred-plus defense forces, his power in Luoshui County was no weaker than that of the County Governor or the local tyrants led by the three major families.
The County Governor, in charge of the County Sheriff and County Clerk, had integrated military and political power in Luoshui County, commanding over seven hundred constables, patrol chiefs, and civil servants.
Among the information Jiang Ning was aware of, the deciding factor was County Governor Wang himself, as his older brother had vaguely learned about this earlier.
Aside from these two factions, there were also the local tyrants led by the three influential families of Cao, Liu, and Xie.
However, this force was complex and intertwined, and Jiang Ning didn't know much about it, only that no one in Luo Shui County could escape the influence of these three families.
Afterwards, Jiang Ning carefully flipped through the dossier related to Luo Shui County.
The dossier was thick and had considerable weight in his hands.
Before he knew it, the crescent moon hanging in the night sky had gradually set towards the east.
[His experience points for Calligraphy and Literacy increased by 48 points after reading this book.]
[Skill]: Calligraphy and Literacy (196/2000 for breaking through the limit) (Special Ability: Photographic Memory)
Jiang Ning turned to the last page of the dossier, slowly withdrew his gaze, and saw the prompt in front of him.
"It took about three hours to increase 48 experience points. The efficiency of gaining experience points from reading tonight is higher, and there must be a rule to it, but this rule is not easy to understand."
A thought flashed through Jiang Ning's mind, and he shook his head.
Then, he closed the dossier and put it back in its original place.
The correct version is available on 69 Book Bar, the first release of this novel.
"This dossier records the major factions and experts in Luo Shui County in such detail. It's indeed the work of Commander Wang, who sent someone to deliver it. If not for his status, who else would have the ability to secretly investigate Luo Shui County so thoroughly?"
"Even Xu Yunfeng is mentioned in the records! This person is only one step away from achieving Martial Dao Entry Rank, which is somewhat unexpected!"
Jiang Ning's eyes wandered, and he fell into deep thought.
"According to the dossier, the various factions have long been aware of the establishment of the Patrol Bureau."
"However, it's only natural that they would know, even Wang Jin is aware of it. The complex and intertwined factions wouldn't be unaware of it."
"The end of the dossier also advises Wang Jin to actively cooperate with the establishment of the Patrol Bureau. Although the Patrol Bureau is dangerous, it also presents an opportunity."
"It says that the Patrol Bureau represents the will of the Martial Sage, who has not appeared in thirty years but is likely still alive and may emerge soon."
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but mutter to himself.
If that's the case, joining the Patrol Bureau would be a good choice.
The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for me.
He then thought of the two people mentioned in the dossier.
Jiang Ning rubbed his forehead, deep in thought.
"Cao Bin and Xu Yunfeng."
"Why is Xu Yunfeng targeting my brother? There must be some benefit involved, but what exactly is it? My brother is insignificant, just an unranked County Sheriff. Does he really have that much influence on the County Governor?"
"Is Cao Bin doing this to satisfy his own desires? Did he choose my brother for a reason?"
"Is Xu Yunfeng working so hard on this matter because of the upcoming establishment of the Patrol Bureau?"
"If that's the case, then this matter is still solvable, and I only need to face the pressure from Cao Bin and Xu Yunfeng."
After pondering for a long time, Jiang Ning shook his head.
Forget it!
There are too few clues, and I won't consider this matter for now.
My current priority is to achieve Martial Dao Entry Rank within three months, which will allow me to join the Patrol Bureau.
The Patrol Bureau is overseen by the only Martial Sage in Great Xia. If he's still alive, that would be the greatest backing in the world.
Since the Martial Sage is personally in charge, it proves the importance of the Patrol Bureau.
Joining the Patrol Bureau would be like leaping over the dragon gate for me, and I must seize this opportunity!
Not only will my status increase, but I'll also have access to numerous techniques, secret arts, and rare herbs.
As for sects, which sect has the backing of the Great Xia dynasty?
With the status of the Patrol Bureau, all crises will be resolved.
With the resources of the Patrol Bureau, I'll be able to continuously grow.
This is a multiple-gain situation.
(End of Chapter)
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