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Chapter 504: Recent Affairs in the Capital
Chapter 504: Recent Affairs in the Capital
November 28th, 2024
A Change in the Imperial Court?
When Su Chen heard these words, he was still somewhat surprised.
"Brother, are you sure it's appropriate to talk like that?" Su Chen feigned a worried expression.
After all, speaking about the imperial court in such a manner would make any ordinary person feel anxious and fearful.
Seeing Su Chen's expression, the men beside him burst into laughter again.
"Don't worry, the Great Zhou imperial court has indeed undergone a change, and everyone in the capital knows about it. Moreover, the current ruler has no intention of silencing people regarding this matter."
As they conversed, Su Chen gradually understood the meaning behind this 'change'.
On the surface, there seemed to be no significant alterations within the imperial court.
The Great Zhou imperial family still existed, and they retained their noble status as royalty.
However, in the current Great Zhou court, political affairs were no longer decided by the imperial family.
They could still enjoy some of the privileges and prestige that came with royal authority.
But when it came to the future of the entire Zhou Kingdom, the imperial family's influence had diminished.
In the present court, the Chancellor held the real power.
In other words, at this moment, the Chancellor's authority surpassed that of the Emperor.
Furthermore, from now on, the Chancellor of the imperial court would be determined by the twelve most powerful sects within the Great Zhou Kingdom.
To put it bluntly, the Great Zhou Kingdom had effectively pushed the imperial family out of the inner circle.
This was the backlash the imperial family faced due to their previous actions.
They had colluded with the Wulan Manor to strike at other sects but failed in their attempt.
Now, with so many sects in the Great Zhou Kingdom, they couldn't afford to be embarrassed.
After witnessing the imperial family's tactics, these sects seized the opportunity to take action.
Today, the interests once held by the Great Zhou imperial family had been thoroughly cleaned out.
"In the capital now, the tax collection has been significantly reduced. Look at these businessmen; there are so many more than before. The shops and properties in the capital have increased in value. Those who bought additional properties beforehand are now reaping huge profits."
Su Chen could also clearly feel that the place had become livelier.
Apparently, due to the decline of the Great Zhou imperial family, the taxes that once belonged to them had been waived.
The various sects might not have had the best intentions, and their initial motivation might not have been for the benefit of the common people.
But this reduction in capital taxes was not something these sects could easily collect.
If the taxes weren't lowered, there was a risk of them falling back into the hands of the imperial family.
It was better to waive them directly, gaining the approval of the capital's citizens and eliminating potential dangers.
Hearing this, Su Chen understood why these men were all smiles when discussing this matter.
The current situation was undoubtedly favorable for the capital's citizens.
After all, the common people didn't care who held power.
Whoever could provide them with a better life would earn their support.
"If you wanted to do business in the capital before, I would have advised you to think carefully. But now, I believe you can come directly. With the Great Zhou imperial family no longer interfering, there are fewer restrictions, and business is much easier to conduct. By the way, what kind of business are you in?"
The men grew more enthusiastic as they spoke, and they were eager to offer Su Chen some advice.
"I'm just reselling some elixirs to make a small profit," Su Chen replied with a smile.
Upon hearing that he was selling elixirs, the men's gazes towards Su Chen became even more respectful.
Ordinary elixirs might not be rare for cultivators.
But for commoners, it was a business they had no right to touch.
Elixir families were so prestigious that even many cultivators lacked the qualifications to associate with them.
For ordinary people to have access to such elixirs was indeed extraordinary.
From the moment Su Chen mentioned his elixir business, these men had already placed him in a position of prestige.
Even if Su Chen hadn't said anything, they were already imagining various possibilities in their minds.
After asking these questions, Su Chen inquired further about the Wulan Manor.
The Great Zhou imperial family's downfall was directly linked to their entanglement with the Wulan Manor.
The Wulan Manor had sent people to the capital to search for Su Chen's family, and this news had spread among the capital's citizens.
The search had caused quite a stir, and such an extensive investigation had never happened before.
"They haven't openly come to the capital, and what's there to find in the capital anyway? The family members they're looking for are probably hiding in some secret place, deep in the mountains, living in self-sufficiency. Our Great Zhou Kingdom is vast; if they have the ability, they can go and find them. Maybe they'll succeed in the next life."
"In the past two years, only those dreaming of instant success are still searching for others. They claim that if they find them, they can join the Wulan Manor in the Jin State."
It did sound rather good.
But it was only good in theory, who knew what the reality was like?
Perhaps the conditions were fulfilled, but the other party might not be willing to grant the reward.
The few old men before him seemed to have some opinions about the Jin State's power.
"I think that even if you have insufficient abilities, what's the point of going to a major sect?"
"Take the Chen family's son over there in the west alley, he spent money to enter the Yunyang Sect."
"Even if you go to a major sect, you'll still be a peripheral disciple."
"You won't be able to come into contact with anything useful."
Su Chen listened to their discussion and merely smiled, occasionally nodding.
Ordinary folks often lived very straightforward lives.
Going to the Wulan Manor, without talent, one would still be a peripheral disciple, there was no doubt about it.
After having some food, Su Chen found an excuse to leave.
He then proceeded with caution towards the house where Mother and Younger Sister lived.
With his current appearance, even if they met, Mother and Younger Sister probably wouldn't recognize him.
He walked towards that direction.
His heart was filled with apprehension.
To ensure their safety, he hadn't contacted Mother and Younger Sister for so long.
He hadn't even written a letter.
He didn't know how they were doing.
As he walked through a marketplace, Su Chen finally relaxed.
The worry and anxiety on his face were replaced by a sense of relief.
Mother and Younger Sister were still selling fabric in the marketplace.
From the perspective of staying hidden, this was a very good method.
By blending into the local lifestyle, even the most skilled spies would struggle to find any issues.
Su Chen sat down at a nearby teahouse and ordered a cup of tea.
He watched Mother and Younger Sister busying themselves.
Occasionally, the neighboring shopkeepers would crack a joke.
The smiles on their faces finally made Su Chen feel a little better.
At least they weren't living in constant melancholy because of him.
Around noon, the bustling market was almost over.
Mother and Younger Sister began packing up, with a little fabric left unsold.
But business was already quite good.
Before heading home, Mother bought some roasted meat, which seemed to be duck.
Mother had become familiar with the capital city.
Finally, she wasn't as reluctant to spend money as she had been in Jiang'an City.
The lives of commoners were less eventful but more comfortable and leisurely.
In this world, with the existence of cultivation methods, human strength had improved significantly.
Ordinary people here could also access many body-strengthening cultivation techniques.
Though they couldn't reach the level of cultivation.
With enhanced physical strength, many tasks became easier.
For example, in farming, a cultivator could do the work of three or four ordinary farmers.
After traveling through the Zhou Kingdom and Jin State, Su Chen also had this distinct feeling.
If not for the existence of demonic beings, the people here could live very comfortably.
With the demonic beings, a few farming households could handle it.
Farming here wasn't that difficult.
As the words fell, sounds could be heard from within the room.
In just a moment, both Mother and Younger Sister rushed over anxiously to open the door.
Neither of them had undergone cultivation training, and their eyesight wasn't particularly sharp.
It was hard to see clearly in the night.
But they could still make out Su Chen's figure and identify him at a glance.
Younger Sister immediately threw herself into Su Chen's arms, a little excited.
"Brother, why did you take so long to come back? Mother and I were worried sick."
There was a hint of reproach in Younger Sister's words.
After such a long time without any news, not seeing him and not receiving any letters, it would be strange if his family wasn't worried.
In the past, when he was at Yunyang Sect, he would at least send letters home every month.
"I encountered some problems and thought it would be safer for me to stay away. It's actually safer for you this way."
Su Chen patted Younger Sister's head, his words carrying a hint of apology.
Mother lit a lamp nearby and invited Su Chen to sit down inside the room.
Seeing Su Chen now, Mother couldn't help but feel a little saddened.
"Little Chen, are you tired from being outside?"
Hearing this, Su Chen smiled and shook his head.
"I'm not tired. It's just that traveling takes some energy, but other than that, there's nothing else."
The three of them sat in the room.
Mother and Younger Sister asked questions, and Su Chen answered them.
Most of their questions were about what Su Chen had experienced during this time.
Su Chen chose to talk about some less dangerous events.
Moreover, he focused on his gains, and if possible, he tried to omit the details of the process.
With Su Chen's skillful storytelling, the two of them listened to his experiences without adding any more worries.
Regardless, Su Chen had safely returned and stood before them.
As long as everything was peaceful, that was all that mattered.
"During this time, did you and Younger Sister encounter any troubles?"
After finishing his story, Su Chen shifted the topic to Mother and Younger Sister.
Being outsiders in the capital, they must have faced some difficulties along the way.
They seemed fine now, but there were surely many challenges on their journey.
However, Mother waved her hand and smiled calmly.
"We're living in the capital of Great Zhou now, what troubles could we possibly have?
You're not in Great Zhou, so you don't know how much it has changed.
The capital has undergone tremendous changes in the past year or two. The price of our courtyard has been skyrocketing.
The price of a small courtyard now can buy two of them from before."
Su Chen looked at Mother as she spoke excitedly and smiled as well.
For commoners, this asset appreciation was indeed a great joy.
"With such a big increase, is Mother planning to sell the courtyard and move to another place?"
"You're right, Little Chen. I've been thinking about it.
If I wasn't worried that you wouldn't know where to find us, your sister and I would definitely move to another place.
With the price of this courtyard, it's a waste for your sister and me to live here."
Hearing Mother's words, Su Chen shook his head repeatedly.
"How could it be a waste for you and Younger Sister to live in a courtyard like this?
In my opinion, you should live in an even better and bigger courtyard to match your status."
Meanwhile, Younger Sister wasn't too concerned about these matters.
She found an opportunity to speak and asked about Su Chen's strength first.
"Recently, I advanced to the Fifth Stage Intermediate Realm. Within two or three years, I should be able to enter the Transformation Realm."
Su Chen had no intention of hiding anything from his family.
He directly stated his current cultivation level.
Mother and Younger Sister didn't know much about the Martial Path, but they had heard a lot about it.
Warriors were the upper echelon of this world, and their power stemmed from their formidable martial prowess.
In the commoners' discussions, there was bound to be talk about the upper echelon.
"If you're at the Fifth Stage Intermediate Realm, then aren't you even stronger than the top expert in Jiang'an City?
Brother, your strength even surpasses that of the City Lord of Jiang'an!"
Upon hearing Su Chen's reply, Younger Sister was genuinely shocked and stood up in surprise.
She was truly startled.
"Keep your voice down. Is it worth being so surprised?"
Su Chen said with a smile as he pulled Younger Sister back to sit on the stool.
"With your current strength, shouldn't we be able to restore our identities? A Fifth Stage cultivator can even become a City Lord.
What about those enemies? Have you dealt with them?"
Hearing this, Su Chen could only shake his head with a hint of helplessness.
"Not yet. Fifth Stage strength is far from enough to deal with those enemies.
The enemy I provoked is a peak Transformation Realm expert.
I need to enter the Transformation Realm and find a stable and powerful backing before I can consider it mostly resolved.
Of course, the best outcome would be for her to die."
(End of Chapter)
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