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Chapter 539: Political Warfare

"The city lords have too much power! Each has too many private soldiers," Lin Xiao immediately pinpointed the key issue.

"Correct. The city lords have too much power. That's the first point. And what about the imperial family?" Zhong Shan continued to question Lin Xiao.

"The emperor is old and nearing the end of his life. Rumor has it he has less than five years left," Lin Xiao thought for a moment and replied.

"Five years? No, at most six months. The emperor will die," Zhong Shan said with absolute certainty.

"What? How can you be so sure?" Lin Xiao asked in surprise.

"The rumor is that he has less than five years, but two years ago, the emperor sparred with a master in an attempt to make a final breakthrough to extend his lifespan. The emperor won, and his opponent was severely injured. But would someone used by the emperor as a stepping stone be that weak? The emperor didn't break through; was he really unharmed?" Zhong Shan smiled.

"The emperor was also severely injured!" Lin Xiao immediately understood.

"Exactly. Severely injured, and with his lifespan nearing its end, he is bound to die sooner than expected. Why do I say he has only six months left? Because I became the lord of Changcheng," Zhong Shan said seriously.

"The previous lord of Changcheng was a formidable figure. Knowing he was near death, the emperor had to replace city lords with rebellious tendencies to pave the way for his successor. Even if the new lords have rebellious hearts, their shallow roots make them less of a threat, especially someone like you, without any connections, making you the easiest choice for a new city lord," Lin Xiao quickly explained.

"Correct. Within a year, the Great Xian Dynasty will fall into chaos," Zhong Shan predicted with certainty.

"Why?" Xianxian immediately asked from the side.

Yes, why? In the vast land of Shenzhou, there are many instances of fathers dying and sons inheriting the throne. Why was Zhong Shan so sure?

Lin Xiao seemed to understand Zhong Shan's reasoning.

"Because the crown prince is weak," Lin Xiao immediately concluded.

"Yes, the crown prince is weak. According to our information, the crown prince is only thirteen years old, with ordinary intelligence. How can a young tiger tame a pack of wolves?" Zhong Shan smiled.

"What should we do then?" Lin Xiao asked.

"The Great Xian Dynasty will soon be in turmoil. You need to quickly train a strong army to prepare for the upcoming battles," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao responded immediately.

Six months later.

The military strength of Changcheng had increased significantly. With the endless spirit stones Zhong Shan had brought from the Yang Realm, the size of the army had multiplied, quickly reaching the level of the former city lord's power, something the current emperor could never have anticipated.

"Your Majesty, just as you predicted, the Great Xian Emperor has died. The entire nation is in mourning!" Lin Xiao rushed into the hall where Zhong Shan was, full of excitement.

"Remember, for now, refer to me as the city lord!" Zhong Shan immediately emphasized.

"Yes, City Lord. The old emperor has died, and the throne has passed to the crown prince, An Jianyuan," Lin Xiao reported.

"An Jianyuan? Ascending to the throne at a young age, with such a turbulent background," Zhong Shan sighed.

"City Lord, what should we do now?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Watch and wait."

"Watch and wait?" Lin Xiao frowned.

"Indeed, besides us, there are many eyes on the imperial capital, Xiancheng. Most city lords are watching An Jianyuan closely. For now, the Great Xian Dynasty still stands, so no one has made a move yet," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"They want the Imperial Seal from An Jianyuan?" Lin Xiao frowned.

"Correct. The old emperor's death left An Jianyuan to take over the Great Xian Dynasty. However, the dynasty's fortune now has two anchors: one is An Jianyuan, and the other is the Imperial Seal. Until An Jianyuan fully refines the Imperial Seal, he cannot completely control the fortune. The Imperial Seal is what the city lords covet the most," Zhong Shan explained.

"Someone will try to seize it?" Lin Xiao pondered.

"Yes, it's just a matter of who will make the first move," Zhong Shan smiled.

As expected, over time, numerous reports came from Xiancheng.

Finally, one city lord made the first move.

Luo Ye, the lord of Baiji City, led his troops into the imperial capital, Xiancheng, defying the heavens to seize the Imperial Seal. He massacred countless loyal officials who dared to resist.

From the capital, numerous distress signals were sent out, calling on the city lords to come to the emperor's aid.

Naturally, Zhong Shan led his troops there.

Over the past six months, Lin Xiao had done an excellent job, training an army of 800,000.

"Zhong Shan, how many city lords do you think will come?" Xianxian asked on the way.

"How many? All of them. Not a single one will be absent," Zhong Shan confidently replied.

"All the city lords are coming to aid the emperor? Then Luo Ye, the traitor, is doomed," Xianxian frowned.

"Aid the emperor? Haha, no, most of them are coming for the Imperial Seal in Luo Ye's hands," Zhong Shan said with certainty.

Thirty city lords set up camp at a strategic location outside the imperial capital, Xiancheng, for a grand alliance.

"Lin Xiao, you go and attend the alliance on my behalf. I'll stay here. Pay attention to the city lords; note which ones have talent and which ones are incompetent," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao responded immediately.

Zhong Shan stayed with Xianxian while Lin Xiao went to the alliance.

After the alliance, the next step was the siege.

Luo Ye was strong, but he was just a city lord with limited troops. Even with most of the city lords being passive, they could gradually wear him down.

Luo Ye didn't kill the young emperor because if the young emperor died, the dynasty's fortune would dissipate, rendering the Imperial Seal useless.

The war lasted nearly six months.

Eventually, Luo Ye could no longer hold out. In a fit of rage, he destroyed the palace and fled the capital with the young emperor and his army, heading to his stronghold in Baiji City.

As Luo Ye fled, the twenty-nine city lords all gave chase.

"City lord, should we pursue them?" Lin Xiao quickly asked.

"No, we will enter the imperial capital!" Zhong Shan smiled.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao immediately assembled the troops.

"Sha Po!" Zhong Shan called.

"At your service!" Sha Po responded promptly.

"You will go alone to rescue the young emperor, An Jianyuan, and bring him to our Changcheng. Ensure that no one else is harmed!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Uh? Not to kill Luo Ye?" Sha Po was surprised.

"Don't kill him. It's best if you can take the young emperor away without anyone noticing," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes, sir!" Sha Po responded.

Zhong Shan entered Xiancheng, the imperial capital. Out of the thirty city lords, only Zhong Shan entered the capital.

Inside the imperial capital, everyone was on edge. Luo Ye's earlier brutality had killed many.

Zhong Shan headed straight for the ruins of the imperial palace. He sent Lin Xiao to gather the remaining officials while he gazed at the sky.

The once dense fortune of the dynasty had faded significantly.

Before long, the surviving court officials were brought to him.

"Lord Zhong, spare us! We didn't do anything!" an elderly official pleaded in terror.

The other officials echoed his sentiment, trembling slightly.

"Fellow colleagues, don't be alarmed. Like you, I have a heart loyal to the Great Xian Dynasty. The dynasty has given us everything, and we must repay it. Now, the treacherous Luo Ye has fled with the emperor, and I fear he might return," Zhong Shan said.

"Return? Will that traitor come back?" a timid official asked worriedly.

"Everyone, follow me to a safer place. Once His Majesty is rescued, we can serve the Great Xian Dynasty again," Zhong Shan quickly suggested.

"Lord Zhong..." one official began to speak.

"Guards, go to these officials' homes and gather their belongings. We will take them to Changcheng for refuge," Zhong Shan commanded, not giving the officials a chance to object.

Thus, the surviving court officials were coerced into being taken to Changcheng by Zhong Shan.

While all the other city lords were chasing Luo Ye to Baiji City, they discovered the emperor was missing.

The emperor was missing?

Some city lords stopped pursuing Luo Ye and searched for the emperor, but the majority surrounded Baiji City, aiming to eliminate the national traitor and, more importantly, seize the Imperial Seal.

In their eyes, the Imperial Seal was more valuable than the emperor. With the seal, they could extract fortune and establish their own kingdoms. What could they do with the emperor? Bow to him daily?

While the world was besieging Baiji City, Zhong Shan had already relocated the young emperor and the court officials to Changcheng, his territory.

In Changcheng, he quickly built a new imperial palace and issued an edict to the world.

"Traitor Luo Ye has stolen the Imperial Seal and destroyed the imperial capital, Xiancheng. His crimes are unforgivable, and he must be executed by all. The capital is now relocated to Changcheng. All city lords are ordered to attack the traitor and reclaim the seal to restore order! Zhong Shan, who rescued the emperor in this crisis, is appointed Grand General and commander of the three armies."

The edict, issued in the emperor's name but written by Zhong Shan, spread throughout the land, reaching the hands of all city lords. They realized the world had suddenly changed.

Without the Imperial Seal, the emperor remained the emperor. A new seal could be made, but without the emperor, the fortune tied to the seal would slowly dissipate. This chaotic battle had allowed Zhong Shan to gain a significant advantage.

With the court now in Changcheng, it was effectively under Zhong Shan's control.

Although many city lords still desired the Imperial Seal, Zhong Shan's actions left them feeling as if they had swallowed a bitter pill.

"Your Majesty, this strategy of 'holding the emperor to command the vassals' is truly brilliant! Without shedding blood, we have gained the greatest advantage in the Great Xian Dynasty," Lin Xiao marveled.

"Since you captured the young emperor, why do you still bow to him daily?" Xianxian frowned.

"It's a matter of propriety and to silence any critics. We are 'serving' the emperor, not 'holding' him hostage," Lin Xiao explained with a smile.

"Exactly, a single word makes all the difference. While most city lords understand the reality, they have no way to oppose it," Zhong Shan said.

"But won't most city lords know? Won't they rebel? What if they refuse to acknowledge the 'emperor's' edict?" Xianxian asked.

"They wouldn't dare. Even though other dynasties are far away, if everyone refuses to recognize the 'emperor's' edict, the Great Xian Dynasty would effectively disappear. At that point, other dynasties would send troops here," Zhong Shan replied confidently.

"What if only a few refuse to acknowledge the 'emperor's' edict?" Xianxian asked.

"That would be even better!" Lin Xiao suddenly laughed.

"Uh?"

"It's a perfect opportunity to eliminate dissent and strengthen our power. If only a few oppose, we can launch a campaign to suppress the rebellion. The other city lords wouldn't just stand by; they'd be obligated to help us. This would rapidly increase our strength," Lin Xiao said excitedly.

This is the essence of political warfare. By doing so, further conflicts would involve capturing one city at a time rather than facing the combined forces of an entire dynasty.

Lin Xiao's eyes sparkled as he fully grasped the immense benefits of this political maneuvering.