Chapter 785: Chapter 596 Turbulent Situation_2
Yang Zhenshan had initially proposed the establishment of the Martial Arts Temple without anticipating such a turn of events.
The original intention behind establishing the Martial Arts Temple was a good one, and so were the systems in place, but once the system was implemented, it evolved into something detrimental.
Some powerful forces in the worldly society used the court’s power to suppress weaker worldly forces, annex land, and oppress the people, leading to increasing difficulties in people’s livelihoods across all regions.
Bashu is a typical example, but it is not an isolated case.
All provinces in Da Rong have their issues, just not as severe as in Bashu.
Yang Wanqing continued, "The rebel army in Bashu is becoming increasingly problematic, even affecting Yun Gui and Nanyun, causing many trading routes in the northern part of Southern Border Town to be blocked, and the prices of all sorts of goods in Southern Border Town have increased significantly."
"Especially salt, it used to be just over twenty wen per jin, and this year, it has jumped to forty wen."
Yang Zhenshan said, "We can purchase salt from Fuhai!"
"Now we are buying salt from Fuhai, but Fuhai is mountainous, the official roads are difficult to traverse, and trade routes are not functioning," Yang Wanqing explained.
Yang Zhenshan was rather helpless. In recent years, internal turmoil in Da Rong was getting worse, affecting various sectors.
Even sea trade was affected, forcing Tenglong Guard to continuously explore new markets in the southern dynasties and the East South Sea Domain due to decreasing revenue.
Yang Family Trading Company was also affected, but fortunately, its financial strength was robust enough not to fear these impacts.
While they were talking, Yang Mingzhi walked in from outside, "Dad, mother! Your grandniece is here! Hahaha~~"
"Aunt!" Yang Wanqing quickly got up to greet him.
Yang Mingzhi had changed a lot over the years, mainly because he was initially reluctant to resign from his official position, brutally dealt with by Yang Zhenshan, making him less audacious over the years. However, he still couldn’t stay idle.
When he arrived on Star Moon Island, he directly seized half of Luo Jingsong’s Navy and spent his days escorting Yang Family’s merchant ships around.
Recently, this guy followed a merchant convoy south to Jialuo Dynasty, and it took him nearly half a year; today, he just got back.
"Back already!" Yang Zhenshan asked.
Yang Mingzhi chuckled, "Dad, big news!"
"What big news?" asked Yang Zhenshan.
"The Martial God Temple has declared war on Da Yue Dynasty!" exclaimed Yang Mingzhi.
Yang Zhenshan was taken aback, "How does their war concern us?"
The Martial God Temple is located to the southwest of Da Rong, and so is Da Yue Dynasty; both these major forces are far from Da Rong, and even further from Star Moon Island.
By ship, it takes over two months from Star Moon Island to reach the realm influenced by the Martial God Temple, not to reach the Martial God Temple itself but to reach the Peacock Dynasty that is affiliated with it.
As for Da Yue Dynasty, that’s even further and has nothing to do with Star Moon Island.
"Of course, it concerns us. The prices of armaments, medicinal materials, and foodstuffs from Peacock Dynasty and Jialuo Dynasty have risen by thirty percent. If we transport our goods there, our profits will increase by thirty percent compared to before," said an excited Yang Mingzhi.
"..."
Yang Zhenshan was somewhat speechless.
This guy wanted to profit from the war!
Ever since he was no longer an official, Yang Mingzhi seemed even more greedy for money.
Not exactly greedy, rather he seemed to enjoy stirring things up.
Star Moon Island was not short of silver, and Yang Mingzhi had never asked Yang Zhenshan for money, so this guy simply enjoyed causing trouble.
"Go ahead and do it, but be cautious, don’t get robbed!" Yang Zhenshan said indifferently.
Yang Zhenshan actually didn’t care much about how much money Yang Family Trading Company could make.
He had established Yang Family Trading Company simply to keep people on Star Moon Island occupied.
Sitting and eating away at the stock is not an option, and neither is sitting idle all day; one must always be doing something.
"Mm, I’ve already asked Shopkeeper Luo to arrange for people to purchase goods in Liaodong. This time, we should be able to make a fortune!" Ming Zhi said.
Zhengshan nodded slightly.
"The war between Da Yue Dynasty and the Martial God Temple must have a huge impact, right!"
"More than just huge. The war between the two could potentially drag many southern dynasties into the fray. Minor skirmishes are manageable, but a fight to the death could affect all the forces within the Galuo Sea," Ming Zhi explained.
The Galuo Sea does not only refer to the sea near the Jialuo Dynasty, but to the vast southern seas, stretching from the south of Da Rong to the west of Da Yue Dynasty, encompassing dozens of coastal dynasties and several island forces.
This Galuo and Jialuo of the Jialuo Dynasty hail from the same place—namely the Jialuo Dynasty of three thousand years ago, which was said to be an incredibly powerful dynasty that spanned thousands of miles of land and sea.
Later, the Jialuo Dynasty was destroyed by the Peacock Dynasty, and then the Peacock Dynasty by the Yilan Dynasty, dynasty after dynasty rose and fell. Now Da Yue Dynasty has taken over most of the Jialuo Dynasty’s territories and has become the hegemon of the Galuo Sea.
As for the current Jialuo Dynasty and Peacock Dynasty, they actually have little to do with the old dynasties; they simply wanted formidable ancestors to assert the legitimacy of their lineage and law.
This is a common phenomenon in the Galuo Sea, where dynasties typically seek a formidable ancestor, like the Peacock Dynasty, which has split into East and West Peacock Dynasties, each claiming heritage from the original Peacock Dynasty, and the kings possessing the Peacock royal bloodline.
Whether this is true or not, only their ancestors know.
The Martial God Temple is also a force in the Galuo Sea, similar to a Sect, but it presides over many dynasties, wielding power not much less than that of Da Yue.
The implications of these two behemoths within the Galuo Sea going to war are immense.
"You should discuss these matters with Ming Hao. We should just stick to our business and stay out of other affairs!" Zhengshan said.
Ming Zhi looked somewhat helpless and responded, "Where can I find my younger brother?"
"Didn’t he go to the Lv Sheng Dynasty?" Zhengshan asked.
"Who knows? Am I supposed to run after him to the Lv Sheng Dynasty to discuss this?" Ming Zhi looked at Zhengshan and said.
Zhengshan was once again speechless.
Star Moon Island is a small place, and though he enjoys the peace of Star Moon Island, it doesn’t mean everyone in the Yang family feels the same.
No need to mention Ming Zhi; Ming Hao is not someone who likes tranquility either, nor do the children of the Yang family. They are still young and naturally don’t want to stay put on Star Moon Island.
Thus, over the years, members of the Yang family would often wander around, some becoming Military Officers in Chongshan Town or Beiyuan Town, others roaming around the East South Sea Domain.
Zhengshan naturally couldn’t stop them. The world is so vast, and they want to see it; how could Zhengshan possibly stop them?
Moreover, Zhengshan thinks it’s good for them to go out, to broaden their horizons and gain experiences, which he considers beneficial, not harmful.
Thus, over the years, the Yang family had spread its roots in various places.
"Never mind, then. You handle it yourself!" Zhengshan said.
Ming Hao chuckled, "I understand."
"My dear niece rarely visits. Haha, later let’s sit in your second uncle’s yard. Over the years, I’ve gathered quite a collection. Take whatever you like!"
Wanqing laughed, "Then I won’t be polite, second uncle, and don’t feel bad about it!"
"Impossible?" Ming Zhi bantered with a wink as he looked in Zhengshan’s direction, making faces.
Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.
"Get out of here!" Zhengshan couldn’t help kicking him.
This guy, who knows what’s wrong with him, has become totally irreverent.
He used to be a serious Great General, and now he’s just a buffoon.
Ming Zhi ran off, and Wanqing sighed with a smile, "Second uncle has become much more cheerful than before!"
"He’s just idle," Zhengshan said.