The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 540: The Sui Imperial Family is So Terrible

Taoist Xiaoyao's ship was not ostentatious, nor did it really conceal its whereabouts. It sailed down the river and headed straight for the sea. Various forces along the way vied to visit it, but Taoist Xiaoyao accepted anyone who was capable of boarding the ship and received them all.

However, the ship did not stop and continued to move forward even when receiving guests. If it were not for the fact that Taoist Xiaoyao was highly skilled in martial arts and had many helpers around him, and if it were not for his broad knowledge, generous and polite manners, and pleasant interactions, many troubles would have arisen.

There is no shortage of self-righteous villains in this world, and there are also bandits and robbers with evil intentions who attack secretly, but they cannot even get past the female disciples of Taoist Xiaoyao, let alone hurt Taoist Xiaoyao.

This Taoist priest, Xiaoyao, was well-versed in astronomy, geography, medicine, divination, astrology, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, mechanical work, trade, migration, planting, drinking and singing, playing games and guessing riddles, the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, Qimen Dunjia, farmland irrigation, economics, and military strategy. His casual advice benefited them greatly. However, while this man was powerful, he also had a rather arrogant temperament. Although he seemed easygoing, his true nature was hard to hide. Becoming his disciple was impossible.

The ship sailed eastward without stopping. Although there were passengers coming and going along the way, it did not slow down Yang Xuyan's speed of going out to sea. Once he went out to sea, no one would be able to locate him. Not to mention the people of the Dajiang League, even Shi Zhixuan and Zhu Yuyan had lost sight of him.

Yang Xuyan flew into the sea like a dragon, first rushing to Ryukyu Island to visit Madam Shan Meixian of Dongming, and then letting his two young disciples Shan Wanjing and Dugu Feng get to know each other. The two girls were proud by nature, and it was inevitable that they would be jealous of each other. However, Shan Wanjing was young after all, and could not compare to the older and more powerful Dugu Feng. After suffering a loss, she would often throw herself into Yang Xuyan's arms to complain.

Whenever she saw this scene, Dugu Feng could only grit her teeth. Although she was unhappy, she could not act like a child. After all, in terms of age, she and her master were almost the same age. She became his disciple more because she was impressed by his martial arts. However, a trace of pride deep in her heart prevented her from really being inferior to him.

It would be fine if she admitted that her martial arts skills were inferior to others, but Dugu Feng herself could not accept being asked to act like a little daughter and act coquettishly to Yang Xuyan. But what about the slight envy and yearning in her heart?

Yang Xuyan is different from Dongming Madam Shan Meixian. Shan Meixian needs to compromise and bow to the male lineage of Dongming Sect to ensure the peace and stability of Dongming Sect. However, Yang Xuyan believes that the strong are respected and suppresses all disobedience with absolute strength. After conquering the entire Ryukyu, he started a large-scale development plan. Among them, salt and sugar production are second only to weapons casting, which has brought huge benefits to Dongming Sect.

However, good things such as snow salt and rock sugar were not sold directly from Ryukyu, but were resold through Yang Xuyan's own trading company, and Ryukyu's sugar and salt industries were concealed in many ways. After all, it was not easy for the Dongming Sect to maintain its weapons business with its strength. If sugar and salt were added, it would probably die miserably quickly.

In the spring of the eleventh year of Daye, Yang Xuyan returned to Liaodong. Yang Xuangan led the cavalry to greet him, and Yang Yi, Yang Ke, Yang Gai, and Yang Ying accompanied him. At this time, Liaodong City had been completely controlled by their uncle and nephew. As long as they were a little careful not to act too blatantly, they would not be discovered. What's more, all of them in the Yang family were masters, and Yang Xuangan had gone a step further and reached the peak of the master level, only half a step behind Zhu Yuyan.

Now the entire Liaodong County has tens of thousands of cavalry and tens of thousands of infantry, and there are many unknown martial arts masters in secret. In addition, there is a sophisticated and powerful intelligence network and rich and sufficient material reserves. It can be said that it is strong and impregnable. There are also nearly 10,000 navy on Jeju Island. Even if Goguryeo attacks with all its strength, it is not afraid.

Dugu Feng looked to his left and saw the six masters of the Yang family, then looked again and saw tens of thousands of strong soldiers. He looked down and saw the clean and smooth road, and looked up and saw the tall and majestic city walls. He couldn't help but sigh at the power of the Yang family. Even the clansmen who were defeated by Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty were so powerful. The royal family of the Sui Dynasty was so terrifying.

But she was somewhat confused as to why Yang Xuangan, who had rebelled in the Central Plains, became a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty after arriving in Liaodong City. Not only did he not mention the situation in the Central Plains, but he also devoted himself to helping his master suppress foreign races and guard the border. He even went to great lengths to attack everywhere in the cold winter to weaken the enemy and strengthen himself.

Liaodong is a mountainous area with many treasures hidden deep in the mountains. Korean ginseng is especially famous in the Sui Dynasty. Yang Xuyan was originally a national master of medicine and was even better at medicinal food. All his direct descendants in Liaodong City could enjoy medicinal food supplies of different levels, and the excess could even be used to support the Central Plains.

Liaodong was a newly annexed territory of the Sui Dynasty. Yang Xuyan implemented military control. Although there were hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the army was still in charge of everything. It was not a blockade to the outside world, but the management was extremely strict. Whether it was merchants from the Central Plains or visitors from other ethnic groups, they were all closely monitored, and manpower was uniformly arranged and dispatched.

Doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times actually led to the rapid development of Liaodong City and its quick stabilization, which amazed Yang Xuangan and Dugu Feng. They learned a lot in secret, while the Yang brothers spent most of their time training their troops.

Only after experiencing powerlessness can one know the importance of military force. The brothers of the Yang family did not want to experience the frustration they had before. Although they had been promoted to masters, they still refused to slack off and practiced martial arts diligently while training soldiers, including cavalry, infantry, and navy.

While Yang Xuangan wasn't as skilled in military command as Yang Yi, Yang Ke, Yang Gai, and Yang Ying, he was the best in Liaodong City, save for Yang Xuyan. As the son of Yang Su, he had ample opportunities to learn and demonstrate his abilities before his rebellion, and Yang Guang always trusted him. Conversely, the Yang brothers, despite their vast library, were denied the opportunity to realize their ambitions, thanks to their father, Yang Yong. Until...

Under the training and instruction of Yang Xuyan, the strength of the Yang family brothers has steadily improved. At the same time, he has not forgotten to add to the Yang family. The brothers have all had children, making the Liaodong Yang family more and more lively.

As spring faded and summer arrived, Liaodong City was bustling with activity. However, Yang Xuyan proposed secretly dispatching troops to the grasslands. The reason was simple: Liaodong was mountainous and had weakened both Goguryeo and the Mohe. They had launched frequent attacks in winter, but summer was not the time for active provocation. In ancient times, cavalry was paramount, known for its speed and powerful impact. However, Liaodong was not suited to large-scale cavalry operations. If they wanted to train strong cavalry, the grasslands were the best choice.

However, the Turks were now powerful, with their upper echelons boasting the Martial Master Bi Xuan. If the Liaodong Army brazenly appeared on the grasslands, they would likely be hunted down and killed by the Turkic army, and the Liaodong Army would then be in the wrong. Yang Xuyan, a man well-versed in history, knew that by August of this year, their uncle Yang Guang would be trapped at Yanmen Pass, and the Turks would break free from the intimidation they had endured under the Sui Dynasty, becoming increasingly confident and powerful. This was not what he wanted to see.

"I think it's okay, but we have to be cautious on this trip. It's best to have an older, mature and steady person lead the troops to ensure that nothing goes wrong." As soon as Yang Xuangan said this, the brothers of the Yang family cast contemptuous glances at him. Their uncle was also a shameless person, but compared to his previous lifeless appearance, the current Yang Xuangan was more easily accepted by them.

"Uncle, what you said makes sense. However, compared to going out for training, the safety of Liaodong City is more important. We need an older, mature and steady person to take charge. Only in this way can we brothers feel more at ease to work hard outside." Yang Xuangan was speechless as soon as Yang Yi opened his mouth. How could he not be able to argue with a few young boys like them in terms of eloquence?

But when it comes to fists, he can definitely win in a one-on-one fight, but what his brothers are best at is assassination and joint attacks. It would be a bit difficult for him to fight two at a time, and he would definitely lose if surrounded by three people. This is on the premise that his nephew Yang Xuyan does not take action.

Alas, I am getting old. If I don’t quickly get promoted to Grand Master, it will be even more difficult to suppress them in the future.