Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 230 - 67: Targeting Lin Chen

Liang Kingdom’s Capital.

In the grand hall of the Imperial Court, all the Third-Grade officials in the capital were present.

Everyone wore a solemn expression. The passing of the Northern Garrison Marquis not only meant instability in the Northern Border but also affected the entire Liang Kingdom.

The Northern Garrison Marquis held high prestige among the Grade-Entering Martial Artists in Liang.

Emperor Wu of Liang glanced at the ministers below and said in a deep voice, "The Old Marquis, before passing, left a will to be buried in the Northern Border beside the Grand Ancestor Emperor. There is no need for an elaborate funeral. What do you all think?"

"Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate. The Old Marquis rendered meritorious service to our Liang, and how could his funeral not be with the specifications of a state funeral? I’m afraid many soldiers might have grievances."

"I agree. The Old Marquis must have a funeral, and it must be treated with the honors of a state funeral."

Two elders at the front spoke, but the elder in purple clothing standing in the middle asked, "If the honors of a state funeral are given, how should we proclaim the achievements of the Old Marquis to the citizens of Liang?"

With these words, the hall fell into silence.

They knew the achievements of the Old Marquis, as did the Grade-Entering Martial Artists, but the common people were unaware.

To proclaim the achievements of the Old Marquis, the true situation at the Northern Border must be disclosed to the people, which would violate the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s edict from back then.

The matter of the Demon Race should not be spoken of amongst the common people.

"Your Majesty, esteemed lords, I have a word."

After a moment, a middle-aged man in the hall stood up and said loudly, "Back when the Grand Ancestor Emperor issued the Holy Decree to forbid revealing the matter of the Demon Race to the common people, it was because the people were terrified at the mention of the Demon Race. However, our Liang, after more than two hundred years, is no longer what it was. There is truly no need to hide the matter of the Demon Race from the people anymore."

These words made the hall, already silent, even quieter, and the drop of a needle could be heard.

That was the Holy Decree of the Grand Ancestor Emperor!

"Qiao Qing, do you know what you are saying?" an official reprimanded.

"Lord Ge, of course, I know what I am saying. My presence here in the same hall with you all is thanks to the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s policy of national revitalization through the Martial Path."

Before Qiao Qing spoke, he already anticipated the waves his words would stir.

"But ask yourselves, does this Holy Decree from the Grand Ancestor Emperor still apply today?"

"In nearly three hundred years of Liang, how many Sixth-Grade Martial Artists have emerged? How many families stand behind them? The matter of the Demon Race is no longer a secret; it’s only the lowest-tier commoners who aren’t aware."

"Lord Cui, let me ask, whenever traces of the Demon Race occasionally appear within our Liang Kingdom, are the commoners who know about the Demon Race really all taken to the camps?"

The second official on the left row twitched his mouth upon hearing this, for it was long known that those below turned a blind eye to the commoners knowing the matter of the Demon Race.

Seeing that Lord Cui did not answer, Qiao Qing was not surprised and continued, "With the passing of the Old Marquis, the Northern Border Demon Race, the East Sea Sea Race, and even the Demon Races hiding within our Liang Kingdom might all take action. By then, the number of commoners knowing about the Demon Race will be several-fold, ten-fold, or even a hundred-fold. Does Lord Cui intend to send all these commoners to the camps?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The officials in the hall wore a look of contemplation, for they had to admit that Qiao Qing made a lot of sense.

In truth, this Holy Decree from the Grand Ancestor Emperor was long outdated, and they had already noticed it, but due to the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s revered prestige, no one discussed it in the Imperial Court.

Seeing no one refuting him, Qiao Qing looked toward Emperor Wu of Liang at the steps of the hall, "Your Majesty, I request the annulment of the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s Holy Decree."

Emperor Wu of Liang did not respond immediately but looked at the three elders ahead and asked, "Do the three respected elders have any suggestions?"

"I believe the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s Holy Decree was merely intended to eliminate the fear of the Demon Race among our Liang’s citizens. However, now the citizens of Liang, even if they hear about the Demon Race, likely won’t feel afraid. Hence, it is indeed unnecessary to hide this matter any longer."

"I second that."

The other two elders provided the same opinion.

Emperor Wu of Liang’s eyes shone brightly, "Very well. In that case, tomorrow I shall go to the Grand Ancestral Temple to beg forgiveness from the Grand Ancestor Emperor."

Begging forgiveness meant repealing the Holy Decree.

"The Wen Pavilion should draft an edict, recording all the achievements of the Old Marquis. Additionally, if you have good suggestions on how to inform our Liang’s citizens about the Demon Race, you may submit them to me."

Informing the people about the Demon Race seems straightforward, but it is crucial to let them understand the demon beasts without causing fear.

"The three senior elders, kindly stay behind, everyone else is dismissed."

Emperor Wu of Liang was swift and decisive; upon hearing these words, other officials knew that His Majesty wanted to discuss with the three elders the potential crises that might arise after the Old Marquis’s passing and how to address them.

Though Liang is prosperous, there are numerous external threats and internal troubles lurking.

...

...

Jiangnan Dao.

The newly appointed Director of the Military Affairs Department assumed office.

Su Lingchuan, along with the Directors of other Martial Affairs Offices, personally went to greet the new Director at the gate of the Raozhou Prefecture Military Affairs Department.

After a moment, the sound of hooves was heard, and they saw a figure approaching on horseback, covered in dust.

"It’s Lord Xing."

Although Su Lingchuan and others were puzzled by Lord Xing arriving alone on horseback, the imposing aura of strength from the approaching figure confirmed his identity, prompting them to salute.

Xing Huaifeng dismounted and said with a smile, "No need for formalities. The position of Director of the Military Affairs Department involves the Martial Arts Education of an entire prefecture, bearing heavy responsibilities. I received a sudden transfer order from the Military Affairs Hall and dared not delay."