There are still only ten days left before the Zhengyang Martial Arts Competition.
During this period, banquets continued every day in the imperial capital.
Every Zhengyang martial arts competition is also the time when the border defense generals return to Beijing to report on their duties.
Because generals kept returning, drinking was common in the imperial capital every day, and the whole city seemed to have a faint aroma of wine that lingered.
This is also a great spectacle, and some good people call it: the general's wine is filling the city.
All four flower buildings were booked, and different dignitaries, generals and powerful figures came and went for the banquet every day.
This scene made the civil servants in the imperial capital extremely dissatisfied, but there was nothing they could do about it.
But at this time, another news came out about Zhengyang Wubi.
In addition to the participation of many people from the forbidden army and pro-military forces in the past, the civil servant group also came out to cause trouble.
Many young warriors from various sects and even those who have been famous for some time have announced that they have joined the Wenchen Group.
And officially announced his participation in the Zhengyang Martial Arts Competition.
There is also news that there is a country in the far west. I heard that a big eastern country like Zhengyang has a vast land, rich resources, and outstanding people, so it sent an envoy to enter the territory of Zhengyang a month ago.
Now I am rushing to the imperial capital, maybe I can come here during the Zhengyang Wuju Competition.
When the people of the Imperial City heard that foreigners from the West were coming to pay homage, they became very curious.
Not only were they not afraid of the foreigners, they even wanted to see if they were monkeys covered with hair as rumored.
Even rumors began to appear in the streets and alleys. According to the rumors, the Western aliens all looked like gorillas.
Even after there are more rumors like this, when parents coax their children, they will use threatening words such as "If you don't obey, I will send you out when those Western monkeys come!"
Only the upper echelons of the empire attach great importance to this mission, because judging from the available intelligence, this mission is quite powerful.
I don’t know if it’s the top power of that Western country or if the other country is generally that strong.
Emperor Xuyang sent several Jin Yiwei and Dongchang spies to investigate.
But except for the fact that the other party killed a bandit when they first entered the Zhengyang border, there was no record of any action taken.
Therefore, it is impossible to judge the overall strength of this mission.
In the only attack that time, it seemed that the other party only dispatched two or three people and wiped out a bandit team of nearly a hundred people.
Although that group of bandits was a ragtag group, after all, there were a hundred people versus three, and the difference in numbers was there.
This kind of strength is enough to make Zhengyang's senior officials pay attention to suspicion.
There is no small matter in a big country. As an emperor, there are countless annoying things surrounding Emperor Xuyang every day.
On the other hand, Liu Xin has been free during this period of time, and his subordinates are responsible for completing even small things.
After Guo Yong, Liu Fu, and Ding Mingfu, Jiang Shixi finally became the fourth 100-year-old. Although others may be honest and kind, he is very serious about doing things.
Several cases of corruption and favoritism among Jin Yiwei were investigated. As soon as the corruption cases involving the Ministry of Revenue and Jin Yiwei Wang Zhongjie came out, a wave of anti-corruption was set off throughout the imperial capital.
His Majesty the Emperor directly ordered that anyone who can be found guilty of corruption will have their homes confiscated and punished upon verification.
10% of the wealth seized by this person will be rewarded to the whistleblower.
No one knows who came up with this wicked idea.
But after this decree was issued, even though everyone was openly scolding the person who came up with this plan.
But at the same time, everyone was secretly looking at the colleagues around them to see who looked like a corrupt person.
As an area hardest hit by corruption, Jin Yiwei was too arrogant in the past, and many Jin Yiwei were openly extorting money.
At that time, many Jin Yiwei were in panic, and no less than a hundred people were investigated, ranging from school captains to hundreds of households.
This made everyone in Jinyiwei feel in danger.
And under such circumstances, Jiang Shixi relied on his style of being an honest man who is not afraid of power.
He actually captured many people directly.
His record was half that of all the arrested members of Jinyiwei. With this credit, Liu Xin gave him a credit card.
Because officials at the hundred-household level can make arrangements at the command and envoy level, so Dai De'an made a stroke of his pen.
The fourth member of the Hundred Households under Liu Xin appeared. So far, the four chief bannermen of the Wenxuan Institute of Hundreds of Households have all been promoted, and all the Jin Yiwei under Liu Xin are full of energy.
With Jiang Shixi taking the lead as an example, the rest of Jinyiwei are also very motivated, especially since the entire Qianhu Office has also recruited many new people in the past month and a half.
They were all recruited from Jinyiwei's relatives who were idle at home.
Of course, it also includes the descendants and nephews of Guo Yong, Liu Fu and others.
Although Liu Xin's behavior could be regarded as nepotism, no one dared to say anything.
Because after Jiang Shixi caught these corrupt Jinyiwei and ransacked their homes, the entire Qianhuan family received a reward of three thousand taels of silver.
Each person was allocated a dozen cartloads of silver, which was their salary for several months. Even if there were 100 households, this was a full month's salary.
This much money can naturally eliminate some of the unhappiness in everyone's hearts.
It should be noted here that although Liu Xin was promoted, the Nanzhen Fusi Qianhu Office where Guo Yong and others were located was still under Liu Xin's command.
During this period of time, Jiang Shixi and a group of general flag officers were still busy with their work, but the Zhengyang Military Competition was about to begin. By then, the imperial guards in the city would be on duty everywhere, so the capture of corrupt elements could only be postponed.
Because during the Zhengyang martial arts competition, hundreds of court officials, six cabinet ministries, military bosses, and even the emperor would attend in person.
At that time, protecting the safety of these people will be the top priority.
Although for these generals, you don't need a group of little royal guards to protect them.
But the appearance still needs to be adequate.
Especially since there is still a group of White Lotus Sect rebels in the Imperial City that have not been caught.
And every time there is a Zhengyang martial arts competition, certain underworld forces, demonic sects, and some rebels will be like poisonous snakes in the dark, all gathering in the dark places of the Imperial City, waiting for opportunities to move.
If you don't give them a chance, forget it. If you give them a chance, they will take action decisively.
At that time, even if a certain noble person loses even a hair, it may cause the whole army to be devastated.
Therefore, three days in advance, Liu Xin issued an order in the duty room to temporarily terminate the investigation of other Jinyi guards.
Anyway, it's not a rush thing. Some things are just done once they are done. You can't wipe them off afterwards if you want to.
As long as you have committed corruption, you will not be able to escape as long as the evidence is found.
Three days before the Zhengyang Martial Arts Competition, the people in the imperial capital city also felt the difference in the atmosphere.
The Forbidden Army, Jin Yiwei, and even Dongchang began to patrol throughout the city.
There are many more guards on the city wall than before.
The contestants preparing to participate in the Zhengyang Martial Arts Competition were also sharpening their swords in various mansions in the city.
Some people even heard deafening roars coming from inside when passing by these mansions. They didn't know what was going on and how could there be such a big movement.
And many people hiding in the shadows are also quietly planning something.
Because the convening of the Zhengyang Military Competition will usher in a more complicated situation than when Wang Zhongjie was arrested.
This Zhengyang martial arts competition may have the largest number of participants in previous years.
Because it may coincide with the handover of power between Qin Guogong and Wu Guogong.
Therefore, the number of participants is much higher than in previous years. If you stand out at this time, you may be able to take advantage of Qin Guogong's popularity if you are spotted by a big shot.
Get to a high position more smoothly and faster.
And this year Wenchen Group is also participating.
Although most military officers look down on civil servants, they have to admit that civil servants often have very powerful power.
Not to mention anything else, the wealth alone of this group of civil servants is enough to make the generals jealous.
Although the military attaches also have their own families, when it comes to their real ability to make money, they are still incomparable with civil servants.
Twenty percent of the world's silver is in the hands of His Majesty the Emperor, in the national treasury and the inner treasury.
There are still more than 10% in the hands of merchants all over the world.
The other 10% of the silver is in the hands of military attache Xungui.
There is still 10% in the hands of the palace nobles.
As for the remaining 50%, it is in the hands of this group of civil servants.
More importantly, everyone knows that this group of civil servants are rich, but you can't find where their money is.
Thousands of years of evolution and countless dynasties have changed, but the methods of money-making by civil servants have never stopped, and have even continued to develop and progress.
It is said that the emperor was in his study as a private meeting.
and several important ministers in the court, including Duke Guo of Qin and Duke Wu, as well as several cabinet bachelors.
Everyone made a bet together.
As for the content of the bet, there are a lot of rumors and various speculations.
One of them says that whoever can win the Zhengyang Martial Competition will be favored by the Duke of Qin and become the only disciple.
The other bet is a bit ridiculous.
It is said that according to the results of this Zhengyang martial arts competition, the world's wealth will be re-divided.
The civil servant group used 50% of their wealth as a bargaining chip to bet on the outcome of this Zhengyang martial arts competition.
If the civil bloc can win, His Majesty will reconvene the nationwide encore.
The scientific examination will be resumed every three years.
And this time, the emperor did not directly select scholars, but set up proctors to mark the papers, and everyone relied on their abilities.
As soon as the news came out, even ordinary people guessed that the people behind the plan might be the Nanhai nobles.
Only this group of people who had money and leisure, but were deeply disliked by the two emperors during the imperial examinations, could make such a desperate bet.
You must know that although the current recruitment of scholars is also a scientific examination, the time is uncertain, and it is completely based on the emperor's preference. He can conduct it whenever and wherever he wants.
As a result, southern scholars are like duckweeds, feeling uneasy.
And betting 25% of the world's wealth is their only way to attract His Majesty the current emperor.
It can be said that all of this was the fault of Emperor Kangyang. Who made Emperor Kangyang the master? He didn't take civil servants seriously at all.
That era was also when the status of civil servants was at its lowest. Although it has improved somewhat now, the political environment is still too bad for civil servants and scholars!
Speaking of the bet, there are several pieces of news circulating among the people.
One of them is the bet between several princes and young members of the royal family.
Of course, their bet is not that big, and they do not have the ability to gamble with the wealth of the world.
What they were betting on was some treasures, including an exquisite level of defensive inner armor.
It is said that this is the second prince's treasure at the bottom of the box. When he was born, the emperor was pleased to personally reward him.
Now he even took out this thing as a bet, and he didn't know what the bet of these people was.
All in all, as the time for the Zhengyang Martial Arts Competition is getting closer and closer, everyone seems to be busy and excited.
Only Liu Xin had nothing to do, so he stayed with Luo Bei. Discuss martial arts techniques.
After Luo Bei was injured that day, he recovered after half a month of rest.
Because he saw Liu Xin's sword technique that was as fast as thunder.
Luo Bei has admitted that Liu Xin's strength is superior to his, so he pesters Liu Xin to compete against each other.
From Luo Bei, Liu Xin also learned about the bet between the princes.
It's ridiculous to say that the final prize of the bet made by these princes and royal families turned out to be a separate lunch with the emperor.
And it seems that this bet was completed under the secret promotion of the emperor.
He didn't care about the bets made by the princes, he only cared about the exquisite defensive inner armor.
He has been using the Dao-Breaking Sword recently, but this sword is too sharp, and the sword light will naturally appear after the internal energy is poured into it.
It's especially easy to hurt yourself when practicing swordplay.
Because once too much internal force is injected, the sword's radiance will become so strong that even the handle of the sword may not be safe.
It's not his fault.
This Dao-breaking sword is rare in the world, and every sword, every weapon, and even every piece of armor at an exquisite level has its own special abilities and effects.
The ultimate sharpness of the Daopo Sword is its characteristic, but it can also be said to be its shortcoming.
At this time, Liu Xin also remembered something his master once said when he was young.
At that time, his master taught him that a person can do as many things as he has the ability.
Just like weapons, only how powerful you are can control powerful weapons.
Otherwise, you will have to carry a big tripod with the strength of a child.
It will only make you suffer in the end.
These words happened when twelve-year-old Liu Xin tried to touch an exquisite weapon.
At that time, he had just joined the Holy Sect, and he felt that the weapon on the weapon shelf was very attractive to him.
The most attractive thing among them was the exquisite long spear [Dragon Roar].
It seems to be the weapon of a young man in white robes a hundred years ago, possessing extremely powerful destructive power.
There is no shield under the tip of the spear that can block his blow. It can be said to be the strongest spear.
I don't know which one is stronger, the broken path or the dragon chant in my hand.
Luo Bei was very envious of Liu Xin's Dao-breaking sword. His sword was directly destroyed after coming into contact with this Dao-breaking sword that day.
He went back to find the King of Yongzhou. The King of Yongzhou gave him two royal-level swords without saying a word.
Even the King of Yongzhou County does not have exquisite weapons in his hands.
Therefore Luo Bei could only sigh helplessly.
In the subsequent fight with Liu Xin, he did not use an imperial-level weapon to collide with the opponent's Jingjue breaker sword.
He was afraid that the two swords he had finally obtained would be destroyed by Po Dao's blade again.
Luo Bei's temperament was originally relatively cold, but ever since Liu Xin showed his super strength in cultivation that day.
Luo Bei's attitude towards him changed drastically.
Not only did the whole person become enthusiastic, but he also talked more.
There were so many that it even made Liu Xin a little bored.
It's not as lovable as the other party's original unsmiling and indifferent appearance.
There are three days left until the Zhengyang Wushu Competition.
Except for Liu Xin, everyone else in the imperial city was also sharpening their swords.
In an ordinary residential courtyard in the outer city.
Two characters hidden in the darkness, who were obviously villains, sat cross-legged and meditated in the strong bloody atmosphere, moving around the sky, constantly practicing, and improving their internal strength.
Suddenly one of them closed his eyes, trembled all over, and said quickly:
"I seem to be about to break through, help me protect the law!"
The other person was originally in a cross-legged state with his eyes closed. After hearing this, he immediately opened his eyes and looked over, and found that the other person was constantly surrounded by black energy. His whole body was like a bottle filled with water, which was about to overflow.
This feeling is a sign of a breakthrough.
Once he breaks through, the internal force he can hold each time will increase several times, and at the same time, the speed at which the internal force in his body circulates around the world will also become faster, which is equivalent to an increase in endurance.
The power of moves and the speed of internal force movement when using moves will become relatively faster.
This is the source of the huge gap between the upper, middle and lower levels of Dacheng Realm.
It is equivalent to two warriors using exactly the same weapons and exactly the same moves to compete at the same time.
However, the speed at which a person operates his internal force makes the skills he uses run faster. His movement, martial arts, and moves are both much faster than his opponent's, and at the same time much faster.
In addition, the power of the moves is stronger than the opponent's.
All these increases combined together are the reasons why the combat power of the Dacheng of the previous level is so much stronger than that of the Dacheng of the next level.
Of course, this gap is not irreversible. Just like Liu Xin and other disciples from major sects, the top skills they practice can enhance the power of moves.
The power gap between the top skills and ordinary skills is not even a tiny bit.
Moreover, top skills can use less internal force to activate the moves, and at the same time have more powerful power. Both destructive power and defensive power can be greatly improved.
In addition, disciples of powerful sects generally have more powerful weapons and equipment.
All these gaps, added together, are the gap between powerful sects and weaker sects and even casual cultivators.
To sum up, the comprehensive strength of a warrior must be viewed from several dimensions.
