Chapter 166: The Secret of Founding the Nation

desert's borders can be roughly divided in half. To the east lies the territory guarded by the Mu Kingdom, and to the west lies the territory guarded by the Jing Kingdom.As one of the strongest nation...The sky is vast.

This place is far from the Qīng River.

Zhuang Gaoxian turned back, and Du Ruhui just stepped in front of him.

"Why did the Prime Minister just block me" he asked in a calm voice.

“A new victory has been achieved on the national front, and our territory has expanded. But at the same time, General [name] was dismissed, General [name] died in battle, and Dong A also met an unfortunate end. Now, the State of Zhuang still needs Song Hengjiang." Du Ruhui said: "In terms of blood relation, he is your uncle-in-law, so the State of Zhuang needs him even more. With such combat power, he should not die at Your Majesty's hands.”

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He noticed that when he said "granduncle," Zhuang Gaixian frowned.

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Such a sovereign as Zhuang Gaoqian, wouldn't express his emotions easily. The reason he noticed this was because someone had purposely told him - to be mindful of his words, the sovereign didn't like hearing such things.

Du Ruhui's wisdom allowed him to understand this very well, but his expression remained calm—he didn't like hearing it, but he had to. Sometimes, how the facts were or how the ruler felt didn't matter; what mattered was what was beneficial for the state of Zhuang.

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Of course, Zhuang Gao Xian understood this principle.

So he just paused for a moment, then changed the subject: “But his practice of cultivating demons is ultimately a hidden danger.”

No matter what others thought of him, Li Shimin always respected Du Ruhui. Du Ruhui was his teacher when he was still a prince, and it was Du Ruhui who supported the state during his time of recuperation.

Including his achievements in establishing a true ruler and conquering Yong, Du Ruhui played the most important role in all these major events. This respect is well-deserved.

“If Your Majesty were invincible, even if you raised demons, who would dare to come and exorcise them and uphold the righteous path Any explanation would be taken as truth. Conversely, if Your Majesty were powerless, anyone could say you had fallen to demonic possession, and who would vouch for you So in this matter, it ultimately comes down to strength.”

Du Ruhui countered, “Is it wise to cut off one's arm and weaken oneself in order to avoid future risks”

Before learning the truth, he wouldn't agree to let Song Hengjiang take risks because of his past actions. But after finding out that Song Hengjiang’s sister was Zhuang Gaoxian’s grandmother and Song Hengjiang himself was Zhuang Gaoxian's blood relative uncle, many of his previous doubts about Song Hengjiang’s behavior were explained.

Especially Song Hengjiang was willing to raise demons to keep Song Wanxi, even knowing that after entering the demon way, she was no longer human, he still risked his life to do so. The blood relationship between him and Song Wanxi was profound and heavy.

This familial affection is very likely to be transferred to Zhuang Gaoxian.

Now that Song Hengjiang's reliability has greatly increased, the strategy for dealing with the Qingjiang Water Clan naturally needs to be adjusted accordingly.

He always taught Zhuang Gao'en that a ruler should have no personal likes or dislikes, and everything should be prioritized for the benefit of the country.

A trustworthy Song Hengjiang is definitely worth the risk.

Moreover, this risk is not necessarily as great as imagined. The underwater grotto has been concealed for two hundred and eighteen years, and with the cover of He and Zhuang Gaoxian in the future, it will only become more hidden.

After a moment of silence, Zhuang Gao Xian readily admitted his mistake: "The Grand Minister is right. I have indeed been out of line."

After a pause, he asked again, "Who is this Valley Ripple that Song Hengjiang spoke of There is no record of her in history. She came from an ordinary background. How dare she harm the younger sister of Qingjiang Water Lord and the Empress Dowager"

He looked down at the mountains and rivers beneath him. This was the land of Chuang Guo, his alone now: "Now, when I ponder the story of Taizu's founding of the country, it seems there are many secrets hidden within it."

Song Hengjiang had clearly thought about this beforehand, and immediately bowed in response: "If this old minister hasn't guessed wrong... she should be connected to the Bai Gu Dao, even, perhaps, the Saint Maiden of the Bai Gu Dao from back then!"

"The Bone Path" Zhuang Gaoxian was clearly surprised by this guess.

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How could there be a holy maiden of the White Bone Dao in Emperor Taizu's concubines' quarters

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“Historical records from that time contain some errors, and many truths have been lost to time. But through my diligent research of historical materials, I have gained some insights. Today, hearing your words, Water Lord, and comparing them with my own understanding, I have gained a clearer grasp of many things.”

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Du Ruhui glanced at Zhuang Gaoxian, almost directly saying that Zhuang Guotazu Zhu Chengqian had tampered with historical records back then, obscuring the truth of history. Throughout history, the pen of a historian is like iron; for a ruler to intervene in the recording of history is an indelible stain.

The achievements of the Taizu Emperor of this dynasty are threefold: 1. He repelled the Han Yin and established the ancestral temple of the Zhuang Kingdom; 2. He rectified the lineage and purified the sources, eradicating the heretical sect Bai Gu Dao; 3. He united Jing and He Dao, stabilizing the society and foundation of the Zhuang Kingdom, laying the groundwork for long-lasting peace and prosperity.

The so-called "alliance of landscape and way" is a beautified statement. In reality, it means that the minister of Jingguo joins the Dao country system, gaining support from Jingguo in politics and resources.

Of course, under the circumstances of that year, this was undoubtedly a brilliant move. Zhuang Guo Taizu Zhuang Chengqian had a broad vision and remained detached from the immediate situation. By shaking off the interference of Qin and Yong, he leaped out of the quagmire in the west, attracting Jing Guo to join the game, and single-handedly extricated himself from the predicament. This was a truly remarkable strategic maneuver. For Zhuang Guo's nation, it was undoubtedly a great achievement.

>But after the matter of Fenglin City, this dynasty exterminated Bai Gu Dao again. In my leisure time, I can't help but think of a question: In today's world, Bai Gu Dao was established by old demons like Ou Yang Lie and Lu Yan over hundreds of years. But when did the Bai Gu Dao that Taizu swept away rise again

Du Ruhui whispered, "It's not recorded in history books."

Zhuang Gao Xian's face remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil.

Du Ruhui's meaning was already very clear, how could he not hear it

The present Grand Minister of the State of Zhuang suspects that when Zhuang Chengqian founded the nation, he relied on the power of the Bai Gu Dao. Even, the Bai Gu Dao might have been one of the main forces supporting Zhuang Chengqian's founding of the nation!

On one hand, Zhuang Chengqian forged a brotherhood with Song Hengjiang, swearing an oath of blood and crowning Song Hengjiang's sister, Song Wanxi, as empress. To avoid the repercussions of a union between a human ruler and a water spirit, Song Wanxi changed her name to Xi Wan. On the other hand, he took Gu Yi, the saintess of the Bai Gu Dao, as a concubine, leveraging the power of the Bai Gu Dao.

With the support of the Qingjiang Shui and Bai Gu Dao, Zhuang Chengqian was able to withstand the immense pressure from Yongguo and successfully establish his own nation.

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Gu Yi's plot against Song Wanxi cannot be seen as a simple emotional entanglement, it is more likely a power struggle between the Bai Gu Dao and Qing Jiang Shui Zu in the background.

While Zhuang Chengqian chose to eliminate the Bai Gu Dao, personally killing Gu Yi and wiping them out within his territory. After that, the Bai Gu Dao became silent in Zhuang's domain. Song Hengjiang then became the master of the 800-li Qingjiang River, known as the Water Monarch, sitting alongside Zhuang Chengqian, this was the outcome of their struggle.

And eliminating the Bai Gu Dao also provided Zhuang Chengqian with a connection to the Taoist world, creating conditions. The Bai Gu Dao, a cult that claimed to be the orthodox sect of Taoism, was precisely what the Taoists feared most!

Even though Taizu Zhuang Chengqian was considered a real person in his time, why did he die decades after founding the country Historical records say he died from serious injuries, but now it seems very likely that it had to do with revenge from the White Bone Dao...

These spine-chilling tales are all hidden within the mists of history. Just a little tidying up and they become a truly spectacular play. It's a pity that all the characters who graced the stage back then have vanished, leaving only a demonized Song Wanxi and a barely clinging to life Song Hengjiang today.

This is the cruelty and greatness of time!

> ps: Taking a day off. Last week, my good friend got married and I was the best man, so I couldn't write for two days. Luckily, I had some chapters in stock to tide me over. National Day is coming up and I have another wedding to be best man at, can't refuse it.

As the conclusion of the fourth volume was drawing near, it required careful consideration and took an especially long time to write. It was simply too much for me to handle, so I had to take a leave of absence.

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So there will be no updates the day after tomorrow. You don't have to wait.

Please note that the "n his right hand, the Equality King radiating light like the sun, and the Wheel King with rune chains coiling around him like serpents.Ji Yan Yue's gaze swept across them one by one: "The Ten Halls of...