Qiao Zhaorong sighed softly: "In fact, Tianhai Yuanhuang Island and Yaochi Holy Land have had quite a few connections. Now that Jiang Qingluan is in trouble, we must prepare her mentally in advance."

Shen Zhao: "I'll say it again, if that's the case, why don't you go yourself?"

Qiao Zhaorong shook her head: "Because the person who wants to cause trouble for her is also a friend of mine, I don't want to be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position, so I thought of asking you for help."

Shen Zhao couldn't help but ask curiously, "Since you've decided to inform Jiang Qingluan, it means you're torn between these two friends."

Since we already have a clear stance, we might as well clarify it once and for all to avoid future troubles.

Qiao Zhaorong was silent for a moment: "I know it's difficult to be caught in the middle, but some things aren't so easy to break off."

"If you're willing to help me with this, Tianhai Yuanhuang Island will owe you, Shen Zhao, a favor. If you're not willing to help, then I'll have to find someone else."

Shen Zhao thought for a moment. Su Yunying had just established a good relationship with Yaochi Holy Land, and he also learned from Su Yunying that Jiang Qingluan treated her well.

So, it doesn't seem unreasonable to send a notification.

Moreover, if I remember correctly, I owed someone a favor back in the days outside the Ancient River Sect.

Debts of gratitude are the most troublesome; these must be repaid.

"Speak, what message do you want me to pass on?"

"You agreed?"

Qiao Zhaorong's face lit up with joy, and then she took out an old, folded book and handed it to Shen Zhao.

Shen Zhao glanced at the document and his pupils immediately contracted.

"The Sacred Domain, the Bashu Brocade Paper—are the Xu family from Western Shu looking for trouble with Jiang Qingluan?"

Qiao Zhaorong was startled: "You know about the Sacred Domain of Bashu?"

"certainly."

Shen Zhao sneered.

"The Holy Domain is located on the Great Wilderness Plain north of the Eastern Region. It is a barrier space created tens of thousands of years ago by a saint using a divine weapon of creation."

Currently, the Holy Domain is ruled by a single nation, with a population of fifty million, making it arguably the most unique region outside of the Dao Domain.

Qiao Zhaorong: "It seems you really know a lot about the situation in the Holy Land."

Shen Zhao continued, "However, although the Great Feng is the supreme ruler of the Holy Domain, the true master of the Holy Domain is the Xu family of Western Shu."

Fifteen hundred years ago, Xu Xiao, the head of the Xu family, rose through the ranks to become the only non-royal queen of the Great Feng Dynasty, relying on his military achievements and commanding 300,000 battle-hardened elite troops from Sichuan and Chongqing.

This forces the Great Feng to turn a blind eye to the Xu family's actions, and the brocade paper in your hand is a special product that only the Xu family of Western Shu is entitled to enjoy.

Qiao Zhaorong: "Yes, Xu Xiao, as the Prince of Western Shu, can be said to be deeply loved by the people of Western Shu."

Back then, the entire Shu region even called for Xu Xiao to ascend the throne, but in the end, he chose to remain a loyal subject.

Even now, the Xu family is still genuinely loved and respected by the people of Western Shu.

"hehe--"

Shen Zhao smiled.

"What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?"

Qiao Zhaorong asked in surprise.

"I don't know why Xu Xiao didn't betray the Great Feng and establish his own state, but it's intriguing that you say the Xu family is popular in Sichuan."

"What do you mean by that?" Qiao Zhaorong asked, puzzled. "Back then, when Xu Xiao rallied the soldiers and civilians of Shu to stop the invasion of the Great Wilderness..."

The people and soldiers of Western Shu responded to his call with overwhelming enthusiasm, eagerly sending their sons to Xu Xiao's army. Wasn't this a testament to his popularity?

"Yes, it's so popular! 180,000 Shu soldiers died on the battlefield to stop the invasion of the Great Wilderness."

A large number of orphans and widows were left without care, and almost everyone in Sichuan wore mourning clothes.

The bones of the men of Bashu (Sichuan and Chongqing) forged the Xu family's renowned fame that resounded throughout the wilderness.

Qiao Zhaorong: "War always results in death, especially since they are trying to stop foreign enemies."

Shen Zhao: "You're right. War always results in death, so it's understandable that the soldiers and civilians of Shu died on the battlefield."

What happens to them after they die? What treatment do they receive? And how many people remember their surnames or given names?

Qiao Zhaorong was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond to the question.

"The claim that the Xu family is popular in Sichuan is utter nonsense."

Shen Zhao took out his wine gourd, leaned against the lampstand, and took a small sip.

"When Xu Xiao went to war with the Great Wilderness, he had only been the Prince of Western Shu for a year. And what benevolent policies he implemented in Shu during that year is not mentioned at all in ancient books."

But to expect the people of an entire prefecture to unconditionally trust the Xu family in such a short time, to the point that they would personally send their own sons to the battlefield, is something I personally believe even a god couldn't achieve.

Therefore, the so-called popular support can only mean one thing: the soldiers and civilians of Shu were completely coerced by Xu Xiao.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhaorong shook her head vigorously, saying, "You're just making wild guesses without any basis. How could Xu Xiao possibly be like what you're saying?"

"What else?" Shen Zhao put away his wine gourd. "Explain to me what happened to the families of the soldiers and civilians who died in battle."

"They must have been properly resettled."

"Yes, everything was arranged perfectly. From then on, there were no more dissenting voices in Shu. All that remained were the constant praise of the Xu family's good name."

Seeing Shen Zhao's gloomy face, Qiao Zhaorong's heart tightened.

"Do you have a grudge against the Xu family that makes them want to slander them like this?"

“Miss Qiao, I would like to ask you to face a reality: some things simply cannot withstand scrutiny.”

Shen Zhao said solemnly.

"Leaving aside distant examples, let's take Xu Rong of this generation as an example. You say the Xu family loves the people like their own children, but how exactly does he love the people?"

In Xu Rongjun's army, there was a subordinate named Yuan Xinqi who would forcibly abduct women in the street, intending to eat them.

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