The way ancient aristocratic families did things was completely incompatible with Song Xia's requirements. At first, they were very uncomfortable with it and even acted arrogantly because of their aristocratic status.
However, soon, some people were impressed by Song Xia's efficiency and superior martial arts skills and dared not utter a word, while others were motivated to work like crazy by the firearms and the sweet potatoes and corn. The rest were so shocked by the well-trained army that they were speechless.
They were aristocratic families that had flourished for hundreds of years, yet they couldn't compare to the background of a woman from the martial arts world. They were all listless and dejected, but then they were determined not to be looked down upon and desperately tried to prove themselves.
The few elders who accompanied the group, after seeing the situation in Linghe City, immediately wrote back to the family. Their opportunity to prove themselves had arrived, and it was worthwhile to use all the family's resources. Moreover, they could invite their old friends to join them. They were confident that they could follow Valley Master Song to create a new era.
The combined efforts of the Chen and Wei families were completely different from the previous persuasion efforts of Chen Zhiyuan alone. In just over a month, even officials from the imperial court had become their inside agents.
Upon learning this, Song Xia was deeply moved. No wonder the generations of royal rulers were wary of powerful families; their influence was indeed not to be underestimated.
She knew that these powerful families were not only concerned with the common people, but also with the long-term honor of their families, and might even further influence the court in the future. But Song Xia didn't care. She couldn't use the influence of these powerful families while being wary of their power. She was confident that she could achieve a balance in the future.
Just like the promise made to Shangguan Jin, as long as the cake is big enough, there will be enough to share.
This world is still very big!
"How is Master Wu's injury?" Song Xia asked Shangguan Jin, taking a moment from her busy schedule. The two hadn't eaten together in a long time.
"We've stabilized the situation for now, and it won't affect our lives. But if we want to clear away the remaining poison and restore our martial arts to their peak, we still need to find the snake monster who poisoned us."
"Have you heard anything from your end?"
"They must have been taken over by a cult."
Song Xia raised an eyebrow: "Control?"
"Well, as far as I know, it seems that Snake Old Monster's granddaughter went out two years ago and never came back. Then the Spirit Snake Sect started working for the cult. I have sent people to inquire. If possible, we will try our best to rescue Snake Old Monster's granddaughter. Oh, and I have some good news to tell you."
"What?"
"Although the Four Directions Sect has always been divided, it is certain that they have always been devoted to the common people. They just have different ways of doing things. After learning about our plans, Master Wu has decided to persuade his three sworn brothers, but the prerequisite is that you can defeat Ouyang Zhen."
A sharp glint flashed in Song Xia's eyes: "Ouyang Zhen must be on his way back already!"
"You seem very confident."
"That's natural."
Shangguan Jin smiled like a fox, closing his fan: "As long as we defeat Ouyang Zhen, and then Master Wu raises his arms and calls, you will naturally become the leader of the martial arts alliance. Now you have the support of aristocratic families, as well as an army and firearms at your disposal. As the leader of the martial arts alliance, you will have much more prestige than others. When we face the counterattack of the imperial court and the evil cult, we will have an extra source of assistance."
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and Song Xia's eyes also gleamed with a sharp light. She was determined to achieve great things and save the people, and she would not let go of any possible assistance.
"If possible, we should invite more martial arts figures to Linghe City in the coming days so that everyone can see how I defeated Ouyang Zhen."
If Shangguan Jin had been somewhat worried about whether Song Xia could defeat Ouyang Zhen before, working together for some time had given him a thorough understanding of Song Xia's personality. She would never make definitive statements about things she wasn't sure of, so he was completely relieved.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the closer Ouyang Zhen got to Linghe City, the more he could feel the changes in Linghe City. What exactly did Song Xia do during the year he was away?
When they reached a point twenty miles outside Linghe City, they came across a teahouse. The teahouse was already full of people, and there were also quite a few carriages. Judging from the demeanor of these people, they were no ordinary people.
"Were you also invited by Valley Master Song?"
"Indeed, Lord Song is of great righteousness; how can we continue to stand idly by?"
"Brother Wang, I hope you will take good care of me in the future when we work together."
"Likewise, likewise, we'll listen to Valley Master Song."
"In this chaotic world, with Master Song here, we finally see hope."
Master Song?
Ouyang Zhen's eyes were almost brimming with anger. How could he not know that Song Xia had bypassed him to become the Valley Master of Linghe Valley? Where did these people place themselves?
Normally, Ouyang Zhen would definitely argue with these people, but now he would rather return to Linghe City to see what was going on. Moreover, these people were obviously from prominent families and had guards with them. If something happened, it might affect his reputation.
Song Xia, oh Song Xia, what exactly did this woman do while I was away?
While Song Xia was waiting for Ouyang Zhen, Song Ling reported to her that members of a cult had infiltrated the area.
"It's alright. More and more people are coming to Linghe City these days, and it's impossible to stop them all. Keep an eye on them and don't give them a chance to poison anyone. If you find them hurting someone, kill them immediately."
Song Ling laughed easily: "Having learned from the previous lessons, everyone is now very careful and cautious, afraid of being discovered by us."
"Um."
"A letter has also arrived from the tea shop outside the city. Ouyang Zhen should enter the city immediately."
Song Xia stood up and looked at the horizon: "It's time to get to the bottom of this."
When Ouyang Zhen arrived at the outer city, he realized how rapidly Linghe City had expanded. Upon seeing the soldiers guarding the city, his pupils dilated even more. After entering the city, the bustling commerce and the rapid pace of life made him feel that it was different from previous years.
If he had already noticed the city's prosperity when he left Linghe City a year ago, now he felt an even stronger sense of tension, as if something was about to erupt.
Walking down the street, it seemed that he could see people with a different aura at any time. The aura of these people was exactly the same as that he had seen in court officials and scholars from noble families before.
These people have always walked a different path from him, a江湖人士 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world). How did they come to Linghe City? And judging from their appearance, they seem to have some kind of job. What is it about Linghe City that attracts them here?
Could it be those refugees that Song Xia took in before? These refugees not only didn't drag Song Xia and Linghe Valley down, but instead ushered in a new life?
Ouyang Zhen thought of a possibility, and his heart pounded.
Could it be that these people voluntarily joined Linghe Valley out of kindness, and then supported Linghe Valley in establishing its own regime?
Ouyang Zhen's ambition surged. In this way, Song Xia's actions had turned out to be a lucky accident, so he would no longer pursue the matter of her abusing her authority as the Valley Master.
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