Chapter 662: The True Heritage of Great Families

Chapter 662: The True Foundation of the Great Clans

Zhao Changhe had no idea what he had eaten during that meal—too much seductive allure left no impression of the food. All he remembered was that the rabbit's rabbit was white, plump, trembling, warm, and hot, just like the rabbit-shaped longevity peaches on the table. In the end, he couldn't tell which one he had eaten.

Either way, both were delicious.

But in the end, that sort of thing didn't happen—it wasn't the right place or time.

Calling himself a "conqueror," he was alone and not in the best state. At this moment, Cui Wenjing had no leisure to look after his safety. Within the vast Cui clan, how much hidden discontent lurked? Were there those trying to assassinate him while he was lost in ecstasy? Could the Desolation Calamity still make a comeback? None of this was certain.

Fooling around was one thing, but if things got serious and something sudden happened, he'd be sharing insights with Chancellor Cao in the underworld—no one did things that way.

Patience was key... When the wedding came, the Cui clan's elite would surround and protect their young lady, ensuring she was safely "consumed."

He had once worried about the so-called "principal wife" issue, but now the situation wasn't such a big problem. The Cui clan's leverage to fight for that position had diminished considerably... But even setting aside titles, the mere order of weddings was headache enough.

Wan Zhuang, such a loyal minister, dared to argue with the emperor over a husband in court. If those women found out he had married outside first, who knew if they'd tear him limb from limb...

But Zhao Changhe felt there might not be time for marriage right now. Taking advantage of the Desolation Calamity's injury, he should combine the forces of the Cui clan and the Canal Guild to launch a swift attack on the Wang clan's territory, erasing this lingering threat once and for all.

The pressure from the barbarians always hung over his head; this was no time for indulgence. Well, at least Yangyang wouldn't grow up so fast—she was still very cute...

When Cui Wenjing finished arranging various matters and slowly strolled to the outside of his daughter's boudoir, the shameless couple was already sitting properly in the courtyard, sipping tea face to face. The first words Cui Wenjing heard were: "How many soldiers does the Cui clan have now?"

Cui Wenjing was quite surprised they were discussing this, so he paused outside to listen.

His daughter's voice was serious: "Over thirty thousand armored troops, five to six thousand warhorses. Counting all the miscellaneous forces, you could say we could muster two hundred thousand. Of course, legally, only a small portion is truly ours—most should belong to the Great Xia prefectural armies, but we control them through various means... As for grain, we'd need to calculate more carefully, but I don't think we're short..."

Cui Wenjing didn't know whether to be gratified that his daughter understood the family assets or to curse this traitorous wretch for spilling all the family secrets in one breath. But since he had just decided to return the prefectural military power to the court a few moments ago, it didn't matter much now...

Zhao Changhe no longer lacked perspective on these numbers. He didn't think a few thousand warhorses were few, nor did he underestimate thirty thousand armored troops. On the contrary, this was formidable. For a direct comparison, when the Maitreya Sect claimed to have swept the Jiangnan with a million followers, only a few thousand of that million could be called "armored" at the start, and at their peak, barely twenty to thirty thousand, with qualified cavalry numbering less than a thousand...

Men could be trained, but resources and equipment were hard to conjure. Add in the "not short" grain... This was the terrifying foundation of top-tier clans like Cui and Wang, ready to transform into contenders for power in times of chaos.

Long ago, when Cui Yuanyang didn't know how strong Xia Longyuan was, she had even let slip words like "we might not fear him either," and Cui Wenwei didn't think the New Han court had much strength. That was because their family was truly formidable. Without the overpowering influence of the Imperial Realm, they feared no one in conventional strength.

The Wang clan, just raising their banner, ran into the equally matched Cui clan's desperate resistance—it was truly unlucky. Against any other enemy, they would have crushed them like a storm, not spent months failing to take a single Puyang.

This was why, in most cases, emperors had to compromise and cooperate with them. It was also the first situation Zhao Changhe had to break open. Once broken, the chaotic situation would instantly turn advantageous for him. Conversely, if these clans united, the effect would be the opposite.

A few days ago, Tang Wanzhuang had discussed with Xia Chichi that Zhao Changhe's fate with Cui Yuanyang two years ago was now a sign of great fortune. Only Zhao Changhe could integrate the forces of the Cui clan, the Tang clan, and the Four Symbols Sect to piece together this shattered land.

Cui Wenjing didn't enter immediately; he continued listening.

Zhao Changhe was saying: "Do you know anything about the Yang clan's situation?"

Cui Yuanyang replied: "We haven't communicated openly. On the surface, no one has sent envoys. I don't know about secret dealings—you'd have to ask Father... No, don't keep looking for him!"

The young girl suddenly grew wary: "If you want to ask, find another time. If you run off to find him now, see if I'll pay you any attention!"

Cui Wenjing: "..."

Are you insane?

Zhao Changhe was amused and exasperated: "Your father is busy now. Let's start with what you know. Just tell me what you know."

Cui Yuanyang muttered: "Though you've done the Yang clan a favor, it was based on the Lianshan Sword. Now that the sword is destroyed, that favor is probably meaningless. Even if you promise to forge a sword for them, it won't help—you and the Desolation Calamity both can promise sword-forging, but given your attitude toward the clans and Xia Chichi's identity as the late emperor's daughter, Yang Jingxiu will never choose you. If you were the emperor yourself, the Yang clan might have hope, but letting Xia Chichi rule... what's that?"

"Chichi also has some goodwill toward the Yang clan, but at this point, it's a fundamental conflict of interest. Those small favors can't decide anything anymore." Zhao Changhe took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I don't plan to treat the Yang clan the same as you. There must be distinctions."

Cui Yuanyang was delighted: "What do you plan to do, Brother Zhao?"

"Right now, the Han's greatest enemy to crush and establish authority is the Wang clan. I can't turn the spearhead toward the Yang clan prematurely—that would be putting the cart before the horse. I need the Cui clan to help me keep the Yang clan in check first."

Cui Yuanyang was taken aback: "You don't need us to send troops against the Wang clan? I've wanted to trouble them for a long time."

"Honestly, I only fear your clans uniting. As long as I break that unity, the Wang clan alone is already a skeleton in my eyes..."

"They still have considerable troops, even after their defeat at Puyang..."

Seeing Cui Yuanyang's eager expression, as if she really wanted to fight the Wang clan, Zhao Changhe couldn't help but pinch her cheek: "Then... you can come with me."

Cui Yuanyang's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Of course." Zhao Changhe said, "Before that, I'll forge a sword for you—I promised your father that. And my Yangyang should also make it onto the Human Ranking..."

Cui Wenjing couldn't hold back any longer and finally stepped into the courtyard: "You can forge it directly?"

Cui Yuanyang: "...When did you get here?"

Cui Wenjing said irritably: "I knew you didn't want me to take up your time with your lover, so I deliberately stayed outside and didn't disturb you. Alright?"

Cui Yuanyang: "...That's not true. I'm very happy you're here, Father."

Cui Wenjing really didn't know how he had raised such a sly little brat. He simply ignored her and turned to Zhao Changhe: "What does the Cui clan need to provide?"

"First, help me send a letter to the capital. I need to discuss some plans with Chichi and Wanzhuang."

Cui Wenjing nodded: "I was going to submit a memorial anyway. Write it, and I'll have Yuanyong deliver it personally."

"Alright. As for the rest, I don't need much. First, a fire source hot enough to melt the broken sword. Second, a secure place where no one can disturb me."

"We are reforging the Qinghe. Whoever dares to disturb us, I'll make them irreconcilable enemies!"

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Cui Yuanyang: "?"

Who said that "I"? Was Cui Yuanyong standing here just now? So that's why people say cursing runs in the family, right?

"Cough." Cui Wenjing realized his lapse and quickly regained his composure: "You said forging the sword requires Yuanyong or Yuanyang themselves to awaken the original sword spirit. Is Yuanyang enough alone, or does Yuanyong need to be there?"

"Probably not. As long as the intent aligns, one person is enough—no need for high cultivation. But do you have the fire? I feel like your clan isn't into this sort of thing. If not, I'll have to ask the Vermilion Sovereign for help."

Zhao Changhe felt a bit guilty saying this. The Vermilion Sovereign wasn't really fit to leave the capital right now, and the Qinghe's proximity meant it wouldn't have much impact, but the real issue was whether the Vermilion Sovereign would tear Yuanyang apart...

Cui Wenjing laughed dryly: "Do you think our ancestors chose Qinghe as their base just to claim the name of an ancient clan?"

Zhao Changhe's heart stirred: "There's a secret realm here!"

Cui Wenjing stroked his beard and smiled: "Not only do we have one—every clan does. It's time for you to see the true foundation of the great clans. And I suspect this secret realm might be invaluable to you."

Cui Yuanyang sat to the side, sipping tea gloomily. She knew it—once these two got started, it was all about knowing what the other was thinking and what they wanted. She was just an outsider... Even though she knew about the family's secret realm, why hadn't she thought to secretly take Brother Zhao to see it first?