Chapter 305 - 243: Preparing to Leave, Distributing Money Per Head

Chapter 305: Chapter 243: Preparing to Leave, Distributing Money Per Head

Jiang Minghai’s words were no mere courtesy; they came from the bottom of his heart.

He had spent the better part of his life fighting his way through the martial world, and had seen more than his share of people and events. As a result, he no longer harbored grand ambitions, wishing only for a quiet, stable retirement in the capital.

Wu Liangchen did not insist.

The Star-Swallowing Meridian Opening Skill had an age limit. As one grew older, their Qi and Blood would inevitably begin to decline.

It might be different for someone who had taken good care of their body, but an old veteran like Jiang Minghai, who had carved out a life amidst the clash of blades, was bound to have all sorts of hidden injuries. His Qi and Blood would be in an even greater state of decline.

Therefore, even if he cultivated the Meridian Opening Skill, his chances of success would be incredibly slim.

"Alright, regardless, just knowing what the path ahead looks like is enough to satisfy me. That alone is cause for celebration! Feng’Er, tell the kitchen to whip up a few dishes and heat a pot of wine. I’m going to have a few drinks with Xiaowu!" Jiang Minghai declared, slapping the table.

Seeing Jiang Minghai in such high spirits, Wu Liangchen didn’t refuse.

The food and wine were soon served, and the two men took their seats.

The dishes were simple, home-style fare, and the wine was nothing special.

But Jiang Minghai drank with great relish.

As cups were raised and toasts were made, the first pot of wine was soon empty.

Jiang Feng, ever prepared, immediately brought over another jar. He broke the seal, refilled his father’s and Wu Liangchen’s cups, and then stepped back to stand respectfully at the side.

Wu Liangchen started to ask him to join them, but Jiang Feng wouldn’t hear of it.

He insisted that with his father present, he could not be so presumptuous as to sit at the same table.

Jiang Minghai waved his hand, signaling for Wu Liangchen to drop it.

"Come on, pay him no mind. Let us two have another cup!"

The two men drained their cups. Jiang Minghai then set his down and asked casually.

"When are you planning to leave?"

Wu Liangchen smiled. "In the next day or two."

"In such a hurry? I thought you’d at least stay in Kyoto through the New Year," Jiang Minghai said, a little surprised.

"I’ve been away for too long this time. I can’t help but worry about things back home, so I want to get back as soon as possible."

Jiang Minghai let out a hearty laugh. "True enough. After all, all your female confidantes are back in the Huangpu Guard. It’s only right you should hurry back to them. However..."

Jiang Minghai’s tone shifted. "The situation in Kyoto is more or less taken care of. Even if those remnants from the East Sea are still hiding in the shadows, waiting for a chance to cause trouble, they probably can’t make any big waves anymore. But I heard you came here looking for someone..."

"There’s no need to search any longer," Wu Liangchen said. "If I’m not mistaken, that person has already left Kyoto."

Jiang Minghai nodded immediately.

At their level, one develops an extraordinary intuition for such things.

So, he wasn’t surprised by Wu Liangchen’s words.

"There is one more matter I must trouble you with after I leave, Elder Jiang," Wu Liangchen said.

"What is it?"

"The Great Yan dynasty exists in name only. For now, the various powers are still reeling from the sudden turn of events, but I suspect it won’t be long before they react. When they do, Great Yan will be finished for good."

"Of course, this is what most people wanted. A corrupt, decaying regime like that should have collapsed long ago. But the times ahead will inevitably be turbulent. I don’t care how many corrupt officials, bandits, and local despots die, but the innocent common folk will surely suffer in the chaos."

"So, I hope that you, Elder Jiang, can help these poor people in any way you can."

This request from Wu Liangchen also came from the bottom of his heart.

It’s true that one must tear down the old to build the new, and the fact that Great Yan’s decrepit ship has finally sunk after struggling to stay afloat for so long is worth celebrating. But as the old saying goes: when a dynasty rises, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer still.

Good things never seem to fall to the common folk; that was an immutable truth of the world.

Wu Liangchen naturally understood this, and it was out of sympathy for the people at the very bottom that he made his request.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Minghai’s expression grew serious.

"I would do this even if you hadn’t asked. After living in Kyoto for so many years, I’ve grown attached to this place."

Wu Liangchen nodded. "Then on behalf of the people of Kyoto, thank you, Elder Jiang!"

"Haha, no need for thanks. But what are your plans for the Imperial Palace?" Jiang Minghai asked.

The Great Yan Imperial Palace had become a ghost town. Although several hundred constables from the Ministry of Justice were maintaining order, this was hardly a long-term solution.

A glint appeared in Wu Liangchen’s eyes. "It’s simple. Since everything stored in there is the fruit of the people’s labor, now is the time to return it to its rightful owners."

Jiang Minghai’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. He slapped his thigh and said, "Well said! That’s how it should have been from the start!"

Wasting no time, the two men abandoned their wine and went straight to the Imperial Palace, where they summoned the men from the Ministry of Justice.

When Wu Liangchen relayed his intentions, the constables were stunned into silence.

They had assumed that with Great Yan’s leadership wiped out and a power vacuum in the Imperial Capital, this Master Wu would seize the opportunity to rise to power and become the next ruler of the realm.

As for the legitimacy of such an action...

A Martial Arts Grandmaster not yet twenty years old—he himself *was* legitimacy!

And this was a prospect that filled them with eager anticipation.

After all, as the first to pledge their allegiance, they would all share in the glory of "accompanying the dragon"—the great merit of helping a new ruler ascend to the throne.

But they had never imagined Wu Liangchen would make such a play, so the announcement was met with a brief, stunned silence.