Chapter 85 - Chaotic Times (1/2)
Chapter 85: Chaotic Times
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Seeing Ye Chen’s expression, Yin Mengtian sighed regretfully. Wanting Ye Chen to contribute to the country would not be very realistic.
Ye Chen had not even left Donglin County before and did not know what the world outside was like. At most, he heard some news from his clansmen. Since Yin Mengtian was a Marquis, he should know about the general situation of the land, so Ye Chen asked, “I heard that the outside world is very chaotic now and there are insurgents and rogue vassals everywhere rebelling against the Emperor.”
Yin Mengtian’s brows furrowed at the mention of the insurgents and rogue vassals. He seemed to be in pain as he sighed sadly. “The world isn’t in a good state and even food and clothing have become problems. Understandably, commoners would want to revolt. As for the rogue vassals rebelling against the Emperor, every one of them should be killed!”
Hearing Yin Mengtian’s remarks, Ye Chen felt slightly odd. Was Yin Mengtian not loyal to the Empire? Since the rogue vassals should be killed, why should the commoners’ revolt be allowed?
Seeing Ye Chen’s puzzled expression, Yin Mengtian smiled wryly and explained, “You might not know this but currently, the Xiwu Empire is in a mess both domestically and abroad. However, the most troubling thing isn’t the internal issues but the outside ones. The Nanman Kingdom had invaded seven small countries around the boundary. They had been eyeing our rich and fertile Xiwu Empire for a long time.”
“What do you mean? The Nanman Kingdom didn’t attack the Xiwu Empire. The Xiwu Empire has a large population. As long as there’s no internal disorder, how can they fight themselves in?” Ye Chen asked curiously. This was the first time someone had told him about state affairs. He was interested to know more.
“The Xiwu Empire is located in the Great Eastern Continent, which has a vast area with more than three hundred countries. Since top combatants among humans are too powerful, to prevent these combatants from massacring the commoners, from ancient times, these countries will fight in specific places when settling disputes. That place is an isolated island in the North Sea called the Exclusion Zone. The Nanman Kingdom and the Xiwu Empire will send twenty Tenth Level and above combatants to the Exclusion Zone to battle every two years. The ones who live can go back but the corpses of those who die will forever be left behind in the Exclusion Zone. If either country doesn’t round up twenty Tenth Level or above combatants, the other country will go to war with that country. The confrontation between the Nanman Kingdom and the Xiwu Empire has continued for more than three hundred years,” Yin Mengtian explained.
Listening to Yin Mengtian’s words, many mysteries in Ye Chen’s heart was solved. The dispute between countries was solved in this way. It was not surprising that there were so few Tenth Level combatants in the Xiwu Empire – they were mostly dead.
“The country’s elite has been exhausted in the past three hundred years and the Empire’s deterrent power to those below is getting weaker. Each rogue vassal proclaims himself King, perching high up and imposing heavy penalties and taxes. The commoners are cornered and would rebel. As for those rogue vassals, they know very well that the Empire is at war with the Nanman Kingdom, yet they still want to rebel. They know that they won’t be left unchecked for long yet they still want to revolt. They have the ambition of wild wolves!” Yin Mengde said. This explained why there was no choice for the commoners to rebel but the rogue vassals should be killed. “If not for the Great Emperor Mingwu’s swift reaction and successful triumph in every battle against the armies of three large rogue vassals, I’m afraid the Xiwu Empire would’ve been destroyed long ago.”
Ye Chen exclaimed secretly. It would be difficult for any sovereign king to hold on in such a situation. It seemed that this Great Emperor Mingwu had some skills.
“The Nanman Kingdom is ferocious and they kill people like crushing ants. Every time they invade a country, they enslave the people of that country and kill wantonly. If the Xiwu Empire is destroyed, the lives of the people of the Xiwu Empire would get more difficult. With the skin gone, to what can the hair attach itself?” Yin Mengtian looked at Ye Chen. He had a reason for saying so much to Ye Chen. He felt that Ye Chen had a good character. “It’s regrettable that my cultivation is so humble. The reason I came to this Sunken Jade Tower is to find a way to advance to the Tenth Level. At that time, I’ll rush to the front lines. Even if my body is torn and my bones are crushed, what’s the harm?” Yin Mengtian said impassionately.