Chapter 288 "Living Map" Xu Guanzhong "Phantom Demon Lord" Qiao Daoqing
The capture of Daming Prefecture directly shook the Song Dynasty's rule in Hebei.

The reputation of Cao Jie, the Young King of Wei, completely surpassed that of the four great rebels, and he truly possessed the strength to become king.

For example, Tian Hu who rebelled in Shanxi and Wang Qing who rebelled in Huaixi only controlled a few counties and had ragged soldiers under their command, totaling only more than 20,000 people.

Even Fang La found it difficult to digest the seven conquered states in a short period of time.

Only Cao Jie made rapid progress and took over Shandong and Hebei.

As the reputation spread, many heroes who had been wavering came to join.

On the third day after Daming Prefecture was captured, the "Prodigal Son" Yan Qing came with a young man to see him.

This man was about twenty years old, about seven feet tall, with shaggy eyebrows, slightly rosy eyes, and almond-shaped eyes, which was very unusual.

He just had a hump nose and a three-tooth moustache covering his square mouth. It couldn't be said whether he was good-looking or ugly, but his demeanor was refreshing and elegant, with a bit of ancient simplicity.

Looking at his attire again, he wore a turban made of neither blue nor black gauze, a pair of square-foot shoes for stepping on dust and dirt, a Taoist robe that was neither black nor brown, and a colorful Lu Gong belt around his neck. He did not look like an ordinary worldly person, but rather a graceful alchemist.

"King Wei, this is my good friend. He is quite capable and I am willing to serve you."

Yan Qing introduced them.

To this day, although Cao Jie is still close to the heroes of the martial arts world, he can no longer be on friendly terms with them because he rebelled and called himself "King of Wei".

All regulations must be arranged according to the king.

In the harem, Liu Hui Niang successfully became pregnant. According to Cao Jie's mental investigation, it was a boy. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be the prince, and Liu Hui Niang would be the future queen.

Yan Qing was quite trembling in front of Cao Jie, but this man was not in a hurry. He bowed and said, "I am from Daming Prefecture. My surname is Xu and my name is Guanzhong. I have been traveling away from home for the past few years. This spring, I went to Bianjing Prefecture to take the military examination. I was lucky enough to win the first place. I lived in Beijing for half a year and saw many dirty things. I saw that the court was like a ghost town. The tall hats and wide belts were all inhuman. Therefore, I was discouraged and didn't want to be an official."

"It turns out to be Brother Xu Guanzhong." Cao Jie shook Yan Huan's hand and said, "I think you are not only powerful, but also full of talent!"

In the simplified version, Xu Guanzhong seems to be just an insignificant person, but in fact he should never be taken lightly.

Because his name is extremely extraordinary.

"No, no, I just read a few books and learned a few words! The King of Wei has now conquered half of Hebei, and next he must control the entire area north of the Yellow River before moving south. I have a treasure and I would like to present it to the King of Wei!"

Xu Guanzhong pulled out a huge scroll from his sleeve.

"This treasure can help King Wei take over the land of Shanxi!"

As soon as the huge scroll was unfolded, the military advisor Wu Yong's eyes suddenly lit up and he blurted out, "Oh! What a beautiful picture of mountains and rivers..."

But on the map, there are clear mountains and rivers, winding rivers, and cities of all sizes, scattered like clouds.

Xu Guanzhong smiled and said, "If the King of Wei wants to send troops to Shanxi, he can just follow this map and take the prefectures and counties. It will be easy."

Cao Jie took a closer look and nodded, saying, "It is indeed a treasure. Having this map is better than having ten thousand troops! I just wonder where did brother Guanzhong get this map from?" Shanxi alone is not enough. If one had a map of the mountains and rivers of the world, that would be a real treasure.

Xu Guanzhong said: "When I traveled in Shanxi in the past, I would draw a map whenever I encountered dangerous places where troops were stationed, or when I passed by rivers. I would draw a map of where troops could be advanced and where ambushes could be set up, without any mistakes. When the general arrived at an unfamiliar place, he would know the strategy of attack by looking at the map."

This is not bragging, Xu Guanzhong really has this ability.

"Brother Guanzhong, you are the living map! I have Guanzhong, so I can accomplish great things."

"I don't deserve the King of Wei's praise. These are the only abilities I have. Once the King has pacified the world, I will be able to travel the world peacefully, wandering around the rivers and lakes, and living a carefree life."

At this time, Yan Qing clasped his fists and said, "Brother Guanzhong is too modest. Let the King of Wei know that brother Guanzhong is proficient in military tactics, martial arts, and strategies, and is knowledgeable in piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He is proficient in the languages ​​of Khitan, Jurchen, Dangxiang, and Tubo. He is truly a man of both civil and military talents. The most rare thing is that he knows the geography of the world..."

"He's quite a good man!"

At this time, Gongsun Sheng also led a group of people into the hall.

This Taoist wore a yellow crown, a crane cloak, and had shaggy eyebrows, blue eyes, and a beard.

Gongsun Sheng glanced at Xu Guanzhong, nodded slightly, then pointed at the Taoist priest and said:

"King Wei, this is the Illusionary Demon Lord Qiao Daoqing. When he was young, he traveled to Kongtong Mountain and met an extraordinary person who taught him illusion skills. He could call the wind and rain and ride on the clouds. Later, he went to Erxian Mountain to worship my master Luo Zhenren as his teacher, but was rejected because he learned the heterodox way, not the right way. He had to wait until the De Demon descended before he could obtain the Tao. So my master gave him a chance. Now he comes here to get this opportunity."

After that, the "Phantom Demon Lord" Qiao Daoqing bowed and said, "At the beginning of the year, I traveled to Anding Prefecture. It happened to be a drought there. There was no rain for five months. The government offered a reward of 3,000 strings of cash for praying for rain, so I took the lead and performed a spell, and the rain fell everywhere.

Who knew that when I wanted to collect the reward, the storekeeper took advantage of me because I was a foreigner with no roots, and only gave me three strings of cash to send me off. I got so angry that I beat the storekeeper up, and within a few days, the storekeeper died of his injuries. The county magistrate then issued an official document to hold me accountable...

Alas! I could only flee back to my hometown overnight, carrying my mother on my back and fleeing to the rivers and lakes. Fortunately, the King of Wei gained power in Shandong and conquered Hebei. I came to seek refuge and met Taoist friend Yiqing. It seems that my fate has come. "

Cao Jie returned the salute and said with a smile: "I see that you have the strength of the Sun Travel Realm."

Qiao Daoqing grinned: "I was lucky enough to enter the Sun Travel Realm, but it is only the sixth level realm, and cannot be compared with Daoist Fellow Yiqing."

"With the strength of the sixth rank, he is also a master who has entered the Dao."

Cao Jie was very happy and said, "Today I got the living map Xu Guanzhong and the Phantom Demon Lord Qiao Daoqing. You two came to help me accomplish my mission, so I will not treat you unfairly. Mr. Yiqing, I will leave Brother Qiao to you. As for Brother Guanzhong, you can join my staff first. What do you think?"

"It's what you wish for!"

"good!"

Cao Jie added, "You two have old mothers who need to be taken care of. Mr. Yiqing also has an old mother who is now living in Liangshan. The scenery of Liangshan Marsh is excellent, but the moisture is a bit heavy. However, Mr. Yiqing has great magical powers and can control the moisture. He transformed a sunny area into the best place for retirement. If you two don't mind, I will take you to the mountain to live in retirement. It will surely prolong your life."

Qiao Daoqing said immediately: "That couldn't be better. Mr. Yiqing is the last disciple of Master Luo. If I can achieve enlightenment in the future, he will be my senior brother!"

Xu Guanzhong also said: "The world is so chaotic nowadays. It is a blessing for my mother to have a peaceful place to retire!"

(End of this chapter)