Chapter 599: Unruly (Part )
"This……"

Seeing Zhao Yuan's face gloomy and speechless, Shen Dongshan quickly interrupted: "Why do you say that, Master Deng Wu? The emperor is the supreme ruler, his words are as good as gold, how could he destroy the bridge after crossing the river? You must not speculate on the emperor's intentions like this."

"What a joke!" Huang Yulang sneered, "Usually, the government makes things difficult for us in the martial arts world, slanders us in every way, and wants to kill all the major sects as bandits and rebels. Now that we are in trouble, we don't want to spend money and effort, so we just talk and write an imperial edict casually, promising some invisible benefits, and want to make us work like slaves and fight for you. Is there such a good thing in the world?"

"That's right!" Deng Changchuan echoed, "The officials are hiding in the land of comfort, enjoying the best food and the best drinks, while we are forced to go through fire and water to save our lives? Pah! When you were parading through the streets, collecting heavy taxes from the people, you were so majestic and imposing. Why are you all so cowardly now that you have met the Mongols? You can only hide in your shells, not daring to shout and order the Mongols around like you would ordinary people?"

"These bastards have long been drained of their bodies by alcohol and sex, and now they are frightened by the Mongolian scimitars. Where is the backbone left?"

"Ha ha……"

Following Deng Quan's teasing, laughter broke out in the hall.

Everyone was making sarcastic remarks, which made Zhao Yuan's face turn pale. He suddenly felt extremely ashamed, angry and annoyed.

If Zhao Yuan had not needed anything from Luo Tianjin and was not on someone else's territory, he would have been furious long ago. How could he be willing to suffer such injustice?

Liu Xunyi was also very conflicted about this. He wanted to help Zhao Yuan out, but the trend was irresistible. If he spoke rashly, he would become the target of public criticism.

On the other hand, Yelu Qin and Xunzhen sat aside, smiling calmly without saying a word.

Shen Dongshan was worried that everyone's "nonsense" would implicate him, so he cupped his hands to Luo Tianjin and said, "Lord Luo, we were clearly discussing the matter of recruiting the amnesty, why did we end up... complaining about the government?"

"Master Zhao, Master Shen." Seeing Zhao Yuan's face turn pale, Xie Xuan waved his hand to interrupt the quarrel and said, "It's not that we brothers are ungrateful and making trouble out of nothing. It's just that everyone is dissatisfied with the government and has a lot of resentment."

"Oh?" Zhao Yuan frowned, "Why? Do you have a grudge against the government?"

"We have been wandering in the martial arts world, going through countless hardships and dangers, life and death, wealth and poverty, and we have survived to this day by gritting our teeth and persevering. As for the government, not only did they not give us any help, but they also made up excuses and made things difficult for us." Xie Xuan explained, "There is a saying that 'only the officials are allowed to set fires, but the people are not allowed to light lamps.' The adults eat well and wear warm clothes all day long, and they have everything they want. Of course, they will not understand the sufferings of people like us in the martial arts world. You are safe and stable, living a mediocre life, and are supported by the court salary all year round. Not only do they have no worries about food and drink, but they also hold the power of life and death over the people. Wherever they go, people have to look at the faces of the adults. With such power and status, they naturally enjoy the peace of the world and live out their lives in peace. But it is different for us. Every bite of food we eat, every sip of water we drink, every piece of clothing we wear, and every tile house we live in are earned through hard work and fighting for our lives. We are always trembling with fear, walking on thin ice, and we will die if we are not careful. If we don't fight for a day, we will starve and freeze. Have you ever experienced this feeling, adults?"

"As the saying goes, 'The rich enjoy wine and meat, while the poor freeze to death on the streets.'" Luo Qi continued, "Every bit of food and drink you use is the blood and sweat of the people, but you are extremely harsh in supporting the people, and on the contrary, you swallow your anger and retreat again and again in the face of the powerful foreign enemies who constantly harass us. May I ask why? How can such a foolish and incompetent court gain our support and loyalty?"

"This……"

Zhao Yuan had never expected that the people would have such great resentment towards the imperial court.

Most of the people in the underworld are desperate criminals who are willing to sacrifice their lives and have no worries. Therefore, they dare to think and speak freely, and speak from the heart.

Looking back at the common people, with their families, the elderly and the young, most of them are timid and cautious. For a long time, they have been angry but dared not speak out. I wonder how much resentment they have accumulated?

No wonder the Song Dynasty has fallen to this day. It really proves the saying 'water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it'.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan couldn't help but feel bitter and mixed. He sighed, "The court also has its own difficulties. Although there are corrupt officials, they are not as filthy as you imagine. However... the ice is not formed in a day. This matter cannot be explained in a few words. The most urgent task is that we Han people should unite against the enemy and fight together."

"The people pay a lot of taxes every year, which is enough for the court to support the army. Why do they need to ask us for help?" Yan Bugui said contemptuously, "Besides, we are not officials and have never received a penny from the court. Why should we work for you?"

"We are all Han Chinese, how can we be so fussy about this..."

"Since we are all Han Chinese, can the old emperor let my master sit on his throne?" Su Tang said jokingly, "This is fair. If you are unwilling to share wealth with us, why should you let us share hardships with you?"

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Yuan's face suddenly changed, and he angrily scolded: "How can you say such rebellious words?"

"Why can't we say it? It's true that we are Han people, but we are not running dogs of the Song Dynasty." Murong Bai said coldly, "Dynasties change over and over again. In our hearts, Han people are Han people, and the Zhao Dynasty is the Zhao Dynasty. They can't be confused at all. Don't say that the court represents the orthodoxy of the Han people. Ask yourself, weren't the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties before the Song Dynasty the Han people's world? Therefore, your own court should be guarded by you, and it is not the turn of us outsiders to intervene. After all, it is you who eat meat and drink soup, and it is natural that you should wash the pots and dishes. The adults have extorted the blood and sweat of the people, but have never given the people a little broth. How can you have the face to complain to us when you are in trouble today?" "Asshole!" Zhao Yuan scolded, "No egg will be intact when the nest is overturned. If the Song Dynasty is destroyed, what good will it do to you? The result is the same dead end."

"Lord Zhao, you are wrong." Luo Qi shook his head and said, "From the Xia and Shang Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, how many dynasties have the Central Plains experienced? How many kings have been replaced? But no matter how the dynasties change, the people are still the people. I have only heard of the news that the kings of the previous dynasties killed the royal family, but I have never heard of the absurd things of killing the people of the previous dynasty. Even during the transition from Tang to Song, Emperor Taizu never killed ordinary people in vain. Besides, if the emperor loses the people, he will become a lonely man, what's the point? Therefore, we continue to wander around and live a stable life. If we surrender to the Song court, I am afraid it will be a real dead end."

"Lord Luo!"

Faced with the convincing arguments of the people in the Xianwang Mansion, Zhao Yuan finally couldn't stand it anymore, and slammed the table, staring at the silent Luo Tianjin with a pair of angry eyes, and said word by word: "The disciples of your mansion are all a group of disloyal and unrighteous traitors! They are so indifferent to the government and despise the court. If left alone, it will bring disaster to Lord Luo sooner or later."

"Master Zhao, what you said makes sense." Luo Tianjin pretended to be embarrassed, "But... what they said is not without reason. After all, this is not the imperial court. Master cannot use power to suppress others, but should convince them with reason, and convince these traitors, so that they will not implicate me. If you can't convince them, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to convince the heroes of the martial arts world."

Seeing Luo Tianjin playing both sides and putting on airs, Zhao Yuan's heart immediately sank, and he angrily asked: "What do you mean by this, Lord Luo? Do you agree with the rebellious words they just said?"

"No!" Luo Tianjin shook his head innocently, "I just feel sorry for Lord Zhao."

"Feel sorry for me?" Zhao Yuan didn't seem to understand Luo Tianjin's hidden meaning. "Why did Palace Master Luo say that?"

"Lord Zhao keeps saying that the emperor is so kind and wants to recruit the Central Plains martial arts community." Luo Tianjin said with a wry smile, "Little do you know that the people present here are all important figures in the Central Plains martial arts community. They have seniority, reputation, and status in the martial arts world. They can be said to be able to attract people from all directions if they raise their arms. Lord Zhao, don't think that everyone in the martial arts world is a hero who is loyal to the emperor and loves the country. In fact, most of the people in the Central Plains martial arts community are arrogant people like them. After all, the imperial court is a place of justice and strictness. How can it associate with a group of evil-minded rebels? Therefore, I feel sorry for Lord Zhao."

At this point, Zhao Yuan finally understood Luo Tianjin's meaning. It was clear that he was refusing the court's offer of amnesty.

"Lord Luo, I am here to talk to you with all my sincerity on behalf of the Emperor." Zhao Yuan said in a deep voice, "You must think clearly about the consequences of rejecting the Emperor's grace. You know, if you provoke the Emperor's wrath, even if the Mongolian army approaches, the court will definitely send troops to wipe out all the sects one by one."

"If that's the case, we'll just have to wander around the world and live our own lives." Luo Tianjin said helplessly, "Of course I won't do anything that goes against morality, but if other sects are forced into a corner by the court... there's no guarantee they won't do something crazy."

"Crazy move?" Zhao Yuan asked suspiciously, "How crazy?"

"For example... colluding with the Mongolian army to create chaos for the Song Dynasty court."

"you……"

Luo Tianjin's words seemed to be a reminder, but in fact they were threats, and almost made Zhao Yuanqi vomit blood.

"No matter what, I am still willing to make friends with Mr. Zhao." Luo Tianjin ignored Zhao Yuan's reaction and said with a sincere smile, "Of course, the premise is that Mr. Zhao does not mind my humble background."

"Okay, okay." Zhao Yuan was so angry that he had nothing to say. He looked around with a gloomy look and nodded repeatedly, "Today's ceremony must have been specially prepared for me by Palace Master Luo."

"Lord Zhao, you are too kind." Luo Tianjin said modestly, "The martial arts world is different from the imperial court. The emperor is the supreme ruler and he can have the final say. Although I am the leader of the martial arts world, I cannot act arbitrarily and must listen to everyone's opinions. If I insist on doing it on my own, the heroes of the world will not be convinced. In the end, not only will I not be able to help you, but I will also be in trouble. I hope you will understand my difficulties."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence. Everyone had their own thoughts and looked at each other. For a moment, it was as quiet as death.

Suddenly, a graceful figure stepped into the hall without any warning, startling everyone who was anxious.

The person who came was Ling Xiaoxiao, who lived a reclusive life and had not been seen for many days.

……

(End of this chapter)