Chapter 153: The Northern Aristocratic Families

The northern borders of the Great Qian have long been ruled by local aristocratic families. While they nominally submit to the imperial court as vassals, they possess vast autonomy. Though not formal vassal states in name, they wield power that far surpasses them.

When Northern Yan provoked the war this time, the powerful northern clans remained conspicuously silent and inactive. They acted as if they had completely vanished, turning a deaf ear to the raging conflict right at their doorstep.

Unable to mobilize the northern garrison stationed within Wangchuan City, the imperial court of Great Qian could only watch helplessly as the border-guard armies and the reinforcements drawn from the inner passes were plunged into the bloody quagmire of fierce combat against the Northern Yan forces.

Now, through Jiang Chen’s brilliant strategic maneuvering, Great Qian had finally managed to turn the tide against an overwhelming disadvantage, yet the immense pressure facing the northern territories remained grim and precarious.

To completely drive the ambitious invaders from Northern Yan back to their homeland, two critical conditions had to be met. First, the imperial court and the people must unite as one, thoroughly abandoning all illusions of peace talks and dedicating every effort to facing the enemy.

Second, the entire populace of the northern region had to cooperate seamlessly and present a united front against the external foe. Only when both conditions were fulfilled could Great Qian weather this catastrophic storm.

The reason Han Yuyang insisted they could not retreat to defend Wangchuan City was precisely because the northern aristocrats did not trust the imperial army, and by extension, they harbored the same distrust toward the Qishan Iron Cavalry who fought in service of the court.

Since these northern magnates refused to allow the imperial troops to be stationed within their walls, the army was forced to camp out on the open, flat plains just outside Wangchuan City—a terrain that was nothing short of a nightmare for conducting defensive warfare.

Many within the army harbored deep resentment toward the northern aristocracy. While the soldiers were risking their lives and shedding blood on the front lines, these scumbags hiding in Wangchuan City were living in luxury and acting as though the war had nothing to do with them. Anyone in their position would be driven to fury.

Upon learning the truth of the situation, Jiang Chen said to Han Yuyang, "It seems the Shen family of the northern borders is deeply problematic. Just as Shen Xueying mentioned last time, they appear to be in league with the Xuanyan Manor, which harbors designs to subvert the imperial court."

"Given the opportunity, I will certainly meet with this Shen family to see whether they are truly human or harboring sinister ghosts."

At the mention of the Shen family, Han Yuyang immediately frowned and warned, "The Shen family and Qishan have never had any close ties, but there is one matter you would do well to know beforehand."

"Oh? What matter?" Hearing the heavier tone in Han Yuyang's voice, Jiang Chen realized this issue must be of great importance.

"Two years ago, Shen Qingsheng, the third young master of the Shen family, passed by Qishan and mysteriously vanished midway, leaving no trace to this day. This incident infuriated the Shen family, and they became convinced that Shen Qingsheng's disappearance was linked to us at Qishan."

"However, after multiple investigations yielded no evidence, and with the emperor stepping in to mediate, the northern families and Qishan managed to avoid open hostility. Even so, there has been virtually no contact between the north and Qishan ever since."

"Though even before that, interactions between the two sides were exceedingly rare."

Jiang Chen nodded. "So that's how it is. Therefore, while they lack any proof to hold Qishan responsible for Shen Qingsheng's disappearance, they secretly harbor hostility toward us?"

Han Yuyang replied, "You could say that. Whenever members of the Shen family encounter our Qishan disciples abroad, they are always impeccably polite and outwardly amicable, but interacting with them always leaves a deeply unsettling feeling."

"Especially the way they look at you—it is far beyond mere conventional courtesy."

Having learned these details about the Shen family from Han Yuyang, Jiang Chen grew even more intrigued by this most powerful aristocratic clan in the northern territories.

He believed that the affair from two years ago was far from over. To the members of the Shen family, it was, after all, the loss of direct bloodline within their clan. While these individuals surnamed Shen might maintain a facade of politeness, they were likely plotting against Qishan behind the scenes.

One must remember that the Xuanyan Manor was relentlessly targeting Qishan at every turn, meticulously scheming to drive a wedge between Qishan and the imperial court.

The next day, Jiang Chen decided to travel alone to Wangchuan City to see what this city, tightly controlled by aristocratic factions, truly looked like.

It was often said that the people of the northern borders were rough, uncultured, and fiercely aggressive, steeped in a local prejudice that favored martial prowess over scholarly pursuits. Yet, now that war had broken out between Great Qian and Northern Yan, they had failed to display any steadfast resolve.

As Jiang Chen walked through the bustling markets of Wangchuan City, he found it vastly different from the capital of Great Qian. It possessed a rich northern frontier ambiance, entirely distinct from the eastern regions.

"Step right up, take a look! Don't miss out! Every single blade laid out here is a divine weapon of unmatched sharpness, personally forged by renowned craftsmen from across the realm. They can cut through iron like mud and shatter anything in their path!"

A wandering martial artist shouted at the top of his lungs, brandishing two gleaming sabers. Such a sight would have been entirely unthinkable in Jinyang City.

Beneath the shadow of the imperial capital, no one was ever permitted to brandish weapons openly on the streets, let alone hawk such armaments. Yet in Wangchuan, the largest city in the north, such scenes seemed to be treated as commonplace.

The townspeople hurried past in haste. Perhaps due to the relentless warfare, relaxed smiles were rarely seen on their faces, replaced instead by expressions of gravity and worry.

"Hey there, young master, you look rather frail. You must be a scholar, right?"

The blade-vendor called out to Jiang Chen, saying, "A scholar like you has no business coming to Wangchuan. Everyone here values martial arts above all else. Why don't you buy one of my sabers for self-defense? It'll keep you a bit safer."

Jiang Chen glanced at the man and replied indifferently, "Wangchuan City is no perilous abyss of dragons and tigers. What would I need a saber for?"

"Little brother, you can't look at it that way. You must be new here and unaware of the current situation in the north. Setting aside the fact that the Northern Yan army is right at our doorstep and could attack at any moment..."

"Even within the city itself, numerous bandits and outlaws run rampant. If people want to avoid falling victim to these threats, self-preservation is the only way."

The man relentlessly pushed the saber in his hand toward Jiang Chen, acting as though Jiang Chen should be an easy mark to fool.

In response, Jiang Chen flatly refused. He had faced formidable Northern Yan generals like Xiao Tong bare-handed; when had he ever needed to wield a blade?

Smiling without a word, he turned and walked away amidst the man's somewhat dissatisfied and mocking laughter. This city of Wangchuan was indeed rather interesting; everyone possessed an uninhibited personality and an assertive demeanor.

Yet this was merely the beginning of Jiang Chen's firsthand experience of the current northern situation. He was eager to learn what kind of lives the ordinary people of the north were truly leading amidst these frequent wartime trials.

"Halt! Stop right there! You can't fly out of the palm of my hand inside Wangchuan City!"

Suddenly, a chaotic uproar of shouting and pursuit drew closer from afar. Jiang Chen turned his head to see a group of people chasing a burly, powerfully built giant who looked as strong as an ox.

The giant running in the lead towered like a small mountain. He knocked over several stalls in succession, charging forward like an unstoppable, frantic bull.

The densely packed crowd on the street quickly parted like the receding tide, clearing a wide path for the pursuers.