I Have A Martial Dao World

They prepared a medicinal bath for Yu Yanmei, and as they waited for the water to boil, everyone sat in the courtyard chatting.

"Grandmaster Yu, I heard Prefectural Governor Zu highly regards you, did you ask him to publish that article in the newspaper?"

"Actually, I did not," Yu Yanmei shook her head, "It was he who learned about the incident through the newspaper and took the initiative to speak out."

"Prefectural Governor Zu... truly is a person of high virtue and acclaimed reputation."

Originally, the Linjiang Gang could have caused trouble for a month or two.

But once Prefectural Governor Zu made his statement, they were instantly branded as outcasts of the martial world, and the vast gang dissipated like smoke in just 3 days.

Li Pei suddenly asked, "Master, how is the situation with the Western Frontier battle?"

This was a question of concern for everyone.

The "Agubai" gang, under the support of powerful states like the Rakshasa and others, dominated the Western Regions as kings, establishing a nation known as the "Hongfu Khanate."

Their leader "Agubai", born a dancing boy, meaning a child concubine, surely was no simple character to have reached such a status.

Yet in front of Prefectural Governor Zu, he still seemed somewhat insignificant.

Yu Yanmei started to say:

"Last year, taking advantage of the great powers embroiled in conflict, Prefectural Governor Zu launched a 'coffin-carrying western campaign', crushed Agubai, and reclaimed Dihua.

It was the onset of winter, with heavy snow sealing off the mountains, along with the matter of the Heavenly Demon Empress Dowager, that made Prefectural Governor Zu temporarily halt his advance.

By the warm days of March when the ice and snow melt, he plans to completely crush the gangs and establish a province in the Western Frontier."

Li Peixin said joyfully, "Worthy of Prefectural Governor Zu, with this, the Western Frontier will surely be secure."

"We shouldn't celebrate too early," Yu Yanmei shook her head, "Agubai is not the worry. The challenge lies with the great powers.

Rakshasa, Einheit, and the Ottoman are all backing this Agubai, coveting the north and south of Tianshan Mountains.
Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

Prefectural Governor Zu wanted to settle this once and for all while the foreigners were fighting amongst themselves. However, with Jiade's decline clearly apparent and the great powers catching their breath, there might be complications."

Liao Ya and Liao Qe muttered to each other, "The foreigners are really annoying."

"Even when they are fighting among themselves, they still engage in plots and schemes."

While talking, Liao Ya smelled strange stench of blood on her sister and, noticing her looking rosy and enticing, instantly realized they had probably been up to no good.

The Sect Leader secretly spit in disdain.

At this moment, the water for the bath was ready.

Everyone hurriedly let Yu Yanmei go soak in the bath to relax and get some good rest.

Lu Yao also stood up to leave, but upon returning to his room, he found several girls still there, motionless, which made him wonder.

In the end, it was Li Pei who came over, somewhat embarrassed, to explain, "Master has asked us to study her body, since there are differences between men and women, we didn't call for you."

Lu Yao: ...

Yu Yanmei's body was definitely a "model" level specimen, studying it carefully would be entirely beneficial and not at all harmful.

Last time allowing Lu Yao to touch and observe was because the situation was exceptional, as breakthroughs in the Martial Path were akin to life-or-death separations.

But at this time, such casual behavior would not be appropriate; propriety had to be maintained.

Lu Yao could only lie in bed, touching himself to recall the feel.

Once you got to know Yu Yanmei, she was actually quite easy-going. Li Pei would often playfully mess around with her, not at all like the relationship between a master and disciple or mother and daughter, but more like sisters.

At this moment, laughter and noise came from the bathhouse.

~~~~~~~~

Since she had returned, Yu Yanmei was not in a hurry to leave.

Especially after Li Pei begged earnestly, she decided to stay for a while and wait until Prefectural Governor Zu used his troops before heading back.

Meanwhile, she would give some pointers for their cultivation.

Lu Yao was only too happy about this arrangement, ordering medicinal meals from the Four Seas Tower to properly take care of this female Grandmaster.

Yu Yanmei lived up to his hospitality, devoting her attention to the three young women, constantly instructing them.

Days passed, one after the other, and soon it was late February.

On this day, Lu Yao was applying the Dynamic Dragon-Subduing Art to Li Pei.

Being an old married couple, Lu Yao didn't stand on ceremony. After massaging the exterior, naturally, the interior also required attention.

What was most important was that this Royal Lady didn't put on airs at all, allowing him to do as he pleased, agreeing to everything he wanted.

Moreover, after finishing, Li Pei would tenderly squat down to help massage his feet.

With the sole of his foot resting on her chest, Lu Yao blissfully squinted his eyes.

Just then, the eunuch Zhang Jin suddenly came to visit, seeking an audience for some important matter.

~~~~~~~~~

After paying his respects and greeting, Zhang Jin first handed over a document. "Son-in-law, the only son of the Linjiang Gang leader has been executed, and this servant has personally verified that the head is indeed his, without mistake."

Lu Yao briefly glanced at it: "He was quite the runner, made it to the South Ocean?"

"Indeed," agreed Zhang Jin. "He made a feint towards Menes and then secretly fled to the South Ocean. Thinking he could deceive everyone, he was ultimately recognized by a prostitute he had once sold, truly reaping what he sowed."

Afterward, Zhang Jin personally presented the expense account for the household to review.

Since the gang leader had been personally disposed of by Lu Yao, saving eight thousand taels of silver, the expenses weren't great, and the ten thousand taels in the bank were not entirely depleted.

Lu Yao handed it to Li Pei at his side, who would verify it. Then he asked, "What about the Menes People who were buying up a large number of young girls? Have they been found out?"

Zhang Jin respectfully replied, "When we raided the Linjiang Gang Headquarters, I personally went and scrutinized all their account books and letters. The buyer is a prominent family from Menes—the Johnson family, whose head currently holds the position of Vice President."

Lu Yao nodded slightly, taking note of this debt.

Zhang Jin paused before reporting the second matter: "Recently, due to the empty state treasury, the left minister has called upon all sectors of society to 'donate funds for military provisions'. How much shall we donate... please instruct, son-in-law!"

"Donate funds for military provisions..."

The old saying goes: Before troops move, provisions must come first.

You can't wage war without money.

Although they had already intercepted a sum intended for the Empress Dowager's garden, this money was a mere drop in the bucket for the immense Western Expedition Army.

But the Imperial Court truly had no money left, not even enough to restore the Beiyang Fleet, let alone extra provisions to support the battles in the Western Frontier.

Emperor Yong'an was pestered every other day by the left minister for money, and ran out of options. Consequently, he issued an imperial decree—allowing the left minister to raise funds on his own.

This decree effectively handed over both military and financial power, only someone like the left minister could be entrusted with such confidence.

Thus, the Great Grandmaster of the Left first went to the foreigners' banks for loans.

Ironically, the banks of Rakshasa and Einheit, upon seeing his lordship seeking a loan, immediately dispensed 50,000 taels of silver.

You must understand, at this time both governments were plotting over the Western Frontier, and the actions of these two banks were completely tantamount to 'aiding the enemy'.

But for the banks—it was a matter of the highly respected Great Grandmaster being a valuable client worthy of sustained cooperation. National interests? Not my problem.

Subsequently, the left minister sent trusted agents to the wealthy Prefecture governments, particularly the major trading ports, to call for "donations for military provisions".

Zhang Jin's textile factory had naturally also received a letter.

~~~~~~~~~

Lu Yao was well aware—the left minister's advantage would last for ages.

Wanting to thank him for the latter's indirect support in the past, he consulted with Li Pei, "Peipei, how about we donate ten thousand taels?"

Since the amount was quite substantial, Li Pei hesitated, "If we directly donate ten thousand, it would make it difficult for many others to save face."

Zhang Jin also concurred, "Son-in-law, this servant has learned that even the Prefectural Yamen has only donated one thousand taels."

It was like contributing to a communal gift—it wasn't always the case that more was better. Lu Yao nodded and said,

"Let's donate under an individual name. Including everyone in our family, even Su Erya, as well as the textile factory, each shall donate one thousand taels. That way, it won't be conspicuous."

Li Pei laughed, "This is a good solution, it not only repays the left minister, but also saves face for others, making us appear modest."

She then instructed Zhang Jin, "Just do as the husband said."

Zhang Jin bowed deeply, "This servant understands and will surely handle it thoroughly and meticulously."