Chapter 1506: Chapter 472: Part 3
Indeed, this is a clever strategy that achieves both objectives at once!
However, such a reform will undoubtedly face enormous resistance.
It’s important to realize that the Slave Village is the property of Chen Cang, and it is a valuable asset that continually generates wealth. The upper echelons rely on their support—of the four classes: nobility, gentry, military, and civilians—which one doesn’t enjoy the benefits brought by the Slave Village?
Reducing the taxes for so many slaves, who’s going to cover the tax deficit? If the Slave Village is truly halved, not to mention anything else, the price of slaves will surely skyrocket, and many might no longer afford the lifestyle they once enjoyed with servants attending them.
Historically, reform and restructuring inevitably affect some people’s interests, and the resistance is bound to be immense, wherever it occurs.
What’s making Xia Hong’s expression fascinating at this moment is his realization that high-ranking officials of Chen Cang must be involved in Frost Ash Association, and in all likelihood, it’s the Chen Family, another Landgrave’s Lineage.
Otherwise, where does this intelligence come from? Jiang Xinfan made it clear that only a small number of people are actively pursuing reform and are trying to convince the Landgrave. It’s easy to deduce that this small group is definitely the core of the core.
Even if this information isn’t leaked by this small group, it must at least be released by people very close to them.
"Therefore, the Frost Ash Association is stirring this uprising in Lu River Valley to force Chen Cang’s Landgrave and other high-ranking officials to see, effectively increasing the resistance to reform!"
The idea of reform initially came from this small group, perhaps hasn’t even been publicly proposed or is just beginning to emerge, but there’s fierce debate.
At this critical juncture, a rebellion by the slaves erupts into such a significant incident. What chain reactions will this cause?
It’s easy to predict that conservatives will surely use this incident to make a big fuss, angrily condemning these slaves as ingrates. By reducing their taxes and restrictions, not only does it not benefit the town’s governance, but once they’ve gained strength, they’ll cause even more trouble later.
So, forget about reform!
Not only will reform be impossible, but it’s highly likely that the subsequent response will be to further exploit and tighten control over the Slave Village to prevent such incidents from happening again.
"You people sure have guts, getting involved in something so significant. What if Chen Cang discovers it and traces it back to Great Xia, what will happen then?"
Xia Hong’s tone clearly lacked any reproach, merely a standard inquiry, so Jiang Xinfan didn’t panic but instead sneered, "Lord, you might not know, Chen Cang isn’t a good figure either. They have been sending several Xianyang Levels to infiltrate Beishuo since the beginning of last year. With their support, Yang Zhun has been defying alliance commands, often clashing with our Great Xia. Now they incite various towns to break from the alliance. From their actions, it’s only fair that we stir up trouble here in their territory."
Not only has Jiangxia become part of Great Xia, but the Nine Towns Alliance is also formed!
Extracting another key element from Jiang Xinfan’s words, Xia Hong’s heart grew increasingly excited, though he pushed aside his many doubts, lowered his gaze to the battlefield below, and said, "But the Frost Ash Association is quite stingy, sending only one Xianyang Level for such a major rebellion, accompanied by those protectors?"
In truth, there are two, though Xia Hong instinctively excluded Jiang Xinfan.
Jiang Xinfan’s expression suddenly became peculiar, as though he held little resentment against the Xianyang Level who sold him out. After pondering for a dozen breaths, he spoke, "Lord, the Frost Ash Association never intended for this rebellion to succeed in the first place. Their aim is merely to cause some commotion and draw the attention of the town, ultimately the Landgrave."
"Don’t you think the commotion you’re causing at present is insufficient?"
"Indeed, something went wrong with the main headquarters’ intelligence. The original plan was for the Yao Character Green-faced Heavenly King to assassinate Chen Yuanyan, then join forces with me to confront Chu Qingwu. As long as they held out until reinforcements from all the branches arrived, the thousands of troops at Lu River Camp would be rendered insignificant, but now..."
Jiang Xinfan looked at the corpse of Chu Qingwu on the ground, his expression somewhat strange.
The original plan can no longer proceed, but they haven’t exactly failed. Chen Yuanyan is still alive, and conversely, the most formidable Chu Qingwu is deceased.
Though the Yao Character Green-faced Heavenly King escaped, but Xia Hong is here!
Given the Lord’s strength...
"Another Xianyang Level has gone to request reinforcements. The rebellious troops don’t have much time left. I estimate that in the fastest case, there’ll be Xianyang Levels arriving in about a quarter of an hour. Since I’m here, I might as well help you stir up some commotion!"
Xia Hong looked down at the one-sided battle below and took a gentle breath, lightly shook the Coiling Dragon Stick in his hand, then thought of something, turned to Jiang Xinfan and asked with a smile, "Do you have any spare masks?"
Jiang Xinfan immediately understood, pulling out a Green-faced Fanged Evil Ghost Mask from his chest, identical to the one on his face.
"The treatment from the Frost Ash Association isn’t bad, this mask can even block perceptions from the Tribulation Body Realm. It should be quite costly. They gave me an extra one for backup, and now it comes in handy..."
Xia Hong’s mask-changing speed was quick, but Jiang Xinfan still saw his face clearly in the brief gap, feeling entirely reassured.
He was certain of Xia Hong’s identity through the Holy Pattern Ancestor aura Xia Hong had just released. However, his official time joining Great Xia was still relatively short, and his understanding of the bloodline wasn’t profound, so he worried that he might make a mistake.
"Lord, I will go and stall Chen Yuanyan, the troops..."
"No need!"
Xia Hong didn’t rush to make a move; after contemplating, he asked, "Are there insiders among those protectors wearing red masks at the Cold Resistance Level?"
