The Villain's Counterattack

Chapter 489: The Yang Brothers' Plan to Take Advantage of the Situation

In history, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty won many battles in his campaigns, but these victories rarely turned into territorial and national strength. They could only demonstrate his strong courage, but could not allow the Sui Dynasty to develop and grow further, which is a pity.

I have some connection with Yang Guang, and perhaps I can benefit from it.

Linyi was a major grain producer. In a few years, their tyrant uncle would become increasingly rampant, and the struggles with the powerful families would escalate and expand. Then, the wealthy families would instigate chaos. It was not that the Sui Dynasty lacked food; it was simply that most of it was controlled by the imperial court and the wealthy families, leaving the common people with a very difficult life.

If he could secure a foothold in Linyi ahead of time, he could access countless supplies of food and fodder during times of turmoil, which would surely prove useful. Thinking of this, Yang Xuyan explained his idea to his brothers one by one, and took out a map he had drawn of the Great Sui region, which made Yang Yi, Yang Ke, and the others envious. However, with Yang Yu and Yang Jun having gone to the Western Regions, the strongest of the remaining men was only a half-step Xiantian, which was somewhat lacking in strength.

"Time waits for no man. Leave Linyi to me, your elder brother." Yang Yi said with a smile, "When it comes to saving your life, I, your brother who has practiced the Sunflower Manual, am more capable. Besides, Linyi has been badly defeated, and our tyrant uncle has withdrawn his troops. The gap in power is just the right opportunity for us to intervene. That place is remote and far away, so I'm sure no one would be interested in it."

Yang Xuyan thought carefully about the surrounding situation and found that Linyi was indeed not very conspicuous. It seemed that there was really no major force there. Perhaps it was because there were not many talented people there, or the climate was not suitable for cultivation?

"I can persuade Uncle Long to develop maritime trade and connect with Linyi by sea. After all, that place is still south of Jiaozhi and is even more remote than Lingnan. If we go there by land from Sichuan and Shu, we don't know how long it will take to get there." Yang Xuyan pointed and drew on the map. The brothers took a closer look and suddenly felt that Yang Guang had a reason to give up that place. The Sui navy did not seem to be very strong on the sea.

Is this another blind spot?

Everyone turned their attention overseas, with Lingnan and Ryukyu being key areas. However, one was occupied by the Song clan, while the other was the territory of Madam Dongming, Shan Meixian. The Dongming Sect wasn't particularly significant, but Madam Beiming was exceptional. She was the daughter of Zhu Yuyan of the Yingui Sect and Yue Shan, the Tyrant Blade. Her martial arts had reached the Grandmaster level, but due to Bian Bufu's conflict with the Yingui Sect, she established her own sect in Ryukyu, calling it the Dongming Sect.

Although Shan Meixian has set up her own business, it does not mean that Zhu Yuyan really ignores her. What's more, Shan Meixian has a close relationship with the Li family and is by no means an easy person to deal with. In the original novel, it would be impossible for her to become the world's number one weapons supplier without some skill and strength.

Moreover, the Ryukyu Islands were still very far from Linyi, and there wasn't a suitable place to settle down. The brothers pondered over it over and over, but none of the places seemed suitable. Yang Ke suddenly said, "Why do we have to think about attacking and conquering? Can't we get the food and supplies we need through direct trade? If merchant ships don't work, then what about pirates? They can become pirates by flying a pirate flag, and they can also be sea merchants at ordinary times."

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They all agreed that this was a good idea, but if they wanted to be legitimate sea merchants, they would need the tacit approval of the Jiangnan family. "If sea merchants don't work, then just become pirates."

Yang Xuyan suddenly thought of Yang Guang's three expeditions to Goguryeo a few years later. His fingers kept moving and finally landed on Jeju Island. "Maybe we can give this place a try."

The brothers looked at each other, and Yang Shao asked softly, "Are we too close to Goguryeo?"

Yang Xuyan shook his head fiercely and said, "We chose this island precisely because it's close to Goguryeo. After all, our tyrant uncle will definitely launch an expedition to Goguryeo in the future. Don't you think a Goguryeo Grandmaster is the perfect stepping stone for him to achieve the ultimate War God Technique? In a war between the two sides, no matter who wins or loses, we on the nearby islands overseas can quickly react and reap the benefits, sitting back and reaping the benefits."

"Moreover, this island has an advantageous geographical location, neither too far nor too close to the land. As long as there are powerful sea vessels, we can hold it firmly, while at the same time, we can communicate with the land very conveniently." Yang Xuyan's fingers moved all the way south, picking up information about the islands along the way, and pointing out the islands where the 72 island owners of the previous world were located one by one.

"Pa!" Yang Yi slapped the map and said viciously, "Done!"

Yang Xuyan pinched his chin and thought for a moment, then said, "Perhaps we could establish some kind of cooperative relationship with the Ryukyu Islands. After all, Goguryeo is rich in minerals, which they need. Furthermore, I come from a holy sect, a direct descendant of the Bu Tian Dao, so I could perhaps establish a closer relationship with Madam Dong Ming. Besides that, I could also use my connections with Tyrant Blade Yue Shan. It would be even better if we could get Bian Bufu's head."

"Don't dream, little brother. Madam Dongming expelled the Yingui Sect, and the relationship with the Demon Sect is not harmonious. Although Ba Dao Yue Shan is his father, she does not like him, and they don't even have much contact. Madam Dongming grew up under the guidance of Queen Yin, so her feelings for Yue Shan must not be that deep. As for that Demon Yin Bian Bufu, although he has a bad character, he is a real master-level expert. Even if he is a weak one at the master level, he is not someone who can be killed by juniors like us who are innate or half-step innate." Compared to Yang Xuyan, the other brothers are more able to recognize their own position. Living under someone else's roof for several years has not been without any effect.

Yang Xuyan thought about it and found that it was indeed so. If he could be promoted to a grandmaster as soon as possible, there might still be some hope. However, he had already figured out his situation clearly. The reason why he could not be promoted to a grandmaster was not because his martial arts level was insufficient, nor was it because his internal strength was not deep enough, but because he was still young and if he forced a breakthrough, it would have some impact on his physical development.

The biggest possibility is that he will never grow up like the Tianshan Child-Fairy, but this is not what he wants. Although the martial arts of "Xiaoyao Yufeng" are exquisite, there are indeed many weird things in them, which requires him to be careful when practicing. It would have been better if he had practiced the "Tai Chi Wheeling Skill" which is a combination of "Tai Chi Magic Skill", "Qian Kun Da Neng Yi" and "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi".

It’s a pity that although this Kung Fu is at the Grandmaster level, it is an incomplete version that I forcibly pieced together. It also has many drawbacks and is even more uncontrollable. It requires a lot of effort to perfect.

If I could get Master Shi's "Immortal Seal Scroll", I might be able to learn from it and perfect this magical skill better and faster.

However, his current progress in conquering Bi Xiuxin was impressive, and he couldn't be impatient for quick success, so he could only wait slowly. He really wanted to practice "Xiao Yao Yu Feng", and this magical skill was indeed powerful. It was a pity that he was still young and couldn't do it in a hurry.

But the more solid his foundation is, the greater the improvement will be after he becomes an adult. Yang Xuyan is somewhat looking forward to the arrival of this day.

If you want to be a pirate, you must have someone who is good at swimming. But does the Sui Dynasty lack people?

The thing that is most abundant in the world is poor people, no matter where you are. Yang Xuyan thought for a moment and turned his attention to Cao Yinglong. This bad robber is very useful at this time, and having his own control will also prevent him from harming others. Isn't this a great thing that kills two birds with one stone?

"This matter may require the joint efforts of many of my brothers." Yang Xuyan decided to act personally and work hard to train his brothers before getting out of the situation immediately. In the last world, he had become an official and an emperor, and he had conquered the sea and the grassland. To do it again was just a matter of necessity and it did not make much sense to him.

"With a half-step master like me here, it won't be difficult to capture a mere isolated island."

"It's not just a single island, but a chain of islands, a golden waterway. Even with a half-step master like me here, I'm afraid it won't be easy to capture it. The benefits are tempting."

"Take your time. My brothers and I will try our best. Don't let me fight alone."

"Other things can be taken slowly, but improving your strength must be accelerated. It's rare that your younger brother has found so many quick-accomplishment skills for us. It would be unreasonable for us, as your elder brothers, not to work hard."

"Shouldn't I choose the Buddhist Yi Jin Jing? It doesn't seem like it can be mastered quickly."

"It's rare that you have such talent. Even if you spend another ten or twenty years, I can't cut off your opportunity. I told you that this magical skill can directly lead to the realm of Grand Master. You must not waste it lightly."