Exotic Battlefield: I Can Activate Dual Talents

Chapter 1085 - 655: Illusionary Realm Life (Part 2) Wang of the Northland

"When I’m not on the mountain, find something for everyone to do, don’t let idleness lead to rebellion... now is not the time."

"I understand, big brother."

Zhi Xingduo responded.

He paid more attention to the latter part of Lu Lin’s words.

Now is not the time.

After all, the Da Feng Dynasty has been in existence for several hundreds of years. The whole nation is loyal, and unless there is a major unexpected event, the Da Feng Dynasty’s rule is solid, leaving no room for rebellion.

But Zhi Xingduo knew better, by comparing the recent situation with other historical dynasties’ downfalls, it was evident that the Da Feng Dynasty had already reached the end of its rule.

Returning from the mountain, Lu Lin changed his name and lived in Ping County with the old man.

Now, he was bearing a crime and couldn’t participate in the imperial examinations.

The old man felt quite regretful about this. Two years later, just before the upcoming imperial examinations, the old man Lu Zhenweng left Lu Lin with a heart full of regrets.

From then on, Lu Lin had no relatives left in this world.

He stood in front of the old man’s grave, letting out a long sigh.

Afterward, Lu Lin worked through connections to create a new identity for himself, and with it, he participated in the imperial examinations.

The provincial examination.

The metropolitan examination.

The imperial examination.

Relying on his own knowledge, Lu Lin passed each round, eventually becoming an imperial envoy appointed by the emperor of the Da Feng Dynasty. The news spread back to his hometown, and countless people spread the word.

The emperor specially built 36 archways in Lu Lin’s hometown to show his grace and honor.

Later, Lu Lin even entered the prestigious Imperial History Bureau and became an imperial envoy.

However, once you enter the core of the dynasty, you don’t know what it’s like until you’re involved, and Lu Lin was truly taken aback.

Officials selling positions, rampant in the countryside, bullying men and dominating women, the proliferation of aristocratic clans...

On one side, the upper echelons of the Da Feng Dynasty were indulging in a life of luxury, intoxicated and reveling at the peak of the dynasty, drinking and merrymaking all day long.

On the other side, the lower-level common people struggled to survive, exchanging children for food, and disasters everywhere.

Lu Lin tried to impeach two not-so-major local county magistrates, mere Ninth Grade officials, yet he encountered hostility from the merit assessment department of the Ministry of Personnel.

It turned out that one of those county magistrates had some distant relations with a minor official in the merit assessment department.

In those years, Lu Lin’s assessment was rated as below average, and he was to be dispatched to the northern frontier as a county magistrate.

Originally, although he didn’t wield significant power, he was at least a respected Seventh Grade official, and according to logic, such a local transfer should have accorded him some dignity, but this absurd transfer order was surprisingly approved unanimously by the court.

He was to take up his duties immediately, without delay.

After court, Lu Lin didn’t even have time to return to his rented house in the Imperial Capital before being sent onto a horse carriage, alone, to the northern border.

Knowing he suffered such humiliation, his brothers in the mountain stronghold couldn’t take it anymore.

They all talked about overthrowing Da Feng and making Lu Lin the emperor.

However, Lu Lin shook his head, saying it was not yet time.

During these two years, he presided in the Imperial Capital, and although he didn’t do much for personal benefit, the stronghold set up a merchant team to maintain contact with Lu Lin and reached the Imperial Capital.

Two years, not too long and not too short, Lu Lin’s Longshan Business Association became a considerable power within the Imperial Capital.

In addition, by clearing checkpoints along the way, they consolidated seven or eight hilltops, further strengthening their armed forces.

At this moment, if Lu Lin wanted, he could undoubtedly stir up a storm within the Da Feng Dynasty.

But Lu Lin knew, now was still not the time.

Upon reaching the northern border, Lu Lin was further disappointed with Da Feng upon seeing the scenes there.

The court officials were eating and drinking, fat with feasting.

But the soldiers on the border, they couldn’t even afford winter clothes, let alone wear them.

If even the soldiers were like this, what about the common people?

Ten houses, maybe claiming that nine were empty was an exaggeration, but if five households were still intact, it was considered the local officials governed decently.

Moreover, Lu Lin also discovered that in some counties behind the border, there were numerous traces and handiwork of court clans; they were actually trading ironware, paper with foreign tribes...

The more Lu Lin observed, the more alarmed he became, yet he felt powerless to change anything.

He believed he was just a spectator in this world.

However, when Lu Lin arrived at a village massacred by foreign iron cavalry, his heart trembled.

These people, even if they were virtual, appeared so real to Lu Lin.

He couldn’t turn a blind eye.

"Kill!"

After working for three months, Lu Lin’s progress in governance wasn’t significant, but he managed to recruit a force of three thousand men.

These three thousand were chosen from the young and strong in the county, and after three months of training, Lu Lin saw they already had some shadows of soldiers.

However, training alone wasn’t enough to form an army.

To form an army, bloodshed experience was needed.

After eliminating eighteen groups that were either merchant teams posing as bandits or bandits posing as merchant teams, Lu Lin knew that his three thousand men were ready for battle.

It happened to be autumn.

It was the time of year when foreign tribes came to Da Feng to raid during the fall.

With the help of the intelligence system, Lu Lin’s movements were unpredictable, and he managed to slay over ten thousand elite foreign soldiers within the Da Feng Dynasty.

His reputation spread throughout the prairie, making the common people at the Northland border view him as their hope.

Battle reports were sent one after another, and though the court officials thought little of them, they continued to promote Lu Lin.