Heart Survey

Chapter 2803 Peace and Prosperity for the People!
"Hahaha... He did it! He's actually going to succeed!"

Deep within the turbulent currents of disaster, a dark red Bodhi tree resembles a Buddha head, bobbing and sinking.

Those wildly swaying branches resembled the ushnisha (cranial protuberance) of Buddha!
The tree trunk split open into a mouth radiating Buddha's light, laughing uncontrollably: "Xu Ximing... Xu Ximing! Open your eyes and look! Everything has moved forward, but you will remain here forever!"

The short, stocky man stood with his arms crossed, about the same height as the [Forged Plow] sword leaning against the tree trunk beside him. His appearance was unremarkable, but his demeanor was unique. Looking into the distance, a hint of melancholy crossed his face: "He lost too much; that sorrow was also a burden. Those who have no attachments go further; isn't that only natural?"

He smiled and said, "I am proud of my teacher for being where he is today!"

On the tree branches, murky water transformed into human figures, swaying innocent celestial beings who seemed to tremble with laughter. Their voices echoed, trembling: "When Little Evil was still here, we spoke in secret. Now that Little Evil is gone, we talk to ourselves—it's so boring here! Bodhi, do you want to be the World Honored One?"

"If I really become the World Honored One, you'll be unhappy again." Bodhi Evil Ancestor seemed to be in a good mood, laughing wildly: "Han Gui has awakened, and the Heavenly Punishment is in order—you'd better think carefully about how to face Kong Ke!"

"What am I afraid of! Those are my beloved relatives, friends, teachers, and acquaintances. He wants to save me from the sea of ​​suffering!" The sinless celestial being walked on the tree branch, his blurry figure swaying gently, and then manifested as Wu Yu, a handsome man with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

However, he did not have a magic sword in his hand, and his demeanor was not as natural as Xu Ximing's.

"Shen Zhixian!" He shouted, cupping his hands to his mouth, "The fruit He Wan left behind to pay off her debts was stolen and eaten by Jing Er! You've taken over guarding the gate, are you going to do anything about it or not?"

The gate to the mortal world, suspended in mid-air, did not respond in the slightest.

When Ji Furen was on duty, he would chat with her every now and then. But with Shen Zhixian, even yawning was a struggle.

It's getting more and more boring here!
The death of Ksitigarbha was of great benefit to the innocent heavenly beings. Although they were unable to consume any of the Buddha's relics due to the vigilance of Emperors Jing and Qi, erasing the danger of decay was itself an eternal leap forward.

He has surpassed all others before, even directly intervening in human affairs during the 33rd Yellow River Assembly.

However, with one of the three evil spirits of the Evil Sea gone, and the mad and troublesome Hunyuan Evil Immortal no longer around, both He and the Bodhi Evil Ancestor have become much calmer.

The once cramped sea of ​​sin now feels vast and empty.

"You always copy me." Bodhi Evil Ancestor's tone was not satisfied: "I left behind a Xu Ximing, and you left behind a Wu Yu. They're already dead, why bother with them?"

The innocent celestial being leaped into the air, rustling the leaves beneath his feet: "Let's each do our own amusement!"

The madness of the evil patriarch Bodhi came quickly and went quickly. Peace returned as soon as the sinless celestial being left.

The dark red Bodhi tree, still as a few drops of blood coral.

Xu Ximing, standing under the tree, clutched his forehead, his eyes filled with pain: "Who is He Wan...? Why do I have no recollection of her at all?"

……

"So the girl on the door... her surname is 'He'!"

In a vast and boundless palace, Ji Furen, dressed in casual clothes, sat smiling on the imperial throne, looking down upon the world.

On the door panel of the "Gate of the Mortal World," a faded red paper "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character is pasted.

Besides that, there are just some graffiti and carvings by mischievous children.

Childhood whims become marks on the world, recorded by the gates of mortal life... Of course, one could say that these people were blessed by destiny.

In this day and age, only four names are actually visible to the public—

Li Shi Xiaohu, Fu Ren, and A Wan are all idlers.

Without a doubt, Ji Furen is the youngest, or to put it more accurately, he is the one who attained enlightenment the latest.

Eternal existence transcends years and months, but those who attain enlightenment at different times inevitably miss out on history.

Ji Furen did not know who "A-Wan" was, and he had been searching for the answer.

Li Canghu established his family's lineage as a gateway to immortality, thus ushering in a new era.

Ji Furen intended to establish a residence and govern the world, taking the entire realm as his home.

Shen Zhixian, having lived a life of leisure for eternity, truly became a "great idler" observing the world with a carefree attitude.

The childish words left on the gate to the mortal world all fulfilled the promise of childhood. Only the one, "Ah Wan owes me a fruit," was clearly spoken by someone else.

In other words, the person who left the message was not "A-Wan".

Judging from the other names, the person who left the inscription must have also transcended worldly concerns. Ji Furen never knew who this person was; the only clue, "A-Wan," led him to search through all the historical figures whose names contained the character "Wan."

The final conclusion was that this person did not exist in any known history.

There is no known historical figure named Ah Wan who matches the inscription on the gate to the mortal world, so it is impossible to confirm who left the inscription.

Ji Furen desperately needed an answer, because he had already devoured the fruit that "A-Wan" had hidden in the gate of the mortal world.

He wanted to know who that person would appear sooner or later. Whether it would be an adversary or a deal, He wanted to make a decision as soon as possible.

"Scholars know more..."

Ji Furen smiled slightly: "I will study under the Confucian patriarch."

Asking the Innocent Celestial would certainly not yield an answer. Revealing one's thirst for knowledge on this issue would only give the Innocent Celestial leverage over one, making it easy to lose the initiative in the next encounter.

At that moment, a gentle voice rang out from outside the palace: "Regardless of whether He welcomes your visit, even if you were to actually seek His guidance on this matter, there is only one answer—'The Master did not speak of it.'"

“Why should the sage of Legalism come to my face!” Ji Furen rose to greet him, bowing respectfully, and said with a smile, “I see this as a reminder.”

The Dharma Ancestor standing at the palace gate appeared to be a young man. He wore a brown robe and straw sandals, with a thorny branch hanging from his waist. His attire was quite casual, even "impoverished," yet remarkably clean.

His brown clothes were rough, yet translucent and spotless. The brambles were thorny, but free of mud. Even his straw sandals looked like sun-dried straw, exuding a fresh, grassy fragrance.

He looked quietly at Ji Furen: "I have indeed come to remind you—you must let go when it is time to let go. There are rules for transcendence today, but there are no such restrictions between you and me."

This man, whose name means "Guide" and whose words signify rules, gives off a surprisingly delicate and gentle feeling.

Even such a blatant threat felt like a form of care.

"How can you say I'm letting go?" Ji Furen smiled and spread his hands: "With the Transcendental Covenant above, I haven't done anything!"

"Then you should do something." Han Gui's expression remained unchanged, and his voice was still gentle: "I will treat you the way the people of Jing treat the Three Punishments Palace."

Ji Furen's smile remained unchanged: "I still need to ask the Dharma Ancestor—those who have transcended worldly affairs should not easily interfere in human affairs. Is there anything I can do?"

"Descendants can weep at the temple, and ancestral halls can leak when it rains." Han Gui said, "It's the same thing."

“You are overthinking it.” Ji Furen walked through the empty hall, each step echoing clearly: “A country is governed by law, and the world cannot be governed without discipline. Wu Bingyi was impartial and followed the law; how could the Central Empire interfere with his path of transcendence?”

"Whether they interfere or not is their prerogative. We who have stepped out of the game should not try to get back in—" Han Gui looked around the palace and then changed the subject: "You see me in the past, and I see you in history books! It seems that you were hindered by the Southern Chu back then and regretted it deeply... You dreamed of unifying the world, and you even turned this Taoist temple into an imperial palace."

"Life is often filled with disappointments, and regrets are inevitable." Ji Furen smiled. "However, compared to Xiong Yizhen, I am not the corrupt one."

Although Han Gui had been asleep for a long time when the new Dao calendar began, the vast information of the river of history embraced him the moment he awoke. He could not easily understand the name "Xiong Yizhen," and he had a considerable understanding of Ji Furen.

“Xiong Yizhen no longer remembers you, yet you cannot forget him,” He said. “At least in each other’s memories, you are the one who has decayed.”

Ji Furen chuckled.

"The Hundred Schools of Thought have been revived, and the various schools of thought have been rekindled. This great victory in the Divine Firmament War has greatly promoted the prosperity of humanity and further catalyzed the Lotus Holy Realm... I do not know what Han Shentu did, but I have long thought that it is time for you and the Confucian Ancestor to awaken as well."

With his hand inside his sleeve, he smiled and asked, "Is the day when the secrets of the age of saints will be revealed?"

Han Gui remained noncommittal: "You can ask Kong Ke later."

The relationship between the founders of Buddhism and Confucianism is a historical enigma. They were once teacher and student, and were very close. Later, they each opened their own schools, and their doctrines were constantly debated.

The doctrines they created became prominent, and they simultaneously fell into slumber in the late ancient period.

Are these two "sages" enemies or friends on the same path?

Ji Furen smiled and bowed: "You are right, we should indeed ask the Confucian patriarch, for the accomplished are our teachers—we will need to trouble the elders to introduce us then."

He delivered this subtly sarcastic remark, then pulled a jade scroll from his sleeve: "The importance of this alliance is self-evident—"

Please leave your calligraphy.

"The word 'law' arose because of you, and the path of law was completed because of you. Only with your signature do I feel it is truly complete... The heavens have made their will!"

In the empty imperial palace, the emperor's voice resounded majestically. With righteousness in hand, indeed, nothing could stand in his way.

Han Gui casually glanced at the jade scroll: "Is this the Transcendence Agreement?"

"The full name is the 'Alliance of the Supreme Heaven at the End of the Calamity'," Ji Furen explained with a smile. "It was made in the late ancient period to prevent the eternal destruction of all the heavens. The sage was already asleep when the covenant was made, so he has not seen it."

"Transcending the supreme and without rules is truly a tragedy for heaven and earth. Being able to make an agreement with all realms to avoid eternal calamity is indeed the merit of the Dao Venerable—" Han Gui said, then changed the subject: "Since it is a consensus of transcendence, how can there be someone with the highest level of expertise signing it? It is inappropriate and will inevitably violate the rules and damage the prestige."

"Ah?" Ji Furen looked surprised. "Is this really true? Could the Sage have made a mistake?"

Han Gui looked at Him with great interest: "There is a man named Jiang Wang. Although I have been asleep for a long time, when I am awake, I call him Han Lei! Has he really transcended? He is forty-four years old and speaks of eternity?"

Ji Furen smiled frankly: "Although it is hard to imagine, it is indeed the truth—Jiang Wangnian transcended worldly concerns before the age of fifty. It is a result of the leap in humanity, thanks to the paving of the way by the sages. It is the virtuous achievement of the saints."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Ji Furen. What emperor tells the truth?" Han Gui laughed and waved his sleeve. "I will ask the annals of history!"

With a flick of his sleeve, history becomes his mirror, and time his axis.

Between the two transcendent beings, a scroll of green paper was laid out, with a circle of light and shadow on it, through which time flowed.

The flickering light and shadow seemed to replicate the scene of the Demon-Slaying Heavenly Lord signing his name. However, the transcendent power flowing across it forbade recording.

The eternal transcends everything, including history!
But Han Gui waited patiently.

Sure enough, after a few breaths, text appeared on the green slip.

Another great force forcibly left behind written records! It says—

"In the 3944th year of the Dao calendar, Jiang Wangjian crossed the ancient imperial city. On his way back, he was intercepted by King Guangru, Chai Yin, Ji Furen, and Wu Zhaixue. The Azure Sky God Venerable tried to save him but could not. So he named him after the pinnacle of transcendence."

In an instant, the names of King Light Tathagata, Chai Yin, Ji Furen, Wu Zhaixue, and Azure Sky God Venerable gradually disappeared.

But they did exist, and they have been etched into history!
In the boundless river of time, there will always be people who see this page of history.

Ji Furen's eyelids twitched slightly.

Before his death, Zuo Qiuwu resolved the hidden danger of Wu Zhaixue's projection for Sima Heng.

Sima Heng did not disappoint, achieving eternity alone in the graveyard of history.

From now on, will there be any selfishness in the world?
Ji Furen looked up at history and smiled, saying, "Jiang Wang's transcendence is a universally acknowledged fact, and it's not like King Guang is calling a deer a horse. I have witnessed it with my own eyes. Can Mr. Sima just write it down as he pleases?"

In the graveyard of history, amidst the bewildering chapters, Sima Heng's voice echoed back: "That can be said after he signed the contract, but it wasn't the case before he signed it."

Ji Furen said, "The historical record may be as firm as iron, but the truth still needs to be verified. After all, you, Sima Heng, cannot take everything written as fact, nor can you always see things clearly!"

“This is also a fair statement,” Sima Heng said.

Ji Furen made a pointed remark: "Chai Yin hid his evidence in the Chaos Sea because he was forced by our human race. Mr. Sima is also keeping a low profile, risking his life to prove his own evidence in a lost historical place. Who is he trying to protect himself from?"
Sima Heng's voice said, "Beware of those who fear the truth."

Ji Furen laughed loudly: "You are a great sage of the human race and a master of history. For many years you have wandered through history, searching for the truth. Now that you have transcended Yongzheng, it is time for you to come back and take a look."

Sima Heng did not respond.

Ji Furen added, "Putting everything else aside, this 'transcending the covenant'... Mr. Sima should also sign his name."

That scroll of historical bamboo slips slowly rolled back.

Sima Heng's voice said, "Send me to the graveyard of history, and I will not lack a pen."

Ji Furen smiled and said, "That works too!"

They spoke to each other here, but Han Gui ignored them. He casually closed the palace gate and strode away.

Ji Furen, who had just been suddenly locked in the palace, had barely uttered a sound when the voice left behind by the Dharma Ancestor echoed in the hall—

"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. If such a transcendent law exists in the world, how could I not follow it?"

Ji Furen lowered his head and unfolded the Transcendence Agreement in his hand, and sure enough, the words "Han Gui" were written on it.

However, unlike the newly signed "Jiang Wang" and "Mu Fuyao", the characters on the slips show signs of age... as if they were signed a long time ago!
Ji Furen was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly.

……

……

Wu Bingyi, author of "Three Lectures on Germany and France," believed that only the law mattered and that the rule of law should be upheld.

Gongsun Buhai, author of "Zhengfa Tianheng", embarked on a path that combined virtue and law.

His initial approach of upholding the law and virtue was influenced by Wu Bingyi. Later, he practiced chivalry and virtue, never overstepping the bounds of propriety, and forged his own path... In the end, he lost both chivalry and the law.

Wu Bingyi said in his book, "The law is for others to perceive, while virtue is for oneself to perceive." He also said, "Virtue cannot be relied upon for long, but the law can be followed for a long time."

Gongsun Buhai said, "The law is the enlightenment of Heaven, and chivalry is the enlightenment of humanity!" He also said, "Heaven and humanity should be in harmony, and virtue and law should be promoted together."

The two were both teacher and friend, but at one moment they became rivals in the Dao when they met at dawn.

The desolate palace of the executioner was bathed in dazzling light, and Wu Bingyi's black hair under his cap turned white—upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be pure white chains as thin as hair.

Despite the world's attention, he remained aloof. Apart from the fluttering crown ribbons that hinted at a sigh, it seemed he had never properly said goodbye.

"Although Gongsun is dead, the penal code is not yet finished." He said, "I will complete the Way—the Way is not a rule for the world, but a rule for the world."

He stood on the Cliff of Heavenly Punishment and declared to the entire world: "Transcendence and supremeness are called eternity, but my will is decaying. If there is no law in the world, then Wu is dead."

"Thorns and smoke fill the sea, a ruler hangs in the red dust. Half a scroll of criminal law, word by word complete. Ten years later, the world will be invited to compare it—the states are not equal, the heavens have their order. The standard is this rule. The clear and the turbid are thus cleared, so that the people may live in peace."

"The way of Heaven is constant, impartial and unfeeling. The affairs of the world are unpredictable, but with compassion, there is law."

"Wu Bingyi, a lonely man, is willing to do this—"

He looked straight ahead, at the vast world: "Those who obstruct my path also have this face, and those I punish can also punish me!"

At the summit of the mountain of books, Master Zi looked down at the sea of ​​clouds, picked up his brush, and slowly wrote the character "礼" (li, meaning propriety).

Then he continued to write—

The Book of Rites states: "Everything must be clean, as if offered in sacrifice, and the meal should be eaten with peace and tranquility." How peaceful and secure the people will be!

The sage said, "When the granaries are full, people know etiquette." Therefore, one should speak of etiquette only after one is well-fed. Thus, the etiquette of food is the first etiquette, and the "Etiquette of Food" is the first of all the treatises.

The eloquent article rises and falls in the sea of ​​clouds, appearing and disappearing... It is also like a group of carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, leaping from the tip of Mr. Zi's pen.

It was also a sea of ​​clouds, but there were no words in the clouds. The man eating fish on the summit of Baoxue Peak stroked the square coin, making no other movements, only temporarily pausing the seemingly perpetually moving sword prison in his palm, and gently covering it with his hand.

The White Sun Stele on the riverbank resembles a sword reaching to the sky. As the fish-eater's hand moves, a pillar of white light shoots into the sky, dispelling the clouds for thousands of miles, like a sword cleaving the heavens!
If the White Sun Monument is merely a vague statement that "those who commit evil will not be allowed to act in broad daylight," it still has much ambiguity... It is a "room for discussion" that must be left when the swordsman's strength is insufficient.

The "Criminal Code," drafted by Gongsun Buhai and completed by Wu Bingyi, systematically explains what "evil" is and to what extent it can be called "unrestrained".

The White Stele says "one must not do evil," while the Criminal Code says what evils one must not do and what punishments one will receive.

In a legal sense, the two support each other.

The "Book of Rites" written by Master Zi at the mountain of books is a kind of advice on "how things should be." It is the path that Gongsun Buhai wanted to take but lost, and it is a kind of "virtuous salvation."

This is nothing new or groundbreaking; similar feats existed as early as the Middle Ages.

At that time, it was called the "Ritual and Law Stele".

It was erected jointly by Xue Gui, the great synthesizer of Legalism in the medieval period, and the renowned "Yushan Zihuai". It represents the most magnificent convergence of the two major schools of thought, Confucianism and Legalism, to date, aiming to establish rules for the present world and bring order to humanity.

What happened next is well known.

Of course, today's White Sun Stele, Criminal Code, and Rites Code are different from the ritual and law steles of the Middle Ages in terms of their background, the problems they faced, and even the ideas of their creators.

But they undoubtedly share a common significance, as Wu Bingyi said—

"The clearing of the muddy waters brings peace to the people."

Spanning an entire near-ancient era, and three thousand nine hundred and forty-six years after the beginning of the new Daoist calendar, this vast human world echoes with the sounds of history.

The world has changed dramatically over time.

But the yearning for a better world is a warm light that can illuminate history.

Xue Gui died on this path, and Zi Huai also lost all hope of transcendence on this path.

Today, Wu Bingyi also did the same.

The Thorn Box that Xue Gui had crafted was still hanging behind him.

He carries all of this on his shoulders as he strides toward eternity!
The enlightened one has been identified, and those who protect the Way have also appeared.

Who is blocking our way now?

In heaven and on earth, all that can be heard is the voice of the Jing Kingdom.

On the mountain path, Ji Xuanzhen slightly tilted his ear, as if he had heard something. He pointed his halberd at the head that was still rolling around on the mountain path and said to Han Shentu, "Cage City is a major city in the demon realm under the jurisdiction of Sheng Kingdom. Members of the Equal Kingdom have been active in this city for a long time, which is detrimental to the overall situation of the human race in foreign affairs. This head of the city lord of Cage City is hereby given to the Three Punishments Palace for investigation!"

The same head can be used to demonstrate power or to convey respect.

The prince of the Central Empire turned away with a haughty air and headed down the mountain.

Ying Jianghong, standing before the Palace of Punishments, sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully to Wu Bingyi: "Mr. Wu is a model for all under heaven. I deeply admire your words. Now, we are undertaking a major task: investigating the remnants of the Pingdeng Kingdom. Perhaps we should postpone this matter—humanity is now one family, and order in the world is what the central government desires. I will move on for now to avoid any impropriety or causing trouble!"

"I wish Mr. Wu great success in his endeavors."

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect before stepping into the air and walking away.

"Who do you think gave Ji Xuanzhen the order?" Xu Wuming asked quietly from the crowd.

As a Legalist Master who had long guarded the Tianjing Kingdom, he finally escaped after the end of the Divine Firmament War and the surrender of the Sea Clan, and regained his long-lost freedom.

The price of "guarding the border" was that he couldn't witness Wu Yu's ascension to the throne. He couldn't even say goodbye to Wu Yu after his death.

As Gongsun Buhai's disciple whom he had taught since childhood, Wu Yu was chosen as his successor, which should have been a fortunate event and the beginning of his journey to the pinnacle of life. However, he never expected that one step would lead him into an abyss.

The proud sons of the Pure Land, who were entrusted with the future, ultimately shed their blood on the River Viewing Platform, their bodies sinking into the Sea of ​​Sin.

Now that Gongsun Buhai has been executed, what he really wants to ask is: Was Wu Yu's downfall truly Wu Yu's own fault, or was it a scheme orchestrated by the Divine Hero in secret?

But Jingren was present, so he couldn't ask. After Jingren left, he couldn't ask anymore.

"Who else could it be?" Zhuo Qingru said with certainty, "He is a prince! Who else can order him around? Speaking of which, his family situation is complicated. The grandson of the Prince of Jin became the Prince of Dai, and his family is naturally the first clan of the Great Jing. However, the relationship between the two princes, grandfather and grandson... doesn't seem to be so harmonious."

Perhaps because criminal cases are too rigorous and dry, her writings outside of criminal cases tend to be more unconventional. It's not fair to say she writes randomly; she often has some basis in her judgments.

"I can't quite put my finger on it." Han Shentu glanced at him indifferently, "But I think I heard something about the ancestral hall leaking."

The once somber and repressive Legalist holy land was finally punctuated by a few bursts of laughter.

The Tianxing Cliff suddenly appears spacious and open, with no clouds for thousands of miles, and the clear sunlight shines through.

From then on, the road ahead was unobstructed. Gao Guanbo led Wu Bing to ever greater heights, until he stepped into the light, where he was etched into the eternity of the law.

……

……

"It is true that the city was built by the Sheng Kingdom, but doesn't the Jing Kingdom understand who has been in charge all these years? They wouldn't budge normally, but when trouble comes, they've handed it over to the Sheng Kingdom!"

In the capital city called "Weicheng," the emperor of the Sheng Kingdom smashed a teacup in the imperial court.

A pile of shattered porcelain, a winding tea stream, a few tea leaves, and a hall filled with horrified courtiers.

The truth behind the city's intrigue is known to the people themselves. What horrified them was that the young emperor dared to speak of it aloud!
The "Little Emperor" is not young anymore, but he ascended the throne at a young age, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent. Even today, he rarely makes decisions and has always had little presence. Therefore, although he is already forty-six years old, the same age as the Demon-Slaying Heavenly Lord, he is still privately referred to as the "Little Emperor"... which is indeed a derogatory term.

If Qi Ya remembered correctly, this was the first time the "little emperor" had publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Jing Kingdom.

In the past, he rarely spoke, letting his ministers discuss the matter and then choosing a compromise. Today, however, he set the tone as soon as he opened his mouth.

No one dared to respond to that.

The glory of being the first vassal state has faded into the distance, and the pride of the 19th Yellow River Conference has long since vanished.

Reality can wear down even the most proud bones.

The emperor's anger was like shattered porcelain scattered on the ground, with no one to catch it. The hall grew even colder.

Cao Quan, who had participated in the Yellow River Conference for three sessions, was the youngest general in the hall and a representative of the younger generation of Sheng Kingdom... He also looked down at his boots under the expectant gaze of the emperor.

After the Divine Firmament War, the martial prowess of the Jing Kingdom was once again recognized by the heavens. The Sheng Kingdom, already crippled by the Mu Kingdom and having received little of the Divine Firmament's bounty, what could it possibly rely on to maintain its strength?
Not a single one of the intelligent people in the hall could understand it!
“Your Majesty, this has always been the way Jing Kingdom operates.” Jiang Limeng stepped out of her seat and went straight to the point: “The problem now is that Longcheng does indeed nominally belong to Sheng Kingdom, and our country has always had officials stationed there. The matter has already been decided by someone else, and it depends on whether we are willing to take the fall.”

Venting emotions is pointless. A mature politician should encounter problems and face them head-on. Jiang Limeng was disappointed in the emperor. But as a citizen of Sheng Kingdom, she would not run away.

"We have no choice but to endure it!" one of the censors said.

There were also compassionate people who said, "It is not advisable to offend the superior state at this time; for the sake of the people..."

The officials chattered amongst themselves, quickly moving on to how to express their apologies to the Zongguo state and admit their mistakes.

"Hiccup~ Hahahaha!" Sheng Xuehuai, who had been dozing off, suddenly hiccuped and then burst into laughter.

"You—how dare you be so presumptuous in the imperial court! What are you laughing at?!" an imperial censor shouted angrily.

"I laugh at this bunch of useless trash, a whole hall full of pigs!" Sheng Xuehuai ignored the torrent of insults, rolled up his sleeves, and went straight to the dragon throne to bow, saying, "Today I shall die! Sheng Xuehuai does not wish to die without knowing why. I will go and kill Envoy Jing now—as for the matter of the caged city, let them pin it on me! I can be a member of the Equal Kingdom, or I can be a remnant of the Yi Zhen, let them make up whatever they want!"

As the proud sons who once entered the Heavenly Palace of Morning Enlightenment to seek the Dao, they were the golden generation of the 19th Yellow River Conference.

He did not reach the summit.

He has always been fond of romance and leisure, and is not a military strategist, nor does he have the talent to command troops.

A living sage who lives over a thousand years is already a pillar of the nation. However, in today's turbulent world, amidst the great tides of change, he certainly cannot play a crucial role.

But a madman's rants against the country at least make his voice heard. His unbridled arrogance is also a way to escalate the situation and attract more attention from around the world.

I only hope that this will make the Jing Kingdom give me more to think about!

"Alright, let's adjourn the court session." At this moment, Prince Xun, Li Yuanshe, entered the hall and waved his hand: "Jiang Limeng and Sheng Xuehuai, stay here for a moment. Everyone else, disperse."

The crowd filed out, and in the blink of an eye, the place was empty.

Of the civil and military officials present, apart from the two young and promising officials specifically mentioned by Li Yuanshe, only the Chancellor Meng Wuyai and the Grand Marshal Jiang Ruyong remained.

This is the highest power structure in the Sheng Kingdom.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Sheng also came out from the rear hall and sat on the phoenix chair next to the emperor.

The emperor was sitting upright on the dragon throne.

The emperor, whom his courtiers perceived as subservient, now appeared solemn.

"The nation is doomed!" he solemnly declared. "What advice do you gentlemen have for me?"

Jiang Limeng was startled.

Only then did I belatedly realize—

Jing Kingdom used the matter of the demon realm besieging the city to declare that it was not simply a matter of "the credit is mine, and the blame is yours to bear".

Rather, it is a signal of "centralized unification".

They are about to gather the power of the Daoist lineage and begin the process of unifying the six directions!

All the Dao under Heaven belong to the states, and all must return to oneness. All the Dao belonging to the states are merely bargaining chips in the Dao lineage.

This also represents the central government's further control over Taoism.

Sheng Xuehuai had already seen this, which is why he acted so tragically and desperately sought death.

The emperor had foreseen this early on, so his anger was actually a test, a swift and decisive move to gauge the morale of the nation and the likelihood of retaliation.

The result was naturally pessimistic.

"There is no chance of war, and relying on Mu and Qi is a terrible move. If we must be swallowed up by someone, we might as well return to Jing. At least we are of the same lineage." Jiang Ruyong, who had been silent all day, spoke up: "However, the ancestral temple is where the state is located, and the country expects it. If Your Majesty is determined to fight, I will do my utmost to make the central government suffer the pain of losing a tooth."

Jiang Limeng's belated realization, to some extent, demonstrates Jiang Ruyong's seriousness regarding national affairs.

But no matter how seriously they take it, no matter how long they deliberate, from a military perspective, the Sheng Kingdom has absolutely no chance. Its only chance of respite is to "rely on Mu and Qi," but that would inevitably lead to an even more tragic end.

The emperor showed no anger, clearly expecting this answer. He looked at the prime minister, Meng Wuyai: "Could the Daoist sect possibly intervene in this matter? If the central government wishes to restore order to the empire, it should first tackle the tough challenges; there's no reason to cripple itself."

Meng Wuyai shook his head: "Luqiu Wenyue's plans are meticulous, and the current Emperor Jing makes moves without leaving a trace. He is good at slowly boiling a frog in water... By the time you realize it, the outcome is often already decided."

"It's only been two years since the Shenxiao War ended, and everyone is still digesting the gains from Shenxiao."

"The central government must have some confidence in initiating the Six Harmonies process at this time. In the process of Six Harmonies, the Taoist sect is unlikely to hold the central government back."

As a native of Penglai Island, he is able to grasp the true attitude of Penglai Island.

"In other words, if we can withstand the first wave of attacks, it proves that the central government cannot achieve unification at present, and the Daoist sect will still intervene..." The Emperor of Sheng Kingdom grasped the key point and looked at Jiang Ruyong again.

Jiang Ruyong shook his head bitterly: "We can't hold on."

The emperor, whose momentum had surged like a dragon about to take flight, instantly suppressed his fighting spirit. He was not afraid to personally lead the army and fight to the death, but he also did not have the opportunity. After a moment of silence, he reassured his subjects in a hoarse voice: "The nation's strength is such that it is not the fault of the soldiers."

Jiang Limeng only realized today that her emperor was actually wise, resilient, and possessed considerable cultivation... truly the countenance of a wise ruler!
All these years of being a "little emperor" were nothing more than a matter of biding one's time and concealing one's abilities. Such examples are numerous in history books.

The only sad thing is...

The emperor, who had played the role of a pig for half his life, never got to make a name for himself, but instead found himself facing the end of the year, about to be slaughtered and divided into pieces.

Its sorrow and desolation are truly heartbreaking to witness!
"The Central Empire's current strategy is already very clear—"

"Internally, we should consolidate our strength; externally, we should focus on the small and neglect the big. For hegemonic countries, we should primarily deter them and secondarily warn them; for large and major countries, we should primarily warn them and secondarily reduce their size; and for small countries, we should primarily annex them and secondarily subjugate them."

Li Yuanshe said expressionlessly, "Our Sheng Kingdom is considered 'internal' in the eyes of the Central Empire."

King Xun, Li Yuanshe, has long been the pillar of this nation. His greatest strength lies in his ability to survive; he has survived many life-or-death moments over the years. As long as he lives, the Sheng Kingdom will always have a breath of life.

"The misfortune lies in this, and so does the fortune," the Empress Dowager of Sheng said. "The fact that the Jing envoy questioned us shows that they also want to resolve this matter peacefully. Now, by offering up our ancestral heritage, we should be able to exchange it for a hereditary title of kingship—my son and his descendants will never lack wealth and honor."

As the wife of the late Emperor Cheng, she witnessed the nation's most ambitious era, and also saw its current decline and weariness. The nation, like her, has grown old.

Jiang Limeng couldn't tell if these were the Empress Dowager's true feelings, or if they were an analysis or a test.

She had matured a lot over the years and believed she would no longer be fooled by someone like Lin Zhengren. But today, she felt somewhat dazed. Lin Zhengren only deceived her up to that point because that was his ultimate goal. If she hadn't stayed in the palace today, she wouldn't even have known the true face of the Sheng Kingdom's emperor beneath his mediocre reputation!

She is intelligent, but there is a vast chasm between all kinds of intelligence.

If these people really wanted to deceive her, they could easily deceive her for a lifetime.
Li Yuanshe added, "Don't forget, the Grand Master of Penglai Island and the Grand Master of Daluo Mountain are still in the ancient starry sky, waiting for the Dragon Buddha to die."

"There is only one newly appointed Grand Master of Yujing Mountain, Yu Xi, in the world. He is probably too weak to make a difference."

"The Daoist lineage has no reason to resist, and probably lacks the power to do so. This is precisely why the Jing Kingdom is now targeting the Daoist vassal states."

"The central government is tightening its grip; the next step is to sweep across the country."

"Our Sheng Kingdom may still have to kill a few more people... As for the other vassal states, it will simply be a matter of sending a letter."

There was something else he didn't say publicly, but the emperor and empress dowager both knew about it—

He was the one who leaked the news of Yin Xiaoheng's death to the Kingdom of Pingdeng!
The records in the central empire state that Zhao Zi, Qian Chou, and Sun Yin of the Pingdeng Kingdom conspired to kill Yin Xiaoheng.

He now knew that things had changed; the people from Pingdeng Kingdom hadn't arrived in time, and it was Song Huai who had actually taken action. That incident was the beginning of the joint operation between the Central Government and Penglai Island to eliminate Yi Zhen.

Song Huai is the Celestial Master of Penglai Island, and the Sheng Kingdom has always belonged to the Penglai Island lineage. Li Yuanshe, however, has become an unwitting pawn!
The State of Jing had long ago laid out its plans for the world, effectively trapping this great dragon, but only now is it being brought to its knees.

The city siege is still a topic for discussion; Jing Kingdom's true trump card has not yet been revealed. Or perhaps they are waiting for him to make a statement.

"In that case..." The Emperor of Shengguo clasped his hands together: "I have no choice at all. Shengguo only has one path to take—this letter of surrender must be sent."

Jiang Ruyong remained silent.

Empress Dowager Sheng remained silent.

Meng Wuyai said in a hoarse voice, "I'm afraid so."

No one spoke of the late emperor's will, no one discussed the ancestral temples and the state. The significance of those things only existed while there was still the strength to fight back.

Emperor Li Chengyu of the Sheng Kingdom closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, he was very calm: "But I can decide when to send this letter of surrender."

Li Yuanshe finally smiled, but then his smile turned even more bitter.

The current ruler of a prosperous nation surpasses the former, yet the nation itself has declined compared to the past. The cruelty of national struggles is a summary of countless cruel lives.

"That's exactly right!" Sheng Xuehuai suddenly became quite excited: "Master Wu is completing the 'Criminal Code,' Master Zi is writing the 'Rites Code,' and the White Sun Stele has already responded. I think the world will change sooner or later, and it won't be determined by Ji Fengzhou's words alone!"

Jiang Ruyong shook his head: "The White Sun Monument does not judge war, nor do the Criminal Code and the Code of Rites involve military affairs—not to mention that he has already transcended the supreme and is no longer involved in the human world, even if he were still alive, he would not interfere with the process of the world."

Li Yuanshe nodded slightly.

Jiang Ruyong's most foolish thing was that he only considered military matters, but that was also his most brilliant point.

On the dragon throne, the emperor had made his decision.

"In this age of great contention, all sorts of people rise up, and ambitious individuals stir up trouble. Yet I see the sorrow of the common people—the world is one, and the realm should be at peace!" The emperor, holding the armrest, slowly said, "Now, the central emperor surveys the world with great power. We share the same origin, and our prosperous nation should naturally assist in its rise."

"However, dynasties last for a hundred generations, and the change of surnames is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Human culture has been passed down for a thousand years, and changing the flag can disturb the peace of the people's hearts. Important matters should be planned slowly, and delicacies should be prepared slowly."

He ordered, "Xuehuai, your literary talent is outstanding, surpassing all others in the land. This drafting of the surrender document is entrusted to you. Put the well-being of the people first, and be sure to carefully consider the wording and think it through slowly."

Sheng Xuehuai immediately bowed and said, "Your subject will carefully consider this matter and complete it with tears and blood."

Jiang Limeng pondered for a while before realizing the implications—Jing Kingdom used the pretext of "city siege" to launch an attack on Sheng Kingdom. The emperor skipped over this matter and directly submitted a surrender document, explicitly pointing out the ambitions of the Central Empire. And the timing of this surrender document depended on when Sheng Xuehuai would "fill the letter with tears and blood."

Sheng Guo stepped out of the inevitable battlefield, pulled his neck away from the guillotine, and first observed the reaction of the people.

Qin, Chu, Qi, Mu, Jing, and even Li, Wei, and Yong—which of them wanted to see the State of Jing so successful?

Life is in the midst of change.

Li Yuanshe then looked at Meng Wuyai: "Prime Minister Meng, I would like to trouble you to return to Penglai Island and seek guidance from the Eastern Celestial Master. The Sheng Kingdom has always regarded Penglai as its superior lineage, but now that it has lost its way... I would appreciate his guidance."

Indeed, he was abandoned by Song Huai a long time ago.

But was that Song Huai's idea, or the idea of ​​Headmaster Ji at that time?
Does Song Huai of that time still have the same thoughts as Song Huai now?

Li Yuanshe recalled the battle at Xiyue Garden and felt a strange aftertaste... He might as well wait for the winds of change.

Thank you to reader "foreverlzc" for becoming the leader of this book's alliance, making him the 1050th leader of the Red Heart Sky Patrol Alliance!
See you next Monday.