Chapter 7060 The Dark Forest Fires its First Shot

Chapter 7060 The Dark Forest Fires the First Shot

"Ah, the letter urging you to ascend the throne is finished so quickly?" Sun Ce and Zhou Yu tidied up and prepared to go to Zhaoyang Palace to check on the situation, but when they went out, they found that Zhang Zhao had already arrived with the letter urging them to ascend the throne.

"Is there anything wrong with this? If something goes wrong with this, it will be a huge problem." Sun Ce reached out and took the letter urging him to ascend the throne. He opened it and glanced at it, finding the language ornate and full of classical allusions—it was simply terrifying.

"Why does this feel like a writing style from our region?" Zhou Yu also peeked over to take a look and found something was off. Although it was well-written, like gold leaf on paper, the level was a bit too high, unlike what Zhang Zhao would write, and the writing style didn't seem like the style of their Wu region.

“We haven’t written this kind of thing before, so we outsourced it to professionals who do this kind of work,” Zhang Zhao said truthfully. Then, seeing Zhou Yu’s strange look after he said this, he quickly explained, “We didn’t just outsource it randomly. Kong Wenju has been with us recently, hasn’t he? And we also have some contact with Chen Zichuan’s brother-in-law. We also found Chen Changshi (Chen Lin). The three of us worked together to produce it. It’s definitely top-notch.”

Kong Rong was betrayed and then betrayed in return. He had finally managed to escape when he had a chance. Later, the Yuan family discovered that the people they had trained had been transferred, so they didn't bother to hunt him down anymore. However, if Kong Rong dared to show his face in public, the Yuan family would jump out and kill him.

So recently Kong Rong has been hiding in the sanctuary of the Jiangdong forces. Well, the Yuan family actually knows about this, but they don't want to get entangled anymore. After all, the person has already been assigned. If they catch Kong Rong, they can only beat him up at most. They can't really be so uncivilized!
That's not good. The previous screen recording had already made the university students indignant towards the Yuan family. After all, they stripped their principal's clothes off in the street and were about to have sex with him. Although homosexuality isn't a big problem these days, it happened in the street. The students were extremely angry.

Although this whole thing was a setup, the recording from the Mystic Mirror is real. There's nothing you can do about it, so you can only keep quiet and let it cool down for now.

As for Kong Rong, he has already found another job. Anyway, he can no longer serve as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and it seems that he can no longer continue in the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies. It is time for him to join forces with the Fan and Meng families and go to New Zealand, a remote corner of the world, to enjoy the pastoral idyll.

So Kong Rong and Fan Qin discussed it and decided to stay at the shelter in Jiangdong.

It was precisely because of this condition that when Zhang Zhao received Zhou Yu's request to draft a letter urging him to ascend the throne, he immediately gathered Kong Rong, Fan Qin, and Chen Lin, who happened to be there chatting and joking with the two, and asked the three of them to help write the letter.

The literary talent of these three individuals is beyond question; they are worthy of being recorded in history books, and they have all written orthodox memorials. Therefore, after receiving the order and confirming the current situation, they did not refuse. After all, submitting a memorial urging someone to ascend the throne requires status, and writing such a memorial also requires status.

So the three of them worked together and wrote it down on the spot.

Okay, it mainly depends on Kong Rong. This thing is not easy to write. It requires citing classics to prove the right time, place, and people, the change of the divine artifact, and the shift of the Purple Star. All of these require a lot of time and effort. But Kong Rong had previously served as the Grand Master of Ceremonies and worked with Zhao Qi. He just didn't need to use it five years ago, but now, he doesn't need to!
So Kong Rong took the lead, and Fan Qin and Chen Lin made revisions. They finished it in no time. Zhang Zhao, who was watching from the side, was extremely excited. He also gained a clear understanding of the great literary figures. They were simply amazing. He himself would probably only be able to write the beginning now. How could he have finished it so quickly like these three? Amazing, truly amazing.

"Let me read it through." Zhou Yu, who was the most literate of the three, felt that the petition to ascend the throne that had been prepared in such a short time was a bit intimidating. He thought it best to take a look before making a decision. So he picked up the document and read it through carefully, and then fell silent.

"What, is there a problem?" Sun Ce asked Zhou Yu. He didn't hear anything wrong with it, but only felt that it was powerful and insightful. After listening, he felt that it would be a disservice to the people of the world if Liu Bei did not ascend the throne. It was truly the will of Heaven! Even Sun Ce believed it to some extent after listening. It was simply outrageous.

"I suddenly realized that the gap between us and Chen Zichuan is not just a gap in governance." Zhou Yu said after a moment of silence. Kong Rong, Chen Lin, and Fan Qin were all Chen Xi's defeated opponents in terms of literary talent. Damn it, the "Ode to the Epang Palace" is still framed on the gate of Weiyang Palace. Looking at the petition for him to ascend the throne in his hand, Zhou Yu was somewhat discouraged.

"Uh!" Zhang Zhao was taken aback, then fell silent. Oh right, that monster Chen Zichuan, Kong Rong, Fan Qin, and Chen Lin could produce such a powerful and insightful memorial in such a short time, which made people's hearts surge and willingly support Liu Bei. But what about Chen Xi? What about Chen Xi who treated these literary figures like a roadside dummy and kicked them to death?
"Do you think Chen Zichuan will write a petition urging him to ascend the throne?" Zhou Yu turned to Zhang Zhao and asked.

“This kind of thing will definitely be presented to Marquis Chen in the end. Even if it’s just to show respect, Marquis Chen will have to personally review and revise it.” Zhang Zhao answered according to normal human thinking. Zhou Yu was silent for a while after hearing this, then nodded. Indeed, this was the normal situation, and he completely understood.

"Alright, it's already written, so let's put it away first." Zhou Yu put the completed petition to Chen Xi into his sleeve. Whether Chen Xi writes it or not is Chen Xi's business. He'll finish it first; maybe Chen Xi is just lazy, right?

"Let's go, let's go see Zhaoyang Palace. I heard they have the Eight-Row Dance. I've never seen such a high-level dance before." Sun Ce pulled Zhou Yu, preparing to fly directly to the entrance of Weiyang Palace and then take a carriage to Zhaoyang Palace.

“That’s true, I’ve never seen it either.” Zhou Yu nodded. They had both certainly overstepped their bounds, but they had never actually performed the Eight-Row Dance in the courtyard. After all, they had to maintain some dignity and couldn’t go too far.

"Let's go, let's go take a look." Sun Ce dragged Zhou Yu to Weiyang Palace. After revealing the talisman, they entered Weiyang Palace directly. This scene was also seen by all the noble families who were observing here. After all, the news had spread and Sun Ce and Zhou Yu had arrived. They should prepare their congratulatory messages.

They are not qualified to persuade them to join the new government, but congratulations, they are qualified.

Important people may not remember your congratulatory message, but they will certainly remember who didn't send one. So it's still worthwhile to prepare such a thoughtful and inexpensive gesture.

"Are you sure Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have even prepared the petition to urge you to ascend the throne?" Xun Chen tilted his head. He was still thinking about how to quickly notify Yuan Tan so that Yuan Tan could not come, or at least create some auspicious signs. But now Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have already entered Weiyang Palace with the petition. You guys are so efficient, it makes us guys look a bit too stupid!
"Are you sure it's a petition to be allowed to take the throne?" Xun Chen pressed again. He felt it was a bit far-fetched. In such a short time, you've even managed to produce a petition to be allowed to take the throne? You might as well just say it was prepared in advance!

In such a short time, to put it bluntly, Liu Bei has just stepped onto the jade steps and is now in Zhaoyang Palace, watching the song and dance. The meat dishes he selected haven't even been served yet, and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others haven't even taken their places. As a result, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu have already arranged the petition to persuade him to ascend the throne.

Damn, so the Jiangdong forces that seemed the most unruly before were actually the ones who could see reality the most clearly and knew what they should do?

So all that Jiangdong's stubbornness before was just an act? In reality, he had already submitted, and even prepared a petition urging him to take over?

After this matter went through Xun Chen's mind, he had no choice but to believe it. He didn't want to think about it this way, but the facts were right in front of him. If he didn't believe it, he couldn't convince himself at all. It was a petition urging him to take the throne!

That was a petition for advancement that, in the truest sense, would result in a severe beating for even a single wrong word. Moreover, when writing such a thing, one had to consider the right time, place, and people, cite classical texts, and ensure there was no ambiguity whatsoever. In other words, this was not something you could just ask for and get done on the same day.

After all, other things can't wipe out your three or nine clans, but if this thing really creates ambiguity, and they create a list of mountains and rivers within it, then measuring the thickness of your family tree and looking at the bonds between you and your clansmen will definitely not be a problem.

Even for figures like Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, if they made a mistake in this area, it would be a matter of factional struggle. You're saying you made a mistake in quoting classical texts? Or misspelled a word? Damn, who would believe something like that! You definitely did it on purpose; you absolutely have ulterior motives, otherwise you would never do something like this.

Just like Japan's Reiwa era, the de-Sinicization process eventually led to left-wing classical literature scholars and historians serving you a bowl of shit, which you didn't even realize was being used. Afterwards, when you found out, could you revoke it? You could only grit your teeth and continue to eat it!

So, when it comes to literature, you're saying you don't have this idea? You're saying your writing doesn't contain this meaning? You're dreaming!
As a seasoned literary critic, I'm telling you that your writing is exactly like this, that's your original intention. Otherwise, how could you have written it? You should know that every word in a literary work is your thought, your understanding, and your reflection of social reality.

Similarly, do you think I could just write a letter urging Liu Bei to take the throne on a whim and then present it to him for testing? Honestly, would you dare?
Even someone as powerful as Xun Chen wouldn't dare!
In this way, the only fact that Xun Chen could believe was that although the Jiangdong forces looked extremely disgusted, practically with the word "disgust" written all over their faces, their actions were still very real—they were simply beasts!

"What do we do? We really didn't prepare a letter urging him to take the throne!" Chunyu Qiong was dumbfounded. He didn't know how his information channels had worked, but the message had indeed reached him.

To be honest, Chunyu Qiong really didn't investigate anything, but he really knew everything. In short, it shows that even if you don't look for intelligence, intelligence will come to you. And when this intelligence hit Chunyu Qiong's head, Chunyu Qiong, who was in the midst of being a wine connoisseur, was instantly pulled out of the water as if he had been pulled out of the water. His clothes were soaked, and then he sobered up. Then his mind started working on its own, and he dragged his body to Xun Chen's place as soon as possible.

After all, the real leader of the group representing the Yuan family at the Grand Court Assembly, the one who actually took charge, was Xun Chen, who rarely showed his face.

"Do you think we can produce a letter of recommendation in just a few days?" Xun Chen sighed. Things had come to this point; what was the point of talking? We were just kneeling and waiting for Liu Bei's order. You expect me to produce a letter of recommendation in such a short time? Even if I found someone for you, we wouldn't dare use what they wrote!

If the other side harbors malicious intentions and slips in some hidden agenda, the Yuan family will definitely be the one to suffer the iron fist. If you don't prepare something like a petition urging someone to ascend the throne in advance, or at least have a great scholar prepare it six months to a year in advance, it would be a miracle if you could produce it on the spot.

This isn't something you can improvise on the spot. This thing is all about being perfectly stable and flawless, so that no matter how you check, you can't find any loopholes. It's a political task!
Do you understand? This is a political mission, not some impromptu performance. This could kill people!

“I have connections in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. I believe they must have prepared a petition for us to ascend the throne beforehand. I had a drink with Zhang Zhi, and I got a backup copy from him. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices must have prepared at least ten or eight copies of this. Let's prepare a backup copy, revise it a bit, and at least prove that we were prepared as well.” Chunyu Qiong also knew very well that this kind of thing couldn't be done carelessly. But now Sun Ce and Zhou Yu had taken this document to Zhaoyang Palace, and the Yuan family was just squatting there pretending to be dead. Damn it, what if people think you're really dead when you pretend to be dead!
So, in a moment of inspiration, Chunyu Qiong immediately thought of his drinking buddies. As the saying goes, Chunyu Qiong had actually worked in the central government and had been acquainted with these people. He also had connections in Chang'an, and besides, he had the connections of the Grand General. He wouldn't dare to do anything big with these people, but he could still chat and relax with his drinking buddies.

"Are you sure you can get your hands on something like this?" Xun Chen's spiritual talent stirred upon hearing this, and he knew that Chunyu Qiong was right. Their Yuan family certainly didn't have it, but a group like Taichang would definitely prepare it, and not just one or two copies.

When it comes to standing up to show loyalty and demonstrating support for China and the political group centered around Liu Bei and Chen Xi, if others present a petition urging them to ascend the throne, then one's own side must also do so.

Otherwise, things will really get very serious!
At other times, Liu Bei and Chen Xi might not care if they joked around, and they might not remember if they took advantage of someone else's kindness. But this is the time to truly show who is the core and who is the real leader of the Han Dynasty. You dare to be late? You dare to play dead?
Then you should never go there again, and you don't need to pretend anymore even if you die!
This sounds outrageous, but it might actually be possible!

This isn't about taking sides; it's about "cultivating the teachings for three years, wielding shields and axes in dance, and the Miao people finally submit." This is a real question about whether you understand the situation!

“Yes, at this point, if we can’t handle it, we’re definitely going to get a beating. I don’t think it’s a good thing for Taichang to get a beating.” Chunyu Qiong used his walnut-sized brain to come up with a very correct conclusion.

"I'll go change my clothes. You go to the Imperial Academy and get a suitable petition for the throne. You'll come with me in a bit. It's better for you to go with me than to send the two elders of the Yuan family." Xun Chen's mind was very clear as he gave his answer.

Although Yuan Tao and Yuan Sui helped Yuan Tan a lot and were willing to support the Yuan family without any shame when necessary, they were both old and outdated in many ways, and they were somewhat hesitant.

Of course, this kind of composure is not about actually doing anything, but rather a habit accumulated over decades among the three dukes. They are actually quite clear-headed and can distinguish between what is important and what is urgent. At the very least, they have given Chen Xi face whenever they should, and they have done a better job than Chen Xun Sima in this regard, showing more composure.

But after all, they are old, and old people inevitably have obsessions about certain things. So, to avoid having to force themselves when they shouldn't, it would be better for him, the strategist appointed by Yuan Tan, and Chunyu Qiong, a general with sufficient seniority and status, to kneel together.

“Alright, I’ll go now.” Chunyu Qiong nodded. Although he was a little puzzled as to why the two elders of the Yuan family were not to go, Yuan Tan had told them when he sent them that Xun Chen would be in full charge. If Xun Chen had any conflict with the main branch of the Yuan family, they would all be under Xun Chen’s command. Although Chunyu Qiong was usually carefree, he had recently been ordered around by Huangfu Song and had become somewhat like a professional soldier. Therefore, he did not ask any more questions and went directly to the Taichang.

Xun Chen breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. He was actually somewhat worried about Chunyu Qiong. This act of openly distrusting the Yuan family elders and then having Chunyu Qiong carry out his orders was essentially a test of obedience. The result was excellent; Chunyu Qiong didn't say a word more and carried out the orders directly.

For Xun Chen, if he ever encounters a situation where he can't kneel down, he can simply force himself to kneel. Doesn't he know who the king and queen are? What does dignity matter!
Chunyu Qiong arrived at the Taichang Mansion at dusk. Zhang Zhi was already preparing to slip away when he saw Chunyu Qiong rushing over. He was a little surprised. Chunyu Qiong didn't do anything serious in Chang'an. He just drank with people and boasted and joked around. Zhang Zhi was also one of his drinking buddies.

This relationship is unreliable, but Zhang Yi is still willing to lend a hand when things go smoothly. After all, everyone needs friends, and in this world, you need support in everything.

"Brother, what brings you here at this hour?" Zhang Zhixian greeted him as "brother," then smiled and had someone serve tea, but did not close the door.

“I’m here on behalf of the Yuan family to collect a document prepared by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices,” Chunyu Qiong said, getting straight to the point.

At the beginning of the month, school starts, so please cast some votes! Double votes at the end of the month, we'll see then.