#391 - A new era
August 15th, another Mid-Autumn Festival.
Last year on this day, Wei Changtian had only just transmigrated to this world and was in the critical stage of wits and courage with Xiao Feng.
That day, he had a family reunion dinner at home, and then set off for Qingci River to prepare for "appreciating lanterns, touring flower boats, and playing with courtesans", and in the process, he became famous all over the world with a poem "Clouds resemble her clothes, flowers her face".
Of course, the most important thing was to achieve the three goals of "appreciating, touring, and playing", and successfully get onto Yang Liushi's embroidered bed.
A year later, it would undoubtedly be quite interesting to reproduce the scene of that day.
According to the rules, if the leader dies or quits, Wei Changtian, the Holy Son, should take over the position of leader.
Wei Changtian did not decline, but on the pretext that he was unable to do everything himself, he turned around and handed the Palm Teaching Token to his four uncles for safekeeping.
In other words, he is now only the nominal leader of the Tianluo Sect, but he will not interfere too much in specific affairs.
Of course, if he needs the Tianluo Sect to do anything, the latter will definitely not refuse.
August 20th.
Although he told Liang Zhen that "there is no need to discuss with my father", Wei Changtian still wrote a letter to Wei Xianzhi telling him what he was going to do.
And today he also received a reply.
In the letter, Wei Xianzhi first told him that this matter was no small matter and must be treated with utmost caution, and then said that if Wei Changtian had really made a decision, then he, as a father, would definitely fully support him, and let Wei Changtian rest assured about their safety in the capital.
August 21st.
Ning Yuke moved out of the small courtyard where she had previously lived and moved into the State Shepherd's Mansion located in the north of the city.
Wei Changtian entered the mansion in the morning and came out at dusk, chatting with Ning Yuke for a whole day.
He didn't hide anything, but told the latter his thoughts from beginning to end—
I am indeed going to rebel, but I am not prepared to establish a new dynasty. I only plan to kill Ning Yongnian and then replace him with someone else to be the emperor of Da Ning.
It is impossible for me to come forward in person for this matter, so it will be up to you, and you also have a suitable reason.
If you fail, then you will naturally die.
If you succeed, then you will be the first empress of Da Ning.
After listening to Wei Changtian's words, Ning Yuke, who had already guessed it, did not refuse, and could not refuse.
The bloody feud of being exterminated must be avenged, and she only has this one chance.
August 23rd.
Under heavy guard, Ning Yuke appeared on the streets of Shu Prefecture City for the first time.
Her appearance not only confirmed the previous rumors that "Princess Rouan is not dead", but also indirectly confirmed the truth of the assassination of Prince Shun.
For a time, the government and the public were in an uproar, and everyone was talking about this major case of the royal family's "fratricide".
However, before everyone could recover, another more important news, like a nuclear bomb, exploded in the sky over the entire Da Ning.
On August 31st, Ning Yuke will hold a grand ceremony in Shu Prefecture with the support of a group of major officials and General Liang Zhen, and proclaim herself king.
The title of king—Shu.
Without the word "Prefecture" indicating belonging, there is only one "Shu".
Therefore, although Ning Yuke's surname is Ning, she is the first person since the establishment of the Da Ning Dynasty to openly declare herself king and rebel.
As soon as the news came out, the generals of the surrounding prefectures of Shu Prefecture were all panicked, fearing that Ning Yongnian would order them to send troops to suppress the rebellion.
After all, now, except for Shu Prefecture, most of the state soldiers in the remaining thirty-six prefectures have been sent to the front line of Da Feng. If there is a imperial order, they may only end up like meat buns hitting dogs.
However, unexpectedly, the capital has not responded to this matter.
Ning Yongnian seems to be waiting for the final result.
The result that he has never dared to believe.
August 31st, early morning.
Fengyuan, East City Wall.
"Father, why do you think Young Master Wei wants to do this?"
Standing beside Li Qi in the wind, Li Wutong's face was full of worry: "How can a state's land be an enemy to a country? He, isn't he putting himself in danger?"
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Faced with his daughter's question, Li Qi didn't speak for a long time, just staring blankly at the endless military camp at his feet.
Now Da Ning's offensive is getting fiercer and fiercer. Although it has not yet reached Fengyuan, it is only a matter of time.
Under this circumstance, he made the most correct choice—
Abandon all the prefectures west of Fengyuan, concentrate the troops in Fengyuan City, and then fight Da Ning to the death here.
Judging from the previous battle situation, this battle concerning the survival of Da Feng should start soon.
But now...
"He may be for himself, or he may be for you."
Facing the rising sun, Li Qi turned his head to look at Li Wutong, who was dressed in red: "Or perhaps, he is for the three million dead souls in Yuanzhou City."
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For himself.
For you.
For the three million people who died in Yuanzhou City.
If the first explanation is more reasonable and the second explanation is more touching, then the third explanation made Li Wutong stunned.
And seemingly guessing the doubts in her heart, Li Qi also sighed softly at this time.
"Do you know what Wei Changtian wanted from me in exchange for killing Yama?"
"You probably can't guess, what such a person actually wants is..."
"Peace in the world."
Noon.
Da Feng, Ren'an Prefecture, Huangmei Mountain.
A gushing mountain stream slowly extends from the top of the mountain to the foot of the mountain, hiding many secret pools and small waterfalls.
The young man carrying the burden went upstream along the stream, and then drilled into a bamboo forest at the waist of the mountain. After walking for about a quarter of an hour, he finally stopped next to a small bamboo house.
"Senior! I'm here to bring you food!"
After shouting loudly, he skillfully took out the salt, rice and other things he had brought in the burden.
At this time, an old man also slowly walked out of the bamboo house.
"Senior, see if there is anything missing?"
Seeing the old man appear, the young man asked with a smile: "I will bring it to you when I go up the mountain next time."
"No need, just keep everything as usual."
The old man shook his head slightly, sat down on a bluestone, and asked casually: "Has there been anything new outside these days?"
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As soon as he heard this question, the smile on the young man's face suddenly faded.
While helping the old man put away the salt and rice he had just brought, he replied in a low voice with a worried face: "The Da Ning army has already reached Yong'an Prefecture. I heard that the emperor has transferred all the troops to Fengyuan, wanting to fight Da Ning to the death in Fengyuan..."
"That Ning Yongnian put the blame on us for the Yuanzhou City incident, saying that our soldiers were massacred and punished by God. I spit!"
"Oh, yes, there is one more thing."
"It seems that someone on the Da Ning side is going to proclaim himself king and rebel!"
"It's still a woman, she was a princess before, and now she wants to be the King of Shu."
"In my opinion, this is a great thing, at least it can give Ning Yongnian a headache for a while."
“Senior, you think so, right?”
“Huh?”
“Senior? Where are you?? ”
Wei Time.
Great Ning Capital, Wei Mansion.
“Woof! Woof woof woof!”
Amidst a burst of dog barking, Wei Qiaoling, with two pigtails, led a small black dog and strode into the dining hall.
However, Wei Xianzhi, who was already sitting at the dining table, merely glared, and she was immediately deprived of her previous heroic spirit.
“Dà Guǐ! Get out! Daddy doesn't allow dogs to eat with people!”
“Woof!”
As if understanding human speech, the little black dog turned its head and ran out of the house, listlessly lying at the door to bask in the sun.
Wei Qiaoling, on the other hand, happily hopped onto the chair, holding up her small bowl, ready to devour her meal.
Soon, the maids brought plates of exquisite dishes to the table one after another, as lavish as usual.
But apart from Wei Qiaoling, Wei Xianzhi and Qin Caizhen clearly had no appetite.
“Daddy, Mother...”
With half a chicken leg stuffed in her mouth, Wei Qiaoling asked vaguely, “Why, why aren't you eating?”
“...”
The couple exchanged a glance, and finally Qin Caizhen casually said, “You eat yours, why so many questions!”
“I'm just curious!” Wei Qiaoling stared with her big eyes, unwilling to let it go.
“You...”
Faced with her daughter's questioning, Qin Caizhen hesitated for a moment before helplessly explaining, “Your elder brother is going to do something big today, your father and I are worried, how can we be in the mood to eat.”
“Alright, eat quickly, after you finish eating, it's time to cultivate.”
“Oh.”
Seemingly understanding, Wei Qiaoling nodded and continued to eat heartily.
However, after eating two mouthfuls, she secretly raised her head again, secretly observing Wei Xianzhi and Qin Caizhen, who were full of sorrow.
“Dad, Mom...”
Suddenly, a slightly childish, but very serious voice rang in the ears of this “wicked couple”.
“Big brother is so capable, he can accomplish whatever he does!”
“You should eat quickly!”
“...”
Hearing their daughter's sudden comfort, Wei Xianzhi and Qin Caizhen were stunned for a moment.
Seeing that the two of them had no reaction, Wei Qiaoling thought that her persuasion had not worked, and couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.
Pouting her lips, she soon seemed to remember something, and suddenly, in the surprised gazes of Wei Xianzhi and Qin Caizhen, she took out a handkerchief wrapped around something from her arms.
“This is what big brother secretly gave me when I went to Shu Province with Dad last time, saying that carrying it makes everything taste better.”
“Here, I'll lend it to you for a while!”
While speaking, Wei Qiaoling unwrapped the layers of the handkerchief, and like she was showing off some rare treasure, she raised the object inside high up.
It was a piece of very simple dark green jade pendant, with a small character engraved on each side.
Qīng, Jué (Clear, Absolute).
Shen Time.
Shu Province City, Prefecture Yamen.
“Clang! Clang! Clang!”
The loud sound of bells and drums rang out one after another, stopping slowly only after ringing twelve times.
Compared to a month ago, the Shu Province Prefecture Yamen had completely changed its appearance, looking very much like a scaled-down version of the imperial palace from the outside.
On the tall vermilion city wall, Ning Yukē, dressed in golden robes, stood on the wall, her clear, dark eyes full of determination and dignity.
Her appearance at this time could not be said to be similar, but completely like an empress.
After all, the clouds and mist on her clothes were not pythons, but dragons.
“...”
“Without flatness, there is no slope; without going, there is no return; perseverance without blame...”
Beside her, the ceremonial officer, also dressed extremely formally, was loudly reciting the proclamation of establishing the King, the content of which was nothing more than words such as “obeying the will of heaven”, “blessings for descendants”, and “happiness for the people”.
Although the entire proclamation did not mention Ning Yongnian, it was no longer important.
Because the moment the ceremony was completed, the fact that the King was rebelling could no longer be changed.
Below her feet were hundreds of Shu Province officials standing with their heads bowed.
In the distance were thousands of soldiers with cold expressions holding knives and weapons.
Further away was a vast expanse of tens of thousands of people watching the excitement.
When that very boring, but extremely solemn proclamation was transmitted into everyone's ears through the mouth of the ceremonial officer, no matter what attitude they had come here with before, they were deeply shocked by this solemn atmosphere at this moment.
The golden sun was overhead, and within a few miles, there was silence, with only those obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient words echoing in the air.
“The will of heaven belongs, carrying out the ceremonies, submitting to public opinion, respectfully informing heaven and earth, ancestral temples, and the state...”
“To emphasize the continuity of ten thousand years, to prosper the hearts of the four seas.”
“Announce to the world, let everyone know!”
“Hereby, the ceremony is complete!”
“Give thanks to heaven!”
“Kneel!!”
As the last sentence fell heavily, the ceremonial officer slowly retracted the edict and raised his head, and Ning Yukē also stepped forward.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths...
According to etiquette, tens of thousands of people present should kneel down and shout the King's title at this moment.
However, after three breaths, no one knelt down.
The common people naturally did not understand these things, and would only learn from the officials in front.
And those hundreds of officials, big and small, were all standing there blankly, their eyes staring fixedly in one direction.
“Young Master Wei! Have you thought it over!”
Just below the red wall where Ning Yukē stood, Li Huaizhong almost squeezed out each word from his throat, and then pieced them together into sentences of low-pitched roars.
“As long as you don't kneel! The ceremony will not be complete! There is still a chance for this matter!”
“But if you kneel! Then there will be no room for maneuver!!”
“Young Master Wei!”
“Think thrice! Act later!”
“...”
With the eyes of thousands of people focused on him, Wei Changtian's expression did not change at all.
He just turned his head and glanced at this good persuader sent by Ning Yongnian, and then walked past Li Huaizhong step by step.
“Eunuch Li, instead of helping Ning Yongnian to persuade me, you should perhaps worry about yourself more.”
“Our debt has not been settled yet.”
“Pa!”
Taking the last step, he stood upright in front of the officials in the arrow-like sunlight.
At this time, only two people were facing everyone.
Ning Yukē on the city wall, Wei Changtian below the city wall.
And then...
“Boom!!!”
The latter's highly raised arm fell, and tens of thousands of people immediately knelt down on the ground in unison, shouting loudly towards the figure on the city wall without the slightest hesitation:
“Long live our King! Long live! Long live!”
“...”
The deafening shouts tore through the sky, echoing throughout the entire Shu Province City in Li Huaizhong's desperate eyes.
Wei Changtian silently watched all of this, but at a certain moment, he suddenly turned his head to look in one direction.
It seemed like there was a woman standing there just now.
A woman with a peach blossom hairpin in her hair.
His eyes widening slightly, he subconsciously wanted to rush over there.
However, before he could take a step, the woman disappeared in the blink of an eye.
An illusion?
Shaking his head, Wei Changtian stood still, refocusing his attention on the coronation ceremony that was about to end.
In front of him, the wave-like shouts still hadn't stopped.
Indeed.
Just like Li Huaizhong said, they represent everything that can no longer be reversed, and also represent countless people who will lose their lives because of Wei Changtian's decision.
But...
They also symbolize the arrival of a new era.
(End of Volume 4)
