Chapter 666: Chengqian
Chapter 666: Chengqian (Additional Chapter Requesting Monthly Votes)
"Especially Prince Tai! The other princes, like Prince Kang, have resigned themselves to their fates. But I see that Prince Tai, while seemingly submissive, spends his days drinking fine wine and collecting beauties, all while still harboring ambitions."
Yuan Zhao shook his head. "Such actions will only lead to his downfall... To scheme against those in power, one needs their cooperation... The current emperor is virtually flawless."
As he spoke, a sense of melancholy washed over him. "Moreover, we cannot allow another era of chaos!"
Those who have not experienced chaos cannot fathom its terror.
Better to be a dog in a peaceful age than a man in a time of turmoil!
Although, Yuan Zhao knew that not all the old meritorious ministers shared his sentiments.
But with an emperor who upholds stability, even if he does nothing wrong, the vast empire of Dagan can endure for two or three hundred years.
...
In the third year of Emperor Longchang's reign, Prime Minister Yuan Zhao retired.
In the same year, Emperor Longchang held a selection for new concubines. Dozens of beautiful and virtuous young women from across the empire were chosen, most of whom were sent to the imperial harem, while the rest were bestowed upon the princes.
Fang Xing, as emperor, always focused on the big picture, leaving daily affairs to the cabinet. It was a simple and easy way to govern.
One day,
After leaving a concubine's palace, Fang Xing stretched lazily.
This test was also a rare opportunity for him to relax.
As he wandered, he arrived at the imperial garden.
It was undeniable that being pampered by the entire palace was quite pleasant.
Would there be any pleasant surprises today?
"Hmm?"
He stopped in front of a flower bed and smiled. "These flowers are as brilliant as gold. What kind are they?"
"Your Majesty, these are the 'Golden Wave Flowers' from Yunzhou. Their fragrance is known to aid sleep and nourish the spirit, and the imperial physicians have already examined them."
A eunuch hurriedly bowed and replied.
The examination by the Imperial Medical Bureau confirmed that there were no issues.
"Golden Wave Flowers?"
Fang Xing stepped closer, sniffed the flowers, and felt a subtle change within his body, which made him smile.
Just a moment ago, he had felt a slight injury.
Though minor, the poison was quickly neutralized by his inner strength, but he had indeed been poisoned!
What was even more terrifying was that if this continued over time, it could become a serious problem.
"Is this... the principle of mutual generation and mutual inhibition?"
Fang Xing thought. "The Golden Wave Flowers are naturally non-toxic, but it seems that when mixed with another fragrance I smelled earlier, they become a hidden poison that slowly weakens the body..."
"Unfortunately, discussing toxicity without considering the dosage is nonsense... Inhaling the fragrance to be poisoned would require a large amount, otherwise, it would only result in chronic poisoning."
He shook his head. "Little Zhang..."
"Your servant is here."
Eunuch Zhang immediately stepped forward and knelt.
"Thoroughly investigate the source of these Golden Wave Flowers, and also the source of the benzoin fragrance from Lady Mei's palace. Leave no stone unturned..."
Although Fang Xing was almost certain that Lady Mei was merely an innocent scapegoat, an emperor did not need evidence when faced with such matters!
A comprehensive crackdown followed, and then a slow interrogation.
"Yes!"
Eunuch Zhang's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, knowing that a major incident had occurred.
After giving his instructions, Fang Xing continued to enjoy the flowers in the imperial garden, seemingly unaffected in mood.
'I never rely on evidence; I only look at who benefits...'
'Currently, the princes are still young, and my death would be of no benefit to them... Therefore, it couldn't be a consort or a prince. The Empress Dowager is increasingly frail and bedridden, and I have no intention of targeting her family, so it couldn't be her...'
'The aristocrats? Or a civil official? There's no benefit for them either...'
'So, it must be one of my good brothers.'
Fang Xing sneered inwardly. 'Or perhaps one of my uncles? Regardless, once the investigation is complete, they will face the full force of the law...'
The wrath of the Son of Heaven brings rivers of blood!
Even if Fang Xing did not wish to instigate a major case, a routine investigation would still result in many deaths.
'As for the civil officials, they also need a warning... Perhaps we should increase the weight of mathematics in the imperial examinations...'
...
Several months later, a shocking piece of news spread through the imperial capital of Dagan and quickly reached every corner of the empire.
Prince Tai, Li Ruzhang, was accused of rebellion and executed by imperial decree!
It was said that after Prince Tai's suicide, his mother, Lady Shu, also hanged herself and followed her son to the afterlife.
Despite the initial uproar, the entire capital soon returned to calm.
The hidden power behind the events sent a chilling message to all the ambitious, forcing them into hiding.
...
Time flowed like water, and years passed swiftly.
Spring came and went, and autumn arrived.
Before they knew it, it was already the sixtieth year of Emperor Longchang's reign!
Although Dagan did not enjoy favorable weather every year, Emperor Longchang's efforts in flood control and agricultural development had led to a peaceful and prosperous life for the people, with the population now exceeding five million households.
Some enthusiasts had already begun to herald the "Longchang Prosperity."
In the palace,
Fang Xing, now eighty-seven years old, had white hair and a ruddy complexion. It was his birthday, the Emperor's Birthday, and his ministers, princes, and grandchildren had all gathered to celebrate.
"Long live the Emperor, may your reign last forever!"
A sixty-year reign had solidified the Emperor's authority, making it immeasurable.
Not to mention, Emperor Longchang was known for his remarkable methods. Under his rule, the noble families grew weaker with each generation, and the civil officials were kept in line, never daring to step out of bounds.
As for the imperial clan, they were thoroughly subdued.
"Rise, all of you."
Fang Xing waved his hand, glancing around, feeling a mix of emotions.
'Time is truly the most terrifying force.'
'Over the years, the noble families have declined, generation after generation. After all, people are inherently lazy. Noble heirs are born into luxury; how many of them are willing to strive and even live in the harsh conditions of the army with common soldiers?'
Military prestige is hard to establish without shared hardships and battles. But if a general leads his troops from one victory to another, the respect and loyalty he earns are unparalleled. He wouldn't hesitate to challenge even the gods.
'The noble families have weakened, and the civil officials have gained some influence, but I've managed to divide and suppress them...'
'Being an emperor in ancient times is quite enjoyable.'
Fang Xing's gaze swept over his sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and even great-great-grandsons, and he sighed again.
Time is always merciless.
His empress and her two children, Li Ruzhang and the other, had passed away from old age and illness.
After all, this was an era without magic, where a peasant over thirty was considered elderly, and living past forty was considered a long life.
Even the nobility struggled to live much longer.
The empress died of natural causes in the forty-seventh year of Emperor Longchang's reign.
Some of the princes had even died before that.
'My inner strength can only maintain my own longevity, not extend it to others...'
Fang Xing sighed, drinking his wine in silence.
Meanwhile, various performances were underway.
Suddenly, amidst the drum and music, a group of young women in dance dresses gracefully entered the hall, dancing and singing.
One of them, the leader, had eyes like autumn water, a graceful figure, and seemed to dance as if she were floating in the air.
"Hmm?"
Fang Xing put down his wine cup.
Several keen observers noticed this and were startled.
The Emperor was not known for his interest in women, so why today...
Moreover, he was eighty-seven years old...
'This...'
Fang Xing looked at the lead dancer, his eyes flickering with a hint of mystery: 'She's one of us... which Dao Lord is it?'
'But it seems her memory and cultivation have been sealed... Could this be because my intrusion has triggered the early opening of the Transcendence Secret Realm?'
'Or is it the secret realm left behind by the Dao Sovereign that has emerged ahead of time?'
The Dao Sovereign had clearly made preparations before transcending, leaving behind a secret realm that Fang Xing had glimpsed.
However, the Dao Sovereign hadn't placed his hopes in the present but in the future.
But within that secret realm, there was likely a means to activate the Transcendence Secret Realm and the corresponding tokens!
Fang Xing felt that his entry into the Transcendence Secret Realm had caused some kind of butterfly effect.
As a result, a three-step Dao Lord had entered the Transcendence Secret Realm and received a legacy.
'But... is the secret realm's guardian so stingy?'
'Only one test world?'
He inwardly complained but smiled on the surface: "What is this woman's name?"
"Your Majesty, her name is Han Yu. It is said that when she was born, she had a peculiar fragrance and held an ancient jade in her hand..."
The old eunuch serving nearby respectfully replied.
"Oh? An ancient jade? Bring it here for me to see!"
Fang Xing spoke casually, and Han Yu, looking slightly bashful, approached, knelt, and pulled out a jade pendant from her neckline.
The pendant was in the shape of a Gouyu, with eyes resembling yin-yang fish, and a red string ran through it.
When Fang Xing picked up the Gouyu, it was still warm and carried a faint fragrance.
"This humble servant, Han Yu, greets the Emperor, may your reign last forever."
Han Yu's voice was clear and crisp.
'This is intense... a three-step Dao Lord kneeling like this.'
'I hope she doesn't think of killing me after this...'
Fang Xing inwardly joked but found the female Dao Lord intriguing: "Ha... what a fascinating woman. I shall bestow upon her the title of 'Lady Gouyu'... this is truly a gift from heaven for me."
What could Fang Xing have in mind? He just wanted to increase the difficulty for this female Dao Lord.
After all, the test wouldn't kill anyone. If she failed, he could still try to help her achieve a high score and then obtain the Primordial Spirit Treasure from her...
The princes and grandsons below were stunned when they heard this.
They never expected their great-grandfather, their ancestor, to be so vigorous.
Many men secretly envied him, while a few of the younger princes gritted their teeth in frustration.
The longer the Emperor lived, the more resentment he could attract.
Thinking of the princes and even grandsons who had died of old age, several of them lowered their heads, hiding the dark flames in their eyes.
Eleven months later.
From the 'Cheng'en Palace,' where Lady Gouyu resided, came a loud cry of a newborn baby.
After entering the palace, Lady Gouyu was favored by the Emperor, became pregnant, and gave birth to a son after ten months.
Emperor Longchang was overjoyed and named the child Cheng Qian!
(End of Chapter)
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