Chapter 2406: Forty-Two Years, Nothing Happened

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Song Huai was too silent today!

He fundamentally ignored the tacit understanding of the past three sects, and naturally, his actions were completely different from previous communications. He truly just acted as a bystander, and the power belonging to Penglai Island was not manifested at all in today's grand court assembly.

In the context of post-war accountability, silence is a form of support for the Emperor's faction!

So that the forces of Da Luo Mountain and Yu Jing Mountain were actually a bit… unable to achieve anything alone?

Yu Xi never thought that the phrase "unable to achieve anything alone" would be associated with the long-standing and deeply rooted Yu Jing Mountain, or that it would happen within the Dao Country!

At this moment, there was a feeling of not knowing whether it was fortunate or fearful afterward.

Today, except for Xian Nan Kui, all the commanders-in-chief of the Eight Divisions were not in the capital.

Zhang Fu was fighting in the Demon Realm, and the other commanders-in-chief of the Eight Divisions also had their respective duties and were unable to attend the grand court.

Perhaps it was precisely to avoid this kind of situation that all sides tacitly allowed the commanders-in-chief of the Eight Divisions to stay away from today's court struggle.

After all, the authority of the Eight Divisions' strong army is the last bottom line for all sides!

The Dao Lords of the Three Sects have never set foot in Tian Jing City, but if the military power of the Eight Divisions is shaken, this implicit example may also be broken.

The long journey of the conscript soldiers returning home gave the defeat at Cang Hai enough time to ferment.

Yu Jing Mountain wanted to take the opportunity to gain more authority in the Dao Country. On this war line, the interests of the Three Sects of the Dao Gate should be consistent… North Heavenly Master Wu Dao You had just performed very strongly.

But Yu Xi suddenly discovered today—

When Yu Jing Mountain wanted to gain more authority in the Dao Country, Yu Jing Mountain had already lost too much authority in the Dao Country!

Kneeling in the central great hall today were many senior officials who had sworn loyalty to Yu Jing Mountain.

Ji Feng Zhou's seemingly light inquiry was behind countless hours of erosion and swallowing.

In the entire national system belonging to the Dao Gate, the Three Sects of the Dao Gate are of course still deeply rooted. But this Tian Jing City is indeed firmly controlled by the Ji surname imperial family.

Today, the Son of Heaven clearly demonstrated his control over this country, from politics to military, from the central to the local… most importantly, the middle and lower-level military and political officials were almost all loyal to the Emperor and swore allegiance to him.

This vast central empire's military and political authority in all aspects, although not like Qi Country's Jiang Shu who controlled the country single-handedly, was not in the uncontrollable state dominated by the Dao Gate that many people imagined.

Compared to the forces of the Dao Gate, the Emperor's faction already had an overwhelming advantage in the court situation!

In fact, despite the opposition of Wu Dao You, the Heavenly Master of Da Luo Mountain, the Jing Hai plan could still be pushed forward so firmly, and the Middle Ancient Heavenly Road could still be paved so smoothly, which itself was a manifestation of the advantage of imperial power within the Emperor Country.

It was just that the time was not as profound as today. The feeling it gave Yu Xi at that time was that he was still "not trying hard enough," and that when things were truly clear, everything could be discussed.

How come after trying hard today, it was discovered that it wasn't so feasible?

The Son of Heaven of Qi, Jiang Shu, reigned for sixty-five years.

The Son of Heaven of Jing, Ji Feng Zhou, ascended the throne forty-two years ago, in the Dao Calendar 3887. Of course, he was older than Jiang Shu and had been the Crown Prince for a longer time. He also often claimed to be brothers with Qi in state letters.

In these forty-two years of his rule, nothing particularly famous seemed to have happened, and everything seemed calm and without waves. Because it was too calm, many people thought that he had not truly experienced wind and rain and welcomed challenges.

Let's truly discuss some big events.

The collapse of Cang Hai that occurred this year is certainly one of them.

The Jing Mu War, which occurred in October of the Dao Calendar 3920 and ended in January of the Dao Calendar 3921, is of course one of them.

Going back further… the "Jing Country Attacks Wei War" that occurred in the Dao Calendar 3898 can probably also be counted.

That war directly crushed Mu Country's strategy of spreading divine grace to the south, beat Qin Xin Academy and Ren Xin Hall into sects that practiced honestly, and since then, they no longer clearly supported any country for many years. It also once again established Jing Country's unquestionable ruling force in the central domain.

The once militarily strong, flourishing with heavenly talents, and ambitious Wei Country now belongs to Zhong Shan, Yi, Luo, and the like, and is almost never mentioned, having no sense of existence in the entire world. Just like those waves erased by the Son of Heaven of Jing, it has also become part of the calm water.

There is also one more thing that may not be very big for Jing Country, but it is quite a key thing—

In the Dao Calendar 3888, which was the second year after the current Son of Heaven of Jing sat on the dragon chair, before his butt was even warm, the first Qi Xia War erupted.

The Xia Xiang Emperor and the Son of Heaven of Qi, Jiang Shu, that year precisely wanted to take advantage of the handover of power in Jing Country, when the great power was unstable, to decide the outcome in one fell swoop.

The final result is well known; Jiang Shu won the hegemony with a heroic spirit that surpassed the world.

And many people did not pay too much attention, or even if they did, they only attributed it to the strength of Jing Country—

Ji Feng Zhou, with the Yi Tian View that descended from heaven, stopped Qi Country's possibility of swallowing Xia in one war under Gui Yi City, greatly delaying Qi Country's expansion process, and thereafter, accepted Xia Country's continued tribute until the Dao Calendar 3920.

A full thirty-two years!

History records— "Xia's resources, repeatedly transported to Jing without end in carts."

Xia Country's "Divine Martial Revival," instead greatly prospered Jing Country's treasury.

Yi Tian View could not be built in one day. Ji Feng Zhou's emphasis and even alert towards Jiang Shu in the East Country were perhaps earlier than anyone else in Jing Country.

That was probably the first test suffered by the current emperor after ascending the throne?

But it also passed so silently, as if it was not a big deal at all.

Honestly speaking, once the Jing Hai plan was successful, with Jing Country surrounding the nearby sea of Cang Hai, how could Jiang Shu in the East Country break out?

Yu Xi couldn't think of it.

He himself had confidence in his cultivation, but he also understood that in politics, military affairs, and even world vision, he was fundamentally incomparable to the unworldly hero lord Jiang Shu. But why would he overlook Ji Feng Zhou, who always tried to put shackles on Jiang Shu?

For many years, Ji Feng Zhou has always been under the attention of the entire present world, maneuvering left and right under immense pressure, maneuvering domestically, and maneuvering abroad.

He has long existed as the "Emperor of Jing Country" rather than Ji Feng Zhou.

Yu Xi really didn't understand how he always subconsciously skipped this monarch. Always thinking that everything was ancestral shade. Always subconsciously feeling that he was just so-so.

Truly just so-so?

Today is perhaps a warning bell!

It's just that this sound might be too heavy.

Will that emperor, who has calmly sat on the dragon chair for forty-two years without being surprised by waves, finally reveal the true face hidden in the shadow of the flat heaven crown's bead curtain?

At the last moment, Yu Xi did indeed instruct some people to kneel.

But was that really to avoid a great rupture? Or because he himself also did not want to see that kind of worst situation?

Standing firmly to the end, becoming a lone family and widower, would really damage the morale of those Dao system officials.

And there is no need to confirm the emperor's advantage again!

Ultimately, they are all moving forward on the same giant ship. Whether the east wind suppresses the west wind or the west wind suppresses the east wind is all temporary. The direction of the sail is either left or right, but no matter what, they will not pull their own flag.

The Son of Heaven's dragon robe will ultimately be embroidered with three colors, and the flag of Great Jing Country will ultimately be the Qian Kun roaming dragon.

The Dao Country has come through four thousand years like this. It can also be considered the order of struggle within the "Dao system, where clear and turbid are mixed."

Yu Xi submitted to this order, so he decided to be silent.

He thought that Wu Dao You, who was also not speaking beside him… perhaps had the same thought.

The entire central great hall was covered by Ji Feng Zhou's will, and he showed no sorrow or joy.

"Who are you all, how could I not know? Yan Yu Chang, Dou Ning Sun, Zang Ruo Gu…" The Son of Heaven of Great Jing casually called out names, from the lowest-ranking Qing Du Minister in the hall, up to the Cloud Rise Lieutenant, the Sui Ning Commander…

He called out more than ten names, mentioning each person's merits once, indeed very familiar.

Among them, several people were participating in the grand court assembly for the first time!

Among them, the Qing Du Minister is a civil official who compiles books, the Cloud Rise Lieutenant is a military official who manages outer city security, and the Sui Ning Commander is a military post established by Jing Country in the Demon Realm. Zang Ruo Gu had just returned from the Demon Realm to report duty.

The people whose names he called out were all tearful.

And he said very gently: "I know you are all ministers of Jing, and I constantly remind myself not to forget the virtue of being a monarch—all beloved ministers, please rise! Let us, monarch and ministers, speak some heartfelt words today!"

His voice showed no trace of strength, as if the question just now was truly only casual, and he had just woken up, his eyes sleepy and unable to see clearly.

The crowd of ministers gradually rose, standing in the hall like a forest.

Each word rose, each word fell, and authority was within it.

The tide of people was like a sea tide. In this wave of rising and falling, the Son of Heaven of Jing spoke again: "The defeat at Jing Hai pains my heart greatly. My regret is not in the failure of the grand plan or the lack of great merit. My regret is in the death of commanders and the injury of Dou E. Those great young men, died in battle. Tomorrow the snow will retreat, but they will not see the spring light. Although I have the vast world and control over ten thousand miles, how will I ever have the opportunity to meet them again?"

Even Wu Dao You frowned at this.

He originally thought that the emperor would always sit on the dragon chair until the heaven and earth grew old, always silent until Ji Yu Min and even the South Heavenly Master fought out some result for him, and then he would step forward to clean up the mess. But he suddenly spoke, rarely showing a bit of his power, demonstrating his control over the court situation.

He originally thought that after he displayed his power, he would strongly suppress the aftermath of Jing Hai and forcibly silence the voices dissatisfied with the defeat at Jing Hai. But he instead actively mentioned the loss at Jing Hai!

Truly, the imperial will is hard to fathom.

The voice of the Son of Heaven of Jing, falling on the steps, was slightly sorrowful: "Prime Minister ah, we repaired the Middle Ancient Heavenly Road, but it shattered in the high sky. We built the eternal heavenly monument, but it became a wedding dress for others. This is something no one expected. How can it be borne by you alone? You knelt and begged for death, hurting my heart. The past grand plans were not completed, our ideals as monarch and minister were not achieved, so you just abandoned me and left?"

Lu Qiu Wen Yue, holding the two name lists, was in tears for a moment: "This minister's heart is thoroughly pained, and I find it hard to comprehend. I only want to give an account to those warriors who could not return home, but I don't know what else I can account for. The plans and matters did not succeed, and the fragmented world is confused about heaven's will. Although the heaven and earth are vast, I truly do not know what else this body can do. If I can repay the country's grace with this, it would not betray my wish from that year in the cold window! This is my heart, I only wish His Majesty would consider it."

Some among the ministers empathized, some wiped away tears sadly, and some looked on with cold eyes, only feeling that the performance of this monarch and minister was truly too emotional.

"If the Prime Minister does not shirk responsibility, how can I be a monarch who shirks responsibility?"

The Son of Heaven of Jing said: "The Martial Son of Heaven is in the country, and the Son of Heaven who governs is in the people. The utmost lies in ruling, and bearing responsibility for the world. It is nothing more than opening up the ancestors' foundation and loving and protecting the people of the world. Opening up borders and expanding territory, enriching the common people."

"Now we are defeated!"

"It is not that the soldiers did not fight with their lives, it is not that the Prime Minister's plans were not deep, it is that my shoulders are not strong enough to bear it."

"The names you hold in your arms are all my subjects. I sent them out on expedition, but I could not bring them home. I promised them achievements, but I only gave them graves. How can this not be my responsibility?"

The Emperor's voice was high up, and yet also in their ears: "If there is anyone who has sinned… the sin is on my body!"

The entire hall held its breath for a moment again.

Yu Xi's forceful struggle for the loss at Cang Hai, Wu Dao You's tough challenge to the palace, probably sought this result. But this was truly different from what they expected.

"Heavenly Master Yu, Heavenly Master Wu, I have always respected you and treated you as elders. Now let's speak privately—are we going to put our family's contradictions on the surface and let the people of the world laugh?"

"Your Majesty." Wu Dao You cupped his hands in a salute: "What we are discussing today are state affairs, and this old man is only discussing the matter at hand."

"Discussing the matter at hand… not wrong!" The Son of Heaven of Jing said: "I will now issue a decree confessing my sins to inform the world and warn myself."

"Your Majesty, you cannot!" Lou Yue stopped him loudly: "His Majesty's Qian Gang is supreme, his words are like heaven's law, his actions are like heaven's constant, how can there be errors? If it is indeed inauspicious, it is heaven that is inauspicious, how can you blame the Emperor!?"

But the Son of Heaven on the emperor's seat only waved his hand: "I have sinned, sinned in treating great undertakings lightly, sinned in lightly throwing away the country's power, sinned in acting on my own intention, sinned in… being arrogant, not respecting the Dragon Lord!"

Song Huai, who had always sat still and not spoken, suddenly lifted his eyes!

The Son of Heaven of Jing continued: "My lack of respect for the Dragon Lord was not in ritual or respect, but in not respecting His ideals and emotions, in taking His tens of thousands of years of silence for granted. To measure tens of thousands of years with a hundred years is like measuring the vast sea with a mayfly. Even the Lie Shan Human Emperor wanted to respect His emotions, yet I thought He could be controlled with benefits, honor and disgrace, life and death. This is truly the greatest arrogance!"

Yu Xi was truly surprised. He had been repeatedly surprised today. He had climbed to the peak for so many years and had been a Heavenly Master for so many years. He had almost watched Ji Feng Zhou become emperor. But he seemed to have never truly understood this monarch—

The Emperor was unexpectedly truly reviewing his own errors, and not just superficially responding!

How many people in the world are able to face their own errors?

Moreover, it is the nine-five supreme who is used to deciding life and death with a single word and who no one ever dares to go against!

Moreover, it is the monarch of the central first empire!

"… I should forever regard past warnings as facing an abyss, restrain myself and introspect, and often think of the common people."

The Son of Heaven of Jing Country didn't know when he had already walked to the front of the steps, walking before Lu Qiu Wen Yue.

Mountains and rivers were embroidered on his dragon robe, and the flat heaven crown bore the state and nation.

He raised his hand and gently placed it on the two name lists held by Lu Qiu Wen Yue, sighing: "I should warn myself, so that the regret of Cang Hai will not occur again."

Ji Yu Min, the Minister of Zong Zheng Temple, said sadly: "—My Emperor!"

The entire hall chanted "My Emperor!" for a while.

After the voices calmed down, the emperor spoke again: "Lu Qiu Wen Yue resigns and retires for rest, allowing him to retire in his old age. I grant him a large residence in Jing South and the Tian Xin Dao Treasury, wishing him no longer to worry."

Lu Qiu Wen Yue lowered his head: "This minister—thanks heaven's grace!"

Yu Xi was in a state of not knowing what mood he was in for a time.

The monarch issues a decree confessing his sins, and the country's prime minister resigns—there is probably no heavier burden than this. He initially represented Yu Jing Mountain to discuss responsibility. Even if the price was sky-high, he probably never thought of this kind of result.

He suddenly thought of the time he left Yu Jing Mountain. He said that he would seize the opportunity and strive for more Dao Country rights for Yu Jing Mountain. The Dao Lord only said to him—"You are a cultivator."

At that time, he thought the Dao Lord was admonishing him to prioritize cultivation.

Now thinking about it, as the head teacher of a great country's lord, that sentence was quite profound!

In the great hall, the emperor's voice spoke again: "A country cannot be without a prime minister. Vice Prime Minister Shi Zi Chan's virtue is convincing, I hope. I grant him succession."

This person, who had almost no presence and always hid under the light of Lu Qiu Wen Yue, the vice prime minister who was "willing to be a hound," was an ordinary-looking middle-aged scholar. He slowly walked out and bowed deeply: "This minister, receives the decree!"

The emperor continued: "Dai Shan King Ji Jing Lu, I know his ability. Dou E has no master. Jing Lu will bear it."

Ji Jing Lu also stepped forward and bowed: "This minister, receives the decree!"

Such duties as the Great Jing Prime Minister and the commander-in-chief of the Eight Divisions, appointing them should still inform the Dao Venerable, and at least they should "have virtue that convinces the crowd," and "win the hearts of the world." At least let the former prime minister mention a sentence, and the hundred officials make a slight recommendation…

How can it be "virtue convinces I hope" now?

Especially Dai Shan King Ji Jing Lu, although a rich king's grandson, he has not truly proven himself in the military. Such an important post as the commander-in-chief of the Eight Divisions, you know his ability, how can you convince everyone?

But under the major premise that the monarch issued a decree confessing his sins and the country's prime minister all resigned, neither Yu Jing Mountain nor Da Luo Mountain could speak.

The Emperor has already taken such responsibility, what more do you all want?

Do not bully the monarch too much!

Yu Xi's face showed no trace of red light, and Wu Dao You's face was expressionless.

And the emperor said at this time: "Everyone in the world discusses heroes based on success or failure. I think it is not necessarily impossible."

He faced the civil and military officials, raising his voice: "That day I reigned in all directions, and today's defeat can be seen as His Majesty opening up in adversity. That day my body died, the flag was folded, and blood stained the emperor's robe. It can also be said that today's defeat was foreseen early!"

Thereupon, he turned around and left the hall.

Only the ritual official's long voice echoed emptiness: "Retire—court!"

That voice circled for many weeks, retreating with the retreat of the hundred officials.

The central great hall became so quiet for a while.

The thrill from earlier seemed to have never existed.

As if forty-two years had already passed.

No matter what happened in Jing Country today.