Chapter 305: Operation Canglang, the Emperor and Fate
In April, the emperor issued an edict to prepare for the Taihuang Festival, inviting envoys from various ethnic groups that Dajing had already contacted to come to Shuntian during the Spring Festival next year. When the news of this edict spread, the whole world was in an uproar. The vast majority of people were full of fear and prejudice against foreign races, and believed that the emperor was inviting a wolf into the house!
But the emperor had issued an edict, and the matter was done.
Luozhou is one of the richest states in Dajing.
Inside a mansion.
A man in a black robe and wearing a silver mask was drinking tea. The mask only covered the upper half of his face, leaving his mouth and nose exposed. Judging from his skin and white beard, he was very old.
A figure appeared out of nowhere, half-knelt in front of him, clasped his fists and said, "My lord, Cang Lang has been chosen."
This person was wearing a tight warrior robe, and his eyes were full of fanaticism as he looked at the man in black robe.
The black-robed man replied, "Yes, I know. Keep a close eye on him."
"yes!"
The warrior then disappeared on the spot, as if he had never appeared.
A door suddenly opened, and a figure walked out of the house. It was actually an old Taoist priest. If Jiang Changsheng was there, he would definitely recognize him. He was the founder of Longqi Temple, Taoist Qingxu.
He didn't look much different from two hundred years ago, except for a strange black line on his forehead.
Taoist Qingxu walked up to the black-robed man and sat down. While pouring himself some tea, he asked, "Now that the emperor has consolidated his power and the world is at peace, do you want to force Canglang out?"
The black-robed man said calmly, "The peace in the world is just an illusion. When Hongzong was assassinated, Daozu did not take any action, which shows that Daozu has already abandoned Dajing. Without Daozu's protection, Dajing is already a meal on the table, waiting for the person of destiny to come to the table and share it."
Jing Hongzong Jiang Han was the first emperor of Dajing to be successfully assassinated since Taizong. Before the capital was moved, no one dared to assassinate the emperor because Daozu was there. However, after the capital was moved, assassinations occurred one after another , and Daozu did not take any action. The successful assassination of Jing Hongzong caused undercurrents among various forces.
More and more people feel that after the relocation of the capital, the relationship between Daozu and the Jiang family has been severed. When the Qiangliang tribe attacked before, Daozu took action only for the sake of the people of the world.
"Is Canglang really suitable?" asked Taoist Qingxu.
The black-robed man's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said, "If he is just to be Cang Lang, he is suitable, but he is only suitable to be Cang Lang."
Taoist Qingxu nodded slightly.
"Let's see what Cang Lang does first. If the world is in chaos and Daozu still doesn't take action, then we can truly implement our grand plan. The former Chaozong and the current aristocratic clans are all waiting for Daozu's attitude."
The man in black robe spoke slowly. When he mentioned Daozu, his eyes fluctuated and it was unknown what he was thinking.
He looked at Taoist Qingxu and said, "Get ready. You can be of great use, even more so than Canglang."
Taoist Qingxu smiled and said, "I have already made preparations."
The black-robed man raised his lips.
…
In the third year of Dinghe, the New Year arrived and the eyes of the world fell on Shuntian City. It was said that ten intelligent races from the wilderness came to visit, and many people were worried that something might happen to the imperial city.
The Taihuang Festival lasted for ten days. After the various tribes left, there was no trouble at all and everything went smoothly. It was said that each tribe presented treasures as tribute and showed great respect to Dajing.
Only then did people all over the world feel relieved and began to look forward to the future of Dajing.
The Taihuang Festival marks the official integration of Dajing and Taihuang, and will definitely go down in history.
The emperor was happy and promoted An Chang, the Minister of Transport who hosted the Taihuang Festival, to the position of prime minister. He was included in the three provinces and was allowed to participate in the decision-making of state affairs. An Chang's promotion was too fast, which caused turmoil in the court and aroused dissatisfaction among many ministers. Many ministers had survived for several dynasties without ever stepping into the position of prime minister. It was ridiculous that An Chang was promoted to prime minister just for organizing a grand event.
It is said that the morning court session was very chaotic, and despite pressure from civil and military officials, the emperor insisted on doing so.
After An Chang became prime minister, he quickly promoted his own confidants. In less than half a year, all the voices against him disappeared, at least they could not be heard in the court.
The fourth year of Dinghe.
In early July, a rare severe drought occurred in the northern part of Dajing. In less than two months, the drought broke out, followed by famine, and countless people suffered.
Dragon rises inside the mountain.
"Drought? Ridiculous. Someone in the Ministry of Luck must be causing trouble, causing the energy of the luck in that area to decrease. Otherwise, with the national luck of Dajing, how could such a disaster happen?"
Chen Li said disdainfully, his tone cold.
Bai Zun shook his head and said, "It seems that the current emperor does not know the way of destiny, and there are no loyal ministers around him who can convey the people's feelings."
Chen Li said, "That was his own choice. He was wrong from the moment he valued An Chang. An Chang had long ago severed his relationship with Qi Sheng as a teacher and disciple. Your Majesty still values him because you must have been deceived. An Chang is indeed very resourceful. In just one year, he has gained power in the court. It seems that there are many forces supporting him."
He looked at Jiang Changsheng who was standing beside the medicine cauldron and said, "Daozu, you must hold back. The opportunity for a great destruction and great establishment has come."
Jiang Changsheng did not respond. Bai Qi, who was lying beside him, said indignantly , "The master has sent people to call the wind and rain, but he was still scolded."
Li Yi is the god of thunder who can stir up thunder in the sky and gather sea of clouds, but his problem lies in his luck. With his ability, he cannot call the wind and rain every day. When he fails to save the people from disasters, the people start to scold him. These reactions have spread in the circle of Dajing, who travels through the world, making the believers very unhappy with the people who have not become believers.
The people of Dajing had not suffered for a long time, at least famine was far away from them. Those suffering people blamed the Thunder God, the Taoist Ancestor, and the court. They did not feel grateful to the Thunder God for providing rain, but instead took their anger out on him for his incompetence.
As more and more people blamed Daozu, Daozu's followers became more and more dissatisfied. Because of the existence of Shenyou Great World, the followers all knew that it was the work of Yunbu, and they could not blame Daozu. The people did not dare to rebel against the emperor, but blamed Daozu. What's the logic? As a result, two camps were forming in Dajing.
There were even some believers who wanted to rebel, overthrow the Jiang family's imperial power, and worship the Taoist ancestor alone in the future.
Jiang Changsheng's Dajing believers are distributed among all classes, from court officials to the bottom of the martial arts world. This force gathered together is enough to subvert Dajing, but Jiang Changsheng did not do so. Managing the country requires energy, and he also wants to see if the descendants of the Jiang family can turn the tide.
"The peace and tranquility has lasted for so long that people have forgotten the hardships of the past and who brought the prosperity of Dajing to this day."
Ye Xundi snorted. He was one of the dissatisfied believers.
Ji Wujun said: "In addition to An Chang's rebellion, I think someone is behind all this. Why did the Ministry of Transport create a drought and intensify people's resentment? What is the purpose?"
Mu Lingluo frowned and said, "You mean, An Chang wants to rebel? To force the emperor to lose the support of the people first?"
Ji Wujun nodded and said, "The whole Yunbu Department is full of An Chang's people, how could he not know?"
Mu Lingluo wanted to ask whether she should go and kill An Chang, but when she thought of Chen Li's plan and Jiang Changsheng's acquiescence, she fell silent again.
The nobles and princes restricted the imperial power of Dajing, and the contradictions became increasingly serious and had reached a point where they could not be resolved. Even some people in the Mu family blamed Hongzong for wielding his sword recklessly.
"There must be a lot of people behind An Chang. If they are really pulled out, I'm afraid they will scare the emperor to death. When the world is in chaos, these people will fight. Let them consume each other. When the people in the world resent them, Daozu will support the Jiang family's imperial power. At that time, the emperor will be loved by the people of the world, and then we can carry out a large-scale purge of the aristocratic families, and everything will go according to the will of heaven and the people."
Chen Li sighed. His words were cruel, but no one could refute them.
The truth is indeed so ironic.
Jiang Changsheng calculated that the strongest person in Dajing besides him was still Tongtiandi, who posed no threat.
No matter who is plotting in secret, he is not interested, because no matter how strong they are, they are just a bug in front of him.
…
In October, the drought ended, but at the end of the year, a cold disaster hit the east of Dajing.
The fifth year of Dinghe, early March.
In the imperial study.
The emperor was sitting in meditation on a cushion, with memorials piled up like a mountain on the table beside him. He faced the scorching sun outside the door, making changing gestures with his hands, as if he was practicing martial arts.
An Chang arrived and walked in along the door on purpose without blocking the sunlight.
The emperor asked without even opening his eyes, "Have you found out about the fluctuations in the great prosperity?"
As the Son of Heaven, he could sense the fortune of the world, but he could only sense the fluctuations and was not clear about what exactly happened.
"It's still the fight between martial arts sects. Many people died, but the common people are fine. Your Majesty, the martial arts world needs to be rectified. Their wanton fighting can easily hurt the common people, and how can we tolerate such disregard for the law?" An Chang said, bending over, with a very humble attitude, not like a prime minister at all.
The emperor continued, "Then suppress it. Elect a leader of the martial arts world, and you will be in charge of this matter."
"Yes, sir!"
An Chang responded, then took out a small wooden box from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, this is the Turtle Yuan Pill, which is made from the blood of a ten-thousand-year-old black turtle. It can increase your lifespan."
The emperor opened his eyes, took the item, and said, "Yes, you are thoughtful."
An Chang smiled and said, "I am where I am today because of your majesty's favor. If your majesty lives long, I can live a carefree life for ten thousand years."
The emperor said unhappily, "Long live my life? I'd be lucky if I could live past 200 years."
The king and his minister chatted for a while, and then An Chang withdrew.
The emperor continued to cultivate immortality.
Ever since he replaced his trusted aides, he has gotten used to delegating power; the success of the Taihuang event and the statements of various tribes indicate that Dajing will take off. In his opinion, he has completed the task assigned to him by Hongzong, and he does not need to work wholeheartedly. He can spend most of his time on cultivating immortals and refining elixirs on weekdays.
When Jiang Xuannian reaches the Cave Heaven Realm, he will abdicate. In this way, Jiang Xuannian will be able to suppress his ministers and the situation that happened to previous emperors will no longer occur.
The emperor felt that everything was under control, and if there was a drastic change in the fate of the world, he would naturally intervene personally.
This is the advantage of fortune. If you know the fortune, you can see the world.
However.
The dramatic change in fortune really came, and it came quickly.
November.
The emperor was sitting in the imperial study, his face extremely gloomy. An Chang walked in quickly and was about to pay his respects when he was interrupted by the emperor, "Tell me quickly, what happened?"
An Chang quickly replied: "Someone incited the people of a state to rebel, which led to a dramatic change in the country's destiny. Your Majesty, don't worry. I have arranged people to suppress it and it will be resolved soon."
