Chapter 192: “unified Rectification” And “harmonized Enlightenment”
In the 5th year, 1st month of the Tian You Calendar, since the new emperor had not yet been determined, and Emperor Ling passed away last month, by rights the reign title should change next year, so it was still tentatively using the Tian You Calendar.
In Fen Xing City, Gongshu Wang activated “War Kui”, and the artisans debugged the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, preparing for the expedition.
Gongshu Wang witnessed the omen of Da Yao’s Heaven’s Mandate falling on December 27th of the 4th year of the Tian You Calendar. — On that day, he saw a meteor shower erupting in the North, the purple star flickering dimly, even starless all night long, as if extinguished.
Among the falling meteors, several of the largest ones fell toward the four directions; Bo Prefecture, Yu Prefecture, and Ning Prefecture each received one, and here with Xuan Chong, Gongshu Wang saw a massive starlight hurtling toward his lord.
Gongshu Wang pondered: “When should I advise to ascend?”
The roar of the train interrupted his muttering. The lead steam tracked locomotive dragged eight Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse carriages connected end to end, and he and his artisans boarded first.
…Human Realm trying to grasp at lifesaving straw…
After being hit by the starlight here with Xuan Chong, it was not that there was no feeling. Rather, he immediately sensed the complex feelings of various people around him toward himself; awe, attempts to deceive, curses, resentment. (This was the situation before the ability of Emperor Shu to discern the hearts of ministers was established)
Xuan Chong suspected he might have schizophrenia. After he slightly complained, the system popped up a “tip” window, and right after the window appeared, the above negative effects disappeared, and that “tip” also vanished immediately; Xuan Chong only saw the phrase “Gaia route has been eradicated.”
When Xuan Chong asked what this was, the system haughtily spat out a term: “Swarm consciousness central node. A true socialized emotional collection hub, a route already proven inefficient for development. Common in this type of armored garrison domain (plane group collection) at present, already verified unable to withstand the late-stage competition of the ‘Human Base’. In current mainstream dimensional exploration, this route has basically been eliminated.
In a word, this ‘Heaven’s Mandate’ thing is not worth mentioning. It affects mental and physical health, don’t use it!”
Xuan Chong was dumbfounded, as if he had heard something extraordinary, so Xuan Chong said: “These things you mentioned, will they pass review?”
The system seemed to be self-checking, and soon narrated: “Anyway, teacher me sealed this thing for your own good. Don’t get emotional.”
Xuan Chong: “Tch, as if I care! Hmm, how many academic credits does this thing cost to redeem?”
System: “No academic credits needed, needs your future.”
Then the system gave an analogy: “In the 21st century, someone trades a kidney for a first-generation smartphone, would you?”
Xuan Chong understood: “Hmm, should have said so earlier. Something with high harm, I definitely don’t want.”
…Striving toward controllable direction…
On the 10th of the 1st month, after armor preparations were sufficient, Xuan Chong led three thousand elite native troops southward.
As for Southern Ling River, the mobilization order had already been issued. A total of 15,000 militia from reclamation near Ling River had assembled.
Xuan Chong now saw that the combat power mobilized from Ling River was no less in number than the Black Tide back then, and in quality, these new Southern Border troops armed with standard firearms and wearing armor were not comparable to the Black Tide who didn’t even have shoes back then.
Various roads were bustling with vehicles and horses, advancing orderly; the entire Southern Border was like celebrating New Year.
At Xuan Chong’s call, large batches of merchant caravans also moved along both sides of the train line. Among the caravans, Liangtian Pavilion mechanists hired to add coal to the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse vehicles and replace jade parts.
Although these caravan leaders didn’t know what business was worth doing in the south, out of obedience to Xuan Chong, they all acquired large amounts of strategic resources as required and transported them to Ling River Four Commanderies.
…Soulmate praise…
Two days after Xuan Chong headed south. In Xia Prefecture, Zhao Cheng immediately confirmed the situation through intelligence and took a deep breath: “Heading south?”
He felt somewhat lost. He had always seen Xuan Chong as a tough opponent, and in these years had always worried about every move Xuan Chong made. Now that this tough opponent was no longer entangled with him, he felt a bit reluctant for a moment.
Someone nearby suggested: “How about, General, you seize Zhenzhou?”
Zhao Cheng rejected: “The southward troops are only one army; Wu Clan’s main force in Zhenzhou is still stationed in Chong Land. Before he left, he must have made arrangements for the territories under his jurisdiction; we speculating may not gain advantage.”
Zhao Cheng was very clear about the situation in Zhenzhou under Xuan Chong’s governance. When the people’s hearts were toward Wu Clan, rash conquest was not possible.
In Zhao Cheng’s previous life military treatises: When a strong country conquers a small one, see if that country’s monarch has lost virtue. Yet in the great contention era, this key point was ignored by generals who rampaged relying on “conquest power”.
Zhao Cheng’s evaluation of Xuan Chong: “Wu Yuanchang is not tyrannical and cruel as others say, but a virtuous and talented monarch.”
Zhao Cheng sighed to his advisors: “His chess game is one move every twenty years, accumulating generations’ strength for the Great Undertaking. While we merely vie for victory in this one game.”
Zhao Cheng decided to first move against the “lost virtue” groups within Da Yao.
…Beauty sighs…
Consort Li’s group was hurrying on the road covered in dust, still wearing attire and jade belts representing their status.
The carriage suddenly stopped; Consort Li’s eyes flickered with purple starlight leaping, clearly she knew something, but upon lifting the curtain, she still asked panickedly: “Have the rebels caught up?”
At this time, the carriage was blocked by a group of armored soldiers.
However, a general riding a qilin immediately knelt: “We arrived late to rescue, Empress, Your Majesty was startled!”
After the fleeing Prince Ji arrived in Ning Prefecture with the Imperial Seal and the late emperor’s edict, he was supported to establish a new dynasty, and decided to change the reign title to Tong Zheng next year.
But in this round’s situation, the officials controlling Yao Capital and the Yu Prefecture faction did not recognize Prince Ji’s new dynasty. They prepared to support Prince of Northern Tranquility’s line, to enthroned under the name of establishing the worthy.
Although Emperor Ling was mediocre, lost virtue, and improperly enthroned, he was still the crown prince set by Emperor Shu. And had gone through the ascension ritual witnessed by the ministers.
Although Emperor Ling’s legitimacy of succession was questioned within the Imperial Family, it was the Son of Heaven’s family matter; the ministers under heaven had no possibility to discuss.
But now it was different; whether Prince Ji or the current Yao Capital Yu Prefecture warlord-supported Prince of Northern Tranquility, both faced the problem of incomplete ascension procedures.
Prince Ji did not go through fully legitimate procedures in Yao Capital.
Yao Capital’s Prince of Northern Tranquility had no Imperial Seal, and Emperor Ling suddenly passed away when the loyalist army arrived; although suppressed, rumors of Yu Prefecture troops plotting rebellion still spread throughout Yao Capital.
Although in Da Yao Confucian Scholars’ eyes, Tong Zheng Emperor was more legitimate, when ambitious ones pondered whom to support, blue voices whispered in their ears.
This directly split Da Yao’s legal orthodoxy. Now every warlord with territory could point fingers at other forces in this “two suns in heaven” situation.
Next, the various vassal lords under heaven could follow Yao Capital as orthodox today to strike forces attached to Ning Prefecture. Or tomorrow cry out that Yao Capital side are traitorous ministers and thieves, counterattack to plunder Ning Prefecture camp’s territories.
Although local warlords’ Sima Zhao-like ambitions were known to all, could Yu Prefecture and Ning Prefecture still unite to punish such disloyalty?
The two Da Yao royal courts contending for orthodoxy had to base their existence on negating the other’s. All transgressions were tolerated, only cannot tolerate the other claiming oneself unorthodox.
At this time, the Map of Mountains and Rivers had patches of different colors.
…Imperial grace shattering lands officially begins…
Just as Tong Zheng and He Ming two emperors, western Zhao Cheng began using troops, army set out from Yu Prefecture to conquer. And Bo direction upward, Wu Hengyu also began to respond to battle.
Meanwhile in the Arctic region, Pu E in “sage mode” looking at this “double negative becomes positive” under heaven situation, puzzled: “Plot righted again? — Or the two obsessions she summoned began conquering under heaven. And that Wu Fei now vanished without trace, as if gone.”
Pu E to Wisdom and Courage System: “Did you correct the plot?”
Wisdom and Courage System: “No.”
…Affairs disturb…
In Yao Capital, Ji Yan, this disciple of the previous Minister of Works, leader of the entire Yao Capital incident, was leading civil and military ministers discussing various matters after reestablishing the new monarch.
This court minister tried to gain under heaven’s recognition through “doing things”, thereby restoring orthodox status. For example, giving the late emperor a posthumous title. As Xuan Chong jestingly called, in the end Prince Zhou became Emperor Ling’s posthumous title. Such a malign posthumous name fit under heaven’s view of Emperor Ling’s years of doing nothing, mediocre and incompetent.
Ji Yan also tried to deny Prince Zhou’s line through this malign posthumous title.
Thus next he conveniently enfeoffed the “self-ascended” Tong Zheng Emperor as “Sui Liu Prince”. Then he led the ministers in a proper grand ascension ceremony to promote Prince of Northern Tranquility to the throne, changing reign title to “He Ming”, hence temporarily called Emperor Heming.
Ji Yan bearing the Minister of Works position now demanded a court full of upright officials. That is, all to purge the past “unorthodox”. The former Imperial Guards were also disbanded.
But this leader was too young, too naive. In denying Emperor Ling, he considered his own level higher than Emperor Ling.
Little did he know Emperor Ling’s mediocrity was also forced by the improperly enthroned situation.
Emperor Ling had to use petty men to stabilize power. And now Emperor Heming was even more unorthodox than Emperor Ling.
Yao Capital fell into abnormal revelry, wandering knights rose everywhere, taverns on streets began special prosperity. Because the Imperial Court posted notices announcing to restore order.
Yao Capital families soon received a blow to the head; various officials kicked in family doors searching for “Imperial Guard” remnants.
If after officials arrived, sufficient “innocence fees” were stuffed into hands, it would be marked “pending” on the list immediately. And officials soon discovered how wonderful the power in their hands was, all turning into harsh officials.
In harsh officials’ eyes: What is the big picture? As long as immediate interests are secured, even if heaven falls, it’s not my responsibility.
Under “Emperor Heming” dynasty’s edicts tacitly permitting, harsh officials soon expanded, and hired wandering knights and righteous bandits to assist work. As harsh officials designated a family as remnants, knights swarmed to steal and plunder.
Even if these knights were sent to report to officials, they would be released for “extenuating circumstances”. And if caught and beaten to death by the main family, the main family would be questioned for hiding lethal weapons, intending rebellion.
Worth mentioning, Imperial Guards had incurred public wrath in Yao Capital; but those who stirred trouble back then were not only Imperial Guards, Eastern Market Army when forming also offended many martial world small fries.
…Chaos…
Li family old master looking at arriving harsh officials, loudly scolded: How dare you! — This old man full of vigor, cane banging on ground loudly.
However, following knights immediately rushed up to punch and kick the old master. After looting ended, government office arrived belatedly, but old master already couldn’t breathe, and government office insincerely said: “Will investigate.”
Note that in Emperor Shu era, even convicted officials’ family property was not allowed to be plundered. At that time, these gleeful knights freely entering and exiting convicted officials’ homes would be shackled and exiled to border, serve labor for life.
Li family hearts died, then left Yao Capital. While Yao Capital knights sneered while throwing stones at Li family leaving convoy.
However, everyone in the city forgot, this Li family had a concubine’s son named Li Xiaorong. Li Xiaorong back then and Mu Xingyu were the best disciples under Xuan Chong’s Eastern Market Army.
Not only Li family, many Eastern Market Army related great clans were silenced. But these great clans’ resentment toward He Ming Imperial Court finally erupted after heading north to Bo Prefecture.
In Yao Capital central palace, Sitian Chengs were horrified that Emperor Heming’s “Heaven’s Mandate” was less than one tenth of Emperor Shu era, only three tenths of Emperor Ling era, even inferior to Ning Prefecture’s “Tong Zheng Emperor”.
After He Ming Court heard rebels gathered in Bo Prefecture, sent a letter asking Wu Hengyu to send the rebels back. Court also sent envoys to Dai Commandery, Zhu Liqiang’s territory, imperial envoy ordering him to defend against Bo Prefecture’s rebellion.
Yao Capital, Ji Yan as head of Three Dukes, now very satisfied with his proper arrangements.
…One leaf blinds the eye…
Dai Commandery Zhu Liqiang received court letter, silently pocketed it, knowing his troops insufficient to contend with Eastern Market Army.
Zhu Liqiang thought thus: Yao Capital thinks Eastern Market Army Wu brothers separated is no longer a threat, but little know even without Wu Fei, Eastern Market Army is still a tiger-wolf army. The brigadier general system Wu Fei left behind is eager to act.
After Bo Prefecture annihilated Yan Land, it was absolutely not as Yao Capital claimed, “people exhausted, horses fatigued”.
However, though Zhu Liqiang knew he lacked ability to execute Yao Capital orders, he did not outright reject, but detained the envoy.
Simultaneously Zhu Liqiang did not reply to Bo Prefecture side’s letters.
Zhu Liqiang understood the situation, yet had no intent to immediately take a side based on it.
…Thunder surges…
Mid-2nd month, Bo Prefecture. After Hao Army probe was repelled, Wu Hengyu hurried to outside Gu Shou Pass. Troops outside the pass were assembling.
Under Gu Shou Pass, a hunt underway; under Wu Hengyu’s order, one thousand cavalry moved out, wide encirclement gathering beasts in the enclosure, then shot down.
Wu Hengyu looking at wild boar he shot with one arrow, listening to advisors report. Advisor reported: “Summer grain already collected, total 300,000 shi gathered in Huangyu City.”
Wu Hengyu nodded, but did not act rashly, because Bo Prefecture people (great clans) currently sought stability, did not want war.
When subordinates Eastern Market faction continued urging Wu Hengyu to act, Wu Hengyu raised bronze cup slightly shaking: “No rush, first see those three pigs (Zhu Liqiang and two other garrison commanders) current self-smartness.”
Wu Hengyu a month ago communicated with Wu Fei; Wu Fei’s suggestion was to first tolerate the three southern fiefdoms (Duke of Zheng subdues Duan at Yan), wait for them to “connect branches” then seize one to strike.
As for reason, Xuan Chong: “If not verbally united, you (Wu Hengyu) conquering one, other two will sense crisis, come to collaborate. Back then these three thus controlled False Hao, and Emperor Shu before death still stably held these three, clearly to prevent Bo Prefecture growing too big. If you go south must break these three’s unity. But if these three verbally agree, you annihilate one, prior verbal agreement voided. When other two fear, separately write to sow discord, inform other already allied with you (Bo Army), these two will scramble to surrender.”
Given current situation change, Yao Capital began persecuting Eastern Market Army families, Xuan Chong sent another letter.
Xuan Chong’s letter: “Yao Capital’s armchair strategists will surely force those three to unite against you. And these three wallflowers, ultimately under Yao Capital’s aggression, make appearance of enemy to you. But this is false union, each of three families expects own to just go through motions. Your reaction not strong, ultimately becomes three mutually going through motions, muddle past. But after these three false union, your officers and soldiers will share common enemy, join you in all-out fight; at that time you strike, one breaks, other two cower to self-preserve.”
