Chapter 983 Death!

Qingxin Pavilion is not just a pavilion, nor even a palace compound. It's on a mountain, a small mountain in the southeastern corner of Shangjing City.

Shangjing is not only the capital of the Da Qian Dynasty; several dynasties before had also established their capitals here. Therefore, this small mountain has historically belonged to the category of royal gardens.

However, the Emperor, in order to live more comfortably, made some modifications to this place, not to facilitate his own enjoyment, but to make it easier for some courtiers to come here to meet with him and discuss matters.

Night fell, and the air was cool.

The Emperor was draped in a Taoist robe, sitting by a small pond, watching the fish swimming inside.

The small courtyard was equipped with a warm room, with a suitable temperature. After all, when it came to fighting, the Qian people were not the best, but when it came to enjoyment, hey, the Qian people had never been afraid of anyone.

Several plates of fruit were placed next to the Emperor, washed clean, exuding a refreshing air.

In the distance, palace maids and eunuchs stood quietly, not daring to disturb the Emperor's peace.

After sitting for a long time,

the Emperor seemed to feel a little tired.

He supported himself on the edge of the pond, raised his head, and looked at the moonlight tonight.

Coincidentally, a dark cloud had just covered the already dim moonlight tonight.

At this moment, a graceful figure walked over.

No one dared to stop her as she approached.

"Your Majesty, it's cold, let's go back inside," Bai Li Xianglan said.

The Emperor smiled,

and said:

"I still want to enjoy the moon."

"The moon tonight is very ordinary."

The Emperor shook his head slightly and said:

"In fact, every night is the same moon. Beauty or ugliness, brightness or dimness, the moon doesn't care. It's the people standing on the ground looking up at it, yet unable to reach it, who are being artificial."

"Your Majesty, it's cold."

"It's winter, where isn't it cold?"

The Emperor continued to sit, not moving.

Bai Li Xianglan looked at the Emperor, no longer speaking, and took a few steps back, standing to the side.

The Emperor looked at her and asked:

"Third-rank?"

"Yes."

"Your brother's path is actually not easy to walk."

"The sharpest sword in the world must be only one. Xianglan has no intention of competing for the first sword. The path my brother has taken may not be the best, but at least it proves that it can be walked.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to share in the qi luck and helping Xianglan break through."

"Since your brother could borrow it, why can't you, his sister, borrow it?

No need to thank me.

Your brother entered Shangjing in white robes back then, causing a stir among the city's elites. But in the end, his unrestrainedness was his own.

Just like that Yao Zizhan, what they earn is a superficial reputation, while in reality, they are too lazy to deal with serious or trivial matters.

On the contrary, you, over the years, have worked hard, Xianglan."

Bai Li Xianglan no longer spoke, and retreated a few more steps, disappearing into the shadows, leaving all the meager moonlight to the Emperor.

…

A team of knights came galloping, a grand scale.

The leader was a middle-aged general with a square face, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes.

"Who goes there!"

"Who goes there!"

At the foot of the mountain, the Imperial Guards immediately formed a formation.

Torches were lit, dispelling the surrounding darkness, revealing the appearance of the middle-aged general.

"It's the驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law)!"

"Greetings, 驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law)!"

The guard general at the foot of the mountain immediately saluted.

"This 驸马 (Imperial Son-in-Law) has important matters to see the Emperor."

"Please wait a moment, 驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law). This humble officer will go and report."

"This 驸马's (Imperial Son-in-Law) matter is urgent and cannot wait for a report."

"驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law), this humble officer is duty-bound, please do not make things difficult for this humble officer, this humble officer…"

"Pfft!"

Zhong Tianlang's saber had already pierced the chest of the mountain guard general, and then he pulled it out.

In the next moment,

the armored soldiers he brought immediately drew their sabers and charged forward.

The Imperial Guards at the foot of the mountain had not expected that this Da Qian 驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law), so highly regarded by the Emperor, would actually rebel. Moreover, Zhong Tianlang had brought elite border troops. The Imperial Guards at the foot of the mountain were caught off guard and were directly defeated, suffering heavy casualties.

Zhong Tianlang wielded his saber, constantly cutting down the Imperial Guard soldiers blocking his path, and then ascended the steps.

Gradually, the armored soldiers he brought caught up and continued to surpass him, clearing the way for him.

However, the slaughter at the foot of the mountain did not continue to the mountainside.

Above, many Imperial Guard soldiers had already thrown down their weapons and were standing aside. On the ground, there were also some corpses of Imperial Guard generals lying in disarray.

A man in silver armor with half-white hair was standing there, looking at Zhong Tianlang who was constantly walking up with a smile on his face. Beside the silver-armored man, there was also a young eunuch standing.

Seeing these two, Zhong Tianlang's eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not continue to maintain a cold face, but instead spoke:

"Governor Luo."

Luo Mingda, who has controlled the Silver Armor Guards for twenty years, is a devil in the Da Qian folk tales that can make children stop crying.

"驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law)."

Luo Mingda saluted Zhong Tianlang very politely.

At this moment, the young eunuch next to him seemed unwilling to be ignored and took the initiative to step forward and say:

"Greetings, 驸马爷 (Imperial Son-in-Law)."

Zhong Tianlang nodded to him. Eunuch Sun became a confidant eunuch by the Emperor's side three years ago and has risen rapidly in the inner court at a young age.

But it was clear that in tonight's events, he had also betrayed the Emperor.

Eunuch Sun's rise was already very surprising to outsiders, and some even speculated that Eunuch Sun had risen to power with the help of Jin Feng.

Once these two people chose to betray the Emperor, the defense inside Qingxin Pavilion could basically be said to be wide open.

Zhong Tianlang did not exchange pleasantries with these two,

but instead said directly:

"Go and ask the Emperor to abdicate."

…

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already returned to the capital to inherit the throne!"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already returned to the capital to inherit the throne!"

Outside the small courtyard,

shouts rose one after another.

Among them, there were also some sounds of fighting, but it was clear that resistance was not so fierce anymore.

The Emperor was still sitting by the pond, and the noise outside seemed to have no effect on him at all.

However, the palace maids and eunuchs in the courtyard were all pale with fright.

At this moment, a boy walked in.

After the Emperor moved into Qingxin Pavilion, although he did not extensively build any dojos, he still could not leave his past habits, which was to discuss Taoism and have pure conversations.

The boy had precepts scars on his head, a delicate face, and the Dharma name Wen An, called a layman.

When he opened his mouth, his voice was not like a child's, but rather had the hoarseness of an adult.

"Your Majesty, they are about to come in." Layman Wen An said with his palms together.

"Oh."

The Emperor responded.

At this moment, Bai Li Xianglan walked out of the shadows, her long sword unsheathed, hanging in front of Layman Wen An.

The boy was not flustered, but looked at Bai Li Xianglan and asked:

"The Bai Li family has already sworn allegiance to the new emperor, why do you need to put on this act here?"

Bai Li Xianglan frowned slightly and was about to use a sword move, but was stopped by the Emperor:

"Step back."

Bai Li Xianglan hesitated for a moment, but finally sheathed her sword.

The Emperor flicked his Taoist sleeves,

and ridiculed himself:

"I am truly abandoned by everyone now. Good, good."

Bai Li Xianglan said, "Your Majesty, I can still try to take you out now."

Layman Wen An raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this,

and said:

"If your brother were still alive and standing here, he might have the tone to say these words, but you can't do it."

"Xianglan, I understand."

The Emperor looked at Bai Li Xianglan with some relief. He did not think that Bai Li Xianglan was feigning here.

Even if the Bai Li family had changed ships, the Bai Li family was the Bai Li family, and the people of the Bai Li family were the people of the Bai Li family. They seemed the same, but in reality, they were different.

For example… he was the Da Qian Emperor, and those who were now rebelling against him, weren't they also the Da Qian generals?

Layman Wen An said sincerely:

"This year, I have been favored by Your Majesty to discuss Taoism and have pure conversations. Now that Your Majesty has become the Empress Dowager and has fewer mundane affairs to worry about, Wen An is willing to continue to accompany Your Majesty in discussing Taoism."

"Good."

The Emperor nodded.

In the next moment,

a group of armored soldiers rushed in.

The Emperor straightened his back and placed his hands behind him.

These armored soldiers, whose armor was still stained with blood, unconsciously lost the ferocity that had been hanging on their faces when they saw the Emperor, and instead silently lowered the edges of their blades.

At this moment,

Zhong Tianlang walked in.

After he saw the Emperor,

he knelt down on one knee and saluted:

"Tianlang pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Tianlang."

"Your subject is here."

"The Da Qian will depend on you in the future."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has already returned to the capital and been restored to his position…"

"Oh?"

"Prince Rui… Prince Rui has the appearance of a wise ruler."

"Prince Rui? That kid Zhao Mugou, right? I do like him. The line of Emperor Taizu has been cowardly for so many years, and finally a gem has emerged.

Alright,

the affairs of this world

have nothing to do with me, this Emperor Emeritus."

The Emperor's gaze fell on Zhong Tianlang's behind him.

Luo Mingda and Eunuch Sun felt the gaze from the Emperor and lowered their heads.

"Speak, what do you plan to do with me? Are you going to directly give me a three-foot white silk, or are you going to imprison me?"

"Your Majesty, we are doing this today for the sake of Da Qian, not for usurpation or rebellion. Even if Your Majesty becomes the Emperor Emeritus, you will still be the Emperor."

"Oh, you're not killing me, then where do you plan to lock me up?"

Layman Wen An spoke at this moment:

"Please, Your Majesty, go to the back mountain."

…

A coup that, although bloody, was still very peaceful compared to the precedents of past dynasties, ended in one night.

The Crown Prince came out of Yuxu Palace, entered Shangjing, and entered the imperial city, announcing his enthronement as emperor.

The Emperor of Qingxin Pavilion, on the grounds that his dragon body was unwell and unable to cope with state affairs, issued an edict of abdication, passing the throne to the Crown Prince.

The order is different, but the historians will rearrange it to make it look pleasing to the eye.

…

Back mountain,

mountain gate.

The Emperor, still in his Taoist robe, stepped down from the dragon carriage.

Standing beside him were a group of armored soldiers.

Behind him were also some palace maids and eunuchs.

"I was willing to enter Shangjing in person and announce my abdication in front of all the civil and military officials. Wouldn't that be more justified?

Furthermore, with the father and son emperors both present to cede the throne to that kid Mugou, wouldn't the history books have fewer criticisms?"

Layman Wen An smiled and said, "Your Majesty is still the Emperor, an edict is enough. If Your Majesty really entered Shangjing in person, I'm afraid things would not end well."

"The officials and people of Shangjing are probably already tired of me because of what happened back then. What, are you still worried that they will rise up to support the correct lineage for my sake?"

"You never know." Layman Wen An replied.

After all, this Emperor, although he likes to cultivate Taoism and loves Taoist robes more than dragon robes, those who are close to him know that he is not actually a foolish ruler.

Not far away, two carriages were parked. There was also a carriage that was intercepted by armored soldiers on the periphery, not allowed to approach.

In the two carriages nearby,

the person in the first carriage was carried down. He was lying on a sickbed, with a sickly expression, it was Han Prime Minister.

He was not pretending to be sick, but was really about to die.

In the other carriage, Yao Zizhan, the Da Qian Literary Sage, stepped down with tears on his face, extremely grieved.

Standing next to the carriage in the distance was Li Xundao, the Da Qian's former prime minister, and now, still the prime minister. He held great power, but he did nothing that night.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Yao Zizhan knelt down and began to cry bitterly.

"Hahahaha."

The Emperor looked at Yao Zizhan and said, "Can this scene inspire Yao Shi's poetic inspiration? In retrospect, can it be worth a great white?"

Yao Zizhan didn't know how to respond for a moment.

The Emperor did not embarrass him.

The Da Qian Literary Sage was, in himself, a useless piece of trash in terms of government affairs. He had known this for a long time.

He didn't think that he had really participated in this coup at all. Since he couldn't participate, he certainly couldn't change it.

However, Yao Zizhan's poems often had a magnificent righteousness that soared into the sky.

Presumably, it was because he himself was too short, so the pillar of righteousness seemed even higher.

"Your Majesty…"

Prime Minister Han, lying on a stretcher, spoke.

"Han Sui."

The Emperor called out the name of Prime Minister Han and also walked over.

No one stopped the Emperor.

Today was originally for farewell. If nothing unexpected happened, the Emperor would go up the mountain today and would not be able to come down in this life.

There were tears in the corners of Prime Minister Han's eyes. His tears seemed much more sincere than Yao Zizhan's.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This subject is also thinking of Da Qian."

"I don't blame you."

Layman Wen An spoke at this moment, "Your Majesty may not know one thing. Prince Rui inheriting the throne is truly in accordance with the will of heaven. For the sake of the present, only this method can correct the root and source, reshape the pattern to respond to the Qi."

The Emperor turned his head to look at the boy who had also come over,

and said:

"Look at what you're saying, every usurper in ancient and modern times likes to use this set of rhetoric."

"But Wen An's words are true."

The Emperor smiled and said, "Look at what you're saying again, which usurper, when sitting on that dragon chair, would think that this is false?"

"Wen An's words are really true."

The boy became a little anxious.

The Emperor wiped away the tears he had just laughed out of the corner of his eye,

and said:

"I know, I know. Emperor Taizu snatching the dragon robe from the orphans and widows of the Liang State was also true. Emperor Taizong seizing the dragon chair from the line of Emperor Taizu was also true.

More real than real."

"Your Majesty, what Wen An said is all…"

"Can't what is true in your eyes be false in the eyes of others?"

"…" The boy.

Prime Minister Han spoke, "Letting Your Majesty suffer."

"Don't say that." The Emperor comforted him.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, Xundao and the others are still here. The affairs of the Da Qian will be better in the future. The affairs of the world should have an explanation. After the explanation, we can work together to resist the Yan dogs."

"I believe it."

"Please… rest assured and go up the mountain to cultivate Taoism, Your Majesty. However, please pay attention when cultivating Taoism on the mountain these few days. Perhaps this old minister will be gone soon. At that time, perhaps I will personally fly to the back mountain as a soul and kneel down to Your Majesty again to ask for forgiveness."

"What crime do you have? You have merit, merit to Da Qian."

"This subject… is terrified."

The Emperor bent down and brought his mouth close to Han Sui's ear,

calling out softly:

"Father…"

Han Sui's pupils suddenly widened.

The Emperor straightened up,

and laughed loudly:

"Hahahahahaha…………"

"Your Majesty…"

"I called you, and you didn't believe it, but if I looked sickly, lying on a sickbed, on the verge of death, and then called you that, would you… believe it then?"

"Your Majesty…"

Han Sui's body began to convulse.

"The Yan dogs once ridiculed my Da Qian Silver Armor Guards for not being good at anything else, but for giving away wives. Alright.

But do you know where the Silver Armor Guards have sent the most people in the past hundred years?"

Han Sui began to pant heavily, pointing his finger at the Emperor.

The Emperor bent down again, looking at Han Sui:

"Mugou is a good child, what an excellent child, that is, a phoenix chick!

There is a story among the people that wealthy people want to recognize adopted sons, and there are countless people vying to call them father.

Similarly, if a phoenix chick wants to recognize a grandfather;

Hahahaha,

do you, Han Sui, immediately think that, yes, this is my seed, Han Sui.

Hahahahahaha!

Han Sui,

where is your face?"

"You… you… you…"

"I, clearly and plainly, tell you, Mugou, he doesn't believe in Han, his surname is Zhao!

That chair,

even if I don't sit on it,

I won't let someone who is not from the Zhao clan sit on it!"

The Emperor's playful expression disappeared completely at this moment, and instead, he once again revealed the majesty of the Supreme Being of the Ninth Five-Year Plan.

"Since I ascended the throne, in the court, I have been restrained everywhere by you, Han Sui, these old prime ministers of the Ren Sect.

You people are the ones who sing praises to Emperor Ren;

You people are also the ones who criticize Emperor Ren;

You are flawless, you are pure white, like wind and frost, like proud plum blossoms.

But Emperor Ren was just a muddlehead,

the ones who truly made the Da Qian weak and dying were you, you group!"

Yao Zizhan was stunned and hurriedly said:

"Your Majesty… you…"

"It was also in that year, when the Yan people entered the border and the court and the public were shaken, that I found the opportunity to clear you old things out of the court.

I reformed, seeking new ways and strength;

I changed the policy of emphasizing literature and suppressing martial arts, promoted military generals, glorified their positions, and raised the hearts of military men to serve and die!

I organized and trained a new army, I levied taxes from Jiangnan, I wanted to enrich my Da Qian northern border!

I have already done everything I can do, and while doing it, I have to face you old things who are not at peace even when you retire at home, and the group of useless disciples and grandchildren you left behind in the court who also like to hold back!

I admire Ji Runhao, but unfortunately I don't have Tian Wujing and Li Liangting;

Otherwise,

I would definitely wash away all these things in the Da Qian who are clearly stupid worms but consider themselves to be moral pillars, and wash them away happily!"

Layman Wen An spoke at this moment:

"Your Majesty… you knew it long ago?"

The Emperor looked at the boy in front of him,

with a disdainful smile on his lips:

"Do you really think that the Silver Armor Guards of the Da Qian are just eating dry food?"

Layman Wen An looked puzzled:

"So, Your Majesty abdicated on your own accord?"

The Emperor raised his head and let out a long sigh:

"I have been waiting in Qingxin Pavilion for five years, I have been waiting for you for five years, you have really made me wait!"

The Emperor waved his sleeves,

turned around,

and walked towards the mountain gate of the back mountain,

at the same time shouting loudly:

"That great battle was originally the last chance for my Qian Chu to fight against the Yan people, but we lost, and Shangjing was also broken;

From that day on, I understood that the power of the Yan people had already become great!

Because I am more certain than anyone else,

that the new ruler chosen by Ji Runhao must have at least seven points of his Ji Runhao's character, right?

I am also certain,

that the Yan kid who dared to point at my nose and scold me for not knowing how to use troops was a very interesting person.

Unless the Yan people collapse internally, who can stop them?

I really don't want to be the ruler of a fallen country,

being second to last is better than being last, what is left to the second to last is often regret, if he could live a few more years and so on, hahahaha.

Thousands of years later, those who read history will only record that during my reign, I cleared out the so-called crowd of righteous people in the court, changed the style of emphasizing literature and suppressing martial arts, levied taxes on wealthy merchants and maritime trade, organized and trained a new army, and reorganized the defenses!

Unfortunately, I was overthrown by you villains, which ultimately led to the Da Qian, whose poems, rituals, elegance, and splendor made future generations fascinated, falling under the hooves of the Yan people!"

Layman Wen An said seriously:

"Your Majesty, no, the destiny, we have already turned the tide in one city, everything will return to its place…"

The Emperor, who had already walked to the steps,

suddenly stopped,

turned around,

at this time, he was standing on the steps, looking at the boy standing below, even smaller.

The Emperor pointed his finger at him,

and said:

"I also cultivate Taoism, I love Taoist robes, I like the ethereal;

I respect Cang Fuzi,

I respect Li Xundao,

but they,

in your eyes, in your eyes, are fools who are fascinated by the mundane world and abandon the Great Dao.

Ridiculous,

you think you are right,

you think your eyes have penetrated the nothingness, seen the sky, seen the destiny;

but you,

don't dare,

look at this world!"

Layman Wen An put his hands together and quickly recited the Heart Sutra, at this moment, he felt that his Dao heart was shaking, showing signs of losing control.

The Emperor took the opportunity to look into the distance, Li Xundao, who was blocked by soldiers and standing there,

letting out a long roar:

"Xundao,

back then, I took you down the mountain;

today, you send me up the mountain!"

In the distance,

Li Xundao knelt down:

"Long live my Emperor, long live, long long live!"

The Emperor turned around and looked at the steps in front of him, ascending step by step, walking and walking,

couldn't help but curse:

"It's really tiring, forget it, I'm not going anymore."

Immediately,

the Emperor raised his left hand,

pointing to the sky:

"I,

the Supreme Emperor of Da Qian,

a ninth-rank Qi Refiner,

today I will dissolve my body.

I do not seek to ascend and attain enlightenment,

I only seek to be too lazy to walk this damn bird path again!"

A ball of cyan, a small flame that could not be smaller, burst out from the Emperor's shoulder and slowly soaked into the flesh and blood of Emperor Zhao.

"Hiss…"

Emperor Zhao's face twisted, but he could not shout in pain, and he was even more unwilling to turn around, so he could only choose to endure it.

The flame was too small to burn him to death, but it would take some time.

"Xundao,

didn't you say that dissolving the body is a kind of great freedom?

I regret it… I should have put more thought into cultivating properly before, so that I could at least be more comfortable when I committed suicide."

The blue flame finally burned to the Emperor's chest, bringing more intense pain;

The Emperor knelt down, his palms supporting the ground,

"If I had known, it would have been better to bring a bottle of poison wine, it hurts…"

Finally,

the flame burned to the center of his eyebrows,

Emperor Zhao's aura disappeared,

the wide Taoist robe began to collapse, and his body began to gradually turn into dust, scattered with the wind;

Down the mountain,

Han Sui closed his eyes;

Yao Zizhan, Layman Wen An, and a group of armored soldiers all knelt down;

On the mountain,

that pool, which had already been empty,

bloomed with another lotus.