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Chapter 308 - 308: Operation First Wave, Emperor and Luck
Chapter 308 - 308: Operation First Wave, Emperor and Luck
Chapter 308: Operation First Wave, Emperor and Luck
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In April, the Emperor issued an edict to prepare for the Great Wilderness Convention and invited the envoys of the outside races that Great Jing had come into contact with to come to Shuntian City next year for the Spring Festival. When this edict spread, the world was in an uproar. Most people were filled with fear and prejudice against the foreign races and believed that the Emperor was luring wolves into his home!
However, since the Emperor had issued an edict, what was done was done and the matter had been decided.
Luo Province was one of the richest provinces in Great Jing.
Within a mansion.
A black-robed man wearing a silver mask was drinking tea. The mask only covered half of his face, revealing only his mouth and nose. From his skin and white beard, he looked very old.
A figure appeared out of thin air and half-knelt in front of him. He cupped his fists and said, “My Lord, the Wave has been chosen.”
This person wore a martial artist robe and looked at the black-robed man with fanatical eyes.
The black-robed man answered, “Yes, I know. Keep a close eye on him.”
“Yes!”
The martial artist also disappeared from his original spot, as if he had never appeared.
A door suddenly opened and a figure walked out. It was an old Daoist priest. If Jiang Changsheng were here, he would definitely recognize him. He was the founder of Longqi Temple, Daoist Master Qingxu.
He did not look much different from two hundred years ago. There was only a strange black mark on his forehead.
Daoist Master Qingxu walked to the black-robed man and sat down. As he poured himself a cup of tea, he asked, “Now that the Emperor has consolidated his power and the world is peaceful, are you going to forcefully push out a wave?”
The black-robed man said calmly, “The current peace is just an illusion. Hongzong was assassinated, but the Dao Ancestor did not take action. This means that the Dao Ancestor has abandoned Great Jing. Without the protection of the Dao Ancestor, Great Jing is like a meal on a plate, waiting for the destined person to eat it.”
Jing Hongzong, Jiang Han, was the first Emperor of Great Jing to be successfully assassinated since Taizong. Before the capital moved away from Jingcheng, no one dared to assassinate the Emperor because of the Dao Ancestor. However, after the capital was moved, assassinations happened one after another, but the Dao Ancestor did not take action. The success of Jing Hongzong’s assassination caused undercurrents in various forces.
More and more people felt that after the capital was relocated, the relationship between the Dao Ancestor and the Jiang Family was broken. Previously, when the Qiangliang Race attacked, the Dao Ancestor only took action for the sake of the world.
“Is the Wave really suitable?” Daoist Master Qingxu asked.
The black-robed man’s eyes flashed with a cold glint as he said, “He is suitable to be a wave because he is only suitable to be a wave.”
Daoist Master Qingxu nodded.
“Let’s watch the Wave’s actions first. If the world is in chaos and the Dao Ancestor still does not take action, then we can truly implement our plan. The former Chao Sects and the current aristocratic families are all waiting for the Dao Ancestor’s attitude.”
The black-robed man slowly said. At the mention of the Dao Ancestor, the expression in his eyes fluctuated. No one knew what he was thinking.
He looked at Daoist Master Qingxu and said, “Prepare yourself. You are of great use, even more so than the Wave.”
Daoist Master Qingxu revealed a smile and said, “This humble Daoist is already prepared.”
The black-robed man’s lips curled up.
Three years later, when the new spring arrived, everyone’s gaze fell on Shuntian City. It was said that ten sentient races from the Great Wilderness had come to pay a visit, and many people were worried that something would happen to the imperial city.
The Great Wilderness Convention lasted for ten days and all the races left. There was no disturbance in the entire convention and everything went smoothly. It was said that all the races had paid tributes and respected Great Jing.
Only then was everyone relieved and started to look forward to Great Jing’s future.
The Great Wilderness Convention would mark the official integration of Great Jing and the Great Wilderness. It would definitely leave a mark in history.
The Emperor was happy and promoted the Minister of Luck, An Chang, who was hosting the Great Wilderness Convention, to the position of prime minister and entered the ranks of the three major provinces. In such a position, he could participate in the decision-making of government affairs.
However, An Chang’s promotion was too fast, causing turmoil in the imperial court and also attracting the dissatisfaction of many officials. Many officials
did not even step into the position of prime minister after serving several eras
of the dynasty. It was simply ridiculous for An Chang to be promoted to prime
minister just because he organized a convention.
It was said that the morning court had caused a huge commotion. The civil and military officials pressured him, but the Emperor insisted on his decision.
After An Chang became the prime minister, he quickly promoted his trusted aides. In less than half a year, all those voices opposing him had disappeared. At least, they could not be heard in court.
Year 4 of the Dinghe Era.
At the beginning of July, there was a rare drought in the northern region of Great Jing. In less than a month, the drought broke out, followed by a famine, which caused countless citizens to suffer.
Within Longqi Mountain.
“Drought? Ridiculous. Someone from the Luck Department must have been behind this, causing the power of luck in that area to be reduced. Otherwise, with the luck of Great Jing, how could there be such a calamity?”
Chen Li spoke with disdain and his tone was ice-cold.
Venerable Bai shook his head and said, “It seems like the current emperor does not know the path of luck. There are no loyal officials around him that can convey the feelings of the people.”
Chen Li said, “That was also his choice. From the moment he placed An Chang in an important position, he was wrong. That An Chang had already broken off his mentor-disciple relationship with Saint Qi. For His Majesty to think highly of him, he must have been bewitched. An Chang is indeed capable. In a year, he has become so powerful. It seems like he has many forces supporting him.”
He looked at Jiang Changsheng by the medicinal cauldron and said, “Dao Ancestor, you must endure it. The opportunity for a great breakthrough has come.”
Jiang Changsheng did not reply. Bai Qi, who was lying by his side, said indignantly, “Master has already sent someone to summon wind and rain, but he was still scolded.”
Li Yi was the Lightning God, and he could trigger lightning and gather a sea of clouds. However, the problem was with the luck in that area. With his abilities, he could not call for wind and rain every day. When his disaster relief attempt failed, the citizens began to scold him. This reaction had spread throughout the Mental Wander Realm, making the believers very unhappy with the citizens who had yet to become believers.
It had been a long time since the people of Great Jing had suffered. At the very least, the idea of a famine was far away from them. Those suffering citizens scolded the Lightning God, the Dao Ancestor, and the imperial court. Instead of feeling grateful to the Lightning God, they vented their anger on him for his incompetence.
As more and more people complained about the Dao Ancestor, the believers of the Dao Ancestor became more and more dissatisfied. Due to the existence of the Mental Wander Realm, the believers knew that it was the work of the Luck Department and not the fault of the Dao Ancestor. However, the commoners did not dare to resist the Emperor, but they blamed the Dao Ancestor. What was the reason? As a result, two camps were gradually formed in Great Jing.
There were even some believers who wanted to rebel and overthrow the Jiang Family so that they could have everyone worship the Dao Ancestor.
Jiang Changsheng’s believers were distributed among all levels, from the officials in the court to the bottom of the martial arts world. When these forces were gathered together, it was enough to overturn the Great Jing. However, Jiang Changsheng did not do that. Managing a dynasty required energy. He also wanted to see if the descendants of the Jiang Family could turn the tide.
“It has been so peaceful for so long that the world has forgotten their past sufferings and who brought about the prosperity of Great Jing.”
Ji Wujun said, “In addition to An Chang causing trouble, I think someone behind the scenes is pushing all this. Why did the Ministry of Luck create a drought and intensify the public’s resentment? What is the purpose?”
Mu Lingluo frowned and said, “Are you saying that An Chang wants to rebel? To force the Emperor to lose the hearts of the people first?”
Ji Wujun nodded and said, “Everyone in the Luck Department is a lackey under
An Chang. How could he not know?”
Mu Lingluo wanted to ask if she should kill An Chang, but when she thought of Chen Li’s grand plan and Jiang Changsheng’s tacit approval, she fell silent. The aristocratic families and vassal kings had restricted Great Jing’s imperial power, and the conflict had deepened to the extent that it could not be resolved. There were even some from the Mu Family who complained about Hongzong brandishing his blade.
“There must be many people behind An Chang. If they were to be pulled out, I’m afraid they would scare the Emperor to death. When the world is in chaos, these people will start fighting, so let them consume each other. When the world hates them, the Dao Ancestor will support the Jiang Family’s imperial power. At that time, the Emperor would be loved by the people of the world. At that time, we would be able to cleanse the aristocratic families and everything would go according to the will of the people.”
Chen Li sighed. His words were cruel, but no one could refute him.
The truth was indeed ironic.
Jiang Changsheng did some calculations. Other than him, the strongest expert in Great Jing was still Tong Tiandi, who was not a threat.
No matter who was secretly plotting, he was not interested because no matter how strong they were, they were just insects in front of him.
In October, the drought ended. However, at the end of the year, the east of Great Jing welcomed a blizzard.
Year 5 of the Dinghe Era, at the beginning of March.
In the imperial study.
The Emperor was sitting on a praying mat, with memorials on the table beside him piled up like a mountain. He faced the blazing sun outside the door and his hands changed signs as if he was cultivating.
An Chang came and specially entered along the door without blocking the sunlight.
The Emperor asked without opening his eyes, “Have you found the reason behind fluctuations of Great Jing’s luck?”
As the Emperor, he could sense the luck of the land, but he could only sense fluctuations, not the reason behind the fluctuations.
“It’s all because of a fight between sects in the martial arts world. Many people have died, but the commoners are fine. Your Majesty, it’s time to reorganize the martial arts world. They fight wantonly and easily injure the commoners. How can we condone such disregard for the laws of the country?” An Chang bowed and said. His posture was very low, not at all like a prime minister.
The Emperor continued, “Then suppress it and elect a leader for the martial arts world. You will be responsible for this.”
“Yes!”
An Chang responded. Then, he took out a small wooden box from his sleeve and said, “Your Majesty, this is the Turtle Essence Pill. It is formed from the Blood Qi of a ten-thousand-year-old black turtle, and it can increase one’s lifespan.”
The Emperor opened his eyes and took the item. “Not bad. You’re very considerate.”
An Chang said smilingly, “It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s love and admiration that I am where I am today. If Your Majesty can live for 10,000 years, I can live a carefree life for 10,000 years.”
The emperor said angrily, “10,000? It’s not bad if I can live for over 200 years.”
The two of them chatted for a while before An Chang left.
The Emperor continued to cultivate.
Ever since he replaced his confidants, he had become accustomed to delegating his power. The success of the Great Wilderness Convention and the declarations of the various races indicated that Great Jing was about to take off. In his opinion, he had already completed the task given to him by Hongzong, so there was no need for him to devote himself to work. He could spend most of his time cultivating and refining pills.
When Jiang Xuannian reached the Grotto-heaven realm, he would cede the throne. This way, Jiang Xuannian could suppress the officials and the situation of the previous emperors would no longer happen.
The Emperor felt that everything was under control. But if the luck of the dynasty changed drastically, he would naturally interfere.
This was the benefit of being a Luck Dynasty. It was known that luck could look down on the world.
However…
The drastic change in luck had really happened, and it happened very quickly.
November.
The Emperor sat in the imperial study with an extremely gloomy expression. An Chang walked in quickly and was about to bow when he was interrupted by the Emperor. “Quick, tell me what happened?”
An Chang hastily answered, “Someone incited the citizens of a province to rebel, which led to a drastic change in the luck of the dynasty. Your Majesty, don’t worry. I have already arranged for someone to suppress it, and it will be resolved soon..”