Chapter 769

Li Shimin: "In the Eastern Jin era, it was the aristocrats' world—no commoners in the top ranks, no aristocrats in the lower ones. Speaking of this, one cannot avoid mentioning Liu Xiu."

Su Xiao: "What about the Grand Magician Liu Xiu?"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Do you think Liu Xiu had it easy because he was lucky?"

Hu Yifei: "Because Liu Xiu had the backing of powerful clans. After him, these clans grew stronger, seized control of the empire, and gradually became the great families of a thousand years. This poison had already shown itself in the Eastern Han dynasty~."

Hu Yifei: "By the Eastern Jin, it reached its peak."

Su Xiao: "Uh… isn't it the meteor summoning technique?"

Li Shimin: "Of course not. During the Battle of Kunyang, meteorites did fall—but they fell the day before the battle, and no one was hit. After Liu Xiu won, to deify the emperor, the historians simply wrote it off as heavenly meteorites aiding his victory."

Su Xiao: "Just like how Old Zhu's official histories claim your birth filled the room with strange fragrance?"

Zhao Kuangyin: "Exactly. Laughable—if the room really never stopped smelling strange, you'd have been killed long before you rebelled. This is all post-accession deification."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "You've done this yourselves—why single me out?"

Li Shimin: "It was Su Xiao who brought it up. We've all done it—same purpose: to stir up momentum, to deify ourselves, to reinforce the Mandate of Heaven. Look at the histories—these things are the least trustworthy."

Ma Wencai: "That's true. Liu Xiu was backed by powerful clans; afterward, those clans grew dominant and gradually became the ones controlling the empire."

Xiao Mai: "No worries—when Huang Chao shows up, the powerful families will get their rest."

Hu Yifei: "That rest is too hellish!"

Li Shimin: "Speaking of which, didn't Huang Chao also topple the Li Tang?"

Su Xiao: "Not really—didn't they limp along for a long time after?"

Li Shimin: "Let's not talk about late Tang—we're still friends! @Ma Wencai, Brother Ma, I have a proposal—let me rule your world. Don't worry, your Ma family's wealth and glory won't change; you could even remain king of that world. I rarely interfere in your affairs anyway!"

Ma Wencai: "？What are you talking about?"

Su Xiao: "This? It's the chat group's transmigration and covenant function—you just need to…"

Ma Wencai: "So that's how it works. As long as the Ma family's interests are guaranteed and the chaos ends, it's a good idea. But I can't decide this alone—I must consult my elders."

Xiao Mai: "This… don't you at least emphasize your loyalty to the emperor? Jumping straight to 'I need to ask my family' is so weird."

Hu Yifei: "Xiao Mai, you're the strange one. This is the age of the aristocrats—family interests are what matter most. Ma Wencai was raised to prioritize family above all."

Ma Wencai: "This Miss Hu speaks truly. Great families are mostly like this. As for your notion of loyalty to the emperor—we say it, but who doesn't put their own interests first?"

Xiao Mai: "This…"

Zhao Kuangyin: "The whole ruler-minister ritual only became fashionable after the aristocrats were wiped out. Even then, it was only surface-deep. What they truly thought and did didn't differ much from when the great families still ruled. Look at my Song dynasty—those scholar-officials spoke so beautifully, yet they still greedily hoarded wealth. The Donglin Party of the late Ming spoke even better—but still put their own interests first."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Eras may change, forms may shift—but human nature never does."

Xiao Mai: "I've learned something today—this is all too complicated."

Qingshan: "Let's avoid politics—it's too dangerous."

Qingshan: "By the way, how much do they pay for gold? Would it be dangerous for a girl like me to sell it?"

Xiao Mai: "No problem—I'll help you. Give me access—I'll go sell your gold for you."

Su Xiao: "Are you that bored? Jiabaili just went over there!"

Xiao Mai: "【Video】 Look at her—having so much fun. I'm going out for a walk."

Su Xiao: "Laughable—it's a case of the crow taking over the magpie's nest."

Jiabaili: "No, I just got along well with Hilfen. Hurry back, Xiao Mai—we still have to play games later!"

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A Xing: "The Buddha's Palm—I just saw the Buddha's Palm in the Shangcheng!"

Tian Can: "It's just the Buddha's Palm."

A Xing: "You don't get it—it's my dream."

Su Xiao: "I noticed several versions of the Buddha's Palm. A Xing, which one do you want?"

A Xing: "Wait, are you giving it to me? I never expected someone to notice how extraordinary I am so quickly."

Su Xiao: "Dream on—I'm not a sucker."

Hu Yifei: "A Xing, aren't you already skilled in the Buddha's Palm?"

A Xing: "Am I?"

A Xing: "Huh? The chat group just confirmed I really know it? No way—was the manual I bought actually real?"

Su Xiao: "??? Taixuan Brother, does A Xing really know the Buddha's Palm?"

Zhang Taixuan: "He does. Didn't he eventually unleash a palm strike from the heavens?"

Su Xiao: "But why didn't he use it before? And the movie analyses say his kung fu was just a dream."

Zhang Taixuan: "There are many interpretations of the movie—they don't necessarily reflect reality."

Zhang Taixuan: "Also, why didn't he ever use the Buddha's Palm before? His incredible recovery, the strength that left palm prints on iron plates—could an ordinary person have that? The reason it never showed its full power is because the Buddha's Palm is too advanced—he simply hadn't accumulated enough Qi to activate it."

Tian Can: "For high-level martial arts, insufficient Qi means you can't activate them—forcing it only damages the meridians."

A Xing: "Do you all know what happens to me later?!"

Su Xiao: "Yes. 【Kung Fu】—that's your story."

A Xing: "I'm just a nobody—do I really have a story? This is too good."

Qingshan: "So he's a Wu Lingaoshou? One palm collapses a building—that's terrifying!"

Ne Zha: "Hmph, weak. Is this really a master?"

Su Xiao: "Ah, it's that brat Ne Zha!"

Ne Zha: "Brat? That's not a compliment, witch! I challenge you to a duel!"