Chapter 252

Yuan Hongli, the prime minister, was an elder statesman of two dynasties and was widely recognized as a capable minister.

After the late emperor's passing, it was Yuan Hongli who assisted Emperor Jingwu in smoothly taking control of the court and completing the transition.

However, since Emperor Jingwu began ruling in person, this old premier gradually relinquished his power, falling into a state of semi-retirement and seclusion.

In Zhang Jian's view, this old premier was extremely wise, and his withdrawal avoided direct confrontation with Emperor Jingwu.

After Emperor Jingwu ascended the throne, he was full of vigor and youthful energy, yet he was also diligent in state affairs.

The very existence of the prime minister is to share the burden of governance; now that Emperor Jingwu is industrious, if the prime minister constantly asserts his presence, conflict is inevitable.

The more diligent and earnest the emperor, the more he values power.

Zhang Jian had little interaction with Prime Minister Yuan Hongli; his dealings were with the Grand Commandant of the Censorate, Zhu Ying, head of the Censorate.

But Zhang Jian also knew that with Yuan Hongli's departure, the court had lost a stabilizing pillar.

……

Midsummer, the twelfth year of Emperor Jingwu's reign

The virtuous prime minister of the Great Qian dynasty, Yuan Hongli, passed away from illness; the heavens blazed like fire, and countless meteors fell from the sky, which the Bureau of Astronomy deemed an ill omen.

That same year, Minister of Justice Li Yan succeeded Yuan Hongli as prime minister.

Meanwhile, the position of Minister of Justice was temporarily filled by Wang Yan, the assistant minister from the Ministry of Justice.

Shifts in court politics were turbulent and unpredictable; Zhang Jian clearly sensed that the former stability and clarity of the court were gone for good.

Prime Minister Li Yan had long overseen the Ministry of Justice, wielding deep authority and considerable talent, yet he was not without opponents; many senior officials deemed him a harsh magistrate, and when Emperor Jingwu appointed him to the premiership at this time, many senior officials strongly opposed it.

Inside the Jingtai Hall

Emperor Jingwu wore a faint stubble, dressed in dark yellow common robes, his face showing signs of fatigue.

First, his most beloved princess was abducted by bandits, then he lost this old premier who had been his imperial tutor; Emperor Jingwu felt his old headache returning.

He did not know whether choosing to have these ministers help him bear the backlash of the dragon vein was right or wrong.

He believed that the departure of the old premier Yuan Hongli was likely nine times out of ten related to the dragon vein backlash.

Otherwise, not long ago, there were still reports that the old premier could move about freely, in good health, and he had even instructed the Daoists of the Dongshen Observatory to prepare medicine for his treatment.

Feeling depressed, Emperor Jingwu set aside the mountain of memorials piled before him.

His thoughts turned, and without realizing it, he stepped out of the Jingtai Hall.

In the inner palace, it had also become much quieter at this time.

Many palace attendants knew Emperor Jingwu had lost the Hundred Flowers Princess and was unhappy; they dared not speak loudly, fearing reprimand.

He had intended to enter the Yuxiu Palace to relax, but then recalled the Consort Xian who had lost her eldest daughter; after a moment's hesitation, he instead entered the Cixin Palace.

The Cixin Palace was the sleeping quarters of the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was the principal consort of Emperor Wen; in her youth, she had been extremely formidable, but in middle age, she had taken up the practice of Dao.

During this period, she had been consulting several Daoist nuns of imperial lineage from the Dongshen Sect on health preservation, which inadvertently eased many troubles for Emperor Jingwu.

Inside the Cixin Palace, upon learning that Emperor Jingwu's dragon vein had flared up at the gate, the Empress Dowager immediately had her close attendants guide him into the palace.

"It seems the departure of the imperial tutor has left the emperor feeling unwell; otherwise, this proud imperial son of mine would rarely enter my Cixin Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Dongjue gently shook his head.

"This matter still requires the Empress Dowager's careful guidance, but regarding the appointment of an empress, I urge the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to consider it carefully; if handled well, winning over that person might secure a strong ally for His Majesty!"

The Empress Dowager nodded. "I will do so, and I must also thank True Person Dongjue for his guidance!"

"I dare not accept such an honorific as 'True Person'!"

Daoist Dongjue Wang rose from his seat, smiling as he spoke.

"But as a member of the Great Qian imperial clan, I cannot stand by and watch the realm of Great Qian fall into turmoil!"

With a flick of her horsetail whisk, her figure gradually vanished within the Cixin Palace in a single step.

Watching Daoist Dongjue's carefree departure, the Empress Dowager's eyes flickered, a hint of envy appearing in her gaze.

"Mother!"

Having entered the Cixin Palace, Emperor Jingwu merely spoke those words before taking a seat nearby.

He noticed that in the main hall, there was now an additional teacup, along with some traces that had not been actively wiped away.

"Mother, were there guests in the palace just now?"

Empress Dowager Li gave a slight nod.

"True Person Dongjue came by; he was just giving a lecture to us!"

She gazed at Emperor Jingwu with some concern.

"Have you not been resting well lately, Your Majesty? Why do you look so exhausted?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu slightly shook his head.

"Master Yuan has left, and I constantly feel a heaviness in my heart; I originally intended to walk around the palace, but walking led me here to your palace, and this place still allows me to relax!"

At that moment, he closed his eyes, a relaxed smile appearing on his face; Empress Dowager Li immediately signaled a palace maid to come forward and gently massage Emperor Jingwu.

At the same time, an elderly servant nearby had someone bring up fragrant tea, moved over a small brazier, and lit calming incense.

Only then did Emperor Jingwu open his eyes, gazing at Empress Dowager Li's concerned expression, and he could not help but smile.

"Indeed, it is still here with Mother that I feel most at ease!"

This remark brought a hint of joy to Empress Dowager Li's countenance, and as she looked at Emperor Jingwu, her pity for him grew.

Though mother and son share no blood relation, Emperor Jingwu's demeanor still made her feel deeply comforted.

Seizing the opportunity, Empress Dowager Li spoke again.

"My son, you have now reached the age of establishment; you should consider appointing an empress!"

"You need a virtuous empress to preside over the central palace and also help you manage some of the inner palace's trifles! Although Consort Chen is good, she is, after all, not yet the empress of the central palace and cannot replace her!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu felt a flicker of alertness in his heart; he shook his head.

"Your Majesty, the Phoenix Maiden has not appeared; I do not wish to appoint an empress!"

Empress Dowager Li saw Emperor Jingwu directly refuse, and was not surprised, she said.

"Your Majesty, I know you are unhappy, you still remember the Phoenix Maiden who flashed briefly a few years ago, but women bearing the Phoenix Destiny are extremely hard to find, we also do not know her age, identity, or temperament!"

"Establishing the empress in the central palace now is beneficial for Your Majesty to stabilize the court situation!"

"I have also heard of the omens in Dongling; establishing an empress at this time can also relieve some of Your Majesty's 'pressure'!"

Empress Dowager Li spoke with a double meaning.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu furrowed his brow; this time he finally did not insist on opposing.

Yet Emperor Jingwu's heart at this moment was not without regret; the previous emperors had never been able to find a Phoenix Maiden as empress, and now in his hands, he still missed her by a hair—how could one not feel regret?

Emperor Jingwu then said: "I do not know whom the Empress Dowager has in mind for the central palace?"

Seeing the emperor listen attentively, Empress Dowager Li felt slightly pleased in her heart, and she went along with it.

"Just now, True Person Dongjue came over; she did suggest a candidate to me—you might want to consider it!"

"What Grand Aunt means? That is indeed a rare matter!"

Emperor Jingwu did not care much, merely asking casually.

"Your Majesty, who is it?"

Empress Dowager Li said: "The granddaughter of Marquis Shenwei, Qi Yuzhu!"

"Marquis Shenwei, a granddaughter of a marquis's house?"

Emperor Jingwu set down the tribute tea in his hand, tightly furrowing his brow; he still had some impression of Marquis Shenwei.

Marquis Shenwei Qi Yi was one of the veteran officials who pacified the rebellion of the Xuandu Sect in Shangyang Commandery; at that time, Yang Gonghu was the main commander, and Qi Yi was the deputy commander; both veteran officials had earned meritorious service recognized by the court.

He, feeling pleased at the time, prepared to keep Qi Yi in the garrison of Haojing City to help him retrain this special noble offspring unit, and simultaneously promoted him to First-Rank Marquis Shenwei General.

As a result, this old general not only refused his reward, but also directly hung up his armor and returned to farming; he was then furious beyond measure, and despite repeated pleas, he could not retain this old general.

Unable to do otherwise, he could only grant additional favor, ennobling him as Marquis Shenwei, to reward this old minister in this way—also a case of spending a thousand gold to buy a horse's bone.

However, Emperor Jingwu clearly remembered that although the Qi family had some influence in the military, they were far from being among the top tier of martial merit.

The top tier of martial merit in the Daqian court consists of the Wang family of Grand Marshal Wang Huan, the Song family of Marquis Dingyuan, the Gu family of Marquis Hancheng, the Duanmu family of Marquis Zhenbei, and the Xu family of Marquis Yubei.

These families have produced more than one holder of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

However, the Daqian ancestral system does not have the saying that only noble families can be crowned empress; on the contrary, it strongly encourages future emperors to select empresses from the common people, even from local gentry.

Emperor Jingwu felt something strange in his heart, and he directly asked.

"Your Majesty, why would Grand Aunt recommend the Qi family's daughter as empress? Is there some connection with this Qi family?"

Emperor Jingwu also did not avoid these matters, but although he did not show it, his hesitation still entered Empress Dowager Li's eyes.

Empress Dowager Li took in Emperor Jingwu's expression, and she slightly furrowed her brow.

Although the emperor is not her biological son, after long association, she still knows his temperament.

The emperor is domineering and suspicious, and he likewise possesses these traits.

But she did not take it to heart.

For she knows that although Emperor Jingwu dislikes others interfering in his choices, he will weigh pros and cons.

Just as when contending for the crown prince's position, the Rui King, Han King, and Zheng King were all powerful back then—who could have imagined that today's emperor would ultimately stand out among the princes?

Because he is skilled at concealment and also at weighing.

As long as it benefits himself, even if he dislikes it in his heart, he will suppress it.

"Because the principal wife of Scholar Zhang is the legitimate daughter of the Qi family's second branch!"

"Qi Yuzhu is indeed the younger sister of Lady Zhang of the Qi family!"

"This actually still has a connection with Scholar Zhang?!"

Emperor Jingwu felt somewhat amused, he shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, although Mr. Zhang possesses the mighty righteous spirit, he is ultimately still a subject of our Daqian; even if I value him, there is no need to become his brother-in-law!"

Emperor Jingwu did not take it to heart.

In his view, Daoist Dongjue was making a fuss over nothing.

Empress Dowager Li saw Emperor Jingwu's expression, and her heart suddenly understood; in fact, she had guessed his refusal.

Emperor Jingwu himself is also extremely proud; if not so, he would not have continually avoided discussing the appointment of an empress.

Even if said in a roundabout way, it would still provoke resistance in him.

Empress Dowager Li pondered for a moment, then simply said.

"Scholar Zhang is born with great talent; True Person Dongjue also mentioned that he has great hope of becoming a sage in the future; moreover, he is a cultivator, and several elders of the Dong character generation in Dongguan Observatory all say his Dao cultivation is profound, and his future achievements will not fall short of the Jade Sage; if someone were to get ahead of him, it would indeed be regrettable!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu's eyes flickered, and he merely said.

"Since ancient times, only subjects have fawned upon the emperor; where has an emperor ever gone to fawn upon a subject!"

"Even if he is a sage, he is still a subject of our Daqian!"

Seeing Emperor Jingwu's expression, Empress Dowager Li slightly smiled and nodded, but in her heart she had already formed an idea.

In fact, Emperor Jingwu did not have the 'refusal' he appeared to have on his face!

……

Zhuangyuan Mansion, Zhang Jian used the Gate of Heaven and Earth to return once to Tongshan Slay Demon Peak; relying on the authority of the Yin God Venerable, and his own contributions to the sect, he obtained the universal script of extraterritorial runes, and was not obstructed.

Having obtained the extraterritorial runes, Zhang Jian then devoted himself to contemplating them.

In fact, the universal runes currently circulating in the world are closely related to the extraterritorial runes he exchanged for.

The universal runes were revised and completed by an ancient sage of the cultivation world after spending tens of thousands of years; afterward, many strong ones further perfected them.

In fact, not only are there human sages in the mundane world, but there are also sages in the cultivation world.

Likewise, they teach and transform through the Dao.

Only then has the cultivation world gradually emerged from ignorance in its cultivation path; various innovative techniques and schools of thought have pushed forward and renewed themselves.

While carefully studying this book of extraterritorial talisman scriptures, Zhang Jian vaguely realized that the runes written in the *Golden Crow True Classic* in his hand were primarily ancient yin script.

Ancient yin script is said to have evolved from the turbid-age yin script.

And the commonly used talisman script now circulating in heaven and earth, in its initial formation, is also said to have adopted a portion of the profound mysteries of ancient yin script.

As long as one finds the common points, contemplating them still leaves traces to follow.

……

Zhang Jian spent over half a month and gradually mastered the marvels of this ancient yin script.

The *Golden Crow True Classic* indeed contains part of the rules and marvels of the operation of true solar fire.

However, after careful contemplation, Zhang Jian could only sigh, for the various powerful divine abilities within are likely only cultivable by a few special innate Dao bodies, such as the Golden Crow Dao body, the Blazing Yang Dao body, the Nine Yang Dao body, and similar innate constitutions mentioned in rumors.

Because the various techniques inside all have several prerequisites, one being resonance with true solar fire.

How terrifying true solar fire is—resonating with the sun, one careless moment and one's qi and blood will be burned to dryness.

Secondly, one must draw the solar Dharma image into the heart, and at the very least condense the Golden Crow Dharma image into the heart to continually refine the spirit.

Refining the spirit with the Golden Crow—how fierce and harsh it is.

How could it be borne by ordinary cultivators?

Unless one possesses the bloodline of a fire-attribute divine beast like the Golden Crow.

However, Zhang Jian felt he could try it himself.

Although he does not have the Nine Yang Dao body, the Golden Crow Dao body, or other extreme Dao bodies, he does possess an acquired pure Yang Dao body, and secondly, a substantiated yin spirit, enabling him to withstand the tempering of Golden Crow spirit refinement.

If feasible, this might be one of the few methods capable of helping him temper the essence of his yin spirit.

Of course, he could also thereby cultivate the Golden Crow Dharma image, comprehend the utmost Yang true intent, then from utmost Yang proceed to Yang extreme and Yin arise, and comprehend the Yin-Yang true intent.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Jian did not act rashly, but instead turned back to the Tongshan Dao lineage, using his authority to summon a batch of spirit medicines capable of healing injuries or neutralizing the toxicity of true solar fire on Slaughter Demon Peak.

This was to avoid true solar fire scorching the physical body, which would be a loss not worth the gain.

But Zhang Jian soon realized he had been overly cautious.