Chapter 29: The Capital Boils

This is impossible.

The last strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck, why did it fall to the Gu Family?

Is it Gu Jin Nian? This is impossible, how could a mere playboy receive the blessing of Heaven's Mandate?

Absolutely impossible, this is absolutely impossible, Gu Jin Nian is neither literary nor martial, how could he also obtain the blessing of Heaven's Mandate?

In an instant, many voices rang out within the capital.

Who could have imagined this.

The Da Xia Dynasty's final strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck actually fell toward the Gu Family?

Not only that.

And it was given to Gu Jin Nian?

Who is Gu Jin Nian?

In the eyes of most people in the capital, he is nothing more than a super powerful aristocrat, top-notch in reincarnation skills.

But if speaking of martial arts, Gu Jin Nian is no good; though he comes from a military family, he's just average.

As for the Confucian way, Gu Jin Nian is even worse; don't even compare him to the capital's talented scholars—even if you go to some remote backwater and pick a few outstanding readers, they would still surpass Gu Jin Nian many times over.

Such a person, yet favored by Heaven's Mandate—how can they accept it? How can they believe it?

But the fact is indeed so.

It left them utterly dazed.

Just that.

Just as countless gazes fell upon the Gu Family.

In the side courtyard.

The gate also opened at this moment.

A figure appeared in the eyes of some strong ones.

They possess divine abilities, with far-sight, they can see this scene, cannot conceal it, though their aura will also be sensed by others.

Usually, no one dares to cast their gaze upon the State-Protecting Duke's residence, but today is different—Heaven's Mandate has appeared, they really cannot help but watch.

And as the gate opened.

A silhouette appeared, accompanied by layers of golden light, appearing like a divine abode, and also emanating a terrifying aura.

Is it Grandfather Gu?

The State-Protecting Duke?

Heaven's Mandate did not choose Gu Jin Nian, but the State-Protecting Duke?

Good fellow, turns out it's the State-Protecting Duke, then it's fine.

As I suspected, I said, how could Heaven's Mandate possibly choose Gu Jin Nian?

But that's not right either, this Heaven's Mandate wasn't supposed to choose the Confucian way? How did Grandfather Gu obtain it?

Who said it must be the Confucian way? Perhaps it also chose martial arts—this is not impossible.

Nonsense, it must be the Confucian way.

Hah.

At this moment, the Da Xia Capital was filled with a clamor of voices.

Countless people marveled, yet the nobles within the capital endlessly debated, many civil officials furrowed their brows, their feelings extremely complicated.

But everyone had the same thought: fortunately, Heaven's Mandate did not choose Gu Jin Nian.

Choosing Gu Jin Nian, they truly could not understand or accept it.

Heaven's Destiny Luck choosing Grandfather Gu, they can accept it; it is reasonable and logical.

However, for the civil officials, inexplicably, they now face immense pressure.

Grandfather Gu is the State-Protecting Duke, chief of the military officials; in the court he inherently possesses great authority and status.

Now, having also received the blessing of Heaven's Destiny Luck, the future court will likely become even more fierce.

And for some nobles, the appearance of Grandfather Gu makes them both happy and filled with worry.

There is an old saying that goes well.

The highest honor for a military commander is to be granted death.

A civil official whose fame surpasses the emperor is not a bad thing; rather, it symbolizes an era of virtuous ministers and prosperity.

But if it is a military commander whose fame surpasses the emperor, this is not a good thing.

Military commanders are the true holders of military power; should they rebel, it would be an extremely terrifying matter.

These nobles are happy because Grandfather Gu received Heaven's Destiny Luck; their military faction is destined to rise even higher.

The worry lies precisely here: the Gu Family has already reached its peak; the emperor does not suppress the Gu Family because of various interests.

But now, the entire Da Xia Dynasty's national fortune has also only received three strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck.

Yet a single Gu Family possesses one strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck.

It's hard not to make people wonder what.

At this very moment.

The Da Xia Imperial Palace.

The Yongsheng Emperor silently observed all of this.

His gaze was calm as water.

His gaze fixed on the Gu Family, appearing especially silent.

No one knows what this Son of Heaven is thinking, nor whether he is happy or angry; even the most attentive eunuch by his side cannot, at this moment, guess the attitude of the Da Xia Empire's most exalted person.

It can be said.

Grandfather Gu receiving Heaven's Mandate is reasonable and even exciting for the capital's populace.

In literature there is Su Wenjing; in martial affairs there is the Guardian Duke.

Both civil and military are complete, and Da Xia also possesses nine strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, destined to rise and march toward a glorious prosperous age.

But for the many civil and military officials, aristocratic clans,

Grandfather Gu receiving Heaven's Mandate is full of variables, making the already undercurrent-ridden Da Xia court even more terrifying.

After all, turbulent seas are far less frightening than a calm lake hiding murderous intent.

"I am Gu Yuan, Guardian Duke of Da Xia; today I have received Heaven's Destiny Luck: first, I thank Heaven and Earth and revere the deities; second, I thank the exalted Son of Heaven of Da Xia; third, I thank the myriad peoples for opening an era of peace."

Soon, Grandfather Gu's voice suddenly rang out.

A voice full of vigor echoed throughout the Da Xia capital.

He first paid respects to Heaven and Earth, then to the Da Xia capital, and finally faced the central direction in reverence.

Revering Heaven and Earth, revering the sovereign, revering the people of Da Xia.

His words were flawless, simultaneously revealing his stance.

But as soon as he spoke, there was no response at all.

All civil and military officers remained silent; they, in their own homes, watched all this or heard the voice, yet dared not reply.

"Convey my decree: Guardian Duke of Da Xia, Su Wenjing, Su Huaiyu, who revere Heaven and Earth above and protect the people below, thereby receiving Heaven's Destiny Luck—truly a blessing for Da Xia. I grant the Guardian Duke ten thousand mu of land, ten thousand taels of gold, twelve red jade waistbands, Da Xia golden robes, an additional horse, and two thousand additional guards."

"Furthermore, I grant the Great Scholar Su Wenjing a Da Xia Golden Token, allowing free entry and exit from the palace; the Ministry of Rites shall specially craft Da Xia scholar robes for him; I bestow the title of 'Wenzheng', the epithet 'pure stream', appoint him as Grand Scholar of the Literary Pavilion, confer the rank of Earl, grant ten thousand mu of fertile land, ten thousand taels of gold, and various precious pearls and treasures."

"Also, I grant Su Huaiyu of the Ministry of Punishments a Da Xia Golden Token, three volumes of ancient martial arts scriptures, various elixirs, appoint him as Deputy Commander of the Lantern Watch, grant ten thousand mu of fertile land, ten thousand taels of gold, and various precious pearls and treasures."

"This time, I wish ruler and ministers to be equally virtuous, leaving fame for a hundred generations, to be observed by posterity."

The voice sounded.

It came from the Da Xia imperial palace.

It was the voice of the Yongsheng Emperor.

He showed almost no hesitation, bestowing gold, silver, jewels, land and fertile fields; more importantly, he added one horse and increased the guard by two thousand.

When the Guardian Duke travels, his carriage is drawn by seven horses.

When the Son of Heaven travels, his carriage is drawn by nine horses.

Now, with the addition of one horse, this is the treatment reserved for a king of a different surname—the highest honor second only to the emperor, without equal.

Moreover, increasing the guard by two thousand signifies the ability to expand the guard by another two thousand within the capital.

This indirectly represents boundless trust and approval.

At that moment.

One after another, voices also rang out in succession.

"Congratulations, Guardian Duke."

"Joyous congratulations, Guardian Duke."

This is the voice of the entire court of civil and military officials; as the emperor spoke, they followed with congratulations. Yet not a single one is foolish.

No one knows what the emperor truly thinks.

If one says the emperor is pleased, the treatment of a king of a different surname is indeed correct.

But the problem is, throughout history, how many kings of a different surname have met a good end?

If one says he is not pleased, what does increasing the guard by two thousand mean? If he truly displeased the Gu family, would he still give Grandfather Gu an additional two thousand cavalry? That is obviously impossible.

The ruler's heart is unfathomable; serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

At this moment it was fully revealed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"This old official bows in thanks."

"This old official wishes to expand Da Xia's territory for Your Majesty, to sweep away all obstacles, and may Da Xia endure forever."

Inside the Guardian Duke's residence.

Grandfather Gu's expression was solemn; he bowed toward the palace direction, appearing deeply reverent.

Da Xia has no custom of kneeling worship, except in sacrificial rites; otherwise there is no need to kneel.

Yet Grandfather Gu bowed down; in the eyes of many, this is a different signal.

It is a sign of submission.

It is also a declaration of stance.

"I, the old man, thank Your Majesty; aside from the Da Xia Golden Token, I wish to exchange all other rewards for silver and gold to donate to the suffering populace."

Su Wenjing gave his response, refusing these ennoblements; to many this seems entirely reasonable, for he is a Pre-Half-Saint, having now received Heaven's Mandate, destined to become a Half-Saint.

In his eyes, these riches and honors are not worth anything at all.

Whereas Su Huaiyu stood where he was, seemingly still not having reacted, so he remained silent.

"Master, you are noble."

The Yongsheng Emperor spoke, then looked toward where the Guardian Duke was, and spoke again.

"Guardian Duke, you are too courteous."

"In a few days, on the Lantern Festival, when we meet in the palace, I also have some matters I wish to discuss thoroughly with the Guardian Duke."

"Today, Heaven's Mandate is revealed; Da Xia has obtained nine strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, truly a cause for universal celebration. I proclaim my edict: except for the regions of Jiangnan, Huai-Xi, Yanbei, and Jinling, the remaining prefectures and counties shall have their grain taxes halved for six months; furthermore, I grant a general amnesty, to rejoice with the people."

The Yongsheng Emperor's voice sounded again.

Perhaps he is truly in an extremely good mood.

As soon as he spoke, he exempted half a year's grain tax; of course, the major regions were not exempted, the measure targeting only slightly impoverished areas.

Moreover, granting a general amnesty, in the eyes of Confucian and Daoist scholars, is a good thing.

However, it was quick.

The gaze of everyone in the capital once again fell upon a single person.

Su Huaiyu.

The State-Protecting Duke obtained Heavenly Destiny Luck; people were surprised, surprised, but had not the slightest thought.

Some even thought it was unexpected yet reasonable.

But Su Huaiyu was different.

He had just come out of prison; most people didn't know him, and even those who did couldn't believe that this guy could actually obtain Heavenly Destiny Luck.

Although no one knew what this thing actually did.

But a gift from the heavens—how could it be bad?

Thus, many began to reckon with Su Huaiyu; throughout the capital, many influential families instantly thought of winning him over.

One could say that in an instant, Su Huaiyu became the most handsome youngster in the whole capital.

And before Su Huaiyu could react,

someone had already come to him of their own accord.

Just that.

At this moment.

In the Gu household.

As all the auras vanished completely.

Grandfather Gu then slowly returned to the room.

And inside the room.

Gu Jin Nian, however, looked somewhat unsure what to say.

He looked at his grandfather, just about to open his mouth to speak.

Grandfather Gu, however, slightly shook his head, then promptly picked up his brush and wrote a line on the xuan paper.

"Everything as usual; speaking less is best."

After putting brush to paper, Grandfather Gu picked up the xuan paper, placed it on the candle flame, and burned it directly.

He said not a word.

Invisibly, he had said many words that could not be heard.

That's right.

This Heavenly Destiny Luck did not choose Grandfather Gu.

but chose Gu Jin Nian.

Grandfather Gu originally came over just to take a look at Gu Jin Nian.

but he never expected that Heavenly Destiny Luck would fall upon Gu Jin Nian.

Fortunately, in an instant, the manifestation of Heavenly Destiny Luck vanished, all drawing inward into Gu Jin Nian's body.

And Grandfather Gu, at the first moment, sealed Gu Jin Nian's dantian realm.

Then, using his abundant martial true qi, he transformed it into golden light.

To outsiders, it appeared that Heavenly Destiny Luck had chosen him, not Gu Jin Nian.

Heavenly Destiny Luck does not mean one can instantly be reborn; outwardly, there is no change at all.

As for what exactly changes, no one knows.

Gu Jin Nian himself is also unclear.

Because the Heavenly Destiny Luck that entered his body was directly devoured by the ancient tree.

Thus, Gu Jin Nian appears even more ordinary.

However, Gu Jin Nian initially did not understand why his grandfather did this.

But now, Gu Jin Nian gradually comes to understand somewhat.

Fifty strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck represent the will of heaven and earth.

He himself occupies one-fiftieth.

If others were to find out, even though he is the grandson of the State-Protecting Duke, he would likely face great danger.

His grandfather is protecting him.

He would rather invite some trouble.

So, Gu Jin Nian chooses to stay silent.

Remaining silent, he continues to pick up books and read articles.

"Order the kitchen to prepare a feast, open the doors to welcome guests."

Soon, Grandfather Gu's hearty voice rang out.

The previous solemnity and silence vanished, replaced by pride and pleasure.

He intends to hold a grand banquet.

To dispel all unwarranted speculation.

In the capital.

The Yang residence.

An old man with a wounded cloth wrapped around his head silently gazed toward the southwest—that was the direction of the State-Protecting Duke's mansion.

"Something big is going to happen."

A murmur sounded, and Yang Kai's gaze appeared complex.

(End of chapter)