Chapter 872: Referendum to Kill the True Dragon

The torrential rain poured down like a waterfall.

A troop of cavalry was galloping across the Jinshi Heavenly Street.

The office of the Nine Cities Military Commission.

Tang Xun dismounted and rushed inside, arriving at the White Tiger Hall: "Where is Commander Zhang? Have him come see me immediately!"

The Commander of the Nine Cities Military Commission was his confidant; with the situation critical, he had to make a swift decision to minimize the impact.

"State Duke..."

Before long, Commander Zhang did not appear, but several guards did.

But those guards remained unmoved, and another troop of armored soldiers entered from outside, surrounding Tang Xun and his personal guards.

Looking at the subjects forcibly gathered below the high platform, Xiao Liang took a deep breath: "I am the Son of Heaven, I am the state!"

Yet at this moment, there was not a single person who dared to come out and stop them!

This was prestige!

Why was Li Shimin able to ascend the throne smoothly after the success of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, with all officials bowing their heads, and few harboring loyalty to Li Yuan?

Wasn't it said that Xulingzi was merely clinging to life by the Emperor's decree, and that every extra moment he lived was eroding his fortune and longevity?

Why was the Sacrificial Ceremony already complete, and yet Xulingzi was perfectly fine!

——Vajra Indestructibility!

This was the trump card Aaron had been hiding all along; he had not even revealed it during the great battle against the Jin King!

Aaron laughed: "Did you really think the world would fall into chaos without Confucianism? Has the Liang State not been doing quite well all these years?"

Although this was none of the business of small families like theirs, they still had to act with caution.

This immediately made Yang Fei realize that his guess was likely correct.

But the Confucian school and the Taoist and Buddhist schools were all pushing it, both openly and in secret.

"The world belongs to the people of the world, not to a lone tyrant... Today, the people of Jinshi will hold a referendum to decide the Emperor's life or death!"

Although, at the beginning, he did not want to break with the Prime Minister.

Yang Fei, who was forced to stay in Jinshi due to the postponement of the imperial examinations, saw a notice that could only be described as Weird:

Suddenly, someone pointed in a direction.

"Actually, the Liang Emperor didn't have to die," Aaron sighed.

If one wanted the Emperor to die, they could take the silver bean home.

"Look, everyone!"

Aaron said calmly: "Whether Xiao Liang lives or dies depends on his own fate."

Boom!

"The Great Liang has raised scholars for ten years; the time to act righteously and die for one's principles is today!"

A guard shouted loudly.

The next day.

Outside, the heavy rain poured down, while inside, the examinees were still writing furiously.

Many people were speechless in their hearts.

Seeing him again at this moment, he just gave a bitter smile and said to his personal guards: "Put down your weapons... do not ruin yourselves!"

A troop of Six Jia Divine Soldiers replied expressionlessly.

Xiao Liang walked up the Heavenly Altar step by step, feeling the humiliation of a refugee.

Not only was he fine, but his body was like copper and iron, and even the Divine Fire Musket could hardly damage him in the slightest?!

"What a fine True Dragon of the Heavenly Dao! But I forgot to tell you, this Daoist has long since attained Vajra Indestructibility and is indestructible through ten thousand kalpas!"

"How is His Majesty?"

But the people of Jinshi City kept their doors tightly shut, as if they had encountered some cataclysmic disaster.

Yang Fei knelt down along with the people around him, not drawing any attention.

"This can also be considered a good beginning and a good end; anyone can be an Emperor. Taiyin, you, can all be an Empress. Once there are many Emperors, they won't be worth much, and there will be nothing left to fight over or fear..."

And behind the Dragon Flag, there were four flags each for the Wind Earl, Rain Master, Thunder Duke, and Lightning Mother, one flag each for the Five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, one flag each for the Left and Right Protector, and one Big Dipper Star Gathering Flag.

"The world belongs to the people of the world, not to a lone tyrant!"

As Aaron walked onto the first step, a Civil Official walked out: "This is the Sacrificial Ceremony, please observe the rites..."

Striking Aaron, it actually sparked, emitting a sound like metal clashing against metal.

Three days later.

Aaron stood up and went to the female prisoner in the Imperial Prison.

But Aaron did not bring an army of thousands; he just came like this.

"As for you..."

"That's actually not necessary..." Aaron began to speak with great interest: "In fact... the best way to break the Dragon Qi is to make the Emperor worthless... This Daoist has been researching this for many years. If His Majesty does not rebel, then in a while, this Daoist will, in the name of the Supreme Tao, appoint one thousand, ten thousand Emperors! By then, everyone will be an Emperor, and even a woman like you could ascend the throne as an Empress!"

In one prison cell, there was only one person, Xiao Zi.

It was strange to say, but once the Son of Heaven's carriage arrived, the clouds and rain near the Heavenly Altar dispersed, and rainbows appeared, looking very auspicious.

The officials had different expressions; in the hearts of those who knew what Aaron had done, this figure was no different from a Demon.

"Xingyi Earl... stop pretending. I don't even want to talk about what you've done..."

Zhang Jushi pursed his lips for a long time before finally saying this: "This time, you, the State Preceptor, have won... but Confucianism lives in the hearts of the people!"

When Aaron reached the final steps, eunuchs and imperial guards skilled in martial arts rushed over, using their own lives to buy time for the Emperor.

Aaron pointed to two figures cowering in the crowd: "Thinking that your teacher is severely injured and your influence in the army has been rooted out one by one, you couldn't wait to jump ship? Have you forgotten the family laws of my Supreme Tao?"

In the sky, a sudden thunderclap exploded.

In the darkness, a cyan-purple True Dragon seemed to emerge, roaring at Aaron.

He had the guards tie him up again and said, "I must see the State Preceptor... although His Majesty has erred, the nation cannot fall into chaos!"

An old Confucian scholar shouted loudly, then collapsed as well.

"And these two pieces of trash."

"State Preceptor, wait!"

Pfft!

Before the words had finished, a bloody hole appeared on the ritual official's forehead, and he fell down.

With a flick of his finger, two Flying Swords vanished in flight, taking the lives of Taichong and Daoist Taihe.

As Emperor, there are many unavoidable circumstances; to be coerced like this, and with too many people knowing, the plan was bound to leak, followed by a hasty uprising and a dismal end!

Even after so many years, that person's control over the army is still so strong!

"We know nothing of this, we only know that you, State Duke, have trespassed into a restricted military area; you are to be detained for questioning!"

The muskets, meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, erupted with scorching bullets.

Aaron looked at Xiao Liang, ignoring the eunuchs and officials who were kowtowing bitterly to plead for His Majesty: "Let the people of this world decide your fate..."

Aaron's face turned pale, and his figure stalled for an instant.

The Heavenly Altar is near the examination grounds.

This is completely against the regulations for the civil service examination!

The examiner hurried out, returned shortly after, and said loudly: "The examination is suspended for today... all of you, leave the examination grounds at once and head to the Heavenly Altar to welcome the imperial carriage."

"I did not lie to you..." Aaron continued: "Although at first, this Daoist did indeed harbor the thought of starting the dynasty with a bang and killing a True Dragon to liven things up, I changed my mind later... If His Majesty does not rebel, I could have spared his life."

"Greetings, Dao Lord!"

Several days ago, atop the Heavenly Altar, Aaron did not kill Xiao Liang directly, but merely ordered him to be taken away.

"A founding emperor of a nation, actually murdered? An unheard-of wonder!"

Yang Fei saw it too, but at this moment he dared not ask or say anything; he just glanced and saw that behind the ceremonial staff team, there was a troop of cavalry carrying the Vermilion Bird Flag and twelve Dragon Flags.

Bang! Bang!

Just a few days ago, major events occurred in Jingshi one after another, and many big shots fell.

The Ritual was conducted in haste.

"To clarify our will, we must vote to kill the True Dragon!"

The sun rose in the east, its Light filling the sky.

Upon receiving the intelligence that Si Yunming and Zheng Fang had been killed by their subordinates, and that Tang Xun had been arrested and imprisoned for a ridiculous reason, Xiao Liang knew he had no other choice but to quickly perform the sacrifice to Heaven and become the Son of Heaven!

A candidate suddenly spoke in a low voice: "It is recorded in 'Arbitrary Decisions': The Son of Heaven has the Great Carriage, the Lesser Carriage, and the Dharma Carriage. The one ridden on the Dharma Carriage is called the Golden Root Carriage, drawn by six horses, with five auxiliary carriages for the times of day, all drawn by four horses, with the Attendant Gentleman to Can, and thirty-six accompanying carriages... but hasn't the carriage of the Son of Heaven long been abandoned?"

Although they were personal disciples of the Supreme Dao Lord and mastered the Scientific Dao, they were merely two mortals with no self-protection skills, left to be slaughtered...

A ritual official who had been hurriedly dragged over was urged to begin the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven immediately.

It was just that after Xiao Liang announced he had become the Human Emperor, the Heavenly Altar was automatically abandoned.

The prison on both sides became quiet instantly, and only then did a middle-aged man grab the bars: "State Preceptor, State Preceptor... it's me, Heidouzi... I even held the horse for you back then, how could I rebel? I am wronged!"

This prison was very clean; it was a small room with tables, chairs, benches, a bed, and books inside!

Furthermore, the ghosts and gods even said that the State Preceptor living was consuming his own life!

Many people seemed to have arrived outside, and there was a great deal of clamor.

"Prime Minister!"

Zhang Jushi asked suddenly.

Aaron shook his head and came to another prison.

Xiaoyu came to the foot of the Heavenly Altar, watched Aaron walk up, and lay down on the side, bored, yawning.

This kind of expressionless, awe-inspiring murderous aura of someone facing death, Tang Xun had not seen for a long time.

"This... this is the carriage of the Son of Heaven."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

"You..."

"Are you blind? This is the State Duke, Tang Pavilion Elder!"

An old Confucian scholar in rags suddenly wiped his cheeks and shouted loudly: "The Son of Heaven is restored! The Son of Heaven is restored!"

Tang Xun suddenly felt something was wrong; this was his intuition from half a lifetime on the battlefield, which had never been wrong.

Below, there were some rule explanations.

The Jailers had long been replaced by Six Jia Divine Soldiers, and the prison was filled with the unlucky ones implicated in this incident and their families.

While Yang Fei and the others were confused, lined up on both sides of the road acting as spectators, all turned into drowned rats and looking depressed, they heard a few cannon shots, and a large ceremonial guard walked over; even in the rain, everyone was solemn and imposing.

Perhaps this was the only thing that could concern someone whose heart was as dead as ash.

Imperial Prison.

Yet in his heart, there was only one thought: "Something big is going to happen, something big is going to happen!"

"This... this... the common people are ignorant and greedy for profit, this is clearly meant to kill the Emperor!"

Xiao Liang naturally did not need to die.

The Human Emperor is about to re-sacrifice to Heaven and restore the title of Son of Heaven!

Heavenly Altar.

"I believe the State Preceptor's words, but the people of the world may not be willing to believe them. My nephew certainly doesn't believe them!"

The personal soldiers following Tang Xun shouted and cursed.

After burning the Offering, Xiao Liang recited rapidly: "Grand Marshal Xiao Liang hereby petitions the Heavens; there are demonic beings in the world causing chaos, and the common people of the world suffer greatly..."

However, having been Emperor for so many years, Xiao Liang still had some loyal subjects.

If one wished for the Emperor to live, one could cast a bean into the large vat.

Xiao Liang looked at Aaron, his gaze gradually shifting from anticipation to fear: "Ghosts and gods of the underworld... you actually dared to deceive Us?!"

Just at this moment, two gunshots rang out!

It was a firearm sniper hidden somewhere, who had pulled the trigger aimed at Aaron!

Aaron smiled, then sighed: "Back when the dynasty was founded, this Daoist originally intended to kill a True Dragon founding ancestor to celebrate the joy of pacifying the world. Out of consideration for a bit of sentiment with Your Majesty, I asked Your Majesty to discard the title of Son of Heaven and change it to Human Emperor... Yet now, Your Majesty has picked up the identity of Son of Heaven again; you are indeed a True Dragon of your generation, so do not blame this Daoist for killing a True Dragon as an Offering to the Heavens!"

Examination hall.

This feeling, he had not experienced it since his childhood, that time when his father's uprising failed.

"Human hearts, is it?"

"What path?"

"Xulingzi!"

When Aaron stepped through the pool of blood and ascended to the highest point of the Heavenly Altar, Xiao Liang had already finished reading the petition to the Heavens and tossed it into the brazier, watching it be swallowed by the raging flames.

In particular, of the two hundred nobles who were said to share the fate of the nation and were enfeoffed at the founding of the Liang Dynasty, nearly half had perished this time.

Beside Aaron, seven Flying Swords hummed and buzzed, swimming through the air like fish, appearing quite full of Spirituality.

Yang Fei beside him desperately wanted to cover his mouth, but those cavalrymen only glanced over, and no one came to manage him.

When there are too many emperors, they become worthless.

Tang Xun suddenly burst into tears, knowing in his heart that since the State Preceptor still possessed such divine weapons, His Majesty was likely in danger!

"You dare trespass in the White Tiger Hall, seize him!"

On the day of the vote, every resident would be given a silver bean, and then large vats were set up at each of the Jinshi Nine Gates.

But at this moment, his footsteps were swift as he ascended the Heavenly Altar, having the eunuchs prepare the items for the sacrifice to the Heavens, as well as the jade seal, the petition to the Heavens, and so on...

Zhang Jushi was reading a book; seeing Aaron approach, he stood up and bowed: "Greetings, State Preceptor."

The Jinshi heavy rain dissipated completely.

Xiao Zi immediately felt an ominous premonition.

Aaron continued to sigh: "Alas, Your Majesty chose another path."

"When the Son of Heaven travels, a hundred gods follow... and the destination is the Heavenly Altar."

"The rites must not be abandoned!"

Yang Fei was just scratching his head, stumped by an Arithmetic problem, when he suddenly felt something was wrong.

Aaron, wearing his Daoist robes, walked through the prison.

Even though Yang Fei had never seen him in person, the Legendary tales of the Tiger Power Immortal had already been circulating in the world for decades!

"It's the State Preceptor!"

Hmm...

"... Alas, woe is me, may the spirits partake!"

Seeing Aaron arrive, various complex expressions flashed across Xiao Zi's face: "How is my nephew? Sigh... 'May one never be born into an imperial family in any future life,' how true those words are!"

"You will know the answer to this question very soon. This is your final meal, so I will not join you..."

"You are already a prisoner, why be like this?"

And there were also differing opinions within the military and among the nobility.

One could see over there, a young Daoist riding a White Tiger, slowly approaching.

"Having already reached a position above ten thousand, how could there be a way back?" Xiao Zi sneered: "Are you suggesting I fake my death to escape, then hide my name?"

He continued to walk upward, step by step.

"Awoo!"

Aaron went inside, sat down directly, and ordered someone to bring wine and food.

This was also the prestige established by his brilliant military exploits in the past!

And Aaron's military exploits and prestige within the Liang State at this time... the common people might be ignorant, but the officials were perfectly clear about it.

And this was precisely Aaron's goal; with the people's wisdom yet undeveloped, a referendum to kill the Emperor was nothing but a farce and a joke!

What he truly wanted to do was to openly and righteously kill this True Dragon of the Liang State that he had personally fattened up, and thoroughly secure his victory!

(End of chapter)