Chapter 126: Ghost Valley Yin-Yang, Longest-Desired Divine Aspiration

Xie Chunan stated calmly:

"Beifeng sent two groups: one was the usual envoy, which is no concern. But this morning, another group quietly entered Cining Palace."

"According to our spies, they saw Tuoba Shuyi's son, Tuoba Hongyan, inside Cining Palace."

"Notably, Tuoba Hongyan was also present back then at Mount Zhongnan."

Zhou Zhen nodded slightly, lost in thought.

Cining Palace is the residence of the Grand Empress Dowager; even in recent years, when he went to pay respects, he had to wait according to protocol.

Now!

Beifeng's envoys could enter Cining Palace so easily—it seemed utterly inconceivable to him.

Absurd beyond belief!

Zhou Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the portraits of emperors hanging in the hall, each one from Daqing's history:

"Does she truly believe this is Qianyuan, where women have ruled as emperors?"

For a thousand years since Qianyuan, no woman had ever claimed the throne—yet now one has appeared.

The realm trembled; debates raged everywhere.

In this chaotic age, a woman claiming the throne is laughable!

But Xie Chunan's expression remained unchanged:

"The Grand Empress Dowager has no real ambition for the state; she merely cannot bear to see the empire fracture after the late Emperor's death."

"She fears she will have no face to meet the late Emperor in the afterlife."

After the late Emperor passed away,

Zhou Zhen ascended the throne in Jingcheng, while the Eighth Prince established his own domain in the Jing Wangfu in Jiangbei, refusing to obey the Son of Heaven.

The Sixth Prince, Zhou Jinyu, declared himself Heavenly King, creating a three-way standoff.

Zhou Zhen spoke softly:

"In truth, no matter what the Grand Empress Dowager does, I will not interfere. After all, I could not have sat upon this throne without her support."

He paused briefly, then continued:

"But the current situation is not because I tolerate her—I am the one she seeks to kill."

Zhou Zhen's gaze fixed deeply on the portraits of his ancestral predecessors—the first three.

His voice was solemn and resolute:

"In the founding era, Grand Emperor endured seven rises and falls, finally securing the Central Plains through the united strength of brothers from a single commandery."

"During Emperor Jing's reign, Master Zhu assisted him in governing, promoting benevolent rule; within less than twenty years, the lands south of the river flourished."

"Under Emperor Wu, five great generals followed him east and west, expanding the empire's borders."

Zhou Zhen turned around, his expression serious: "Now, with Master Xie assisting me, even Master Zhu cannot compare."

Upon hearing this, Xie Chunan immediately bowed: "Your Majesty overpraises me—I am unworthy."

Zhou Zhen's expression grew grave, his tone earnest:

"Why unworthy? When the late Emperor was alive, he once said that with your talent, Daqing is too small."

Somehow,

Zhou Zhen's address to Xie Chunan had quietly changed.

From "Master Xie" to "Master."

From "I, the Emperor" to "I."

Recalling the past, all of us princes had benefited greatly under Xie Chunan's teachings.

We all called him Master!

Back then, Xie Chunan was merely a commoner from the north; when he first arrived in Jingcheng, he was just an obscure clerk in a government office.

Yet!

In just five or six years, Xie Chunan rose from a lowly clerk to one of the most powerful figures in court.

After the dynastic change, his prestige did not wane—it grew even more solid.

Today, Xie Chunan is among the very few who truly hold real power in court.

He acts with caution, step by step; whether handling state affairs or navigating complex relationships, he does so with effortless ease.

He never reveals his intentions lightly, always seizing the perfect moment to make the most advantageous decision.

Precisely because of this!

When Xie Chunan chose the Second Prince, Zhou Zhen, most of the court followed suit.

The reason? Simply because, over these years, this Minister Xie has never taken a single wrong step.

Zhou Zhen felt a flicker of curiosity and confusion, and asked sincerely:

"Master, I've always wondered: why, after the late Emperor's death, did you shift your support to me and decide to serve me?"

Previously, Xie Chunan never involved himself in factional struggles or the imperial power vortex.

He always remained detached.

This Minister of Rites replied calmly:

"My wife, children, and family all reside in Jingcheng. For their sake, I must follow the tide and serve Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhen did not show displeasure; instead, a knowing smile appeared on his face.

If a minister had no ties at all, that would be dangerous.

Zhou Zhen suddenly recalled something:

"I remember, Master, when you studied in the north, you did not learn Confucian doctrine, nor Daoist arts, nor Legalist methods."

"You joined the Gui Valley school, studied the Art of Vertical and Horizontal Alliances, and mastered the teachings of the Yin-Yang school."

Two thousand years ago, during the Warring States period, schools of thought clashed fiercely, each offering its own views on governance and the Dao.

Daoism sought unity with Heaven and Earth, striving to transcend the world through personal power.

The demonic path sought to seize the world and make it part of oneself.

Legalism advocated ruling by law, treating the realm as a plow and the people as oxen on a war chariot.

Mohism preached universal love and non-aggression, holding to the ideal of solitude.

There were also seventy-two external schools, each with its own strengths.

Back then!

Wars between states were also battles of doctrines and lineages.

Zhou Zhen's face broke into a faint smile:

"Years ago, Master still set up an oracle stall in Jingcheng; it was said countless people came seeking love and fortune—it was quite a spectacle."

Xie Chunan replied honestly:

"Life in Jingcheng is indeed hard, especially with several children and heavy expenses."

"The court's salary is meager, insufficient to sustain us, so I resorted to fortune-telling to supplement our household income."

Zhou Zhen smiled, unconcerned.

Returning to the topic, he asked respectfully:

"Master, you advised me to bring Lu Shaobao to the capital—do you truly believe so highly in this Lu Shaobao, that he can surpass the Grand Empress Dowager?"

It was both a sovereign and minister, and a master and student, speaking.

After hearing this, Xie Chunan paused thoughtfully:

"Your Majesty, if your goal is merely to hold onto Daqing, preserve the lands south of the river, and be a guardian emperor, building an empire like Emperor Jing's, then my assistance alone is sufficient."

He paused, his gaze deepening:

"But if Your Majesty harbors grand ambition—to sweep the realm and achieve feats surpassing Emperor Wu—then only Lu Shenzhou can help."

"He is a peerless sword—but without a true master, he cannot be wielded. Used well, he can bring eternal peace; used poorly…"

"The choice lies with Your Majesty."

Xie Chunan did not continue.

Zhou Zhen fell silent for a moment.

Back then, the late Emperor had merely granted Lu Chen the title of Shaobao and authority over three offices.

He suddenly laughed:

"Master, you underestimate my resolve too much. Daqing has had so many emperors; to the north lies Beifeng, and all around are Da Chu, Han, and Qianyuan."

"How many emperors have there been throughout history!"

Zhou Zhen turned again to the portraits of his ancestors and spoke solemnly:

"Do you think I, Zhou Zhen, am too stingy to grant him the title of a non-imperial king?"

"Zhou Zhen will make sure that, in generations to come, when Daqing's descendants offer ancestral rites, they will pause longest and gaze longest at my portrait!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Chunan bowed deeply:

"Then I, Xie, shall devote my entire life's learning to assist Your Majesty in achieving this eternal legacy!"

PS: This line borrows a phrase from Fenghuo's work.

(End of Chapter)