Chapter 242: Follow the Junior Protector

You gaze at the rising sun.

Dawn breaks, golden rays stretching miles, gently caressing all things of the mortal world.

Feng Haiping leads his party, steady and composed, into the grand and solemn Hall of Supreme Harmony!

"Pay homage to the Junior Protector!"

"The troops are fully rested and ready; awaiting only your order to march."

You nod faintly.

In your heart, you think: this journey to the capital, the return date uncertain; should you ever come back here, it may well be another season.

The spring scenery of Chaoling is breathtaking; your father, when he passed the imperial examination, once said, "One day, I saw all the flowers of Chaoling."

Yet I arrive not in spring!

You shake your head; when all dust settles, you will retire to the mountains and forests, devoting yourself to the Dao.

Your gaze sweeps the hall, seeing Generals Feng Haiping and others, standing at attention, awaiting your command.

Zhou Jinyu, Liu Wen, Dou Gu— their eyes brim with reverence for you.

Feng Haiping also feels puzzled: seeing Liu Wen, Li Xuedian, and other scions of noble families, their gazes toward the Junior Protector burn with unprecedented fervor.

Liu Wen, Li Xuedian, and their kind were raised on classical texts; the scholar's pride and integrity have long been woven into their bones.

What happened last night?

Feng Haiping didn't think much of it!

They have never set foot in military life; their understanding of your strategy and courage is perhaps no more than "a frog at the bottom of a well."

Without having endured the flames of war, how could they comprehend your mastery of warfare?

You are like a celestial being!

Your gaze finally settles on Zhou Jinyu. This Empress of Daqing, having weathered yesterday's upheavals, looks weary yet composed.

Zhou Jinyu meets your gaze.

Soon!

Swift footsteps echo outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony; Xie Chunan leads two venerable elders, Chen and Li, followed by dozens of southern aristocratic ministers, hurrying into the hall.

Among them, Lu Yu spots an acquaintance: Wang Yang.

This is your first meeting with Xie Chunan.

The Lu Family Army generals step aside, forming a line to one side.

Xie Chunan, not in official robes, bearing no airs, bows respectfully.

"Xie Chunan pays homage to the Junior Protector!"

Those with him dare not slacken; all bow deeply.

"Pay homage to the Junior Protector!"

Wang Yang, at this moment, feels the deepest emotion.

Yesterday, he worried outside the city gate over Lu Chen's safety and the future of the Lu family.

In just one day, the capital has been utterly transformed, with dramatic and unpredictable changes.

The capital, the center of power, now lies entirely within the Junior Protector's grasp.

Deep within the palace, the Son of Heaven has died; the Grand Empress Dowager has followed him. The speed of these events far exceeds anyone's expectations.

The Junior Protector's arrival in the capital is like a dragon returning to the sea—every corner trembles.

Wang Yang is no rigid adherent of old customs; he knows well that behind him rests the rise and fall of the Wang family of the south.

In this chaotic era, with four states surrounding the capital, only Lu Chen can hold the line; only by adapting to the times can the family, himself, and the people be saved.

As for the tragedy of Wang Shi'an, Wang Yang cannot help but sigh—he had repeatedly urged Wang Shi'an to rein in his arrogance.

Yet fate decreed it: the youth perished in pride.

In Wang Yang's gaze toward you, beyond the original admiration, now lies a deeper awe.

"Wang Yang pays homage to the Junior Protector!"

As the echo of "Pay homage to the Junior Protector!" fades.

Zhou Jinyu's heart finally confirms: the capital has wholly knelt beneath your feet, Junior Protector.

A complex emotion flickers in her eyes; then, only peace remains.

You say calmly: "Your Excellencies, please rise. I hold no official title."

All rise at once, movements varied—some stiff, clearly still uneasy; others calm, as if already accepting this reality.

No idle pleasantries; the atmosphere grows heavy.

Dou Gu steps forward, breaking the silence: "Today, all your Excellencies gather to witness a momentous event."

"A nation cannot be without a ruler. What do you, esteemed ministers, deem worthy of the throne?"

"A nation cannot go a single day without a sovereign. I wonder what each of you esteemed officials believes, who is fit to assume the throne?"

At these words, the hall falls utterly silent. The succession of Daqing's throne is, without doubt, the most sensitive and critical issue at hand.

The Lu Family Army generals stand to one side, clad in armor, swords at their hips, gleaming.

No sooner does Dou Gu finish than the generals widen their eyes like statues of heavenly kings atop temple altars—menacing, overwhelming, tightening the hall's tension further.

As Dou Gu finished speaking, the generals' eyes widened like those of the heavenly kings on temple altars, their aura overwhelming and deepening the solemn, tense atmosphere of the grand hall.

The southern aristocratic ministers, though prepared, are momentarily flustered.

They exchange glances, none daring to speak. Some steal glances at Zhou Cheng, seeking a hint; others fix their eyes directly on you, probing.

They exchanged glances, none daring to speak lightly. Some stole glances at Zhou Cheng, as if seeking some hint from him; others fixed their gaze directly on you, their eyes brimming with inquiry.

Dou Gu speaks again: "Master Xie, what is your view on this matter?"

At once, all eyes turn to Xie Chunan.

As representative of the southern aristocracy, his stance is crucial.

Xie Chunan, sensing the weight, bows slightly, sweeps his gaze over the assembly, and speaks.

"Daqing now suffers calamity; the Son of Heaven has died suddenly. The Junior Protector has come to the capital to temporarily oversee state affairs—he is the pillar of the nation."

"We look to the Junior Protector as our guide, to weather this crisis. As for the throne's succession, I dare not presume to speak."

"We look to the Junior Protector as our leader to weather this crisis; as for the selection of the sovereign, your humble servant dares not presume to speak!"

"Xie Chunan follows the Junior Protector's lead. Let the Junior Protector decide!"

The words are spoken!

Dou Gu is stunned—he never expected Xie Chunan and the others to show no trace of the "virtuous minister's integrity."

He never expected such openness, such unhesitating clarity.

So clean a retreat!

Behind him, the southern aristocrats hesitate slightly.

Dou Gu smiles and asks: "What of Master Li?"

The most prestigious surname among southern aristocrats: Li.

An elder steps forward, bows respectfully.

"Li Ran follows the Junior Protector's lead. Let the Junior Protector decide!"

Dou Gu continues: "What of Master Chen?"

The second most prestigious southern surname: Chen.

The elder hesitates, sighs, then speaks slowly.

"Chen Tan follows the Junior Protector's lead. Let the Junior Protector decide!"

Dou Gu does not ask further.

In the hall!

All kneel in unison.

"Wang Yang follows the Junior Protector's lead. Let the Junior Protector decide!"

"Follow the Junior Protector's lead. Let the Junior Protector decide!"

"We look to the Junior Protector as our leader; please, Junior Protector, make the decision!"

…

Zhou Jinyu hears each southern clan patriarch utter the same phrase: "Follow the Junior Protector's lead."

Zhou Jinyu listened as one after another patriarch of the Jiangnan clans uttered the words, "We look to you as our leader!"

Zhou Zhen, her husband, the Emperor of Daqing—whenever he proposed policy, these very men would coldly reply: "Your Majesty, this cannot be done."

Zhou Zhen, the Emperor of Daqing, her husband, had always faced this group's cold silence whenever he proposed court policy: "Your Majesty, this matter is unacceptable."

Now!

The men are the same.

Only the court has changed.

(End of Chapter)

(End of Chapter)