[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten":3,"chapter-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-246":6,"glossary-terms-4587":23},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Simulated to Reality: I Once Looked Down Upon Ten Thousand Ages?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2347261,4587,"Chapter 246: Wherever One Stands, Who in History Has Ever Been So?","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-246",246,"\u003Cp>The northern frontier has been settled, beyond reversal; it now changes hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Lu Chen of Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patriarch of the southern clan, amid misty rain, though unwilling, now lacks the strength to contend further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The north is a barren, treacherous land—twenty years of relentless war, harsh borderlands, starkly different from the wealth of the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, they finally understood—or comforted themselves—that the name “north” had become a place beyond the imperial court’s reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A name that exists, but a reality that is dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after weighing gains and losses, the southern clans traded the useless north for peace, and in that calculation, found a measure of release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern aristocrats, clad in crimson court robes adorned with auspicious beasts, stirred from shock; their glances met, and a faint, unnoticed joy spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, this deal did not seem a loss at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Xie Chunan stood among the crowd, his gaze deep, silently sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the figure seated at the head, his heart a tangle of emotions, unsure what to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The north, corresponding to the Kan trigram, is of watery abundance; the Lu family’s iron cavalry wear black armor and dark robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The south, Qian Yuan, inherits the fire virtue, raises red banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu is of earth, the origin of the five elements; now the five nations of the realm truly stand in balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shift is not merely a change of territory, but a turning of heavenly mandate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though poor, the north harbors dragons and tigers, waiting for the right moment. And that young protector, having claimed it, now faces a future unbound—his power limitless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From dragon, water is gained!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the young protector left Mount Zhongnan for the capital, Xie Chunan, the former minister who once earned his living by divination, now gently stroked a tortoise shell and studied the yarrow stalks, casting another divination for the fate of the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Using the Nine: seeing a host of dragons without a leader—auspicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The omen revealed, profound in meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great tide of the realm is like a host of dragons roaming the nine heavens, leaderless yet governing, each manifesting its own strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Applied to the realm, this omen foretells warlords rising together, no single leader, each nation governing itself, competing in development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the four seas, a hundred boats race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Yuan, Northern Wind, Han, Chu—four nations, plus the newly enfeoffed Prince Yan, Lu Chen—five powers, each holding a corner: white, blue, black, red, yellow—five colors interwoven, as if the five elements of the realm are complete, mutually balancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five elements generate and restrain each other; thus the realm achieves stable transition, yin and yang harmonized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan knew: the moment Lu Chen was made prince, the great tide of the realm had already been settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the four nations encircled the capital, they could not form a true encirclement—each harbored secret motives, unable to unite truly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital is secured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You gaze calmly at Feng Haiping and say softly: “All troops, follow me north.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family army, at once obeying, their morale soaring, cried out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We obey Prince Yan’s command!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You step out of Taihe Hall, the grandest structure within the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering, golden and splendid, it is the symbol of supreme power, its jade terraces and jeweled pavilions radiating imperial majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond lie the three thousand concubines, eunuchs, and servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Taihe Hall’s central platform of white jade lie vast courtyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever enters—whether enfeoffed prince or appointed minister—walks through the courtyard, ascends the steps, and finally enters Taihe Hall with solemn demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of Taihe Hall, a great chair stands, symbolizing supreme royal authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor’s residence is called the palace; his chair is the dragon throne; his bed is the dragon bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He calls himself the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He invests imperial power with mystery and nobility, seeking to draw boundaries, dividing men into hierarchies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wish to separate men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether clad in dragon robes and phoenix crowns, or borne in eight-man palanquins, or pulled by nine horses—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All are but men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You feel no attachment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family army follows you in orderly procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Jinyu hurried to the doorway of Taihe Hall, her skirts lifted, watching you slowly descend the steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish, you never looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng stood atop the steps, bowing from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan did the same, his gesture unusually solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong also departed; this Grand Magistrate of Justice was already among the highest figures of Daqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, many held Dai Zhong in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elder proposed: “Grand Magistrate Dai, why not remain in the capital? Continue to lead the Grand Magistracy? With you here, we feel at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Grand Magistrate Dai, the south is peaceful; the north is harsh and frostbitten. You should marry, have children, carry on your family line!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone added: “The north is no place to go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living in the south, one forgets the sound of home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words came from two elders—the most respected patriarchs of the Li and Chen clans of the southern aristocracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lu Chen’s departure and Zhou Jinyu’s young son ascending the throne, the southern clans’ influence in court grew ever stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now could they speak thus, make such assurances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They held Dai Zhong in such high regard not merely for his ability, but for his fairness, his willingness to labor for justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only because of him did the south achieve such “clarity,” with fewer wrongful or false cases among the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen springs and autumns, Dai Zhong labored tirelessly within the Grand Magistracy—his character and integrity plain to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distance reveals a horse’s strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong won the recognition of the southern clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong smiled at their words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This smile was rare among those present; they were startled—Dai Zhong never smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for your concern, gentlemen. A true man does not need a fixed place to stand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as I follow the young protector, wherever in the realm, I am at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unexpected answer—yet perfectly reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone in the Lu army called out: “Dai Zhong, hurry up!” It was Yu Xu; the two had been brothers since youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong’s smile deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dai Zhong, farewell!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words startled all, yet felt inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen elder watched Dai Zhong depart, the Lu army marching closely behind the man at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This young protector—I grow ever more unable to understand him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen elder thought: if he were not clan patriarch, or if he were not in his position, he too would be forgotten once gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, puzzled: “He cultivated for fifteen years, left the north for so long—logically, the Lu army, even the realm, should have forgotten him by now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opposite is true: the moment he steps out of Mount Zhongnan, the realm rushes to follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroes and warriors across the land abandon homes and kin to follow him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient histories record: when the founding emperor rose in rebellion, heroes answered, chanting:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Raise the banner of righteousness, divide the land—the followers flock like clouds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen elder gazed at the courtyard beneath Taihe Hall, where the Lu banner flapped fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front, the leader rode a horse in plain cloth, slowly exiting through Wumen, behind him a host of troops like dark clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does Lu Chen have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What can he offer these people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan shook his head, unable to help but smile wryly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From ancient times to now, I do not know who else could be so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Jinyu recalled the young protector’s edicts written the night before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty-eight thousand characters—not one word about himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All for the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm has long yearned for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1300,"2026-06-21T01:33:00.595Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","43f97a5d47e2d1351fe1ad15e0e7989d9499dd4562f665a1230c85c647e89971","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-247","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-245",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg",{"terms":24,"userReplacements":130},[25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80,85,90,95,100,105,110,115,120,125],{"id":26,"raw_term":27,"original_term":28,"translations":29},1799945,"Lu Chen","陸沉",[],{"id":31,"raw_term":32,"original_term":33,"translations":34},1799946,"Wu Ying","武纓",[],{"id":36,"raw_term":37,"original_term":38,"translations":39},1799947,"Gongsun Pingxi","公孫平溪",[],{"id":41,"raw_term":42,"original_term":43,"translations":44},1799948,"Yu Ke","俞客",[],{"id":46,"raw_term":47,"original_term":48,"translations":49},1799949,"Dou Gu","竇固",[],{"id":51,"raw_term":52,"original_term":53,"translations":54},1799950,"Huang Yu","黃鈺",[],{"id":56,"raw_term":57,"original_term":58,"translations":59},1799951,"Yu Xu","虞許",[],{"id":61,"raw_term":62,"original_term":63,"translations":64},1799952,"Zhou Cheng","周成",[],{"id":66,"raw_term":67,"original_term":68,"translations":69},1799953,"Liu Wen","劉溫",[],{"id":71,"raw_term":72,"original_term":73,"translations":74},1799954,"Zhou Jinyu","周錦瑜",[],{"id":76,"raw_term":77,"original_term":78,"translations":79},1799955,"Feng Haiping","封海平",[],{"id":81,"raw_term":82,"original_term":83,"translations":84},1799956,"Tuoba Hongyan","拓拔宏宴",[],{"id":86,"raw_term":87,"original_term":88,"translations":89},1799957,"Zhou Xuan","周玄",[],{"id":91,"raw_term":92,"original_term":93,"translations":94},1799958,"Gu Yi","顧議",[],{"id":96,"raw_term":97,"original_term":98,"translations":99},1799959,"Tuoba Shuyi","拓拔術遺",[],{"id":101,"raw_term":102,"original_term":103,"translations":104},1799960,"Lu Jiaxuan","陸佳軒",[],{"id":106,"raw_term":107,"original_term":108,"translations":109},1799961,"You'an","幼安",[],{"id":111,"raw_term":112,"original_term":113,"translations":114},1799962,"Lu Yu","陸羽",[],{"id":116,"raw_term":117,"original_term":118,"translations":119},1799963,"Yuwen Liqian","宇文璃淺",[],{"id":121,"raw_term":122,"original_term":123,"translations":124},1799964,"Su Beihai","蘇北海",[],{"id":126,"raw_term":127,"original_term":128,"translations":129},1799965,"Old Li","老李頭",[],{}]