Chapter 386: Era Transition

False Song, mirror Bian Liang.

The funeral bell's echo in Funing Hall seemed not yet fully dissipated, a new, even more austere aura already spreading.

Palace servants hurried back and forth, their faces filled with panic, daring not to speak unnecessarily.

Everyone's gaze quietly turned to the man who now undisputedly stood at the pinnacle of power—Prince Jin Zhao Guangyi.

Zhao Guangyi did not keep people waiting.

After confirming Zhao Kuangyin's death and swiftly dealing with several of his brother's old ministers who might be obstacles,

He almost eagerly initiated the succession process.

A state cannot go a day without a ruler.

Especially when the "strong enemy" Chen Dynasty eyes covetously and internal hearts are unsettled.

The abdication drama was staged hastily.

The several "highly virtuous and prestigious" old ministers he had carefully selected and still retained in court jointly submitted a memorial.

Using the rationale "the state relies on an elder sovereign, the altars are paramount," they earnestly requested Prince Jin to follow the Mandate of Heaven and inherit the great mandate.

The memorial's ornate language praised Zhao Guangyi as the sole hope to reverse the raging tide.

Zhao Guangyi naturally "declined firmly".

The officials naturally "asked again".

After three requests and three refusals.

In an atmosphere that appeared to be the people's wish but was actually extremely oppressive.

Zhao Guangyi finally "reluctantly" accepted the mandate of "all under heaven".

The enthronement ceremony was conducted unusually swiftly, even with some haste.

No overly lengthy rituals, no spectacle of all nations coming to court.

Only in the presence of major civil and military officials did Zhao Guangyi wear the hastily made dragon robe.

In the main hall of the False Song palace—still called the Hall of Great Celebration—he received the courtiers' homage.

He sat upon the dragon throne that once belonged to his elder brother, earlier to Chai Rong, and even earlier to ancient emperors, feeling the chill from the backrest.

His gaze swept over the faces before him—some reverent, some fawning, some concealing unease.

An unprecedented, tangible sense of control finally filled his heart.

"All officials, rise."

His voice deliberately slowed, bearing an attempt to imitate steadiness and dignity.

But listening closely, one could still detect a hint of sharpness that could not be fully concealed, the sharpness of a wish fulfilled.

Next came the customary measures after a new emperor's ascension.

Amnesty for all under heaven.

Naturally, this "all under heaven" refers only to the False Song territory on this side of the Light Curtain.

Bestowing rewards on officials.

According to closeness and utility, the rewards varied.

Honoring the empress dowager.

And, the most core item—changing the era name.

"I, having received the Mandate of Heaven and inherited the great mandate, shall strive to govern and restore peace."

Zhao Guangyi spoke loudly; this was a prepared speech.

"Starting from the first day of next year's first month, change the era name to... Tai Ping Xing Guo!"

As the four characters "Tai Ping Xing Guo" were spoken, the officials in the hall, whether sincere or not, all chorused: "Your Majesty is sage! Long live the emperor, long live, long long live!"

The sound waves reverberated in the great hall.

Zhao Guangyi slightly nodded, his face showing a hint of satisfaction.

Almost at the moment the era name "Tai Ping Xing Guo" was officially proclaimed and, from here, transmitted via some invisible rule network across the False Song territory;

In a certain dark dimension beyond ordinary sensory perception, attached to the "mirror Zhongyuan";

A mass of gloom, originally dim and nearly blending with the surrounding darkness, twitched violently.

A faint but real new force, like a stream flowing into a dry riverbed, began to infuse this mass of gloom.

The owner of the Iron Crow Army's long-dormant consciousness, nearly exhausted from depleted permissions, caught this confirmation feedback from the "script" level.

【Node confirmation: Zhao Guangyi's succession, era name changed to Tai Ping Xing Guo.】

【Historical deviation slight correction…… permission recovery procedure initiated……】

【Energy infusion…… consciousness activity increase……】

That will of indifference, like ancient ice, finally showed a faint ripple.

Although this recovery, compared to its former peak, is still a drop in the bucket;

Although it still cannot directly interfere in the real world's Chen Wen;

But this is undoubtedly a signal, a correct direction it has long awaited.

The "script", continues to roll forward in some distorted but fixed manner.

"Tai Ping Xing Guo..."

And Zhao Guangyi murmured in his heart at this moment.

This is a manifestation of his ambition, and also his hope for the future of this twisted dynasty.

He hopes that under his rule, this stifled "Song" can truly flourish, at least to surpass that damned Chen Dynasty opposite.

He hopes to end this north-south confronting "chaotic age" and achieve his envisioned "peace".

Despite this hope, to those in the know it appears how utterly slim.

After the enthronement ceremony ended, the real storm had only just begun.

Zhao Guangyi didn't even give himself much time to adjust to his new identity, and with thunderous means began a thorough purge of the court.

Officials who had kept their distance from him during Zhao Kuangyin's time, or who still attempted to stay neutral at the crucial juncture, were one after another sought out and removed from office.

A few generals who relied on their status as old ministers of Zhao Kuangyin and had slight objections to his succession were given nominal promotions but actual demotions, transferred away from positions of real power.

The vacated posts were quickly filled by his former retainers from the Jin Prince's mansion, as well as officials who had early on defected and displayed 'loyalty'.

For a time, the False Song court was rife with alarm, everyone feeling insecure.

The old pattern of interests was brutally shattered, and a new power network was rapidly woven under Zhao Guangyi's will.

He sought, at the utmost speed, to forge the entire court into an efficient tool that would obey only him.

At the same time, various established strategies against the Chen dynasty were being vigorously pursued in his name.

The economic confrontation continued, despite being at a disadvantage;

border military harassment and small-scale infiltration showed no decrease, only increase;

the lingering effects of the 'Bone-Corroding' plan were also urged to be prolonged and expanded as much as possible.

Zhao Guangyi fully understood that his elder brother's failure stemmed from being unable to defeat Chen Wen in direct confrontation.

He must therefore blaze a new trail, employing every means to exhaust, weaken, and drag down that formidable opponent.

The real Bian Liang, the Zichen Hall.

Reports detailing the False Song new emperor's enthronement, the change of era name to 'Taiping Xingguo,' and the ensuing court upheaval poured in incessantly through the Jing'an Si channels onto Chen Wen's desk.

Chen Wen read through them carefully.

He was not surprised by Zhao Guangyi's ascension.

This man had concealed his ambitions for years, ardent and ambitious, and now finally got his wish.

"Taiping Xingguo..."

Chen Wen softly repeated the era name, a hint of icy sternness flickering at the corner of his mouth.

"The name is not bad. But I fear that restoring the state is hopeless, and peace even harder."

He set the report down and looked toward the crown prince Chen Hong standing beside him.

"Hong'er, the False Song has changed masters and renewed its era. What do you think our dynasty should do in response?"

Chen Hong, now increasingly steady, heard this, pondered briefly, and replied calmly: "Father, although the False Song has a young ruler... uh, a new state full of suspicion, its interior unstable, yet its hostility toward our dynasty may be even greater than that of the previous regime."

"Zhao Guangyi, as soon as he ascended the throne, launched a massive purge aimed at consolidating his own position and integrating the interior."

"In the short term, he may somewhat sheath his blades due to internal rectification, but in the long run, a fully unified False Song, with upper and lower united, could pose an even greater threat."

"Your servant believes our dynasty should appear lax outwardly but be tight inwardly."

"On the surface, we can send envoys to congratulate according to ritual, displaying the magnanimity of a great power, which may somewhat reassure them and perhaps even foster their internal arrogance;"

"In secret, we must order the Jing'an Si to intensify scrutiny of the False Song's new elites, have the border garrisons heighten vigilance, and prevent them from taking risky adventures in a bid to establish prestige."

"At the same time, our dynasty should seize this opportunity to accelerate its own development—maritime trade, craftsmanship, agriculture; these are the foundations of national strength. The stronger we become, the weaker they grow."

Chen Wen listened, his eyes showing a hint of approval.

The crown prince's analysis had already grasped the essence of the matter, enabling him to see beneath the surface.

"Your words are excellent."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Then proceed accordingly. The congratulatory matter shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites, selecting appropriate personnel; the scale need not be grand, following precedent will suffice."

"As for border and Jing'an Si affairs, I will personally instruct Shi Dun and Qian Gui."

"As for internal development..."

Chen Wen turned his gaze to Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian.

"Minister Zhang, the new grain transport strategy and the promotion of the vortex machine need to be accelerated."

"Minister Zhao, at the Investigation of Things Institute, the practical testing of the 'vortex cannon' and the improvements to sea vessels' resistance to waves must be pressed forward."

"Your servant (minister) obeys the decree." Chen Hong, Zhang Cheng, and Zhao Lao Nian replied in unison.

After everyone departed having received their orders, Chen Wen sat alone in the hall, his fingers lightly tapping the imperial desk.

Zhao Guangyi's 'Taiping Xingguo' is more like a slogan-style motivation, attempting to rally the already illusory popular morale.

Its internal purge, in the short term, is a painful ordeal; but in the long run, if Zhao Guangyi's methods are sufficient, it could indeed forge a more aggressive machine.

But he is not overly worried.

The foundation of the False Song is built upon the Iron Crow Army's replicated 'mirror,' and upon a distorted history.

Its national strength ceiling is limited by the support the Iron Crow Army's master can provide, and also by the illusory nature of that land itself.

Whereas the Chen dynasty is rooted in reality, possessing a steadily accumulating, genuine Fortune Momentum.

One's gain is the other's loss; the overall trend lies on his side.

However, as he pondered, his heart inexplicably gave a faint throb.

An ineffable sensation, as if some cold thing were gazing at him again, flitted across his awareness.

It was slight, vanished in an instant, like an illusion.

But he is now highly attuned to Fortune Momentum and external perception, and instantly caught this trace of abnormality.

He frowned slightly, gazing northward, his eyes seeming to pierce the palace's obstruction toward the direction of that light screen.

"Could it be... because the new emperor's enthronement conforms to a 'node'?"

He thought to himself.

"That ghostly thing... seems to have recovered a bit because of this?"

This discovery cast another shadow over the mood that had just lightened slightly due to the crown prince's growth.

The master of the Iron Crow Army is ultimately a sword hanging over his head.

What he is now more concerned about, on the contrary, is the movements of the genuine Khitan to the north.

That woman Xiao Chuo, after Yelü Xian fell gravely ill, displayed political skill and daring that drew sideways glances.

She is the one who could become a truly formidable opponent in the future.

And… the master of the Iron Crow Army, who has long lain dormant and seems to have stirred up ripples again due to the push of the juncture.

Zhao Kuangyin, one of the most important "historical agents," has already passed away, but the progress of the "Script Song" was taken over by Zhao Guangyi, who successfully advanced the juncture.

That master, indeed as expected, began to recover.

"The Greeting of the End," when will it come, and in what form will it descend?

These thoughts swirled in his mind, bringing a faint pressure.

He drew a deep breath, suppressing the slight tightness in his chest that had welled up from overthinking.

Age spares no one.

His energy truly is not what it used to be.

He glanced at the memorials piled up like a mountain on the desk, then picked up the vermilion brush again.

The times are changing, and opponents are shifting.

But the burden he bears has never lessened.

He must, while he can still hold on, pave a longer road for this empire.

For the crown prince, to clear away more obstacles.

And to accumulate more strength for the eventual showdown with the behind‑the‑scenes black hand.

Peaceful Prosperity?

Chen Wen murmured to himself.

Peace in this world has never been achieved by shouting slogans, nor maintained by distorting history.

But by the struggle of blade and spear, by the laying of brick and tile, by the will of the people, and by the favor of Fortune Momentum.

He believes that the path he has chosen is not wrong.

The lights of Purple Purity Hall once again burned deep into the night.

On either side of the light curtain, two capitals, two monarchs, each with different thoughts, stepped into their respective new eras.

Old grudges have not dissipated with the wind; instead, under the new pattern, they are brewing new collisions.

And that pair of icy gazes emanating from the dark dimension, after gaining a hint of nourishment, once again turned toward this real world, bearing a desire to recover vitality and a deeper calculation.

The wheel of history continues along the trajectory it was forcibly deflected onto, yet stubbornly seeking its own direction, moving forward slowly.