Chapter 445

False Song, Bianjing, Huangcheng Grand Celebration Hall.

Today was not a grand court assembly, yet the atmosphere in the hall was several degrees more solemn than usual, even carrying a barely perceptible restlessness.

Emperor Zhao Heng sat upon the throne, his visage less youthful inexperience than at his accession, more a deliberately maintained dignity, yet deep in his eyes lay an inexpressible longing and… unease.

Several senior officials stood on either side, including Chancellor Li Hang and Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Military Affairs Wang Dan, among others.

But today's protagonist was the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy, an old man with white beard and hair, wearing a specially tailored official robe.

He held a jade tablet, his voice trembling slightly from excitement as he reported to the emperor and the assembled officials a 'heaven-shaking' discovery.

"Your Majesty! We have observed celestial phenomena for days, watched the constellations at night, and discovered auspicious light hidden beside the Emperor Star in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure—pure white in color, shaped like a scroll!"

The Director's voice echoed in the hall, carrying an almost sacred tone.

"This is an omen of supreme nobility! According to the 'Celestial Officials' Book' and the 'Kaiyuan Divination Classic,' this is… this is a portent of the imminent arrival of the Heavenly Book! It shows that Your Majesty's virtue moves heaven, and an unparalleled auspicious sign will descend to manifest our Great Song's Mandate of Heaven and enduring reign!"

"As soon as the words 'Heavenly Book' were spoken, it was like throwing a boulder onto a calm lake!"

The hall instantly erupted in an uncontrollable clamor.

Many officials wore looks of surprise and doubt, whispering to each other;

while some officials' eyes lit up, as if they had seen a tremendous opportunity.

Seated Zhao Heng imperceptibly leaned forward, his breath seeming to quicken slightly.

Since his accession, though he has governed diligently, to the north lie powerful barbarians, and to the east stretches a north‑south spanning light‑curtain anomaly that severs inside from outside and breeds unease; his heart has always lacked the firm confidence of being 'mandated by heaven.'

At this moment, the prophecy 'the Heavenly Book approaches' was like a shot of adrenaline, striking straight at his deepest yearning.

"What you say, beloved minister… is it true?"

Zhao Heng's voice carried a barely perceptible hoarseness.

"I stake my life on it—there is no falsehood!"

The Director of Astronomy prostrated himself on the ground, his tone resolute and unyielding.

"Such auspicious signs are rare through the ages! Your Majesty should fast and bathe, awaiting heaven's grace!"

Chancellor Li Hang frowned, stepped forward, and spoke in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, celestial phenomena are remote and hard to fully discern. What the Bureau of Astronomy says may have some basis, but the talk of a 'Heavenly Book' is overly abstruse. The essence of governance lies in cultivating virtue and pacifying the people, with feet on the ground. The eastern light‑curtain remains unexplained, and the Khitan stare hungrily at our northern borders—this is where the state's worries lie. If we overly pursue auspicious signs, it may not bless the nation and could easily foster flattery; I urge Your Majesty to be cautious."

His character is upright; he has always disliked such illusions, speaking bluntly, and directly placed the more tangible threat of the 'eastern light‑curtain' alongside the Khitan.

Immediately another official stepped forward to rebut:

"Chancellor Li, you are mistaken! Heaven‑sent auspicious signs are clear proof that Your Majesty's virtue moves heaven—how could they be false? Though the eastern light‑curtain is an anomaly, the descent of the Heavenly Book shows that the Mandate of Heaven resides in our Great Song; why worry? This is heaven's affirmation of our Song, which can rally the people and display legitimacy. To ignore it would be to neglect heaven's will."

"Minister Wang's words are absolutely correct!"

Others echoed in agreement.

"The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' also records, 'When qilin and phoenix appear in the outskirts, the River Luo produces charts and books'—auspicious signs manifesting indicate the emergence of a sage ruler! Your Majesty, having inherited the great lineage, ought to follow heaven and respond to the people; how can you abandon food because of a choke?"

Supporters and opponents resumed their debate.

Supporters often spoke of 'the Mandate of Heaven's return' and 'uniting the people,' even regarding the 'Heavenly Book' as a tool to counter the anxiety brought by the eastern light‑curtain;

while opponents worried about 'exhausting the people and wasting wealth' and 'corrupting morals,' believing the urgent task was to confront real border troubles and anomalies.

Zhao Heng listened to the argument below, his complexion shifting unpredictably.

Li Hang's frankness displeased him, yet that rationality gave him a hint of clarity;

but the tremendous allure of the 'Heavenly Book,' together with the satisfaction of 'bearing heaven's mandate,' was like a spell, firmly drawing him in, as if it could dispel all the gloom born of that mysterious eastern light‑curtain.

Just then, the long‑silent Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Wang Dan, slowly stepped forward.

He first glanced at the Director of Astronomy, his gaze deep, as if he could see into hearts, causing the Director to lower his head involuntarily.

Then he turned to Zhao Heng, his tone calm yet weighty:

"Your Majesty, the discussion of celestial phenomena is profound and mysterious—if you believe, it exists; if not, it does not. Chancellor Li's concerns are the words of an experienced statesman governing the realm, not to be ignored. Yet, if auspicious signs truly appear, they too are the result of Your Majesty's virtue."

He subtly shifted his tone.

"I think we could have the Bureau of Astronomy continue close observation and detailed recording. If a genuine anomaly appears, Your Majesty may treat it with reverence, fast a few days—there is no harm in that. However, state affairs are myriad; the eastern light‑curtain, the northern border beacon fires—ultimately they must be addressed through human effort. The reality of auspicious signs pales beside a single border soldier and his rations."

He neither outright denied nor blindly supported, but redirected focus to 'personnel' and 'practical matters,' again emphasizing the real pressure of the eastern light‑curtain and the northern frontier, giving the emperor an exit and attempting to keep any impact within bounds.

Hearing this, Zhao Heng's tense expression eased slightly; he pondered a moment and nodded.

"What Minister Wang says aligns well with my wishes. Following this opinion, let the Bureau of Astronomy continue observing; report any change immediately. I… shall also calm my mind and fast, awaiting heaven's will."

He paused, then looked toward Li Hang.

"Yet Chancellor Li's words are also loyal counsel; state affairs must not be neglected."

A court dispute sparked by celestial phenomena was temporarily suppressed.

But the seed of the 'Heavenly Book' had already been planted, quietly sprouting in the hearts of the emperor and some officials.

Chen Dynasty, a quiet chamber in a private estate.

Chen Wen, in deep meditation, had his mind and spirit merge with the mysterious Shi Yong.

He had not deliberately focused on the False Song court, yet a strong, distorted Fortune Momentum surge erupted like a filthy whirlpool beyond the light‑curtain, in the region representing the False Song's power core!

This surge was not a positive ripple from livelihood improvement or technological innovation, but rather… an artificially catalyzed, false aura of 'prosperity' and 'Mandate of Heaven,' full of pretense and ostentation, yet hollow and fragile at its core.

What made Chen Wen's mind shudder was that, within this distorted Fortune Momentum wave, he clearly sensed the familiar, icy trace of dark energy belonging to the Iron Crow Army!

They acted like invisible hands, covertly guiding and amplifying this false Fortune Momentum!

"Indeed… they are meddling behind the scenes again!"

Chen Wen snapped his eyes open, a cold light flashing in his pupils.

"This time, do they intend to use this false 'Mandate of Heaven' to delude the people, solidify that puppet emperor's rule, and even counter the doubts the 'light‑curtain' raises in that realm, so their 'script' can proceed smoothly?"

Almost simultaneously, Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru hurried in, bringing detailed information about the False Song court's dispute over the 'Heavenly Book.'

"My lord, the False Song's Bureau of Astronomy has put forth the 'Heavenly Book approaches' claim; court debate is fierce. Emperor Zhao Heng is clearly moved, fortunately Li Hang spoke plainly and Wang Dan mediated, so no grand proclamation yet, but the emperor has begun fasting."

Zhang Cheng spoke very quickly.

Wang Ru added:

"The Pacification Bureau's planted spy report in the Astronomy Bureau shows that recently several unidentified 'visitors' have secretly contacted the Director of the Astronomy Bureau. Their manner of operation closely resembles the 'Nether Shadow' controlled by the Iron Crow Army. This is surely a play meticulously plotted by the Iron Crow Army to advance its historical juncture."

Chen Wen gave a cold snort.

"Feigning mysticism, deceiving the masses! Such conduct, how base!"

He walked up to the map, his gaze sharp as he looked westward, as if he could pierce the void and see the clamor beyond that light curtain.

They intend to use 'Heaven's Will' to gloss over peace, numb the superiors and subordinates, but we will tear open this disguise!

He pondered briefly, then gave the order decisively.

Notify Lu Ming: in the next conversation with Li Yuan, there's no need to be vague!

One may speak plainly: 'The heavenly phenomena are distant and obscure, hard to fathom; those who govern should prioritize personnel affairs and cultivate virtuous governance; with the eastern border light curtain still unclear, pragmatism is especially needed; if one abandons the root for the branches, indulging in auspicious omens, it will not only be useless but harmful.'

We must alert Li Yuan so he sees the absurdity and danger behind this! Guide him to join pragmatic officials such as Li Hang and Wang Dan, forming a clearer consensus, and do our utmost to dissuade the emperor from excessive involvement in this!

Yes!

Zhang Cheng solemnly obeyed.

Li Yuan, having been guided by us, is already inclined toward pragmatism; furthermore, his upright nature means that upon hearing this news he will surely become wary. By having him convey this idea to his close circle and even to Li Hang and others, a clear-headed force can be formed.

Wang Ru felt somewhat worried.

My lord, being so direct, might this draw the Iron Crow Army's attention to Lu Ming?

Chen Wen's gaze was deep.

"The risk certainly exists, but this matter concerns the future direction of the False Song's customs; if this 'Heavenly Book' ploy succeeds, the harm will be endless. We must stop it at the outset."

Order Lu Ming to gauge his stance, to speak as a concerned scholar-official rather than deliberately targeting. The Iron Crow Army's focus now is largely on making this act more convincing; its surveillance of scholarly criticism may not be comprehensive.

We understand!

The orders were swiftly issued.

Chen Wen stood alone in the quiet room, feeling that distant nauseating false Fortune Momentum still churning.

The struggle over heavenly phenomena is not about celestial orbits, but about people's hearts and minds, and about the principles of governance.

What the Iron Crow Army wants is a dynasty paralyzed by the 'Mandate of Heaven', more reliant on 'Divine Traces' because of the eastern border light curtain, thus acting according to the script—a puppet regime.

And what he seeks to awaken is the clarity and courage to stand firm in reality and dare to face the truth behind the western border light curtain.

This silent contest has quietly unfolded between the heavenly phenomena and the imperial court.