Chapter 536: Life and Death, Survival and Perish

The Longyan Emperor, Xie Tianyao.

His birthday is the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

He ascended the throne as emperor at the age of thirty-six.

This year is already the thirty-seventh year of the Pingyu era.

By calculation, he is already seventy-two years old.

In an ancient era where the average life expectancy did not exceed forty-five, this is already considered a very advanced age.

Therefore.

His birthday every year is a grand event. The Ministry of Rites often begins preparing for the following year's birthday immediately after the current one concludes. Every time in Jinghua, it is incomparably luxurious, filled with brilliant lights and vibrant, extraordinary bustle.

Longyan has a very strong capacity for tolerance; since ancient times, it has been like the sea, accepting all rivers.

Therefore, on this day, ten thousand dynasties come to pay homage, singing praises of the prosperous Longyan era.

Starting from last month, people have been arriving in the Capital one after another, waiting for this grand event. Horse carriage after horse carriage of lavish gifts are being hauled into Jinghua. In the sixth month, Jinghua is the most bustling and world-renowned place to be.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Ma Zhizhong, has been incredibly busy lately.

Just tallying the gifts sent by these people is enough to make his head spin.

"It's truly strange this year; the gifts brought by every Messenger seem to exceed those of previous years?"

Ma Zhizhong frowned slightly, pondering this matter.

Just looking at the small country of Loulan in the Western Regions, the gifts they sent this time are astonishing. Many are imported goods from the Western Ocean; even for them, who can be considered local power-brokers in the Capital, there are many fine things they have never seen before.

"Oh, my lord, isn't this a good thing?"

A subordinate laughed: "This shows that our Longyan is a Celestial Empire, and the Emperor's grace extends to the four seas. Those barbarian Feudatory Kings naturally come to offer more tribute, seeking to be civilized."

Ma Zhizhong gave a cold laugh: "You, your perspective is too narrow, too narrow..."

The two of them tallied the items while directing people to store them in the warehouse.

The subordinate was stunned: "Oh? How so, my lord?"

Ma Zhizhong gave a faint smile: "Xiao Wang, remember this: these barbarians are all like bone-eating maggots. If you are truly strong, they will come and grovel at your feet. We know the Emperor's temperament; he will reward double whatever others send! But this posture this year..."

The subordinate's expression changed instantly.

Ma Zhizhong was indeed correct.

The Longyan Dynasty has always desired that sense of prestige as a Celestial Empire. Self-proclaimed as a Celestial Empire, no matter how much those Feudatory Kings offered in tribute each year, they would reward them with double the value in return! It was nothing more than for the sake of face, for the sake of grandeur, for the sake of being imposing.

However, this year...

Ma Zhizhong sensed a hint of something wrong.

Almost all the Feudatory Kings had doubled their tribute this time. Is it because they are more respectful to the Longyan Dynasty?

No.

They have their own agendas.

Everyone knows that Xie Tianyao's health has been deteriorating day by day this year.

Suddenly.

He was struck with horror.

These Feudatory Kings want to hollow out the Longyan Dynasty this time! The wolfish ambition of these people is evident!

What are they trying to do?

He was startled and quickly turned around, running toward the Shangshu Mansion in a cold sweat.

The sixth month is considered the hottest time in the Longyan Dynasty.

Liu Zheng and his party traveled and stopped intermittently.

In any case, there was still plenty of time, and there was no rush to hurry.

This time, for Xie Tianyao's birthday, the Nine Regional Commanders of the Longyan Dynasty must also take this opportunity to return to the Capital to report on their duties. In the Longyan Dynasty, this is a major event. This time, Liu Dahao and Liu Zheng naturally could not avoid it.

Plus, the Princess is returning to the palace.

Liangzhou has actually become the focus of the entire Longyan Dynasty's attention this time.

Of course, the always-imposing Liangzhou Prefecture would not let these onlookers down. Following this honor guard were fifty horse carriages full of lavish gifts! Thirty of them were filled entirely with premium fine wine. The other twenty contained glass crafts, Perfume, and Soap; in short, all the good things from Yintan City were there. Among these, naturally, were not just birthday gifts for Xie Tianyao, but also for those big shots in Jinghua.

How imposing!

The uniform Liangzhou Army was mighty and majestic.

The colorful glass on the horse carriages dazzled everyone along the way.

Liu Zheng was still sitting in the front, with Pei Qianyun, who had returned to Liangzhou a few days ago, on his left, and the current Right General of Liangzhou, Jiang Xuan, on his right. Jiang Xuan, in full military attire, came to Liu Zheng's side at this moment and gave a cheeky grin: "Young Master, Her Highness the Princess said that if no letter is sent tonight, she will punish you for your crimes!"

"Ah?"

Liu Zheng gave an awkward smile: "Forgot, forgot, take it quickly, take it quickly."

Isn't it just some cheesy love notes?

Could this possibly stump him? He could write hundreds a day without repeating a single one.

He grabbed a handful from his pocket, picked one at random, and had Jiang Xuan send it to Xie Chan.

Afterward.

Liu Zheng narrowed his eyes, looking at the terrain ahead. The sun had been too intense these past few days, making people feel restless. But he knew that this trip to Jinghua was actually fraught with danger at every turn.

Just as Qingyang Shuo had said.

Where did Xie Ling go? If the current Xie Ling were to return to Jinghua in disgrace, he would truly have lost in the struggle for the succession.

He would definitely find a way to turn the tables!

The Longyan Dynasty has strict laws; when a Feudatory King enters the Capital or goes to other territories, unless it is for urgent military affairs, they can bring at most three thousand soldiers. Last time the Xiongnu raided Longyan, the Prince of Wei only brought three thousand armored soldiers for this very reason.

Not to mention that a Regional Commander is not even equal to a Feudatory King in rank.

Because of the reason of escorting the Princess, being able to bring three thousand soldiers was already a special permission from the imperial court.

Therefore.

If Xie Ling wanted to gather a group of death soldiers on the road and do something to this party, it would actually not be difficult.

A mad dog.

At this moment, Xie Ling was a mad dog.

Liu Zheng had to be careful everywhere.

……

This mad dog.

Had already appeared in Pingzhou at this time.

Deep in the mountains of Pingzhou, his sinister eyes swept across the death soldiers he had raised for so long.

Fifty thousand death soldiers!

They were all equipped with the most high-end Weaponry and Equipment produced by Yintan City, and they had all received training in the latest battle formations of Yintan City! Even the instructors responsible for training them were all mid-level officers that Xie Ling had spent a great deal of money to poach from within the Liangzhou Army!

Mandarin Duck Formation!

All kinds of formations!

This was originally the final trump card of the faction belonging to Xie Ling, the Empress, and Prince Lu.

But at this time, Xie Ling had no choice but to bring it out.

"His Highness... you must think about this again..."

Prince Lu sighed, supporting the trembling Xie Ling, and gave one last piece of advice.

Xie Ling leaned on his cane, his face pale, and stared at Prince Lu with sinister eyes.

The latter lowered his head, not daring to say a single word.

Only then did Xie Ling slowly look at these fifty thousand death soldiers of his and shout angrily: "Brothers, the moment of life and death has arrived!"

Fifty thousand men felt their bodies jolt, and they stood straight.