Chapter 655: Opening Ceremony

Just as the Longyan Dynasty was still looking forward to the Longyun Games that Liu Zheng had created.

From the side of Liangzhou, Zheng Yue Ru was already on the road heading west.

According to the arrangements made by Liu Zheng and Qing Yangshuo, her goal was very clear.

The Putu Kingdom.

This was the only Islamic country in the Central Asia region that could go head-to-head with the Ottoman Empire.

Zheng Yue Ru sat in the horse carriage, looking at the introduction to the Putu Kingdom in her hand, her heart filled with surprise. She wouldn't have known if she hadn't looked, but one look gave her a shock. This country was truly a magical place. The Putu Kingdom itself had no resources to speak of; it was located amidst deserts and mountains, with barren land and a scarcity of water resources.

Yet, it was precisely such a place, the Putu Kingdom, that was terrifyingly powerful.

It was even enough to make the Ottoman Empire wary.

The young master said.

This is because of religion.

Zheng Yue Ru did not know why religion possessed such great magic. She only knew that she should follow the young master's instructions, form an alliance with this country, provide them with military supplies, and bring the seeds of that opium to them.

The young master said.

That is the Putu Kingdom's path to wealth.

With this support, they would be able to afford military supplies.

With military supplies, they could bring these seeds of the devil to Europe.

Even.

They could rely on this to destroy the entire Ottoman Empire.

Zheng Yue Ru had never doubted Liu Zheng.

And so, she headed west this time without a second thought.

The horse carriage traveled along an endless Asphalt Road. What Zheng Yue Ru saw was the Silk Road that had been forged by Liu Zheng... The Silk Road; the Putu Kingdom was precisely a key junction on this Silk Road. Open it up, form an alliance, provide support, and conquer.

In Liu Zheng's plan, there was no plan to send troops into the Middle East region.

After all, the Putu Kingdom was known as the "Graveyard of Empires."

Since ancient times, this place had been a site of endless war, and he did not intend to get involved. The soldiers from Liangzhou were not enough to handle that place.

Therefore.

He could only win through wisdom.

While winning the Putu Kingdom through wisdom, he was also calculating how to win over the whole of Asia through wisdom.

The Longyun Games seemed like a joke.

In reality, it was a measure to confirm the Longyan Dynasty's status as the true Celestial Empire.

This was also the first step in his plan to plot for Asia.

The demeanor of a great power, the sports meet of a great power.

Using the method of sports to awe these barbarians.

That was how he thought.

The Longyan imperial court naturally thought the same, and since the court thought so, the common people naturally thought so too.

Therefore.

When this day finally arrived, almost all of Jinghua was empty, with everyone sweating profusely.

Those who worked stopped working, and shops did not open. The crowds were surging, and the enthusiasm was overwhelming.

The Longyun Games would be held at a training ground on the outskirts of Longyan. During this period, this training ground had been transformed into an arena by the Ministry of Rites. Early in the morning, it was heavily guarded, with the Imperial Guard maintaining order at the scene, and the common people who had arrived early to claim their spots were filled with excitement.

From Jinghua to the outskirts, the road was filled with fluttering banners.

Xie Tianyao set off early in the morning, and surrounded by his ministers and the Imperial Guard, he stepped onto the Great Dao.

The common people cheered along the road once again, the atmosphere was high, and the sound was like a roaring sea.

"I have to say, this Liu Zheng really knows how to stir things up..."

Xie Tianyao was quite satisfied and chuckled.

Grand Eunuch Zhou laughed on the side: "Emperor, this Prefect Liu is indeed someone who excels at handling grand scenes."

Xie Tianyao laughed heartily upon hearing this.

It really was like that...

The scale of different people truly differed by a wide margin.

Some people seemed born to do great things. For example, Liu Zheng. There are some people who, if you ask them to do small things, they struggle. For instance, his own disappointing son, Xie Fang... Some people are suited for playing small conspiracies and petty tricks, like the late Xie Ling.

By comparison.

Xie Fang played with schemes.

Xie Ling played with plots.

Liu Zheng played with the Great Dao.

The Human Way, the Earthly Way, the Heavenly Way.

A single Longyun Games once again demonstrated the power of the Longyan Dynasty to these barbarians; this power was not just military, but also cultural confidence, artistic superiority, and the backing of financial and operational strength.

According to Liu Zheng's arrangements.

The opening ceremony of the Longyun Games began.

It was another breathtaking large-scale song and dance performance. This time, Xie Tianyao did not care about any barbarian elements, which made the scene even more beautiful and grand. The program that had been performed at the Birthday Ceremony was rearranged and performed again. It still brought a visual impact to the public.

At this moment, Xie Tianyao's state of mind was completely different.

Before, he was still annoyed by the appearance of the Sheng Tang Remnants.

Now.

He had already seen through everything and held all in contempt. If he could live for one more year, what was there to fear from the monsters and demons of the world?

The scene was magnificent and brilliant.

Majestic and grand.

The people watched, utterly intoxicated.

It was as if another golden age of Longyan was about to arrive.

No.

It had already arrived.

It was worth it.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

Therefore, when Xie Tianyao appeared in the arena, the entire crowd knelt, their cheers rising like mountains and seas, wave after wave, never-ending.

Xie Tianyao smiled faintly and raised his hand; the entire arena fell silent.

"Welcome, the delegations from each nation to enter!"

"Delegations from each nation, enter!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou shouted loudly.

Following this, gongs and drums clamored, and the common people celebrated joyously.

Regardless of what the final outcome might be, this lively scene was truly the most spectacular one had ever seen in their life; let's get excited!

The first delegation to enter was from the Wa nation, led by Mizuno Masashige.

This group was high-spirited and full of arrogance, looking as if they were determined to win.

The masses pointed at them, yet still offered them applause of goodwill.

The second to enter was from the Qiang Grassland. Compared to those "athletes" from the Wa nation, the people here were all burly and thick-set; their physiques alone were enough to inspire awe. When they emerged, they were quite intimidating. Naturally, they also drew a significant cheer from the entire arena.

The third to enter was Joseon. The clansmen led by Li Xuanya appeared slightly less remarkable. But because of the presence of Li Xuanya, this peerless beauty who intended to be "sent as a dowry" with the Longyang Princess, they still received the support and kind treatment of the Longyan people.

The scene was also very lively.

The fourth to enter came from the Western Regions...

The fifth to enter came from Central Asia.

The sixth to enter...

The atmosphere grew higher and higher.

The people, too, became increasingly expectant.

Just this entrance alone made people look forward to who would win and who would lose in this Longyun Games. This was a competition between nations, a contest that transcended war.

The people began to look forward to it.

What kind of spectacle would the Longyan Delegation, led by Prefect Liu, present?

Expectation!

Excitement!

The Longyan Delegation was naturally the grand finale to enter.

Therefore, once all the other delegations had already entered.

Almost everyone in the arena perked up, countless eyes looking toward the entrance simultaneously.

Prefect Liu surely wouldn't disappoint them, right?

At the same time that the sound of gongs and drums grew significantly louder.

The Longyan Delegation finally appeared together under the gaze of the masses.

However.

When they appeared.

Everyone was stunned.

Pfft...

Bang...

Huh?

What the!

What the hell is this!

Everyone in the arena, every single one of them, widened their eyes and stood frozen on the spot.

No...

Prefect Liu!

Are you serious!