Chapter 119: Several Methods to Become an Emperor

On the spot, because of the Marshal's words, the atmosphere throughout the Yongle Dadian grew solemn.

It was not for any other reason; truly, although this old Marshal was merely at the Third Turn and his personal martial prowess was unremarkable, he held command of a hundred thousand Imperial Guards.

These hundred thousand Imperial Guards, combined with inherited military formation techniques and supported by several Second-Turn cultivators and over a dozen First-Turn cultivators, would force even a Fourth-Turn powerhouse to avoid their sharp edge if they charged head-on in battle.

A hundred years ago, it was precisely by relying on millions of mighty troops that the late Emperor felt the world could be seized, leading to the principle that one must pacify the interior before dealing with the exterior, which gave rise to that tragedy of trampling the Jianghu.

Now, although the numbers have shrunk by over ninety percent, the highest cultivation level present at this moment is merely the Third Turn; anyone who sees this would have to shrink back.

"Ahem, Old Marshal Yang, do not be so agitated."

Prince Qing coughed lightly to ease the awkward atmosphere in the hall: "This Prince has already consulted the Profound Heaven Gate, but even the Imperial Preceptor cannot ascertain the true culprit, so while we seek out the true culprit, we must first settle the throne to stabilize the people's hearts."

"If even the true culprit cannot be found, who knows if the Crown Prince we settle on secretly aligns with the traitor's intentions." Facing the Prince, Old Marshal Yang finally softened his tone, becoming less aggressive.

"It is very simple; I have already consulted the heads of the major sects, and after serious discussion, we have arrived at a method that no one can find fault with." As Prince Qing spoke, his brows involuntarily furrowed downward.

Upon hearing these words, everyone present held their breath; the results of those Fourth-Turn powerhouses, it seemed, must be seriously considered.

"According to the Martial Restriction Decree, and excluding the few who are of unsuitable age, there are seven in the current court who meet the criteria, all of whom are the Emperor's own daughters."

Prince Qing paused halfway through his sentence and said: "Therefore, those Fourth-Turn powerhouses have decided... to draw lots to choose the Emperor."

Draw—lots?

The atmosphere in the hall first fell silent, then a huge uproar erupted.

"What the hell are you saying!" Old Marshal Yang roared; were it not for the other party's status as a Prince, he would have punched the speaker until he exploded.

"Outrageous, simply an insult to propriety; how can the matter of ascending the throne be handled so rashly!"

"It makes this old man furious, simply makes this old man furious; is this something that can be joked about so casually?"

Apart from the Marshal, all the civil and military officials in the court wore expressions of righteous indignation.

This was too bullying; choosing an Emperor by drawing lots, this was the conclusion reached by those Fourth-Turn cultivators; truly, they were just Jianghu roughnecks.

If they were not unable to defeat them, they would probably have carried out another trampling of the Jianghu.

An Emperor chosen by drawing lots was simply a child's game, the greatest insult to the dynasty!

Facing the angry gazes of the entire hall, Prince Qing also said awkwardly: "Although it is indeed a child's game, those Fourth-Turn cultivators also provided a relatively reasonable explanation."

"Since we do not know who the culprit is, the culprit's goal must be to support one of those seven to ascend the throne; in that case, directly choosing one of them as the Emperor by the most rash method, even the culprit would absolutely not expect it."

There was another reason that Prince Qing could not state openly.

That was that the election of the Emperor was actually not truly important for the stability of the Jiangshan.

The courtiers present looked young, but in reality, they had all practiced martial arts; on average, they were centenarians on the Path to Heaven, with lifespans of two or three hundred years.

Among them, at least a dozen had the glorious resume of outliving three generations of mortal Emperors.

And when a person lives for a long time, what scenes have they not seen?

Watching themselves live through year after year, the Emperor, who is the Son of Heaven, instead became like leeks, changing every few decades; respect for imperial power had long been ground away bit by bit by time.

To speak some words of great disrespect, sometimes these people would even have the thought in their minds that being an Emperor was not as good as themselves.

In the hands of this group of long-lived courtiers, as long as the Emperor was not a madman, the governance of the country could remain relatively peaceful.

Moreover, in the current situation where the Great Expansion dominates all major powers and imperial power is infinitely weakened, as long as it is a royal bloodline, does it really matter who is chosen?

"Inappropriate, inappropriate; how can the Emperor's ascension be so rash? It should be the will of the people; I recommend the Eldest Princess Jiang Li; among all the princesses, she has the longest seniority and the most experience, and will surely lead the Great Expansion to prosperity."

A courtier jumped out, only to be met with collective disdainful glances.

Because the person speaking was precisely the head of the Jiang family; this act blatantly revealed his intentions.

Moreover, the Eldest Princess originally had absolutely no right of succession; given that the deaths of the Emperor and the Crown Prince were so suspicious, the Jiang family's suspicion was actually the greatest.

Following this opening, the ministers below began to speak their own minds, recommending their own candidates with righteous words for their respective interests.

Since it concerned interests, the entire Yongle Dadian immediately erupted into endless noise.

A large portion of them had risen to power based on meritorious service in following a certain dragon; naturally, they were clear on the importance of the throne changing hands.

Who the Emperor was did not matter to them, but the power in the Emperor's hands was very important to them.

At this moment, when this group of martial artists argued within the Yongle Dadian, it was even more like a surging river that flowed endlessly.

The sound shook the golden roof continuously.

But the more they argued, the less they could reach a result.

The more reasonable the argument, the more it looked like the true culprit who murdered the late Emperor.

The courtiers who knew they were white lotuses felt their true anger rise even more during the mutual cursing, thinking to themselves that they, as loyal subjects, could lose, but that son of a bitch, the true culprit who murdered the Emperor, must not win!

Amidst the constant debate, the thoughts that had just been cast aside gradually rose in the hearts of these courtiers.

Could it be... that we really must draw lots?

Setting aside the topic within the Yongle Dadian, inside the sedan chair, Ye Qingshi curiously watched Fang Can fiddling with the broadsword and asked: "Ah Can, what are you doing?"

"Considering whether I can melt and recast this blade," Fang Can said while playing with the broadsword.

"I am considering how to cast it into a spear or a staff; the broadsword does not quite fit my aesthetic, it is too clumsy."

According to Li Xiangyang's account, the inheritance of martial artists will not easily change as long as their will remains unextinguished.

Even if Shanhe shifts and dynasties change, the will of martial artists always runs through ancient and modern times.

Therefore, even if this sacrificial vessel is melted and recast, the effects within it will not change; since that is the case, it is better to simply melt it down and recast it.

The only problem now is, what is the melting point of this broadsword?

Don't make it like Adamantium; once formed, it is very difficult to change.

Just as Fang Can was tinkering with the broadsword in his hand, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the room.

"Open the door," Fang Can said, raising his eyes; the several maidservants attending him naturally stepped forward to open the main door.

"Master, we have arrived at Cangren City; do you wish to get out of the sedan chair and walk around?" Ye Yonglie asked respectfully.

"Fine, I was just getting tired of staying in the sedan chair," Fang Can readily agreed, turning his head to look at Ye Qingshi and smiling: "My Young Lady Ye, will you accompany me to go out for a stroll?"

Under her father's gaze, suddenly asked such a question, the girl's ears flushed red.

"Mm, then I'll trouble you." The girl nodded lightly with feigned sternness, her pale hand gently extended and was pulled up by Fang Can; obediently she said to Ye Yonglie, "Then Father, Fang Can and I will go out first."

"Remember to stay safe, and don't lead the Divine Lord astray." Ye Yonglie had no objection.

Since the Divine One, this jadeite cabbage, intended to lower her tone to court her own little cabbage, there was nothing to do but support it.

(End of this chapter)