The underworld place.
There is no beauty in the halls, high pavilions, deep palaces and secluded terraces, only monotonous black and white, silent and heavy, and you can't see the bottom.
Gloom, fear, death, desolation, decay, this is a desperate place for living things.
Deep in the palace, wisps of pitch-black aura continued to enter the hall from the void. On the throne, a pitch-black figure became more solid, and the aura became more eerie and weird.
Su Ming slowly opened his eyes, and a hint of joy flashed through his dark eyes, "There are great terrors and great opportunities between life and death. If it weren't for this last-ditch battle, I don't know how long it would take to reach the threshold of the realm of the soul."
In the battle in southern Xinjiang, the inner demon clone tried his best and was defeated secretly in the end. The outcome was already doomed and the glory had come to an end. Now he must keep a low profile and enter the realm of the soul as soon as possible.
The age of great strife has begun. Only Yuanshen monks are qualified to enter the chessboard. The rotten Great Zhou is riddled with holes. More and more ambitious people want to tear apart this dying dragon. Next piece of meat.
This was no longer just a mundane war, but a struggle between monks. In the past, Su Ming had not noticed it, and he did not react until the three sects paid so much attention to the matter in Southern Xinjiang.
The immortal way requires luck, and the luck of the human world is in decline. Although it is not as good as the immortal way, this luck is still extraordinary.
During the chaos of demons and evil spirits and the chaos of Yin Chao, the disciples of the three sects all went down the mountain to kill demons and preach the gospel everywhere. At that time, he was not the mirror master of Xuanjing Division.
But when he took charge of the Xuanjing Division and controlled the center of the Xuanjing Division with the selfless Sanskrit, all kinds of information came in one after another. In particular, the files of the three sects were extremely complicated, which also gave him a clearer understanding of the three sects. cognition.
The secular world and the world of immortality are almost two completely different worlds. Before Emperor Shenwu succeeded to the throne, except for the monks worshiped by the royal family, the rest of the monks basically had a contemptuous attitude towards the dynasty.
After all, once a monk enters the realm of Nascent Soul, he has a lifespan of a thousand years, and most dynasties only last a few hundred years.
Moreover, the dynasty's control over the world is also very weak. Except for the cities in various states, its ruling power at the grassroots level is almost zero. Sometimes the decrees cannot even control the towns.
There are also demons and devils running around causing chaos and harming living beings. Even the three sects are unwilling to provoke them and become enemies of them because they can't make a difference.
They can stop it for a while, but they cannot cure it forever. Once they leave, those demons will come back. Over time, they will slowly ignore the affairs of the mortal world.
However, at the time of the Demonic Rebellion and the Yinchao Rebellion, the resentment of the people had not yet broken out, and the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty was not as weak as it is now. According to past practices, the monks would not interfere in human affairs, but not only did they do it, but they also He also preached everywhere.
Although they did it secretly, they were still discovered by Xuanjing Division, but the old emperor ignored it. He longed for someone to help him deal with those messy things.
Only now did Su Ming understand that they went down the mountain to plant various seeds and compete for luck. Although only a very small number of monks came down the mountain, a single spark could start a prairie fire, and the chess pieces of the three sects were far from coming to the surface.
In the future, if Su Ming is unable to protect the Great Zhou, it is very likely that the final situation will be a dispute between the Four Powers, the three sects of Buddhism, Taoism and Demon, and the Great Zhou.
Of course, if he cannot resist the pressure from the three sects, perhaps Da Zhou will cease to exist. In a world of great strife, everything must be fought for, and luck is especially important.
It's like the world of immortality that was originally lying flat suddenly became involution. Everything must be fought for, and everything must be fought. If you don't fight, you will die.
"So it seems that I made the right move by destroying the Dragon Court of Great Zhou and intercepting the true dragon's energy." With the destruction of Dragon Court, the blessings and virtues accumulated by Great Zhou will be plundered, which also indirectly shortens the life of the old man. The emperor's longevity made him alone bear the backlash of the people's resentment.
Coupled with the rebellions in various places, the people's support gradually weakened. Under the attack of the two parties, Su Ming could conclude that the old emperor would not survive this summer.
If there is no reward for good and evil, there will be selfishness in everything.
The actions of Emperor Shenwu can be hidden from the eyes of the world, but they cannot be hidden from the reckoning of heaven. The gift of fate has already been marked with a price in secret.
As the energy of the true dragon continued to condense, Su Ming's robes gradually changed. A golden dragon surrounded his chest and abdomen, with a formidable aura.
Having mastered so much true dragon energy, he could build another dragon court at any time if he wanted to.
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Go to the capital.
As time went by, the old emperor's illness became more and more serious. Even in the late spring when flowers bloomed and everything revived, it was warm and warm outside, but the Yangxin Hall was chilly, and everywhere was filled with a strange and cold feeling.
On the dragon bed, the old emperor had become so thin that he was only skin and bones. He looked like a skeleton covered in human skin without any flesh and blood. His gray-yellow skin was dotted with black spots, and all he could see was a pair of ghostly eyes flashing all over his body.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Counselor has sent news that the matter in Southern Xinjiang has been completely settled." Cao Yuchen stood on one side and reported with a respectful expression.
Since Emperor Shenwu's illness has become more and more serious, and his mind has become more and more gloomy and irritable, there have been several batches of eunuchs and maids in the Yangxin Palace. Even Cao Yuchen, an old man who had served him for decades, had to be cautious and act cautiously.
"It's only been ten months since Southern Xinjiang was restored. Who took action?" The old emperor's eyes narrowed slightly, and a low and hoarse voice sounded in his throat.
"Your Majesty, the leader of the Demon Cult personally fought against the demon and finally killed him."
"Master of the Demon Cult? It's really a good plan to let one demon to deal with another demon. The two sects of Buddhism and Taoism are really good at planning." There was a bit of ridicule in his words.
"Your Majesty, in addition to the leader of the Demon Cult, both Kunlun and Shaolin sent people to participate in the battle, but Kunlun's people suffered heavy losses, and a real person almost died."
"Kunlun, who has always had a high self-esteem, actually suffered a loss? How interesting, where is the national master now?"
"The Imperial Master is now heading to the northwest, preparing to investigate the death of Mr. Chen."
"I won't read today's news. Let the cabinet discuss it with the prince. Everything should be stable." After saying that, the old emperor closed his eyes, very tired.
"I excuse you, my servant." Cao Yuchen bowed respectfully and left slowly.
After Cao Yuchen disappeared, a sudden voice sounded in the hall, "Aren't you afraid that he will find something in the northwest?" A treasure mirror flew up from the bookshelf and hung in front of the old emperor, with a figure that resembled a lake on the mirror. Faintly visible.
"The old affairs have been dealt with by the frontier army. Even if he is asked to investigate, what can he find? Unless he can control the entire northwest frontier army."
"Besides, even if he finds out, he can't get around that thing. If they have a conflict, I will be happy." The old emperor closed his eyes slightly and said softly.
A sigh came from Baojian, "Oh, Xuanjing Division finally waited for a Yuanshen monk, but you just dragged him to the northwest. Do you still want to check and balance?"
Suddenly, the old emperor opened his eyes, looked at Baojian, and said coldly, "At this point, I have to let go. Even the elixir cannot extend my life. God's will is like this, and there is nothing I can do about it. But, The government cannot be in chaos. If Pudu Cihang intervenes hastily, it may cause changes outside the government. Even I can't figure out what he is thinking."
"Haha, it's only now that you think of stabilizing the government. Don't you think it's too late?"
"I can help him up, and I can also pull him down, but I can't help him!" When he said this, a ruthless look appeared in the old emperor's eyes.
"What happened during your lifetime and your reputation after your death, you left such a mess. This situation is no better than when you took the throne. Do you really think you can still control the situation now?"
"You..." It seemed that he touched a painful point, and Emperor Shenwu became a little angry.
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Wenyuan Pavilion.
Prince Li Xian, wearing a black python robe, was sitting in the main hall, grading memorials. Beside him was a eunuch who was in charge of rituals and was waiting, preparing to send the rectified memorials to the cabinet.
Although Li Xian was supervising the country at this time, there was no trace of joy in his heart, because he found that the Great Zhou Dynasty was already riddled with wars, wars were everywhere, and natural and man-made disasters continued. Looking around, there were already three people in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. A rebellion broke out in one of the places.
This is also the reason why the old emperor was willing to let Li Xian supervise the country. Government affairs were too complicated. Even if the old emperor repeatedly reduced them and only read important memorials, he still lacked energy and could not continue.
As a last resort, he could only delegate power and at the same time send a certain signal to the courtiers. However, at this time, the courtiers dare not act rashly.
"Lie to Kangxi"
Even if the prince supervises the country, the courtiers have not changed their positions. Should it be a princeling or a princeling? Should it be the party of the King of Qi or the party of the King of Qi? As for the royalists, they don't even dare to give a shit.
They had been secretly dealt with by the prince and the Qi royal party before, and even the cabinet ministers had acquiesced to it. Now, they dare not say anything.
Knowing that the night was getting dark and it was approaching midnight, Li Xiancai processed most of the memorials on the imperial eucalyptus.
Over the past few days, various memorials have been sent to him from all over the country, and they were all complicated. Although this was not the first time for him to supervise the country, Li Xian still did not dare to be careless. He approved every detail of the matter, because The current situation was becoming more and more corrupt, and he did not dare to relax, lest it cause even greater changes.
"The country's affairs are difficult." Li Xian rubbed his eyebrows, his face full of exhaustion, shook his head and stood up from the throne. The large crown robes on his body made him look a little thin.
In addition to the court situation, he also focused part of his attention on Li Nian. Ever since his father was seriously ill and ordered him to supervise the country, his second brother fell silent, and his officials did not make any moves. They suddenly stopped. .
But the more times this happened, the less he dared to act rashly against Li Nian. Even though he knew that he was secretly harboring evil intentions and had other plans, he still did not dare to act rashly.
The current situation in the government is worse than calm. It has finally settled down and is doing things attentively. If he provokes party strife again, the central government will be in chaos. Once the central government is in chaos, the control over the local areas will be weakened. The world is already enough. If there is chaos, if rebels from various places take this opportunity to expand their territory and advance bravely.
Even if he finally defeated his second brother and ascended the throne, he might become the king of subjugation by then.
This ending was the last thing he wanted to see.
Therefore, after supervising the country, he did not deliberately deal with officials in the King of Qi's party, but handled business affairs impartially and impartially. Of course, he was not completely devoid of action. He also mixed in a lot of sand secretly.
Not dealing with him now does not mean that he will not be dealt with in the future. When he ascends to the throne of God, the huge Qi King's party in the court will definitely deal with him, and there is no chance that there will be a war of weapons.
Thinking of this, his heart became more complicated. His father rotated the imperial army and the border army, which made his decades of efforts in vain, which meant that he had no military power at all.
But he also understood that as long as his father did not die, he would not let go of his military power.
······
Prince Qi's Mansion.
Li Nian was sitting in the pavilion. He was wearing blue uniforms and holding fish food in his hand. From time to time, he sprinkled a handful of it into the lake, attracting more than a dozen koi carps to fight for it.
Watching the fish competing for food, he gradually fell into deep thought...
Since Prince Li Xian took charge of the country, Qi King Li Nian has not gone to court, but even if he does not go to court, he is fully aware of everything that happens in the court.
Although he and Li Xian had a dispute over the throne, he was not stupid. It was not wise to initiate a party dispute when the old emperor was not dead and the situation in the Great Zhou Dynasty was corrupt.
In fact, he has been preparing secretly. As soon as the old emperor dies, it will be a decisive battle between the two of them. No matter what means are used, whoever can ascend to the throne of God will be the ultimate winner.
Therefore, no matter how many things happened in the court, they did not attract his attention at all.
With the help of Queen Chen and the Chen family, he has far more chess pieces at his disposal than he lets on.
······
Just when the situation in the court showed an eerie tranquility, Su Ming stepped into the northwest.
The northwest land, close to the prairie, was the first line of defense against the Tatars in the steppe. The imperial court established a border town here, with hundreds of thousands of troops stationed all year round.
These soldiers and horses were left behind when the Great Zhou Dynasty swept across the world. Although they are not as good as before, they can still be regarded as an elite force.
In the northwest, trade is extremely prosperous.
Merchants from the Western Regions and the prairie gathered here, and various rare treasures attracted merchants from all over the world, creating abnormal prosperity.
But since the blood sacrifice of a whole city of Yongning City, the prosperity of the northwest has gradually declined. Although there are still merchants who are not afraid of death and take risks, the flow of merchants is still not as good as before.
When Su Ming stepped into the northwest, his first impression here was that of desolation, with yellow sand filling the sky, and sparse vegetation covering the surface. Rivers and grasslands could only be seen after walking far away.
He did not summon the secret guards of the Xuanjing Division, because he already knew that the Xuanjing Division in the entire northwest was useless. It was like a sieve. Instead of leaking his whereabouts, he might as well hide in secret, maybe he could find something.
