It was raining heavily in the sky, and the dusk was dark, giving me an indescribable feeling of depression.
In front of the palace gate, a group of officials put down their rain gear, handed it to their attendants, walked into a quiet room to tidy up their appearance, and then Shi Shiran entered the palace.
Under the guidance of the chamberlain, they came to Qianqing Palace.
The bead curtains of the palace locks, and the smoke like clouds fills the hall, exuding a delicate fragrance, which makes people feel refreshed and energetic. The furnishings in the hall remain the same, without much change.
However, after entering the hall, the ministers seemed to notice something was wrong. They looked at each other and saw the solemn look in each other's eyes.
In the Imperial Study Room, Li Waner was dressed in black regular clothes, with the red dragon pattern on the hem moving with her, as if she were alive. Today she did not wear makeup or extra jewelry, and her black silk stockings had already been tied up with a purple hairband. Behind his head, his eyebrows are filled with nobility and majesty.
Except for the exaggerated chest muscles, she looked like an unparalleled handsome young lady. At this moment, she was leaning on the eucalyptus to write, holding a purple pen in her slender hand, writing smoothly and with strong strokes. She noticed the footsteps, but she didn't Raise your head and wait until you finish writing a word before putting down the pen.
At this moment, there are more than a dozen officials waiting in the hall, "You are here."
"I am here to see you, Your Majesty." Everyone calmed down and bowed their hands in salute.
"Get flat."
"Xiao Lu, I'll serve tea and give you a seat." Li Waner returned to sit on the soft couch. The maid beside her signaled and quickly brought the chair, and then served tea and snacks.
Several officials looked at their noses, mouths, and hearts. The old god was there and did not refuse. The feeling that Her Majesty the Empress gave them today was very different from the past. If before, her attitude towards her ministers was like a spring breeze and tolerant. If you are generous, then you are a little casual now, as if you are lifting a weight lightly and have the overall situation under control.
Although there was no change on the surface, her confidence and the way she spoke carried a sense of life and death that could not be discussed.
The ministers here also know where Li Waner's confidence comes from. With the support of Buddhism, she no longer has to worry about the attitude of the aristocratic family.
In the past, Li Waner had confidence, but she had not yet taken charge of the government and her foundation was unstable, so she treated the ministers politely. However, after Su Ming disappeared, the court structure was broken. In the court, the spokesmen of the aristocratic families began to act like monsters, and the court was unstable. Her Her confidence was gone, so before that, she really had no confidence or capital.
But now, with the support of Buddhism, she has simply let go of her shackles. She no longer wants to be a "holy emperor" like before, balancing the forces of all parties in the court. With the support of Buddhism, she can let go of what she wants to do. Did it.
Meeting the ministers as a woman was meant to show weakness, but now that she has put on men's clothes, her attitude is self-evident, just like a newly grown tiger showing its claws and claws for the first time, its power is naturally different. .
After all the ministers were seated, Li Waner's eyes swept over the ministers, and her dull eyes seemed to have substantial pressure, making them dare not look directly.
Seeing their averting gazes, Li Waner nodded imperceptibly, "Everyone, please take your cooperation with the Buddhist sect seriously. This is the most important matter for the imperial court. You must contact the Buddhist sect as soon as possible and use their strength to fight against the magic sect. Yijun, do you still have any objections?" Although it was a question, it carried an unquestionable meaning.
Some of the ministers present originally wanted to ask Li Waner about Buddhism, but after hearing these words, they immediately gave up all their thoughts.
Although the cabinet ministers had long known that the Great Zhou Dynasty would form an alliance with Buddhism, they did not expect that His Majesty would undergo such a change. Although they had doubts in their hearts, they were buried deep in their hearts and did not dare to express them.
"Wei Chen understands." Zhang Daozhi, who was closest to the emperor, had maintained a silent attitude since he entered the door. He was both happy and sad about the changes in the empress, which was complicated and inexplicable.
Nowadays, what the Great Zhou Dynasty needs is not a watchmaker who balances the forces of all parties, but an emperor who is consistent in his words, decisive in killing, strong and domineering. Only in this way can he gather people's hearts and lead the court out of the quagmire of war.
In his view, in the past, the emperor's methods were too mild. Although reforms had been carried out in an orderly manner, they were too slow.
War is both a disaster and an opportunity. When all conflicts are transferred elsewhere and are faced with the outside world, the changes in the court will not cause too much disturbance.
This was one of the reasons why Zhang Daozhi was happy to see such changes in the emperor. He could vaguely see the shadow of the late emperor in the empress.
With the chief assistant's reply and no other people refuting, the matter was finalized.
As soon as this order was given, Li Waner's interest waned, and her voice returned to calmness, "You guys go down first, and get ready when you get home."
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"Wei Chen resigns." In this way, a royal meeting ended hastily.
Until they left the house, some ministers were still in a daze, muttering to themselves, "The sky has changed."
The change in the emperor's attitude is bound to cause turmoil in the court. Coupled with the arrival of Buddhism, no one can predict the future situation.
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On the mountain road, three figures slowly went down the mountain accompanied by the monks. It was very different from when they came. When they first went up the mountain, there was only the sound of Shaolin bells to signal, and the Zhike monk at the door was just polite, not a courtesy. Or take a high look.
After the covenant between Dazhou and Buddhism was signed, the monks in Shaolin Temple became more active towards them and accompanied them all the way down the mountain.
They were sent to the border of Mount Tai before the monks returned to the mountain gate.
"It's finally over." After watching the monks leave, Qingyunzi sighed with incomprehensible complexity until their voices disappeared.
"I didn't expect to complete the task so quickly this time. I thought I would have to stay in the Shaolin Temple for several days to complete it." Li Dexiang touched his chin, feeling sad.
"The eminent monks of Shaolin Temple have long expected that we will come. The reason for forming an alliance is because it is profitable. In addition, we are very sincere. What reason do they have for not agreeing?" Xiaoyaoyou raised his eyebrows, always looking like that. Calm appearance.
This alliance is tacitly understood. Both parties have their own needs and everyone is happy.
Qingyunzi stroked his beard and said with a smile, "No matter what, we can finally go back and recover."
Li Dexiang on the side also nodded, feeling a little relieved. At this time, Xiaoyaoyou on the side spoke again, "You go back first. I have something else to do, so I won't go with you."
"This?" Hearing this, Li Dexiang didn't know how to make a decision and looked at Qingyunzi.
"Fellow Taoist, we'd better go back and recover as soon as possible. Even if something happens, wouldn't it be the same to come back after the matter is over?" Qingyunzi looked at him and said righteously.
In fact, the terms of the covenant between the two parties are still with Xiaoyaoyou, and Qingyunzi is still tasked with monitoring him. He is afraid that this matter will cause complications, so he said this.
"Don't worry, His Majesty has agreed to this. As for the covenant, you can just take it back with you. Is that okay?" Xiaoyaoyou was very clear about his thoughts.
Seeing that Li Dexiang seemed to be asking something, Qingyunzi quickly responded, "Okay."
Since the empress didn't tell him, he didn't ask, let alone be curious. Sometimes, knowing more would be of no benefit.
The three of them soon parted ways. Qingyunzi and Li Dexiang returned to the capital and took a leisurely trip to the East China Sea.
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Deep in the East China Sea, the Dragon Palace.
Outside the Dragon Palace, there are strange fish with square eyes and various postures. The big ones are like mountains and mausoleums, the small ones are as heavy as jun stones, there are also benjiao and big shells, the bright moon shines at night, the tortoise turtle, and the gold and black seal.
There are hundreds of palaces in a row, with winding coral trees in front, covered with pearls, emeralds, agates, jade, etc., which are shining and shining.
Thousands of sapphire steps winding up, with jade railings on both sides, and various statues of sea animals with red light rising and smoke filling them.
The Zhumen Gate Tower, with gold nails and vermilion lacquer, is inlaid with pearls, engraved with dragons, phoenixes and flying clouds, covered with azure glazed tiles, curved towers, and red railings with colorful sills. When the sky shines, clear and bright brilliance flows, and fairy sounds and birds can be heard endlessly.
In the main hall, the floor is paved with white jade, the glass is bright, and thousands of lotus lanterns are hung high on the dome, rotating like stars, shining clear and bright brilliance, illuminating the main hall like daylight.
The throne on the high platform in the center is filled with clouds and green air. Thin orchestral sounds are looming, light and shadow are floating, and fragrance is diffused.
In the center of the hall, a group of dancers gently twist their waists. They are exquisitely dressed, with long sleeves and slow belts. They wrap around their bodies like a ring, scratching the ground. As they dance, there are waves of fragrant wind and the sound of rings.
The clear shadows are blurry, the green and red skirts are beautiful, and the tone is gorgeous, like a fairy dancing gracefully.
It should only exist in heaven and be heard several times in the world.
The Dragon Lord of the East China Sea is sitting on the throne, with a high crown and a robe, painted with a coat of arms, with a face like a crown jade, and two small crystal horns on his head.
Beside him, there sat a woman with tall temples, a palace skirt tied around her waist, slender eyebrows and long eyes, and skin as delicate as jade, with no trace of time at all. She was charming to the bone but graceful and luxurious.
"Husband, are you satisfied with today's singing and dancing?" The delicate voice was like water, directly touching the softness in the heart.
Lord Long held the woman's jade hand and sighed, "With the lady accompanying me, these songs and dances are not worth mentioning." After saying that, he gently flicked his sleeves, and the dancers in the hall and the sound of silk, bamboo and wind music disappeared in an instant, as if they were being swept away. It's like people were wiped out of this world without leaving any trace.
"My husband is worried about the recent situation. Now the two sects of Buddha and Demon are about to start fighting, and Taoist sects are not immune. By then, my Dragon Clan will definitely be involved." A trace of worry appeared on Lord Long's face.
"Husband, why should you be troubled by this? Our dragon clan lives in the East China Sea, far away from the world. Even if we are involved, we will only lose some people. Is there any other reason for this?" Mrs. Long Jun looked at it with her clear eyes. My husband is a little nervous.
"Madam, the current situation is different from the past. Every force in the world is secretly accumulating strength and preparing to compete for the chance of transcendence in the future. Originally, Buddhism did not enter the game, so we could just sit on the sidelines and divide the benefits."
"Now, people from Buddhism and the secular dynasty are uniting to fight against the demon sect. This is a sign that a war is about to begin. This kind of thing has not happened before."
"It's just that this time the situation is more dangerous than before. Buddhism, Taoism, demons, monsters, dragons, and humans are all involved, and no one can escape." At this point, he changed the topic and asked, "You still Do you remember the divination words of the clan elders?"
"Those things have already been revealed in divination, the calamity is coming, and the world will usher in a new round of reshuffle. These have begun to come true."
"Is there really no way?" Mrs. Longjun's beautiful face suddenly showed sadness, and she looked at her husband with worry. She was not an ignorant vase, she was also a Yuanshen monk, and she was also Mrs. Longjun. , she certainly understands how dangerous the current situation is.
"Everything has slipped into an irreversible situation. Buddhism deliberately disrupted the situation and forced us to end. Fortunately, we have left some secrets before and gained some advantages." Long Jun smiled softly and consoled us. .
"You have to fight for the opportunity to transcend." Long Jun took her into his arms, his soft body tightened, and the faint fragrance broke into his heart.
The two of them were about to be gentle, but unexpectedly, a slow figure appeared in the main hall, forcing them to pause their actions, "Prime Minister Turtle, is something okay?"
"Reporting to the Dragon Lord, there is a Taoist outside the Dragon Palace who wants to see him." Old Oogway also knew that he came at the wrong time, but he could only stare at the Dragon Lord's angry report.
"No!" Anyone whose interest is interrupted will be unhappy, and Long Jun is no exception.
Prime Minister Turtle had a look of embarrassment on his old face, "That Taoist said he came on behalf of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If Mr. Longjun is missing, I will tell him now." With that, he slowly turned around and prepared to leave.
"Wait!"
"Bring him in!"
At first, Long Jun subconsciously thought that Mo Lihai's people were coming, so he refused without thinking. After all, the alliance between them had broken down, and now he came just to form an alliance again.
The Dragon Clan finally managed to get ashore, how could it be possible for him to pull him into the water so easily?
However, the people who came were from the Great Zhou Dynasty, so that was a different matter. The benefits that the Demonic Cult could provide were only a few. Although the previous alliance had tacitly agreed not to abide by it, the surface was still maintained and there was no break. , even if the Dragon Clan cooperates with them, the Demon Cult will not give up too many benefits.
However, now that Da Zhou is coming to your door, why not listen to their conditions.
For a moment, Long Jun thought a lot, and all kinds of different thoughts came to his mind.
Prime Minister Turtle was stunned for a moment, and then he realized what he was doing. A smile appeared on his old face, and he turned to leave. How could he not be careful when accepting others' benefits? Besides, in his opinion, there would be no harm in his Lord meeting people from Da Zhou. .
Not long after, Xiaoyaoyou was brought to the main hall.
At this time, the sound of silk and bamboo wind music sounded again in the main hall, and a group of dancers twisted their waists in various postures, which was too beautiful to behold.
