Chapter 128: 111, Deep-seated blood feud, avenging army marches south (Chapter of 7K, asking for monthly votes)
After Gongyang Yi, the chief consultant of the cabinet, and some other civil officials had left, Xu Shenghua, the Command Envoy of the Night Patrol Department, began to inform Xu Xing about some recent major events.
Xu Shenghua was a member of the Xu Family and Xu Xing’s first cousin.
Mindful of the destruction of Cao Wei in his past life, Xu Xing, while wary of relatives meddling in politics, could not simply refuse to employ talented members of his own kin. After all, without the support of the Imperial family, should they encounter a weak, young Emperor, this beautiful land would be handed over to a powerful, usurping minister.
Therefore, Xu Xing delegated a portion of power to his relatives, intending for these feudal kings to consolidate the nation’s power.
Of course, Xu Xing also maintained a degree of vigilance towards his own kin.
For instance, although Xu Shenghua was placed in charge of the Night Patrol Department, Xu Xing also ordered the eunuchs in the palace to establish the East and West Factories to counterbalance the Night Patrol Department, thus achieving a balance of power.
"Recently, auspicious omens have appeared in various places..."
Could it be that these local officials are fabricating these auspicious events merely to flatter me? Reports claim white pheasants and white deer have appeared in Guanxi Road, and white dragons in Lingnan...
Xu Xing frowned deeply upon reading Xu Shenghua’s report.
These memorials looked fake at first glance.
How could it be possible... for so many auspicious omens to suddenly appear everywhere?
It was probably local officials who, having heard news from Shenjing, fabricated these events because they knew of his supposed "fondness" for auspicious signs.
After all, the earlier tales of Immortals and auspicious omens arriving to offer congratulations were too ethereal and vague.
In the eyes of the local officials, these auspicious signs might fool ignorant civilians, but it was impossible to deceive them, people of such deep cunning.
A classic case of being too clever for one’s own good!
"But it’s not all bad," Xu Xing remarked with a faint smile after reviewing these memorials.
"What causes Your Majesty to smile?" Xu Shenghua chimed in opportunely.
As an imperial member of the Xu Family, Xu Shenghua was privy to some truly secret matters. His elder brother, the Emperor, would soon depart for the Immortal Sect to seek immortality and become a lofty Immortal.
To Immortals, worldly glory and wealth are insignificant.
The gap between an emperor and a minister is already like a Heavenly Barrier. How much more so the gap between an emperor cultivating immortality and his ministers? It’s a disparity that no amount of scheming or effort can bridge.
With Xu Xing, this Grand Ancestor Immortal, the Xu Family’s national foundation was truly as stable as Mount Tai.
"I laugh because the hearts of all people under Heaven have submitted to me!" Xu Xing proclaimed smugly.
"Why are auspicious omens repeatedly reported from all corners of the land?" he mused aloud. "It is all because our dynasty is strong and its troops formidable, and the hearts of the people are filled with reverence and obedience. Wherever our sharp sword points, those with treacherous intentions can only bow their heads and await death. Under the watchful eyes of the masses, those harboring malicious intent dare only to bark like loyal dogs..."
He viewed this flattery from the officials of various provinces from a different perspective.
Unlike during Emperor Chongming’s reign, when Civil & Military Officers frequently deceived the throne, the Siming Han Dynasty was a newly established New Dynasty that had reconquered and reclaimed its territories. Many local officials were holdovers from the previous dynasty.
Now, when these former officials of the previous dynasty reported auspicious omens, it wasn’t to deceive Xu Xing, whom they might presume ignorant of affairs, but to deliberately curry his favor.
This means the officials’ allegiance is settled!
Flattery and flattery are not the same.
Some flattery is insincere, aimed at deceiving an emperor perceived as ignorant and isolated within his deep palace. Other flattery, however, is genuine, like these memorials Xu Xing was now receiving from officials across the land.
"Your Majesty’s insight is truly profound. I am deeply impressed," Xu Shenghua said with a bow.
After some idle chat, Xu Shenghua couldn’t help but remind Xu Xing, "Big Brother, the Emperor traditionally refers to himself with the imperial ’I’. You are the Emperor now; using the common ’I’ for yourself is unfitting..."
Ordinary officials wouldn’t dare critique the Emperor for not using the imperial ’I’, but Xu Shenghua, as a member of the Xu Family, could offer a gentle reminder in private without breaching any taboos.
For the Emperor to use the wrong form of address for himself would indeed be considered a breach of etiquette.
"Fengxi Country is merely a small state on the banks of the Fengxi River," Xu Xing said, waving his hand to signal Xu Shenghua to stop. "Within our own country, we can amuse ourselves, acting like a Frog at the Bottom of the Well, that’s fine. But I, your Big Brother, don’t want to be humiliated and ridiculed by others when I eventually leave Fengxi Country."
As the ’Records of Sui’ states: "The ruler of a small state is but a minister in a large one."
If Fengxi Country were the entire world, it would be fine for me to use the imperial ’I’. But Fengxi Country is just a small nation, not even ranked within the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Nations under the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, like Baoxiang Country or the Country of Flowing Light, are several times larger than Fengxi Country... To use the imperial ’I’ at this time would risk appearing as arrogant as Yelang.
"Besides, I am the Founding Emperor. Regardless of how I refer to myself, the officials, however dissatisfied they might be, would have to bear it silently. The very foundation of etiquette is to distinguish between the noble and the common. I seized my Imperial Throne through my own efforts; it wasn’t inherited like those of later emperors. My personal prestige already requires no further bolstering by royal ceremony..."
"Your Majesty is wise." Hearing this, Xu Shenghua dared not press Xu Xing further. This was Xu Xing’s personal preference, something he had no right to interfere with, so he could only conclude the topic by affirming, "Your Majesty is wise."
「Beyond the Pass, in Luzhou.」
「King Zhenbei’s Mansion.」
"Father King..."
"The child in the Princess’s womb is already six months along; she’ll be giving birth soon! Father King, how could you send the Princess to the Tartars’ Ascending Dragon Mansion as a hostage, begging them to dispatch troops...? And even... even to consider attacking the Imperial Court alongside them!"
Crown Prince Li Xiaozu of King Zhenbei, his face flushed with anger, stormed into the Study. Without even knocking, he slammed his hand on the desk and loudly questioned King Zhenbei Li Liang, who was engrossed in writing.
Last time, Li Liang had sent Princess Anren Song Meichuo to Shenjing without his consent. This time, to counter the threat from the Imperial Court, his father intended to send away his Wife.