pdf-ebookys Chapter 264 The Storm Gathers in Kyoto
Chapter 264 The Storm Gathers in Kyoto
Chapter 264 The Storm Gathers in Kyoto
The news of the new emperor's ascension to the throne of the Southern Tang Dynasty was widely discussed and circulated for almost half a year. During this time, it became the most talked-about event in the entire land of China.
Because no emperor in history had ever been as high-profile as Lin Fei. Regardless of whether one was Buddhist or Taoist, righteous or evil, as long as one was considered prominent in the land of China, one would receive an invitation from the Southern Tang Dynasty.
As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, and so it is with a new emperor. If these actions are successful, the Southern Tang Kingdom will present a new look, and it will be the perfect time for Lin Fei to establish his authority before the heroes of the world. But if these actions are mishandled, the entire Southern Tang Kingdom may lose face.
Not all those who came were there to offer congratulations; quite a few harbored provocative intentions. If the new ruler were to embarrass himself before the heroes of the land upon taking office, the prestige of the Southern Tang Kingdom would likely never recover.
From the most powerful factions and sects in the land to the common people of Tang, everyone was talking about the new emperor's ascension ceremony.
Nearly half a year later, the day of his enthronement ceremony was finally fast approaching. Prominent figures from all corners of the land, either coming in person or sending their most prized disciples, were all converging on the capital of Southern Tang. Everyone wanted to see what other schemes the newly enthroned ruler of Southern Tang, who had put on such a grand spectacle, would employ.
……
Recently, the common people of the Southern Tang Kingdom have been treated to a feast for the eyes, as many important figures who have only been heard of in rumors have appeared in the capital of the Southern Tang Kingdom.
In the very center of Qinglong Street, Lin Fei had a ninety-nine-story building constructed, named "Tongtian Pavilion," specifically to accommodate the heroes from all over the land who had come to the Southern Tang capital for this ceremony. Even from a great distance outside the capital, this towering building that seemed to reach into the clouds could be seen.
"A towering structure a hundred feet high, one could almost pluck the stars from the sky. One dares not speak loudly, lest one startle the celestial beings! What a magnificent Tongtian Pavilion! Its name and its meaning are both wonderful!" A young man in blue robes stood beneath the Tongtian Pavilion, gazing up at it with a profound sense of awe: "It seems our new emperor truly intends to create a new era!"
"Now that the winds of change have shifted, it is time for the dragon to soar to the heavens. Brother Qinglian, isn't having such a new ruler a good thing for the people of the world?" another young man in white said with a smile.
"Hehe, this new emperor hasn't even taken office yet, and he's already appointed you as a 'Doctor of the Imperial Academy,' in charge of all the scholars in the land. Of course, you, Old Du, have to flatter him!" The young man in blue also laughed.
These two were none other than Li Liuyu, the "Green Lotus Gentleman," who ranked among the top ten on the Popularity Ranking. The other was also an old acquaintance of Lin Fei's; none other than Du Zizhan.
Unlike usual, Du Zizhan did not joke with Li Liuyu. Instead, he said seriously, "Brother Qinglian, I am upright and honest. My trip to the capital is not for wealth and honor, nor for the empty title of Imperial Academy Doctor. Since the new emperor thinks highly of me, I should follow the ancestral teachings and do my best for the people."
"As the Du family ancestral precept says, 'If only I had ten thousand mansions, I could shelter all the poor scholars of the world and make them rejoice.' Since the new emperor has the intention to revitalize the nation, I, Du, should also do my utmost to assist the country..."
Seeing Du Zizhan launch into a long-winded speech, Li Liuyu felt a headache coming on: "Alright, alright, my dear Brother Du, I was just joking with you, please forgive me!" Li Liuyu quickly begged for mercy: "If I didn't know your loyal heart, Brother Du, a free spirit like me wouldn't have accompanied you to the capital. Let's go to the Prime Minister's residence first and exchange the official credentials!"
As the two left from beneath the Tongtian Pavilion, the surrounding crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. For days, a large number of onlookers had gathered outside the Tongtian Pavilion, eager to see which important figure had arrived.
"Wasn't that 'Azure Blood and Clear Sky' Du Zizhan and 'Green Lotus Prince' Li Liuyu just now?"
"Indeed! The most outstanding young generation of the Du family in Jiangxia has actually come to serve as an official in the court. A new dynasty brings a new atmosphere, and our new emperor is quite remarkable!"
"Isn't that a good thing? We can brag about it when we see those guys from Northern Han in the future!"
……
Next to the Tower of Babel, there were many tea stalls set up, all for the people who came to watch the excitement every day.
The streets were bustling with people, and the area around Tongtian Pavilion was especially lively.
"Look, aren't those people from the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor? Even they've come?"
"Tsk tsk, the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor is indeed worthy of its reputation. Look at that lion behind them. We'd better stay away from it, lest it become aggressive and attack us."
"You ignorant fool! The Ten Thousand Beasts Manor only raises the most docile beasts. How could they suddenly attack and hurt people? Look over there, isn't that a grandmaster who's famous on the Tiger List?"
……
The onlookers pointed and whispered about the masters moving about the Tower of Babel. Although the capital of Southern Tang was always bustling, even these people in the capital were probably seeing such a grand event for the first time in their lives.
Amidst this grand occasion, from the highest officials to ordinary people, everyone is filled with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
In the crowd, a man pulled his straw hat down so low that his face was completely obscured. A broken, unsheathed sword hung at his waist. He reached up and adjusted his hat, then turned and left the area around the Tower of Babel, heading towards Suzaku Avenue.
……
Inside Lin Fei's princely residence on Zhuque Avenue.
Before officially assuming the throne, Lin Fei did not live in the palace, but instead temporarily resided in the prince's residence.
In recent days, preparations for the enthronement ceremony, the sudden arrival of numerous martial arts masters in the capital, and the influx of ordinary people from all over the country to watch the spectacle have kept everyone extremely busy, from Prime Minister Wang You to ordinary clerks. This, ironically, has given Lin Fei some free time.
With nothing else to do, Lin Fei would sit in his mansion every day and play chess with the charlatan Yuan Daotong.
Although Yuan Daotong has not yet reached the Dharma Aspect Realm, his divination and prediction skills have already reached a completely new level.
This is the magic of the Yuan family's Tui Bei Tu. As long as one's divination skills improve, after advancing to the Dharma Aspect realm, one may even obtain extraordinary Heavenly Dao power, allowing one to leap to the second or even third level of the Dharma Aspect realm.
Of course, while the Yuan family's Tui Bei Tu (Back-Pushing Diagram) is miraculous, it also has its limitations. Even with extraordinary abilities, one can never hope to advance to the Celestial Realm in this lifetime. No one in the Yuan family who has practiced the Tui Bei Tu throughout history has ever lived past fifty.
In the middle of the game, Yuan Daotong resigned, saying, "Brother Dao, this game is fraught with danger. If we continue, I fear we will face great peril. I concede defeat."