Chapter 281 The Emperor Guards the Country
Chapter 281 The Emperor Guards the Country
When Prince Yu heard the words of the wise Lama, a complex and indistinguishable look flashed across his narrow eyes for a moment, just like a meteor across the night sky, fleeting but concealing deep meaning.
He slowly raised his hand, gently stroked his chin, and fell into a brief contemplation.
It was a moment of silence, as if time had stopped for his thoughts, and the air in the room seemed to freeze. After a long time, he slowly spoke, his voice low and thoughtful: "I have heard about the methods of the owner of the Changbai Mountain Demon Palace. If I can really use him to get rid of Xu Qing, it would be a good thing. But... my father's trust in Xu Qing may not be so easy to shake."
As he spoke, he frowned slightly, revealing a hint of worry.
Shanzhi Lama raised his lips slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "Your Highness, don't worry. The Palace Master's methods are far beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Once the Innate Divine Fire Curse takes effect, even if Xu Qing is lucky enough not to die, he will definitely be seriously injured and will no longer be able to threaten your position. As for His Majesty, your Highness only needs to hold back and wait for the opportunity."
After saying this, he gently turned the Buddhist beads in his hand, and each turn seemed to be turning the wheel of fate.
Prince Yu nodded, but he still felt a little uneasy in his heart. He turned to look at Mr. Dai, his eyes seemed to be searching for the final answer, and asked: "Mr. Dai, what do you think about this?"
Mr. Dai stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, the methods of the Demon Palace Master are indeed powerful, but Xu Qing is a man of great wisdom and will not fall into his trap easily.
Moreover, your majesty's trust in Xu Qing is probably not just superficial, there may be deeper reasons behind it. If we act rashly, it may backfire. "
Mr. Dai's voice was steady and firm, and every word seemed to be well thought out, like an ancient bell, steady and powerful.
Prince Yu frowned, obviously not satisfied with what Mr. Dai said. He said in a deep voice: "Then according to your opinion, how should I deal with it?"
Mr. Dai bowed slightly, speaking in a steady and calm tone: "Your Highness, the most critical thing right now is to stabilize the situation in the north. Although the border town commanders are arrogant and domineering, their interests are actually the same as yours. As long as you can stabilize them, the situation in the north will not get out of control. As for the south, your Highness might as well keep your troops in place for the time being and wait for the situation to change. Although Xu Qing is in the limelight now, he has many enemies and may not be able to maintain this situation for a long time."
As Mr. Dai spoke, he raised his head slightly and looked at Prince Yu with a firm gaze, trying to make him understand the interests involved.
After hearing this, Prince Yu's eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression. He nodded slowly and said, "Mr. Dai is right. This prince should not act rashly."
Lama Shanzhi saw this and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. But he did not say much, just said lightly: "Since Your Majesty has made a decision, I will not say anything more. However, Your Majesty, please do not forget what you promised me before. The Living Buddha will come to Beijing after the beginning of spring. I hope that Your Majesty will keep his promise and prepare the corresponding welcoming ceremony."
After saying that, he bowed slightly, still with that half-smile on his face.
Prince Yu nodded and said, "Even Xu Gongming knows that trust is valued by the world, how could this prince break his promise?"
Lama Shanzhi nodded slightly, then stood up and said goodbye.
After he left, Prince Yu looked at Mr. Dai and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Dai, what do you think of Lama Shanzhi..."
Mr. Dai pondered for a moment and said slowly: "This person has ulterior motives and must be hiding a bigger plot behind him. Your Majesty, you must be more careful when cooperating with him."
Mr. Dai spoke in a low voice, as if he was afraid that there were ears on the other side of the wall, and every word he said revealed his caution.
Prince Yu nodded, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "I understand. However, we do need his help right now. As for the future, we will make plans later."
After saying this, he narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a hint of ruthlessness. Ever since he realized that his father had given up on him, Prince Yu's heart had completely died.
There are no father and son in heaven, and no family affection!
Mr. Dai nodded slightly and said no more.
...
...
In the important town of Jiubian in the north, the cold wind whistled over the city walls, making a shrill sound, as if telling of the coming storm.
Several heads of military families were sitting around a huge sandalwood table. The candlelight on the table flickered in the cold wind, illuminating their serious and anxious faces.
"Now the court seems to be focusing on the south, and is becoming increasingly stingy with our nine borders. In the long run, how can our interests be protected?" A bearded general slammed the table and said angrily, his voice echoing in the room with endless resentment.
"Yes, although Prince Yu is the regent, he is helpless about the affairs in the south. We can't just sit there and wait for death, we have to think of a solution." Another family head echoed, his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety and helplessness.
Just as everyone was talking about it, an envoy sent by Prince Yu quietly came to the gathering place.
The messenger was born in the Blood Droplet. He was dressed in tight clothes, walked steadily, and held a handwritten letter from Prince Yu in his hand.
After taking the letter and reading it carefully, everyone had different expressions. Some looked hesitant, as if they were weighing the pros and cons; others looked greedy, as if they saw endless benefits.
In the end, driven by their own interests, they seemed to have reached some kind of consensus. A new storm surrounding the situation between the North and the South and the power of the court was quietly brewing, just like the dark clouds before the storm.
...
...
In the old port in the south, the sea breeze with a salty and humid smell blew in his face, ruffling Xu Qing's hair.
He stood on a high point in the harbor, looking out at the endless sea in the distance. His deep gaze seemed to be able to penetrate the vast sea and see the endless distance. The night wind blew gently, his robe rustled in the wind, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if hiding endless secrets.
Su Lianqing stood quietly beside him, like an orchid blooming in the night, emitting a faint fragrance. She asked softly, "Sir, what are your plans next?"
The voice is soft, like a nightingale.
Xu Qing raised his lips slightly, revealing a calm smile that seemed to dispel all the haze in the world. He said calmly, "Although the Black Mountain Old Demon has temporarily retreated, he will never give up. Next, we must make full preparations."
Su Lianqing nodded, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes. The worry was like a dark cloud in the night sky, covering her heart: "The strength of the Black Mountain Old Demon is unfathomable. When he comes out again, are you sure you can deal with him?"
Xu Qing shook his head slightly and said calmly: "The Black Mountain Old Demon is indeed extremely powerful, but he is not invincible. As long as we can find his weakness, we will have a chance to defeat him."
Su Lianqing heard this, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and that doubt was like the twinkling stars in the night sky: "Master, have you found his weakness?"
Xu Qing smiled slightly, and a deep and mysterious light flashed in his eyes, like a meteor across the night sky: "Although the Black Mountain Old Demon is powerful, he has a fatal weakness - he is too conceited. He thinks he controls everything, but he doesn't know that there are still many forces in this world that he cannot control."
Su Lianqing nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "What do you mean, sir?"
Xu Qing did not answer directly, but looked up at the night sky. The stars were twinkling in the sky, as if countless pairs of eyes were watching everything in the world. He said lightly: "The secret of heaven cannot be revealed."
Inside his body, in the bronze mirror, there was an imperceptible glow of fire, but Xu Qing had already seen through it.
He knew very well that this was something left on him by the Black Mountain Demon.
Xu Qing was not in a hurry to eliminate this hidden danger.
His ability to transform himself into freedom is Xu Qing's biggest trump card.
The old demon came to him on his own initiative, so Xu Qing naturally had to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Of course, perhaps this was also bait left behind intentionally by the old demon.
But who is the fisherman can only be known after the results come out.
The fight against the Black Mountain Demon gave Xu Qing enough motivation to move forward.
Of course, in this chess game between heaven and earth, there is another unfathomable opponent who is both a friend and an enemy, and that is...
……
Just as Xu Qing was talking to Su Lianqing, in the imperial palace of Yingtian Prefecture - Yannian Palace.
The hall was brightly lit. The old emperor was sitting on the jade bed with dragons and phoenixes carved on it, gently playing with an ancient jade pendant in his hand.
This jade pendant may look ordinary, but it seems to carry the rise and fall of the dynasty.
His gaze was deep and distant, as if he could see the distant future and the changing situation in the court through the jade pendant.
"Your Majesty, Prince Yu has been very active recently. Does he need to be restricted?" Chen Zhong knelt below, his figure looking particularly fierce under the dim light.
Ever since he took on the task of suppressing the crown prince, Chen Zhong knew that he had no way out.
Since there is no way out, we can only do the opposite.
Now Chen Zhong is in Nanzhili, and everyone in the court is terrified of him.
Chen Zhong knew that only in this way would he have a chance of survival.
He had never thought of betraying His Majesty, because now he had already seen the tip of the iceberg of His Majesty's power. Just a tip was enough to be thrilling.
No matter what, Your Majesty, who is in the supreme position, is the one most likely to have the last laugh.
The old emperor raised his lips slightly, revealing a smile that was like a crescent moon in the night sky, full of endless meaning. He said calmly, "No need. Although he is a little impatient, he is my son after all. I want to see what kind of waves he can make."
Chen Zhong didn't dare to say anything after hearing this, he just bowed his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
His voice was low, as if he was afraid of disturbing the peaceful night.
The old emperor waved his hand, signaling Chen Zhong to leave. After Chen Zhong left, the old emperor slowly stood up, walked to the front of the altar, and looked at the night sky in the distance. The bright moon in the night sky cast a cool light, illuminating the entire palace.
A complex and incomprehensible look flashed across his eyes, as if he was thinking about the chess game of the world.
"Brother, don't send me dreams anymore. Don't worry, this world will always be ours."
After a long time, the old emperor whispered.
There seems to be endless lamentations, as well as the emperor's indifference and ruthlessness.
It is more like an unfathomable chess player, watching everything that is happening now.
...
...
Changbai Mountain, above the underground magma.
A black shadow slowly emerged, like the Supreme Demon Lord born from the dark void.
The surging magma under his feet became calm and subdued.
"Xu Qing..."
The Black Mountain Demon whispered something creepy.
He then raised his hand and a black flame ignited in his palm. The flame seemed like the fire from hell, carrying an endless breath of destruction.
"The Innate Divine Fire Curse has been planted. You will help me capture 'Him', right?"
The voice of the Black Mountain Demon echoed quietly in the cave, carrying with it endless chill, as if it was going to freeze everything in the world.
It seemed as if countless secrets flashed across his eyes.
This extremely powerful person standing at the pinnacle of the world seems to have a deep insight into everything.
He knew very well that this chess game between heaven and earth was gradually approaching its climax.
Both Xu Qing and the old emperor were making careful plans in secret.
...
...
On the northern grasslands, the wind was howling and yellow sand was filling the sky. Grand Tutor Murong was riding on a tall black warhorse. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he stared coldly at the nine-border defense line in front of him.
Behind him was an endless stream of grassland cavalry, their horses neighing, their long swords flashing coldly in the sun, and their morale was high, like a group of ferocious beasts about to pounce on their prey.
"My men, today is the day for us to conquer the Central Plains and spread the power of our grassland!" Grand Tutor Murong raised his arms and shouted, his voice resounding through the sky like a huge bell.
At his command, the grassland army surged forward like a tide, and the sound of horse hooves shook the earth.
The defenders of the nine important towns rushed to fight, but they gradually became powerless in the face of the crazy attack of the grassland army. Arrows from the city walls fell like raindrops, but the grassland cavalry quickly broke through the defense lines with their flexible tactics and fearless spirit.
"What happened? Why was the defense line breached so easily?" General Yu shouted angrily with a face full of anxiety. He felt that there might be a certain force in the capital secretly colluding with the grasslands, and for their own interests, they dealt a fatal blow to the defenders at a critical moment.
In just a few days, the grassland army broke through Yunzhou's defense line and marched towards the capital with unstoppable force.
The news spread to the capital like lightning, and the entire capital was instantly plunged into panic. When Prince Yu learned about this, his face turned extremely ugly.
He originally thought that he could use the grassland army to put pressure on the old emperor and consolidate his own position, but he did not expect that Master Murong was so ambitious and went straight to the vicinity of the capital.
"How dare Grand Tutor Murong do this!" Prince Yu roared angrily.
He knew very well that once the capital was captured, all his plans would come to nothing.
"Your Highness, this is not the time to be angry." Mr. Dai remained very calm, as if he had already anticipated what was happening.
Prince Yu: "Sir, what should we do now?"
"Your Majesty, this is a great opportunity for us to win over the people's hearts."
"I am confused, please teach me, sir."
"Nothing else, just guarding the country and dying for the country, it all depends on whether the prince has the determination..."
Prince Yu was shocked, then he looked at Mr. Dai deeply and said slowly: "Sir, did you know it would be like this?"
"Well, Your Majesty, this is the only way to have a chance of survival."
(End of this chapter)