If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1013 Undercurrent
Xiao Yu nodded slightly and said, "What you say makes sense. Please summon them all here so I can see their expressions and demeanor."

Let's talk to them again and finally decide whether to approve their request.

Master Guan was puzzled and said, "Qi cultivators are mostly open-minded and proud. If Master Yu were to do a favor for someone, being so calculating would surely make them resentful and secretly unhappy."

Whether they'll remember your kindness is uncertain.

There will definitely be people who talk behind your back.

Xiaoyu said, "I have to do a thorough review to prevent any malicious people from hiding among us and becoming the rotten apples that spoil the whole bunch."

Master Guan sighed, “You suspect that some of them harbor ill intentions.”

The very idea itself is, in their view, a form of humiliation.

"They are the ones who need the Qin Imperial Observatory's help, not me! If you have such backbone, then don't come."

"Meng Zhenjun has been befriending Daoists from all sides for ten years, and has even earned the title of 'Old Mengchang' himself. But has the situation in the Great Qin improved?" Xiao Yu asked.

Master Guan wanted to say: The Qin Dynasty's secret treasury is not your private property. It's beneficial without costing you anything, so why not do it?
However, even immortals have pride.

Things that don't require saving face can be done tacitly, but cannot be said out loud with a clear conscience.

Moreover, he secretly admired Master Yu's stubbornness.

Using the Qin Dynasty's rich heritage to gain favors is something anyone would do, and anyone would be willing to do.

Conversely, it is even more commendable that they still fight for the interests of the Qin Dynasty at such times, even at the cost of their own bad reputation.

“Master Yu, please wait two more days, and I will contact them,” he said.

"You haven't arrived in Xianyang yet?" Xiaoyu asked.

“There are many people, and they are a mixed group. Some are in Xianyang, and some are visiting friends on Mount Hua. They are not a single group,” said Master Guan.

Xiao Yu asked curiously, "If you're not a group, why do you all seem to have planned to come to Xianyang at this time?"

Master Guan said, "Doesn't Master Yu have the Heavenly Eye to distinguish between right and wrong? Go and take a look. Recently, there may be fewer people staying in Xianyang."

The number of Qi cultivators entering Guanzhong this year is significantly higher than in previous years.

"What are they all here for?" Xiaoyu asked.

Master Guan sighed and said, "The main reason I came to Guanzhong is to observe the situation in the world."

Alas, the celestial phenomena have changed, and we can see that many powerful beings have already foreseen this.

Even the impending turmoil in China is being secretly plotted by certain immortals.

They're already preparing to launch a rebellion, why haven't they sent anyone to Xianyang to investigate the court's reaction?
People with ulterior motives arrived, and onlookers also gathered around.

Moreover, after Meng Zhenjun left, Prime Minister Li had his retainers secretly spread the word that he was going to select a Grand Tutor for the Qin Dynasty.

Even if I have no interest in becoming the Grand Tutor of Qin, I must be very curious about you, Master Yu, and about your secret power struggle with Prime Minister Li.

At the end of the year, you did several earth-shattering things.

For example, one person can fight against the gods of the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains.

"The earth's energy was channeled into Mount Tai, and even the main hall of the Dai Temple, which had stood for hundreds of thousands of years, collapsed."

At this point, he gave you a look that was a mixture of admiration and worry. "I've heard that the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak is furious! The Ten Great Protectors of Mount Tai have vowed to teach you a lesson."

Of the Qi cultivators who have entered Guanzhong today, eight out of ten come from Mount Tai.

Xiaoyu chuckled and said, "You go ahead with your work, I'm going to the Qinling Mountains again."

Master Guan's heart stirred, and he asked, "What are you going to the Qinling Mountains for at this time?"

"I sense that there is a stagnant, malevolent energy gathering in the Shu region, which may cause an earthquake. I'll help dissipate this stagnant energy," Xiaoyu said.

"Where did it leak to?" Master Guan asked, but a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Sigh, the Taishan Stone Guardian is famous throughout the world, tall and hard. Last time there was a yellow-level earthquake, it only shook slightly a few times, and this time should be no exception," Xiaoyu said, shaking his head.

“Once could be an accident, but if it happens twice in a short period of time, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak will definitely be furious,” said Master Guan.

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and said, "Anyway, I have no desires for the Taishan Underworld. Without desires, one is invincible."

For the sake of the people of Sichuan, let's endure the hardships of Mount Tai!

Guan Zhenren's lips twitched a few times, but he still couldn't bring himself to say anything to dissuade him.

Not long after Xiaoyu left, Lao Ai rode the Jade Qilin Beast and arrived at the Imperial Observatory like a gust of wind.

"Where is Master Yu?" He jumped off his horse and shouted at the gate.

"What do you want with Master Yu?" Yang Li, the Daoist abbot of the Earth Emperor Palace, received him in the main hall of the government office.

Lao Ai's face was ashen, his eyes sharp. He looked around and said coldly, "How dare you hold a 'small court assembly' before the Empress Dowager has arrived?"

Yang Li was stunned for a moment before sneering, "Prince Changxin, do you know that the ministers have been gone for more than half an hour? You sleep until the sun is high in the sky, ignoring even important matters of the court, and you still have the nerve to call me?"

Lao Ai roared, "You little Taoist boy, how dare you speak to me like that? And you even make veiled insults, disrespecting the Empress Dowager! What is your punishment?"

As he spoke, he unleashed an aura that bordered on that of an immortal.

Although Yang Li had not yet become an immortal, his cultivation and supernatural powers were not low. He was not afraid of him at all, and his sneer deepened. "Lao Ai, this is the Imperial Observatory. We are only calling you 'Prince Changxin' out of respect for you."

I won't give you any face, I'll call you 'the guy selling his dick in the south of town,' what can you do about it?"

His little face seemed to say, "Come on, take my job and kick me out."

Lao Ai calmed down.

If you really drive him away, he promises to return to the Dao Palace immediately. You won't be able to find him to take revenge.

"You rotten-ass, foul-mouthed scoundrel, I'm ignoring you. Tell Master Yu to come out."

Just as Yang Li was about to yell and curse, Xiao Linzi ran over upon hearing the news and said, "My master is not at the Imperial Observatory. There is an anomaly in the earth's veins, and she has gone to the Qinling Mountains to investigate. Does Prince Changxin have any important business? You can leave a message, and I will certainly pass it on."

Lao Ai was seething with anger and wanted to unleash a torrent of curses.

The Imperial Observatory was indeed different from other places.

Even the young Taoist boy in front of him was at a similar level to himself, and his true energy was even more abundant.

"I will go to the Emperor's Palace to wait for her!"

Lao Ai waited until the afternoon.
I didn't even have lunch, and I still didn't see Master Yu.

Moreover, even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau's celestial masters refused to serve him properly.

They led him to a side hall, where an old Taoist priest brought him a pot of tea and then left him to his own devices.

"When will Master Yu return?" He couldn't hold back any longer and ran to the Department of Weather to ask.

Xiao Linzi sat cross-legged in front of the map depicting the myriad mountains and rivers of China, closing his eyes to rest. Upon hearing this, he only moved his lips slightly, saying, "It's hard to say; it depends on how serious the problem is."

"Not serious, it'll only take an hour or two. Very serious, it could take days and nights, it's extremely troublesome."

Lao Ai's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty as he asked, "Who proposed today's small court assembly at the Imperial Observatory?"

Xiao Linzi sighed, "The Imperial Observatory also sent people to Lin Guang Palace, but the Empress Dowager did not come. What can we do?"

"How can a court assembly be held without the Empress Dowager? If the Empress Dowager is not coming, why doesn't Master Yu postpone it for a few hours?" Lao Ai shouted.

Xiao Linzi glanced at him sideways and said, "Prince Changxin, people can wait for others, but things won't."

Just like the sun doesn't wait for the Empress Dowager to get up before it rises.

The changes in celestial phenomena will not be paused for the sake of the Empress Dowager.

The crisis facing the Qin Dynasty will not disappear simply because the Empress Dowager is unaware of it.

Lao Ai coldly replied, "Don't try to outsmart me. Even the most important matters must be decided by the Empress Dowager."

"Without the Empress Dowager, what good will it do for you all to get together and chatter nonsense?"

Xiao Linzi shrugged and said, "The Imperial Observatory only informed the Empress Dowager and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers that there was a change in the celestial phenomena, and that the Empress Dowager's destiny star was about to fall. The court should take precautions as soon as possible."

With that, the Imperial Observatory's work was complete. Discussing countermeasures was a matter for the Prime Minister and his colleagues.

They didn't even consult my husband.

Prime Minister Li also criticized my master for his "pedantic and Confucian views".

Then, they returned to the Prime Minister's residence and held a closed-door meeting, while my master went to inspect the earth's veins.

Everyone performed their duties and did their own thing.

"Now, my roar against the Changxin Dynasty is completely unreasonable."

"Without the Empress Dowager, how can you all perform your duties? This is utterly rebellious!" Lao Ai exclaimed, then, as if remembering something, he quickly asked, "What did you just say? What about the Empress Dowager's destiny star? Is today's small court assembly? No, it's not a court assembly, just a gathering."

What is the purpose of today's gathering?

Xiao Linzi gave a brief explanation of the changes in the celestial phenomena.

Lao Ai was both shocked and furious. "The Empress Dowager's fate has fallen, such an ominous sign, and you didn't even inform her."

Xiao Linzi was speechless and impatient. He shouted, "The Empress Dowager wants to sleep and refuses to come over. What should we do?"

Lao Ai was anxious and wanted to return to Lin Guang Palace immediately.

But thinking that Yu Fengxian had convened a "small court meeting" without waiting for the Empress Dowager's arrival, his anger was hard to quell.

—We must warn her to prevent this from happening again!

If the court can function normally without the Empress Dowager, then the Empress Dowager will soon be gone.

He suppressed his anger and anxiety and waited for another two hours in the side hall.

It was already dark, but there was still no trace of Yu Fengxian.

He finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted at Xiao Linzi, "When Master Yu returns, remember to inform her and tell her to go to Lin Guang Palace to see the Empress Dowager immediately."

Xiao Linzi said, "No! You're clearly forging an imperial edict. The Empress Dowager didn't send you, Master."

Lao Ai's eyes widened. "You scoundrel! I asked you to deliver a message, and you dare to talk back?"

Xiao Linzi said, "How dare I, a mere Taoist disciple, deceive my master?"

Instead of wasting your time cursing gossip, you should hurry back and have the Empress Dowager write a real imperial edict and send it over.”

That makes a lot of sense.

Lao Ai pointed at him a few times with his finger, but he couldn't utter a word of rebuke.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day. This afternoon, Li Si and Feng Quji came to me to discuss important matters, did you know that?" As soon as he returned to Lin Guang Palace, Empress Dowager Zhao began to complain to him again.

"Weren't you looking at what Qi Ying Li Si and Feng Quji said to you?" Lao Ai asked in surprise.

Empress Dowager Zhao then recounted the changes in the celestial phenomena and the conclusions reached by her ministers.

"If the states of Shandong are to fall into chaos, the 200,000 troops in Guanzhong alone will certainly not be enough."

"We must conscript troops from outside the capital to enter the pass. I have already agreed."

Lao Ai's expression changed drastically, and he cursed, "You stupid woman, I didn't... Didn't Meng Qi warn you back then not to send foreign troops into the pass? Have you forgotten?"

Empress Dowager Zhao said angrily, "That old dog Meng Qi has already run away, why are you still talking about him?"

You're not by my side either. Tell me, if we don't send a group of capable and experienced military commanders to Xianyang, who will deal with those ruthless outlaws who have so many extraordinary talents to assist them?

“But the military commander cannot be trusted! Their entry into the pass will disrupt the balance of power among the various factions in Guanzhong, causing you, the regent empress dowager, to lose absolute control over the court.”

Lao Ai repeated Meng Qi's analysis from back then.

Even on Empress Dowager Zhao's still charming face, a hint of worry appeared.

However, she still insisted: "Times have changed. I have been on the throne for ten years and have secured my rule. The three dukes and nine ministers all submit to me, and the people and soldiers of the land all recognize my rule. At least they are used to it."

Even if there were truly an unruly military commander, could he really cause such chaos in the heart of Guanzhong?

Lao Ai sneered, "If you have the guts, call Meng Tian and Fusu back."

Empress Dowager Zhao's expression froze, and her tone suddenly weakened by seven-tenths, "It was not a military garrison transferred from the Great Wall Army."

The Meng brothers were too prestigious and had to remain in the northwest to guard against the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu.

The two prime ministers intended to recall the Marquis of Lieyang's troops from the Eastern Navy Legion.

With the likes of Marquis Lieyang, Marquis Richu, and Marquis Hongri—those 'Great Sun Marquises'—we are more than capable of suppressing the rebellion of the six kingdoms of Shandong.

Meng Tian and Fusu enjoyed immense prestige among the Qin people of Guanzhong.

The Empress Dowager was truly not confident that she could control them.

If you can't control them, they will control you.

She didn't want to be oppressed by anyone other than Lao Ai, so she could only keep them outside and prevent them from returning to Xianyang. In fact, she wanted to drown her sorrows in a cup of poison, order the deaths of Fusu and the Meng brothers, and eliminate the great threat forever.

Don't say that Fusu is her eldest grandson; there is no kinship in the royal family.

However, Meng Qi insisted on protecting the northern border of China and resolutely disagreed.

Meng Qi has now left.
Empress Dowager Zhao suddenly felt a stirring in her heart that she couldn't suppress.

Her eyes were strange as she whispered, "Haven't you been bribing military officers who come to the capital to report for duty all these years?"

They also commanded hundreds of thousands of troops.

Why not recall your men and take complete control of Guanzhong? Let's go all the way and execute Fusu.

"As long as that grandson lives, I will feel like I have a fishbone stuck in my throat, like thorns in my back; I will be restless and unable to sit or lie still!"

Upon hearing that Fusu was to be killed, Lao Ai's expression immediately softened, and his eyes became gentle. "You should have realized this long ago."

If he doesn't die, your position as 'Regent Empress Dowager' will never be secure.

Our children will find it even harder to ascend the throne in the future.

"You've agreed to bring troops from outside the capital into Guanzhong?" the Empress Dowager asked.

Lao Ai's eyes flickered, and he slowly said, "It is absolutely unacceptable to send a military commander whom you do not trust into the pass."

But if it were my people, this could be a golden opportunity for us to completely take control of Xianyang.

"How can we gain complete control? We can't just kill all the high-ranking officials," the Empress Dowager said.

"Those who obey will prosper, those who defy will perish! Those who disobey must at least be replaced, replaced with our people. For example, the Grand Astrologer!" Lao Ai gritted his teeth. "Yu Fengxian's treacherous nature is even more extreme than I expected."

She has absolutely no loyalty or gratitude towards you.

She doesn't care at all about matters concerning your safety; she completely disregards your feelings and situation.

"But the Great Qin cannot do without her. If it weren't for her, the True Form Map would have been taken away long ago," the Empress Dowager said.

"She is indeed exceptionally talented; you probably can't find anyone more capable than her."

But as long as we control the Imperial Observatory and Xianyang, there's no need for us to fight with the great gods of the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains.

"Choose someone whose abilities are close to Meng Qi's and whose loyalty far surpasses Meng Qi's, that will suffice!" Lao Ai said.

"Have you found the person?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"Since the selection of the Grand Tutor was publicly discussed at the court meeting, in just a few days, as many as seventy or eighty True Immortals have expressed their willingness to serve me and have become my retainers," Lao Ai said with a smug smile.

The Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, "There are at least seventy or eighty people, all of them true immortals? Didn't that old dog Meng Qi say that no immortal would be willing to come to Xianyang and wade into troubled waters?"

Lao Ai's eyes flickered, and he said, "Meng Qi just thinks Yu Fengxian is the best."

Meng Qi simply refused to lower the standards.

For example, it allows those who attain enlightenment through unorthodox means or unorthodox methods to become Grand Tutors of the Qin Dynasty.

—Hmph, isn't Yu Fengxian also a rogue cultivator from another sect?

Meng Qi is nothing but a pedantic old fool who seeks fame and fortune!
(End of this chapter)