Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 218 What’s happening on Mars?

In mid-June, when Liu Bei was resting in Yanzhou, Wang Li, the historian who was good at stargazing and was in Chang'an, happened to see at night that Taibai Guarding the Sky Gate and Yinghuo merged together.

Wang Li's forehead was immediately covered with cold sweat, and he muttered to himself, "The Mars is shifting, and the world is bound to undergo a major change!"

As he spoke, he looked towards Hebei in the east, feeling worried.

The next day, he hurried to visit the chief of the clan Liu Ai. After Liu Ai had dismissed the servants and maids, he immediately bowed and said, "Central clan leader, I came here because of the star sign that appeared last night."

Liu Ai, who was wearing a tall crown, stroked his beard and smiled when he heard this: "Taishi Ling, don't worry. Wait until the iron cauldron boils and you have a good taste of the tea, and then you can tell me everything."

Seeing that Zong Zheng was somewhat pleased with the courtesy shown to the emperor and the three dukes and nine ministers by powerful officials such as Li Jue and Guo Si, Wang Li could not help but anxiously said, "Zong Zheng, the Han Dynasty is about to fall, can Liu Jun also be so carefree and at ease?"

Liu Ai almost couldn't breathe after hearing this. His fingers suddenly froze and he stared at the other person with wide eyes, saying, "I'm kindly inviting you to have tea."

You actually told me that the Han Dynasty is going to be destroyed. Do you know who I am?
I am the head of the Liu clan, in charge of the affairs of the emperor's relatives and nobles. If you dare to say in front of me that the Han Dynasty will be overthrown, I am afraid you don't know how to write the word death.

When Liu Ai realized what was happening, his face turned darker than the bottom of a pot. He was so angry that his face twisted. He slammed the table and stood up to accuse me, "How dare you! You are paid by the Han family, yet you dare to say such treasonous words in front of me."

"Come on! Capture this man for me."

"Slow down, Zongzheng, this is just a slip of the tongue, please listen to me."

Wang Li, the Grand Historian, was grabbed by the sleeves and collar of his clothes by several servants who came running over following the noise, and they tried to drag him out without caring that he was kneeling on the couch.

Wang Li was also panicked, and hurriedly said: "Zongzheng, the horoscope I observed last night is related to the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty. I dare not tell outsiders in detail, so I can only consult Liu Zongzheng. Expelling me is a trivial matter, but what I am going to say next is a major matter that must be observed."

Liu Ai thought for a long time, looked at Wang Li and said unhappily: "If you can't explain the reason today, I will beat you out of the mansion."

After saying this, he waved his hand and asked several servants to leave for the time being.

Then he sat back on the bed and straightened his body. Liu Ai asked, "Go on, if you have anything to say that will shock the world, you can tell me. I will listen carefully."

"Last night I observed the stars and saw Mars moving, and Venus and Mars meeting each other. This is a sign of revolution in the world. Since ancient times, when Mars moved, there were always major events. During the reign of Emperor Ying Zheng of Qin, Mars moved, and a falling star descended to Dongjun and turned into stone. Soon, the Qin Dynasty fell.

Mars also appeared during the reign of Emperor Xiaocheng, who died in Chang'an and eventually had no descendants, leading to the usurpation of the Han Dynasty by Wang Mang.

And last night, Mars was moving, and the metal and fire were meeting. What do you think will happen to the world?"

Wang Li said softly, bowing.

After he finished speaking, he felt much better. This kind of thing should not be known by only one person. Although the Grand Historian was in charge of the astronomical calendar, national sacrifices and funerals, wedding days and taboos, auspicious signs and disasters and many other matters, he was not surprised by many things, but when he saw the unusual movement of Mars last night, he was almost scared to death.

With so many examples before us, the Han Dynasty may not be able to survive this time.

After hearing Wang Li's report, Liu Ai was shocked as if struck by lightning. He forgot to breathe and his eyes suddenly widened as he stared at the Grand Historian in front of him.

"Impossible! Although the Han Dynasty is in decline, the powerful ministers have no hope of deposing and enthroning a new emperor. If anyone dares to dethrone the emperor and establish himself as the emperor, the princes of the world will surely fight against him. Li Jue and Guo Si cannot be out of their minds."

Zongzheng Liu Ai came to his senses and retorted in shock.

"Besides, there are still many Liu clan members in the world. In the north, there is Liu Bo'an, the governor of Youzhou; in the east, there is Liu Xuande, the governor of Qingzhou; in the south, there is Liu Jingsheng, the governor of Jingzhou, and the newly appointed governor of Yangzhou, Liu Zhengli; in the southwest, there is Liu Jiyu, the governor of Yizhou. They are all the pillars of the Han Dynasty. How could the Han Dynasty be in danger of collapse?"

"Even if Mars moves unusually, it is not credible. It is not credible."

Liu Ai waved his hands repeatedly, unwilling to believe. His limbs were just a little cold. The two Yuans were the strongest among the princes in the world. If they worked together to join forces with Cao Cao in Yangzhou to attack Liu Xuande, who would know who would control the world.

The Liu family will not perish at the hands of the Yuan family.

Thinking of this, Zongzheng Liu Ai turned aside and asked anxiously, "Is there any other interpretation of this astrological phenomenon?"

Wang Li thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Zongzheng, according to the interpretation of the stars and the hexagrams, the hexagram of Ge is Dui on top and Li on the bottom. Dui represents metal and Li represents fire. The Xiangci of Yi Ge says: There is fire in the marsh, which represents Ge. Therefore, there is a sign of revolution. A king will rise up in the Three Jins and pacify the world."

"In ancient times, Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou made revolutions, following the will of Heaven and responding to the will of the people. This hexagram should refer to the same thing as in ancient times."

After hearing this, Liu Ai was shocked.

Isn't the Three Jins the place where Liu Bei and Yuan Shao fought? It was also the place where Emperor Guangwu rose to power. Whoever occupied Hebei could annex the world.

Shang Tang destroyed Xia, and Zhou Wu destroyed Shang, both of which destroyed the previous dynasties. Could it be that it was the Tianxing Yuan clan that destroyed them?

Liu Ai's eyes were full of disbelief. He was suddenly told that the Han Dynasty was going to fall. Which member of the Liu family could withstand it, not to mention that he was the head of the clan.

"Is there any way to save it?"

Liu Ai leaned over and asked hurriedly.

Wang Li, the Grand Historian, shook his head and said sadly, "I didn't sleep last night. I searched through all the astrological books preserved in Chang'an, but found nothing."

"This astrological sign is beyond human control."

After hearing the solemn words of the historian, Liu Ai finally gave up hope, slumped down on the bed, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and said sadly: "Is my Han family going to perish like this?!"

Hearing Zong Zheng's loud wailing, Wang Li couldn't help but say sadly: "With the stars like this, Liu Zong Zheng doesn't need to be too sad. Mortals can only observe the way of the sky and welcome the changes of the universe, the sun and the moon. How can we go against it?"

"The Zongzheng can choose the right time to report to the emperor and inform him of the changes in the stars."

"Oh, that's all. It's the only way."

Liu Ai stopped crying. Her handkerchief was already stained. She brushed her sleeves to wipe away the last of her tears and sighed again, "Grand Historian, you have frightened me enough. Please come with me to report to the emperor at the court meeting in three days."

This kind of thing cannot be concealed at all. It is impossible for only one person to see the changes in the stars. If you happen to see the changes in Mars, you can also find a good stargazer to interpret its meaning.

The Han Dynasty is in a precarious situation, and I am afraid that the news will spread throughout the world.

Li Jue and Guo Si had just begun to learn etiquette when dealing with the emperor and ministers in the court, and this incident might cause further changes.

"We need to inform the palace secretary Jia Wenhe in advance and ask him to persuade the two thieves Li and Guo not to act recklessly."

Liu Ai thought carefully.

With Jia Xu's advice, the ministers' situation can be made much better.

Thinking about the years of suffering and pain, Liu Ai couldn't help but feel sad and choked up, "Big man, why are you going to die?!"

I came to Chang'an and suffered the pain of serving the bandits, but it was all in vain...

(End of this chapter)