Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 918 Traveling a Thousand Miles to Beat Up His Son

In the West Market of Chang'an, the afternoon sun slanted into the small tavern, filling the air with the aroma of wine and meat.

Three or five tables of guests sat scattered about, chatting and laughing quietly over a few small dishes. In a corner, a middle-aged man with a scraggly beard, wearing a worn brocade robe, was already seven or eight parts drunk. He was slamming his fist on the table, spitting everywhere.

"You wouldn't believe it! Xia Lin, Xia Daosheng! He always has to call me 'brother' politely whenever he sees me!" His loud voice drew the attention of those sitting next to him, but he was oblivious, and took another swig of wine: "With his abilities, if I hadn't taken a liking to him, would he be where he is today?"

The bartender, wiping the table nearby, couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. He whispered to a regular customer next to him, "This drunkard, he's really bragging. Who is Xia Shuai? Does he think he can make things up?"

The man, with sharp ears, heard it and suddenly stood up, swaying slightly as he pointed at the bartender and cursed, "You...you son of a bitch don't believe me? I don't change my name or surname! I am the Emperor of Great Wei! Don't even mention Xia Lin, even your emperor would have to give me some face!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent, then erupted in uproarious laughter.

"Hahaha... He said he's the emperor of Wei?"

"Could the Emperor of Wei really be like this? Coming to this little tavern alone to drink cheap wine?"

"He's probably gone mad!"

The tavern owner approached with a grim expression: "Sir, this is a serious matter! You should pay your bill and leave now, lest you bring trouble upon our establishment!"

Tuoba Jing glared, still trying to argue, but was pushed and shoved out of the tavern by several waiters. He stumbled and almost fell on the bluestone slab, but he gripped the wine gourd in his hand tightly.

He glanced back at the "Drunken Immortal Abode" sign, but didn't bother arguing with these lowlifes. He just spat out angrily, "A bunch of blind fools."

He muttered to himself and staggered along the street.

Passing by a stall selling sesame cakes, the aroma made his stomach rumble again. He checked his pockets and realized he had probably overpaid for the wine earlier, leaving him feeling a little short of cash. When had he, the Emperor of the Great Wei, ever worried about a few coins? Unfortunately, this time he was traveling incognito, carrying only the equipment for projecting movies and that precious film reel; he hadn't brought much gold, silver, or valuables.

Just as they were hesitating, a slightly mocking voice suddenly rang out behind them: "Oh, isn't this our Emperor? Why does he seem so sullen today?"

Tuoba Jing turned around abruptly and saw Xia Lin standing behind him, holding an oil paper package. Douyazi was standing next to him, dressed as a man, but the disdain in Douyazi's eyes was almost overflowing.

"Xia Lin!" Tuoba Jing almost rushed over as if he had seen a relative, but then he remembered the boast he had made at the tavern and felt embarrassed. He stiffened his neck and said, "Who...who is hungry? I'm just...experiencing the lives of ordinary people!"

Xia Lin shoved the oil paper package into his hand and chuckled, "Alright, experience the local customs. Let's go, let's go to my place first. If you really get beaten to death by the hooligans in Chang'an, half a million people in the world will be buried with you."

Bean Sprout coldly added from the side: "And while you're at it, wash off that smell of alcohol on you, it's pungent."

Soon, Xia Lin brought Tuoba Jing back to his temporary residence in Xianyang. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Tuoba Jing didn't care about anything else. He tore open the oil paper package and began to wolf it down, eating in the same manner as Tuoba Shang.

Xia Lin shook his head and smiled bitterly at his behavior. This guy's actions were truly unpredictable. If it weren't for the fact that the Special Service agents were scattered all over Xianyang and suddenly reported that this guy had appeared in Xianyang and almost got beaten up in a tavern, Xia Lin would not have known that this bastard would come here on his own.

But thinking about it, it's not really that strange. His crown prince was able to come here as a hostage, so it's really not a big deal for the emperor to come here incognito.

"Slow down, slow down, no one's going to take it from you." Xia Lin sat down opposite him and poured him a glass of water. "Tell me, what happened? Did you really come all by yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Jing immediately perked up, ignoring the grease on his hands, and gestured, "I've finished filming my movie! An absolute masterpiece! I personally wrote the script, directed it, and played the role of the deposed emperor! It was filmed on location right here in the Jinling Imperial Palace! The extras were all imperial guards, palace maids, and eunuchs. The scale and the atmosphere! It cost this much!" He held up two fingers, then added another, "Over three hundred thousand taels of silver!"

Bean Sprout, listening from the side, rolled her eyes and whispered to Xia Lin, "Three hundred thousand taels, and they only made a movie? Really..."

Xia Lin, however, seemed quite interested and waved to Douyazi, signaling Tuoba Jing to continue.

"I brought all the films!"

Tuoba Jing mysteriously placed the box he had been carrying on his back in front of him. Xia Lin had thought he was acting strangely, but now that she looked at him, it was indeed strange. The box, weighing dozens of kilograms, made him look like a Saint Seiya carrying his armor case.

"We're using the most advanced film projectors and technology, and we plan to hold a premiere here! Let the world see what true art is! This is a copy of the film."

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, as if he could already see the streets emptied of people. His eyes held no lingering attachment to imperial power or national dignity, only the appreciation of his meticulously crafted masterpiece.
Xia Lin stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with a thoughtful look: "A premiere in Xianyang... that's not a bad idea. Merchants from all over the world are there, which will add some buzz to your art."

Tuoba Jing's eyes lit up: "You agree?" "Don't be too happy yet." Xia Lin poured cold water on him: "I have to see the film first. If it's terrible, don't blame me for embarrassing you in front of the whole world."

"Absolutely top-notch! You'll be satisfied!" Tuoba Jing patted his chest to assure him, then his face fell. "However, the projection equipment is a bit large, and it's still on the carriage in the back. We'll need to find a suitable location. Also, the premiere venue..."

“I’ll find the location.” Xia Lin stood up. “Have your people transport the equipment to the newly built square at the site of the old Xianyang Palace. It’s spacious there. As for the venue…” He glanced at Tuoba Jing as he spoke, “Since it’s your masterpiece, let’s go big. Let’s do it in the square, an open-air screening, and allow the public to watch.”

"Out in the open?" Tuoba Jing was taken aback. "Isn't this... a bit too informal?"

Xia Lin scoffed: "Solemn? Are you fucking making the Last Emperor look solemn? That's exactly the kind of spirit we're going for. Let everyone see how an emperor brings about the downfall of his country, to serve as a warning to the world."

Bean Sprouts chimed in abruptly, "The main concern is that if you leave it indoors, no one will see it, and you'll lose face."

Tuoba Jing was speechless for a long time before finally muttering, "...Fine! Outdoors it is! Where's Third Sister?"

Just then, a commotion arose outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by Tuoba Shang's distinctive loud voice: "Uncle! We're back!!! Come on, what should we eat tonight?"

Before he could finish speaking, Tuoba Shang burst in, and upon seeing Tuoba Jing gnawing on a chicken leg, his eyes widened in shock: "Ah...this..."

Upon seeing his son, Tuoba Jing was overwhelmed by both old and new grudges. He slammed the chicken leg on the table and abruptly stood up, shouting, "You bastard! How dare you show your face in front of me? I haven't even settled accounts with you yet!"

With that, he grabbed a broom from the side and rushed over. Seeing his father was serious, Tuoba Shang screamed and ran around the stone table in the courtyard, crying, "Father! Father! Let's talk this out!"

"I'll teach you to push me! I'll teach you to run!" Tuoba Jing chased after him, broom in hand. "You dare to run? I'll break your legs!"

The father and son ran and chased, causing chaos and confusion.

"Hit him! Hit him hard!" Bean Sprout cracked sunflower seeds, a rare smile appearing on his face: "This little devil deserves to be taught a lesson by his father."

Although Tuoba Shang was young and strong, he should know who he was facing. This was a fierce man who could go toe-to-toe with Li Shimin dozens of times, an emperor who could personally lead his troops and charge into the Jurchen cavalry with the dragon banner. If he were caught, he would be beaten severely.

Indeed, Tuoba Shang's childhood was incomplete, but things are alright now; at least he has experienced the feeling of being driven to success.

Three belts were broken, two brooms were snapped, and the courtyard looked like it had been ravaged by bandits. Tuoba Shang squatted in the corner, holding his head and crying.

You should know that this guy usually relies on his thick skin and tough flesh, and he is already a notorious devil in Chang'an. Now, it turns out that the wicked will be punished by the wicked.

"Hey, what did he just say?" Tuoba Jing went back to the table and continued eating chicken: "I didn't hear it very clearly."

“He said you’ll never be able to touch the imperial seal in your lifetime, and you’re just waiting to become a king who will bring about the downfall of his kingdom.” Bean Sprout added fuel to the fire from the side, “He gave your imperial seal to Third Sister.”

"Oh... this?" Tuoba Jing seemed unconcerned. "What would I need that for? I have several sets over there. Do you want some? If you do, I can get you a couple. Do you prefer Hetian jade or Dangshan jade?"

Bean Sprout was clearly taken aback: "You really mean it?"

"Look at you, you're a whiz at business, but utterly hopeless in politics." Tuoba Jing glanced at Xia Lin, raised his chin, and said, "It's not that you can rule a country because you have that jade seal, but rather that you must first rule a country before you deserve to have that jade seal. Whether the jade seal is made of radish or potato, it's all the same. What matters is who puts that seal on paper. I could give you eight sets of jade seals, and you still wouldn't be able to mobilize a single soldier of my Great Wei."

After saying that, he pointed at Xia Lin: "He's a dog with no brains, yet he can command a million soldiers with just a word."

"No, no..." Xia Lin hurriedly waved his hand: "It's only around 700,000, and they're all distributed in different places. The Construction Corps alone has about 400,000, and those are directly under Zhuo Heng. The only ones who can truly listen to me completely are the 120,000 Fuliang New Army soldiers."

"Whether it's true or not, you know it in your heart."

After speaking, Tuoba Jing glanced at the brat on the ground: "You little brat, do you think your father wouldn't dare to come to Li Tang to arrest you? Do you think there's a particularly clear line between Tang and Wei?"

Tuoba Shang rolled his eyes and squatted there silently. But judging from his expression, he was clearly unconvinced.

(End of this chapter)