As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 192: Cessing Land for Help, Stranger Comes to Surrender

A cold wind blows.

A few days later, Dong Zhenghong was successfully enthroned.

Before this, many court officials opposed and obstructed it, but now no one opposed it.

He knew that this was a dishonorable act, so the abdication ceremony was not held in a grand manner, and no assassins were given the opportunity to assassinate him.

Xiao Anhong was the last emperor of Qianyuan. After abdicating, he went insane and ran to the imperial garden, where he disappeared.

In the court, all the ministers stood solemnly and neatly in the main hall.

Many of them are new faces and have been promoted.

This year is the disaster year of Qianyuan, with various turmoils occurring and even the dynasty changing its surname.

Many people died in these incidents.

Those who survived were also very cautious.

Under the gaze of all the ministers, an energetic old man in a golden dragon robe walked up step by step from the side hall to the high throne.

Dong Zhenghong couldn't describe how he felt right now.

He sat on the throne, stroking the dragon chair carved with coiled dragons, and looked down at the respectful and humble ministers.

In a trance, he seemed to be in a dream, feeling that he was in control of the whole world and no one was equal to him.

He finally fulfilled his wish, and the feeling was intoxicating.

"Your Majesty, Holy Ann!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Ann!"

The ministers bowed and saluted, shouting respectfully.

Dong Zhenghong waved his hand and said, "A new dynasty, a new atmosphere. I wish to change the name of the country to Chen. I will be the first emperor of Chen. Do you have any objections?"

Dong Zhenghong's first words completely ended the fortunes of the Qianyuan Dynasty, which had lasted for more than 500 years.

Since the country had a different surname, the country's name had to be changed as well, announcing the complete end of the dynasty.

So that the subjects don’t still think about the Xiao family dynasty.

Several ministers had different thoughts, but no one spoke.

All power was in the hands of Dong Zhenghong, and most of the people in the court supported him. The remaining small group remained neutral, and those who had objections had already been killed.

"I have no objection..."

"I have no objection!"

"it is good!"

Dong Zhenghong nodded: "Then let's settle it."

"Next, let's discuss our dynasty's external affairs."

Dong Zhenghong has not been dealing with government affairs these days. There are a lot of things going on outside and the situation in the world is turbulent.

Now in Qianyuan, the situation in Chen State is not very good.

The Blood-Clothed Army in the south launched a swift attack, and the 30,000-strong army was defeated, and another important granary in the south, Liuyong, was captured.

At this point, Jiqu, Linguang and Liuyong, the three important granaries and military towns in the south, were no longer in the hands of the State of Chen.

The Jinglan Alliance, which had not entered the mainland for many years and had been overseas in the North, suddenly appeared. Their weapons were very special and extremely lethal, and their navy was even more powerful. A series of cities in the Lie River Basin in the North were all under their artillery fire.

The second princess fled to the southwest, out of reach of Kyoto. Many county and state officials had surrendered to the enemy, and those who did not were captured by the 200,000 rebel-suppressing troops led by Ling Yu.

Ling Yu was the key figure, which was completely beyond Dong Zhenghong's expectations. Otherwise, according to the situation in Qianyuan, it would not be a big task for Ling Yu to suppress the rebellion of the Blood Clothes Army in the south and eliminate Xiao Xinyue who defected from the capital.

This one wrong move completely ruined the whole plan. He had never imagined that the princess who had fled the capital in such a panic would become such a troublesome problem.

Now we have to find some way to deal with these troubles.

He tapped the throne handle lightly with his index finger and spoke loudly, "I intend to send envoys to negotiate peace with the Jinglan Alliance. I will cede the territories of Xizhou, Lizhou, and Saizhou, as well as all the prefectures and counties in the Liehe River Basin, to them, and sign a ceasefire and an alliance."

After the words were spoken, the court became quiet for a moment.

Even though most of these people were loyal to Dong Zhenghong, they couldn't help but remain silent when listening to what he said.

Qianyuan and Beilie fought for three years, severely damaging the vitality of both countries, and only then did they give up half of Lizhou.

Xiao Zhengyang used to work day and night, and was very conscientious. He felt heartbroken when giving away an inch of land, and regarded it as a national humiliation.

Why is Mingchen famous all over the world? Isn't it because he reduced the losses to the minimum? He exchanged half a state for one strategy and only gave half of the states and counties to Beilie.

Now that Dong Zhenghong is in power, no matter Qianyuan or Chen, they are all the land of their nation!
At the slightest provocation, they gave away three states, just to form an alliance with the overseas barbarians?

The new emperor usurped the world through political manipulation and sat on the throne. He never fought a war or engaged in bloody battles. Doesn't he know how much effort it took to gain each inch of territory?
Send someone to negotiate?
Who should be sent to negotiate?
Who will go to negotiate?
How can we face our ancestors after our death for such a thing that will be infamous for eternity? How can we face the iron pen of history?

Dong Zhenghong raised his eyebrows and asked, "Do you have any objections?"

An old minister gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and asked Dong Zhenghong, "This... Your Majesty, is the price too high?"

A person's vision is always limited.

The purpose of everyone discussing matters in the court is to make the country a better place.

He belongs to Dong's camp, and what he said was not an explicit opposition. He was just making suggestions to Dong Zhenghong and leading to what he wanted to say next.

Dong Zhenghong shook his head and said, "Not big."

"After signing the alliance with the Jinglan Alliance, our northern garrison can retreat back to Zhenling Pass, leaving only 3,000 troops to guard the pass."

"The rest of the army will head south, and the Imperial Capital's Imperial Guards will also be sent south. We can jointly recruit troops from the remaining states and counties to eliminate the Blood-Cloaked Rebels."

"The troops currently confronting the Blood-Cloaked Army can be transferred to the southwest to attack Xiao Xinyue."

Ling Yu previously commanded the army in the northern border and had great prestige. If the northern border army met him, it might cause a mutiny in the army.

Dong Zhenghong was particularly careful that the northern garrison could not be mobilized to attack Xiao Xinyue, and could only go south to fight the Blood-Cloaked Army.

"The Jinglan Alliance is strong in naval warfare, but their combat power is greatly reduced after landing. They will only fight along the river. For the time being, there is no need to worry about their invasion from the south."

"Besides, he is in the north and can help our country resist the fierce tigers and wolves of the north. If the alliance is successful, we can also borrow troops from him to wipe out Xiao Xinyue's rebellion."

Giving away the three states will achieve three goals at once.

Stop the war with the Jinglan Alliance, use the enemy to stop the Northern Tigers and Wolves, and free up the garrison to go south to quell the rebellion.

This is the best solution Dong Zhenghong has come up with so far.

It is painful to give away three states for nothing, but a brave man cuts off his arm, because only by cutting off his arm can he survive.

For a moment, the court became quiet and the ministers had different expressions.

Dong Zhenghong's strategy seems to be fine.

If it succeeds, there will really be a chance to resolve the current chaos in the country.

But this sounds...

Ceding land to the enemy country, bowing to the enemy country, but withdrawing troops to fight against people in your own country, and even bringing in outsiders to quell the rebellion...something is immoral and humiliating.

Even Xiao Yu didn't do this back then.

Do this, even if it succeeds.

And after that?
As their territory shrinks little by little and they attract more enemies, can their country still be the largest country in the Central Plains?
How ugly would it be to have such humiliation recorded in history?

Seeing that the ministers remained silent, Dong Zhenghong said, "This matter is settled."

"Master Zhang, you will be the envoy heading north. Leave within five days."

The man he reminded trembled, but still bowed and replied, "I obey your command."

Dong Zhenghong nodded slightly and continued, "Secondly, in the future, the State of Chen will embrace the Xuanming Religion, believe in the cycle of life and death, and the existence of ghosts and gods. I have already built the Tongyou Palace and worship the Ten Directions Ghost Kings every day. When our national strength reaches the Xuanming level, the gods and ghosts will naturally help us, and our dynasty will last for thousands of years."

The cycle of life and death is also a popular belief.

After all, life and death are steps that humans cannot take. Where will people go after they die?

Does the soul return to the underworld? Or disappear? Or go to the paradise of Buddha?
People fear life and death, so they have more fantasies about them.

Basically, everyone believes in some gods who control life and death, and the concept of the underworld is a very popular myth among the people.

Xuanming Miro Miaofa Shangzun, as the highest leader of the underworld, is revered and worshipped by the people. He oversees the vast underworld, the Ten Ghost Kings, and the Three Thousand Rakshasas, presiding over the cycle of life and death. Those who live with a clear conscience can become gods or demons; otherwise, they will be reborn again.

The Xuanming Sect is a sect that believes in the underworld. They intend to reverse and merge the underworld, allowing humans and ghosts to coexist and confuse life and death. There will be no life and death in the world, and people will roam freely, with a supreme being in charge of heaven and earth.

Regardless of whether these legends are true or false, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism...

But it is rare for a monarch to support a sect so obviously.

The monarch is the king and supreme. How can he allow there to be a god above his head?

At most, they quoted some sectarian ideas, such as loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, self-discipline and restoration of rituals, doing more good deeds, and restraining desires... to strengthen their ideological control over the people.

As soon as Dong Zhenghong came to the throne, he announced his position and even built a palace to worship it in person... This move can easily cause a country's thoughts and beliefs to get out of control and theocracy to override royal power.

For a moment, everyone in the court was shocked.

They gradually realized one thing.

This new monarch who is seeking power and stealing the country seems to be a madman.

……

The wind is rising and clouds are rolling in the north, and a storm is about to come.

In Qingzhou in the southwest, however, the weather is sunny and prosperous.

"Your Highness, report from Kyoto."

"Master Chen has instructed you to take a look."

Xiao Xinyue was dealing with the complicated affairs of her upcoming enthronement when a guard came in and handed her a letter.

"kindness?"

Xiao Xinyue raised her eyebrows, but was shocked when she read the letter.

"The dynasty changed its surname..."

She didn't expect Dong Zhenghong to actually dare to do this.

This action ended her 500-year-old Qianyuan inheritance.

"Fourth brother..."

She shook her head, sighed softly, and looked a little melancholy.

In essence, this is not a bad thing for her. Dong Zhenghong is trying to seize power and usurp the throne, which is against the will of the world. There will definitely be constant internal strife and rebellion in the world.

But when this moment finally arrives, it is lamentable.

Her brother has no courage or backbone at all. Even if he is dead, he cannot give away the throne inherited from his ancestors in such a cowardly way.

From then on...she was the only one left in Qianyuan's lineage.

The heroic spirits of her ancestors seemed to be watching her right before her, placing all the responsibilities and hopes on her.

For no reason, she felt a little lonely.

"Hey, His Highness, are you busy?"

"Come, eat some candy to perk up!"

When I was feeling melancholy, suddenly, the voice I had been thinking about for a long time rang in my ears.

Xiao Xinyue suddenly raised her head.

Mingchen stood at the door, looked at him with a smile, and threw a few pieces of candy at her.

After the marriage was completed, he stayed at home for two more days before embarking on his journey home with his sister Dai, traveling along the way and only coming here today.

After all, I promised Her Highness that I would come back before she ascended the throne.

Long Lian was practicing with Lao Shu and stayed at home for the time being.

Mingchen came back with only two children and Lingyu.

He left in a hurry, and only when Mingchen came back did he remember that he had no place to live.

The organization hasn’t allocated him a house yet!

Xiao Xinyue: ...When did this person come back? I didn't even bother to inform her.

He just got married, so he should be happy.

You will know it just by looking at it.

Xiao Xinyue doesn't like sweet things: "I don't eat candy!"

"Wedding candy, at least have a piece~"

This person not only kills people but also destroys their hearts!
Xiao Xinyue glared at him, but still ate a piece.

The sweet taste spread across her tongue, but she felt a little sour in her heart.

"I haven't seen you for a month. Did you miss me, Your Highness?"

When Mingchen came, he saw that she was in a bad mood, and said it with a smile and a sarcasm.

"no!"

Xiao Xinyue rolled her eyes at the man and said unhappily.

In fact, I miss you every day.

Seeing this man's arrogant look, Mingchen laughed and said, "Hahaha, then I think, I miss Your Highness~"

Think about it!
Believe it or not, you’re done!
He must be indulging in that gentle paradise every day.

I don't know if I can come back soon to help her share the work.

But somehow, she was still happy when she heard Mingchen's sweet words.

"What's the matter? What happened?"

Mingchen did not overstep the line to look at the information, but just asked Xiao Xinyue.

Love between young men and women is now ranked last by Xiao Xinyue.

Hearing Mingchen's question, she gathered her thoughts and said to Mingchen, "Xiao Anhong abdicated to Dong Zhenghong and changed the country's name to Chen."

"Oh?"

"Master Dong is quite impatient."

His brother didn't tell him that he would be given the land and made king.

Now, this treacherous villain who holds the emperor hostage is also eager to depose the emperor and proclaim himself king.

Is this supreme position really that magical? Everyone rushed up like crazy.

Yuan Shu wanted to become king after getting the imperial seal.

Now it seems that Boss Cao is really able to be patient and control his desires.

Mingchen did not think that usurping the throne was a good thing for Dong Zhenghong.

Of course, Kyoto is now in trouble both internally and externally, and it can't get any worse. Being an emperor to satisfy your desires will only speed up the countdown to death.

The other side has few ways to go, and it is hard to say whether they can defeat the Blood-Clothed Army. Now they just have to watch from here.

Xiao Xinyue raised her eyes to look at Mingchen and said in an inexplicable voice: "Mingchen, is Qianyuan dead?"

It has been five hundred years since Qianyuan.

Even Xiao Xinyue felt that this was just a fight between her and her brother, and the dynasty would still be there.

When she eliminated the treacherous officials and inherited the throne, Qian Yuan was still Qian Yuan, just sick and was cured with strong medicine.

Mingchen smiled, his tone quite relaxed: "Your Highness, every beginning has an end."

"The cycle of rise and fall cannot be stopped."

"The Qianyuan era of Taizu has ended, and the story created by the deceased hero has come to an end. But the Qianyuan era of a new hero, a new founding emperor, has just begun."

Now that I think about it, a meteorite fell from the sky when the princess left the capital.

There was once a person who split the dynasty that lasted for hundreds of years into two parts, east and west.

Mingchen couldn’t tell who this princess looked like now.

"New Qian Yuan..."

Xiao Xinyue shuddered all over.

The words touched my heart and aroused a sense of heroic spirit.

Mingchen was very pragmatic. He leaned closer to Xiao Xinyue and said with a bit of confusion, "What does other people's Qian Yuan have to do with us? Your Highness, are you not brooding over these useless things?"

"Whether a dynasty rises or falls, it is better to focus on the present and hold real power!"

Xiao Xinyue has some minor problems. She is emotionally rich and sometimes likes to be sentimental and take on responsibilities that do not belong to her.

This was the case when it was used as an excuse for war in Kyoto, and it is the same now when Dong Zhenghong is plotting to usurp the throne.

As a leader, this is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

This can increase her charm and gain the favor of the people. Otherwise, she would not be able to utter the oath that caused strange phenomena in heaven and earth, but it also makes it easy for her to get deeply involved.

Kindness is for others to see, while ruthlessness and indifference are one's true nature.

"Humph!"

In an instant, all sentimentality vanished.

Xiao Xinyue couldn't help but glare at this guy.

The current way of getting along can be seen far ahead.

I guess even when she ascends the throne and is crowned, this guy won't be very respectful to her.

Of course... she doesn't mind.

"What are you here for?"

This guy is very lazy. Xiao Xinyue doesn't think he is rushing to come to work.

"I told you! Of course I miss Your Highness!"

"Humph!"

Xiao Xinyue raised her eyebrows: "Tell the truth!"

"I'm afraid you're here to ask me for my mansion because you have nowhere to live?"

"Oops~"

"What are you talking about? Your Highness, your political skills are not up to par!"

"Even if you see through it, don't tell anyone!"

Riddle talents are the norm in official circles.

Mingchen was exposed, but he was not ashamed or angry. Instead, he was shameless and started to blame Xiao Xinyue.

"That's what I'll do to you!"

Xiao Xinyue casually tossed him a letter: "The largest mansion at the end of Jiuyuan Road is your house."

"Hahaha!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness~"

For some reason, Xiao Xinyue remembered the mansion where the other party lived in Kyoto.

At that time, she even said that she would help him clean up!
It turns out that this person had already thought of this step at that time.

She paused and asked Mingchen, "Are we going to clean up properly this time?"

Kyoto is Mingchen's temporary residence that he is ready to abandon at any time, but here, the house that Xiao Xinyue gave him, she hopes it can become Mingchen's home.

Mingchen smiled and said, "Of course, this is Chen's home!"

The smile flashed across her face, and the princess deliberately put on a stern face: "Everything is ready, come and discuss matters with me!"

Mingchen got what he wanted, chatted with Xiao Xinyue for a few words, and then left.

Xiao Xinyue stood in the study, quietly watching the other person's back as he left, and unconsciously raised the corners of her lips, revealing a faint smile.

After this person came, she seemed to feel more relaxed.

The heavy burden and responsibility just now were relieved.

She let out a breath, her gaze firm again.

The old Qianyuan is completely gone.

She will create her own story, her own Qianyuan.

……

Three days later, the lazy man really appeared in Xiao Xinyue's office.

It’s okay to slack off in moderation, but you can’t really do nothing.

However, when he came here this time, he found that there was a new person.

"Is everything ready at home?"

Xiao Xinyue raised her eyebrows and asked Mingchen.

Last time he sneaked in, but this time he went through the main door and didn't startle her.

Mingchen bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have already made all the arrangements."

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the other person: "Excuse me, who is this person..."

This person looked young, about the same age as Mingchen, with a slender figure, thin eyebrows, long eyes, short hair, a flat forehead, and dressed in white. He exuded a temperament that was inconsistent with that of an ordinary mortal.

"Mingchen, let me introduce you. This is Ji Wen, a lay Buddhist. He is well versed in Taoism and wishes to serve me."

In front of outsiders, Xiao Xinyue maintained a high posture as a leader, but she was no longer as relaxed and casual as she was when she was alone with Mingchen three days ago.
Acting as a middleman, he introduced him to Mingchen.

"Oh?"

Ji Wen did not have the arrogance of a hermit. Instead, he bowed and humbly said, "Master Ming is a man of extraordinary talent. I have long admired your name. I am Ji Wen, and I come from Changqing Mountain in Luzhou."

For some reason, Ji Wen had an inexplicable illusion that this person's eyes could penetrate his body and see into his inner self.

The catastrophe has arrived, the earth's veins are broken, the mountains and rivers are reshaped, and the country's destiny is restarted.

The master gave him a treasure and ordered him to go down the mountain to choose a wise leader to save the world and rescue the people from disaster.

Originally, he planned to go to the south to see the Blood-Clothed Army, but during this period, the second princess suddenly rose to power.

He observed the place for some time and collected some information and rumors.

Finally decided to show up here.

When they finally met, he could see with his penetrating eyes that the princess was all-knowing and had the demeanor of a human king, which was indeed extraordinary.

But the Mingchen he met today was a little beyond his expectations.

He had heard rumors about this person a long time ago. His sharp eyes could see that Xiao Xinyue had an extraordinary bearing, but he could not see the right and wrong, loyalty and treachery of the man in front of him.

As vague as fog, unfathomable.

"Chang Qingshan in Luzhou?"

Mingchen lowered his eyes, then put on a smile. "Thank you so much! I see that Mr. Ji is also a man of extraordinary character and talent. Would you like to help our dynasty achieve its great cause?"

Tong Wuchang appeared in Kyoto, and there was also a mysterious astrologer ghost in Wang Huai's place. On the way to defection, he met the monk Buchen...

The nation's fortunes crumbled, the world was in chaos, and the suppression of the heavens and the earth on the cultivators suddenly decreased. There were also some strange legends driven by fate.

Mingchen guessed that these cultivators hiding in the corners would emerge one by one. They would come with various purposes and be pushed by various people to participate in this trend. Naturally, they would appear in the vision of various leaders.

Mingchen guessed that when Xiao Xinyue settled down, such a person would appear in her sight.

Not only Xiao Xinyue, even if he didn't go to Beilie, Mingchen guessed that someone would come to Qin Lou.

The world is full of conflict and intertwined desires. Everyone has their own purpose. When one person appears, a bunch of people will appear.

Ji Wen glanced at Xiao Xinyue beside him and said respectfully, "The world is in great trouble right now, with demons wreaking havoc. I'm here to seek a glimmer of hope for the people of the world."

"Your Highness is a wise ruler, and I am willing to serve you with my humble efforts."

(End of this chapter)