Love Lock

Chapter 353 Chicken Si Chen
On an auspicious day in September, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and a refreshing autumn breeze was blowing.

The entire imperial city seemed to have been cleansed by the clear autumn sun, radiating a new brilliance unlike the usual gloom.

The palace walls remain vermilion, and the glazed tiles still gleam, but the barely suppressed excitement and anticipation on the faces of the palace servants coming and going, and the faint clamor of voices coming from outside the palace gates, all proclaim the beginning of a new era.

Today is Zhao Zun's coronation ceremony.

Unlike the extravagant and elaborate ceremonies of emperors throughout history when they ascended the throne, Zhao Zun's ceremony was pragmatic and simple, yet contained a powerful and moving force within its simplicity.

There were no newly renovated palaces costing huge sums of money, no long processions stretching for miles, and not even the lengthy and exhausting sacrificial rituals of the previous dynasty. At its core, everything seemed to be centered on the word "human heart".

Inside the palace, in the square in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, bells and chimes rang out in unison, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

The newly rich, represented by figures such as the Duke of Heng, the King of Jingzhou, Hua Tianyou, Luo Hai, Grand Secretary Zhang, and the "Big Fat Head," along with senior military officials, stood solemnly according to their rank, dressed in either new or old court robes. Their gazes were all fixed on the figure who was steadily ascending the high platform.

Zhao Zun was not wearing the elaborate imperial robe embroidered with the twelve symbols, but rather a modified dragon robe in black with gold trim, with a jade belt around his waist, and his figure was as upright as a pine tree.

His face was stern, and his eyes were as sharp as ever. Even at this moment, which symbolized the highest position of power, his brows still carried the fortitude honed by the winds and sands of the northern pass and the killing intent tempered by the battlefield.

However, when he turned his head to look at Han Lei, who was also dressed in her finest attire, a subtle tenderness would flash across his eyes.

What made his ascension to the throne different was this: he did not accept the mandate of heaven alone, but together with his only wife, Han Lei, he completed the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth and the ancestral temple.

This might seem shocking to the old scholars who adhered to etiquette, but everyone present, whether they were old subordinates who knew the friendship between the two or newly rich and powerful who were assessing the situation, understood that this was exactly the style of the new emperor.

What he believed in was the rule.

The most extraordinary spectacle was outside the palace walls.

When the palace bells rang out to pierce the sky and resonate throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, the people who had already gathered on the main streets surged forth like a tide.

They were not driven or lured by the government; they came to the streets entirely on their own initiative, waving simple colorful flags or simply raising their hands and cheering deafeningly.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

"With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, peace reigns throughout the land!"

"Taken from the people, used for the people! Your Majesty is wise!"

The cheers rose higher and higher, converging into an irresistible wave of sound that crashed against the ancient imperial city.

These ordinary people, with their dark complexions and simple clothes, were genuinely excited.

Zhao Zun, who guarded the North Pass and resisted foreign enemies, was already a hero with outstanding military achievements, and his fame had long been spread among the people.

Now that he has just ascended the throne, he has taken swift and decisive measures to uproot the powerful and influential families and clean up the wealth of the privileged. He has also made a vow to "take from the people and use for the people," truly elevating these ordinary people from the bottom of society to a higher position.

How could such a monarch not be supported? The scene of the people spontaneously parading through the streets to celebrate and shouting "Long live the Emperor!" was indeed a glory that no emperor in history had ever seen.

In stark contrast to the fervor outside and inside the palace were the powerful and wealthy scattered throughout the capital's mansions and courtyards.

Apart from those who held official positions in the court and had no choice but to attend the ceremony, the idle nobles who had lost power or whose interests had been affected by the new policies all harbored a deep resentment that they could not vent.

They kept their doors tightly shut, mostly drinking tea in their residences, and only sent trusted servants to mingle among the crowds to gather information.

Listening to the servants' reports of the grand spectacle outside the palace and the Empress's enthronement ceremony inside, their faces grew increasingly grim, their teacups gripping tightly. But they could only silently curse him as a "peasant emperor" or a "hen crowing at dawn," never daring to utter aloud.

The climax of the ceremony was the investiture of the empress.

Chief eunuch Li Zhongxin unfurled the bright yellow scroll and read the imperial edict of investiture in a clear and loud voice.

The imperial edict directly affirmed the friendship between Han Lei and Zhao Zun, who had shared hardships together, as well as Han Lei's own achievements in raising military funds and developing agriculture and commerce. It solemnly announced that Han Lei was to be named Empress, the mother of the nation.

What shocked the court officials and even the entire nation even more was that, as soon as the edict was read aloud, Zhao Zun immediately announced in public:

"The Empress and I have been together since humble beginnings, through thick and thin, our love is deep and profound, as Heaven and Earth can bear witness. Today, I ascend to the throne by the mandate of Heaven, and I swear to Heaven and Earth and to all the people: In this life, my harem will belong to only Han Lei. The Emperor and Empress will be one, ruling the country together!"

Zhao Zun's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable determination and clearly reached everyone's ears.

A lifelong commitment to one person is considered a beautiful story even among ordinary people, let alone in the imperial family—this is simply an unprecedented wonder!
A slight commotion arose among the old ministers in the court, but it quickly subsided when they met Zhao Zun's calm yet imposing gaze.

Some secretly admired his deep affection, some worried about the succession of the nation's heirs, and others were shrewd, thinking of ways to send beauties to Zhao Zun so that they could gain a foothold in the new dynasty.

Standing beside Zhao Zun, Han Lei, dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, with a delicate and pretty face, had tears glistening in her eyes, but her back was straight as she calmly accepted everything.

The fact that she could stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Zun is itself the most powerful testament to this vow.

After the ceremony concluded, Han Lei, respectfully guided by palace maids, gracefully returned to the inner palace to familiarize herself with her new identity and territory. Meanwhile, Zhao Zun led the civil and military officials to the Golden Palace to begin the first formal court assembly of the new dynasty, which also served as a ceremony for bestowing titles and honors.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the atmosphere was both solemn and fervent.

Li Zhongxin stepped forward again, unfolded the imperial edicts that had been prepared in advance, and loudly proclaimed the appointments of meritorious officials of the new dynasty.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: ...Zhang is hereby promoted to Right Chancellor, concurrently serving as Academician of the Hanlin Academy, and in charge of education, culture, and imperial examinations!"

Grand Secretary Zhang, a learned and experienced minister who had served several dynasties but had been marginalized for a time, stepped forward shakily and knelt to express his gratitude.

His eyes were filled with emotion; the new emperor and empress valued education, which was exactly what he had always wanted.

"Song Xuyao ​​is promoted to Left Chancellor, in charge of all government affairs and assisting in the management of Yin and Yang!"

Song Yuanqing's grandfather, Song Xuyao, was a calm, capable, and highly respected man. His appointment as Left Chancellor to assist Zhao Zun in handling daily affairs was universally accepted. The establishment of two chancellors, Left and Right Chancellors, to manage civil and military affairs respectively, and internal and external matters, was also one of Zhao Zun's measures to break with old systems and improve efficiency, based on what Han Lei had seen and heard in another world.

"The King of Jingzhou bestows upon him the plaque 'Imperial Merchant of the World,' and he shall still enjoy the honor of a royal title!"

The King of Jingzhou beamed with joy; this reward was exactly what he wanted. He not only preserved his royal status and honor but also could legitimately continue his incredibly profitable business partnership with Queen Han Lei, ensuring a steady flow of wealth—how delightful!
Immediately afterwards, appointments were issued one after another:
"Appoint Luo Hai as Minister of Justice, in charge of all criminal matters in the realm!"

Luo Hai took a deep breath and stepped forward to receive the order.

His rise from prefect of Cangzhou to the central government, becoming one of the six ministerial officials, was a reward for his years of hard work in the local area and for his support of Zhao Zun at a critical moment.

His eyes welled up with tears, and his heart was filled with turmoil.

"Song Yuanqing is hereby appointed as the Marshal of the Xuzhou Garrison, to guard the southwest!"

"Pingchuan is hereby appointed as the Marshal of the Cangzhou Garrison, to guard the northern frontier!"

"Xiao Zhengfei is appointed Marshal of the Dongguan Garrison, to command respect on the border!"

These three were all fierce generals under Zhao Zun's personal guard, stationed in key locations to ensure that military power was firmly in the hands of trusted individuals.

"Zhang Hanlin is promoted to Vice Minister of Works, in charge of all public works, civil engineering, and water conservancy matters throughout the empire!"

Big Fat Head could hardly believe his ears. He, a rough man who used to roam the streets and had a fondness for "strange skills and tricks," could actually wear a scarlet robe and become the Vice Minister of Works!
His chubby face flushed with excitement, and he knelt down with a thud, expressing his gratitude in a loud voice. He had only one thought in his mind: Finally, in his family's eyes, he had brought honor to his ancestors! He was determined to create all those novelties that His Majesty and the Empress had entrusted to him!
"The Duke of Heng is appointed Minister of Personnel..."

The Duke of Heng's return to the court to take charge of the most important Ministry of Personnel demonstrates Zhao Zun's reliance on this veteran minister and is also a way to appease and promote his supporters within the old aristocratic group.

"Appoint Scarface as Commander of the Imperial Guards, responsible for the security of the palace!"

Scarface's face was cold and hard; he silently accepted the order.

His Majesty entrusted him with the most vital security of the palace, demonstrating Zhao Zun's absolute trust in this old friend.

What's even more refreshing is that Zhao Zun did not adhere rigidly to the old system of the Six Ministries. Heeding Han Lei's advice and recognizing the importance of commerce and people's livelihood, he specifically established several new departments outside the Ministry of Revenue:

A Commercial Division was established, headed by the shrewd and capable Da Jiu, to coordinate commercial activities nationwide.

New departments such as the Construction Department and the Transportation Department were established, and the directors were all brothers from the original Big Team who were good at this kind of work, so that each could give full play to their strengths.

The most unexpected, yet perfectly logical, appointment fell to Hua Tianyou and Li Sao.

A special Textile Manufacturing Bureau was established, jointly managed by the Inner Court and the Ministry of Revenue. Hua Tianyou was appointed as the Director, and Li Sao as the Deputy Director. Textile workshops were set up in various prefectures and counties of Dajing, specifically to gather widows of fallen soldiers or destitute women, teach them skills, and enable them to earn a living and make a living through their work.

Upon the issuance of this edict, many court officials were surprised, as it was extremely rare to appoint a playboy like Hua Tianyou and a woman like Li Sao to such practical official positions.

Little did they know that Hua Tianyou, after years of experience, was no longer the spoiled brat he once was, and that Li Sao herself was a military officer's wife. Furthermore, having spent considerable time with Han Lei, they were intimately familiar with the entire process and operation of Han Lei's factory. Therefore, it was perfectly fitting for them to take charge of the textile manufacturing department.

But upon closer reflection, they couldn't help but admire the new emperor and empress's thorough consideration. This was not only a benevolent policy to resolve social problems, but also a way to reassure the army.

As for the powerful and influential figures in the original court who were neither particularly evil nor very capable, the imperial edict also stated that they would be "made up for separately".

Each appointment, like a meticulously constructed blueprint, places the most suitable candidates in key areas such as military, politics, economy, and people's livelihood.

Zhao Zun's ability to recognize and utilize talent was on full display at this moment. The atmosphere inside the hall was enthusiastic; those who received titles were moved to tears of gratitude, while those who did not receive titles could also see the new atmosphere and infinite possibilities of the new dynasty.

At the end of the court session, Zhao Zun's calm gaze swept over the assembled officials, and he announced the adjournment of the court.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Amidst thunderous shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", the officials prostrated themselves in order, and then, with varying but mostly exhilarated feelings, slowly withdrew from the Golden Palace.

As Zhao Zun watched the crowd depart, he was about to rise and head to the inner palace to share his first lunch with Han Lei after her ascension to the throne when his gaze fell upon Luo Hai, who was leaving with the crowd. A thought struck him, and he remembered the matter weighing on his mind.

"Minister Luo," Zhao Zun spoke, his voice not loud, but it made Luo Hai pause in his tracks, "Please wait. Come with me to the Imperial Study!"

Luo Hai was somewhat puzzled, but still respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys the decree." Inside the imperial study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The room still retains the layout of the previous dynasty, but the furnishings have been simplified, giving it a more rugged military feel. Zhao Zun dismissed his attendants, leaving only himself and Luo Hai in the study.

With no outsiders present, Zhao Zun's expression softened somewhat. He looked at the elder in front of him, whose temples were already streaked with gray, remained silent for a moment, walked to the bookshelf, and took down a seemingly ordinary sandalwood box.

“Uncle Luo,” he changed his form of address, his voice carrying a hint of weight, “there are no outsiders here. After much thought, I feel that I should personally hand this over to you.”

Seeing Zhao Zun's solemn expression, Luo Hai felt a sudden tightness in his chest and asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

Zhao Zun pursed his lips, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but ultimately pushed the wooden box toward Luo Hai: "Perhaps... you should open it yourself."

Luo Hai took the wooden box with both hands, filled with doubt, and gently opened the lid.

There were no gold or jewels inside the box, only a neatly folded piece of white cloth.

He carefully took it out and unfolded it—it turned out to be a fine inner garment, covered with densely packed dark red characters!
It's a letter written in blood!
Luo Hai's heart sank.

He spread the blood-written letter out on the golden nanmu wood imperial desk, his gaze sweeping eagerly over the words written in blood.

The handwriting, sometimes messy and sometimes distorted, tells of the owner's extremely turbulent state of mind when writing it.

It describes how she was abducted as a child, how she was moved from place to place, how she was sold to the Dongming Empire, and how she underwent inhuman and cruel training in an organization called the "Intelligence Department," learning infiltration, espionage, torture, and killing... How she climbed from the lowest level of orphan, step by step over the corpses of her companions and the blood of her enemies, to the high position of Grand Commander of the Dongming Intelligence Department, and changed her name to Dongfang Jiming.

As he read the descriptions of the grueling training and bloody missions, Luo Hai's brows furrowed and his hands began to tremble slightly.

When he saw the last part, the familiar three characters "Luo Sihan" struck his mind like three thunderbolts!

"Sihan?!" Luo Hai looked up abruptly, his face turning deathly pale. His voice trembled with shock and excitement. "Your Majesty! You...you've found Sihan? Where is he? Quick! Take me to him! Why...why did he write this...this blood letter?!"

The veins on his hand gripping the blood-written letter bulged, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and a sense of foreboding.

Zhao Zun looked at Luo Hai's face, which had aged considerably in an instant, and felt a pang of pity, but he had no choice but to tell the truth.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Uncle Luo, Luo Sihan has indeed appeared. However... his current identity is the Grand Commander of the Dongming Intelligence Bureau, Dongfang Jiming."

He paused, observing Luo Hai's reaction, and continued, "This time, when Chen Bing invaded our Dongguan, he... was one of the commanders. It was he who ordered the captured soldiers of Dajing to be the 'vanguard,' driving the Dajing people to attack the city, causing countless loyal souls to die unjustly beneath the walls; it was also he who, after the city fell, forced the captured Marshal Li Jianyong and other soldiers to perform the 'sheep-leading ceremony,' inflicting extreme humiliation on our army's morale..."

With each word Zhao Zun spoke, Luo Hai's face grew paler, and he swayed, almost unable to stand.

"After we recaptured Dongguan, we captured a large number of Dongming bandits, including Dongfang Jiming... Sihan. I... recognized him." Zhao Zun's voice was filled with sorrow. "He... he also recognized me. Perhaps knowing that he was guilty of grave sins, ashamed before his ancestors, ashamed before the people of Dajing, and even more ashamed to face you two elders, he... committed suicide in prison. This blood-written letter was found by the jailer when he was discovered."

"boom--!"

Luo Hai felt a deafening roar in his ears and the world spinning around him.

After being missing for twenty years, the son she had been longing for finally had news, only to be met with such a cruel truth and the chilling news of his death!
It wasn't a triumphant return home, nor a father and son reuniting, but rather... he became a henchman of an enemy nation, his hands stained with the blood of his compatriots, and finally committed suicide in prison!

An overwhelming grief engulfed Luo Hai like a tidal wave, but what followed was an even deeper despair and shame.

Luo Sihan's actions are beyond reproach, even if he were to die. Even if he doesn't commit suicide, he will likely face death according to the law, and his family may also be implicated.

"Unfilial son...unfilial son!!" Luo Hai felt a sweet taste in his throat, which he forced down, but tears could no longer be held back and streamed down his face.

He was hunched over, his hands tightly clutching the undergarment covered in blood-written words, as if he wanted to crush it, or as if it were the last trace of his son that he couldn't bear to erase.

Twenty years of searching, twenty years of anticipation, vanished in this moment, leaving only endless grief and unspeakable shame.

Zhao Zun silently stepped forward, supported the swaying Luo Hai, and whispered, "Uncle Luo, please accept my condolences... Si Han... he already knows he was wrong."

As Luo Sihan's childhood playmate, Zhao Zun was also deeply saddened.

He could understand the earth-shattering pain Luo Hai was experiencing at that moment. It was not just the pain of losing a son, but also the agony of having his beliefs and honor torn apart.

After a long silence, Luo Hai finally managed to stop his sobbing, his voice hoarse and broken: "Where...is he buried?"

“In the desolate mountains on the outskirts of Beijing,” Zhao Zun replied.

"Take...take me to see him," Luo Hai pleaded.

Zhao Zun nodded: "Okay."

The two changed into casual clothes and did not bring many attendants. They rode in an inconspicuous carriage, bought some incense, candles, paper money and other offerings on the street, and quietly left the capital, heading straight for the desolate mountains on the outskirts of the capital.

In late autumn, the barren mountains were desolate, withered grass and trees, a scene of bleak desolation. The withered yellow grass swayed weakly in the autumn wind, making a rustling sound, adding to the desolation. Although the sun was bright, it could not dispel the chill in the mountains.

On a secluded hillside, a solitary earthen grave stands quietly, inconspicuous.

The tombstone bears the name Luo Sihan, but the one who lies buried here is the intelligence chief who once stirred up trouble between the two countries, and also the son Luo Hai had been searching for for twenty years.

Standing before the grave, looking at that mound of yellow earth, Luo Hai's tears, which he had just managed to stop, flowed again.

With trembling hands, he laid out the offerings, lit the incense and candles, and the glow of the paper money illuminated his instantly aged and haggard face.

“Sihan… my son…” he choked up, a thousand words stuck in his chest, but he couldn’t utter a single complete sentence.

He wanted to ask his son how he had been all these years, he wanted to scold him for aiding and abetting evil, he wanted to tell him that his parents had never stopped searching for him... But in the end, all his words turned into silent tears and heavy sighs.

Blame? He has already paid the price with his life.

Pity? His crimes are too numerous to count.

This complex mix of love and hate, grief and shame, almost broke this strong old man.

Zhao Zun stood silently to the side, letting Luo Hai vent his grief.

On the return journey to the capital, the carriage swayed and bumped along the rugged road.

Luo Hai leaned against the car wall, his eyes closed, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant, as if all his energy had been drained away.

After a long silence, he opened his bloodshot eyes and asked in a low, weary voice, "Your Majesty, who else knows Sihan's identity?"

Zhao Zun shook his head: "Besides me, the maid, and a few absolutely reliable servants who guarded and took care of him at the time, no one else knows. To the outside world, we only say that Dongfang Jiming has been executed."

Luo Hai nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then, as if he had made a great decision, suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty, this old minister humbly requests that Your Majesty allow this old minister to resign from the position of Minister of Justice and return to Cangzhou as a prefect."

Zhao Zun was taken aback: "Uncle Luo, why is that? The new dynasty has just been established, and everything needs to be rebuilt. It is precisely the time when we need people. I need you by my side to assist me!"

He genuinely felt sorry for Luo Hai, who was experienced and had an excellent track record, making him the most suitable person to stay by his side and assist him.

Luo Hai smiled bitterly, gazing at the desolate scenery rushing past the window, his voice ethereal: "Staying in the capital... it stirs up memories. Seeing these palace walls, seeing these government offices, this old minister will think of that wicked son, and my heart will be uneasy... I beg Your Majesty to understand this old minister... This old body still wants to find a quiet place to guard this territory for Your Majesty, which can also be considered... to atone for some of that wicked son's sins."

He paused, then added, "I've been in Cangzhou for many years and am familiar with the situation; I can't do without you."

Zhao Zun looked at the undeniable grief and unwavering determination in Luo Hai's eyes and sighed inwardly.

He understood that the pain of losing a son, especially in this way, would be devastating for the old man. If he were forced to stay in the capital, the constant reminders of his loss would only hasten his demise.

As a king, he lost a capable minister who had assisted him; but as a son, he could not refuse the final request of an exhausted old man.

"I...grant it." Zhao Zun's voice was somewhat low, "but I feel it's a great pity."

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your great favor." Luo Hai stood up and bowed.

As the carriage approached the city gates of the capital, Luo Hai suddenly said, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing I would like to ask of you."

"Uncle Luo, please speak."

"Your Majesty, please keep Si Han's matter a secret, and never... let his mother know." Luo Hai's voice was filled with endless bitterness. "Your Aunt Luo almost went blind from crying all those years because of Si Han, and she has only just recovered somewhat in recent years. She is old and in poor health, and I really can't bear... to let her suffer such a blow again. Let her think that Si Han has just gone missing, and perhaps he is still living well in some corner of the world..."

Zhao Zun felt a pang of sadness and solemnly promised, "Uncle Luo, rest assured, this matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. No outsiders will know about it, and Aunt Luo will not find out either."

Luo Hai nodded, a look of relief on his face: "In that case, this old minister is relieved. The enthronement ceremony is over, and there are many affairs to attend to in Cangzhou. This old minister... will not enter the city. I will bid farewell to Your Majesty and return directly to Cangzhou."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zun ordered the driver to stop the carriage.

He jumped off the carriage first, and Luo Hai followed. The two stood by the official road, with the majestic city walls of the capital behind them and the long road leading into the distance in front of them.

"Uncle Luo, take care of yourself." Zhao Zun looked at the old man who had suddenly become hunched over, his heart filled with respect and pity. "I'm entrusting Cangzhou to you."

"Your Majesty, please take care of your health. This old minister... will do his utmost to protect Cangzhou for Your Majesty." Luo Hai bowed deeply, said no more, and climbed back onto the carriage with some difficulty.

The carriage curtain fell, and the carriage slowly started moving, traveling along the official road towards Cangzhou, gradually disappearing into the distance until it became a small black dot and vanished into the vast autumn sky.

Zhao Zun stood alone, gazing for a long time at the direction where the carriage had disappeared.

The autumn wind rustled his clothes. The pride of creating a prosperous era and the sorrow of losing loved ones were intertwined like light and shadow.

He took a deep breath of the cool air and walked firmly toward the imperial city, which symbolized supreme power and bore endless responsibilities.

The road ahead is still long!
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