Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 669 Absurd! Why suppress demons under the emperor's nose?
The dragon steed galloped through the imperial city, and the news spread instantly.

A joint meeting of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works?
What are you discussing?

The major families all sent people to find out more details.

News from inside the Qianyang Palace was also quietly leaked out.

His Majesty has ordered the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to handle the Black Tortoise and the Sea-Suppressing Pillar?

This is no simple matter!
The focus of everyone's attention, besides the artifact itself, is the political implications behind it.

"Six pillars! The six ancient, lost pillars that once guarded the sea have reappeared!"

"This is a grand gift from Zhang Qingyang to His Majesty, and it is also a way to showcase his merits!" In an ancient mansion, an old man dressed in black robes looked up, his eyes revealing a profound depth.

"He's 'casting a tripod'!"

"The Great Qin has lost its nine provinces and severed its connection to the boundless sea. Now, Zhang Qingyang wishes to reclaim the lost lands, which is also His Majesty's intention..."

In front of the old man, a middle-aged man in a green robe had a solemn expression.

“Father, the influence of Qingyang Marquis is growing stronger, and the Zhen Tian Division is now completely under his control.”

The old man in black robes nodded.

In his view, the power and influence of the Marquis of Qingyang would reach an unprecedented peak with the landing of these six pillars.

"It seems the Zhang family will soon be another prominent family in the imperial city..."

……

The eastern suburbs of the imperial city.

The giant training ground where the Xuan Turtle landed.

The daylight was perfect, but the atmosphere on the drill ground was even more stagnant than before a storm in the East China Sea.

The six-headed, mountain-like black tortoise lay silently like an ancient, primordial beast.

The bronze pillars deeply embedded in the rough tortoise shell pierced the sky. The mottled ancient seal script of "Yu Zhen Jiu Chuan" and "Fen Hai Ding Bo" on the pillars, along with the lingering aura of demonic blood, silently told of the tragedy of the East Sea and the overwhelming power of Qingyang Hou.

The pungent smell of the sea and the metallic scent of iron permeated the dry air, creating a strange, suffocating atmosphere.

The makeshift platform surrounding this awe-inspiring trophy was already packed with people.

Imperial relatives, high-ranking officials, military generals, and heads of various departments were all seated there, their eyes scanning between the black tortoise and the bronze pillars like probing hooks.

In this focal point where power and greed intertwine, the woman sitting by the railing is particularly eye-catching.

Princess Yu Ruo, the owner of Yu Yuan Trading Company, the leader of Jiu Chuan Alliance, and the future wife of the Marquis of Qingyang.

Zhao Yu was not dressed in elaborate palace attire. Instead, she wore a simple brocade dress in a smoky blue color, which accentuated her noble and unparalleled temperament. She played with an exquisite folding fan with a white jade frame and a plain gauze cover between her slender fingers, her posture calm and elegant.

Actually, she rarely wears women's clothing, so today's outfit is a rare display of elegance.

Beside her, eunuchs served her fine tea and snacks, and she was accompanied by several equally distinguished merchants.

These powerful figures, whose mere presence in the capital city could shake the very ground, now looked at her with a subtle hint of inquiry and awe.

Everyone knows that this man is the pillar of the Qingyang Marquis's mansion outside the imperial court.

Behind her stood Consort Qi, whose hidden power even the royal family had to show her respect.

Moreover, Princess Yu Ruo herself has relied on her business acumen and skills to gradually reach her current position.

Within the imperial city, there are many powerful young people, and many with extraordinary talents, but when it comes to business acumen, no one can rival Princess Yu Ruo.

In the audience, Wu Daoyuan, a master craftsman from the Ministry of Works with graying temples and exceptionally sharp eyes, did not rush to join the debate.

He approached one of the towering sea-suppressing pillars with hurried steps, his calloused fingers almost reverently tracing the newly added "Shoushan Copper" casting marks on the pillar, marks made by his disciple Li Yuhui.

His gaze greedily swept over the ancient inscription "Yu Zhen Jiu Chuan" deeply embedded in the bronze pillar and the intricate, unpredictable star-shaped patterns, as he muttered incantations: "Meteorite iron from outer space, black ice iron from the North Sea, melting poisonous fire from the earth's lungs..."

"The casting technique, the array structure... it's exquisite! Every flow of the runes contains the ultimate wisdom of ancient craftsmen!"

His appreciation for this divine object far surpassed that for ordinary objects.

Not far away, a young, elite general, dressed in brand-new black armor and with a long sword at his waist, stood alone in front of a black tortoise.

Although the overwhelming demonic energy remaining from the Great Demon of the Free and Unfettered Realm was mostly suppressed by the Sea-Suppressing Pillar, it still swept over like an invisible cold tide and oppressive force.

The young general's blood boiled like a furnace, and the veins on the back of his hand, pressed against the hilt of his sword, bulged. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, were fixed on the tightly closed eyes of the Xuan Turtle, as if he were about to draw his sword at any moment, slay demons and monsters, and test the legendary power of the "Sea-Suppressing Sword" with his own blood.

The invisible clash of fighting spirit and chilling demonic energy created a silent zone that made one's heart tremble, silently proclaiming the extraordinary nature of this behemoth and the vigor of the younger generation.

"Such a national treasure should be placed at the core of the Imperial City's grand formation!" a young official from the Ministry of Works couldn't help but exclaim. "With the Xuan Turtle's demonic energy resonating with the Sea-Suppressing Pillar, the defenses of the capital region will be as solid as a rock!"

"Absurd! Why would we need to suppress demons under the emperor's nose?" another civil official immediately retorted. "The demons of the northern frontier knock on our gates every year; this thing should be sent to the border..."

"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime!" A lean, middle-aged Confucian official from the Ministry of Rites stroked his beard and sneered, his voice sharp and clear. "This object still possesses demonic energy and a murderous aura! Sending it to the northern frontier or the inner palace for study might attract evil spirits and cause disaster!"

"Although Censor Yuan was punished for speaking frankly, his concern that 'evil aura obscured the sky and might pollute the dragon vein' was not unfounded!"

"In my opinion, the Ministry of Rites should take charge of selecting a pure and virtuous land to bury and seal it deep within the earth, supplemented by the teachings of the sages to dispel the malevolent energy over many years. Only after several decades should its use be considered. Forcibly urging the grain will surely incur divine retribution!"

Although the emperor assigned the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to handle the black tortoise and bronze pillar, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue had always been relatively quiet in the court.

Even at that time, a mere Assistant Minister of Rites could command respect and influence.

However, as soon as the official from the Ministry of Rites finished speaking, a chorus of voices arose from the surrounding area.

"Bury it?! What a waste!"

"What do you know? The Sea-Suppressing Pillar, if it's not used to suppress the sea, is it supposed to be placed in your Ministry of Works as a decorative vase?"

"This pillar was obtained by the Marquis of Qingyang in a bloody battle. How can you pedantic scholars measure its value with your Confucian classics?"

"A bloody war? Hmph, who knows if it won't drain the national treasury? How much will be needed for subsequent maintenance? Have you even considered that?"

Offstage, the argument had reached a fever pitch.

"nonsense!"

A military leader, clad in armor and with a face as red as bronze, slammed his hand on the armrest. His voice boomed like a bell, making the platform seem to shake.

"Such a divine object, imbued with supreme demon-suppressing power, should only be placed at the head of the great city in the northern frontier to suppress the dragon veins, deter demons, and lock the nation's gates, thus living up to its name 'Suppressing the Sea'! How dare you defile it for your own selfish interests?"

"This pillar, placed at the core of the Northern Border Grand Array, will enhance the defensive fortification!"

Before the words were even finished, a master craftsman from the Ministry of Works, with graying temples but exceptionally sharp eyes, suddenly stood up.

He pointed to the profound and intricate spiritual patterns on the pillar, shimmering with a faint light, and the newly repaired Ministry of Works sealing wax marks, his beard trembling with excitement: "General Zhao, you are mistaken!"

"While securing the northern border is important, this pillar is a creation of ancient divine craftsmanship. Its spiritual pattern structure, material fusion method, and even demon-sealing runes all contain the opportunity for a leap forward in the art of weapon crafting of our Great Qin!"

"Look at the fresh repair marks at the base of the pillar. The 'Shoushan copper' casting technique used is a secret of our Ministry of Works!"

"This item should be handed over to the Heavenly Craft Pavilion of the Refining Hall for detailed study. Once the method of replication is deciphered, it can be deployed along the empire's coastline and even in all key fortresses, providing far more than a 30% boost."

"This is a merit that will benefit generations to come!"

The Tiangong Pavilion he mentioned was personally led by the Minister of Works, and its craftsmen were at least master forgers.

The argument grew louder and louder, with officials on the platform blushing and refusing to back down, their spittle practically sparking in mid-air.

The black tortoise seemed to be startled by the commotion, letting out a low, sigh-like growl, which made the atmosphere even more tense.

At the edge of the platform, several wealthy and shrewd business tycoons sat restlessly.

Listening to the argument below the stage, their eyes burned even brighter.

"Elder Wang, what do you think? The demon blood stained on that pillar is at the level of the Xuanqiong Demon Venerable. According to Elder Zhou, who specializes in alchemy, a single drop is enough to refine three batches of 'Dragon-Tiger Barrier-Breaking Pills,' which are priceless! If we could get some..."

A wealthy salt tycoon rubbed his hands together and spoke in a low voice to the old man beside him.

"Demon blood? The key lies in the pillar itself!" A wealthy merchant specializing in minerals interjected eagerly, his eyes greedily scanning the pillar. "First Mountain copper, North Sea Xuanbing iron, and those unheard-of strange meteorite irons!"

"If we could figure out the formula and proportions, and replicate it to a degree of 30-50%, then the divine weapons and armor we could forge..."

"That's wrong, wrong!" The third merchant, who dealt in naval shipping and nautical charts, shook his head repeatedly. "In my opinion, the real value lies in 'reputation'! The black tortoise carrying the pillar into the capital city attracts the attention of everyone!"

"If we can use this as an excuse to open up new trading ports along the East China Sea route, and Yu Yuan Trading Company issues another 'East China Sea Special Duty-Free Order,' that would be an immense fortune!"

"That's right, but can we bypass that person on this road?" Someone subtly pointed in the direction of Princess Yu Ruo with a folding fan.

Their eyes met, and they all turned to Princess Yu Ruo without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)