Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 207 The World of Open Source

The snow fell heavier and heavier, initially at the head of the Xunyang River, and then spreading to the entire Jiujiang and Yuzhang areas.

This has nothing to do with Zhou Yi.

The heavens are on your side; a timely snowfall heralds a bountiful year.

Before the onlookers on the north bank of the Yangtze River had dispersed, numerous troops on the south bank of the Yangtze River gradually withdrew from the shore and were led back to Jiujiang by various generals to clean up the mess.

Many people either turned around or glanced at the river out of the corner of their eye.

The ferocious waves remained motionless, frozen in the wind and snow. This crystalline and magical scene may forever be etched in everyone's hearts.

We often hear about how amazing martial arts masters are, and storytellers and wandering travelers always like to boast about it.

In the past, everyone treated it as a joke.

But now it seems their words are still too inadequate.

Because some people were distracted and stood there blankly watching, the army formation became scattered, and the shouts of the captains and brigade commanders rang out.

A short while later, their steps gradually became more orderly as they marched into the city.

Perhaps because the shouts of battle had stopped, some of the bolder people in Jiujiang City came out.

Then some people returned from the riverbank, recounting the astonishing sights they had just witnessed.

In crowded places, a series of astonished voices rose and fell.

"It's over. All three emperors of Wu, Chu, and Liang are dead!"

"The Celestial Master rode the waves, freezing the great river, and the waves, dozens of feet high, along with more than a thousand ships, were all frozen!"

The sound was incredibly loud. Everyone on Xunyang Street who suddenly heard the news exclaimed in disbelief, "What? How is this possible!"

A square-faced man carrying a sickle on his back shouted excitedly in a local Jiujiang accent:

"Last time, the Celestial Master killed that beast Ren Shaoming here. This time, he truly kept his promise and beheaded Lin Shihong with a single sword strike!"

"Hahaha, have a good death!"

A great commotion erupted all around!

"Where is it? Where is it!"

Someone urgently shouted, "Get to the riverbank quickly! You'll regret it if you wait any longer!"

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Soon, the city was in an uproar, with a reaction even greater than that of the Battle of Jiujiang!
In chaotic times, fighting and warfare are commonplace, but martial arts legends are extremely rare, let alone such a miraculous scene.

As a result, many people who had missed the battle flocked to the riverbank.

Because there were still military formations on the riverbank, they could not get close.

However, the scene on the river was so incredible that it was hard to look away from it even from a distance.

Connecting this with the rumors that were swirling in the city, it made many martial arts practitioners who had traveled all over the country stare wide-eyed.

Having spent my whole life wandering around, this is the first time I've ever seen such a scene.

Especially the frozen raging waves, like an ice wall, one can't imagine what would happen if one were hit by them.

but
It was frozen in the wind and snow.

What kind of skill is this? Is this something a martial artist can achieve?
Occasionally, my gaze would pass through the moving army formations and catch sight of a particularly conspicuous figure in white on the riverbank. The feelings of awe and longing I felt were indescribable.

Those who have witnessed this scene will inevitably have their understanding of martial arts fundamentally changed.

As the year drew to a close, the landscape of regional separatism and power struggles in the south shifted dramatically.

The changes in the martial arts world of the south will be earth-shattering.

People from the martial arts world have a completely different perspective.

Moreover, compared to the four great ancient books, Taiping Hongbao has transformed from the fifth great book into the most coveted secret manual among many martial arts practitioners.

It is almost certain that this is a precious book of celestial beings.

Possessing incredible power
……

After Xu Xingzhi, Li Jing, and the others went forward to greet them, they also entered Jiujiang City first under Zhou Yi's arrangement.

The three members of the Song clan walked up together.

Their attitude towards Zhou Yi was different from when they were in Lingnan.

To be precise, it's more user-friendly.

Thinking of the battle in the mountain city of Lingnan, Song Lu's eyes were full of goodwill.

No wonder the Celestial Master only parried the moves in the mountain city and didn't actively draw his sword; he was holding back. For a young man, to suppress his immense power, not to compete for superiority, and to consider the feelings of his master's family—this state of mind is even more admirable than his martial arts prowess.

Song Zhi, standing to the side, also looked at him with respect.

Age aside, he felt that the young man in front of him had the demeanor of a senior master.

Others called him Earth Sword, and in Lingnan, his swordsmanship was second to none.

The ideal swordsman should embody the same temperament and talent as the Celestial Master.

At this moment, Song Zhi felt genuine admiration.

He glanced at Song Que and secretly compared them.

My elder brother is a swordsman, therefore, he should be ranked after the Celestial Master.

Before his elder brother could speak, Song Zhi asked, "Master, may I ask you a question?"

"You want to ask about that sword strike just now."

"Yes."

At this moment, Song Zhi looked like a student asking a teacher a question.

If the Song family members from Lingnan saw Second Master like this, they would definitely feel a strong sense of incongruity.

Not to mention Song Lu, even Song Que cast a glance at him.

Judging from Lin Shihong's displayed skill, regardless of his martial arts level, his combat strength alone, achieved through the use of secret techniques, might be enough to rival a grandmaster of martial arts.

Even if Zhou Yi had a deeper understanding of martial arts, it was still incomprehensible that he could kill him with a single blow.

Even with Song Que's keen eye, he could only make a rough guess.

When he looked at Zhou Yi, he saw him smiling. Without beating around the bush, he said directly:
"That sword strike actually had no technique whatsoever. Lin Shihong's flaws were too great to me."

They listened attentively, not missing a single word Zhou Yi said next.

"He fused the Purple Blood Technique into water, controlled it with the Extreme Cold Domain, and then constructed an external primordial spirit shell that resembled a spiritual substance, thus allowing the primordial spirit and primordial energy to perfectly match. The idea was good, but the foundation was too weak. He relied solely on tricks and even deceived himself."

"This extremely cold energy can condense in water, thus creating huge waves and generating tremendous force. Unfortunately, compared to my cold energy, his is somewhat lacking, and his spiritual cultivation is also inadequate."

Zhou Yi's voice was light and airy, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Song Zhi and Song Lu almost thought it was 'perfectly natural'.

You can change your mind.
That can't be right. Even if Lin Shihong has a flaw, based on the combat power he has shown, he is still one of the most outstanding figures in the martial arts world.

When Song Lu stroked his beard, he almost pulled off a large section of his magnificent beard.

Everyone has a completely different perspective on the issue.

Such a disparity is truly heartbreaking.

Song Que said, "Celestial Master, could you allow me to experience the power of heaven and earth?"

"What's so difficult about this?"

With the wind and snow raging, Zhou Yi could easily take advantage of the situation.

Song Zhi, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed as he saw a ball of true energy in Zhou Yi's hand, flowing like a tangible stream of water, capable of taking on endless forms.

In an instant, the wind and snow seemed to be guided by him.

The north wind changed direction, swirling with the goose-feather white snowflakes, and in the blink of an eye, it became a snow dragon rushing straight towards Song Que!
With a single slash of the Heavenly Blade, the Snow Dragon split open.

The blade's energy, carrying the residual force of the wind and snow, rushed towards the river surface. With a cracking sound, a huge crack appeared on the frozen riverbank.

Zhou Yi asked with a smile, "How was it?"

"magic!"

Song Que was in high spirits and pondered:

"It seems invisible, yet it is powerful and continuous, making people feel the boundless vastness of the world. It seems invincible, and if there is the slightest flaw in one's spirit, one will immediately suffer a crushing defeat. No wonder Lin Shihong was defeated so badly. Even if there were ten of him, he would not be a match for you."

After saying this, he felt both grateful and confused, finding the young man before him even more unfathomable.

Such martial arts secrets were never kept.

Following his gaze, Zhou Yi instantly guessed what he was thinking and asked with a smile:

"Brother Song, you are in excellent spirits. Judging from the power of your strike just now, it surpasses even your time in Lingnan. You are far superior to Lin Shihong. Do you now harbor the desire to compete with me?"

Zhou Yi, feeling an itch to show off his skills, urged:
"In fact, a high level of martial arts does not necessarily mean stronger combat power. For example, Yan Fei in the border region of the Eastern Jin Dynasty could open the Immortal Gate and shatter the void, but he was tortured by Sun En's Supreme Yang Limitless Technique."

As Song Zhi and Song Lu listened, they sensed something was amiss.

He quickly reminded his elder brother with a look.

The Celestial Master's words were too strongly indicative of war; the general meaning in their eyes was, "We can't win, elder brother, don't let your fighting spirit cloud your judgment."

Song Que laughed heartily and gave a slight bow:

"I am grateful for your kindness. If I have the opportunity to advance further, I will come back to seek guidance from the Celestial Master."

In the mountain city of Lingnan, his mind was in a daze.

At this point, Men Qing knew that victory was unlikely.

He looked south, his eyes deep and unfathomable, then suddenly his expression turned serious:
"The south has been divided for a long time, but now it has finally been pacified. Although my Song family is located deep in Lingnan, separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, it still belongs to the land of China. As the saying goes, under the vast sky, all land belongs to the king. On the shores of the whole country, all people are subjects of the king."

"After the Celestial Master establishes order in the world, our Lingnan Song Clan should also follow the general trend of the world and obey the imperial decree."

Upon hearing this, Song Lu and Song Zhi, who were standing nearby, were surprised and sighed, but they also felt that it was the right thing to do.

During the height of the Sui Dynasty, the Heavenly Blade was stationed in Lingnan. They didn't take the imperial orders seriously, but maintained a tacit understanding and kept face for each other.

Therefore, the various ethnic groups of Li and Liao only knew the Song dynasty and did not follow the Sui emperor.

This time, Song Que's promise will change the landscape of Lingnan for nearly a century.

The days of local tyrants are gone forever.

Faced with the emergence of the most unique emperor in the world, the change of the Lingnan Song clan was inevitable.

Song Zhi and Song Lu, standing to the side, acknowledged their elder brother's wisdom and judgment, and bowed together towards Zhou Yi.

The attitudes of the three leaders of the Song Clan are enough to represent the entire mountain city.

From Cangwu and Yulin to the entire South China Sea, the flag will soon be changed.

For Zhou Yi, this is another piece of good news at the end of this year.

He returned the greeting with a smile and invited Song Que to go to Jiujiang City together.

Unexpectedly, Song Que refused.

He mentioned two things. The first was to find his children, so once the matter in the south was settled, he immediately set off for Chang'an.

The second matter is the recent rumors circulating in the martial arts world.

The rumors not only mention Yang Gong's treasure trove and the Evil Emperor's relics, but also the secret of shattering the void.

This place, of course, is Chang'an.

As someone in the know, Zhou Yi suspected that it was Da Zun's group who were behind this, so he gave them a heads-up.

After thanking him and giving his two younger brothers a few more instructions, Song Que headed north.
……

Jiujiang City is experiencing an extremely special year-end, filled with battles and bloodshed, yet still bustling with activity.

The shouts of killing on the street gradually turned into discussions.

So, once they were sure it was safe, the city residents who had been hiding opened their doors.

After making a few inquiries, I learned that the city had changed hands.

The common people were overjoyed to learn that Lin Shihong had been killed.

Back then, the Iron Cavalry Gang committed rape, plunder, and all sorts of atrocities in Jiujiang, Yuzhang, and other places. Although they were wiped out, Lin Shihong still had many similar forces under his command.

His death was met with cheers from many who had grudges against him.

Even seeing many dead people at the end of the year feels like a joyous occasion.

So the city's residents began preparing for the New Year's customs once again.

Although there are many soldiers here, they are strictly disciplined, and none of them dare to harass the people.

Peach wood charms were hung up, and the sound of firecrackers rang out one after another.

The desolate and bleak city of Jiujiang is rapidly regaining its vitality and life.

On this day of falling snow, for ordinary people living in turbulent times, the simplest wish is for the war to end and for them to live in peace.

Military formations marched past Xunyang Palace one after another.

There were a large number of surrendered soldiers and generals in the city, many of whom were wicked and evil.

Therefore, before dispersing the surrendered soldiers, they had to be screened.

Those who commit heinous crimes and incite the greatest public outrage will be beheaded once the facts are verified.

Now that the South is pacified, there is time to do these things more meticulously.

After finishing his various mundane affairs, Xu Xingzhi went to Xunyang Palace to report.

Zhou Yi looked through the building overlooking the river once, offered a few suggestions, and then proceeded with Xu Xingzhi's method.

After carefully noting down what Zhou Yi had said, Xu Xingzhi cupped his hands and said:
"At the beginning of the new year, has my lord decided on a reign title?"

Year title?

Zhou Yi felt he had failed in his duty and had never really thought about it.

The first thing that comes to mind is the Zhenguan and Kaiyuan eras.

The two phoenixes are almost gone to cultivate immortality, and these reign titles are probably only known to those associated with Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chan Temple.

However, the early Tang Dynasty was indeed a golden age, ushering in a completely new era.

A sense of familiarity flashed through Zhou Yi's heart. He didn't care about overturning the titles of what country to establish or what era to use.

The Tang Dynasty and the Zhenguan era are both excellent.

But then I thought about it again.
If nothing changes, wouldn't the people of the martial arts holy land think they are right again?

Thinking of the changing of dynasties and the shifting of the martial world.

He looked at Xu Xingzhi and said leisurely, "When the water source dries up, the river dries up; when the source is unobstructed, all things prosper. The world is in turmoil, and people's lives are full of hardship. I want to usher in a prosperous era and ensure the smooth flow of the vital water for governing the country. Now I am changing the era name to 'Open Source,' what do you think?"

The Way of Emptiness: "Excellent."

Sitting next to Zhou Yi, Shi Qingxuan asked curiously, "What's so good about it?"

Xu Xingzhi reacted quickly and responded immediately:

Xunzi said: "When the people are at peace and their affairs are well-ordered, it is the source of wealth. A wise ruler must carefully cultivate this peace, regulate its flow, and open up its source."

"Opening up grain sources will ensure sufficient granaries. Opening up pathways for virtuous officials will purify the bureaucracy. Rectifying the root causes will revive the rites, music, and moral education."

Xu Xingzhi answered fluently and made great sense.

Let's settle on that.

After Zhou Yi made his decision, Xu Xingzhi inquired about the name of the country.

Zhou Yi had previously thought that he came from Yongqiu, the capital of the ancient Qi Kingdom, a place with cultural heritage from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.

If his name is "Zhou", it does match his surname.

However, he himself did not have a good impression of the Zhou Dynasty.

When you arrive in Nanyang, you can also call yourself a Han.

After some thought, Zhou Yi finally hesitated and told Xu Xingzhi that the country should be named Tang.

Firstly, the Tang Dynasty gave him a sense of familiarity.

Furthermore, Li Yuan is currently not in a position to declare himself emperor, and he dares not do so in order to avoid conflict.

In this world filled with individual power, Zhou Yi is confident in creating a different kind of prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Seeing that he was deep in thought, Xu Xingzhi took his leave.

After he left, Shi Qingxuan asked, "Was this something you had planned beforehand, or was it a spur-of-the-moment decision?"

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

She laughed: "It seems you really don't care about becoming emperor. I don't know whether to say you're carefree or just honest."

"If what I said wasn't true, would I have just been trying to fool you?"

Zhou Yi complained slightly, then said, "Emperors eventually all want to cultivate immortality, but I'm going against the grain, so my mindset is different. I've never been an emperor, and I want to give it a try, and maybe do something meaningful along the way."

Shi Qingxuan sat down next to him and poured him tea.

She naturally appreciated what Zhou Yi said, and soon after, she played a beautiful flute tune for him.

Zhou Yi stood on the Wangjiang Tower of Xunyang Palace, looking out at the bustling scene in the city.

Then, he sat down to look at the Purple Blood Technique that Lin Shihong had left in the palace.

This skill has an extremely high ceiling, but it is incomplete. Lin Shihong was able to surpass his master, Pi Shouxuan, because of his outstanding talent. He even managed to master the incomplete Purple Blood Technique.

He had a great understanding of many martial arts, including the Extinction of Emotions Path, the True Transmission Path, the Holy Ultimate Sect, the Yin Gui Sect, and the Flower Sect.

Now I have obtained the Purple Blood Technique.

With a little more effort, not only is there a chance to collect all the methods of the two sects and the six paths, but it is also highly likely that the Heavenly Demon Strategy will be re-collected.

I'll give it to the little demoness when the time comes, which will fulfill one of her wishes.

Zhou Yi read the Purple Blood Technique several times and then put it away.

There's no need for him to practice this skill anymore, lest he become a purple sweet potato monster like Lin Shih-hung.

The trivial matters in Jiujiang City cannot be resolved in a single day.

In the afternoon, the cooks in Xunyang Palace got busy.

Lin Shihong's palace was newly built, and the great battle had not affected it. In terms of grandeur and luxury, it could not compare to Guangshen's work. However, the objects were brand new, and the Chaisang Hall, used to receive guests, was exceptionally spacious.

Using Xunyang Palace for the time being is sufficient.

As night fell, the palace was lit up.

The snowfall had lessened, but a layer of snow covered the glazed tiles, reflecting the light of the lamps and making the palace appear even brighter.

People were constantly going in and out of the kitchen and the Chaisang Hall.

Two rows of guards stood ramrod straight on the imperial road, their temples bulging, all of them skilled soldiers.

The array of troops made Xunyang Palace appear even more imposing than usual.

The palace itself is not important; what matters is who its owner is.

Around 5 PM, Xu Xingzhi stood outside Xunyang Palace, surrounded by many people.

Li Jing, Xu Shiji, Zhang Xutuo, You Hongda, and others were all present.

Cheng Yaojin glanced at Qin Shubao beside him. The two usually enjoyed joking around, but now, sensing the atmosphere around them, they remained silent.

Looking into the palace again, he couldn't help but perk up.

Luo Shixin was honest and kind, but he wasn't stupid either.

I am currently standing next to my two friends, exchanging only glances with them.

All the generals present, regardless of which army they came from, even those from Lingnan who came with Song Zhi and Song Lu, were immersed in this special atmosphere.

Although there are still unconquered areas in Kyushu, it is only a matter of time before the situation is resolved.

From the Central Plains southward, everything had been unified.

It is almost certain that the person in Xunyang Palace will be revered by all under heaven!

so.
The feeling was completely different from when I met those local tyrants in the past. Thinking about it more deeply, in addition to excitement and agitation, there was inevitably a bit of nervousness.

No matter how benevolent or magnanimous he is, he will still be the future emperor.

Moreover, he was an emperor unlike any other in history, at the pinnacle of martial arts, whom no one could defy.

According to the ritual system, the most solemn time for celebrating the New Year should be New Year's Day.

Because he has not formally ascended the throne, a grand court assembly will not be held. Considering that today is the end of the year and the war has just ended, everyone is invited to have a meal together to celebrate.

The preparations at Xunyang Palace were rushed and unprepared, resulting in only a small banquet.

But in everyone's eyes, even a small banquet is of great significance.

At three quarters past the hour of You (5:45 PM), Xu Xingzhi and the others exchanged glances.

Most people nodded, and a few hummed in agreement, clearly understanding what had been explained.

He walked ahead with Li Jing, You Hongda, and others, heading towards the Chaisang Palace.

They arrived just in time to see Zhou Yi and Shi Qingxuan walking towards them from the direction of Wangjiang Tower.

Zhou Yi only invited them to a meal to liven things up.

He was about to go up and say hello, but suddenly sensed that the atmosphere was not right, so he chose to stick to the group and swallowed his words.

as predicted.

None of the many generals took their seats.

Zhou Yi shifted his position and sat down in the main seat.

At this moment, Xu Xingzhi, Li Jing, You Hongda, Xu Shiji, Qin Shubao, and others bowed together and shouted, "Your Majesty!"

Then she called out to Zhou Yi, "Your Majesty."

Zhou Yi glanced at them and, seeing that they were all quite comfortable, raised his hand and said, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone responded and took their seats.

Shi Qingxuan watched from the side.

She wasn't used to such occasions, but knowing proper etiquette, she remained serious and quietly stayed by Zhou Yi's side.
This was an ordinary little banquet, yet it held great significance.

Zhou Yi realized that her identity had changed once again.

At the banquet in Chaisang, in addition to eating and drinking, they also discussed the post-war arrangements in the south and when to recover the north.

These matters had already been discussed by Xu Xingzhi and others.

They casually mentioned their plan, which they had considered in detail. Once Zhou Yi confirmed it, they could begin their operation.

The banquet continued until late in the evening.

When Zhou Yi left Chaisang Palace, Shi Qingxuan, in a secluded place, hugged his arm and laughed incessantly.

When I first met Zhou Yi, he had a helpless expression on his face.

With a smile playing on her lips, she said in a lively tone, "This will be our daily routine from now on. If Your Majesty finds it annoying after just the first time, how can you be a wise ruler in the future?"

"I'm not annoyed, I just feel uncomfortable."

"There's nothing to be uncomfortable about; the etiquette between ruler and subject has always been like this."

Shi Qingxuan looked somewhat serious:

“That strategist is very thoughtful. You should get used to it sooner rather than later. After all, this is just a banquet and court ceremony. In the future, you will have the coronation ceremony and many large-scale court assemblies. You can’t let people think that the emperor is not dignified.”

Her words were full of words of comfort, and although Zhou Yi took them to heart, he felt somewhat strange.

"Qingxuan, it seems you support my becoming emperor."

"Not really."

"Oh?"

"Everyone has different ideas. I'm not supporting this, I'm just respecting your decision."

Her eyes flickered:
"In my memory, apart from being romantic and passionate, you have no flaws. You seem capable of doing anything well. If you were to become an emperor, Qingxuan believes you would be no less capable than others. Perhaps you could achieve great things, be loved by the people, and have your name remembered for eternity."

After saying that, she winked with a slight smile and said playfully, "Right, Your Majesty?"

After listening, Zhou Yi let out a long sigh.

Shi Qingxuan asked curiously, "Why are you sighing again?"

Zhou Yi looked dejected:

"Qingxuan always speaks to my heart, like a nearly withered seedling receiving a timely rain. I think that I will encounter many similar moments in the future, but Qingxuan will be far away from me then, which will be so sad."

"Why don't you stay with me and not leave?"

Shi Qingxuan laughed halfway through the conversation, knowing he was faking it.

With a smile in her beautiful eyes, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, saying softly and innocently, "Your Majesty can come to Bashu to find me."

After saying that, she continued to hold his arm and tell him about her experiences in Sichuan and Chongqing.

For example, she returned to Qingzhu Xiaozhu and said that it had his favorite wine.

Xunyang Palace is not large, but it is small yet complete, so it is not difficult to find a place to stay.

However, Lin Shih-hung's harem was in complete chaos.

Zhou Yi disliked it and didn't plan to stay there.

On New Year's Eve, the two stayed at Wangjiang Tower, the highest point of Xunyang Palace.

"What do you plan to do with this palace?"

"Make a change."

"change?"

Shi Qingxuan thought he was going to start a major construction project.

Zhou Yi explained briefly: "I have no chance of coming back to live here, and leaving it unattended would be a waste."

"Then how should we change it?"

"Yes, let's change Xunyang Palace into Chaisang Academy, which will then serve as the local official school for Jiujiang."

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, he explained his thoughts again, and Shi Qingxuan finally understood.

She carefully considered Zhou Yi's line of thought.

Why do you have these thoughts?

"Old Yang dredged the Han Canal, but his methods were too cruel. I'm also dredging a road for ordinary people; wouldn't that count as increasing revenue?"

"Calculate."

Shi Qingxuan's eyes brightened: "However, there might be some obstacles, for example..."

She was about to say that the powerful families wouldn't agree, but then she stopped herself: "Yes, who would dare to oppose you? They'd probably have to settle scores with someone again."

At this moment, Shi Qingxuan saw a hint of a wise ruler in the charming young man in front of her.

“The chances of a golden age have increased so much,” she gestured with her hand, “you still have to work hard.”

Zhou Yi hummed in agreement and smiled as she reached out her hand.

Shi Qingxuan took his hand and sat on his lap.

She looked up at his face and asked curiously, "You want to create a golden age, have you thought about what it would actually look like?"

I originally intended for Zhou Yi to tell her.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yi succinctly pointed to the sky and said, "The stars and the sea."

"Being an emperor on earth isn't enough for you, you want to be the Great Emperor of the Nine Heavens, is that it?"

"No, but I do have a small dream of becoming an emperor on earth."

"What is it?"

"It's just like you said, 'drunk and reclining on a beauty's lap'."

"No," Shi Qingxuan nestled in his arms, "I remember you swore in Maple Forest Palace that becoming emperor wasn't for these things."

"You remembered wrong."

"If I remember correctly, the emperor cannot break his word." Shi Qingxuan pursed her lips, her pretty face nestled in his arms was full of smiles.

Zhou Yi had nothing more to say, so he just held her like that.

To Zhou Yi's surprise, the girl in his arms didn't speak at first, but then fell asleep very quickly.

What he didn't expect was that nearly two hours had passed, and the first half of the night had gone by.

Shi Qingxuan woke up from a deep sleep.

She simply rubbed her sleepy eyes and got up from Zhou Yi's arms.

Then, leaning against the railing of the Wangjiang Tower, she gave Zhou Yi the same treatment in the hazy night.

The two essentially changed positions.

A blush rose from beneath Shi Qingxuan's snow-white skin, like a peach blossom in full bloom. Yet, her eyes were as calm as a deep pool in an ancient well. However, that deep pool soon began to ripple.

Even through the darkness, Zhou Yi could clearly see her captivating expression: "Qingxuan, I thought you would sleep until dawn."

"How could that happen?"

She said softly, "We promised to stay up all night. You'll stay up until the wee hours, and I'll stay up until dawn for you. You playboy, I hope we can have this day every year."

At this point, she laughed again, "Well, has the wish of the human emperor been fulfilled?"

"It's achieved, that's it."

"Just what?"

Zhou Yi smelled a faint fragrance of a young girl. "Qingxuan, can I make a few more wishes?"

"No."

She had barely finished speaking when she called out softly, "Hey, don't rub against me like that."

……

The first year of open source.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the morning mist in Jiujiang City, carrying moist air, drifted through the gaps in some ruins, only to be dispersed by the smoke rising suddenly from the alley entrances and the sweet aroma of steamed cakes.

It's hard to imagine that just yesterday this place was a battlefield where hundreds of thousands of people fought.

The sounds of firecrackers faded away, as if the great battle of yesterday still echoed in my ears, only to be forcefully pushed aside by the clamor of the marketplace.

The streets and alleys came alive, bustling with people's voices, and even showed signs of being crowded and lively.

For the three kingdoms of Wu, Chu, and Liang, that meant annihilation.

For ordinary people in the three regions, this is a new beginning.

The corner of the street in the east of the city, the place where Zhang Xutuo led his troops to attack yesterday.

Chen Laosan's fermented rice and soup noodle stall had already been set up.

The small clay stove was burning brightly, and the thick, white rice soup in the rough pottery pot was floating in the boiling, milky water, with a sweet and warm aroma spreading out with the "bubbling" sound.

There was a tea shop next to him.

It was opened by a Mr. Fan who lived near Dongting Lake. The shop assistants were Mr. Fan's cousins ​​and were very good at talking, so the business was very good.

As dawn broke, Chen Laosan saw a number of江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the martial arts world) arriving at the teahouse next door.

Even though he was very busy, he couldn't help but prick up his ears to listen to what was going on next door.

These江湖人士 (jianghu figures) were not locals of Jiujiang.

Their accents were quite diverse, and you could tell they came from many different places: some from Hunan, some from Luzhou, and some were roughnecks from Sichuan and Chongqing. They would start their sentences with "Ge Laozi" and had very fiery tempers.

These people are all here to gather information.

They arrived at an inopportune time, missing the most exciting part of yesterday's event.

"Shopkeeper, bring the soup quickly!"

"Okay!"

As Chen Laosan's customers urged him on, he quickly responded. Meanwhile, the tall, burly man from Sichuan in the teahouse next door was talking to Fan Laobiao.

After listening to Fan's cousin explain the situation in Jiujiang, he complained in his Sichuan dialect:

"Hey! I was delayed by my wife for a few days and missed the boat to Baidi City, otherwise I would have arrived in Jiujiang yesterday."

He slapped his hand with his palm, looking regretful: "I heard that the Celestial Master killed Lin Shihong but I didn't see it. It's such a pity."

The tea shop waiter didn't say anything, but a local from Jiujiang joked, "Women cause trouble. Unlike us Jiujiang people, we're not afraid of our wives."

"What do you know?"

The rough-looking man from Sichuan looked defiant:
“My wife is a disciple of the Tongtian Shenmu of the Heyi Sect. Shenmu received guidance from the Celestial Master and calls herself his disciple. She also possesses the ability of a spirit matchmaker. Now everyone knows that the Celestial Master's martial arts are the best in the world. My wife has such a powerful background. If you were in her shoes, would you dare to provoke her?”

The people around them were not afraid at all; instead, they laughed.

"Being afraid of one's wife is simply being afraid of one's wife; it has nothing to do with social status."

The man from Bashu looked embarrassed and changed the subject: "I heard the fighting here is over, is that true?"

"Of course!"

Someone shouted excitedly, "The Celestial Master has pacified the South; it won't be long before he conquers the entire country!"

The conversation in the teahouse was lively, and Chen Laosan couldn't help but get excited as well.

More and more people were on the streets, and soldiers and horses were also seen moving about.

However, aside from the hustle and bustle, everything was in perfect order.

The common people felt secure because they had heard news about Jiangbei beforehand.

In the areas of Qingliu, Liuhe, and Luzhou, there were no bandits causing trouble, and there was no great thief like Lin Shihong who claimed to be a false emperor.

Now, it's finally Jiujiang's turn.

People don't have high expectations; they just want a peaceful life.

As Chen Laosan was scooping soup dumplings with a wooden spoon, a man with a high nose bridge, who had come from afar, asked in a somewhat broken Central Plains accent:
"Shopkeeper, what year is it now?"

Caught off guard by the question, Chen Laosan was taken aback. Fortunately, he was close to the city wall and had heard about the proclamation. Coming to his senses, he said to the man, "Friend, today is the first year of the Kaiyuan era."

……

(End of this chapter)