In the future, Earth becomes a relic of the mythical era.

Chapter 222 Imperial Edict: Remotely Appointed Grand Commander of the Netherworld Heavenly Army!

"During the court session today, the Emperor suddenly sent someone to deliver an imperial edict,"

Bai Juyi said, "The traitor broke into the palace, causing the death of Wang Shoucheng. The emperor was furious and ordered the court to discuss a plan to investigate the matter."

"Furthermore, there are doubts about the flood in Bianzhou, which should also be investigated. This matter should be discussed and clarified at the court tomorrow."

Xie Lingxin asked curiously, "Hasn't the Sage been in seclusion for many years?"

Bai Juyi's face also showed a hint of surprise and doubt: "This matter has also surprised the officials in the court."

"Although the sage has been in seclusion for many years, he still issues decrees whenever major events occur."

"It's just Wang Shoucheng; we shouldn't disturb the Sage,"

"After much thought, perhaps there really is something going on in Bianzhou that even the Sage is concerned about."

Xie Lingxin pouted.

really?
He was a little skeptical.

"What does this have to do with me? What did you mean by what you just said, Bai Qing?"

Bai Juyi said, "This is the third matter in the Emperor's decree. The Emperor's intention is that Your Highness should also attend court tomorrow."

"Ok?"

Xie Lingxin straightened her back: "Why? I'm just an idle prince... no, a deposed prince, what am I supposed to do at court? Watch a play?"

Bai Juyi laughed and said, "Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that the Sage wants to vindicate Your Highness?"

"After all, His Highness was personally appointed by the Emperor; how can anyone question that?"

Xie Lingxin pursed her lips: "Does Bai Qing himself believe this?"

"Hehehe..."

Bai Juyi smiled and said, "No matter what, since the Emperor has ordered Your Highness to attend court, he must be thinking of Your Highness. This is a good thing."

is it?

Xie Lingxin asked, "Will the Emperor attend court tomorrow?"

Bai Juyi shook his head: "Although the emperor has issued an edict, I'm afraid he won't personally attend court."

Xie Lingxin breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he wanted to explore the secrets of the Great Cloud Sutra and the traces of the Buddha's descent, this secret probably lies with Wu Zetian.

But if he were to actually face Wu Zetian now, he would still be a little intimidated.

Judging from the discussions in the chat group, there seems to be some kind of tacit understanding between the Federation and the Great Zhou.

Wu Zetian must have known about the existence of the federation.

Otherwise, how can we even talk about cooperation?

She can build towering pagodas and the six realms of reincarnation, and be born here from another world.

This also proves that she not only knew about the existence of other realms, but also possessed the means to access them.

Such a person is truly unimaginable to ordinary people.

As an ant, it's best not to hop around in front of such a giant.

Bai Juyi noticed that he was lost in thought and assumed that he was nervous.

After all, we've lived in that kind of environment for so many years.

Even if he is wise and virtuous, he is still just a teenager.

He then said, "Your Highness need not worry. With us by your side tomorrow, we will ensure that Your Highness is not in any danger."

Xie Lingxin came to her senses and smiled, "Then thank you very much, Bai Qing."

……

The next day.

Xie Lingxin, Bai Juyi, and the others were all a bit dumbfounded.

This included the officials in the court, as well as the three regents.

At this moment, everyone understood more clearly what it meant to be "unfathomable" and "the will of Heaven is as deep as an abyss".

Inside the Ziwei Palace.

The Zhenguan Hall was where the three kings held court and where the prime ministers and other officials discussed important military and national affairs.

at this time.

Inside the hall, including the three kings, everyone knelt beneath the golden steps.

A court eunuch, holding the imperial edict, loudly proclaimed:
"Your Excellency: I have been granted the mandate of heaven and rule over all the lands. I have heard that rewarding the good and punishing the wicked is a vital instrument of the court; suppressing rebellion and bringing peace to the people is a crucial task for the imperial family."

"Your Majesty, Prince Jing, Li Rui, are a man of extraordinary talent and noble bearing! Recently, the Divine Strategy Army has been tyrannical, slaughtering the people of Mengjin. You, with your imperial status and the might of thunder, have vanquished the evil chieftain on the battlefield and rescued the common people from the clutches of jackals."

"He re-examined the abuses of the grain transport system, uncovered hidden traitors, and, through collaborative planning, eliminated the ringleader. His loyalty and diligence were outstanding, and his contributions to the nation were invaluable!"

"I hereby order you to assume the title of Grand Commander of the Netherworld Heavenly Guard Army, to establish your own government and command, and to be treated with the same rank as the Three Excellencies!"

"He will be appointed as an envoy to oversee the Henan Circuit, with authority to exercise discretionary power!"

"All cases of official corruption, military overstepping of authority, long-standing abuses in the grain transport system, and deficits in disaster relief shall be subject to investigation and impeachment!"

"Officials of the fifth rank and above shall submit reports for judgment; those below shall be arrested and questioned immediately! Wrongful convictions shall be decided directly; and disaster relief shall be provided during famines!"

"All prefectures, counties, and military commands shall obey this imperial edict!"

"The decree has been issued and will be obeyed!"

The Zhenguan Hall was deathly silent.

Prince Wu Chengguang of Dai and Prince Wu Chengxu of Xiang knelt on the ground, burying their faces in their hands.

His face turned a purplish-blue color, looking extremely unsightly.

The other officials were also filled with surprise and uncertainty.

It is not uncommon for a prince to hold the position of Grand Commander in name only.

It's just an empty title.

He may establish his own residence and command his own staff, and be granted the same rank as the Three Excellencies...

That's no longer just an empty reputation!
Moreover, since it was clearly a remote title, why was it granted the authority to establish a government office and build a military headquarters?
The term "establishing one's own office" refers to setting up one's own staff office and having the right to select and appoint subordinate officials.

"Jianya" means having the right to raise a flag and privately establish a personal guard or army.
Establishing a government means becoming independent of the Three Provinces and Six Ministries!

Once the troops are deployed, they will establish a formidable force!

Only princes of the imperial family are granted the privilege of establishing their own residences, and only those with outstanding military achievements are granted the privilege of having a banner!
Given Prince Jing's seniority, even if he had been feigning madness and was actually wise and powerful, he would never have received such a reward.

Moreover, ruling a state in name only meant having no actual territory.

Where can I get a dental clinic?
Furthermore... where exactly is the Netherworld?

The Great Zhou Dynasty had never heard of such a place.

Is it possible...

The three kings and some ministers in the court seemed to have thought of something, and their expressions changed slightly. Apart from that, the rest of the matter was not a concern for them.

The gist of the matter was to have Prince Jing reinvestigate the case concerning the flood in Bianzhou and the funds and grain allocated for disaster relief.

However, there are many intriguing aspects to it.

But compared to the eight characters "establishing a government office and commanding a military headquarters, with the same rank as the Three Excellencies", everything else is insignificant!
At this moment, the eunuch stepped down from the golden steps, a fawning smile on his face: "Your Highness Prince Jing, please receive the decree."

Xie Lingxin was still a little confused.

He can understand what they are saying.

It is precisely because I understand that I am even more confused.

Did Wu Zetian lose her mind?
"Your Highness Prince Jing?"

The eunuch urged them again.

"Oh!"

Xie Lingxin quickly stood up and accepted the imperial decree.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck me.

The Netherworld Heaven...Thirty-six Heavens?!
The Federation has indeed reached a cooperation agreement with the Great Zhou!

Xie Lingxin could only think of this possibility.

Otherwise, Wu Zetian would never have issued such an illogical decree.

She knew she was a "reincarnation"!

"Your Highness Prince Jing, the Emperor also issued an oral decree:"

The eunuch smiled obsequiously: "If you wish to visit the sublime Buddhist kingdom, you must first fulfill your destiny in the human world. You were born into the Great Zhou Dynasty by divine mandate, and you should plan for the Great Zhou."

"Your Highness Prince Jing, do you understand?"

Xie Lingxin was shocked, which further confirmed her suspicions.

This is to remind himself to remember his identity; no matter who he was in his "past life," in this life he is King Jing of the Great Zhou!
Could it be... that I'm supposed to seek benefits for the Great Zhou in the Federation?
Am I a double agent?
This development is a bit beyond...

I slowly...

Xie Ling's thoughts were in turmoil.

The rest of the people in Zhenguan Hall were not much better off.

Let's just leave it at that—a random imperial decree.

What is this imperial edict?
"You were ordained by Heaven to be born into the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

What does it mean?
Could it be that the sage has already decided on the successor?
It was not any member of the Wu clan, nor even any of the three regents.

Instead, it was this Prince Jing, who had the blood of the Li family?
The officials in the hall all cast strange glances at the three princes and Xie Lingxin.

There was disbelief, there was disbelief, there was shock and anger...

People like Song Shenxi and Li Xun showed surprise on their faces.

Those who had temporarily cooperated with Li Xun and his group in order to kill Wang Shoucheng were especially overjoyed.

What is this called?
This is called a blessing from heaven!

This prince was never valued by anyone and had no connection with anyone in the court.

It was precisely at this time that they established a connection.

It can be said that they are the only foundation this prince has in the court!
The merit of following the dragon!

A minister in the prince's residence!

What a wonderful surprise!
Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, and others also had a group of distinguished and noble scholars gathered around them.

They were looking at each other in bewilderment.

They all knew that Bai Juyi had "taken in" Prince Jing.

Birds of a feather flock together, and they naturally chose to stand behind King Jing.

But no one expected that before they could offer any assistance, His Highness Prince Jing would suddenly fly up.
"The sage's light illuminates ten thousand miles!"

"His Highness Prince Jing is wise and virtuous!"

At this moment, amidst the grim faces and murderous gazes of the Prince of Dai and his entourage, Song Shenxi led the way, stepping forward to kneel and shout:
"Your subject, Song Shenxi, offers his congratulations to His Majesty and Your Highness!"

Li Xun cursed under his breath, was half a step too slow, and also stepped forward and bowed down.

"Your subject, Li Xun, offers his congratulations to His Majesty and Your Highness!"

Shu Yuanyu, Zheng Zhu, and others, who were led by him, naturally followed suit.

Bai Juyi and his group of refined nobles exchanged smiles and stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations!"

The Prince of Dai, the Prince of Xiang, and others looked extremely grim and unpleasant.

They never expected that Li Rui, whom they thought had no power base, would quietly gain so much support in the court.

Even two prime ministers and grand secretaries, and even renowned scholars and noblemen like Bai Juyi, actually took sides!

Seeing this momentum, the other ministers knew that King Jing's power was secured.

Regardless of one's own thoughts, at this moment one can only follow along and offer congratulations.

Now that this variable has been added, it's truly uncertain who will occupy that position in the future.

Xie Lingxin stood on the Zhenguan Hall, beneath the golden steps, receiving the kneeling obeisance of all the civil and military officials.

An unprecedented, invisible force swept over us like a tidal wave.

At that moment, he felt as if the place where he was standing was rising infinitely high.

In that instant, it was just like the first time I contemplated the Divine Emperor's rule over the world, the first time I stood atop the Tongtian Pagoda, looking down upon the human world and receiving the worship of all nations.

[↑0.01, ↑0.01, ↑0.01, ↑0.01...]

【Buddha Descends to Rule the World: 25.78/100 (↑10.62)】

The progress of the Divine Emperor's Rule Over the World map kept increasing, rising by more than 10 points before stopping!

Xie Lingxin came to her senses and gestured, saying, "Please rise, everyone."

But the imperial edict relayed by the eunuch just now was echoing in his mind.

To access the sublime Buddhist realm, one must first fulfill one's earthly destiny...

Could this be the secret of the Divine Emperor's Rule over the World?

What happened today has left many people confused.

Including Xie Lingxin herself.

When he returned to Bai Juyi's Lüdao Garden, he was suddenly greeted by an uninvited guest.

Xie Lingxin finally understood why Wu Zetian would issue such an outrageous decree...

(End of this chapter)