Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 53: 53 years old in Jiazi, everything is great in the world!

The sign from the Empress’s divination only caused ripples on the water’s surface.

There is too little information.

Li Taishi needs some time to decipher it.

But the sign from Your Majesty’s divination reveals too much information.

An aura of blood covers the entire Great Song Dynasty.

Does this not suggest that Great Song will soon face the calamity of rebellion?

Moreover, this calamity will affect the entire nation.

This divination, Li Taishi dared not disclose to Zhao Ji.

Therefore, when Zhao Ji asked, Li Taishi only dared to mention the calamity of rebellion.

Even so, Zhao Ji was thunderously enraged, and the aura of a Second Grade expert erupted instantly.

Xiao Yunxi, standing beside him, was immediately knocked to the ground by this force.

Although Li Taishi was the Chief Historian at the Astronomical Observatory, skilled in divination and astrological studies, even surpassing Lin Su Ya, his martial arts prowess was only Fourth Grade.

Additionally, this aura was emitted by the Emperor, making it impossible for any minister to dare resist.

Instantly, his face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The middle-ranking civil and military officials were also affected, falling over one another, while only the Military Generals stood upright.

Being unable to approach, Chen Mo was unaffected.

An emperor’s rage, millions fall.

Though this scene cannot fully depict such a saying, witnessing this moment, Chen Mo’s mind inexplicably reflected this phrase.

Could Zhao Ji not be angry?

The worst sign!

This was the lowest level sign.

Sought during the sacrificial ceremony, imbued with divine intentions, based on historical experience, signs sought during such times often come true.

”The calamity of rebellion, the calamity of rebellion...”

Currently, Zhao Ji could only think of the rebellion in the Southwest.

But this was not a time for discussion.

The sacrificial ceremony had to continue.

Despite her weary body, Xiao Yunxi gathered her strength, but her heart was fractured with cracks.

The third year of Xuanhe.

The Year of Jiazi.

August 4th.

At seven quarters past the Hour of Shen, the sacrificial ceremony ended!

Yet, the sky was clear without signs of rain.

...

Meanwhile.

In a certain place in Jizhou.

A rather dilapidated hall was brightly lit.

The facilities inside were relatively simple.

Above the hall, there hung a calligraphy and painting.

Inscribed in ancient script were three characters.

”To Great Peace!”

Beneath the calligraphy and painting, there was a desk, and on the desk lay a spread-out map.

This was a complete map of the whole Great Song Dynasty.

On the map, many points were marked in yellow.

These points were scattered across three provinces of the Great Song Dynasty.

Behind the desk stood a middle-aged man wearing a yellow Taoist robe; his face seemed weathered, yet his complexion was more vigorous than that of any young lad.

His appearance was quite ordinary, but in his eyes, lightning flashed.

At that moment, a voice echoed outside the hall: ”Big Brother, the letter from that side has arrived.”

A stout middle-aged man with a face full of stubble walked in, came to the desk, tossed the letter onto it, and said:

”Big Brother, they say that today the Emperor held a sacrificial ceremony at Saint Emperor Mountain praying for rain, and everything is more or less prepared. In these two days, the Ministry of Revenue will send a batch of relief silver to Nanyang, asking us to coordinate with Nanyang County to move.”

Upon hearing this, the man drawing on the map paused, raised his head, opened the letter to read, then rubbed his chin and said:

”The Emperor spent tens of millions of taels to build that nonsense Genyue, and now he’s actually allocating silver meant for quelling the Southwest rebellion to relief efforts; this foolish Emperor is truly indulgent...”

”Big Brother, the more indulgent the Emperor is, the more opportunities we have, right?” The stout middle-aged man chuckled foolishly while rubbing his head.

”That’s right.” The man looked at his younger brother, then asked: ”How is the divination sought by our third brother?”

”Big Brother, great fortune!”

”For ten consecutive days, the divination has been one of great fortune; it seems destiny is with me.” The man murmured slowly, then his gaze turned sharp: ”Send a reply; the relief silver won’t reach Nanyang.”

”Understood.”

Watching his younger brother leave, the man turned around to stare at the calligraphy and painting above, murmuring:

”In the Year of Jiazi, great fortune throughout the land!”

...

Saint Emperor Mountain.

In the Palace’s Imperial Study.

After the sacrificial ceremony had ended, Zhao Ji summoned the civil and military officials to the Imperial Study for a meeting.

Zhao Ji said: ”During today’s sacrificial ceremony, Li Taishi divined a hexagram for me; it was the lowest sign, with the sign indicating a calamity of rebellion. According to all of you esteemed ministers, where does this calamity of rebellion come from?”

Upon hearing this, the ministers looked at each other, some even whispered to one another.

Then Huangfu Hao stepped forward respectfully and said: ”Your Majesty, according to the hexagram interpretation, this calamity of rebellion must refer to the rebellion in the Southwest. This is divine intervention; as long as Your Majesty gives the order, I will personally lead troops to the Southwest to quell the rebellion.”

Immediately, several Military Generals also stepped forward, all indicating the Southwest rebellion.

Zhao Ji remained silent, looking towards Cai Si, and asked: ”Prime Minister, what do you think?”

Cai Si, having reached the top position among officials, was skilled at observing expressions and discerning thoughts. Naturally, he understood that Zhao Ji was thinking of the Southwest rebellion as well, and immediately said:

”I also believe it is the Southwest rebellion; to prevent the hexagram’s prediction from coming true, I hope Your Majesty will quickly send troops to suppress it.”

Upon hearing Cai Si also point to the Southwest rebellion, Zhao Ji nodded; it seemed it was indeed the Southwest rebellion.

Just as he was about to issue the decree, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward and said: ”Your Majesty, the National Treasury has no money left.”

To wage war, money is naturally required.

But currently, the National Treasury has no money at all.

Zhao Ji’s gaze turned to Gao Qiu.

Gao Qiu quickly replied: ”The salaries of the Imperial Guard have already been... paid out.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji’s complexion darkened, and after some contemplation, he said: ”Transfer the silver from Genyue to be awarded to General Huangfu.”

”Understood.”

...

On the other side.

In the Empress’s bedchamber.

Xiao Yunxi’s limbs were already somewhat sore.

Fatigued from travel.

Prematurely came menstruation.

Other than drinking some brown sugar water, she had not eaten until now.

And was also shaken by Zhao Ji’s aura.

Plus, hurt in her heart.

After returning to the bedchamber, she fainted.

Chen Mo hurried to call the Imperial Physician.

The Imperial Physician used his thread fingers to diagnose her pulse, checked Xiao Yunxi briefly, wrote a prescription, and then left.

Cai’Er took the prescription to fetch medicine.

The Palace also has a pharmacy.

Chen Mo went to cook.

Zhao Fulin stayed behind to take care of Xiao Yunxi.

The sky grew gradually darker.

No moon in the sky.

So the mountain tops of Saint Emperor Mountain appeared pitch black.

Chen Mo sneaked out of the kitchen and made his way to the Circular Mound Altar.

On top of the Circular Mound Altar, only statues of Taiyi and the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens, Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation were enshrined, considered lifeless objects, not treasures.

Therefore, the surrounding area was not heavily guarded.

Only the Imperial Guard patrolled the vicinity.

Taking advantage of the guard changing shifts, Chen Mo sneaked up to the upper layer of the Circular Mound Altar, touching the statue of Taiyi.

[Ding! Golden Talent Pool has been expanded.]