Martial Cultivator

Half a month after the inauguration ceremony of the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, a delegation from the foreign lands, mainly composed of daoist cultivators, set off for the Divine Capital.

As soon as the news spread, the Divine Capital erupted in an uproar. The citizens unanimously resisted the entry of these cultivators into the city, stirring up a massive wave of protests. Residents from various wards spontaneously left their homes and marched through the streets.

Of the six ministries, apart from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works, the offices of the remaining four were completely blockaded by the people.

Many even rushed to the imperial city gates, gathering in front of the palace to demand that His Highness the Crown Prince sternly refuse these cultivators entry into the Divine Capital.

Such a spectacle had not been seen in the Divine Capital for many years. However, the young Crown Prince sat in the Imperial Study, listening to the eunuch delivering the reports. His brows furrowed deeply.

He was well aware that the southern cultivators coming to pay homage to him was far from simple. Yet, given their seemingly legitimate reason, he had no grounds to refuse them outright. What he had not expected was the extreme reaction from the citizens of the Divine Capital.

This situation had now placed him in a precarious position, as if being roasted over a fire.

How could this not leave him exasperated?

“Your Highness, such a major matter must be discussed with the court ministers.”

The eunuch reminded softly. Looking at this Crown Prince, who bore little resemblance to the Emperor, his eyes were filled with pity.

“Right. Summon the Premier and Prince Ning to the palace immediately.”

The Crown Prince said, raising his eyebrows as he quickly made his decision.

The eunuch acknowledged the command but then suddenly realized something. He asked cautiously, “Your Highness, should we not also summon Commander Chen?”

The Crown Prince glanced at the eunuch and gave a bitter smile. ”That elder brother[Chen Chao] of mine... Even if I wanted to see him right now, he probably wouldn’t want to see me. Forget it, don’t summon him for now.”

Ever since the Great Liang Emperor had left the Divine Capital, he had been waiting for Chen Chao to take the initiative to enter the palace. However, the news he received during this time was that Chen Chao had remained in that bamboo building, claiming to be in closed-seclusion.

Although the truth of this claim was uncertain, since Chen Chao had said so, he did not want to force the issue. He figured that when this elder brother truly wanted to see him, he would naturally come.

As for himself, did he have the right to refuse?

This position of Crown Prince was only his because that elder brother had declined it.

……

……

The Premier and the now-titled Prince Ning, the eldest prince, quickly arrived at the Imperial City.

After entering the Imperial Study and having them seated, the Crown Prince got straight to the point. ”I presume that both of you are likely aware of the current situation in the Divine Capital. I’d like to hear your thoughts on how to handle this.”

After saying this, the Crown Prince fell silent and looked at the two men, waiting for their response.

The Premier remained silent for a moment before saying, ”The foreign lands has gathered here in the Divine Capital, they likely have two objectives.”

”First, to confirm whether His Majesty is truly still in the Divine Capital.”

”Second, they want to observe how we will treat them in the future if His Majesty is no longer here. Will it remain the same as when His Majesty was present, or will it be different? For this trip to the Divine Capital, they definitely won’t behave themselves.”

Though the Premier was merely a civil official, his many years in court had given him unparalleled experience.

His insight was naturally very keen too.

Prince Ning spoke softly, ”But now the people of the Divine Capital refuse to let them enter, let alone... cough cough... allow them to do anything while they’re here.”

Prince Ning’s face was pale, and he could not resist coughing a few times midway through his words. This eldest son of the emperor, now the Prince Ning, was growing weaker by the day. It seemed he might not be able to appear in court for much longer.

”Imperial Brother...”

The Crown Prince looked at Prince Ning with concern.

Prince Ning weakly waved his hand and forced a bitter smile. ”It’s just an old ailment, there’s probably no cure for it. Your Highness needn’t worry. If the day comes when I must depart, it’s merely a journey to the underworld to reunite with Imperial Mother and Imperial Sister.”

Hearing these two titles, the Crown Prince’s eyes darkened as well.

”I’m truly caught in a dilemma right now. The foreign cultivators’ reasoning is legitimate, making it difficult to refuse their entry. But with the people so adamantly opposed, if I allow them to enter the Divine Capital, I fear I’ll lose the support of the people. If I refuse, I’m worried these cultivators will seize the opportunity to cause trouble. In these turbulent times, our Great Liang can’t afford to antagonize the foreign lands.”

The Crown Prince had never truly considered the possibility of ascending to the throne one day, but neither had he imagined that being emperor would be so troublesome.

At this moment, he could not help but feel a deep admiration for his imperial father.

For the past ten years or so, he had governed the Great Liang with such order and prosperity, it truly was no easy feat.

The Premier sighed and said, “At this point, we cannot refuse the foreign lands, and the people can only be placated as much as possible. Your Highness must exercise restraint.”

The Crown Prince looked at Prince Ning and asked, “Is that also what Imperial Brother thinks?”

Prince Ning remained silent for a moment before saying, “Has Your Highness asked him?”

This ”him,” though unnamed, was clear to everyone.

The Premier fell silent.

The Crown Prince’s expression turned slightly unnatural.

“When Imperial Father left, he instructed Your Highness to consult him on military and national matters.”

Prince Ning looked at his younger brother, whom he did not know very well, and after a brief pause, spoke earnestly: “Imperial Father rarely made wrong decisions in his life. His trust in him must stem from his unique qualities.”

The Crown Prince did not respond but instead turned to the Premier and asked, “Does Premier think the same?”

“In this subject’s humble opinion, even if Commander Chen were here, he likely wouldn’t have any solutions. In the current situation, there is but one path to take.”

The Premier spoke softly, his voice low.

The Crown Prince nodded and said, “Then let it be so. Premier, I’ll have to trouble you with the task of calming the people.”

The Premier nodded, then rose and took his leave.

Prince Ning struggled to stand but had barely stepped out of the Imperial Study when he stopped. Leaning against the door frame for support, he said with difficulty, “Your Highness, after Imperial Father’s departure, we alone cannot hold up the Great Liang. We cannot do without him.”

The Crown Prince’s youthful face showed no expression as he quietly watched the Prince Ning before him.

Prince Ning sighed softly.

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