Within the Hall of Cultured Elegance.
"Your subject, Lu Huaining, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
At this moment, the doors and windows of the Hall of Cultured Elegance were tightly shut, with only a wisp of light cascading from a skylight. Emperor Xu Chen, clad in dragon robes and holding a few bamboo slips, gazed up at the towering bookshelves. Without turning, he chuckled, "Minister Lu has returned? The journey must have been arduous. Why not rest longer before seeing me?"
"The affairs of Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture are of utmost urgency. I dare not delay, so I rushed to see Your Majesty without rest!"
"Speak."
Xu Chen stood proudly on the reading gallery, still facing away.
"Yes."
Lu Huaining respectfully stated, "The strategy of converting grain fields to rice cultivation encountered opposition from the populace upon its implementation in the south. Although Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture are lands of abundance, the wealth is primarily held by the local officials. A large portion of the grain produced annually is requisitioned and transported northward, leaving the common people with meager rations. These ordinary folk already lead impoverished lives. If they are to surrender a significant portion of their land to cultivate spiritual rice, their lives will become truly unbearable."
"What is the reaction of the prefectural governments of the two prefectures?"
"Alas..."
Lu Huaining let out a long sigh. "Several days ago, the embankment of the Lingze River was breached. The surging waters inundated several counties, resulting in numerous casualties. Your Majesty, this embankment was breached intentionally. Few possess the capability to breach an embankment several *li* long. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate the Prefect of Jiang Prefecture, Qin Wang. He commands the army of Jiang Prefecture and is the only one capable of breaching several *li* of the riverbank overnight!"
"Qin Wang is also a trusted minister personally approved by me. Minister Lu, do you have any evidence to prove that Qin Wang breached the embankment?"
"No."
"Hmph..."
Xu Chen finally turned around, revealing a rather aged face. His slightly clouded eyes met Lu Huaining's, and he said with a smile, "Minister Lu, the officialdom is a treacherous place. If it proves too difficult, then... return to the Hall of Cultured Elegance and continue overseeing the grand task of compiling the court's history. Our Xu Dynasty's territory expands daily, and local histories, customs, and folklore must be revised. Such endeavors truly require your expertise. As for the affairs of the southern two prefectures, you, a scholar, may not always understand them."
"Your Majesty!"
Lu Huaining gritted his teeth. "The people of Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture are in dire straits. Officials and merchants in the two prefectures are colluding, drastically lowering prices to purchase the flooded farmlands from the populace. If this continues, our Xu Dynasty will no longer have its abundant lands! Moreover, the people of the two prefectures are Your Majesty's subjects. If this is allowed to persist, millions may starve, leading to widespread discontent, which may become unmanageable!"
"Minister Lu!"
Xu Chen's voice intensified slightly, and he smiled, "You are a scholar. You understand the teachings of the sages better than Qin Wang. However, a scholar is still a scholar. You may grasp the principles of the sages, but you may not necessarily grasp the principles of governance. I ask you, is the entire realm more important, or are Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture more important?"
"Your Majesty..."
Lu Huaining said urgently, "Naturally, the entire realm is more important. However... the people of the two prefectures are also Your Majesty's subjects! Uniting the entire realm and showing compassion for the people are not mutually exclusive!"
"How can they not be mutually exclusive?"
Xu Chen stated calmly, "If we have sufficient spiritual rice, our Xu Dynasty's forces on the mountains will have many Void-Gazing, Golden Core, and even Nascent Soul cultivators. Within three to five years, all the mountain sects of the ancient Shu Kingdom will submit. Once the mountains submit, the lowlands will naturally follow. We can take the entire realm without bloodshed. The price is that the common people of Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture will go hungry for a few years. Otherwise, if war breaks out, it is unknown how many people will perish in both the Xu Dynasty and the ancient Shu Kingdom. Which do you believe carries more weight in this calculation?"
"Your Majesty!"
Sweat beaded on Lu Huaining's forehead. He knelt on the ground, gritting his teeth. "The so-called submission of the mountain forces to the ancient Shu Kingdom is merely a fantasy conjured by the Grand Tutor for Your Majesty. How can a pie drawn on paper be considered real? Moreover, even if the mountain forces of the ancient Shu Kingdom submit, who can guarantee the submission of the lowlands of the ancient Shu Kingdom? The ancient Shu Kingdom has existed for thousands of years, and its rulers in recent generations have all been benevolent. If our Xu Dynasty attacks forcefully, it will undoubtedly provoke desperate resistance from the ancient Shu Kingdom, and losses will be unavoidable."
"Lu Huaining!"
Xu Chen's expression turned angry, and he reprimanded, "Do you forget whose subject you are?"
"Your subject..."
Lu Huaining gritted his teeth. "Your subject merely wishes to petition for the people of the two prefectures, and wishes Your Majesty to consider their lives. Otherwise, with the collusion of officials and merchants in the two prefectures, it is the people of the two prefectures who suffer. If the hearts of the people in the two prefectures are lost, will my Xu Dynasty's reign remain as stable as it is today?"
"You are audacious!"
Xu Chen suddenly threw the bamboo slips in his arms, which clattered against Lu Huaining's head. However, this seventh-realm Confucian cultivator did not dodge, but silently endured it. Xu Chen pointed at Lu Huaining, his voice filled with rage, "Corrupt scholars ruin the nation! Corrupt scholars ruin the nation! Guards, strike Lu Huaining's name from the roster of Grand Academicians of the Hall of Cultured Elegance. You will no longer hold the position of Minister of Revenue. Return to your residence immediately and reflect on your transgressions. Await my final judgment. Do not interfere in the affairs of Jiang Prefecture and Long Prefecture. Lu Huaining, I had great expectations for you, but I never thought you would disappoint me so!"
"..."
Lu Huaining trembled all over. At this moment, his official career seemed to have reached its end.
"Your Majesty..."
Lu Huaining slowly removed his official hat and placed it aside. His eyes were red-rimmed, and a bloody hue flickered within them. "I depart. I wish Your Majesty well. I wish my Xu Dynasty well..."
...
As Lu Huaining walked out of the Hall of Cultured Elegance, he appeared to have aged considerably. Everyone already knew what had happened, so Lin Zhao and the others remained silent. Chi Yuran and Chi Zhongyu escorted Lu Huaining back to his residence, while Lin Zhao did not accompany them, deciding instead to tour the capital alone.
Yunmeng Tower, the most renowned restaurant in Ning'an City.
Lin Zhao, at the considerable expense of a flying fish coin, secured a private room facing the street at Yunmeng Tower. He ordered a table full of local delicacies and invited Liu Liying to dine with him. Tasting the dishes, he found the cuisine at Yunmeng Tower to be truly exceptional. He then packed a considerable amount to take back for the residents of the Mountain Peak Villa to sample.
A while later, slightly tipsy, he held a wine pot and approached the window, watching the pedestrians come and go on the bustling street. Alas, beneath this prosperous capital churned hidden undercurrents. Xu Chen had stripped Lu Huaining of his title as Grand Academician and dismissed him from his post as Minister of Revenue. This clearly indicated the emperor's unwavering support for Grand Tutor Zhao Qian's national policy. Lu Huaining's predicament also signified the defeat of the court's upright faction. Henceforth, the upright faction of the Xu Dynasty had to yield to the powerful officials.
"Knock, knock~~~"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. The waiter respectfully announced, "Young Master, a guest outside wishes to see you."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao frowned. "Let him in."
"Yes!"
To his surprise, a female Sword Immortal, clad in a purple long skirt, entered. She was a ninth-realm cultivator, exceptionally beautiful, her eyes possessing a profound allure. Upon entering, she gestured, closing the door, and cupped her fists. "Chu Xiantong ventures forth uninvited. I beg the young hero for your forgiveness."
"Chu Xiantong?"
Lin Zhao placed the wine pot on the table and cupped his fists with a smile. "I don't believe we've met?"
"Indeed."
Chu Xiantong smiled slightly. "Actually, I am the Sect Master of the Cheng Huang Sect."
"Ah?!"
Liu Liying tensed slightly, her hand gripping her fan, ready to act at any moment.
"There is no need for misunderstanding."
Chu Xiantong lightly raised her hand. "Xiantong comes with no ill intent, nor is she sent by the Xu Dynasty to assassinate the young hero. Even the matter of the young hero killing the Second Prince at the Qinglu Inn, I can overlook. After all, that incident has nothing to do with our Cheng Huang Sect."
Lin Zhao leisurely crossed his arms. "Then what does the Sect Master wish to do?"
"Merely to offer the young hero a kind reminder."
Chu Xiantong said softly, "The Xu Dynasty is on the verge of change. Ning'an City is also brewing a storm. Therefore... since the young hero is but a traveler passing through the realm, some matters are best not interfered with. As long as the young hero agrees not to interfere in the affairs of the Xu Dynasty and Ning'an City, Xiantong can give you a promise: the Cheng Huang Sect will not trouble the young hero, nor will they harm Miss Liying."
"This sounds more like a threat."
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and smiled. "What if I refuse? Will the Cheng Huang Sect then make a move against me?"
Chu Xiantong pursed her red lips. "Xiantong does not mean that."
"I also have a few words for the Sect Master."
"Xiantong is all ears."
"Good."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "The one truly orchestrating the Xu Dynasty's plans is Grand Tutor Zhao Qian. I have already witnessed Zhao Qian's ruthless methods. And the one planning the entire Hundred Flowers Realm is likely the Painter Sage Wu Yuanzi. This should also be correct. The Hundred Flowers Realm is neither too deep nor too shallow. Therefore, if the Cheng Huang Sect can avoid getting involved, it is best not to. Especially for you, Sect Master, do not commit too many wicked deeds, lest it become difficult to extricate yourself, and you find yourself unable to save yourself in the end."
Chu Xiantong's heart trembled. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the young Sword Cultivator before her. "Can the young hero give Xiantong a clear indication, whether the young hero... is truly the exiled immortal from beyond the heavens? In our Hundred Flowers Realm, there has never been anyone like you before."
"Does this matter?"
"It does,"
Chu Xiantong looked at him, sincerity in her eyes. "I only wish for a definite answer from the young hero. Is it a yes or a no?"
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao replied calmly.
"..."
Chu Xiantong's heart stirred greatly. Had she gambled correctly? She gritted her teeth and once again cupped her fists in a bow to Lin Zhao. "Young hero, although Xiantong is the Sect Master of the Cheng Huang Sect, there is still an elder ancestor above me. Therefore, Xiantong cannot make decisions for the Cheng Huang Sect regarding interference in Ning'an City's affairs. However, Xiantong will instruct those of my lineage to act with restraint during this calamity. Afterwards, can the young hero spare a portion of the Cheng Huang Sect's bloodline?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao turned and walked to the window, gazing at the sky, as if speaking to someone. "Chu Xiantong's lineage may show mercy."
...
"Thank you, young hero!"
Chu Xiantong cupped her fists in a bow and slowly retreated.