Taoist Myth: I am the last true immortal in the world

Chapter 858 Inviting an Old Friend
Bianjing (Kaifeng)

At dawn, Emperor Chai Rong convened a court assembly to discuss the attack on the Southern Tang.

Later, Zhao Kuangyin famously said, "How can I allow others to snore beside my bed?"

Having just won the Battle of Gaoping and defeated the combined forces of the Northern Han and Khitan, Chai Rong was riding high on his momentum and naturally wanted to press his advantage and wipe out the surrounding Southern Tang.

He didn't want someone snoring beside him, and this "person" was none other than the Southern Tang.

Thus, today's court assembly began with the topic of conquering the Southern Tang dynasty.

Chai Rong sat on the dragon throne, looked around at the civil and military officials below, and said: "Previously, I personally led an expedition to the north, repelled the allied forces of the Northern Han and the Khitan, and deterred a group of petty villains in the north. However, the Southern Tang in the south has repeatedly clashed with our dynasty, like flies, which is very annoying. Therefore, I think we should sweep away the many small countries in the south, starting with the Southern Tang. What are your opinions, my ministers?"

Minister of Works and Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Li Gu immediately stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I agree with this action. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, those petty Southern Tang have repeatedly invaded our borders, clearly showing no regard for our Great Zhou. If we do not strike back with overwhelming force, I fear that other small countries will think that our Great Zhou is easy to bully.”

Minister of Rites Wang Chongzhi followed up, saying, "I also agree with Your Majesty's opinion. However, our Great Zhou has just launched a military campaign in the north. If we rashly send troops to Southern Tang, I fear our soldiers will be exhausted. In my opinion, we still need to seek some external assistance."

Chai Rong asked, "What brilliant plan does Minister Wang have?"

Wang Chongzhi said, "Wu Yue and Southern Tang have had frequent conflicts and have been at war for many years. If Your Majesty were to write a letter ordering the King of Wu Yue to send troops together to contain the military strength of Southern Tang, then the chances of our Great Zhou winning the war against Southern Tang would greatly increase."

"That makes sense."

"As long as the King of Wuyue sends troops to contain us, our army will surely win a great victory."

"Although the Southern Tang Dynasty was quite powerful, it could never compare with our Great Zhou Dynasty, not to mention that it was also restrained by Wu and Yue."

All the civil and military officials echoed Wang Chongzhi's strategic opinions.

During this time, neither Zhao Kuangyin nor his father Zhao Hongyin spoke.

After thinking carefully for a moment, Chai Rong nodded slightly and said, "Minister Wang's plan is excellent. After the court session ends, I will naturally write a letter and send it to Wuyue, instructing the King of Wuyue to send troops to contain the Southern Tang. Since everyone has no objection to attacking the Southern Tang, is there any general who is willing to go on the expedition with me?"

Li Gu stepped forward without hesitation and said, "Your Majesty is willing to accompany Your Majesty on the expedition!"

Han Lingkun, the commander of the Imperial Guards and the military governor of Dingwu, also stepped forward and said, "I am also willing to go."

"Your subject requests permission to fight!"

"Your subject also requests to fight!"

Several military generals emerged one after another.

Chai Rong was very satisfied with these generals who volunteered for battle.

However, his gaze remained fixed on Zhao Kuangyin, his trusted confidant, as if waiting for the latter to request permission to fight.

However, for some reason, Zhao Kuangyin remained silent today, even though he clearly saw the questioning look Chai Rong was giving him.

Chai Rong frowned and took the initiative to ask, "Defense Commander Zhao, are you willing to accompany me to the Southern Tang to fight?"

All the civil and military officials looked towards Zhao Kuangyin.

Their eyes were filled with envy.

Because everyone could tell how gentle Chai Rong's tone was when he asked the question.

This inquiry, delivered in a consultative tone, gave Zhao Kuangyin ample face.

Anyone could see just how much Chai Rong favored Zhao Kuangyin; otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken to him in such a friendly tone.

Logically speaking, with the emperor showing such favor, Zhao Kuangyin should have been deeply moved and immediately volunteered for battle with great enthusiasm.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Kuangyin stepped forward and said neither arrogantly nor humbly, "Your Majesty, with so many generals volunteering for battle, I believe it is better for me to remain in the rear."

"Hmm?" Chai Rong frowned slightly.

Zhao Hongyin felt a little anxious seeing his son refusing to eat or drink.

Zhao Kuangyin offered an explanation: “Your Majesty ordered me to reorganize the corrupt Imperial Guard and expand the forces of the ‘Palace Guard’ into the Palace Guard Army. I have been working hard on this matter, but unfortunately, it has not been long and the reorganization is not yet complete. If I were to go on an expedition with Your Majesty now, I fear all my previous efforts would be in vain.”

When this matter was mentioned, Chai Rong frowned slightly, then relaxed.

He certainly knew how important the expansion of the Imperial Guard was. If Zhao Kuangyin were to go on the expedition at this time, it might indeed affect the reorganization and expansion of the Imperial Guard.

Although Chai Rong very much hoped to take the militarily capable Zhao Kuangyin on the expedition, after weighing the pros and cons, he still felt that the other party was right and that it was more important to reorganize and expand the Palace Guard at present.

Therefore, Chai Rong agreed, "It is indeed inconvenient for Zhao Qing to leave for the time being, so let him stay and guard the rear."

Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He said this with a hint of relief.

Zhao Kuangyin had originally planned to come up with two more reasons to appease Chai Rong if he refused.

While he felt fortunate, he also had a big question: why did Chen Yun come so early in the morning to remind him not to participate in this campaign against the Southern Tang?
Zhao Kuangyin wondered to himself, "Could there be some danger in this southern expedition?"

He couldn't figure it out yet, but one thing was certain: once the southern expedition began, he would know why Chen Yun hadn't allowed him to participate in the battle.

……

The establishment of the Southern Tang Dynasty was somewhat related to Chen Yun.

Back then, at the end of the Tang Dynasty, the country was in chaos, with regional warlords fighting amongst themselves.

Among them, Huainan Town, controlled by Yang Xingmi, was the most powerful warlord town in Jiangnan at the time. However, after his son Yang Wo succeeded to the throne, the government was in chaos and the people were unstable.

Xu Wen, a powerful minister, gradually seized power through power struggles and held it for twenty years.

Although the Yang family established a state and proclaimed themselves kings during this period, and the state they founded was historically known as Yang Wu, it was merely a puppet controlled by the Xu family.

In the ninth year of the Tianyou era, Xu Wen was promoted to Military Commander, Prefect of Runzhou, Military Governor of Zhenhai Army, and Chancellor.

In the twelfth year of Tianyou, Wu appointed Xu Wen as Duke of Qi and Commander-in-Chief of Liangzhe, initially stationed in Runzhou, overseeing the six prefectures of Sheng, Run, Chang, Xuan, She, and Chi.

Xu Wen established his hegemony in Runzhou, leaving his son Xu Zhixun as the deputy military commissioner, who monopolized the government's affairs, but controlled major court matters remotely.

In the fourteenth year of the Tianyou era, Xu Wen moved the capital to Jinling.

Later, Xu Zhixun was killed by Zhu Jin. Xu Wen's adopted son, Xu Zhigao, also known as Li Bian, entered Guangling from Runzhou and gained control of the government.

It was Chen Yun who stepped forward and subdued the Leopard Demon King and Ghost King Wei Shu, who were invited by Zhu Jin, which allowed Xu Zhigao to make a strong impression on Xu Wen.

After Xu Zhigao took office, in order to win over the people, he relaxed the criminal law, promoted benevolence and trust, and built the Yanbin Pavilion to receive people from all directions.

Song Qiqiu, Luo Zhixiang, Wang Lingmou and others became his important advisors. Although Xu Wen held power remotely in Jinling, the hearts of the people had mostly turned to Xu Zhigao.

Afterwards, Xu Zhigao used his excellent skills to seize power and suppress Xu Wen's son, Xu Zhixun, so that he could only have some nominal titles that seemed to be of high status.

During the later period of the Yang-Wu era, prominent figures from the north, such as Han Xizai, Chang Mengxi, Ma Renyu, Wang Yanzhu, Gao Yue, Gao Yuan, and Jiang Wenwei, gathered around Xu.

Secondly, prominent figures from the Jiangnan region, such as Song Qiqiu, Chen Jue, Cha Wenhui, Feng Yanji, Feng Yanlu, Bian Hao, You Jianyan, and He Jingtu, were also promoted by Xu Zhigao at this time.

Through painstaking efforts, Xu Zhigao not only gained the full support of Yang's former officials, but also united the two major forces of the North and the South, thus "accumulating great power and influence, and extending his influence to a wide range of people."

In the first year of Tianzuo's reign, the Southern Wu bestowed upon Xu Zhigao the titles of Grand Tutor, Grand Chancellor, Grand Marshal, and King of Qi, and designated ten prefectures, including Shengzhou and Runzhou, as the State of Qi.

Xu Zhigao declined the positions of Grand Tutor and Chancellor, and the following year he established the Grand Marshal's Office and appointed officials.

At this time, the Min Kingdom, the Southern Han Kingdom, and other kingdoms sent envoys to persuade Xu Zhigao to declare himself emperor.

In the third year of the Tianzuo era, Xu Zhigao established the State of Qi, set up ancestral temples and altars, and appointed Song Qiqiu and Xu Jie as the left and right prime ministers, respectively.

In October, Yang Pu dispatched his second son, Yang Lin, who was acting as Grand Commandant, to pass the throne to Xu Zhigao, establishing the Qi dynasty and changing the era name to Shengyuan.

In the second year of the Shengyuan era, Xu Zhigao restored his surname to Li, changed his name to Bian, and claimed to be the fourth-generation descendant of Li Ke, the Prince of Jian, son of Emperor Xianzong of Tang. He also changed the name of the state to Tang, which is historically known as the Southern Tang.

This is the origin of the entire Southern Tang Dynasty.

This shows that Li Bian was definitely a man of great talent and ambition.

If he had lived any longer, he might have even been able to conquer the Central Plains.

Unfortunately, Li Bian died in the seventh year of the Shengyuan era, and his son Li Jing succeeded him, changing his name to Li Jing, who became Emperor Yuanzong of Southern Tang.

Although Li Jing was not as capable as his father, he was still a great ruler. During his more than ten years on the throne, he fought against the Wuyue Kingdom while also taking the opportunity to destroy the Min Kingdom.

Unfortunately, although Li Jing was capable, he had a poor grasp of the overall situation and missed the opportunity to enter the Central Plains and establish his rule over the country.

Fortunately, two years earlier, Li Jing seized the opportunity to destroy the neighboring small state of Chu, allowing the Southern Tang to reach its peak.

As the saying goes, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. When the Southern Tang dynasty's power reached such a point, the real test began.

The thirteenth year of the Baoda era of the Southern Tang Dynasty, which was the second year of the Xiande era of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

Li Jing was shocked to learn that Emperor Chai Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty was preparing to personally lead an expedition against the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Upon hearing the news, Li Jing appeared somewhat flustered.

Because he knew that the Southern Tang was currently weaker than the Later Zhou.

If the Later Zhou dynasty launches a full-scale attack, it is possible to destroy the Southern Tang dynasty.

Li Jing hurriedly summoned many ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty to discuss the matter.

"The Emperor of Great Zhou is personally leading the expedition; what should we do?"

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. What else can we do?"

"You make it sound so easy. The Great Zhou is powerful and has a strong army. Not long ago, it defeated the combined forces of the Northern Han and the Khitan. How could our dynasty possibly be a match for it?"

"Should we just give up if we can't win? Are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"

The civil and military officials argued and made a fuss, but no suitable solution was ever offered.

Li Jing was very displeased and hurriedly ended the court session.

He returned to the back garden where his bedchamber was located, feeling very uneasy. He looked worried and feared that the Southern Tang Dynasty would be destroyed by the Later Zhou Dynasty.

Just as Li Jing was at a loss.

Suddenly, a golden light illuminated the back garden.

Li Jing's expression changed drastically. He thought there was an assassin and was about to call for his guards.

Unexpectedly, before the voice could even be uttered, a Buddha appeared in the golden light.

This Buddha statue has a smiling face and a large, tolerant belly, giving people a very approachable feeling.

Upon seeing this, Li Jing remained vigilant, but did not immediately call for his guards. Instead, he bowed respectfully from afar and asked, "I am Emperor Li Jing of the Great Tang Dynasty. May I ask which esteemed monk you are?"

The Buddha smiled broadly and said, "I am Maitreya Bodhisattva, the future Buddha of Buddhism."

Well, when the Buddha is still alive, Maitreya Buddha is not the real Buddha, but merely a "title" of Bodhisattva.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was greatly surprised and immediately knelt down again with even more solemn etiquette, saying, "Greetings, Maitreya Bodhisattva."

Maitreya Buddha extended his hand in a gesture of respect, saying, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, there is no need for such formalities."

Li Jing felt an irresistible force coming from the darkness, and involuntarily stood up.

His gaze toward Maitreya Buddha became much more reverent, and he asked respectfully, "May I ask, Bodhisattva, what important matter brings you to me?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled and pointed to the location of Bianjing. "I have heard that the Emperor of the Great Zhou is preparing to personally lead an expedition to attack your country. However, your country is relatively weak and may not be able to withstand the fierce army of the Great Zhou. Therefore, this humble monk has come to ask His Majesty if you would like to help."

Li Jing's eyes lit up and he said, "Is the Bodhisattva willing to help my Great Tang Dynasty?"

Maitreya Buddha said very directly: "This humble monk is not only willing to help the Tang Dynasty overcome this hardship, but also wants to help the Tang Dynasty rebuild its former glory!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing's breath hitched.

He certainly knew the meaning behind Maitreya Buddha's words.

It simply means that they are preparing to make the Southern Tang Dynasty become the former hegemon "Great Tang"!
Steady!

Li Jing believed that with the help of Maitreya Buddha, the Southern Tang would no longer have to worry about being destroyed by the Later Zhou!

……

the other side.

After Chen Yun reminded Zhao Kuangyin, he immediately left Bianjing and went elsewhere.

His first stop was a village in the Miao region.

At this moment, the dragon girl Sanjiu, dressed in red, stood respectfully to the side and asked eagerly, "Emperor Chen, what brings you to my village today?"

Chen Yun smiled and looked at his old friend, saying with a smile, "We've known each other for decades, why be so polite?"

Dragon Girl Sanjiu smiled wryly and said, "Now that you are the great emperor of Taoism, how dare I be disrespectful?"

Chen Yun waved his hand and said, "That's not right. We became friends because we were once inseparable. Although I have become the Great Emperor of Taoism today, that friendship still exists. If you are so polite, then you don't consider me a friend."

Upon hearing this, the originally reserved Dragon Girl Sanjiu laughed and said, "Emperor Chen... Brother Chen is joking. How could I not consider you a friend? I'm just afraid that you don't consider me a friend."

Chen Yun laughed loudly, "I am not that kind of person. Can we sit down and talk now?"

"good."

The seemingly frail and elderly Dragon Girl Sanjiu slowly sat back down on the bamboo chair and asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Chen, is there something important that you have come to see me today?"

Chen Yun said very frankly, "Indeed, there is something very important."

Dragon Girl Sanjiu reached out her hand and said, "Please speak freely."

Chen Yun explained his reason for coming: "Back then, when the Khitan destroyed the Later Jin, the war was raging fiercely. I did not come to invite you to join the war. It was not that I did not want you to accumulate merits and be enfeoffed as gods in the Investiture of the Gods, but that the war was particularly dangerous. At that time, not only many gods and celestial immortals participated in the war, but even half-step Great Luo Immortals came."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Although the war between the Khitan and the Later Jin has ended, the war of the Investiture of the Gods is still ongoing. It just so happens that I have glimpsed the secrets of heaven and see that the Zhou Dynasty has the potential to conquer the Central Plains. However, we know very little about the gods and immortals. Therefore, I would like to invite you to come out of seclusion and help the Zhou Dynasty. I wonder if you are willing?"

Dragon Girl Sanjiu asked with some surprise, "Since an old friend has invited me, I am naturally willing to go and participate in the Investiture of the Gods. However, there is one thing I don't understand. After Fellow Daoist Chen was conferred the title of Great Emperor of Taoism by Laozi, he has thousands of subordinate gods under his command, and each of them is far more powerful than me. If that is the case, why do you insist on inviting me to come out of seclusion?"

Yes.

Dragon Girl Sanjiu has just broken through to the Sect Master realm, but has not yet become an immortal.

So why did Chen Yun insist on traveling all this way to invite the other party to join the battle?

The reason is simple: he has severed most of his connections with the origin of the Great Dao of this world.

What he does cannot be sensed by any other half-step Great Luo.

However, once they send their own disciples to fight against the subordinate gods, the other half-step Great Luo will inevitably notice the situation.

Therefore, adhering to the principle of maintaining secrecy, Chen Yun specially came to the Miao region to invite the Dragon Girl Sanjiu to come out of the mountains.

Not only that, he will also invite other fellow Daoists to travel to the Later Zhou court one after another to strengthen Zhao Kuangyin's power.

Of course, he would use his magic to block the other person's senses from being detected each time he invited someone.

In short, Chen Yun is still in the planning stage.

He needs to place each chess piece in its proper position.

Even if Dragon Girl Sanjiu only has the cultivation level of a sect leader.

For him at present, he is also a very important piece.

Although Long Nu Sanjiu was a pawn, Chen Yun did not intend to harm her. Instead, he sincerely hoped that she could gain some merit before the end of the Investiture of the Gods war and eventually be granted the title of god.

Well, the risk of participating in the war is relatively low at the moment.

It is suitable for those who have not yet attained immortality.

Chen Yun would definitely not tell Long Nu San Jiu about these words.

Or rather, no one will know what he is going to do until the whole plan is completed.

Only he himself knew in his heart that once this plan was completed, he would surely be able to attain enlightenment and become a true Great Luo!
(End of this chapter)