The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 500 The Way of the Times
As dawn breaks and the first light of day appears, the sound of the tide on the banks of the Qiantang River thunders, and turbid waves surge into the sky.

Yuan Tiangang stood alone on a high bank overlooking the river, his old robe fluttering in the sea breeze. The ancient bronze mask on his face reflected the rolling gray-black clouds and the roaring waves below. His gaze was fixed on the distance, as if he were observing the surging trends of the world, or as if he were piercing through time and space, examining some predetermined ending.

In the distance, a dark shadow slowly approached along the winding riverbank.

The person who came seemed to move very slowly, but in fact, he was very fast. In a short while, he had already traveled several miles across the mudflats and finally silently climbed onto the high platform. He stood quietly about ten feet behind Yuan Tiangang. The sea breeze blew his clothes and even his hair was a little disheveled by the sea breeze.

"Commander."

Shi Yao also squinted against the wind and looked out, bowing respectfully. Her voice was drowned out by the deafening roar of the tide, but she knew that Yuan Tiangang would definitely hear her.

Yuan Tiangang did not turn around, still gazing at the surging tide before him with his hands behind his back. After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice flat and calm, yet clearly penetrating the sound of the tide: "What is the situation in the towns of Jiangnan?"

Shi Yao stepped forward and replied gracefully, "Reporting to the Commander, the edict and strict orders from the Central Plains have spread throughout Jiangnan. The various towns have reacted fiercely, with most people deeply opposed to it. Xu Wen and Zhang Hao of Wu, Wang Shenzhi of Min and his clan, Ma Xisheng, the former subordinate of Ma Yin of Chu, along with many local magnates, gentry, and military generals who are attached to them, all regard this as a plan to wipe out their families."

She paused briefly before continuing, "They believe this is no ordinary case of a regional military governor submitting. If they comply with the order, they will have to hand over their accumulated power, land, and troops, and become commoners with little chance of rising again. Therefore, they are currently making every effort to strengthen their military, collude with each other, and try to use the natural barriers of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers to fight like cornered beasts. Their determination to resist is very strong."

"Oh?" Yuan Tiangang's voice was devoid of emotion, as if he were merely confirming a fact he had long expected. "Without exception?"

"That's not entirely true."

Shi Yao immediately added, "Among the many forces, only Qian Yuanguan, the eldest son of King Qian Liu of Wuyue, has unique insights. According to news from the palace, he has repeatedly urged his father, saying that the unification of the Central Plains is already a certainty, and the Qin King's power extends throughout the land, with strict decrees that are not mere empty threats. Rather than stubbornly resisting and wasting the people's strength, ultimately leading to mutual destruction, it would be better to assess the situation, take the initiative to comply with the Qin King's decrees, and surrender the territory. This might preserve the clan's bloodline and even provide the Qian family with a chance to survive in the future new dynasty, and there might even be a possibility of a resurgence. Therefore, he advocates that King Qian of Wuyue follow the trend."

Yuan Tiangang remained silent for a moment, his mask slightly turned to the side, as if listening or pondering, before finally asking only one question: "How did Qian Liu react?"

"The King of Wuyue was old and quite hesitant."

Shi Yao reported the facts: "He was worried about the strength of the Central Plains army, but he was also reluctant to give up the foundation he had built up over many years. He was suspicious of the invitations from Xu Wen, Zhang Hao and others, and he did not completely reject Qian Yuanguan's words. Judging from his attitude, he was still weighing the pros and cons and wavering. However, Wu and Yue are a small place, and they are located between Wu and Min. Perhaps they will not dare to be the first to bear the brunt."

After completing the report, Shi Yao stood at her sides. The sea breeze, carrying salty and damp air, rushed towards her. It was late autumn, and the chill was growing stronger. The wind swept across the surging river, adding to the coldness and causing her clothes to flutter.

Yuan Tiangang stood still for a moment, still watching the tireless tide in the distance: "Since Jiangnan has chosen to fight like a cornered beast, we should continue to pay attention to the situation. We need to keep a close eye on the movements of Xu Wen, Zhang Hao and their ilk."

"Yes, I understand," Shi Yao replied, without moving.

Amidst the roar of the wind and waves, Yuan Tiangang did not turn around, but as if he had eyes in the back of his head, he saw Shi Yao's hesitation and turned slightly to the side, his voice once again piercing through the wind and waves: "Is there anything else?"

Looking at Yuan Tiangang's tall and lonely back, Shi Yao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking:

"General, His Majesty has entrusted Zhang Xuanling's wife, Xu Huan, to send the Longquan Sword to Bianliang. You must already know about this. I believe that the Longquan Sword is of extraordinary significance. Even if His Majesty no longer wishes to possess it, you should have found a way to retrieve or destroy it. Why... did you not stop him?"

Yuan Tiangang didn't turn his head, speaking calmly as if he were narrating a trivial matter unrelated to himself: "A powerful weapon must ultimately be wielded by the true God. Forcing it into the hands of someone who cannot bear the burden will not only fail to help them succeed, but will also bring disaster. It will not benefit the overall situation and will only add to the chaos."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yao was not surprised, but she almost uncontrollably took another half step forward.

"Your subordinate dares to ask, does the Commander... already change his mind? Does he believe that destiny and fortune ultimately belong to that ruler of the Central Plains?"

This time, Yuan Tiangang remained silent for a long time.

Beneath the mask, no one could see his expression. Only the endless roar, crashing, and shattering of the Qiantang River tide repeated its ancient yet ever-changing rhythm.

Finally, he slowly spoke: "Three hundred years of immortality, chaos breeds order. I have always believed that the way of Heaven is unpredictable, and only the capable rule. Therefore, the path I follow is to crush all obstacles with absolute power, sweep across the universe, and reshape order, even if it means inflicting countless bloodshed. Unparalleled in fierceness, establishing the foundation with power, and regarding all things as straw dogs, this is the way of the tyrant."

Shi Yao listened quietly, standing respectfully.

But then she heard a subtle change in Yuan Tiangang's tone, a mixture of scrutiny and resignation:
"Only by observing their actions can one understand this principle: extreme rigidity is easily broken, and extreme violence is difficult to sustain. Power can subdue for a time, and fear can suppress a place, but like the Qiantang River tide, it rises and falls in its own time, and can never truly soak the earth and nourish life..."

Yuan Tiangang paused slightly, as if reassessing the existence he had once tried to control or erase.

"While it appears to be inclusive and tolerant, supposedly embracing the Way of Heaven, the Way of the King, and the Way of Humanity, it is difficult to distinguish whether it uses ruthless methods to act with a compassionate heart or acts with a compassionate heart to act with ruthless force. Its actions lie in the unquestionable implementation of its laws and the uncompromising execution of its will, weaving an all-encompassing net with an unstoppable momentum."

"Within this network, everything old, even those like myself who wish to use force to set things right, have become old ailments that must be eradicated. To them, using force to break force is merely a means, not an end. Destroying the old and establishing the new, removing the fuel from the fire, is the inevitable trend, and the true path to dominance..."

He tapped his hands lightly behind his back, seemingly not finding it shameful to tell Shi Yao these things.

"In comparison, what I did in the past was nothing more than using violence to replace violence, a vicious cycle that ultimately led to my downfall. And the path I chose and the position I occupied were certainly not the ones I originally chose for this chaotic world. However, times change and the ways of heaven are indeed unpredictable. The variables in this world may be the true path to cleanse the universe. It is the times, the circumstances, and the way."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yao did not show any shock or disbelief.

Having experienced the ups and downs of life and possessed keen insight into the wickedness of human nature, she was already among the most intelligent people in the world. Yuan Tiangang's words were less a dramatic change than a sudden and honest revelation of the underlying threads that she had vaguely sensed but had never been able to clearly articulate.

She remained silent for a long time, her mature and beautiful eyes, which always held countless thoughts, lowered slightly and fell on the rocks below the platform, which had been repeatedly washed and worn smooth by the tide, as if one could see some kind of destiny's trajectory there.

She was simply wondering: what was the meaning of centuries of perseverance, the sacrifices of countless people, the unwavering faith, and even everything she herself had experienced, all under this judgment of 'inferior' and 'superior'? Was three hundred years just a misguided persistence? Did the very foundation of the Bad People's existence deviate from the true 'Tao' from the very beginning?
This confusion did not stem from doubt about Yuan Tiangang's words.

Because she understood and saw clearly, she became even more lost and adrift. The old coordinates had collapsed, but the new direction seemed to have nothing to do with her or the entire Bad Guys group.

She raised her head and looked at Yuan Tiangang's back. When she spoke again, there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"If what you say is true, General... then what has been the purpose of all that we, the Bad People, have done for hundreds of years, and what has caused the countless loyal souls to perish? Where should we go from now on? And what will become of you, General?"

Yuan Tiangang stood still for a moment, then turned around and looked directly at Shi Yao.

"The Bad Guys were once the shadow of the empire, guarding the old order and maintaining a balance, or perhaps an obsession. Times change, and the tide is irreversible. If the new era still needs shadows to hide behind the light, to monitor the world, correct omissions, and eliminate treacherous officials, then the Bad Guys will have their place. But the shadows of the past should fade away with the old dreams and become new shadows; this is only natural."

"As for what has been done over the past few centuries, and the countless loyal souls..."

In Shi Yao's memory, Yuan Tiangang's voice seemed to be a little dry for the first time. "It was not meaningless. At that time, they were dutiful and upheld the order they knew. Even if it was a wrong path, it was still a footprint on it. Let future generations judge their merits and demerits."

Finally, he glanced at Shi Yao, then looked back at the Qiantang River tide behind him.

"And since I am the starting point of all this, then all the merits, sins, and legacy of the Bad People, as well as the obsessions and cycles of the past few hundred years, will return to their final destination here with me."

Shi Yao received the answer, her heart filled with mixed emotions, unsure whether it was sorrow, respect, relief, or even greater confusion. Gazing at the figure she had followed for decades, she knew his choice and knew that further questioning was futile. She could only bow deeply, her figure quietly retreating, quickly disappearing into the vast sky and the deafening roar of the tide.

On the high platform, only Yuan Tiangang remained, facing the vast river and sea, speechless for a long time.

------

As dawn breaks through the fog, the rising sun peeks over the pavilion.

Xiao Yan sat alone behind the large table, his expression calm.

On the table, the sword case was clearly visible, its lid already open. On the bright yellow silk lining lay an ancient longsword. The longsword was wide, long, and heavy, with a faint, cold glint in its light. Compared to the Taiping Sword, it appeared simpler and heavier, yet it still exuded a powerful and awe-inspiring aura.

Xiao Yan, however, did not linger on the Longquan sword that had once captivated countless heroes. Instead, he held a letter that Xu Huan had presented to him when he had just summoned her, and was reading it word by word.

"...I have heard that this sword, since the time of Emperor Taizong, has been a symbol of the Li family's legitimacy and a powerful weapon of state. However, the world has been in turmoil for hundreds of years, with chaos following one after another. It cannot be settled by the sharpness of a single sword, nor can it be saved by the heart of one person. I am of meager talent and virtue, unworthy of its name and unable to bear its weight. I fear that possessing such a treasure will bring me trouble, only causing strife and suffering to the common people..."

At this point in the text, the pen strokes become slightly hesitant, as if the writer had paused here for a long time.

"...Now, my elder brother rose from humble beginnings, sweeping across the land, pacifying the north, and his power extending throughout the land. Moreover, he possesses the legitimate lineage of our father, the Emperor. The Mandate of Heaven has been bestowed upon him, and the will of the people is clear as day. Only in my elder brother's hands will this sword not be tarnished, and only then can it truly exert its power to establish the dynasty and protect the land."

"...I have now sent men to return the Longquan sword to its rightful owner. I only hope that you, my brother, will use it wisely, to cleanse the world with your sword and to restore order to the land with your ambition. May you end this chaotic world as soon as possible and bring peace and tranquility to all the people. Then, even though I am in Jiangnan, I will be grateful and have no regrets..."

The letter ends there, without a signature, leaving only emptiness, as if all words have been spoken and all choices have been made.

Xiao Yan slowly put down the letter, his gaze returning to the Longquan sword in its sheath. The hall was silent, save for the birdsong rising outside the window and the faint sound of the palace bells in the distance.

He remained silent for a long time, and finally, he gently pressed his finger on the scabbard and closed the lid of the sword box.

The Empress walked to Xiao Yan's side, her gaze falling on the sword box, but she did not mention the letter. After a moment of contemplation, she slowly spoke: "Husband, the Longquan Sword has been obtained, which is an auspicious sign. However, there is something I have been thinking about for a long time, and I must say it."

Xiao Yan looked up at her, gesturing for her to continue.

"According to palace secrets, after the late Emperor Zhaozong secretly sealed the Longquan Treasure, the Imperial Seal of the State, which was passed down from the Qin Dynasty, also disappeared without a trace. It is said that the seal is hidden in the Longquan Treasure."

She paused slightly, observed Xiao Yan's expression, and continued, "Now that the Longquan Sword is in my husband's hands, we know that the Twelve Caves' Holy Child, where the treasure is located, is also in Bianjing. I think we should immediately set out to find the exact location of the treasure and explore the method to open it, so as to bring back the Imperial Seal of the State? In this way, when my husband ascends to the throne, he will have both the famous treasure and the imperial seal, proving that the Mandate of Heaven is with him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan showed little surprise. He lightly tapped the sword case with his fingers, his gaze fixed on the morning glow outside the hall, and said calmly, "I already know how to open the Dragon Spring Treasure. What I'm curious about is not how to open it, but what exactly is inside."

Seeing his words, the Empress knew he must have something on his mind, so she followed his line of thought and analyzed:
According to imperial records and rumors, the Longquan Treasure was a vast fortune secretly accumulated by three emperors—Yizong, Xizong, and Zhaozong—for their descendants to prepare for the restoration of the nation. Its primary contents would have been a massive amount of gold, silver, and copper coins, enough to support a major war or several years of national expenditure; secondly, it would have contained military equipment, ironware, cloth, silk, and even some durable grain. Perhaps it would also have included some martial arts manuals and lost ancient books collected by the imperial family.

She paused briefly, then recalled: "Especially during the Huang Chao Rebellion, the court levied exorbitant taxes and confiscated the astonishing wealth of powerful officials like Tian Lingzi. Most of it was secretly transferred to this treasure. Its scale is probably far beyond what people can imagine. Obtaining it would be equivalent to obtaining almost ten percent of the wealth of the world."

Xiao Yan listened quietly, the sharp light in his eyes gradually gathering. After the Empress finished speaking, he slowly nodded: "As expected. What Yun Ji said is roughly the same as my prediction."

He chuckled as he looked at the gleam in the Empress's eyes. At this moment, she didn't seem like an empress about to rule the world; instead, she resembled a shrewd young woman plotting to make her fortune, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"When I first thought about this matter, I thought several times that suddenly allowing such a huge amount of gold, silver and copper coins to flood the market would impact prices and disrupt people's livelihoods. However, after several calculations, I realized that if this matter is handled properly, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks."

The Empress listened intently, knowing that Xiao Yan often had insightful views on economics and people's livelihood that were ahead of his time.

“My idea is to dispose of this enormous wealth in batches. Initially, only one-tenth of it should be melted down to mint high-quality coins and put into circulation to stabilize the currency value, promote commerce, and revitalize various industries. The remaining nine-tenths should be reminted and deposited into the national treasury as the ‘capital’ and ‘ballast’ for issuing new coins.”

Xiao Yan used two unfamiliar yet surprisingly apt terms, saying, "With this hard currency as an anchor, the credit of the new money is solidified, private transactions and loans have a basis, and the circulation of wealth throughout the world can proceed smoothly. This is what is meant by... the effect of monetary reserves."

He paused, then continued to outline the blueprint for the Empress: "As for the ironware in the treasure, it can be melted down and cast into thousands of agricultural tools, distributed to the prefectures and counties to help agriculture, sericulture, and land reclamation, thus promoting production; if there is cloth and grain, it is even more urgently needed by the world in its current state of disrepair, and can be used to provide relief during lean seasons or in famine-stricken areas, thus stabilizing the people's hearts. The key is... how to control the scale and speed of its inflow so that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

After listening to this well-reasoned and convincing economic strategy, the Empress's phoenix eyes shone with admiration, and she was filled with admiration.

When Xiao Yan mentioned this, he turned to the Empress and said, "Therefore, this matter should be done sooner rather than later. I intend to take the Holy Child and the Dragon Spring Sword with me to Hedong to open the treasure and find out what's going on."

His expression was calm, clearly indicating that he had already given it considerable thought: "This trip should be conducted discreetly and swiftly, with a light entourage, traveling by sword, without any ceremonial procession or unnecessary disturbance to the local area. This is to avoid any unforeseen complications and suspicion. Therefore, for the time being, Yun Ji, Lord Han, and Lord Jing will need to devote more attention to the affairs of Bianjing."

The implication was that he was determined to personally uncover the final mystery and retrieve the weighty "gift" for the upcoming new dynasty.

After listening intently to Xiao Yan's plan, the Empress's phoenix eyes flickered slightly. Unusually, she did not immediately agree to Xiao Yan's proposal. Instead, she leaned forward slightly and said solemnly:

"My lord is wise and far-sighted, and his insights into the economy and people's livelihood always impress me. This arrangement is even more thoughtful and meticulous, and I admire him greatly. However, I believe that opening the Longquan Treasure is of great importance and should not be carried out in this way."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.

The Empress met Xiao Yan's gaze and spoke earnestly:
"Firstly, as my husband said, the scale of the treasure is too terrifying. Its wealth is enough to shake the foundation of the country and even trigger a new round of turmoil. If such a huge fortune is left entirely to the ministers, even the most trusted and capable ministers cannot be guaranteed to remain steadfast in the face of such immense wealth. Human nature cannot withstand such a test. Once someone becomes greedy, or if the secret is discovered and exploited, unpredictable disasters may occur, which would be undesirable. While my husband's personal presence can certainly stabilize the situation, if the itinerary is kept secret and there is an urgent need to return to the ceremony, the subsequent transfer, counting, and storage of the wealth will involve many steps, making it difficult to guarantee complete safety."

"Secondly, this is indeed a golden opportunity. My lord, consider this: with great fanfare, in the name of the Prince of Qin, and as the direct descendant of Emperor Zhaozong, in full view of everyone, to open the Dragon Spring Treasure, passed down from three generations of emperors and said to be accessible only to the true Son of Heaven, the significance of this very process far surpasses the gold and silver treasures within the treasure..."

Her phoenix eyes shone brightly, and she gracefully sat on Xiao Yan's lap, her jade-like arms encircling his neck, her breath sweet as orchids.
"This will be the most powerful ceremony to reshape the legitimacy of the Li Tang dynasty and proclaim it to the world. Its momentum and symbolism are far more intimidating than the coronation ceremony. It can greatly deter the remaining separatist forces and those who are waiting to see what will happen, making them know that the mandate of heaven has been set and the trend has been established. Any resistance is futile, and only by following the times and obeying the mandate can they take the right path."

She breathed slightly, looking at Xiao Yan who was deep in thought, and finally said, "Therefore, I humbly request my husband to regard this trip as a grand ceremony to proclaim the Mandate of Heaven and subdue all directions, rather than a simple journey to retrieve treasures. The ceremonial procession can be simplified, but the scale must not be diminished. Let the whole world know that the precious treasure of Longquan belongs to the true Lord!"

Xiao Yan listened quietly for a long time, his gaze meeting that of the Empress who was standing close to him. After a moment, he slowly nodded, a smile appearing on his face, clearly having been persuaded by the Empress.

“What Yunji said is very good. I was thinking too much about practical benefits and almost overlooked the ‘momentum’ that this matter can bring. To do it openly, to establish a reputation and demonstrate strength, is indeed the best strategy.”

He patted the Empress's plump thighs and immediately made a decision:

"Then we shall proceed as you have suggested. This trip shall be conducted openly, with a streamlined and swift procession. Instruct the Ministry of Rites to postpone the decision on the date of the enthronement ceremony and to immediately determine an auspicious day and itinerary. Also, instruct the Hedong Circuit and the prefectures and counties along the route that there is no need to mobilize troops to welcome the emperor, but that they must maintain order and security without any mishaps."

He looked at the Empress and said with certainty, "Yun Ji, you will also come with me."

"After obtaining the imperial seal and other precious treasures, and announcing it to the world, we will then finalize the date for the enthronement ceremony. This event will mark the beginning of a great and prosperous era!"

(End of this chapter)