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

Chapter 501 The Mandate of Heaven and Imperial Power (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The Empress's wise and insightful words about governing the country forced Xiao Yan, who had always focused on practical benefits, to consider the weight of the so-called "power." As a result, he postponed the coronation ceremony and held the opening ceremony of the imperial seal first.

Xiao Yan temporarily handed over the administration of Bianjing to Han Yanhui, and entrusted Jing Xiang, Li Si'an, Wang Jingren and others to ensure the safety of the capital region. He then ordered the Yu Zhong, Shi Hongzhao, He Gui and Wang Zongkan camps on the southern front to strengthen their defenses and guard against any disturbances in Jiangnan.

Furthermore, upholding the principle of husband and wife as one and sharing the empire, he also issued a special edict to allow the Empress to accompany him.

Unfortunately, Ji Ruxue had just given birth to her second son and needed to rest, while Li Dai was only a few days old and could not travel long distances. So she and the heir Aji stayed at the Bianliang Prince's Mansion, where they were carefully cared for by the holy maids Miaochengtian and Xuanjingtian.

As for the concubines Jiangchen, Chimeng, Shuliduo, Qianwu, and Bago, those who wish to attend the ceremony may accompany him. After inquiring about their opinions, apart from Qianwu who volunteered to stay and take care of Ji Ruxue, all the women were naturally willing to go with the emperor. Chimeng, who had never been to the north before, was especially enthusiastic.

Therefore, while the Ministry of Rites quickly drafted the ceremony, Xiao Yan also ordered the news that the Longquan Sword had entered Bianliang to be kept secret. Although the Longquan Treasure had been circulating in the martial arts world for decades, no one knew the specific details of it, let alone the rules for opening it.

Therefore, when the treasure was unveiled this time, the official statement was only that the ancient rites and the guidance of the holy child were followed to welcome back the important artifact.

Although the news was deliberately controlled, the fact that "the King of Qin has postponed his ascension to the throne in order to personally go to Hedong to open the Longquan Treasure" could not be avoided from spreading, thus instantly stirring up ripples in Bianliang and even the wider world. In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, everyone was talking about this earth-shattering event.

"Listen to this! I told you His Highness the Prince of Qin is the true Son of Heaven! The Dragon Spring Treasure has been searched for for decades by martial arts masters, kings and generals, and even Huang Chao and the Zhu family emperors. They have exhausted all their efforts and lost countless lives, but who has ever found it? It was originally meant to be the foundation of the Prince of Qin's empire. Who but the Prince of Qin is worthy of it?"

"That's exactly right! Your Highness intends to retrieve the national treasure and ascend the throne legitimately!"

"It seems that the world is truly about to be at peace..."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well in Jiangnan."

"So what if I can't sleep? Heaven's mandate is in Qin, and the trend is inevitable. How can the mere Jianghuai region stop it? I've heard that the troops in Hedong and Hebei are requesting to be transferred south to prepare to cross the river and capture the snake. Even the Imperial Guards have been eagerly anticipating this for a long time. This is the last chance to go down in history and secure a place for one's wife and children when the world is unified..."

The public was abuzz with discussion, with a range of emotions including anticipation, curiosity, and awe. However, the decision to postpone the coronation did not raise any concerns; instead, it was seen as a necessary and measured stepping stone for a grander narrative.

As for the Jiangnan region, a sense of panic naturally arose, to the point that the voices cursing the King of Qin in the palace became much quieter, while private collusion among themselves became more frequent.

Zhang Zifan, who had been worried ever since Li Xingyun sent away the Longquan Sword, was stunned for a long time after hearing all the news. He only noticed that the Longquan Sword's arrival in Bianliang did not seem to cause any ripples.

All of the above goes without saying, and a few days later, everything was ready.

After bidding farewell to Xue'er and her two sons at the Prince's Mansion, Xiao Yan gave Qianwu some detailed instructions before leaving the mansion and heading towards the dock.

Although not the entire army was mobilized, the King of Qin's entourage, his concubines' carriages, the elite cavalry of the Palace Guard, the accompanying night guards, and the carriages and horses of civil and military officials still formed an impressive procession, with banners waving and armor gleaming.

This journey begins at Bianjing Wharf, where the ship travels via the Bian River and the Grand Canal directly to Luoyang. After arriving in Luoyang, the ship travels to Shanzhou, crosses the Yellow River at Tongguan, and finally reaches Jieliang in Puzhou, Hedong Province.

Throughout history, such grand journeys have always been extremely costly for the people. This combination of waterways and land routes is already considered an excellent and fast solution.

When the fleet set out, officials in the prefectures and counties along the way had already received strict orders to greet and see them off respectfully, but not to disturb the people excessively.

However, after the autumn harvest and winter plowing, the people have entered the off-season for farming. Therefore, in the main locations, many people still spontaneously gather by the roadside, craning their necks in anticipation, as if they want to catch a glimpse of the King of Qin.

Along the way, shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" rose and fell. Many local officials clearly underestimated the people's desire for peace and their reverence for the man who was about to end the chaos. They were at a loss for what to do from time to time, but fortunately, nothing too serious went wrong.

The subsequent prefectures and counties also learned from this experience, and thus assigned special personnel to guide the audience. As for those who fabricated stories, used the excuse of public opinion to flatter Xiao Yan with grand spectacles, the night watchmen collected evidence and investigated them along the way.

Xiao Yan mainly rode with the Empress, sometimes discussing details, sometimes enjoying the autumn scenery together. The desolation of the Guanzhong Plain, which had served the dynasty for thousands of years, was also a somber sight.

Chi Meng was the most restless, often staying at the bow of the boat or unwilling to ride in the carriage. She was constantly amazed by the vast scenery along the way, which was different from Raojiang, with its magnificent plains and surging rivers. Because of Xiao Yan's indulgence, no one cared about her, so she was able to unleash a lot of her true nature and was not as reserved as she was when she first arrived at the Prince's Mansion.

Because the coronation ceremony was imminent, Yelü Yaoguang and the main nobles and tribal leaders of the grasslands remained in Bianjing. However, Shuliduo could only bring Yelü Zhiwu with her. Among the entourage, the mother and daughter were the quietest, silently observing the magnificent Central Plains, each with their own thoughts.

The surrendered minister's knowledge was far broader than Xiao Yan had imagined, and many things failed to arouse her interest. Only challenging Xiao Yan repeatedly on the ship or in the carriage, or having Xiao Yan come up with exciting games, could keep her entertained. Unfortunately, she was defeated every time she challenged him, and each time she had to be rescued by others, which was really unbearable.

Compared to the surrendered minister, the elder sister and the nobleman who were invited to accompany him were much more interested in the trip itself.

Having already mastered precise blasting techniques, Hanba had led relevant officials from the Ministry of Works to Taiyuan to begin coal mining, and progress was gradually being made. It was even rumored that Hanba had some involvement with a woman in the mining area who delivered food to her father, which drew considerable attention from her two good sisters and brothers. This was undoubtedly one of the reasons why her elder sister and Hou Qing had come to Hedong.

After arriving in Luoyang, Xingzaixian rested for a day or two, streamlined some unnecessary items, and after several more days of travel, the group finally crossed the Yellow River at Tongguan and arrived at Jieliang.

The fields along the ditches and ridges are intertwined and clustered, resembling both crops and gardens. Fish frolic among them, their scales shimmering, a continuous and intricate display, their origins unknown.

In this world today, there are many kinds of salt, of different colors and types, but the salt from Hedong is the best. The people there call it "cultivated salt," and it is the finest.

And the one in charge should naturally be Jie Liang Yan Ze of Hedong.

Therefore, the fact that the Longquan Treasure is located in this salt marshland is both surprising and reasonable.

For nearly three hundred years before the Tang Dynasty, Jieliang Salt Lake was a national treasure and a core source of revenue for the imperial family. Due to its proximity to Chang'an, its importance was unparalleled. After the An Lushan Rebellion, the imperial family firmly controlled the area and did not allow any outside officials to interfere.

After the Huang Chao Rebellion, the salt lake came into the possession of Wang Chongrong, the military governor of Hezhong. The eunuch Tian Lingzi once wanted to restore the salt lake to the Salt and Iron Commissioner, but Wang Chongrong actually raised an army and rebelled because of this. This shows how important the Liang salt lake was.

Therefore, the reason why the Longquan treasure is buried here, whether in terms of its distance from Chang'an or the significance of this place, has been explained.

After arriving at Jieliang, the army set up camp directly by the salt pond.

The salt lake came into view, a vast expanse of silvery white, shimmering faintly in the autumn sun, with a subtle salty smell permeating the air.

Meanwhile, Wang Yanzhang, along with Li Ting, Zhu Youwen, and Gongyang Zuo, who were stationed in Taiyuan, had already led their troops to arrive earlier. Together with Wen Tao, Zhong Xiaokui, and Shangguan Yunque, who had also arrived earlier, they had already sealed off the core area of ​​the salt lake. Sentinels were everywhere, banners were waving, and a grim atmosphere permeated the air.

On the construction site, numerous craftsmen were putting in their final work under the direction of officials.

In the heart of the salt marsh, an area that has clearly been carefully excavated and restored has been revealed. The soil has been cleared away, revealing the ancient and massive bluestone structure beneath. A deep staircase leads downwards, at the bottom of which sits a huge gilded coffin carved with dragons and phoenixes, which, despite the passage of time, still reflects a dazzling brilliance in the sunlight.

After arriving at the imperial residence, Xiao Yan received greetings from Wang Yanzhang, Li Ting, and others. After discussing some matters, he dismissed everyone and ordered someone to bring the Twelve Caves Holy Child to the capital.

Xiao Yan naturally knew that the location of the Longquan Treasure was in Jieliang Salt Marsh, but only the Holy Child knew the exact location. If he wanted to find it on his own, although he could still find it with Wen Tao's abilities, it would definitely take a lot of time. Therefore, both for public and private reasons, the Holy Child really needed to be taken along.

The child was led into the tent. He seemed to have grown a little taller than when he awoke two years ago. The bewilderment and timidity on his face had faded somewhat, but his eyes remained clear, carrying a calmness beyond his years. He bowed to Xiao Yan according to the etiquette he had learned.

Upon arriving at the imperial residence, the Empress and her women went off to admire the scenery. After all, Liu Zongyuan had once written a poem that read: "Silent and formless, drifting and swift, a glance back reveals a hundred miles of snow..." Such a scene left not only Chi Meng, Shu Liduo, and Ao Gu stunned, but the Empress herself was also captivated by its beauty. Thus, apart from Bago, a man from Jin, the group of women abandoned Xiao Yan and went off on their own.

"Having lived here for over a year, are you getting used to it?" Xiao Yan leaned back on the cushion, letting Bago massage his shoulders and legs, appearing very casual, as if asking a common question. "The food and clothing in the Central Plains are very different from those in Raojiang."

The Holy Child raised his head and thought seriously for a moment: "Your Majesty, I'm used to it. It's very peaceful here, and the food is very good." He paused and added, "It's much better than the outside world I heard and felt when I was sleeping in the Twelve Caves."

To be chosen as the Holy Child by the Twelve Caves, one must possess some extraordinary qualities. Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze falling on the Holy Child, seemingly trying to discern something from him. "Along this journey, you've seen many mountains and people. What are your impressions?"

The child was silent for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts: "There are many people, many fields, and the houses are very neat... Everyone seems to be busy with their lives. Compared to... the Central Plains a year ago, it seems very different."

The Holy Child suddenly raised his head, his clear eyes looking directly at Xiao Yan with a hint of confusion: "Your Majesty, you... you actually already knew where the treasure was, didn't you? You could have found it without me. Why did you insist on having me come? Was it just because... you needed my title of 'Holy Child'?"

Xiao Yan looked at him but did not answer immediately. Although Bago was also curious, he simply lowered his head and massaged Xiao Yan's shoulders without saying a word, so the tent was quiet for a moment.

After a moment, he smiled slightly.

“It’s perfectly legitimate, that’s one point. Secondly, this is Emperor Zhaozong’s posthumous plan, and you are an important part of this scheme, so you should see it through to the end. Thirdly,” he glanced outside the tent and suddenly smiled, “I’m not a god, how could I possibly know everything…”

The child seemed to understand, but he sensed a certain degree of respect from Xiao Yan's tone and eyes. He lowered his head, gave a soft "hmm," and didn't press further.

Although he could clearly sense that Xiao Yan could find the Longquan Treasure, which only he knew about since Emperor Zhaozong's death, even without him.

How could such a person not be a god?

On the auspicious morning, the atmosphere at Jieliang Salt Marsh instantly became extremely solemn.

As the sun rose, it bathed the salt lake in a soft golden glow. In the central area, the temporary altar and viewing platform stood solemnly. All around, the elite iron-clad cavalry of the Imperial Guard stood in imposing armor, while the night guards, dressed in their standard black uniforms, formed a wall, creating an area off-limits to outsiders.

The chime bells and ceremonial music were already in place, the musicians held their breath and listened attentively, and the civil and military officials dressed in formal attire stood solemnly on both sides of the stage according to their rank.

On the viewing platform, the Empress sat in the second seat, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, exuding natural majesty. Beside her, in order of seniority, were the surrendered officials, Chi Meng, Shuliduo, Bago, Aogu, and others who had come in full regalia.

Chi Meng couldn't hide her excitement; her eyes sparkled as she whispered to her older sister, with whom she had become close over the past few days, without moving her mouth or her body.

Shuliduo looked solemn as she surveyed the entire room, paying meticulous attention to etiquette; the surrendered minister, on the other hand, could hardly hide his anticipation, as if he had come to see more than just a spectacle.

Li Maozhen, Wang Yanzhang, Feng Dao, Li Ting, and other important officials stood in front of the platform, waiting quietly. Hou Qing also found a spot with a good view and waited with his arms crossed.

As the sun grew stronger, wisps of steam rose from the salt flats. Du Xunhe, Minister of Rites, took a deep breath, stepped forward, faced the crowd, unfurled the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, and, gathering his strength, read it aloud. Because the surroundings were utterly silent, his resounding voice naturally carried far and wide across the vast salt flats:

"In the eighth year of the Tianyou reign, the year of Xinwei, on the first day of the tenth month, Bingchen, several days later... Our Great Tang Emperors Yi, Xi, and Zhao, with their profound foresight and benevolent legacy, hid treasures in Longquan, awaiting the true ruler to revive the nation... Now, there is Crown Prince Zuo, the direct descendant of Emperor Zhaozong, who rose from the crisis, swept away the villains, cleansed the world, his achievements surpassing heaven and earth, his virtue subduing the four barbarians... Truly, he is ordained by Heaven and possesses divine virtue... Now, by following the imperial edict, in accordance with the way of Heaven and the will of the people, we open the treasure, take this precious artifact, to fund the nation, benefit all people, and revive the glorious foundation of our Great Tang..."

The imperial edict was lengthy and full of praise, closely linking the "far-sightedness" of Emperors Yizong, Xizong, and Zhaozong with Xiao Yan's "merits and virtues," ultimately concluding that "the Mandate of Heaven is here, and none other than you shall be the one to receive it."

"...All officials pay homage!" the master of ceremonies announced loudly at the end.

A wave of cheers surged forth as all the civil and military officials on the stage, along with the soldiers around them, bowed in unison. Their voices coalesced into a massive roar that shook the air: "Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Qin! Heaven blesses the Tang Dynasty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

After the shouts subsided, all was silent. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the figure in the center of the world, slowly moving towards the center of the salt marsh, finally stopping at the entrance of the steps.

Li Maozhen, who was feeling slightly moved and his heart was surging, immediately became serious under the Empress's gaze. He took a long sandalwood box with both hands, stepped forward steadily, and bowed to present it to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan opened the wooden box, but because the entrance was blocked off, the officials couldn't see the long sword inside. Therefore, everyone believed that this sword was the Taiping Sword that Xiao Yan had given to the Empress when he left Bianjing several times before, a sword that allowed him to act first and report later.

He held his sword and slowly walked towards the gilded coffin.

On the coffin, there are two strange grooves, one resembling a sword sheath, and the other vaguely resembling a bloodline totem.

Xiao Yan took out the Longquan sword and then carefully embedded the entire sword into the sword-shaped groove, fitting it perfectly.

He then stared at the groove beside him for a moment, put two fingers together, and used his inner energy to draw a line across his left palm, causing blood to gush out. He then pressed his bleeding hand into the groove shaped like a bloodline totem.

The blood seeped into the groove and spread rapidly along its fine lines, making a faint but clearly audible sizzling sound.

The world seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, a muffled rumble from the depths of the earth resounded. The golden coffin slowly sank downwards and then disappeared beneath the ground, revealing a wide stone staircase large enough for several people to walk side by side.

A gust of wind, mixed with soil, dust, and the smell of years of sealing, surged out from below.

Deep within the stone steps, countless eternal lamps spontaneously lit up one after another, stretching downwards and illuminating a path leading to the depths of the earth, a place so dark and unfathomable.

After staring at the bottom for a moment, Xiao Yan nodded to Li Maozhen, who then stepped forward, took the Longquan sword, and put it into the wooden box.

Because an imperial edict had been issued in advance, the Empress and the surrendered officials and other women also rushed over from the viewing platform. After Xiao Yan took the lead and entered first, they followed closely behind.

Li Maozhen, Zhu Youwen, Gongyang Zuo, Wen Tao, Shangguan Yunque, Zhong Xiaokui, and other guerrilla guards, along with most of the important officials such as Wang Yanzhang, Feng Dao, and Li Ting, followed cautiously in turn. The rest of the group remained where they were, holding their breath and waiting.

The stairs were long, and the lower one went, the cooler the air became, carrying a musty smell, yet the presence of the ever-burning lamps prevented it from feeling eerie. The stone walls on both sides were carved very smoothly, showing that the project was extremely large in the past.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Yan finally set foot on solid ground, and the view before him suddenly opened up.

Even though they were prepared, everyone, including Xiao Yan, was still deeply shocked when they actually saw the entire underground palace.

This is an underground space far beyond imagination. Towering stone pillars, each requiring several people to encircle, rise from the ground, supporting the dome. Lights extend to the horizon, illuminating this underground palace that has slumbered for decades.

Everywhere you look, there are countless huge crates, sacks, and dusty shelves piled up in dense, layered stacks.

Some of the chests had decayed and collapsed due to their age, revealing piles of gleaming gold ingots, gleaming silver bars, and strung copper coins, stacked like mountains, stretching as far as the eye could see. On the other side were a large quantity of heavily rusted armor, weapons, and armor. Although they were no longer usable, their sheer number meant that, after being remelted, they could clearly equip several large armies.

Further away, there were mountains of carefully wrapped cloths and silks for moisture protection. Although their colors were faded and some were even rotten and moldy, their former glory was still evident. There were also huge earthenware urns, which must have contained grains that had long since been carbonized.

Around the underground palace, many stone chambers were carved out of the walls. Some of them contained bookshelves piled with bamboo slips and scrolls; others displayed various strange objects, which were difficult to discern in the dim light.

Its scale and wealth far exceeded anyone's wildest imagination. This was the true foundation of an empire after disregarding everything, the ultimate trump card accumulated by three dynasties to prolong its reign.

But this sea of ​​wealth is still not the most breathtaking.

What truly astonishes people are the figures of people, turned into stone statues, kneeling in the shadows where the lights couldn't fully illuminate them, leaning against stone pillars, against stone walls, or even kneeling neatly on the ground.

Densely packed, stretching as far as the eye can see, it's impossible to tell whether they are sculptures or real people; they simply form these silent arrays, like the final tombs of an empire.

A sense of historical desolation and oppression swept over everyone who entered the place, causing them to feel a pang of fear. Even the most carefree Chi Meng subconsciously held her breath, and Jiang Chen also narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing at the figure who always stood with his hands behind his back in front of others.

The group moved silently through the vast and silent underground palace, with only the sound of their footsteps and the crackling of their torches echoing in the air. After passing through this oppressive area, a huge stone door appeared ahead. Wen Tao carefully opened it, and behind the door was a wider and smoother passage.

At the end of the passage, a high platform can be vaguely seen.

Upon closer inspection, the high platform was constructed of white marble, surrounded by carved railings and jade steps, exuding a solemn atmosphere. A large, gilded stone chair with dragon carvings sat in the center of the platform; though not a dragon chair, it possessed its own majestic aura.

Behind the stone chair, the entire stone wall is carved into a huge, coiling, soaring five-clawed golden dragon, its scales and claws flying, lifelike, its eyes seemingly inlaid with gemstones, shimmering with a ghostly light under the lamplight. The surrounding stone walls are covered with intricate totems symbolizing imperial power, such as the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and the state, which are truly breathtaking.

In front of the stone chair was a long table made of the same material.

This is the end of the underground palace.

Everyone instinctively stopped in their tracks, even Ye Bushou, who was searching for any danger, halted.

Xiao Yan, however, made almost no hesitation, slowly ascending the platform alone. His steps were steady, echoing clearly in the silent underground palace.

The crowd below stopped and looked up, all eyes focused on him.

Before the stone chair stood a long table, its design simple, its surface smooth as a mirror. On the table lay nothing but a square treasure box, about a foot in size. The box was jet black, neither wood nor gold, exuding an ancient and rustic charm.

He stared at the treasure box for a moment, then reached out and gently opened the lid.

There was no dazzling light, nor any extraordinary phenomena. Inside the box was simply a neatly arranged bright yellow brocade, upon which lay a jade seal.

Its color is bluish-green, warm and translucent. It is four inches in diameter, with five dragons intertwined on the knob. On the shoulder is engraved a line of clerical script characters that read "Great Wei received the national seal from Han". If you turn it slightly, you can see the inscription "Heavenly Mandate Stone Clan" on the other side.

Not only that, one of the four corners of the jade seal was obviously chipped, but it was repaired with pure gold. The gold and jade were mixed together, and the seal was stained with green and yellow. Even without holding it in your hand, you could feel a warm and smooth sensation spreading throughout your body.

This object, with its simple and unadorned carving, rests peacefully here. It's hard to believe it has witnessed countless legends and traversed a thousand years.

It appeared here quietly, as if it had just fallen asleep, waiting for someone to take it over again.

Xiao Yan stared at it for a moment, then subconsciously placed one hand on his waist and reached into the box with the other, steadily lifting up the Imperial Seal of the State.

Upon holding the jade seal, it felt incredibly heavy, far exceeding the weight of ordinary jade, and this heaviness was truly indescribable.

With steady arms, he slowly raised the jade seal above his head, towards the light of the eternal lamp in the underground palace. Under the lamplight, the five dragons on the dragon-shaped knob shone brightly, the seal's body shimmered with a restrained radiance, and the golden horn was particularly dazzling.

No words were needed; all those who witnessed it below the stage—the Empress, the surrendered officials, Shuliduo… Li Maozhen, Feng Dao, Li Ting, Wang Yanzhang…

Regardless of their previous thoughts, at this moment, they all held their breath and gazed at this national treasure that had been passed down in the imperial family for thousands of years, symbolizing the Mandate of Heaven and imperial power.

Xiao Yan merely adjusted the angle slightly, as if trying to discern the eight characters meticulously engraved in insect and bird seal script on the front of the jade seal, before speaking softly.

"By the mandate of Heaven...may your life be long and prosperous."

After the eight characters were recited, the lingering sound remained.

"Long live!"

From below the stage, someone shouted out first, their voice trembling with excitement.

Immediately afterwards, everyone knelt down in unison, heads bowed low, using all their strength, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing.

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The sound waves crashed and echoed repeatedly within the vast space of the underground palace, causing dust to fall from the walls. The five-clawed golden dragon coiled on the stone wall, amidst the flickering lights and the surging sound waves, seemed to come alive and soar into the sky.

Xiao Yan stood alone on the high platform, holding the Imperial Seal of the State, which bore too much weight, in one hand, then turned around and looked back at the path he had come from.

The mandate of heaven is here, and so is the will of the people.

The choices of our time seem clearer than ever before.

(End of this chapter)