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

Chapter 529 Standing atop the First Peak of Wu Mountain (Part 10)
As they approached Yueyang City, the carriage continued its journey.

Inside the carriage, Princess Shangrao held the swaddled baby in her arms tighter and tighter. Despite the comforting words from Lu Linxuan and Xu Huan along the way, a nameless fear grew stronger in her heart as they approached their destination.

She couldn't help but quietly lift a corner of the carriage curtain again, timidly observing the outside world.

What came into view was a continuous stretch of Northern Army camps.

Contrary to the imagined dilapidated and chaotic scene, the camps were clearly fortified, with banners fluttering in the wind, and soldiers in bright armor patrolling and training in an orderly manner. Apart from the necessary commands and footsteps, there was hardly any chaotic noise.

The laborers pushed wheelbarrows loaded with grain and fodder in an orderly fashion along the designated routes. Every so often, officers could be seen standing on high places to patrol the area.

This solemn and disciplined atmosphere was unlike any army she had ever seen in Yangzhou.

In her memory, whether it was Xu Wen's elite guards, Zhang Hao's arrogant troops, or the troops of the regional military governors who were outwardly united but inwardly divided, they all inevitably carried an air of arrogance or decadence, and incidents of disturbing the people occurred frequently. But the army before her, with its grim atmosphere, exuded a kind of almost unsettling discipline, which made her feel a strange sense of oppression, yet it did not stem from fear of personal safety.

As the carriage approached the east gate of Yueyang, it slowed down due to the large number of people gathered at the foot of the city wall. The people were looking up at several officials posting large notices.

Meanwhile, an official stood on a makeshift platform and loudly proclaimed in Mandarin with a northern accent.

"...Effective immediately, all exorbitant taxes and levies imposed by the puppet regime are hereby abolished. All outstanding taxes from the past are hereby written off. This year's summer taxes are hereby waived."

"...Equalize land distribution, curb land annexation, verify household registration, and return land to the people."

"...Severely punish corruption and clean up officialdom. Those who have been wronged may report to the newly established Provincial Surveillance Commission..."

The crowd was initially silent, but then burst into suppressed murmurs. Although most of them looked surprised and doubtful, as the official explained repeatedly and patiently, the surprise and doubt on their faces gradually turned into unbelievable ecstasy.

An elderly man with white hair tremblingly bowed to the notice, a woman in tattered clothes secretly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and many others excitedly shouted "Holy Emperor!"

Shangrao stared blankly. She wasn't entirely unfamiliar with those words. Back in Yangzhou, Li Xingyun had occasionally sighed at the empty hall and mentioned similar ideals, but Xu Wen, Zhang Hao, and others always brushed them off with excuses like "the national treasury is empty" and "the situation is difficult," ultimately turning them into empty talk on paper.

Now, these words are being solemnly promulgated by the conquerors in this newly annexed land, and seem to be being earnestly implemented.

She subconsciously looked away and glanced at Lu Linxuan beside her. The latter was also looking out the window with a complicated expression. Although her expression was calm, her hand, resting on her knee, would occasionally unconsciously stroke the scabbard of her sword.

"Are they... really doing this?" Shangrao's voice was soft, seemingly somewhat bewildered, as if she were asking Lu Linxuan, or talking to herself, trying to make sense of this scene that overturned her understanding.

Upon hearing this, Lu Linxuan slowly withdrew his gaze from the window, turned to her, gave a wry smile, and then said seriously:

"It's true. 'Equal land distribution, reduction of exorbitant taxes, and rectification of official corruption'—this isn't just a temporary slogan to win people's hearts; it's something His Majesty has been implementing since the beginning of his rule in the Central Plains. I saw it in Bianliang: refugees were able to return home, land was redistributed, and the government was indeed conducting land surveys and severely punishing corruption. I just didn't expect that they would so hastily adopt this strategy so soon after taking over this place, before they had even fully established themselves..."

Xu Huan, sitting opposite her, also opened his eyes at this moment: "What Miss Lu said is true. Under the Emperor's rule, there are indeed many differences compared to Jiangnan. The implementation of government orders is often swift and decisive, rarely suffering from the layered exploitation and insincere resistance that exists in Jiangnan. The Emperor himself seems to particularly dislike empty talk and value practical results more..."

She paused, her gaze drifting to the receding billboards and crowds outside the window, and said softly, "Perhaps, in the eyes of the emperor, giving the people an immediate respite is more important than any empty formalities."

Shangrao listened to the two men's words and fell silent.

Lu Linxuan witnessed it with her own eyes, and Xu Huan experienced it firsthand; they had no reason to lie to her.

This gradually replaced her initial surprise with a deeper confusion. If all of this was true, if that emperor of the Central Plains was truly such a person, then what were Li Xingyun and her...? Had her long-standing fear and resistance been built upon quicksand? She lowered her head, looking at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face in her arms, her mind a jumbled mess, and she remained silent.

The carriage did not enter Yueyang city, but instead drove along the lakeside road directly towards the world-famous pavilion. When the carriage came to a stop, Shangrao's heart involuntarily quickened.

Leaning against the carriage wall, she couldn't help but gently press her cheek against her daughter's warm forehead, and a nameless fear welled up in her heart again.

What kind of person is this emperor of the Central Plains who can make a fierce general like Wang Yanzhang, who can stop children from crying at night in Jiangnan, submit to his orders, who can keep the notorious Embroidered Uniform Guard in order, and who can implement such decrees so swiftly? What does he want to do by summoning the wife and daughter of the ruler of an enemy country?
But she had no time to think or hesitate. The carriage stopped in front of the building, the curtain was lifted, and Zhong Xiao Kui, who had been waiting there, came forward to greet her.

Zhong Xiaokui led a group of Imperial Guards, glanced at the three people who had alighted from the carriage, first clasped her hands in a salute, and then said in a businesslike tone, "His Majesty is already upstairs. It's a routine check, please excuse us."

Shangrao's heart leaped again, and she instinctively shielded the child. Zhong Xiaokui's gaze swept over the swaddling clothes, and her voice softened: "Don't worry, Madam, we're just making sure everything is safe."

After he finished speaking, the female scribe of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was standing to the side immediately stepped forward and conducted a thorough body search on the three of them. Shangrao was naturally a little embarrassed, but Lu Linxuan just accepted it calmly and did not forget to whisper a word of comfort to Shangrao.

After the inspection was completed, Zhong Xiao Kui stepped aside to make way for him: "Please follow me."

The three women followed Zhong Xiao Kui up the steps, their footsteps echoing throughout the empty building.

Shangrao felt her heart pounding like a drum. With each step she took, she seemed to get closer to the moment that would decide her and Li Xingyun's fate. In that instant, she felt her consciousness becoming blurred with tension and inexplicable fear. All she could do was hold her daughter tightly in her arms.

The higher you go, the brighter the light becomes, and the clearer the scent of the lake breeze becomes.

Just as we were about to reach the top floor, a clear, calm male voice drifted down on the breeze, seemingly telling a story, his tone unhurried. Interspersed among the words were a few soft, feminine murmurs and chuckles. The atmosphere was unexpectedly… relaxed and harmonious?

Shangrao paused slightly, turned around and looked at Lu Linxuan with surprise. The latter also exchanged a puzzled look with Xu Huan.

But soon, the girls, filled with doubts, finally stepped onto the last step.

In an instant, the view opened up, and the vast and boundless Dongting Lake stretched out before them, its waters shimmering and distant mountains appearing like dark eyebrows. But what first caught Shangrao's attention was the figure standing by the railing, his back turned.

In Shangrao's imagination, this scene should have been filled with armored soldiers standing in rows, the atmosphere tense, and the emperor of the Central Plains sitting high in the main seat, exuding an aura of power. But the sight before her made her freeze in place.

A young man dressed in a scarlet round-necked robe and wearing a black turban stood by the railing. He was tall and straight, and his profile was clearly defined in the reflection of the lake. He had a high nose bridge, and although his specific features were not clear, he had an extraordinary air about him.

Even more surprisingly, he was not alone; several women were leaning or standing around him and behind him.

These women were all exceptionally beautiful, each with their own unique temperament. Some were elegant and noble, some were aloof and ethereal, some were charming and radiant, and some had exotic allure. Their gazes, more or less, were all fixed on the man in the crimson robe. They listened quietly, and the expression in their eyes was not one of fear, but rather a natural focus, or even... an undisguised admiration or worship.

The young man, with a gentle voice and hands behind his back, was indeed speaking about something:
"...This is the third time that Lü Dongbin has been drunk beneath Yueyang Tower. The first two times, it was either due to worldly troubles or confusion on the path to immortality, but this third time..."

He paused slightly, as if keeping someone in suspense, a faint smile playing on his lips. "He leaned against the railing, gazing at the vast expanse of misty waters, sometimes laughing loudly, sometimes sighing deeply, downing the wine in his flask in one gulp, muttering to himself, 'What's the point of cultivating immortality, what's the point of seeking the Tao? Better to have a cup of wine before me, and embrace the boundless lakes and mountains...'"

His narration wasn't passionate, yet it possessed a captivating charm. Some of the women listening covered their mouths and chuckled, while others revealed thoughtful expressions in their eyes.

This doesn't resemble a powerful emperor discussing matters with his concubines at all; it's clearly a group of scholars and close friends enjoying the scenery and chatting casually.

Shangrao could hardly believe his eyes and froze on the spot.

This seemingly gentle and refined young man, surrounded by beauties, is the Central Plains emperor who commanded a million troops and made the entire Jiangnan region almost unable to breathe.
In a daze, she almost thought she had gone to the wrong place.

Lu Linxuan and Xu Huan were clearly not expected to see this scene. They held their breath and stood quietly at the top of the stairs with Zhong Xiaokui, unsure whether they should go up and disturb them.

Fortunately, Lu Linxuan quickly recovered from his momentary lapse in concentration and whispered in Shangrao's ear, "Sister-in-law, the one in the middle is the Emperor. The one next to him in the scarlet dress with phoenix eyes is the Empress, the one in the blue robe is the Imperial Concubine, the one in the purple robe is the Virtuous Concubine, and over there, the Virtuous Concubine and the Wise Concubine..."

As she spoke, she gently tugged at Shangrao's sleeve, signaling her not to be impolite.

Just then, the young man paused slightly, as if sensing something, but he didn't turn around immediately. He simply chuckled and said to the women beside him:

"...When Lü Dongbin got drunk three times in this building, people said he was addicted to wine or lamented the beauty of the landscape. But in my opinion, it's not that simple. Perhaps, in his drunken stupor, what he saw wasn't the beauty of nature, but rather the lives of ordinary people in this mortal world, their toil, their ups and downs, their separations and reunions. So, he used his drunkenness to perform his enlightenment. As for how Lü Dongbin later became the Pure Yang Patriarch and how he enlightened the world, that's another story. Today, the spring sunshine is bright, and the lake and mountains are beautiful. Let me leave this as a mystery for another time."

Upon hearing this, the woman beside him, with her captivating phoenix eyes, glanced at him with a smile but remained silent. Meanwhile, a lively and charming young girl tugged at his sleeve, pleading, "Oh, little buddy, just a little bit more! Just a little bit! The newspaper updates too slowly..."

The man's gentle smile remained unchanged. He lightly shook the girl's hand, then turned his gaze toward the stairwell and said, "We have a guest from afar today. The story will continue in the next installment."

Seeing that the time was right, Lu Linxuan took a deep breath and, together with Xu Huan, pulled the still stunned Shangrao forward and knelt down.

"The guilty woman Lu Linxuan, the commoner Xu Huan, together with... the Yang family of Jiangnan, kowtow to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Shangrao was led to kneel down, and only after his forehead touched the cool wooden floor did he snap out of his daze and hurriedly bury his head even lower. "No need for formalities, stand up and speak." The calm voice sounded from above, but at this moment, there was no trace of emotion in it.

Shangrao got up as instructed, his heart pounding rapidly, but he still dared not look up directly.

"Is this the daughter of my tenth brother?" The voice drew closer, carrying a hint of inquiry, before chuckling softly, "Bring her here so I can see her."

Shangrao's heart clenched, and she subconsciously took a half step back, hugging the child even tighter in her arms. Then she looked at Lu Linxuan with a pleading look in her eyes.

Unexpectedly, Lu Linxuan nodded slightly to her and then gave her an encouraging look.

Shangrao bit her lower lip, finally mustered her courage, took a few steps forward, and carefully handed over the swaddled baby.

Then, a pair of steady and strong hands reached out and took the child. The movements were strangely practiced, as if they did this often.

Xiao Yan looked down at the baby in his arms. The baby girl seemed startled by the change, smacked her lips, and then continued to sleep soundly. Sunlight shone on her pink cheeks, making her downy hair clearly visible.

“Girls are so nice,” Xiao Yan looked at them for a while, then suddenly sighed softly, “They bring peace of mind, unlike boys, who are so resilient and can’t stay still for a moment.”

Before he could finish speaking, the beautiful woman in palace attire beside him gave a soft "humph," glancing at him with a half-smile, and said with a hint of reproach, "Oh? From what Your Majesty is saying, you think that Aji and Adai, whom I and Xue'er gave birth to for you, are too noisy, and that they are boys?"

The woman in blue beside him also raised her sleeve to cover her lips, letting out a soft laugh, but she didn't reply, only glancing at Xiao Yan.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh heartily: "Why do you say such things, Yun Ji? Am I such an ungrateful person? I just felt a pang of emotion upon seeing how lovely this little girl is. My sons are all a blessing from heaven, and they are all my most precious treasures. I am overjoyed."

He looked down at the child again, then turned to Shangrao, who was still nervously looking down, and asked, "Have you chosen a name for the child yet?"

Shangrao seemed to have finally found her voice again, and timidly replied, "Xingyun... he's been deliberating for a long time, always saying he needs to think it over, and hasn't... hasn't made up his mind yet..."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then said, "Since that's the case, I'll take the liberty of naming her. In chaotic times, peace is a great blessing. May she live a peaceful and joyful life, with years of tranquility. How about 'Li Yong'an'?"

Without waiting for Shangrao's reaction, he casually untied the white jade pendant he wore at his waist, gently placed it at the edge of the swaddling clothes, and then said in a normal voice, "In this haste, I, as her uncle, have not had time to prepare any decent gift. This little trinket that I have carried with me for many years will serve as a temporary offering, to bless her to grow up safely."

Shangrao stared at the jade pendant that had fallen into his daughter's swaddling clothes, momentarily stunned and at a loss, not even having had time to react to the process of Xiao Yan naming her.

Not only her, but even Lu Linxuan was slightly surprised to see this scene.

The emperor's personal belongings are of extraordinary significance. Why would he so easily bestow them upon the daughter of a "false emperor"?
But she reacted quickly, immediately tugging at the sleeve of the still-stunned Shangrao, and knelt down first: "Your Majesty bestowed a name and jade, your kindness is as heavy as a mountain. This sinful woman kowtows on behalf of my senior brother to thank Your Majesty for your divine grace!"

Shangrao then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly knelt down, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "This humble woman... thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

Xiao Yan smiled, tucked the jade pendant into the swaddling clothes, and then carefully handed the child back to Shangrao.

Shangrao hurriedly took his daughter, still feeling a jumble of thoughts, as if he were in a dream.

After Shangrao stepped back with his daughter in his arms, the gentle smile on Xiao Yan's face gradually faded. He turned around, faced the vast expanse of Dongting Lake again, and stood with his hands behind his back.

“I know Li Xingyun’s character. He is not inherently evil; in fact, one could say he is too kind and weak. To say that he is ambitious and capable of gathering a crowd to oppose me is to overestimate him and underestimate the hearts of those worms in the quagmire of Jiangnan who are clinging to power.”

He raised his hand, his arm outstretched, and slowly traced the vast expanse of water and sky before him from left to right.

“Even if Li Xingyun weren’t sitting in that position, I would still come. What I want to cleanse is not just this piece of fragmented chaos, but the deep-seated problems that have accumulated over the past few hundred years in order to allow the few at the top to continue their decadent and decadent lifestyle, at the cost of trampling on the people, annexing land, abusing harsh laws and punishments, levying exorbitant taxes to fill their insatiable desires, and monopolizing all avenues for advancement—the deep-seated problems that have plagued the entire Jiangnan region, and even the entire country!”

Upon hearing this, Shangrao's heart tightened. He disregarded everything else and hurriedly looked up to explain, "Your Majesty, please understand! Xingyun... he truly has never indulged in extravagance. He himself is extremely frugal in his clothing, food, and lodging. He also wanted to reform the corrupt practices, but... but Xu Wen and his ilk..."

Xiao Yan didn't turn around, but chuckled softly, interrupting her:

"Has he ever considered that it is precisely because he sits in that position that Xu Wen and Zhang Hao can use his name to exploit the local people and form cliques for personal gain with even greater impunity? His very existence, regardless of his intentions, has become one of the reasons why the people of Jiangnan continue to suffer. Has he ever truly thought about this, and has he ever made a timely decision?"

Shangrao opened her mouth, but found herself speechless. How could she, though in the palace, be completely unaware of Xu Wen and the others' actions? It's just that in the past, she always subconsciously thought it was the arrogance of powerful officials, and had nothing to do with her husband.

Only when Xiao Yan pointed it out to her did she vaguely realize that the meaning represented by that position was far beyond what could be easily washed away by personal conduct. If it weren't for Li Xingyun, Jiangnan would not have been able to hold onto that "title" to oppose Xiao Yan, and would have collapsed before reaching this point.

Xiao Yan viewed the heroes of Jiangnan as "insects" to be eliminated, while Li Xingyun was precisely the one who allowed these "insects" to temporarily gather together, thus prolonging the glimmer of light in this period of division.

Shangrao's face gradually turned pale, and he looked to Lu Linxuan for help.

Lu Linxuan gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and steadied his slightly trembling voice, saying, "Does Your Majesty's words... mean that no matter what Senior Brother's true intentions are, he... cannot escape punishment?"

Xiao Yan's gaze remained fixed on the vast expanse of misty waters, and instead of answering, he asked a question:
“Lu Linxuan, you and Li Xingyun have known each other since you were young and know each other very well. Based on your understanding of him, if he were standing here right now, hearing my words with his own ears, knowing that his final fate might not be optimistic, would he agree with my actions today in sweeping through Jiangnan? Would he feel that it is worth it to sacrifice his reputation or even his life to ensure that the millions of people in Jiangnan can live in peace in the future?”

The rooftop was silent, save for the gentle breeze that swept across the eaves, carrying away a faint whistling sound. All eyes were on Lu Linxuan. The Empress, Ji Ruxue, Shuliduo, the surrendered officials, and others watched her quietly, awaiting her answer.

Lu Linxuan remained silent for a long time, his hands hanging at his sides clenching slightly.

After a long silence, she raised her head and answered, word by word:

"He will. I believe my senior brother definitely will. Just as I told His Majesty in Jiangling, I will make sure that my senior brother, like His Majesty, lives up to the expectations of the world. His determination to launch a mutiny in Yangzhou, knowing he was outnumbered and outmatched, to eliminate Xu Wen and Zhang Hao, is clear proof of that! In his heart... he has always cared for the common people, but... he was powerless and lacked the strength..."

Upon hearing these words, Shangrao's face turned deathly pale. She didn't know what this exchange meant for Li Xingyun, but the tone about "ending" and "life" conveyed between the lines made her see no possibility that Li Xingyun could be forgiven.

But at that moment, Xiao Yan slowly turned around.

His gaze first swept over Lu Linxuan's resolute yet tragic face, then over Shangrao's bewildered yet hopeful eyes, and then over the thoughtful faces of the concubines around him, before he suddenly smiled.

He looked out the window again at the vast expanse of the Yangtze River, which seemed to embrace the distant mountains, and laughed a few times. His laughter carried a mixture of sighs, pride, and an indescribable loneliness. After laughing, he suddenly recited a poem:

"Do not be elated by external gains, nor saddened by personal losses. When in high office, one should worry about the people; when in retirement, one should worry about the ruler. Whether advancing or retreating, one should worry. When then can one find joy?"

He paused slightly, the only sound in the building the whistling of the wind. It was as if he were questioning the heavens and earth, and perhaps himself, before slowly continuing, "Wouldn't it be 'to be the first to worry about the world's troubles, and the last to enjoy its pleasures'...?"

As the sound faded, a gentle breeze blew, the distant mountains echoed, and even the sound of the waves of Dongting Lake seemed to soften.

A strange light flashed in the Empress's eyes, and Shuliduo's beautiful eyes also shone brightly. Ji Ruxue seemed to understand something, and the surrendered minister even curled up his lips, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then proudly raised his chin towards the distant sky and earth.

The other concubines were also deeply moved, immersed in the powerful impact of this grand vision that transcended personal grievances and encompassed all living beings.

Xiao Yan turned around, looking only at Shang Rao and Lu Linxuan, his tone indifferent yet carrying an unshakeable confidence that looked down upon the world: "If I cannot even tolerate Li Xingyun, how can I talk about to tolerate this vast land and its millions of people? How dare I climb this tower and recite these verses?"

The wind came from the Eight Hundred Li Lake, blowing the clothes and hair of everyone present.

Shangrao stared blankly at the young emperor, who stood with his hands behind his back, his figure appearing exceptionally tall and imposing against the backdrop of the lake and mountains. The daughter in her arms stirred slightly, letting out a soft babbling sound. She looked down and saw the warm, smooth white jade pendant lying quietly in her swaddling clothes.

Thus, this once spoiled, willful, bold yet timid princess of Shangrao finally realized for the first time with such direct clarity what kind of opponent her husband and the entire Jiangnan region were facing.

And the future of Jiangnan had already embarked on a completely different path in the presence of such figures.

At this moment, all the emotions that Lu Linxuan had in his heart seemed to be replaced by something grander. What it was, she couldn't quite put her finger on, only feeling a tightness in her chest, yet also a sense of vastness.

She recalled the chivalry her senior brother had once longed for, and the unattainable peaceful world he spoke of.

She realized that the chivalrous hero her senior brother spoke of was not just someone who roamed the martial world with a sword and sought revenge.

Instead, it can be like the person in front of you.

(End of this chapter)