Chinese New Year

Chapter 1513 The Fall of Stars
"Nonsense." In front of the Nine Dragons Palace, Shao Xun sneered and said disdainfully.

Prince Lu, Shao Fan, remained silent for a moment before saying, "There are many people in the capital who have spread this prophecy. No fewer than a hundred people have been detained in Huangsha Prison, all awaiting judgment."

"What are your plans?" Shao Xun asked.

“Exiled to Gaochang, Liaodong, and Lelang.”

Shao Xun nodded and said, "A country has its laws, so this is very good."

The two brothers were speechless for a moment.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was somewhat somber.

Shao Xun paced back and forth a few steps, hands behind his back, and said, "Third brother, you have always been self-disciplined, and to this day you are in excellent health and have extraordinary energy. This world—"

"Brother, do you still remember what happened when we were young?" Shao Fan suddenly asked.

"What is it?" Shao Xun asked.

“In the first year of Yongning of Emperor Hui of Jin (301), there were thieves who robbed the place. My elder brother held a large axe and stood in front of the door. The thieves retreated in fear. From that time on, I regarded you as my elder brother.”

Shao Xun stared at his third brother for a long time. Some things are no longer important, truly unimportant, and need no explanation.

Shao Fan was, after all, a person of this world, and he was inevitably influenced by some so-called "strange phenomena" and "strange theories," which led him to form his own thoughts and speculations.

A celestial being? Heh. Could it be that confirming their celestial status means the word "sacred" can be added before the name of the Great Liang dynasty?
“Thieves back then were so poor they couldn’t even get enough to eat. They would just scare people with their rusty knives and then leave,” Shao Xun said. “Now, there are such enemies outside the gates of the Great Liang Dynasty. They may be ruthless, but they are weak and frail. You’ll have to take better care of this family from now on.”

Shao Fan's expression changed, and he felt a little sad.

He was actually a man of few words, rarely revealing his emotions, but at this moment, he felt his mind wavering and didn't know what to say.

He knew that his elder brother actually believed in some things. Especially since there had been widespread rumors about a white deer guiding him at Huangchi in Weijun, which many people had witnessed. Shao Fan was not an unlearning person; he disliked socializing and therefore had plenty of time to study books, naturally including all sorts of supernatural and mystical things.

There are some phenomena that you simply have to believe.

"Second brother, this empire was built by you with your own blood and sweat, without any opportunism. Now that the nation is at its peak, we should cherish it even more." Shao Fan said, his brows furrowed, and he shook his head with a sigh.

In that brief moment, his emotions seemed to surge more than in the past year.

Shao Xun chuckled softly, sat down next to Shao Fan, looked at the distant sky outside the hall, and said, "Third brother, you are usually taciturn, but I know you know this world like the back of your hand. Don't you know that there is no banquet that doesn't end?"

Shao Fan was not a man of many words to begin with, and he fell even more silent upon hearing this. After a long while, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Brother, rest assured, I have my own plans."

"What are you planning to do?" Shao Xun asked with interest.

Shao Fan glanced at him and said, "The imperial court is not a monolithic entity. Even the Council of State Affairs, which oversees state affairs, has many secrets that are not known to others. It is not difficult to bring down a person."

Shao Xun's expression turned serious, and he slowly nodded, saying, "This is your forte."

"If the court structure can be kept largely intact, then it should not be altered," Shao Fan added. "However, if anyone stirs up trouble, I will not hesitate to take action."

After saying that, he stared intently at Shao Xun's face.

Without hesitation, Shao Xun said, "I have been in charge of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs for so many years, and now it is your turn. You are in charge of both Huangsha Prison and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. Do not refuse. At this time, you are the only person I can trust."

"Okay." Shao Fan agreed without hesitation.

After saying that, the two brothers sat side by side and looked outside together.

“Your mother really felt sorry for you. She said you left home at the age of fifteen and suffered a lot. She asked us to help you out.” Shao Fan said, “After you came from the west, she always said that you liked to eat the salted pickled vegetables and fish sauce she made. You are indeed the Zhong’er she misses the most.”

Shao Xun nodded and said, "Yes, I love my mother's cooking the most, I've always loved it."

Shao Fan smiled with satisfaction and said, "Grandpa said you go out to rob people every day, just like he did back then. You're accurate and ruthless when you fight, you've really inherited his skills."

Shao Xun couldn't help but laugh and said, "Grandpa never mentions these things in front of Mother."

Shao Fan smiled, a rare occurrence, and said, "The day you returned to Donghai to repair the ancestral tombs, my father was overjoyed. Despite others' advice, he drank two cups of wine. When you were away on campaigns or inspections, he also missed you very much."

"Yes, they all miss me." Shao Xun smiled and said.

The two brothers chatted casually, their conversation simple yet warm. At the end, they both looked up at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.

The soldiers on duty around the perimeter kept a safe distance, preventing anyone from getting close.

The Imperial Guard Commander, Shao Zhen, stood at a distance, occasionally glancing at the palace gate. The meeting between the Emperor and Prince Lu must involve something significant and secret; if it were leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Of course, no one expected that the two brothers sitting together would only talk about their warm childhood memories—perhaps this is also politics, high-level politics.

******
"The Dipper is the Emperor's chariot, moving in the center and governing the four directions. When the handle of the Dipper points west, autumn arrives throughout the land. Autumn belongs to metal in the Five Elements, and it governs 'death' and 'gathering,' signifying completeness and conclusion..." The Heavenly Official was only halfway through his speech when the Empress stopped him.

It was already early autumn in July. If we follow the will of the Heavenly Official, wouldn't that be...?

Consort Pei followed behind Yu Wenjun, waved to the Heavenly Official, who, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly left.

The group arrived at the main hall of the Nine Dragons Palace, where they saw Shao Xun lying on a couch, watching his two young daughters play wildly.

They were born at the end of the third year and the beginning of the fourth year of the Longhua era, respectively. Their mothers were Zhuge Wenbiao and Wenbao. They were very mischievous and kept clamoring to play with Shao Xun. Shao Xun was initially very interested and stayed in bed for a while, but later he gave in and let the twenty-sixth prince of Shan Yi, Shao Shang (nine years old), take his sisters to play.

Watching the figures of the one adult and two children disappear into the distance, Shao Xun's gaze lingered for a long time until Yu Wenjun, Pei Lingyan, and the others sat down in front of the couch.

Shao Xun's gaze swept across the faces of the group, and he smiled, "That's great."

Yu Wenjun's eyes were red, and she didn't know what to say.

Since the beginning of May, her husband had been summoning officials from the Ministry of War, the Imperial Guards, and various military commanders one after another, and Liang Nu was often present. She didn't know what they discussed, but it was nothing more than the relinquishment of military power and the entrustment of military command to the officers.

By mid-July, there was another series of personnel changes.

The veteran general Li Chong left Pingzhou, where he had been stationed for many years, and entered the court to serve as Grand Tutor.

Chen Yougen requested to resign due to old age and illness, but the imperial edict refused and allowed him to remain in office.

Shao Shen, the eldest nephew, also came to the Nine Dragons Hall. The uncle and nephew talked for a long time, and finally Shao Shen came out with a solemn expression—his position had not changed and he was still the supervisor of the Imperial Guards.

Yu Liang, who was on an inspection tour, returned to the capital and, in his capacity as Grand Commandant, summoned scholars from various prefectures for small meetings every three days and large meetings every five days—in reality, there wasn't much to say, as everything had already been arranged.

There were many similar matters. Shao Xun even took the time to inquire about the affairs of Linyi, the Western Regions, and the three fiefdoms of Gaochang, Zangke, and Lelang, and made arrangements for the next steps, which were to be implemented immediately.

Although Yu Wenjun was somewhat clueless, she was frighteningly sensitive when it came to her husband's affairs.

She understood that her husband must have sensed or known something, which was why he was making the final arrangements in such a hurry.

Considering that he had been lying down most of the time recently and was very weak, everything was clear, but she couldn't accept it.

After looking around, Shao Xun said, "That's great," and then added, "I'm tired."

His gaze was complex, containing a mix of reluctance, nostalgia, worry, and relief.

“I originally intended to delay for a few more days, to help my son for a while longer, and to accompany you for over a year, but—” He smiled and said, “Why rush me?”

"Husband!" Yu Wenjun threw herself into Shao Xun's arms. The body she touched was no longer broad and strong, but rather extremely thin, as if the past few months had exhausted the body's nutrients.

Pei Lingyan, Yue Lanji, Yang Xianrong and the others had different expressions when they saw it, but most of them were bewildered and fearful.

Yes, when someone you've spent your whole life with is about to leave, and the process has been long, you're no longer sad; all that's left is confusion and helplessness.

"What's so sad?" Shao Xun patted his wife's back gently, forcing a smile, and said, "I'm tired, really tired. At this point, some people are driven mad by fear, some are suspicious and tyrannical, and some are taking painkillers. It's all so undignified, there's really no need for it."

"The Jade Emperor has been kind enough to me. I am lucky, really lucky."

"After I leave, there is no need to worry. I have thought it through. The world has been restored to order and returned to the right path. Even without me, there will be others who are determined to work hard and support the world, moving forward step by step. I have only completed the most difficult part. Human strength has its limits, and the rest will depend on those who come after."

"Whether I am right or wrong, history will tell. Having achieved this much, I have a clear conscience and have done my best. Perhaps China will take a different path, maybe so."

At this point, he sighed softly and said, "I really want to stand on the top of the clouds and look down at the world."

After saying that, he fell silent and just looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window.

His health had not completely collapsed. As if waiting for his children to come to the capital to visit him, he smiled and looked out the window on the evening of the fourth day of the eighth lunar month, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

The sunset that day was exceptionally brilliant; he seemed to see a mirage in the clouds, dreamlike and illusory, real and unreal.

In the early hours of August 5th, as everyone held their breath, the man who had single-handedly saved the sky quietly lost all his breath.

His final gaze lingered on the map of the world inside the palace, tender and affectionate.

(To put it simply, there were problems with the company project in August, and I was incredibly busy. I, who usually slack off, was constantly on the go, while also preparing for my new book and dealing with family matters. I was completely overwhelmed. This book is nearing its end here, with only one or two epilogue chapters left. There's also a bonus chapter at the end, which is a bit of a joke and will be a free public chapter. Feel free to read it. I'll post a separate chapter later.)
(End of this chapter)