Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 536 At Least Make a Condition
Luoyang.

The atmosphere inside the room was somber.

Lu Wenwei, Cui Ling, Gao Qian, Cui Xian and other prominent families from Guandong sat together, but none of them spoke.

People from various aristocratic families, including the Lu family of Fanyang, the Cui family of Qinghe, the Zheng family of Xingyang, the Li family of Zhaojun, the Cui family of Boling, the Gao family of Bohai, the Wang family of Taiyuan, and even the Li family of Longxi, who served as officials in the imperial court in Luoyang, gathered together.

The powerful clans of Kanto disliked each other, and there were many grudges between the various families. There was only one thing that could bring them all together.

"What does the King of Qin want to do!"

Gao Qian spoke, which opened up a floodgate of conversation among the crowd.

"The King of Qin set up cities in Longyou and Hedong, granted ranks to tribal chiefs, and used strong and fierce barbarians as soldiers, providing them with clothing and other necessities, treating them as his own children."

"Since ancient times, Chinese rulers have always regarded China as the foundation and the surrounding barbarians as branches. Why have they favored one over the other?"

"Barbarians are beasts. These people are ungrateful and, if they gain power, they will surely bring chaos to China. We must be wary of the history of Jin!"

……

After reminiscing about the past, reflecting on history, and summarizing the lessons of rise and fall, the group expressed their core demands.

"Why can those Hu chieftains settle down in Chang'an, but we can't!"

Everyone was furious.

Although the Sinicization reforms of the Northern Wei Dynasty had greatly benefited the aristocratic families behind those present, they no longer intended to cling to the fate of the Northern Wei.

Goods from the Central Plains were transported to Guanzhong by boat through Luoyang every day, and the people in Luoyang could clearly feel the changes of the times.

Yu Jin was stationed in Luoyang and took charge of all the government affairs there.

Hu Sichun kept a close eye on the Yuan family, pointing out even the slightest flaw.

The expenses within the palace only decreased, never increased.

Chang'an City grew more magnificent and splendid day by day.

……

All these signs point to one thing: a change of dynasty is imminent.

The powerful clans of Kanto did not want to stand in the way of the times; they all wanted to actively join the tide of the times and become trendsetters.

However, there was an invisible barrier blocking them.

The powerful families of Guandong could not obtain household registration in Guanzhong.

Without a Guanzhong household registration, one cannot buy a house in Chang'an, or even rent one.

This is blatant discrimination!

Lu Wenwei, seated in the main seat, said:

"Everyone, calm down!"

As soon as Lu Wenwei said that, everyone's attention turned to him.

Gao Qian asked:

"Lord Lu, what do you think the King of Qin intends?"

If it were about changing dynasties, Li Shuang could have done it long ago.

The Imperial Seal of the State is a deeply ingrained symbol of legitimacy in this era.

The saying "He who obtains the seal obtains the mandate of heaven" is not just an empty phrase.

Compared to the Northern Wei, the legitimacy of the Imperial Seal of the Southern Liang Dynasty was more widely accepted.

Regardless of whether it's true or not, the Imperial Seals of the Northern and Southern Dynasties are both located in Luoyang.

The only remaining question is how to conduct the abdication ceremony.

In other words, how should this topic be brought up?
This is the specialty of everyone present.

The assembled officials were waiting for Li Shuang to come and talk, but instead, they were met with estrangement.

You should at least name a price!
Lu Wenwei couldn't figure it out either, and not wanting to give anyone cause for criticism, he said leisurely:

"The King of Qin is unfathomable; how could we possibly fathom his depths? Your brother Gao Ang, as a Pillar of State, has established his own government in Chang'an; hasn't he said anything to you about it?"

Seeing everyone's gaze turn to him, Gao Qian slowly began to speak:

"After Ao Cao went to Chang'an, he never sent a letter. How could I have known?"

As high-ranking officials of the imperial court, they had no suitable reason to go to Chang'an unless summoned by the Prince of Qin's court.

However, it wasn't that no member of any of the aristocratic families was not given an important position in Chang'an.

It wasn't impossible that information they leaked in private would reach their respective clans. Hearing Gao Qian's words, everyone fell into suspicion.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

Lu Wenwei's son, Lu Huaidao, hurriedly walked in.

"What is the matter?"

“Recently, a new rumor has been circulating in Luoyang that when some people were in Mangshan, they suddenly saw a myriad of colorful lights. Following the trail, they saw a dragon coiled up, which then disappeared into the mountains.”

The person inside the house listened but didn't take it seriously.

In Luoyang today, not only the high-ranking officials know about the change of dynasties, but even the common people know about it.

It was common for some people to fabricate auspicious omens and ask the government for rewards.

Even more concerning, some prophecies have been circulating in Luoyang in recent years.

In short, they are all nursery rhymes about the Yuan clan being destroyed and the Li clan being prospered.

No one seemed to care, but Lu Huaidao explained:
"This matter was reported to the Prime Minister's residence, and Hu Sichun led his men to Mangshan, to the place where the auspicious omen appeared, and they actually found some things there."

"What?"

"A hidden tomb, which seems to have been abandoned for some reason when it was built, and it has been there for many years."

After hearing this, many people didn't take it to heart.

Throughout history, countless kings, nobles, and generals have been buried on Mangshan Mountain, so it is not surprising that there are one or two abandoned tombs.

Lu Wenwei, however, sensed something was amiss. He stroked his beard and said leisurely:

"This is a bit eerie, how could it be such a coincidence?"

"Grandpa, what are you worried about?"

"I'm afraid we might actually dig something up!"

……

Changan.

The hustle and bustle of autumn gradually faded into winter, and Li Shuang returned to the Qin Prince's Mansion from the Shanglin Temple.

Dugu Ru and Liu Sixia were already waiting.

They had all heard about the hidden tomb and hoped to get an explanation from Li Shuang.

Since Li Shuang returned from Liaodong, the two women have not inquired about the hidden tomb, only knowing that Li Shuang was indeed doing something.

"Your Majesty!"

Inside the high pavilion, there were only three people; there was no one else.

Does that hidden tomb really exist?

Dugu Ru was the first to ask the question.

To the surprise of the two women, Li Shuang seemed completely bewildered.

"What hidden tomb?"

Li Shuang's appearance puzzled Dugu Ru greatly, but Liu Sixia stopped her from asking further questions.

“Your Majesty is right. Aru has been a bit tired lately and has started talking nonsense.”

Dugu Ru was somewhat surprised and looked at her sister, but suddenly understood.

Whether the legends circulating among their tribes were fabricated by people of the Han Dynasty to encourage future generations to restore the Han Dynasty, or whether they are indeed true, is no longer important today.

The important question is, what does Li Shuang want to do, and does he hope this rumor is true?

The fact that this hidden tomb has now appeared suggests that Li Shuang hopes the legend is true.

If that's the case, how can he turn this legend into reality?

"Since you're tired, go back and rest early! Don't talk nonsense like this again."

Li Shuang gave the order softly, without saying anything else.

This left the two sisters, who had been full of expectations, feeling somewhat disappointed.

They bowed and left together.

As they were leaving, the two women took one last, reluctant look at their husbands' figures, feeling that they were getting further and further away from them.

An emperor is a lonely and isolated ruler!
……

(End of this chapter)