National Division

Chapter 86 The Eldest Princess: Mother, this dream of yours... was it just a dream? (Seeking monthly votes!)

殿中
The palace lanterns, shaped like cranes in bronze, flickered with candlelight, illuminating the clear, water-like jade steps. They seemed to reflect the figures of people, vividly portraying the scene of the emperor and his ministers exchanging verses.

Shen Xian picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and moistened his throat.

This is another time he has provided the diva with valuable insights, or rather, a strategy that is practically feasible.

If one can only discuss the general trend of the world in front of the emperor, but is not proficient in practical matters, one will inevitably be seen as a mere armchair strategist and a boastful talker. Over time, one will be despised and abandoned by the emperor.

For example, the harm caused by reducing the power of regional military governors is well known. If radical figures like Chao Cuo and Huang Zicheng had tried to forcefully reduce their power, it would have inevitably led to disaster.

The "Decree of Grace," based on the idea of ​​"establishing many feudal lords to reduce their power," along with the "Decree of Rewarding Gold and Depriving of Titles," the "Law of Left Officials," and the "Law of Supplementary Benefits," were so cleverly designed that even Emperor Wu exclaimed that they were incredibly cunning and ruthless.

To elaborate further, we would need to establish training and moral guidance positions among the military officers, and even more specifically, to hold grievance rallies for soldiers...

In fact, what truly earns praise from the world is this specific method: this move is truly ingenious, there must be a mastermind behind it.

Murong Yue frowned, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and said with a worried look in her eyes, "If this happens, there will be more scholars and rampant materialism. The official positions in the court are finite, and the land and wealth of the world are also finite. If we use finite things to satisfy boundless desires, then who knows how many troubles will arise in the world!"

The people can be made to follow a path, but they cannot be made to understand it. If we broaden the people's wisdom and widely open up the civil service examinations, there will be more restless people, which will lead to internal strife and widespread suffering.

Shen Xian's voice was clear and resonant: "Then let's expand our territory and educate the barbarians. How can we give up because of a minor setback and remain stagnant?"

No one understood the consequences of Murong Yue's actions better than him.

However, we cannot use methods to keep the people ignorant and treat them like pigs in order to maintain long-term stability!

Otherwise, if foreign tribes invade, backwardness will lead to being attacked.

If involution becomes too severe, then expand outwards.

Although expansion to a certain extent can lead to collapse and disintegration, as seen in the ancient Roman civilization in a parallel universe, wars brought about cultural prosperity and technological progress, promoting humanitarian development.

Even if we venture into the vast universe, we may still face internal strife as depicted in "Foundation," but humanity's seeds and civilization will also be scattered among the stars.

If we insist on internal strife and external appeasement, then China was only as big as the Central Plains in the beginning. How could we talk about going to the stars and the sea?
Upon hearing this, Murong Yue fell silent for a moment.

Isn't this the case with the enemy state of Great Rui?

With this female Taoist priest's humanitarian understanding, she felt somewhat lost at this moment.

This stems from the female Taoist priest's incomprehension and confusion about the path, or perhaps it is the reason why she spares no effort in assisting the Empress.

Under the rule of Confucianism, the Great Rui Kingdom flourished, and its sages and great scholars shone like stars in the sky.

Despite facing numerous internal troubles, the Great Rui expanded its territory, its power awe-inspiring the surrounding barbarians, and its military might overwhelmed the Great Jing, leaving it breathless!

In the grand vision of Taoist governance, small countries with few people, Taoist sects held a lofty position, while demons and evil spirits wreaked havoc in the countryside, gradually leading to chaos.

The Empress was quite excited. Looking at that handsome, sharp young face, she felt an urge to talk about state affairs all night long. But after thinking about it, she suppressed this thought for the time being to avoid surprising the ministers.

"It's getting late, Mr. Shen, please rest in the side hall of Xuanzheng Hall. You can seek my advice tomorrow." The Empress temporarily ended the conversation, though there was still some reluctance in her eyes.

As time went on, the Empress Dowager increasingly felt that those few memorials were merely the tip of the iceberg of Shen Xian's talent.

It can be said that, by this point, the impression of Shen Xian as a national hero and strategist had been deeply imprinted in the Empress's mind, waiting only for it to be strengthened step by step until it became deeply ingrained.

As the Empress's phoenix eyes darted around, she suddenly remembered the misunderstanding with the Dali Temple and called out, "Gao Yanfu."

"The servant is here."

The Empress Dowager said, "Transfer more than a dozen skilled martial artists from the Thousand Bull Guards to accompany Scholar Shen, so as to prevent him from being deceived by those who do not know the truth!"

By the end, the diva's cool voice had taken on a hint of sternness.

Gao Yanfu said, "This servant will go and select them right away."

"Your Majesty, I thank you." Shen Xian quickly stood up and thanked the beautiful woman.

Taking the opportunity, Xue Zhihua stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Shen left home in a hurry and did not have time to say goodbye. Moreover, there are still some matters to attend to in Guhe County. I would like to take Mr. Shen back home to settle him in and at least let him know that he is safe and sound."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian turned to look at Xue Zhihua, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

His trip was indeed rushed.

Fortunately, the goal has been achieved, and he has gained fame and success, rising rapidly through the ranks.

And gradually, he established an initial impression of being a "national hero" and "strategist" in the Empress's mind. "Then let him rest in the capital for a day or two before going back to settle his family." The Empress was somewhat reluctant to let Shen Xian leave immediately, but she also knew that Shen Xian did need to go back.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "The day after tomorrow, you and Mr. Shen will take the imperial edict and lead the Thousand Bull Guards to announce it in Guhe County, and escort the former Guhe County Magistrate and County Assistant to the capital for trial by the Court of Judicial Review."

At this moment, the Empress was unaware that Wang Shence had already set off for Anzhou in a great hurry, accompanied by several Imperial Guards, a judge from the Court of Judicial Review, and several criminal officials.

In his panic, Zhou Liang failed to inform the decisive Wang Shence.

Or rather, quite some time has passed since the afternoon, and Wang Shence has already ridden a fast horse towards Anzhou.

As she spoke, the Empress looked at Shen Xian with a warm gaze: "It's getting late. Mr. Shen must be tired from your journey. You should go back and rest early. We can talk again tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian rose to take his leave.

Then, accompanied by Xue Zhihua, they left the side hall.

"Mother, is this Mr. Shen really not yet twenty years old?" The eldest princess looked at the Empress Dowager with surprise and asked.

This is a question that any intelligent person would have.

However, since this world is already teeming with immortals, people generally tend to speculate that some old immortal has descended to the mortal realm to support the Dragon Court.

Gu Nanzhu said softly, "Your Majesty, Shen Muzhi's insight is beyond the reach of even a prime minister over sixty years old. There are indeed many doubts about this matter."

The diva remarked, "In ancient times, there were many great sages. It was not unusual for someone to be born with knowledge and to know the world from a single falling leaf."

The eldest princess: "..."

Well, the Empress Dowager has already accepted the idea that the Holy Emperor is assisted by virtuous ministers.

What Scholar Shen just said is indeed the way of the Holy Emperor.

So the question is, where did he learn all that?

Princess Zhenguo couldn't help but recall that calm, expressionless face from just now, and her curiosity grew even stronger.

Murong Yue’s voice was clear and bright: “This Shen Muzhi should be a disciple of the School of Diplomacy and Legalism. It’s not surprising that he is young. First, he is exceptionally talented, and second, he is the reincarnation of a great sage.”

"A great sage reincarnated?" The Empress's narrow, majestic phoenix eyes lit up slightly, but then her expression became somewhat unnatural: "Like the reincarnation of the Pure Light Celestial Maiden?"

Even the Heavenly Empress, protected by the Vermilion Bird, who was also aware of the affairs of immortals and gods, felt embarrassed by such nonsense from the Buddhist sects.

But there's no other way; if there's no better explanation, we have to use it even if we have to hold our noses!
Murong Yue replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty is the Holy Empress, ruling the world with ease, and naturally you should have great sages to assist you."

It can be said that the Great Jing Dynasty had already completed its ideological construction by taking Taoism as its state religion. Although the ancients did not understand what ideology was, they knew that... the cycle of destiny and the favor of fate.

In a parallel universe on Earth, after the Wu Zhou dynasty was established, Buddhism was suppressed by Taoism. The empress carved the Vairocana Buddha statue and changed the Phoenix Pavilion, Luan Terrace, and the six divisions of heaven, earth, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Upon hearing this, the Empress understood the words of the Imperial Advisor Murong Yue. A trace of recollection appeared in her eyes, and she said, "Now that you mention it, I did indeed have a dream three days ago. In the dream, I became a crimson sun, and beneath that sun, a golden dragon coiled and danced. Could it be here?"

Murong Yue bowed and said, "Then this person is Ying Meng Xian Chen."

Whether it's the body of a flying bear or a golden dragon, it's all just a facade.

A strange light flickered in the beautiful eyes beneath Princess Daiqing's willow-leaf eyebrows. She pursed her pink lips, a peculiar feeling rising in her heart.

She guessed that her mother's dream... was it something she had just had?
Regardless of whether others believed it or not, she did.

However, there is indeed an explanation for Mr. Shen's rise to a high position at a young age. If we really want to use Mr. Shen to restore the Zhou rites and follow the way of the ancient sage emperors, then this dream is truly something that must be dreamt.

The Empress remained silent for a moment, then said, "We will make a decision after we meet with Abbot Faming of Baima Temple tomorrow."

When King Zhao entered the palace earlier, he told her that the Great Cloud Sutra mentions the reincarnation of the Pure Light Goddess, and that Buddhism also says that all people are equal, and that Maitreya has many incarnations.

She is the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha, walking in the world as a female bodhisattva. If she were to rule the country as a woman, she would be able to win the hearts and minds of the people.

This was a rough outline decided long ago, and it's unlikely to change because of Shen Xian's few words.

Upon witnessing this scene, the Princess Zhenguo thought to herself, "Mr. Shen is, after all, just one person. By bringing in the Buddhist sect to suppress Yuqing, he is not only suppressing her in the debate over destiny, but also resisting the power of the immortal path."

Si Di of the Vermilion Bird Division stood silently to the side, also pondering Shen Xian's background.

(End of this chapter)