A master of comedy!

Time flies, and the seasons change.

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed.

In the past five years, the Great Xuan has undergone tremendous changes, the most significant of which is the rise of the Hua Kingdom, which occupies the heart of the Central Plains.

The Battle of Luoyang is long gone, and in the past five years, the black-clad prime minister of China has demonstrated extraordinary talent in governing the country.

He reformed the tax law, remeasured the land, built water conservancy projects, and developed commerce, so that Longhua Buddhism not only did not decline after the founding of the nation, but instead became increasingly prosperous and thriving.

The black-robed prime minister's greatest innovation was the establishment of the Celestial Bureau, which was filled with cultivators at the fourth level or above, and even had a Human Immortal in charge. It seemed to be imitating the Xuanqiong Bureau, but in reality, it was very different.

In addition to dealing with demons and monsters, the Celestial Bureau was also responsible for using magic and supernatural powers to help the imperial court with water conservancy projects, canal construction, and rain and sunshine prayers, ensuring favorable weather and bountiful harvests year after year.

This matter initially aroused strong dissatisfaction among the cultivators. They were arrogant and looked down on ordinary people, but now they were actually doing things for those ants.

This led to an internal strife that neither Yao Guangxiao nor Jinse could control. In the end, Zhou Sheng emerged from seclusion and ruthlessly massacred a large number of people.

Either do something or die.

Thanks to Zhou Sheng's iron-fisted methods and powerful prestige, the matter was finally settled.

Of course, choosing to do things will naturally bring corresponding rewards. Various rare and precious materials in the national treasury, including elixirs and peaches of immortality, can be exchanged for merit points.

There is also the possibility of receiving personal guidance from Mr. Zhou.

Over time, the cultivators of the Celestial Bureau benefited from this and truly settled down to serve the country. In fact, they even competed to do so for the sake of merit.

Heaven will respond to man, and man will surely overcome Heaven.

Thus, the Hua Kingdom, centered on Luoyang, rapidly developed and flourished, and in just five years, it showed signs of a peaceful and prosperous era.

Chang'an and Luoyang were like the two poles of the world, facing each other like two suns shining together.

However, compared to the vibrant and energetic nation of China, which was like the rising sun, Chang'an was undoubtedly like the setting sun nearing dusk.

Five years ago, when the old emperor fell seriously ill, the crown prince stepped forward to stabilize the situation and win hearts and minds, demonstrating remarkable skill.

Everyone believed that the Crown Prince would revive the Great Xuan Dynasty after ascending the throne, but then something unexpected happened.

The old emperor is cured.

Not only did he recover, but his health improved day by day, his complexion became better and better, and some people even noticed that a strand of black hair had appeared among the old emperor's white hair.

This good relationship lasted for five years.

Over the past five years, the old emperor has not only become more addicted to pleasure, but his desire for power has also reached its peak. He will not allow anyone to touch it, not even his own son.

The crown prince was gradually marginalized, and many loyal and capable ministers were promoted in name only and demoted in reality, and were sent away from the capital.

The Great Xuan was like a giant ship with leaks everywhere, about to sink into the water and become a historical ruin.

……

"This can't go on any longer!"

With a loud bang, Crown Prince Li Yi slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to shake.

"Tang Xiao, Wei Qian, and Sima Xu have also been transferred away from the capital. Of the Six Ministries, not a single one of my people is left. The court is now only filled with those good-for-nothing scoundrels!"

The Crown Prince said angrily, "These people only know how to prey on the people. It's no exaggeration to say that they suck the marrow from the bones. For example, Du Yong, who succeeded as Minister of Revenue, is known among the people as Du the Skinflint. Wherever he goes, the people flee in droves, preferring to be bandits rather than Du Yong's people!"

At this moment, Bao Ying, who had been calm and collected as if he were about to fall asleep, slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Highness, you are mistaken."

The crown prince was surprised, and just as he was thinking that Bao Ying had some brilliant idea, he heard his voice continue.

"People nowadays no longer become bandits or outlaws; instead, they flee to China with their families. According to statistics, the number of people fleeing each year is increasing dramatically, reaching hundreds of thousands this year..."

"Didn't Father Emperor order the construction of high walls and checkpoints?"

"No matter how high the city walls are, can they block the hearts of the people?"

The crown prince remained silent for a long time. He naturally knew what this meant: it meant that the hearts of the people were rapidly turning towards China.

"Bao Ying, do you regret it?"

"I heard that Zhou Sheng originally intended to reserve Yao Guangxiao's position for you..."

As he said this, there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone that he himself was unaware of.

"Your Highness!"

Bao Ying suddenly opened his eyes wide, his gaze sharp as lightning, and his voice booming like a bell.

The crown prince was immediately shocked, and a look of shame appeared on his face. He knew that his words just now were questioning and insulting this loyal minister who had stood by him through thick and thin for many years.

"What should we do now to avert disaster?"

He quickly changed the subject. "Your Highness really wants to hear?"

The crown prince nodded.

Bao Ying lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long time, so long that the Crown Prince thought he was about to fall asleep, when Bao Ying suddenly raised his eyes.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, filled with murderous intent.

Two earth-shattering words burst from her tightly pursed lips.

"A coup!"

……

Harem.

The emperor, who was over seventy years old, was still indulging in revelry every day, full of vigor and vitality. He slept with beauties from all over the country who came to pay tribute to him, and the sounds of their lovemaking never stopped throughout the night.

late at night.

The old emperor left the pile of pink "mountains of flesh" and came to the outer courtyard wearing only an outer cloak. The moonlight was like water, and his aged body was not cold at all, but rather as strong and powerful as a furnace.

Of course, all of this stemmed from a transaction.

"The time is right."

In the dead of night, a voice echoed softly. Under the moonlight, an old eunuch with white hair and a black robe appeared beside him at some unknown time, wearing a jade thumb ring on his hand.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is about to rebel, and the Great Xuan Dynasty is nearing its end."

The old emperor trembled, said nothing, but his eyes revealed pain.

……

Three days later, the crown prince rebelled and led his troops into the palace at night. The general guarding the Xuanwu Gate was a friend of Bao Ying, and he opened the palace gate without any resistance.

Everything went very smoothly, but what was unexpected was that the emperor had anticipated this all along.

When the soldiers stormed into the palace, they were met with an ambush by the Imperial Guards, who had been waiting for them.

After the prince's defeat, he was imprisoned and died two days later after drinking poison. His family members and relatives were also executed.

The old emperor personally ordered the killing of his own sons and grandsons, demonstrating a chilling ruthlessness.

Do tigers eat their cubs?
Food!
As for the rebellious ministers and military generals, they were all imprisoned and would soon be publicly executed, their families confiscated and their clans exterminated.

This includes the Bao family, once known for their loyalty and righteousness, and Bao Ying, the Iron-Faced Marquis, who enjoyed a very high reputation among the people.

Caishikou, the execution ground, noon.

Wearing shackles, Bao Ying was escorted to the guillotine. He looked up at the sun in the sky.

It remained as bright and dazzling as ever.

But he seemed unable to feel any warmth at all.

The executioner had already sprayed strong liquor on his blade and slowly raised it.

"I'm sorry, Lord Bao, I promise I won't let you feel any pain later."

This is a lowly executioner's final tribute to Bao Ying.

Bao Ying closed his eyes, as if he could see that person again, that brilliant and talented friend who smiled and reached out to invite him to create a prosperous era together.

They hadn't exchanged letters for many years.

After Luoyang, they severed ties and broke off all ties.

"Brother Zhou, it is I, Bao Ying, who have let you down."

"Very well, Fourteenth Sister has been waiting for me down there for so many years, it's time for me to go and join her."

As the demon-headed blade fell, a sigh rang out.

"Spare his life."

The demon-headed sword froze instantly.

The executioner slammed his fist on the table and roared, "How dare you! Who would dare to storm the execution ground—"

His voice trembled, and a look of horror suddenly appeared in his eyes as he stared at the upright figure in the blue robe, standing with his hands behind his back.

"Heavens! Heavens! Heavenly Venerable!!!"

...(End of this chapter)