bookbashuk Chapter 78 Southern Tour: The Relationship Between Public Sentiment and Extraordinary Phenomena
Chapter 78 Southern Tour: The Relationship Between Public Sentiment and Extraordinary Phenomena
In June of the tenth year of the Qianwu era, Yang Kang brought his second son, Yang Guo, to Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain.
After the unification of the country, Qiu Chuji seemed to have lost interest in everything worldly.
He had left the capital and returned to Zhongnan Mountain as early as the fifth year of Qianwu. During Yang Kang's southern tour, he made a special trip to visit Qiu Chuji and also asked him to take care of Yang Guo for a while.
Yang Kang also didn't quite understand why Yang Guo, who was of noble birth and had healthy parents, would still develop a personality like the one in the original story—outwardly lively and active, but inwardly insecure and sensitive.
Seeing that his son was becoming increasingly eccentric and unruly in the palace, Yang Kang, for the first time ever, brought him along on this trip.
In front of Chongyang Palace, Yang Kang, dressed in casual clothes, held Yang Guo's hand and stood in the square in front of the main hall, admiring the beautiful scenery of Zhongnan Mountain.
Although I still can't understand and unleash my own holy light, I've managed to contain it within myself and no longer act like a charlatan all day long.
"Father, do you really believe that my birth was a mistake?"
"Why am I the only one who can't stay in the palace?"
Upon hearing that his father intended to leave him temporarily at Chongyang Palace, Yang Guo finally couldn't help but angrily question him. The ten-year-old boy was both furious and tears kept falling.
Was your birth a mistake?
"Is that what you're being told?"
Yang Kang asked in astonishment, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"Isn't this obvious? The eldest brother's name is Qian (☰), the second sister's name is Hanzhang (☷), and the fourth brother's name is Xun (☴).
"You named each of your sons with a hidden meaning of gossip, but I am named Yang Guo, which means 'fault' or 'mistake'."
"Why? Is it just because my mother is the only commoner woman?"
Yang Guo's eyes were filled with tears.
"Who told you all this?"
Yang Kang bent down and stroked Yang Guo's head, secretly regretting why he had given his son with Mu Nianci this name just for a moment of bad fun.
When Yang Guo saw his father looking at him with such tenderness, he didn't answer, but just started sobbing in grievance.
"Silly child, do you remember how many times I've told you the story of Wei Zheng and Li Shimin?"
"There are fewer and fewer people in the world who dare to go against my will, and fewer and fewer who will point out my mistakes."
"I named you Yang Guo in the hope that I would never forget you."
"I am just a human being, not a god. Don't forget that you can make mistakes too."
"Your name is Yang Guo, and you can admit your mistakes and correct them."
"I named you this in the hope that when I see you, your father will be reminded to always be vigilant."
Yang Kang's voice gradually lowered, and it took a lot of persuasion to get the pit garden back.
"You are the other version of yourself that Father Emperor hoped you would become, how could you not be my favorite?"
"Look, your older brother also wants to come out and have fun, but I haven't taken him along!"
While stroking his son's head, Yang Kang leaned close to his ear and used his mental power to coax Yang Guo into revealing who was so bold as to gossip about his family.
Amidst sobs, Yang Guo finally uttered that name.
"It's...it's Guo Fu, Miss Guo."
Yang Guo said with tears in his eyes.
In this life, Yang Guo is slightly younger than Guo Fu, but the age difference between them is not too great. The retired Emperor Yang Tiexin and Empress Dowager Bao Xiruo always kept in mind the idea of the Guo and Yang families becoming related by marriage.
Yang Qian has been clearly identified as the future heir to the throne, so naturally he will not only marry Guo Fu.
Huang Rong could not accept her daughter sharing a husband with another man, and Yang Kang could not accept someone with Guo Fu's personality becoming the Crown Princess.
Although Guo Fu didn't become a completely annoying person in this life because Li Ping was still alive, she wasn't too far off either.
Therefore, Guo Fu could never marry Yang Qian, and Yang Guo became their hope.
Yang Kang pondered the name for a moment, then chuckled.
"Huang Rong, as expected, spoiled her eldest daughter into a good-for-nothing. She is quite a talent."
"Don't worry, Guo'er! I won't let a woman like that become your wife."
"Have some fun at Chongyang Palace for a while, maybe you'll find an even better wife!"
Yang Kang said gently, glancing almost imperceptibly at the Tomb of the Living Dead in the distance from Chongyang Palace.
"You should know that letting you stay in Chongyang Palace is a privilege that even your eldest brother has never received."
"Do you know who Master Qiu is? He's the one who taught me martial arts every day when I was your age. Don't be ungrateful."
After Yang Kang comforted him, Yang Guo immediately burst into laughter again.
Yang Kang then took him to pay his respects to Qiu Chuji. After Qiu Chuji led the reluctant Yang Guo away,
Yang Kang's expression gradually turned indifferent as he glanced at Yin Zhiping, who was standing close to him.
In this world, there is only one Yin Zhiping in the Quanzhen School, not Zhen Zhibing.
He looked at Yin Zhiping indifferently and spoke.
"Senior Brother Yin, the army of the Prince of Xiangyang has pacified Tibet."
"The people there live a very bad life. The Tantric Living Buddhas and Lamas treat them like livestock, and even use living people to make all kinds of bloody sacrificial items."
"I really wish that the Quanzhen School would send people to Tibet to spread their teachings, promote Han culture, and save the Tibetan people from their suffering."
"I observe that Senior Brother Yin possesses profound cultivation, a kind heart, and extensive knowledge. I wonder if Senior Brother Yin would be willing to make this trip in my stead?"
Yang Kang said casually.
Yin Zhiping was overjoyed upon hearing this. His martial arts skills were more than enough to cross mountains and valleys, and it was no difficult for him to accompany Qiu Chuji on his journey to the Western Regions. Going to Tibet would naturally be no obstacle for him.
To receive a personal invitation from Yang Kang was an immense honor for him, as it meant that he was the undisputed next leader of the Quanzhen School and the future Celestial Master of the Quanzhen Sect.
Yin Zhiping immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
As they were talking, among the many Taoist disciples who were attending him, a beautiful and refined figure dressed in a Taoist robe caught Yang Kang's attention.
"Junior Sister Yaojia."
Yang Kang looked at the figure, and on a whim, he couldn't help but take the initiative to greet him.
"His Majesty!"
Among the crowd, Cheng Yaojia, who was still in shock at Yang Kang's seemingly forgotten answer, remained silent.
"Ten years have passed since we last met, but Junior Sister Yaojia remains as charming as ever."
Yang Kang looked at the mature and elegant Cheng Yaojia in front of him and secretly admired her.
Cheng Yaojia remained calm and silent with her head down.
She never expected that her retreat to the Ancient Tomb Sect in Zhongnan Mountain for quiet cultivation would lead to Yang Kang personally visiting her.
Although she knew that Yang Kang's trip had nothing to do with her, how could a young man forget the person who had captured his heart by hiding in a monastery? Just one more glance was enough to stir up waves in her heart.
With the world now at peace, even Yang Kang occasionally entertained romantic thoughts.
Seeing this, the Taoist priests quickly and tactfully withdrew from the main hall, giving the two some time alone.
The next day, Cheng Yaojia left Chongyang Palace with Yang Kang.
Yang Kang traveled south and arrived in Lin'an.
Amidst the sorrowful gazes of countless former officials of the Southern Song Dynasty who had been demoted to commoners, we arrived at Fengbo Pavilion, the site where Yue Fei was murdered.
There, a statue of Yue Fei had already been erected, but at this time, there were no kneeling statues of Qin Hui and his wife beneath it.
Yang Kang walked up to the statue of Yue Fei and gazed at it for a long time.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late and were unable to witness the demeanor of this loyal and patriotic minister.
Otherwise, I might be able to emulate the Egg Spirit Emperor.
As Yang Kang sighed inwardly, a golden light suddenly flashed between his brows.
The previously suppressed white light suddenly flashed, and as if in resonance, almost at the same instant, a similar white light also lit up on the statue of Yue Fei in front of him.
As if a flood that had been accumulating for countless years had suddenly burst forth, the white light on the statue transformed into a rainbow that shot into the sky, forming a pillar of light that enveloped the statue of Yue Fei.
After a miraculous phenomenon resembling the descent of celestial beings, the statue gradually began to come to life.
The people in the distance knelt down in shock, pleading for the divine intervention of Lord Yue.
Everyone was then surprised to realize that among all the legends about the emperor, there was a story that he had once taught military strategy to Prince Yue.
The idea that Yue Fei's divine intervention meant the emperor was ordained by Heaven was immediately etched into the minds of the people of Lin'an.
Although the guards were somewhat surprised, they did not panic at all.
They've long since become desensitized to miracles like this.
Cheng Yaojia was seeing such a sight for the first time, and her mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Yang Kang's eyes involuntarily met the statue of Yue Fei.
Suddenly, amidst the intertwining of spiritual thoughts, Yang Kang seemed to see the life of Yue Fei, a man of great passion yet also one of tragic despair.
Scenes flashed through Yang Kang's eyes: the spirit of Yue Family Army, who would rather freeze to death than dismantle houses and starve to death than plunder; and the deep sigh of Wei, who originally wanted to defend the territory and expand the borders but failed at the last moment.
It felt like an instant, yet also like decades had passed.
The next moment, the white light dissipated, leaving only the statue and Yang Kang standing beneath it.
"A spiritual resonance? Did it allow me to communicate with Yue Fei of the past?"
"No, some of the scenes in there are clearly Yue Fei from TV dramas. How could the real Yue Fei look so much like Brother Xiaoming?"
"Could it be that the beliefs of the people created this idealized image of Yue Fei?"
"Is it vitality, spirit, or the power of faith?"
"Could my extraordinary vision be due to the faith of the people, or to the dissipated spirit and energy?"
"But throughout history, there have been many emperors who unified the world and saved humanity, so why am I the only one who embodies this image?"
Yang Kang was immediately shaken, but clearly no one could give him an answer.
He stood silently in front of the statue of Yue Fei for a long time, but still had no answer.
Yang Kang finally had no choice but to accept reality and suppress his doubts.
"Shi Tianze!"
Yang Kang called out.
Shi Tianze hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully walked to Yang Kang's side, and bowed and knelt down.
"Erect a kneeling statue for me before Yue Fei."
Yang Kang took a deep breath, and his mood returned to calm.
"Your Majesty, do you intend for Qin Hui to kneel before Yue Fei?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Tianze immediately became eager to try.
"Did Qin Hui have the ability to kill Yue Fei?"
"Which loyal minister or righteous man in the world died not because of the emperor's suspicion and incompetence?"
"Erect a statue of Zhao Gou for me."
"Make Zhao Gou kneel before Yue Fei to repent and admit his mistakes."
"No, didn't he like to submit to the Jin dynasty? He changed his name to Wanyan Gou."
"I have used his surname, which is a sign of respect."
Yang Kang said angrily.
Upon hearing this, Shi Tianze did not hesitate at all and immediately got up to carry out the imperial order.
Having followed Yang Kang for so many years, he had long been accustomed to Yang Kang's attitude towards those worldly unspoken rules.
Cheng Yaojia hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but offer her advice.
"Your Majesty, although Emperor Gaozong betrayed Yue Fei and flattered the Jin Dynasty, he was still once the emperor of the Han Dynasty."
Is it inappropriate for a ruler to kneel before a subject?
She didn't have any affection for Zhao Gou, but felt that Yang Kang, as emperor, should at least not trample on the supreme sanctity of imperial power in the secular world.
Part of this stems from people's instinctive awe of imperial power, and part from her own instinct as Yang Kang's concubine to uphold her husband's authority.
"No one in the world can be both emperor and subject at the same time."
"Zhao Gou remained a subject of the Jin Dynasty until his death; he was unworthy of the title of emperor."
"It is only right and proper for him to kneel before Yue Fei and repent for the mistakes he made throughout his life."
"Moreover, what if one of my descendants becomes a person like Zhao Gou in the future?"
"I also hope that someone can make him kneel before the subjects and people he has wronged after his death, and repent for his mistakes."
Yang Kang said indifferently, took Cheng Yaojia's hand, and left the place.