Chapter 203 - 203 Chapter 203, Open Conspiracy
203 Chapter 203, Open Conspiracy
The Great Zhou Dynasty.
In front of him was a magnificent palace. A golden plaque was erected on the end of the door, and the words “Longevity Palace” were inlaid on it. Many palace maids and eunuchs were standing in the corridor that surrounded the palace.
An old eunuch with white eyebrows stood on the Jade steps of the palace door. When he saw Fang Yuanqing get off the carriage, he quickly came up to him and bowed. He chuckled and said, “Prime Minister Fang, Her Majesty has been waiting for a long time!”
The white-browed eunuch’s surname was Nie, and his name was Yuan. He looked very old, but his body was very healthy. His face was ruddy and his skin was white. He wore a dark red eunuch uniform and held a ceremonial scepter in his arms that glowed with a green light.
He was the eunuch of a half-step saint cultivator, and he was responsible for the safety of Empress Changning.
In fact, as a saint cultivator, she didn’t need the protection of a half-step saint cultivator. However, if the Empress makes a move personally, it would damage her dignity.
Moreover, the Empress was pregnant now, so it was not appropriate to make a move.
Fang Yuanqing nodded and walked into the Longevity Palace.
Empress Changning was playing with a handsome Gyrfalcon in her arms. it didn’t look like an ordinary one.
“This minister greets Your Majesty. This Gyrfalcon does not have a single strand of stray hair on its body. It is truly a rare creature, and this minister is also very envious.” Fang Yuanqing looked at the Gyrfalcon who was on guard against him, he indeed like it very much.
He didn’t expect this thing to have a spirit and know how to protect its Master.
“Minister Fang likes it, I also like it, but it’s a pity that it’s here to deliver a letter.” Empress Changning waved her sleeves and the letter landed in front of Fang Yuanqing.
Fang Yuanqing received the letter with both hands and read it carefully.
“So it’s a letter from Duke He. What kind of treasure does my Central Plains have that the demons from the outer realms are eyeing it?” Fang Yuanqing was also curious.
He had thought that it was a simple Xiongnu invasion, but he did not expect it to involve so many things.
There were even legendary gods and devils.
As Empress Changning’s Husband, He Chuan naturally could not continue to address him as nine thousand years old. This was something he had prepared for the Head Eunuch Wei Zhengchun at that time.
Hence, after some discussion, He Chuan was conferred the title of Duke.
“It seems that we have to be wary of these devils from the outer realms. Fortunately, my husband has sent back news from the Xiongnu Tribe.” Empress Changning patted Little White’s head and tied the letter of longing to its feet.
She hadn’t expected that those three days would still be of use, and she had successfully gotten pregnant with He Chuan’s child.
The Great Zhou Dynasty finally had an heir.
This also gave the ministers hope, and the stone in their hearts was finally lifted.
Such a large country must have an heir.
Little White rubbed against Empress Changning’s stomach as if it could feel a new life. Under their reluctant gazes, it disappeared into the night.
“Duke He is truly a heavenly being. Even the Gyrfalcon he raised is so spiritual. It even knows how to give Her Majesty blessings.” Fang Yuanqing’s bootlicking skills were so good that no one could tell that he was just trying to flatter them.
This was the art of language.
“Minister Fang, there’s no need to be envious. In my letter, I’ve already asked my husband to help me find this kind of high-grade Gyrfalcon, so I’ll just give you one.” Empress Changning stroked her bulging belly happily, her pretty face glowing with a motherly glow.
“Many thanks, Your Majesty!” Fang Yuanqing quickly thanked her.
“I will have to trouble Prime Minister Fang with the Xiongnu matter. When the time comes, I will come up with a plan. As for the matter of finding the treasure, I feel that it is not appropriate to make it public. It will be better to do it quietly.” Empress Changning said after some thought.
They did not know if this treasure was related to the fate of the Zhou Dynasty, so Changning only found Fang Yuanqing to come. it was not appropriate to let too many people know about this.
“Your Majesty’s overthinking is very reasonable. No matter what treasure it is, it’s best if it’s controlled by the Imperial Court. Don’t think that the seven major sects have shut themselves in because of Duke He’s suppression. Once the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty is unstable, they’ll definitely jump out.” Fang Yuanqing understood this group of people too well.
When you were strong, they would pretend to surrender. Once you were weak, they would jump out and devour you.
“Hmph! The seven major sects are part of the martial arts world of the Central Plains, yet they want to go against the Zhou Dynasty in every way possible. They’re far worse than those reclusive sects. If they dare to jump out again, don’t blame me for turning the seven major sects into history!” Empress Changning’s eyes emitted a dangerous light.
If the seven great sects were willing to help deal with the evil forces of the outer realms, the Zhou Dynasty would have had a much easier time.
“Actually, regarding the situation of the seven great sects, I have an idea.” Fang Yuanqing had already thought of a solution when the seven great sects participated in the previous rebellion of the vassal states.
When Cheng’an had been confused, he had already come up with a plan.
Unfortunately, Cheng’an had no time for political affairs at that time, so his plan was put on hold.
Now that he had brought up the past again, Fang Yuanqing felt that it was time to execute his plan.
“Prime Minister Fang, please tell me.” Empress Changning wanted to see what Fang Yuanqing had in mind.
“The world bustles for profit, and the people bustle for profit. The seven great sects are actually not of one heart. Your Majesty, why don’t you let them decide who is better?” Fang Yuanqing stroked his beard and smiled.
“Let’s decide who’s stronger!” Empress Changning’s eyes instantly lit up.
Since ancient times, there had never been a first in literature and a second in martial arts.
Of course, there were also competitions between the various sects.
Each of the seven major sects had its own glorious times. In the past thirty years, Shaolin and Wudang were publicly acknowledged as the big stars in the martial arts world.
However, it was still unknown who was more skilled.
“The Great Zhou can hold a Royal Martial Arts Competition, whether it’s for the people of the martial arts world or the seven great sects. At that time, Her Majesty can bestow the plaque of the number one in the world! The alliance of the seven great sects will collapse on its own!” Fang Yuanqing was indeed an old fox, he could actually think of a strategy to kill with a blunt knife.
Moreover, it would not cost the Imperial Court a single soldier. It was just an empty title bestowed by the Emperor.
“This is a brilliant plan. Prime Minister Fang, please take care of it together with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice. No accidents are allowed.” Empress Changning nodded in satisfaction.
This plan was indeed brilliant.
None of the seven great sects wanted to be suppressed.
If they had the plaque bestowed by the Emperor, then they would definitely fight to the death for it, and at that time, the alliance of the seven major sects would be broken.
They might even kill each other.
Even though they knew it was a scheme, the seven major sects would still fall for it. after all, how many people could resist the temptation of being the number one in the world?
…
The news that the Great Zhou Dynasty was holding a National Martial Arts Competition spread like wildfire.
The various large sects had also received the news.
The Empress of the Zhou Dynasty said that the Great Zhou was established through martial arts and could not lose its roots. Thus, the ban on the seven great sects was temporarily lifted, and everyone could participate.
The winner would not only be able to enter the National Treasury to choose a weapon, but also receive a plaque bestowed by the Empress.
This was a supreme honor.
Because in everyone’s eyes, the Zhou Dynasty was the center of the world, and the most powerful martial arts also came from the Central Plains.
If anyone could obtain a plaque bestowed by the Emperor, it would prove that he was truly the number one in the world.
The Wudang Clan and the Shaolin Temple saw the trick and advised everyone not to participate in it, in case they fell into the Imperial Court’s scheme.
However, the other sects didn’t care. So what if it was the Imperial Court’s scheme? It was just a martial arts competition.
It would be better if Shaolin and Wudang didn’t participate, as they would have fewer powerful enemies.