A Big Gamble
Ying Zhou was rendered speechless and could only give a thumbs-up in praise of the other party's shamelessness.
At this moment, Murong Qing walked over, her face beaming with joy, and said, "I didn't expect you to come. Didn't you go to the Barbarian Continent before? I heard you encountered a lot of trouble, and even the time tunnel couldn't be opened."
"If my wife is in danger, I'll rush to her rescue even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire. What's a mere time tunnel compared to my fists that can pierce the heavens?" Si Ming teased.
Given their current close relationship, such words would no longer offend Murong Qing.
Sure enough, she just rolled her eyes and didn't criticize anything. She simply said seriously, "Luckily you arrived in time, otherwise, even if the Mu Family Army managed to break through, many of them would have been killed."
Si Ming asked curiously, "How did you get in touch with them?"
Have you forgotten my cousin, the former emperor's son?
"That happened several years ago, I remember it was something like Zhang Baobao..."
Si Ming tried hard to recall, "I remember that he was kidnapped by barbarians when he was a child. There was a Buddhist School master named Xunan, and he was given the Dharma name 'Bukong'. It seems that he was also a 'Buddha's disciple'."
Wow, this kid is practically a chosen one. He's had so many titles since he was little. I can already foresee that his future will be filled with all sorts of scripts arranged by big shots. All that's missing is a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
How is he doing now? Has he successfully taken over?
Chapter 880 A Big Bet
When the former Emperor Li State passed away, everyone believed that his lineage had ended. Therefore, the court officials, led by the Grand Tutor of Li State, selected a member from a collateral branch of the royal family and elected him to ascend the throne, thereby stabilizing the country.
But this puts Zhang Baobao in an awkward position. In terms of bloodline, he is undoubtedly the most qualified successor to the throne of Li State —at least in the eyes of the world.
Unfortunately, the throne of Li State was already occupied. To ascend to the throne, he had to depose the person in charge. But how should this act be defined? Was it usurpation or restoration? Was it rebellion or restoring order?
Furthermore, from the perspective of the Southern Court Dynasty's officials, their position was also quite awkward.
Their original approach of supporting a new emperor could not be said to be wrong. Li State was a feudal monarchy, and without a legitimate heir to the throne, the position could not remain vacant indefinitely. Even if they had a slight desire to be meritorious officials who helped the emperor rise to power, it was indeed a matter of the times. Choosing an emperor, even a puppet emperor, would keep the people of the country at ease and give them a pillar of support. Therefore, this move could be considered to have both public and private benefits.
But can Zhang Baobao understand their feelings?
In the eyes of the former prince, were they simply a group of traitors and rebels?
Furthermore, would the newly Li State emperor, and the new vested interest group centered around him, be willing to relinquish the throne?
Referring to the history of the Ming Dynasty on Earth, the most typical example is the "Tumu Crisis". In this war, Emperor Yingzong of Ming Zhu Qizhen Ming, Zhu Qizhen, became a prisoner of the Oirat. In order to stabilize the morale of the army and the people, the ministers installed Emperor Yingzong of Ming's younger brother Zhu Qiyu, as the new emperor, who became Emperor Daizong of Ming.
Later, Emperor Yingzong of Ming was released by the Oirat, and Emperor Daizong of Ming immediately imprisoned him and ordered the Brocade Guard to keep a close watch on him, blocking all the locks and leaving only a small hole for feeding. But despite all the precautions, Emperor Yingzong of Ming eventually overthrew Emperor Daizong of Ming through the "Tumu Crisis" and successfully restored his rule.
The restoration of Emperor Yingzong of Ming was not simply a matter of changing the emperor. As the saying goes, "a new Yu Qian brings a new court," and the entire court underwent a major purge. The original ministers all suffered greatly for supporting Emperor Daizong of Ming of Ming. Even Yu Qian, a key figure in winning the Battle of Beijing, severely damaging the Oirat Mongols, and ensuring Emperor Yingzong of Ming's safe return, was framed and died unjustly. The rest of the loyal ministers and generals also met with bad ends.
There was no precedent in the history of the Li State similar to the "Tumu Crisis," but the new emperor and his ministers were not fools. Even Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, who was always regarded as incompetent and foolish, did not hesitate to kill Yue Fei on trumped-up charges to prevent him from welcoming back Emperors Huizong and Qinzong, who had been captured in the Jingkang Incident. They could naturally guess what their fate would be if Zhang Baobao ascended the throne.
This was undoubtedly a very sensitive topic, but Si Ming wasn't Li State, so he didn't care about the opinions of the Li State and asked the question in a light tone.
Murong Qing also understood the treacherous undercurrents hidden behind this topic, so she glared at Si Ming and said, "If he ascends to the throne, how can the Li State be at peace? What if the situation becomes turbulent and the Barbarian Race take advantage of the situation to invade?"
"So, for the sake of the bigger picture, he gave up the fight for the throne?"
Si Ming stroked his chin. He hadn't realized this kid possessed such a selfless spirit. Human nature is selfish, and most people in Zhang Baobao's position would easily think, "If I can't get the throne, I won't let you either," "Why should I sacrifice for the greater good and let you reap the benefits?" "Let's just go our separate ways and no one should gain anything."
Even knowing that his stand to vie for the throne would destabilize the Li State, he would never relinquish it. After all, he had nothing to begin with, and the only loss would be to the interests of those in power, just as most people think, "After I die, who cares about the deluge?"
What do I care about the safety of the nation or the lives of its people? I can't have them anyway!
Murong Qing showed a relieved expression and said, "Perhaps there are other reasons, but in any case, he did not come out to compete for the throne, thus thwarting the Barbarian King's scheme."
Si Ming nodded and said, "Then why are you mentioning him now? Is the Mu Family Army's predicament related to him?"
Murong Qing said, "Because the lost Juntian Divine Sword has reappeared."
"This sword name sounds familiar... I remember that only those of royal blood from the Li State can wield it, and although it can't compare to the Mohist School Sacred Sword, it can give Spirit Transformation Grandmaster the strength to rival Void Returning Great Grandmaster. This kind of improvement is among the top five divine weapons in the Sea Continent."
It was his master, Yan Jinghong, who told him this information when he was teaching Si Ming the "Juntian Sword Art".
Murong Qing, "The reason why the Barbarian Race were able to occupy half of the Southern Continent is not only because their soldiers are brave and skilled in battle, but also because their Barbarian King is a Void Returning Great Grandmaster Li State, which is enough to restrain the Grand Tutor of the Li Kingdom and maintain a balance in the high-level combat power. Therefore, if the Li State can add another Void Returning Realm expert, this balance can be broken, and the Li State can gain the advantage."
After pondering for a moment, Si Ming said, "If we can truly recover the lost territory, Zhang Baobao to the throne will be perfectly legitimate, and no one can say anything about it."
If the current emperor of Liguo Li State to abdicate, he can at least save face; otherwise, he might face execution.
"I did have that thought. Zhang Baobao is, after all, my cousin. Since helping him wouldn't go against the greater good, it's only right to lend a hand. Even Marshal Mu shares the same view."
Murong Qing readily admitted, then continued, "I just didn't expect that the news of the emergence of the Juntian Divine Sword was actually a trap set by the barbarians."
"False information spread by the Barbarian Race? Don't you investigate and verify such things?" Si Ming asked doubtfully.
"It can't be completely called fake news. At least the reappearance of the divine sword is real, and the location is real. All the clues we've found corroborate this. The only error is the timing."
"That's not right. If the Divine Sword will be born in Gourd Valley, why did you break out? Wouldn't it have been better to just stay there and guard it?"
"Because some alchemists have estimated that the appearance of the divine sword might trigger an eruption of subterranean fire. If we don't evacuate immediately, the Mu Family Army will be in danger of being completely wiped out. In fact, the Barbarian Race are also planning this. Even if you hadn't come, we would have tried to break through in the coming days."
Si Ming pondered, "So, the Juntian Divine Sword hasn't been born yet? If you leave the valley, wouldn't that be handing the treasure over to the barbarians?"
Suddenly a voice said, "Now that it's confirmed that there were unusual celestial phenomena when the divine sword appeared, Barbarian Race couldn't steal it secretly, then let's each seize it based on our own strength."
The newcomer wore a red-tasseled helmet, a purple python robe, gold armor on his arms, and martial boots. He had a handsome face and an imposing presence. He was none other than General Mu Wu of Dragon City. Unlike most of the Li State who liked to grow beards, he had a very long chin but no beard.
Siming clasped his fists with the etiquette of Jianghu people and said, "We haven't seen you for many years, Mourinho's style is still the same."
"Working tirelessly for the country, you're exhausted. How can you still be so dashing? On the other hand, Young Hero Si is exceptionally talented and Void Returning Great Grandmaster Refining Realm. If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I would have taken it as mere flattery from the martial arts world."
After speaking, Mu Wu bowed and said, "Perhaps this is a bit abrupt, but I have a favor to ask. I hope that Young Hero Si can lend us a hand in seizing the Juntian Divine Sword. On behalf of the people of the Li State, I will be deeply grateful."