Jiang Wenhuan's wisdom had been "expanded" by Di Xin with the Kongtong Seal. Together with the other two Great Earls, he provided twenty-three thousand able-bodied slaves, while the Earl of the North, Chong Houhu, scoured his own household stores and scraped together another twelve thousand able-bodied slaves!
Once the Four Great Earls made their move, the eight hundred major and minor feudal lords could only cooperate through their tears. Together, they scraped together another fifteen thousand able-bodied slaves. With You Hun scouring every corner and ruthlessly squeezing them dry, they actually exceeded the quota and gathered a full one hundred and twenty thousand able-bodied slaves!
The estate had been selected, the slaves had arrived, and Huang Feihu had stationed six thousand elite soldiers there. One month after Di Xin proposed the Star-Gathering Pavilion project, construction officially began at full speed!
In Qingxian Hall
After finishing with state affairs, Di Xin toyed with the Kongtong Seal, deepening his connection with it, while waiting for his two cheap sons to return.
The month had come to an end, and the preliminary preparations were complete. It was time to stir up a storm and wash away this layer of fog.
"Your son Yin Jiao greets you, Father King!"
"Your son Yin Hong greets you, Father King!"
Before long, the brothers Yin Jiao and Yin Hong entered the hall and knelt down together.
Di Xin withdrew the Kongtong Seal, walked over in two strides, and helped them up.
"Stand up and let me have a look. You're darker, thinner, but also sturdier and more energetic. Hahaha!"
"Father King! My younger brother and I cultivated thirty mu of fields, wove eight pairs of shoes, and fed ten head of livestock over the past month. We have come to report our accomplishments!"
Yin Jiao straightened his back and loudly recounted what he had achieved over the past month. Though they were all "lowly" tasks, they had brought him a great deal of fulfillment.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Di Xin had just raised his hand toward the top of Yin Jiao's head when he suddenly remembered something. He moved his hand to Yin Jiao's shoulder and patted it twice before turning to Yin Hong.
"Hong'er, are you tired?"
"Father King, Hong'er isn't tired!"
Feeling the deep concern in Di Xin's words, Yin Hong replied loudly with a smile. His eyes reddened, and two clear tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Good! Tomorrow, you and your brother will accompany me to court for the morning assembly. How does that sound?"
Di Xin reached out and wiped the tears from Yin Hong's face, his voice unconsciously becoming gentler.
"Good!"
Yin Hong nodded hard, while Yin Jiao also smiled happily. Neither of them yet understood what attending court meant. They were simply delighted to have gained Di Xin's approval.
"Father King, while I was farming, I discovered a genius. Could you transfer him to my side so he can practice martial arts with me?"
Yin Jiao gazed at Di Xin expectantly, feeling somewhat uneasy inside. Father King shouldn't mind me playing with a slave, right? Though he did tell me to pay attention to the slaves.
"A genius? Did you bring him?" Di Xin laughed, not taking it to heart.
"Father King, I brought him. He's right outside the hall. A Da is incredibly clever. Though he's a slave, he quickly learns everything my brother and I teach him!"
Hearing Di Xin's laughter, Yin Hong eagerly spilled out everything about the slave A Da, as though presenting a treasured item.
Di Xin also patted Yin Hong's shoulder and said, "Then bring him in and let me see just how much of a genius this A Da is."
"A Da! A Da! Come in quickly! My Father King wants to see you!"
Following Yin Hong's excited call, a small child of seven or eight entered through the doorway. He was thin and frail, with a dark complexion.
As soon as the child entered the grand hall and felt the imposing aura surrounding Di Xin, his legs gave way and he collapsed. His dark face instantly flushed red. Recalling the words Yin Hong and Yin Jiao had taught him before coming in, he stammered, "S-Slave, s-servant A-A Da g-g-greets the G-Great King!"
Di Xin's gaze fell on the dark-skinned child, and his eyes brightened slightly. He saw brilliant starlight above A Da's head, with a star faintly appearing and disappearing within it.
A reincarnated star? Or perhaps a projection?
Remembering the star gods who often appeared in novels and television dramas from his previous life, the corners of Di Xin's mouth lifted slightly. Whatever you are, once you enter my mouth, don't even think about leaving again!
"So you're A Da? Stand up first. Don't be nervous. I don't eat people."
"Y-Yes, Great King."
A Da hesitated for a moment before standing under the encouraging gazes of Yin Jiao and Yin Hong. He glanced at Di Xin, then hurriedly lowered his head again.
"How old are you?"
"T-Ten."
"An orphan?"
"Mm."
"Do you want to eat your fill?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Call me Master."
"Huh?"
"Unwilling?"
A hint of mischief flashed through Di Xin's eyes. He had pretended to be stern for so long that teasing a child once in a while felt rather relaxing.
"A Da, agree quickly!"
"A Da, hurry!"
"Oh, no, no, no! I'm willing, I'm willing! Master!"
A Da hurriedly spoke up. When he raised his head and saw the smile on Di Xin's face, he suddenly relaxed. Fidgeting, he asked hesitantly, "M-Master, what does Master mean?"
"Uh."
The smile on Di Xin's face froze. This was a little awkward.
"Ahem! Master means teacher."
"Teacher?"
A Da became even more confused. He looked doubtfully at Di Xin, who secretly rubbed his hands together as his mind raced.
"It means your biological father, despite having no blood relation to you!"
"Father? I have a father now? I have a father!"
A Da froze, and tears burst from his eyes.
"Big brother, didn't you only want a guard?"
Yin Hong stared blankly at Yin Jiao. How did you give Father King away?
"That's right, but now... hehe!"
While Yin Hong and Yin Jiao were questioning their lives, Di Xin's mind stirred.
"A Da, since you've entered my sect, you need a proper name. I see that your skin is dark, so why not take 'Mo' as your surname and use 'Xuan' as your given name? How does Mo Xuan sound?"
"Mo Xuan. I have a name now. Mo Xuan, I have a real name now! First Prince, Second Prince, I have a name! My name is Mo Xuan! Mo Xuan!"
A Da—or rather, he should now be called Mo Xuan.
Mo Xuan felt as though today had suddenly become a dream. Even the things he could understand were enough to make him unwilling to wake up, let alone the many things he could not yet understand.
"Jiao'er, take someone and lead Mo Xuan out of the palace to purchase a residence for him. Settle him properly, then go visit your Mother Queen. But don't forget to attend the morning assembly tomorrow."
"Yes, Father King!"
The next morning
The civil and military officials entered the Nine-Room Hall. When they saw Di Xin leading the two princes to the throne, every one of them turned pale.
"Great King, although the two princes are naturally gifted and exceptionally intelligent, they are still very young. Isn't it a little early for them to attend court and listen to state affairs?"
Hearing the whispers below, Shang Rong hurriedly stepped out of the ranks. Great King, what are you trying to do this time?
"It isn't early. Not in the slightest."
Di Xin patted Yin Jiao's shoulder. His aura suddenly erupted, and its crushing pressure forced every person's head down.
"I intend to make Yin Jiao the Crown Prince. What do all of you ministers think?"
"Father King, this—!"
"As expected!"
"What!"
Before you continue