Fang Yun said slowly, "The four seasons run their course, and all things come into being. What does Heaven need to say?"
Fang Yun was quoting Sage Kong: all things moved according to the laws of heaven and earth, so why did Heaven need to say anything more?
The ten council elders looked intently at Fang Yun, waiting to see what he meant to convey.
Fang Yun continued, "A sovereign's position comes from the state; a sovereign's authority comes from his officials; a sovereign's power comes from the people. Why call himself the Son of Heaven? He should be called the son of the myriad people."
Even the Ritual Hall's council elders, who revered ritual propriety above all else, did not object at that moment. Human nations possessed an unseen force called national fortune, and a nation's sovereign commanded that force, also proclaiming it to be the son of heaven's aura.
Yet all high-ranking scholars knew that the so-called son of heaven's aura was actually the power of the myriad people, different in form but similar in function to a Half-Sage's power of all living beings.
Fang Yun said slowly, "I have heard of nations without sovereigns, but never seen a nation without people."
The ten council elders' expressions grew grave.
Logically speaking, Fang Yun's statement was correct, with no fault to be found in it. Yet such a claim seemed to overturn the old rules of ritual propriety.
They watched Fang Yun warily.
Unexpectedly, Fang Yun broke into a smile and said, "The Ritual Hall acts on Heaven's behalf, so the Son of Heaven should be subject to its constraints. Without investiture by the Ritual Hall, no one may presumptuously call himself a sovereign!"
The ten council elders' eyes lit up, and towering waves surged through their hearts. Yet