Bringing the South to Heel, Purging the North (3)

The Great Jin, Luoyang, Taiji Hall.

With its double eaves and nine ridges, the red steps adorned with dragon patterns, and the gray tiles exuding a cold and heavy aura under the sunlight. Inside the hall, civil and military officials stand in two rows, their crimson and purple robes gleaming, yet unable to suppress the stagnant and frivolous atmosphere.

Sima Chengzhong sat upright on the throne, twelve pearls hanging from his crown, obscuring most of the emotions in his eyes. His figure was becoming increasingly thin and haggard, and the imperial robe he wore made him look as if he were firmly bound by shackles, making him resemble a living god.

The endless disputes among his civil and military officials, coupled with his gentle and mild nature, made him suitable as a peaceful ruler.

But now, the ministers speak in flowery language, describing a peaceful and prosperous world.

He felt waves of exhaustion wash over him, a sense of powerlessness as if his strength had been drained and his spirit and even his life force were slowly fading away.

He was a cultivator, and he had been cultivating for quite some time, but his talent was lacking. Therefore, he was placed on the throne, and the nation's fortune was used to infuse his body and absorb the power of the world.

Therefore, as the Great Jin, his cultivation level, power, Divine Ability must be closely related to the national strength of the Great Jin.

If the world were at peace, would he be growing so haggard?

Those who sit in the temples and shrines are mostly corrupt and scheming, plotting their own private affairs.

Just as the court was in chaos, an eunuch stumbled in from outside the hall, carrying a report of victory, his voice hoarse and strained:

"Your Majesty! A great victory has been achieved on the Northern Frontier! King Sima Chengzhao played a tune on his zither outside the Jidu, defeating a million-strong coalition army of the Hu tribes. The Hu chieftain was severely wounded, and the enemy troops fled for thousands of miles. The northern border is temporarily at peace!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

The previous argument came to an abrupt end, and everyone's attention was focused on the good news.

A million-strong army? Destroyed with a single song?

"Such a feat is nothing short of miraculous!"

"Chengzhao is truly a pillar of our Great Jin Dynasty, the backbone of the imperial family!"

Praise poured in like a tidal wave, almost overwhelming the entire hall.

Sima Chengzhong's tense lips finally relaxed, revealing a genuine smile. The peace and stability of the Northern Frontier was the most welcome news for him, the emperor.

Moreover, Sima Chengzhao is also his brother. This is a great achievement!

Just as he raised his hand to issue the decree of reward, a calm yet authoritative voice in the hall suddenly interrupted him:

"Your Majesty, please wait."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was the envoy sent by Sima Canglan of Huainan. The man was impeccably dressed in official robes, bowed respectfully, and spoke with a tone that, while polite, concealed a sharp edge.

"The Supreme Being of Azure Waves Heaven, leading all officials, noble families, and immortal clans Aristocratic Clan Jianghuai, petitions for your command!"

Sima Chengzhao's achievements are unparalleled, yet after this great victory on the Northern Frontier, it is only right that the captives be presented in Luoyang, and sacrifices be offered to Heaven and the ancestral temples to demonstrate Your Majesty's divine might and the Great Jin."

The moment the words "presenting prisoners" were uttered, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Ministers with even a modicum of insight felt a chill in their hearts—the Hu tribe had been routed and fled far away, not completely annihilated. There were no prisoners or chieftains in the Northern Frontier, so why was there talk of presenting prisoners? This was clearly an attempt to steal credit!

The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war. Sacrifice is related to divinity, while war is related to the inner and outer aspects. Imperial power should not be lightly granted.

But now, what does he, as the emperor, have left? Only the righteousness of the court and the legitimacy of the ancestral temple remain.

Sima Canglan's demand for the ancestral temple to present captives at this moment was by no means a simple ceremony, but a fusion of sacrifice and warfare, a transformation of the spiritual atmosphere of heaven and earth, seeking a good opportunity to stir up the general trend of the world.

The sacrifice was to open the forbidden grounds of the Sima Imperial Clan's ancestral temple.

Long ago, our ancestors annihilated the Thunder element, but a trace of the Nine Heavens Thunder Origin remained.

Rong can be seen as an image of someone who wields divine punishment and conquers the Great Dao.

Offering captives to the ancestral temple is to use the souls of the captives as fuel and military merit as a catalyst to summon the thunder of the Nine Heavens Emperor to suppress the world and establish the legitimate dynasty.

Sima Canglan never wanted merit; he wanted to use the momentum of this grand ceremony to deceive the heavens and the sea, and to use a blood sacrifice to seek the opportunity of the Nine Heavens Thunder!

But what will I lose? I am the one sitting on the throne now!

Sima Chengzhong's smile froze, and he was speechless for a moment.

Sima Canglan is about to attain the Golden Core stage!

Having been stationed in Huainan for three years, he quelled and pacified Sima Huanyu's old forces, held significant military power in the Jianghuai, and controlled the finances of Jiangnan. His influence within the clan had grown considerably, making him an indispensable force for stabilizing the southern border.

Of course, he is also a prince whom Luoyang must be wary of.

An elderly minister with white hair and beard stepped forward indignantly. "Your Majesty! The ceremony of presenting captives has always required the presence of prisoners! Although King Chengzhao this ceremony is nothing short of deceiving the world and stealing a reputation!"

The envoy glanced at the old minister indifferently, his tone dismissive. "My lord, you are foolish. How could a great victory be without prisoners? If there are none in the Northern Frontier, the Supreme Azure Waves will naturally transfer barbarian prisoners from Huainan to make up the numbers, thus bolstering the prestige of our Great Jin. What's wrong with that?"

"This is deceiving the emperor! It's disrespecting the emperor!" The old minister trembled with rage.

The envoy laughed, his laughter devoid of any reverence. "Supreme Azure Waves is devoted to the country and only seeks to demonstrate the might of the Great Jin. How could he be accused of deceiving the emperor? Your Majesty, tell me, are my words reasonable?"

Sima Chengzhong silent.

He gazed at the envoy, and at the silent officials below, his heart sank to the bottom of ice.

This is not a tribute of prisoners; it is Sima Canglan, who is thousands of miles away, trying to take some of the image of conquest and defense that Sima Chengzhao fought and bled for!

He opened his mouth to refuse, but a deep, authoritative voice, tinged with a hint of affection, suddenly rang in his ears—it was his father Sima Honglin.

Only three words, yet they carry immense weight:

"Say yes."

Sima Chengzhong stiffened, his gaze sweeping across the empty hall with a complex expression, before finally nodding slowly, his voice as soft as a sigh:

"Allow."

The Emperor said, "Granted!"

The official in charge of drafting imperial edicts would then affix the imperial seal.

The Azure Waves Heaven bowed and withdrew, satisfied.

The court officials, each with their own hidden agendas, dispersed in turn. In the vast Taiji Hall, only Sima Chengzhong remained, sitting alone on the throne, his fingertips icy cold.

A moment later, Sima Honglin, dressed in a black robe with gold patterns, slowly emerged from the ripples in the void.

He possessed a commanding presence, and his eyes exuded an imposing aura. Yet, when he looked at his son, his coldness softened, replaced by a subtle hint of tenderness.

"Do you feel that it's unfair for your father to force you?"

Sima Chengzhong his head. "Your subject dares not."

Sima Honglin walked slowly into the hall, his voice calm, yet revealing the entire game of chess:

Three years ago, I sent Sima Canglan into Huainan, which was a move to take control of the south.

Use him as a tool to eliminate Sima Huanyu's power, urge the collection of taxes from Jiangnan, and suppress the powerful Aristocratic Clan of Jianghuai.

His actions were reckless and disrespectful, but he was still a sharp knife, capable of cutting through the mess.

"Now that Jiangnan is pacified, I will quell the chaos in the Northern Frontier. This is a purge of the north, achieved through the intervention of the Hu tribes and the sorcerers. I will investigate the border generals, purge their factions, eliminate dissidents, and eliminate those who disobey the Emperor's orders. If they can carry out such absurd orders, then they are absolutely loyal to me!"

He looked north, his tone resolute:

"Sima Chengzhao, born out of wedlock, is talented, has no cronies or ambitions, and is loyal and capable. This battle is a stroke of good fortune for him, as I have done for him."

"Zhao" signifies meritorious deeds; "Wu" signifies the suppression of chaos and disorder.

The imperial court immediately discussed the merits and issued an edict, bestowing upon him the title of Illustrious Martial, establishing him as a role model for the imperial clan, thus stabilizing the morale of the army and reassuring the people.

Sima Chengzhong looked up. "Father..."

"I need him to keep that ravenous wolf Sima Canglan, in check," Sima Honglin said indifferently. "More importantly, I need him to be Linxun's blade and Linxun."

Only when the Sima Linxun Sima Honglin, the fifteen-year-old Prince of Wei, was mentioned did genuine warmth appear in his eyes:

"You are kind and compassionate, and you may be able to maintain the status quo, but you cannot support the Sima Clan's rule. Linxun exceptionally talented, Foundation Establishment a king is the destiny of our Sima Clan."

Before he ascends to the throne, I will clear away all obstacles, balance the various kings, and elevate an invincible and unwavering royal king to pave the way for him.

Sima Chengzhong shaken and finally understood.

"Then... Father, aren't you afraid of Azure Waves's schemes, or of Chengzhao's displeasure?"

Sima Honglin sneered, revealing his deepest calculation:

"I don't trust anyone. I don't trust you, I don't trust Azure Waves, I don't trust Chengzhao, I don't trust any princes or nobles."

But I believe in checks and balances. Only when they restrain each other, are wary of each other, and even fight each other, can I sit high on the fishing platform.

Azure Waves is greedy for merit, which means he has desires. Let him be greedy and let him desire. As long as he has the will, he can be controlled by me.

As for Chengzhao, he is loyal and upright, but unfortunately, his cultivation of the Cold Qi music makes it difficult for him to achieve great success. Giving him military power might allow him to protect himself... One in the south, one in the north; one arrogant, one loyal; one wealthy, one powerful—both are under my control."

He raised his hand and gently patted his son's shoulder, a hint of affection finally showing:

"You only need to sit on the throne and be the shrine of the world. The rest, your father will take care of; don't worry about it."

After saying this, Sima Honglin turned and left.

In the Taiji Hall, Sima Chengzhong gazed at his father's retreating figure, then looked at the bloodstain on the hem of his clothes, and finally understood.

The victory reports from the Northern Frontier, the vying for credit in Huainan, the silence in the imperial court, and even the emperor himself—all of this was within the chess game of his father Sima Honglin.

Deep within Luoyang, at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The same old man was still guarding the temple, now kneeling in the ancestral temple with his forehead touching the ground.

Sima Honglin stepped into the ancestral temple, lit three incense sticks, then stood with his hands behind his back, looked at the old man, and said softly.

"Chengzhao is my child, I know that."

He can't have too many achievements. Too many will make him a target of everyone's hatred. Those who have their eyes on the royal family, those who want a piece of the pie, will all pounce on him."

"Let Azure Waves go and seize it. Firstly, it will make Azure Waves feel like they've gotten a good deal and stay in Huainan with peace of mind; secondly, it will let Chengzhao know that in this world, merit alone doesn't guarantee success."

The old man remained silent for a long time.

"Third Master, Chengzhao, what exactly are you planning? Even a tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs!"

Sima Honglin's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

"He's my son. Of course I'll think about what's best for him."

"But..."

He paused.

"I value Linxun more."

"Chengzhao is the sword I left for Linxun. When Linxun ascends the throne, he will need such an invincible general from the imperial clan to guard the four directions and to quell the rebellious."

"Chengzhao, it could be that person."

The old man looked at him with a complicated expression.

"Third Master, aren't you tired of scheming against everyone?"

"Alliance with the Shaman Dao and Devil Dao to deal with those individuals is not a wise move."

Sima Honglin smiled.

"Tired."

"The Sima Clan's rule is fraught with peril. Those who lack foresight will suffer!"

"Besides, why can't it be that my son took the benefits from the witch and demonic paths?"

"My son Chengzhao in this battle has made him famous throughout the land. His achievements are enough to secure his prominent position and ensure his continued standing within the imperial clan."

"The so-called 'nurturing enemies for self-improvement' means that without external threats, there's no need for powerful generals from the imperial clan. And without powerful generals, how can the hearts of the people be won over?"

After saying that, Sima Honglin turned around and walked out.

He stopped at the door.

"And then there's you, you old codger."

"Lately, you've been a bit restless. If it's not your business, then stay out of it and stay in Luoyang, guarding the ancestral temple. If all else fails, go and talk to Azure Waves. Don't make things difficult for yourself!"

The old man chuckled softly.

"Third Master, you haven't changed."

"But I will also keep an eye on things in Azure Waves."