Sima Xiangru Takes a Bribe

When Zhu Jiuyin was defeated, the strongest demon king among the three Sacred Land of the Northern Kuru Continent was Nine Spirits Primal Sage, and Nine Spirits Primal Sage Yudan to charge into the imperial palace of Chang'an City alone.

The Demon-Revealing Mirror placed in Changmen Garden was sealed off by the new emperor, and Zhang Xuezhou's Imperial Shuttle also entered the palace's back garden while falling rapidly.

A dull drumbeat sounded, and the new emperor gave an awkward smile.

"Even though Zifu is about to give birth, they still want to beat drums and gongs, and after half a year of tinkering, they still haven't been able to make a horse drum!"

"What drum!"

"This is a drumbeat that makes horses gallop quickly, allowing our cavalry to match, or even surpass, the speed of the Xiong State cavalry!"

"Feasible!"

"You also think it's feasible?"

The drumbeats in the boudoir had little effect. As the new emperor moved forward, he saw the restless horses, and Chen Zhang and others kept reining them in to prevent a stampede.

Sima Xiangru is back too!

"Yes, he was accused of accepting bribes by Tang Meng's people and was immediately dismissed from his post and left idle. Zifu has been calling him over frequently lately to study the drum!"

The one beating the drum was not Wei Zifu, but Sima Xiangru Zhang Xuezhou had not seen for a long time.

With a pair of pearl-polished lenses Sima Xiangru's head, Zhang Xuezhou understood without a second thought why Sima Xiangru accepted bribes.

"Those lenses are good, aren't they!"

Zhang Xuezhou called out from a distance, which immediately made Sima Xiangru stand up. He squinted hard before he could make out who it was.

"I heard you died," Sima Xiangru said.

"Right!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded in agreement. Sima Xiangru shook his head, feeling that Zhang Xuezhou's response was a bit too straightforward, while the new emperor seemed slightly embarrassed.

"That's all in the past, let's not talk about it anymore," the new emperor said.

"His Majesty said he won't mention the matter of you accepting bribes to buy pearls anymore," Zhang Xuezhou exclaimed.

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless!"

Sima Xiangru bowed deeply, leaving the new emperor speechless. He felt that these guys were completely at ease with each other, becoming intimate after just a few words, and that he had even done them a favor.

After this incident, Zhang Xuezhou and Sima Xiangru and started chatting. Meanwhile, the new emperor went to the boudoir to visit Wei Zifu.

"His Majesty has always favored you, yet you still managed to be accused of bribery and lose your position by Tang Meng. Don't tell me you only got these two lenses; what benefits could you possibly have for me?"

Zhang Xuezhou squeezed next to Sima Xiangru, took a drumstick and tapped it twice, then winked and made Sima Xiangru.

Sima Xiangru exceptionally capable to be a contemporary and partner of Dong Zhongshu.

If Sima Xiangru hadn't been blinded by Zhu Jiuyin, causing him to wander in darkness for over a decade, his cultivation would certainly not have been inferior to Dong Zhongshu's, Sima Xiangru fortuitous opportunity.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't speaking carelessly; rather, Sima Xiangru insightful and capable, and it was highly likely that he had acquired a valuable treasure. Especially since Tang Meng had turned against him and ordered people to impeach him, the item involved must have been quite valuable.

He was the first to exonerate Sima Xiangru, and now it was convenient for him to speak.

"There's nothing particularly special about it; I just took a piece of Sun Star Stone," Sima Xiangru a low voice.

"What is the sun and stars?" Zhang Xuezhou asked curiously.

"This is an item used by ancient emperors in their sacrifices to Heaven, receiving divine blessings. Wearing it can ensure safety," Sima Xiangru. "Back in Bashu, I had no troops, no power, and was blind. I only acted on His Majesty's orders. It's possible that this treasure played a role in my survival!"

"Really?" Zhang Xuezhou asked doubtfully.

"That must be true! I was just exonerated!"

Sima Xiangru reached to his side and pulled out a round stone disc.

The round stone disc is not large, only about the size of a palm. In the middle of the disc, there is a circle with several human figures carved on it. It looks old and not very exquisite.

"Tell me, is this thing useful or not?" Sima Xiangru, "I'm not just talking nonsense these past years. I've truly braved wind and rain, and been nearly assassinated and killed dozens of times. It was all thanks to the Sun Star that I escaped these calamities!"

"Sharp!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

"It's yours!"

Sima Xiangru handed over the round stone plate, and then solemnly passed it on.

"No, you keep it," Zhang Xuezhou refused. "If you have anything good to eat or use, I might join in the fun, but this kind of talisman is valuable, I can't just take it!"

"I've returned from Bashu, and I no longer need to serve as an official in the court, so I'm out of danger," Sima Xiangru. "If you encounter any urgent or dangerous matters, you can use the Sun Star for a while, and return it to me after you've ensured your safety!"

"If that's what you mean, then I really will have to borrow it for a while!"

Zhang Xuezhou thought about the Void Heaven Palace and the Investiture of the Gods of the Gods, and felt that whether it was from the heart or from the truth, there was nothing wrong with him holding this round stone plate.

"Have you really been having a run of bad luck lately?" Sima Xiangru asked.

"I'm already having a funeral, I'm sure I'll suffer some misfortune," Zhang Xuezhou nodded in agreement.

"I hate being around jinxes! Get away from me!"

Zhang Xuezhou answered sincerely, but he soon encountered Sima Xiangru's disdain.

Perhaps because he had experienced some misery in recent years, Sima Xiangru very unwilling to be with people who brought him trouble.

His urging left Zhang Xuezhou speechless. He felt that Sima Xiangru was a pragmatic fellow, but when he thought about Sima Xiangru had given him the Sun and Star Stone, he realized that Sima Xiangru might have some fear of disaster and could understand him.

He cupped his hands in greeting, and without waiting for the new emperor to come out of the study, he took the lead and left the area.

"Everyone thinks I made a fortune in Bashu, and I've been on guard against you guys trying to take advantage of me!"

Once Zhang Xuezhou was out of sight, Sima Xiangru let out a low hum, rummaged through his pouch, and hung a cone-shaped conch shell on his waist, waiting for the next shameless opportunist.

These things of his have no special effects or Law Power abilities, but they are perfectly fine as feng shui items for seeking peace and good fortune.

"Xiangru~"

Sima Xiangru a while, and was about to strike the drum again to find the rhythm of the horses when he saw the new emperor stride in. He adjusted the glasses on his nose, glanced at the emperor a few times, and then quickly stood up.

"There's no need for formalities between us in private meetings," the new emperor said, leaning closer and whispering, "I'm also curious why you accepted such a large sum of money in Bashu, and what treasures you bought with that money?"

"Your Majesty, all I did in Bashu was treat people to food, drinks, and other necessities," Sima Xiangru replied sheepishly. "Human nature is driven by self-interest. Problems I couldn't solve were paved with money, which made things go smoothly in Bashu!"

"I have sharp ears. You didn't say that to Dongfang Shuo. You even gave him a talisman to ward off disaster," the new emperor said. "I won't take advantage of you for nothing; I certainly won't treat you unfairly!"

"Your Majesty's abilities are superb, and I admire them greatly. I have presented Your Majesty with the Sun Star from Dongfang Shuo and have long prepared a true sacrificial offering for Heaven!"

"Oh?"

"Your Majesty, please look at this Purple Tenuity Imperial Star amulet. The Ziwei Doushu (Purple Tenuity Star Astrology) contains the principles of heaven and earth; this amulet is infinitely wondrous. When Your Majesty carries it, your imperial aura will be abundant, and wearing it will ward off all evil!"

Sima Xiangru touched the conch shell at his waist, then reached for his pouch.

A few seconds later, he picked up another old, palm-sized round stone plate.

Unlike the sun and star disc he gifted to Zhang Xuezhou, this stone disc has the Big Dipper carved by ancient people.

After some fussing, the new emperor nodded repeatedly and actually took the stone plate from him, then took a rope and hung it around his waist. His actions were so swift and decisive that Sima Xiangru was somewhat surprised.

"Has His Majesty also recently suffered misfortune?"

Sima Xiangru's heart skipped a beat, realizing that talking nonsense about the current emperor was somewhat inappropriate.

As he anxiously speculated, he heard the new emperor give him an order.

"Xiangru, your literary talent is outstanding. Compose a sacrificial text for me to offer to Heaven. When I recite it, it must resonate with the people's will and stand on the Daode high ground, leaving no room for argument!"

"Um!"

Sima Xiangru gave a low "hmm" in agreement, but his heart sank.

If he wasn't mistaken, the new emperor was likely using this sacrificial text to target someone, and this targeting would inevitably be a condescending judgment, thus trapping the targeted person in an inescapable dead end.