Chapter 40: Meeting Li Hao Again!

Seeing that Master Gongfu had no sectarian prejudices whatsoever, Yang Nan felt a deep sense of admiration. Without any further hesitation, he picked up the brush, rolled out a sheet of xuan paper, and pondered for a moment before letting his brush dance across the white paper with unrestrained, flying strokes.

Noticing the fierce, stern intent in Yang Nan's brushwork—a boundless aura of martial conquest and battlefield execution emanating from between the lines, bearing a momentum that no military vanguard could withstand—Gongfu nodded immediately and praised, "Splendid! Though these characters lack the upright and tranquil demeanor of the Confucian tradition, they possess an indomitable, fearless spirit that would press forward even against tens of millions of foes. Magnificent characters! Truly magnificent!"

The words Yang Nan had written were precisely: "Uphold righteousness, embrace the universe, I shall press forward even against tens of millions of foes!" These thirteen characters crystallized his months of spiritual enlightenment. While they could not match the cosmic, heaven-crafted grandeur of the characters carved upon the sheer precipice, they nevertheless possessed a sweeping, all-encompassing spirit of dominance.

Every single stroke of this calligraphy struck like the clashing of swords and halberds. Slender yet elongated, it displayed a sharpness utterly unprecedented in contemporary Confucianism, which explained why Grandmaster Gongfu could not stop praising it.

Putting down the vermilion brush, Yang Nan smiled and said, "You flatter me, Grandmaster. Observing the chaos currently unfolding across the realm, with the northern barbarian tribes stirring restlessly, I cannot help but feel that while our Divine Land's Confucianism champions the Kingly Way, the Kingly Way must be complemented by the Hegemonic Way. Without it, gentleness loses its firmness and benevolence loses its edge, rendering them useless. That is why I penned these grand words."

A brilliant light flashed in Gongfu's eyes as he sighed, "What a pity! What a profound pity! With such a vast mind, you actually cultivated the Dao with the dharma-form of Yin soldiers. Placed within the imperial court, you would surely have been a statesman for the ages! For such a talent to live in seclusion... what a waste, truly a waste!"

Yang Nan burst into quiet laughter. Such sentiments had been ubiquitous in his past life, aligning perfectly with the teachings of the Heart Sect. For Gongfu to mistake him for some kind of brilliant statesman genuinely made him feel somewhat sheepish. At that moment, the door was gently pushed open, and several figures walked in, voices chiming in response: "A pity about what? Could it be that Gongfu has produced an exceptionally rare piece of calligraphy today?"

Turning his head, Yang Nan discovered that Grandmasters Lan Qing and Yan Qian were walking in, accompanied by a distinguished young nobleman. Was that not Lan Qing speaking?

The man dressed as a noble youth bowed deeply to Yang Nan and said, "Elder brother, we have not met in several years. Trust your immortal health has been well?"

His features were refined and clear, and his stride possessed a dragon-like majesty, radiating an ineffable, awe-inspiring dignity! His eyes, containing a restrained divine light, gazed at Yang Nan with flickers of genuine joy.

Yang Nan chuckled heartily and said, "Well, look at you, little runny-nose! I am no immortal being; please spare me such teasing before the three grandmasters!"

This noble youth was naturally none other than Prince Chun, Li Hao. Scolded and mocked by Yang Nan, he merely displayed a warm expression and replied, "Just as I entered the mountains, I heard someone shouting atop the peak about aspiring for eternal life. I wondered which stubborn pedant was making such a racket?"

Whenever Yang Nan and he met, they would inevitably exchange a few barbs. However, with the three great grandmasters present, he could not be bothered to bicker with Li Hao. He said indifferently, "Why did it take you months to arrive? Didn't I send people to contact you the moment I descended the mountain?"

Li Hao was truly something else. The one who wanted to contend for the empire was him, not Yang Nan, yet he had only now arrived at Mount Qingming. Yang Nan chuckled inwardly. Li Hao was bowing and offering apologies to him all at once, truly having refined the ancient sage-kings' virtue of humbling oneself to men of talent to the realm of perfection.

Li Hao smiled bitterly and said, "Elder brother, you know how it is. Nowadays, feudal lords act with virtual autonomy. Our Eastern Continent's Longquan Prefecture suffered a severe drought this year, and the survival of the common people comes first. I only rushed here the moment I finished dealing with that matter. I implore elder brother to forgive me!" As he spoke, he repeatedly bowed and offered apologies.

Though he possessed the supreme dignity of a prince, he treated Yang Nan with the equality of a peer. Yang Nan could not help but marvel inwardly. Even though Li Hao had requests to make of him, if it were not entirely sincere, there would be no need for such affectation. And even if it were mere affectation, it showed that Li Hao's mind was as vast as the ocean, and his ambitions were definitely no lower than his own!

Yang Nan nodded and said, "You hold the common people in your heart; I should be rejoicing rather than finding fault. Knowing my temperament, you still put on such a display—is your hand itching for a beating?"

***

Li Hao's face paled, and he started in mock terror, adopting an expression of utmost trepidation as he said, "This humble prince is now frail and delicate, whereas you have attained immortality and become a Daoist cultivator. Surely an exalted immortal wouldn't bully a pitiful prince like me?"

After exchanging these playful jests, the two looked at each other and laughed heartily. The barrier of not having seen each other for several years vanished instantly. Nearby, Gongfu retrieved the calligraphy Yang Nan had written, placed it on the desk, recounted Yang Nan's words, and said, "Look here, isn't this lad a supreme talent for governing a state? Our old teacher truly misjudged him; he never should have allowed him to go and study the Dao in the first place! Even if he hadn't become a grandmaster, he would still be a great talent for statecraft!"

Yan Qian and Lan Qing nodded in unison, expressing their agreement. Li Hao heard every word clearly and praised, "Elder brother indeed harbors brilliant strategies in his heart. The notion that the Kingly Way must be complemented by the Hegemonic Way is truly profound. This humble prince has learned much today."

Yang Nan shook his head with a smile and said, "When I descended the mountain this time, I made a grand vow to assist an enlightened ruler in pacifying the realm, not to become an official. Whatever matters you have sought me for have already been arranged. Whether they succeed or fail depends entirely on the three grandmasters."

Lan Qing laughed reprovingly, "Little monkey, stop putting on airs here. You are now the Master of the Heart Sect and the Abbot of Mount Qingming; all the scholars of the realm look up to you as their leader. You should make your own decisions; why bother pushing this onto us old fellows?"

Yang Nan said solemnly, "I am a practitioner of the Dao, so I can only help Prince Chun deal with the forces of cultivation. These mundane worldly affairs can only be handled through mundane means, and I will never intervene again." Fully aware of how grave the hidden perils were when cultivators meddled in mortal affairs, Yang Nan intended to leave even the handling of mortal factions like Yang Lan's to Prince Chun. He himself would certainly not use his status as a cultivator to interfere in worldly matters!

Should another ancient Battle of the Investiture of the Gods occur, the number of cultivators falling in the Great Origin Divine Continent would not just be one or two!

Prince Chun Li Hao bowed with a solemn expression and said, "Elder brother possesses supreme talent far beyond my reach. Just instruct me, junior brother, and I will do as I am told."

Yang Nan chuckled, "I merely offer suggestions; how you choose to execute them is your affair. But if you act perversely and bring suffering to the common people, I fear the grandmasters right here will not spare you. What has that to do with me?"

Li Hao said seriously, "My heart, Li Hao, is not set solely on the imperial throne. The sacred vessels of the state belong to whoever possesses virtue. My imperial elder brother, Li Hui, still cares for the common people, which is why the Nine-Dragon Interlinked Divine Seal recognizes him. Now, rumors have long been spreading within the deep palace that the Crown Prince, Li Ke, is devoid of virtue, naturally cruel and sinister, and kills people without a single day's pause!

"Imperial elder brother Li Hui once handed the imperial seal to Li Ke, but the Nine-Dragon Interlinked Divine Seal adamantly refused to acknowledge him as master, emitting a beam of light as it tried to flee. Although it was intercepted afterward, the emperor vomited blood and took to his bed in illness because of this. Li Ke went so far as to throw the divine seal onto the ground, declaring, 'This seal is no better than scrap; how can it count for anything? How can being emperor be dictated by a lifeless object? If it refuses to recognize me, I will simply replace it!'"

Li Hao was eloquent and articulate, vividly recounting the scene as if it were playing out before their eyes. Upon hearing this, Yan Qian flew into a towering rage, shouting sternly, "This crown prince is utterly arrogant! That divine seal was crafted by the ancient true deities of heaven and earth, containing the imperial bloodline and destiny. From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors onward, all legitimate successions have relied upon it. How dare a mere member of the imperial clan hold the divine seal in contempt? Were I at court, I would surely spit right in his face! Such a person is not fit to be the ruler of the realm!"

Upon hearing of the crown prince's wicked deeds, wrath appeared simultaneously on the faces of the three grandmasters. The Nine-Dragon Interlinked Divine Seal had always been the supreme instrument of emperors; even during dynastic changes, the imperial treasure remained unchanged. The seal symbolized the mountains and rivers of the state, and for the crown prince to treat the state as worthless cast him utterly beyond the pale of public expectation!

An emperor's primary focus is the cultivation of virtue. If his virtue is flawed and the divine vessels possess spiritual intelligence, they will never acknowledge a tyrant as master. Throughout history, violent and ruthless monarchs have never met a good end. Confucianism values the state above all else, never the interests of a single family or surname. With Crown Prince Li Ke acting thus, how could the Confucian scholars of the world ever serve him as master?

Having lost the support of Confucianism, this crown prince could remain nothing more than a crown prince; he would never be able to ascend the throne!

Prince Chun Li Hao sighed, "Portents appear in the heavens and malevolent stars shatter. I do not seek the continuation of a single family name; down through the ages, what dynasty has ever escaped destruction? Yet with the realm in turmoil and the common people suffering, if I can use my status as a member of the imperial clan to accomplish a great undertaking—thereby benefiting the world while leaving my name in history—is that not a joyous outcome for all? Brother, do not laugh at my obsession."

Seeing that Li Hao was open and aboveboard, speaking of his ambition to seize the throne without the slightest concealment, Yang Nan nodded with a smile and said, "If the crown prince possessed virtue, you wouldn't be able to snatch it from him even if you tried. This situation is your opportunity; there is no need for excessive modesty. The imperial throne belongs to the virtuous. You already enjoy the support of both the Heart and Form sects of Confucianism, while the True Sect maintains a neutral stance on the sidelines. All things considered, you already hold the advantage; there is no need for undue worry."

Yan Qian said, "Contending for the imperial throne has always involved two approaches: first, pressing upon the emperor to secure legitimate recognition and succession; second, raising troops in rebellion and marching directly upon Chang'an. I wonder what choice Prince Chun will make?"

***

Yan Qian's words represented the aspirations of the Confucian Heart Sect, carrying a probing intent. If Li Hao failed to give a satisfactory answer, he would find it exceedingly difficult to gain their support—a point upon which even Yang Nan's approval would be useless.

Li Hao nodded and said in a deep voice, "If my imperial brother is to pass away, he will surely summon us in the imperial capital of Chang'an. Presumably, the cultivators among the immortals can no longer sustain his longevity, and the succession to the throne will inevitably be decided within a month. If I raise troops in rebellion, it is the common people who will suffer. To sacrifice countless civilians for selfish gains is something I will not do!

"Our only course of action at present is to enter Chang'an first and manage events from within. If I can obtain an imperial edict from my brother, that will be best. If not, we shall surround the palace, secure the imperial edict, and then issue a proclamation to the realm! I imagine that even if various feudal lords stir up trouble, they will hardly amount to a climate of rebellion."

As soon as Li Hao spoke these words, the three grandmasters nodded in unison. Had Li Hao chosen to raise a rebellion, involving the suffering of the common people, the Heart Sect would never have endorsed him, no matter how much they disregarded feudal loyalties. But going to Chang'an to contend for the throne, with fighting confined at most to the palace and leaving the common people unaffected, was a proposition far easier to accept.

Lan Qing restrained his smile and asked, "Your Highness, this commoner wishes to ask one more thing: how do you intend to deal with those separatist feudal lords?"

With an expression of absolute resolve, Li Hao declared, "The partition of lands by feudal lords is a sign of great chaos in the realm. Once I ascend the throne, I will first reclaim their lands, strip away their titles, and gather all the lords to reside in the imperial capital. Those who submit shall be provided for in peace for the remainder of their days, while those who resist shall be exterminated. Furthermore, the court shall establish a cabinet of scholars to limit imperial power, expand academies to select talents, deploy heavy forces externally, and choose fierce generals to pacify the barbarian tribes. This shall be the everlasting foundation of the Divine Land for ten thousand generations!"

Every word he uttered rang with iron determination, laying bare the true convictions of his heart!

Yan Qian was the first to clap his hands in praise, saying, "Splendid! Since Your Highness harbors such a brilliant aspiration, if we did not assist you, would that not be acting against the mandate of heaven? The lineage of the Heart Sect shall take you as its master!"

Lan Qing laughed heartily and said, "The three of us in the Heart Sect have always held differing views, but on this matter, we are unexpectedly in agreement—truly an anomaly!"

Gongfu declared sternly, "The sovereign of an empire is the vessel that sustains all under heaven; if one lacks the qualities of a true ruler, one is unworthy to hold it. Li Ke lacks virtue, while Prince Chun possesses true imperial energy and is entirely fit to be emperor!"

The three grandmasters bowed in unison. Knowing that this was the ritual courtesy due to a sovereign, Li Hao accepted it without stepping aside. When the three grandmasters straightened up, Li Hao said warmly, "Since ancient times, enlightened monarchs and heroic sovereigns have emerged in generations, yet there has never been an enlightened monarch from beginning to end. This shows that no gold is pure and no man is perfect. Imperial power must not be clung to for long; upon reaching the age of sixty, one must cede the throne, or else turmoil will inevitably arise in the realm once more. Untalented though I am, I wish to establish this rule so that our future emperors may all be wise and decisive, and so there may be fewer foolish rulers."

Watching coldly from the sidelines, Yang Nan praised him inwardly. Li Hao's ideology was advanced and unconventional—truly formidable. The fact that such a genius could exist in this world filled him with secret astonishment. He said indifferently, "Your Highness, remember your words today. If you go back on them in the future, then no matter how powerful the Nine-Dragon Interlinked Divine Seal may be, you will not be allowed to wield it for a lifetime. Should you enact tyrannical policies hereafter, I will have your soul obliterated! And your descendants after you may not even have a future to speak of!"

Though Yang Nan's voice was calm, the completely merciless intent to kill within it was unmistakable!

Today, Li Hao had attained the support of the Heart Sect to ascend to power. But should Li Hao turn perverse and tyrannical in the future, Yang Nan would shoulder boundless karmic retribution!

This chain of cause and effect sounded simple, yet it could not be fully explained in just a few words.

From this day onward, the Heart Sect would wholeheartedly support Li Hao's rise to power. If they elevated a two-faced tyrant to the throne, would the Heart Sect not become sinners through the ages? Though Yang Nan's words served as a warning, they were by no means idle threats. Powerful beyond compare though the Nine-Dragon Interlinked Divine Seal was, it never protected a tyrant!