Chapter 61: Chapter 42: The Final Revelation_1
Translator: 549690339
Three months later, in Guanzhong, Chang’an.
The Han Dynasty had the Eastern and Western Han; likewise, there were the Eastern and Western Capitals.
The Eastern Capital was Luoyang, while the Western Capital was Chang’an.
After the late Sui Dynasty received the Mandate of Heaven, seeing that Chang’an was in ruins, it built a new city named Great Xing, designated as the national capital.
In the thirteenth year of the Great Ye era, Duke of Tang, Li Yuan, raised an army in Taiyuan, stormed Guanzhong, and took Chang’an directly.
The Li Sect was one of the four major clans. Though feared by Emperor Yang of Sui and distanced from the imperial court, they made broad alliances with the Guanlong elite and local strongmen, winning the hearts of the Guanlong gentry.
Therefore, after the uprising, there was swift internal and external response.
Entering Guanzhong and seizing Chang’an, supporting Yang Yu, residing in Tai Chi, they easily became the dominant force without breaking a sweat.
Guanzhong was a land of wealth and riches, famously known as the “land of golden cities spanning a thousand miles,” a heavenly abode on earth.
The Li Sect, having taken over Guanzhong and supported by the Guanlong gentry, quickly grew in strength and now stood at the forefront among the many heroes of the world.
Their foundation was solid, and the aura of kingship began to show, already bearing the mark of a True Dragon.
Thus, in the fourteenth year of the Great Ye era, when Emperor Yang Guang was assassinated by Yuwen Huaji and perished in Yangdu, Li Yuan received the throne from Yang Yu, becoming emperor, establishing a new era, founding Li Tang, whose fame and splendor were unmatched for a time.
However, these glorious times began to diminish over the past three months.
Within the city of Chang’an, soldier’s armor was seen everywhere. Troops patrolled ceaselessly inside and outside the city. The imperial palace was even stricter; every ten steps there was a post, and every five steps, a sentry, without a single gap.
But even so, this could not stop the chaos within the city of Chang’an. Conflicts would still occasionally occur inside and outside the city. The city guards were exhausted from their duties, and the people were in a state of panic.
All this was because…
“These Martial World folk really do have boundless gall, completely disregarding my Li Tang.”
Above the city tower, amidst the gathered generals, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, clad in resplendent armor, watched the chaos caused by various martial arts factions within and outside the city, extremely furious.
Ever since the news that Yang Gong’s Treasure was hidden in Chang’an was spread by the Golden Jade Hall, the entire Martial World immediately boiled over. All kinds of Sects and wandering martial artists, as long as they had the opportunity and could get away, all rushed to Chang’an.
Why?
No reason, joining the throng was simply the innate nature of the Martial World folk.
Some sought fame and reputation, others for gold and silver treasures, some for martial arts manuals, and still others for a smile from a beauty…
In short, what those from the Martial World pursued could all be achieved by joining the fray.
So whether it was a grand martial arts convention or the appearance of treasures, every time there would be a large gathering of those from the Martial World, regardless of whether the news was true or false, as long as there was excitement, people would join in.
This time, the reappearance of Yang Gong’s Treasure was no exception. As soon as the news spread, immediately the winds and clouds converged, and the Martial World, Prestigious Clans, and valiant wanderers all gathered in Chang’an.
With so many people, troubles naturally multiplied, especially since those who came were indisciplined and unrestrained folk from the Martial World.
Although they didn’t dare challenge the authority of Li Tang, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t cause trouble in the city of Chang’an. All being children of the Martial World, when tempers flared, who cared about Li Tang? They’d draw their swords and clash first, then run away if necessary.
Therefore, in recent times, the public order in Chang’an city drastically worsened, not only causing the populace to live in fear but also making Li Tang feel its foundation was shaky. It was forced to call back the Sect’s experts, as well as elite imperial guards.
Only then was the situation barely suppressed.
But this was just superficial containment; the hidden dangers did not abate but instead escalated.
On the other hand, Li Shimin and Li Xiuning stood side by side, similarly observing the situation in Chang’an with cool detachment, but unlike Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, they were not impotently furious.
“As elusive as clouds, as unpredictable as rain, that Heavenly King Wu truly has Heaven Reaching methods that put others to shame!”
Li Shimin stood with one hand on the city wall, overlooking the streets of Chang’an, his expression exceedingly grave.
“Such tactics are indeed powerful, but Second Brother need not be too hard on himself.”
Li Xiuning shook her head, reassuringly speaking, “Our Li Tang is the chosen of people’s hearts, destined to rule over the world. His opposition and defiance will ultimately lead him to be nothing but bones in a grave!”
Though without a feather fan lightly waving, her intelligent eyes still had the bearing of Zhuge Liang, as she strategized, “Thus, Second Brother need not fret over this and be disrupted by his schemes. It’s just like the mantis stalking the cicada unaware of the oriole behind. As long as we obtain the ultimate result, what does temporary advantage or disadvantage matter?”
“What Third Sister says is true, I was indeed aggrieved.”
Heartened by Li Xiuning’s words, Li Shimin’s mood improved significantly.
Turning his eyes towards the outskirts of Chang’an, he murmured to himself, “Yang Gong’s Treasure, Heshi Jade, either one could secure the world. But is this rumor true or false?”
“It’s both true and false.”
Li Xiuning shook her head, calmly stating, “If a single piece of jade or a treasure hoard could determine the fate of the world, then there would be no such contention among people. All that can be said is that these two treasures could enhance our strength, becoming a great boost in seizing the world. That’s all.”
“Correct.”
Li Shimin nodded, speaking in a deep voice, “Although they can’t truly determine the fate of the world, they can indeed significantly increase one’s power. If Yang Gong’s Treasure is truly within Chang’an, it must be seized for Li Tang.”
“That would be best!”
Li Xiuning did not draw conclusions rashly, “Big Brother and Fourth Brother, as well as our men, have already thoroughly searched inside and outside of Chang’an city without finding any trace of that treasure. Whether this matter is true or false still needs to be discussed. Perhaps it is an elaborate ruse the Heavenly King Wu concocted to achieve his goals, not minding the sacrifice of his reputation.”
“There’s that possibility, but it’s not necessarily false either.”
Li Shimin shook his head, “I’ve heard that Yang Gong’s Treasure, made by the world’s leading ingenious craftsman Lu Miaozai, a friend of Yang Su, has extremely subtle and intricate mechanisms that are naturally difficult to find, possibly buried underground or hidden within…’