The vast rivers and mountains are like embroidery, and the millennia of time flow like gold. Nations rise and fall, countless heroes and valiant figures emerge. It is said that loyal bones are buried in green mountains, so why look back to one's homeland?
This book is a group portrait, with core themes of patriotism and nationalistic sentiment, and the struggle for hegemony among various nations. There will be no rotten Imperial Harem, no brainless villains, and no plot devices that reduce intelligence. This book does not involve any martial arts or high-level cultivation, the entire book only features realms from one to nine, and the power level is relatively low, only slightly higher than traditional martial arts. (For example, The Legend of the Condor Heroes)
The protagonist is only fifteen years old when he appears, in the late fifth realm, and his growth will slowly progress with the plot. The poems, lyrics, songs, and odes written in the book are all original (except for two). The entire text only has stances, no black or white. Readers are kindly requested to read patiently.
The terrain map for this book is at the end of this chapter; click on 'Author's Notes' to view it.
The Great Zhou terrain map is at the end of the second chapter; click on 'Author's Notes' to view it.
Note: All original poems and lyrics in this text are modern-style poetry, following Ping Shui Rhyme. (Seven-character Regulated Verse, Seven-character Quatrain, Five-character Regulated Verse, Five-character Quatrain) The original poems and lyrics in the text are guaranteed to have correct tonal patterns, metrical rules, and rhyme schemes. Please enjoy!
… … … … … … … … … … … … … …
【Contending for Dominance over the World】
Iron hooves sweep, wolf smoke rises, arrows pierce the setting sun, reflecting its glow.
Wind brings rain, nurturing strength, swords cross, snow dances, returning upon the clouds.
Heroic passes sever three thousand li, giant waves swallow hundreds of surrounds.
If you don't believe, please look back, the eight wildernesses and six directions enter my gate.
World Map for This Text
… … … .. … … … … … … … … Main text begins.
Great Zhou.
Jingping Fourteenth Year.
Imperial Capital, inside the Imperial City.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant Wei Ran respectfully submits this memorial: Yuanwu has been acting frequently and provoking continuously in recent days. Your humble servant fears that they have ulterior motives, and the safety of Liang Province should be treated with caution.
As the ancients once said: 'Wary of the enemy's cunning, a general must plan ahead. Secure the common people within the borders, and strengthen the soldiers in the camps outside. Those who anticipate the enemy first will not be in danger.' Now, Yuanwu's abnormal movements, though not yet a major force, reveal their ambition. We should increase troops in the Northwest and make preparations early to prevent border changes.
Your humble servant believes that the proposal to increase troops is not a task for a single day. I hope the court will allocate funds for self-recruitment in the Northwest, to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. Liang Province is poor, with thin land, so coordination within the passes should be ensured to guarantee grain and fodder supply to support the soldiers.
Furthermore, the enemy has repeatedly harassed our borders, flaunting their might. Their envoys at this time are likely not coming with good intentions. Your humble servant believes that the Northwest Grand Camp should take the initiative to attack, probe their strengths and weaknesses, and prevent them from acting rashly.
Your humble servant, Wei Ran, humbly awaits Your Majesty's sacred judgment and approval of your humble servant's memorial."
Longsheng Emperor closed the memorial, pondered for a long time, then summoned his personal Eunuch. "Summon Grand Astrologer Zhang Qisheng to enter the palace for an audience."
… …
Several days passed in a flash.
Yan City in the Northern Border, Jingbei Royal Mansion.
"It's been over ten years, no golden finger, no great luck, and no system. I lived an ordinary life before transmigration, and it's still ordinary after transmigration. Isn't this transmigration for nothing?" Xu Ping complained to himself.
Thirteen years ago, the son of the Great Zhou Jingbei Prince died from drowning. Xu Ping transmigrated into the body of the Jingbei Prince's son who had drowned at that time.
Ever since he transmigrated, although he lived a life of luxury and fine food since childhood, there were no electronics, no internet, no various entertainment facilities, making every day extremely boring. The plots and settings from novels in his previous life simply didn't exist. The mansion had strict household rules, and life was bland, without a ripple.
In his previous life, Xu Ping was still a science student, but his liberal arts were not bad either. Poems, lyrics, songs, and odes were all easy for him to plagiarize, and this body's martial arts talent was also excellent. This gave his father, Xu Cang, a misconception: My son, Xu Ping, possesses astonishing talent!
Originally, he thought that if he couldn't be a Son of Destiny, being a profligate son would be fine. From time to time, he could bring a few house servants to flirt with respectable women. Or, with a group of dissolute friends and scions, listen to music at brothels, drink, and flirt. He imagined such a life would be quite interesting.
However, his father, as the Jingbei Prince, was not only a prince with a different surname but also a border-guarding prince, holding command over two hundred thousand elite soldiers in the Northern Border. In addition to protecting the border and ensuring the people's peace, he also had to deal with various suspicions from the imperial court. He could neither make the Emperor wary nor leave any stains or provide gossip. Want to be a profligate heir? Impossible! (Many readers wonder why the protagonist isn't self-deprecating as a profligate. Here's a brief note: Self-deprecation generally involves political tendencies and touching upon laws. For example, corruption, bribery, seizing land, or embezzling military funds. While holding military power, not being self-important, and engaging in private gain but not forming factions, historically, almost no son of a feudal prince or lord was a profligate. Many novels write it this way to create a contrast, to facilitate the protagonist's reversal and face-slapping, and to increase the sense of satisfaction.)
The Princess Consort passed away early, and the Jingbei Prince never took concubines. The vast mansion had few people, with only Xu Ping as the sole heir. Xu Cang felt that his son had astonishing talent and should not waste it, so his daily discipline of Xu Ping was extremely strict.
Not only that.
Xu Cang often admonished Xu Ping to treat the Northern Border soldiers with courtesy, and the Northern Border populace with benevolence. Matters in the camp should be handled personally. And matters concerning the common people required an approachable demeanor. He should neither act ostentatiously nor live ostentatiously. He should possess literary knowledge and also strategic acumen. He must not oppress the common people, not exploit the local populace, not be arrogant and overbearing, and not disregard human life.
Over these years, although Xu Ping didn't live as if treading on thin ice, he was always cautious. Sometimes, he truly wanted to ask Xu Cang, "If you're afraid of being wary and can't have any stains, why not just be a transparent person?! Why make it so tiring!
You want to be low-key and humble, and love your people like your own children. You want to possess both literary and military skills, and treat talented individuals with respect. I'm just a feudal prince's heir, not the Crown Prince. Are you trying to rebel? Is there an imperial throne waiting to be inherited at home?"
Looking at the transmigration world, Xu Ping, although he didn't encounter any cliched trashy plots or any high-profile face-slapping moments, it was just eight words: dry and dull, utterly unremarkable.
Just as Xu Ping was feeling depressed about this damn ordinary life, the sound of a large group of people came from outside the mansion gate.
"Imperial Edict arrives!" A reedy voice echoed.
Accompanying the voice, Xu Cang led a large group of people from the mansion to the front hall.
"Oh my! This Prince was just saying, my eyelids have been twitching for days, it must be a sign of good news, and I didn't expect it to be Lord Eunuch Liu!" Xu Cang greeted him with a beaming smile.
"It's been several years since this humble Eunuch last saw Your Royal Highness. Your Royal Highness walks with the stride of a dragon and a tiger, truly your demeanor is as splendid as ever!" Lord Eunuch Liu also exchanged pleasantries.
"Ah, it's just that affairs in the Northern Border are numerous, and it has been several years since I last went to the capital to pay my respects. I wonder if His Majesty is well!"
Lord Eunuch Liu, upon hearing this, cupped his hands and bowed towards the south. "His Majesty is well! Your Royal Highness, please rest assured!" Before Xu Cang could speak, Lord Eunuch Liu continued: "Your Royal Highness, may this humble Eunuch first proclaim the Imperial Edict?"
"What Eunuch says is absolutely correct! It should be so."
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jingbei Prince's son, Xu Ping, is young and intelligent, with excellent character, which greatly pleases Us. Now that Xu Ping has reached the age of adulthood, We hereby bestow a reward to commend the Jingbei Prince's meritorious service in guarding the border. Xu Ping is hereby ordered to depart immediately and proceed to the capital for an audience with Us. Respect this!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Cang's eyes narrowed slightly. The Emperor's days were becoming increasingly difficult.
Lord Eunuch Liu, beaming with joy, handed over the Imperial Edict. "Your Royal Highness, it's time to receive the edict!"
"Ah! Yes, yes, yes, Eunuch is right! This Prince, this Prince receives the edict, and thanks for the grace." Xu Cang's mouth twitched slightly, his voice somewhat low.
Observing his father's demeanor, Xu Ping began to ponder. Ostensibly, it was an audience in the capital, but it was nothing more than being a hostage. Such incidents were countless throughout history.
But it's not appropriate for the Emperor to summon him as a hostage, is there another meaning? Or is there some hidden reason…
Lord Eunuch Liu did not put on any airs or display any attitude. Instead, he helped Xu Cang up. "Your Royal Highness, please rise quickly. You have the merit of supporting the dragon, and you are His Majesty's left and right arm, and His Majesty is a rare wise ruler. Your Royal Highness, please do not overthink it!"
Xu Cang's complexion was not very good. Unlike ordinary princes, he only had Xu Ping as his sole son. If anything happened to Xu Ping, his lineage would end.
"Ji Ling (courtesy name Longsheng), after the late Emperor passed away, I helped you ascend the throne. To avoid suspicion, I have been treading on thin ice all these years. The Northern Border has just settled, and you have already forgotten what you once said." Xu Cang sighed to himself.
The Great Zhou's dynasty had lasted for several hundred years. The late Emperor had many sons, and the struggle for the throne was severe. In the struggle for succession, Xu Cang, both openly and secretly, advised The Third Prince Ji Ling, eliminating dissidents. It was no exaggeration to say that he single-handedly helped him ascend to power.
Now, with the distinction between monarch and subject, Xu Cang had to accept this Imperial Edict whether he wanted to or not.
Xu Ping also got up. He walked to Xu Cang's side and whispered in his ear, "Father, please rest assured, things might not be as complicated as you think."
"Your Royal Highness, please rise quickly, don't worry too much." Liu Pi slowly handed the Imperial Edict to Xu Cang.
"Alas!" Xu Cang sighed. "Someone! Set up a banquet!"
Upon hearing this, Lord Eunuch Liu hastily declined.
"Eunuch has traveled a long way, it is truly not easy, and the accompanying brothers are even more tired. This Prince should certainly fulfill his duties as a host. I hope Eunuch will not refuse, otherwise, this Prince will feel deeply ashamed." Xu Cang's tone was quite firm, leaving no room for refusal.
Liu Pi was an old hand in the palace. Including the current Emperor, he had served three emperors. At the same time, he was also a very smooth and shrewd person, with deep cunning.
Although the Imperial Edict stated that they should depart immediately, the journey was long, and a delay of two or three days was not a major issue, so he agreed. "Since Your Royal Highness is so hospitable, if this Eunuch were to refuse, it would be ungrateful. The brothers have traveled a long distance, and they indeed need a good night's rest."
Liu Pi had to give this face, but it was only for one day.
"Hahaha, Eunuch is truly considerate. This way, the brothers will surely be refreshed when they depart tomorrow."
One day was one day, and Xu Cang did not press his luck.
"Old Gao, go inform Tianxiang House that this Prince will be hosting an esteemed guest tonight. Make sure to prepare good wine and dishes properly. I've heard that Eunuch dislikes vegetarian food, so it would be better to have more meat."
Liu Pi naturally understood the Jingbei Prince's meaning. "Your Royal Highness overpraises this Eunuch! Nowadays, various regions suffer from disasters, and foreign invaders are eyeing Great Zhou like tigers. Please do not be extravagant!"
"Haha!" The Jingbei Prince laughed heartily. "Eunuch serving His Majesty is a great merit, what's wrong with eating a little more? Food is the primary need of the people, it's not extravagant. Moreover, if the brothers are well-fed, they'll have energy on the road, and my son will naturally arrive in the capital sooner to behold the imperial countenance!"
Liu Pi's brows furrowed slightly, and he secretly pondered: What does the Jingbei Prince mean? Is he worried his son won't reach the capital?
Seeing that Liu Pi no longer responded, Xu Cang also smiled faintly. Ji Ling, oh Ji Ling, we are all in the same boat. You are playing such a big game, aren't you afraid someone will overturn your chessboard?
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
【Click on 'Author's Notes' at the end to view the Great Zhou terrain map. The six nations' orientation map can be found in 'Author's Notes' in Chapter Nine. Readers who cannot see it in 'Author's Notes' can also view it in the chapter's comments.】