Chapter 88 What Truly Means Enemies Everywhere

Chapter 88: The True Meaning of Being Universally Opposed

"This is my first time witnessing such cooperation from the common people in the face of such radical change..."

As the resounding cheers from below grew louder, Liu Muzhi felt an indescribable emotion welling up within him. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in that instant, yet all that remained was this single sigh of admiration.

After all, he was not as young as Chu Lingyuan or Liu Yiming. Having lived through more than thirty springs, he had witnessed the Jin Dynasty's numerous decrees. Yet, all true miracles began only after Her Majesty ascended the throne, transforming the world utterly.

Xie Daoyun, listening to Wang Shenai continue her proclamation, replied, "The people's cooperation stems from Her Majesty's heart, which holds all people. Look, even without the Celestial Screen's support, would they not agree to the reforms she proposes?"

Take the Land Tax Reform, for example. Even before the Celestial Screen appeared, the common people in the audience clearly understood that Emperor Yong'an was granting them concessions—at the very least, freeing them from various exorbitant taxes before seeking ultimate victory in unifying the realm.

What the Celestial Screen did was merely allow those beyond Great Ying's borders to witness Her Majesty's magnanimity and let those within realize that this was no fleeting performance but a thorough and enduring reform.

Yet, all these truths would become evident to everyone in the world as time progressed.

Ultimately, it was Her Majesty who came first; everything else followed.

"You're right," Liu Muzhi nodded. "I'm just grateful that Her Majesty has not only our support but also the aid of this Celestial Screen. Though I wonder, from whence did this Celestial Screen truly come?"

Xie Daoyun chuckled. "Rather than indulging in such idle speculation, you'd do better to consider the busy times ahead."

Liu Muzhi: "..."

Busy? More like no rest at all!

Judging by the people's reactions, he could easily imagine how many would enlist in the military after this Celestial Screen session, all striving to fulfill Her Majesty's goal of "ending war in this generation." And how many would emulate the Celestial Screen's example, setting aside portions of their rations to donate at local government offices to supply the northern expedition.

The former might fall more under the Ministry of War's purview, but refining the conscription system would still require his involvement.

The latter, however, would be entirely his responsibility!

The last time Her Majesty summoned him, she had already assigned numerous tasks. Now, it seemed even more burdens were piling up...

Liu Muzhi felt a little dizzy. "If I don't live to the age mentioned by the Celestial Screen, I'm blaming the Screen itself."

"I thought you'd blame Her Majesty," Huan Xuan interjected, having emerged from behind the stage with a feigned air of composure.

Liu Muzhi shot him a glance. "How could Her Majesty be at fault? I'm counting on her to implement the Imperial Examinations soon and find me more capable assistants."

Did he really think Liu Muzhi would shift blame to Her Majesty now? The Marquis of Chu clearly underestimated his integrity.

Huan Xuan: "..."

Liu Muzhi, feeling unwell himself, had no qualms about dragging others down.

Huan Xuan's interruption gave Liu Muzhi the perfect opportunity: "Don't just talk about me—what about you, Marquis of Chu? Given the Celestial Screen's revelations, since you were the one who selected most of the officials governing the southern three provinces, shouldn't you also serve as an examiner this time?"

Huan Xuan forced a bitter laugh. "...Let's not!"

Couldn't he show a little sympathy for his fellow officials? There was no need to remind everyone that he was the second most overworked official in court.

...

As Wang Shenai finished reading the last word, she looked at the assembled ministers, pleased to see them engaged in such fervent discussion.

Surely, then, they wouldn't resist taking on additional responsibilities and tasks.

She closed the scroll she had been reading and signaled He Song, who was responsible for maintaining order, to disperse the crowd. Turning, she found Liu Yiming already at her side.

As the first to earn military honors, the young general's face still flushed with excitement, her eyes shining brightly.

"Your Majesty, may I ask a question?"

"Go ahead."

Liu Yiming asked, "Is our next step to develop maritime navigation?"

But the moment the question left her lips, meeting Wang Shenai's gaze, she suddenly realized how foolish it sounded.

As the Celestial Screen had stated, maritime ventures required time. In its timeline, Emperor Yong'an had seized the opportunity while the northern states were preoccupied with their own troubles, unable to hinder the south, and thus made the long-term investment. But what about now?

Now, with public enthusiasm ignited and the people supporting the Ying Dynasty's cause, eager to hasten unification, the northern states of Qin and Wei would not remain passive. Even if it meant drastic actions, they would act swiftly.

To prevent the situation from shifting, Her Majesty could not afford to wait either!

Thus, while she might leverage the Celestial Screen's influence to pacify the southern tribes, she certainly would not divert precious human resources to naval exploration at this juncture.

Heh, she was getting sharper.

But having already blurted out the question, Liu Yiming couldn't help but scratch her head sheepishly.

"The Celestial Screen said you navigated the north as if guided by divine will, never losing your way. You proved yourself again in the Luoyang campaign. What, eager to see the ocean?"

Liu Yiming seized the opportunity. "Yes!"

Wang Shenai smiled. "That chance will come in time. For now, your most important task—"

Liu Yiming: "I know! It's to train the elite troops stationed at Jingkou under my command, just as Your Majesty decreed during my appointment!"

Though still a young general inexperienced in battle, she possessed the skill—why not be bold and work even harder for Her Majesty? Let the north see that burning their supplies was only the beginning!

With that thought, she dashed off, leaving Wang Shenai's words of encouragement unspoken.

Watching her disappear from view, Wang Shenai scanned the surroundings once more. Her gaze settled on a timid-looking nun hesitating in the crowd, as if unsure whether to approach.

After a moment's consideration, Wang Shenai gestured for an attendant to bring the woman forward.

"What is it?"

The nun spoke more confidently now. "Our abbess sent me to pay respects to Your Majesty. Would you be willing to receive her and Master Hui Guo?"

Seeing that it was still early, Wang Shenai nodded. "Bring them."

Now that she thought of it, when Ding Jiang had come as Zhi Miaoyin's envoy, she had intended to meet with her.

But with the Celestial Screen's influence, the task she had planned for Zhi Miaoyin would likely be delayed for years. Moreover, if the Celestial Screen could be seen beyond Huaxia, the best candidates for the naval expedition might not be Zhi Miaoyin and her disciples after all.

She wondered if Zhi Miaoyin's request for an audience meant the Celestial Screen had inspired new ideas.

Rather than returning to the palace, Wang Shenai received the two in a hall near the square, formerly used for royal ceremonies.

Though two were expected, it seemed only one was truly present.

Hui Guo was so quiet she was nearly unnoticeable, appearing completely harmless—a mere pious follower, save for the keen intelligence in her eyes.

Zhi Miaoyin, after completing the formal bow, surprised her with these words: "We humbly beg Your Majesty's permission to travel to the Guanzhong region."

"Guanzhong?"

"Exactly!" Zhi Miaoyin's tone was resolute. "Your Majesty previously sent word that you would not annihilate us but instead utilize our skills, and also asked me to discern what kind of assistance you still lacked. After much deliberation, I concluded that the only remaining task is religious diplomacy and establishing state relations."

It was entirely unexpected that Emperor Yong'an would employ them in maritime navigation to connect the southern regions. Though this was once a perfect solution, with the revelations from the Celestial Screen, it no longer sufficed.

Wang Shenai smiled faintly, "So now, you’ve set your diplomatic sights on Guanzhong."

Zhi Miaoyin nodded, "Yao Xing is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs—ostensibly promoting Buddhism, but in truth, he seeks only to satisfy his own selfish desires. The revelations from the Celestial Screen will surely cost him all popular support. While he remains the ruler of Guanzhong, no one dares openly oppose him now. But if someone were to stir the pot, the monks he has indulged could unite to deal a fatal blow at a critical moment. This is beyond what Your Majesty's Celestial Masters can accomplish, but I can."

Wang Shenai said, "But you should know my stance."

Zhi Miaoyin replied, "Your Majesty wishes for monks to be no different from ordinary citizens, enjoying no special privileges. Religion must not be a means to evade labor or pursue personal gain. This I bear in mind and dare not forget!"

"I am but a messenger for Your Majesty’s voice, spreading the vision of Emperor Yong'an of Great Ying reclaiming Guanzhong and overthrowing Yao Xing across this land that once belonged to the Central Plains."

She also needed to secure her own future.

Fortunately! The world is not yet at peace. From the contrast between Her Majesty and Yao Xing, she glimpsed a fleeting opportunity.

To journey to Guanzhong and contribute to Her Majesty’s great cause.

Then she heard the Emperor’s voice: "Then go. When the general is abroad, he need not follow all orders. Far in Guanzhong, some matters you may decide for yourself."

Who knows if Yao Xing ever imagined that, the moment the Celestial Screen ended, someone would already be eyeing him—this flawed ruler.

...

Coincidentally, another person’s gaze also turned northward from the map before them, settling on the land of Guanzhong.

His brush moved swiftly across the paper, sketching and writing.

"If the Celestial Screen spoke true, first came the Battle of Luoyang. After Yao Xing’s retreat, Yong'an ostensibly ceased hostilities to focus on internal struggles, but in truth, she was secretly amassing strength for internal development."

"Then Yao Xing let down his guard—or perhaps lost his mind—shifting Guanzhong’s focus to promoting Buddhism while clumsily rejecting Tuo Bagui’s marriage alliance. Thus began the Battle of Chaibi between Northern Wei and Qin."

"In this battle, Qin suffered a crushing defeat. Helian Bobo seized the chance to declare independence and establish his own state. Then..."

"Then Yong'an chose me to attack!"

"I was defeated and killed."

"Meanwhile, Yong'an was also governing the three southern provinces, implementing the Land Tax Reform, until she personally led the campaign to seize Guanzhong and defeat Yao Xing—before turning to crush Huan Xuan!"

"Finally..."

Qiao Zong reconstructed the timeline from the Celestial Screen’s history, his expression darkening.

He had initially felt relieved that the Celestial Screen did not expose him to public shame like Yao Xing and Huan Xuan, thinking it a blessing. But he forgot another possibility: that he was merely a temporary pretender in Shu, not even worth mentioning.

Judging by these four stages, his name was omitted during Yong'an’s internal development phase—meaning he would never have another chance.

"Why must I face an enemy like Yong'an?"

He dared to declare independence in Shu because he believed its soldiers wished only to remain autonomous, unwilling to submit to the Central Plains’ rule. But if the Nine Provinces were destined to reunite, his resistance would be as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter."

Two men, along with the attendant who had summoned them, stepped inside.

Hou Hui and Yang Mei bowed to Qiao Zong: "Your Majesty, you summoned us?"

"Yes," Qiao Zong set his brush aside, his face still marked by unmistakable concern. "Last time, I sent you to seek an alliance with Yao Xing..."

The two exchanged glances and fell silent.

Their mission to Guanzhong had been largely futile beyond securing passage for Yao Xing and Cui Hao. Only upon returning did they learn their initial words had displeased Yao Xing.

Before they could speak, Qiao Zong pressed on: "Yao Xing never formally acknowledged our alliance, nor is there any state document confirming our relationship, correct?"

Hou Hui and Yang Mei, puzzled, nodded.

Qiao Zong had asked this very question upon their return—why repeat it now?

Stranger still, even they could discern the stark difference in his tone. If last time it was regret, this time...

"Good!" Qiao Zong clapped his hands and laughed. "Excellent!"

His laughter brimmed with relief, leaving the other two utterly bewildered.

Wait—what did he mean by this?

Just as they were about to ask, a sudden, irresistible gust of wind swept from behind them. In an instant, searing pain shot through their necks—as if a blade, answering Qiao Zong’s clap, had slashed down upon their backs.

"You—"

"Pardon me, but for Shu's future, you two must die as instigators."

Hou Hui and Yang Mei collapsed, eyes wide open.

Alas, they would never know the truth.

Blood dripped from the blades held by the two attendants who had ushered them in, pooling beneath their fallen bodies into two crimson stains spreading before Qiao Zong.

He sighed, lamenting, "The Celestial Screen greatly misunderstood my ambition. Before, I was coerced into becoming their leader, forced to occupy Shu and declare myself king. Now, at last, I have the chance to kill these villains and free myself."

"If Emperor Yong'an doubts my sincerity, I can lead troops north first and take one gateway from Guanzhong. Wouldn’t you agree?"

The attendants: "..."

Was it really a misunderstanding? Did he not know himself?

They even suspected his current actions were merely opportunistic.

But could such tactics deceive the astute Emperor Yong'an?

They had no answer.

They only knew that, at Qiao Zong’s command, troops slowly marched from Chengdu toward Hanzhong in the north, preparing to garrison there temporarily.

...

Meanwhile, another army marched toward a different pass to Guanzhong from Longxi.

Leading this force was Yang Sheng—the Qiang chieftain of Chouchi mentioned by the Celestial Screen.

According to the Celestial Screen, guided by Fu Yan, he would be granted the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and King of Wudu by Yong'an, harassing Guanzhong to give Yong'an time for development.

While the Celestial Screen was active, and Yao Xing pressed his forces toward Luoyang, Yang Sheng had been busy. He raided several granaries near Longxi, capturing much of Yao Xing’s military supplies and enraging him.

So what should he do now?

Yang Sheng laughed: "My valiant warriors—"

"The Celestial Screen called our attacks on Yao Xing a righteous act in response to the rightful ruler of all under heaven. Having attacked once already, why not take him by surprise again?"