"This is a special imperial tea specially supplied by the residence of some immortal disciple. Please, sir, enjoy it."

Yin Wei took out a bottle of iced tea, poured out a small cup, and looked somewhat distressed.

This is tea that the mysterious Marquis of Anping, who came from an unknown background, specially presented to His Majesty a few days ago. It is said to be a rare delicacy that only immortals can drink.

He really wouldn't have wanted to bring it up if his old friend hadn't been promoted.

After all, this tea looks exceptional. The container it's in is crystal clear, like crystal, and even after so many days, it's still ice-cold.

If this weren't a secret treasure from a celestial family, how could it have been frozen for so long?

He Shen was flattered to hear that this was tea from a divine palace. He quickly picked it up with both hands and took a small sip.

"Excellent tea, excellent tea!"

"It's icy cold, sweet on the palate, and has a hint of orange flavor. After drinking it, there's a slightly bitter aftertaste, but also a lingering sweetness."

"As expected of tea from a disciple of a celestial being, it is indeed extraordinary. It can even blend the sweet and bitter flavors together. It must be a blessing from my ancestors that I am able to drink this tea."

Upon hearing this, Yin Wei nodded and said, "Although this tea doesn't suit my taste, upon closer reflection, this is the tea of ​​the immortal realm. It's sweet but not bitter, and this is what life in the immortal realm is like."

After saying that, he reluctantly filled Heshen's cup with wine: "Lord Heshen's appointment as the new Minister of Revenue is a long-awaited victory."

Heshen smiled and said, "It's all thanks to some divine disciple who rid the people of Yan Song, this scourge, that we poor scholars have been given the opportunity to rise above our circumstances."

"If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely pay a visit to thank that immortal disciple."

Looking at Heshen's admiring expression, Yin Wei chuckled bitterly, "That immortal's disciple is not easy to talk to. At the grand court assembly on the second day of the second month, he scolded us all mercilessly. Several ministers were quite indignant, thinking that this Marquis of Anping was too arrogant."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Some people are saying behind my back that this disciple of the immortal wants to replace the Zhou family and become the emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

Heshen paused for a moment, looking at his friend in shock, before calmly picking up the teacup again: "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. Rumors stop with the wise. Brother Yin, you should take another look."

Just as Yin Wei was about to say something, he heard the sound of bells coming from the direction of the Forbidden City.

"Where is this bell from?"

Heshen, who had just been promoted from a local position, was somewhat puzzled when he heard this voice.

Yin Wei explained, "This is the national bell of the Star Gazing Pavilion. It is only rung when there is an important event."

"It's probably like rain after a long drought; His Majesty is just tapping the door a few times to express his joy."

After hearing this, Heshen had a look of sudden realization, and then asked, "What if we knock eighteen times?"

"The eighteenth sound signifies a matter of life and death for the nation. All civil and military officials must immediately enter the palace, even those who are paralyzed in bed must be carried into the Forbidden City, otherwise they will be charged with treason."

"Oh~"

Heshen nodded: "I see."

Seeing how attentive he was to being taught, Yin Wei felt a little smug.

So what if you're more learned than me? It's because you came from a poor family that you were sent down to the countryside. After all these years, you still haven't gained any insight.

Thinking of this, he slowly took a sip of tea, appearing calm and composed, showing off his extensive knowledge.

As the bell tolled one after another, Yin Wei became restless.

Why did they knock twelve times? It couldn't be the Empress Mi, could it?

I've always said that the woman from the Gongsun family is in poor health and doesn't look like she'll live long, but His Majesty insists on marrying her. Sigh.

It's good that she's gone; her own daughter finally has a chance to rise in the world, and perhaps she can even become empress.

When the thirteenth shot rang out, he suddenly stood up and looked at the sky in a panic.

It wasn't until the bronze bell rang eighteen times that he hurriedly ordered his servants to prepare a carriage, and together with Heshen, they headed to the Forbidden City.

When he got into the carriage, Yin Wei's face was gloomy and his legs were shaking uncontrollably.

Heshen couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Could it be that His Majesty has passed away?"

Yin Wei's mind was in a mess, and he blurted out, "His Majesty's death is a minor matter; what I'm afraid of is that the Liao people will attack. That's the real problem."

Heshen was stunned for a moment when he saw his flustered appearance and heard his treasonous words. Then, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but he suppressed it again.

He recalled what Lord Lin had said when he came to the capital from Fujian.

"The Ming Dynasty is already on the verge of collapse. All we need to do is join forces with the Heaven and Earth Society and cooperate with the Liao people. Victory will be ours sooner or later."

In Lantian County, countless people are cheering and thanking God for the long-awaited spring rain.

Inside the military camp, more than 1,500 soldiers, dressed in flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives at their waists, stood tall and straight in the heavy rain, their faces resolute as they looked at the golden armor before them.

Li Chang'an stood in the rain, looking at the group of warriors, and deactivated his armor.

The silly girl next to her turned on the loudspeaker, about to start her speech, but was stopped.

"They don't need these crooked methods."

Li Chang'an stood in the heavy rain, yet not a single drop of rain dared to fall on him, creating a rain-free semicircle around him.

They dared not let the mud on the ground splash near his feet, for fear of soiling his clothes.

Zhao Hu and the other soldiers, seeing the miraculous scene unfolding on their lord, were not afraid at all; instead, they stood tall and proud.

This is my eldest son; even God has to give him face.

Thinking this way, they felt even more certain that they had chosen the right people to follow.

The emperor is nothing; can he make the rain recede and keep the filth away?

Li Chang'an looked at the excited soldiers and spoke.

"The people and the masses, the time has come to test us."

"Now, cancel all rest days. All personnel must obey orders unconditionally, because this rain will last for the rest of the year."

"Six months means that the capital will face a major flood and a major natural disaster."

"And we are here to resist this natural disaster, to fight against God."

"The capital city has 1.2 million residents, plus the surrounding counties, totaling more than 3 million."

"And we, a total of 1,500 people, are responsible for saving more than 3 million people. You may not have confidence."

Li Chang'an looked at them and continued, "However, the disaster is an order, and the interests of the people are above all else. We must fight this invisible war well. Natural disasters are merciless, but people are compassionate."

"We must believe that as long as we are united, we can overcome anything in the world."

Li Chang'an raised his hand and roared at them, "I'd rather die standing in the rain than live a life of ignominy."

"For the sake of the people, even if we die in the heavy rain, even if we die from exhaustion during the disaster relief process, I will always believe in everything we do."

"Supreme glory!"