southwest?
A major earthquake?
Upon seeing these words, Xie Yuan's entire body tensed up.
Earthquake!
This would be a catastrophe capable of destroying the world.
Let alone in ancient times, even in today's technologically advanced world, it remains an existence beyond human intervention. (Reading...)
Once it breaks out, it will cause earth-shattering earthquakes and countless casualties.
Moreover, in ancient times, there was another fatal problem—people were superstitious.
Whenever there is a natural disaster, people tend to think of it as a "man-made disaster".
For example, some people act perversely, which is why they are punished by God.
The person most likely to be blamed is none other than the monarch.
In many cases, in order to quell public opinion and stabilize the country, emperors would issue "edicts of self-reproach".
I repent to Heaven and pray that the disaster will pass soon.
The supreme couple, Helian Jue and Xie Yuan, didn't even need anyone with ulterior motives to deliberately find fault; the ready-made "crimes" were right there.
One who is militaristic and has committed too many atrocities;
A hen crowing at dawn is causing chaos beyond reason!
Regardless of whether the earthquake in the southwest was related to the emperor and empress or not, the court officials would use it as grounds to impeach them.
Helian Jue and Xie Yuan had finally managed to pry open a gap in the aristocratic class, but if the earthquake really happened, they might face a counterattack from the aristocratic families.
"...Fortunately, we received a 'warning'."
Xie Yuan unfolded the note and carefully read Helian Jue's letter again.
Xie Yuan was completely sincere towards Helian Jue and had no secrets from him whatsoever.
Helian Jue also regarded Xie Yuan as a close companion, sharing or discussing matters big and small with him.
Helian Jue mentioned Dugu Zhi and even recounted her story of "a goddess entering a dream".
Throughout the letter, Helian Jue's words revealed his suspicion of Dugu Zhi.
He did not believe in the so-called ghosts and gods, but suspected that Dugu Xiong harbored rebellious intentions.
The secrets of the clairvoyant eyes and the location of the Turkic royal court were all discovered by Dugu Xiong through secret investigations.
Dugu Xiong never expected his daughter to be so foolish. In order to show off in front of Helian Jue, she actually revealed all the secrets.
They even came up with such an absurd and ridiculous excuse as "a goddess entering a dream".
Helian Jue didn't care about Dugu Zhi at all; he completely suspected Dugu Xiong.
Xie Yuan: ...
That Dugu Zhi is truly a master at causing trouble for her father.
Having already vaguely guessed what was going on, Xie Yuan couldn't help but silently shed a tear of sympathy for Dugu Xiong.
However, that's all.
Dugu Zhi may be a reincarnated person, which is why she can "foresee" the future.
However, Dugu Xiong, who was misunderstood by Helian Jue, was probably not entirely innocent either.
Dugu Xiong guarded the Northwest for many years, but the barbarians and wars continued. Was it really the surrounding countries and tribes that were causing trouble?
Is it possible that Dugu Xiong harbored bandits to maintain his own power?
Furthermore, just last year when Helian Jue ascended the throne, the Turkic prince bypassed the northwest defense line and marched straight into the capital.
In this matter, the known forces that betrayed their own people include aristocratic families and former Xianbei nobles.
But Dugu Xiong, although he cooperated with Helian Jue, came from the Dugu clan.
The Dugu clan was also one of the eight great noble families of the Xianbei.
Neither Helian Jue nor Xie Yuan believed that he truly didn't know.
Perhaps they didn't help the aristocratic families and nobles by turning a blind eye, but they also didn't tip off Helian Jue.
This person appears loyal on the surface, but actually has ulterior motives.
Furthermore, the Dugu family has been guarding the Northwest for far too long. Even if Dugu Xiong himself has no ambition, it's hard to guarantee that his generals won't harbor other ulterior motives.
Subordinates overthrowing superiors is a common practice in the military.
Even without the incident involving Dugu Zhi, Helian Jue intended to reclaim the military power of the Dugu family.
The appearance of Dugu Zhi only hastened Helian Jue's decision.
"Forget about those people. Let's focus on the impending disaster in the southwest."
Xie Yuan composed himself and began to focus his attention on this matter.
Xie Yuan suspected that Dugu Zhi was a reincarnated person, also because of this disaster—
August 4th, Liangzhou in the southwest!
The time and place were incredibly precise; unless it actually happened, even someone with the ability to predict the future wouldn't be able to be so certain.
Helian Jue was unaware of the possibility of rebirth. He assumed that Dugu Zhi's prediction of the disaster was due to her ability to observe celestial phenomena or that she had encountered such a master and received the information by chance.
Helian Jue had only one attitude: he did not trust Dugu Zhi.
They didn't believe she was some kind of goddess or follower.
If there really is such a thing as a goddess appearing in a dream, it should happen to his son, A-Yuan.
In fact, Helian Jue did want to "take his place".
In a letter to Xie Yuan, he mentioned that Xie Yuan should announce to the court officials that he had dreamt of a goddess who warned him in the dream that there might be an earthquake in the southwest.
In this way, Empress Xie could legitimately send people to Liangzhou to make arrangements in advance, and could also earn her a certain "goddess halo".
Helian Jue wanted Xie Yuan to be the chosen one, just like Xie Yuan had performed the miracle of "falling from the sky" for him.
As someone who experienced it firsthand, Helian Jue knew very well how useful "miracles" were.
His smooth ascension to the throne may well have been partly due to his "sudden appearance from heaven."
Xie Yuan was pushed into the court by Helian Jue, becoming the first woman in history to sit openly next to the emperor.
She was also the first empress to serve as regent!
Helian Jue was powerful, and Xie Yuan was capable, which made this possible.
However, this does not mean that Xie Yuan sitting in the court would truly convince the civil and military officials.
Even the three ministers, Cui, Wang, and Zheng, were still thinking about how to send Xie Yuan back to the inner palace.
Helian Jue did not want his A Yuan to be targeted like this.
Having the aura of a "goddess" might make things much better.
Just like those founding emperors, they all had divine intervention and miracles.
If Xie Yuan accurately predicted the earthquake in the southwest, then he would be the chosen representative of the human world by the goddess!
She was also "destined by fate"!
Xie Yuan: ...I'm very touched, but it's really unnecessary.
Xie Yuan resisted, not because he was worried that if the prophecy failed to come true, he, as a "prophet," would be blamed by the court officials and the people.
She simply didn't want to steal other people's credit.
Moreover, even if he were to fabricate a miracle, Xie Yuan hoped to pin it on Helian Jue.
Therefore, the next day, in the imperial court, Xie Yuan solemnly stated:
"Yesterday, I received a secret letter from the Emperor, delivered by express courier."
"In the letter, the sage said that the late emperor appeared in his dream and warned him: In early August, there will be an earthquake in Liangzhou in the southwest!"
This time, not only were the three prime ministers, Cui, Wang, and Zheng, completely taken aback, but even Gu Heng, who was recommended by Xie Yuan, was astonished:
Your Majesty, would you like to hear what you have to say?
The sage sent a letter from eight hundred miles away. What did the letter mention about the late emperor appearing in his dream?
Haha, the late emperor's mausoleum is in the capital. Even if he wanted to appear in a dream, he could find an "acquaintance" in the capital region.
Why go to such lengths to warn the sage?
What earthquake in the southwest!
Why didn't you say the imperial tomb would collapse?!
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