"You mean, Dali is now under the rule of a young ruler, and the Empress Dowager is ruling the country from behind the scenes, assisting the young emperor?"
Gu Yiwu opened his eyes slightly.
"An orphan and a widow are in charge of this dynasty, which is one of the largest in terms of population and territory in the northern part of Wangque Continent?"
Yunniang sighed softly and nodded, "Yeah."
Zhao Rong thought for a moment and said, "Good fellow."
Gu Yiwu nodded slowly.
Zhao Rong suddenly asked, "When did the previous emperor die?"
Yunniang hesitated for a moment, and for some reason, she sniffed. She still spoke clearly:
"It was exactly one month ago. At that time, the late emperor passed away suddenly, and the government and the country were in chaos. Because the late emperor was wise and loved by us common people, there was a cry of grief among the people..."
Zhao Rong nodded slightly and listened for a while.
On the way, he raised his eyes to look at the girl in front of him who had just come up the mountain to sell herself to support her family. At this moment, she was wiping her tears with her sleeves, reminiscing about the late emperor and recalling the turbulent past few years.
Yunniang's tone was somewhat sad.
It doesn't seem like a lie, it seems like he really loves the late Emperor Dali.
Zhao Rong was quiet for a while, then nodded, and found that this former Emperor Dali, who could now be called Li Taizu, really met the standards of the Fengshan emperor that Zhao Rong had imagined before.
He was originally a commoner from Jiangzuo. The dynasty that ruled Lidi before was old and corrupt. When he encountered chaos in the previous dynasty and uprisings broke out everywhere, he went out with a sword and recruited many capable and righteous people. Then, after going through many hardships and seizing many opportunities, he turned into a dragon, unified Lidi, and expanded the territory.
He is the founding emperor of this new dynasty.
The country was obtained in a very righteous way.
Moreover, the current Dali is not only limited to the original territory of the previous dynasty. After its establishment, it annexed various countries and expanded at least five times. Yes, five times, most of which are fertile lands.
Li Taizu established the capital with Li as its hinterland and ruled the four directions with the people of Li as the core.
This led to several surrounding countries submitting and paying tribute.
At this moment, the Dali Dynasty stands at the northernmost part of Wangque Continent, and it can indeed be said that it lives up to such a special position.
Because Dali faces south and overlooks the area south of Wangquezhou and the northern half of the continent, there are hundreds of countries, large and small. Although there are a few countries with larger territory and population than Dali, a closer look reveals that they are all old, bloated and corrupt old dynasties. None of them is stronger than Dali.
There is almost nothing that can even come close to it.
If people from Beiwangquezhou want to find someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with or surpass it, they can only stand on tiptoe and look eagerly towards the southern part of Wangquezhou.
Moreover, from what Zhao Rong heard from Yun Niang's implicit meaning, it seemed that the establishment of the current Dali Dynasty was not only due to the wisdom and bravery of the previous emperor, but also because there were many capable and famous generals under his command.
Oh, by the way, Li Taizu’s surname was Li and his given name was Xiu.
Dali is the royal family of Li.
Zhao Rong pursed his lips. This new dynasty, which had been reborn from the ashes, was now newly established and was indeed full of vigor and prosperity.
The founding emperor, Li Xiu, was in his prime and had great ambition and aura. He was assisted by famous ministers and brave generals. The latter also had a wise ruler and was eager to achieve great things.
When dry wood meets fire, the country's prosperity will be even better, just like oil cooked by fire, and it will prosper day by day.
It seemed that nothing was missing. All he had to do was consolidate the dynasty's foundation, strengthen the throne and imperial power, and wait for an 'accidental event'. Then he would get a chance to try and turn half of Li Du into a stream in his own backyard.
Well, it also left most of the Confucian scholars of Linlu Academy homeless in a sense.
Oh, there is also a Confucian scholar named Lin from Siqi Academy, his family is about to be ruined.
Zhao Rong was a little worried about his friend and couldn't help but... raise the corner of his mouth.
It is estimated that by then, when people on half of the continent look around, in the eyes of most of them, everyone should be a person of a lost country, lonely ghosts, huddling together for warmth.
Zhao Rong shook his head, thinking that the person who said this must have low emotional intelligence.
This should be called giving everyone a warm new home and more new family members.
How warm.
He thought amusingly.
However, all of this is the earnest expectation of the people of Li, the huge bet made by the immortals behind the scenes on the mountain, and the grand plan of the Dali Dynasty.
All gone.
At least that's what it seems at the moment.
Because Emperor Li Xiu, who was in his prime, died.
This "giant ship" that was about to overcome all obstacles and sail south has lost the helmsman who built it and was also the most suitable person for it.
Zhao Rong frowned.
At this moment, Yunniang's voice became smaller and smaller.
"When the late emperor was still alive, he opposed those immortals in the mountains who trafficked the people of Dali, especially us women of Dali?"
"The late emperor had clearly stipulated that in Dali, even if poor parents wanted to sell their daughters to earn money to support their families, they could only sell them to the government's music studios, or teach them singing, dancing, rituals and music, or learn weaving and sewing."
"After a divorced woman reaches adulthood, she can choose to earn money to redeem herself by doing needlework or other occupations;"
"You can also choose to accept the noble's request and let him redeem you and enter his house;
"You can stay in the Music Bureau and become a dancer in the music bureau, or you can have a better future and become a maid or lady-in-waiting in the palace."
Yunniang turned her head and looked at the fiery red maple leaves in her hometown with a look of longing on her face.
"These are things that we, humble women, can actively choose, rather than being forced to do whatever we want and being sold as commodities..."
Zhao Rong wanted to interrupt Yun Niang's off-topic speech, but after a pause, he held back.
He glanced at Gu Yiwu, whose expression was calm and unchanged. Seeing Zhao Rong looking at him, Gu Yiwu grinned.
Zhao Rong also raised the corner of his mouth but said nothing.
Yunniang's eyes were reminiscing and she kept talking, but at this moment, her low voice suddenly became high-pitched.
"I heard that this music studio is Queen Dugu..."
Yun Niang paused, "Well, now it's Empress Dowager Dugu. I heard that she is in charge personally, and no one else is allowed to interfere. And it was this fairy-like noble lady who first proposed it to the late emperor. The late emperor also respected Empress Dugu and adopted it immediately. The empress is simply the Queen Mother of the Moon Palace."
At this time, Zhao Rong took a step forward and gave Yun Niang a warm smile.
He nodded, his tone gentle.
"Well, yes, they are indeed a good emperor and queen. By the way, Miss, can you tell us what happened in Dali in the past month since Taizu passed away?"
After her memories were suddenly interrupted by Zhao Rong, Yun Niang trembled, as if she realized that she had just said too many useless words, and did not talk about the things that the two noble gentlemen on the mountain in front of her were interested in.
She was a little flustered, but the next second she saw Zhao Rong's smile, and Gu Yiwu next to him also looked normal.
Yunniang felt a little warm in her heart and bowed seriously, but her hands and feet were still a little busy for a while.
"I'm sorry, Master, Mr. Zhao, I..."
Zhao Rong waved his hand, "It's okay. Just tell me what you know about the question just now."
He sighed softly in his heart, and he had a rough idea of the current situation in Dali.
Because the new maid of Brother Yiwu in front of him was sold to the black market in the mountains not long ago.
So, this is evident.
However, we need to find out more about the details.
Yunniang breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, and she thought about it.
"Although the late emperor passed away suddenly, fortunately, His Majesty had already appointed a crown prince a long time ago. That is the only son of Empress Dowager Dugu. However, the crown prince is still too young."
"Moreover, in the days just after His Majesty's death, the court and the country were still in chaos. There were rumors that... the virtuous king also wanted to become the emperor. It is said that when the late emperor went through danger with the virtuous king, he promised him something in private..."
Zhao Rong was curious, "Wise King?"
Yun Niang nodded, "Yes, he is your Majesty's younger brother, named Li Mingyi. I heard from the countrymen that he is known as the God of War in our Dali army."
Gu Yiwu laughed and said, "Martial God? He is a warrior? Interesting, go on."
Yun Niang thought for a while, "Also, I heard about the great general in the southern border army."
"General?" Zhao Rong asked with a smile, "Is it a person's name or something else?"
Yun Niang looked awed and shook her head, "No, this gentleman's name is Zhou Dufu, and his position is the general, the highest position in our Dali army. He is one of the few people who first established the foundation with the late emperor. He is also... the greatest contributor to the establishment of the Dali Dynasty, well, except for the nobles of the Li royal family."
"Well, go on. What is this man doing back here?"
Yunniang's voice gradually became softer, and she whispered softly:
"I heard that the general has raised doubts about the death of the previous emperor, and also has some other opinions on the matter of enthroning the new emperor."
"So... he led the cavalry and rushed back overnight. That day, the entire capital could hear the sound of horse hooves several miles outside the city. It was unknown how many cavalry there were. Then, the wise king sent people to open the largest gate in the capital and kept it open. He led the imperial guards to the suburbs to meet them."
The corners of Zhao Rong's mouth twitched, but this time he said nothing and continued to listen quietly.
Yun Niang exhaled lightly, "But later, the general and the wise king entered the city and the palace alone, and the troops were left outside the city."
Although most of these things were hearsay from Yunniang, once the rumor got out, it spread throughout the court and the country.
It may be exaggerated or misinterpreted, but it must have a certain reference value and can help people understand the general situation.
About half an incense stick later.
Zhao Rong silently thought in his heart:
The Dali court, an orphan, a widow, and two warriors?
Well, one of them is the uncle and brother-in-law of the first two...
Soon, he raised his eyes and asked, "What happened next?"
Yunniang shook her head, "The rumors in the past few days are very strange. Some time ago, the government and the public were still saying that the little prince was young and would be raised in the hands of a woman. Even if Empress Dowager Dugu was virtuous and virtuous, and knew etiquette and observed manners, it was inevitable that the prince's personality was not right and he was not suitable to defend the territory and throne that Taizu conquered on horseback."
"As a result, within two days, all civil and military officials, as well as the wise kings, unanimously stated publicly that only the crown prince was suitable to inherit the throne, and they fully supported him. As for the general, there was no movement."
"And the tone of the court and the public changed. Everyone said that the young prince was extremely filial. He cried so hard that he fainted in front of the late emperor's coffin at such a young age. Empress Dugu even endured the pain and stayed at the palace to keep vigil. She even didn't eat or drink for three days, and became extremely thin and haggard. Some even said that it was such pure filial piety and family affection that when the virtuous king and the general saw it that day, they fell silent, and finally tacitly put aside their conflicts and recognized the young prince."
"As for the growth of the little prince mentioned earlier, don't we still have our battle-hardened uncle, the wise king, here? He can teach him more and educate the young emperor together with Empress Dowager Dugu."
Yunniang sighed softly and paused.
Zhao Rong raised his eyebrows.
Yunniang continued, "So, a few days later, the prince ascended the throne as expected, and the chaos was over. However, I later heard that the general suddenly left the capital on the eve of the prince's enthronement and did not attend the ceremony."
"Now, Empress Dugu, the Empress Dowager of Dali, is ruling the country from behind the curtain. The virtuous prince has also been appointed as the regent, and the two nobles are assisting in the government together."
Zhao Rong nodded without saying anything.
Yunniang seemed to have thought of something, and said cautiously: "Master, Master Zhao, you are coming to Dali now to offer sacrifices to our Emperor Li?"
Gu Yiwu nodded, "That's right."
Yun Niang pondered, "Before the late emperor passed away, he was also planning to perform Fengshan. This was the top priority of the court at that time. The people of Dali were also looking forward to the late emperor's Fengshan ceremony. It's a pity... Although the new emperor is young, it seems that he will continue to perform Fengshan. It is also what everyone wants. It will fulfill the late emperor's wish and pray for Dali at the same time. It's the same thing. Alas, although it's late, it's here. Alas, I also hope that there will be peace in the future."
Are they really all the same?
Is it true that the significance of the Fengshan ceremony is the same for Taizu and the new emperor?
Zhao Rong nodded, then shook his head.
At the beginning, Emperor Taizu of Li invited the Confucian scholars from Linlu Academy to preside over the Fengshan ceremony in order to thoroughly establish the imperial throne and power and to prepare for Dali's future grand plans and achievements.
And now the new emperor is offering sacrifices to the gods...
There seem to be some similarities, but the situations of these two Dali emperors are indeed completely different.
But the current Dali... is also different.
Zhao Rong narrowed his eyes.
When Meng Xuezhen went down the mountain, although no one knew what he was doing, he should have promised to offer sacrifices to Emperor Li Taizu.
A month ago, Emperor Taizu passed away and the matter should have come to nothing. After all, Fengshan was reserved for wise kings, and everyone should have known their own limitations.
But now it seems that it is the new emperor... No, he is too young. Unless he is precocious, he is simply ignorant.
So, it should be the person behind him, yes, it should be his mother, the Empress Dowager Dugu who is in the highest position in the court of Dali today. She should have sent people to Linlu Academy to find Meng Zhengjun and request her to continue to hold the Fengshan ceremony for the royal family of Dali.
Meng Zhengjun might have agreed to it because he had already promised the Dali royal family. But for some reason, he did not handle it himself, and handed it over to the students of Mochi as part of the assessment...
Zhao Rong lowered his eyes, remained silent, and occasionally frowned slightly.
Yunniang had already told everything she knew. Seeing that the somewhat strange Mr. Zhao was thinking about something, Yunniang and Gu Yiwu looked at each other.
The latter shook his head.
Yunniang lowered her head and hands, quiet and gentle.
Gu Yiwu also tacitly did not argue with Zhao Rong.
He turned his head and stared at the situation in the camp below, then stood there waiting.
Zhao Rong suddenly reached into his sleeve and took out a map of mountains and rivers.
He looked up the terrain of Dali, and at a certain moment, his fingers paused.
The tip of the finger pointed somewhere.
"Brother Ziyu, what's wrong?" Gu Yiwu asked curiously, then said:
"By the way, do you have any questions for Yunniang? If not, let's hurry up and get on with our journey. We have rested for a long time. You also said before that we have to rush to Dali Capital as soon as possible."
Zhao Rong was looking around, not knowing what he was looking at.
Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Gu Yiwu and slowly shook his head.
"Okay, let's continue on our way, but let's find a place to rest along the way. Well, this is it."
He pointed at the map of mountains and rivers.
Gu Yiwu took a closer look and asked curiously, "Xingzi... Town? This is not on the fastest route you chose before, it is slightly off. Ziyu, why don't we hurry up? Is there something important going to this Xingzi Town?"
Zhao Rong smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, we can play for a few more days before leaving."
Gu Yiwu scratched his head, "Play? How many days do we need to play?"
Zhao Rong thought about it and said seriously: "I don't know either."
Gu Yiwu: “…”
Zhao Rong turned his head to look at the maple forest in the south and chuckled.
"But I know that we'd better not be the most anxious one."
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