Chapter 791 A Three-Hundred-Year-Old IOU [Seeking Monthly Tickets at the Beginning of the Month!]
Luoyang, the capital of China.
The capital city was filled with joy and celebration.
A tall bronze pillar, like a sword, stands straight in the center of Ziwei City Square. On its brand-new pillar, the words "Great Zhou Praise of Virtue Heavenly Pivot" are faintly engraved.
It resembles a bronze scepter piercing the clouds, its shape subtly echoing the proverb, "Use bronze as a mirror to straighten one's clothes."
This colossal object, over a hundred feet tall, reflects an eerie purple-gold light in the morning sunlight. The xiezhi reliefs on the four sides of the base, with their eyes inlaid with Persian blood agate, emit a vermilion-red glow every midnight.
The surface of the octagonal bronze pillar is engraved with three thousand inscriptions, a mixture of Western Sanskrit and Central Plains seal script, recording the change of destiny from "the phoenix singing on Mount Qi" to "the empress ruling the court".
The bronze plate with cloud patterns at the top is nine zhang and nine chi in diameter, which corresponds to the "number of Yang". A gilded phoenix stands in the plate with its wings spread out. The luminous pearl from the East China Sea held in its beak is as big as an infant's head.
Today, few dare to look up at this celestial pivot of praise. From the morning onwards, the civil and military officials and envoys from all nations who began to enter the imperial city in an orderly fashion to participate in the grand ceremony mostly lowered their heads slightly, paying attention to their steps as they made their way to their designated positions.
This was the day the Great Zhou Dynasty's central hall for commemorating the emperor and the four Buddhist statues were completely completed, and it was also the day the emperor himself designated a grand viewing ceremony.
The most powerful and influential people in Luoyang, the capital of China, are gathered here today.
There were princes and princesses, nobles and relatives of the emperor, high-ranking officials, favored male concubines and female officials, and white-robed fortune tellers who could freely move around the palace.
However, some high-ranking officials and prime ministers were absent due to illness.
"Master Di didn't come?"
On the carriage of a prince heading towards the Wanshang Divine Palace, Liang Wang Wei Sixing, dressed in a brand-new python robe, suddenly turned his head to ask the palace servant next to him.
"Reporting to King Liang, the old minister entered the palace late at night a few days ago and caught a cold. His old foot ailment flared up again, making it inconvenient for him to move around. He has already asked the Emperor for leave."
"An old leg ailment?"
Wei Sixing repeated the sentence with a strange expression, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He then asked, "What did the sage say?"
"The emperor immediately approved the request, bestowed medicine upon the elder statesman, and even sent an envoy with the imperial physicians to visit him at his residence, urging him to rest well and commending him for his service to the country..."
Seeing that there was no opportunity, Wei Sixing shook his head slightly.
"Where are the other ministers of the Council of State Affairs?"
"Except for an old gentleman who was granted permission by the sage to return to his hometown after begging for retirement, everyone else came."
"Um."
Wei Sixing waved his hand, lowered the curtain, and ordered the convoy to continue.
Given the current imperial favor and honor bestowed upon the two kings of the Wei clan, they can travel by carriage within the palace, thus avoiding the need to walk, unlike other civil and military officials who must walk on foot.
Besides them, Princess Chang Le, the emperor's beloved youngest daughter, also received such an honor.
In contrast, Prince Xiang, Li Lun, was recently late for a banquet at the palace. The Emperor, seemingly disliking his son's somewhat obese physique, ordered him to walk into the palace, effectively stripping him of his right to enter by carriage.
This not only subtly foreshadows certain attitudes of the sage, but also highlights the growing power of the King of Liang and the King of Wei in the Zhou court.
Today's grand ceremony for observing the Great Zhou Dynasty's Ode to the Celestial Pivot further highlights this matter.
This was a kind of political reward from the sage to the King of Wei and the King of Liang.
The most important part of the later observation ceremony was the summer worship ceremony.
Besides the sage being the undisputed chief officiant, the only two accompanying officiants were the King of Liang and the King of Wei.
At that time, the two kings of the Wei clan will follow closely behind the elderly saint dressed in grand sacrificial robes, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, ascend the high platform to worship heaven and earth, slaughter the sacrificial offerings... and carry out the summer sacrifice ceremony under the Great Zhou Praise Heavenly Pivot.
The distance between the two kings and the sage was even closer than that between their own son, Prince Xiang, and their own daughter, Chang Le!
In most dynasties throughout history, barring special circumstances, this position of assistant priest was almost exclusively reserved for the heir to the throne or the successor to the regime.
The prospect of receiving such glorious treatment filled Wei Sixing with excitement, even just imagining it.
Making such an appearance in front of the entire court of officials, and displaying such an attitude, truly leaves much to the imagination.
This move not only indicates that the Wei family has emerged from the low point caused by the Yingzhou Rebellion and the defection and oversight of Zhu Lingxu and his son, but also suggests that the Wei family has emerged from the low point caused by the rebellion in Yingzhou and the defection and oversight of Zhu Lingxu and his son.
It may even be a new high in their power.
Wei Sixing couldn't help but look back at the enormous figure in the square not far behind him.
This time, the construction of the Great Zhou Praise Heavenly Pivot and the Four Directions Buddha statues has almost exhausted most of the resources that the Wei clan can mobilize, including not only gold, silver, money, and mythical Qi-refining materials, but also political resources such as connections. Even the direct descendants of the Wei clan have been sacrificed... It can be considered a desperate gamble.
Even before, for the sake of the bigger picture, he and his elder brother Wei Jisi had to secretly tolerate the "disgusting freeloading" of the Xunyang Prince's family, keeping it hidden... Only Wei Sixing himself knew the gamble and hardship involved.
But looking at it now, it was all worth it!
Wei Sixing licked his dry lips and looked away.
The carriage we sat in traveled between two high and narrow red walls. The palace servants we encountered on both sides stood against the walls, hands clasped and heads bowed, looking at their toes.
Wei Sixing summoned one of his advisors and inquired about the news from various sources in the capital that day. Finding nothing unexpected, he became somewhat disheartened.
After an incense stick had burned, the carriage arrived at the Wanxiang Divine Palace.
Wei Sixing alighted from the carriage and walked into the magnificent palace, which cost the most money in the world at the time, under the respectful gaze of the bowing palace servants.
The Myriad Manifestations Palace is the exclusive palace of the sage, who often spends the night there. If Luoyang Ziwei City is the power center of the Great Zhou Dynasty, then the Myriad Manifestations Palace is the power center within Ziwei City, with everything revolving around the supreme imperial power of the Son of Heaven.
Right now, the morning sun has just shone down, and the morning dew still lingers on the leaves of the Imperial Garden. The gates of the Wanshang Shrine are tightly closed, and female officials are on solemn duty. A female official in colorful robes is leading a team to wait on the corridor.
When Wei Sixing arrived at the corridor, King Wei Jisi was already waiting at the gate, having arrived earlier than him.
"Brother Wang, when did you arrive? You look quite well today..."
Wei Jisi still maintained his serious and upright demeanor, dressed in the elaborate Rongsheng python robe used for sacrificial rites.
Wei Sixing spoke first, exchanging a few polite greetings.
He glanced at Wei Jisi and noticed that his elder brother had indeed taken off the white cloth strip he always wore on his head today.
The two brothers waited outside the palace until the beginning of the fourth hour (巳初刻), which is about 9:15 AM.
The gates of the Vientiane Shrine finally opened from the inside, and an elderly empress with her white hair neatly combed stepped out, accompanied by thousands of palace attendants, dressed in her finest attire.
She walked at the very front, her ceremonial robes adorned with countless pearls, jade, and golden phoenix patterns.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing followed closely beside the Great Zhou Sage, their expressions focused and solemn.
This highly anticipated procession marched towards the square in front of the Ziwei Palace, with the entire area along the way cleared out.
Halfway there, the old woman in the dragon robe turned her head slightly and asked her two nephews a few questions, which they answered respectfully.
When the procession arrived at the square in front of the Ziwei Palace, all the civil and military officials and the powerful and influential people of Luoyang had already arrived.
The sacrificial ceremony was not yet scheduled, but the old woman in the dragon robe was not in a hurry. When passing some dignitaries along the way, she would stop from time to time to ask them a few questions.
These nobles, all standing outside the palace, were either overwhelmed with gratitude or knelt down to express their thanks when questioned by this woman in the dragon robe.
The palace square was silent except for the howling wind and the saint's kind and resonant voice.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing followed closely behind the old woman in the dragon robe, one on the left and one on the right.
They lowered their heads slightly, not daring to look beyond the hem of the old woman's skirt.
However, this was already one of the most prestigious seats in the entire venue.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing both enjoyed it.
As he passed the people of the Cui clan of Qinghe, Wei Sixing glanced back quickly, his gaze passing over the seemingly foolish and slow-witted old patriarch of the Cui clan of Qinghe, and looking at the figure of a young woman in the clansmen behind him.
With just a fleeting glance, Wei Sixing's eyes lit up. He turned his head slightly to look at his brother and found that his brother seemed to be secretly observing him as well, and even glanced at him a few more times.
The procession of the old woman in the dragon robe passed at the very front of the crowd.
One detail caught the attention of many observant people in the audience:
The members of the five surnames and seven clans, led by the Cui clan of Qinghe, were ranked very high, but the most prominent were the imperial relatives, represented by Prince Xiang.
But just now, the old woman only stopped in front of the former, but not in front of the latter.
Upon arriving at the high platform, there was a place to rest. Wei Jisi, Wei Sixing, and the others waited for the time of the sacrificial ceremony.
"What do you think, Brother Wang? What do you think of that Miss Cui?"
Wei Sixing found an opportunity to approach Wei Jisi, and asked in a low voice with a smile.
Wei Jisi nodded slightly.
Just as Wei Sixing was about to laugh again, he noticed something unusual ahead.
Suddenly, the Great Zhou Dynasty's Ode to the Celestial Pivot emitted a golden light, which flowed and faintly pointed south.
The entire room fell silent, and everyone turned to look.
Among the imperial relatives, noble families, and other members of the elite, various thoughts and ideas were mixed together.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing frowned and looked at each other.
The old woman in the dragon robe also turned her head slightly.
Before three breaths had passed, Wei Jisi strode forward and whispered something to the sage.
Everyone saw that after listening, the saint nodded slightly, turned his head, and everything continued as usual, ignoring the golden light.
Wei Jisi was sweating profusely. Because he was so close, he heard his brother Wang say that there had been a fight at the Xunyang Grottoes today, and it was normal for Tian Shu to react; it was part of the plan.
Wei Sixing digested the information and breathed a sigh of relief.
Wei Jisi returned with a calm expression.
Wei Sixing greeted him, and just as he was about to speak, he saw that his elder brother, who was facing away from the crowd below the stage, had a rapidly darkening expression and was pursing his lips tightly.
Wei Sixing wiped away his sweat, feeling a bit agitated again. He whispered quickly to Wei Jisi, "Is it that serious? Didn't Brother Wang just say it was expected?"
"This was indeed expected, but the fact that Tian Shu reacted this way means that the Donglin Buddha has exhausted all its power."
"Are those rebels from the Jianghu in the south so powerful that they've driven Wei Rong and Granny Song to this state?"
Wei Jisi suddenly shook his head, his eyes gradually calming down: "Don't panic. I have already had Wei Wu take the real fake Ding sword over. It can be given to Wei Rong in a critical moment. Originally, it was offered to the Sage... Unlike the fake Ding sword with the white jade prayer beads, with the fake Ding sword, not only can Wei Rong mobilize the Donglin Buddha, but he can also mobilize the power of the Tian Shu and the four Buddha statues. If one Buddha statue can't deal with the rebels, how can four plus the Tian Shu not be enough?"
Wei Sixing was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening. A smile appeared on his face, but he quickly hid it.
"Brother Wang's plans are far more profound and thoughtful."
Wei Sixing spoke with admiration, and Wei Jisi nodded somewhat calmly.
Half an hour later, the ceremony officially began.
Wei Jisi and Wei Sixing turned around and followed the old woman in the dragon robe to ascend the Heavenly Pivot.
Today, only one chief priest and one attendant are qualified to go up.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the three figures were stretched long by the sunlight.
The elderly woman in the dragon robe, her back to the camera, moved with composure as she slowly ascended the steps.
Wei Jisi squinted slightly as if stung by the sun, but a blazing light, as intense as the sunlight, shone deep within his eyes as he walked upwards step by step.
Wei Sixing bowed his head deeply.
The sunlight seemed particularly dazzling today.
They are too.
...
Outside the Xunyang Grottoes, on the official road not far away.
The carriage driven by Yan Liulang and his companions came to a stop.
Ouyang Rong frowned and lifted the curtain, looking at the scene in front of him where water mist and sword energy surged.
It's an unusual phenomenon from the Xunyang Grottoes!
A fight broke out.
It was a major battle.
"Your Excellency..."
"Stay put and remain on guard. Do not approach."
Ouyang Rong quickly instructed Yan Liulang, and before he could answer, he lowered the carriage curtain.
Ouyang Rong ignored the little ink spirit.
He rummaged through the sword box and found a genuine copy of "The Peach Blossom Spring". There was no time to burn it, so he simply crumpled it into a ball and, with the help of a cup of cool tea he had brought from Fang Family Manor, began to eat it.
This scene was like a child taking bitter medicine, wolfing it down in one go.
The little ink spirit who had been idly swinging her leg stopped and stared at the scholar-robed youth who was inexplicably eating paper ink with her mouth slightly open.
Having already swallowed the rune, Ouyang Rong ignored the little guy's strange gaze, closed his eyes tightly, and chanted a spell.
A divine decree has been issued!
The atmosphere remained quiet for a while.
Ouyang Rong frowned.
There was no movement!
He waited for a long time, but there was no sign of the successful séance he remembered.
But strangely, three thousand merits were deducted.
Something's weird!
Ouyang Rong waited for a long time, but there was still no movement.
Damn, another fake one?
Even the original copy of "The Peach Blossom Spring" held by the Northern Wei imperial family was a fake?
So you're all fakes, right? Just trying to fool future generations?
Ouyang Rong opened his eyes, his brows furrowed.
But if it's fake, why was his three thousand merits deducted?
Where did the three thousand merits go?
Could it be that Buddha has taken it away from us?
After making two consecutive mistakes, Ouyang Rong took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm and think quickly. Just then, a brilliant idea came from the side:
"Little Rongzi, do you have some kind of strange quirk?"
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and ignored him.
Miao Si tilted her head, tapping her lips with her finger one tap at a time:
"Hey, you're stealing paper and ink? Do you think you can get some literary energy from it like this fairy?"
She asked in a serious tone, "Little Rongzi, by the way, what does it taste like when you humans eat paper and ink raw...?"
Halfway through her sentence, she couldn't hold back any longer, rolled over, lay face down on the table, and burst into laughter, slapping the tabletop with her hands.
"Hahaha, Little Rongzi, you're incredibly stupid, bar none!"
Ouyang Rong glared at her:
"Stop causing trouble, go back!"
He immediately reached out to stuff the little ink spirit into his sleeve, but the latter's slow, deliberate words made the scholar-robed youth freeze in his tracks:
"Where did you get this fake? It's supposed to be an imitation of Xiao Taozi's handwriting, but it's not his handwriting at all. The handwriting is indeed a very good imitation, but it doesn't have Xiao Taozi's literary style. It can fool others, but it can't fool this fairy... Xiao Rongzi, you didn't spend a lot of money to buy it, did you? Hahaha, the most wronged one, without a doubt! This fairy is laughing to death."
Xiao Mo Jing arrived at the scene immediately and mocked him mercilessly, causing Ouyang Rong to suddenly fall silent.
Miao Si looked suspicious, covering her chest with both hands: "Why...why are you looking at this fairy like that?"
Ouyang Rong gazed intently and asked, "Are you very familiar with Tao Yuanming and his literary style?"
"Nonsense, even if you turned to ashes, I would still recognize you."
Where is the fastest place to find his original works?
At this moment, Ouyang Rong saw that Xiao Mo Jing had a strange expression on his face and was somewhat awkwardly taking out a stack of slips of paper from his pocket, with old and new ink characters on them.
Ouyang Rong recognized the top one as his own. He vaguely remembered that it was an IOU he had given to Miao Si once, when he had borrowed Ling Mo in a hurry.
Miao Si randomly pulled out one IOU from the thick stack of IOUs and waved it around as if it were free.
"The authentic work you're talking about... you mean this one?"
Ouyang Rong was slightly taken aback and lowered his head:
"This is……"
Little Ink Spirit looked at the original handwriting on the old IOU, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it twice to vent his anger.
"That old bastard's IOU, it was incurred in the first year of the Yixi era, almost three hundred years ago! Oh my, it's infuriating! Just thinking about it makes me angry. I have money to buy wine, but no money to buy ink. With a lackey like this, I'm going to starve to death!"
Ouyang Rong: ...? ? ?
(End of this chapter)
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