After listening to the Creator's instructions, Jiang Wenpei went to the entrance of the holy site to find Jiang Yan.
Standing halfway up the mountain and looking down, the green ground at the foot of the mountain was densely covered with tents. The migrant workers, shirtless, carried shovels and picks as they moved between the tents, their noisy chatter carried up the mountain by the wind, giving him a headache.
The wind also carried the smoke from the lunch kitchen.
Down the mountain, they used freshly felled trees for cooking. These trees were very damp, and the smoke from cooking was incredibly thick and pungent. The entire Jinhua Mountain was filled with smoke, which was extremely choking; even the two gatekeepers were coughing repeatedly from the smoke.
What's most unbearable is that these guys don't stop even at night. Last night it was already past midnight, and they were still singing down the mountain.
The sacred grounds have strict schedules: bedtime is 9 PM and wake-up time is 6 AM. These migrant workers were singing down the mountain, keeping them awake for most of the night. It wasn't until 1 AM that things quieted down. When they woke up in the morning, many had dark circles under their eyes.
This is the first time so many people have ever come to the Holy Land. The behavior of the Great Jin Emperor is truly unpredictable.
He walked up to Jiang Yan and stood next to her, then sighed.
Jiang Yan asked, "What did the Creator say?"
Jiang Wenpei said, "The Creator doesn't care. But she said the Holy Land is the same for everyone. This rule applies not only to Southern Chu, but also to the people of Great Jin. They cannot arbitrarily step onto the steps of the Holy Land. Let us warn them immediately."
Jiang Yan said, "Alright, go and negotiate with the Emperor of Great Jin."
Jiang Wenpei agreed and, with two attendants, descended the steps, passed the resurrection stele, and arrived at the foot of the mountain. He then explained his identity and purpose, requesting an audience with the Jin Emperor.
Wei Jingzhuo readily accepted his invitation and received him in a tent.
After exchanging pleasantries, both sides took their seats. Jiang Wenpei cut to the chase, saying, "Your Majesty has come all this way to build the Star Gazing Platform. Why did you specifically come to Jinhua Mountain to gather materials?"
Wei Jingzhuo sat upright, raised his hand to his mouth, and coughed lightly.
A eunuch stepped forward and said in a soft voice, "Mr. Jiang, His Majesty was once saved by you. Today, His Majesty has prepared a small gift to express his gratitude. Please accept this five hundred taels of gold."
After speaking, the eunuch waved his hand to the side, and five servants came over, each carrying a tray of gleaming gold, and knelt down to present it.
Jiang Wenpei said, "It was the goddess's request to heal His Majesty..."
The eunuch said, "Mr. Jiang, these gifts from His Majesty are specifically to thank you for bringing His Majesty and the Empress, who were shot, back to the Holy Land. Please do not refuse them."
Unable to refuse such a generous offer, Jiang Wenpei instructed his two attendants to accept the gold and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty has not forgotten this small favor; you are truly a man of integrity."
Then, remembering the purpose of his trip, he asked, "Your Majesty, you haven't yet explained why you came here specifically?"
Wei Jingzhuo smiled and said, "When the Empress disappeared, I lost my appetite for several days. Then one day I suddenly understood. Life is fleeting, and if we do not enjoy ourselves while we can, wouldn't we be ashamed of our lives?"
Jiang Wenpei said, "So this is His Majesty's idea to build the Star Gazing Platform?"
Wei Jingzhuo nodded solemnly and said, "The area outside Yanxun Pass is indeed a geomantically auspicious place. There are plenty of trees there, but there is a shortage of stone. I cannot wait to build a high platform and do not want to transport it from various prefectures and counties, so I sought help from the King of Southern Chu."
Jiang Wenpei asked, "Was it the King of Southern Chu who sent His Majesty to Jinhua Mountain?"
“That’s right,” Wei Jingzhuo said. “The King of Southern Chu said that there are many stones in Jinhua Mountain that can be mined. Our two countries are on good terms, and this is a mutual gesture.”
Jiang Wenpei said, "Then I was impolite. I'll take my leave."
Wei Jingzhuo said, "Sir, are you leaving already? Why not stay and have a meal with me?"
Jiang Wenpei stood up and said, "This matter is urgent, I shall take my leave."
He left the tent and returned to the holy site with his entourage. Jiang Yan saw two attendants carrying five trays of gold and asked, "Why did you bring back gold?"
Jiang Wenpei said, "The Jin Emperor was grateful to me for saving him up the mountain, so he specially gave it to me."
"Did you tell him about the Creator's requirements?"
“He said that the King of Southern Chu ordered him to come here to dig for stone. I think we should go to the King of Southern Chu and ask him to rescind his order, then these laborers will naturally leave.”
Jiang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "That makes sense. Then you should go to the capital immediately to meet the King of Southern Chu."
Jiang Wenpei descended the mountain again, took a carriage, and sped all the way to the capital of Southern Chu. Upon entering the city, he went straight to the palace and requested an audience with the emperor. A eunuch led him to the dining hall.
Chu Yi had just finished lunch and was enjoying some fruit. He casually propped his legs up on the edge of the table and crossed his arms behind his head. Two palace maids, one on each side, used toothpicks to feed him grapes, while two more maids fanned him from behind.
Jiang Wenpei was taken aback. It was the first time he had ever seen such a nonchalant emperor. He forced himself to step forward and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
“It’s Mr. Jiang from the Holy Land,” Chu Yi said, pulling his leg off the table and standing up to greet him. “What brings you here, sir? Someone, please bring him a seat.”
Jiang Wenpei said, "Your Majesty, why did you allow the artisans of the Great Jin Dynasty to quarry stone at Jinhua Mountain? That place is a sacred site."
“You mean this, sir?” Chu Yi scratched his head and said, “This is all Wei Jingzhuo’s fault.”
Jiang Wenpei asked, "What do you mean?"
“If he wants to build the Star Gazing Platform, then he can,” Chu Yi said. “But he said there’s no stone to use, and he actually wants to demolish the walls of Yanxun Pass. As you know, Yanxun Pass is the border of the Southern Chu Kingdom. How can I let them demolish it?”
Jiang Wenpei said, "Then you'll have them go to Jinhua Mountain?"
“What else can we do? We were just defeated by the Great Jin. I dare not refuse his request,” Chu Yi spread his hands. “He said that Jinhua Mountain has the most stone resources in Southern Chu. What else can I do but agree?”
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