After dismissing the envoy from the Southern Yue Kingdom, Chen Huai'an finally met Dongfang Xiao, the old monk in black robes who had come from Qixia Temple on Fengming Mountain.
Speaking of the old monk in black, Dongfang Xiao, he's quite an interesting character.
Back when Chen Huai'an first went to Fengming to invite Dongfang Xiao down the mountain, the latter was still full of confidence and said that he wanted to give Prince Chen Huai'an a white hat to wear.
However, as Chen Huai'an personally led his Longcheng troops to victory after victory, until they occupied half of the Great Xin Dynasty's territory and their forces pointed directly at Jinling City.
Dongfang Xiao, who should have been firmly seated in the position of "Black-Robed Prime Minister" in the Prince of Jin's mansion, instead became increasingly reclusive.
Until recently, Dongfang Xiao went directly back to Qixia Temple to meditate and seek enlightenment, leaving all the affairs of the Prince of Jin's fiefdom to General Wang Jian and Prince Chen Longxiang.
Only today, when Chen Huai'an gave the order, was Dongfang Xiao allowed to leave the temple and go to the Prince's Palace to discuss matters.
Inside the council hall of the Prince of Jin's residence.
When Chen Huai'an saw Dongfang Xiao again, the latter was unusually dressed in a gray monk's robe. His weathered face had lost some of its worldly ambition and gained more of a transcendent serenity.
How can I describe it?
Dongfang Xiao now looks somewhat like a celestial being.
As soon as Chen Huai'an entered the council hall, he took the initiative to greet Dongfang Xiao: "Master Dongfang, it's been a long time! How have you been?"
Dongfang Xiao stood up and replied with a smile, "Thanks to Prince Jin, this humble monk is doing well."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their seats as host and guest, respectively.
Chen Huai'an said half-jokingly, "Master, when I invited you to come out of seclusion at Qixia Temple on Fengming Mountain, you promised me that you would give me a white hat to wear."
"Now that I haven't even put on this white hat yet, why has the master returned to Phoenix Cry Mountain to cultivate?"
After a pause, Chen Huai'an continued, "I heard from my younger brother Longxiang that the Master has not concerned himself with the affairs of his fiefdom for quite some time, and has devoted himself entirely to meditation and cultivation in the temple."
"I don't understand, Master, why is that?"
"Amitabha!"
Dongfang Xiao clasped his hands together, looked calmly at Chen Huai'an, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I was lying back then!"
"Initially, this humble monk believed that Your Highness needed my assistance to ascend the throne; however, as Your Highness has demonstrated your extraordinary talent and strategic brilliance in raising armies and governing your fiefdoms..."
"This humble monk realizes that Your Highness already possesses all the abilities to ascend to the throne, and unifying the world is only a matter of time!"
“A few days ago, this humble monk observed the celestial phenomena at night and discovered that the Southern Emperor Star was rapidly moving north and had now completely settled in the north!”
As he spoke, Dongfang Xiao made a hand gesture and continued, "This humble monk is certain that Your Highness will be able to unify the North and South and achieve great things within three months."
"By then, when the new dynasty is established and the people are united in their hearts, how can this humble monk, a commoner, possibly be allowed to enter the halls of high society?"
"Could it be that he's really going to take on the real role of 'Black-Robed Prime Minister'?"
Finally, Dongfang Xiao said firmly, "Your Highness, this is against human ethics and moral principles, and even more so against the laws and regulations of our country!"
"To attain enlightenment and cultivate oneself at Qixia Temple on Fengming Mountain is the best place for this humble monk!"
"I have come here today to bid farewell to Your Highness. From now on, I will devote myself to cultivation and enlightenment in the temple and will no longer concern myself with worldly affairs!"
"Master, why are you doing this?"
Chen Huai'an frowned slightly, clearly not expecting that Dongfang Xiao had come to say goodbye!
Originally, he thought that Dongfang Xiao was dissatisfied because he had not granted Dongfang Xiao an official position and had made him act as prime minister, which was why Dongfang Xiao returned to Fengming Mountain to cultivate in seclusion.
Who would have thought that this old monk was actually serious?
Chen Huai'an continued to earnestly persuade him, "Master, the world is still unsettled, and the administration of the fiefdom is quite complex. I also have to attend to the war on the front lines, and my younger brother Longxiang is still too young to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
"If the master has any concerns, he can simply raise them with me. Why insist on pursuing cultivation and enlightenment against his will?"
"Master, isn't establishing a brand new dynasty a better way to cultivate one's mind and practice than seeking enlightenment on Phoenix Cry Mountain?"
Dongfang Xiao shook his head again, replying firmly, "Your Highness, you are mistaken!"
"Although governing a country is also a form of spiritual practice, it is Your Highness's practice, not this humble monk's!"
As he spoke, Dongfang Xiao suddenly stood up and bid farewell to Chen Huai'an, saying, "Your Highness, this humble monk will take his leave now. Your Highness need not try to stop me. We will meet again someday if fate allows!"
"Amitabha!"
After saying that, Dongfang Xiao left gracefully, leaving Chen Huai'an with only a resolute and lonely figure in the council hall of the Prince's Mansion.
Eh—
Chen Huai'an let out a long sigh, but there was nothing he could do.
After leaving the Prince of Jin's residence, Dongfang Xiao glanced back at the gate and muttered to himself, "Your Highness, if you weren't the chosen one, possessing the ability to summon wind and rain and conjure soldiers from beans overnight..."
"This humble monk would not mind following Your Highness to establish that new dynasty!"
"But who made this humble monk accidentally uncover the secrets of heaven? How could a mere mountain monk like me dare to contend with heaven in such a matter of defying heaven and seizing its secrets?"
"Your Highness, little do you know that unifying the North and South is just the beginning of your true tribulations!"
Eh—
As he spoke, the old monk Dongfang Xiao, who already had a rather otherworldly appearance, couldn't help but look at the plaque on the gate of the Prince of Jin's mansion and let out a long sigh.
Then, without looking back, she walked further and further away in the opposite direction from the Prince of Jin's residence, until she could no longer see his figure.
A few more days passed.
Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin had accepted the fact that the old monk Dongfang Xiao had left, and once again devoted all his energy and effort to handling the affairs of his fiefdom.
Until Chen Qingzhi, the deputy marshal of the Longcheng army who had returned from the western expedition, arrived in Longcheng, the fiefdom of the Prince of Jin, with the envoy from the Tubo Kingdom.
"Report—"
"Your Highness Prince Jin, the victorious army from the western expedition will enter Longcheng through Yongding Gate in one hour."
"The General requests Your Highness's permission to personally go to Yongding Gate to welcome the western expeditionary army."
When the messenger brought back news of the triumphant return of the western expeditionary force, Chen Huai'an, who was writing at his desk, put down the documents in his hands and instructed the messenger outside:
"Pass down the order to General Wang Jian that I will personally go to Yongding Gate to welcome the western expeditionary army into the city!"
"Xiao Po, bring me my golden armor. I want to don it and go up to the city to welcome the triumphant return of the western expeditionary army!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
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