plumnovel Chapter 44 Upright Jiazi Tai Sui – Yang Ren
Chapter 44 Upright Jiazi Tai Sui – Yang Ren
Yun Zhongzi was pleased to see that Jiang Ziya had misunderstood that it was indeed Guang Chengzi's doing.
With so many layers of schemes piled up, even if Guang Chengzi wanted to explain, probably no one would believe him.
Having achieved their goal, they were about to leave.
But then they saw two old men in their seventies and eighties drinking so enthusiastically that they didn't even use their spiritual power to dispel the alcohol. They put their arms around each other's shoulders and called each other "Brother Wen" and "Brother Jiang" affectionately. In the end, they even embraced each other.
Yun Zhongzi felt his scalp tingle. He had never seen such a scene in his tens of thousands of years of cultivation. He quickly turned around and left this eyesore.
After finishing his business here, he used the magical power he had collected from Guang Chengzi to infuse dozens of immortal beans, which were then transformed into bean soldiers and placed in various locations in Chaoge before returning to Zhongnan Mountain.
Ziyang Cave, Qingfeng Mountain.
A Taoist priest with a face as fair as jade, wearing a lotus crown and a robe with eight trigrams, sat cross-legged on a futon. He was none other than the Pure Void Moral True Lord, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.
At this moment, Zhenjun had just finished instructing Huang Tianhua and was feeling the weight of the impending tribulation. He feared that Huang Tianhua, a mere local deity, would not be able to safely overcome it.
Just then, on a whim, he realized that the opportunity to take on another apprentice was approaching.
Just as he was about to get up, the tide receded.
He frowned, sat down cross-legged again, but as soon as he sat down, it happened again. He stood up, then retreated...
Over several days, this happened more than ten times.
Huang Tianhua, with his chubby head, squatted to the side, his eyes following his teacher up and down every day, his face full of confusion. What kind of magic was his teacher practicing now?
The Moral True Lord was greatly annoyed by that sudden whim.
If you want to come, then come quickly; otherwise, don't come at all. What's the point of all this back and forth?
Enraged, he flung his sleeves, intending to ignore it all, but the calamity had arrived. Could it be that his tens of thousands of years of arduous cultivation had been in vain?
He sighed, instructed Huang Tianhua to cultivate diligently, and then rode on auspicious clouds, flying towards the direction he had sensed intermittently more than ten times.
In front of Yuzhu Cave.
As soon as Yun Zhongzi got off the Lion Camel King's back, he saw the Nine-Headed Insect and the Flood Dragon Demon King lying on the ground in fear, while a pink flying pig sat comfortably in the sun next to them.
My mind went blank for a moment. What are these two doing here?
Just then, Nezha darted out of the cave, blinked his big eyes, and hugged Yun Zhongzi's leg: "Teacher! Did you miss me?!"
Taiyi Zhenren also came out, swaying his large belly, with a broad smile on his face:
"Oh, junior brother, where have you been? Nezha and I searched all over Chaoge but couldn't find you, so we had to come to Zhongnan Mountain to wait for you."
Yun Zhongzi was speechless. With the two of them here, how could he possibly make any plans in secret?
With a quick thought, he said without changing his expression:
"I met my senior brother Guangchengzi in Chaoge. He told me to return to Zhongnan Mountain to cultivate properly and not to wander into the mortal world and get tainted by the evil spirits."
The smile on Taiyi Zhenren's face instantly vanished.
He paused for a moment, his usual playful expression vanishing, and sighed:
"Junior brother, since that's the case, let's teach Nezha properly. We must overcome this calamity together in the end."
Yun Zhongzi's lips twitched slightly. What did this calamity have to do with him? He only needed to protect the Human Emperor and obtain the Chaos Bell.
But Master Taiyi had indeed treated him well, and he still owed him the kindness of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, which he had to repay.
Well then, bean soldiers have already been deployed in Chaoge City to keep watch, so there's no rush.
Chaoge City.
Following the faint, fluctuating sensation, the Pure Void Moral True Lord finally arrived in Chaoge.
Curious, I wondered if my disciple might be located within this imperial city.
Concealing their presence, they made their way to the foot of the imperial city, only to be blocked by the golden aura of the human emperor.
The feeling in my heart grew stronger, but the tide grew weaker and weaker, and finally almost returned to calm.
On the Nine-Room Hall.
Emperor Xin sat on the dragon throne and announced to the court officials that Jiang Ziya had entered the court and was appointed as the Grand Master of the State.
The courtiers were discussing amongst themselves when, at that moment, a figure strode out from the ranks of civil officials.
He was a middle-aged civil official with a square face, clear and dignified features, and an elegant yet resolute demeanor, exuding an aura of righteousness.
He straightened his clothes and said loudly:
"Your Majesty! This man is nothing but a hermit sorcerer from the mountains. What virtue or ability does he possess to rise to such a high position as a Grand Master of the State? Could he be deceiving Your Majesty, using some kind of charlatan's trickery?"
The whole hall fell silent.
Di Xin frowned slightly; it was Yang Ren again.
This person is talented, but his mouth is truly a headache.
"Dr. Yang."
Di Xin suppressed his temper and said, "I personally witnessed Jiang Shang burning the Pipa Spirit, and he certainly possessed magical powers."
"His Majesty!"
Yang Ren took a step forward, his voice rising a few decibels:
"Has Your Majesty ever seen him govern the country? Has he ever tested his knowledge of law and finance? Has he ever personally witnessed him leading troops into battle? To appoint someone as a high-ranking official simply for burning a demon to death—if another person who can burn demons were to appear tomorrow, would they also be appointed a high-ranking official? Your Majesty's method of employing people is surely disheartening to the entire nation!"
Di Xin's face darkened.
"Yang Ren! How dare you!"
Yang Ren refused to back down: "I am not being presumptuous, but offering my honest advice! Your Majesty's actions today are truly rash! This man is ignorant of politics, laws, and military affairs, yet Your Majesty has entrusted him with such an important task. If anything goes wrong, who will take responsibility!"
Di Xin's hand had already reached for the bamboo slips on the table when Wen Zhong, quick as a flash, stepped forward to block Yang Ren and bowed to Di Xin.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Although what Physician Yang said was unpleasant to hear, it was out of loyalty. Physician Yang and Physician Jiang are both highly capable, and I have personally examined them. They are proficient in both literary and military arts. Do you know that he discussed military strategy with me at the Grand Tutor's mansion yesterday, from the changes in battle formations to the transportation of supplies? Every word he uttered was a gem."
Shang Rong and the others also chimed in with kind words.
Yang Ren snorted:
"The Grand Tutor's examination is the Grand Tutor's examination; since I haven't seen it myself, I have doubts. Besides, the Grand Tutor has only known him for a few days; how can I be sure he hasn't deceived the Grand Tutor? If he's just a theorist, wouldn't he be harming the country?"
"Yang Ren!"
Di Xin finally lost his temper, slammed his hand on the table, and roared:
"You have defied me time and again; do you think I dare not punish you?"
Yang Ren straightened his neck and said, "For the sake of the country, I would gladly die!"
"you……"
"Your Majesty!" Wen Zhong bowed again. "Doctor Yang is an upright official. I hope Your Majesty will make a wise judgment."
Di Xin looked at Wen Zhong, then at Yang Ren's unyielding face, took a deep breath, and forcefully suppressed his anger.
"That's enough. Court is adjourned."
One day later.
Emperor Xin issued an edict ordering Jiang Ziya to oversee the construction of the Lingtai (spirit platform).
Yang Ren stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty! The Lingtai is the place where the Human Emperor offered sacrifices, a place of utmost reverence! Jiang Shang is new to this place, unfamiliar with etiquette and regulations. If his supervision is improper and he offends Heaven, who will bear the responsibility! I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order and select another capable person!"
Di Xin gritted his teeth. Why was Yang Ren here again?!
Wen Zhong sighed and stepped forward again to plead for leniency.
Jiang Ziya could only manage a wry smile.
Di Xin looked at Yang Ren and suddenly felt that although the man’s face was upright and dignified, every word he uttered was like a stab to his lungs.
"Court adjourned!"
Two days later, Emperor Xin ordered Jiang Ziya to investigate and eliminate any remaining evil spirits in Chaoge City.
Yang Ren stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty! Jiang Shang has already been appointed Grand Master, and should be assisting in governing the country, not engaging in this task of patrolling the streets and catching demons! This is a waste of his talents! I believe Your Majesty has misjudged his appointment! If Jiang Shang truly possesses real talent and learning, why not let him first gain experience in a county? If he can govern a county, then promote him to a prefecture; if he can govern a prefecture, then promote him to a province. This gradual advancement is the proper way to employ people! A meteoric rise is not the way of a wise ruler!"
Di Xin's bamboo slip had already flown out. Yang Ren dodged to the side and it gradually smashed into the pillar behind him. The ordinary bamboo slip was stuck straight into the pillar.
Yang Ren, however, seemed not to see it and continued to stick his head out.
"Yang Ren! If you dare to say another word, I will take your head!"
"Your Majesty! I would gladly die! But I cannot allow Your Majesty to be deceived by a charlatan!"
All the civil and military officials in the hall knelt down in unison, while Wen Zhong held his forehead in his hand.
Jiang Ziya stood in the hall, looking at Yang Ren's impassioned demeanor, unsure whether to be angry or amused. How could there be such a stubborn person in the court?
As Di Xin watched Wen Zhong bow and plead for mercy again, and then looked at Yang Ren's unyielding face, he suddenly felt very tired.
"Court adjourned!"
And so, such things continued to happen in the Nine-Room Palace.
The Pure Void Moral True Lord stood outside the imperial city, sensing the faint aura, but could not pinpoint its location.
That aura was now far too weak, appearing intermittently.