The Dazhou World.
The former capital of Dingzhou, Jingyang City, was now the location of the imperial capital.
Pedestrians bustled about, shops lined up in rows, hawking their wares one after another. It was truly a bustling scene.
Eight years had passed since the original King Ding, Wu Zhi, ascended to the throne, established the Wu Kingdom, and changed its name to Dingwu.
In the fifth year of Dingwu, after recuperating and stabilizing the south, Wu Zhi personally led an army of 500,000 on a northern expedition. In one battle, he killed King Wu, Ji Quan, and the 36 feudal vassals in the north succumbed. From then on, the world was stabilized, and the original 19 provinces of Dazhou were all under his control.
Since then, Wu Zhi changed the name of his reign to Kunyuan, took in refugees, and pacified the people. The entire Central Plains once again entered a state of peace.
There was an ancient scripture that said, "Kun is also the earth!"
Kunyuan referred to the virtue of the earth giving birth to all things. It was also the opposite of Qian, and was another name for women.
Wu Zhi used Kunyuan as the name of his reign. Firstly, it implied that he was the ruler of the country, and secondly, it was to set a national policy and recuperate.
As expected, in the third year of Kunyuan, as the chaos of war subsided, the population grew, and a flourishing age could be foreseen.
But in such a bright future, undercurrents were gradually gathering.
…
In Jingyang City, there was a vast mansion with a strict atmosphere. The inner courtyard was deep, and there were many armored soldiers patrolling outside. The murderous aura they exuded was daunting, and the couplets on the door frame carried a strong atmosphere of the royal family.
On the main street in front, not only the common people, but even the officials looked at this place with respectful and cautious gazes. Some even carried a trace of strange anticipation.
This was because this was the Great Wu Dynasty's Crown Prince's residence.
The current Crown Prince had long since grown up. He was handsome and well-versed in both the pen and the sword. His reputation in the court and the army was quite good, and he was praised as having the appearance of a great ruler. Even the phenomenon that occurred when he was born was discussed repeatedly in private, and everyone took great delight in talking about it.
"Go! Go! "
Suddenly, dozens of riders arrived outside the Crown Prince's residence. The leader waved his hand, and the dozens of horses immediately stopped. The order was strict, and even though there were only dozens of them, they were like an army.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
When the guards outside the Crown Prince's Residence saw this, they immediately bowed to the young knight in front of them. At the same time, the attendant at the door smiled and said, "The Crown Prince has returned!"
"En!"
The young man on the horse had starry eyebrows and sharp eyes. His earlobes were like pearls, his lips were red, his teeth were white, and his face was like jade. There was a faint purple aura around his body, and there was no trace of disfigurement. He was the son of Wu Ming and Wu Zhi, the current crown prince, Wu Ding.
"After stealing half a day of leisure, I've gained something by chance!"
Wu Ding dismounted and casually flicked the reins. A groom hastily stepped forward to take the reins.
"This time, I hunted some wild rabbits, swallows and sparrows. It's a pity that there weren't any ferocious beasts, so I couldn't enjoy the fun of hunting …"
Wu Ding smiled. "Take it to the kitchen and reward the entire residence!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Immediately, everyone bowed again. Wu Ding didn't mind and entered the residence. At this time, the outsiders had left. Several female officials stepped forward and smiled sweetly as they helped him change out of his regular clothes. Together with the crown prince's attire and the Eastern Pearl Crown, he instantly transformed from a young man on a horse into a dignified and noble descendant of the royal family.
Wu Ding's soft hands caressed his body comfortably. The beauties in front of him were all heavenly beauties, and he could do whatever he wanted. However, a trace of fatigue suddenly appeared on Wu Ding's face. "All of you can leave. I'll go to the study room and sit for a while. Although my family has conquered the world through archery and horses, we can't neglect literary work. If the Queen Mother finds out, she might reprimand me again …"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
These female officials were all selected from the world's concubines. Wasn't it to curry favor with the powerful? When they heard this, there was a trace of disappointment in their eyes. However, they didn't dare to disobey, so they bowed and retreated.
Wu Ding went to the study room and picked up a history book. Not long after, a soft voice could be heard from outside. "I, Zhang Hanlin, and I, Lin Feichong, request to see the Crown Prince!"
"Come in!"
This was Wu Ding's trusted aide. He waved his hand and the young eunuch beside him immediately went out and carefully closed the door.
Creak!
This study room was exquisitely constructed and had excellent soundproofing. In addition, the Crown Prince's residence was rich in luck. Ordinary demons, ghosts, and even real people could not invade it. Thus, it was like a different world from the outside world.
"You're here. Very good. The recent events have really made me nervous … In order not to invite trouble, I can only pretend to be playing and indulge in sensual pleasures. However, I still can't get away. What can I do …"
In front of his trusted aide, Wu Ding finally stopped pretending. He lay on the deck chair and massaged his eyebrows with his right hand, sighing.
"Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. You are the Crown Prince, the foundation of the country. Now that the Great Wu Empire is like the rising sun, as long as your character is upright, what is there to fear?"
Zhang Hanlin said as he bowed.
When the Wu Empire had opened the imperial examinations to select scholars, they had also opened the imperial examinations. It was truly a gathering of dragons and snakes, a gathering of stars. This person had stood out among the many scholars and was ranked second. Later, he had been arranged to enter the Crown Prince's residence as an official. Wu Ding had tested him several times and felt that not only was he talented and knowledgeable, but he was also quick-witted and not a bookworm. More importantly, he was loyal and devoted. Finally, Wu Ding had taken him in as a trusted aide.
"Even so, the country's name is as heavy as the mountains. How can it be changed?"
Wu Ding muttered, a trace of worry appearing in his eyes.
The year could be changed at will, but the country's name was related to the country's fate. How could it be changed?
However, a few days ago, an official had submitted a petition to change the country's name to 'Kun' to reflect the will of the people. Most importantly, the Sage's attitude towards this was ambiguous, which immediately caused many people to have thoughts.
More importantly, the change of the country's name was bound to be accompanied by major events. Perhaps even his position as the Crown Prince would be affected.
Wu Ding shook his head. "Since the Queen Mother is hesitant, it is not appropriate for me to persuade her … Compared to this, the chaos in the Four Barbarians is just a small matter!"
Now that the Great Wu Empire had unified the Central Plains and was the rightful ruler of the world, there were signs of instability in the Four Barbarians. Many chieftains, chiefs, and foreign kings had emerged. It was said that they were also trying to establish a system with the ambition of coveting the Central Plains' divine weapon!
The Great Wu Empire was currently recuperating. Even Wu Zhi could not make up his mind to start a war rashly.
"This is just a small matter. How dare these foreigners invade our Celestial Empire?"
Lin Feichong, who had the temperament of a martial artist, said directly, "As long as you give me ten thousand troops, I can destroy this dynasty and capture the bandit leader to present to His Highness!"
"Ten thousand?!"
Wu Ding seemed slightly surprised.
"Quality is more important than quantity, especially in the Western Desert and the Southern Border. The terrain is complex and the weather is harsh. It is a huge burden on logistics. Therefore, if the Imperial Court wants to quell the rebellion, it does not need a large army, but it needs to recruit the people. Moreover, it needs to be done quickly. If there is any delay, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Although Lin Feichong was a little arrogant, he did have the ability to do so. He explained the plan in his mind, and Wu Ding immediately nodded. "With you two, one civil and one military, I can sleep a little better!"
After a pause, he continued, "Actually, this is just a minor problem. What I need to worry about … is …"
At this point, he seemed to have suddenly thought of something. He held back his words and waved his hand. "You can leave!"
"Yes!"
Zhang Hanlin and Lin Feichong looked at each other, bowed, and left.
"Queen Mother …"
When the study was empty, Wu Ding murmured, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
The Great Wu Empire's greatest danger had never been in the outer regions, but within the walls!
After all, if a woman ruled the empire, how could the world endure it?
Even though Wu Zhi had risen to power with military achievements, won every battle, and obtained the world's justice, it was difficult for him to go against the old rules.
Of course, those people did not have the guts to start a rebellion. Those who could really do so and put it into action had already been eliminated by Wu Zhi, implicating their entire families.
What they wanted was to bring Wu Ding, the Crown Prince, out.
Once Wu Zhi abdicated and the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, everything would be reasonable and legal again.
Coupled with the internal conflicts in the Wu Clan, and some ambitious people adding fuel to the fire, when Wu Ding came back to his senses, he suddenly found himself in a very awkward position.
First of all, he was the Crown Prince of a dynasty, and was born with a lot of expectations. Under the tacit understanding of many people, these expectations were strengthened, and he was almost praised like a saint.
"But if this is the case … where will the Queen Mother be?"
Wu Ding shook his head.
It had always been difficult to be a Crown Prince, and his relationship with the Emperor was even more difficult. In the Wu Empire, it was even more terrifying.
The most important thing was, would Wu Zhi be willing to give up power, even if it was his son?
Others might not know, but Wu Ding himself knew very well that his mother had received guidance from his father, and her martial arts cultivation was earth-shattering. Even now, she still looked like a young girl. Although she might not have a long life, it was not a problem for her to live for hundreds or thousands of years.
If this went on, even mother and son might become suspicious, and that would really be painful for the loved ones and happy for the enemies.
"The Queen Mother's long-cherished wish was to bring peace to the world, and the second was to be like my aunt, to break through again and search for the traces of my father … Unfortunately, the people below won't understand, and they add fuel to the fire. They really deserve to be killed!"
Facing a long-lived Emperor who also had great power, the position of the Crown Prince was simply a barrel of gunpowder. Wu Ding walked on thin ice every day. The feeling was really like drinking water, and only one knew whether it was warm or cold.
Especially as his younger brothers and sisters grew up, this sense of crisis became more and more intense.
Wu Ding had also read history books, and naturally knew what would happen to the Crown Prince who provoked the Emperor's suspicion. It was only natural to depose the older and appoint the younger.
And if that happened, the future of him, the deposed Crown Prince, and the thousands of people in the Crown Prince's Residence, would be completely worrying.
"But who can help me with this kind of thing? Aunt? She is wholeheartedly cultivating, and has long since stopped caring about worldly affairs … "
Thinking of this, Wu Ding could not help but sigh, "If only Father was still here!"
Ever since Wu Ming left, he felt that Wu Zhi had suddenly changed.
Although he was still wise and powerful, he practiced martial arts every day, pondered the path of Level Six, and had to contend for hegemony in the world. How could he still have time to talk about family ties? It was inevitable that they would become estranged.
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