klisemfg Chapter 397 Weakness
Chapter 397 Weakness
Chapter 397 Weakness
Sure enough, even the bond forged since childhood caused a dark look to flash in Emperor Cheng's eyes; this old scoundrel was now meddling in things that were becoming increasingly out of control.
And what does this mean? Does it mean that he is not wise and diligent enough in governing?
The more he thought about it, the more unfriendly his expression became. Even if we wanted to save face for him, we had no choice but to lash out.
“Lord Shen is absolutely right,” Bai Wuyou said, speaking up before the emperor. “The fate of the nation is just like this, though subtle details are still guided by divine will.”
The emperor, disregarding Shen Zizai, asked Bai Wuyou, "Immortal Master, could you offer some guidance?"
"Your Majesty's sincere pursuit of the Dao is sure to move Heaven. I will now offer a word of advice." Bai Wuyou pretended to be moved and said under Emperor Cheng's expectant gaze, "There will be a great calamity within five years of the Great Zhao Dynasty."
Shen Zizai's gaze was gloomy; he hated these mystical teachings the most.
Emperor Cheng, however, believed it without a doubt, and upon hearing the bad news, he immediately panicked: "Is there any way to resolve this?"
"This calamity comes from the north; it is predetermined and cannot be resolved," Bai Wuyou said, shaking his head slightly.
Shen Zizai was puzzled when he heard this. Based on his understanding of these monks and Taoists, shouldn't there be a way to resolve this at this time?
Emperor Cheng was used to hearing things that could be resolved, but when he heard that it was a death calamity and that it was in the north, his heart sank to the bottom.
The north is the direction where Daliang is located.
Although the Great Liang has suffered a setback, with figures like Princess Hu Ji, the people's livelihood is likely to improve again within five years, at which point it will become a major threat to the Great Zhao.
Just like the battle two years ago, if they hadn't held on, half of the Great Zhao's territory would have instantly become the territory of the Great Liang. He was still terrified when he thought about it.
"Immortal Master, your Taoist arts are profound, you must surely have a solution. I am willing to build a temple for the Taoist Ancestor and ask the Immortal Master for guidance." Emperor Cheng firmly believed that Bai Wuyou had a way.
However, Bai Wuyou still shook his head: "Your Majesty, the calamity is an external cause that cannot be eliminated. Please forgive me for being powerless to help."
Shen Zizai was puzzled. What was the young Taoist priest trying to achieve by saying such things? Could he really predict the fate of the nation? Or was he just trying to mystify things?
He simply couldn't understand it, but Emperor Cheng was becoming increasingly restless.
Five years is a fleeting time for a country; if we don't start planning now, it will be too late.
Shen Zizai did not want the Emperor to be immersed in such a mystical state of mind, so he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Your Majesty, I believe..."
"Minister Shen, you may return now. I will summon you again after I have considered it." He did not mention Shen Li's memorial again.
Shen Zizai was unwilling.
Before he left, Emperor Cheng bid farewell to Bai Wuyou and departed.
Shen Zizai had no choice but to leave, so he politely bid farewell to Bai Wuyou, whom he looked down upon, and then turned and left.
The hall was now empty. Bai Wuyou stood up and looked at Shen Zizai's departing figure with amusement, saying, "This Lord Shen is indeed from the Ministry of Rites. He clearly dislikes me, yet he still maintains impeccable manners."
Chaoyang Mingyue, dressed as a Taoist boy, came out from the back hall and said in surprise, "How strange. Why would that person ask you to find a way to trick the emperor into coming here and say such nonsensical things? It sounds completely useless."
"If you could understand that, I'd give you my seat," Bai Wuyou teased her.
In fact, he didn't know what it meant either.
But a day later he understood that Emperor Cheng had ordered the re-establishment of the military examination, which had been abolished for many years, to select military candidates and those who were well-versed in military strategy and exceptionally brave, in order to fill the country's shortage of military officers.