Free Web NovelChapter 1825: Chapter 866: Founding Ceremony! (Part 3)
"Are we really going to pin the hope of our Demon Race on some illusory, baseless speculation?" Qing Ming Demon God asked in a low voice.
"Other than that, what other method do we have?" Bai Shan countered.
Compared to the other Demon Gods, Bai Shan, who could clearly recognize their own situation, was already utterly desperate. In his view, with the Demon Race’s current strength, they simply could not stop the Human Race.
So they could only pin their hopes on this.
"Enough, stop arguing. With the threat of the Human Race before us, how can we afford internal strife?" Mo Ying listened to the debate between several Demon Gods, his gaze gloomy. He had some trump cards, but...
Those existences could not help them right now.
The reason he agreed with Bai Shan’s forbearance was also because he was waiting for the Holy Clan from beyond the domain to descend.
"The matter of breaking through Zhen Nan Pass will be set aside for now. You all need not make a move. Let our Demon Race continue migrating south. I, this emperor... will personally go take a look when the time comes. If there is an opportunity, I will strike and slaughter some of the Human Race.
To avenge our Demon Race. If there is no such opportunity... then so be it..."
"A wise decision, Demon Emperor!"
Bai Shan nodded, very much in agreement with this view.
Whereas Cheng Tian Demon God and Qing Ming Demon God were somewhat unwilling, but since the Demon Emperor had spoken, they could only nod as well and agree to this decision.
...
...
Central State, Divine Capital City.
After Chen Yuan decided to ascend the throne, the entire Divine Capital City was plunged into a sea of jubilation. Compared to other States, the commoners of the Capital gained the greatest benefits.
Because word had already spread that once the new emperor ascended the throne, not only would there be massive resources bestowed as rewards, but taxes would also be exempted for many years.
And this was the benefit of external conquest.
With the Northern Barbarian Prairie, Western Regions, and Japan as blood‑supply lands, they provided an endless stream of resources to the Central Plains.
For other regions this was invasion, but for the people of the Central Plains, this was not invasion; this was a meritorious expansion of territory that would be remembered for ages!
"The hearts of the people can be put to use."
In a bustling market, Princess Consort Su Ziyue, dressed as an ordinary woman, looked at the lively Capital and said to Chen Yuan beside her with a soft smile.
"The thoughts of the common folk are actually very simple. Let them live, live better, be able to reproduce and thrive, and they won’t have any desire to rebel. They will exhaust themselves to uphold the court.
They will strive to let this prosperous age last longer. After all, among the people of this world, how many truly wish for chaos under heaven? Even if there are such people, they won’t be these common folk."
Chen Yuan smiled faintly.
Sometimes, only by holding power can one see all this clearly.
He too had been feeling his way forward step by step.
"Since those in power are all clear on this, then why do they still push themselves to the limit oppressing the common folk?" Shen Yanshu took over the conversation, asking curiously.
Because wasn’t that obviously foolish?
So long as you don’t force them to death, those commoners won’t have any thought of rebellion. So why do that?
"From ancient times till now, when have ordinary commoners ever successfully rebelled? Those with the strength to rebel are all forces that already possess some power. Otherwise, where would they get the strength to raise troops and buy horses?"
Princess Pingyang shook her head and added.
In an era where individual martial might could sweep across the world, the common folk... were the weakest of all.
"Exactly. Then why did Jingtai in the past not move against those Jianghu forces and the thousand‑year Gate Valves, and instead single‑mindedly squeeze the commoners dry?" Shen Yanshu continued.
"Let me tell you why... because they’re easy to bully." Chen Yuan smiled faintly.
These words stunned Shen Yanshu and the others for a moment, but they soon understood.
Indeed, it was very simple—just because they were easy to bully!
"Jingtai used the Blood of the common folk for sacrifices, yet didn’t dare lay hands on those Jianghu forces. When the world fell into chaos, he didn’t dare take the Immortal Sects to task either, because once those were pushed too far, they really dared to revolt.
Whereas the common folk... have not even the strength to truss a chicken. Where would they get any power from?" Su Ziyue replied.
"Enough, let’s drop this topic. We didn’t come out here today to talk about such things." Chen Yuan cut off their discussion; who knew where it would go if they kept on.
"Your Majesty, is everything prepared for the enthronement?" Lady Xu asked softly.
Her presence at Chen Yuan’s side had once been quite prominent, but with Su Ziyue and Pingyang rising to the top, many of her roles had been weakened. Now she merely spent her days with a few younger sisters to pass the time.
"More or less. Before my enthronement I already cleared away all threats. All that’s left is to follow the established procedure."
At court, everyone’s heart was set on progress; among the people, everyone yearned for stability. Apart from the Southern Border, which had yet to be pacified, there were no more enemies left in the Human World.
"Then I’ll just wait to become Empress." Su Ziyue giggled.
"What about me?"
"I..."
The chirping, lilting voices of the girls echoed unceasingly around Chen Yuan, drawing waves of envy from those nearby. But as for stepping forward to make a move, no one had that sort of courage.
Leaving aside the court’s rules—within the Capital, no brawling with weapons was allowed, and violators would be severely punished—just the fact that such a young nobleman was accompanied by several beauties as radiant as flowers told everyone that either this person was not simple,
or his father was not simple.
There really weren’t that many brainless fools who couldn’t tell up from down.
...
Time flowed slowly by. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. During this month, the preparations for Chen Yuan’s enthronement were essentially complete.
Envoys from all regions, high‑ranking officials and frontier generals guarding various places, Immortal Sect Leaders—they had all gathered in the Capital.
Awaiting the day of the grand ceremony.
On this day, under clear skies stretching ten thousand li, gongs and drums thundered. The entire Capital was abuzz, festooned with lanterns and streamers. Countless people poured out of the Imperial City, heading toward the outskirts. Units of troops maintained order.
The site for the founding grand ceremony lay to the east of the Capital, on Purple Gold Mountain where Jingtai had once offered sacrifices to Heaven. Back then, a great battle had turned rivers and mountains upside down, but before the might of the court,
that was nothing at all. After all, preparations had been made long in advance, and with an extra month as buffer, it was more than enough to arrange everything.
Between Heaven and Earth, dragons soared and phoenixes danced.
All sorts of Divine Beasts roamed the skies, as if Heaven and Earth themselves were celebrating.
Those attending the ceremony numbered, by rough estimate, in the millions—a vast, black mass, like a surging flood.
And atop the Stargazing Tower, Chen Yuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
Su Ziyue draped a black dragon robe over Chen Yuan’s shoulders and said softly:
"Your Majesty, the hour has come!"
