Chapter Twenty-Four: The Whole World in Purple Flags
tivator, are you so gluttonous Haven't you ever eaten eggs before“I need two eggs now, where are they”"The Eastern Citadel has a warehouse set up by the Four Seas Merchant Alliance. The supplies ther...Jiang Wang did not meet the emperor face to face because the emperor was facing away from him.
In the palace hall stood a colossal, hollow crystal pillar. Upon closer inspection, one could see delicate, translucent etchings on its surface depicting all the mountains and rivers of the land. Living water flowed through it, teeming with lush aquatic plants and colorful fish darting among them.
This is more than just an aesthetically pleasing fish tank; it is said to be connected to the Zi River.
The emperor then stood with his hands clasped behind his back, silently observing the fish.
Huo Yanshan quietly withdrew from outside the hall, keeping silent guard at its door.
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Entering the hall, Jiang Wang walked up to the Emperor Qi who didn't turn around and bowed: "Subject Jiang Wang pays respects to Your Majesty."
Silence.
Silence lingered for a considerable length of time.
Jiang Wang continued doing what he had done while waiting outside before—simulating a fight with Ye Dazhen using the Dream-like Style. He was broad-minded, and this was simply to hone his combat strength, identify weaknesses and make improvements, and break through himself. It wasn't about revenge.
Just as the training was reaching a heated climax, the emperor spoke up: "Before, I didn't make you wait, but now you can't see me whenever you want. Do you know why"
Jiang Wang said honestly, "Last time I waited for two hours as well."
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Jiang Wang then said, "I waited all night afterwards."
The emperor said, "I'm busy with state affairs, so please don't talk about irrelevant things."
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"Uh," Jiang Wang said, "Because Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, I need to wait."
"There is no place for you in the State of Qi anymore," the Son of Heaven said.
"I won't sit," said Jiang Wangdao. "I'll just go for a walk."
"You think this is just anywhere, you can wander around as you please"
"I consider this place my second home and often come back to visit."
"Do not be moved by meaningless titles. There is a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth... what does it matter The world is vast, and everywhere you go is your homeland."
"Although the world is vast, there are only two homes. Jiang Wang's voice was earnest: "Fenglin City is where I was born, and I cannot choose to leave it; there are people I can never see again. Qi Guo is the path I chose myself. I struggled and grew here, and I gained and lost here. There are my lifelong friends and the people I always respect."
The emperor’s voice was emotionless. He raised a finger and tapped the crystal pillar, causing a rainbow fish within to jump in fright. It shot through the water plants like an arrow, instantly changing color to blend in with them... only leaving a ripple in its wake.
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The emperor said, "You are like this fish right now, slippery and elusive, changing color very quickly. Not at all sincere."
Jiang Wang remained calm and said respectfully, "This water pillar is just like your dominion."
"Is my empire this small"
“Adjoining the Zi River, reaching far to the East China Sea, connecting through the Grand Canal!”
"Are you doing all these homework all day long"
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"I just remember the emperor's words and read a lot. Besides practicing, there's only reading."
"Cultivation is about seeing things, reading The Records of Corrupt Officials"
Jiang Wang seemed to completely misunderstand the sarcasm and said with a naive expression: "I've read 'The History of Swords and Sea', 'Shimen Military Treatise', 'Wuxing Tonglun', 'Wan Shi Fa', 'Strategy', and 'Chao Cangwu'..."
"Wow, you're incredibly knowledgeable. You even know how to make a book list!"
“I dare not. Having always wandered in the sea of books, I have only gained a single grain.”
"You're so busy"
"The world is vast and Jiang's aspirations are too small. He has to study hard and cultivate himself diligently so as not to be abandoned by the world."
The emperor's words were sharp, like a blade: "With so much you have to do, where did you find the time to make such waves in your kingdom"
"It's not exactly a whirlwind…I just stayed there for a few days when my younger brother got married. I sparred with the grassland heroes, took a trip to the frontier and left a stone tablet." Jiang Wang's voice grew softer: "And conveniently, I…"
The Son of Heaven said: "I have heard that Emperor Mu entrusted you with ten thousand households as marquis"
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At this moment, Jiang Wang's hair was heavy with seriousness.
This is not an easy question to answer. If you side with the Qi ruler, you will offend the Lu ruler; if you side with the Lu ruler, you will offend the Qi ruler.
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In his mind, millions of celestial thoughts flickered wildly before finally quieting down as he calmly said, "His Majesty's vision is indeed remarkable. Even someone as great as Emperor Mu would recognize its value."
The emperor, with a sweep of his dragon sleeves, turned back. Though the two were nearly the same height, in this moment, he seemed to bend down from the heavens, looking down upon the world!
"Slick and insincere! I've heard enough of this. Weighing pros and cons, offending no one, just like a spinning top! What difference is there between you now and Bo Wang Hou"
Jiang Wang thought, that's better than being found an excuse to be flogged by you, right
But he only said, "General Bo Wang's family has served the country for generations, with deep wisdom and farsightedness. He is a brilliant general who can hold his own against the mighty Qi. If I could be half as intelligent as him, I would burn incense in gratitude."
The emperor's gaze fell upon him, light as a feather, yet heavy as mountains and seas: "You took my book with you before, are you here to return it now"
"I can't return it." Jiang Wang's voice was firm: "The set Your Majesty gave me, I've already worn out. I've made too many notes... But I can buy Your Majesty a new, collector's edition from the Tian Du Library."
《History Knife Carves the Sea》 spans millions of words, if it were truly a treasure kept by heaven, then its price would be astonishingly high.
The emperor's voice rose slightly: "Are you now wealthy Have you come before me especially to flaunt it"
"Your Majesty, I beg you to know that my pockets are empty! I only agreed to spend so much to buy these books and gifts in order not to disappoint You!"
"Where is the book"
"Huh" Jiang Wang was taken aback. "You really want to"
Seeing the atmosphere was amiss, he quickly said, "I'll go borrow money to buy books and present them to Your Majesty!"
"What kind of useless scoundrel are you, with empty hands and an empty purse!" The Emperor said coldly, "Then what brings you here"
“Why don't you look at the elders”
The emperor let out a cold “Hmph!” and said, “You dare question me”
Jiang Wang cautiously retreated a few steps and bowed, saying, "The commoner is disrespectful."
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The emperor didn't originally want to take action, but he couldn't help but kick him over with a foot: "Where do you think you can run to"
This kick, Jiang Wang wasn't unwilling to dodge, but he really couldn't dodge it.
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Mingming saw the boots, and although his speed didn't seem fast, he was unable to react. The newly achieved god seemed dazed, only coming alive when the person flipped in the hall.
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To avoid getting hit with a second blow, Jiang Wang quickly grabbed his heart and shouted loudly: "I did come to see the Emperor, and I also came to let the Emperor see me! I came to Dongguo because the Emperor trusted me, gave me shelter, and gave me an opportunity. That's how I have become Jiang Wang today—"
The emperor then elevated his voice, saying to him, “I don't give opportunities exclusively to you; I have always given them to everyone in the world. It’s just that very few people are as determined as you, and you managed to seize this opportunity by risking your life. What I rewarded was your achievement, not your person. You have repeatedly made great contributions, but you always return the glory to its rightful owner. This is also because you were able to escape death before the blade of Champion Marquis. When I said I would let you go, I meant it. Can you deny the words of the emperor You haven’t wronged anyone in Dongguo, so stop talking such pointless nonsense!”
Jiang Wang pleaded earnestly, "Your Majesty, you may say so, but I, a commoner, do not think so. I, Jiang Wang, come from a small country and have been wandering for many years. I have read many history books and learned much. I deeply understand that 'fairness' is not something taken for granted. A fair environment does not appear naturally; it requires a large amount of social resources to maintain. It cannot be established by an ordinary ruler, nor by a declining nation."
“I can grow in a fair environment, and be able to contribute and gain something in return. This itself is the grace that Qi has bestowed upon me. Therefore, when I go into battle and fight for the country, I never hesitate to give my life.”
"Looking at him, he is dull-witted and foolish, impulsive and reckless, entangled in himself, often acting on impulse. If it weren't for the emperor's tolerance, how could I stand upright in this world If it weren't for the emperor's trust, how would the world know my name"
>In the past, when I departed, I made a vow to die in battle. I could not bear to live another day under the envy of Zhuang Gao, nor could I burden the country with my presence and make enemies of the world. Therefore, I left with my official seal and went west. In two months, I will repay this hatred!
"Afterward, I ventured deep into the desolate borderlands for six thousand li, entering the True Cave and slaying the True Demon... These crucial moments in my life, I often recall the Emperor."
“I thought the Son of Heaven treated me with utmost sincerity, and I also regarded him as my venerable superior. Therefore, with the Son of Heaven...”
“I only wish that the young man who once bared his wounds to me had truly grown into the valiant warrior in Your Majesty's heart!”
Jiang Wang spoke sincerely, and the emperor listened with an impassive face.
The thundering voices throughout the hall finally subsided, leaving only echoes.
The emperor then asked, "Is the purple robe still here"
The first time Emperor Qi saw Jiang Wang was in the Dong Hua Pavilion. At that time, Chong Xuan Sheng brought Jiang Wang over and "stripped him bare." Throughout the encounter, Emperor Qi didn't speak to him, only gazed at his numerous scars and uttered a single word——
"A purple robe is bestowed upon a brave warrior."
At that time, Jiang Wang only replied with — "Wei chen thanks Your Majesty."
The fact that this question is being asked shows that both the former ruler and his subject still remember their first meeting.
Jiang Wang clasped his hands and replied, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance: "I have always taken good care of that purple robe, keeping it in a dedicated room and offering incense to it. Last time when General Han sealed the doors, he shut me out. He said that nothing from the mansion could be taken..."
The emperor said, “Well done! It was I who had him bestowed upon you. I never knew before that you had this talent!”
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Now Jiang Wang was truly feeling wronged, wouldn't let her answer the question Then don't ask it!
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He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, honest advice may be unpleasant to the ears. I am only speaking the truth, not making false accusations."
"Is it true that I have summoned Han Ling to confront you"
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"This... no need, right We talked pretty well on the way here, don't want to confront him in person."
Then the Son of Heaven extended a finger towards him and said, “So you are slandering me behind my back”
"To deceive the emperor is to bring ruin upon oneself, while speaking truthfully may offend General Han. " Jiang Wang sighed, "I cannot deceive the emperor."
"This is a treasonous statement!"
"Every word is true."
"Looks honest, but actually cunning. What kind of person are you, Jiang Wang I'm not oblivious to your true nature."
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Jiang Wàng said, "It's a real person."
“Now they are even learning to quibble and prevaricate, with no sign of admitting fault. They're getting slicker and slicker as time goes on.”
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"Are you being serious"
The Son of Heaven raises his hand high.
"I was wrong!" Jiang Wang, a good man wouldn't suffer a loss in front of him, quickly lowered his head: "I won't dare again next time!"
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"Would you like to have another one"
"When I have time, I'll come back and see you."
"We have nothing in common!" The emperor waved his sleeve dismissively. "Get out! I'm not so old that I need your visits!"
Jiang Wang bowed deeply: "May Your Majesty's grand plan be further displayed, and the world be filled with purple flags."
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His respect, gratitude, and wishes all came from the heart.
The emperor didn't pay him any mind.
He backed up, backed up, backed up all the way to the threshold before turning around.
Up until this point, a voice echoed from behind— "You're doing great."
Jiang Wang strode out of De Lu Palace, the sunlight outside blinding.
Whether one considers his authority or solely his personal strength, the King of Qi ranks among the strongest in the world. Within his borders, he is practically untouchable, and beyond them, he remains undefeated on every path.
Just as a soldier's true strength is revealed on the battlefield, and their power amplified by the formation they stand within, so too does a cultivator's might reach its peak when surrounded by fellow warriors. Their combat prowess surpasses that of any other cultivator of equal rank.
When officialdom reaches its limits, so does this. The greater the authority, the stronger the cultivation.
Like the Heavenly Emperor among the Six Great Powers, he rules over the sovereign nation and commands heroes from across the land. With a mere thought, he can influence the lives and deaths of millions. When truly engaged in combat, controlling national affairs and wielding power that rivals the pinnacle of strength.
If one could unify the six realms and set right the world, thereby achieving enlightenment. Then even at the very peak, it would be the strongest existence!
Because this itself is the most difficult path.
The path of officialdom cultivation is the easiest and most helpful for breaking through at the beginning. But when it comes to the end, it's harder than all other cultivation paths.
Because the ultimate goal is to rule the world, it means you must subdue all the heroes of the present world! No matter what path you take, no matter what peak you reach, under heaven, everyone will be your subject!
Today's emperor of the Six Harmonies, once accomplished, will surpass even the ancient rulers.
Because of the efforts of generations of people, today's human civilization has flourished to a degree far surpassing the past.
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The official road is flourishing to this day, the difficulty of holding the world in one's hands is also far greater than before.
For the six great hegemons' Emperors.
The worst outcome is being dethroned, having one's cultivation scattered, and life and death being at the mercy of others, with one's country left to be slaughtered. Just like Zhuang Gaoxian.
A little better would be to die heroically on the battlefield for one's country. Such as Yang Jiande, Han Zhou, and Si Yuan. Of course, there are also differences in this regard, between wise and foolish rulers, and history will remember them.
To be a little better, it is to pass through one's imperial career in mediocrity or with gains and losses balancing each other out. After abdicating, one's power returns not of its own accord. But at least one can become a carefree hermit. (In fact, no one can bear such a disparity. An emperor who fails to return his power naturally after abdicating cannot possibly attain immortality. Therefore, almost none of these emperors who failed to return their power lived long. Either they forcibly attempted transcendence and failed, or they tried to regain the throne but were suppressed by the new emperor, or they simply died on the battlefield.)
The best outcome, of course, is to achieve complete merit and retire without regrets, returning power to oneself and remaining a true lord. But this step is incredibly difficult. The emperor holds the highest authority, and it's extremely difficult for him to return his power willingly. This difficulty surpasses that of all kings, princes, generals, and officials—the difference is not just double or triple. In the years since the founding of Da Qi, there has only been one chancellor who returned his power to himself: Yan Ping. He was a wise minister who helped Emperor Jiang achieve his hegemony and is destined to be remembered in history. The difficulty of an emperor returning his own power can be imagined from this.
Among all the emperors of mighty nations, the ultimate ideal is always the same: to achieve the grand feat of unifying the world under their rule. This has been the aspiration of every king throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. Yet, it is a path that is narrow and allows only one person to succeed.
"May the entire world be filled with purple banners," is already the best wish for a monarch.
And the return gift from Qitianzi was "no debt owed".
The sprawling palace complex, stands majestically at the heart of this grand city of Linzi, spanning three hundred miles.
Accompanied by the Chief Eunuch Huo Yanshan, Jiang Wang stepped out of here step by step. Red walls, yellow tiles, and white stone paths were bathed in sunlight, reflecting the clouds and mist.
Remembering our previous conversation about the celestial palace, I mentioned the example of the Imperial Palace of a powerful nation.
The majestic palace complex is composed of nothing more than bricks and stones. Yet, behind these bricks and stones lies an unimaginable power.
Even a powerful emperor like Emperor Qi, who reigned for fifty-nine years diligently and tirelessly, would never dare to slack off.
How can he claim to be truly free
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On the road, Huo Yanshan had looked at him several times, wanting to speak but holding back. As he was about to leave the palace gates, he finally said, "Master Jiang, there's a shoe print on your chest."
"Oh." Jiang Wang came back to his senses, expressionless, he brushed away a few specks of dust. The Ruyi Immortal Garment had already cleaned itself.
“I just learned a new step, I'm going to try and see if I can step here.” He emphasized.
Ho Yan Shan nodded silently.
Jiang Wang also stopped talking. Compared to Han Ling, the new Chief Eunuch was still naive...
After seeing Grandmaster Jiang leave the palace and disappear from sight, Huo Yanshan turned back. He felt he had kept his promise of silence perfectly, completely unaware that he might already be accused.
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Jiang Wang had never met him before, but of course he knew Jiang Wang. He didn't know what attitude to take toward this person from Li Qi before, but now he understood.
The heart of an emperor through the ages is unfathomable.
After leaving the Great Qi Imperial Palace, Jiang Wang fell into a period of silent contemplation.
He stepped onto the long street and walked on by himself.
Where shall we go
Probably many people will think about this question.
Master Jiang's return to Linzi this time was incredibly low-key. Han Ling welcomed him alone, accompanying him all the way into the palace and concealing his presence. The vast majority of the city's populace remained completely unaware of this event.
There's really nothing to boast about, it's not like before.
But to those with discerning ears, these silent and lonely footsteps are like thunderclap in the sky.
Please note that the original content was empty within the > tags. I have simply kept the
tag as it was.
To be frank, if Jiang Qingyang returned to Qi, he could influence the entire power structure of the state of Qi.
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Jiang Wang pretended not to notice the stares, covering her face and blending into the crowd.
He was already well-known throughout the land, and in Qi even a household name. But with the vastness of the Eastern States and its immense population, it was impossible for everyone to have seen his face. Linzi was different, however. In this powerful city of a hegemon state, his supporters were particularly frenzied.
When Duke Wu'an left Qi, almost everyone in the state of Qi who had ever clashed with him was subjected to near-frantic public criticism.
Even Wang Yiwu, a disciple of Guan Yu, the God of War, was not spared.
In this city, every one of his features has been dissected and analyzed countless times, each with its own fan club. The "best eyes" faction even clashed with the "best nose bridge" faction.
If he were to walk the streets without hiding, he would be recognized immediately and then the whole city would erupt in an uproar.
Fortunately, one's experiences can be concealed, so nowadays I don't need to wear a long robe and hat.
Strolling through the bustling streets, watching the busy people, he seemed to be both part of it all and yet apart from it, like a visitor from another world.
This heart and this state of being are not the same as before.
At this moment, he thought of Yu Beidou. It was on this very street that the first person he had labeled a con artist, a mystical practitioner from the world of martial arts, had stopped him in his tracks, faked a fall, and insisted on giving him a fortune-telling session.
Then, leading his horse, they took him to stroll through the bustling streets, watching the festivities and gazing into the future.
I wonder if Yu Beidou at that time saw his own life
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All that is past!
Oh, what a day!
Jiang Wang walked aimlessly, opening his heart. At this moment, amidst the bustling noise, he accurately caught a name, a very familiar one:
You are hereby enlightened.
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He couldn't help but smile faintly.
With half a turn of his foot, he had already appeared in a certain wine shop. He casually summoned a chair and sat down among the group of literati who were deep in conversation at a table.
Then shifted his gaze, released his voice, calling these people to see him, to hear him.
You are quite drunk now, your face is flushed and red. You are waving your hands around as you point at the landscape and say: "I have been writing articles for years! Back then none of you believed me. I told you that the current problems stem from..."
He saw Jiang Wang.
The red face turned white, the hand that had been raised in a gesture of triumph fell, and the figure that had risen with excitement slowly sank back down.
"Have you sat down" Jiang asked calmly.
Then, he immediately stood up straight.
All the other scholars at the table also instinctively rose to their feet, standing in a circle as if being punished.
"It's fine, you all sit down." Jiang Wang raised his palm and pressed it downward, commanding them to sit, as if pressing down on a pile of puppets.
She then looked at Er Fengming with a relaxed posture and tone, "Haven't heard you scold me lately"g, “General, Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life…”Zhong Xuanchu interrupted him: "Heaven also has the power to kill! These soldiers dare to defy Heavenly troops, how can they not be killed to uph...