Chapter 175: Countless Rulers Through Time
Chen Changsheng shook his head.
Shang Lu paused, then asked, “…Is it impossible?”
Chen Changsheng said, “Those beyond the world don’t interfere in worldly affairs. But if those from this world cross the line, things become different.”
Shang Lu clicked his tongue and sighed, “So it really is impossible.”
“If you ask whether she lives well, she certainly does. But if you ask whether she’s happy… you’d have to ask her yourself.”
“Is that so…”
Shang Lu pressed on, “Then I…”
“…Where should I go to find her?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, “One day, you will meet again.”
After hearing this, Shang Lu gazed at the Great Master for a long while. A moment later, he lowered his head and asked no more.
Matters concerning Zi Su were complex, and there wasn’t much Chen Changsheng could tell him. Cause leads to effect; what comes later must be left to the future.
Chen Changsheng said, “I came this time because there’s something I wish to discuss with you.”
Shang Lu snapped out of his thoughts. “Please speak, sir.”
Chen Changsheng explained the matter of the imperial decree to Shang Lu in full.
After listening, Shang Lu thought for a moment. “So there’s such a thing to consider…”
He then looked down at himself and asked, “Great Master, does the Human Emperor truly possess such great power?”
Chen Changsheng said, “The mortal emperor gathers the Fortune/Fate of the entire nation. Matters of conferring titles are part of the rules of this world.”
Shang Lu said, “This was my oversight. The warlocks of the Northern Desert helped me many times before. To better win over the hearts of the Northern Desert Tribes, I followed their advice and conferred titles to the Witch Ancestor Heaven and the ‘Six Paths of Reincarnation’.”
“Tonight, I’ll send someone to my palace. This shall be resolved by tomorrow.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “In any case, hurry. Otherwise, the cycle of ‘Reincarnation’ will fall into chaos.”
“Rest assured, Great Master.”
Having agreed, Shang Lu then said, “There is something Shang Lu would like to discuss with the Great Master.”
Chen Changsheng asked, “What is it?”
“Would the Great Master consider staying in Western Xiao?”
Shang Lu said, “Western Xiao is currently in turmoil. I, too, lack the talent of a sovereign. With your help, Western Xiao will surely prosper.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I have many other places to go.”
Shang Lu looked up. “No matter. If you happen to pass by Western Xiao, do visit. I will build a high tower for you, no less splendid than the ‘Directorate of Celestial Observation’ of Great Jing.”
“A high tower won’t be necessary.”
Chen Changsheng said, “However, traveling through Western Xiao, I have seen firsthand its current state. I can offer you some advice.”
Shang Lu’s eyes lit up. “Please wait a moment, sir.”
He spread a blank sheet of paper on his desk. Once ready, he picked up his brush and looked at Chen Changsheng. “Please speak, sir.”
“In Western Xiao’s current situation, what is needed most isn’t a kind ruler, but a harsh and ruthless one!”
Just the first sentence made Shang Lu pause.
Chen Changsheng continued, “The key points lie in culture and belief. The Northern Desert Tribes worship the Witch Ancestor and embrace Buddha culture. But in today’s world, this faith hinders the nation’s progress. It can be utilized but must not be allowed to flourish.”
“Culture lies in Western Xiao’s education. Originally nomadic people, the Northern Desert Tribes have scant knowledge. The world cannot rely on brute strength alone. You need wise minds to plan strategy and stabilize the realm. You must act swiftly, starting with education. Imperial exams and bureaucratic systems should be established.”
“Another point is the conflict between the Northern Desert Tribes and the Jing people within Western Xiao. The two groups are like fire and water. If this continues, major trouble may erupt.”
Shang Lu stopped writing. He frowned deeply. “I’ve thought this too. But those Northern Desert Tribes simply won’t listen to reason.”
“Trying to reason with the unreasonable is pointless.”
Chen Changsheng said, “The Northern Desert Tribes value martial strength. So settle things their way – suppress them forcefully! Make the two groups mix quickly. You must have Jing people in official positions. Also, encourage marriages between the groups. This is a long-term process.”
“One more thing you must remember! It’s the most important point!”
“Concerning military power!”
“You must keep it firmly in your own hands. The military system must be fixed quickly. Any flaw there might drag the whole nation into disaster. You became emperor through rebellion. You know this better than anyone.”
Chen Changsheng went on explaining many problems – education, culture, faith, commerce, the army… all of it.
Shang Lu sat continuously at his desk, recording everything the Great Master said. When one large sheet filled up, he took another.
The candlelight on the desk flickered. By the end, Shang Lu’s handwriting became rushed and messy. But still, he wrote silently for over three hours.
This Taoist who had somehow become emperor was only now learning to be one.
Chen Changsheng faintly perceived a strand of Fortune/Fate from the Heaven and Earth attempting to settle upon Shang Lu.
He frowned and waved his hand.
The descending Fortune/Fate retreated.
Chen Changsheng wanted no part of Western Xiao’s Fortune/Fate. His advice to Shang Lu had two reasons: first, Xuan Huang, before his death, had asked him to watch over the four of them. Second, he hoped an earlier peace for Western Xiao might lessen suffering in the world.
Shang Lu, too, vaguely saw that thread of descending golden light scatter.
As the Human Emperor, Fortune/Fate was deeply linked to him; that’s why he caught a glimpse.
“Great Master, that golden light just now, what was it…?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “You saw wrong.”
“Did I…”
Shang Lu paused slightly but didn’t press further. He had a faint inkling of what that golden light was.
…
The morning rooster crowed.
Ximing City gradually filled with noise. Within the royal palace, sounds also began to appear, no longer silent as before.
In the Imperial Study, Chen Changsheng glanced at the sky. Seeing it was late, he stopped speaking.
“Let’s stop here.”
Shang Lu came back to himself and looked up in surprise.
“It’s already light…”
He turned and saw several large sheets spread beside him, densely covered in writing.
Shang Lu put down his brush. His hand trembled slightly and didn’t settle for some time.
Chen Changsheng said, “How Western Xiao fares hereafter rests on you.”
Shang Lu took a deep breath, then stood and bowed deeply before the Great Master.
“Shang Lu, on behalf of this land and people, offers deepest thanks, sir!”
“You exaggerate.”
Chen Changsheng then said, “Countless rulers have reigned through time, yet virtuous sovereigns are rare. Though you started late, learning the way of a sovereign, or the principles of Daoist Arts – it’s all a process from nothing.”
Shang Lu felt momentarily dazed. Now that he truly committed to being a ruler, confusion also surfaced.
“Simply follow the Heavenly principles; destiny will form by itself.”
Shang Lu was stunned. Lifting his head, he saw that Chen Changsheng had vanished from the Imperial Study without a trace.
“Great Master?”
He stood dumbfounded for a long while. Sunlight streamed in through the window, pulling him back to reality.
The Imperial Study fell completely quiet. Only he remained before the desk.
Though Shang Lu didn’t yet grasp the art of sovereignty, he understood the ways of the world.
When he sat down and looked at the papers on his desk, he knew with utter clarity:
These seven sheets before him,
Would ensure Western Xiao’s prosperity for at least three hundred years!