Chapter 2040: A Shift in the Structure of the Central Plains! (1/2)
Edited by: Michyrr
Although Wang Chong had still not gotten the answer he wanted, the Sage Emperor's return meant that the empire had avoided the enormous project that was moving the capital, along with any further disasters. What was most important was that order had been restored to this vast empire.
”Go! Return to the residence!”
Wang Chong boarded his carriage.
”Congratulations to user! For successfully completing Important Side Event 'True and False Sage Emperors', resolving the crisis and awakening the Sage Emperor's consciousness, averting further disaster, user has been rewarded 800,000 points of Destiny Energy!” The voice of the Stone of Destiny rang out in Wang Chong's mind.
Wang Chong was startled at first, but then he shook his head and smiled, putting the voice aside as his carriage made its way southwestward.
……
Meanwhile, in the Great Tang's northeast, Youzhou…
”What's going on?”
Incense smoke curled in the main hall. Gao Shang was seated cross-legged on a couch made from jade. As he divined the heavens, his fingers suddenly twitched, his index finger acting as if it had been stabbed. Gao Shang's eyes flew open in alarm.
”The Ziwei has returned to its place and the white tiger has risen. What's going on here?”
Gao Shang visibly paled.
”Lord Gao, did something happen?”
Not far away, An Yaluoshan, Cui Qianyou, Tian Chengsi, Tian Qianzhen, Baizhen Tuoluo, and Zhao Kan were gathered around a model, discussing the current situation of the Central Plains and simulating future battles. However, Gao Shang's cry of alarm had made all of them turn their heads.
Gao Shang was skilled in divination, astrology, and calculating the shifts of the Dragon Qi of the Central Plains. He was extremely important to their group.
They had all gotten used to Gao Shang seated on that jade couch An Yaluoshan had found just for him, predicting the future while Cui Qianyou and the others played out military scenarios on the model.
The two sides worked in parallel, and Gao Shang was known for his intelligence. This was the first time they had ever seen him like this during his calculations.
”Gao Shang, has there been some sort of shift in the structure of the Central Plains?”
The deep voice of An Yaluoshan resounded through the hall as its owner left the model and solemnly walked over with the others.
Gao Shang rarely encountered a problem, and if he did, it would not be a minor one.
”There's a problem! When I previously observed the heavens, the Ziwei was in decline with black Qi attached to it, an omen of weakening and of division in the Central Plains. But just now, the Ziwei blazed to life, shining over the other stars, and the black Qi has completely vanished. The Great Tang is showing signs of resurgence, and the White Tiger Star next to the Ziwei has also begun to radiate more light, showing signs of ascension and getting even closer to the Ziwei. This is a sign of deep favor, wealth, status, and extraordinary promotion!” Gao Shang said in shock.
”What?!”
Everyone was struck dumb by Gao Shang's words.
”How could this be?” Cui Qianyou and Tian Chengsi cried out in shock.
The two of them didn't understand astrology or divination, but they had only returned to Youzhou a short while ago. How could the course of the empire have shifted so much?
Signs of decline in one moment and signs of resurgence the next?
”Bastard! It's him!”
At this moment, An Yaluoshan's face turned dark and he gnashed his teeth.
”Him?”
Everyone else was startled at first, but they swiftly understood.
There was only one man in all of the Central Plains that could draw so much hatred from their liege.
Wang Chong!
As a figure emerged in their minds, the mood turned heavy.
The Ziwei was the Emperor Star and represented the Son of Heaven. Even ordinary people who did not understand astrology knew this.
As for the White Tiger Star, An Yaluoshan had learned long ago that this pointed to that bastard Wang Chong.
The Ziwei had returned to its place, the white tiger was rising, and the Central Plains was reviving!
For such a major shift to have taken place over such a short period of time, An Yaluoshan would never believe that Wang Chong wasn't involved.
”If it's really as Your Excellency and Lord Strategist say, this is extremely bad for us!”
Baizhen Tuoluo glanced at Gao Shang, his eyes full of worry.
”Only when the Central Plains is in chaos do we have a chance. If the Ziwei has returned to its position and is no longer as incompetent, our Youzhou will be gravely threatened, particularly by that King of Foreign Lands. He has always regarded Your Excellency as a thorn in his side and has attempted assassination many times. Moreover, the Wang Clan's power in the capital is almost suffocating. If everything returns to the way it was, he will probably do everything he can to deal with Your Excellency and Youzhou!”
No one had expected the Central Plains to experience a resurgence. This rendered their previous advantages void.
With the return of a wise and heroic sovereign in the Sage Emperor, the Youzhou group would never have a chance to rebel.
Not even An Yaluoshan dared to imagine how he could stand against the Sage Emperor alone.
”Is there any good side to this? We haven't finished training our men and haven't gathered enough supplies. If the sovereign is of one mind with his officials, we won't have a single chance!”