Chapter 1221 - 406: Endless Calamity (Double-length - )_4

Chapter 1221: Chapter 406: Endless Calamity (Double-length Chapter)_4

Meng Shaojie pondered and asked: "With news spreading so widely, could it be that the Great Ming’s court intends to strike east to feign west?"

Xiao Chunhui: "On the court of Great Ming, various voices rise and fall; being able to cooperate without undermining each other is already Chancellor Chen’s skill. Expecting everyone to strictly follow orders and keep secrets would be too demanding. However, just to be safe, we might as well observe for a few more days."

.........

Capital of Great Ming.

At the residence of Chen Yu, leader of the Wu Party and Prime Minister.

"Teacher." Chao Feng bowed to the elder sitting in the main seat.

The elder looked at his most satisfied student before him and smiled: "There’s no need for such formalities, sit."

Chao Feng continued to comply meticulously with the rites.

He is currently the youngest Grand Scholar in the Great Ming’s cabinet.

Though the least experienced and ranked last, entering the cabinet opens up a whole new world.

In the Ming Dynasty, only by reaching this stage does one have a chance to attain the state of Perfection in the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

Chao Feng knew that given his seniority, he still had to wait.

But the opportunity was already in his hands...

No, one should say, part of it was in his hands.

Having the current situation is inseparable from the Emperor’s favor and the cultivation by his mentor.

Grand Secretary Chen Yu smiled at his disciple in front of him.

Chao Feng’s entry into the cabinet meant that the Wu Party occupied three out of five positions there.

Strictly speaking, his qualifications were not truly lacking, but he had no advantages, faced with many competitors.

But Chao Feng had the Emperor’s favor, and with the backing of his mentor Chancellor Chen, he finally stood out from the rest.

This matter aligned with the intentions of the new sovereign.

Using force against the northern tribes and the Western Regions Buddhist Sect also coincided with imperial intentions.

In addition, the Wu Party’s strong presence in the court allowed Chen Yu, who had served as an official for many years, to feel he could finally unleash his efforts.

Suppressing and even breaking up the Qin Party, of course, was necessary.

Handling the border troubles with the north’s barbarians and the Western Regions Buddhist Sect’s heresy was equally necessary.

Only by safeguarding the Ming’s realm and undertaking achievements could one be written into history, creating the legend of a capable minister to be admired by countless generations.

However, concession to the Emperor this time was excessive, especially allowing some wicked eunuchs in the court to rise again.

This action harbors significant hidden dangers, and must be curbed subsequently to maintain balance.

Chen Yu earnestly advised Chao Feng, who promised: "Rest assured, Teacher, I will counsel His Majesty not to overly indulge the eunuchs."

"Hmm." Chen Yu nodded slightly.

Noticing Chao Feng’s hesitation to speak, Chen Yu calmly said: "Minian, speak your mind, what is there we cannot discuss as teacher and student?"

Chao Feng: "Now the entire court is discussing the war in the northwest; over there, they should also be on guard."

Prime Minister Chen first nodded slightly, then shook his head: "Minian’s concerns are not unfounded, but the art of war lies in victory through principle and surprise tactics aligning with general trends; there’s no need for unconventional victories."

Pausing for a moment, he continued: "A recent secret report states that within Guixu, a master with a Vajra Body of the Sumeru realm got trapped."

"Achieving a Vajra Body, that means, a Precept Holder monk of the Ninth Heavenly Layer’s Perfection from the Buddhist Sect?"

Chao Feng was surprised: "I heard earlier that the Jiemo Division Master went to the northern grasslands..."

He suddenly realized: "Not the Jiemo Division Master, but someone from one of the other four divisions among the Five Sections of the Mount Sumeru Vajra World?"

Chen Yu nodded: "Indeed, it’s said its Vajra Body manifested a crimson color, which according to the Mount Sumeru Buddhist texts, points to the Lotus Division."

Chao Feng took a deep breath to compose himself: "The Five Sections of the Mount Sumeru Vajra World has lost a corner!"

Chen Yu: "Not just a corner, previously news from the Heavenly Principle mentioned that the Sumeru Vajra Division within the realm of the Pseudo-Tang Dynasty also took a severe blow, and in less than a decade it’s insufficient for them to recuperate."

Chao Feng: "I was wondering earlier why Teacher was acting with such urgency today, turns out there was another hidden agenda, you calculated before acting, far beyond my reach."

"In fact, preparations have been long underway." Prime Minister Chen sighed lightly.

Chao Feng knew his Teacher and the Wu Party had been plotting for some time.

Besides splitting the Qin Party, they also allied with the Chu Party.

Opportunity favors the prepared, and now that the opportunity is here, it’s time to seize it.

"As for Master Mu Chunyang’s case, I may have gone too far." Chao Feng said apologetically.

So far, the Chu Party on the court has always been closely associated with the first Sacred Land, True Martial Taoist Temple, within the Great Ming’s Taoist Sect.

Chen Yu: "No, it was just right, just as they say, to lift high and place lightly."

Chao Feng: "Then, what about Abbot Guangshu?"

Chen Yu: "Both Bodhi Temple and True Martial Taoist Temple will send large contingents to follow the army northward, with Wooden Temple Master and Abbot Guangshu both personally participating in the battle."

He looked at his student: "Before that, elsewhere, stability should be the priority."

Chao Feng: "Yes, Teacher."

.........

Tang Realm.

Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Lei Jun spoke with Chu Kun, who held the Heaven’s Sight Earth’s Hearing Talisman in the realm of Great Ming, through the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript rotating in his eyes:

"If the Great Ming Dynasty truly intends to engage in battle with the northern tribes and the Sumeru Jiemo Division, let them proceed, and please strive diligently."

With the Lotus Division Master Zongjia’s entrapment in Guixu, it’s triggering a chain reaction.

For many, this matter is a disaster waiting to unfold... Celestial Master Lei thought calmly.

Chu Kun likewise had no intention of intervening: "Sect Leader, there’s another matter, around the Void Gateway leading to Guicang from the Ming Realm, more people have been lingering, seeming less like they’re monitoring the Void Gateway, but rather trying to evade the Ming Court’s surveillance to sneak into Guicang."

Lei Jun: "Can their background be confirmed?"

Chu Kun: "They appear to be from the Daoist Alchemy Sect, judging by their levels of cultivation, they likely belong to the Mount Shu Sect on this side of the Ming Realm."

Lei Jun pondered.

The current situation of the Great Ming’s Mount Shu Sect is quite dire.

Previously under the former Sect Leader Han Qingtao, many were confirmed as key members of the Mortal Tao Country within the Ming Realm.

The Mount Shu Sect has not been entirely labeled as rebel traitors by the Ming Court, thanks in large part to the tradition of the old elders in the court countering and attacking each other.

But even so, the Great Ming’s Mount Shu Sect’s remaining people’s harsh situation is foreseeable.

According to Chu Kun, some of the major treasures of the Mount Shu Sect were taken by Han Qingtao, yet some remained.

One of these is even the Qiankun Sun and Moon Pot, one of the original six treasures of the opening of the Mount Shu Sect, considered the founding cornerstone of the Mount Shu Sect on this line of the Ming Realm.

But now, the remaining treasures of the Great Ming’s Mount Shu Sect have all been confiscated by the Ming Court.

As some jokingly said, for those who remain on the Summit of the Great Ming’s Mount Shu without going over to Han Qingtao, it speaks volumes of their firm belief...

Yet not turning to Han Qingtao doesn’t mean the lineage of the Mount Shu Sect remaining in the Summit of the Great Ming is content with their station.

At such a time, someone trying to "sneak into" Guicang truly provokes speculation.

Personal action, or collective decision?

"Senior Brother..."

Chu Kun pondered and spoke: "Could there be individuals within the Great Ming’s Mount Shu Sect harboring intentions of aiming for Guicang to offer proof of loyalty to the Ming Court?

Although the movement technique remains unchanged, not altering the sect’s heritage, under the influence of Neo-Confucian principles and constants, the hearts of the world’s people are subtly affected.

In this context, loyalty to the sovereign often ranks first..."

Lei Jun calmly: "This matter should be left to the Taoist peers of the Mount Shu Sect on this side of the Tang Realm to decide, we need not intervene."