The next morning.
Melodious music and gentle singing drifted through the Luan Feng and Ming Pavilion. After the talented and beautiful young ladies woke up, they began their daily training as usual. Some of them were stretching their voices, while others were playing the zither. Beauties woke up in the morning, and it was like a hundred flowers blooming in spring. The air was filled with charm and gentleness.
This was the so-called Land of Warmth and Tenderness.
The Copper Sparrow Pavilion was known as the number one brothel in the capital. It was the benchmark of the Houtu service industry. The quality of its hardware and software was the best in the capital. The chefs they hired were not inferior to the imperial kitchen. They carefully prepared a sumptuous breakfast and brought it to the seventh floor. It was to provide the noble and powerful General Shentse with energy for the day, so that he could start a new day of his life as a rebel.
Sun Lang finished the porridge in his bowl. "How was your sleep last night?"
Princess Pingyang pursed her lips and smiled. She looked at her master who was so close to her. She could reach out her hand and touch his cheek … It was like a dream.
What was there to be dissatisfied with?
She said softly, "I've never felt better than now."
Zhan Zhao also said, "The bedding is much softer than the one in the capital. It's very comfortable and quiet."
Sun Lang nodded and said to the cat lady, "After eating, call Pangji and Android over …"
Before he finished speaking, he frowned.
Zhan Zhao's cat ears twitched slightly.
Chaotic footsteps could be heard. It sounded like a large group of people were going upstairs. Sun Lang was puzzled. "Are they paying their respects?
When did they become so filial? "
The sound of footsteps rushed over. The frequency was very fast, and the footsteps were very urgent. The person at the front was almost running. He rushed over in a few steps and then began to bang on the door.
Sun Lang shouted, "Bang your mother!
I'm getting my morning erection! "
The person who knocked on the door was Pangji. His voice was very exasperated. "Erection your mother!
Open the door!
Something's wrong! "
Sun Lang gave Zhan Zhao a look, and Zhan Zhao floated up, opened the door, and moved to the side. Sun Lang's henchmen rushed in like a swarm of bees, as if they were paparazzi who had caught news of a high-ranking official's love affairs.
General Shentse picked up a piece of pastry and glanced at them. "Look at you guys. It's like the sky has fallen. What's wrong? Did the emperor pass away?"
Princess Ping Yang glanced at him, her eyes filled with resentment.
The generals of the Heaven's Origin Sector seemed to have been influenced by General Shentse's calmness that was like the moon illuminating the river. The shock and uneasiness in their hearts were slightly calmed down. Pangji shook his head and said, "That is not the case."
Sun Lang snorted. "Then why are you panicking?
What happened? "
Pangji took a deep breath and said, "His Majesty will appoint the Crown Prince."
Sun Lang was stunned for a moment. He nodded and sneered, "So fast?
Interesting, interesting. Looks like His Majesty is anxious. How interesting … Looking at you guys, the outer court has already exploded? "
Pangji said in a low voice, "Yes, all the high-ranking officials in the imperial court have been alarmed. Memorials have been sent to the Office of Transmission like snowflakes. Some people are dancing in ecstasy, while others are loudly objecting. There are even officials who have already knelt outside the Gate of Heaven Influence. Everyone is arguing. Even the first-rank officials are blocked outside the palace gates.
They are unable to see the Crown Prince … "Sun Lang said calmly," The appointment of the Crown Prince is a fight over the foundation of the country. It concerns everyone's victory or defeat in the stock market. The emperor suddenly jumped out to take advantage of the situation. Some people want to go to the rooftop, so there will definitely be a commotion. The main thing is that it happened too quickly and caught everyone off guard. There were no signs at all.
Everyone's expression became very strange.
"General, in fact …"
Pangji glanced at Android beside him.
They both looked very much like Chief of the General Staff Hans Krebs and Director Alfred Jodl.
Android continued, "The one who has been appointed as the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, Jiancheng."
Sun Lang spat out all the pastries in his mouth. "What the f * ck!?"
He was really shocked this time. "What kind of operation is this?
What happened?
Why did it become like this? "
Princess Pingyang also widened her eyes in surprise. "Eldest Brother?
Then … then … "
Everyone didn't have the time to tease Sun Lang about his "heaven-collapsing bear" appearance. The news that had suddenly burst out this morning had given them a fright … For this powerful country, the biggest threat actually came from within. The struggle for the position of crown prince meant that there would be many forces fighting openly and covertly. It was not a small matter.
Everyone was waiting for Sun Lang to make a decision and make a decision.
The appointment of the Crown Prince was a fight over the foundation of the country. It concerned the direction of the country's development in the next few decades and involved the lives of countless people. It was always the most important thing in the imperial court. With Sun Lang's current reputation and power, Shinto Province was already qualified and necessary to participate in this fight.
Sun Lang's eyes flashed as he pondered in his heart.
He had information that others did not know, so he could see further than others.
There must be something fishy about this!
He suddenly asked, "There must be a reason for the Emperor's actions. What happened last night?"
Everyone looked at him with strange expressions, especially Pangji and Android.
Last night, someone found out that the Wood Sword Saint had faked his death and had a fight with a guy suspected to be the Sword Saint of the Nation. He made a big scene in the Jupiter Sword Palace and used a loudspeaker to broadcast throughout the imperial capital. He made a big fuss about summoning the important officials to the palace to have an audience with the Emperor and confront the Sword Saint of the Nation. The governor, Bao Xiren, was so angry that he vomited blood. He talked nonsense in front of the people of the Sword Palace and the envoys from the palace. Then he retreated in order to advance. He pretended to compromise and secretly went to Tensei Province to make a big scene. He even set up a trap for the Emperor and sent a memorial to the palace to show off.
That was what happened last night.
Oh my god, I was right. The Emperor must have been so angry that he lost his mind.
Everyone felt as if they had discovered the truth.
Sun Lang glared at them. "What are you thinking?
I mean, other than me! "
Everyone was deep in thought. A few of them wanted to say something. After the war, they became officials in the imperial court and entered the various departments of the imperial court. For example, Yan Song went to the Ministry of Rites and Pangji went to the Censorate. This morning's news was too shocking. All the departments were in a mess and rumors were flying everywhere. Before this, they had used their own information channels to gather information. After all, some things could not be hidden.
Yan Song said, "Let me … I heard that the Tensei general secretly entered the palace last night."
Sun Lang raised his eyebrows. "And then?"
Yan Song smiled bitterly. "How can we find out what happened in the imperial palace?
Now that we're making a fuss about the appointment of the Crown Prince, no one in the palace dares to say a word. "
Sun Lang said thoughtfully, "It seems that the secret meeting last night was the key."
But … what on earth was going on?
Others didn't know, but Sun Lang knew all too well. The Empress Concubine was a delicacy in the eyes of the Emperor. This old pervert wanted to live forever, so he set his sights on his own daughter. According to normal operations, the Empress Concubine would definitely be made the Empress Concubine the Crown Prince, and then he would seize her body without leaving a trace. Then he would be able to ascend to the throne as the new Empress, continuing his dream of living forever and searching for the next reincarnation.
Therefore, according to the normal operation, Empress should be chosen as the Crown Prince.
Why did he choose the Great Prince?
Why was this?
Conspiracy?
Misdirection?
Another plan?
Trick of injuring oneself to gain the enemy's confidence?
Countless speculations flashed through his mind … There was too little information to make effective speculations and thinking. It could only be said that the Emperor's move was too cunning.
It was simply self-destruction.
Sun Lang thought for a moment and felt that he did not know where to start. He could only ask, "What about Tensei Province?"
Pangji replied, "Tensei Province is closed to visitors. Many of Empress's business partners and political allies have come to visit, but they were all turned away … Of course, I don't know what happened in private."
Everyone laughed coldly.
Although Sun Lang didn't say exactly what had happened at Great Desolate Mountain, no one was stupid. Two years of time was enough for smart people to have an idea. In addition, Sun Lang's attitude towards the Emperor Concubine after returning to the capital confirmed everyone's conjecture.
Empress Tensei was the enemy … there was no doubt about it.
For a member of the royal family who was talented and ambitious, the worst thing that could happen was to fail in the battle for the Crown Prince … it almost meant losing everything.
The matter of the Crown Prince was clear. The position of Crown Prince was no longer empty. The prince who was appointed as the Crown Prince would become the future king. The legitimacy of his identity would be recognized by the country, the court, the Emperor, and the world. He would bear great responsibility and have great power. With the recognition of the orthodox imperial power, the new Crown Prince's power would expand like never before … For his former competitors, this was undoubtedly a great crisis.
In other words, Empress Tensei, the general of the Empire, the Emperor's favorite daughter, and the flower of the Earth Houtu who had great military power in peacetime, had her ambition to compete for the Crown Prince's position had been shattered. Her great reputation and achievements, the countless strange people under her command, her prestige in the military, and her foundation in the court would become a thorn in the Crown Prince's side.
The speculators who bet on her would scatter and do their best to stop their losses.
Even the Emperor would do something to her to weaken her power and power. Because the Emperor had already confirmed the future leader of the Empire, for the sake of the stability of the country, he also had to remove the obstacles that might exist in the future for the Crown Prince … compared to the stability of the country, the relationship between father and daughter was not worth mentioning.
In other words, Empress's good days of abusing power and dominating the court had come to an end.
For the generals of the Shentse, it was simply a great joy. They felt excited, relieved, and happy. They wished they could grow wings and fly to Tensei Province to see Empress's expression at this time.
But only a few people remained calm and doubtful.
Sun Lang pondered and said, "Empress went to see the Emperor last night. Today, the Emperor appointed his eldest son as the Crown Prince. I think there must be a connection … we have to find out the reason why the Emperor was crazy."
He asked again, "What about the Crown Prince?"
Pangji replied, "He also closed his door and did not come out. He did not see any guests. Not even a fly could fly out of his residence."
Sun Lang raised his eyebrows and said, "Introduce this candidate."
Pangji looked at Yan Song. As an official of the Ministry of Rites, Yan Song had seen many lists of names, so he was very familiar with this. "Although the Crown Prince is the eldest son, he is not Empress's son. He is talented, but that is all. His personal ability is only a sign of preservation in the royal family, not a peerless talent. He is not as good as Empress, and he is not even the best among the princes. His biggest reliance is his identity as the eldest son."
"He is known for his benevolence and generosity. When he writes a memorial, he is either asking for the people's lives or pleading with the Emperor. In short, he is like a good person. Usually, he likes to smooth things over."
Sun Lang smiled and said, "Benevolence and generosity, a good person's persona. He can be a benevolent ruler when he advances, and a virtuous king when he retreats. Everyone likes honest people. Even if he loses the battle for the position of Crown Prince, the new Emperor will have to consider his reputation and the opinions of the court. He will most likely not kill him. Instead, he will make him a model …"
Imperial Tutor Pang shook his head and said, "But the Emperor does not like it. Although the Crown Prince's benevolence and generosity is useful, the Emperor is benevolent and has a soft temperament. He is easily bullied by the officials. The current Emperor is a man of great talent and bold vision. He has been powerful for a long time. Why would he like such an heir? Why would he let a prodigal son destroy the foundation he has built?"
Sun Lang said playfully, "But this huge meat pie has indeed fallen on his head … and it happened so suddenly and without any warning. What does the Emperor want to do?"
No one could answer. This was probably a problem that troubled the entire court. It could be imagined that after this news spread, the entire Imperial Capital would fall into a great shock. Who knew how many think tanks and advisors were racking their brains, trying to think and deduce the truth behind this matter.
In the silence, someone said softly, "Could it be that the Emperor is showing weakness?"
Everyone was shocked at first. Then, they looked over and saw that the person who spoke was Ma Shiying.
Meeting Sun Lang's gaze, Ma Shiying hesitated for a moment, but still continued, "Your enemy is Empress. There will be conflict, there will be war. In other words, if Empress becomes the Crown Prince, it will lead to your full counterattack. There will be no more days of peace in the court. But if it is the Crown Prince who is known for his benevolence …"
Sun Lang nodded and said, "So it is a stalling tactic."
"… No, maybe it is not."
Ma Shiying lowered her eyes and said softly and calmly, "Empress has lost in the battle for the Crown Prince. His power and status will continue to weaken. With your means, you can definitely take advantage of the situation and suppress him until he can never rise again. The Emperor has chosen a benevolent son as the Crown Prince. He already has the intention to preserve what he has, but has no desire to improve …"
Many people slowly frowned.
Android's eyes became gloomy and he said, "What are you trying to say?"
Ma Shiying took a deep breath. She raised her head and looked calmly at Sun Lang. In a low voice, she said, "I want to ask the Marshal, what step should we take … if the Princess's power is gone, if the Emperor admits defeat and gives in, if we have already won, what are you going to do next?"
What are you going to do?
Yes … if Empress loses, if the Emperor concedes, what is the marshal going to do next?
Or … what are you going to do next?
Confusion appeared in everyone's eyes. They were used to fighting under Sun Lang's command. After the marshal returned to the capital, they followed him as usual. But today, after Ma Shiying's reminder, they suddenly woke up.
What is the marshal going to do?
In other words, what is he going to do with his revenge?
Is he going to make his opponents lose everything, or is he going to kill them all and take their lives?
Is he going to dominate the court and control the court as a powerful minister, or is he going to put on the emperor's robe and seize the supreme power of the country and become the new Emperor?
All eyes were focused on Sun Lang.
Because following … requires at least a direction and a goal.