The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 102: New Dynasty

Chapter 102: New Dynasty

“Many families are packing their belongings and leaving Youzhou for Zhenping.”

Wang Qiu was stunned for a long time, unable to process this. Zhang Keqian said, “Prince Yong has rebelled, forcing Her Majesty to abdicate. Her Majesty has decided to establish a new dynasty insteadlet’s see whether the people recognize Prince Yong or our Empress!”

“Prince Yong forced Her Majesty to abdicate?” Wang Qiu’s anger instantly surged. Where did this Prince Yong crawl out from, daring to be so insolent?

Wang Qiu deeply regretted not returning sooner. A minor prince with no reputation actually dared to covet the Empress’s throne. She resolutely stood up, faced the crowd, clenched her fist, and declared, “This is precisely when Her Majesty needs us! By supporting her establishment of a new dynasty, we’ll foil Prince Yong’s schemes. Even if he seizes the throne, he won’t sit securely!”

The crowd grew agitated, their blood boiling, vowing to drive Prince Yong out of Youzhou.

In the afternoon, the soldiers under Zhang Keqian returned and were overjoyed to see Wang Qiu and her group. Wang Qiu and Zhang Keqian sat down to discuss their plans: Zhang Keqian would go to the Western Regions to request that various kingdoms send envoys to Zhenping to support Xu Ying’s ascension to the throne, while Wang Qiu and the Women’s Army would return to provide support.

Considering Xu Ying’s high prestige in the Great Jin, the unity of the people, Xia Chenglie’s command of a massive army, and the submission of both the military and civilians of the Western Rong, Xu Yingeven after abdicatingremained a force to be reckoned with. Additionally, her pilot program of preferential policies in four cities could stimulate economic development. The kingdoms of the Western Regions, both fearing Xu Ying’s authority and reluctant to give up the benefits of cooperation, agreed to send envoys to support Xu Ying’s enthronement.

Wu Zhaoyan drafted a public announcement proclaiming to the world that Xu Ying would soon establish a new state named Xia in Zhenping and reclaim the imperial throne.

Learning from past experience, and to capture the people’s interest and facilitate quick acceptance, Wu Zhaoyan not only used a solemn tone to declare the establishment of the new state but also included a short story below to explain the reason for the change of the state’s name.

When Xu Ying read the announcement, she was immediately captivated by the short story.

Wu Zhaoyan’s story popularized the tale of Xu Ying’s mother. Xu Ying’s mother was from Xiazhou, originally surnamed Xia, named Xia Fuling. Her family had practiced medicine for generations. Growing up in such an environment, Xia Fuling developed a compassionate heart. She treated people kindly, helped her neighbors, rescued animals, and performed numerous good deeds, earning a reputation that spread throughout Xiazhoueveryone knew of her.

One winter, Xia Fuling found a frozen white snake in the snow. She rescued the snake, nursed it carefully, and released it when spring arrived.

This snake was no ordinary creatureit was actually a snake spirit that had cultivated for a thousand years. Facing a tribulation, it was Xia Fuling who held it in her hands, shielding it from the heavenly thunder. The snake spirit successfully passed the tribulation and ascended to immortality. It then asked Xia Fuling what wish she had.

Xia Fuling said, “If you have truly become an immortal, then I ask you to look after the people of our dynasty and save them from suffering.”

The snake immortal agreed to this request. However, Xia Fuling’s wish was too grandthere were too many people, and the snake immortal couldn’t save them all. To repay Xia Fuling’s kindness, it decided to give her a celestial maiden endowed with great fortune, capable of turning the tides.

The snake immortal went to visit the Queen Mother of the West. Moved by the story, the Queen Mother gave the snake immortal a lotus seed from the Jade Pool. Soaked in dew and gathering the essence of the sun and moon, it formed a Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart.

The Snake Immortal once again took the sacred mountain to forge a body, using peach branches as bones and the waters of the Heavenly River as blood. The Golden Crow and Chang’e each bestowed divine power, transforming into eyesone yin, one yangcapable of seeing through all facets of the world. One eye contained the extravagance and debauchery of noble families, while the other held the suffering of the common people.

Thus, the Celestial Maiden who would save the world and aid the people was born.

By this time, Xia Fuling had already entered the emperor’s harem due to her reputation for kindness and virtue, becoming Consort Xia.

The Snake Immortal set up a dream, guiding Xia Fuling to meet in the land of Xia, imparting the essence of the Celestial Maiden in the dream. The following year, Xia Fuling gave birth amidst a room filled with red light, delivering the Sixth Imperial Daughter, Xu Ying.

After reading this, Xu Ying felt so awkward she could dig her toes into the ground, her scalp tingling with embarrassment. Just how many stories had been stitched together? The white snake repaying kindness, Kua Fu chasing the sunall sorts of immortals had made an appearance.

Xu Ying pointed out the issues: “The part about saving the frozen white snake isn’t great. Who’s to say it wasn’t just hiberrating peacefully? And wasn’t there heavenly thunder? Did it strike the white snake unconscious?”

Xu Lang said enthusiastically, “That’s what I told Wu Zhaoyan. When I was young, Mother Consort told me she once found a frozen white snake in winter and used it to make medicinal wine.”

Xu Ying’s lips twitched. To fabricate a story exploiting the white snake like thatwasn’t that inappropriate?

“As far as I know, Mother Consort was forcibly conscripted into the palace to fill a shortage of court physicians. She caught the late emperor’s attention once while serving medicine and wasn’t even given a proper title. It was only because Empress Zheng found it unbearable that she was granted the rank of Cainu. Would anyone believe this story if it spread?” Xu Ying expressed doubt.

Xu Lang replied, “It was never meant to be believed.”

It was only to add a mythical aura to Xu Ying’s origins, strengthen the legitimacy of her claim to the throne, and justify the change of the dynastic name. The Snake Immortal’s ascension in the land of Xia indicated that Xia Province was a blessed place of spiritual energy. Changing the dynastic name would secure the protection of Xia’s local deities.

Xu Ying thought it made sense. With immortals already involved, those who believed would believe no matter how far-fetched, while those who didn’t would remain unconvinced no matter what.

“This white snake in winter isn’t ideal. Change it to summer, with violent stormsthat fits the timing of the heavenly thunder. Write that the white snake was injured after enduring the tribulation, captured and taken to the market to be sold. Mother Consort, upon seeing the white snake weeping, was moved by compassion, bought it, and released it.”

Xu Ying also tacked on some clichéd traditional elements: an animal that cries is spiritual, and saving it ensures it will return to repay the kindness.

Wu Zhaoyan’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Your Majesty. This humble official will go and revise it immediately.”

In addition to the extended anecdote, Wu Zhaoyan also drafted a celebratory bulletin, listing the Western Regions’ states offering congratulations, showcasing that the foreign lands and the Central Plains were now one family under heaven.

When Wu Zhaoyan’s bulletin reached Youzhou, no one could sit still.

Xu Ying had been forced to abdicate in favor of Qing Wang’s son, Xu Lian. After the turmoil, she disappeared without a trace. The court officials invited Prince Yong to ascend the throne, but faced opposition from Zhang Yu and others, Prince Yong had yet to accept, resulting in a stalemate.

Now that Xu Ying’s whereabouts were known, she ought to return to Youzhou to take charge. She was still the sovereign of Great Jinhow could she forget her ancestors and establish a new dynasty herself?

For a time, the court and public were in an uproar, with waves of criticism rising. Prince Yong seized the opportunity to accuse Xu Ying of abandoning the Xu ancestors and overestimating herself. Many under Zhang Yu wavered; even the dynastic name had been changed. If they pledged loyalty to Xu Ying, were they still Jin officials or Xia officials?

Liu Xu was troubled, but Zhang Yu advised, “Who cares if it’s the Jin or Xia dynasty? Isn’t the empire still the Xu family’s?”

“It’s not the same…”

Liu Xu found it hard to accept. After the change of the dynasty’s name, he felt an emptiness in his heart, as if the Jin dynasty had truly fallen.

While Liu Xu was still grappling with his emotions, Lu Renbing, under Zhang Yu’s command, hurried in anxiously and reported urgently, “Vice Director, the situation is dire! The commoners in the city have heard the public announcement and learned that the Grand Imperial Family intends to proclaim the emperor in Zhenping. Many households are packing their belongings and leaving Youzhou for Zhenping!”

That wasn’t the worst of it. Lu Renbing added the graver outcome: “Their movements were subtle. By the time the guards noticed, the city was already half-empty.”

Zhang Yu was stunned, while Liu Xu lost all strength, sliding to the floor with a bent back, utterly exhausted. His eyes fixed blankly ahead, his lips moved slightly as he muttered a few words: “Heaven has forsaken Great Jin…”

“How could the commoners leave the city so silently?” This defied reason, and Zhang Yu suspected Xu Ying’s manipulation behind it. He crouched down to comfort Liu Xu: “The people’s hearts are aligned. At least the ruler is still from the Xu family. With the nation stable and the people at peace, what more could you ask for?”

Liu Xu hung his head in silence, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu gave up on consoling him and left the ministerial residence with Lu Renbing.

As soon as Zhang Yu arrived home, the gatekeeper informed him, “Master, a guest has come to visit.”

“A visitor at this hour?” Zhang Yu couldn’t guess who it might be. Puzzled, he changed direction and went to meet the guest.

Li Dengyun stood in a plain gray linen robe and straw sandals, hands clasped behind his back, studying the inscribed plaque in the hall.

Upon entering, Zhang Yu saw the elderly man’s back and clasped his hands in greeting. “I was unaware of your esteemed visit and failed to welcome you properly.”

Li Dengyun turned around. “This commoner, Li Dengyun, does not deserve the title of ‘esteemed guest’ from the Vice Director. I merely heard that you have aligned with the Grand Imperial Family and refused to bow to Prince Yong, so I came specifically to pay my respects.”

Hearing it was Li Dengyun, Zhang Yu’s eyes widened like copper bells, and he hurriedly invited him to take the seat of honor.

Li Dengyun smiled faintly, and Zhang Yu immediately connected the commoners’ exodus from Youzhou to him, his eyes suddenly brimming with awe.

With the commoners leaving Youzhou, Prince Yong’s accusations against Xu Ying suddenly lost their footing, becoming mere baseless slander. Instead, Prince Yong’s words gave the imperial clan a handle to challenge him. Using this pretext, they pressed their case, and court officials no longer dared to urge Prince Yong to ascend the throne. The great families, pressured into silence, withdrew and said nothing.

Eventually, the court officials and imperial clan secretly deliberated and decided to invite Xu Ying back to Youzhoushe would remain the emperor of Jin.

They jointly drafted a letter, sent it to Zhenping, and forced Prince Yong to return power to Xu Ying. Returning power would mean letting bygones be bygones; otherwise, he would be branded a rebel and traitor.

Prince Yong flew into a furious rage, overturning tables, kicking chairs, and smashing every cup and vessel in the room. Losing his balance, he fell to the floor, his hand landing on broken shards. Blood immediately gushed out, the shattered porcelain piercing his skin, with fine fragments embedding themselves in his flesh. Yet Prince Yong felt no pain, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

The palace servants wore expressions of fear, which finally gave Prince Yong some satisfactionbut it was far from enough. He immediately summoned his subordinate officials and declared imperiously, “Prepare my enthronement ceremony at once! If Xu Ying does not wish to be the emperor of Great Jin, I will!”

Lu Yi, Prince Yong’s subordinate, stared wide-eyed. Prince Yong’s frenzied state seemed truly abnormalhad the years of repression, suddenly aggravated by this stimulus, driven him mad?

“Your Highness, the court officials and families who originally supported you have now changed their stance. The imperial clan has invited Xu Ying back to Youzhou to continue as emperor. This is truly not an opportune time for an enthronement…”

Another vassal tried to persuade Prince Yong, but before he could finish speaking, the prince had already drawn his sword and beheaded him. Blood gushed forth.

The crowd gasped in horror, quickly stepping back. Their eyes held both shock and disbelief, mingled with fear and terror.

Prince Yong held his blade, blood dripping slowly down its length. He scanned the assembled vassals, his gaze passing over each one. Every person he looked at immediately lowered their head and hunched their shoulders, trembling with fear.

The severe headache he had been suffering from greatly subsided after the bloodshed. Prince Yong pressed a hand to his forehead, and upon seeing his vassals’ terrified state, he let out a long sigh of relief, satisfaction washing over him.

Lu Yi’s nerves were stretched taut. He suddenly recalled how Prince Yong’s Heir, Xu Jin, had killed his tutor. The father and son were exactly alikethis boded ill indeed.

When Prince Yong came back to himself, his expression abruptly shifted to one of remorse. He dropped his sword, fell to his knees with a thud, picked up the severed head, and held it to his chest as he wept bitterly. His demeanor then shifted erratically, his expression turning frenzied, which only frightened his ministers even more.