Chapter 77

Qin Wang's residence.

Li Sui frowned as he looked at the three carts of gifts.

After all, these were gifts for his younger brother, and he was unsure if three carts were enough.

But just at that moment,

a trusted aide quickly approached and whispered in his ear.

"Your Highness."

"The envoy from the Furo Dynasty is almost in the capital, fifty miles away, and will enter the city in about half an hour."

As the voice sounded,

Li Sui couldn't help but frown.

"Already here? Wasn't it supposed to be seven days from now?"

Li Sui frowned, somewhat surprised.

According to the Ministry of Rites' schedule, the Furo Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty were supposed to arrive in about seven days.

Arriving seven days early seemed rather odd.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Rites is also unclear. The Furo Dynasty set out earlier than planned."

"Moreover, the Furo Dynasty's Third Prince of Shinra and the Tenth Princess of Fusang are coming as the envoy representatives."

The aide replied.

"Set out early? Third Prince? Tenth Princess? What a grand display."

Qin Wang frowned.

He thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Let the Ministry of Rites entertain them for a while. I will enter the palace."

"Send these gifts to the Daxia Academy."

"Tell my younger brother that I have matters to attend to and cannot come, and we will meet another time."

Qin Wang said.

The Furo Dynasty arriving seven days early was no small matter.

There must be some purpose.

He needed to enter the palace and inform his father.

"Yes."

The aide didn't waste any words and immediately went to make arrangements.

At that moment,

fifty miles outside the capital.

A long convoy slowly appeared, with warhorses guarding on both sides, and two jade carriages traveling on the Daxia capital's official road.

This was the envoy from the Furo Dynasty.

Behind the jade carriages were several carriages, carrying the talented scholars of the Furo Dynasty.

This time, the Daxia poetry gathering was of great importance to the Furo Dynasty, not only sending the most talented scholars but also the Third Prince and the Tenth Princess.

The Furo Dynasty was originally two countries, one called Fusang and the other called Shinra, which were once bitter enemies.

But during the chaotic times of the Ten Kingdoms in the Eastern Wasteland, the two countries reached a common goal to seize the Central Plains, thus merging into one, named the Furo Dynasty.

After nearly a century of integration, the two countries gradually became harmonious and indeed occupied part of the Central Plains, though with the help of the Northern Xiongnu.

The twelve border cities and some protectorates were all occupied by the Northern Xiongnu, but the shadow of the Furo Dynasty was never absent.

After the Daxia Dynasty stabilized, it wanted to reclaim its territory, but the involvement of the Jin Dynasty made it difficult for the Daxia Dynasty to make any progress.

Naturally, this matter could only be put aside, waiting for the right opportunity.

Therefore, the Furo Dynasty had two emperors, known as the Dual Holy Emperors.

In the left jade carriage,

about seven figures appeared. A graceful and handsome man, wearing a golden four-claw dragon robe, sat in the jade carriage. He had purple hair and a carefree expression.

On both sides, four scholars knelt.

"Gentlemen, this Daxia poetry gathering is highly anticipated by my father. I hope you can win the top prize to help me complete my mission."

"If anyone can take first place and trample the Daxia scholars, I will petition my father to marry my fourth sister to them."

"So, I hope you all prepare well this time."

The Third Prince of Shinra spoke, smiling at the eight people.

As his voice echoed, the eight people all showed signs of joy, but soon another voice followed.

"Your Highness, the Daxia scholars are nothing much, especially the Daxia emperor, who obtained his position illegitimately, and the situation below is a mess."

"Yes, the upper beam is crooked, and the lower beam is askew. The Daxia emperor usurped the throne, and all the Daxia scholars are dead, except for Su Wenjing, who is somewhat decent."

The group spoke, criticizing the Daxia emperor.

"Su Wenjing? Ha, he's nothing much either. Hasn't he already been pacified by the court? I used to respect him, but now, he is entangled in fame and fortune, not serving the Confucian path."

"Indeed, I used to respect this Su Wenjing, but now, he is just a false Confucian."

"Alas, I can't understand why heaven chose them. The Daxia Dynasty received nine heavenly mandates, which is truly unwarranted."

The group discussed, criticizing Su Wenjing.

"No, it has nothing to do with them. The concept of heavenly mandate is related to the national fortune. The Daxia Dynasty unified the ten kingdoms, and it is due to the glory of the Daxia founding emperor."

"Otherwise, how could the Daxia Dynasty deserve nine heavenly mandates?"

A man spoke, showing great enmity towards the Daxia Dynasty.

Seeing the group's reaction, the Third Prince was very satisfied.

But at that moment, a voice came from the other jade carriage.

"Do not underestimate the Daxia Dynasty."

"It was different in the past, but now the Daxia Dynasty has a world-class talent."

The voice was pleasant, and the group fell silent.

This was the voice of the Tenth Princess of Fusang.

"Is the person you are referring to the recently famous Gu Jinnian?"

The Third Prince of Shinra asked directly.

"Yes."

The Tenth Princess replied calmly from the jade carriage.

"Ha, Your Highness is overthinking it. I don't think Gu Jinnian has any world-class talent."

The Third Prince of Shinra laughed, not taking it seriously.

The others also chimed in.

"Indeed, what the Third Prince said."

"I know a bit about Gu Jinnian. He is the grandson of the Marquis of Zhen Guo, and in his youth, he was arrogant and domineering. If not for the position of Marquis, he would be just an ordinary person."

"However, after he nearly drowned, Gu Jinnian suddenly wrote famous poems, then composed timeless articles, and wrote poems for the people. If anyone else did this, I would admire them, but for Gu Jinnian, I only feel disgusted."

Someone commented on Gu Jinnian.

This comment immediately drew the group's curiosity.

"Why do you say that?"

"What do you mean?"

Several people were very curious and didn't understand the meaning of his words.

Regarding Gu Jinnian, the group had some impression. The timeless articles, the poems for the people, and the poems for the people were what they dreamed of achieving.

But they could hardly achieve any of these in their lifetime. Now, Gu Jinnian's sudden appearance left them both amazed and deeply jealous.

Hearing someone criticize Gu Jinnian, they were outwardly curious but inwardly very pleased.

"Think about it, gentlemen."

"Can a military family produce a scholar?"

"Even if a great Confucian personally taught, what difference would it make?"

"Moreover, to write articles and poems, one needs experience. Gentlemen, throughout history, which timeless articles and poems were not written by famous scholars?"

"Look at their ages; they all wrote them when they were in their prime. Throughout history, there have indeed been geniuses, but they often only had one moment of brilliance, with one poem becoming famous."

"What about Gu Jinnian? He wrote timeless articles and poems. He is sixteen and has always stayed in the capital's Marquis residence. Has he experienced the hardships of the people?"

"What does he know?"

He spoke, slowly explaining his reasoning.

Indeed, after he spoke, the group nodded in agreement, even the Third Prince nodded.

Acknowledging his words.

"But, according to your meaning, the articles written by Gu Jinnian are not his own? Then why are there anomalies?"

"The anomalies are recognized by heaven. If recognized by heaven, there can be no fraud."

Someone raised a question, although he was very willing for this to be true, he still needed evidence. Otherwise, it would seem self-deceptive.

Indeed, the group was very curious and looked at him.

"Ha, if it were a few months ago, I would never have thought this."

"But have you forgotten that a month ago, the heavenly mandate appeared?"

"As you said, the anomalies need to be recognized by heaven. But recently, the Marquis of Zhen Guo received a heavenly mandate."

"What exactly does the heavenly mandate do, we don't know, but is it possible that the heavenly mandate can influence the heavens?"

"Moreover, when did Gu Jinnian first cause a terrifying anomaly? When he wrote the article, who was there?"

He spoke, very confident in his theory.

The group thought for a moment and quickly gave an answer.

"Su Wenjing."

"Su Wenjing was there at the time."

Several people answered instinctively.

He smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

At that moment, the group had a sudden realization.

"I understand. The Marquis of Zhen Guo has a heavenly mandate, and Su Wenjing also received a heavenly mandate. They are trying to create a god."

"If that's the case, it's indeed possible, as we don't know what the heavenly mandate can do."

"But why choose Gu Jinnian?"

"Yes, there are many talented scholars in the Daxia Dynasty. Why not choose someone else, like the descendants of the Sage Marquis?"

The group gradually understood, but they were still curious why they chose Gu Jinnian.

At that moment, the Third Prince spoke.

"Choosing someone else would cause more suspicion, but choosing Gu Jinnian is different."

"He has no achievements in Confucianism, but suddenly rose to prominence. Although it seems unbelievable at first, it is mainly shocking."

"Even if someone is suspicious, they would first ask why the Daxia Dynasty, with so many talented scholars, chose Gu Jinnian."

"It's a calculation."

"Moreover, there is one point you might have forgotten. Gu Jinnian's uncle is the Daxia emperor."

"He obtained his position illegitimately and is questioned by the people. He also slaughtered many Confucian scholars, knowing that the people have grievances against him, so he must create a Confucian scholar."

"A world-class talent to prove that under his rule, heaven recognizes him, but this person cannot be anyone else, it must be a member of the royal family."

"The Crown Prince and the Grand Prince cannot, as it would cause more controversy, and they are to inherit the throne, so they cannot follow the Confucian path."

"Thinking about it, Gu Jinnian is just right."

"Thus, the royal family, the Daxia Academy, and the Marquis of Zhen Guo, basically control all the heavenly mandates. Creating such anomalies might not be too difficult."

The Third Prince also analyzed,