Dai Gongming could clearly see that, in the current state of burgeoning industry and commerce, coupled with high agricultural yields, there was no force on the lands of the Great Yu Dynasty that could halt this progression.

Dai Gongming understood people.

The old Demon of Black Mountain claimed to comply with the Heavenly Dao.

So now, the industrial growth was the trend of the Heavenly Dao that followed.

This is the destined trend, only Xu Qing accelerated this process.

Thus it is even more predestined that the old Demon of Black Mountain will not interfere with this trajectory.

Dai Gongming had to acknowledge Xu Qing's capabilities.

Zhang Tai'a's reforms were mere minor tweaks; Xu Qing was truly the one who pinpointed the crux of the matter.

In Dai Gongming's view, Xu Qing's grand ambitions were like offering a grand vision to the Heavenly Dao, which earned the Dao's approval.

The coming era will be one of extreme abundance in material wealth, which will also lead to rampant material desires, making the birth of people's Devil Thought more likely.

The descent into darkness for all beings is only a matter of time.

"Xu Gongming, what direction are you ultimately leading the world towards?" Dai Gongming didn't believe that Xu Qing was unaware of this.

Understanding it all, he did not leave Prince Yu's side, intending to stay and see what the future would hold. If it meant death, he would die alongside Prince Yu, fully honoring the loyalty between ruler and minister.

Dai Gongming did not continue to persuade Prince Yu.

Instead, the concubine Feng Cai in the Prince Mansion was full of radiant charm.

She was pregnant again.

The Imperial Physician in the palace said this time it was twins, a boy and a girl.

Curiously, while the Prince Mansion had other concubines who had given birth, their children did not survive long. In contrast, the Imperial Grandson appeared robust to the naked eye.

Moreover, ever since Feng Cai became pregnant again, her condition was even better than before. Even the old midwives in the Prince Mansion said that this time Feng's child would definitely be very healthy.

This made Princess Chen very jealous, yet she was helpless.

Because Feng Cai had her father, Feng Qintian, come to watch over the Prince Mansion.

Everyone knew Feng Qintian was not only a Sword Immortal but also a follower of Xu Qing.

Nowadays, he was even a Minister Elder at the Demon Hunting Bureau.

With her father protecting her, Feng Cai wasn't even afraid of Prince Yu now.

Of course, she still adhered to the rules openly.

She understood clearly that as long as she didn't cause trouble, her son could securely become the Imperial Grandson.

In any case, the wealth and status for this lifetime were secured.

So she believed in fate even more.

Her son was destined to sit on the throne.

However, sometimes Feng Cai also entertained a bold thought.

Prince Yu understood the importance of Feng Cai's identity.

He himself had lost the will to live, yet he still hoped for his son to ascend the throne. If the throne was usurped by Xu Qing, he could smile in the afterlife.

Let the Emperor regret it!

After finishing a conversation with Dai Gongming, Prince Yu went to see Feng Cai and took out a token, an autographed edict, and his personal seal.

"These tokens can mobilize the Tanglang Army. I've already sent them to the Border Towns. When Father returns to the Capital, take them to see Father and... Xu Qing," instructed Prince Yu.

Feng Cai was surprised and delighted.

But her face remained sorrowful, with tears flowing uncontrollably, "Your Highness, this humble one will go with you..."

Although Prince Yu knew Feng Cai might not be sincere, her demeanor still comforted him.

Most importantly, Feng Cai had borne him a son and was now pregnant again.

For a man, having descendants makes death not such a fearful thing.

He inwardly despised the Emperor.

Because the old Emperor feared death too much.

The Emperor was nothing like Emperor Wen of Han.

All things under heaven are born and die as the natural order, how can it be mourned excessively!

Look at how others' wills read, and then look at Father.

Even if Prince Yu lost completely, his heart was filled with disdain for his father.

…

…

Soon, the Court's great army arrived in the Capital.

More precisely, they returned to the Capital.

Everything that happened seemed like the old Emperor returning from an ordinary southern tour.

But who knows how the undercurrents will surge below.

The powerful and nobles in every household of the Capital were trembling with fear.

They had already heard about the fate of the nobles in other States.

But Xu Qing's official documents did not mention the powerful and nobles of the Capital.

They still held onto some hope.

Of course, a sly hare has three burrows, and some of their families had indeed fled with their fortunes.

However, the majority stayed behind.

After being in the Capital for so long, they couldn't bear the hardship of running away.

Moreover, many of them were relatives by marriage with the Imperial Family or had intricate connections with other aristocratic families in Xu Qing's camp, even being business partners with Xu Qing...

This time, the tide had turned.

By the usual rules, admitting their error shouldn't lead to a massacre.

As long as they could spend money to avert disaster, it wasn't a concern.

Besides, the old Demon of Black Mountain hadn't taken action yet; Xu Qing wouldn't dare cause chaos in the Capital. If they accidentally disturbed the Dragon Vein, it might reduce their chances of victory against the old Demon of Black Mountain.

Of course, they secretly wished that the old Demon of Black Mountain could take both the old Emperor and Xu Qing away.

It would be best if they perished together.

However, they dared not express such thoughts at this moment.

This time, they fully realized the gap in strength between themselves and Xu Qing's forces.

It was not at all the same level.

One couldn't say they were entirely powerless, but the facts showed they indeed had no power to resist.

The aristocratic families in the Border Towns shouted loud slogans, but after the true army returned north, they haven't made a peep.

Of course, they also heard that Prince Yu had dispatched the Tanglang Army to oversee the Border Towns' military clans.

To be honest, this move surprised everyone.

Yet it was also within reason.

After all, this realm belonged to the Imperial Family.

Though Prince Yu resented, he still harbored thoughts for the greater picture of the realm in his heart.

Moreover, the Tanglang Army was currently near Yunzhou, which was Xu Qing's father-in-law's domain.

If Xu Qing were to take harsh actions against the Prince Yu's Mansion, it might lead to significant events.

However, the likelihood of this happening was low.

…

…

The Longevity Palace.

The old Emperor returned to his long-absent palace and felt somewhat out of place.

He casually ordered Chen Zhong, "Summon that rebellious son."

Chen Zhong was about to act when a young eunuch outside the palace delivered an urgent report,

"Prince Yu has passed away."

"What?" The old Emperor suddenly stood up and walked to the young eunuch, pointing at him, "Say that again..."

"Prince Yu, he... has ascended to immortality..." reported the young eunuch, Zhang Kun himself.

"Get out!" The old Emperor kicked the young eunuch.

Then he pointed at Chen Zhong, "Go investigate what exactly happened."

Chen Zhong knew Zhang Kun was Xu Qing's man, so he decided to help him a little, whispering, "Your Majesty, may I take him away for questioning first?"

"Hmm..." The old Emperor regained his composure.

Chen Zhong took the young eunuch away, and after a long time, returned with a letter, the wax seal intact.

He respectfully presented it to the old Emperor. The old Emperor did not look at it, saying, "Where is he?"

Chen Zhong immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, I saw that Prince Yu indeed had no breath. Due to the urgency of the situation, I took it upon myself to send him to the Chaotian Temple, hoping the State Preceptor could perform a miracle."

The old Emperor slapped Chen Zhong across the face, "Who allowed you to make that decision?"

Chen Zhong quickly kowtowed, "I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

(In the Great Yu Dynasty, even powerful eunuchs like Chen Zhong claimed themselves as ministers before the Emperor, the same way officials in the Outer Court did.)

The old Emperor kicked him again, feeling it wasn't enough, and kicked him once more.

After taking the Emperor's beating, Chen Zhong still looked dejected, but he knew he had passed the test.

Everyone knew the Emperor was cold-hearted, but they couldn't truly let others see the Emperor as cold-hearted.

What needed doing, still had to be done.

After venting his temper, the old Emperor coldly laughed, "The little brat... does he think that by dying, I will regret it? If he truly had the demeanor of a Crown Prince, he should have come to argue with me, not act so weak. Xu Qing was right, death is easy, it's living that's hard. I never thought my son would be such a coward."

Chen Zhong remained bowed to the ground, not daring to lift his head or respond.

"Convey my edict to Xu Qing, tell him to bring that boy back to life," the old Emperor continued calmly.

Chen Zhong shuddered.

This was the Emperor, indeed.

Death is not yours to decide, only if he lets you die can you die.

But does Xu Gongming truly have a way to revive Prince Yu?

Thinking quickly, he accepted the order to convey the decree.

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