Chapter 82 The motion of the Tianmai! Fan Jian has a kind character!
After the Crown Prince and the Second Prince left, Emperor Qing exclaimed, "Killing Cheng Jushu in the street today was a great kill!"

"The war is imminent. Killing the Northern Qi assassin in the street will rally the people!"

Li Changan replied, "Your Majesty, this shows that the people's hearts are there, and it's time to go to war."

Emperor Qing shook his head and said, "Now that it has come to this, let's just wait for the results of the investigation by the Inspection Institute."

"When the time comes, we will announce the results of the investigation to the world, and we will have a legitimate reason to attack Qi."

"Here is a secret report from the Inspection Bureau. Take a look."

After Li Changan received the secret report, he found out that he had already heard Jingwei report this news two days ago.

As the war in Northern Qi was imminent, they were also trying to rally the people's hearts, and their method was to enthrone the Heavenly Vein.

In fact, it was just a ceremony held in the Qi State Temple, in which Ku He awarded Haitang Duoduo a pair of new battle axes.

Then he declared that Haitang Duoduo was the best person in the world with a natural vein, whose specialty was fighting, and she was invincible under the Grandmaster!
In the legends of this world, those with Heavenly Veins are the bloodline of God, and they have an outstanding ability that can drive the progress of the entire society.

Based on Haitang Duoduo's extraordinary talent in martial arts, Northern Qi promoted her as a person with a natural vein who was good at fighting, in order to rally people's hearts and resist the pressure from Southern Qing.

"Your Majesty, Haitang Duoduo is afraid of even aphrodisiacs. How can she be called a person of heavenly veins?"

"Don't you think that by getting a Heavenly Veined Person, Northern Qi can defeat Daqing on the battlefield?"

Emperor Qing also said with a mocking look on his face, "The entire country of Northern Qi reveres the temple. This move can indeed boost their morale."

"The national strength and military power are there, they will definitely lose this battle!
But with Ku He here, it is impossible to destroy Northern Qi."

Emperor Qing's words revealed helplessness. Unless the Grand Master is destroyed, the world cannot be unified.

"Your Majesty, do you want me to find a way to assassinate this Haitang Duoduo?"

Emperor Qing shook his head and said, "Your people can't kill her, and there's no need to.

I have been thinking about how to deal with this matter."

"Don't they worship the Heavenly Veined One? Then we should remove the firewood from under the cauldron and find a real Heavenly Veined One!"

Li Changan had learned about the Heavenly Veins, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Veins exist only in legends, and no one knows how they came into being."

In fact, the so-called people with heavenly veins are those chosen by the temple and granted certain special skills to promote the progress of human society.

Emperor Qing suddenly laughed, "You are right, no one knows how a person with a Heavenly Vein is born, and no one has ever seen a real Heavenly Vein person."

"Ku He sent two axes and said that Haitang Duoduo was a person with a heavenly vein. Wouldn't there be a large number of people in Northern Qi who believed it?"

"If they can create a Heavenly Veined Person, why can't we!"

"Changan, I want to make you the most powerful person in the world!"

When Li Changan heard Emperor Qing’s idea, he was a little surprised, because this did not happen in the original drama.

It is probably because Northern Qi’s advantage in the literary world is no longer obvious, and they have to find a way to create an advantage in soft power, so they canonized Haitang Duoduo as the Tianmai.

Seeing Li Changan's surprise, Emperor Qing began to proudly talk about his thoughts, "Your poetry, calligraphy, and painting are already the best in the world!"

"A genius like you is rarely seen in a century. Daqing said you are a person with a heavenly vein, so you are a person with a heavenly vein!"

Li Changan grinned, "Your Majesty, you want me to be a charlatan and deceive people?"

Hearing Li Changan's description, Emperor Qing pointed at Li Changan and said, "You are indeed a genius. You used the word charlatan well."

"We, the civil and military officials of Daqing, have promoted you, and the Inspection Bureau has publicized you all over the world. Your talent in poetry, calligraphy and painting is there for everyone to see. It is impossible not to believe in you."

"What can Haitang Duoduo do? She can only fight. Does being able to fight mean she is a Heavenly Veined Person? The problem is that she is not that good at fighting!"

"Then we will say that you are the only one with a Heavenly Vein in the world, and Haitang Duoduo is a fake, and the people of Northern Qi will lose all hope!"

Li Changan thought about it carefully and found that Emperor Qing’s idea was feasible. It was simply a way to kill people and cut off their source of trouble!

The Northern Qi Dynasty worshipped temples the most, and relied on religious means such as saints and people with heavenly veins to unite people's hearts.

It takes a foresight to strike at the opponent's strongest and most dependent point and destroy its foundation.

"Your Majesty, now that you have said this, I think this is feasible!"

Emperor Qing gave a cunning smile, like an old fox seeing its prey.

"We will definitely win this battle against Northern Qi. When the time comes, we will use the power of our victory to hold a ceremony to confer the title on you."

There should be negotiations after the war, and delegations from Northern Qi and Dongyi City will come.

"Your Majesty, if the people from Northern Qi and Dongyi City were also present, it would be best to force them to admit it. Wouldn't that be more effective?"

Emperor Qing was amazed by Li Changan's idea, "Great... I'll leave it to you to figure out the specific method of enthronement."

"We must come up with a way that will convince Northern Qi and spread the word to the whole world, so that I can enthrone you as the Heavenly Vein!"

Li Changan's face twitched. Why did he have to face another task? He couldn't avoid it.

According to Emperor Qing, a ceremony like the one held by Haitang Duoduo was too simple and there was no need to make it more fancy.

Lao Deng, you really can make people suffer!
"Chang'an, go back. You don't have to go to the battlefield. During the more than one month of fighting, you can think about it slowly."

"When you have an idea, remember to come find me!"

There was a hint of excitement and anticipation in Emperor Qing's last words.

In fact, he had been thinking about it for a long time. After all, the rumor about Haitang Duoduo being a Tianmai had been circulating for three or four months.

Li Changan had to admit that in the era of imperial power granted by God, Emperor Qing's method was very practical.

As for the specific ceremony, Li Changan was not actually worried.

In his mind, he has stories about shamanism, witchcraft, and charlatanism from all dynasties, and he should be able to use any one of them.

After Li Changan left, Eunuch Hou trotted into the imperial study.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Fan interrogated the courtesan before the Inspection Bureau officially investigated."

"The inner court spy listened from afar. He and Zong Zhui seemed to be planning a pursuit. They should have gained something."

"Secret report from the Inspection Bureau: Zhuge has begun pursuing Northern Qi spy Si Lili, almost a day earlier than Fan Xian."

Emperor Qing said, "If Fan Xian can get information about Si Lili and bring her back, he is quite capable."

"You continue to pay attention to Fan Xian's affairs tomorrow and let Fan Jian come in."

After Eunuch Hou left, he called in Fan Jian, who had been waiting at the door for more than two hours.

As soon as Fan Jian entered the room, Emperor Qing started to scold him.

"Fan Jian! Where's your brain?!"

"Fan Xian was plotted against as soon as he entered the city, and you didn't even increase his guards!"

"If the Shadow Secret Guards hadn't been near Niulan Street, Fan Xian would have died today!"

Fan Jian, who was usually not very polite in front of Emperor Qing, just knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I deserve death! It was all my fault. I almost killed Fan Xian!"

"I never imagined that someone would dare to assassinate me in broad daylight in Kyoto!"

"Not only did the other party mobilize seven experts, they also had weapons and crossbows. How daring!"

"Starting from this afternoon, I have dispatched two eighth-rank upper tiger guards to follow and protect Fan Xian from a distance!" Emperor Qing looked at Fan Jian coldly, "If Fan Xian dies, you don't have to live anymore... Get up."

When Fan Jian heard the news that Fan Xian had been assassinated, he was also shocked, but he felt more guilty.

He had tiger guards under his command, but he never expected that someone would go to such great lengths to assassinate Fan Xian.

Emperor Qing stared at him and said, "Tell me, who wants to assassinate Fan Xian?"

Fan Jian thought for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer. "It's hard to say now. I don't know much information."

"Besides, there are so many things going on. Even if you see it with your own eyes, it may not be the truth. Let's wait for the results of the investigation by the Inspection Bureau."

Fan Jian certainly had some guesses in his mind, but he didn't dare to say anything without evidence. The Emperor Qing in front of him was no longer his childhood playmate.

Emperor Qing sneered and said, "Old fox, the older you get, the more cunning you become."

Fan Jian's heart trembled. His Majesty was really anxious and was scolding himself.

On the surface, Fan Jian remained calm, "I am a kind-hearted person and do not deserve such an evaluation."

"I regret it now. I shouldn't have brought him to Kyoto."

Although Fan Xian was brought to Kyoto by Fan Jian, it was actually Emperor Qing who planned it behind the scenes, and it was not something Fan Jian could decide at all.

"Kyoto has always been like this. It's your fault for not doing things well and not thinking things through."

"Now that we are here, we should make the best of it. Be more careful next time!"

Emperor Qing drew his bow, and a sharp arrow whizzed into the armor in the distance.

"Guess, can Fan Xian catch Si Lili?"

"You have been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for many years, and you are the best at planning gambling. Do you dare to bet?"

Fan Jian bowed his head and said, "I dare not gamble. There are many variables in this matter. Who knows whether Si Lili will be silenced."

"Fan Xian has only been in the capital for over a month. He is unfamiliar with the place, so it is understandable that he cannot be caught."

Emperor Qing narrowed his eyes, somewhat dissatisfied. He said, "You don't even dare to gamble. You look down on my son!"
The two old foxes knew very well that Fan Xian was the illegitimate son of Emperor Qing, but they just didn't point it out.

"Catching Si Lili this time is a test. If he can catch her, it means he is very capable."

"In a few days, the young martial arts champion will come to the palace, and I will directly appoint him as the General of Music of the Imperial Academy!"

Emperor Qing had already thought of a position for Fan Xian as an eighth-rank official in the Taichang Temple.

If Fan Xian has outstanding literary talent, he will be appointed as the Assistant Music Officer of the Taichang Temple. If he has outstanding martial arts skills, he will be appointed as the Assistant Music Officer of the Taichang Temple.

Emperor Qing was very anxious. Fan Xian, please do something quickly so that I can give you an official position!

Seeing that Southern Qing and Northern Qi were about to start a war, and Fan Xian was still a commoner, how could Emperor Qing not be anxious?

Fan Jian said with a worried look on his face, "Your Majesty, Zhu Ge is the chief judge of the case. Fan Xian went out of the city to investigate without permission. I think Zhu Ge will obstruct him tomorrow morning."

Emperor Qing didn't even raise his eyelids to this worry, "Go back and figure it out yourself."

Fan Jian can mobilize the Red Cavalry, but mobilizing the Red Cavalry to stop the Inspection Institute is an overstepping of authority, so he wants to ask Emperor Qing for a clear order.

Emperor Qing became even more angry. Since this is an overstepping of authority, how could I possibly give a clear order?

If there are mistakes and relationships, of course the subordinates should bear the responsibility themselves. Why would they look for their boss to take the blame? What are they thinking?

The next morning.

As expected, Fan Xian and Zong Zhui were stopped by Zhu Ge on the grounds that Fan Xian had interfered with the case without permission.

At the critical moment, Fan Jian appeared with the Red Cavalry and stopped Zhu Ge's troops. Zhu Ge knew that the Red Cavalry were the elite of the imperial guards, so he had no choice but to let them pass.

Before leaving, Chen Pingping said that unless it was a major incident such as treason, regicide, or treason, he would not have a direct conflict with Fan Jian.

Fan Xian and Zong Zhui arrived at the city gate, and Zong Zhui asked the officers and soldiers at the city gate about Si Lili's situation.

Si Lili rode out of the city on horseback in full view of everyone. Not far from the city, seven women on horseback, dressed like Si Lili, appeared.

Afterwards, eight women in black rode their horses and went off in different routes, apparently in an attempt to conceal their whereabouts.

The two came to a dense forest outside the city, and Zong Zhui shot down a carrier pigeon from the Inspection Institute with a slingshot.

Zong Zhui has excellent tracking ability and is familiar with the flight routes of the Inspection Institute's pigeons. He even knows a lot about the breeding and management of pigeons.

Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh. If it weren't for Zong Zhui's help, he would have no way of pursuing Si Lili.

In the original drama, Fan Xian became famous after entering the city until he encountered setbacks during the assassination on Niulan Street.

But now Fan Xian has encountered many hardships since entering the city and almost lost his life in Niulan Street.

Therefore, he would think more deeply when encountering things.

He still doesn't understand why Zong Zhui is so loyal to him.

He refused money, and when I invited him to drink, he said drinking would affect his speed.

So Fan Xian guessed that Zong Zhui must have been entrusted by someone, and it should be his teacher Fei Jie.

"My Lord, please read this. This is the news from the Inspection Bureau. Zhu Ge has mobilized spies from all over the country to hunt down Si Lili."

"The clerk divided his troops into eight groups. The Inspection Bureau has already surrounded and intercepted them in various places. We only have two people and cannot catch up with these eight groups."

Zong Zhui then took out a geomancy map of the world's rivers and mountains and began to point out the direction in which Si Lili should escape.

Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh, "Zong Zhui, is this the map of the Inspection Institute? It's really well drawn."

After hearing the compliment, Zong Zhui looked very proud, "Zong is the best at geomancy. All the maps in the hospital are copied based on Zong's maps."

Fan Xian frowned and said, "I don't believe Zhu Ge. We must interrogate Si Lili first!"

Zong Zhui suggested, "The best way now is to catch Si Lili in the courtyard and then intercept her halfway with the Si Lili badge."

Although Fan Xian felt that it was wrong, he couldn't think of a better idea at the moment, so he just did it.

After they ran for a few miles, Fan Xian stopped and said, "Zong Zhui, something is wrong!"

"If Si Lili wanted to escape, why did she split into so many routes, and why did they all go north?"

"She made such a big fuss just to attract attention and draw everyone's attention to the north."

"If I were her, now would be the best time for me to disappear and escape!"

Zong Zhui stroked his beard, thinking, "Now that the war in the north is imminent, the important towns and passes in the north must be heavily guarded."

"So, the direction she actually fled to might not be the north!"

Fan Xian then asked, "Zong Zhui, besides going north, what other routes are there from Kyoto to Northern Qi?"

The two opened the map, and Zong Zhui pointed to Danzhou, where Fan Xian grew up.

"Sir, this route is the most feasible! Go east from Kyoto, enter Dongshan Road, board a ship at the harbor of Danzhou City, and then escape to Northern Qi by water."

Fan Xian carefully examined the map and found that the most feasible route was to exit from the east gate of Kyoto and reach Danzhou Port.

"Zong Zhui, there is no time to lose, let's go after him right away!"

"If I'm wrong, there's still time to turn back and block the troops in the courtyard!"

(End of this chapter)