We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 1013 Trip to Yunmeng Mountain (3)

Lin Qingyuan did not fully understand his master's profound meaning, but he was well aware of the essence of Yunmeng Mountain.

The Guigu lineage has been passed down for thousands of years, and countless secrets are hidden in the mountains. The knowledge and books there could fill the mountain streams.

Even though he was his master's favorite disciple, he had no right to see the whole picture before he officially inherited the position of Guiguzi.

He couldn't even imagine what his master wanted to show His Majesty.

So he suppressed his doubts and spoke again: "In that case, I urge Marquis Chengen to report this matter to His Majesty for a decision as soon as possible."

Qiu Bai nodded: "I'll go back now."

Lin Qingyuan turned to Xu Jiezi: "As for Master, may I ask if your trip to Qiongzhou this time has alarmed the outside world?"

Xu Jiezi shook his head calmly: "I went alone and did not contact the local government. Only General Yang, Physician Hua and others knew about it. I returned to Qiongzhou without stopping for a day, without anyone knowing."

Lin Qingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "That's good. To avoid arousing suspicion, Master, why don't you spread the word that you are concerned about the epidemic in Qiongzhou and have personally gone south to help?"

"This will both explain why you left the mountain and divert the world's attention. We will then quietly return to Yunmeng Mountain and await His Majesty's arrival."

Xu Jiezi nodded slightly, indicating his approval of the arrangement: "Good."

Therefore, the two sides went their separate ways.

Qiu Bai dispatched a fast horse to personally deliver Xu Jiezi's invitation back to the capital.

After spreading the news of his southward journey, Xu Jiezi and Lin Qingyuan embarked on their return journey to Yunmeng Mountain.

. . . . . .

Meanwhile, Li Che, in the capital, received a secret report from Qiu Bai, learning that Xu Jiezi not only agreed to meet him but also invited him to Yunmeng Mountain. He was excited once again.

His excitement was not due to the opportunity to visit the mysterious Guigu School in Yunmeng Mountain.

Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. As the emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty, where can't he go?

What truly stirred his heart was that Xu Jiezi's actions were almost tantamount to an explicit statement: there was a major secret hidden in Yunmeng Mountain that could prove their shared origins!

Having traveled here for so many years, it would be a lie to say I don't miss home.

But this is an ancient world where history has taken a different turn, not some immortal cultivation civilization or a future technological space-time. The upper limit of technology has been locked, and he sees no hope of returning to his homeland.

If one could find a fellow villager in these Yunmeng Mountains, even just a few words left by him would be enough to comfort the deep-seated homesickness in one's heart.

Having made up his mind, Li Che immediately began preparations for leaving the capital.

The weather had already turned hot, and he used this as an excuse to first summon several senior cabinet ministers and express his intention to go north to escape the summer heat.

Although Huo Duanxiao and other cabinet ministers felt somewhat surprised, seeing the emperor's resolute attitude, they all expressed that if His Majesty insisted on going, they would do their utmost to ensure the stability of the court.

Although Li Che's long-term goal was to cultivate the cabinet into an institution that could check and balance the emperor's power, the current situation was special.

Li Che's prestige was at its zenith, and the cabinet members were all loyalists he had personally promoted. They were not only a check and balance, but also an extension of imperial power.

At the beginning of the dynasty, when the country was in a critical period of implementing various reforms, the high efficiency brought about by the centralization of imperial power was needed more than ever. The decentralization of power was not a good thing.

During a court assembly, Li Che announced that he wanted to go to the Lishan Palace to escape the summer heat because he could not stand the sweltering heat of the capital.

The hot springs of Lishan are famous far and wide. Many emperors of previous dynasties often spent their summers there. Later, Emperor Qing repaired it once after he ascended the throne, but he never stayed there.

This news caused a slight ripple in the government and the public, but no one dared to openly oppose it.

After all, everyone knows that going against the emperor's will at this critical juncture is tantamount to courting death, and the eradicated aristocratic families serve as a cautionary tale.

Li Che then issued another edict, ordering Prince Yan, Li Lin, to remain in the capital to oversee the country and manage all daily affairs, citing the young age of the princes.

Li Lin expressed strong opposition.

However, Li Che stated that his objection was invalid.

What a joke! Of all the officials in the court, Li Che trusted Li Lin the most, and Li Lin was also his only blood relative in this world.

If he doesn't step up now, who else can we rely on?

Helpless, Li Lin could only move from the Prince of Yan's residence into the palace while cursing and swearing.

Having arranged all this, Li Che, under the pretext of a summer tour, led his close advisors Qiu Bai, Hu Qiang, Zhang Qian, and five thousand elite cavalrymen out of the capital and headed north.

When the group reached the territory of Henan Province, Li Che suddenly ordered Zhang Qian to continue leading the large army, carrying ceremonial guards, and marching westward to the Lishan Palace in a grand manner.

He himself, along with Qiu Bai, Hu Qiang, and a hundred of the most elite night watchmen, broke away from the main force, changed their clothes, and headed straight for Yunmeng Mountain.

This completely baffled Zhang Qian.

He had already felt it was inappropriate for the emperor to go to escape the summer heat when the country was newly settled, and he struggled with the thought of advising him.

What's wrong with not being able to stand the sweltering heat of Beijing?

Your Majesty, you are a native of the capital, this excuse is far too perfunctory!

But considering His Majesty's kindness in recognizing his talent and recognizing his abilities, and thinking of His Majesty's tireless efforts since ascending the throne, perhaps he was truly tired and wanted to take a short rest.

Zhang Qian ultimately swallowed his words of advice.

But he never expected that the emperor would have such a bizarre move.

Not only do they go to escape the summer heat, but they also want to pull off a "golden cicada shedding its shell" trick, sneaking out to do who knows what?

Is this acceptable? Is this the behavior of a wise ruler?

He already shows signs of becoming a tyrant!

Zhang Qian came from a peasant family and was upright in nature. Even after becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, he always reminded himself to speak out for the common people.

He immediately knelt before Li Che's horse, his expression extremely solemn: "Your Majesty! On the day of the palace examination, when Your Majesty personally appointed me as the top scholar, you earnestly instructed me that officials should have the people of the world in mind and not hesitate to sacrifice themselves!"

"His Majesty even personally wrote the five characters 'Serve the People' on my exam paper, which I regard as a profound truth!"

"Now that the empire has been newly established and all industries are in need of development, this is precisely the time for Your Majesty to devote yourself to governing the country diligently. How can you be so negligent?"

"Has His Majesty forgotten his original aspiration to govern diligently and bring prosperity to the people?"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and his eyes even turned a little red.

Li Che looked at this upright-looking top scholar and felt both amused and helpless.

He dismounted, personally helped Zhang Qian up, and explained in a low voice, "Your sincerity greatly pleases me."

"I am not traveling for leisure. My trip north to escape the summer heat is merely a cover. I have other important matters to attend to and must travel in secret."

Zhang Qian was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What important matter could require His Majesty to abandon state affairs and go there? Can't it be discussed in the court?"

Li Che's gaze was deep as he said in a deep voice, "This matter involves a wide range of issues, including how to deal with the remnants of aristocratic families, how to balance the thoughts in the court, and even the status of Confucianism."

"This matter is of great importance, and I have no choice but to proceed with caution and secretly investigate."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qian's pupils suddenly contracted.