Chapter 1273: Chapter 1271: Li Shimin’s Twisted Sense of Humor
The Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor’s sleeping palace.
On this day, the Jade Emperor sat quietly upon his throne.
In front of him, an Immortal Official was reporting the recent situation to the Jade Emperor.
“Your Majesty’s methods are indeed remarkable. Recently, the situation of various Immortal Gods outwardly obeying and secretly defying has improved significantly, and the situation is developing in a positive direction. Congratulations to Your Majesty…” After reporting the recent situation, this Immortal Official proceeded to summarize.
“Hmm, not too bad!” Hearing this, the Jade Emperor slightly nodded, but his expression showed neither sadness nor joy, seeming completely indifferent.
In truth, even though the current situation is developing quite well, there is indeed nothing pleasing in the Jade Emperor’s heart.
The God-Beating Whip is lost and in someone else’s hands. No matter how much these Immortal Gods listen to him now, it also indicates that someone can control these Immortal Gods.
What if one day, the silver-robed figure who took the God-Beating Whip appears and uses it to control these Immortal Gods against him?
At that time, the outward respect these Immortal Gods show would only be as rootless duckweed.
“By the way, there is another matter…” Seeing that the Jade Emperor showed no sign of happiness, the Immortal Official promptly spoke again.
“Oh? What’s the matter?” Upon hearing, the Jade Emperor’s eyebrows slightly raised.
“Well, recently, it seems the Ming Sect has relocated their headquarters to the outskirts of Chang’an City…” The Immortal Official spoke, briefly explaining recent events in the Mortal World to the Jade Emperor.
“I am already aware of this matter!” Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor nodded slightly.
What is Princess Gaoyang’s identity? Isn’t she the daughter of the Emperor of Tang, uh, no, isn’t she the daughter of the Human King, Li Shimin?
Now Princess Gaoyang handles almost all affairs of the Ming Sect, so wanting to relocate the Ming Sect’s headquarters near Chang’an City doesn’t have anything peculiar from her personal perspective, right?
Alright, since the Jade Emperor nodded, indicating he already knew about it, this Immortal Official certainly had nothing more to say.
After nodding, this Immortal Official stopped speaking.
…
Let’s not mention the situation of the Heavenly Court for now. In the Mortal World of Great Tang, early the next morning, Li Shimin summoned all his civil and military officials to gather in the main hall of the Imperial Palace.
Many civil and military officials secretly wondered to themselves.
A grand assembly like this isn’t held at just any time; regular court sessions usually only gather ministers who have reports to present.
When almost everyone is present like this, it typically means the Emperor has something very important to announce, right?
The assembly proceeded in the usual manner. Meanwhile, those civil and military officials with no particular business stayed calmly, quietly awaiting Li Shimin’s announcement.
Just like that, after most of the important state affairs were handled, Li Shimin promptly opened his mouth and said: “Now that important matters have been mostly addressed, I have something to announce!”
Here it comes!
Upon hearing Li Shimin’s words, the spirits of many people were stirred, attentively looking at Li Shimin.
What on earth is he going to announce? He actually convened a grand assembly?
“About last month, the Flame Cloud Entertainment City appeared at the city’s outskirts, you all should be aware, right?” Li Shimin’s gaze circled all those present before he asked.
“We are aware!” Upon hearing Li Shimin’s inquiry, these courtiers answered in unison.
The gigantic figure that carried several buildings and placed them on the outskirts of Chang’an City—this event spread throughout Chang’an City.
And the matter has already been more than a month past. Saying you don’t know? That’s absolutely impossible.
“Have any of you, my beloved officials, entered the Flame Cloud Entertainment City to play?” Once these civil and military officials responded, Li Shimin promptly followed up with another question.
“This…” Upon hearing Li Shimin’s question, many ministers on the grand hall looked at each other, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Saying they didn’t go? Wouldn’t that be a crime of deceiving the sovereign?
After more than a month, entering there might even grant a chance to meet Immortal Gods and Bodhisattvas. Who hasn’t been there?
However, the activities there seem mainly centered around gambling. Admitting to visiting may not be quite appropriate!
“Your Majesty, I, Old Cheng, have been there to play. Darn it, these Immortal Gods truly have some extraordinary things, hehehe…”
At this moment, a rough voice sounded.
This remark made many people look over, then they secretly pursed their lips, inwardly cursing the other’s vulgarity.
However, these words were merely cursed inwardly; they did not dare to speak them aloud!
“Oh? Yaojin, you’ve played it? Do you think it’s fun?” Li Shimin’s gaze fell on Cheng Yaojin, and he asked.
“Indeed, Your Majesty, I, Old Cheng, do find it fun. Unlike others, who’ve clearly played and found it fun but don’t dare to admit it! Useless fellows!” Cheng Yaojin first nodded, frankly answering Li Shimin’s question, then turned his head and looked at the ministers beside him, pursing his lips as he spoke.
“Your Majesty, I must speak of how Cheng Yaojin disrespects Your Majesty, spewing vulgarity!”
Cheng Yaojin’s attitude naturally angered many civil officials, and several of them immediately stood up to speak.
“Enough…” At this point, many of the civil and military officials were used to it, not intending to dwell on this issue, so Li Shimin waved his hand and directly cut to the chase, saying, “Today, I mention this topic to tell everyone that I’ve recently prepared to hold a few Great Tang Cup tournaments on hero kill and Mahjong Saint competitions!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the contending camps of Cheng Yaojin and the civil officials indeed quieted down immediately, all drawn by Li Shimin’s words.
“Great Tang Cup? Mahjong Saint competition? It seems, Your Majesty, that you also enjoy these immortal things, huh? Good, this idea is good, I, Old Cheng, raise both hands and feet to agree!” Cheng Yaojin’s eyes shone brightly as he spoke with great interest.
“His Majesty’s move aligns with heavenly principles and wins the hearts of the people!” After exchanging whispers, the other civil officials also began to express their agreement.
These hero kill and Mahjong amusements, even immortals and Bodhisattvas are interested, holding such a competition would surely attract their attention?
Naturally, everyone desires this chance to showcase themselves before Bodhisattvas and immortals.
“Very well, the details of this competition will be completely entrusted to The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works!” Seeing everyone’s agreeable attitude, Li Shimin smiled, nodded, and spoke.
He merely delegated them the task but did not specify how to execute it.
Indeed, the Minister of Works pondered for a moment, stepped forward, and naturally began asking about historical requirements.
Of course, if he had specific processes directly conveyed, then following the steps that His Majesty described would be ideal.
“Just waiting for you to ask me!” Listening to the Minister of Works’ inquiry, Li Shimin secretly laughed.
Then, he succinctly recounted the situation he had discussed with Jiang Liu last night to all the civil and military officials in the hall.
Similarly, when Jiang Liu narrated it earlier, Li Shimin felt like nine of the ten apertures of his mind were opened, except for one, completely puzzled.
Now, as Li Shimin delivered these original words, the civil and military officials in the hall were equally bewildered, totally perplexed.
“Your Majesty, you know I, Old Cheng, am a simple man, so I don’t quite understand your words; could you kindly explain? For instance, what does this advertisement mean?” With Li Shimin’s words concluded, Cheng Yaojin asked Li Shimin.
“It’s normal if none of you understand!” Seeing Cheng Yaojin’s expression, Li Shimin secretly laughed.
Looking at the other ministers, also looking bewildered, Li Shimin felt much more balanced in his heart; surely he wasn’t the only one who didn’t understand?
It seemed these others also didn’t understand, very nice!
“Yaojin, I’ve urged you in your leisure to read more books, see, at a crucial moment, it doesn’t serve much use, does it?” Li Shimin delighted inwardly, but outwardly remained calm, speaking.
“Your Majesty, don’t say it’s only me, Old Cheng, who doesn’t understand; I bet even the civil officials, who boast of a wealth of literary knowledge, don’t understand either. If not, why don’t you just pick someone to explain?” Cheng Yaojin spoke, dragging the civil officials to back him up.
Seeing Cheng Yaojin’s stance, these civil officials wanted to rebut a couple of times.
However, they couldn’t deny that Cheng Yaojin’s words indeed held true; they genuinely couldn’t quite grasp it!
Therefore, the words of these civil officials remained unsaid.
This scenario was exactly what Li Shimin wanted to see, and he secretly smiled. Then, Li Shimin fulfilled Cheng Yaojin’s request, explaining the detailed matters of the Great Tang Cup and Mahjong Saint competitions thoroughly to everyone.
With Li Shimin’s explanation, these civil and military officials suddenly understood, they figured it out!
Of course, this realization wasn’t just due to the matter itself but also because of Li Shimin!
At this moment, everyone in the hall understood that His Majesty deliberately refrained from explaining, waiting for others to inquire when confused, making him appear wiser.
“So that’s how it is, truly His Majesty is smart, able to conceive such methods…”
Understanding it was intentional on Li Shimin’s part, inwardly critiquing Li Shimin’s mischievousness, yet these civil and military officials had no choice but to speak flattering words and praise Li Shimin.