HBWnovel Chapter 186 Northern Han Envoy
Chapter 186 Northern Han Envoy
Chapter 186 Northern Han Envoy
"The sword token of the Heavenly Hidden Sword Sect?" Emperor Li Yu of Tang also narrowed his eyes, examining the sword token floating in mid-air: "I never thought that Yuan'er would have such a wonderful encounter, and that he would be favored by the strongest person in the world. If he inherits the position of crown prince, it will be a good thing for my Southern Tang Kingdom."
"However..." Although Li Yu could see that Lin Fei was far superior to Li Longqian and was undoubtedly the only choice to inherit the throne, the sudden, seemingly berserk attack on Lin Fei by the Xuanyuan Sword had caused the Tang Emperor some slight unease.
The Xuanyuan Divine Sword is a national treasure of the Southern Tang Kingdom, and it is connected to the lifeline of the entire Southern Tang Kingdom. There has never been a case of the Xuanyuan Sword attacking a member of the royal family.
Li Yu stroked the blade of the Xuanyuan Sword, but found nothing unusual about it. He couldn't even explain why things had turned out that way. Yet, a sense of unease crept into Li Yu's heart.
Lin Fei waved his hand and retrieved the sword token. This sword token truly lived up to its reputation as the possession of the strongest person in the world, as it could actually contend with the ancient divine weapon, the Xuanyuan Sword.
However, Lin Fei wasn't quite sure why the sword token, which hadn't seemed to show any difference since he acquired it, had suddenly unleashed such powerful energy.
"Now that the heir apparent has been chosen," Emperor Li Yu of Tang said to his ministers, holding the Xuanyuan Sword. "I intend to establish Prince Li Longyuan as the crown prince, who will one day succeed me as the ruler of Southern Tang. Do any of you have any objections?"
Although some unexpected events occurred just now, the nine imperial dragon auras were genuine and could not be faked. With nine imperial dragon auras, he would be the most suitable candidate to succeed to the throne.
No sooner had Li Yu finished speaking than Marquis Shenwei, Su Lie, immediately proclaimed loudly, "The Emperor is supreme, unparalleled in the world. He should rightfully assume the position of Crown Prince. Your Majesty is wise!"
The other generals also chimed in, "This sign of supreme power will surely bring prosperity to our Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty is truly wise!"
The civil officials who had originally supported the Second Prince, Li Longqian, exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to say. If someone with the aura of an emperor wasn't qualified to ascend the throne, then who was?
Only the chief civil official, Prime Minister Wang You, stepped forward unhurriedly, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
Li Yu frowned as he glanced at Wang You, but still said calmly, "Prime Minister Wang, please speak plainly!"
Wang You calmly replied, "Your Majesty, Prince Longyuan is indeed the only suitable candidate to succeed to the throne. However, the Xuanyuan Divine Sword's rage is probably not a normal occurrence. This humble subject fears it is an ominous sign, and urges Your Majesty to reconsider!"
After Wang You finished speaking, the civil officials below also said one after another: "The divine sword's rage is an ominous sign. We urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Just as the civil officials were unable to refute the supreme dragon aura, these military generals were also unable to explain why the Xuanyuan Sword suddenly went berserk.
Even Su Lie didn't know why the Xuanyuan Sword, a symbol of the royal family, suddenly went berserk and attacked members of the royal family.
After listening to Wang You's words, Emperor Li Yu of Tang also remained silent for a long time. He, too, harbored the same unease, wondering why the Xuanyuan Sword had suddenly become so violent.
Wang You was adept at understanding the emperor's thoughts. Seeing Li Yu's expression, he immediately knew that the emperor probably shared similar concerns. However, because the imperial aura of the emperor was unprecedented in history, even the emperor himself could not easily deny Lin Fei's position as heir.
After pondering for a moment, Wang You continued, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, both Prince Longqian and Prince Longyuan have their strengths and weaknesses. If we make a hasty decision, it may not be of any benefit to the country. Why not observe for a while longer and find out why the Xuanyuan Sword suddenly went berserk before making a decision?"
In truth, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that Lin Fei's Nine Dragons Qi was far more powerful than Li Longqian's Six Dragons Qi. However, Wang You insisted that the sudden rampage of the Xuanyuan Sword was an ominous sign. Even Emperor Li Yu of Tang couldn't help but feel a degree of apprehension.
After all, the Xuanyuan Sword was the national treasure of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and even the emperor had to take it seriously when something unexpected happened to it.
Li Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "What Prime Minister Wang said is not without reason."
It seems that Li Yu is somewhat tempted by Wang You's suggestion.
"Then so be it!" Emperor Li Yu of Tang finally made up his mind and instructed his ministers, "I find it difficult to decide on the position of Crown Prince in a short time. Both princes, observe for a while longer, and we will decide after I have figured out the reason for the Xuanyuan Sword's rampage!"
After saying this, Emperor Li Yu of Tang added, "As for Long Yuan, restore his status as a prince of Southern Tang, bestow upon him a mansion in the capital, a thousand servants, and ten thousand taels of gold!"
This can be considered Li Yu's compensation to Lin Fei. In any case, despite his imperial aura, he failed to secure the position of crown prince, and Li Yu felt somewhat guilty towards Lin Fei.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Upon hearing Li Yu's order, a group of civil officials, led by Prime Minister Wang You, shouted in unison.
For those who supported the Second Prince Li Longqian, this was the best possible outcome. As long as the position of Crown Prince remained undecided, they still had a chance to compete.
The generals who supported Lin Fei were also helpless – who could blame them when the national treasure, the Xuanyuan Sword, suddenly went berserk? The previously favorable situation was lost in an instant.
However, for Lin Fei himself, this result was not unacceptable. He had never had a strong interest in the position of crown prince. And with his status as a prince restored, at least in the future, those guys wouldn't dare to openly target him anymore.
Even if they were to resort to tricks like sending assassins, they wouldn't dare to do it openly anymore. After all, Lin Fei has now regained his status as a prince, and anyone who wants to deal with him would have to bear the risk of being exposed and punished by the emperor.
This was more than enough for Lin Fei. The position of crown prince wasn't something he wanted to fight for anyway.
……
Thus, the test that would determine the future emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty ended without a clear conclusion.
However, everyone knew that this was only the beginning, not the end. Ultimately, the position of crown prince would have to be chosen from the two princes.
Just as all the ministers in the capital were waiting for the final result of the crown prince's appointment, an important piece of news comparable to the crown prince's appointment spread throughout the capital—an envoy from the Northern Han Kingdom had arrived in the capital!
Moreover, the number of envoys sent by the Northern Han Kingdom this time was so large that even ordinary people in the capital knew that something big must have happened.