My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 524 - 347: Great Li and Two Martial Artists

Chapter 524: Chapter 347: Great Li and Two Martial Artists

"Are you saying that in Great Li, a young lord has now ascended to the throne, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent, assisting the young emperor?"

Gu Yiwu’s eyes slightly widened.

"A widow mother ruling in court, holding sway over one of the largest dynasties in the northern part of Wangque Continent, both in terms of population and territory?"

Yunniang sighed softly and nodded, "Yes."

Zhao Rong thought for a moment: "Good grief."

Gu Yiwu slowly nodded.

Zhao Rong suddenly asked, "When did the former emperor pass away?"

Yunniang pondered for a moment and for some reason, sniffled. Her speech was still clear:

"It was exactly a month ago. That’s when the late emperor passed away suddenly. The court fell into chaos since the late emperor was wise and beloved by us common folk, so there was widespread mourning among the people..."

Zhao Rong nodded lightly and listened for a while longer.

Midway through, he glanced at the woman in front of him who had sold herself into servitude and come to the mountains not long ago. At the moment, she was wiping away tears with her sleeve, reminiscing about the late emperor and reflecting on the past tumultuous events in Li Territory.

Yunniang’s tone of voice was somewhat mournful.

It didn’t seem feigned; she truly appeared to have loved the late Emperor of Great Li.

Zhao Rong quieted for a while, nodded, and realized that this late Emperor of Great Li, who could now also be deemed Emperor Li, truly met the standards of a founding monarch that Zhao Rong had envisioned.

Originally a mere commoner from the south of the river, he had come to power in an era of great upheaval in Li Territory, marked by aging dynastic rule. He took up the sword, rallying numerous skilled and righteous individuals. After numerous trials and seizing many opportunities, he transformed from a carplike figure to a dragon, unifying Li Territory and expanding its borders.

He was the founding emperor of this newly established dynasty.

His claim to the throne was completely legitimate.

And now, Great Li was not merely confined to the former dynasty’s territories. Since its establishment, it had annexed other nations, expanding at least fivefold—yes, five times, mostly over fertile lands.

Emperor Li established the capital within Li Territory, using the people of Li as the core to govern all directions.

It led to several surrounding nations submitting and paying tribute.

At this moment, the Great Li Dynasty stood tall at the northernmost part of Wangque Continent and indeed deserved such a strategic location.

Because Great Li, facing south while sitting in the north, looked down upon the southern Wangque Continent. Across the northern Half Continent, hundreds of nations, both large and small, though some had larger territories and populations, upon closer inspection, were all aging and stagnant old dynasties, none stronger than it.

There were hardly any who could even match its strength.

To find any that could stand shoulder to shoulder or surpass it, people of the northern Wangque Continent had to stand on tiptoes and strain their eyes towards the southern part of Wangque Continent.

Moreover, Zhou Rong gathered from Yunniang’s words that the establishment of the Great Li Dynasty was not only due to the late emperor’s wisdom and martial prowess but also his command over many capable generals and ministers.

Oh, right, Emperor Li’s surname was Li, and his given name was Xiu.

Great Li belonged to the Li Imperial Family.

Zhao Rong pursed his lips; this new dynasty, rising like a phoenix from the ashes, was indeed in its early stages, exuding prosperity and momentum.

And the founding emperor, Li Xiu, was in his prime, with an ambition to encompass vast territories and supported by both wise ministers and brave generals. The latter, finding themselves under a sagacious ruler, were also eager to establish meritorious deeds.

Like dry wood meeting fierce fire, the national strength surged like oil in flames, growing stronger by the day.

It seemed nothing was lacking now—just solidify the dynasty’s foundation, strengthen the imperial authority a bit more, and wait for a ’random incident’ to occur, and then seize the opportunity to try and turn the Li River into a backyard stream.

Yes, and render most scholars at Linlu Academy, in some sense, homeless.

Oh, a certain scholar with the surname Lin from Siqi Academy as well; his home would also be gone.

Zhao Rong felt some worry for his friend and could not help but... smile slightly.

At that time, most people of Half Continent looking around would probably consider everyone to be a person of a dissolved nation, akin to homeless spirits, huddling together for warmth.

Zhao Rong shook his head, thinking that whoever spoke these words must surely lack emotional intelligence.

This should be called giving everyone a warm new home, with many new family members.

How heartwarming.

He amusedly thought.

But all this—Great Li people’s fervent hopes, potential significant gambles by immortals from the mountains, the grand endeavors of the Great Li Dynasty—

was all gone.

At least, it seemed so at the moment.

Because the vigorous Emperor Li Xiu had passed away.

This ’great ship’ that aimed to navigate through thorns heading southward, had lost its creator, who was also the most suitable helmsman for it.

Zhao Rong frowned slightly.

At this moment, Yunniang’s voice grew quieter and quieter.

"Did the... the late Emperor oppose those immortals on the mountain, selling the people of Great Li, especially us Li women?"

"The late Emperor had explicitly decreed. Within Great Li Territory, if impoverished parents needed to sell their daughters to raise money, they could only sell them to the government’s Music Workshop, to either learn singing, dancing and music, or to learn weaving and needlework."

"Upon reaching adulthood, Li women could choose to earn their living through needlework and buy back their freedom;"

"Or they could accept the proposal of high-ranking officials to have their freedom bought for them, entering the homes of the nobility;"

"Or they could stay at the Music Workshop, either as musicians or dancers, or aspire for a greater future as palace maids and female officials."

Yunniang turned to look at the fiery red maple leaves of her hometown, her face showing a look of longing.

"These were choices that we, modest women of willowy beauty, could make actively, rather than have our fates dictated to us, being sold off like mere commodities..."

Zhao Rong had intended to cut off Yunniang as she went off-topic, yet at that moment, he paused, and after a brief hesitation, he held back.

He glanced at Gu Yiwu, whose expression was calm and unchanged. Seeing Zhao Rong looking his way, Gu Yiwu cracked a smile.