“The statue of the Divine Maiden will be a massive undertaking. Even with your assistance, can his body really withstand it?” Senior Mr. Yu was worried that the statue might not be finished before the sculptor himself passed away. That would only damage his granddaughter’s reputation, wouldn’t it?
“Senior Mr. Yu, please rest assured. My master is in excellent health and will certainly complete the statue of the Divine Maiden on time.” He had begged His Majesty for this assignment and even invoked his master’s name to secure it.
According to his junior fellow disciple’s letter, his master—the old man—had been so delighted to hear that he would be carving a statue for the Divine Maiden that he had nearly jumped three feet into the air.
Just moments earlier, someone had offered a hefty sum to commission a small piece from him, only to be refused on the grounds that he was advanced in years and no longer had the stamina. Master Gu had already put away his carving tools for good.
Yet the moment he heard that he was being invited to the capital to carve a three-meter-tall jade statue of the Divine Maiden, his master—who had been lying in bed drinking medicine—recovered before he had even finished the dose.
He had not waited a single day before packing up his belongings and hurrying toward the capital. If he knew that he had nearly lost the assignment because of concerns over his age and strength, he would probably have dropped dead on the road!
Afraid that Senior Mr. Yu might not believe him, Xuanmingzi continued explaining, “Although my master has lived in seclusion in the mountains these past years, several of his disciples still receive his instruction from time to time. His skills have not diminished in the slightest.”
Yu Chongshan nodded. “It seems this old man was worrying needlessly!”
He then asked about another matter. “Your Majesty, has the site for the Divine Maiden’s temple been decided?”
Emperor Mingxi and the Crown Prince exchanged a glance. The Crown Prince took over, saying, “Senior Mr. Yu, you may not know this, but Father has selected several possible sites. As for where it will ultimately be built, Father believes we should ask my maternal aunt.”
“Ask me?”
As soon as he had finished his duties for the day, Yu Chongshan had rushed straight to Yue Fuguang’s Brightmoon Pavilion and handed the final decision regarding the temple’s location to her.
Yue Fuguang had not expected Emperor Mingxi to be so thoughtful. He had even remembered to build her a temple so that she could be worshiped. She simply did not know whether she would still be able to enjoy the offerings of incense after leaving this world.
Even if she could not, however, she had left behind a legend in this world. The Divine Maiden’s temple would be the best proof of that. And that… was not bad at all.
Faced with the question Emperor Mingxi had thrown her way, Yue Fuguang pondered only briefly before saying, “Grandfather, tell His Majesty that the temple should be built on Lotus Mountain.”
“It’s only ten or twenty li from the eastern gate of the capital. It’ll be convenient for the people to leave the city and come up the mountain to offer incense.”
That place not only had beautiful scenery, but was also fairly close to her estate.
Since it was her temple, she naturally had to make certain arrangements to protect it and establish its sphere of influence. Even after she eventually left, her temple should stand unshaken through the passing of time and the changes of the world, becoming a true divine relic.
“Lotus Mountain?” Yu Chongshan considered the location, then nodded with a smile. “That’s a fine place. The mountains are lush, the waters clear, and it’s peaceful too.”
Yue Fuguang then took out two small jade bottles. “Grandfather, please deliver these two bottles of pills to Master Gu Yang.”
She pointed to the green jade bottle. “This is a Vitality-Nourishing Pill. It’s highly effective for those who are elderly and physically frail.”
Then she pointed to the white jade bottle. “This bottle contains Body-Strengthening Pills. With these two medicines, Master Gu should be able to complete the statue without any trouble.”
She had also felt that her grandfather’s concern was justified. Master Gu seemed to be nearly seventy years old. Asking an old man with one foot in the grave to undertake such a physically and mentally demanding task made her worry that something might go wrong and he might die before finishing it.
Her temple did not need to bear that sort of karmic burden. “Consider them an advance payment for their work.”
Yu Chongshan felt a pang at the thought of his granddaughter giving away such precious things, but he also felt that her action was prudent. It would help ensure the statue’s completion and win her an even better reputation.
“Your grandfather has seen the temple’s plans. Construction will begin this year, but it will probably take at least a year or two to complete.”
“That’s fine. Slow work produces fine results. Tell the Ministry of Works to take their time. There’s no need to rush.” Judging by the current progress of the Great Yan campaign, it would take more than two years to conquer all five kingdoms.
And that was only the occupation of their lands. Occupying them alone would not complete her task.
After all, the six kingdoms had only just been forced together. They could fall apart again at any moment. She still had to watch over their integration and turn them into one family.
That was the truly difficult part. She needed to think of a way to accomplish it.
Just as Yue Fuguang was pondering this, an opportunity soon presented itself.
“What? You’re saying that the Great Yan army has already fought its way into Gan City today?” Yue Fuguang’s hand paused as she carried a bowl of porridge. She had not even taken a bite of breakfast when the system brought her the excellent news that Gan City had fallen into Great Yan hands.
【That’s right, Host! When we went to Gan City last time, I set up an anchor point in the imperial palace. So even though we’re thousands of li away, I can still receive news from there promptly. You can rest assured—the information is completely reliable. Even the emperor doesn’t know yet!】
“System, you’ve really grown capable!” Yue Fuguang gave the system a big thumbs-up. “How are the casualties on both sides?”
【The Great Yan army used gunpowder to blast open the way, and suffered more than four thousand casualties in the battle. As for the Southern Yue army, more than thirty thousand were killed or wounded, while over seventy thousand were taken prisoner. Half of those surrendered voluntarily.
【Great Yan’s gunpowder was so terrifying that it scared the soldiers witless. They all shouted that the Divine Maiden had sent down heavenly thunder. Of course they surrendered!】
As Yue Fuguang ate her steamed buns, she asked the system, “What do you think? Should we give those who surrendered voluntarily a chance at wealth and glory? It could also help with the integration of the various kingdoms.”
【You mean have them join Great Yan and earn military merits alongside its army?】
“Look at it this way. Although Great Yan has taken the Southern Yue capital, a small portion of Southern Yue’s territory is still in the hands of the Southern Yue imperial family and its generals.
“Whether Great Yan’s army fights to take that land or the surrendered Southern Yue soldiers do it, the result will feel different to some of the Southern Yue civilians.”
War would inevitably cost lives. Rather than let the people of Southern Yue direct their hatred toward Great Yan, they might as well direct it toward their own countrymen.
The system clearly saw the ruthlessness behind Yue Fuguang’s plan. 【The Host’s idea is excellent. This may speed up the process of national and ethnic integration.】 Even if it failed to achieve that, Great Yan would lose nothing.
“There’s more. People from the same land understand one another best. Who knows? This surrendered army might bring us some unexpected gains.”
Yue Fuguang finished her breakfast in two or three bites. “No, I have to make the trip myself.”
