Chapter 191 Not Even Tree Bark Left
Inside the Xuanwu Kingdom's Secret Repository.
This is the highest secret of the Xuanwu Kingdom; the truths of many secret affairs from previous dynasties are located here.
Besides the truth, there are also collected anecdotes and strange tales.
Unofficial history is also included among them. After all, the true history sometimes involves events that are simply too explosive; recording them serves no purpose other than to be ridiculed by future generations for being feeble-minded.
No one wishes to be ridiculed by their descendants after they die, so they sealed away this period of history.
Thus, when later emperors faced this blank and mysterious gap in history, they would naturally be curious.
Consequently, they would collect some folk unofficial history to simply fill in the gaps.
The main focus was: regardless of whether it is correct, just say whether it exists or not.
Zhao Xuan read the book before him with a serious expression. Once he confirmed the content inside, he quickly stood up.
He hurriedly walked to Chu Xingchen, placed the book on Chu Xingchen's desk, and spoke earnestly:
"Predecessor, look at this. Here there are anecdotes about Taizu and the Grand Ancestor, and they are even related to Xuanwu!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Li Yingling, who was rapidly handling official business to the side, stopped the pen in her hand and looked at Zhao Xuan with a somewhat speechless gaze.
This behavior of personally finding one's own ancestor's unofficial history—was truly too filial.
Moreover, this person changed his face even faster than her own Master.
His moral baseline was even lower than her Master's.
Naturally, Zhao Xuan did not understand Master's slightly radical policies at the start.
However, after Master pulled Zhao Xuan aside and spoke privately for half a shichen, although Zhao Xuan's expression was somewhat reluctant, he still strictly executed Master's policies.
During that time when the situation was unclear.
Zhao Xuan had not yet made the Secret Repository public, and Li Yingling and Chu Xingchen were still handling the situation in the Archives Library, as well as communicating with Li Xingtian of Cangzhou.
When Li Yingling was looking up materials, she could often see Zhao Xuan with a grave expression, looking as if he were going to the execution ground tomorrow.
He would wander in the Archives Library from time to time, and even many urgent official documents were processed right there in the Archives Library.
However, Zhao Xuan also did not dare to ask his own Master questions, only silently sighing and shaking his head.
It belonged to the category of not speaking, yet saying everything.
But his own Master was soft-hearted and could not bear to see someone sighing and moaning in front of him.
He directly chased him out of the Archives Library.
Zhao Xuan, having been chased out of the Archives Library, would not return that day.
After all, an emperor also has dignity—so Zhao Xuan would usually come again the next day.
This continued for a period of time, until the matter of the Chizhou refugees was safely resolved.
It was only then that Zhao Xuan stopped this artistic performance, and his expression also changed from a gloomy face to one of adoration.
This Emperor of the Xuanwu Kingdom also began his career of transformation.
Especially when the rebels, just as Master had predicted, began attacking the city regardless of the cost.
After all, facts do not lie; the situation in Chizhou instantly became clear, and since the rebels changed their plan, they had also gained the initiative.
With things having developed to this point, this Emperor was simply more of a disciple than Li Yingling, the eldest disciple.
He was just short of personally warming the bed for his own Master.
Originally, the task of looking up materials was done by Li Yingling, and the task of handling government affairs was done by Zhao Xuan.
It was just that later, Zhao Xuan felt that his daily behavior of serving tea and pouring water, and asking about health and warmth for Master, was not enough.
He said something that left Li Yingling stunned on the spot—as a descendant of the Zhao family, he understands his ancestors' deeds even better. For Predecessor's urgent matter, it is more appropriate for me to investigate.
As for government affairs, just leave them to your eldest disciple! After all, a famous teacher produces a high student!
Especially after seeing the memorials approved by Li Yingling, he was even more relieved.
Chu Xingchen also looked at the respectful Zhao Xuan before him with a hint of helplessness.
The current Zhao Xuan was even more thorough in his fawning than Little Zheng back then.
Chu Xingchen sighed and said: "There is no need for this; I prefer your previous unruly appearance."
"What unruly appearance, it was just being a bit full of youthful vigor." Zhao Xuan revealed a hint of shame, then changed the topic, pointing at the book in front of him and said;
"Look here, my Taizu's mother..."
Chu Xingchen glanced at the content twice, then reached out to interrupt Zhao Xuan's following words.
This book is called anecdotes, but calling it "Two or Three Things the Founding Empress Had to Say" would be more appropriate.
Throwing this book into the Book of Liu Bei would not feel out of place; with Li Yingling's current age, she still cannot listen to this.
"Stop calling her Taizu's mother, leave her some face."
Chu Xingchen said helplessly: "Consider that I spoke wrongly earlier. Can you find me something a bit more proper to look at?"
Hearing this, Zhao Xuan nodded compliantly without a single rebuttal and immediately turned around to leave.
When he walked to the edge of the bookshelf, wanting to find a piece of unofficial history that was not so wild.
Chu Xingchen asked: "I saw the military intelligence a few days ago, saying that Jinshui City is in imminent danger. Have you done as I instructed?"
Hearing this, Zhao Xuan nodded hurriedly: "Naturally. All heavy supplies that could be taken were taken; what could not be taken was all burned. The wild grass that could be dug up was not left either."
"Then, for the cities other than Jinshui City, have you all made the same preparations?"
"All preparations have been made."
"Then just act according to the plan." Chu Xingchen nodded lightly and stood up, saying, "Yingling, no need to approve memorials anymore. It is time to go."
Hearing this, Li Yingling's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly dropped the pen in her hand.
Although handling these government affairs was not difficult, it was truly somewhat tedious and boring.
Being an Emperor really has no fun at all; it is better to follow her own Master to see the elegance that only cultivators can witness.
Zhao Xuan was stunned for a moment and hurriedly walked a few steps forward, asking:
"Where is Predecessor going?"
Chu Xingchen stretched his waist and said: "I didn't leave before because I was afraid you kid wouldn't be able to figure things out, not because your family's unofficial history is truly precious."
"No matter how much the unofficial history brags, it is just that content."
"Now the situation is clear. After all, the Xuanwu Kingdom has deep foundations. As long as the rebels are handled properly, they are nothing to worry about."
"What you need to pay attention to now is the situation in the direction of Chizhou. That is the biggest problem there. Still just one sentence."
"Kill when you need to kill."
"I will go and take a look at what caliber the mastermind behind the scenes is."
Hearing this, Zhao Xuan naturally understood the situation and did not say anything more, only cupping his hands solemnly:
"Many thanks, Predecessor. I will keep this grace in mind."
"Forget it, what use is the gratitude of a small kingdom to me." Chu Xingchen walked outward;
"Just remember your words that you are the Sovereign Father."
Hearing this, Zhao Xuan only bent his waist even deeper.
Jinshui City.
Yu Zhu stood with a solemn expression before a pile of ruins; this place was originally the official granary of Jinshui City.
Many generals stood by his side, all remaining silent.
No one understands the importance of provisions better than generals.
A moment later, a scholar ran quickly to Yu Zhu, his voice slightly trembling as he reported:
"The inside of the city has been searched clean. There isn't a single grain of rice, and not a single thing that can be eaten remains."
"All edible wild vegetables have been pulled clean, and furthermore..."
Yu Zhu took a deep breath and looked at the scholar beside him, asking:
"And what?!"
"And they even pulled the nearby tree bark completely clean!"
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