Chapter 592

Chapter 592: Retiring Again

The Xia calendar was three thousand nine hundred years old.

In that year, many major events occurred in the world. With the support of a million troops from Datong Country, the remnants of the Immortal Kingdom’s Great Wall Legion and Qing River Legion fought a decisive battle against the Demon Human on the original Immortal Kingdom territory. Two hundred thousand new soldiers showed their prowess, defeated the Demon Human’s main force of three hundred thousand, and claimed a large area of land, allowing the Immortal Kingdom to be restored.

That year, Lin Jiang adopted Tian Xiong’s son, Tian Yuming, as his own, making him the crown prince of Datong Country. The Tian family thus became part of the royal family of Datong, attracting the envy of many.

As Tian Yuming became the crown prince, Lin Jiang immediately assigned him to handle state affairs, while the other seventeen disciples received various rewards.

Lin Jiang also reformed the system in Datong Country, changing noble titles to hereditary and non-hereditary titles. Hereditary titles would be removed after five generations, with each new generation inheriting one rank lower, while non-hereditary titles could not be passed down. He also specified the privileges associated with each title, such as exemption from taxes, and so on.

He also implemented policies to promote the development of industry and commerce, focusing on talent and technology. Additionally, the Martial Arts Academy was transformed into a University of Martial Arts.

"From the perspective of power, since the first Emperor of Huaxia, there has been a power struggle between imperial power and ministerial power. It is uncertain which is better, imperial power or ministerial power, but having constraints on power is definitely good."

After much consideration, Lin Jiang had new ideas about the power structure in Datong Country, so he summoned his top officials for discussion.

"On the first day of next year, the crown prince will officially ascend to the throne. I will step down. Does anyone have anything else to say?"

"Your Majesty, where will you go after you step down?"

"I will seek immortality and pursue eternal life."

"May I follow Your Majesty?"

"I am also willing to go."

Many ministers began to speak, saying that they had already enjoyed wealth and power, and now it was time to seek something else. They believed in Lin Jiang, who was willing to give up the throne of a king. They were confident in Lin Jiang.

"You all enjoy your lives, I will go search for immortality, pursuing something mysterious."

"Your Majesty…"

"No need to say much. Let me continue. Tian Yuming ascends the throne, the Tian family becomes the royal family, passing down through generations. However, the Emperor cannot do as he pleases. Important matters in the country are decided jointly by the Emperor and the cabinet. If there is a conflict between the two, the Emperor’s decision must be agreed upon by the entire cabinet. Similarly, if the cabinet rejects the Emperor’s decision, it is invalid.

In order to supervise the Emperor’s diligent governance and love for the people, to prevent a bad ruler, if the Emperor behaves improperly, the cabinet has the authority to order the Emperor to correct his actions. If the Emperor refuses to change, after three warnings, the cabinet has the authority to remove the Emperor, and another person from the Tian family will ascend the throne. The chosen successor will be decided by the Tian family, with details to be discussed later.

Remember, the cabinet cannot remove the Emperor without reason. In order to exercise this power, the cabinet must have the approval of two-thirds of all third-rank officials in Datong Country."

Lin Jiang then announced another important message, stating that the cabinet had the power to remove the Emperor and choose a successor from the Tian family. However, this power required the approval of two-thirds of third-rank officials or higher. This created a system of checks and balances.

Upon hearing this, the ministers were shocked. Throughout history, the Emperor had always been supreme. It was only through revolution or rebellion that the Emperor could be replaced. But now, it could be done legally?

The hall fell silent. Everyone was unsure of what to say. But Lin Jiang was unperturbed, having it recorded and spread widely. Even if the Tian family disagreed, it would not hold up in court.

After Lin Jiang finished talking, he told all the ministers to leave and go back to calm down before speaking again. Lin Jiang wasn’t afraid of their opposition because their opposition was ineffective.

Right now, it’s not that Lin Jiang hasn’t abdicated. Even if he did, with just a word, he could reclaim the throne. That’s where his prestige lies. He built the entire Datong Country, so his prestige is incredibly high.

Over the next half year, Lin Jiang’s mischievous side erupted once again. In the name of Emperor Mr. Wolong of Datong, he left behind numerous poems and inscribed dozens of seals. He enthusiastically stamped on some antiques, becoming a stamp maniac.

Datong Country now has many renowned artists. Lin Jiang also had them contribute their artworks. These trivial matters, in the eyes of the ministers, were nothing significant, even considered elegant affairs. How can you be famous without the Emperor’s approval?

Lin Jiang carefully maintained and sealed these items, then secretly sent them to the treasure trove he had people excavate before, waiting for them to turn into valuable treasures in the future.

·······

"Your Majesty."

Outside Jingdu City, today is the day Lin Jiang is leaving, but several ministers have already been waiting here, ready to accompany Lin Jiang on his final journey.

"Why did everyone wake up so early?"

Lin Jiang looked at the sky, which was still dark before sunrise, and he wanted to leave early to avoid any awkward situations.

"Your Majesty, we haven’t slept all night, just waiting for you, Your Majesty."

"Oh, I have said before, my search for immortality is a fantasy, I can’t bring you along."

"Your Majesty, you misunderstood, we don’t want to follow you in your search for immortality, we just want to see you off."

"A farewell, that’s nice."

Lin Jiang nodded, thinking whether to recite a farewell poem. He remembered the poem clearly that he read by the ancient road outside the pavilion, it left a deep impression on him.

"Your Majesty, we might not meet again in this life after parting today. I have a request, please grant it."

"What is it?"

"Having known Your Majesty for decades, we have never seen Your Majesty’s true face. Please let us see the real you."

Qin Yong said that when he first met Lin Jiang, Lin Jiang was just a young boy. Now, many years later, Lin Jiang is a grandfather, but they still haven’t seen his true face.

Upon hearing this, others also agreed, like Tian Xiong and his friends, who are very old now. They realized that they had never seen the King’s true face before.

"Okay."

Lin Jiang nodded and then took off his mask. Over the years, he had worn many masks, but he had never revealed his true face.

"Gasp."

When everyone saw his face, they were shocked because Lin Jiang looked very young, as if he were only seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Are you really the King?"

"Would anyone dare to impersonate me in Datong Country?"

"Uh, um…"

"Magic, it must be magic! Your Majesty, you are a fairy now, right?"

The crowd suddenly shouted in amazement, it must be magic! If not for magic, how could Your Majesty still look so young after so many years? It was calculated that Your Majesty had been emperor for almost twenty years, appearing before the people for over thirty years.

"If I am a fairy, then I wouldn’t need to seek fairies."

"Your Majesty, are there real fairies in the world?"

"Perhaps, I am looking for them, aren’t I?"

"Your Majesty…"

"Stop, everything that needs to be said has been said, I am leaving."

Lin Jiang put on his mask again, mounted his steed, and rode away directly.

A group of senior officials continued to discuss fervently. Among them was someone skilled in painting and calligraphy, wanting to draw what had just happened. Suddenly, he cried out in astonishment, surprising everyone.

"What’s wrong, what’s wrong"

"The Emperor seems lonely"

"Who"

"Emperor Xia, the Emperor seems like Emperor Xia. In my family, there is an ancient book with a portrait of Emperor Xia. It has always been a mystery, but…"

··········

After leaving Jingdu City, Lin Jiang traveled north towards the Great Wall near the Immortal Kingdom. The Great Wall Legion had already begun to advance into the interior of the Immortal Kingdom, but this place was not a battlefield.

"Oh no, can’t find it"

Lin Jiang glanced at the unfamiliar mountains. After nearly two thousand years, he had no idea where those spatial fragments were located, or any entrances or exits. They had long been lost.

Time flies, since the collapse of the immortal cultivation era, nearly four thousand years have passed. Four millennia of changes, like the shifting seas and changing sands, have influenced so much.

"Never mind, if we can’t find it, then we won’t look anymore, because they won’t wake up so soon anyway."

Lin Jiang thought in his heart, those who needed to wake up have already woken up, the rest have a long lifespan, it’s okay to sleep for tens of thousands of years, so I won’t disturb them.

Lin Jiang left the Great Wall Legion and headed east, avoiding the battlefield. The current battlefield is very dangerous, he doesn’t even know if he can withstand the thousands of pounds of cannons. Technology is like a Pandora’s box, at least that’s how he sees it. If it weren’t for the huge threat of the Demon Human, he wouldn’t have wanted to pursue that path of technology tree.

Lin Jiang entered the territory of Zhou Dynasty from Lingyun Mountain. The society of Zhou Dynasty is similar to the Datong Dynasty, the reason being that the people of Zhou Dynasty are descendants of primitive humans. Their own culture is very fragile, so they have been learning from the civilizations of Huaxia and the Immortal Kingdom, mixing them with their own, resulting in a somewhat peculiar culture.

Zhou Dynasty’s learning is comprehensive, including humanities, social aspects, and political systems. They learn anything they find good, which is also why the lavish lifestyle is prevalent in Zhou Dynasty. Indulging in luxuries feels so comfortable.

The territory of Zhou Dynasty is very extensive, comparable to the Datong Dynasty because it encompasses the former Wilderness. Lin Jiang has even visited the site of the Demon God Temple, which is located in the central region of Zhou Dynasty.

However, the population of Zhou Dynasty is not as large. Apart from certain areas like the former Bing State and He State, the rest of the places are mostly primitive forests, reminiscent of the sparse population in the Far East by the Russians.

Lin Jiang doesn’t want to go to places with no people, he has visited them a thousand years ago. After staying in Zhou Dynasty for almost half a year and conducting thorough investigations, he quietly headed south.

Lin Jiang has taken off his mask and changed his appearance through disguises. After returning to Datong, Lin Jiang secretly visited a few treasure locations to see if his confidants had betrayed him. If they did, Lin Jiang would deal with them.

Luckily, those people are loyal. Lin Jiang is very satisfied with the treasures and can wake up as a wealthy man again.

Quietly returning to the cave in Yunzhong Mountain Range, Lin Jiang finally decided to sleep for two thousand years, hoping that when he wakes up in two thousand years, he can directly recover spiritual energy.