Chapter 346 - 150: Overturning This World

This was also why Xu Lei hadn’t just hired the artisans directly.

So, Xu Lei decided to press on with his plan.

He would snatch this group of artisans first and worry about the rest later.

"Topple the throne?"

Qing Lian clicked her tongue. "And put someone else on the throne as Emperor?"

Xu Lei’s tone was certainly grand enough.

But was vying for control of the realm really so easy?

Qing Lian still felt it would be very difficult.

After all, she was a normal nun, a normal Cultivator. They typically didn’t meddle in the affairs of the world.

It was too much effort, and sometimes a thankless task.

One careless misstep could get you surrounded by a massive army, which would be even more troublesome.

But now, listening to Xu Lei, making someone else the Emperor sounded as simple as eating a meal or drinking water.

In the blink of an eye, another ten-odd days had passed.

Xu Lei and Qing Lian arrived in the southeastern region of the Great Shang.

This was, of course, to select a candidate for the new Emperor.

On this day, the two of them found their way into a banquet at the residence of a Vassal Prince.

This Vassal Prince’s title was Benevolent.

Xu Lei and Qing Lian planned to blend in and become Guest Ministers.

The Benevolent King was a refined, middle-aged man, and his attitude was quite amicable.

"Young lady, you’re so young, yet you’ve come here saying you want to be the Prince’s Guest Minister?"

However, a few middle-aged Scholars serving as Guest Ministers beside him spoke up with a smile, "And what skills do you possess?

Why should the Prince accept you as a Guest Minister?

How about this? The Prince is very fond of poetry.

Why don’t you compose a poem for us today?

It just so happened to rain last night, so you can use that as your theme. How about it?

Let the Prince see your talent."

Qing Lian froze. How would she know how to do that?

"Poetry is but a minor art." Of course, she didn’t panic, but said calmly.

Then, without waiting for the others to mock or ridicule her, she quickly added, "But if I must, it’s not impossible!

Listen carefully—"

With that, she began to walk, slowly reciting:

"Last night, the rain was sparse, the wind fierce; a deep sleep did not dispel the lingering wine..."

Naturally, this was Xu Lei transmitting the words to Qing Lian’s mind.

If he could get close to this Vassal Prince and observe him with just a single poem, without needing to reveal his Magical Power, then so be it.

Xu Lei felt it was an acceptable approach.

So he didn’t hesitate to plagiarize Li Qingzhao.

’I’ve already transmigrated, who wouldn’t be a literary plagiarist?’

Upon hearing this line, the expressions of everyone present changed.

"I ask the one who rolls the blinds, but she says the crabapple blossoms are the same."

Qing Lian continued to recite, "Don’t you know, don’t you know?

The green leaves should be lush, the red flowers withered."

By the time she finished, the faces of the Scholars present had all changed dramatically.

They were utterly shocked.

No one could utter another word of mockery or ridicule.

After savoring the poem for a moment, they were all filled with solemn respect.

"Miss, what a sublime talent!"

The Benevolent King stood up directly and bowed. "It is I who was blind to your greatness!"

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing."

Qing Lian’s pretty face flushed slightly, and she said with some embarrassment, "I... I was just reciting it casually."

After all, she had gotten the poem from Xu Lei.

Since she hadn’t written it herself, she naturally felt a little guilty.

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but glance at Xu Lei.

Xu Lei, however, remained perfectly composed.

And after this incident, Xu Lei and Qing Lian became Guest Ministers for the Benevolent King.

"Senior, you’re just too amazing, aren’t you?"

That evening, Qing Lian couldn’t help but say to Xu Lei in private, "To think you even know how to compose poetry!

And you’re so good at it!

It was quite interesting today, watching the expressions on those old Scholars’ faces change."

Xu Lei just smiled.

In the blink of an eye, another ten-odd days passed.

The poem Qing Lian had recited that day had, in a short time, surprisingly spread throughout the land.

Her fame spread far and wide!

’Li Qingzhao is Li Qingzhao for a reason,’ Xu Lei sighed to himself.

However, Xu Lei had no intention of backing this Benevolent King.

On this day, he prepared to leave with Qing Lian.

"Senior, is the Benevolent King not suitable?"

Qing Lian asked, "From what I’ve seen, he seems to be quite good to the common people! Aren’t we choosing him?"

"I’ve given up on him."

But Xu Lei shook his head. "He has benevolence, but no cunning, no methods, and no Power!

Backing him would be too much effort!

Let’s go to the Northwest!

I want to go see King Yu!

That man has guarded the Northwest for years, resisting the invasions of the Grassland Tribes!

If he were to raise an army, it should be much simpler!

And whether he is benevolent or not isn’t that important!

Once a Vassal Prince seizes the throne through rebellion, their claim will always lack legitimacy.

An Emperor who gains the throne in such a way will often feel a bit insecure about their position.

After ascending, they tend to frantically work to achieve great deeds.

They want to use their accomplishments to wash away the stain on their name in the history books.

So as long as they have a basic moral bottom line, it’s enough.

This Benevolent King is still far too indecisive."

In Earth’s history, emperors like Li Shimin, who killed their own brothers and imprisoned their father to ascend the throne, ruled with extreme diligence after becoming emperor.

Therefore, in Xu Lei’s current selection process, whether a candidate was good-hearted enough was not the most important factor.

Whether they were capable or not was still more important.

Otherwise, if he were to back an incompetent like Ah Dou...

Xu Lei would be exhausted.

He didn’t want to exhaust himself.

"Senior, are you the reincarnation of an Ancient Spirit Immortal?"

Qing Lian finally mustered the courage to ask, "According to the legends, when an Ancient Spirit Immortal undergoes ’weapon-form’ reincarnation, don’t they have to go through the ’mystery of the womb’ and recultivate in every life?

How were you able to reach such a high Realm in your Cultivation so early?

Just now, you spoke of your predictions for a Vassal Prince after they take the throne.

Is that based on dynasties you’ve experienced before, on human nature you’ve witnessed throughout past history?"

"Regarding my affairs, what I want you to know, you will know."

But Xu Lei simply said, "What I don’t want you to know, don’t ask.

Let’s go. We’ll see what King Yu is like!"

In the blink of an eye, another half an hour passed.

"Miss Wei, why are you leaving so suddenly?"

At that moment, the Benevolent King and his men rode up on horseback to block their path. He said, "Was my hospitality lacking in some way these past days?

Or was it my unfilial son? Did his admiration for you anger you?"