Volume 1, Chapter 67: Open Struggles and Hidden Maneuvers
"It's raining!"
Who knows who shouted it first.
"It's raining!"
When the raindrops fell upon the faces of the common people, feeling that icy-cold touch, they finally believed it was real.
"Many thanks, Your Highness the Fourth Prince!"
At this moment, the crowds of common people knelt once more, offering their gratitude in unison to the Fourth Prince.
Seeing the sea of kneeling people, Yun Qing was immensely excited.
The surprise Li Hanzhou had given him was simply too magnificent.
When he said it would rain, it actually rained.
"Everyone, please rise. This is not solely the merit of this prince; it is because we moved the heavens together, and the heavens, in their mercy, protect our Great Zhou," Yun Qing said to the crowd.
The people were still cheering.
The rain was growing heavier.
Yun Qing's personal guard walked over, picked up an umbrella, and held it over Yun Qing's head, but Yun Qing stepped away from it, frowning as he said, "This prince is currently sharing the joy with the common people. Throw that umbrella away."
"Yes." The guard hurriedly tossed the umbrella aside.
The prince himself was standing in the rain; how could the guard dare to hold an umbrella?
"Damn it!"
The Sixth Prince's face turned livid with rage as he watched the scene outside.
"Recently, Father has already been somewhat displeased with him. How could we let him pull off such a stunning comeback?" The Sixth Prince was consumed by fury.
"Your Highness, do not let it damage your health. The Fourth Prince merely had good luck and happened to catch the rain," the attendant quickly comforted him.
"Bullshit!" The Sixth Prince glared at him and said, "Why don't I ever have such good luck!"
"This..." Seeing the Sixth Prince's expression, the attendant's eyes suddenly rolled as an idea struck him. He said, "Your Highness, do you think there might be His Majesty's people nearby?"
"Huh?"
The Sixth Prince glanced at the attendant in surprise and replied, "According to Father's habits, there are bound to be one or two of his people around the Fourth Brother. Not just the Fourth Brother—who among us doesn't have them? It's just that they usually hide too deeply to be noticed. Therefore, it probably won't be long before word reaches Father's ears that the Fourth Brother moved the heavens and brought down blessed rain."
"Your Highness, I have a plan."
The attendant leaned in and whispered a few words into the Sixth Prince's ear.
The Sixth Prince's eyes lit up.
"Go and execute it quickly!" the Sixth Prince ordered.
"This servant will make the arrangements right away."
With that, the attendant hurried off.
Around the sacrificial altar, the numerous officials were also overjoyed.
The Lord of Wanshui City even shouted praises for the heavens protecting Great Zhou.
Watching the happy expressions of the people below, Yun Qing's heart surged with excitement. His achievements today would surely reach his father's ears immediately!
Not long ago, because of the matter regarding the recruitment of military funds, he had been severely reprimanded by his father. This incident would undoubtedly make his father look at him in a brand-new light.
As he was thinking this, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted at the top of their lungs, "His Highness the Fourth Prince helped us successfully pray for rain, and this year we finally won't starve to death!"
As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately echoed, "That's right, the Fourth Prince is truly our great benefactor!"
With two people responding, the other common people naturally chimed in.
Hearing this, Yun Qing grew even more delighted.
Yet immediately afterward, someone shouted loudly, "Thanks to His Highness the Fourth Prince! Long live His Highness the Fourth Prince!"
"Long live the Fourth Prince!"
As one person shouted, a second person quickly followed suit.
Hearing these words, Yun Qing's expression changed drastically!
"Long live" was a title reserved exclusively for the Emperor.
He was merely a prince.
If such a large number of common people shouted "long live" at this moment, and word reached his father's ears...
"Stop shouting!"
Yun Qing's personal guards hurriedly tried to stop them.
However, there were simply too many common people present. Lacking education, they were easily influenced by others, and hearing others shout, they immediately joined in.
With so many people, it was utterly impossible to stop them at that moment.
Yun Qing's expression grew increasingly grim.
Not far away, in the restaurant, the Sixth Prince could not help but smile. Once their father learned that people were shouting "long live" to the Fourth Prince here, the Fourth Prince would likely be finished.
Meanwhile, the person who had shouted first grew even more enthusiastic. After all, he was sent by the Sixth Prince.
His gaze carried a cunning gleam.
"Long live the Fourth Prince!"
Yet just as he shouted this phrase once more, a bolt of lightning instantly flashed across the sky!
Boom!
The lightning struck with pinpoint accuracy, hitting him squarely.
This sight utterly terrified everyone present, leaving them frozen in their tracks.
The man was instantly scorched black by the thunderbolt...
Clatter.
He collapsed to the ground.
In an instant, the scene fell into absolute silence.
Even Yun Qing was momentarily stunned. A living man had been charred to a crisp right before his eyes?
"What is going on?"
The Sixth Prince had also not expected that his own man would inexplicably be struck dead by lightning!
Taking advantage of the moment when all the common people were stunned, Yun Qing quickly shouted, "Everyone! In this world today, the only one who can bear the title of 'long live' is His Majesty the Emperor! Because this man shouted recklessly, he suffered divine retribution. Therefore, none of you must shout such things!"
"Gasp!"
The crowd drew in a sharp breath of cold air.
At the same time, they felt a lingering fear. They had just shouted it too—would they be struck by lightning as well?
Yun Qing continued, "The heavens protect our Great Zhou and have bestowed rain upon us. The commotion just now signifies that the current Emperor is the true Son of Heaven and cannot be replaced. His Majesty's achievements are recognized by heaven and earth, and this is the great fortune of our Great Zhou!"
"Long live His Majesty!" Yun Qing shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Long live His Majesty!"
The common people grew excited once again.
Indeed, if even the heavens recognized the current Emperor as the true Son of Heaven, it meant he was a good emperor. What else did they have to worry about?
Yun Qing broke out in a cold sweat internally. He looked into the distance; Li Hanzhou was already gone, but Yun Qing knew that bolt of lightning must have been summoned by him.
Had it not been for that lightning bolt from Li Hanzhou, he would truly have been finished today.
"Hmph!"
The Sixth Prince in the restaurant let out an angry grunt and stood up to leave.
Why did things always turn out so frustratingly close?
Even the heavens were helping the Fourth Brother!
After all matters were concluded, Yun Qing returned to his manor.
Before long, a servant came to report at the door, "Your Highness, two people are outside asking for an audience. One of them claims to have a partnership with you."
"Quickly invite them in," Yun Qing said hastily.
Li Hanzhou was his benefactor, after all.
Having just saved his life and possessing the ability to summon wind and rain, such a talented individual would be immensely helpful on his path to seizing the crown prince position. Yun Qing decided he must firmly secure this powerful ally.
Not long after, Li Hanzhou walked in, accompanied by Shi Ming.
"Have you memorized everything I told you?" Li Hanzhou asked Shi Ming on the way.
"I remember it," Shi Ming nodded, though he still looked somewhat nervous.
When Li Hanzhou led Shi Ming into the room, Li Hanzhou cupped his fists with a smile and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness the Fourth."
"Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth," Shi Ming also said politely.
"Senior, please dispense with the formalities. You truly helped me immensely today," Yun Qing smiled, and then added, "If this prince guesses correctly, Senior used the Great Celestial Phenomenon Art to pray for rain, didn't you?"