The Alliance of the Three Emperors was absolutely the pinnacle of humanity!
The reason why it was held regularly in Lü City wasn't merely because of the Lü family's neutral status. More importantly, Lü City was the holy land in the hearts of Confucian and Taoist cultivators in the world.
At this moment, there were actually three thousand Confucian scholars gathered here! They were all spectators of the [Alliance of the Three Emperors], which was also the convention of past alliances. Because scholars represented public opinion!
These people witnessed the entire process of the Alliance of Three Emperors today with their own eyes. Naturally, they would spread the performance of the three Emperors throughout the world.
Then, the Emperor with the best performance would gain even greater fame in the world! While the one with the worst performance would immediately lose face, and even be unable to firmly keep his throne.
Fan Li looked far into the distance at the three thousand scholars who had already taken their seats, and he was filled with complex emotions.
According to the original owner's memory of reading history, he knew that the Han Dynasty once had a "Young Emperor" who was utterly defeated at the Alliance of Three Emperors when his ugly behavior was spread throughout the world by three thousand scholars at that time, immediately becoming "famous throughout the world"
After the Young Emperor returned to his country, although he had not yet reigned for a hundred days, he was immediately deposed by the powerful ministers in court, and then mysteriously died shortly after.
Fan Li looked again at the current Han Emperor, Liu Xi. He could really be considered an unfortunate Son of Heaven.
The Han Dynasty had declined since the time of the "Young Emperor", and then after several weak rulers, the throne was finally passed down to Liu Xi.
To tell the truth, although Liu Xi could not be considered a wise lord or sage, at least he could be considered an "average" lord.
It was just a pity that he lived in troubled times. With just the status of an average lord, there was absolutely no way for him to reverse the declining state of the Han Dynasty.
Liu Xi probably also understood this. At this moment, he was clearly somewhat restless.
At the Alliance of Three Emperors, the three Emperors each stood on a high platform. Apart from the Emperor himself, each high platform also allowed for at most one close subject to accompany him up there.
At this moment, other than Xiang Ning, the two Emperors had already ascended the platforms, both by themselves.
"Do you need me to accompany you up?" Fan Li asked gently.
Xiang Ning looked at the platform dozens of feet off the ground, and was indeed a little apprehensive.
She almost nodded her head to let Fan Li accompany her up. But then she recalled yesterday's Nation Seal and forcefully swallowed that thought.
'A treacherous minister only knows how to deceive. Clearly he has already prepared to usurp power and rebel. When I return to Great Chu, I'm afraid I'll immediately become your prisoner. Yet you still stand here feigning concern?'
Xiang Ning gritted her teeth and suddenly turned back to glare fiercely at Fan Li.
That look in her eyes permeated with disappointment, resentment, anger, and also a hint of inexplicable sorrow.
Fan Li was completely mystified, thinking what was up with this woman now? Does she want to cry or does she not want to cry?
"Your Majesty, please ascend the platform."
The three high platforms were arranged in an equilateral triangle.
There was a fourth platform that was several feet shorter and placed further away, intentionally not disturbing the formation of the three Emperors.
Lü Chunqiu was standing on the fourth platform, respectfully reminding Xiang Ning to ascend her platform.
The moment Lü Chunqiu spoke, it provoked a bout of excitement amongst the scholars.
"Master Lü! I'm finally seeing Master Lü!"
"After the Alliance of Three Emperors concludes, I will stay in Lü City for a couple more days. If Master Lü lectures and spreads the teachings, what wonderful fortune for my ears!"
Xiang Ning had already flown up onto the high platform.
Hearing the scholars' fanatical praise of Lü Chunqiu below, she was surprised in her heart.
This was the first time she truly felt that Lü Chunqiu's status in the hearts of Confucian and Taoist cultivators actually exceeded that of the Son of Heaven.
"Hmph!"
Amongst the Three Emperors, Emperor Jiajing instead revealed displeasure.
Mere scholars actually did not even bother glancing at the Son of Heaven?
They deserve death!
The killing intent in Emperor Jiajing's heart instantly caused the temperature in the venue to plummet sharply!
Everyone was frightened, looking up apprehensively at Jiajing with unconcealed killing intent and overbearing cultivation base.
A Dominant Ruler!
This was the three thousand scholars' first impression of Jiajing!
This impression was truly too deep. To the point that they had even forgotten the existence of the other two Emperors.
Yet Fan Li had a relaxed smile on his face, appearing very carefree.
Establishing prestige through killing intent?
Certainly worthy of a Dominant Ruler indeed.
However, a Dominant Ruler was not meant as a compliment.
Because a Dominant Ruler affirmed the Son of Heaven's talent, as well as clarified his temperament.
To describe a Dominant Ruler in one line: Accompanying him is like accompanying a tiger.
In the world Fan Li transmigrated from before, ministers of ancient times were least willing to serve such rulers.
Figures like Goujian, Zhu Yuanzhang and the like.
The three thousand scholars did not dare utter a sound, yet the gazes they used to look at Lü Chunqiu were still full of reverence.
Every generation's Lord Wenxin was the sage in their hearts!
Although Lü Chunqiu as the current Lord Wenxin had not surpassed his ancestors' accomplishments in the Confucian and Taoist Ways, he could still be considered an accomplished master!
Having attained the ninth stage of the Grand Perfection Realm of Unity!
Just one step away from the Vehicle Realm!
Additionally, he possessed a mystical treasure. The [Annals of Lü] which the first generation Lord Wenxin gathered the greatest Confucian masters of the world at that time to refine together.
The [Annals of Lü] book was by no means that simple a matter of enlightening teachings.
It was itself a defensive treasure!
Legend has it that an ancestor of the Lü clan once, in order to maintain Lü City's neutral status, withstood an attack from each of the three Emperors of the Three Kingdoms at that time!
The Lü clan's ancestor defended with the [Annals of Lü], and three empire seals smashed down!
After a tremendous earth-shaking tremor, the three Emperors of the three countries withdrew their Nation Seals, yet the Annals of Lü did not have a single mark of damage on its defense.
Everyone knew that the Nation Seals were not necessarily the strongest attacks an Emperor possessed.
Yet being able to withstand three Emperors attacking together at the same time, the defensive ability of the [Annals of Lü] could be seen at a glance!
"Which of the three Your Majesties would like to begin first?" Lü Chunqiu asked.
The Alliance of Three Emperors was very simple in content.
A battle of literary talent!
The Three Kingdoms had stood side-by-side for thousands of years. They once made a pact to return peace to the realm and absolutely never mobilize armed forces without reason.
None of the successive emperors of any state wanted to bear the notorious reputation of "impoverishing the troops and weakening the nation", so each time during the alliance, the three countries used the battle of literary talent to probe the others.
Each country's Emperor would display their skills atop their high platforms, but they could not attack any side.
Also, if an Emperor needed it, he could appoint a senior minister to provide assistance on the platform. But that was ultimately a show of weakness.
Unless there was absolutely no other choice, like the Han Dynasty's Young Emperor that one time. The Young Emperor was inexperienced and lacked ability, so he needed a minister's aid. Even so, the Young Emperor of Han was still utterly defeated.
"Ahem, let this Emperor begin first ba." The Han Emperor Liu Xi suddenly said.
As the saying goes, the first bird that sticks out its head gets shot first. Unless one possessed absolute power and confidence, no one would be willing to make the first move.
Among successive generations of emperors, Liu Xi's abilities were considered quite inferior. Taking the initiative is unlikely to yield many benefits.
However, Liu Xie glanced at Xiang Ning from a distance, and his gaze seemed to say: Son-in-law, for the grand cause of the alliance between Chu and Han, this old father-in-law is willing to be your stepping stone.
Although Xiang Ning is young, she understood Liu Xie's gaze. She felt deeply moved but increasingly guilty for deceiving the other party by dressing as a man.
Liu Xie drew his sword at his waist. In the instant the blade left the scabbard, a desolate and majestic dragon's roar echoed through the heavens and the earth!
"This is the Emperor's Sword, the True Dragon Sword," even Fan Li couldn't help but praise.
However, he sensed an ominous undertone from the dragon's roar?
Despite her youth, Xiang Ning failed to perceive anything unusual and instead became more excited, silently cheering for Liu Xie!
Liu Xie shouted, "Thunderous True Dragon Slash!"
Instantly, a thundercloud condensed above the city of Lü, and lightning struck down onto Liu Xie's True Dragon Sword.
The lightning did not harm Liu Xie; instead, it enveloped the blade, giving the True Dragon Sword an additional 'thunderous garment.' Its power seemed to increase countless times!
At this moment, the Great Han Emperor's "Thunderous True Dragon Slash" appeared to be the strongest strike between heaven and earth!