But Wu Tao's spirits were quite high.
He smiled and said, "Oh? What kind of congratulatory gift is it that requires us to gather outside the hall to admire?"
"Very well, as the Holy Emissary wishes, are all fellow Daoists willing to accompany this humble one to witness the Emperor's fourth congratulatory gift?"
In response to Wu Tao's enthusiastic inquiry, the people in the hall naturally had no objections.
Led by the eunuchs, everyone filed out of the hall.
Subsequently, both Wu Tao and the various sect leaders of the Daoist sects were stunned by the scene outside the Great Hall.
At this very moment, outside the hall, the waiting Daoists had already lined up on both sides, clearing a path.
Behold, this time the congratulatory gift was thousands upon thousands of books.
These were the biographies of Qingyunzi, which Zhu Yuanzhang had ordered to be printed at the Imperial Academy as a token of his gratitude to Qingyunzi!
On the other side.
The Daoist sect leaders, led by Wu Tao, clearly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions upon seeing the four large characters on these books.
Although the crowd forced themselves to remain calm, they could not help but tremble slightly.
As a group of high-ranking Daoists at the pinnacle of power and with no shortage of wealth, what could excite them more than having their biographies written?
The highest virtue is established in morality; the next is in achievement; the lowest is in words. To establish words means to write books. Biographies are written for living people, and also for the ancients.
Since ancient times, people have emphasized self-cultivation, family order, governing the nation, and bringing peace to the world, valuing everlasting fame and leaving their names in history.
Therefore, powerful figures often enjoy writing books and biographies to pass down their knowledge, hoping that future generations will remember them.
However, in ancient and modern times, how many people have truly succeeded in writing books and biographies?
"Holy Emissary..."
Wu Tao's voice seemed calm, but his eyes, without blinking, fixed on the books scattered on the ground, and he asked, "What are these?"
Everyone present understood Wu Tao's pretense, and none of them were willing to expose him.
The head eunuch stepped forward and, with his loudest voice, ensured that everyone outside the hall could hear.
"Venerable Sir, these are the Biographies of Qingyunzi, which His Majesty ordered the printing workers at the Imperial Academy to produce overnight for you. There are a total of eighty-nine thousand copies!"
After a pause, the eunuch continued, "His Majesty said that with your achievements, Venerable Sir, you deserve to have your biography written and to be remembered for all time."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Hearing the eunuch's words, even Wu Tao felt that Zhu Yuanzhang had shown him great respect.
He had been given a grand display at this birthday banquet, and the joy and excitement in his heart were immeasurable. He repeated the word "good" three times.
After a long while, Wu Tao reluctantly shifted his gaze and announced loudly, "Someone, take these books to the Daoist Pavilion."
"After the birthday ceremony, these books will be distributed to the various branch Daoist sects."
While Wu Tao was pleased, the sect leaders of the surrounding Daoist branches had complex emotions.
To write a biography for Qingyunzi, this birthday gift from the current Emperor was truly astonishing.
While some people could still be tempted by wealth to a certain extent, the allure of fame that would last for ages was something no one could resist.
Many others, in their surprise, had already begun to anticipate Zhu Yuanzhang's fifth congratulatory gift.
If the fifth congratulatory gift were to surpass the biography writing, what kind of item would it be?
Suddenly recalling something, Wu Tao pressed further, "By the way, His Majesty prepared a total of five congratulatory gifts. What is the fifth one? It must be even more extraordinary, right?"
The eunuch heard this, smiled, and nodded, saying, "The fifth congratulatory gift is a land deed."
"However, this land deed is for no ordinary place."
Hearing the eunuch's words, everyone outside the hall became even more curious, their faces filled with anticipation.
At Wu Tao's signal, the land deed was slowly unfurled.
As the land deed unfolded, its contents were displayed for everyone outside the hall to see.
Gasps of surprise erupted from outside the hall. Astonishment was evident on everyone's faces, and some even stammered incoherently.
"This, this is..."
Even Wu Tao, looking at this not-so-large land deed before him, spoke with a slight tremor in his voice.
"Replying to Venerable Sir, this is the land deed for the Tianshi Mansion in Xi'an!"
The eunuch replied solemnly.
The Tianshi Mansion, also known as the Yin-Yang Tianshi Mansion, the Immortal Mansion of the Divine Kingdom, and the Heavenly Dao Court.
Located on Qiongdong Mountain in Shanxi Province, situated in the middle of the mountain, it was first built in the first year of the reign of Emperor Taizu of Tang (368 AD) and has been repeatedly renovated since.
This place is the foremost blessed land among the thirty-six blessed lands of the Daoist sect, known as the ancestral court of the Daoist sect.
The Tianshi Mansion has a total area of 99,000 square meters, facing south from its north-facing position, and features buildings such as the Jade Emperor Hall, the Tianshi Hall, the Xuan Tan Hall, the Fa Lu Bureau, the Ti Ju Shu, and the Wan Fa Zong Tan.
Legend has it that since the Tang Dynasty, when Li Chunfeng, a prodigy of Daoism, began refining immortal elixirs on Qiongdong Mountain, the descendants of the Li family inherited the lineage for sixty-three generations at Longhu Mountain, spanning over eight hundred years, until the Ming Dynasty when the ownership changed.
Holding this land deed for the Tianshi Mansion and examining it carefully for a moment, Wu Tao's face flashed with excitement.
After Wu Tao carefully put away the land deed for the Tianshi Mansion, he once again turned his gaze to the eunuch who presented the gift.
Zhu Yuanzhang's five birthday gifts this year were truly lavish, each more surprising than the last.
The satisfaction evident on Wu Tao's face was undeniable.
Following this, the ceremony of others presenting their birthday gifts to Wu Tao continued, but compared to the five gifts from Zhu Yuanzhang, the subsequent gifts from other attendees inevitably paled in comparison.
Seven days later, shortly after Wu Tao, in his original form as Qingyunzi, celebrated his 127th birthday, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Wu Tao back to the capital once again via an urgent dispatch.
Upon arriving at the imperial palace, Wu Tao was surprised to find Liu Bowen also present.
Liu Bowen was clearly surprised as well, and the two soon began to chat. As they were talking, they suddenly heard footsteps behind them, and someone quickly entered the grand hall.
The voices of several eunuchs sounded simultaneously, "Your Majesty, with Heaven's grace, the carriage has arrived!"
Turning his head, Wu Tao saw that the person arriving was none other than Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang had just received news of Wu Tao's return and knew he would be rushing over immediately.
"Haha, it's a coincidence that everyone knows each other. Let's have a hearty drink together today!"
Zhu Yuanzhang declared heartily, raising a wine jar.
The imperial palace, after all, was different from the common folk. There were many rules in the palace.
Even though Zhu Yuanzhang enjoyed a lively atmosphere where everyone ate together at one table, during banquets, they generally dined separately.
Everyone sat at separate tables, with Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma at the head. Wu Tao was on the left, and Liu Bowen on the right.
In ancient times, the left was generally considered more honorable. Wu Tao sat on the left due to his status as the National Preceptor, equal to the nation, thus firmly outranking Liu Bowen.
Liu Bowen, sitting on the right, showed no signs of displeasure, clearly understanding this principle.
Soon, the wine and dishes were served. In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang had prepared these dishes long ago, waiting for Wu Tao's return.
Zhu Yuanzhang first caught up with Liu Bowen for a while, then turned to Wu Tao and said, "Venerable Qingyunzi, perhaps you don't know yet? My two imperial sons are extremely eager to meet you..."
"A few days ago, they were both clamoring for me to help them, asking to be taken as your disciples. However, I told them that whether to accept them as disciples depends on your opinion, Venerable Sir. May I know your thoughts?"
Although Wu Tao's original form, Qingyunzi, was merely a Daoist priest, he was no ordinary Daoist priest.
As a grandmaster renowned throughout the martial world, if his own son could become Qingyunzi's disciple and learn some of his skills, why would he be unwilling?
Now that he was present, there was an added glimmer of hope, and Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but speak a few words for his sons.
Wu Tao was astonished by this. The Crown Prince and the Prince taking him as their master? Was this a joke? Was it this exciting?
Thinking this, Wu Tao repeatedly waved his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please stop joking. How could this humble one be worthy of taking the Crown Prince and the Prince as disciples..." Da Feng Novel Network
As Wu Tao was speaking, Zhu Biao and Zhu Di, two figures who would leave a deep mark in history, walked in.
They first paid their respects to their father and mother, then to Liu Bowen, and finally, with solemn expressions, bowed to Wu Tao: "Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, pay respects to Venerable Qingyunzi."
Liu Bowen clasped his hands in a bow and said slightly, "I dare not trouble Your Highnesses with such courtesy. This old man is not worthy."
Although he disliked the imperial palace and its atmosphere, he had never neglected the proper etiquette.
In contrast, Wu Tao appeared much more relaxed and unrestrained, waving his hand and saying, "Crown Prince, Prince of Yan, please rise quickly. Why be so formal?"
After speaking, Wu Tao's eyes curiously scanned back and forth over the two of them.
Zhu Biao and Zhu Di, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, couldn't help but ask, "Venerable Qingyunzi, what is it with us brothers? Is there something wrong with us?"
"Could it be that Biao'er and Di'er have also been ambushed and poisoned?"
In light of what had happened to him before, Empress Ma couldn't help but show a worried expression and asked Wu Tao urgently.
Even Zhu Yuanzhang, upon seeing this, revealed a hint of anxiety between his brows.
After all, although he had many sons, the two standing before him were his most outstanding sons.
Wu Tao heard this, and a mysterious look flashed in his eyes.
He shook his head, sighed, and said, "The Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan have some minor ailments, but they are not life-threatening..."
"It is not this that surprises this humble one, but rather the strange fate of the Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan in the future..."
"However, the affairs of the royal family are truly different from those of ordinary mortals..."
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