Chapter 272.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 272.1: A Grand Spectacle
At first, Xu Zhengye did not take it to heart. Ever since he had ordered Luo Guanlin to compose that widely circulated “Proclamation Denouncing the Empress,” the court and various regions had retaliated with manifestos condemning him as well—but none had stirred much of a ripple.
Having such a precedent, the ever-busy Xu Zhengye did not even bother to glance at it personally.
Until a few days later, when he clearly sensed that the influence of this new manifesto was unlike those before it. Leaving aside the sentiments among the common people, even those gentry, scholars, and officials who had been his supporters were now repeatedly sending envoys or letters to question him.
Only then did Xu Zhengye have no choice but to take the matter seriously and ordered the manifesto to be brought before him for review.
The proclamation in his hands was evidently printed, yet the handwriting of its original author was preserved.
The script was open and flowing, yet firm and sharp—revealing three parts integrity, seven parts martial vigor. At a single glance, it carried a momentum that seemed to sweep through a thousand troops.
Such handwriting—excellent, and rare indeed.
Xu Zhengye himself hailed from an aristocratic family, with refined talent in both calligraphy and painting. Naturally, he could immediately discern the quality of the writing.
The calligraphy alone was captivating enough.
All the more so with those four bold and arrogant characters—
“On Behalf of All Under Heaven.”
“...‘On behalf of all under heaven’?”
One of Xu Zhengye’s advisors flared up in anger.
“A mere young woman dares to speak with such arrogance!”
What right did she have to represent all under heaven?
Who gave her such authority?
Luo Guanlin, standing beside them, said nothing, his expression far from optimistic.
A manifesto was, after all, a weapon that captured men’s hearts and steered public opinion. Whether its rhetoric was exaggerated or its reasoning “justified” mattered little—the fact remained: her purpose had already been achieved.
And the speed at which this manifesto spread, and the commotion it caused, was by no means coincidental.
He glanced at the paper in Xu Zhengye’s hand, his brows furrowing deeply.
This was no ordinary writing. Every line, every phrase struck like a blade at the enemy’s weak points. Whoever composed it possessed keen insight and deliberate craft.
As one equally versed in the art of writing, he could tell—the author must have foreseen from the start that once this document spread, it would cause an uproar.
If it was not ghostwritten by some talented hand, then this young lady of the Chang family who had appeared out of nowhere… was truly not to be underestimated.
The further Xu Zhengye read, the darker his expression grew.
As the “instigator” herself, Chang Suining could well imagine what kind of face Xu Zhengye must be making at this moment.
She had long wanted to emulate Luo Guanlin and produce a manifesto of equal brilliance.
To that end, she had done ample research and preparation—analyzing in detail why all previous denunciations of Xu Zhengye had failed.
Her conclusion was clear: most were too formulaic and conventional—so rigid and repetitive that one could simply replace Xu Zhengye’s name with another’s and reuse them wholesale.
Others were overly dull and long-winded, devoid of emotional force—enough to make even her yawn.
If she, with all her earnest study, found them soporific, how much less would they move the hearts of common folk?
After thorough reflection, Chang Suining concluded that in an era overflowing with proclamations, to compose one that would truly set the world aflame, the foremost thing required was a spectacle.
Thus, she boldly declared herself to be “acting on behalf of all under heaven.”
If she represented all under heaven—well, who among them was not part of it?
Whether out of curiosity or criticism, people would surely be compelled to read it. That alone would ensnare her audience.
But to have a catchy title was only the first step.
Next, it needed real substance—solid and compelling content.
So Chang Suining gathered one hundred men and women from Jiangnan of varying stations—officials and nobles, merchants and peddlers, beggars and scholars—and took their words regarding Xu Zhengye as reference.
Were they not the very “people under heaven” who had witnessed Xu Zhengye’s so-called acts of “restoration”?
This “Proclamation on Behalf of All Under Heaven to Denounce the Traitor Xu” spread swiftly throughout the land, even beyond Jiangnan itself.
It proclaimed:
“Wherever Xu Zhengye passes, the people are left destitute. Under his conscription and plunder arise the ‘boundless stores’ that Luo Guanlin so proudly speaks of. Beneath his grand ambitions lie heaps of white bones—those of innocent commoners.”
“Such cruelty and bloodshed, such wanton killing and disregard for human life—this thief who robs the people below and betrays the nation above—how dares he speak of ‘restoring righteousness’?”
The manifesto then listed Xu Zhengye’s crimes—somewhat exaggerated, perhaps, but all rooted in truth.
Within a few hundred words, an image of a treacherous, duplicitous, and ruthless schemer vividly took shape.
The closing lines were especially rousing, accusing Xu Zhengye of deceiving the world with a grand lie—pretending to restore the realm, while his true aim was manipulation and deceit.
It even cited evidence, claiming:
“Xu Zhengye gathers troops and fortifies Yangzhou and Jiangning, for it is said that the lands of Jiangdu and Jinling bear the aura of kingship. He intends to crown himself there. His wolfish ambition is plain for all to see—such a man deserves death.”
Following this came a skillful provocation—no, a call—urging those who still stood with Xu Zhengye to awaken while there was yet time. To persist in aiding the traitor, it warned, was to hasten one’s own doom.
At that time, as Chang Suining wrote up to this point, she still felt the piece lacked something—a final flourish, a grander spectacle.
After much thought, a scholar surnamed Lü beside her offered,
“You should take this chance to strengthen the renown of Young Miss Chang—to solidify hearts.”
Chang Suining blinked thoughtfully.
“And how does one do that?”
Naturally—through self-praise.
But to boast of oneself outright felt improper. Hence, she modestly sought the opinions of others.
Scholar Lü bowed and said,
“Since you speak on behalf of all under heaven, you should also echo what all under heaven believe—who does not know that Young Miss Chang is the reincarnation of a destined general star?”
“……”
The other scholars exchanged looks—was this flattery?
Such behavior was unworthy of learned men!
Yet gazing upon the valiant young lady before them, her bearing commanding and her future limitless—and recalling her respect toward them, her words praising them as the pillars of the realm—
Ah well.
How could they allow one companion to bear the weight of such disgrace alone?
And so, several more scholars stepped forth to add:
“You should invoke the will of Heaven!”
“Heaven’s Mandate alone defines true righteousness under heaven!”
“Indeed, indeed!”
Chang Suining composed herself solemnly.
“Though I am unworthy, in this time of life and death, I shall heed the counsel of my learned gentlemen.”
At that, the gathered scholars straightened proudly—she had called them gentlemen!
Thus, Chang Suining took up her brush and wrote the final, most audacious line of all:
“Though untalented, I have been fortunate to receive Heaven’s mandate and the guidance of a celestial immortal. Within seventy-three days, I shall sever the head of the traitor Xu and announce it to all under heaven.”
The statement was outrageous—yet irresistibly captivating.
The spectacle was perfect: with talk of celestial beings and divine mandate, its appeal was universal—from aged elders of eighty to children of three, none could resist discussing it.
It spread through streets and alleys in countless forms.
Even a passing dog, upon hearing it, might cock its head in puzzlement.
“A celestial immortal’s guidance? Could she truly be the reincarnation of a general star?”
“Why seventy-three days? What meaning lies in that number?”
“Grandfather… they say Xu Zhengye has only seventy-three days left to live. Is it true?”
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