Dragon's Origin

Chapter 459 Royal Academy of Arts (Part 2)

The three chief eunuchs had served the Emperor since childhood, so how could they not discern the emotional changes in the Emperor's tone just now? The response from Chief(李总管: chief) Li at this moment was essentially the Emperor's own intention.

"Indeed!" The Emperor sighed, "If you do something wrong, you must pay the price! Even if I am wrong. Originally, this Royal Academy of Arts could have been in my own hands, but those pig-like things couldn't even handle the small matter of winning over Linglong Pavilion."

This involved the dukes in the imperial court, so the three chief eunuchs naturally wouldn't comment. However, they clearly held those people in contempt in their hearts. If they couldn't even handle such a small matter, what use were they?

The Emperor suddenly realized that what Wang Sheng himself was doing seemed to be a replica of what he was about to do. For example, Wang Sheng took in a bunch of beauties, did business, and made a lot of money. These things posed absolutely no threat to the Emperor or the imperial power. Having a lot of money was one thing, but Wang Sheng didn't show any ambition beyond enjoyment and cultivation, so the Emperor had almost no doubts about Wang Sheng.

If the various lords had the same perception of the Emperor and the imperial family, thinking that the Emperor was just making money and indulging in various artistic romantic pursuits, then who would feel that the imperial family was a threat? Yet, the influence would unknowingly penetrate into all aspects of life.

Some things are better demonstrated in practice, allowing people to see the effect, than simply talking about them. Now that the Emperor had pondered the implications, he had finally seen the practical effect from Wang Sheng.

In terms of strength, Wang Sheng was initially just an insignificant barbarian. Where did he get his strength from? Speaking of power? Wang Sheng was a lone wolf back then. Later, he just saved Mei'er and the others, adding up to no more than thirty to fifty people. Then, in just a few years, he developed into such a behemoth in the capital. The Emperor watched it happen.

But the Emperor never felt that Wang Sheng was a threat, yet Wang Sheng's power skyrocketed right under his nose. Now, how many people dare to provoke Wang Sheng casually? Isn't this the way for the imperial family to rise in the future?

"Draft an edict. The Second Prince, the two old ancestors from the Court of the Imperial Clan, and those implicated royal uncles, will be executed tomorrow at noon. Send their heads to Changsheng Duke's residence." The Emperor finally made his own decision: "The property of these people will be confiscated, and their families will be reduced to slavery. Leave the items, and send all the gold coins and people to Changsheng Duke's residence as an investment in the Royal Academy of Arts."

The three chief eunuchs hurriedly bowed and accepted the decree without a word of complaint. They immediately started to get busy, and their efficiency made the Emperor sigh. If the officials in the imperial court had half the dedication of the three chief eunuchs, some things would have been done long ago.

Wang Sheng didn't expect the Emperor's efficiency to be so high. He met the Emperor one day, and just after noon the next day, Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou personally came to his door with a large box.

At this moment, Wang Sheng had just finished eating with Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu and was preparing to go to the small theater after the meal to listen to Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu and his team's recent achievements. Before he even saw Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou, Wang Sheng smelled a strong bloody scent from afar. When he saw Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou, he frowned even more.

"Changsheng Duke, these are the heads that His Majesty owed you before your departure." Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou bowed to Wang Sheng first, then without saying a word, he had someone open the box. Inside were more than a dozen fresh heads. Judging from the cuts in the bones and flesh, they had clearly been chopped off not long ago.

"The Second Prince, two old ancestors from the Court of the Imperial Clan, four royal uncles, and the heads of several ministers. A total of seventeen heads, all accounted for, delivered to your residence, Duke!" Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou didn't care that Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu was right next to Wang Sheng. After explaining the origin of the heads in the box, he immediately added: "The property from these people's residences will be inventoried and sent to you, Duke. His Majesty said that this is the funding for the construction of the Royal Academy of Arts."

Just hearing this, Wang Sheng hadn't reacted yet, but Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu beside him had already widened his eyes. Fortunately, Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu was very discreet and didn't say anything, quietly watching Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou explain everything before turning around and leaving. When leaving, Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou didn't forget to greet Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu.

"Duke, what's going on with this Royal Academy of Arts?" Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu asked eagerly as soon as Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou left.

"It's that the royal family plans to build an academy, invitinggrandmasters like you to teach in it, broadly accepting talented students from all over the world in various artistic fields, such as various musical instruments, conducting, dance, painting, architecture, etc., to pass on the things you are most proud of in your life." Wang Sheng explained simply to Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu: "Teachers who teach will all have honorary baronies, and students who complete their studies will receive graduation certificates. In the future, this Royal Academy of Arts will be the highest institution in the field of arts."

Hearing this, Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu's eyes were about to turn red. He didn't care about the title of nobility, but being able to broadly accept talented students from all over the world and pass on everything he had learned was more important than anything else.

"Don't get excited, Master!" Wang Sheng saw that Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu was emotionally stirred up and quickly reminded him: "Currently, this academy is just a name. It needs to clear out a neighborhood in the capital in the short term and simply tidy it up before it can be listed. Also, for the time being, the only music teacher I can find is you, Master. Master(刘大师: master) Liu of architecture counts as one. Others, I need your help with, Master!"

"I'm duty-bound!" Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu calmed down from his excitement and nodded without saying a word. Teaming up with Wang Sheng and coming out of seclusion was simply the most correct thing he had done in the past few decades, bar none.

"These heads?" After finishing talking about the Royal Academy of Arts, Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu remembered where these heads came from. Heavens! A prince, two old ancestors from the Court of the Imperial Clan, four royal uncles, and ten important ministers of the court. When did the Emperor owe Wang Sheng these heads?

"A trivial matter, not worth mentioning." Wang Sheng waved his hand directly, ignoring the topic, and immediately had someone move the box away to find a place to dispose of it. Steward(周管事: steward) Zhou was really something, luckily this guy sent it after the meal, otherwise Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu may not have had an appetite to eat: "Can they use spiritual energy in their performances?"

"I've explored a little bit, I don't know if it will work, so I want to ask you to go over and take a look." When Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu talked about music, he immediately put other things behind him: "I've been practicing for half a month, success or failure depends on this time!"

Wang Sheng didn't waste any words and immediately called a few high-ranking Taoists from the Qing generation to go straight to the Duke's residence's small theater. Mei'er and Rose were too busy these days and weren't in the residence at all, so he didn't call them. Just these few people were enough.

When they arrived at the small theater, the musicians were already prepared. Before the performance began, Grandmaster(于大师: grandmaster) Yu told everyone about the Royal Academy of Arts. After everyone was excited, the performance began.