Chapter 014: The Beauties' Procession

However, unfortunately, with An Lushan raising troops to rebel, the Kaiyuan盛世 collapsed, and the An-Shi Rebellion unfolded, the once-prosperous Tang dynasty turned from prosperity to decline, step by step heading toward its downfall.

Of course, it is not entirely correct to blame the Tang's decline solely on the An-Shi Rebellion.

After all, by this time, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had become complacent and arrogant, having long lost his earlier wisdom and drive, and he employed treacherous ministers like Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong.

Beneath the surface of the Tang's prosperity, various hidden dangers had already emerged.

But the An-Shi Rebellion dealt the most direct and cruelest blow to the Tang dynasty.

After the war, white bones lay exposed in the wild, and for a thousand miles, no rooster crowed—this was no empty saying.

Thinking of that scene, Wang Bo couldn't help but sigh.

Fortunately, he had replaced An Lushan, and it was not too late.

Wang Bo wandered through the Eastern Market, buying good things as he saw them. Unbeknownst to him, the sky gradually darkened. Thousands of household lamps were lit, and the entire Eastern Market remained enveloped in an atmosphere of a city that never sleeps.

At the same time, several of An Lushan's trusted men finally found Wang Bo.

"By our reckoning, it's time for you to attend the Banquet of Ultimate Bliss, my lord."

Wang Bo nodded, returned to the courier station, changed his clothes, and took a carriage to the venue of the Banquet of Ultimate Bliss.

The Tower of Calyx and Corolla!

Before long, Wang Bo arrived at the location. As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, he was stunned, for outside the Tower of Calyx and Corolla, clusters of vibrant peonies were blooming in full splendor.

Peonies in a riot of purple and red covered the entire outer layer of the tower. At a glance, the whole Tower of Calyx and Corolla had become a sea of flowers.

Illuminated by the lights, the Tower of Calyx and Corolla was breathtakingly beautiful, and even the air was filled with a rich floral fragrance.

Wang Bo couldn't help murmuring, "How many peonies does this take?"

His trusted man replied in a low voice, "To celebrate the Consort's birthday, His Majesty requisitioned a total of one hundred thousand peonies!"

"Good heavens, that's really a lot of money."

As befits the Kaiyuan盛世. In other dynasties, emperors racked their brains over the treasury, turning gray-haired; there were even emperors whose treasuries were so empty that horses could gallop through them.

If they knew that Li Longji had found one hundred thousand peonies just for Yang Yuhuan's birthday, they would surely be green with envy.

All of this was money.

Wang Bo walked along the path through the sea of flowers, pushed open the gate of the Tower of Calyx and Corolla, and as soon as he stepped inside, he heard a surging and powerful drumbeat.

He looked closely and saw that inside the tower, layer upon layer, the place was packed with people. In the central pool, it was filled with fine wine, and in the wine, a writing brush floated up and down.

Crossing the wine pool, a man in a dragon robe, with disheveled hair and a waist drum slung across his body, beat the drum with both hands, producing a rhythmic drumming sound.

The thumping sound was crisp and pleasant, deep and grand.

Everyone was watching Wang Bo.

Seeing this, Wang Bo seemed to understand: the man in the dragon robe was Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji.

He was beating the drum with his hair loose, clearly welcoming him.

The purpose was simple—he wanted Wang Bo to dance.

But Wang Bo didn't know how to dance.

However, before coming, Wang Bo had already had an idea, so he unhurriedly clapped his hands. The wine pool instantly burst, and countless droplets of water coalesced into a group of translucent, beautiful women.

These women danced gracefully to Wang Bo's rhythm.

The dance: The Beauties' Procession!

The translucent young ladies' exquisite dance instantly amazed everyone present.

Before Wang Bo had traveled through time, this dance, The Beauties' Procession, had gone viral across the internet. Paired with its beautiful music, it was a perfect match, a heavenly combination.

Since Wang Bo had the wine maidens formed from water droplets perform The Beauties' Procession, he naturally wouldn't miss the music.

When he played the music, paired with the dance, it left everyone utterly captivated.

Even Li Longji, who had been beating the drum with his hair loose, couldn't help but stop to enjoy this enchanting dance and music.

Soon, the dance ended, the music stopped, and the beautiful young ladies in the wine pool instantly collapsed, turning back into water droplets that returned to the pool.

Li Longji couldn't help but applaud, and then thunderous applause erupted.

In music and dance, Li Longji was absolutely a master; otherwise, he could not have created such a brilliant gem as "The Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat Melody" for Yang Yuhuan.

"Splendid, truly splendid." Li Longji cheered.

Wang Bo smiled slightly, knowing that the dance hurdle was over. He had not incurred the displeasure of Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan.

Of course, Wang Bo didn't care about incurring their displeasure.

But the problem was, if he did displease them, Wang Bo could certainly leave, but Li Longji would surely fly into a rage and launch a punitive expedition against An Lushan, and then the An-Shi Rebellion would still break out.

Although Wang Bo was not a saint, he was not the kind of man who acted out of selfishness.

He could not sit by and watch the An-Shi Rebellion erupt.

Therefore, Wang Bo didn't mind appeasing Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan to maintain the stability of the Great Tang.

"Your humble subject thanks Your Majesty for the praise." Wang Bo walked over and bowed to Li Longji.

Li Longji's face was slightly flushed, his eyes seemingly drunkenly hazy, but his mind was still very clear. He lavishly praised Wang Bo's dance: "I never expected that my beloved minister not only dances the Whirling Dance well but also has such astonishing illusion magic, even Huang He is no match."

Who is Huang He?

Wang Bo was startled, instinctively thinking of that boss who ran off with his sister-in-law, owing 1.5 billion.

But he immediately realized that this was the Tang dynasty, not modern times.

Just then, a thin-faced man in a robe walked over and said modestly, "Your Majesty overpraises me. General An's illusion magic is exquisite; Huang He dares not compare."

Li Longji said, "My beloved minister, Huang He is the greatest illusionist of our Great Tang. His illusions are lifelike and vivid. If you have the chance, you can spar and let me broaden my horizons."

Wang Bo turned to look at Huang He and quickly sensed something extraordinary about him.

He had a power on him that was completely different from magic, very subtle. If Wang Bo hadn't used his X-ray vision to scan his body, he wouldn't have noticed it at first.

This man had some skill.

Huang He, seeing Wang Bo's gaze, lowered his head slightly, showing humility.

Wang Bo immediately understood that this was a man with great discretion.

Wang Bo smiled slightly and said, "If there is an opportunity, I will certainly spar with Master Huang He."

Huang He also humbly expressed that he dared not compare himself to General An Lushan, but if His Majesty wished, they could have a little contest, and he presumed he would not be General An Lushan's match.

Hearing this, Li Longji couldn't help but laugh heartily.

At the same time, a man in an official robe walked over, a smile on his face, but his eyes toward Wang Bo revealed a hint of undisguised hostility.