103: Restarting the state pastoral system

The second matter was the reparations from Wu Country: fifty million taels of silver, one hundred thousand warhorses, two hundred thousand cattle and sheep, one hundred maidens, and more.

From these reparations, Xu Mujun kept ten million taels of silver and fifty thousand warhorses, preparing to use them as military pay and to form a cavalry unit.

The remaining forty million taels of silver, fifty thousand warhorses, and other items would be escorted back to the capital by Cui Xiawu, who had performed meritorious service in this great battle.

Cui Xiawu, the top scholar of the Great Yu imperial martial examination, was also the general who had won the honor of being the first to ascend at the Battle of Black Mountain Pass.

The honor of being the first to ascend meant he was the first general to step onto the walls of Black Mountain Pass and survive!

The third matter was that after more than two months of excavation by Xu Mujun, the ruins within Black Mountain Pass had finally been cleared.

Hundreds of secret letters were found in the office of the Black Mountain Pass garrison commander.

These secret letters were evidence of collusion and rebellion against Great Yu by garrison troops, aristocratic families, and merchants from places like Bing Province, Bin Province, and You Province with Wu Country!

Among them, the ones with the highest number of letters were the Bing Merchants!

"The Wu Country Emperor has actually died?"

Looking at the intelligence in his hand, Zheng Yi could not help but feel a sense of emotion.

He had been here for four years. Although the time was not long, how many opponents, or rather enemies, had he outlasted?

The Emperor Zhengyong, Prime Minister Yang, the Empress Dowager, the Prince of Yan, and now, this Wu Country Emperor he had never met.

Zheng Yi believed that as time passed, he would outlast one opponent after another!

Regarding the second matter, Zheng Yi agreed to the request of Xu Mujun.

Xu Mujun was currently at Black Mountain Pass, suppressing the Mang Huang Two Prefectures together with Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan.

Although these two prefectures were vast, most of the land was grassland, suitable for raising horses but not for farming.

Even the cities were pitifully few.

He instructed Xu Mujun to remain stationed at Black Mountain Pass, while Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan each led an army, stationed in the Mang Huang Two Prefectures, currently gathering laborers to repair the walls of their respective prefectural capitals to repel any counterattack from Wu Country at any time.

As for the question of which Wu Country prince to support, after thinking for a few minutes, Zheng Yi quickly had an answer.

The dozen or so princes of Wu Country were still fighting around the imperial court for the throne.

Only when the final victorious prince emerged could Wu Country stabilize.

Since that was the case, he would help no one and simply remain neutral.

Only in this way could they gain the greatest benefits.

The third matter concerned the border troops and Bing Merchants selling out national interests for their own gain, and even selling large quantities of salt, iron, weapons, and more to Wu Country.

Among the three matters, this one was the most thorny.

The Bing Merchants were not just a simple chamber of commerce organization but represented the aristocratic families of the North.

The liquid capital in their hands amounted to at least several hundred million taels of silver.

Plus their fixed assets, land, shops, and so on.

If all of it were converted into gold and silver, it would be an astronomical figure.

Furthermore, the Bing Merchants were connected to the Southern aristocratic families. If he moved against the Bing Merchants, it would inevitably cause turmoil among the aristocratic families of both the North and South.

Zheng Yi closed his eyes in contemplation, sitting from daylight until nightfall, only snapping out of it when Cui Xiabing came to find him.

"What is Your Majesty thinking about?"

Cui Xiabing tenderly massaged Zheng Yi's brows, her eyes filled with concern.

"Beloved Consort, why do you think these officials are so greedy?"

Zheng Yi did not mention the matter of the aristocratic families, as Consort Cui also came from an aristocratic family, and one of the largest at that.

"For their own interests, the border garrison troops and officials have actually sold national intelligence, and even sold all their provisions, salt, and iron to Wu Country."

"If it weren't for them, how could Wu Country be so rampant and drive straight into the heartland of our Great Yu?"

Cui Xiabing shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, this concubine does not understand politics and military affairs. I only know that Your Majesty is the True Dragon Son of Heaven, and your words carry the weight of nine tripods."

"The entire Great Yu belongs to Your Majesty..."

"Also."

Cui Xiabing turned around, staring fixedly at Zheng Yi, and said, "Your Majesty should also possess a Spiritual Root, right? When I serve Your Majesty, I can feel the mana within Your Majesty's body."

"Your Majesty is now a Cultivator; you should be pursuing longevity and freedom. Why trouble yourself with mundane affairs?"

Zheng Yi's eyes flashed. That's right!

I am a Cultivator, and I already have the method for longevity. What am I worrying about?

Regardless of whether these aristocratic families, merchants, or officials have betrayed me, I will just let them die!

So what if the world descends into chaos?

As long as I can keep living, the entire world will sooner or later return to peace.

Besides, hadn't he already made so many preparations to deal with the aristocratic families and the corrupt officials in the imperial court?

"Hahaha..."

Zheng Yi laughed heartily and scooped Cui Xiabing up. "Beloved Consort, you have truly solved a big problem for me. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Cui Xiabing's eyes lit up, and she said coquettishly, "Your Majesty~ this concubine also wants a child."

"I heard from Revered Master that if both parents possess a Spiritual Root, the child they give birth to has a very high probability of also possessing a Spiritual Root!"

"A child with a Spiritual Root..."

Zheng Yi's expression shifted. He calculated silently and quickly reached a decision. He immediately carried Cui Xiabing and strode toward the bedchamber.

Currently, those who had given birth to daughters for him were Empress Lu Liner, Consort Xu Qingluan, Consort Yang Huan, Consort De Li Changle, Consort Bi Bi He, Consort Yue Miao Yuesheng, and also Consort Wan, Consort Qing, and Miao Consort, who were currently pregnant.

Counting them, there were nine daughters.

If he added this pregnancy of Cui Xiabing, wouldn't that mean he already had enough for ten strands of Innate Qi?

That night, Zheng Yi was in high spirits and transferred a strand of Innate Pure Yin Qi into Cui Xiabing's body to help her conceive.

Several days later, Zheng Yi issued several imperial edicts.

The first edict stated that the Mang Huang Two Prefectures were located outside Black Mountain Pass, with vast land and sparse population, fierce folk customs, and they bordered Wu Country with no natural barriers to defend.

To suppress the Mang Huang Two Prefectures and defend against Wu Country, it was necessary to have capable warriors stationed there, so the Provincial Governor system was restored in the Mang Huang Two Prefectures!

The first Mang Provincial Governor of Mang Prefecture was the Great Yu Prince, Zheng Zongxian, also known as Prince Xian!

Originally, Zheng Zongxian refused in every way, but he could not resist Zheng Yi's persuasion, coercion, and inducements, and ultimately had to reluctantly agree to become the Mang Provincial Governor to suppress the northern border for Great Yu.

The first Huang Provincial Governor was the Great Yu General, Xu Mujun!

With two Innate Realm experts suppressing the two northern prefectures, unless they could find new Innate Realm experts or Cultivators, even if Wu Country used the strength of the entire nation, they would not be able to take a single step across the line.

Strangely, after this imperial edict was announced, not a single person in the imperial court opposed it.

Some even proposed restoring the Provincial Governor system within the thirteen provinces of Great Yu.

Minister Miao could be the Yong Provincial Governor or Yun Provincial Governor, Shi Heilang could be the Yue Provincial Governor, Xu Xuanwu could be the South Yue Governor, Lu Jinghe could be the Ji Provincial Governor, Gongsun Bo could be the You Provincial Governor, and so on.

A Provincial Governor was the Revered Master of a province, managing all military and political affairs.

It could be said that a Provincial Governor was the Revered Master of a province, and their immense power was enough to threaten imperial authority.

These proposals were sternly rejected by Zheng Yi.

"The Mang Huang Two Prefectures are newly acquired territories of Great Yu, the people are unsettled, and they border foreign enemies; it is only because of these local conditions that the Provincial Governor system was restored."

"Within Great Yu, the people live in peace and contentment, and there are no strong external enemies; why should we establish Provincial Governors?"

"Do not mention this matter again!"

The second imperial edict concerned the arrangements for the Wu Country reparations.

For these fifty million taels of silver and the large quantity of cattle, sheep, and livestock, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War almost argued themselves to death, and even the Ministry of Works got involved.

In the end, Zheng Yi maintained Xu Mujun's proposal and distributed this large batch of reparations obtained from Wu Country.

One had to admit that war was the only opportunity to make a fortune!

At the same time, he issued a secret edict to Cui Xiawu, delivered personally by the Shadow Guard and Jinyi Guard, allowing him to act according to his discretion.

It would take at least half a year for Cui Xiawu to escort the fifty million taels of silver and the large quantity of livestock into the pass and reach the capital.

This half-year period was precisely the buffer time Zheng Yi needed to resolve the issues with the northern aristocratic families and corrupt officials.

Zheng Yi ordered Cui Xiawu to station his troops locally after reaching Bing Province and wait for his next instructions.

He was to remain in Bing Province under the pretext of training troops and suppressing bandits, while looking for opportunities.

The reason why he needed both the Shadow Guard and Jinyi Guard to deliver the letter was, naturally, because there were other tasks.

And just when Zheng Yi was busily arranging these matters, Chen Liancang brought some news.

"Your Majesty, Abbot Fayuan has woken up."

"Oh?"

Zheng Yi's eyes lit up. "He has woken up? Has his mouth been pried open?"

Chen Liancang said, "Not yet, but he wants to see Your Majesty."

"See me?"

After considering for a few minutes, Zheng Yi said, "Consort Cui once said that for a Cultivator, besides their own mana, the most important thing is the power of Divine Thought."

"A powerful Cultivator, even without mana in their body, will use the power of Divine Thought to kill enemies or control others. I... will not go to see him for now."

"Then Abbot Fayuan..."

"Old Chen, do this."

Zheng Yi lowered his voice. "Divide the Shadow Guard into two groups, one overt and one covert, and watch him at all times. Do not let him sleep, no matter what."

"As long as he shows even the slightest sign of dozing off, use cold water or fire to wake him up. No matter what, do not let him sleep, understand?"

"Understood!"

"Also."

Zheng Yi added, "Place more oil lamps and fire basins around him. He must be kept in the light at all times."

"If we torment him like this for half a month, I don't believe this old monk will still have any Divine Thought left!"

Chen Liancang's mouth twitched. This kind of punishment... was it really okay?

However, since this was Zheng Yi's order, he could only say, "Understood!"

Watching Chen Liancang's retreating figure, Zheng Yi muttered, "The punishment of sleep deprivation is something an ordinary person cannot endure at all. I just wonder if a Cultivator can hold on?"

Over the following days, Chen Liancang continuously reported Abbot Fayuan's reactions and actions to Zheng Yi.

The first day, he chanted scriptures. He didn't seem worried about his situation at all, and even had the heart to fiddle about.

The second day, he chanted scriptures and continuously tried to persuade the surrounding Shadow Guards.

The third day, he was still chanting scriptures, but his spirit was somewhat dazed.

The fourth day, he began to shout and scream, cursing Zheng Yi and the surrounding Shadow Guards.

The fifth day, he began to beg for mercy, or at the very least, asked the Shadow Guards to move the surrounding fire basins further away.

Upon hearing this news, Zheng Yi immediately ordered the fire basins around him to be doubled.

The sixth day, the seventh day...

Until the eighth day, when Chen Liancang finally found Zheng Yi with an ugly expression.

"Your Majesty, it is just as you expected."

"Today, the third group of Shadow Guards watching Abbot Fayuan suddenly went mad and actually attacked their own people. Fortunately, we had arranged another group to stand guard outside, and they subdued this group of crazed Shadow Guards. Only four people were injured."

"Very good."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "He should be close to his breaking point. Keep tormenting him!"

"Understood!"

The ninth day, Abbot Fayuan began to go mad, screaming loudly for Zheng Yi to come and see him.

The tenth day, Abbot Fayuan's aura weakened, and he spoke nonsense.

The eleventh day, Abbot Fayuan muttered to himself, shouting that he would say whatever they wanted to know.

The twelfth day, Abbot Fayuan began to beg for mercy, retching continuously.

After thinking about it, Zheng Yi decided to wait a few more days.

Sure enough, on the fourteenth day, the Shadow Guard who was feeding him water suddenly paused, pulled out a dagger, and stabbed toward Abbot Fayuan's neck.

He wanted to commit suicide!

Fortunately, Abbot Fayuan had the Blood Moon Gu that Zheng Yi had specifically left on him, and at the critical moment, it bit through the dagger in the Shadow Guard's hand.

From then on, Abbot Fayuan began to cry and scream, his nerves gradually collapsing.

Until the seventeenth day, Abbot Fayuan's aura had become extremely chaotic and weak, his pupils bulging, looking as if he would devour anyone.

And on this very day, Zheng Yi returned to the underground palace.

Two Shadow Guards carried in a solid wood chair, and Zheng Yi sat down slowly.

"Abbot Fayuan, why do you want to see me?"