121: The tenth daughter

Chapter 120: Tenth Daughter

Zheng Zongbing stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, this subject wishes to know what is the difference between the students cultivated by this military academy and ordinary soldiers?"

Zheng Yi said, "In My vision, soldiers from the military academy will not only focus on studying military strategy and tactics, but must also concurrently learn martial Dao Cultivation Techniques, new-style firearms, and even the ideology of loyalty to the sovereign."

"If this continues, in a few years, our Great Yu will not only have millions of elite soldiers, but also a large number of generals and soldiers who can go out to lead armies in battle!"

"Your Majesty."

Xu Mujun suddenly said, "This policy is wise, this subject seconds it!"

"This subject seconds it!"

"This subject seconds it!"

As soon as Xu Mujun's words fell, a group of people immediately stood out to agree with Zheng Yi's policy.

Among them, most were people from the Ministry of War and the military.

Zheng Yi smiled faintly, ignoring the unsightly expressions of Lu Xiangqing and the others, and immediately said, "This matter is thus settled."

"Minister Xu, you shall be the first president of the Great Yu military academy, and everything regarding the teaching of the military academy students shall be decided by you."

"If there is anything you do not understand, you may come and ask Me at any time."

Xu Mujun immediately said, "This subject obeys the decree and thanks Your Majesty for the grace!"

"Next are the candidates for the cabinet."

"I intend to reform the cabinet."

As soon as those words fell, the expressions of the others tightened.

The current Great Yu had occupied two prefectures of Wu Country, resisted the Nanzhao Kingdom to the south, suppressed refugees internally, and punished corrupt officials, long showing signs of a restoration.

Its national strength was growing increasingly prosperous.

And as the cabinet with the greatest power in the Great Yu Dynasty court, it was also coveted by countless people.

With the fall of the Wang Family, the two cabinet assistant ministers within the cabinet were also stripped of their posts and thrown into prison.

Wang Ze and Wang He.

Now, of the five cabinet assistant ministers, only three remained.

When handling affairs, omissions were inevitable.

Today, Zheng Yi took advantage of this grand court assembly to settle this matter.

The many ministers stood in formation again, waiting for Zheng Yi's instructions.

"Grand General Xu Mujun, long experienced in battle, has expanded the territory for Great Yu and rendered great and arduous service. He is specially conferred the titles of Grand Pillar State, Governor of Mang Prefecture, and Grand Guardian, and shall enter the cabinet as the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet!"

This reward from Zheng Yi came with no surprises.

The achievements made by Xu Mujun were truly too great; only the titles of the Three Ducal Ministers were qualified to match him.

These titles and rewards were also established after Xu Mujun made great achievements, through discussions between Zheng Yi and the cabinet assistant ministers.

Xu Mujun also stepped out and said, "This subject obeys the decree and thanks Your Majesty for the grace!"

"Minister of Punishments Zheng Xuanyue, profound in foresight and eternally loyal and righteous, may serve as a cabinet assistant minister."

"This subject, Zheng Xuanyue, obeys the decree and thanks Your Majesty for the grace!"

Zheng Xuanyue also walked out quickly and bowed in salute.

Now the five cabinet assistant ministers had all been decided, all of whom were figures the many officials had long recognized.

Lu Xiangqing suddenly said, "Your Majesty, you mentioned reforming the cabinet; how do you plan to reform it?"

The cabinet system had been in existence for three years, and it truly had many benefits for the development of Great Yu, and many officials had also grown accustomed to the existence of the cabinet.

I wonder what instructions Your Majesty has in mind now?

Zheng Yi said, "From now on, all five cabinet members shall be Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet."

"One person shall be the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who shall be Xu Mujun."

"Another person shall be the Junior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, which shall be Lu Xiangqing, serving as the assistant official. When the Senior Grand Secretary is absent, he may temporarily exercise the authority of the Senior Grand Secretary."

"Furthermore, add two to five cabinet attendants, titled 'Scholars', to assist the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet in handling government affairs."

"Yuan Qichang."

"This subject is here."

"You may serve as a Cabinet Scholar."

Yuan Qichang was overjoyed, immediately kneeling and kowtowing: "This subject obeys the decree, many thanks, Your Majesty!"

"The second person, Prefect Wang Anshi of Changan Prefecture in Yong Province, may serve as a Cabinet Scholar."

"As for the other three persons, you shall arrange them yourselves."

Lu Xiangqing and the others quickly came back to their senses; it seemed this could also be considered a trade?

They immediately voiced out: "We subjects obey the decree!"

zhengyong Year 7, first day of the second month.

The Emperor reformed the cabinet; cabinet members increased to ten, with only five holding real power.

zhengyong Year 7, twentieth day of the second month.

Minister Miao, Military Commissioner of the Three Prefectures, memorialized that the rebels in Yong Province had been completely eradicated and refugees had submitted.

However, Yong Province had suffered several years of drought and military disasters, long becoming a barren land for a thousand miles with corpses of the starved littering the fields.

Emperor Zhengyong issued an order to exempt Yong Province from taxes for five years, while using food supplies from places like Bing Province and Ji Province to relieve Yong Province.

zhengyong Year 7, thirtieth day of the second month.

Prefect Wang Anshi of Changan Prefecture memorialized that the Yong Province Grand Canal project had officially commenced.

Three hundred thousand civilian laborers and corvée laborers were mobilized to dig the Yong Province Grand Canal.

The treatment and provisions ordered by Emperor Zhengyong were comprehensive in every way.

Three meals a day, and one tael of silver per month.

The three hundred thousand civilian laborers were deeply grateful, shouting long live the emperor shaking the mountains.

zhengyong Year 7, fifth day of the third month.

Consort Chan Wang Chan knelt and begged Your Majesty to spare her Family's lives.

His Majesty did not consent, but considering her youth, did not scold her, and instead sent her back.

zhengyong Year 7, fifteenth day of the third month.

Consort Chan requested to see His Majesty again, but His Majesty refused to see her.

Consort Chan knelt outside White Jade Capital for three consecutive days without a single drop of water entering her mouth; the Emperor's heart could not bear it, and he finally granted an audience.

zhengyong Year 7, twentieth day of the third month.

The Emperor issued a decree.

The Wang Family of Datong plotted rebellion and betrayed the country, committing heinous crimes. They deserved to have their entire clan executed and the nine agnatic relations exterminated.

However, considering the arduous and great achievements of their ancestors, and the clan even possessing the 'Iron Certificate of Pardon' bestowed by the Grand Ancestor, special mercy was granted.

The Wang Family of Datong shall have three generations of their clan executed.

Among the female relatives of the clan, those under three years of age shall be pardoned from their crimes and adopted by Consort Chan.

All other persons shall be entirely confiscated and reduced to slaves in the Jiaofang Sī, and cannot be pardoned except by a general amnesty.

zhengyong Year 7, twenty-second day of the third month.

Consort Chan stayed overnight at White Jade Capital.

zhengyong Year 7, first day of the fourth month.

The imperial court issued a nationwide arrest warrant to capture twelve members of the Wang Family who had absconded.

Ordered the capture of the Wang Family retainer: Feng Donghe, 'A Single Sword Spilling Blood'.

This person's martial Dao cultivation was at the Grandmaster Realm; he was a son-in-law of the Wang Family, deeply favored by the Wang Family's great kindness, and was determined to seek revenge.

zhengyong Year 7, fifth day of the fourth month.

A Martial Artist in the Shadow Guard broke through to the Grandmaster Realm, and Emperor Zhengyong bestowed upon him the name "Chen Xiao"!

zhengyong Year 7, seventh day of the fourth month.

The Jinyi Guard discovered the Wang Family retainer Feng Donghe and dispatched a large number of troops to surround and capture him.

After half a day of fierce fighting, seven rebels of the Wang Family were captured, and Feng Donghe fled with heavy injuries.

zhengyong Year 7, twenty-first day of the fourth month.

The Jinyi Guard spotted Feng Donghe's figure again, and the Shadow Guard was dispatched.

Chen Zhong and Chen Yi secretly made a move and killed Feng Donghe at Apricot Blossom Mountain in Bing Province.

The remaining escaped remnants of the Wang Family were all captured.

zhengyong Year 7, twenty-eighth day of the fourth month.

Minister Miao, Military Commissioner of the Three Prefectures, was relieved of his post and led troops into Shu to suppress the rebel army.

zhengyong Year 7, second day of the fifth month.

The New Army's 1st Division, 2nd Division, and 3rd Division moved south and stationed at the border of Shu Prefecture and Yun Prefecture.

The 4th Division and 5th Division joined forces with Minister Miao to suppress the civilian rebellion in Shu Prefecture.

zhengyong Year 7, tenth day of the fifth month.

The Emperor transferred the three Shadow Guard members, Chen Zhong, Chen Yi, and Chen Xiao, to guard Jiao Fang Palace and await orders quietly.

zhengyong Year 7, twelfth day of the fifth month.

Consort Cui went into labor.

Outside Jiao Fang Palace, a large number of imperial concubines and eunuchs gathered once again.

This was Zheng Yi's tenth child.

It was also the target watched by countless people in the Great Yu Dynasty court.

The tenth child!

If an imperial prince was born, the great matter would be settled.

But if it was still a princess...

The expressions of everyone present were somewhat strange.

Excitement, agitation, confusion, hesitation.

Countless gazes turned toward this place.

Compared to others, Zheng Yi was truly exceptionally steady and calm.

He had already known the answer long ago, what was there to rush about?

Over the past few years, he had carried out sweeping reforms of the political system, trained the New Army, expelled foreign tribes, and expanded the territory. These achievements were sufficient to rank him among the top three emperors of past dynasties.

Within the court, many ministers and aristocratic families were extremely obedient because of the Wang Family, and imperial decrees were issued without obstruction.

Such stability and grand affairs gave Zheng Yi an illusion.

Waking to wield the world's power, drunkenly sleeping on the knees of beauties?

However, for some reason, he had always felt a strange sensation in his heart.

It was like...

The calm before a storm, so oppressive that it made people breathless.

He did not know why this was, nor did he know where this crisis came from.

But all he could do was calm down and quietly strengthen his own side's strength.

As long as his own strength was powerful enough, he feared no monsters or demons whatsoever!

"Your Majesty~"

Empress Lu Liner suddenly walked over and whispered, "Your Majesty need not worry, younger sister will be fine."

"Mn."

Zheng Yi nodded. After a few years of nourishment, Empress Lu Liner had also grown from a sour little fruit into a plump, juicy peach.

The kind that would ooze water if you pinched it.

"That's right Liner, have you gone home to visit these past few days?"

"Home? Go back to where?"

"The Lu Family."

Lu Liner's eyes suddenly lit up as she said, "Your Majesty, the last time this concubine saw mother was on the Shangyuan Festival. It has been almost half a year since I last saw mother."

"Very well, I grant you a half-month leave. After Consort Cui finishes giving birth, return to the Lu Family and properly show your filial piety to your two elders."

Lu Liner immediately said in pleasant surprise, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi said, "I am also busy with official business, so you shall perform filial piety on My behalf. Observe more of what changes there are in the estate, so that I may bestow rewards."

Lu Liner giggled and said, "Your Majesty, you have already given our Lu Family enough. However, this concubine knows; mother will definitely be very happy."

"Mn."

Zheng Yi nodded and looked toward the bedchamber once again.

Before long, a chorus of wailing cries came from inside the bedchamber.

At the same time, Zheng Yi could clearly sense that a wisp of Innate Pure Yin Qi accompanied the birth of the child and diffused outward in all directions.

"The tenth strand of Innate Pure Yin Qi..."

Zheng Yi said faintly in his heart, "Last time, Prince Xian and Elder Chen utilized the Innate Pure Yin Qi to break through to the Innate realm in one breath. Now with Chen Zhong, Chen Yi, and Chen Xiao all guarding outside the hall, I wonder if they can advance to the Innate realm?"

"Also, after the ten strands of Innate Pure Yin Qi prompted by the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, one can control the Innate Qi. I wonder..."

Right at this moment, the attendant walked out quickly holding a little infant.

The smile on her face was somewhat strange, but she still braced herself and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty! It, it is a little princess..."

"Gasp..."

As soon as her words fell, a flurry of whispering discussions came from all around.

"A princess? Another little princess?"

"It's the tenth one..."

"Could it really be the same as the rumors outside?"

"Shh, keep your voice down..."

Zheng Yi furrowed his brows slightly. Rumors from the outside world?

What rumors were there again?

Ignoring the discussions of the people around him, he took the little princess from the attendant's hands.

"Giggle giggle~"

For some reason, as soon as Zheng Yi held her, this little princess actually started laughing.

Her laughter was crisp and pleasant, just like a lark.

Xu Qingluan said in surprise, "Your Majesty, look, this princess is not shy at all, and she's even smiling. How adorable~!"

Lu Liner, who was at the side, also leaned over, her eyes full of interest, "Indeed, how strange. Such a young child already knows how to smile; it is truly miraculous!"

"You wait outside for now, I will go check on Consort Cui."

"Understood!"

Zheng Yi walked in holding the child. After all, Consort Cui was a Cultivator, unlike other imperial concubines who could only lie in bed after giving birth; she was already able to sit up.

"Your Majesty, you have come. Is the child well?"

"Of course the child is fine."

Zheng Yi said, "Beloved Consort, how do you feel?"

"This concubine is fine."

"After giving birth to a princess, other concubines would all accuse themselves and feel guilty. Yet you, Beloved Consort, are so calm and breezy. It truly surprises Me."

Cui Xiabing smiled and said, "That is because this concubine knows Your Majesty's character and that you do not treat people differently based on the status of princes or princesses."

"Besides, this concubine and Your Majesty are both Cultivators, destined to stay together with Your Majesty for a hundred or even a thousand years. Why should I quibble like other ordinary women?"

Zheng Yi laughed loudly and said, "As expected of My Beloved Consort, you are indeed incomparable to ordinary women."

"Quickly, look at our daughter. She didn't even cry when she was born, and she can even smile!"

"Is that so? Let this concubine see."

Consort Cui also took the child and teased her, and sure enough, she saw the little child start giggling.

"Your Majesty, have you given a name to our child?"

"Of course."

Zheng Yi said, "My tenth princess, born loving to smile—this is an auspicious omen!"

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