375: Chapter 376 Everyone practices Tai Chi, men and women are all soldiers

The air inside Zhenwu Hall seemed to have solidified.

The shock from the recent conferring of the title "Lady of Persia Subjugating Demons" had not yet subsided, and every word was still buzzing in everyone's minds.

Lu Chen seemed completely unconcerned by the shock he had caused.

He turned around, his gaze falling back onto Zhang Sanfeng.

The old Daoist Master had just calmed his excitement over the two divine arts.

This Emperor's thoughts were harder to fathom than the stars above the Nine Heavens.

Lu Chen paced forward and stopped in front of Zhang Sanfeng, his voice returning to its previous calmness, yet carrying unquestionable authority.

"Daoist Master Zhang."

"This old Daoist is here." Zhang Sanfeng quickly bowed.

"The Daoist Tai Chi Fist you recently created is truly excellent."

The single word "excellent," heard by Zhang Sanfeng, felt as heavy as Mount Tai.

He knew that if not for Lu Chen's guidance, correction, and infusion of Dao essence, this Tai Chi Fist would never have reached its current height.

"That this Tai Chi Fist can possess such power is entirely due to Your Majesty's guidance," Zhang Sanfeng said sincerely.

Lu Chen waved his hand: "I have an idea."

He looked around the great hall, his gaze sweeping over Abbot Kongwen, Yin Susu, Fang Yanqing, and the others, finally settling on the churning sea of clouds outside the hall.

"In the Inner Nine Provinces of the Great Ming, government schools are everywhere."

"It is my intention to incorporate your Tai Chi Fist into the mandatory curriculum of the government schools."

As these words were spoken, there was another collective gasp in the hall.

Incorporating a top-tier martial art into government schools? For all students?

Zhang Sanfeng was also stunned, raising his head to look at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen continued, his tone resolute:

"Starting from young children in primary school, all women shall practice Tai Chi Fist."

"To strengthen the body and clarify the mind."

He paused and added:

"As for men..."

Lu Chen curled his lips into a meaningful smile: "They shall Cultivate the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art."

Boom!

If promoting Tai Chi Fist was shocking, then incorporating a divine art of Esoteric Buddhism like the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art into government schools was earth-shattering!

This was a supreme method capable of allowing ordinary people to Cultivate to the strength of a thousand catties and the Realm of a Grandmaster!

Throughout the dynasties, what did emperors fear the most?

Knights using martial arts to break the law!

Strong martial power among the people meant instability.

Banning or controlling martial arts was the norm.

But this Great Ming Emperor did the opposite!

He not only did not prohibit them but instead actively promoted both peerless martial arts to every corner of the Great Ming, allowing all subjects, regardless of gender, to Cultivate them!

What kind of courage was this? What kind of self-confidence?

Everyone in the hall, whether they were the titans of the Martial Forest led by Zhang Sanfeng and Kong Wen, or those veteran court officials, was dumbfounded, their minds almost paralyzed.

They completely could not understand Lu Chen's actions.

What exactly did His Majesty want to do?

Was he not afraid that in a few decades, the Great Ming would be full of experts, everyone possessing martial arts, and the imperial court would lose control?

Lu Chen seemed to see through everyone's doubts. He chuckled, his voice not loud but clearly heard by everyone: "What? Afraid?"

He walked to the entrance of the great hall, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked out at the vast sea of clouds.

"Afraid that the people will practice martial arts and be difficult to control?"

"Afraid that the Jianghu will grow too large and threaten the imperial court?"

He shook his head. "What is the foundation of a strong nation?"

Lu Chen turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, scanning everyone: "It is not imprisoning thought, nor is it suppressing martial power!"

"What I want is a Great Ming where everyone is like a Dragon!"

"Everyone knows books and reason, and distinguishes right from wrong!"

"Everyone has full Qi and blood, and a healthy body!"

"Women Cultivate Tai Chi, flexible and harmonious, able to manage the home, and also able to defend the home!"

"Men Cultivate Dragon-Elephant, able to lift a tripod, able to farm, and also able to go to war!"

His voice grew increasingly loud, carrying a soul-shaking power:

"In this way, in a few decades, my Great Ming's ten billion Divine Provinces will all be people who know rituals and value martial arts!"

"How dare foreign enemies bully us? What internal troubles are worth worrying about?"

"Even if one day I return to the Immortal Realm, with the Daoists, Buddhists, and Ming Cult supporting together, the Great Ming foundation can last for ten thousand generations without falling!"

"By then, I will have an explanation for the Three Pure Ones Daoist Ancestors and for this world!"

The words were resounding, like a great bell, shaking everyone's hearts!

So that was it!

This Emperor's vision had long transcended the schemes and calculations of ordinary emperors!

What he wanted was not an Empire that was kept in captivity or blinded, but a truly powerful, confident, glorious, prosperous age where everyone could shine!

Strengthen the people with martial arts, educate them with literature!

This was the true open scheme! The true kingly way!

Zhang Sanfeng's blood boiled. He looked at Lu Chen's back, as if he saw a great era, unprecedented in history and unmatched in the future, slowly unfolding.

He took a deep breath again, stepped forward solemnly, and bowed:

"Your Majesty's eyes are like torches, your heart embraces the world, this old Daoist... is convinced!"

He raised his head, his eyes firm:

"Since Your Majesty has such a great ambition, this Tai Chi Fist, if not for Your Majesty's guidance and correction, would be nothing more than an ordinary technique, and would never have the power of internal and external cultivation pointing directly to the Great Dao as it does today."

"This fist originated from Your Majesty, and now, benefiting the world is a blessing for all people."

"Regarding the promotion of Tai Chi Fist, I will personally supervise it throughout Wudang, and I will definitely not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Lu Chen nodded with satisfaction: "Very good."

He looked at Zhang Sanfeng, his tone softer: "Your righteousness is noble; I am very comforted. Wudang shall be the model for all Daoist sects in the world."

Zhang Sanfeng bowed again: "I shall serve unto death!"

Lu Chen's gaze turned and landed on Yang Xiao in the crowd.

As the Left Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Yang Xiao had also followed the imperial carriage here today, but had kept a low profile throughout.

"Yang Xiao," Lu Chen called out.

Yang Xiao's heart trembled; he immediately stepped out and bowed: "Your subject is here."

Lu Chen looked at him and issued a second order, equally concise, equally shocking:

"Convey my imperial decree."

"From today, all those who graduate from government schools but fail to pass the Juren examination, regardless of family background, must all be entered into the Five Military Commissions military register and serve in the military for three years!"

Another thunderclap!

Although the Great Ming Dynasty had a military service system, it was mostly hereditary in guard stations, recruited soldiers, or exiled soldiers; there had never been mandatory military service for scholars!

And it meant that those who failed to pass the Juren examination must all join the army!

What did this mean?

It meant that the vast majority of scholars, after leaving government school, must first go to the army to be tempered for three years!

This was not just to replenish military sources, but to completely connect literature and martial arts!

To let scholars understand military affairs and to add a scholarly atmosphere to the army!

Yang Xiao quickly digested the deep meaning behind this decree and replied in a deep voice: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Lu Chen did not pause and continued:

"Additionally, form the 'Great Ming Women's Legion'."

Women... Legion?!

The people in the hall were already a bit numb; His Majesty's ideas far exceeded their imagination.

Men practicing martial arts and mandatory military service was one thing.

Now, even women are to form an official legion?

Is this... for both men and women to be soldiers?

Lu Chen ignored everyone's astonishment and cast his gaze toward Fang Yanqing and Ji Xiaofu, who had been standing quietly beside her.

"The officers of the Women's Legion shall be selected from the Emei Sect Disciples."

The female Disciples of Emei heard this and were all shocked, then their eyes showed excitement and pride.

This was not only trust in the Emei Sect, but also gave them an unprecedented path!

Lu Chen finally looked at Fang Yanqing, and at someone in the palace who seemed able to see through space: "This matter shall be managed by Imperial Noble Consort Fang, with Left Palace Manager Ma Xiuying coordinating."

On Fang Yanqing's cold face, there was finally a trace of fluctuation.

She stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Her voice was still cold, but no one doubted her ability and determination to execute this order.

A series of decrees, interlinked—from the promotion of martial arts to mandatory military service, and then to the Women's Legion—outlined an unprecedented blueprint for the Great Ming.

Literature and martial arts merged, men and women advancing together!

Inside Zhenwu Hall, there was not a single sound left.

Everyone was completely stunned by Lu Chen's grand and wild conception.