145: Chapter 55 Universal Celebration

May 12th, the first year of Yongan, Jinling City.

The founding ceremony had passed two days ago, but the bustle in Jinling City had not subsided in the slightest.

Red lanterns still hung in the streets and alleys, and the hawkers selling candied haws and fried goods shouted one after another.

In the teahouses, storytellers were still recounting the tale of "Li Ling's Founding," from raising the army to suppress bandits to the great naval victory, from unifying the South to ascending the throne, earning a fortune from just a pot of tea.

Children chased and played in the alleys, waving small flags with Li Ling's portrait, singing a nursery rhyme they had heard from somewhere: "Li Ling is truly good, demanding no taxes, wielding no blades; the common people are fed and clothed, and the nation is prosperous and happy."

It wasn't just Jinling.

Celebrations were being held all across the Tang Country, the spectacle unprecedented, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, and every household pasting new "Tang" character spring couplets on their doorframes.

In Shanghai, parades of workers took to the streets, holding a grand celebration in the square in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of people formed a circle, dancing the traditional dragon dance, their cheers rising wave after wave, even causing sailors on foreign merchant ships anchored in the harbor to lean over the railings and watch with curiosity.

In Guangzhou, citizens set off thousands of fireworks along the Pearl River, reflecting colorful hues upon the water.

The night market extended two or three hours longer than usual, with long lines in front of stalls selling fish balls, char siu, shrimp dumplings, and other snacks, the air filled with the sizzling sound of oil pans and the savory aroma of sauces.

In Wuchang, the newly established labor union organized a free "Hundred-Family Banquet," stretching from the east side of the city to the west.

Over three thousand people ate together on the streets, clinking glasses and chatting happily, even pulling the government runners sent to maintain order in to have a few drinks.

In the Capital, although it was nominally still the domain of the imperial family, the common people quietly hung up red "Tang" flags and beat gongs and drums at the entrances of the hutongs.

Some bold merchants even replaced their old winter flags with new ones, and their business became thirty percent better than usual.

Even in Lanzhou far in the northwest, Kunming in the southwest, and Shenyang in the northeast, common people gathered spontaneously in the markets, beating gongs and drums to celebrate the "founding of the new dynasty."

Those who had previously harbored doubts about Li Ling, upon seeing the imperial edict granting amnesty to the world and exempting taxes for one year, all shut their mouths—the world had suffered for too long; whoever could provide a good life for the people would be supported by them.

This simple principle was the same everywhere.

However, Li Ling himself had hidden away in the Imperial Study, piling up an endless mountain of memorials.

"Your Majesty, this is the congratulatory memorial sent by the Northwest Military Region."

The adjutant handed over a thick official document, "There are also twenty-seven congratulatory memorials from various parts of the Southwest, thirty-three from the Southeast coast, and one secret report from the Capital..."

"Leave them there."

Li Ling did not even lift his head, his vermilion brush flying as he annotated a memorial regarding grain storage.

He had been reviewing memorials for two hours straight, his eyes aching and his fingers numb, but the mountain of documents on his desk showed no sign of decreasing.

[Host, you have already reviewed forty-three memorials today.

Do you want to take a break?

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai reminded you yesterday to take care of your health, saying that you are more tired after founding the nation than when you were fighting wars.

After all, fighting wars only involved risking your life, whereas being an emperor requires you to make decisions on dozens or hundreds of matters.]

"What break?"

Li Ling rubbed his temples, "If these memorials are backlogged for a day, the people below have to wait an extra day.

The whole country is watching me right now; if I appear lazy, the people below will be even lazier.

Being an emperor requires this awareness—working day and night without overtime pay."

[Host, you are sounding more and more like a corporate slave.

You are a founding emperor, after all; can't you have a bit of confidence?]

"Confidence can't be eaten as a meal."

Li Ling put down his brush, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath, "By the way, System, help me check how the celebrations are going in Shanghai?

Have there been any incidents?

Like stampedes or fires?"

[The system just retrieved the satellite images.

The parade in Shanghai has ended smoothly, no stampedes occurred, the order at the docks is good, and the number of merchant ships entering and leaving the port has increased by thirty percent compared to usual, indicating that merchants from all over are taking this opportunity to procure supplies.

The only 'incident' was a leak in the cargo hold of a grain ship, but it was promptly repaired by the dockworkers, causing no large-scale loss.]

"That's good."

Li Ling nodded, "What about other places?"

[The fireworks display in Guangzhou has ended, with no reports of fire.

After the Hundred-Family Banquet in Wuchang dispersed, the health team cleaned the streets, and there were no food poisoning or public security incidents.

In the Capital, although it is nominally still the imperial family's domain, the common people have hung out 'Tang' flags to celebrate, and the imperial family has tacitly accepted this without interference.]

"Tacitly accepted?"

Li Ling raised an eyebrow slightly, "It seems the old emperor has figured it out, knowing that opposing me will lead to no good end, so it's better to go along with public opinion.

That's fine, it saves me the trouble of dealing with them."

[Host, aren't you afraid that the imperial family will turn against you in the future?]

"Turn against me?"

Li Ling laughed, "What capital do they have to turn against me?

The army?

It has already been reorganized by me.

Money?

The national treasury is in my hands.

Popular support?

Look at those 'Tang' flags in Jinling City; who do you think the people support?

The only thing the imperial family can do now is to be a mascot peacefully.

As long as they don't make trouble, I won't touch them."

[Host, you are calmer than before.]

"Nonsense."

Li Ling sat up straight and picked up the vermilion brush again, "After fighting so many wars and seeing so many people die, if I couldn't calm down, I would have lived in vain.

Alright, continue reviewing the memorials.

I haven't read the one from Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai regarding the coastal salt policy reform yet."

He opened the next memorial and, after reading a few lines, his brow suddenly furrowed.

This was a report from Hunan Province, stating that some people in western Hunan were secretly colluding, seemingly wanting to take advantage of the new dynasty's establishment and the fact that everything was waiting to be done, to incite some old forces to resist the imperial court.

"System, look at this."

Li Ling spread out the report and pointed his finger at a line of text, "The prefect of western Hunan said that there are people there 'gathering for secret discussions, speaking with much disrespect,' but he didn't write clearly about who these people are or what they are discussing.

This kind of vague report either means the prefect is perfunctory, or the situation is more serious than what is written in the report, and he doesn't dare to speak directly."

[Host, do you suspect that someone in western Hunan wants to cause trouble?]

"It's possible."

Li Ling put down the memorial, "Before I ascended the throne, there were still some remnants of old warlords in the southern provinces that hadn't been cleaned up.

Although they have surrendered on the surface, they have been watching from the shadows.

If they find that I am busy with the ceremony and celebrations and cannot attend to them, they might jump out and cause trouble.

Just in case, I need the support of the intelligence department."

He picked up another pen and quickly wrote a few words on a piece of white paper: "Chen Zhiyuan, secretly investigate the movements in western Hunan.

If there is anything unusual, report immediately."

Then he folded the note and handed it to the adjutant, "Send this as a classified document to the Intelligence Bureau."

The adjutant took the order and left.

Li Ling sat back in his chair, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken.

The sunset glow had faded into a deep purple, and the outline of the distant city walls became increasingly blurred in the twilight.

Lights flickered on one after another in Jinling City, like stars scattered on the earth.

The sound of flutes and singing drifted in the night wind; that was the common people enjoying themselves, celebrating this new era.

[Host, what are you worrying about again?]

"I'm not worrying, I'm thinking..."

Li Ling paused, seemingly organizing his words, "This country looks prosperous now, but its foundation is not yet stable.

There is popular support, but those opposing forces hiding in the dark, the covetousness of foreign powers, the instability in the border regions... they are all still there.

I cannot think that the world is peaceful just because the founding ceremony was lively for a few days."

[Host, that you can think this way shows you are already a qualified emperor.]

"A qualified emperor?"

Li Ling couldn't help laughing, "I am far from 'qualified.'

At least wait until I have finished building those railways, built the schools, and filled the stomachs of the common people; then it won't be too late to call myself 'qualified'."

He stood up and stretched, his joints making a crisp sound, "Alright, today's memorials are finished.

I'll go see Empress Su Wanqing.

She just became Empress yesterday and is probably still in the adjustment period.

I have to go keep her company."

[Host, this is what you call 'emperor on strike'.]

"This is called 'work-life balance'."

Li Ling replied righteously, then strode out of the Imperial Study.

In the Empress's sleeping quarters, Qianning Palace, the lights were bright.

Empress Su Wanqing was wearing a light pink casual dress, sitting at the vanity, looking through an account book in her hand.

On the corner of the table sat a bowl of lotus seed soup that had already gone cold, evidently neglected for over an hour.

"Empress Su Wanqing?"

Li Ling pushed the door open and couldn't help laughing when he saw her focused expression, "What are you looking at?

So serious?"

Empress Su Wanqing looked up, and seeing it was him, quickly put down the account book and came to meet him, "Brother Ling—oh no, Your Majesty..."

"In private, just call me Brother Ling."

Li Ling waved his hand, "If you call me 'Your Majesty,' I feel uncomfortable all over."

Empress Su Wanqing smiled and corrected herself, "Brother Ling, I am looking at the palace accounts.

When I was in the Internal Affairs Department before, I heard some rumors about royal expenses, saying that the spending of past emperors was shockingly high.

I thought, since the dynasty has changed now, the expenses should also be rationalized; not a single penny should be wasted on unnecessary spending."

Li Ling took the account book and flipped through it, discovering that Empress Su Wanqing had already made quite a few notes on it—which items could be cut, which expenses could be optimized, which duplicate positions could be merged—all clear and logical, with sufficient reasons.

He was more satisfied the more he looked, and couldn't help but exclaim in his heart: "System, did I hit the jackpot by marrying Empress Su Wanqing?"

[Host, your sense of happiness is overflowing the screen right now.]

"What do you mean 'overflowing the screen'?"

Li Ling retorted in his heart, then closed the account book and handed it to Empress Su Wanqing, "Empress Su Wanqing, this account book is very well written.

From tomorrow on, the palace finances will be managed by you, so I won't have to worry about this.

By the way, you haven't had dinner yet, right?

I will have the Imperial Kitchen make you some hot food; don't go hungry."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded and looked at him again, "Brother Ling, you seem a bit thinner than yesterday.

How long have you been busy today?

Did you eat on time?"

"I ate!"

Li Ling touched his nose guiltily, "I ate two pieces of dim sum..."

"What kind of meal is two pieces of dim sum?"

Empress Su Wanqing glared at him and immediately got up to walk outside, "You wait, I'll go to the Imperial Kitchen and make you a bowl of hot noodle soup.

Don't think about slipping away, you sit there, I will be back in a moment—no, this concubine will be back in a moment."

Watching her back as she walked out quickly, a warm feeling that was hard to describe welled up in Li Ling's heart.

He sat in the chair where Empress Su Wanqing had just been sitting, picked up the account book and flipped through it, finding a line of tiny words written in pencil on the corner of one page: "All saved funds will be used to support orphanages and schools."

He stared at that line of text for a long time, then gently closed the account book and placed it on the table.

The moonlight outside the window shone through the lattice, casting a silvery white patch on the floor, like a layer of fine salt spread out.

"System."

He said in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"I want to take good care of all the good girls in this world, so they don't have to suffer anymore."

[Host, if the other wives heard this, they would probably start making a scene again.

Princess, Emily, German Princess—everyone is waiting for you to 'take care' of them.]

"Don't scare me!"

Li Ling jumped up from the chair, "I only have one Empress Su Wanqing to accompany right now, where would I find the time to take care of so many!

Can't we take it one by one?

I'm still young, no rush!"

[Host, the system has already recorded what you just said.

If Emily asks about it another day, the system can play it for her.]

"You—you dare!

Do you believe I'll format you?!"

[The system cannot be formatted.

Host, accept your fate.]

"...I started being bullied by the system on my first day as emperor; this life is impossible to live."

Just then, Empress Su Wanqing walked in with a bowl of steaming noodle soup, topped with a poached egg and sprinkled with green onions and sesame seeds, the aroma enticing, "Brother Ling, eat quickly, while it's hot."

Li Ling took the bowl and, smelling that familiar scent, his eyes suddenly felt a little hot.

He lowered his head and ate in big mouthfuls, suppressing that sour feeling back into the depths of his heart.

The temperature of the noodle soup was just right, the noodles were soft and firm, the egg was his favorite soft-boiled, and every bite felt like returning to that simple little courtyard from many years ago.

Empress Su Wanqing sat beside him, watching him eat quietly, her eyes full of gentle smiles.

Outside the window, the lights of Jinling City gradually quieted down in the night, with only the patrol torches on the city walls swaying in the breeze.

On the distant Qinhuai River, a painted boat was slowly passing by, with an orange lantern hanging at the bow, dragging a long trail of light on the water, like a falling meteor.

After Li Ling finished the noodles and put down the bowl, he suddenly spoke: "Empress Su Wanqing, when spring flowers bloom next year, I will take you on a train to see the sea."

Empress Su Wanqing was stunned: "Take a train?

Are there trains now?"

"Soon."

Li Ling smiled, "When the railway is finished, I will drive the train myself and take you to Jinhai to see the sea, to Mount Tai to watch the sunrise, to West Lake to see the lotus flowers... we can go anywhere."

Empress Su Wanqing's eyes were a little wet, but she held it back and just nodded gently: "Okay.

Then I will wait."

Outside the window, the night deepened, and the sound of flutes in the distance was still drifting, long and warm.

The first month of the Tang Country unfolded slowly amidst such busyness, liveliness, and anticipation.

And greater storms were quietly gathering strength beneath the sea level.

The foreign powers would not sit idly by and watch the rise of a powerful Tang Country, and those enemies lurking in the dark would not be content with failure.

But what they didn't know was—Li Ling already held the trump cards in his hand that could change the entire situation.

Those trump cards would be revealed one by one in the near future.

In early June of the first year of Yongan, a secret report from the Northwest was delivered to Li Ling's desk.

The secret report was only a few lines long, but every stroke was written with vigor, revealing the writer's suppressed anger and vigilance— "A large number of unidentified armed personnel have been discovered operating on the Northwest border, suspected of infiltration by foreign forces.

Please instruct, Your Majesty.

General of the West, Wang Zhenhai."

After reading the secret report, Li Ling was silent for a moment, then picked up his pen and wrote two lines of annotation on the back of the paper— "Investigate secretly, do not alert the enemy.

Wait until I have investigated the details before making a decision."

After writing, he put down his pen, his gaze falling on the Northwest direction on the map.

It was very far from Jinling.

But some enemies would not refrain from coming just because of the distance.

He let out a soft breath, folded the secret report, and put it into the drawer.

The storm was still far away, but the wind had already risen.