146: Chapter 61: The New Imperial Court

In late autumn in Jinling, the fog always arrived exceptionally early.

At 3:45 AM, before the first light of dawn, the thin mist over the Qinhuai River draped over this ancient city like a light veil.

The pleasure boats had tucked away the previous night's songs and music, and the boatmen huddled with their necks retracted, building fires on the bows to cook congee; the cooking smoke mingled with the mist, rising slowly along the riverbank.

The parasol tree leaves along the street had mostly fallen, and the few remaining withered yellow leaves shivered in the morning breeze; occasionally, one would spin and drift onto the bluestone pavement, making a faint rustling sound.

Meanwhile, in the "Imperial City" at the center of the city—expanded from the former Jiangning Weaving Bureau—the lights were already blazing.

Li Ling sat behind the massive nanmu writing desk in the Imperial Study, a thick copy of the "Tang Country Administrative Reform Outline" spread out before him, its edges frayed from his constant handling.

He wore a bright yellow dragon robe—personally supervised by Empress Su Wanqing, with incredibly fine embroidery, though it was far less comfortable to wear than his work clothes from his previous life.

One hand supported his forehead, while the other still clutched a vermilion brush, its tip hovering above the paper, hesitating to fall.

He had been pulling all-nighters for three days straight.

There were bloodshot streaks in his eyes, blue stubble had sprouted on his chin, and he looked quite haggard.

"Host, you have been working for over seventy-two hours continuously. The system detects that your physical functions are declining at a rate higher than normal. It is recommended that the host stop working immediately and get at least four hours of sleep."

"Sleep?" Li Ling put down the vermilion brush, leaned back in his chair, and looked up at the gilded palace lantern on the ceiling, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I would like to sleep. Look at these memorials—from the autumn grain harvest reports from Shanxi, to the water leakage problems in Dock No. 3 reported by the Navy, to those old foxes in the Ministry of Revenue crying poverty and saying the national treasury is bottoming out... which one of these doesn't require me to make a decision?"

"Host, your current behavioral pattern has a specific term in the system database—'Micromanagement Syndrome.' This condition is common among leaders in the early stages of a startup, characterized by excessive interference in subordinate functions, leading to a decline in the overall efficiency of the system."

"Oh?" Li Ling sat up straight all of a sudden. "You've even come up with an academic term? Then tell me, how do I cure this 'syndrome'? Surely you don't expect me to just wash my hands of everything and do nothing?"

"The system suggests that the host: First, establish clear boundaries of authority and responsibility, delegating routine affairs to the Cabinet; Second, cultivate the independent decision-making capabilities of mid-level bureaucrats; Third, make rational use of the system's 'Think Tank Simulation' function to conduct risk rehearsals for major decisions. Host, your role is no longer a 'commander on the battlefield,' but the 'helmsman of this giant ship of an empire.' A helmsman does not need to row the oars personally; he only needs to hold the helm steady when a storm approaches."

Li Ling was stunned for a moment and remained silent for a full ten seconds.

Then he suddenly laughed, his laughter tinged with self-deprecation and a touch of realization. "System, what you said today has some merit. I admit, I was used to having the final say and micromanaging everything, feeling that I couldn't trust others to do things. But now that the operation has expanded, even if I didn't sleep for twelve hours a day, I couldn't manage it all."

"The fact that the host can realize this indicates that your cognitive level is upgrading."

"Stop flattering me." Li Ling waved his hand and picked up the "Administrative Reform Outline" again.

This time, his gaze was no longer fixated on specific clauses but was examining the entire structure from a higher perspective. "Then let me ask you, according to your 'Think Tank Simulation,' how long can this 'Cabinet + Grand Council' structure that I plan to implement at the court meeting today run stably?"

"Simulation results show that, provided the host maintains effective supervision, this structure can run sustainably for at least twenty years. But the premise is—the host must be ruthless and delegate the power that should be delegated."

"Fine, then I will delegate." Li Ling stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and looked at himself—exhausted but with eyes burning bright—and took a deep breath. "At today's court meeting, I will set the rules for them."

At 5:00 AM, inside the Taihe Hall, the civil and military officials filed in and stood in two rows.

The hall had been renovated; the floor was paved with gold bricks shipped from Suzhou, and the four nanmu pillars, each as thick as a person could embrace, were carved with coiled dragon patterns.

Although it could not compare to the magnificence of the Forbidden City in the capital, it possessed a unique, rising sharpness characteristic of a new dynasty.

Sunlight spilled in through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows on the bluestone floor.

Li Ling sat on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the officials below.

On the left were the military officers led by Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, Lin Yongsheng, and Commander Zhao Tieshan, all in shining armor, their backs straight as javelins; on the right were the civil officials such as Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, Zhang Zhidong, and Vice Minister Chen Baochen, looking solemn and holding their hu tablets.

New and old faces intertwined, forming the foundation of this nascent dynasty.

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live the Emperor!"

The shouts of greeting were uniform and echoed through the hall.

"Rise, my officials." Li Ling raised his hand and got straight to the point. "Today's court meeting will discuss only one matter—the structure of the imperial court. I believe you have all read my 'Tang Country Administrative Reform Outline.' If you have any thoughts, speak them openly here in the hall today."

Before his voice had faded, Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai, the head of the right row, stepped out.

This former Qing dynasty scholar was now in his sixties, but his back was straight, and his voice was resonant. "Your Majesty, I have read the outline thoroughly and feel that your concept of running a 'Cabinet' and a 'Grand Council' in parallel is truly visionary. The Cabinet oversees government affairs, while the Grand Council specializes in military affairs; the powers and responsibilities are clear, and they do not hinder each other. However, I dare to ask, there is one thing I do not understand, and I humbly request Your Majesty's guidance."

"Please speak, Minister Shen."

"If the Cabinet and the Grand Council encounter matters where military and political affairs intersect, such as wartime logistics allocation or border land reclamation and defense, who should take the lead? If the two sides disagree, which one should prevail?"

This question hit the crux of the matter.

The hall fell silent, and dozens of gazes focused on Li Ling—the old ministers' gazes filled with scrutiny, the military officers' gazes filled with anticipation.

Li Ling smiled slightly, having been prepared for this.

He stood up slowly, walked down the imperial steps, and stood in the center of the officials. His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly. "Minister Shen asks a good question; this is also the issue I have pondered the longest. My answer is very simple—the Cabinet manages 'governance,' and the Grand Council manages 'determination.' The Cabinet is responsible for the daily operation of the state apparatus, ensuring that the common people have food to eat, clothes to wear, and books to read; the Grand Council is responsible for safeguarding national security, ensuring that enemies dare not come, and if they do, they cannot win."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife. "For wartime logistics, the Grand Council will submit requirements, and the Cabinet will be responsible for implementation. If there is a disagreement, I will make the decision before the throne. I do not want to know who is bigger or smaller; I want everyone to perform their duties and cooperate with each other. If anyone spends their energy on fighting for power and profit, my blade will not recognize anyone."

The last sentence carried a chilling coldness, causing several old ministers who had originally intended to argue to shrink back immediately.

Minister of Rites Shen Zhibai bowed deeply. "Your Majesty is wise! This official understands."

In the row of military officers, Admiral Lin Yongsheng stepped out.

His skin was dark, his build as sturdy as an iron tower, and his voice was as loud as a bell. "Your Majesty, I have a request. The Navy is now an established force, but if it is only coordinated uniformly by the Grand Council, I fear that in wartime, conflicting orders will be issued, delaying military opportunities. I request the establishment of a 'Ministry of the Navy' to specialize in naval construction and operations, directly under the central command."

Li Ling looked at Lin Yongsheng and nodded inwardly.

Lin Yongsheng was a naval talent he had obtained from a system lottery early on, and his loyalty and professional ability were impeccable.

His proposal hit exactly one of Li Ling's long-standing concerns—professional matters must be handled by professional people.

"What Minister Lin says aligns with my wishes." Li Ling turned back to the dragon throne, sat down, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice. "The Grand Council oversees the three armed forces, but the Army, the Navy, and the potential future Air Force each have their own professionalism. I have decided to establish a 'Supreme Military Commission' above the Grand Council, with myself as the Commander-in-Chief, and Chief of Staff Zhang Wanshan, Lin Yongsheng, and Commander Zhao Tieshan as commissioners, to take charge of the nation's major military affairs. The Grand Council will serve as an executive agency, responsible for implementing the decisions of the Military Commission. As for the Navy, a 'Naval Department' can be set up under the Ministry of War, with Minister Lin serving concurrently as the Director, with an independent budget and reporting directly to the Military Commission."

This deployment nominally retained the functions of the Grand Council but effectively consolidated the supreme decision-making power into the Military Commission, while giving the Navy sufficient autonomy.

The military officers exchanged glances, and no one raised any objections.

Lin Yongsheng's eyes lit up, and he clasped his hands heavily. "I, your subject, obey the decree!"

The subsequent discussion focused on the reform of the Six Ministries.

This was the part that gave Li Ling the biggest headache—he needed to retain the inertia of the traditional bureaucratic system while implanting the management concepts of a modern state.

He proposed a "combination of old and new" plan: retain the names of the Six Ministries, but align the functions of each ministry with modern cabinet departments.

For example, the Ministry of Revenue would manage finance and the economy, with the Tax, Treasury, and Commerce departments under its jurisdiction; the Ministry of Works would manage construction and industry, with the Railway, Mining, and Manufacturing bureaus under its jurisdiction.

As soon as this plan was put forward, it was opposed by the old minister Sun Yuwen.

This former Qing dynasty Hanlin Academy reader, although he had defected through the Princess's connections, still held fast to the old concept that "the laws of the ancestors cannot be changed" in his bones.

He stepped out tremblingly, his voice tinged with hoarseness. "Your Majesty, the names of the Six Ministries have been followed for thousands of years and are the foundation of governance for successive dynasties. Although Your Majesty has changed the dynasty, the weight of the titles cannot be lightly bestowed. If the Six Ministries are dismantled into pieces, I fear the hearts of the people will be unsettled and the court's discipline will be unstable!"

Li Ling looked at this old man with white hair and sighed inwardly.

He knew that Sun Yuwen did not intend to be difficult; it was just that the inertia of the old era's thinking was too strong, and he couldn't turn the corner for a moment.

He suppressed his impatience, his tone as gentle as possible. "Minister Sun, let me ask you one question—between the 'name' of the Six Ministries and the 'reality' of the Six Ministries, which is more important?"

Sun Yuwen was stunned. "This..."

"Let me give you a simple example." Li Ling picked up a paperweight on the table. "This paperweight—you call it a 'paperweight,' and I call it a 'paper-pressing stone.' It is still that same stone; it presses paper just the same. The name can be changed, but its function remains the same. What I am doing now is retaining the name of 'Ministry,' but changing the muscles and bones inside—making it more flexible, more effective, and better able to do practical things for the common people. Is such a 'title and instrument' not more valuable than that empty framework?"

The words were simple and easy to understand.

Sun Yuwen opened his mouth, then finally lowered his head. "This old official... is dull-witted. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your guidance."

Zhang Zhidong, who was on the side, took the opportunity to step out and said loudly, "Your Majesty is wise! The name can be kept, but the reality must be changed. If we only keep the empty name and do not change the reality, how is this court any different from the collapsed Qing dynasty?"

These words carried great weight, and there were no further objections in the hall.

The court meeting lasted until the early afternoon before the general framework of the imperial court was finalized.

When the court was dismissed, Li Ling felt his legs go soft and his throat parched; on his way back to the Imperial Study, he almost tripped over the threshold.

"This life of mine as an emperor..." He slumped onto the dragon throne and grabbed the cold tea on the table, gulping down a large mouthful. "It's more tiring than the thirty-six hours I spent debugging the missile system at the test site back then."

"Host, congratulations on completing the first phase of 'institutional construction.' According to the system's evaluation, the decision-making efficiency of today's court meeting was fifteen percent higher than expected. Your 'analogical teaching method' is very effective for old ministers like Sun Yuwen. It is recommended to continue using it."

"Save it, I just want to lie down now." Li Ling waved his hand.

Just as he was about to close his eyes for a rest, his adjutant hurriedly delivered an urgent report marked "Top Secret · Military Intelligence."

Li Ling opened it and glanced at it; his originally tired eyes instantly sharpened.

Intelligence showed that the remaining forces of Ma Bufang on the northwest border were secretly gathering, numbering about a mixed brigade, equipped with old-style artillery and Maxim Heavy Machine Guns supported by Tsarist Russia.

At the same time, satellite reconnaissance images showed a team of about three hundred Cossacks cavalry moving south along the border, clearly aimed at the border trade post just established by the Tang Country.

"Heh." Li Ling slapped the intelligence onto the table and sneered. "I just got the court's framework set up, and they are already causing trouble. Do they really think I'm made of mud?"

"Host, according to satellite thermal imaging analysis, the enemy's gathering area is located about forty kilometers south of the Tang-Russian border. Their movement pattern does not look like they are about to launch a large-scale invasion, but rather... a tentative armed reconnaissance, aimed at gauging the strength of our border defense forces."

"Tentative?" Li Ling stood up and walked to the huge military map on the wall, his gaze locking onto a location on the northwest border marked "Yumen Pass." "Then let them test. I was just worried about not having a chance for actual combat to verify the combat capability of the newly formed mechanized infantry brigade."

He turned around, his voice as cold as if it had been quenched in ice. "Pass on my order—have Commander Zhao Tieshan immediately take a special forces brigade and fly secretly to the Yumen Pass base aboard the 'Iron Wing' transport aircraft. I want them to dig out the enemy's eyes before the enemy makes a move. Tell Commander Zhao Tieshan not to startle the snake; what I want is for them to become blind and deaf, and then I will slowly play with them."

He paused and added, "In addition, have the First Mechanized Infantry Brigade enter a Level 2 combat readiness state. All equipment should be fully fueled and loaded with ammunition, ready to move at any time."

After the order was issued, the Imperial Study fell silent.

Li Ling stood by the window, looking at the gray skyline to the northwest, his hands behind his back, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the back of his hands, making a rhythmic sound.

The first test of the new empire had come earlier than he had expected.

But he was not in a hurry. He was even looking forward to it.