79: Physical Reform

"Your Majesty! We would never dare!"

"Yes, please, Your Majesty, retract your command!"

"We are absolutely loyal to Your Majesty!"

"..."

However, faced with Gu Chang's act of delegating power, every single one of these ministers was trembling with fear and repeatedly pleaded with him.

In reality, even if they harbored an immense longing for more and greater power in their hearts, they absolutely dared not utter a single word, fearing that this might be a ruse specially set up by Gu Chang. If they were to jump out voluntarily, wouldn't that be seeking death?

What's more, Gu Chang's prestige today had long surpassed that of emperors throughout history; no one dared to sideline him.

Currently, Gu Chang, whether in his personal strength, the military power he wielded, or his popular prestige, even had all the various foreign races prostrating themselves before him in complete submission.

Under such circumstances, as long as Gu Chang was not dead, his position would be as stable as Mount Tai, absolutely not something that civil or military officials could shake.

"Heh heh, alright, alright, just do as I say."

"My ambition has never been to be emperor, but to pursue a higher Martial Dao!"

"Governing the world is not a one-person affair, nor is this world a single family's domain. Now that the opportunity is before you, what's wrong with everyone being able to serve the country and the people in the future?"

"Therefore, this act benefits me, my descendants, and the country for generations to come, so why would I not do it?"

"Or do you think I am someone who is so greedy for the throne?"

Gu Chang swept his gaze over them directly, instantly making them feel even more guilty, but after hearing Gu Chang finish speaking, they couldn't help but feel speechless.

From ancient times to the present, no one has ever heard of someone disliking being emperor so much. Do they really think this throne was picked up from the ground?

In short, after some back and forth, Gu Chang still set down the future strategy.

That is, the emperor would inevitably delegate power in the future, and officials would govern the world. The emperor would grant them administrative power, and at the same time, there would be a complete oversight system and a parliamentary system.

Gu Chang's political acumen was indeed not great; after all, in both his previous life and this life, he was an ordinary person, and he had a clear understanding of the limits of his own abilities.

But he could still copy; using his foresight that transcended the era to guide the future direction of development, and then entrusting the specific tasks to those with outstanding talent, ability, and intellect.

Thus, guided by this thinking, he quickly constructed a new political framework.

Firstly, the emperor's position remained the nominal Dominator of the country, but in the future, he would no longer specifically manage state affairs, only retaining control over the military, direct command of the Divine Martial Forbidden Army, and the right to supervise and appoint important officials.

Secondly, the official system largely maintained its original structure, but civil and military officials were more clearly delineated, with the military and political systems each performing their duties and complementing each other.

Finally, the parliamentary system would be composed of representatives from civilian organizations, commercial organizations, aristocratic families, respected Seniors, and the academy system.

By absorbing representatives from different classes, levels, and interests as participants in the parliament, they would consult and discuss with the official system to decide financial allocation and national policy direction.

In this way, the original imperial power and bureaucratic system were divided into three mutually influencing and mutually restraining parts.

As for whether this system would work, it naturally could not be seen in a day or two.

After completing the construction of this system, Gu Chang chose to continue observing and supervising for a period, and then made some adjustments based on the actual situation to make the entire national system operate more perfectly.

Thus, half a year passed in a flash. Due to Gu Chang's relinquishment of power, the official system undoubtedly became more vibrant, and the birth of the parliamentary system gave people of different social strata a channel to participate in national affairs.

At the same time, he himself had more free time and earned the title of "Saint Emperor."

"Saint Emperor? Which flatterer gave me that nickname now?"

In the imperial garden, Gu Chang was entertaining Li Ergou, Wang Da Niu, Zhao Changkong, and a group of his old subordinates and brothers.

When he heard these people complimenting him in such a way, he couldn't help but complain directly.

"Your Majesty! This is not some nickname or flattery!"

"Rather, Your Majesty's actions truly possess the style of ancient sages. The world today is in great order, the common people are prosperous, the country is peaceful and the people are secure, and a hundred schools of thought contend—it is indeed a rare good era throughout history!"

Suan Tianji, who was visibly much older now, stroked his beard and then shook his head as he explained to Gu Chang.

Now, he was no longer an official. For him, his greatest lifelong goal was to assist the monarch in pacifying the world, ensuring the well-being of the common people, and the rise of the Central Plains.

Now that these goals had been achieved, he no longer clung to power and voluntarily withdrew from officialdom.

Every day, he either wrote books and taught his disciples and descendants at home, or traveled around, observing the people's conditions everywhere. He only came to the palace when Gu Chang summoned him to reminisce.

"Heh heh, in my opinion, this is definitely those officials being afraid that I will reclaim power, so they are directly flattering me!"

"However, as long as the ultimate goal is good, that's enough. Now there is no direct imperial power suppressing them from realizing their ideals and ambitions, so if they still mess it up, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Gu Chang smiled and shook his head upon hearing this, then replied to him with a slight jest.

"Yes! Your Majesty is sagacious!"

"We scholars should serve the nation!"

"Live for the country, die for the nation's altars, and after death, leave a saintly name!"

Upon hearing Gu Chang's words, which contained a deeper meaning, Suan Tianji immediately rose and bowed deeply to Gu Chang, simultaneously guaranteeing on behalf of all officials in the world.

Undoubtedly, this conversation would surely spread throughout the land. This was both a warning and an expectation from Gu Chang to his officials.

"Hahaha! Today is a small banquet, let's not talk about these national affairs!"

"Raise your cups, everyone! Drink this cup to the full!"

"Haven't we toiled for half our lives precisely for this moment of national peace and prosperity?"

Seeing his declaration, Gu Chang immediately raised his wine cup and spoke to those around him.

"Yes!"

"Drink this cup to the full!"

"Cheers! Hahahaha!"

Another two months passed, and basically everything was on track.

At the foot of Mount Leifeng, the Divine Martial Forbidden Army firmly protected the area. Gu Chang had completely freed himself from the trivial matters of being emperor; now, most of the affairs of the entire Shenwu Dynasty no longer required his personal attention.

"Your Majesty! The Heavenly Thunder Hall has been completed for nearly a year, and almost every day for this past year, heavenly thunder has fallen. The Thunder Spirit Refining Hall, with silver snakes coiling in the air, has an incessant thunder fire within. Ordinary martial artists can hardly withstand it, so please be extremely careful, Your Majesty."

On the mountaintop, in front of the Heavenly Thunder Hall, an official specifically responsible for managing the area next to Gu Chang reported the situation to him earnestly.

Honestly, as the manager of this place, his psychological and physiological pressure was exceptionally great.

He even often prayed secretly that Gu Chang would best forget about this place; otherwise, if anything were to happen to Gu Chang, even if he didn't die, he would lose a layer of skin!

"Mm, I understand!"

"From now on, you only need to prepare enough barbarian beef, changes of clothes, and other daily necessities for me.

"Unless I actively walk out of the Heavenly Thunder Hall, do not come in and disturb my cultivation!"

Gu Chang nodded slightly upon hearing this, then instructed him and Ma An, the commander of the Divine Martial Forbidden Army beside him.

"Yes! Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty! From now on, the Divine Martial Forbidden Army will guard this place. Even if the sky falls and the earth crumbles, we will not move an inch, and we will certainly not allow any evil person to disturb Your Majesty's cultivation!"

The official and Ma An, the tall and powerful Divine Martial Forbidden Army commander who had reached the Spirit Refining level, directly responded to Gu Chang.