Chapter 668: The 99-Tael Emperor, Northern Advance of the Army (Part 3)

Chapter 668: Chapter 275: The 99-Tael Emperor, Northern Advance of the Army (Part 3)

When all the rebels went to farm, build roads, and dig ditches, the strategy was finally implemented.

…

Recalling the events of the past few months, Feng Yuantu sighed inwardly, still finding it hard to believe.

Can you believe, as His Majesty the Emperor, Chen Ping even set his own salary?

Even the emperor has a salary, can you believe it?

It’s merely ninety-nine taels of silver.

Now the rumors are spreading among the people…

The first emperor ever to be called the “Ninety-nine Taels Emperor” shows up in the mouths of commoners, as well as in the ridicule of Civil and Military Officials and Hermit Sages.

But no matter who mentions him with ninety-nine taels, they all cannot help but show respect.

Being an emperor like this, what more can Feng Yuantu say?

He can only serve with all his might, until his dying breath.

He turned to look at Tang Wenzheng and said with a smile: “Mr. Wenzheng might not know this, but monitoring people across the nation isn’t really difficult. One can simply use the Celestial Observation Mirror. Observing heaven and earth, nothing can escape its view.”

Saying this, Feng Yuantu bowed to Ji Mingyue.

A young girl stepped down from the Alchemy Tiers beside Chen Ping, smiled, extended her hand, and pointed. Immediately, a mirroring light appeared in the hall, rippling like water, gradually calming down, with subtitles scrolling across the screen…

Only to see the writings displayed.

[Tang Wenzheng, thirteenth generation descendant of Tang Yongyuan from the West Forest Tang Family, fifth in the direct line, known as Tang Wu’er, intelligent in childhood, blessed with an eidetic memory, deeply loved by his father and grandfather…

At twelve, he first explored carnal pleasures with maid Qiao’er, witnessed by his legal mother who was furious, ordering him to personally beat Qiao’er to death…

In the third year of Yuanheng, he secluded himself to study, and happened upon the Profound Illumination Secret Manual in Scholarly Records, unexpectedly captivated by it, he practiced accordingly…]

“Stop, stop, please stop, I am guilty, I am guilty, my Tang family will fully support the new governance, there will be no obstruction from us, I deeply repent, devote myself to royal affairs, and treat the people well…”

Ji Mingyue glanced at Chen Ping, took his cue, and waved her hand, the mirror light dissipated in mid-air.

“Who else wants to see their life story, or, perhaps try their luck at hiding from the Celestial Observation Treasure Mirror? Situ Family once used this mirror to establish the Wind and Cloud List, but it was a bit of a waste.

Actually, this mirror is best used for rewarding the good, punishing the evil, and overseeing the realm.”

Being looked at by Ji Mingyue, the Civil and Military Officials in the hall quickly bowed their heads.

Afraid that this girl would choose them as targets to test the mirror’s powers.

In this world, who doesn’t have secrets, who hasn’t done things they wish to hide?

Once past deeds are exposed, wouldn’t it be social death on the spot, rendering them unfit to see people?

Take Tang Wenzheng, Mr. Wenzheng here, for instance, his face is red like a monkey’s butt, he dares not raise his head to meet anyone.

“It seems everyone supports the law that convicts and penalizes those who accept ten taels of silver as bribes…very well, driven by public spirit, with such unity and peace, why fear poverty amongst the people or weakness in the nation?”

Chen Ping laughed heartily.

Natural disasters are what they are.

As long as human misfortunes are avoided, if everyone tightens their belts and endures hardships, the days will pass.

As long as no one starves to death, when millions of people across places are mobilized, grain and resources become abundant, then improved treatments can come.

It cannot be done now.

Retaining the Civil and Military Officials from Noble Families is actually a temporary measure.

Given the vastness of the realm and its territories, he cannot possibly handle everything personally, certainly needing helpers.

However, in this era, knowledgeable and learned “talents” primarily come from Noble Families. Even poorer students or travelers likely have ties with these factions.

Either cultivated by others or indebted with gratitude, truly “wild” academics are scarce.

Without these scholars, not only would governance be stymied, but even posting orders might not be understood by many.

Poor commoners can manage specific tasks, but to expect them to govern an entire province or county, overseeing macroeconomic control, is unrealistic.

A lifetime of never handling more than a few taels of silver, how can one expect such a person to manage county finances, distribute salaries, regulate punishment and reward? That’s setting them up for failure.

Thus, even knowing all these people have bias, they must be used.

Nonetheless, as his new governance unfolds, no matter how twisted their bias is, they must sit upright.

With fifty pounds of rice fixed per month, let’s see them try to support a few people, lest they starve?

“Hahaha…”

Chen Ping laughed heartily, waving to dismiss the court.

…

“Can it truly increase Qi rapidly?”

Chen Ping fell into contemplation.

It seemed to somehow align with a certain pattern, as he realized that as one new governance after another was implemented—even though the common folks weren’t leading very good lives—the Qi within his realms surged like boiling water, transforming gradually from white to red, then from red to green…

Flowing into the Azure Dragon Seal, refined into Dragon Essence Magical Power, with the Divine Martial Sixth Layer Heaven seemingly in sight.

“Remarkable speed, just half a year; nearly matching the ten-year Qi accumulation when the Ji Family controlled the Great Li Dynasty. What sort of mechanism is at play here?”

Chen Ping vaguely arrived at a judgment.

Possibly due to “countless alive people.”

“Then, is the next step prohibiting martial feats?”

Chen Ping hesitated within, considering that adopting the set of concepts from the End of Dharma Era might entail great horror.

He wasn’t certain whether this path was right or wrong, only able to try and see.

However, one fact was certain.

The happiness of the masses surely boosts the Qi Number greatly, with the breakthrough to the Sixth Layer being imminent. Then he could focus on dismantling Beizhou Influence.

Upon breakthrough, Dragon Essence Magical Power, along with physique and soul essence, would increase by fifty percent.

His “Mirror Flower Water Moon” technique had also reached Mastery Realm…

Essentially, it was enough to resist the Black Lotus Sect’s mind-influencing, emotion-provocation power.

Yet, it wasn’t appealing to rashly invade their territory.

Instead, lure the enemy out.

Chen Ping pondered this for a moment, then summoned Ji Mingyue: “Issue the order, the time has come, all within the Divine Martial Realm and Unity Realm should head to Xiaoshan, advance five hundred miles, and directly press toward Dragon City.

Also, inform Zhuo Yunfei, this time, let him act freely, let me see what he is capable of.”

“Yes, Seventh Brother, they’ve been waiting eagerly.”

Little Mingyue happily acknowledged, her form blurred briefly, a flash of mirror light, and she was gone.