Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

”Your Highness, Mr. Gao has arrived.” Chun Lan, having calculated that it was about time, knocked on the door and said.

”Let him wait for me in the study.” Chen Mo replied.

”Understood.” Chun Lan responded, then added, ”Sister Luo Zhen has prepared tea and snacks, waiting for Your Highness to enjoy them.”

”I know, send them to the study together.”

...

Inside the room.

”Master, allow me to help you change clothes.” Knowing Chen Mo was about to get up, Zhao Jiang Ning, with her still-weary body, attempted to serve Chen Mo as he dressed.

”No need, you did most of the work just now. Rest well.” Chen Mo kissed Zhao Jiang Ning on the forehead, then got up, dressed, and made his way to the study.

...

By now, darkness had fallen.

On the table in the study, several exquisite tea snacks were arranged. Gao Zheng stood waiting at the side for Chen Mo’s arrival.

”Creak...”

The door to the study opened, Gao Zheng quickly stepped forward and handed over the booklet.

Chen Mo took it and walked toward the desk. Gao Zheng said, ”Our army suffered seventy-three thousand casualties, of which the Fire Qilin Army lost one thousand nine hundred eighty-two men. Two thousand four hundred warhorses were lost...”

Listening to these staggering casualty numbers, Chen Mo sat silently behind the desk for a while, then said, ”For the families of those who died, pay them the highest compensation. For the wounded, pay double.”

”Understood,” Gao Zheng replied, then continued with the enemy casualties: ”The enemy lost over three hundred seventy thousand men; after accounting for those who fled, we captured five hundred sixty thousand. We’ve seized weapons and armor...”

Chen Mo picked up a piece of pastry, took a bite, and then said, ”You handle the selection personally. Choose fifty thousand to take part in the Fire Qilin Army’s trials. Select five thousand from them to formally enter the Fire Qilin Army.”

”Understood.”

...

After seeing Gao Zheng off, Quan Qiyang arrived.

He was responsible for matters involving those they had bribed; now he came to ask Chen Mo whether the remaining promised payments should be made.

Quan Qiyang asked this because among those bribed, a few were double-dealers—those who could betray their former master for gold today, could just as easily betray them tomorrow.

”Regardless of their character, since I have promised, we must pay. Otherwise, word might spread that I break my promises. The loss from that would be far greater than this small sum.” Chen Mo said.

”Understood, sir.”

...

Soon after.

The news of King Yan’s defeat and capture, and his imminent execution, spread across the realm.

For a time, the world was in an uproar.

Chen Mo’s military achievements were outstanding.

Twice pacifying Nanyang.

Suppressing the Eighteen Lords’ rebellion.

Driving out the Loulan invaders.

Sending troops to suppress the Yellow Turban bandits.

Quelling King Yan’s revolt.

Each of these was a monumental feat; an ordinary general accomplishing just one would earn great merit, yet Chen Mo had achieved all these.

And every one of these was a victory against overwhelming odds.

All told, his reputation as the Great Song Dynasty’s number one War God was now utterly solidified.

But then, another matter arose.

After driving out the foreign tribes and reclaiming the Northern Lands, Chen Mo had been ennobled as Prince Zhen Nan.

Now, with Jizhou pacified and King Yan subdued, how should he be further rewarded?

He was already a prince; there is no higher title to bestow, save that of Emperor.

Everyone realized that the time for dynastic change had arrived.

In fact, after Chen Mo was made prince, rumors spread that he would supplant the Zhao family. But with so many internal rebellions at the time, the matter was left unresolved.

Now, with the two largest internal rebellions settled, the remaining smaller disturbances were negligible.

More than half of the Great Song Dynasty was now in Chen Mo’s hands; there were no external threats left, and no internal turmoil. It was truly the moment to change heaven and earth.

...

Just as all awaited Chen Mo’s move, an imperial edict was issued, ordering the reduction of the remaining Zhao Vassal Princes, starting with Fengzhou and taking Prince Feng as an example to warn the rest.

With this precedent, none of the remaining vassal princes dared resist; whatever the Imperial Court commanded, they obeyed, all claiming that their previous involvement with King Yan had been under duress.

As the reduction of the vassals proceeded, another edict was issued—this time the Empress Dowager advocating new official reforms.

Local authority was to be expanded; local recruitment of officials was permitted; pay for government clerks was improved. Previously, clerks had very low status and were looked down upon by officials, but now a formal selection and screening process was introduced, with salaries set by the Ministry of Personnel.

More than half of all government offices were to be cut, with clear division of power and responsibility. Anyone with authority would have to bear matching responsibility, and if any error occurred, individuals could be easily held accountable.

All independent officials were to be dismissed and await reassignment.

Areas affected by disaster or rebellion could have their taxes reduced or exempted for one to three years, as appropriate.

These were policies directed at the lower classes, who made up the majority of the population in the Great Song Dynasty; thus, the edict was widely acclaimed.

...

Bianliang City.

The north wind now carried flakes of snow.

At the city gates, Chen Mo, together with all civil and military officials, awaited the triumphant return of the Princess and her army.

Whether out of longing after days apart, or the excitement of resolved crisis, the Princess, upon seeing Chen Mo, dismounted and threw herself into his arms, causing a stir among the assembled officials.

Chen Mo was momentarily stunned.

Given their statuses, such intimacy was taboo.

Yet now, Zhao Qianyi had rushed into his embrace, leaving him a bit at a loss.

However, Chen Mo did not push her away.

He was not a timid man; now that their relationship was exposed, so be it. At this moment, no one would dare say anything anyway.

In the past, they had kept it hidden for Zhao Qianyi’s sake.

Zhao Qianyi hadn’t wanted it exposed, so he simply hadn’t mentioned it.

”There, there. You’re a commander, how can you be crying like this?” Chen Mo raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears at Zhao Qianyi’s eyes.

Only now did Zhao Qianyi realize, belatedly, her impulsiveness. She wanted to pull away from Chen Mo, but it was too late. She could only hold him a while longer, then slowly let go, and, in front of all the ministers, said softly, ”As long as you’re safe.”

”Come, the Empress Dowager has prepared a celebratory banquet for you all.” Chen Mo took Zhao Qianyi’s hand and walked toward the Imperial Palace.

...

Without a doubt.

The next day, rumors about the Princess and Prince Zhen Nan spread throughout Bianliang.

Some said the Princess fell in love at first sight.

Some believed the two admired one another equally.

Some claimed they had begun their affair back in the Northern Lands.

Others said Prince Zhen Nan used his power to coerce the Princess.

But that rumor was quickly rebutted by everyone.

After all, it had been the Princess who’d embraced Prince Zhen Nan yesterday.

But the most stunned of all were Xiao Yunxi and Zhao Jiang Ning.

Especially Zhao Jiang Ning, since she even addressed Zhao Qianyi as ”Aunt.”

Yet even more shocking was the afternoon news.

Zhao Qianyi moved into Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion.

Zhao Qianyi was a woman who dared to love and hate.

To her, since the affair was exposed and rumors had already spread, there was no need to hide or be evasive. Let them talk as they wish.