Eternal Life as False Emperor

After leaving Lanling Palace, Zheng Yi indulged himself thoroughly.

Three months of seclusion in the Underground Palace, with several consorts accompanying him, except Noble Consort Cui and others were pregnant and could not share his bed.

Jie'er and Yu'er were in crucial stages of cultivation, so he did not disturb them much.

It was only after emerging from seclusion that he could truly enjoy himself.

In these days, his mind kept echoing the words spoken by Consort Lan.

Without a Spirit Root, is it really impossible to cultivate immortality?

They wish to accompany me on one hand, but more significantly, they yearn for immortality as well.

Also, Empress Lu Lin'er, Xu Qingluan, Yang Huan, Bi He, Li Changle, Princess Consort Wan, Consort Miao, and others have also subtly inquired about these matters.

Unfortunately...

Without a Spirit Root, true cultivation is bound to be impossible.

At this thought, the image of the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit appeared in Zheng Yi's mind.

"Once the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit matures, can it awaken their Spirit Roots?"

"Unfortunately, the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit takes at least nine thousand years to mature unless I can sacrifice blood to hasten its ripening!"

"Nine thousand years mean nine thousand drops of Essence Blood..."

Zheng Yi's mouth twitched; this matter is postponed until his next seclusion, to blood sacrifice the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit seeds first.

After resting for a few more days, Zheng Yi finally met with Liu Cheng'en and the Cabinet Ministers.

"We greet Your Majesty! Wishing Your Majesty endless years of prosperity!"

Liu Cheng'en, Lu Xiangqing, Wang Anshi, Zheng Xuanyue, and others ranked on both sides, knelt, and shouted long live.

"Rise~"

Zheng Yi gestured gently, indicating the ministers to sit on both sides.

"Thank Your Majesty."

"Beloved ministers, I have been seeking the path of true cultivation these days, neglecting state affairs."

Zheng Yi said, "Fortunately, with your assistance, I can rest easy."

"By the way, was there any significant occurrence during the time of my seclusion?"

"Take advantage and resolve these matters while I still have a few days free after emerging from seclusion."

The ministers exchanged glances; Lu Xiangqing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, are you truly cultivating immortality?"

"Is there any doubt?"

Seeing the disbelief in their eyes, Zheng Yi did not explain further and said, "Once I succeed in true cultivation, I shall reciprocate to our Great Yu Court."

"The court remains stable, and requires all of you to earnestly assist!"

"We obey Your Majesty's command."

Wang Anshi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

"Speak, dear minister."

"Your Majesty, our Great Yu Army has suppressed rebellions in Yongzhou, Bingzhou, Shuzhou, Yunzhou, and Yuezhou; Yuanhe Mountain in Haizhou has also been breached by Grand General Xu, anticipating recovery soon."

"The citizens in these large states are fatigued, famine is widespread, and numerous deserters have formed bandit groups, making survival extremely difficult for the people."

"In addition, the bureaucratic offices were destroyed by the rebels, resulting in a scarcity of officials. I request the Imperial Court to promptly dispatch numerous officials to govern the major state counties, for the governance of the realm."

"Have suitable officials been selected?"

"Together with my colleagues in the Cabinet and the Ritual Department, we have completed discussions; Your Majesty may review."

With that, he pulled out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it over.

Liu Cheng'en promptly approached, handing it to Zheng Yi.

Leaning on the Dragon Throne, Zheng Yi casually opened it to read.

Below in the court, Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue, Liu Cheng'en, and others exchanged glances and averted their eyes.

Only Wang Anshi, Yuan Qichang, Cai Dashi, and others silently awaited something.

The memorial contained little, just a list.

It details the administrative appointments for recovering the six states.

It includes positions such as Governor, Inspector, Prefect, County Magistrate, and others.

Most were officials dispatched from the Imperial Court, a portion were surviving local officials reappointed, and some were transferred from other state counties.

Some names on the list Zheng Yi was familiar with, such as those who became Advanced Scholars a few years ago.

But many he did not recognize, not even the names.

However, those in positions like Governor or Inspector, Zheng Yi recognized them all.

For example, Zhao Chengzhi, a member of the Emperor Faction.

Lu Xianghe, a person of the Lu Family.

Zhao Jingren, an Assistant Minister from the Ministry of Rites, and others.

Soon, Zheng Yi realized the subtleties, noting the hidden agendas.

The Governor and Inspector roles in five of the recovered states were divided among the Emperor Faction, Lu Family, Ritual Department, and Upright Officials; each occupied one.

Upright Officials had the fewest, with the highest number belonging to the Emperor Faction and Ritual Department.

In certain aspects, Ritual Department members can also be considered part of the Emperor Faction.

Closing the memorial, Zheng Yi glanced at Liu Cheng'en, Wang Anshi, Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue, and others, and calmly said, "Imperial Censors Han Yang, Chen Yu, and Sima Kang are exemplary; they can serve as Prefects of one state."

Everyone present was shocked, unable to believe their ears.

Imperial Censors Han Yang, Chen Yu, and Sima Kang were the three people punished by Liu Cheng'en months ago.

That day, in an effort to advise Your Majesty to be diligent in state affairs, the three attempted to break into the Imperial Palace but were captured by members of the Ritual Department.

During the Great Court session, the three were publicly flogged fifty times.

The three Imperial Censors almost died from the beating!

Had it not been for Wang Anshi's intervention, they would have been maimed if not killed.

Now, months later, their injuries have somewhat healed, yet they often vocally berate Liu Cheng'en in court, sparking Liu Cheng'en's considerable anger, yet he remains helpless.

Unexpectedly, now, Your Majesty personally grants them the position of Prefect!

Of course, the role of local Prefect cannot compare to Imperial Censor, after all, an Imperial Censor is a Capital Official.

However, this Prefect position is decreed by the golden words of Your Majesty.

The three will serve in the local Prefecture, and within three years, they will surely return to the court as major officials.

In essence...

The events that occurred in the Great Court that day, Zheng Yi knew them all!

With a 'thud', Liu Cheng'en's legs softened, and he directly knelt on the ground.

"Your, Your Majesty..."

"Liu Cheng'en? Why are you kneeling?"

"Your, Your Majesty, I, I punished Han Yang and the other three adults for some trivial matters that day, and I hope..."

"Oh~ that trivial matter, you did it for me, while Han Yang and the others did it for the Great Yu Imperial Court."

Zheng Yi casually said, "I won't hold this matter in my heart, stand up."

"Thank, thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi threw the memorial he was holding onto the table and said, "Apart from these three people, I approve all the names on the memorial."

"I don't want to meddle in how you appoint officials, but I want talents who can govern the country well for me!"

"If I find anyone engaging in corrupt or unlawful practices, don't blame me for turning ruthless and implicating everyone involved!"

"We abide by your command...!"

Several people hurriedly knelt on the ground, shouting loudly.

"Alright, is there anything else?"

Zheng Yi rubbed his temples and said, "If not..."

"To answer Your Majesty, there is!"

Lu Xiangqing suddenly stepped forward again and said, "Your Majesty, in the 5th Year of Zhengyong, you discussed with us the 'First Five-Year Plan.' Now five years have passed, we have been implementing the governmental affairs according to the 'Five-Year Plan' established by Your Majesty at that time."

"Now that the time for the First Five-Year Plan has arrived, I am unsure if Your Majesty is prepared to implement the Second Five-Year Plan?"

"The Five-Year Plan... so soon?"

Zheng Yi was somewhat amazed, has five years passed so quickly?

Indeed, the First Five-Year Plan was promulgated in April of the 5th Year of Zhengyong.

It is now the 10th Year of Zhengyong, a full five years have passed.

And how many things have happened during these five years?

Not to mention anything else, just the members of the Cabinet have changed a significant number of people.

Back then, among the Cabinet Ministers, there were Xu Mujun, Lu Xiangqing, Cui Jinghao, Wang Ze, Wang He, Li Yuanhao, and Zheng Zongbing.

And now, Xu Mujun is still there, but unfortunately, he has lost his left arm, and is commanding the army in the field.

Lu Xiangqing and Zheng Zongbing are still there, but they are aged.

Cui Jinghao and Li Yuanhao have retired, living in seclusion.

Wang Ze and Wang He rebelled with their entire Wang family, were captured and imprisoned, and have committed suicide for various reasons long ago.

Today's Cabinet Ministers are Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Zongbing, Wang Anshi, Zheng Xuanyue, and Li Changfeng.

Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi are only Cabinet Ministers without decision-making power over significant matters.

The world is ever-changing, nothing more than this.

"Lu Qing, I will let you summarize the achievements of the First Five-Year Plan."

"Yes!"

Lu Xiangqing took out a thick memorial from his bosom and respectfully said:

"Your Majesty, in our Great Yu's First Five-Year Plan, there are nine major projects."

"The first, suppress the Northern refugees."

"This plan has long been completed, the Six Northern States were suppressed one after another in four years, and our Great Yu additionally secured Black Mountain Pass and the Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States."

"Unfortunately, last year, with the new Emperor Wu Siming ascending the throne in Wu Country as the first Empress, mobilizing the nation's power for a campaign."

"It is rumored that Wu Siming is assisted by an Immortal, our Great Yu cavalry cannot win on the plains and can only retreat to defend at Black Mountain Pass until now."

"Overall, the plan can be considered as successfully completed!"

Lu Xiangqing turned a page and continued:

"The second project is the Ministry of Industry vigorously developing the military industry and recruiting fifty thousand refugees."

"According to the statistics submitted by the Ministry of Industry, this plan has also been completed in excess."

"Firearms are confidential, directly under Your Majesty, I do not have specific data here."

"However, the recruitment of refugees reached over eighty thousand, far exceeding the original plan."

"The third project: Repel the invading army of Wu Country."

"This doesn't need to be mentioned, our Great Yu Celestial Army has long repelled Wu Country and even occupied Wu Country's first mighty pass, Black Mountain Pass!"

"The fourth project: With the Capital City as the center, the Ministry of Rites to establish national schools in each village and county, striving to educate school-age children."

"This policy..."

Lu Xiangqing hesitated for a moment and still said, "This policy is presided over by the Ministry of Rites, but for the past five years, our Great Yu has been continually at war externally, especially with constant wars since the 7th Year of Zhengyong, depleting the national treasury."

"This policy… has not been fully implemented."

Zheng Yi asked, "How many were specifically established?"

"To answer Your Majesty, only twelve were built."

"Twelve?"

Zheng Yi slightly furrowed his brows, knowing that books and knowledge are all grasped by large families and high officials.

It is incredibly difficult for the common people to change their fate through learning.

But he did not expect that the underground officials would be so hypocritically compliant with this policy.

Five years and only twelve schools established!

He suppressed the anger in his heart and asked, "And for how many school-age children does it provide an opportunity to attend school?"

"To answer Your Majesty, less than eight hundred."

Lu Xiangqing said, "Besides the strained national treasury which needs to support the front lines, the main issue is that ordinary people are not willing to let their children go to school."

"They would rather have their children toil in the fields or enter the Capital City to become workers in major factories..."

Zheng Yi shook his head, ordinary people finding it hard even to survive, how could they possibly allow the family's labor to go study?

Moreover... enlightening the people.

Should it really be done?

Once the people are enlightened, it would be impossible to completely rule over them.

Just like those thirty-three taels of silver in the previous life.

This matter needs long-term consideration.