Eternal Life as False Emperor

"Item five: Establish the 'Punishment Field' system, substituting land for crime, allowing anyone who commits a crime to obtain a corresponding exemption by paying enough land."

"Since the implementation of this project, over three hundred officials and nobles have been punished, with more than thirty million acres of 'Punishment Field' land of various grades confiscated and made public."

"Your Majesty, the Punishment Field system has been in effect for five years, the national treasury farmland is sufficient, and this punishment is too severe, facing considerable resistance, and many officials are secretly discussing it."

"With the current chaos in the world, should the Fine Silver system be suspended temporarily, or replaced with gold and silver..."

"No!"

Lu Xiangqing's words were interrupted by Zheng Yi.

"I founded the Punishment Field system to confiscate land across the world and secure a livelihood for the common people."

Zheng Yi said coldly, "Besides the Punishment Field, once the Imperial Court's army suppresses the rebels in several other states, the national landholding will reach astronomical numbers."

"At that time, Great Yu will truly achieve stability!"

"People having land to farm and food to eat won't rebel!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Lu Xiangqing inwardly gave a bitter smile; it seemed that abolishing the Punishment Field system was impossible with His Majesty.

Only future attempts could change it.

For high officials and large landowners, the Punishment Field system is excessively harsh.

Although it allows them to escape Great Yu law, it digs at their roots!

He collected his thoughts and continued, "Item six: Establish the North Sea Navy..."

"This item is overseen by the Ministry of War; Lord Li would know better."

On the side, Li Changfeng immediately said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the North Sea Navy has been completed."

"There are more than a thousand warships, with over 100,000 personnel, stationed in Binzhou, ready to support battles across states from the sea."

"However, the navy is currently suppressing the rebellion in Jingzhou, and General Meng Guang is stationed there as well."

Zheng Yi nodded, "I am aware of the navy's affairs; once the Jingzhou rebellion is quelled and administrative officials are appointed, General Meng Guang will lead the army into Jiangzhou to suppress Yunmeng Marsh!"

Yunmeng Marsh!

Is one of the main reasons Zheng Yi established the navy.

The Yunmeng Marsh's area is enormous, almost equivalent to an inland sea.

Only with the gradual advance of 100,000 naval forces can the deeply entrenched Tuoba Clan in Yunmeng Marsh be eradicated completely!

"Understood!"

"By the way."

Zheng Yi suddenly asked, "What about those rebels throughout the world currently?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the majority of the rebel forces in Yongzhou, Shuzhou, Jingzhou, Binzhou, and Yuezhou have been pacified. Only Qingzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, and Jiangzhou remain under rebel control."

Li Changfeng said, "However, the Ministry of War received the latest news that the rebels in these four states intend to consolidate their forces to resist Grand General Xu, amassing over a million rebels!"

"Most of the rebels are currently stationed in places like Xuzhou, aiming to intercept Grand General Xu and resist the Imperial Court's army there."

"Only four states left..."

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Which forces are the rebels in these four states?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the number of rebels in the four states is vast, and as they are all located in the south, they are the strongest areas of rebel forces."

"Each state has numerous rebel forces."

"Some have two or three factions, while others have over a hundred."

"However, in every major state, the strongest ones have already united."

"Among them, the strongest in Qingzhou is the White Lotus Sect."

"It is rumored that this sect has been passed down for thousands of years, deeply rooted among the people, and cannot be eradicated using ordinary methods."

"During the 6th Year of Zhengyong, General Miaoo Xiu once eradicated the White Lotus Sect in Qingzhou. Unfortunately, within a few short years, the White Lotus Sect revived and its power increased!"

Li Changfeng said, "In Yangzhou, the largest force is the Yunmeng Marsh Tuoba Clan."

"This clan is located deep within Yunmeng Marsh, which is at the junction of Jingzhou and Yangzhou, stretching for over a thousand miles, covering a vast area."

"Due to the geographical advantage, the Yunmeng Marsh Tuoba Clan fortifies itself between the two states, making it difficult for the Imperial Court's army to breach."

"Yet, relying on Your Majesty's wisdom in establishing the navy, now with General Meng Guang stationed in Jingzhou, the military front approaches Yunmeng Marsh. The day of eradication is close at hand."

Yunmeng Marsh, the Tuoba Clan.

In Zheng Yi's eyes, this clan is the strongest force in this rebellion.

Behind it, there must be a cultivator secretly controlling events.

The reason is simple.

Of the ten Innate Spiritual Qi, one still resides deep in Yunmeng Marsh, and it has already thinned by a small half.

Zheng Yi wants to pacify the world; the Tuoba Clan is the greatest adversary!

Li Changfeng continued, "Xuzhou's main force is led by King Chen Zheng Zongkai."

"King Chen and the late emperor were brothers, and from a young age, he was well-versed in military strategies, a rare military talent in the Imperial Family."

"During the Tianqi Period, he and Grand General Xu Mujun jointly conquered Nanyue County, having an excellent relationship with the late emperor and regarded as a comrade by Grand General Xu."

"But for unknown reasons, King Chen Zheng Zongkai rebelled, which is very peculiar."

Zheng Yi asked, "Oh? What is peculiar about it?"

Lu Xiangqing suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I am also aware of this issue."

"The world has been chaotic for two years now; the Imperial Court's army advances triumphantly, successively recovering several major states and counties."

"However, since issuing the proclamation, King Chen has never appeared in public in Xuzhou, nor has anyone seen His Highness Prince Chen."

"Until now, the rebellion in Xuzhou is only managed by Zheng Yuanfa, Prince Chen's son."

"Zheng Yuanfa?"

Zheng Yi mumbled, "What is this person's background?"

"Zheng Yuanfa, aged twenty-seven, reportedly went missing for several years during childhood and became reclusive upon his return, rarely seen."

"For reasons unknown, amidst the chaos, he took charge of Xuzhou's affairs and instigated the rebellion."

"Now within the myriad rebel alliances in the south, Zheng Yuanfa has been jointly recommended by many as the alliance leader!"

"Zheng Yuanfa? Interesting..."

Zheng Yi murmured, "Lost for several years in his youth, then returned with a drastically changed personality... Could it be that he encountered an Immortal Fate?"

If an ordinary person's nature and lifestyle drastically change, there's only one explanation: Immortal Fate!

It seems, this son of King Chen, Zheng Yuanfa, warrants great attention as well.

Zheng Yi then asked, "What about Jiangzhou?"

"Jiangzhou..."

Li Changfeng said, "Jiangzhou is the primary base of Tianlong Temple, with more than half of the state's area under the control of its martial monks, their influence is vast."

"Although Tianlong Temple has lost a few of its higher-ups recently, the loss isn't very significant for them."

"There is a rumor in Jiangzhou; a few months ago, the nights brought tremendous beast roars from the direction of Tianlong Temple, and some even claimed to have seen intense Buddhist light and Immortals!"

"Buddhist light? Immortals?"

Zheng Yi frowned slightly. What precisely is happening at Tianlong Temple?

There was the self-taught abbot Fayuan from Tianlong Temple, and then the ambush involving Fa Jiang targeting Xu Mujun.

Now, with many strange happenings, could it be that there are cultivators behind Tianlong Temple?!

Zheng Yi took a deep breath, having already prepared himself for such a scenario.

Even Taiyii Dao had Zhao Xizheng, a Late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator, who once mentioned that there are many reclusive cultivators within Great Yu.

With chaos reigning, these reclusive cultivators are bound to intervene.

Moreover, there's the factor of those ten strands of Innate Spiritual Qi.

"Dispatch orders."

The few individuals bowed, awaiting Zheng Yi's orders.

"Instruct Cui Xiawu, Meng Guang, Miaoo Xiu, Guanshan, and Tang Zhengkou to head to Xuzhou together under Xu Mujun's command to eradicate the rebels!"

"Yes!"

"Gentlemen, with the rebels gathering in Xuzhou, once Xuzhou's rebels are eradicated, the entire realm's rebellion will be quelled."

"You will be honored ministers of Great Yu's resurgence, your names renowned in history!"

"We obey your orders!"

"Lord Lu, continue."

"Yes!"

Lu Xiangqing opened the memorial again and began:

"Item seven: Establish a 'Publicity Department' by the Ministry of Rites, appointing dedicated personnel to print and disseminate government-related brochures and political intelligence newsletters weekly, which can also include other contents to propagate Imperial Court ideologies."

"This project is already completed, with over forty positions established in the Publicity Department, and many clerks trained."

"Once the realm is pacified, subsidiaries can be set up across several counties, controlling the voice of the nation."

The remaining items are simple policies, quickly completed under Zheng Yi's unwavering support.

"Item eight: Establish a 'Medical College' by the Imperial Hospital and the Ministry of Rites, inviting students interested in medicine to enroll, with dedicated Imperial Physicians teaching to propagate medical knowledge."

"This policy is accomplished, having trained over three thousand qualified doctors in five years."

"These doctors have acquired basic medical knowledge and surgical treatment methods, with over two thousand placed among various armies to ensure the soldiers' safety."

"Item nine: Military Merit System."

"After its implementation, it gained the support of all soldiers in Great Yu's army."

"Fearless in battles, always leading, is what makes Great Yu's army ever-victorious, swiftly crushing the rebellion!"

"Previously, over thirty million mu of the Punishment Field were reclaimed, and more than five million mu have been rewarded to numerous meritorious ministers."

"This policy is foundational and cannot be abolished now."

Zheng Yi nodded, saying, "Esteemed ministers, the first five-year plan is more than seventy percent complete, though several policies remain unfinished for various reasons."

"What are your thoughts on Great Yu's second five-year plan?"

"I propose first that the policy of Punishment Field must not be abolished."

"At least, not for now!"

After a few moments of silence, Wang Anshi first spoke up: "Your Majesty, the new policies cannot be abolished."

By new policies, Wang Anshi refers to his led reform.

It includes land, population, commercial taxes, official taxes, and many other policies, which have been in place for two years."

Lu Xiangqing gritted his teeth, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"The chaos across Great Yu today is due to Lord Wang's reforms!"

"To stabilize the realm, I request modifications to several reforms."

"Otherwise, even if Great Yu regains stability, it will eventually rebel for various reasons!"

Wang Anshi calmly stated, "Lord Lu, the reform policies pushed by Xia Pass bring benefits now and merit for a thousand autumns!"

"Administration may initially face difficulties, but perseverance will lead to Great Yu's prosperity and glory due to these reforms!"

"Merit for a thousand autumns?"

Lu Xiangqing, gritting his teeth, said, "Without Your Majesty's wisdom, the soldiers' bravery, and the officials' loyalty, how could there be longevity for eternity?"

"To maintain the current state, I earnestly request Your Majesty to modify the new policies once the realm is settled!"

Zheng Yi inquired, "Lord Lu, which reforms do you wish to change?"

"Official taxes!"

Lu Xiangqing grit his teeth, "In over three hundred years since Great Yu was founded, there has been no such thing as official taxes."

"Besides, many peers study the writings of sages, viewing money as dirt; why then impose taxes on officials?"

"To my knowledge, in some areas, officials' salaries aren't high, not enough even to supplement their household needs, yet they must pay taxes!"

"This... Your Majesty, it defies the teachings of the sages!"