Eternal Life as False Emperor

"Your Majesty?"

Lu Xiangqing looked at Zheng Yi in confusion.

Regarding the post-war eradication of banditry, undoubtedly reinstating the State Governor System is the most prudent approach.

Only by concentrating the power of an entire state in one person can the administration and military operations be conducted most efficiently, choking out banditry at its inception.

Your Majesty... why do you disagree?

Zheng Yi shook his head.

With experience from his past life, he certainly knows what the State Governor System entails.

Once restarted, the State Governor System will surely lead to the fragmentation of power by Vassal Towns, potentially causing even more severe issues.

Indeed, the State Governor System can most efficiently mobilize all human and material resources in a large state to achieve administrative goals swiftly.

However, the core of the State Governor System is entirely based on the loyalty of the State Governor to the Emperor and the Imperial Court.

If this State Governor harbors rebellious thoughts, it will inevitably lead to turmoil in the state, making it akin to one of the Dukes.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Zheng Yi would never restart the State Governor System.

Currently, the State Governor System in Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States has already become nominal.

One State Governor leads troops to quell rebels, while the other remains stationed at Black Mountain Pass to resist Wu Country.

Since these two states are like this, how can other states easily restart the State Governor System?

Wang Anshi spoke up: "Your Majesty, if you are unwilling to restart the State Governor System, what other approach can suppress the banditry following the rebellion?"

"Although these bandits pose little threat locally, they certainly represent instability."

"Each time bandits are suppressed, we need to muster a great army, which is costly, and even involves collusion between officials and bandits..."

Wang Anshi's eyes suddenly brightened, and he said, "Your Majesty, are you considering the Military Region System?"

A few years ago, Zheng Yi attempted to establish the Nanyue Military Region in Nanyue County, beyond merely a military district system.

Who could have imagined that Xu Xuanwu would harbor rebellious intentions, and the Military Region System directly doubled his power.

If it weren't for Xu Mujun's suppression, Xu Xuanwu would have been the strongest rebel force under heaven.

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Indeed, that is my intention."

"Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"

Lu Xiangqing was anxious, quickly saying, "Have you forgotten the calamity caused by Xu Xuanwu?"

"If not for Xu Xuanwu, Nanyue County and Yunzhou, Yuezhou wouldn't have faced rebellion; if not for Grand General Xu..."

"Minister Lu, regarding the Military Region System, I have my own ideas."

Zheng Yi spoke: "I intend to divide Great Yu into several military regions, with each region's forces radiating across neighboring states and counties."

"Each military region shall be appointed a General, three Deputy Generals, to suppress the locality."

"Within the military region, the General has rights to train and command troops, but no authority to deploy them!"

"Moreover, the General and Deputy Generals in each military region shall serve five-year terms. After which, they must be exchanged with other regions' Generals or given positions."

"And when the General and Deputy Generals are reassigned to another region, they can only lead their Personal Guards, not mobilizing a single soldier within the region."

"In this way, stability in regional governance can be maintained, ensuring loyalty to me while suppressing the borders of Great Yu."

"Does this seem suitable?"

Zheng Yi's words plunged the attendees into deep contemplation.

The power to train and command, but no authority to deploy?

In other words, the General of a military region needs Imperial Court approval to mobilize its soldiers once granted the authority?

The five-year rotation of military region Generals thus prevents cliques and the problem of large entrenchments.

If so...

Li Changfeng's eyes subtly brightened, saying, "Your Majesty, I second this!"

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Of course, the Military Region System will be implemented only after nationwide peace is achieved, and the Cabinet may establish procedures and select military region Generals."

Seeing Zheng Yi's resolve, the others could only helplessly say, "We second this!"

"What about other policies..."

Subsequently, several policies were deliberated, all concerning Great Yu's most pressing issues.

Some policies were sensitive enough to summon other Ministers of the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers for discussion.

Only half a month later, the new plan was finally promulgated!

In the 10th Year of Zhengyong, May 10th.

"By heaven's command, the Emperor decrees:"

"In the 5th Year of Zhengyong... with the people's support for Great Yu, officials and citizens united... enhancing Great Yu's national strength, stabilizing people's livelihood, and ensuring peaceful living."

"Five years have passed; henceforth proclaiming..."

"First item: Focus on suppressing Southern rebels, with Qingzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, and Jiangzhou as the final targets, striving to eradicate all rebels within five years."

"Second item: Initially establishing five primary military regions, to quell banditry following rebel suppression, suppress disorderly people, and maintain local stability and prosperity."

"Third item: Reaffirm the 'Punishment Field' strategy, increasing punitive measures to ensure a clean administration, so officials serve the people."

"Fourth item: Robustly develop light industries, primarily for civilian welfare."

"Fifth item: Establish official schools by county units, requiring school fees for age-appropriate children, with scholarships for the talented. Upon completing twelve years of education in various subjects, recognized as scholars eligible for the Imperial Examination."

"Sixth item: Due to Southern rebellions, the Imperial Examination is temporarily halted, with a need to hold two reliable events within five years, eligible students to stay informed through Publicity Department newspapers."

"Seventh item: Reaffirm the 'Military Merit System', bestowing rewards and promotions for distinguished military achievements."

"Eighth item: Reaffirm the 'Martial Arts Department', granting significant rewards to civilian Grandmaster Realm and Innate Realm Martial Artists who join."

"Ninth item: For newly recovered areas like Yongzhou, Shuzhou, Jingzhou, Haizhou, Binzhou, Yunzhou, Yuezhou, exempt land taxes for three years, while business and customs taxes are normally collected."

"Tenth item: Seek talented and extraordinary individuals nationwide to serve the country."

Though court officials were still discussing, the debate compared to the first time was noticeably less.

In the face of a great enemy and under immense pressure, the eyes of many officials remain focused on the south.

After all, with the southern rebel coalition converged, over a million rebels have gathered in Xuzhou.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Court's grand army, with Xu Mujun, Miaoo Xiu, Cui Xiawu, Jin Peng, Tang Zhengkou, and others, are also leading their troops towards Xuzhou.

The Dragon-soaring Army, county soldiers, New Army, and Imperial Guard, among many other forces, have gathered in Xuzhou, with the Imperial Court's grand army numbering over five hundred thousand.

For the moment, countless troops are converging in Xuzhou, awaiting the arrival of the final decisive battle.

During this time, Zheng Yi, besides dispatching Ministry of War personnel to monitor the army's movements at all times, has made numerous preparations.

Baiyu City.

"Minister Ma Jinwu, at Your Majesty's service!"

The Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Ma Jinwu, has finally returned to the capital.

For five years he had been investigating the intelligence of Mayfly Tower outside, but unfortunately, until now he has little useful intelligence in his hands.

During these five years, he also fortunately broke through to become an Innate Realm Martial Artist!

"Please rise, my dear minister."

Zheng Yi said, "These years have been arduous for you, my loyal minister."

Ma Jinwu said, "Serving Your Majesty is the duty of your humble servant!"

"Your Majesty, these past years I have been exclusively investigating Mayfly Tower, and now I have located their base in Jiangzhou, awaiting Your Majesty's command at any time."

"No need to rush."

Zheng Yi said, "The final battle between our Great Yu Court and the rebels is impending, and I have another important task for you."

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi said, "The rebels from the four southern states have now united, with forces exceeding a million, including not a few Innate masters, and cultivators hiding in the shadows."

"I'm concerned that Grand General Xu and the higher-ups may be left vulnerable, so I command you to lead many martial artists of the Martial Arts Department to Xuzhou to support Grand General Xu."

Ma Jinwu immediately said, "Your humble servant obeys the command!"

"Additionally..."

Zheng Yi waved his hand, and six rosewood boxes appeared in front of him, exuding a faint aromatic scent.

Strangely, the sealing edges of the rosewood boxes were covered with blood scabs, making them look very peculiar.

"Within these six rosewood boxes are sealed six spirit insects, which are the fiercest of all creatures, impervious to blades and spears, resistant to water and fire, capable of easily killing even an Innate Realm powerhouse."

"However, once released, they will attack anyone nearby. I will give you a mantra and a bottle of essence blood, which you can use to temporarily control these six spirit insects."

Zheng Yi instructed, "Should any cultivators from the rebel forces intervene, you can open these six boxes, releasing the spirit insects to attack and kill the cultivators. Do you understand?"

The rosewood boxes contained, of course, the Blood Moon Gu specifically blood-sacrificed by Zheng Yi.

The current Blood Moon Gu, after being continuously refined with essence blood by Zheng Yi, has already reached the late stage of Qi cultivation.

With six Blood Moon Gu of late-stage Qi cultivation, he did not believe there was anyone in the entire Great Yu who could resist.

Ma Jinwu solemnly accepted the six boxes, saying in a deep voice, "Your humble servant obeys the command, and I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"By the way, Your Majesty, I wish to know, how many Innate powerhouses and Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists does the Martial Arts Department currently have?"

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Besides you, there are six Innate powerhouses and over twenty Grandmaster Realm Martial Artists."

"S-six Innate!"

Ma Jinwu took a sharp breath.

Last year, when he broke through to become an Innate Realm Martial Artist, he had basked in self-satisfaction for quite some time, believing himself to be among the top three in the world in Innate strength.

There was even a period when he thought about challenging Xu Mujun.

Unexpectedly... the Martial Arts Department had actually recruited six Innate Realm powerhouses over these years!

This... is truly terrifying.

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Among these six Innate powerhouses, some are from Taiyii Dao, some from martial arts halls, and others from military backgrounds, martial arts communities, but all are loyal and trustworthy, not to be underestimated."

"Our Great Yu is destined by fate, and more Innate powerhouses will emerge in the future, there's no need for such astonishment."

"Yes... Your Majesty."

Ma Jinwu respectfully said, "Your humble servant will not fail in assisting Grand General Xu in pacifying Jiangnan!"

"You may leave."

"As you command!"

At this moment in Northern Youzhou, a woman was standing alone at the bow of a boat crossing the Canglong River, wearing a veil and dressed in a black Daoist Robe, her eyes bright and spirited.

Gazing at the deep and dark waters of the Canglong River, the woman said softly, "This journey to Xueyun Country has finally brought me some fortune, though I wonder how Xiabing is doing."

"That damn Emperor of Great Yu, incompetent and disgraceful, has incited rebellion across the land, it's truly deserving of death!"

"When I return to the palace, I must take Xiabing to Xueyun Country for secluded cultivation."

"That Xueyun Country's Beiji Palace remains close to the mainland thanks to the Ten Thousand Years Profound Ice maintaining its tradition."

"Xueyun Country shows signs of Spiritual Qi Revival, certainly a holy land for our kind."

"Now that Beiji Palace has opened its gates, recruiting disciples, Xiabing is truly well-suited to go there..."

Just then, another small boat appeared on the surface of the Canglong River, with two faint figures, one tall and one short.

The river wind carried the sound of a chant.

"Captured the golden crystal to secure the life base, the sun soul in the east and moon glow in the west."

"Within breathing, forging the elixir of longevity, after consumption to equal the heavens and earth."

"Do not blame the scarce news from Jasper Pool, only because worldly matters obscure the heavenly secrets."

"Should one find the fire in the water, there will be a yellow youth ascending to Taiwei~"

Simultaneously, a voice came again from the towering figure on the boat.

"I am Tianxingzi, to the one ahead, could you come aboard for a discussion?"