Dingzhou City.
Since Wu Zhi pacified Lingzhou, launched a surprise attack on Xuzhou, captured the secondary capital in a single day, and was appointed Chancellor, wielding imperial authority to command the feudal lords, the first thing she did was submit a memorial stating that the secondary capital was ruined and unfit to be the capital. She then requested the Emperor to visit Dingzhou, effectively forcing the entire small court to relocate to the major base in Dingzhou.
In the same year, the era name was changed from “Ping’an” (Peace) to “Da Ding” (Great Stability).
An emperor’s era name often carries prayers and unique meanings. Some emperors use only one era name throughout their reign, while others may change it several times a year, often due to auspicious omens or other reasons.
The current era name “Da Ding” naturally carried the implication of stabilizing the world. To other feudal lords, the ambition of this woman, Wu Zhi, was thus clearly exposed.
Unfortunately, even though they were fully aware of this, faced with Wu Zhi’s overt strategy and the struggle for legitimacy, the other regional governors inevitably fell into chaos, attacking each other and causing the first anti-Wu alliance to disintegrate even before it was established.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Wu Zhi unusually ceased military campaigns, focused on recovery, and quietly built up her resources.
After years of continuous warfare, the potential of Dingzhou had already reached its limit. If she continued to press forward without regard for the foundation, there would be a risk of her hegemony collapsing overnight.
Time passed. With the largest regional power, Wu Zhi, halting hostilities, the entire realm, although still turbulent, did not witness any large-scale warfare involving more than 100,000 troops. It seemed as if the realm had entered a relatively peaceful period. Although everyone knew this calm was merely gathering strength for the final conquest of the world, it still allowed the common people at the bottom of society a rare moment to catch their breath, rather than being driven to death by the burdens of life… although they would still have to struggle in this chaotic world to come…
As the Spring Festival of the fifth year of Da Ding approached, a black-painted boat slowly entered a small port outside Dingzhou City. An elderly Confucian scholar with white hair disembarked and, looking at the bustling dock, sighed, “Even a small dock outside the city is so prosperous. It’s clear that King Ding’s governance of the people is indeed quite skillful!”
“Welcome, Teacher!”
On the dock, several scholars were already waiting: “Hearing that you are about to come here to give lectures, the students at our academy are overjoyed. Everything has been prepared, awaiting your arrival!”
“Excellent!”
This elderly scholar was named Huang Zong, a renowned Confucian scholar of the northern school. He had authored books, gained a reputation for integrity, and several times declined official appointments offered by the imperial court.
Being persuaded to come here to lecture was indeed a significant literary event for the scholars in Dingzhou.
“This place is quite good, but the atmosphere of merchants and soldiers is too strong…”
After boarding a carriage and entering Dingzhou City, looking at the bustling scenes on both sides and the young officers riding on tall horses, dressed in bright armor and frequently drawing the attention of many women, Huang Zong sighed again: “Alas, the scholarly spirit is insufficient!”
In times of chaos, military strategists can protect the borders and maintain peace, merchants can circulate goods, and even farmers can enrich production and mitigate disasters.
Wu Zhi rose to power through military might and naturally would not undermine her foundation. Soldiers’ families enjoyed privileges such as tax exemptions and service exemptions. She also actively developed production, leading to overall stability within the region, with no large-scale famines occurring within a few years. The wealthy and aristocratic families even took pride in marrying into military families.
However, to some conservative Confucians, this was seen as “declining moral standards and a loss of traditional values.”
Although Huang Zong was relatively open-minded, at heart he remained a pure Confucian scholar and felt that the lack of scholarly culture in this place might lead to future troubles.
Of course, he would not voice such thoughts at this moment.
The elder Confucian scholar stroked his beard and turned to another topic: “On my way here, I saw many farmlands and villages. Since the first year of Da Ding, both Dingzhou and Lingzhou have enjoyed favorable weather conditions. It seems King Ding has indeed received the Mandate of Heaven!”
“That’s right, Teacher’s words are wise.”
The scholars all nodded in agreement.
In ancient times, grain production was a matter of life and death for a nation.
Natural disasters led to famines, famines caused refugees, and rebels emerged from the refugee population, further damaging agricultural production. Essentially, the end of a dynasty was often trapped in this vicious cycle.
As long as the people could have enough food and clothing and manage their lives, they generally did not care much about who ruled them.
With several consecutive harvests in Dingzhou and Lingzhou, granaries were filled with old grain, and the stability of the people was achieved—this was quite formidable, indicating the consolidation of the ruling foundation. If other regions were also in such a state, it would likely lead to a period of division and consolidation among various kings, similar to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in Wu Ming’s previous life.
Now, with only Wu Zhi’s domain in such a state, it was even more of an omen heralding the emergence of a wise ruler!
Although, this very omen, embodied in Wu Zhi, was a source of great frustration for many Confucian scholars.
“Sigh… King Ding is good in every way, but she is too lenient toward soldiers and merchants…”
Although Huang Zong did not wish to bring it up, other scholars voiced their complaints: “We scholars are the foundation of governance. King Ding’s approach is putting the cart before the horse. She even uses an examination system to scrutinize us scholars, which is simply an insult to our dignity…”
Before Wu Zhi’s time, not just anyone could become a scholar.
To be called a scholar-gentry, one had to be at least a landowner, for otherwise, one could not afford to support a non-productive laborer for a long time or purchase books for study.
At that time, as long as a scholar had achieved academic success and gained a reputation in the countryside, he could be recommended for official service, leading to the cultivation of a group of “talents” who were skilled only in making a show of integrity and engaging in idle discussions, but knew nothing about governance.
Now, Wu Zhi implemented the examination system, improving papermaking and printing techniques to expand the pool of candidates, while also incorporating more practical content into the exams, making the examination system more akin to selecting clerks rather than directly appointing local officials.
How could these traditional scholars tolerate such a change?
This gentleman was clearly one of those who had failed the exams and was unwilling to study and take the tests alongside the commoners.
“A truly extraordinary person must have extraordinary actions!”
Regarding the examination system, Huang Zong was not particularly hostile.
He even greatly appreciated the practice of requiring scholars to start as grassroots clerks before rising to official positions: “Within Confucianism, there are also schools that emphasize the people and practical governance. Without serving as a minor clerk, how can one become a local parent-official?”
“Actually, I am quite eager to meet King Ding!”
At this time, the overall situation of the realm was gradually becoming clear, and Wu Zhi was the most likely to seize the throne.
Once successful, she would inevitably become a female emperor.
What kind of turmoil would this bring to the entire realm, and what policies would this female emperor employ to govern the country? Huang Zong felt it was his duty to plead on behalf of the people and advise this monarch.
Unfortunately, he was unaware that this entire strategy was not entirely Wu Zhi’s doing, but rather the work of Wu Ming.
…
The Mansion of King Ding.
Although the imperial court had relocated here, in theory the Emperor was supreme, the scale of the mansion still greatly exceeded the regulations. Including the officials, military officers, and others who came and went, it was even far more grand than the imperial palace.
Wu Zhi had no intention of showing any restraint.
She was already preparing to usurp the throne; such a minor transgression was merely a test of the waters.
If any reckless individual dared to speak out, she wouldn’t even need to act herself. Her subordinates, both civil and military, would quickly teach the person a lesson.
At this moment, in the back garden.
Wu Ming wore a plain dark silk robe, his hair simply tied into a topknot. He smiled as he watched the small figure being played with by several nursemaids.
Inside the flower pavilion, tea was being brewed on a small stove. The spring water boiled, emitting white steam. The tea leaves by the side were a vibrant green, exuding a delicate fragrance, clearly a rare and precious variety—Ling tea.
“The young masters and mistresses are very lively. For breakfast today, the second young master alone ate a bowl of millet porridge and two jade steamed buns…”
An elderly servant nearby said in a flattering tone.
“Oh? Really? That’s good then!”
Wu Ming opened his arms, and the two little ones, who had been running around the hall, eagerly rushed over: “Father… hold me!”
“Ha ha… Good!”
He held one in each arm, feeling the slight warmth of their bodies, and a long-forgotten emotion surfaced in his heart.
“No matter how much cultivation I attain, I am still a human being after all!”
To achieve supreme detachment might eventually lead one to forget even their own existence. Even if eternal, what meaning would that hold?
True eternity is great transcendence and great freedom, where emotions evolve with the world but are not burdened by it.
“Is Zhong’er behaving well?”
He smiled and asked, his face radiating the warmth of a doting father.
Indeed, over the years, he had not been idle. At least, his harem had given birth to many children.
This second son, Wu Zhong, was born to Wu Zhi, while several daughters were born to Princess Duanrui and other concubines.
“Hmm?”
Just as Wu Ming was enjoying the bliss of playing with his children, a strange feeling suddenly arose within him.
Even with his formidable composure, his expression involuntarily changed slightly.
“The evolution of that universe… has it ended? Is my projected consciousness about to return?”
Back in the main deity hall, upon discovering the coordinates of that steam-powered universe, despite some hesitation, he had still dispatched a projection of himself, all for the sake of the secret of Da Luo.
Even now, he had no intention of giving up.
Although, after his projection arrived in that world, it had suffered some vague manipulations, and through a series of strategic moves, Wu Ming had been compelled to follow up. Yet, he still had confidence in his methods, and even more so now.
After all, to prevent his projection from rebelling, he had implanted numerous secret techniques into its soul.
Unless the projection’s level had far surpassed his own, it should still be under his control.
“You all go first. Tell Ding’er that I won’t be checking his lessons today!”
Wu Ming waved his hand, dismissing the others. The entire flower pavilion became quiet in an instant.
He touched his forehead, and his consciousness instantly sank into the main deity hall.
Boom!
Within the main deity hall, numerous halls resonated together. Ripples spread inside, faintly revealing countless illusory images of different worlds.
This incredible artifact, composed of numerous paradises and worlds, rejoiced in this moment, seemingly welcoming the arrival of its master.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage