As the festival approached, the city of Dingzhou was adorned with colorful lanterns and decorations. Temples and markets bustled with activity, and even the government lifted the curfew. Along the moat at night, lanterns glimmered faintly, and crowds of people wandered about, enjoying the evening.
At this time, a large boat was slowly sailing along the river outside the city walls. On its deck sat two people, none other than Wu Ming and Wu Zhi traveling in disguise.
“It’s only upon witnessing scenes like this that one truly feels the atmosphere of the human world…”
Dressed in plain blue robes like a scholar, Wu Zhi bore no signs of hardship from years of military life. On the contrary, her martial cultivation had improved greatly, leaving her skin as smooth and fair as jade. She looked every bit the charming and graceful young gentleman, matching Wu Ming in presence and brilliance.
“This is first due to your capable governance, O Empress, and secondly because if even the capital area were filled with famine and suffering, where else could people hope to survive?”
Wu Ming smiled slightly.
The capital’s wealth and political concentration were naturally unparalleled, being the seat of imperial power. In any dynasty, the standard of living for its people was at the top. Yet to claim it represented the nation’s average would be a joke.
A gentle breeze blew through the night.
Wu Zhi and Wu Ming, having stolen a half-day respite from their busy lives, enjoyed the scenery on both sides of the river, occasionally sipping wine and reveling in the moment.
Occasionally, other decorated boats passed by, filled with music and laughter. However, before these boats could approach too closely, nearby escort vessels would move forward to disperse them.
Even though they were in disguise and possessed formidable martial skills, Wu Ming and Wu Zhi were not the types to recklessly expose themselves. Numerous guards followed them covertly.
Though these guards might not be able to handle major threats, they were certainly capable of dealing with minor disturbances.
“Xiao Ding is now of age to begin his studies. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind for his tutor?”
Wu Zhi gazed at the flowing river and suddenly asked.
“Xiao Ding is naturally bright and quick to learn anything. His academic and administrative abilities need not be a concern. The only issue is his character. Choosing the right early tutor will require careful consideration…”
Truthfully, a monarch does not necessarily need to excel in literary or martial skills. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of having ministers and generals? What truly needs to be learned is the art of rulership—selecting and managing people, and balancing power.
The most important thing is to control subordinates and avoid being deceived. Achieving this, combined with some flattery from scholars, would easily earn the title of a great and renowned emperor.
“Recently, the renowned northern scholar Huang Zong has come to Dingzhou to give lectures. Several scholars have recommended him to me. What do you think, my lord?”
Wu Zhi’s face bore a faint smile.
“A pure Confucian scholar?”
Wu Ming slightly furrowed his brow.
“My lord seems to have a bias against Confucianism?”
Wu Zhi asked curiously.
“Not at all!”
Wu Ming shook his head. “In times of chaos, restoring peace and order requires the efforts of military strategists and warriors… Of course, now that the Great Zhou controls nineteen out of the twenty-three states, Xiao Ding merely needs to be a ruler maintaining stability. Learning some Confucian and Daoist non-interventionist philosophies would be beneficial. However, for at least three generations, Confucianism should not be the primary ideology…”
Scholars rebelling would take years to achieve anything.
Frankly, did those founding emperors not understand the dangers of scholars monopolizing power?
Of course they did!
But they had no choice.
Even if scholars controlled the realm and suppressed military officials, so what? Without military power, who could possibly rebel?
After the founding of a dynasty, the military inevitably declines while Confucianism rises.
Although it is known that this will lead to military weakness in the empire’s later years, leaving it unable to suppress internal unrest or resist external threats, what can be done?
In the vast world, is there any empire that can remain powerful forever?
If military might is emphasized at the expense of scholarship, even if one can dominate the world and conquer all directions, eventual collapse is inevitable. However, by elevating scholars and clinging to tradition, at least a century of stability can be ensured.
An emperor’s primary concern is self-interest. How could he possibly hesitate in making this choice?
Practically speaking, Confucianism’s concept of hierarchical relationships between ruler and subject is indeed highly advantageous for governance. It is the most resource-efficient system, and at least on the surface, it still proclaims that if the emperor orders a minister to die, the minister must obey.
As for those military generals commanding large armies, if you order their deaths, would they comply?
Comparing these two options, anyone would know what to choose.
However, things are different at the beginning of a new dynasty. The founding emperor inevitably rises through military might, emphasizing troops and military achievements.
The second generation must continue this legacy and also eliminate domestic warlords and factions. Sole reliance on scholarly officials would not suffice. But by the third generation, when the regime is consolidated, Confucianism can be used to govern the realm, bringing peace and prosperity, perhaps even leading to a golden age.
Although the cost may be another cycle of dynastic decline after centuries, ruling for hundreds of years is still a great profit.
“So, my lord means to say that Confucianism alone won’t do?”
Wu Zhi blinked her eyes, knowing her husband’s mind was as deep and unfathomable as mountains and rivers.
The examination system, the military merit system, and others were all his ideas. After experimenting with them, the results proved remarkably effective.
Considering how he improved printing techniques, widely published books, and expanded the scholar-official class, his attitude toward Confucianism could only be described as complex.
“A pure Confucian won’t do, nor will a pure martialist. Why not combine both, emphasizing both literary and martial pursuits?”
Wu Ming sighed softly, now understanding the helplessness of founding emperors.
Didn’t they know the dangers of relying solely on Confucian officials?
But if one dares to assume the worst intentions of future generations, it would be better to be oppressed by scholars than by generals.
Even if a powerful minister emerges, at most he would secretly assassinate the emperor and install another royal family member. However, if generals gain too much power, it could lead to the complete annihilation of the royal clan.
Of course, in this world, things are somewhat different.
The existence of transcendent forces like immortals serves as a check on any dynasty.
Leaving aside other considerations, as long as Wu Ming remains, even if his descendants’ dynasty faces collapse, preserving a small line of succession and ensuring ancestral worship continues is still possible.
Outsiders may think he wants to become the guardian immortal of the new dynasty, but for Wu Ming, what is the value of the Great Zhou’s imperial aura?
If that were truly his goal, wouldn’t it have been better for him to raise an army from the beginning, declare himself king, establish an earthly immortal dynasty, and gather all the fortune and power?
If he were still a celestial immortal, perhaps becoming a national guardian immortal would bring some benefits. However, now that he has become a golden immortal with eternal life, doing so would bring more harm than good.
At the very least, after three generations, when the bloodline becomes diluted, Wu Ming has no interest in meddling with what his descendants may do.
He barely has enough time to pursue eternal life; where would he find the energy for such trivial matters?
“Combining both literary and martial pursuits? Excellent!”
Wu Zhi nodded happily, clearly sharing the same idea: “How about choosing Huang Zong as the Confucian tutor?”
“Although he is a renowned scholar, we should meet him first…”
Wu Ming felt some suspicion about this northern scholar suddenly appearing in Dingzhou.
Perhaps this person represented the interests of certain factions. It would be unwise to act hastily.
“Everything depends on my lord!”
Wu Zhi smiled sweetly.
“After the beginning of spring, this governor will launch a major campaign, right?”
Wu Ming, holding his wine cup, suddenly asked.
“Indeed!”
Wu Zhi raised her eyebrows, her previous feminine demeanor completely replaced by a fierce and resolute aura.
“Five years of growth and rest, with several consecutive harvests filling our granaries, combined with the newly formed Lingzhou Army, Yingzhou Army, and Xuzhou Army, totaling over five hundred thousand well-equipped troops, it’s time to sweep away the chaos and bring peace and prosperity to the people!”
“Excellent! Then I shall wish you success in this great endeavor!”
Wu Ming opened his celestial eye. His cultivation far surpassed that of ordinary beings, far exceeding old cultivators like Zhaixingzi and Fuchenzi. Coupled with his close relationship with Wu Zhi, he immediately saw the red true dragon.
At this moment, the dragon’s eyes were wide open, its scales bright and gleaming, appearing eager to leap into action.
Even more subtly, Wu Ming sensed the weakening of several dragon auras across the land.
“With the true dragon’s position already determined, other dragon auras will inevitably decline… This campaign of yours, O Empress, will surely sweep through the land like autumn wind clearing away fallen leaves. However, internal consolidation will still be necessary…”
Seeing this, Wu Ming slightly nodded.
…
On this festive night market, others could hardly sleep.
Inside a room at the Wisteria Academy,
Huang Zong gazed at an oil lamp on the table, his eyes slightly unfocused.
“Recently, I have observed that General Wu’s domain is rich in food supplies, fully equipped with troops, and filled with a vibrant and energetic spirit. It seems they have already decided to wage war across the land… Sigh…”
As a Confucian scholar, the ideal of unification was deeply rooted in Huang Zong’s heart. Naturally, he wished to see the land reunified once more.
However, the question of whether this unified realm would bear the Ji surname or another caused him inner conflict.
The Great Zhou had ruled for nearly three hundred years. The concept of legitimate authority sometimes seemed worthless, yet at other times, it held unimaginable power.
Although Wu Zhi had used the authority of the imperial court to successfully stabilize her rule and now possessed the strength to conquer the entire realm, there were still undercurrents within the ruling group.
If Wu Ming were present, he would inevitably recall the events of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era from his past life.
Wu Zhi’s approach of holding the emperor hostage to command the realm bore a striking resemblance to that of Chancellor Cao Cao. Just as that Prime Minister was full of confidence and preparing for a decisive battle to conquer Jiangnan, the Battle of Red Cliffs shattered his hopes for unification, laying the groundwork for the future division and confrontation of the Three Kingdoms.
If he had truly unified the realm at that time, even if the Cao family usurped the throne, the subsequent chaos of the Five Barbarians’ invasion would never have occurred.
Unfortunately, history has no “what if,” and the reasons for the defeat at Red Cliffs were numerous, with the hidden hands of pro-imperial factions clearly at play.
Now, Wu Zhi faced a similar situation.
If she truly unified the realm, with this immense prestige, it would be natural for Ji Lin to willingly abdicate. Judging from Wu Zhi’s style, this outcome was almost certain!
But would the officials in the imperial court and those who considered themselves loyal ministers of the Great Zhou truly wish to see this happen?
Their choices needed no further speculation.
Fortunately, Wu Ming, with his additional life experience, deeply understood that there is nothing new under the sun. If the pro-imperial factions of the Eastern Han Dynasty had sabotaged Cao Cao for the sake of imperial authority, then these officials of the Great Zhou could not be expected to behave any differently.
After all, the current imperial court had already served its purpose. Why wait to discard it?
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