Great news was delivered to Wu’an, filling the courtiers with immense joy. Some even ventured to submit memorials, suggesting that since Tai Province had been secured, the Emperor could now return to Jianping.
Their actions were not entirely driven by personal motives; indeed, Jianping was the central hub of governance, urgently requiring the Emperor’s presence to oversee state affairs.
Wen Yanran set aside all the memorials urging her return without issuing any responses and instead turned her attention to addressing the post-war challenges.
Chi Yi noted that the Emperor, having enjoyed only a brief respite, had once again begun working late into the night. Both were somewhat concerned, yet it was difficult to persuade the Emperor, who had legitimate reasons for working overtime, to rest more. Although the Western Tribes had been defeated, conquering a realm was easier than governing it. For this reason, Wen Yanran had not only come personally but had also brought a cohort of civil officials to better manage post-war affairs.
Many ministers thought that while they generally agreed with the Emperor’s views, the late emperor would likely have held a different opinion on the phrase “conquering a realm is easier.”
In the back office.
Having spent half an hour reviewing memorials, Wen Yanran rose to her feet and stretched her limbs. Observant attendants quickly approached to massage her arms.
Wen Yanran glanced at the remaining, unprocessed memorials on the desk and sighed inwardly – to become a domineering and powerful, yet tyrannical ruler, she had indeed sacrificed far too much.
“Accompany me for a stroll outside,” she said.
The back office was not spacious, but thanks to the arrangements by the palace attendants, it still offered a few sights worth appreciating. Wen Yanran paused for a moment by a cluster of bamboo before walking to a pavilion built atop a rockery to gaze at the distant mountain silhouette.
The palace attendants admired inwardly: the emerald bamboo symbolized resilience and integrity, while the distant mountains represented the Emperor’s grand aspirations. Though the Emperor spoke little, every gesture carried the majestic aura of a sovereign destined to command the realm.
Wen Yanran took a deep breath in the pavilion – frequently gazing at green plants indeed soothed the eyes considerably.
She casually opened the game panel to check the latest updates.
[System:
[War] [War Against the Western Tribes] Major Victory.
Player has achieved the achievement [Current content not displayed].]
Wen Yanran: “…?”
She remembered that achievements had been displayed quite normally before. Why had things suddenly gone awry again?
If the system possessed the ability to communicate normally with the player, it would surely let out a heartrending wail directed at its current host – although the power accumulated from the previous defeat had not yet been exhausted, the first two characters of [Wise Ruler Restores Order] in the current achievement were precisely among the strictly forbidden and vigilantly blocked terms in Guide to Becoming a Tyrant…
[System:
Side Quest [War Against the Western Tribes] concluded. Player has successfully survived. Wishing you an enjoyable game.
Note: Authority data has been updated. Please check via the [Personal Information] interface.]
Before Wen Yanran transmigrated, she had once seen someone ask in the comments section why, after successfully completing a game mission, the notification that popped up always read “successfully survived.”
This question was quickly answered. The most upvoted reply was that in Monarch’s Conquest, being an emperor was an extremely high-risk job. Many players were assassinated immediately after ascending the throne. If they failed to quickly raise their personal authority, they could even trigger a Bad End where they were poisoned to death by a palace attendant.
After transmigration, Wen Yanran also came to truly understand the importance of prestige. In certain situations, an emperor’s authority could be seen as a form of action currency. If her prestige was high enough, she could make ministers agree to actions they normally would not. Of course, this would also consume a certain amount of that prestige. When she had forcibly left the capital on her campaign earlier, her central prestige had directly dropped to 60, and her profession bonus had decreased from 10 to 5. When news of defeats kept coming, it had once even fallen below 50.
Under normal circumstances, when a player’s central authority continued to fall, they should return to Jianping to stabilize the situation. Fortunately, among the three senior officials Wen Yanran had entrusted with state affairs, the Song family was loyal and upright, the State Preceptor was cautious, and the Yuan family was compliant. Although they were worried about the war on the front lines, they still diligently performed their duties every day. Lu Yuanguang, responsible for provisions and logistics, had been won over by the emperor during the snow disaster in the two commanderies and had long harbored a willingness to die for Wen Yanran. Meanwhile, Yan Xiaolou, responsible for commanding the Imperial Guards and external defenses, was utterly loyal. It was thanks to them that no turmoil erupted in the heartland of Jianzhou.
Wen Yanran reflected that her reign had been too brief, resulting in somewhat inflated prestige figures. Once faced with adversity, they would plummet rapidly.
She then opened the Personal Information interface to check the latest status –
[Prestige (Central): 9020 (Profession Bonus)
Prestige (Southern): 5020 (Profession Bonus)
Prestige (Western Neutral Forces): 3020 (Profession Bonus)
Prestige (Western Hostile Forces): 5040 (Profession Bonus)]
After the entire Tai Province region was pacified, the information for the Western territories split into two categories. Wen Yanran could understand that there were still many opposing forces in the Western lands. After all, the Jianping army had just cut down numerous foes on the battlefield, and as the faction leader, it was only natural that she bore the brunt of the enmity. However, what puzzled Wen Yanran was why her prestige among hostile forces was actually higher than among neutral ones.
If Fuhe Fang, the ambitious schemer of the Western Tribes, were in heaven with a lingering spirit and knew of the Emperor’s current thoughts, he would surely urge her to reflect on just what she had done to those opposing forces…
With the war concluded, the information in the [War Sandbox] naturally ceased updating. Wen Yanran examined the final data and discovered that the number of troops under her command had increased by nearly 50,000 compared to before the war.
Still very much a novice in military affairs, Wen Yanran had not yet clearly grasped just how remarkable an achievement this was.
While achieving a complete victory, Jianping had also successfully avoided significant losses to its own forces. When Tao Jia and others discussed the Emperor privately, they often compared Wen Yanran to ancient renowned generals who, despite having no prior military experience, shone brilliantly once on the battlefield – truly, Heaven favored Great Zhou to grant them such a ruler, accomplished in both civil and military affairs.
After confirming the data, Wen Yanran returned to her chambers to continue reviewing memorials. She summoned Cui Xinjing, Ren Feihong, Gao Changjian, and others to discuss post-war arrangements for the Western Tribes.
Wen Yanran said, “We have already considered the matter. Previously, official positions in the Western region were often privately traded. From now on, all ranked official posts must be appointed by the court. For now, we can select more people from Dan and Tai regions to study at the Jianping Imperial Academy. After passing examinations, they may then be conferred official positions.”
Ren Feihong asked, “May Your Majesty clarify: are the local indigenous people also included in this selection?”
Wen Yanran replied, “Whether indigenous or Han settlers, all are my subjects and should be treated as one.”
Upon hearing this, Ren Feihong composed her expression slightly, rose, and bowed to the Emperor. “Your Majesty is sagely and wise.”
Wen Yanran smiled. “Minister Ren, please be seated. In private audiences, there is no need for such formality.” She then added, “Subsequently, laws and regulations must naturally be standardized.”
She selected several memorials from the pile, each recording the unlawful acts of local powerful families who had migrated from the Central Plains to the west, as well as the oppressive exactions carried out by prominent indigenous western clans.
Wen Yanran said, “First, publicly execute these two groups according to the law, and use this to inform the people that the government will not treat the people differently. In the future, schools should be established here to educate the people, making them understand that we are fundamentally one. If the western people are willing to change their names and adopt Central Plain attire, the government can update their household registrations accordingly. If they do not wish to remain in the Western region and plan to migrate inward, arrangements can also be made for them.” She then smiled and added, “Recently, I have also summoned local village heads for consultation. The Western mountains and forests produce many local specialties. For instance, the Fuhe clan is highly skilled in using herbal remedies for external injuries, while the Dushi clan excels at brocade weaving. Going forward, trade routes can be widely opened.”
Ren Feihong’s expression shifted slightly. Remembering the Emperor’s earlier instruction not to stand on ceremony, she restrained herself from speaking further.
The Sovereign first centralized the authority of the Western territories, then guided them with moral education, restrained them with laws, divided them through changes in household registration, and simultaneously enticed them with benefits… Thinking of this, Ren Feihong suddenly felt a sense of release. She now completely let go of her earlier dissatisfaction that Fuhe Fang had not heeded her strategies that day. After all, with an opponent like the Sovereign, even if the Fuhe clan had acted entirely according to her plans, they could have at most delayed the outcome slightly. It would not have affected the overall situation and would only have increased casualties in vain.
Gao Changjian cupped his hands and respectfully inquired, “This matter is intricate and multi-faceted. May I ask whom Your Majesty will dispatch to handle it?”
His words at this moment implied a willingness to volunteer to remain and serve as an official here. As a member of the Jianzhou Gao clan, Gao Changjian himself held considerable prestige and might be able to overcome all difficulties to implement the Emperor’s policies.
Wen Yanran smiled faintly. “Having come all the way to Wu’an, I of course intend to personally visit Tai Province.”
Upon hearing this, Gao Changjian was momentarily taken aback before bowing in acknowledgment. “As Your Majesty commands.”
Five days later.
The imperial procession, whose return to the capital had been urged by court officials, arrived at Tai Province under the escort of Zhong Zhiwei and others.
The drizzle that had persisted for an untold number of days finally ceased, and the sky cleared up, a rare occurrence. The Emperor’s carriage slowly proceeded along the streets, arriving at the former residence of Inspector Wang You. An order was then issued that the Emperor would personally summon local officials, clan leaders, and commoners of the Western Tribes here, and afterward, would personally adjudicate legal cases.
The first to gain an audience with the Emperor was still Wang You. Assisted by guards, she slowly made her way forward but suddenly stopped halfway, squinting her eyes as she gazed from a distance toward where the Emperor was.
At this moment, an exceedingly complex emotion welled up in Wang You’s heart. She clearly should have harbored greater resentment toward the other, yet as the moment of meeting approached, she felt a profound sense of awe, as if something weighty was pressing down upon her heart.
A young lady dressed in palace attendant robes approached Wang You and said courteously, “Her Majesty summons the Inspector for an audience.”
Although the Western Tribes had been defeated, the disposition of the outcome had not yet been publicly announced. Thus, the title of Inspector of Tai Province still rested, for now, upon Wang You’s head.
The location where Wen Yanran received Wang You was the front hall of the Inspector’s residence. Wang You should have been very familiar with this place, yet now she felt a profound sense of unfamiliarity.
With the change of its master, the residence naturally transformed. It was only today, after many years of separation from the Central Plains, that Tai Province finally welcomed its true lord.
Perhaps because it was a clear day, all the doors and windows of the front hall were open, making both the interior and exterior bright. Wang You slowly walked inside. Before she could clearly discern the other’s appearance, the inner chamber suddenly seemed to dim, with all light converging solely upon the young sovereign dressed in a dark, bluish-grey robe.
Emperor Li had favored ornate, embroidered robes, but the new emperor’s attire was unexpectedly simple and plain. No imperial seal or jade pendants hung at the waist, and the hair was bound not with a beaded crown but with a simple gauze cap.
In a daze, Wang You knelt and bowed. She felt that even if they had met not within the residence but on a street outside, she would have instantly understood that the person before her was the current emperor, the Sovereign of Great Zhou.
This is what is meant by imperial bearing!
Wen Yanran granted Wang You a seat and inquired in detail about the affairs of Tai Province, from climate and agricultural issues to the livelihoods of the people, proceeding all the way to personnel appointments and removals, and disputes among the various clans. Wang You had been summoned just past noon, and it was not until nearly bedtime that she finally rose to take her leave.
Just before leaving, Wang You suddenly prostrated herself once more, bowing low: “My youngest daughter… previously followed Attendant Cui to the capital…”
Wen Yanran nodded before the other could finish. “Since your youngest daughter has already entered the Imperial Academy, I shall ensure she is properly educated from now on.”
Wang You touched her forehead to the ground and rose only after three full bows -though the sky had grown dim, she inexplicably felt that the bright sunlight of daytime still seemed to gather upon the Sovereign.
While receiving outsiders, Zhong Zhiwei had stood by the Emperor’s side as part of the background, speaking only when absolutely necessary. Naturally, she did not voice her thoughts now – Your Majesty has just turned fourteen this year, while Inspector Wang’s youngest daughter is already in her twenties…
