Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 205 Grand Plan

Chang'an, Weiyang Palace, Xuanzheng Hall.

Outside the hall, the spring snow was just beginning to melt, and the water droplets dripping from the eaves shimmered like scattered gold in the morning light. Inside the hall, a huge bronze animal-shaped charcoal brazier burned with smokeless, high-quality silver charcoal, warm as spring, yet unable to dispel the heavy, solemn, and imminent invisible pressure in the air.

Three years.

Three years have passed since Chen Xing ascended the throne after offering sacrifices to Heaven in the southern suburbs of Chang'an, establishing his rule over the Central Plains and changing the era name to "Qiming". These three years were not a period of complacency, but rather a period of dormancy where the fierce tiger lay low and bided its time. The vast empire, like a newly assembled precision machine, was rapidly but steadily working, accumulating strength under the control of Chen Xing and his core team.

On the imperial steps, Chen Xing sat regally on the nine-dragon gilded throne. Now past thirty, he had grown a short beard, and his features, honed by long reign and the administration of state, were more sharply defined. His gaze was calm and profound, exuding an air of quiet authority. His black robe embroidered with twelve gold symbols accentuated his imposing figure, making him appear like an unyielding mountain, steadfastly guarding the vast empire.

Beneath the imperial steps, civil and military officials stood in orderly ranks, a vast assembly. The civil officials were headed by Grand Secretary Jia Wen, Minister of Revenue Su Xiaoxiao, Vice Minister of Rites Lin Wan'er, and Minister of Works Zhao Tiezhu, while the military generals were distinguished by Duke Chen Wei, Duke Dian Xiong, and Marquis Shen Qing. The youthful exuberance of the early years of the dynasty had faded from their faces, replaced by a mature composure and competence, their gazes fixed intently on the emperor on the throne.

"My lords," Chen Xing's voice, though not loud, carried clearly to every corner of the hall, possessing a metallic quality, "After three years of recuperation and diligent governance, I have only one question for you at this court assembly: How does the strength of my Xingqi Empire compare to that of three years ago?"

Minister of Revenue Su Xiaoxiao stepped forward. Today, she wore the crimson official robes of a second-rank minister, a Jinxian cap, and her makeup was elegant. Her features still retained the refined beauty of a woman from Jiangnan, but her demeanor was completely different—capable, precise, and confident. Holding a jade tablet, she spoke in a clear and articulate voice: "Your Majesty, the national treasury's annual revenue has more than doubled compared to the first year of the Qiming era. Of this, the sea salt monopoly, the improved commercial tax, and trade with the Western Regions and the South China Sea contributed more than half. The grain stored in the imperial granary can supply the needs of the officials and people of the whole country for a year without shortage. The granaries in various regions are also full, sufficient to prepare for famine. The 'Qiming Tongbao' coins minted by the Mint are circulating throughout the world, with a stable value, and counterfeiting has almost disappeared."

Minister of Works Zhao Tiezhu then reported. This veteran official, who had followed Chen Xing from the very beginning, now had graying temples, but was still vigorous and spoke in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, in the past three years, three new and widened 'Tianqi Official Roads' connecting the north and south have been constructed. The main road, centered on Chang'an, extends east to Luoyang and Yangzhou, north to Youzhou, west to Liangzhou, and south to Jiangling. Post stations and beacon towers along the way are complete, and messages can be delivered by fast horses to the border in ten days. In terms of water conservancy, dozens of dangerous sections of the Yellow River, Huai River, and Yangtze River have been dredged, and thousands of new irrigation canals and ponds have been built. Last year, the south experienced a slight drought, but it did not cause a major disaster. The new curved-shaft plow and waterwheel from the Directorate of Works have been promoted to various prefectures north of the Yangtze River, greatly increasing agricultural efficiency."

Although the Minister of War was not present, Chen Wei stepped forward and reported in his capacity as Grand General of the Military Council: "Your Majesty, the national military command has been initially established. The standing imperial guards number 200,000, all equipped with steel armor and weapons, and the rate of deployment of crossbows has reached 30%. Local garrison troops take turns on duty, training tirelessly, and the number of combat-ready troops is no less than 500,000. As for the naval forces," he looked at Shen Qing, "they have more than 200 warships, 30,000 sailors, and ten new-style warships are already in service, patrolling from the East China Sea to the South China Sea. Pirates have disappeared, and trade routes are unimpeded."

Shen Qing stepped forward. This former renowned naval general of the Southern Dynasty, who had been highly valued after surrendering, was now fully armored. He clasped his hands in a deep voice and said, "Your Majesty, the naval soldiers have been training day and night, ready for battle, awaiting only Your Majesty's command!"

Among the civil officials, Lin Wan'er, the Vice Minister of Rites, moved gracefully. Her demeanor was gentle and refined, her air thick with scholarly elegance, and her voice was like pearls falling on a jade plate: "Your Majesty, over the past three years, official schools have been widely established in all prefectures and counties, and elementary education textbooks have been compiled and distributed uniformly by the Hanlin Academy. Last autumn, scholars from both the north and south took the imperial examinations together, and eight hundred were selected, with over sixty percent coming from humble backgrounds, a fact praised by both the court and the public. The newly revised *Qiming Zhidian* has been promulgated throughout the land, and 'Mingfa Chuan' (legal advisors) have been established in prefectures and counties to lecture on it, so that the people know the law and lawsuits have decreased. The number of students at the Imperial Academy and the National Academy in Chang'an has exceeded three thousand, and the flourishing of education is gradually returning to the former glory of the Han and Tang dynasties."

Finally, Grand Secretary Jia Wen, this cunning and ruthless strategist, now holding the highest position in the court, possessed an increasingly profound and reserved demeanor. He slowly stepped forward, his voice low but carrying a powerful, summarizing tone: "Your Majesty, three years of recuperation and three years of training have resulted in a full treasury, strong and well-equipped armor and weapons, smooth roads, a revival of culture and education, and while the administration is not perfect, effective oversight has curbed corruption. The people's hearts are with us, and the borders are relatively peaceful. The nation's strength today is incomparable to that of three years ago, and far surpasses the heyday of the previous dynasty. The foundation of the empire has been firmly laid."

As the reports from high-ranking officials came one by one, a magnificent picture of a prosperous nation and thriving life unfolded slowly in the court and in the hearts of every official. Three years had transformed into tangible goods: grain, steel, roads, books, swords, and warships. Everyone's breathing quickened slightly involuntarily, and a surge of pride welled up in their hearts.

Chen Xing listened quietly, his fingers lightly tapping the dragon head on the armrest of the throne. After Jia Wen finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the hall. He slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping across every face below with an almost tangible intensity.

"My lords," he spoke again, his voice still steady, yet seemingly containing the power of a thunderbolt, "three years of dormancy were not for the sake of a precarious peace. You and I have weathered storms and fought countless battles to establish this nation, not to rule from afar and guard this half of the land!"

He stood up, the hem of his dark robe swaying slightly. With his movement, the air in the entire hall seemed to tighten.

"The misty rain of Jiangnan and the romantic scenery of Qinhuai are indeed captivating. However, with the separatist regimes still in power and the divided empire ununified, my heart is uneasy. Are the hearts of you, my ministers, at peace?" His voice gradually rose, carrying the tone of metal and stone. "My ambition, since my humble beginnings, has never changed—to unify the empire and bring the four seas under one rule!"

"Boom!" It was as if an invisible thunderclap exploded in the hall. Although they had a premonition, everyone's blood still boiled instantly when the emperor himself uttered this ultimate goal.

"At today's court assembly, I hereby announce the national policy—" Chen Xing's voice was resolute, echoing beneath the majestic dome of the Xuanzheng Hall, proclaiming the arrival of a new era:

"Conquer the south and unify the world!"

"Effective immediately, the Empire enters a full-scale wartime regime. All decrees and resources must prioritize the southern expedition! The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Grand Council must produce detailed strategies and budgets within ten days! The Jinghai Navy must prepare to cross the river and engage in a decisive battle a thousand miles away!"

He descended the imperial steps, his steps steady, his gaze sharp as lightning: "The gentry of Jiangnan, if they can be appeased, then appease them; if they resist, then annihilate them! The Yangtze River, a natural barrier, if it can be crossed, then cross it; if it is difficult to cross, then detour around it! I want this Star-Enlightened Dragon Banner to be planted on every city wall in Jiangnan! I want all the people of this world to be free from the distinction between North and South, and to bask together in the light of this enlightened and prosperous age!"

"Your Majesty is wise! The world is unified and the four seas are united! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Led by Jia Wen and Chen Wei, all the civil and military officials, regardless of age or background, prostrated themselves on the ground like a mountain collapsing and a jade pillar falling. Their shouts echoed through the palace and shook the heavens.

Chen Xing stood before the imperial steps, his back to the nine-dragon throne symbolizing supreme power, facing the rising sun outside the hall. Golden light streamed into the hall, casting a dazzling silhouette on his tall figure.