Establish the navy.

Punishment Field.

Publicity Department.

Military Merit System.

These national policies were crafted by Zheng Yi as a response to the threats currently faced by the Great Yu Court.

Navy, Military Merit System, Military Factories.

Establish forces, win over the military, using this to suppress the court.

Punishment Field.

It involves reclaiming most of the land and distributing it to meritorious soldiers or refugees.

Publicity Department.

Zheng Yi intends to control the propaganda channel, promoting his achievements and court policies, controlling the way information flows.

No matter the regime or country, the propaganda channel is the uncrowned king!

Furthermore, Zheng Yi is even considering, when the time is right, transforming the Publicity Department into its own ministry!

As for other plans, they are merely to fill the gaps.

These are just the surface-level national policies.

Zheng Yi’s true aim is to rally the nation’s resources to build a navy, conduct extensive overseas exploration, and simultaneously seek the method of immortal cultivation.

Overseas.

Nanyue County.

Mayfly Tower.

And the Emperor’s Mausoleum.

These places are all avenues for him to find the cultivation method.

Currently, it seems that excavating the Emperor’s Mausoleum might be a good method.

Fortunately, Hu Bafeng has already gathered several old friends and disciples to secretly dig towards the mausoleum of the founding Emperor Zheng Mingsen, under the guise of building a mausoleum for Zheng Yi.

In order to excavate Zheng Mingsen’s mausoleum, he specifically chose to have his own mausoleum beside Zheng Mingsen’s.

They are only about five li apart.

According to Hu Bafeng, it would take at most half a year to dig a passage to Zheng Mingsen’s mausoleum.

By then, he could obtain any items inside Zheng Mingsen’s mausoleum.

A few days later, Zheng Yi met with a few others at Baiyu City.

Meng Guang!

He was the Pseudo-Yan general who led the uprising when Divine Strategy Camp was besieging Pseudo-Yan Yan City.

It was also he who personally captured the Pseudo-Yan King and handed him over to the Divine Strategy Camp.

“Meng Guang!”

“Here I am!”

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Meng Guang knelt and performed the three kowtows and nine obeisances.

He knew the time had come for rewards based on merit!

Zheng Yi nodded inwardly. He had already checked Meng Guang’s background through the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Originally, he was a County Captain in Jizhou Guangfa County, but because his wife was fancied by a local noble playboy, they took her by force and coercion.

His wife was a fierce person and actually jumped to her death.

In a rage, Meng Guang went alone with a knife to the noble’s mansion and hacked the man to pieces.

Then he fought his way out, through the besieging servants and county soldiers, and became an outlaw.

Later, he settled at Shuipo Mountain, gathered over a hundred brothers to rob the rich and aid the poor.

Afterward, he encountered the Pseudo-Yan King, was recruited, and appointed as the City Defense Deputy General.

“Rise.”

“Meng Guang, you’ve done well. If not for your righteous act, who knows how many of our Great Yu people would be wandering homeless.”

Meng Guang said, “To serve the lord’s needs, fulfilling this duty is what I should do!”

“Merit will indeed be rewarded.”

Zheng Yi said directly, “You’ve achieved great merit for Great Yu, and I will not forget you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“I have two options here, see which you prefer.”

Meng Guang did not speak but listened carefully.

“The first option, you may join the Imperial Guard under Chen Wannian as a deputy general, commanding fifty thousand Imperial Guards stationed in the Capital City.”

“Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, Second-grade Military Officer.”

Meng Guang’s eyes suddenly shone. A Second-grade Military Position is tantamount to an instant rise in status.

Moreover, serving as a general under General Chen Wannian could be considered among acquaintances.

He pondered for a few moments and said, “Your Majesty, I am quite impressed by the Divine Strategy Camp’s Red Coat Cannon. I wonder if there are Red Coat Cannons in the Imperial Guard?”

Zheng Yi laughed, “The Red Coat Cannon is currently a secret of Great Yu. Though the Imperial Guard doesn’t have them yet, within several years, Red Coat Cannons will be distributed to all military branches, including the Imperial Guard.”

“Besides Red Coat Cannons, there are Thunderbolt cannons, firearms, and more.”

Thunderbolt? What is that?

Meng Guang was puzzled but still asked, “What is the second option Your Majesty mentioned?”

Zheng Yi said, “I know you were once an outlaw, a water bandit for three years. Rest assured, I always employ on merit, not holding the past against someone.”

Meng Guang helplessly said, “Yes…Your Majesty, those were desperate times.”

“Since you were a water bandit for three years, you must be familiar with naval warfare?”

Upon this mention, Meng Guang’s eyes suddenly brightened, “Your Majesty, in the north, there is no one who dares call themselves first in naval warfare over me!”

“When the Youzhou Imperial Guard once led an army to attack my mountain stronghold with over ten thousand troops for half a year without success, yet my brothers and I, numbering just over two hundred, nearly made them collapse!”

“Good! It is people like you that I need.”

Zheng Yi clapped his hands and said, “I intend to establish the North Sea Navy along the Binzhou coast, and if you are willing, you shall lead it!”

“You can take your soldiers skilled in naval warfare to Binzhou to establish the North Sea Navy base. Whatever you need in manpower, funds, or supplies, I will provide!”

“I will also allocate ten Red Coat Cannons and the corresponding artillery units for you to command.”

“If you successfully build the North Sea Navy, you will be the first Grand Governor of the North Sea Navy!”

Once Zheng Yi finished speaking, Meng Guang immediately said, “Your Majesty! I choose the second option!”

“Oh? No regrets?”

Zheng Yi countered, “If you chose the first option, you’d have a Standard Second-grade Military Position, under the Emperor’s watch, commanding the Imperial Guard with considerable power.”

“If you start from scratch to build the North Sea Navy, you wouldn’t have much authority for at least two to three years.”

Meng Guang took a deep breath and said, “Your Majesty’s consideration is my duty.”

“To build the North Sea Navy, I will give my utmost efforts to ease Your Majesty’s worries!”

“Good!”

Zheng Yi said, “Today, I confer you the position of General of the North Sea Navy. Go to the Binzhou coast with the equivalent of the ceremonial axe and oversee all matters of establishing the navy.”

“Except for the troops under Grand General Xu Mujun, all other county soldiers will be under your command to form the navy!”

Taking a deep breath, Meng Guang knelt down once again: “This humble general accepts the decree!”

After Meng Guang left, Zheng Yi once again summoned Chen Hongxiu and Zhao Tieshan.

“This humble general pays respects to Your Majesty!”

The two saluted, and Zheng Yi raised his hand, “Arise.”

“Beloved ministers, how is the actual combat capability of the Divine Strategy Camp?”

“In response to Your Majesty,” Chen Hongxiu spoke first, “all the soldiers of the Divine Strategy Camp are well-versed in cannon, firearms, and thunderbolt combat methods, capable of taking on a thousand by themselves!”

“Good!”

Zheng Yi said, “You two lead the Divine Strategy Camp northward.”

“Northward?”

“Indeed, to Binzhou, to Canglong River, to Grand General Xu Mujun’s command.”

Zheng Yi stated coldly, “Months of preparation, months of training, it’s time to test the results.”

“Let Wu Country’s Black Mountain Pass be the whetstone for the first battle of the Divine Strategy Camp.”

The two looked at each other, both finding excitement in the other’s eyes.

“Understood!”

“I will write a letter to Grand General Xu, explaining the role of the Divine Strategy Camp; you two do your best.”

“Understood!”

After everyone stepped back, Zheng Yi took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

The recent events caused a pile of matters to converge; he truly felt some fatigue.

If not for having Martial Arts Cultivation, he would have long been exhausted.

But fortunately, with a five-year plan in place, other courtiers and the cabinet only need to implement parts of the plan; in the future, he will have relief.

All political affairs can be handed over to the Cabinet.

“Cheng’en.”

“The maid is here.”

Zheng Yi said, “Summon ten beauties to come, see if there are any trained in medicine and skilled in massage~”

Liu Cheng’en hurried a few steps, stating in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Noble Consort Cui just sent someone, asking if you are available?”

“Noble Consort Cui?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Liu Cheng’en said, “Didn’t you say before, to always pay attention to the movements of Jiaofang Hall, so when Noble Consort Cui sent someone today to see you, I’ve been mindful of it.”

Zheng Yi nodded, falling into thought.

Noble Consort Cui?

What does she want with me?

Ever since Noble Consort Cui used Enchanting Fragrance on him last time, Zheng Yi has always been wary, trying to avoid her as much as possible.

Unexpectedly, she herself came today!

What for?

Could it be… about Cui Jinghao?

Aren’t the legendary cultivators supposed to be cold and unfeeling, not bound by familial ties?

Why is she…

Zheng Yi suppressed all these doubts in his mind; he certainly would not visit Jiaofang Hall.

If something unexpected happened, and he drifted off in confusion overnight, what would he do if accidents occurred?

“Cheng’en, send my palanquin to Jiaofang Hall to fetch Noble Consort Cui.”

After thinking, Zheng Yi said, “If she wishes to come, bring her to Baiyu City; if not, do not force her.”

“The maid accepts the decree!”

An hour later, while Zheng Yi was pondering Noble Consort Cui’s true intentions and pacing nervously, Liu Cheng’en walked in briskly.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? Noble Consort Cui didn’t come?”

“Noble Consort Cui… is here! She is waiting outside the hall.”

“Really came?”

Zheng Yi said, “Let her in… no, have her wait for me in the bedchamber.”

“Understood!”

Taking a deep breath, Zheng Yi went to the bedchamber.

“Your Majesty~ The consort is waiting for you in the bedchamber.”

Noble Consort Cui’s personal maid, Xiao’er, was waiting outside. Zheng Yi nodded and pushed the door open, entering.

“Your Majesty~”

Under the dim light, a peerless beauty in pink palace attire rose to greet him, half-kneeling before him in a respectful salute.

Zheng Yi hurriedly extended his hand to help her up, “Beloved consort, please rise. These days I have been busy with state affairs and have neglected you; I intended to visit after finishing these matters, but didn’t expect you to come yourself.”

Zheng Yi spoke frivolously. Since she truly came, it proves she has something to ask of him.

Could it be for Cui Jinghao?

It seems that although Noble Consort Cui is a cultivator, she must be a ‘wild’ one.

There must still be deeper ties with the mundane Cui family.

If so, the initiative now lies with him.

Noble Consort Cui smiled, “This concubine shares a heart with Your Majesty and naturally thought to come here.”

“Your Majesty, you have worked hard.”

“Beloved consort, you have also worked hard.”

Leading Noble Consort Cui to sit on a bench, Zheng Yi directly asked, “What is the important matter for which you sought me today, beloved consort?”

Hearing this, Noble Consort Cui’s eyes reddened, and she actually began to sob softly, seemingly with tears in the corners of her eyes.

Zheng Yi praised inwardly, indeed, women are made of water, crying at the drop of a hat.

He could only bear with it, “Beloved consort, do not cry. Has anyone bullied you? Tell me, and I will avenge you!”

“The one who bullied this concubine… is Your Majesty!”

“Oh? Do not speak in riddles, beloved consort, what is the matter?”

“It-it’s about this concubine’s grandfather,” she gritted her teeth.

“Your Majesty, though this concubine’s grandfather corresponded with the Pseudo-Yan King and accepted his medicinal materials, he absolutely had no intention of treason!”

“For the sake of his years of dedicated service to Great Yu, please forgive him this time!”

Zheng Yi asked curiously, “Forgive him? Beloved consort must be mistaken, for I have not pursued his communication with the Pseudo-Yan King, and all those letters were burnt by me!”

Noble Consort Cui hesitated, “It-it’s about the matter of Your Majesty fining grandfather one million mu of land, o-one million mu is truly too much…”

Zheng Yi’s expression turned cold, releasing Noble Consort Cui’s hand, and he asked, “Beloved consort, do you know how many people are in your Cui family?”

“Thi-this…”

Noble Consort Cui hesitated, “This concubine does not know.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep