Immediately, it was the Da Feng envoys’ turn to nearly break out in curses.

The news spread rapidly throughout Shengdu, and the people clapped their hands in delight.

“Would Your Majesty be willing to use your kingdom as dowry?”

“Would you be willing to become my consort?”

These two phrases became the most frequently heard and widely circulated dialogue in Shengdu’s teahouses and taverns that year.

When two parties who once shared deep affection suddenly become enemies and meet again with swords drawn, such scenarios have always been the gossip people most love to discuss throughout the ages.

The entire court of civil and military officials also felt vindicated—that arrogant Da Feng brat deserved such humiliation!

Perhaps only He Zi, while playing chess with Zhu Yi, casually remarked: “Isn’t this really just flirtation?”

…

In the seventh month when fire flows westward, the tug-of-war between both sides finally came to an end.

There was no negotiation about territory, because the lands that Liaodong had unexpectedly captured initially were almost entirely retaken by Di Yiwei, leaving only one very small city of thirty li in circumference.

In the latter stages of the war, after Murong Yi’s ascension, Da Feng’s military operations seemed like child’s play, quickly coming to a hasty conclusion. Da Feng’s sudden weakness gave Di Yiwei confidence, and she had once thought to pursue victory and advance deep into Da Feng territory to capture several of their cities.

Who would have known that once they entered Da Feng’s borders, the previously lax Da Feng forces suddenly became energetic and vigorous, yielding not an inch of ground. Di Yiwei nearly suffered defeat. From this, she understood much and vaguely grasped what was happening.

Da Feng temporarily abandoned thoughts of conquest and focused on reclaiming that last small city.

What surprised her even more was that Da Feng actually positioned heavy troops before that militarily and geographically worthless small city, adopting the stance of a shrewish woman declaring “I want this one thing, I’ll return everything else, but if you dare try to take this back, I’ll fight you to the death.”

It was said that Da Feng’s commanding general had received a death order from His Imperial Majesty: if the city stands, the man lives; if the city falls, the man dies—and his entire clan of nine generations dies with him.

As a result, despite it being a tiny city no bigger than a speck of dust, the renowned general Di Yiwei truly could not advance a single inch.

After all, the opposing side had adopted the stance of mobilizing the entire nation’s strength to hold this small city, which at one point made Di Yiwei suspect there might be some treasure hidden within.

But she had been stationed on the Yongping line for twenty years—if there really were treasure, who could hide it from her?

Di Yiwei was utterly perplexed, her great army patrolling irritably before the small city, unable to advance or retreat.

Until one night, she received a secret letter.

After reading the secret letter, Di Yiwei was sleepless all night, standing before her tent, gazing at the towering shadows of the great army ahead. After a long while, she let out a deep sigh.

The next day, she withdrew her troops quite decisively.

When turning her horse at Tulan Mountain before the Dingliu River, Di Yiwei took a puff of her pipe, took one last look at Da Feng’s mountains and rivers, then turned around and laughed heartily.

“That young scoundrel dares to play games with mountains and rivers!”

Her horse’s hooves struck the long river, her cloak billowing in the wind. Without waiting for imperial orders, the Yongping army returned to their base.

During the peace negotiations, Da Feng had been quite accommodating throughout, except regarding that small city, where they yielded not an inch.

From Da Qian’s perspective, no matter how insignificant the small city might be, it was still Da Qian territory. They absolutely could not allow His Majesty to lose national territory at the beginning of his reign, otherwise when His Majesty passed away ten thousand years hence, he wouldn’t even get a favorable posthumous title.

But Da Feng also had their reasons—they too needed a victory and a city to proclaim to their people that they hadn’t lost, otherwise it would be detrimental to His Majesty’s rule.

Both sides engaged in a prolonged tug-of-war over this, until finally each made concessions. That small city was designated as a buffer zone between both sides, with each stationing troops on either side, establishing checkpoints for entry and exit, with mutual non-interference.

Residents of the city could freely choose their allegiance. At the same time, trade would be opened in this city, allowing the exchange of all goods except controlled items.

In this city, dual jurisdiction would be established, with all affairs managed according to each resident’s chosen allegiance, maintaining the principle of mutual non-interference.

This peculiar policy and open stance enabled this originally obscure small city to rapidly develop into a major city on the border between the two nations within just a few years, continuously expanding over the following decades to become the premier stronghold of the northern frontier.

But that is a story for later.

Because of this small city, Da Feng gave Da Qian so much compensation that even the most critical ministers could find no fault, so much that popular gossip mocked the Da Feng emperor for “truly willing to be a consort, fond of offering dowries.”

Regarding the opening of mutual trade, Da Feng also appeared very accommodating.

Actually, they hadn’t been so accommodating at first, but for some unknown reason, Da Qian’s deputy peace negotiator Rong Pu adopted an uncharacteristically tough attitude, practically making outrageous demands. The chief negotiator, being prudent and steady, feared that overly harsh and aggressive attitudes would ruin the peace negotiations, and attempted to restrain him several times. Rong Pu actually entered the palace to request imperial permission, wresting control of the negotiations into his own hands.

After he took charge of the negotiations, he cut through like a sharp blade through paper, putting forward several demands that even Da Qian’s own ministers felt were somewhat excessive. He forcibly seized half the autonomous rights of that small city and proposed maximum profit margins in mutual trade. The terms were so unfavorable that many Da Qian ministers thought he was causing trouble, that his youth and ambition for quick success were disrupting the bigger picture. Impeachment memorials from the Censorate piled up like snowflakes on writing desks, and the new Associate Censor-in-Chief Fang Naiyan submitted three consecutive impeachment memorials against Rong Pu.

However, the final results left everyone stunned. When Da Qian became tough, Da Feng became soft, and they actually agreed to all the demands in the end.

On the day the state documents were sealed, all the ministers breathed a sigh of relief, and their view of Rong Pu immediately changed.

From “seeking glory through great achievements” to “resolute and wise.”

At that time, Rong Pu presented the state documents in the hall, showing no trace of joy.

Because only he understood in his heart that all the clauses that led to his great victory came from Murong Yi’s goodwill gestures.

Precisely because of this, he had to step forward to secure more compensation for Tie Ci from Da Feng.

But he couldn’t help feeling resentful in his heart.

Murong Yi, since you can no longer be with His Majesty, why don’t you let go?

Why must you make her worry and grieve?

If you could see the expression in His Majesty’s eyes when she looked at the state documents today, what would you think?

You certainly wouldn’t feel the heartache I do.

…

In mid-July, the delegation returned to their country.

The Ministry of Rites escorted them out of Shengdu according to custom. Rong Pu, who had been promoted to Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently appointed as Director of Yueli Academy for his success in negotiations, led Ministry of Rites attendants to see off the delegation.

Tables were set before the pavilion, and both sides exchanged courtesies with great pleasure. Finally, Rong Pu raised his cup and walked over to Mu Si, who had been silently drinking, and smiled: “How is your nation’s Emperor?”

Mu Si looked at his raised cup, didn’t touch it with his own, drained his cup in one gulp, and said: “Much better than you.”

“Is that so?” Rong Pu said. “But I heard that your nation’s Emperor suffered severe injuries during his escape that day and has not recovered to this day. Your nation’s Emperor remains unmarried—he mustn’t die young. If he were to die, Da Feng would have no heir, which would be quite convenient for us.”

Mu Si said: “Minor injuries, not worth mentioning. Vice Minister Rong should worry more about yourself. Look at those dark circles under your eyes—haven’t you been sleeping well lately? Aren’t you a young man in a high position, riding the spring breeze of success? Why do you always act like a resentful woman, either sowing discord, mocking, and cursing, or on your way to sow discord, mock, and curse?”

Rong Pu smiled: “Isn’t this because of dealing with your delegation recently, which has been quite worrying? The saying ‘servants follow their masters’ is indeed an eternal truth.”

Mu Si: “I think you’re nothing like your Emperor.”

Rong Pu’s smile remained unchanged as he raised his cup to him again: “You and I are old acquaintances, so we needn’t always be so antagonistic. I came here for two purposes: first, to ask you to give my regards to an old friend, and second, to ask you to relay a message to him. Tell him I plan to seek marriage with His Majesty soon, and Da Qian will soon have joyous news. Please ask him to prepare congratulatory gifts early.”

Mu Si’s hand paused, then he sneered: “Once there was a fool who loved to tell people about his dreams.”

“You should take that phrase back to your Emperor,” Rong Pu said gently. “What is he thinking about day after day? Does he want to trouble my Emperor? If he’s a man, he should be straightforward and not always think about dragging others down with him. To be honest, even if my Emperor doesn’t marry me, as long as Da Qian’s men aren’t all dead, it has nothing to do with your Emperor!”

Mu Si slammed down his cup with a snap and sneered: “Then we’ll see about that!” He turned and walked away.

Rong Pu watched him leave with a beaming smile, not forgetting to raise his cup toward his retreating figure.

Three days after the delegation departed, Rong Pu publicly sought marriage with His Majesty during court discussions at the Golden Hall.

…

Ruzhou was bitterly cold in winter, but come July, it was often hot enough to make one irritable.

Outside the great hall, cicadas cried incessantly, stretching their voices to scream desperately, presumably because their lives lasted only this one season, so they had to make a hysterical racket.

After being filtered through the leaves, the sunlight that leaked through still shone as bright as mirrors.

Those countless dancing, flickering spots of light fell on the not-so-cool floor of the great hall. The sound of sweat drops hitting the ground seemed as if they would instantly evaporate in the heat.

The ministers kneeling on the ground didn’t dare even make a motion to wipe their sweat.

The hall was full of kneeling people, but there were no ice basins anywhere. His Imperial Majesty seemed unaware of the heat, wearing three layers of clothing in such weather.

Three layers was three layers, but he didn’t wear them properly. His outer robe’s collar hung loose, revealing a glimpse of collarbone and smooth skin. The innermost gossamer undergarment was hazy as mist, half-concealing his chest.

This highlighted his jade-like skin and bones, his long dark eyebrows, and his radiant appearance that one dared not look upon directly.

But whether His Majesty’s attire was disheveled or his appearance alluring, no one dared raise their head for an extra glance.

Da Feng, established as a vassal territory, had a founding emperor of different surname, so the rules for treating ministers weren’t so strict. Previously, ministers could stand when entering the hall, and veteran ministers would even be granted seats. They rarely made people kneel. In such weather, servants would be arranged to fan, and ice bowls would be bestowed.

Now, forget ice bowls—basically all ministers’ legs went weak involuntarily upon entering the hall, automatically kneeling properly.

Unlike the late emperor, who hid his bone-chilling coldness beneath a calm and gentle exterior, the young new emperor’s style could be called “bold and unrestrained, with unpredictable moods.”

After his ascension, he withdrew troops at the fastest speed, gave the people rest and recovery, negotiated peace with Da Qian, established mutual trade, and without any hesitation, traded Da Feng’s abundant mineral resources with Da Qian, vigorously supporting commerce.

He ordered cuts to imperial household expenses, didn’t even hold an enthronement ceremony, stopped expansion of the imperial palace, halted thirteen palace and governmental building renovation projects in Ruzhou reported by the Ministry of Works, redirecting the renovation funds to road and bridge projects throughout Da Feng, increased salaries for lower-level officials, reduced and even exempted taxes for disaster-affected prefectures and counties, revised tax laws, and eliminated many heavy taxes.

He ordered the Ministry of Revenue to re-establish Da Feng’s household registration system and record the yellow registers. He commanded the Ministry of War to clarify the national military roster and personally verify the number of registered soldiers nationwide.

He specially dispatched investigating censors, promoting officials from humble backgrounds who were young and daring, to travel throughout the nation inspecting illegal activities by local officials. Once verified, they could execute on the spot without requesting permission.

Under a series of policies that made the people applaud and could almost be called benevolent governance, creating the illusion that he might be a virtuous ruler, he quietly picked up his blade, pointing its sharp tip at the group of officials who could almost determine Da Feng’s future.

On the second day of his reign, he had the Chief of the Embroidered Guards executed by slicing.

He slaughtered almost all the ministers who had been loyal to the late emperor, but without guilt by association, not implicating wives and daughters.

Any minister in court who engaged in factional private dealings or corrupt illegal activities was dealt with at maximum speed. Under the execution platform on Central Street, heads rolled from morning to night.

Only ministers who voluntarily returned stolen goods and confessed had a chance to save their lives.

He granted investigating censors and the Censorate enormous powers of judgment, but also placed them on the scales of justice. In April of that year, an investigating censor was reported for concealing and failing to report illegal activities of officials he was inspecting. His punishment was ultimately heavier than that of the offending officials.

One investigating censor who acted tyrannically and accepted bribes during his inspection tour was skinned and stuffed with straw, his corpse hung for public display.

One investigating censor who colluded with corrupt officials, falsified records, and destroyed evidence of military payroll embezzlement was subjected to death by a thousand cuts along with his accomplice.

He was lenient with the people, but his control over officials could be called severe laws and harsh punishments—one hand offering gentle treatment, the other wielding a blade.

He raised officials’ salaries, but absolutely would not allow any behavior that harmed public interests for private gain or embezzled public funds, especially in matters involving people’s livelihood, engineering, and water conservancy bridge construction. Once verified guilty, there was absolutely no mercy.

What made ministers even more desperate was that he always appeared to be in poor spirits, lazy, and during court sessions seemed ready to turn a blind eye to everything. But even with the lion’s eyes closed, he still coldly observed the world. He could always awaken at the most crucial moments, precisely and sharply pointing out the unreasonable, suspicious, and hidden aspects of affairs, leaving all dark thoughts with nowhere to hide.

Beneath his lazy exterior lay endless coldness and sharpness.

Such a ruler, while gradually gaining the people’s affection, also intimidated the entire court.

So there was no need for the Emperor to establish rules—all ministers automatically knelt properly upon entering the hall, saving themselves from being constantly criticized and frightened, having their knees go weak and having to kneel again, which could easily cause injury.

“…Zhou Yun County again reports drought and requests tax reduction… Hmm, if I remember correctly, Zhou Yun Prefecture reported consecutive years of drought five years ago, so the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works jointly went to provide disaster relief on site, then reported that Zhou Yun’s frequent droughts were due to inadequate dredging of local water sources and silted, dried-up rivers. They allocated funds that year for local authorities to organize laborers for dredging… How is it that after five years, the sewers still aren’t cleared?”

“This… this… Your Majesty… forgive this old minister for not remembering this matter clearly…” The Minister of Revenue who had submitted the report scrambled to pick up his memorial while wondering how this person, who five years ago didn’t know which palace he was languishing in as a pitiful little thing, knew about such an insignificant matter. So he must have learned about it after ascending the throne? But he’d only been on the throne for half a year, and with archives as vast as the sea in all departments, how did he remember something that even the Cabinet and he himself didn’t remember?

“…The censor reported by hearsay that Vice Minister Wu of the Ministry of Personnel engaged in bribery and illegal activities, but after imprisoning Wu Rui and related persons for interrogation and torture, no concrete evidence or confessions could be obtained. Now Wu Rui’s family members are beating drums at the palace gates to protest innocence, pointing fingers directly at Your Majesty and inciting dissatisfaction among ministers…” Murong Yi listened and laughed.

The eunuch reading the memorial was so frightened he immediately stopped.

“No concrete evidence?”

“Your Majesty, indeed there isn’t. Wu’s residence has only three courtyards, and the furnishings are all extremely simple, old and clumsy—clearly items used for many years… Therefore, public opinion is now rife, all saying Your Majesty has wronged a loyal subject…”

Murong Yi’s lips curved up.

Everyone was terrified.

When His Majesty smiled, someone was bound to be unlucky. The more beautiful the smile, the worse the misfortune.

“What are Wu Rui’s usual hobbies?”

“This person lives simply in daily life, stays home and rarely goes out, doesn’t favor beautiful women or fine wine, doesn’t like social interactions, and doesn’t enjoy going out for entertainment…”

“As long as one is human, it’s impossible to have no desires at all. Even without desires, there are habits. Think again.”

“Yes… yes… oh right, every ten days or half a month, he likes to stroll through Ghost Street and buy some worthless trinkets.”

“Where are all these worthless trinkets?”

The official was stumped, sweat beading on his forehead. The general responsible for searching the residence also looked blank.

They were all things everyone knew were worthless—who would pay attention?

“Go investigate where these worthless trinkets went,” Murong Yi said. “Haven’t you heard of elegant bribery? Antique fakes bought at low prices, then people seeking favors buy them as genuine pieces, or vice versa—genuine pieces sold to Wu Rui as fakes at low prices.”

The ministers wore expressions of having their world view expanded.

“But the stolen money…”

“Didn’t you just say the furniture was old and clumsy?” Murong Yi said. “Would you use extremely clumsy furniture for decades? Bamboo and wooden furniture on the market is both light and cheap—why not use it?”

The general and censor suddenly understood and hurriedly left to follow orders.

The ministers kept their heads down without any expressions of amazement—they’d become numb after wave after wave of such revelations over the past half year.

Anyway, nothing could be hidden from him, nothing could deceive him, nothing could be learned from him—they could only endure the abuse.

Only now did they understand why His Majesty had been able to pin down the talented and strategic late emperor and defeat him. The path to victory wasn’t just ruthlessness.

Who among emperors wasn’t ruthless?

The key was that this one seemed to have seven ears and eight eyes, seeing human corruption and observing worldly affairs.

Murong Yi suddenly turned his gaze to Cabinet Grand Secretary and Minister of Rites Ai Heli: “I heard the Imperial Consort summoned you yesterday?”

Ai Heli shivered in fright, and all the ministers cast sympathetic glances at him.

Speaking of suffering, old Ai suffered the most. Others were abused by one emperor, but he was abused in turns by the emperor and the Imperial Consort—a mother and son pair, neither of whom was easy to deal with.

“Your Majesty, when the Imperial Consort summoned this minister, she asked about old matters.”

Everyone understood and kept their heads down in silence.

The Emperor was a freak who respected neither father nor mother. He hadn’t personally attended the late emperor’s burial at the imperial mausoleum, and to this day hadn’t granted Lady Bao the title of Empress Dowager.

At the beginning of his reign, he’d even thrown Lady Bao into the imperial temple, saying she should keep vigil and pray for the late emperor. Lady Bao had made a fuss for half a year over this, finally settling down and sending someone to inform the Emperor that she couldn’t bear the bitter cold of the imperial temple and had fallen ill, only then being brought back to recover.

It was said that on the day of her return, Lady Bao had her bed carried before His Majesty’s sleeping quarters, blocking His Majesty’s path. She lay on the bed weeping, apologizing to him and begging the Emperor’s forgiveness, requesting that the Emperor give her, his birth mother, some dignity. Otherwise, even in death, she would have no face to enter the imperial mausoleum.

His Imperial Majesty’s reply was wonderfully succinct: “Who agreed to let you enter the imperial mausoleum?”

Indeed, having never been empress before and not being empress dowager after, there was no guarantee she could be buried with the late emperor.

These were all old grievances that everyone understood, but they felt that since he was emperor now, imperial dignity was most important. It was just a title—why be so petty?

At the very least, old Ai felt resentful in his heart. Every few days he was pressured or pleaded with by the Empress Dowager, yet he couldn’t say anything. In just a short time, he’d lost over ten pounds.

Being a minister was hard, being Emperor Chongjiu’s minister was harder, and being a minister caught between the Imperial Consort and Emperor Chongjiu was even harder still.

Murong Yi’s smile was thin: “I will specially permit you not to accept any summons from the rear palace.”

Minister Ai thanked him with a bitter expression and withdrew.

Murong Yi’s gaze had already turned toward outside the hall, where the Chief Eunuch of the Palace Bureau happened to be passing by with hurried steps.

“Old Liu, what are you so busy with that your feet barely touch the ground?”

Eunuch Liu hurried into the hall and knelt to report from afar: “Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort is holding a lotus appreciation gathering. The ladies from various residences are entering the palace, and this slave is organizing the arrangements.”

The ministers exchanged glances.

Everyone knew about this matter—their own families had eligible daughters entering the palace, and everyone understood the purpose.

His Majesty should select empresses and consorts.

But because of His Majesty’s temperament, no one dared bring it up openly. A group of ministers, partly from personal interest and partly from concern for Da Feng’s dynasty, had quietly reminded the Imperial Consort.

Now the late emperor’s empress and various consorts had been moved outside the palace. Those who could rely on their sons did so, while those who couldn’t lived together in the temporary palace. Only the Imperial Consort remained in the palace, lonely with nowhere to show off. When she heard this suggestion, her eyes truly lit up.

Imperial succession was a great matter for the dynasty. Selecting empresses and consorts for His Majesty to spread branches and leaves was an essential duty she, as birth mother and Imperial Consort, must fulfill.

After filling the rear palace, she would be the true mistress of the harem. Once His Majesty had women, his temperament would surely improve somewhat.

If she chose someone His Majesty favored, he might be pleased enough to grant her the title of Empress Dowager.

Lady Bao acted on her thoughts immediately, ordering a lotus appreciation gathering and commanding that virtuous ladies under sixteen from families of third rank and above officials in the capital enter the palace.