Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Drafting an Edict, Bestowing Marriage

On both sides of the Wudu streets, people were gathered in abundance.

Led by Xu Ming, followed by Xu庞da, and Yu Ping’an slightly behind, a total of four hundred Jinshi scholars, adorned with large red flowers, riding on big red horses, wearing Wudu’s specially made attire, paraded down the street.

This was Wudu’s custom; once the list was revealed, the four hundred Jinshi scholars would parade halfway through the capital before entering the Imperial Palace for a banquet hosted by the Emperor of Wu.

For many, this might be the only chance in their lifetime to dine with the Emperor.

Riding atop his red-flowered steed, women from both sides of the street threw flower branches at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming chuckled, “Then I shall accept.”

Looking at the bustling crowd, Li Han sighed.

Under the guidance of maidservants, the four hundred individuals successively entered the palace for the feast.

“Indeed,” Xu Ming smiled faintly, his gaze looking forward as if lost in thought.

Standing beside him, Wei quickly chimed in, “Your Majesty obtaining Xiao Zhongshuling and Scholar Xu as top talents is a sign of Heaven’s will. Our Wu Kingdom will surely flourish even more!”

However, their methods of reducing the power of the feudal lords were overly idealistic and vague. They spoke eloquently and confidently.

If the feudal lords comply with the edict of favor, their national strength will gradually weaken, bit by bit until it becomes nothing.

If it were just ordinary flattery, the Emperor wouldn’t even bother listening.

Seeing that Mother and Big White Goose were both safe and sound, Xu Ming gave a relieved smile.

“Goose goose goose”

If Xu Ming caught a flower branch thrown by any young lady and placed it in his hair, it would signify his intention to marry her.

But the Emperor truly felt that if Xiao Moqi and Xu Ming were to collaborate, the entire Wu Kingdom would transform.

Especially when Xu Ming answered the question about the significance of the feudal princes to the Wu Kingdom, it deeply resonated with the Emperor.

“Draft the edict.” The Emperor stood up, hands clasped behind his back.

As long as one does not become an emperor, they can completely avoid being influenced by the fortune of mountains and rivers.

“They say there are three joys in life: the wedding night, passing the imperial examination, and meeting an old friend far away. I never really felt it before, but now it seems indeed true.”

The Big White Goose flapped its wings, flying out from the crowd directly onto the big red horse Xu Ming was riding, causing a chorus of exclamations from the audience.

“Goose~”

The four hundred Jinshi scholars arrived outside the palace walls. Xu Ming patted the Heavenly Black Goose’s wings, which understood and flew down from in front of Xu Ming. Xu Ming dismounted first, followed by Xu庞da and Yu Ping’an. Then the remaining three hundred ninety-seven Jinshi scholars also got off their horses.

Moreover, the skill of ‘collaboration’ had great effects in the political arena.

If it weren’t for Xu Ming’s proposal of the Favor Decree, who would have been the top scholar might still be uncertain.

Heavenly Black Goose: “Goose (yes)”

[You have successfully become the top scholar, gaining +10 political fortune, +100 talent, +50 righteous aura. When you enter officialdom, your susceptibility to the influence of mountain and river fortune will decrease by eighty percent.]

At the same time, inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor of Wu looked at Xu Ming’s exam paper, liking it more and more.

“Hmm.” A smile curved the Emperor’s lips.

But now, the status of illegitimate sons has fully recovered to what it was one hundred fifty years ago, creating the conditions for implementation.

Xu Ming, riding his big red horse, suddenly heard several goose calls.

In reality, Xu Ming was looking at some words appearing in his mind.

Looking at his increased attribute points and those special abilities, Xu Ming was quite surprised.

If they do not comply, internal strife will erupt because disputes over power between legitimate and illegitimate offspring will occur.

After the death of a feudal prince, apart from the eldest legitimate son inheriting the throne, other descendants can also receive parts of the kingdom’s land to become marquises under the jurisdiction of the governor, thus gradually dividing the rights of the feudal princes.

But Xu Ming answered with a “Decree of Favor.”

“The Decree of Favor’s cleverness lies in the fact that whether or not the feudal states execute it, it will lead to unfavorable consequences.”

Before, the Decree of Favor could not be implemented because the status of illegitimate sons in the Wu Kingdom was too low.

Xu Ming didn’t dare to accept.

The Emperor was very considerate; after Xu Ming passed the imperial examination, he arranged for previous Blood Floating Pagoda comrades-in-arms to escort Xu Ming and others during the parade.

Many candidates understood the Emperor’s intention to reduce the power of the feudal lords.

[You have successfully achieved consecutive top scholar status, gaining +100 political fortune, +200 righteous aura, and acquiring the special skill – collaboration.]

The Emperor of Wu truly didn’t expect that such an examination would yield responses that solved a major central problem without much anticipation from anyone.

[You have successfully become the top scholar, gaining +50 political fortune, +20 dignity, +5 attraction to literary maidens, +50 righteous aura. When you enter officialdom, you will be completely unaffected by the influence of mountain and river fortune (Note: If you become an emperor, you will still be affected by the mountain and river fortune).]

To sum it up in one sentence – building many feudal lords while weakening their power.

After all, relying on the Wu Kingdom gives me the opportunity to obtain a spot in the Rootless Mystic Realm.

But I haven’t decided yet whether to enter officialdom or leave the Wu Kingdom to see how vast this cultivation world is.

“Fortunately, Xu Ming was born in our Wu Kingdom.” Putting down Xu Ming’s exam paper, the Emperor deeply lamented, “If he were in another country, it would be unimaginable.”

[Collaboration: When you want to do something, the success rate of persuading your superior increases by 30%, and the enthusiasm of your subordinates working for you increases by 40%.]

Xu Ming innocently blinked, “Do I?”

Honestly, Xu Ming actually wanted to go home. He hadn’t seen his mother for a long time, but he couldn’t decline this parade and banquet.

Wei was slightly startled, “Your Majesty’s meaning is?”

Xu Ming looked up and saw that on both sides of the street, his mother was gently looking at him. Beside his mother, a Big White Goose flapped its wings, jumping repeatedly and continuously calling out to him.

By Xu Ming’s side were Li Han, Xiong Hai Zhi, and Guang Yin dressed in Blood Floating Pagoda armor.

“Draft the edict, bestow marriage.”

[Today, a friend held a full moon celebration, attended the banquet late into the night, updating only one chapter, and after drinking some alcohol, my head feels a little dizzy writing this chapter. One chapter is owed and will still be updated tomorrow.]