Emperor Chongming, the second restorer of the Great Gan Dynasty, brought the dynasty back to its former glory after it was declining and entering its final years. Judging from his current achievements in both civil and military affairs, he will surely leave a significant mark on history.

"Investigate farmland and conduct a census!"

In the Imperial Study of the Great Gan Palace, under the ever-burning lamplight, the middle-aged Emperor Chongming couldn't help but let out a long sigh after reading an essay from a county examination.

"That's really great!"

Even though he could enjoy all the wealth and honor in the world, he was still a famous emperor who restored the dynasty and was known for his diligence in governance. Among his thick hair, there were still a few extremely conspicuous white hairs, and his seemingly wrinkle-free, jade-like face could not hide his fatigue.

"His Majesty!"

Looking at the emperor, who was half-asleep, his hand supporting his forehead, leaning against the desk as if trying to fall asleep, the eunuch attending him spoke, his soft, effeminate voice echoing in the imperial study.

"You've been reviewing memorials all day, why don't you take a break?"

"What's the point of resting? I've been waiting for this policy essay for almost twenty years. It's a pity it's not a memorial, but since it's the words of a sage, it's not bad either. Go, summon the Grand Commandant, the Grand Minister of Works, and the Grand Minister of Education to the palace."

Emperor Chongming smiled, turned his head slightly, and glanced at the old eunuch beside him. His dark pupils reflected a cold light, as sharp as a hawk's.

"promise!"

The old eunuch was startled. He bowed and left the imperial study to deliver an order to the young eunuch guarding the door.

Before long, the three high-ranking officials, who had reached the pinnacle of power in the Great Gan Dynasty, entered the palace. Guided by the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, they entered the study. Due to their exalted status, they were even allowed to sit down and converse with the emperor.

"My three ministers, please take a look!"

Looking at the three high-ranking officials before him, who were about the same age as him, Emperor Chongming waved his hand, and the policy essay that was still on his desk immediately floated up.

The three dukes, who were urgently summoned to the palace late at night, remained calm and composed. They had seen all kinds of storms to reach their current positions, and this was not the first time they had been summoned to the palace by the emperor.

However, the composure and calmness on the faces of the three dukes vanished completely after they saw the contents of the Xuan paper written by the weary traveler. Even the Grand Commandant, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, couldn't help but change color.

"Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration and must not be rushed."

Situ, who was in charge of land and household registration, couldn't help but speak up. Although he knew that if this strategy were to become a reality and be successfully implemented, his power would increase dramatically, he also knew what the consequences of failure would be.

"Your Majesty, who wrote this document?"

Sikong couldn't help but ask, the content of this policy proposal was too terrifying, it was simply sinister.

"There is a signature below."

Emperor Chongming said casually, looking at the three high-ranking officials before him who could not hide their surprise, and found it amusing.

"That reincarnated sage from Qingshan?"

"Is this truly the word of a sage? How can it sound like the words of a hot-blooded youth? Using border troops to suppress powerful clans and investigate land is utterly absurd. How can the army guarding the border turn its swords inward?"

The Grand Minister's reaction was particularly strong.

"Absurd? What's absurd about it? Do you really think that taking food from powerful families and insatiable gluttons requires a gradual and slow approach?"

Having already made up his mind, Emperor Chongming naturally didn't care about the opposition of one of the Three Dukes. On the contrary, he genuinely thought the idea was good and completely aligned with his own thoughts.

Especially the last sentence of that policy essay: if this dynasty is at its peak and the emperor's authority is at its most splendid, and these problems are not resolved, leaving them for future generations, even if they have the will, they will be powerless. When the sky falls, there is no way to turn back the tide.

"Your Majesty, now is not the best time to conduct a thorough investigation of land and population. If Your Majesty intends to use the border troops to intimidate powerful families, you will need a strong army that can awe the world."

At this moment, the Grand Commandant also spoke up, subtly advising the emperor.

Many problems are known to everyone, but no one mentions them; they are usually ignored. This is because these deep-rooted problems are not only difficult to solve, but can also lead to drastic consequences if not handled carefully.

When people are young, they are full of vigor and courage, daring to fight and try everything that seems impossible. But when they reach middle age and hold high positions, they no longer have the vigor and ambition of their youth, and only think about keeping to their place.

The investigation of farmland and the census of population have infringed upon the interests of too many people, including themselves—some things that everyone else has done, and if you don't follow suit, you'll seem out of place.

"A strong military? What does it mean to have a strong military?"

Suppressing powerful clans and bleeding them dry is a ambition few emperors have the courage or qualifications to achieve, but Emperor Chongming had such aspirations. The words of the sage Qingshan were exactly what he thought.

He was the third son of the late emperor, not the designated crown prince, but rather he competed with his brothers for the throne before finally ascending to the throne.

The main reason he is now called the Emperor of Great Restoration is that after he ascended the throne, he purged more than a dozen powerful families who supported his brothers who were fighting against him for the throne.

It was precisely because of the legitimate and unquestionable purge that occurred when he ascended to the throne that he had a considerable amount of money and grain in his private treasury.

With money, things became easier, and many government affairs could be implemented. Under his diligent governance, which took place day and night, a prosperous and thriving era emerged.

However, Emperor Chongming, who had already reaped the benefits from the powerful clans, was not satisfied. The top clans did not participate in the struggle for the throne, and even ordinary dynastic changes could not affect them.

With their sheer size and power, they rightfully groveled over the dynasty, sucking its blood and bones. To any emperor with ideals, ambition, and ability, such powerful clans were simply too much of a nuisance.

"Your Majesty, the barbarian beastmen of the Northern Plains are causing trouble again. The border guards must not act rashly!"

"Beastmen!"

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Emperor Chongming's eyes.

The ferocious and tyrannical monsters in the north have always been a persistent nuisance to Da Gan, causing trouble for Da Gan every few years and wantonly plundering the people of the northern frontier.

Before Emperor Chongming ascended the throne, the people of the northern frontier of Daqian had always suffered from the invasions of the barbarian beasts. It was only after Emperor Chongming took the throne that the border troops received sufficient military funding, and the situation improved.

"Pacify the Northern Plains within three years!"

There are never any real secrets in the palace. The emperor's every move is watched by thousands of eyes. Even the slightest snow or wind will not be missed, let alone the matter of the three dukes entering the palace overnight.

When the three dukes finally emerged from the palace gates in their carriages just before midnight, the capital, which had seemed quiet, was suddenly filled with undercurrents as countless people sought out information.

Meanwhile, in the capital, a turmoil that could overthrow a dynasty and destroy a country was brewing. Feng Bingwen, the instigator, had already returned home to prepare for the second county examination in two days.

The second part of the county examination tested the candidates' ability to distinguish right from wrong and to write official documents. To be honest, there wasn't much room for Feng Bingwen to demonstrate his abilities, so when the exam time was up, he wrote something casually and handed in his paper.

It is worth mentioning that the results of the first exam are announced before the second exam begins in Qingshan County. For some unknown reason, the exam results were released half a day later than usual in previous years, causing complaints from the candidates.

The results were as expected: Feng Bingwen saw his seat number appear at the top of the list, and the same was true for the candidates in the second round, who also ranked first.

Thus, at the age of thirteen, Feng Bingwen easily topped the county examination, although he still had to pass the prefectural examination to obtain the title of a student.

Even so, the Feng family was filled with joy and excitement, and the old master was all smiles, his mouth agape.

His father, who had abandoned literature for business, was incredibly generous, throwing lavish banquets as if Feng Bingwen had already achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, even though he had only gotten first place in the county-level exams.

This festive atmosphere lasted for a whole day before dissipating. As the congratulatory voices gradually subsided, the entire Feng Mansion fell silent, plunging into tranquility under the night sky, with only the two lanterns hanging at the main gate flickering with a faint candlelight.

As the moon rose high in the sky and the yin energy began to rise, several ominous figures appeared near Feng Family Village, hiding in the darkness and observing the Feng Mansion, which appeared particularly quiet under the moonlight.

Is this the place?

"I've already inquired during the day, this should be the place, the Feng residence, the surname is correct."

"Damn it, this mess made us travel all this way. Those big shots up there must have nothing better to do than have a lot of free time."

"Aren't those old men just bored and looking for ways to amuse us?"

"It's ridiculous that we have to come all this way to find a little kid, given how far away we are."

"I heard that this kid is only thirteen years old this year. He just took the county exam a few days ago. Of all the things he could write, he had to write about clearing up land, and the stupid county magistrate even submitted it. I heard that it has attracted the attention of the higher-ups."

"Tsk, they dare to write about this? Even if I don't read books, I know that this kind of thing is not to be touched. If the emperor touches it, his throne might have to be replaced."

"Hehe, whatever, he's just a hothead, this is his just desserts."

"Hey guys, let's go. We've been looking around for ages, it's just an ordinary mansion, nothing dangerous. Let's cut off that kid's head and go back to collect our reward from those big shots!"

Under the moonlight, a sinister and eerie shadow silently moved toward the Feng family mansion, easily scaling the courtyard wall. Just then, a night breeze blew, and a lantern hanging at the gate fluttered in the wind.

Wow~

The wind fueled the fire, causing the candle flame inside the lantern to swell rapidly. However, the flame did not damage the paper lantern at all. Instead, amidst the magnificent flames, a pretty and adorable little boy emerged from the fire.

But just as the candle spirit, carrying a lantern, stood on the courtyard wall, ready to display its divine power, it looked down at the corner of the wall and saw countless tree roots swaying like snakes. The three uninvited guests who had just entered were already wrapped up so tightly that they were barely recognizable as human figures. In a few moments, they would be completely obscured.

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