At the same time, the same words echoed in every corner of the campaign: indeed, only those who win the hearts of the people can win the world.
Meanwhile, Xu Jinhuan's men, far to the north, listened to the familiar voice from the sky with utter bewilderment.
"Boss, did she take over the throne while we were away?" Ma Wencai looked at the people around him in confusion and shock.
Li Yichang nodded in surprise, "It seems so. This speed is truly beyond my expectations. It seems we need to speed things up as well."
In case someone still has ulterior motives, we can lend a hand.
Upon hearing this, Ma Wencai immediately nodded seriously, "Okay, I understand. I'll go and inform the others right away."
On this day, a dramatic change occurred in Da Gan. The once arrogant noble families all became prisoners, and the list of those whose homes were confiscated filled the entire memorial.
Before we knew it, it was the next day.
Xu Jinhuan was woken up by the palace maids early in the morning and went to the place where the court was to be held without even eating breakfast.
She looked at the three people below and coughed lightly. "It's just the four of us. We can have a small meeting. Speaking here is like having your own amplification system."
Sure enough, just as she said, her voice lingered for a long time after she finished speaking.
"Let's go to my study," Xu Jinhuan said with a smile.
After the four arrived at the Imperial Study, An Yi first reported on the results of his work the previous day.
"My lord, yesterday I led men to raid more than ten houses. The confiscated property has been put into the national treasury. Here is a detailed list of each house's assets."
Xu Jinhuan took it, glanced at it a few times, put it down, and asked, "Have the officials in the prison confessed to their crimes over the years?"
An nodded. "Many people have begun to confess, but there are simply too many to list. We need to organize them before showing them to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingzheng, a young man in blue robes standing to the side, said, "Your Majesty, I happen to have nothing to do. May I go and help?"
Xu Jinhuan had a fairly good impression of this last clean person left in the Great Gan Dynasty, and nodded when he saw him volunteer.
Xu Jinhuan gave a few more instructions, and then An Yi left with Lin Qingzheng.
Xu Jinhuan looked in Zhou Ziheng's direction and asked with a smile, "Aheng, how's your business going?"
Zhou Ziheng smiled and said, "Fortunately, I have not failed in my mission. With the signboard of the God of Joyful Harmony, all those literati who do not leave the mountains have agreed."
Xu Jinhuan nodded. "Now we can start preparing for the imperial examination. The court is currently short of people, so we must not hesitate to recruit talented individuals."
In this way, Xu Jinhuan carefully recruited his right-hand men in order to become a hands-off boss as soon as possible, and more than a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Xu Jinhuan changed the country's name to Huaxia and the era name to Yanwu. Today is the first year of Yanwu.
Xu Jinhuan has not only recruited satisfactory employees, but has also placed his confidants in various positions.
Xie Datou stayed in the north and became a deputy general, waiting for General Hu to retire so he could be officially promoted.
Ao Wu and his men also stayed in the northern army camp to fight alongside Xie Datou.
Li Yichang, Li Xiaoxiao, Ma Wencai, Xia Zhiying, Su Sanxi, and Xie Guangbai were all recalled to the capital.
Li Yichang entered the Ministry of Justice, and Li Xiaoxiao, relying on her unique ability to judge people, also became an official in the Ministry of Justice, and was the first female official in Yanwu.
Ma Wencai joined the Imperial Guard, and Xia Zhiying and Su Sanxi, with Xu Jinhuan's support, opened the Royal Technical Academy to teach technical talents loyal to Xu Jinhuan.
Xia Zhiying also became Yanwu's first female teacher.
Xie Guangbai remained in the Imperial Medical Academy as usual, becoming its head. Seeing that he was bored, Xu Jinhuan asked him to teach medical principles at the school where Xia Zhiying was.
As for Aunt Bai Pang's family, they were also summoned back to the capital by Xu Jinhuan, and Aunt Bai Pang was finally reunited with her family.
The rest of the exiled people were scattered by Xu Jinhuan, and each family went to live in different places. They became Xu Jinhuan's eyes and ears.
If any official acts arrogantly or domineeringly, they will immediately send a message to the capital.
"Finally, this isn't just a makeshift operation; it looks like a proper imperial court." Xu Jinhuan looked at the assembled officials and yawned contentedly as he sat on the dragon throne.
A civil official of about fifty years old stepped out of the group, cupped his hands in greeting, and made a suggestion.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present. A month has passed since your ascension to the throne, yet the enthronement ceremony has not been held. Now that everything is on track, it is time to hold a grand ceremony to announce it to the world."
Xu Jinhuan nodded upon hearing this, "Minister Jin is right, then let the Ministry of Rites make the arrangements."
After speaking, she looked at the civil and military officials below the stage and asked, "Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"
Seeing that everyone was alright, Xu Jinhuan dismissed the court.
She returned to the imperial study, listlessly looking at the memorials in her hands. After stabilizing the court, Zhou Ziheng left the Huaxia Kingdom and returned to the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Xu Jinhuan still remembered what Zhou Ziheng said when he left.
"Jin Huan, wait for me in China. When we meet again, I will bring a gift from the Great Zhou."
Xu Jinhuan looked at the memorial in his hand and muttered, "It's been so long, why is there still no news..."
After these days of reflection, Xu Jinhuan has come to realize her own feelings; she undoubtedly likes Zhou Ziheng.
But unfortunately, the person who should be there most is not there.
"Knock knock knock"
There was a sudden knock on the door of the Imperial Study.
Xu Jinhuan casually called out, "Come in."
After calling out, she wondered to herself, "Why didn't the palace maid Magpie announce who's here today? She's usually the most boisterous one..."
"Jin Huan, I'm back." Zhou Ziheng's voice rang out from the doorway.
Xu Jinhuan looked up in surprise, blinked, and quickly walked over, lightly punching Zhou Ziheng's chest.
"You, Zhou Ziheng, you disappeared as soon as you got back. All my efforts..."
Zhou Ziheng naturally noticed the slight change in Xu Jinhuan's emotions. He took Xu Jinhuan's hand and said tenderly, "Jinhuan, I missed you."
After saying this, he knelt on one knee and presented a scroll with both hands.
"This is all that is in the treasury of my Great Zhou. Now that Emperor Zhou Ziheng of Great Zhou has come to propose marriage, the entire Great Zhou will serve as the dowry. I wonder if Your Majesty would agree?"
Xu Jinhuan's ears turned slightly red, but she looked intently at Zhou Ziheng and asked, "No regrets?"
Zhou Ziheng replied with a smile, "I would gladly accept it and have no regrets."
Xu Jinhuan smiled as he took the scroll, casually tossed it onto the desk beside him, helped Zhou Ziheng up, and whispered in his ear, "I grant your permission."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ziheng froze for a moment, his face showing disbelief mixed with ecstatic joy. He instinctively pulled Xu Jinhuan into his arms, murmuring, "Don't go back on your word."
After feeling the force on his body, Xu Jinhuan helplessly patted Zhou Ziheng's back and said with a smile, "I won't cheat."
Zhou Ziheng looked at Xu Jinhuan with love, "Jinhuan, I love you, and that love will never change, even if my soul disappears from this world."
The response to his vow was Xu Jinhuan's lips...
—End of text—
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