Star Sky Professional

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, it is already the third year of Long Chang.

The emperor's office, inside the Palace of Diligent Administration.

"Your Majesty, currently the prices of rice and cloth among the people..."

The newly promoted Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Zhang, lowered his eyes respectfully, watching as an ordinary-looking middle-aged man knelt on the ground, reporting to the emperor behind the imperial desk.

Since Emperor Long Chang ascended the throne, he has adhered to tradition, maintaining tranquillity in the court, like a stagnant pool of water.

Yet, in this seemingly dead water, three years have passed, and both ministers and the realm have gradually accepted the fact of the new emperor's reign.

This is not easy, as it represents the consolidation of imperial authority.

However, it's not entirely true that the new emperor hasn't done anything. For example, he promoted Zhao Hu into the Imperial Army.

For instance, after the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he established 'Agents of Disorder', assigning the Embroidered Uniform Guard mainly to investigate officials, while entrusting the gathering and espionage of information from the marketplace and the populace to the Agents of Disorder.

The one kneeling now is the Commander of Agents of Disorder — Commander of Disorder.

As peers, naturally, they couldn't see eye to eye.

"Enough..."

Fang Xing finished reviewing a memorandum, slightly weary, then looked towards Eunuch Zhang: "What has happened in the harem?"

Upon hearing this, the Commander of Disorder immediately kowtowed: "I take my leave, Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Zhang watched the retreating figure of the Commander of Disorder, feeling a deep sense of pity.

This newly appointed Commander of Disorder has deep intentions; yet, on the surface, he appears to be an ordinary, thick-browed, kind-hearted fellow, knowing how to advance and retreat, making him extremely difficult to deal with.

"Your Majesty, three days ago, Noble Consort Yu went to Chaotian Temple to offer incense... Recently, Prince Kang intends to submit a petition, requesting Noble Consort Yu to leave the palace for a mother-son reunion."

Eunuch Zhang reported.

This Noble Consort Yu is the biological mother of Prince Kang.

Since Fang Xing ascended the throne, Prince Kang has always been respectful, and Daqian does not have a tradition of princes being assigned to fiefdoms.

In Fang Xing's view, the assignment of princes to fiefdoms actually amounts to tacit permission for the prince to lord over and exploit the local area, in exchange for court stability.

This equates to sacrificing the interests of the local people, which is very disadvantageous.

Leaving the princes in the capital certainly presents risks, but for him, none pose significant issues.

This body, maintained by inner strength, takes resources from the world to nourish one individual; living disease-free until a hundred years old isn't a problem.

Furthermore, no accident is likely to occur, allowing for peace of mind.

"Since Prince Kang has been compliant since I ascended the throne, very well... If he requests, then grant it."

Fang Xing waved his hand.

As for Prince Tai and his biological mother, Concubine Shu, in the past, they were somewhat restless, even suspected of secretly investigating the late emperor's death, likely intending to cause trouble.

Fang Xing promptly took care of them; firstly, Concubine Shu, like other concubines, was demoted to a lower status, becoming a noble consort, greatly reducing her standing. Offending many during her time as a noble consort, Fang Xing need not take action as the crowd pushed her down when she was in trouble.

Additionally, with the Crown Princess Consort ascending as the Empress, she formally gained control over the harem. With the change of sovereign, the previous noble consort's influence inevitably waned quickly, now no longer substantial.

Moreover, if Prince Tai submits a petition requesting to take his mother out of the palace for care, he will definitely not consent.

'This idea of keeping the princes' mothers... has a faint scent of a hostage?'

'Ancient politics seem to hide many intricacies everywhere...'

'Unfortunately, it doesn't concern me... I'm just here to cultivate the Innate Spiritual Treasure.'

Fang Xing looked towards Eunuch Zhang: "Anything else?"

"Your Majesty..."

Cold sweat dripped from Eunuch Zhang's face as he handed up a booklet.

Fang Xing opened it, first startled, then promptly laughed: "Among this cohort of maidens, there indeed are hidden talents…"

As long as he is emperor, he will inevitably become the focal point of contradictions.

Moreover, with slight movement, someone's interests are bound to be harmed.

And with this, the first selection after three years since his ascension, various factions have extravagantly staged their entrances; who knows how many intrigues are mixed in, involving numerous profits and scheming…

'If dozens are selected, the harem will become lively… No, it's already quite lively.'

Fang Xing, possessing acute senses and extensive experience, is considered an unparalleled Grandmaster of toxic medicine.

Previously, upon leisurely visiting the Imperial Palace, he immediately sensed grievances in every palace hall.

And among the concubines, secret poisoning and sabotages… cannot be described as commonplace yet are not uncommon either.

Even as wise as the founder emperor, one cannot completely avoid it.

After all, there are no demons in this world; everyone is mortal, with limited energy and inevitably some oversights.

Sometimes, Fang Xing feels this world resembles a gigantic ramshackle troupe.

'Hmm, perhaps the Founding Ancestor should not be overestimated, feeling that even three years ago, if I lacked transcendent power, I could have successfully broken the situation?'

'Worst case, directly raise armies in rebellion, kill the emperor, and pin the crime on Prince Tai… This might not be believed in the capital, but in the realm, it's hard to say; with proper propaganda, how would outsiders know the truth? I am the Crown Prince; why would I rebel?'

'Then, chaos would ensue, starting anew to conquer the land? Possessing accumulated resources, and able to produce steel, engage in soil fertilizers… importantly, having the Crown Prince's legitimate title allows for calmly accepting defections; as long as the defeated admit that Prince Tai murdered the monarch, they can be accepted, perhaps pacifying the realm in less than three years even if it results in more casualties…'

'Moreover, engaging in such tyrannical acts may be alright in the early and middle years but inevitably breeds resentment in later years, perhaps even alienation from one's wife; if someone instigates, it could lead to father-son treachery even more likely…'

'Seems rather intriguing… Crown Prince's regicide plot? Accused of potential patricide, clearing a massive mess?'

'Forget it, better to be a victorious strategist with no prominent achievements...'

Fang Xing looked at Eunuch Zhang: "For this selection, you must also be vigilant. The Empress, the concubines, and even the court maidens must be observed... I do not wish to see chaos in the harem, with things like abortion drugs running rampant, eunuchs and maids framing the consorts..."

Bang bang!

Eunuch Zhang was so frightened that his legs turned to jelly, and he kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead bleeding: "Your Majesty, such things could never happen..."

Abortion drugs? In the palace, the imperial physicians have strict rules. They must always be accompanied, and there are multiple copies of each medical dossier. How could such harmful things enter the palace?

As for maids and eunuchs framing concubines or harming the prince? Wouldn't that mean the doom of their nine generations?

Even if one were a lone Death Soldier, how many could be trained, and how high could they rise?

Eunuch Zhang felt that there was a hidden meaning in His Majesty's words, and his back was already drenched in cold sweat. He was almost scared enough to prepare to poison himself.

"Oh? That's good, then..."

Fang Xing nodded. In this mortal world, as long as rules and procedures are well established, most problems can be solved.

As for the chaos in the harem, it is ultimately up to the emperor.

As long as the emperor does not favor one exclusively and is not swayed by emotions, the harem cannot become chaotic.

As for those rare cases where one favors a beloved consort so much that they end up killing their only son, leading to the throne being passed to a nephew, such an oddity is beyond the consideration of ordinary people.

'Alternatively, having only one empress and no other women might also work...'

'Either love exclusively, or be a playboy; a moment's distraction inevitably leads to chaos.'

Fang Xing shook his head, deciding to delegate the management of harem matters to the Empress, and only pay slight attention himself.

The power of ancient moral principles is simply unimaginable.

Frankly speaking, even if the Empress could not deal with a concubine directly, she has the full capability to purge all the servants around the concubine.

With such an advantage, it's nearly impossible to lose.

"To be a wise ruler is actually very simple; sometimes even letting go is an advantage..."

"Is it the future evaluation that shackles me?"

Fang Xing pondered for a moment; even if some emperors were wise and exceptionally capable to the extreme, thus surviving their offspring, issues still easily arose with future generations.

This is the lamentable fate of short-lived cliques.

He sent Eunuch Zhang out to continue handling affairs.

Suddenly, a memorial caught his eye.

"Yuan Zhao, are you preparing to retire?"

Fang Xing felt a bit emotional.

This cloth-clad Prime Minister who had followed the Founding Ancestor in conquering the realm was diligent and conscientious, yet his age was indeed advanced.

Especially three years ago when the Great Martial Emperor, in whom he had placed his hopes, died of a sudden heart attack, it shattered the spirit of this old man.

He had stayed on reluctantly for the sake of the new emperor for three years.

Now that all affairs are on track, it's only natural for him to retire.

'This person is indeed wise, being the top strategist back in the day... Now he retreats at the peak, firstly because his health is truly failing, secondly to avoid trouble by staying on.'

Fang Xing shook his head.

The Prime Minister of the Cabinet, being the head of all officials, would inevitably have a group of disciples and followers, gradually forming factions.

Even more, they become an eyesore!

Moreover, those literati in the Eastern Palace following Fang Xing must all be eyeing the Cabinet position.

If he did not leave, he would no doubt face accusations from all sides.

'For an official, it's primarily about the relationship with the emperor...'

'Yuan Zhao had ties with the late emperor, but shared little friendship with me... If he doesn't want to be accused of treason and have his nine generations wiped out in the future, he should retire.'

Fang Xing smiled, approving it with a vermillion brush: "Approved."

Of course, the retirement of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet would not be so simple. At the very least, his honorary rank should be elevated, and he should be gifted gold, so both sides maintain dignity.

'I hope that after he returns, he doesn't end up like that Grand Secretary Xu of the Ming Dynasty, whose family's land suddenly increased by hundreds of thousands of acres... Otherwise...'

...

The Yuan Residence.

This was an imperial-granted mansion, reportedly converted from a prince's residence of the previous dynasty. Though many noncompliant items had been removed, the courtyard was still deep and grand.

At this moment, Yuan Zhao, dressed in common attire, was playing with a parrot.

Compared to three years ago, he appeared more aged but still spirited.

"Father..."

A middle-aged man approached Yuan Zhao from behind: "Once that memorial is submitted, there's no room for turning back."

"Hehe, I'm old. If I continued to cling to power, I would be resented by the younger generation."

Yuan Zhao grabbed a handful of bird feed and suddenly spoke with relief: "Besides... our emperor, though showing neither mountains nor rivers... yet is quite a formidable character, I can be at ease."

"A formidable character?"

The middle-aged man said nothing.

"Do you think, for the past three years, without engaging in grand ventures and ruling with inaction, could just anyone have achieved that?"

Yuan Zhao laughed and shook his head: "Avoiding youthful impulsiveness, our emperor, having been the Crown Prince for so many years, can hold back this impulse after ascending the throne. That's quite remarkable... Nowadays, as the Imperial Army gradually submits, the emperor's throne becomes unshakeable. Isn't that clear evidence? Tell our family members to distance themselves from the various princes, or else misfortune is not far away..."