Chapter Twenty-Four: An Additional Reward

While Li Chen was filled with joy, the discussions among the commoners grew increasingly heated.

"My lady, just listen to how the people are talking about this Emperor of Great Zhou. I truly believe you have been deceived by him; he is nothing but a muddle-headed ruler!"

As Xiao Die listened to the chatter around her, she could not help but voice her assessment, her pretty face etched with disgust. Yue Yao, meanwhile, wore a deep frown, as if contemplating the true intent behind Li Chen’s actions.

Hearing Xiao Die’s words, Yue Yao retorted, "How can these people be so shortsighted? Didn't you just acknowledge that his methods were clever?"

Xiao Die furrowed her brows, looking toward Li Chen on the high platform, and shook her head like a rattle-drum. "I think that was just a stroke of luck. How could someone who promotes such absurd songs and dances be any good?"

The young maid had harbored prejudices from the start, only keeping them to herself out of respect for her mistress. Now, hearing so many others grumbling, her courage had grown, and fearing that her mistress was being swindled, she dared to speak her mind. However, upon meeting Yue Yao’s clear, steady gaze, her confidence quickly deflated, and she lowered her head.

"You, have you forgotten what I told you before? The opinions of the masses are constrained by the rites and laws of Great Zhou they were raised under, but why have you let yourself be trapped by them too?"

"Think about it: if the Emperor does not take concubines, how can the royal line continue? In the past, rulers were women who could conceive by drinking from the Mother-Child River, but this one is a man. He can hardly carry a child for ten months himself, can he?"

Yue Yao looked toward Li Chen on the platform, and without realizing it, a hint of pity flickered in her eyes.

"That may be so, but wouldn't doing this shake the very foundation of the state? Great Zhou has long prohibited intermarriage with other nations. How could his ministers possibly agree to this?" Xiao Die whispered in agreement.

Yue Yao smiled. "In my view, this is exactly where his true brilliance lies. On the surface, he appears to be indulging in beauty, but in reality, it is merely a means to consolidate his own power. Moreover, through intermarriage, he can win over various factions and even force them to check and balance one another. If he succeeds, the benefits will far outweigh the drawbacks."

"When we return, I shall write to my father immediately. Regardless of the circumstances, this royal decree might be a golden opportunity for the Tang Kingdom to strengthen its ties with this new Emperor of Great Zhou."

...

[Congratulations, Your Majesty, for receiving a reward. One hundred cases of Master Niu instant noodles have been placed in your storage ring and can be consumed at any time.]

Li Chen had been basking in the joy of the significant decline in the nation's fortune when he saw that this reward was actually something like instant noodles. As a staple for homebodies in his previous life, he was far too familiar with them. If not for his transmigration, he would have been sick of eating them. However, times were different now; even as an Emperor, the delicacies available to him were limited. A bowl of instant noodles was quite enough to comfort his taste buds.

The more Li Chen thought about it, the more he felt he could explore the path of gastronomy. After all, to be a qualified incompetent ruler, merely ruining court politics and appointing corrupt officials wasn't enough; beauty, fine food, and excellent wine were all essential!

At the same time, the familiar "choose one of two" reward appeared.

[1. Prepare for War: The Great Zhou border army will receive 100,000 sets of fine armor for border defense.]

[2. Heart Sutra of the Imperial Consort: Enhances the pleasures of intimacy, thereby gaining various benefits and improving one's own abilities. For specific gains, please explore for yourself, Your Majesty!]

Seeing the options, Li Chen chose the second one without a moment’s hesitation. Even though the second option was presented with coy ambiguity, with the experience of a veteran "driver" from his past life, how could he not know what this was?

Given the current state of Great Zhou, even if he wanted to continue ruining the national fortune, the long-standing prestige of the throne meant others might not dare to harbor rebellious thoughts. If he were to provide the border army with 100,000 sets of armor, it might just scare other nations into increasing their tributes—that would be asking for unnecessary trouble.

As Li Chen made his selection, a flood of information rushed into his mind, causing his heart to race. He cast an undisguised look at Wan'er beside him. At this moment, in Li Chen's eyes, Wan'er was no longer just a woman; she was a precious tonic bestowed upon him by the heavens! According to the description of the Heart Sutra, a beauty like Wan'er was the most suitable vessel for personal cultivation. In some immortal cultivation worlds, she would be considered a perfect "furnace."

[Additionally, because the national fortune has declined significantly, you have received an extra hidden reward, which will be unlocked in three days.]

Damn! There's even a hidden reward? Too bad, it would have been even better if it had been a critical hit on the decline of the national fortune.

As he thought more about the newly acquired "Heart Sutra," he felt an itch in his heart. Deciding to leave things to Ouyang Yu and the others, he hastily took Wan'er and returned to the palace.

As soon as he left, the ministers crowded around Ouyang Yu and a few other high-ranking officials.

"Lord Ouyang, the Emperor’s actions are truly a subversion of all norms! If he actually follows through with this, our Great Zhou is bound to fall into chaos!"

"Indeed! Abandoning the imperial examinations in favor of some 'Royal Academy'—doesn't that cut off the future for countless people? Those who have spent half their lives studying certainly cannot start over now!"

"And these districts of pleasure—is that how a sage ruler should think? Is that something a great nation should possess? It is an insult to the dignity of the state! I believe we should jointly submit a petition requesting the Emperor to rescind his orders!"

Listening to their clamor, Ouyang Yu felt a headache coming on. She knew better than anyone that these measures were shocking, but was it even possible to change them now? Facing their questions and suggestions, Ouyang Yu sighed deeply, speaking only after a long silence.

"Enough. This matter requires careful deliberation. Have you not yet realized that the Emperor announced these plans here today specifically because he feared our opposition, and thus he intended to make them a reality right in front of the world?"

"If you go to petition now, setting aside whether the Emperor will agree, you might very well bring disaster upon yourselves!"

Having said this, Ouyang Yu ignored the others' reactions and walked away, leaving the ministers to stare at one another in dismay.

...

Meanwhile, in the palace.

"Your Majesty, what has come over you? You... you are frightening!"

Wan'er looked at Li Chen, who acted like a wild beast, her tone trembling with nervousness. Li Chen hooked his finger under Wan'er’s chin, while his other hand began to roam with reckless abandon. They were so close that their breath could be clearly felt. Hearing her question, Li Chen felt a playful urge and teased her.

"Oh? I have even more frightening tricks than this. Would you like to see?"

As he spoke, he put on a fierce, predatory expression, which truly frightened the young girl into shrinking back, making her appear all the more pitiful and endearing. Li Chen pressed forward, ready to begin their encounter, when suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside.

"Your Majesty, Lord Bai Che has returned and is currently awaiting your command in the Imperial Study!"

Hearing this, Li Chen felt his enthusiasm wane significantly. Bai Che... wasn't she supposed to be building the Great Wall? Why had she suddenly returned?

Just as he was wondering, the attendant at the door added one more sentence...