Checking In for Sixty Years, From Puppet Emperor to Heavenly Emperor – Chapter 68

Ch 68: Beginning of the Demon Disaster

It was dinner time when the Empress finally arrived. So many big things had happened today that she had a lot to deal with. However, because Zhou An had said they would eat together, she could only put aside what she was doing and come.

Now, Zhou An’s position in her heart had instantly reached its highest point. Arriving at Qianyang Palace and seeing that the palace maids had already prepared the wine and dishes, she immediately went to the study to see Zhou An and bowed, saying, “The Emperor, dinner is ready.”

Zhou An opened his eyes, returned his True Energy to his Dantian, got up, and, as usual, took Shangguan Rong’s hand, saying, “Empress, there’s no need to be so restrained suddenly. I’m still the same as before.”

“But in your subject’s heart, the Emperor is already different.” Shangguan Rong saw that Zhou An’s eyes were the same as before, and she was still happy. To be liked by the Emperor, whether you are the Empress or an Imperial Concubine, is a fortunate thing.

If Zhou An didn’t look at her with that lustful feeling, it would instead make Shangguan Rong worry about whether she still had any value.

She might not have cared too much before, but now she must care, and she must operate with this as her greatest goal.

Zhou An suddenly picked up Shangguan Rong and walked into the bedroom laughing, causing Shangguan Rong to feel shy and happy.

After half an hour of lovemaking, the two came out to eat. The food was still warm, as the palace maids would naturally take care of these things.

Zhou An’s sudden move, although it made Shangguan Rong shy, dispelled most of the anxiety in her heart. Looking at Zhou An, her eyes held a bit more love.

Zhou An’s meals were actually very simple. Preparing a few exquisite side dishes was enough. It wouldn’t be like in the imperial palaces in TV shows, where dozens or even hundreds of dishes were presented for the Emperor to eat alone.

After the meal, when the palace maids served tea, Shangguan Rong said, “Emperor, this time, your subject still wants to keep all the ministers. After all, if so many ministers leave at once, the Imperial Court will experience a disconnect for a long time.

Your subject will gradually replace these ministers and reduce the number of official positions occupied by large families, so that there will be a balance between truly talented people and large families. If the Imperial Court is full of outstanding talents, that may not be a good thing for us either.

Most of the world’s top talents are proud and arrogant, and there may even be those who consider themselves above Imperial Authority. We still need some smooth-talking people to mediate, and we cannot allow any minister to monopolize power or become so meritorious that they overshadow the Emperor. This is detrimental to the Imperial Family’s rule.”

Zhou An nodded and said, “Whatever the Empress decides is fine. Since I have you managing the Imperial Court, I naturally trust your ability to handle the problems between the country and the families.”

“Your subject thanks the Emperor for his trust and tolerance.” Shangguan Rong’s face was flushed, and she had a grateful expression.

Zhou An suddenly sat next to the Empress, picked her up, and sat her on his lap, hugging her as he said with a chuckle, “You and I are husband and wife, there’s no need to be so formal. There’s no need to pretend to be the Emperor in the eyes of others. We should be how we are by nature.

I, Zhou An, am the Emperor. No matter what I do, it’s not up to the people of the world to question, and they are not qualified to question. Empress, feel free to manage the country and make it better. In the Imperial Court, if an official can help you govern this country well, then he has value.

If they become a stumbling block for you, then kick them away. The Qianyuan Empire now doesn’t need to consider the faces of those large families, let alone their interests. The only thing we need to consider is the country’s interests.”

“Your subject will keep it in mind. Since the Emperor trusts your subject so much, your subject wants to dissolve these large families in the country. They almost rule all the prefectures in the country. Even if the Imperial Family manages them, they must obtain their consent, which is a great hidden danger for the country,” Shangguan Rong said, leaning in Zhou An’s arms.

“Okay, that’s how it should be. But which family does the Empress plan to deal with first?” Zhou An asked.

“The Shangguan Family is the largest family in the country, controlling half of Qian Capital’s territory. Almost one-third of the country’s income goes to the Shangguan Family. We must first dissolve the Shangguan Family, and then the Jiang Family,” Shangguan Rong said.

Zhou An was surprised. Looking at the Empress’s expression, he asked curiously, “Then you will become the object of the Shangguan Family’s scorn. Have you thought about how to handle it?”

“Although your subject is a daughter of the Shangguan Family, first and foremost, your subject is the Qianyuan Empire Empress. The country is always the first priority. As for the Shangguan Family, your subject wants them to hand over all the finances they have embezzled over the years, incorporate the privately assembled army into the Imperial City Army, disband the established gangs and the wandering cultivators they have recruited, and return the territory controlled by the family to the country. They are no longer allowed to collect taxes privately,” Shangguan Rong said seriously.

Zhou An nodded and said, “Okay, but this matter will be implemented after the New Year. Now I have discovered that the Righteous-Demonic War will affect Qian Capital, and even the entire country. I must deal with it first, so as not to add the turmoil caused by the two events together, resulting in a situation that is difficult to control.

Moreover, the Brocade Guard and the Purple Guard are currently cultivating and improving. They need some time to digest. When these two organizations have fully grown, we will be able to face any situation.”

“Your subject understands.” Shangguan Rong was secretly happy that her ideas could be approved by Zhou An, and that the two could maintain consistency in this regard, which made her very happy.

She suddenly kissed Zhou An and said in a charming tone, “Emperor, your subject wants it.”

Zhou An was delighted and hugged her, making love right in the main hall.

The palace maids immediately retreated, quietly lowered the curtains, closed the doors and windows, and guarded outside.

After this, Shangguan Rong was truly devoted. Zhou An was naturally happy. He had long wanted to attack these large families, but his own proposal was far less effective than the Empress saying it herself.

After that, the Imperial Palace became calm. No minister in the Imperial Court dared to oppose the Empress’s decisions anymore. However, when Cai Xianfa was implementing the reforms, he was harassed by the officials below, and the Brocade Guard directly beheaded them on the spot. High-ranking officials who tried to defend them were targeted and investigated by the Brocade Guard, resulting in their entire families being confiscated and the main figures being beheaded in public.

From then on, no one dared to oppose the Imperial Examination reform anymore. Even the large families could only bow their heads and admit defeat, turning to demanding that their sons work hard to enter the Imperial Court through the Imperial Examination.

The Empress was busy with state affairs during the day, and at night Zhou An taught her the Yin-Yang Art to cultivate together. At the same time, he began to help the Empress find suitable treasures and skills. After all, she had already reached the Innate Third Level. If he didn’t prepare in advance, how would she survive the Heavenly Tribulation?

Cultivating the Yin-Yang Art with Hua Wuyue and Shangguan Rong also allowed his cultivation to begin to rise.

On this day, Zhou An was checking in all over the country as usual. After lighting up the entire map of a city, he obtained a Spiritual Treasure. Although these were not very useful to him, they could be used as rewards for his subordinates who had made contributions.

Moreover, he obtained a lot of Elixirs on this trip, but unfortunately, they were all for Houtian Martial Artists.

Just as he was about to go to the nearby mountains to check in, Zhou Ling Sha sent a Flying Sword Letter. A white light flew down in front of him, revealing a string of text.

After seeing it, he frowned and immediately controlled his sword to fly back to the Imperial Palace.

Zhou Ling Sha was already waiting in the Qianyang Palace Hall. As soon as the Escaping Light landed, she said, “Emperor Brother, in the past three days, a large number of deaths have suddenly occurred in Qian Capital. The Demon Suppression Agency has investigated and determined that it was caused by Demons.”

“Can’t the Ten Thousand Demons King handle it?” Zhou An was strange. With the Ten Thousand Demons King’s abilities, even if there were Demons causing trouble, it should be easy to solve. Now, the Demon Suppression Agency has eight Demon Kings and hundreds of Greater Demons stationed there, plus the Demon Hunters among humans.

It can be said that in Qian Capital, even if hundreds of Demons were causing trouble at the same time, the Demon Suppression Agency could capture them all within a day.

“They are already dealing with it. At first, they caught a lot of Demons and threw them into the Demon Suppression Tower, but today the Ten Thousand Demons King suddenly came to me and said that something big had happened, and asked me to report it immediately. He flew outside the city alone, feeling like he was facing a formidable enemy.

I think the Ten Thousand Demons King must have discovered important clues and encountered an opponent that even he felt was tricky.

Moreover, it has only been a few days since the Great Ancestor was killed, and so many Demons are causing trouble in Qian Capital. I suspect that it is very likely that the Golden-Robed Man and the Silver-Robed Man are secretly behind it,” Zhou Ling Sha analyzed.

“Understood, you continue to monitor Qian Capital. I’ll go take a look.” Zhou An immediately flew out of the hall, and at the same time, he sent a Flying Sword Letter to the Four Ethereal Immortals, asking them to strengthen their vigilance. He also notified Hua Wuyue to follow him to take a look.