Two hours earlier.
Ji Wuxin, his eyes still red, followed behind the Dragon Carriage into the Royal Palace.
Not long after passing through the Palace Gates, and seeing that there was no one around them anymore, Zhao Si spoke, “Your Highness, this servant has another matter to report. Before his passing, the Emperor left a verbal order, but the matter is rather absurd. I am unsure whether I should speak of it.”
Ji Wuxin did not expect that his father had left anything besides the Royal Edict. He said, “Since it is Father Emperor’s verbal order, Lord Zhao need not worry. Speak freely.”
“Very well, then I shall say it, and Your Highness need not stand on ceremony here.” Zhao Si said calmly, “Before the Emperor passed, he once said that Marquis Cao possesses both literary and martial talent and could serve as Prime Minister in the new empire.”
In truth, those words had never been spoken. Cao Shu had instructed him, and having boarded this ship, Zhao Si had no choice but to follow through.
“Marquis Cao?” Ji Wuxin asked, puzzled, “Which Marquis Cao?”
Zhao Si replied, “Cao Shu, Marquis Cao.”
“Cao Shu?” Ji Wuxin’s doubts immediately deepened. Cao Shu’s marquis title was inherited, not earned through his own merit.
Like most second- and third-generation nobles, he did not cause major trouble, but he was known for playing around.
When he was still a child, he had even come to play with him and had been scolded to tears several times.
After growing up, he had stood on Ji Wuxin’s side, but he had never been of much use. His reputation for indulgence was well known, which was why the late Emperor had taken him along during the imperial tour.
Could someone like that truly serve as Prime Minister?
That position stood below one person and above tens of thousands.
Not only did Zhao Si find it absurd, even Ji Wuxin felt the same.
He only thought that Cao Shu had been clever at entertaining the Emperor during the tour, earning a casual remark of praise.
“I understand. Allow me to consider it,” Ji Wuxin said. On the surface, he did not refuse, but in his heart, he had already dismissed Cao Shu.
“Yes.” Zhao Si took out a document from his sleeve and said, “Your Highness, the Emperor made that remark after reading this document written by him. This servant has not read it and does not know what it contains, so I wished to present it to Your Highness.”
“Oh? He can even write documents?” Ji Wuxin found it unbelievable. That frivolous fellow actually wrote something? He opened it and quickly scanned through the contents.
His expression gradually shifted from indifference to seriousness, and his eyes grew bright.
“The imperial examination system… establishing standardized classics… gathering talent from across the realm…”
The more he read, the more intrigued he became. This method of selection was truly unique.
By studying classical texts and selecting scholars through examinations, those with outstanding ability could become officials. This would greatly improve fairness while also revitalizing the literary fortune of the Great Zhou Empire. Once the literary fortune rose, the righteous aura of scholars could strengthen the empire’s destiny. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Ji Wuxin closed the document and said, “Father Emperor was right. Cao Shu indeed has the talent to serve as Prime Minister. He has simply hidden it too well, causing us to underestimate him.”
Thinking carefully, the situation during his father’s reign had been chaotic. A wise man would not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Cao Shu’s reputation as a wastrel was likely a means of self-preservation. But now that the throne was about to pass to him, the new empire required a new order. A talent like Cao Shu could not be buried.
Zhao Si fully agreed, having experienced it firsthand. He said, “In that case, Your Highness, Marquis Cao has just returned to the Capital City. Perhaps now…”
Ji Wuxin thought about the complexity of the Emperor’s funeral. Even preparation would take time.
“Let’s go.”
…
Inside the study of the Marquis Manor.
“You want me to serve as Prime Minister?” Cao Shu asked, “My reputation for playing around is well known throughout the Capital City. Your Highness, are you serious?”
Of course he was willing. His plan was to ascend to the position of Prime Minister just like his ancestors, otherwise how could he control the Great Zhou Empire? Still, he needed to appear modest at first.
Ji Wuxin said solemnly, “The position of Prime Minister belongs to none but you.”
Old Jia, standing at the side, was completely dumbfounded.
Impossible.
Our Marquis only knows how to enjoy himself. It’s already a blessing that he hasn’t caused any major disasters.
How could he possibly become Prime Minister?
Slap.
He gave himself a loud slap across the face.
It hurt. It really hurt. This wasn’t a dream.
It’s over. The Great Zhou Empire is finished.
The previously solemn atmosphere was instantly shattered by Old Jia’s slap.
Looking dazed, Old Jia said, “It’s nothing, you two continue talking. Don’t mind me.”
Ji Wuxin turned back and repeated, “This position belongs to Marquis Cao alone. I wonder what Marquis Cao thinks?”
Cao Shu no longer declined and said, “Since Your Highness insists, I will accept your kind offer.”
His plan had advanced another step. A sense of satisfaction rose in his heart. The position beneath one person and above tens of thousands was now within his grasp.
Cao Shu’s lips twitched. This notification really ruined the mood.
What kind of wording was that?
Couldn’t it be phrased better?
“Good. Once I ascend the throne, I will immediately elevate you to the position of Prime Minister,” Ji Wuxin said, delighted that he had finally secured this talent.
He then took out the document and said, “Marquis Cao, I have read the document you presented to Father Emperor. It is greatly beneficial, but there are many parts I do not understand. I hope you can enlighten me.”
Cao Shu said, “Your Highness may ask anything you do not understand.”
The two began discussing the imperial examination system.
Cao Shu had only learned about it from history textbooks, understanding it as a selection system. As for the specific format, he added his own interpretation.
The subjects would be useful texts related to governing the empire. The examination content would resemble language exams, including memorization, reading comprehension, and some basic questions on historical situations. Finally, there would be a major section for policy essays. It should be roughly correct.
Ji Wuxin’s eyes were filled with admiration. Hearing it explained in person was far more effective than reading. The imperial examination system was truly unprecedented, an innovative creation.
“Marquis Cao, this civil examination system will win the hearts of scholars across the realm and restore their hope in the Great Zhou Empire. This strategy is truly remarkable.”
The late Emperor had stirred public dissatisfaction. This policy would greatly restore public confidence. After all, ordinary people made up the majority.
Cao Shu said, “Your Highness flatters me.”
Ji Wuxin nodded and continued, “Marquis Cao, aside from the examination system, do you have other insights regarding our current situation? For example, cultivators are difficult to manage. They can fly freely and kill with ease, even slaughtering entire villages without being detected. At present, we can only recruit them as guest retainers, but this is a heavy burden on the treasury.”
The Great Zhou Empire was a cultivation empire, with both ordinary people and cultivators. Cultivators formed the main force, but the secular world was the foundation, and the empire had to maintain that foundation.
At the founding of the empire, the royal family had overwhelming strength and kept cultivators in check. However, over time, royal cultivators became entangled in succession struggles, each generation fighting more fiercely than the last. By his father’s time, the royal family had declined.
Gradually, they could only rely on external forces to maintain stability, such as Ji Wuyi’s political marriage with the granddaughter of the Duke of Ning.
Cao Shu pondered for a moment. He had considered this issue before. After becoming Prime Minister, he could not focus only on the examination system.
“I have thought about it somewhat, though only preliminary ideas. We can establish the Heavenly Martial Division, jointly managed by myself and the Emperor. First, we use the treasury to cultivate and recruit cultivators, then establish regulations to restrain cultivators within the Great Zhou Empire. The cultivators under the Heavenly Martial Division will enforce these rules. They will also be responsible for maintaining peace, exploring resources, and protecting civilian officials…”
Simply put, it would be like creating a special organization similar to an imperial guard. It would train cultivators, recruit widely, and use them to supervise other cultivators, preventing chaos.
At the same time, sect-style management would be applied to them. Assign missions such as mining, exterminating demons, suppressing evil forces, and even warfare—giving them tasks to ensure sustainable development of the empire’s resources.
As Ji Wuxin listened to Cao Shu’s explanation, especially the part where the Emperor could directly control this organization, his eyes lit up.
Looking at Cao Shu, he felt as though he were gazing at a priceless treasure and could not help but exclaim, “Brilliant! Truly brilliant!”
“Prime Minister Cao, with these two strategies, the realm can be stabilized!”