At night, the Ze Tian Palace Hall was brightly lit. Hundreds of celestial crane lanterns shone with a faint luster, illuminating the magnificent palace hall. When Lin Muyu arrived, she found that many important officials had already arrived. The two princes, Tang Lan and Su Muyun, were both present. Although outsiders could not be conferred the title of King, the power of these two people was simply too great. The rule that outsiders could not be conferred the title of King seemed to exist in name only to them. Other than these important officials from the various departments, there were also the commanders of the various armies, as well as the ministers of the six ministries. Other than these important officials from the various ministries, there were some unfamiliar faces.
Some of them Lin Muyu knew, such as Ji Lin, Ouyang Ping, and the others. They were people from the four great clans of the Heavenly Book. Most of the people attending the banquet tonight were people from the Heavenly Book Pavilion. One could already faintly foresee what was going to happen.
…
"Mu …"
Tang Xiaoxi welcomed her from afar. She was wearing a fiery-red gown. The gown was decorated with exquisite gems and golden patterns, making this beautiful young lady who was gradually maturing look even more beautiful. The long gown wrapped around her exquisite and curvy body, outlining the perfect curves that were filled with youthfulness. It could simply be said that she was radiating brilliance.
Lin Muyu's eyes couldn't help but light up. She smiled and said, "Xiao Xi is really beautiful tonight!"
Tang Xiaoxi pouted and said with a smile, "Fortunately, you came today. Otherwise, wouldn't I have dressed up for nothing …"
As she said that, she seemed to feel that her words were too suggestive. She couldn't help but blush and turned her pretty face away from Lin Muyu, pretending that she didn't say anything.
"Alright, let's take our seats …"
The commander of the imperial guards, Qin Yan, had already walked over in a suit of armor. Behind him were a few imperial guards with calm expressions. He cupped his fists respectfully and said with a smile, "Big Brother, you've come … You and Princess Xi's seats will be arranged at the place closest to His Highness. Follow me."
"Alright."
…
After everyone took their seats, Qin Yin finally arrived. She was dressed in a beautiful dark blue gown, and the pattern of a divine dragon was embellished with a sapphire gem. It was beautiful and majestic. She held the faintly glowing Heaven-suppressing Sword in her hand. She gently sat on the throne and looked at the officials with a smile. She was not angry, but she was not angry.
With the arrival of the empress, everyone naturally quietened down quickly.
However, Qin Yin's gaze fell on Lin Muyu because she hadn't seen him for many days.
Lin Muyu and Qin Yin looked at each other. She could read the longing in Qin Yin's eyes. She couldn't help but pout mischievously and blow the empress a kiss. Immediately, Qin Yin's face turned red, but the officials were too far away and the angle was not right. They didn't know what happened, but Shangguan Jingyue, who was standing beside Qin Yin, burst into laughter.
"Alright, let's start the banquet," Qin Yin said.
"Yes!"
Shangguan Jingyue walked forward, announced the start of the banquet, and served the wine and dishes.
Ever since the reorganization of the Imperial Guards, the Eagle Nest Barracks had also been rebuilt. Qin Yan personally supervised the construction, and very quickly, it had an establishment of 700 to 800 people. Furthermore, there was no lack of experts. Therefore, there was no need to worry about the food supply in Ze Tian Palace Hall. There were many wild animals and rare fruits in the Dragon Seeking Forest. Very quickly, the table was filled with them, and a refreshing fragrance assaulted the senses.
Lin Muyu's gaze was fixed on the plate of fish in front of him. It smelled very fragrant. It was the legendary arowana. The taste was extremely delicious, and it had already whetted his appetite.
Qin Yin held up her wine cup, stood up gently, and said, "Everyone, I have invited everyone here for a joyous gathering tonight. I hope that everyone will not be restrained and will not leave until we are drunk. Come, let us drink to the fullest. May the Qin Empire be prosperous and peaceful, and prosperous for all eternity!"
"Prosperous and peaceful, and prosperous for all eternity!"
Everyone raised their cups in unison and drained the wine in one gulp. No one dared to disrespect the empress's toast.
…
After drinking the wine, a wave of mellow fragrance and spiciness flowed into her throat. Lin Muyu immediately swept through the delicacies on the table in front of her. While she was gorging herself, one of the people at the banquet stood up. It was Ji Lin.
"Manager Ji Lin, what's the matter?" Qin Yin asked with a smile.
Ji Lin cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, I have already drafted out the ranks and treatment of the people who will be joining the Heavenly Book Pavilion. Please take a look."
Qin Yin waved her hand and said, "Sir Manager, you can just read it out directly. Let everyone listen to it."
"Yes!"
Ji Lin took out a scroll hidden in his sleeve, opened it, and said in a clear voice, "The Heavenly Book Pavilion uses literature to govern the country. Anyone who can write a Heavenly Book can be included in the literary circles of the Heavenly Book Pavilion. Those who write a Book of Adulthood will be titled 'Person', with a monthly salary of 200 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of Spiritual Books will be titled 'Spiritual Knight', with a monthly salary of 1000 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of Earthly Books will be titled 'Earthly Scholar', with a monthly salary of 3000 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of Heavenly Books will be titled 'Heavenly Scholar', with a monthly salary of 10,000 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of God will be titled 'Duke', with a monthly salary of 100,000 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of God will be titled 'Duke', with a monthly salary of 10,000 Gold Khin Coins; those who write a Book of God will be titled 'Duke', with a monthly salary of 100,000 Gold Khin Coins; Your Highness, please take a look."
After Ji Lin's speech, it was as if a huge rock had been thrown into a peaceful banquet, causing a huge uproar!
One person slammed the table and stood up. It was the commander of the Iron Blade Army, Su Long. His expression was very ugly, and his words were full of the smell of gunpowder. He said, "Pah! Writing a Book of Heavenly Books and you can be titled as a Duke? Do you think the Marquises of the Qin Empire are cabbages that can be found on the streets? A mere Earthly Scholar wants a monthly salary of 3000 Gold Khin Coins? Dream on! Do you know the monthly salary of the commanders of the Qin Empire? The dignified commander of the Iron Blade Army only gets a monthly salary of 1000 Gold Khin Coins. What right do you, a mere Earthly Scholar, have to receive so much more than us? "
Another commander also stood up and cupped his fists. He said, "Your Highness, please understand. We, the soldiers of the Qin Empire, have risked our lives to fight against the Demon Race and the rebels of the Yihe Kingdom, in exchange for the temporary peace and tranquility of the Qin Empire. Many soldiers have died for the Qin Empire, and now you are actually conferring titles to these so-called scholars. The soldiers of the Qin Empire cannot accept this!"
More and more people objected. Even the faces of Feng Jixing, Xiang Yu, and Su Yu showed some displeasure.
Qin Yin saw this and silently nodded. She said, "I understand what the commanders mean. However, the Book of Heavenly Books is a mysterious formation that can draw the power of heaven and earth. The Qin Empire has no choice but to pay attention to it. As for Sir Ji Lin's rank and the distribution of monthly salary … it is not too exaggerated. After all, no one has been able to write a Book of Heavenly Books, and even Books of Earthly Books are extremely rare. "
At this moment, the Minister of Revenue stood up and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the revenue of the Ministry of Revenue is almost fixed every year. If … if it is really like Sir Ji Lin's distribution of rewards, I'm afraid that the expenditure of the Ministry of Revenue will greatly exceed the budget. As the number of scholars engraved the Book of Heavenly Books increases, this expenditure will definitely increase until the Ministry of Revenue can no longer bear it."
"Your Highness!"
Feng Jixing said calmly, "I think … it is better to slightly reduce the monthly salary of some scholars. Otherwise, it will really be like what the Minister of Revenue said. The entire Empire's income will be burdened by the Heavenly Book Pavilion."
However, at this moment, Qin Yong of Prince Zhong Residence stood up and cupped his fists respectfully. "Your Highness, once the strategy of ruling the country with literature is formulated, it must not be abandoned. This old official thinks that the salary that Manager Ji Lin has listed is not excessive."
Qin Yin nodded lightly. "I understand. Uncle Wang, please sit down."
"Yes!"
At this moment, Xiang Yu slowly stood up and said, "Your Highness, the Demon Race and the Yihe Nation's rebels are still eyeing the Empire covetously. If we spend all the Jinxiin coins on the Heavenly Book Pavilion, once the Demon Race and the Yihe Nation start another war, how will the Empire defend itself? Don't tell me … we can only rely on these weak scholars holding the Book of Heavenly Books to guard our territory? This lowly general doesn't know … if these scholars can hear the sound of the Yihe Nation's iron hooves and pee their pants. "
Lin Muyu couldn't help but laugh. Even Xiang Yu seemed to be unable to sit still. Once Qin Yin approved the Heavenly Book Pavilion's request, the Empire would really be strong in literature but weak in martial arts.
At this moment, beside the Patriarch of the Four Great Clans, Liu Yan, a handsome man stood up. With a "shua" sound, he put away his paper fan, cupped his fists, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I believe that the various commanders must not have seen the power of the Heavenly Book inscriptions. If they had seen it, they would most likely agree with Lord Steward Ji Lin's request."
Xiang Yu raised his eyebrows. "Who are you?"
The young man respectfully said, "I am the second son of the Liu Residence, Liu Feng."
Qin Yin smiled slightly. "Young Master Liu Feng, you … what grade of Heavenly Book can you write?"
Liu Feng replied, "I am untalented. I just wrote a low-grade Earthly Book late last night. If I have more time, I will definitely write a real Heavenly Book for Your Highness!"
Not far away, Ji Lin said, "Your Highness, the second son of the Liu Residence, Liu Feng, is indeed a rare genius. He is able to write an Earthly Book at the age of 27, which is rare in the world. His aptitude and comprehension are top-notch."
"Is that so?"
Qin Yin's eyes were filled with praise. "The Empire needs a talent like Young Master Liu Feng. I hope that you will continue to work hard."
Liu Feng raised his head and looked at Qin Yin. Immediately, he was deeply subdued by the Empress's peerless beauty. For a moment, his face was filled with admiration. He cupped his fists and said, "For Your Highness, I will definitely not let you down!"
He kept saying "for Your Highness," which made everyone a little unhappy. Furthermore, Liu Feng's gaze towards Qin Yin was obviously less respectful and more frivolous.
Feng Jixing was slightly angry and said, "Young Master Liu Feng, as a subject, you actually dare to look directly at Her Highness's appearance. Aren't you being too frivolous?"
Liu Feng hurriedly lowered his head and said respectfully, "I deserve to die … It's just that Her Highness's appearance is like that of a celestial being. It's so breathtakingly beautiful that it's like a fairy descending to the mortal world. I couldn't help but look at it for a while longer. I hope … I hope that Her Highness will forgive me …"
Feng Jixing clenched his fists tightly. His eyes were filled with anger.
At this moment, Lin Muyu stood up and said, "Your Highness, I request that the salary of the Heavenly Book Pavilion be reduced by half."
"Oh, does Brother Yu think so too?" Qin Yin smiled sweetly.
…
When Liu Feng saw how intimate Qin Yin was with Lin Muyu, he felt uncomfortable and said, "Your Highness, the salary of the Heavenly Book Pavilion must not be reduced. Scholars are the foundation of an empire! In my opinion, we should reduce the size and equipment expenditure of the major armies of the empire and spend the Jinyin coins on the Heavenly Book Inscriptions. "
"Bullsh * t!"
Lin Muyu cursed and said, "How can you say something like reducing the empire's armies? Once the Demon Race and Yihe Nation start a war, will the empire rely on trash like you to guard the borders? "
Liu Feng raised his sword-like eyebrows and said, "Scholars are not useless. Everyone in the empire can cultivate martial arts, but not everyone can write a Heavenly Book inscription. Only one in ten thousand can write a book. Commander Yu is proud of his outstanding martial arts cultivation, but … you must not look down on the Heavenly Book Pavilion, because a Heavenly Book is something you will never be able to reach in your lifetime!"
"Is that so?"
Lin Muyu sneered, "If I can write a Heavenly Book, the salary of the Heavenly Book Pavilion will be reduced by half. How about it?"
…
"You can write a book?" Liu Feng couldn't help but laugh. His eyes were full of disdain as he said, "If Commander Yu can write a Heavenly Book, even if it's just a personal book, I, Liu Feng, will concede defeat!"
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