Lanyan City was the political and economic center of the empire. During the war, this rich city provided the frontline with countless provisions, armors, weapons, and diseases. Now, the war situation had finally calmed down temporarily. The citizens of Lanyan City lined the streets to welcome the triumphant return of the empire's army. When they saw Qin Yin in the empress's robe, they were so excited that they couldn't speak.
Finally, the era of the three kings was over, and the chaos in the world should also come to an end.
"Is the war over?"
Lin Muyu smiled bitterly. She was afraid that it was far from over. The military strength of the Celestial Pole Continent was still several times that of the Shattered Realm. This time, the defeat of the Tianji Empire's expeditionary army might lead to a new change in the structure of the Celestial Pole Continent. No one knew what the future would be like, so they could only be cautious and careful.
Qin Yin had already changed her angel costume into the military uniform of the empire's female general. She wore a dark blue robe embroidered with golden purple flowers. This was the standard attire of the empress during the war, but she kept her eyes closed and followed Lin Muyu all the way to Ze Tian Palace Hall.
Behind the empress, the imperial guards who had gone to war had already been reduced from more than 100 to at least less than 30. It was very dismal. At least, the empire's generals were still intact. At least, Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, Qin Yan, Wei Chou, Xu Jiantao, Zhen Yifan, and the others were still alive. These people were the cornerstones of the empire. Qin Yin was very clear that if the soldiers were gone, they could be recruited again. If the famous generals were gone, then it was unknown when a new famous general would emerge.
…
Ze Tian Palace Hall had already been cleaned in advance. It was solemn and splendid. Everyone walked slowly into the main hall without resting. There were still many things to deal with after the war, so this afternoon was bound to be very busy.
"Your subjects welcome Your Highness back to the court!"
Everyone knelt down one after another. Even the three kings, Lin Muyu, Qin Yan, and Feng Jixing, knelt at the front of the officials. They were distinguished lords, but in front of Qin Yin, they were still officials.
"Everyone, please rise."
Qin Yin stood up and walked step by step to the edge of the Imperial Steps. She bowed to the crowd and said: "I haven't been in the Empire for many years. Everyone has worked hard. It is because of everyone's blood that the Qin Clan can still stand on this continent. I, Qin Yin, thank you all on behalf of the Qin Clan!"
Everyone said in unison, "We have no regrets serving the empire!"
Qin Yin looked at Lin Muyu and said, "Your Highness Yu."
Lin Muyu was stunned. "Xiao Yin?"
Qin Yin nodded and slowly knelt in front of Lin Muyu. She smiled faintly and said, "Big Brother Yu, you were originally a genius and could live a Xiaoyao's life without caring about worldly affairs. But because of Xiao Yin, Big Brother Yu has suffered so much for so many years. I know it's all my fault … It's hard for you to meet me …"
She was very moved. The eyelashes under her eyes trembled slightly as she knelt on the ground.
Lin Muyu hurriedly walked forward and held her arms. She said softly, "Xiao Yin, you are crazy. You are the Empress. How can you kneel to an official? Quickly get up! "
Qin Yin pursed her red lips. "Not only am I the Empress, I am also your younger sister. We are not monarch and official."
"Anyway, you can't kneel to me. Quickly get up."
"Okay."
When Qin Yin stood up, Lin Muyu then knelt down with a peace of mind. She raised her eyes and glared at Shangguan Jingyue. She had neglected her duties as the chief female official. However, Shangguan Jingyue also looked helpless. Obviously, she did not have any cultivation. How could she stop what Qin Yin wanted to do?
…
In the main hall, there were many officials. At least more than 200 civil and military officials followed Qin Yin back to Ze Tian Hall. In addition to the original high-ranking officials of Lanyan City, there were at least 300 people standing in the main hall.
Feng Jixing touched his nose. He felt that Qin Yin and Lin Muyu were showing off. He said softly, "Yu, I feel that you are going to be promoted!"
"Why?" Lin Muyu was stunned.
Feng Jixing said, "Her Highness treats you as a brother and a lover. You are the main contributor. If you don't get promoted, who else will?"
"Get promoted to an X." Lin Muyu couldn't help but curse, "We're all Royal Nobles now. Below Monarchs are Royal Nobles. The three of us are only below one person, but above tens of thousands. If we go any higher, we'll be breaking the heavens. I think we're lucky to not be demoted."
"Oh, why?" Feng Jixing was puzzled.
Lin Muyu said softly, "Look at the many officials behind us. Many of them are princes from various places. Their troops will soon arrive at Lanyan City. It is called 'rescuing the Emperor', but in fact, they are taking advantage of the Empire to ask for official positions. Just wait and see. Now that Xiao Yin is back, the three of us will definitely not be able to stay as princes for long."
Feng Jixing frowned. "You are right. I should have thought of this a long time ago. They will definitely restrict the power of the three of us. However … as long as we hold the military power in our hands, everything will be fine."
"The crux is that we don't have the military power in our hands!"
Lin Muyu said, "Look, my Longdan Army Camp and your Imperial Guards only have a total of less than 30,000 people. It's pitifully small. Any one of these honest princes behind us might have a military power that surpasses ours. The actual situation is that our army has been depleted in battle, while the military power of this group of people is still very intact."
Feng Jixing clenched his fist. "It's fine. Don't worry. We are gods, and you are a god who possesses a supreme character. If they really make things difficult for us, we'll just kill every prince that comes. What's the big deal?"
"Then the world will probably really be in chaos." Lin Muyu glared at him. "Brother Feng, you are too straightforward. You try to discuss everything with me first before making a decision."
"Yu, you are getting more and more cautious in doing things. It's no wonder that the former Emperor took you in as his godson."
Qin Yan coughed. "Hey, Prince Qin and Prince Xin, it's court time now. The two of you should speak softly. Cousin and everyone else are looking at you!"
"Cough, cough …"
As expected, Zhen Yifan, Su Yu, Tang Xiaoxi, and the other princes were all staring at Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing, the two greatest contributors to the Empire's revival. Every one of them looked as if they had seen a ghost. Logically speaking, people who had made such immortal contributions should be steady, but these two were too careless.
Qin Yin smiled and said, "Then, shall we begin the court discussion? Present the memorial one by one. "
"Yes!"
Not long after, Zeng Yifan took a step forward with a jade tablet in his hand and said, "Your Highness, this old subject has a memorial."
"Please speak, Lord Fan."
Zeng Yifan said, "The Empire's army has been continuously reduced over the years. Its military strength has been reduced from the original hundreds of thousands to the current one hundred thousand. This old subject thinks that the new recruits recruited by the various princes are too many and difficult to train. This old subject thinks that we should draw soldiers from the armies of the various princes and replenish the Empire's regular army, restoring the army's original organizational structure as soon as possible."
Qin Yin nodded in approval and said, "Yes, this is indeed an urgent matter. Then … what do the princes think?"
In the crowd, a dignified middle-aged general cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, this is not appropriate. When we recruited soldiers, it was because the country was in danger, so the people were willing to put down their farming and go to the Emperor's aid. But now that the enemy has been eliminated, this subordinate thinks that these soldiers should return to farming. Otherwise, the Empire will no longer have usable military rations."
The person who spoke was called Zhuang Yan, the governor of Xiyang City. He commanded more than fifty thousand troops and was also one of the strongest princes.
Zeng Yifan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Lord Zhuang Yan, if all the princes left with their troops, then who will protect the Imperial Capital Lanyan City? Moreover, the Empire's army urgently needs to replenish its military strength. All of you are also His Highness's subjects, shouldn't you serve the country? "
Another old general laughed. He stroked his white beard and said, "What Lord Fan said is a little biased. Although it is the duty of a minister to be loyal to the country, we have to be worthy of the Emperor and worthy of the common people. We can't disregard the lives of the people for our own selfishness, am I right?"
"Lord Su Changying really knows how to talk," Zeng Fang said resentfully.
Su Changying was the biggest prince in Yunzhong Province, with more than forty-five thousand troops. Some people said that he was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Muyun, Su Muyun, but no one knew whether it was true or not. But now that he had become famous, he couldn't be underestimated.
Lin Muyu was a little angry. She turned around to look at the group of princes and said, "Military strength, are you going to give it or not? Just say it. There's no need to beat around the bush. Tell me, are you willing to contribute your military strength to the Empire's army?"
He had already used the Invisible Elephant Technique's domain. For a moment, all the princes felt as if they were in an ice cave, almost unable to breathe.
"Of course, there's nothing we can't do," Su Changying said.
Zhuang Yan said, "But the provinces and prefectures do need military strength, and more than half of the soldiers have to go back to farming. Therefore, I've decided to take ten percent of the military strength from each army and give it to the Ministry of War. This is more reasonable."
"Ten percent?"
Qin Yin frowned slightly. "What's enough for ten percent? Twenty percent. No one is allowed to disobey. Otherwise, they will be punished according to military law. "
"Yes!"
The group of princes knelt down one after another, their faces pale.
Qin Yin continued, "In seven days, all the soldiers must be reported to the Ministry of War. The Ministry of Personnel will reward the princes according to the number of troops they have handed over. The reward ceremony will be held in seven days."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
The ministers cheered.
Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, and Tang Xiaoxi all wore cold expressions. Obviously, the situation was no longer under Ze Tian Palace's control. The princes had their own ideas, and the people's hearts were in chaos.
…
Late at night, there was a sea of sparks outside Lanyan City. The troops of various princes arrived one after another. In the darkness of the night, a group of noble generals dressed in brocade entered a large tent in the chaotic camp. They were the princes with strong military strength who had been in Ze Tian Palace during the day. Zhuang Yan, Su Changying, Liu Xiyu, and the others were among them.
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