World's First Traitor System (452)

Chapter 452 - Great Jin, the Investiture Platform

In the myriad peaks of the Southern Ridge Mountains lay the Imperial Palace of Jin City.

"Esteemed ministers," Fan Li addressed the court. "The Alliance Council system I proposed was indeed rejected by the Emperors of Wei, Han, and Wu. This proposal must be temporarily shelved."

"Emperor Jiajing of Great Ming is at the height of his power. For now, I cannot form an alliance to resist him. We must first ensure the safety of Chu and Jin, then wait for an opportunity."

After Fan Li finished speaking, he quietly looked at the assembled civil and military officials.

In the Golden Luan Palace, besides Prime Minister Wang Ban, Grand Marshal Hu Zongxian, and Grand Minister of Agriculture Huang Longshi, elites from the five great families and scholars from Lu City had also entered court service.

There were also Yu Shenzi from the Imperial Hospital and Jing Wudi from the Censorate. The Great Jin Dynasty today, despite its sole weakness of a small population, was already brimming with talent and packed with experts.

"Your Majesty."

Among the officials, Prime Minister Wang Ban stepped forward first. His appearance was unremarkable, even slightly dull and slow-witted. But the wisdom that flashed in his eyes proved Wang Ban worthy of the name 'Third Generation Guiguzi.'

“The rejection of the alliance proposal by the Emperors of Wei, Han, and Wu truly stems from the nature of emperors. While disappointing, it is understandable. Your subject humbly believes the time is simply not yet right.”

“Emperors are the most supreme and noble under heaven. Aside from Heaven, Earth, ancestors, and their realms, they are unwilling to bow their heads to anyone. However, survival ultimately surpasses all else. When even survival cannot be guaranteed, even emperors must abandon their dignity, bend their backs, and even kneel.”

“For these reasons, your subject believes the Alliance Council is merely shelved temporarily, not defeated. As soon as Emperor Jiajing shows signs of destroying the three kingdoms, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan will surely take the initiative to request the formation of the council. At that time, Your Majesty will truly command half the realm and contend with Emperor Jiajing for unification!”

Wang Ban's voice was resonant and forceful! When he finished speaking, the officials all showed expressions of admiration and approval.

Especially the elites from the five great families who had entered court service; previously, they had only seen the Prime Minister engrossed in studying mechanisms or preparing for the construction of the Investiture Platform with the Empress. Matters of state were mostly discussed by His Majesty with Grand Marshal Hu Zongxian, Grand Minister of Agriculture Huang Longshi, and others. They had even secretly wondered if the Prime Minister was merely a figurehead, occupying his high position solely due to his Guiguzi lineage.

"Good." Fan Li nodded in appreciation. "The Prime Minister's words deeply align with my own thoughts!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Ban bowed respectfully before continuing. "Your Majesty, there is currently a major matter in our court that requires Your Majesty's sole decision."

Hearing this, Fan Li's interest was piqued. He smiled and asked, "What major matter? Prime Minister, please speak plainly."

Wang Ban paused slightly, however. He looked around and swept his gaze over the officials in the Golden Luan Palace one by one. Hu Zongxian, Yu Shenzi, Huang Longshi, and Jing Wudi met his gaze calmly, even showing smiles of mutual understanding.

Only the scholars from Lu City and the elites of the five great families, having served in court for only a few years and not yet part of the core inner circle, naturally looked bewildered and lost.

"Your Majesty!" Wang Ban declared. "Your subject dares to request Her Majesty the Empress ascend the hall."

Fan Li didn't even need to think, directly waving his hand. "Granted! Qin Shun, go and bring the Empress."

"Yes!"

The former young eunuch, now the top expert of the inner court, the Head Eunuch Qin Shun who commanded all the palace eunuchs, maids, and guards, possessed restrained essence and abundant spiritual light, a powerhouse at the ninth stage of the Divine Transformation realm.

Qin Shun retreated to the rear hall and quickly invited Lu Fubao.

"Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"

With the announcement, the hundred officials knelt in welcome. Fan Li also smiled, rose from the dragon throne, personally descended the imperial steps, and took Lu Fubao's gentle, slender jade hands.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

In the Golden Luan Palace, etiquette could not be discarded. Lu Fubao maintained a respectful demeanor, but Fan Li, from an angle unseen by others, continuously tickled her palm with his finger, causing the Great Jin Empress's face to flush pink.

"Prime Minister, the Empress has arrived. Speak your mind." Fan Li, however, was the least bound by rules. As he spoke, he pulled Lu Fubao directly onto the dragon throne to sit with him.

"Yes. Your Majesty, esteemed officials," Wang Ban began. "Ten years ago, the Great Ming Vermilion Bird nurtured the Investiture of the Gods scroll, its power unknown to the world. Not until the battle on the island, when the Painting Sage Ruler Xue Susu, whose name was on the scroll, was obliterated in body and soul by a single thought from Emperor Jiajing. Now the world knows that the so-called Investiture of the Gods is truly a divine artifact for a monarch to command officials and rule the realm!"

"With the Investiture of the Gods, officials dare not defy, and the common people dare not rebel. The realm and state, relying on one scroll of the Investiture of the Gods, can indeed be passed down for countless generations."

Having said this, Wang Ban paused slightly. He waited quietly, as if anticipating someone would raise an objection. Fan Li had long issued an edict encouraging open discussion; at the Great Jin court assembly, officials could speak freely. Speakers were without fault, and listeners should take heed.

"Prime Minister, this subordinate has a question."

A young scholar stepped forward, first paying respects to Wang Ban with the etiquette of a subordinate.

"This subordinate, Imperial Academy Doctor Yuan Kang, asks the Prime Minister: is Emperor Jiajing's Investiture of the Gods the first such item since the creation of heaven and earth? In the ancient dynasties, this subordinate has not heard of an Investiture of the Gods. If there were, why did dynasties still change in ancient times, without any lasting eternally?"

The question Yuan Kang raised was also shared by many officials in the hall. The Investiture of the Gods was indeed powerful. Just erasing a name instantly killed Xue Susu, who was at the Great Vehicle realm. But as for securing the realm eternally, that seemed never to have happened since ancient times.

"The answer to the question is simple." Wang Ban's expression was calm, showing no intention of showing off. "The First Emperor burned the books."

Hearing this, the officials fell silent. This was indeed a piece of history beyond their reach, but as the third-generation successor of Guiguzi, Wang Ban understood it clearly. The First Emperor burning books, severing all records concerning the Investiture of the Gods – this was entirely possible.

Wang Ban continued, "Ancient dynasties also had those that lasted for countless generations, their realms eternally secure, it is merely that you all do not know."

"How is that possible?" Yuan Kang was shocked and couldn't help blurting out, "Where are they? Why has the world never seen them?" Only after speaking did he realize his lapse in composure and hastily apologized to Wang Ban. "This subordinate was rude, please forgive me, Prime Minister."

Wang Ban shook his head, indicating he didn't mind. He pointed a finger towards the sky. "Those emperors who eternally enjoy their realms are not in the mortal world, but in the heavens."

National ascension?! These familiar yet unattainable words almost instantly surfaced in the minds of all the court officials. Yuan Kang had no further questions and retreated back into the ranks of the court.

"Your Majesty." Wang Ban turned to Fan Li on the imperial steps, his expression solemn. "Today, your subject requested Her Majesty the Empress grace the court with her presence precisely to report to Your Majesty and also to announce to the esteemed officials."

"The Investiture of the Gods, although a deadly tool to control the life and death of a dynasty's subjects, is also a divine artifact. Without the Investiture of the Gods, national ascension cannot be achieved. Without being on the Investiture of the Gods, ninety-nine percent of Great Jin's subjects will have no chance at the immortal path, destined eventually to die old in the wilderness and return to dust."

"Therefore, everything is a double-edged sword; the pros and cons must be weighed individually. We, the subjects of Great Jin, need not pale at the mention of the Investiture of the Gods, nor fear having our names upon it…"

The court officials, however, looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion. What did he mean? Emperor Jiajing of Great Ming has an Investiture of the Gods, but what does that have to do with Great Jin? The Prime Minister spoke so much, making it sound as if Great Jin also had an Investiture of the Gods?

Fan Li saw the thoughts of the officials and said to Wang Ban, "Prime Minister, finish what you have to say."

"Your subject obeys." Wang Ban turned to face the officials directly. "Esteemed officials, this Prime Minister announces one matter today."

"After ten years of preparation, and with Her Majesty the Empress's cultivation advancing to the Unity realm. Relying on this Prime Minister's skill in mechanisms, and Her Majesty the Empress's profound research into formations, Great Jin can break ground at any time to construct the Investiture Platform."

"Although Great Jin lacks a heaven-sent guardian beast, the divine efficacy of the Investiture Platform is identical to Jiajing's Investiture of the Gods."

In the Golden Luan Palace, the civil and military officials were shocked. Only Hu Zongxian, Huang Longshi, Yu Shenzi, Jing Wudi, and others remained calm.

"Husband?"

Lu Fubao called softly to Fan Li. She felt somewhat worried. Once the Investiture Platform was built, even if Fan Li didn't say anything, it would hang like a sharp sword over the heads of Great Jin's subjects.

If they were unwilling to be on the list, they would surely fear Fan Li's suspicion and targeting. If they voluntarily joined the list, it meant entrusting their entire lives and fortunes to Fan Li.

Since ancient times, which dynasty ever had subjects one hundred percent loyal to their monarch? Fan Li, after all, was not Jiajing. He was not a tyrannical emperor wielding absolute power, nor did he possess Emperor Jiajing's world-shocking cultivation. If he used power to force Great Jin's subjects onto the list, it would likely trigger political turmoil. Precisely for this reason, Wang Ban had to ask Fan Li for his sole decision on how to use the Investiture Platform.

"Don't be nervous." Fan Li gently stroked the back of Lu Fubao's hand. Husband and wife shared one heart; how could Fan Li not understand Lu Fubao's thoughts?

"Esteemed ministers." As soon as Fan Li spoke, the officials immediately fell silent. The emotions hidden in their eyes – expectation, worry, openness, or evasion – Fan Li saw them all clearly.

He smiled faintly.

"Esteemed ministers. Those whose names are on the list will share the fate of the nation and gain the opportunity for national ascension. Those unwilling to be on the list may rely on their own talent and fortune to cultivate independently and still challenge the immortal path."

"The Investiture Platform will be completed in three months. Whether you esteemed ministers are willing to be on the list or not, I will not force you, nor will I reproach you."

"That is to say, I will follow the example of the First Emperor. Great Qin achieved national ascension, yet the Second Generation Qin Dynasty remained in the mortal realm. In the future, when Great Jin achieves national ascension, the subjects not on the list will remain in the mortal realm to continue Great Jin's lineage."

"In the vast immortal realm and the dusty mortal world, there will be Great Jin. My words are witnessed by Heaven and Earth."

When he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the court instantly felt much lighter. So this was His Majesty's arrangement? Calling Heaven and Earth as witnesses was definitely not empty talk.

Those officials unwilling to be on the list felt relieved and admired Fan Li's magnanimity even more. Some who had been hesitant, seeing Fan Li's openness, actually felt inclined to have their names added to the list.

"Effective immediately, the Investiture Platform project begins. Prime Minister Wang Ban will oversee the entire matter. Court dismissed!"

Fan Li took Lu Fubao's hand, and the pair returned to the rear palace.

Over these years, although Fan Li had many clones, they were either occupied with various matters or in secluded cultivation. Lu Fubao, seeking to grow stronger, had also set up countless formations across the territory of Great Jin. Her footsteps had covered the myriad peaks of the Southern Ridge Mountains; upon her return, she was already the foremost formation master in the mortal world. The two had spent more time apart than together, their longing for each other palpable.

"These years have been hard on you." Fan Li pulled Lu Fubao into his embrace, his words gentle and doting.

"Husband and wife share one heart, why speak of hardship?" Lu Fubao playfully stuck her tongue out at him, then added, "Besides, with the illustrated booklets Sister Yuehua sent, reading a few pages in my leisure time is quite mood-lifting."

"Illustrated booklets?" Fan Li asked curiously upon hearing this. "What booklets?"

"Uh…" Lu Fubao seemed to deeply regret bringing up this topic. Her pretty face flushed red, her eyes evasive. "Your Majesty, let your subject fetch some snacks from the Imperial Kitchen for you to try? Sweet tofu pudding, you'll surely like it."

Hearing this, Fan Li was even less willing to let her leave. He knew his woman's temperament better than anyone. Imperial Kitchen snacks? Clearly, she felt guilty and was making excuses to escape.

"Fubao, speak clearly. What kind of illustrated booklets did that girl Yuehua show you?" An ominous premonition stirred in his heart, mixed with some embarrassment.

Lu Fubao wanted to escape but simply couldn't. Her face flushed with shame, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, she said, "Yuehua… Sister Yuehua, starting from sometime ago, took a liking to writing some illustrated booklets herself. She's very talented, the stories in the booklets are very interesting, and I couldn't put them down after reading one. Later, I asked her to write more…"

Something wasn't right! Really not right!

Fan Li narrowed his eyes, staring at Lu Fubao. Her shy expression strongly resembled a high school student caught by the teacher while secretly reading an indescribable novel.

"Let me see!"

"Husband~~~~?" Lu Fubao actually started whining and pleading. Unfortunately, she swayed so much that a small booklet fell directly from her sleeve. Fan Li's eyes were sharp and his hands quick; before the booklet hit the ground, he reached out and caught it.

“Power Overwhelming the Court: Her Husband is the Treacherous Minister'???”

A familiar scent!

The names of two other books instantly flashed through Fan Li's mind: The Female Emperor, A Plaything in the Treacherous Minister's Palm, and Overwhelming Power: How My Qi Condensation Self Married the Female Sword Immortal!

"Husband, I know I was wrong!!!" Lu Fubao was utterly flustered, losing all semblance of her usual dignified empress demeanor. She practically hung onto Fan Li, grabbing wildly, trying to snatch back the illustrated booklet with the mortifying title.

"Huh?"

"Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law, what are you two doing?"

A familiar voice arrived – it was none other than the culprit herself, Fan Yuehua.

Today was the deadline she and Lu Fubao had agreed upon for the manuscript delivery; she held the latest tens of thousands of characters' worth of draft paper as she entered the palace.

 But as soon as Fan Yuehua entered, she saw the two 'tussling.' She laughed inwardly; they were the Emperor and Empress, after all, how could they disregard their decorum so completely?

Hearing Fan Yuehua's voice, both stopped their actions simultaneously. Lu Fubao awkwardly detached herself from Fan Li, standing aside fidgeting. Fan Li let out a cold laugh and brandished the book in his hand towards his sister.

"Imperial Brother, what are you holding… uh!?" Seeing clearly that it was her own masterpiece, Fan Yuehua broke out in a cold sweat.

"Fan! Yue! Hua!" Fan Li bit out the three syllables through clenched teeth and strode towards her.

"Im-Im-Imperial Brother, don't rush, listen to my story—ah no, listen to my explanation—aaaaah don't spank me, Imperial Sister-in-law save me, you asked Yuehua to write these books, Yuehua is innocent!"

Fan Li, while administering punishment, said resentfully, "Your sister-in-law asked you to write, so you just write? And also, why publish them? Do you know your masterpieces are almost sold out at the Rulin Bookstore?! Stop writing! Stop writing for me immediately!"

"All these years without getting married, cooped up like a shut-in in the Grand Princess's mansion I built for you, turns out you were busy with this kind of thing? I'm giving you half a year to marry yourself off! Otherwise, I'll send you back to Peng City and let Eldest Brother sample your fine works too!"

The eldest brother is like a father. In the Fan family, Fan Zhengming was definitely at the 'strict father' level, especially towards Fan Yuehua and Fan Chun.