CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 192: DONG ZHONGSHU_1

With the spray of fresh blood, the Divine Court Ascension Ceremony officially concluded, yet its impact was just beginning.

A large number of traitorous courtiers had their homes raided and their assets seized. The Hidden Guards and Abyss Guards seemed to have gone mad, dragging people to the Celestial Prison. Any relative of a traitorous minister, once confirmed, was immediately beheaded. Watching the heads roll, many ministers were scared into silence.

During this period, the Great Qin Divine Court began to undergo changes. Firstly, the concentration of Spiritual Energy increased, forming numerous heavenly paradises and microcosms. Countless Spiritual Medicines broke through the earth, visible everywhere.

The most critical development was that the Power of Laws manifested within the Void of the Great Qin Divine Court’s territory!

This environment was perfectly suited for Martial Artists at or above the Saint Realm to cultivate!

BOOM!

In the Purple Lightning Domain, an Ancestor who had been in reclusive cultivation for many years smoothly broke through to the long-coveted Saint Realm.

Strange, how did I break through so easily?

The old man opened his eyes, a hint of confusion within them. Just moments ago, the bottleneck that had seemed as unshakeable as a mountain had torn apart like a flimsy piece of paper.

Filled with bewilderment, the Ancestor pushed open the stone door, sealed by dust for ages. Beams of light pierced into this long-forgotten corner of the world.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Two disciples standing guard bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with adoration for the founder of their family.

"Rise. Tell me, what has happened in the outside world during my seclusion?" the Ancestor asked calmly, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.

"Reporting to Ancestor, during your seclusion, the Ten Thousand Thunder Sect was annihilated, and the Great Qin Divine Court occupied the Purple Lightning Domain. We are now under the rule of the Great Qin Divine Court!" a disciple replied with utmost respect.

The Ancestor was taken aback. "Divine Court? Could it be the Qin Empire from the East Ancient Domain?" he asked, uncertain.

"Precisely!"

I remember before I went into seclusion, the Qin Empire was just a minor empire in the East Ancient Domain. I never imagined it would become a Divine Court! No wonder I broke through to the Saint Realm so easily!

The Ancestor’s face was etched with shock, his heart reeling. He instantly understood the reason for his breakthrough. A Divine Court nurtures the Power of Laws!

「Three months passed in the blink of an eye.」

"Your Majesty, as of now, twenty-one heavenly paradises have formed within the Divine Court, along with sixty-five Grade One microcosms, thirteen Grade Two microcosms, and nine Grade Three microcosms!"

"According to the Ministry of Households, the strength of our citizens has seen a significant leap in these past three months, with an average increase of two cultivation realms!"

"Furthermore, the Ministry of War reports that Zhao Yun and Yue Fei have completely occupied the Great Bright Domain!"

Inside the Imperial Study, Zhuge Liang held a memorial, reporting with a joyful expression.

"Excellent!"

Qin Wudao took the memorial, glanced over it casually, and placed it on the imperial desk. He looked sharply at Zhuge Liang and said with authority, "As Prime Minister, you serve the sovereign above and lead the officials below. You are crucial to the court!"

"However, I worry that incidents like Li Si’s might happen again. Therefore, I wish to establish three Vice-Prime Minister positions. What does my dear minister think?"

Zhuge Liang replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty is wise. This plan is feasible!"

Had it been any other minister, they would have undoubtedly tried to obstruct this. Establishing Vice-Prime Minister positions was tantamount to diminishing the Prime Minister’s authority, and by extension, the power of the officials.

But Zhuge Liang was different. He was one hundred percent loyal to Qin Wudao. As long as it benefited Qin Wudao, he would not stand in the way.

Even if it meant being a minor clerk!

"Issue the decree: Zhuge Liang, a man of upright character and great achievements, is hereby appointed Prime Minister. It is hoped he will be loyal to the nation and support the state..." Qin Wudao nodded and commanded loudly.

A miraculous scene unfolded. As he gave the command, a golden imperial edict materialized before him. It was as if inscribed by divine ink bestowed from the heavens, manifesting his words upon it.

After the order was issued, Qin Wudao waved his right hand, took out the Nine Dragon Jade Seal, and stamped it heavily on the imperial edict.

At the same time, in the foremost column of civil officials on the Investiture of the Gods, a line of small characters appeared:

Prime Minister: Zhuge Liang!

BOOM!

A golden pillar of light descended from the sky, landing upon Zhuge Liang.

In an instant, an inexplicably profound aura spread from Zhuge Liang’s body, boosting his strength to the peak of a First-Revolution Saint. He was on the verge of breaking through to become a Second-Revolution Saint.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhuge Liang’s face was filled with joy. He knelt excitedly. After receiving the Light of Fortune, he too became aware of the Investiture of the Gods and understood its terrifying power even more.

To share the fate of the nation! Isn’t this equivalent to immortality? As long as the Great Qin Divine Court is preserved, there is no need to worry about old age, sickness, or death!

"Rise! I have an important task to entrust to you, and you must handle it properly!" Qin Wudao sat upright, a trace of Evil Qi flashing in his eyes.

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty!" Zhuge Liang rose, his expression solemn.

"You are to prepare provisions—enough grain and fodder for an army of one million for half a year. Remember, do not harm the common people!" Qin Wudao ordered gravely. Before his transmigration, he recalled a saying: ’Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.’ He certainly didn’t want any uprisings within the territory of Great Qin.

"This subject obeys!" Zhuge Liang bowed, not questioning the reason.

Of course, with his wisdom and strategic mind, he had already guessed why.

The territory of the Great Qin Divine Court is about to expand again!

"Go and prepare," Qin Wudao waved his hand.

Zhuge Liang bowed respectfully once more and slowly exited the Imperial Study.

In the grand hall, only Qin Wudao remained.

System, claim the reward! Qin Wudao rubbed his hands together, speaking with anticipation in his heart.

"DING! Congratulations, Host, for conquering the King-rank Dao Domain, the ’Great Bright Domain’. You have obtained the Confucian scholar Dong Zhongshu!"

Dong Zhongshu! A glint flashed in Qin Wudao’s eyes. This is a formidable individual. His advocacy for ’Dismissing the Hundred Schools of Thought and Exclusively Revering Confucianism’ made Confucianism the orthodox ideology in China.

Name: Dong Zhongshu!

Cultivation: First-Revolution Saint King Realm!

Cultivation Technique: "Human Confucian Heart Sutra"!

Main Achievements: Dismissing the Hundred Schools of Thought, Exclusively Revering Confucianism!

Main Works: "Heaven and Human Three Strategies", "Scholar’s Unhappiness", "Spring and Autumn Flourishing Dew", etc.!

Note: Dong Zhongshu’s works can be used to teach Confucianism, but they carry a strong spirit of Confucian veneration. Host, please use them cautiously!

It seems that using Dong Zhongshu requires a suitable opportunity! Qin Wudao mused to himself. I don’t want the imperial court to become a place where only Confucianism holds sway. Anyone well-versed in history knows that while Confucianism is suited for eras of peace and prosperity, it’s not entirely appropriate for the Great Qin Divine Court in its developmental stage! While peace is valued, in this world, it’s overly idealistic!

System, summon Dong Zhongshu! Qin Wudao commanded inwardly.

RUMBLE!

A vast Righteous Confucian Aura swept through the sky, exuding a peace and serenity so profound it was intoxicating.

Such a potent Confucian aura. I wonder which great scholar has descended? Zhuge Liang, Yuan Tiangang, Wang Yangming, and others simultaneously looked up towards it, filled with curiosity.

"The Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues!"

"The father is the guide for the son; the ruler is the guide for the subject; the husband is the guide for the wife!"

"Benevolence! Righteousness! Propriety! Wisdom! Trustworthiness!"

The voice of a middle-aged man echoed. A Literary Dao aura flared, dazzling the sky like the sun and stars, carrying the will to enlighten all beings and educate all life.

Dong Zhongshu had arrived!