Sheng Fu

The next day, morning.

As the Grand Preceptor predicted, Xie Yiming and Fu Cheng arrived.

Xie Yiming was alone, while Fu Cheng was with Helian Xiong by his side.

Inside Hengchang Hall.

Looking at the heavy files on the desk, Yuwen Jun's mood was no longer heavy. After entering Lingxiao, he could see through these heavy files with just one glance.

Inside the main hall, Helian Xiong sat behind Fu Cheng, his mind somewhat dazed, because Li Hongshan was also there.

The presence of Li Hongshan signifies that His Majesty the Emperor is pleased to see the new policies implemented.

After a brief moment of reflection, I realized that going back to the old ways was indeed very appealing. After the previous patriarch of the Helian family passed away, the once-powerful Helian family was like wild grass in the wind, seemingly on the verge of extinction, yet it always managed to survive again. Unfortunately, no matter how much it struggled, it could never regain its former glory.

However, completely eradicating this weed is not an easy task.

Yuwen Jun looked at Fu Cheng with interest and asked softly, "Only the Ouyang family and your father-in-law's family have pledged allegiance to you. The other families are not yet reliable?"

"You should know that four family heads in the Southern King's household have voluntarily submitted to him."

Fu Cheng's lips twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Yuwen Jun to make fun of such a thing. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "But the Helian family is a first-class family. Although it has declined now, it is still first-class."

"There are still some second-rate, low-ranking families under his command who can only look up to him."

Yuwen Jun laughed and said, "That makes sense. If we calculate it that way, the Southern King is not as good as you, the Northern King."

Fu Cheng quickly clasped his hands in a fist and begged for mercy, saying, "Please spare me, I'm still just a child."

Xie Yiming and Li Hongshan immediately smiled knowingly.

Yuwen Jun then changed the subject, asking, "Is there anything unclean about those who have come under the wing of your aristocratic families?"

"If there is any, I will not show favoritism here."

"If not, then everything is negotiable."

Fu Cheng was the first to understand the implication: the new policy demanded absolute fairness, and no one could be given special treatment just because they were relatives or friends of the Northern King or the Southern King.

“I don’t have any here. The base is very clean. Even if it wasn’t clean, it has become clean now.” Fu Cheng cupped his hands, bowed his head, and said with a serious expression.

Immediately, Yuwen Jun cast a heavy glance at Xie Yiming.

Seeing this, Xie Yiming's heart sank slightly. He didn't know how many shady things Li and the other three's families had to do.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly upon my return before giving Your Highness a result," Xie Yiming replied cautiously.

Yuwen Jun nodded and smiled, "No rush. The North-South talks haven't started yet, there's still time. Remember, don't let some people with connections ruin this great plan that benefits the country and its people."

Xie Yiming immediately took a breath and replied firmly, "Rest assured, Your Highness will not be disappointed."

“There is absolutely no room for favoritism here.”

Yuwen Jun casually pushed the two volumes to the edge of the desk, his expression somewhat solemn. He pondered, "Now, the two of you have a wealth of talent under your command. In the north and south, 30% of the gentry support the new policies. The remaining gentry either haven't expressed their opinions or are waiting for a chance to turn their lives around."

"It's unlikely that you two can effectively balance the power of government affairs, both large and small, in the North and South."

"However, this fire is already strong enough."

"Next, the two of you will lead your respective troops to Shuanglong Mountain to meet up and get to know each other before the North-South talks begin."

Xie Yiming and Fu Cheng both looked at the files on Yuwen Jun's desk. Upon seeing this, Yuwen Jun grinned and said, "I have already entered Lingxiao and am blessed with the Chaos Emperor Qi. If I can't even understand such a small file, what kind of behavior is that?" The two then withdrew their slightly doubtful gazes, stood up, and bowed, saying, "We accept your orders."

The two kings left Hengchang Palace. They were initially a little uneasy, but when they saw that Yuwen Jun was so calm and composed, and that the Imperial Advisor Li Hongshan was also present, their anxiety subsided.

The Emperor's desire to form a cabinet is the source of Yuwen Jun's confidence.

Bai Xiaowei had no background and was not from a powerful family, Shen Jun was a surrendered person, and Gu Yue was someone whom the Emperor trusted greatly. The cabinet formed by these three was enough to suppress those powerful families who were dissatisfied.

Yuwen Jun smiled smugly and said, "I feel that the upcoming North-South talks will just be going through the motions, and then I will take the lead in requesting His Majesty to implement the new policies in the Golden Palace, and then engage in a verbal battle with the old nobles."

"If there are no major changes, the new policy will definitely be implemented this time."

Li Hongshan was initially worried, but after guessing His Majesty's intention in forming the cabinet, he was no longer worried. In retrospect, Shen Jun is really lucky.

Within the Purple Gold Alliance, he was a pillar of the new regime; now, after surrendering, he has become a pillar of the Emperor.

He was always in a position of great power and influence.

"During the North-South talks, should we summon Yinglong back to prevent any powerful figures from aristocratic families from asking questions?" Li Hongshan suggested subconsciously.

Yuwen Jun pondered, "This is too troublesome. Moreover, Yinglong is a dragon, and his prestige among humans is not high. We need a human expert to guard the venue at Shuanglong Mountain."

"In my opinion, the Dean of Bailu Academy is this highly respected person."

Li Hongshan's eyes lit up, and then he laughed heartily, "That's right, how could I have forgotten about the Dean?"

"The Dean's Three Swords of Immortality have not been drawn for a long time."

"But it's best not to draw your sword; on such a joyous occasion, it's inappropriate to draw blood."

Yuwen Jun stood up, stretched, and said, "Henglong Mountain has many scenic spots. Grand Preceptor, please relax for a while. I will head to the capital now."

Li Hongshan subconsciously stood up and bowed to see him off, but Yuwen Jun chuckled and said, "No need for such formalities."

……

In the capital, at the White Deer Academy, in the dean's manor.

Inside the main hall, the dean sat in a chair with a slightly melancholy expression. He would soon have to cook lunch, but he had no intention of going to the stove for the time being. He was thinking that going to a restaurant later would be a good option.

At first, I cooked rice to cultivate my character, but later I realized that this was a meaningless form of self-cultivation.

Suddenly, Yuwen Jun arrived.

“After entering Lingxiao and traversing the void, even I couldn’t detect any trace of the void.” Pu Weiqing looked at Yuwen Jun, who had suddenly arrived, with a surprised expression and praised him.

Yuwen Jun pulled up a chair and sat opposite the Dean, boasting, "I can't even imagine what kind of unparalleled splendor I will have after entering the Limitless Realm."

The dean glanced at Yuwen Jun with disdain and laughed angrily, "You're getting cocky just because I said you're fat."

"I'm not planning to cook lunch, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Jun chuckled and said, "Go to my King's Palace. The cooking there, while not the best, is still above average."

"However, this meal will require the Dean to pay a small price."

Pu Weiqing frowned slightly, knowing that this kid wouldn't come looking for him for no reason, and asked directly, "What kind of price is it?"

Yuwen Jun said in a serious tone, "With the North-South talks imminent, we need a master to guard the Shuanglong Mountain venue and prevent any powerful figures from aristocratic families from causing trouble. As the dean of Bailu Academy, your presence at the Shuanglong Mountain venue itself demonstrates a commitment to promoting new policies." (End of Chapter)