Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2555 The Unity of Ruler and Minister, Guan Zhong's Mind
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively, and the "Han Emperor's Battle Song," jointly composed by Ye Wanqing and Cai Wenji, began to be performed.

The resounding drumbeats and powerful chorus stirred the blood of both civil and military officials in the palace.

Next came the "Ode to the Submission of Yandi," a piece whose style shifted to a grand and dignified tone. It showcased the majestic grandeur of the royal army advancing eastward and the mandate of heaven being bestowed upon them. This piece was personally composed and presented by Xuanyuan Xuanxiao, son of Xuanyuan Huang, and will be presented to the emperor soon.

Immediately afterwards, as Wang Yu clapped his hands in delight, a group of palace maids dressed in flowing robes and possessing unparalleled beauty gracefully entered.

The music turned clear and melodious, and the dance was as graceful as a fairy maiden in the clouds. A subtle fragrance wafted between the fluttering water sleeves, truly pushing the joy of the banquet and the visual enjoyment to a new climax.

These palace maids were no ordinary palace maids. Some were daughters of the Zhao Song imperial family, daughters of prominent families in Guanzhong, female knights-errant, and even imperial concubines.

During the banquet, both civil and military officials, no matter how serious they usually were, couldn't help but temporarily set aside their political and military affairs and immerse themselves in this rare feast for the senses, stroking their beards in appreciation or praising it in hushed tones.

Even someone like Cheng Yaojin, whose eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Turning around, he immediately lowered his voice and humbly pledged his loyalty to his wife, Pei Cuicui.

Wang Yu, seated on his throne, swept his gentle gaze across the assembled guests. A smile played on his lips as he toyed with the crystal-clear glass in his hand. The amber-colored imperial wine shimmered under the palace lanterns.

While many civil and military officials were still immersed in the singing and dancing, Wang Yu quietly got up and appeared between the banquet tables on both sides of the hall.

"Xing Tian!" Wang Yu had appeared beside Xing Tian without anyone noticing. He gently pressed Xing Tian down as he was about to get up, and then spoke.

"In all the bloody battles, you were the first to scale the city walls, displaying unparalleled bravery in the army. I remember that."

After saying that, Wang Yu raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Xing Tian's tiger-like eyes blazed with heat, his blood boiling. All the joy of his achievements paled in comparison to the Emperor's words, "I remember."

He held the cup with both hands and responded with great emotion, "I am willing to die for Your Majesty and for the Han Dynasty!"

Immediately, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, displaying the heroic spirit of a warrior.

The surrounding generals also felt the same way, and they all cast admiring glances at Xing Tian, ​​which invigorated the morale of the military officials in the hall.

Wang Yu nodded to Yang Jian beside him, then got up again and went to the seating area for the civil officials opposite him.

His gaze shifted and eventually settled on Guan Zhong and Zhuge Liang, who were sitting in the front row.

At this moment, the two people seemed to be talking to each other.

Wang Yu gestured to the eunuch to fill a cup with warmed wine, and then personally held it in his hands.

“Yi Wu, Kongming,” Wang Yu called out.

Upon hearing Wang Yu's voice, Guan Zhong and Zhuge Liang immediately stood up, stepped forward, and replied, "Your subject is here."

Wang Yu handed out the wine cup, which was then presented by a palace attendant. He spoke gently, saying, "Since the fourth year of the Yuan Shi era, the world has been in turmoil. Transporting grain and fodder, adjusting taxes, and stabilizing new territories have been heavy responsibilities for the court. You officials have worked tirelessly day and night, making meticulous plans to ensure that the soldiers on the front lines are free from hunger and that the people in the rear suffer less from conscription. Your achievements are no less than those of capturing generals and flags. This cup of wine is to comfort you for your hard work."

Guan Zhong and Zhuge Liang accepted the wine cups with both hands, feeling as if the jade cups weighed a thousand pounds. Guan Zhong, in particular, was overwhelmed with emotion. Among the court officials, he was indeed the head of all officials, in charge of reforms.

Throughout history, how many reforms that truly addressed the current problems have ended well? The only difference lies in whether the fruits of the reforms can be preserved.

Reformers are always adept at governing the country but inept at governing themselves. To put it bluntly, the word "reform" means offending a large number of people, especially those with high status and power.

The issues he handled, from the military to land problems to education, all saw backlash against reforms strong enough to wear down the reformers.

However, when Zhen Dong was disbanded, Wang Dangzhi, the former top general of Zhen Dong Army and a famous general of the imperial clan, died around that time.

Wang Dangzhi's death placed all the forces opposing military reform in an unfavorable political position, while also ensuring that the reform could be thoroughly implemented rather than becoming a mere formality.

It should be noted that if Wang Dangzhi were still alive, and given that he was on the side supporting Wang Yu at the time, the main generals of the Zhen Dong Army would not have been so easily sent to various local armies.

If these people were to join various field armies, they would certainly occupy high positions based on their seniority. In addition, the scattered Zhen Dong Army was dispersed among various field armies, naturally forming a huge faction.

It is even possible that a larger Zhendong Group could be formed.

Wang Dangzhi died at that opportune moment, which had a huge impact on the military reform. Or rather, for Wang Yu, Wang Dangzhi, who was still alive at that time, was already blocking his path.

Just then, Huangfu Jingya was assassinated. Wang Yu's anger had not subsided, and the opposition did not dare to step forward and provoke him under such circumstances.

In this way, the military reform proceeded smoothly, and Guan Zhong, who presided over the reform, was also able to make a smooth transition.

Although Guan Zhong had no evidence, as a politician with top-notch political skills, he couldn't help but speculate about what was behind it.

In particular, although Huangfu Jingya was assassinated, there happened to be two experts at the Celestial level in the mansion, which ultimately prevented the incident from escalating into a safe outcome.

Intelligent people don't believe in coincidences, especially not so many.

When it came to education reform, the emperor used this incident to implicate Zhao Anling, the then Right Chancellor, but instead removed him, the chief engineer, from the game, thus once again preventing him from being counterattacked by the old forces.

Even in the land reform, which he was primarily in charge of, the emperor personally intervened to help him share the burden.

Regardless of whether things turned out as he suspected, Guan Zhong remembered the emperor's protection of him.

Even as a politician, he knew very well that the emperor's protection of him was based on his abilities and his value.

But for someone like him, recognizing his abilities and value is the greatest recognition he can receive, and it is a great favor to have been shown to him.

Guan Zhong bowed deeply, his voice slightly choked, and said, "Your subject... dares not claim credit for what is within his duty, but only wishes to do his utmost to repay Your Majesty's favor."

Wang Yu, of course, had no idea what Guan Zhong was thinking at this moment. After offering some encouragement, he proceeded to walk through the ranks of civil and military officials.

He visited all the early civil and military officials, including Xue Rengui, Han Xin, Guo Ziyi, Qin Qiong, Xiong Kuohai, Gao Jiong, and Xiao He, bringing them wine to reminisce about the past, offer encouragement, and promise them a bright future.