Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 440 Ascending the Throne
As the night wore on, everyone could no longer stay awake and went to rest one after another.

Shi Yan walked to Pei Qinghe's side and said softly with a smile, "You'll be busy all day tomorrow, so go get some sleep and get some rest."

Pei Qinghe nodded and left hand in hand with Shi Yan.

Winter nights are long, and even at dawn, it is still pitch black.

Pei Qinghe opened her eyes and woke up to find two palace servants coming to attend to her.

With Emperor Jian'an's death, the imperial palace in Bohai Commandery was left empty. The palace servants and eunuchs who had served the emperor had nowhere to go. Prime Minister Pang took charge and brought several hundred palace servants and eunuchs to Yan Commandery. Pei Qinghe specifically wrote a letter to Prime Minister Pang, requesting that a group of palace servants and eunuchs be released.

Firstly, Pei Qinghe, who spends most of his time leading troops in battle and handling everything personally, is not accustomed to having someone serve him closely. Secondly, many of these palace servants and eunuchs were sent into the palace by Zhang Shi. Even if a group is purged, it cannot be guaranteed that all the spies have been removed. If one or two of them harbor malicious intentions, they will cause trouble later.

After receiving the letter, Prime Minister Pang provided everyone with resettlement funds and released all the eunuchs. He thoroughly screened over a hundred palace servants, releasing all those connected to the Zhang family. Only about thirty palace servants of impeccable character, honesty, and docility remained.

The two people who came to serve me today were both around twenty years old; one had delicate features, and the other was fair-skinned and elegant.

With the help of palace servants, Pei Qinghe changed into a magnificent and solemn dragon robe.

This was the first time Shi Yan had seen Pei Qinghe in a dragon robe. He was stunned at first glance and couldn't take his eyes off her.

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled: "What's wrong? Are you not used to it?"

Shi Yan didn't speak, still staring intently at Pei Qinghe.

The two palace maids exchanged a glance and quietly withdrew.

Shi Yan stepped forward, but stopped three feet away: "It does feel a little strange. You usually wear a gray military uniform, but today you're wearing a dragon robe. You look so magnificent, so majestic, and so beautiful!"

Pei Qinghe is not a stunning beauty; her beauty lies in her vigorous spirit, her abundant vitality, and her indomitable fighting spirit.

The dragon robe suits her so well!

That unhurried and domineering aura! That confident and self-assured demeanor! The dazzling light radiating from the corners of their eyes and brows!
All of these things combined to create Pei Qinghe, who is unique in the world.

Shi Yan was unwilling and dared not to mess up the dragon robe, but he was also disturbed by its dazzling beauty, and his eyes were extremely greedy.

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly, leaned over and kissed Shi Yan's lips: "Let's go! Come with me to see Prime Minister Pang and the others!"

The two had been married for over two years and had done every intimate thing imaginable. But today, this gentle kiss felt like a blazing fire, making Shi Yan tremble all over.

He restrained his surging emotions and love, and respectfully agreed.

Pei Qinghe, who had been feeling uneasy, now put aside all her doubts and anxieties and became surprisingly calm and composed.

She was wearing a dragon robe and led Shi Yan out of the room.

Pei Yan and her cousins, who were waiting outside the door, were all speechless with shock. She smiled and simply instructed, "Follow me."

As she walked further ahead, a group of Pei family youths appeared behind her.

The civil officials, led by Prime Minister Pang, and the military generals, led by the elder General Song, all bowed and paid their respects. Prime Minister Pang and Vice Minister Qin were both veteran officials who had served three emperors and were accustomed to seeing emperors in dragon robes. Even though the emperor in front of them was a young woman, the two of them remained very composed.

The military officers had mixed feelings.

Those who had bet on Pei's army early on were quite pleased and proud of their wise decision, such as Generals Song, Fei, Lu, and Ge. Some opportunists were also secretly relieved. At least they were cautious and didn't recklessly send troops to launch a sneak attack like General Xie and his men, only to be killed one after another.

General Pei, who conquered the world on horseback, was no pushover. The Chang Le Army, Runan Army, and Dai Fang Army were seized and absorbed, becoming part of the Pei family army.

For the time being, they have to keep their heads down. Once the coronation ceremony is over, they can go back to being their local tyrants as before!
Pei Qinghe glanced at the civil and military officials, each with their own thoughts, and smiled, "All of you, rise!"

After the officials expressed their gratitude and rose, Minister Qin, who presided over the enthronement ceremony, stepped forward, solemnly cupped his hands, and said, "Please, Your Majesty, proceed to the Golden Palace!"

Pei Qinghe nodded slightly and stepped forward again. This time, she was followed by a larger group of people, a grand procession, all heading towards the Golden Palace.

The Golden Palace here was hastily rebuilt and is much smaller than the palace where Emperor Jian'an ascended the throne, and it cannot be compared with the real Golden Palace in the capital. However, it is solemn and dignified, without losing any of its grandeur.

True majesty does not come from the dragon robe, but from Pei Qinghe himself, who has won countless battles, defeated the Bohai Army, and utterly crushed the Xiongnu barbarians.

The grand ceremony lasted half a day, with the first part ending after noon. This was followed by the first formal grand assembly.

Pei Qinghe sat on the dragon throne and solemnly announced that the new dynasty had been established.

The new dynasty was named Min, signifying that the people were the foundation of the nation and that everything should be done with the people first. The reign title was Zhaoyuan.

All the officials knelt and bowed to Emperor Zhaoyuan.

Pei Qinghe ordered all the officials to rise, and then instructed Prime Minister Pang to read out the appointments of the new dynasty's officials. Prime Minister Pang had served as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain for many years, handling the general affairs of the Crown Prince's palace, and then served as Prime Minister for several years; he was both experienced and prestigious.

As soon as Prime Minister Pang opened his mouth, all the officials immediately pricked up their ears to listen.

Most civil officials remained in their positions, and some were even promoted. This was one of the benefits of serving the emperor. The military generals continued to lead their troops. However, each army had a quota, and recruitment could not exceed that quota.

In addition, there is one more crucial point. Starting from the first day of the new year, a unified standard was set for taxes in the twenty northern prefectures, with only 30% of the land tax collected. After all the taxes were collected by the prefectures and counties, they were all submitted to the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue would then calculate the military expenses needed by each army and allocate military funds every three months.

Prime Minister Pang solemnly announced that the former Minister of Revenue had retired due to old age and illness, and the new Minister of Revenue would be Shi Yan, the general manager of Pei's army.

A young and promising fashion book, performing a deep bow and kowtowing in gratitude to Heaven.

Some officials secretly suspected Shi Yan of rising to power through nepotism, while others felt resentful and dissatisfied. Still others recognized Shi Yan's abilities and believed he was capable of handling the important task. Regardless of their inner thoughts, their outward expressions were all of congratulations and celebration. No one dared to speak out of turn and spoil the mood at such a crucial time.

Next, there is another appointment.

The Minister of War has also been replaced.

Caught off guard by being called out, Meng Bing was completely stunned: "What? Minister of War? Me?"

“That’s right!” Emperor Zhaoyuan, Pei Qinghe, looked over with a smile: “You have led the Beiping Army for several years, are skilled in cavalry command, understand military affairs and strategy, and are unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness. The position of Minister of War is none other than Minister Meng!”

(End of this chapter)