You have truly caused me great suffering!

In India, a temporary ceasefire has been reached due to weather conditions.

The South China Sea Navy is stirring up trouble both internally and externally, destabilizing the situation in the Chola Dynasty.

They had Ceylon as their backing, money and manpower, a strong port, and no shortage of fresh water, food and gunpowder, as well as a constant supply of supplies from the sea.

After repelling several probing attacks, none of the factions were willing to fight them to the death.

They would rather see their opponents and Jing Jun stalemate.

So everyone quieted down.

This kind of battle of wits immediately puts the Han people in their comfort zone. When it comes to scheming, sowing discord, and provoking, no one can beat the Han people of the Central Plains.

Meanwhile, on another battlefield, the Western Expeditionary Army was advancing with unstoppable momentum, conquering cities and seizing territories along the way. In fact, most of the local natives surrendered at the mere sight of them.

They were not satisfied with the Khitan rulers.

Because Yelü Dashi came from the East, where centralized power and a large central authority are valued.

Local authorities must unconditionally obey the imperial court, rather than bargaining with it.

However, Central Asia has always been a region dominated by tribes.

Each tribe has a high degree of autonomy.

They believed that the Khitans had already reached the pinnacle of centralized power, and any new conqueror would surely be stronger than the Khitans.

Little did they know that the Khitan people's grand court and centralized power in the Central Plains were merely superficial.

The true ancestor of authoritarianism has arrived.

Since Qin Shi Huang implemented the prefecture-county system, local areas with autonomy were given a less favorable name in the Central Plains: "fanzhen" (藩镇).

The regional military governors were a visible cancer to any dynasty, and any court with any ability would not allow them to exist.

This is almost an ironclad rule.

Especially after the end of the Tang Dynasty, people deeply resented the regional military governors.

You should know that the regional military governors in the late Tang Dynasty were truly inhuman.

Take Caizhou as an example. If people met on the street and exchanged a few words, they would be beheaded by the soldiers.

The people could only cultivate the land and pay taxes; they couldn't do anything else for them.

Therefore, in the Central Plains, the term "fanzhen" (藩镇) was an extremely evil one, representing disrespect for the emperor and harboring rebellious and treacherous intentions.

This is the most intolerable point in the moral standards of the Central Plains.

On the land of Western Liao, there was another force: the nobles who had been pursued and killed by Yelü Dashi and fled to the northwest.

They have lost their land and power, and now the vested interests are unwilling to return the land and power to them.

Their only hope was the grand view.

This group is the largest comprador group, eager to sell out the interests of their original race in exchange for benefits from the Great Jing.

The situation continued to evolve in this complex environment, and Chen Shao remained calm and observed the changes.

By July, the calls from court officials for a selection of imperial concubines were growing louder.

Several high-ranking officials also jointly petitioned the emperor.

Chen Shao wasn't actually that resistant, but he had important things to do before and couldn't afford to think about these things.

So they went with the flow and issued an edict to select candidates.

This matter also represents the moral high ground, and no one dares to oppose it.

With such a small royal family, anyone who opposes it is considered to have ulterior motives.

To ensure the continuation of the imperial lineage and to establish a secure ancestral temple are the greatest virtues of an emperor.

So on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival, the Dajing Daily published the imperial edict for the selection of imperial concubines.

[The edict said:
I believe that Heaven and Earth are in harmony, providing for all things; the sun and moon shine brightly, illuminating all without end.

I, in my humble capacity, have succeeded to the throne, inheriting the great foundation laid by past sages and bringing peace and prosperity to the people of Han and Xia.

Since receiving my commission, I have been diligent and conscientious day and night, never daring to be idle. Although I have relied on the blessings of Heaven and the strength of my soldiers to pacify the southern wilderness, clear the western desert, restore the old territories of the Han and Tang dynasties, and achieve the great cause of unification, I am mindful of the importance of ancestral lineage and the foundation of the nation, and have never ceased to be diligent and vigilant in my heart.

I rose from humble beginnings, my brothers died young, and my clan was small and weak, leaving only myself. Fortunately, thanks to the grace of Heaven and the bounty of the earth, I was able to give birth to a prince. However, the wise kings of old always ensured that their descendants would multiply to solidify their rule.

Although the country is at peace now, the surrounding barbarians have not yet submitted. If something unexpected were to happen, with a young ruler in the hands of the emperor, how could we pacify both the domestic and foreign territories and nip any potential threats in the bud without strong ministers and capable advisors?
Therefore, the court repeatedly discussed the matter, and memorials were submitted one after another, all saying that the imperial harem was not yet broad enough, which was not the way to strengthen the heir apparent and prolong the dynasty.

When I first established my dynasty, I was engaged in military campaigns and did not wish to burden the people of the realm with the private affairs of the inner palace. Therefore, I firmly refused their request. Now that the realm is at peace and the country is tranquil, I consider the long-term plan for the nation and dare not disregard the public opinion of the people for my own selfish reasons.

Therefore, we have specially selected virtuous women from various sources to fill the six palaces.

I hereby decree that all civil and military officials, both at home and abroad, should carefully select women from virtuous families, aged fourteen to twenty, who are of dignified appearance, pure in character, graceful in demeanor, and dignified in speech and action.

You must not show favoritism to the powerful and wealthy, nor conceal beautiful women; nor should you recommend actors and performers indiscriminately, or allow them to be selected unjustly.

If the parents of a candidate are unwilling, their case shall be heard. Once selected, the candidate shall be granted gold and silk, and their family shall be visited and treated with great favor. The relevant authorities shall carefully draft the regulations to ensure the selection of suitable candidates, so as to fulfill my intention of expanding the imperial lineage and securing the ancestral temple.

This proclamation is hereby issued to the world, so that all may know.

Therefore, the Secretariat and the Chancellery attached great importance to this and specially established the Office for Selecting Virtuous and Virtuous Officials, or simply the Office for Selecting and Selecting Officials.

Zhang Run volunteered to serve as a special envoy and concurrently as the director, personally overseeing the matter.

Chen Chong of the Inner Palace Attendants Department was appointed as the Deputy Director.

The Selection Office was fully responsible for carrying out the emperor's edicts for selecting women of marriageable age from among commoners and officials.

The weather was hot, so Zhang Run got up early in the morning and started working at his residence.

Seeing his radiant face, his wife couldn't help but tease the maid, "Look at him, he's even happier than when he got married."

Zhang Run didn't hear a thing; his mind was completely occupied with the fact that this important task had fallen to him.

As Qin Zhangshi took the jade belt from the maid and tied it around his neck, she suddenly asked, "Husband, what about the younger sister from my third uncle's household?"

"Stop!"

Zhang Run's expression immediately turned serious, and he scolded, "Third Uncle's little sister, if I remember correctly, is only twelve years old?"

"She'll be thirteen next month, and she's grown up so beautifully; her little face is so delicate, you could pinch it and it would be full of moisture."

Zhang Run frowned and said, "There's no way to pull strings here. If we're going to select someone, let her sign up!"

The Selection and Selection Office has three departments:
The screening department is responsible for background checks, including visiting and verifying the woman's age, family background, and character.

The Department of Appearance and Demeanor consisted of female officials from the imperial city, responsible for physical examinations and assessments of appearance and demeanor.

The training institute provided short-term court etiquette training for women who were initially selected to enter the palace.

Madam Qin glared at him from behind, but she also knew that he was truly impartial and incorruptible when it came to serving His Majesty.

It's no use what anyone says.

Last time, Zhang Run's father, Zhang Anxin, wanted to get one of his nephews into the Imperial Academy. For Zhang Run, this was a trivial matter that could be resolved with just a word.

He refused.

Enraged, Zhang Anxin repeatedly sent people to berate him for being unfilial.

Zhang Run remained unmoved.

When His Majesty chooses a prime minister in the future, he will definitely select from Yuwen Xuzhong, Cai Xing, and himself.

Zhang Run has always been strict with himself, striving to be clean and honest, without any blemishes.

He knew that he came from Hexi and had very little influence in the court.

Because Hexi did not voluntarily submit to His Majesty, but was conquered by His Majesty personally leading troops, officials from Hexi generally did not have strong backgrounds in the court.

Only the Zhai family has enjoyed considerable prestige in recent years because they helped His Majesty with religious matters and gained control over the interpretation of scriptures.

Although the Zhang family managed the pastures in Hexi and Qilian Mountains, and oversaw countless Tibetan herders, they held little influence in the imperial court.

Her younger sister was not made an imperial concubine, but only a Zhaoyi, while Consort Zhai was one of the four imperial concubines, the Xianfei.

Ultimately, the Zhai family's right to interpret scriptures was earned through their own efforts.

What His Majesty values ​​are useful people, people who can serve the country.

Therefore, Zhang Run, who was determined to make progress, used all his family's connections to successfully transfer to the capital.

After arriving, he gained Chen Shao's attention and promotion because of his handling of the Hanbai Tongyuan project.

At a young age, he and Cai Xing became key figures among the young officials.

Zhang Run was very fortunate to have met such an enlightened ruler; otherwise, he would have had a hard time getting ahead.

When he left the mansion, it was just dawn, with the first light of day.

In Nanjing, people were already restless.

His Majesty's selection of new officials through the imperial examinations is a major event, and it is not limited to official rank or family background.

Nowadays, all of His Majesty's concubines come with their own powerful backgrounds, which makes many ambitious people hesitate to approach them.

No matter how beautiful and virtuous his own daughter is, it seems he has no chance.

But this imperial edict opened a door for everyone.
-
Inside Baozhen Temple, Chen Shao was relaxed and at ease, having just finished practicing a set of Baduanjin exercises that morning.

The talent show process usually takes at least three to five months to see the results.

Several of them had already been decided internally, something Chen Shao himself knew.

For example, Lu Wanyi, the granddaughter of Lu Yihao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was pre-selected by Chen Yuexian. She went to the palace specifically to tell him that he must be included in the list.

There was also Liu Jingshu, daughter of Liu Mao, the garrison commander of Jinling, who was famous for her unparalleled beauty. Even the people of the Jin Dynasty knew of her beauty.

Chen Shao naturally wouldn't disobey his aunt's words.

Let the rest take its natural course.

He certainly has no shortage of beautiful women around him.

However, when it comes to having many children and grandchildren, the more the better.

The fact that the Great Jing royal family was weak was becoming less and less urgent as Chen Shao's reign lasted longer.

The princes are growing up, and there are quite a few promising ones among them.

The crown prince was also well-behaved, behaving like a ruler who maintained the status quo.

Given Chen Shao's current age and health, he will likely remain the crown prince for a very long time.
But Chen Shao is neither Zhao Ji nor Qianlong, so he wouldn't deliberately suppress his own son because of this.

The people in Baozhen Temple were not jealous or envious, nor did they bring up this matter.

Especially Maode, after giving birth to a son and a daughter, she became even more beautiful.

It must be said that this first princess of the Song Dynasty was truly a woman among women.

Accompanied by two maids carrying water, Chen Shao entered the courtyard and immediately smelled a sweet and refreshing fragrance.

She twisted her plump waist and giggled as she dodged Chen Shao's hand.

"What kind of face powder did you use? It smells so good."

Maode wore a thin yellow satin dress, which accentuated her slender waist and legs, making her figure appear exquisite and curvaceous.

Hearing Chen Shao's question, he couldn't help but feel a little proud. "These were ground by the three of us. You can't just give them away to someone else if you want them."

Chen Shao laughed heartily, "Those people in the palace are far more professional than you."

With nothing to do all day, Zhong Lingxi would take them out to play, and grinding rouge was one of the important activities.

Chen Shao beckoned, and Maode obediently came closer, being pulled into his arms.

Holding the beauty in his arms, Chen Shao suddenly remembered an afternoon not long after he ascended the throne, also in this courtyard.

Sitting on the pavilion railing, stroking her black hair, listening to the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest, I felt completely free of worries.

He was quite content being emperor; there were no unpleasant or troublesome things happening to him.

When your national strength continues to increase, many problems will no longer be important.

With sufficient prestige, the emperor could easily solve any difficult problem.

For example, the Hidden Field case, and the implementation of progressive taxation.

If this happened during the middle of a dynasty, the emperor would be exhausted just trying to get things done, let alone whether he could succeed. He would be working himself to death just asking for directions, testing the waters, and confronting various forces.

Even if someone is truly capable, it would be difficult to complete the task in less than ten years.

But Chen Shao was different; he exiled over 200,000 gentry and powerful families right from the start. To put that into perspective, almost all the nobles and gentry families of Henan Prefecture were exiled to the fortified villages in the northwest.

For emperors of other dynasties, this one thing alone could shake the very foundations of their states.

Even if he had the guts, the mess that followed would torment him to the point of ecstasy.

Not to mention implementing progressive taxes or controlling land consolidation, that was simply out of the question.

He rested at Baozhen Temple for a day and did not concern himself with state affairs.

Recently, nothing major has really happened, or rather, in this context, many things can no longer be considered major events.

For example, Li Yanqi decisively defeated the powerful clans of Kanto in Japan, essentially wiping out the nobility.

By this point, all resistance forces in Japan that were at least of any significant size had been wiped out.

Li Yanqi was determined, as he planned to achieve his current accomplishments by the sixth year of Jianwu.

However, because the roads here were so difficult to traverse, and the resistance was more intense than he had anticipated, he ended up fighting for an extra year.

This cast a shadow over his record. Because the territory of Japan was incomparable to that of the Southern Wilderness, yet the time it took to complete the campaign was roughly the same.

What he didn't know was that fierce resistance was normal here, and that the organizations in Japan and the Southern Wilderness were not on the same level.

The provinces of Ise, Tsukushi, and Iwami jointly petitioned for the annexation of the entire island of Japan, making it part of the Great Kingdom.

Such an event, if it occurred in another dynasty, might have been recorded in great detail.

But in the grand scheme of things, this is nothing. The empire is expanding every day.

While managing India, the South China Sea Fleet did not forget to continue exploring southward.

There was also Sanfoqi, isolated in the South China Sea Pacification Commissioner's Office of the Great Jing Dynasty, trembling with fear.

Many of the nobles have already begun to actively contact the Jingjun Navy, hoping to be given priority to act as their guides.

Da Jing has extensive experience in dealing with these people and matters, and he has managed to win them over very well.

These people will become collaborators at the slightest sign of trouble.

The place called Srivijaya was originally vying for supremacy with Jianyi. They were thriving by profiting from maritime trade.

But by this time, they were living in constant fear.

In their eyes, Da Jing's aggression was far too strong, and its methods were too terrifying.

They had clearly agreed to punish Jian Yili and Zhenla, but when they turned around, they found that all the surrounding countries, large and small, had become the territory of Daijing, except for themselves.

They send people to Jinling every year, so they are well aware of the strength of the Great Jing Dynasty. (End of Chapter)