Many children, many blessings; a stunningly beautiful wife is given to you right from the start.

Lin Mo looked at the densely packed distribution of outposts on the file and nodded in satisfaction.

With Bai Zhi's meticulous mind and Feng Niang's social skills, these two women working together are simply natural intelligence leaders.

"Did you catch any big fish after casting the net?" Lin Mo asked.

Fengniang walked to the other side of the imperial desk, took out three bloodstained wooden plaques from her bosom, and slammed them on the table.

"Your Majesty, we didn't catch any big fish, but we did catch a bunch of clueless rats."

Feng Niang gave a cold laugh.

"In the three prefectures south of the Yangtze River, several remnants of aristocratic families whose property had been confiscated have colluded with a group of remnants of the previous dynasty and are secretly plotting against each other."

Bai Zhi turned to the second page of the file and pointed to several names on it.

"Qian Wansan, president of the Jiangnan Salt Merchants Association; Zhao Guang, former vice minister of the Ministry of Rites; and Li Wenzhong, governor of Jiangnan Circuit."

Bai Zhi paused for a moment, then continued.

"These three colluded in secret, not only hoarding royal merchants' elixirs and supplies at high prices in an attempt to disrupt prices, but also planning to tamper with the upcoming imperial examinations."

Lin Mo picked up his vermilion pen and tapped it twice on the file: "How do I move it?"

"Bribing the examiners and arranging for scions of wealthy families to replace the exam papers of students from poor families."

"They want to use the imperial examination system to regain control of the lower-level official positions in the court and undermine His Majesty's decrees."

Lin Mo threw down his vermilion pen.

He conquered the world of Daqian with his own sword and spear.

He promoted benevolent governance and encouraged the people to cultivate themselves, all in order to completely eradicate the foundations of these powerful and aristocratic families.

Now this group of people actually dares to extend their reach to the imperial examination system, attempting to restore it from the root.

"Red Lotus," Lin Mo said.

In the shadows of a corner of the main hall, the air seemed to distort slightly.

Red Lotus, the leader of the Phoenix Hidden Female Guards, dressed in black, appeared out of thin air and knelt on one knee.

"Your subordinate is here."

Lin Mo tossed the file with the list of names to Hong Lian.

"Those on the list, their entire families, including their chickens and dogs, shall be wiped out. I want to see their heads before nightfall."

"As you command."

Honglian grabbed the file and instantly merged into the void.

Jiangnan Road, outside Yangzhou City.

Sunset Villa is built halfway up the mountain, surrounded by water on three sides, in a strategically important location.

This place was one of Qian Wansan's private properties, and also a secret stronghold for the remnants of powerful families and the former dynasty.

Deep within the secret chamber, a luminous pearl illuminated the room.

With his large belly protruding, Qian Wansan raised a glass of Western Region wine and toasted Zhao Guang, who was sitting in the main seat.

"Lord Zhao, we've already taken care of the examiners for this imperial examination. As long as our people successfully enter the court, within three years, these prefectures and counties of the Great Qian Dynasty will once again be under the control of our aristocratic family!"

Qian Wansan laughed heartily.

Zhao Guang stroked his beard and picked up his wine glass.

"That peasant Lin Mo thinks he can hold onto the throne with just a few muskets?"

"Governing the country still depends on us scholars!"

"Once our people take control of the area, we'll completely destroy that Royal Trading Company of his!"

Jiangnan Governor Li Wenzhong echoed this sentiment.

"That's right! Lin Mo is nothing but a brute who relies on violence to act recklessly. What does he know about governing a country!"

The three clinked glasses and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Bang!"

The heavy steel door of the secret chamber suddenly shattered into pieces, and countless metal fragments mixed with violent true energy instantly tore the dozen or so guards at the door into mincemeat.

Qian Wansan was so frightened that he dropped the wine cup in his hand and it shattered on the ground.

Carrying a blood-dripping dagger, Honglian stepped over the scattered pieces of flesh and entered the secret chamber.

Behind her followed twelve Phoenix Shadow Guards wearing Asura masks.

"Who goes there! This is the governor's secret meeting place. Anyone who dares to trespass will be killed!"

Li Wenzhong drew his sword from his waist and shouted angrily.

Honglian didn't waste any words and raised her left hand.

"kill."

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

A deafening roar erupted from the enclosed space, and dazzling flames instantly engulfed the entire chamber.

Li Wenzhong and his sword were burned to ashes by the raging fire.

Qian Wansan's obese body was burned to a crisp, and black ash splattered on the walls.

Zhao Guang was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground. As he watched Honglian approach step by step, he kowtowed desperately.

"Heroine, spare my life! I am a former Vice Minister of Rites, a scholar! You cannot kill me!"

Honglian walked up to Zhao Guang and brandished her short sword.

A fine head flew into the air and rolled to the corner of the wall.

"Clean up the scene, leave no survivors."

Screams echoed throughout the villa and its surroundings.

The Phoenix Hidden Female Guards, like death gods reaping lives, moved between the various courtyards.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all 372 people in Sunset Manor had turned into cold corpses.

It was getting dark.

The Imperial Palace, Taihe Hall Square.

Honglian knelt on one knee in front of Lin Mo.

Behind her, a bloodstained wooden box was neatly stacked.

Lin Mo walked down the steps, kicked open the lid of the wooden box, and Zhao Guang's head, with its eyes wide open in death, was right there in front of him.

"good."

Lin Mo turned to look at Bai Zhi and Feng Niang standing to the side.

"The first net of the Skynet was caught beautifully." Lin Mo patted Bai Zhi on the shoulder.

"From today onwards, the two of you will be the eyes and ears of the Great Qian Dynasty. Anyone who dares to make any underhanded moves will be dealt with by Honglian."

Bai Zhi gripped the hem of her clothes tightly and nodded vigorously.

Feng Niang then approached with a charming smile.

"My lord, we sisters have cleaned up every nook and cranny of the Great Qian Dynasty for you. Tonight, shouldn't you go to the Zhenwu Division and let us sisters serve you properly?"

Lin Mo looked at Feng Niang's alluring face, then glanced at Bai Zhi beside him, who wished she could bury her head in his chest, and a wicked smile appeared on his lips.

"Now that both of my beloved consorts have spoken, wouldn't it be disheartening for my meritorious officials if I didn't go and inspect the area?"

Lin Mo grabbed Feng Niang's slender waist with one arm and forcibly took Bai Zhi's soft, boneless hand with the other.

"Let's go to the Zhenwu Division. Tonight, I will personally reward you for your merits."

Bai Zhi froze, her cheeks instantly turning as red as if they were about to bleed, but she dared not break free and could only let Lin Mo lead her, taking small steps to follow.

Feng Niang giggled and leaned half her body against Lin Mo.

In the secret chamber of the Zhenwu Division, springtime was in full bloom.

Feng Niang's wild initiative and Bai Zhi's awkwardness and shyness create an extremely strong contrast.

With his powerful physique at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, Lin Mo utterly routed the two beautiful women who controlled the world's intelligence network, leaving them begging for mercy.

……

Several days later, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The atmosphere at the morning court session was exceptionally solemn.

After the bloodbath at Sunset Manor in Jiangnan a few days ago, the entire officialdom of the Great Qian Dynasty was trembling with fear.

Those remaining members of aristocratic families who had originally intended to manipulate the imperial examinations were utterly terrified.

Lu Zhi, the Censor-in-Chief and Minister of Revenue, held the memorial in both hands, walked quickly to the center of the hall, and knelt down respectfully.

"Your Majesty! The provincial and metropolitan examinations in all prefectures and cities have been successfully completed in this special imperial examination."

Lu Zhi's voice was loud and clear, revealing his undisguised excitement.

"The Jiangnan case shocked the entire nation, and the atmosphere of the examination halls was cleansed. This year's imperial examinations produced 300 successful candidates, more than 80% of whom were from impoverished families!"

"These scholars are all learned men, deeply grateful for Your Majesty's benevolent rule. Now, three hundred candidates await Your Majesty's decree outside the Meridian Gate, ready for the imperial examination in person!"

Lin Mo leaned back on the dragon throne and nodded in satisfaction.

The foundation of powerful clans lay in their monopoly on education and official positions.

He made cultivation resources as cheap as cabbage, thus winning the hearts of the people.

Now, through the imperial examination system, children from poor families are being promoted.

Once these people enter the imperial court, the power vacuum left by the remnants of aristocratic families will be completely filled, and the rule of the Great Qian Dynasty will be as solid as a rock.

Lin Mo waved his hand.

"Summon them into the palace."