Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

Opposition was overwhelming.

King Zhou's face was gloomy.

He had expected this to happen.

But when faced with it in person, I still felt a sense of powerlessness.

He looked at Su Yunbai.

It's your turn to go on stage.

Su Yunbai stepped forward.

Step out.

The pressure of a mid-stage Quasi-Saint was released without reservation.

It's not directed at any particular person.

Instead, it enveloped the entire Golden Palace.

In an instant.

All sound disappeared.

Those civil officials felt as if they were struggling to breathe, as if they were carrying a mountain on their backs.

The military officer was slightly better, but he was also sweating profusely and unable to move.

Even Huang Feihu, a Taiyi Golden Immortal, felt his soul tremble, as if he were facing a primordial beast.

What level of cultivation is this?!

The Great Luo? No, the Great Luo isn't that terrifying!

Is it...

Quasi-Saint?!

Everyone was utterly horrified.

Su Yunbai remained calm and withdrew his oppressive aura.

It was as if nothing had happened.

But the hall was completely silent.

"Gentlemen," he began, his voice low but clear, "His Majesty appointed me to this position not out of personal favor, but for the sake of the nation."

"Although the rebellion in Beihai has been quelled, the world is not yet at peace."

"Xiqi secretly amassed troops, the feudal lords of the four directions watched and waited, the demon race lay dormant, and unorthodox methods ran rampant."

"The Shang Dynasty is beset by internal and external troubles and has reached a critical moment of survival."

His gaze swept over the crowd.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"If businesses follow the established procedures and rules blindly, great merchants will perish."

"Since I, Su Yunbai, have accepted this position, I shall bear this responsibility."

"Within three months, I will reorganize the military, clean up the court, and greatly increase the strength of the Shang Dynasty."

"If you can't do that..."

He paused.

"I resign from my post to plead guilty and accept whatever punishment I may receive."

These words resonated deeply.

The hall remained silent.

No one dared to object anymore.

The oppressive aura just now said it all.

This person isn't here to reason with them.

They're here to crush them.

King Zhou was secretly pleased.

Damn it, finally someone can keep these old foxes in check!

He coughed lightly.

"Do any of you ministers have any further objections?"

No one answered.

"Very well," said King Zhou, "then it's settled."

"Minister Su, the Tian Ce Mansion is located in the side hall of the East Palace. You may recruit all its officials yourself. As for the necessary resources, please report to me for approval."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Yunbai bowed.

"Dismiss the court."

King Zhou got up and left.

The officials finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When she looked at Su Yunbai again, her eyes were completely different.

Fear, apprehension, and a touch of curiosity.

Shang Rong, Bi Qian, and the others had complex expressions. In the end, they sighed, shook their heads, and left.

Huang Feihu walked up to Su Yunbai.

"General Su."

"King Wu Cheng." Su Yunbai nodded.

"I apologize for my rudeness earlier." Huang Feihu clasped his hands in a fist salute. "General, your cultivation is unfathomable. I admire you."

"You're too kind, King Wu Cheng," Su Yunbai said. "Military reforms still require your assistance."

"It's my duty." Huang Feihu paused. "The military exercise the general mentioned..."

"We'll be waiting anytime," Su Yunbai said with a smile. "The Iron Blood Army will arrive in Chaoge soon."

A glint of fighting spirit flashed in Huang Feihu's eyes.

"it is good."

He took his leave.

Su Yunbai also walked out of the Golden Palace.

The sun was shining brightly outside the hall.

The first step was successful.

Now it's time to get down to business.

He returned to the Tian Ce Mansion.

Dozens of servants and clerks were already on standby inside the mansion.

Fei Zhong and You Hun were already waiting.

The two men, one fat and one thin, quickly stepped forward to greet Su Yunbai upon his arrival.

"Your humble servant Fei Zhong (You Hun) greets the General."

Their attitude was respectful, even somewhat obsequious.

Su Yunbai sized them up.

Fei Zhong was shrewd and cunning.

They were all petty men, but also capable officials.

"Get up." He walked to the head seat and sat down.

"Thank you, General Xie."

The two stood with their hands at their sides.

"Do you know why His Majesty summoned you to the Tian Ce Mansion?" Su Yunbai asked.

Fei Zhong's eyes darted around: "His Majesty has ordered us to assist the Grand General in overseeing all officials."

You Hun added: "We officials have been in the court for a long time and have some understanding of the officials' backgrounds. Perhaps we can lend you a hand, General."

Su Yunbai nodded.

"Alright. Then tell me, which people in the court should be investigated?"

Fei Zhong and You Hun exchanged a glance.

This is a pledge of allegiance.

By speaking out, you've essentially tied yourself to Su Yunbai's ship.

But if he doesn't speak up, he won't be able to leave this Tian Ce Mansion today.

Fei Zhongyi gritted his teeth and said, "General, most of the ministers in the court are from noble families. They own countless fields and shops, and many of them evade taxes and seize farmland."

You Hun continued, "Especially the four regional lords, led by the Eastern Marquis Jiang Huanchu and the Southern Marquis E Chongyu, all have proxies in the court, who control the government and form cliques for personal gain."

Su Yunbai listened.

"Is there any evidence?"

"Yes!" Fei Zhong said, "Over the years, I have secretly collected a lot of account books and letters, all of which can serve as evidence."

"Okay," Su Yunbai said. "Compile all the evidence into a book and submit it within three days."

"yes!"

"Furthermore," Su Yunbai looked at them, "I want you to spread the word in the court."

"Please give your orders, General."

"Tell them that the Tian Ce Mansion will implement new policies, and all talented people, regardless of their background, can enter the Tian Ce Mansion as officials. Those who offer good ideas, technologies, or inventions will be richly rewarded."

Fei Zhong was taken aback: "General, this... may displease the nobles."

"That's exactly what I want—their dissatisfaction," Su Yunbai said calmly. "Go."

"Yes."

The two men withdrew.

Su Yunbai sat alone in the hall.

Next, it's time to plan the development of the human race.

He summoned the system.

Search for technical drawings related to "papermaking", "printing", "curved plow", "cement", and "textile machine".

[Ding! Searching...]

Papermaking (Improved Version): 100 points

Movable type printing: 150 points

[Design drawing of the curved plow: 50 points]

[Simplified Cement Formula: 80 points]

[Water-powered textile machine blueprints: 200 points]

Less than 600 points in total.

Cheap.

"Exchange all of them."

[Ding! 580 Intimacy Points consumed!]

[Current intimacy level: 1045 points.]

A flood of technical information rushed into my mind.

Su Yunbai closed his eyes to digest the information.

These technologies were not considered advanced in the world of Investiture of the Gods.

But the key lies in promotion.

If this policy is implemented, it will greatly improve human productivity and improve people's livelihoods.

Improving people's livelihoods will lead to...

Heavenly Merit and Virtue.

He opened his eyes.

"Someone come here."

A clerk entered.

"What are your orders, General?"

"Draft a notice," Su Yunbai said. "The Tian Ce Prefecture has established a 'Craftsmen's Division' to recruit craftsmen from all over the country. Anyone skilled in carpentry, blacksmithing, construction, textiles, and other crafts can apply."

Those who pass the examination will be granted official positions and will receive a salary from the imperial court.

"Furthermore, an 'Innovation Award' shall be established. Anyone who improves existing tools or invents new objects, and whose inventions are verified, shall be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver and granted a noble title."

The clerk was taken aback.

"General, is this...reward too generous?"

"A generous reward will surely attract brave men," Su Yunbai said. "Go and do it."

"Yes."

The clerk withdrew.

Su Yunbai got up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, Chaoge City remains as prosperous as ever.

But beneath the prosperity lies a rigid system, entrenched social classes, and stagnant technology.

He wants to break these things.

It starts with technological innovation and with improving people's livelihoods.

Accumulate merit and increase your strength.

At the same time, it also allowed large merchants to accumulate capital to withstand great calamities.

"The Great Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods..."

Su Yunbai murmured.

"I want to make humanity truly stand up in this great calamity."