The Star River Era! The Dimensional Freedom Demon

February 23.

The early spring sunshine shone on the undulating cloud brocade quilt, waking Ji Chen from her light sleep.

Reaching out, I touched something soft and smooth.

After a few whimpers mixed with dissatisfaction, Ji Chen was kicked a few times, but he wasn't annoyed and got out of bed feeling refreshed.

After he thoroughly purged the disobedient sects last month, the local sects quieted down for a short while before starting to make trouble for him again.

Understanding one's superiors' intentions is a traditional skill in Kyushu.

After they discovered that Ji Chen's harem was sparse, with only Xue Baochai as his sole concubine, they all began to select virtuous women from their own sects and families, devising various ways to offer tributes to Ji Chen.

Weaker sects hoped to use this opportunity to curry favor with Ji Chen, bypass the restrictions of military merit, and gain access to become minor sects or even auxiliary sects.

Even powerful sects fear that too many sects will try to get in through back channels. They worry that if the young king is bewitched by beauty, they might lose their positions as assistant sect leaders. So, out of a sense of crisis, they also send people to Ji Chen's residence.

Later on, even Zhang Jichang, that serious old man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, assigned two maids of his granddaughter generation to him.

Ji Chen didn't consider himself a lustful person, but in order to save effort in ruling the world in the future, he was meticulous and took in a few women yesterday.

"Your Majesty has awakened."

Just then, a gentle voice, tinged with a hint of melancholy, came from outside the door.

Looking at the mess on the bed, Xue Baochai couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, even though she knew that the man who had taken her virginity was a great man who ruled the world.

But just hearing his soft hum made her bones melt, and she took the initiative to serve him.

Ji Chen stretched out his arms, letting her help him get dressed.

Midway through, looking at her rosy lips, his anger flared up again.

Unfortunately, he was just an ordinary person and couldn't handle his antics.

"Well, when you have nothing to do, remember to practice your martial arts more. You can also take a look at the Cloud Dragon Manual that I left behind."

Xue Baochai nodded, her face flushed with embarrassment.

She looked at the puddles of mud on the bed, feeling both fear and anticipation, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.

Having served Ji Chen for a long time, she knew how formidable he was. Every time, she had to use all her strength, and she could barely relieve her desire the next day when she couldn't get out of bed.

But it was already daytime, and as a young lady from a prominent family, she felt extremely shy and embarrassed.

Fortunately, Ji Chen only let her rinse it.

After rinsing her mouth, Baochai said in a sticky voice:

"I know, but why does Your Majesty insist on bestowing titles and rewards upon the various clans? The books say that warriors disrupt the country and knights use their martial arts to break the law. Your Majesty is to be the Son of Heaven who reigns over the world. I hope Your Majesty will think carefully and not abandon the long term for short-term gains."

Ji Chen stared intently at her.

Baochai lowered her eyes.

The atmosphere became slightly heavy, then Ji Chen suddenly smiled and said:

"If you achieve mastery in martial arts, what harm would there be in abolishing all the sects, or even ruling the country yourself?"

Since ancient times, interference in politics by the imperial harem has been a major taboo. Ji Chen's words immediately filled Xue Baochai with fear.

To her, Ji Chen's suggestion that she take charge was a harsh irony.

Xue Baochai's face turned pale, and she knelt down on the ground in a flash.

"I am terrified and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"You are innocent. I never lie."

After saying this, Ji Chen turned and left.

"I still have matters to discuss with Minister Chen. You should get up and rest."

He suddenly found it quite interesting.

Just now, although Xue Baochai knelt down and begged for mercy out of fear, how could she hide the burning desire deep in her heart from him?

Perhaps, this talented woman might actually spark something special in the future.

Ji Chen looked forward to it and waited to see what would happen.

. . . . . .

Over the past few months, Ji Chen's organization in the southern states has become increasingly tight.

In order to free himself from his busy affairs, Ji Chen specially promoted Chen Xianli to the position of prime minister in the provisional central government.

The announcement of this official title caused quite a stir.

After a thousand years, the land of Kyushu has finally seen a prime minister who is second only to the emperor and above all others once again.

A prime minister whose power was not shared.

Chen Xianli went from a straightforward and generous martial arts instructor last autumn to a shrewd and calculating prime minister who now governs several states, all in less than half a year.

Such extraordinary encounters are nothing more than this.

"Your Majesty, the Northern Heavenly Principle Sect has once again defeated the main force of the Qing Dynasty a few days ago and successfully occupied the former capital."

In the council hall, Ji Chen sat on the high seat, while Chen Xianli stepped forward to present his report.

"Qingting has actually held out this long; shouldn't they have retreated to the Northwest or Northeast long ago?"

"No, after the defeat at Yongqiu, Qingting wanted to retreat to the Northeast, but unfortunately..."

At this point, Chen Xianli couldn't help but laugh.

"The Solon people were confined to the harsh northeastern lands by the Qing court for over a century, forced to watch helplessly as the Liao nobles enjoyed their lives within the Great Wall. They had to fish for a living, so naturally they harbored deep resentment towards the Qing court and did not recognize the Liao people's identity. They even shouted the slogan 'Do not let Emperor Qing return east,' thus intercepting the Qing court's advance troops inside Shanhaiguan in advance."

"As for the Northwest, the grassland people also do not welcome Qingting's presence. They are all devout believers of the Secret Buddhist Temple, and they spent a lot of money to invite the Hutuktu of the great temple. Even the Great Snow Mountain was subtly persuaded. Now Qingting is a fallen phoenix, worse than a chicken, and everyone is shouting to kill it."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Ji Chen's lips twitched slightly; he hadn't expected Qing Ting to be in such a miserable state.

"In that case, how are the preparations for our army progressing?"

Ji Chen couldn't just stand by and watch the Heavenly Principle Sect take over the entire north.

Doing nothing and waiting for others to attack is not in his nature.

"We have already collected 200,000 shi of grain and 100,000 shi of hay. If we only send out 100,000 troops, this is enough to support us. But if we send out 300,000 troops to launch a northern expedition, this is far from enough."

Ji Chen frowned.

"Weren't all the powerful families in Yingtian Prefecture dead? How come they've only managed to raise this little bit?"

Chen Xianli looked slightly embarrassed and had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"Master Wang submitted a letter of apology, admitting that he had failed to manage his subordinates properly, leading to their corruption and misconduct, and the squandering of the grain reserves in Jiangnan, Yingtian Prefecture..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Chen's face showed displeasure.

"The land of Songhu has always been fertile and rich in grain, yet he treats it so lightly! Send me your orders!"

"The King and Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain are hereby ordered to depart from Yingtian Prefecture immediately, travel north along the Huai and Yellow Rivers, first capture Yizhou Prefecture, then take Yidu. They are to pacify the entire Shandong region within three months—the army and provisions must be raised independently, and the central government will not provide any allocations."

"Order General Liu Lin of Jingzhou to lead troops to Jiangxia to join forces with the army of Yizhou to besiege Yongzhou. The central government can provide provisions for this route as needed."

"In March, I will personally lead an expedition to Sili, heading straight for the former capital region! — Dismissed."

They were not fully prepared, and had not yet completely quelled the Tianli Sect in the north. At this point, their situation was probably even more dire.

We should strike while the iron is hot and take its life!

Upon hearing this, His Highness and all his ministers changed color.

Although I knew that Ji Chen had declared that he would launch a northern expedition in March right after the end of the year, I did not expect it to be so urgent.

Soon, at Ji Chen's command, the entire war machine of the Southern Martial Dynasty began to operate at full speed.

With the positions of assistant sect and junior sect available, all the sects in the south devoted themselves to the cause.

Ji Chen's 300,000-strong army was filled with a large number of martial arts experts in almost every army and every battalion.