Water Margin: My 108 Heroes Come from All Heavens

……

The next day.

Zichen Palace.

Court meeting.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Zhao Gou sat on the dragon throne, his fingertips tracing the memorial recommending Liangshan, his gaze sweeping over the officials below.

"Yesterday, Han Zhong, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, submitted a memorial recommending Liang Shan for the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Do any of you ministers have any objections?"

This statement came out.

The expressions of the courtiers in the hall shifted slightly, each with a different look.

"The younger generation is truly formidable. In just three days since taking office, he has captured thirty-six demons and cured Kaifeng of a chronic disease that has plagued the city for years."

"But I've heard that this person is of extremely poor character, bullies men and women, and commits all sorts of evil deeds. I'm afraid he's not suitable for promotion."

"These are all rumors, they may not be true, and they should not be believed entirely."

"..."

The courtiers whispered among themselves.

Stick to one word.

There were those who agreed and those who disagreed.

In a short time.

Neither of them could convince the other.

Zhao Gou raised his hand to signal for silence, then looked at the first person on his left: "Divine Marquis, what do you think?"

Zhu ignored the black python robe he was wearing.

His face was resolute.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that one should trust those one employs and not employ those one one distrusts."

"Although Liangshan has some minor flaws, his abilities are outstanding. He has solved many strange cases and is a rare talent. If he can be properly guided, he will surely be able to share the burden of the country."

Before he could finish speaking...

Another voice rang out in the main hall.

"Lord Shenhou, you are mistaken."

A middle-aged man with a fair complexion and no beard, dressed in a bright red python robe, stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. If we give important positions to such wicked people, it will do nothing but harm to our Great Song Dynasty."

The person speaking.

It was Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot.

"Yu Huatian, what do you think?"

Zhao Gou frowned slightly and looked at one of the ministers.

Yu Huatian, the supervisor of the Western Depot, stood in the queue.

He was dressed in a white python robe.

His face was as fair as jade.

Her temperament is feminine.

After being singled out by Zhao Gou, he immediately bowed his head and said, "I believe that this matter should be decided by Your Majesty. I dare not make any presumptuous remarks."

"Please feel free to speak."

Zhao Gou glanced at him and said indifferently.

"In my opinion, this person can be employed or not employed."

Yu Huatian lowered his head and shared his opinion.

"Oh?"

Zhao Gou raised an eyebrow.

"Liang Shan, in terms of talent, certainly has merit."

Yu Huatian cupped his hands and said in a calm and unhurried voice: "The demons in the west and north of the city have been entrenched for many years, and even the Dragon Guard Manor has failed to eradicate them. Yet he, a mere newcomer, pacified both places in just three days. This is an indisputable fact."

"You mean, he should be promoted?"

Zhao Gou was slightly surprised.

"No."

Yu Huatian shook his head and continued, "The rumors about Liang Shan are quite bad. Although the rumors may not be true, public opinion can be very powerful and can destroy even the most innocent people. These rumors should not be believed entirely, but they should not be completely disregarded either."

"You mean, we shouldn't reuse him?"

Zhao Gou seemed to be deep in thought.

"No."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty's decision to give important positions to Liangshan is a testament to your discerning eye and unconventional approach to talent."

Yu Huatian stepped forward, his voice resounding: "His Majesty's decision not to give him important positions is a testament to His Majesty's awe-inspiring power, guiding the court's conduct and prioritizing the nation's interests."

In short

"It is acceptable to promote Liangshan, but it is also acceptable not to promote them."

After speaking...

The hall was deathly silent.

The civil and military officials looked at each other, their expressions a fascinating mix of emotions.

"Yu Huatian, what's the difference between what you said and nothing said at all?"

Han Zhong couldn't help but mutter something to himself.

Yu Huatian turned his head, his smile gentle: "Young Master Han, you are mistaken. I have said a lot, but you just didn't understand."

"What did you say?"

Han Zhong's lips twitched a few times.

"What I mean is, whether Liang Shan should be promoted depends on whether he deserves it."

Fearing that Han Zhong might not have understood, Yu Huatian explained again carefully: "If he deserves a promotion, then he should be promoted; if he doesn't deserve a promotion, then he shouldn't be promoted. As for whether he should be promoted or not, that depends on whether he deserves it or not."

Han Zhong: "..."

Cao Zhengchun: "..."

Even Zhu Wushi, who was standing to the side, had several black lines appear on his forehead.

On the dragon throne.

Zhao Gou rubbed his temples, feeling dizzy from all the confusion.

"Alright, alright, you can leave now."

"I obey your decree."

Yu Huatian bowed and took a step back, then stood back in line, his expression unchanged, as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Gou's fingers tapped lightly on the dragon throne.

He began to ponder.

This group of courtiers.

There is no one who can share my burdens and solve my problems.

It seems so.

The decision to remove Liangshan from the list is up to him.

He raised his head.

He looked at the panel in the main hall that only he could see.

[National Fortune Simulator]

[Current national fortune: 1327 million]

[Host: Zhao Gou]

[Number of simulations available today: 1/1]

[Should we consume 1 units of national fortune to simulate the outcome of "reusing Liangshan"?]

"simulation."

The numbers on the panel jumped.

[Simulation in progress...]

[Year 1: You are promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review in Liangshan. Liangshan is deeply grateful and solves several cold cases, earning praise from the people and causing a stir in the court and among the public. National fortune +100,000.]

[Year Two: Liang Shan and Lin Daiyu marry. Jia Baoyu, filled with resentment, becomes a monk. The fairy jade spontaneously separates from him and is unintentionally obtained by Liang Shan, who then gives it to Lin Daiyu. Lin Daiyu uses this to break through to the Grandmaster realm, becoming the youngest Grandmaster in the Song Dynasty. National fortune +20.]

[Year Three: Liangshan cleverly uncovered nine treacherous spies lurking in the court, all of whom were executed. The court was cleansed, and officials were terrified. National fortune increased by 30.]

[Year Four: Liangshan...National Fortune +40.]

[The sixth year...the seventh year...the eighth year...]

[Simulation ended.]

This simulation consumed 1 units of national fortune, and the result is: reusing Liangshan can increase the Song Dynasty's national fortune by 500 million units.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have received an extra reward:]

[1. Rare Elixir: Celestial Realm Breakthrough Pill x1 (Can be used to break through to the Celestial Realm)]

【2. Rare Bonus: Dragon Vein Protection (Permanently increases the national fortune of the Song Dynasty by 5%)】

【3. Rare Blessing: Good Fortune Shines Brightly (The host and their immediate family members' fortunes are greatly enhanced)】

Zhao Gou suddenly opened his eyes.

His pupils dilated violently.

Yue Fei fought for ten years, but the total contribution to the nation's fortune was only slightly over one million.

This Liangshan.

Simply by giving him more power, the Song Dynasty's fortunes could be boosted by 500 million?

and.

In just one ordinary simulation, three rare rewards were generated!

To know.

When he simulated Zhu Wushi, Cao Zhengchun, and Yu Huatian, the three of them combined only gave him one rare reward!

Breakthrough Pill for Celestial Realm

The dragon vein protects the body.

Good fortune shines upon you.

"Gurgle."

Zhao Gou swallowed hard, suppressing the shock in his heart, but remained outwardly calm.

Reuse.

We must reuse him!

Just as he overruled all opposition to establish the Dragon Guard Manor, appointed Zhu Wushi as his uncle who was not of the imperial family, established the Eastern Depot, appointed Cao Zhengchun as its governor, established the Western Depot, and appointed Yu Huatian as its chief steward.

"I have already made my decision."

He raised his head and swept his gaze across the assembled officials in the hall: "Liang Shan has repeatedly solved extraordinary cases, captured demons, and protected the people, rendering meritorious service to the nation. Effective immediately, Liang Shan is promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, in charge of all criminal cases in the realm, and to redress injustices!"

Inside the main hall.

The courtiers stared wide-eyed, their expressions filled with disbelief.

Even...

Han Zhongdu wore an expression of disbelief.