Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The other martial arts practitioners nearby also burst into laughter, showing great disdain.

Gu Mingli calmly paced around the lobby.

His voice was loud and clear, full of confidence.

"You all just spout empty criticisms and parrot what others say, but you fail to see how many practical things the new emperor has quietly accomplished for the country and its people amidst numerous difficulties!"

"The powerful clans in the court were deeply entrenched and gradually eroded power. But he meticulously planned and consolidated imperial power."

"Let's start with the long-standing problems of the North-South Grand Canal! For over a hundred years, powerful families along the river controlled the ferry crossings, and river bandits roamed the waterways."

"Successive emperors tried to reform the system, but in the end they were all helpless and could only let the vital water transport system be controlled by powerful clans."

"His Majesty never acts according to superficial means. On the surface, he appoints Prince Qi to lead troops to suppress bandits on the river, while secretly he skillfully uses diplomacy to incite the major clans to check and balance each other and divide their interests. He also secretly supports reliable private merchants to take over the canal transport."

"A set of policies to promote favor and divide the weak was implemented, and within just a few months, the alliance of powerful and influential people was dismantled. The business community broke free from the layers of blockade imposed by powerful families, and a hundred flowers bloomed."

"Now that goods can flow freely between the north and south, isn't that a tangible benefit to all people?"

Upon hearing this, the bearded man's lips moved slightly.

I wanted to refute it, but upon closer examination, the facts were right in front of me, and I couldn't find any words to argue.

Gu Mingli gave him no time to think or catch his breath, putting his hands behind his back and speaking in a firm and resounding tone.

"It wasn't just about the Grand Canal. He continued to wrest real power from the powerful families back into the Six Ministries."

"By just rectifying the Ministry of Works, the Cui family was forced to hand over their ironworks and several docks."

"The newly established steel workshops and official shipbuilding departments of the Ministry of Works have already built new types of canal transport ships and seagoing vessels."

"The newly launched ships far surpass those of the previous Qi dynasty in terms of draft, load capacity, and keel sturdiness!"

"Once the steelmaking process is perfected, giant warships will patrol the rivers and seas, and the border troops will be armed with superior weaponry. Who among the barbarians will dare to bully the people of Dayong?"

"Let's talk about people's livelihood again. Your Majesty has strictly investigated corruption, cracked down on local gentry and bullies, and relaxed government policies to support legitimate merchants and travelers."

"Disaster relief can bypass powerful families and clans, secretly monitoring the allocation of funds and grain directly to the people."

"He treated people with respect and was willing to humbly accept and try out any new laws or knowledge that would benefit the country and its people."

"Have you not heard? Nowadays, all the prefectures and cities are using a new material called cement to build official roads and reinforce city walls."

"This substance solidifies when it comes into contact with water, becoming as hard as stone. Roads paved with it are smooth and wide, allowing carriages and horses to travel a thousand miles in a day."

"Such unprecedented innovations could not have been implemented nationwide without the emperor's unwavering support."

The bursts of laughter that had been rising and falling in the tavern gradually subsided.

Several merchants who frequently traveled between the north and south exchanged glances and nodded silently.

They had already personally experienced the convenience brought by the smooth official road along the way.

Gu Mingli's sharp gaze slowly swept over everyone in the room.

One by one, the stories recount Xiao Ye's behind-the-scenes efforts and little-known achievements.

"Please calm down and think this over carefully. The powerful clans are pressing us at every turn and hindering us at every step. Even the late Emperor Guangxian, who was praised by the world, was deeply entangled in this predicament and found it difficult to control them."

"But His Majesty, despite facing countless obstacles, is still able to rise to the challenge and proceed cautiously step by step."

Gu Mingli turned around abruptly, staring directly into the bearded man's eyes, his tone firm and resolute.

"Knowing it's impossible, I still do it. I take the responsibility for the cause and am willing to bring peace to the world."

"How could someone with such vision, courage, and shrewdness be the incompetent, easily manipulated, and foolish emperor that everyone speaks of?!"

The entire tavern fell silent.

The bearded man stood there, completely stunned by the barrage of arguments.

And in the seat behind Gu Mingli.

Xiao Ye had already raised his eyes without anyone noticing.

He quietly watched Gu Mingli, who stood in the center of the crowd, able to dominate the scene with just his words.

A deep and burning light surged in his dark eyes, as deep as an ancient well.

He walked alone on this thorny path to imperial power, bearing too much pressure and infamy.

Unexpectedly, in this remote tavern, he saw the first person to stand up and defend him against the slander of the crowd.

He also heard the words that understood him best in the world.

After a while, the man with the thick beard smacked his lips.

"You little rascal..."

The bearded man scratched the messy back of his head, his imposing manner immediately deflated, and he began to grumble and whimper.

"Alright, alright, you have a point. I'm just a rough man, I can't argue with a bookish scholar like you."

"However... if this Emperor of Dayong is truly as you describe, then it is certainly something to look forward to..."

He held the wine bowl, which was almost empty, and waved his hand to save face.

"Anyway, I'm not a registered resident of the Great Yong Dynasty. I only trust the sword in my hand, not the imperial court. Let whoever wants to be that damn emperor be it!"

"Only when the powerful clans are eliminated and the world is at peace will I submit!"

After saying that, he swayed and turned back to his own table.

He clinked bowls with his companion and then started bragging at the top of his lungs about his adventures in the martial arts world.

[Ding! Alert lifted! The target's emotions have stabilized, the tyrant's corruption progress has dropped to 0%, and the crisis is over.]

Hearing the system notification, Gu Mingli breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning her head, she met Xiao Ye's meaningful gaze.

Gu Mingli's heart skipped a beat. Slightly embarrassed, he raised his hand, clenched his fist, and coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment.

The tips of her ears suddenly turned red.

"Why are you looking at me like that... I'm just stating the facts, so what?"

"It's nothing."

Xiao Ye's voice was deep and resonant, tinged with a hint of pleasure.

He picked up the wine pot, poured Gu Mingli a cup of wine, clinked glasses with him, and lowered his voice to say:

Thank you for watching.

[Ding! Xiao Ye's favorability towards you has increased by 10! Current favorability: -411!]

Gu Mingli: "!!!"

It went up by 10 points?!

That was a worthwhile compliment! ᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ

Although Huang Jiaojiao has hidden tyrant traits, she's still easy to coax if you go along with her!

Gu Mingyue sat quietly to the side, taking in her brother's barely suppressed but still undisguised smug expression.

She raised her eyes slightly, subtly glancing at the smile on Xiao Ye's lips.

Silently, he picked up the rough teacup in front of him, covered his slightly twitching lips, and took a deep sip of tea.

This high emotional intelligence—praising the boss in front of others without actually flattering them—is especially useful in the workplace!

Huang Jiaojiao must be feeling incredibly pleased right now.

She must have given her brother a huge boost in points.

Rumors of a standoff between the two armies outside have not subsided.

The elite cavalry of Dayong thus had a legitimate reason to encamp outside the city, showing no intention of breaking camp.

Xiao Ye intended to stay at the simple Longmen Inn tonight, and take advantage of the darkness to place a few hidden pieces on this chessboard.

Manager Tao quickly instructed his staff to clear out all the best rooms on the second floor of the inn.

Although it's called "upper room," in Gu Mingli's opinion, it's only slightly better than the dormitory-style room downstairs that reeks of feet.

The mottled earthen wall was just hastily coated with a layer of lime, and the white powder would fall off at the slightest touch.

The wooden lattice windows were covered with yellowed oil paper, which rattled loudly in the night wind.

As for the bed, it was just a few planks pieced together, covered with a thick layer of dry straw, and then covered with a white, stiff coarse cloth quilt.

Gu Mingli walked back and forth in the corridor with his hands behind his back, carefully looking around the rooms.

Only five rooms were freed up in total.

Gu Mingyue and Taozhi stayed in the innermost room.

The three rooms closest to the corridor were given to the accompanying Dragon Scale Guards and the Shadow Guards in the shadows, so that they could take turns resting and keeping watch.

The room sandwiched between the guard rooms became a shared room for him and Xiao Ye.