You became an emperor by letting me AFK.

"People always prefer a gentler approach."

...........

The senior permanent clerks discussed the matter and gradually developed a plan for diplomatic maneuvering, using the tribes of the northern deserts as excellent test subjects on the one hand, and seizing the opportunity to increase their influence in the south on the other.

They decided to make Linchun the "pilot location" for the enfeoffment.

This coincided with Feng Tianyin's idea.

“Let’s do it this way. Use corruption cases as leverage to take back part of the administrative system and give them greater freedom through enfeoffment.”

"Our expansion into the south should focus on Xincheng Yuhuopan, gradually infiltrating the area. We must first establish ourselves as a model of a steppe feudal state before we can advertise to others."

The high priest's order was unanimously approved.

A person cannot stand without integrity; we must make everyone feel the new development of the grassland.

Feng Tianyin also understood the principles of advertising and marketing, and therefore had already decided to use the tribes of Mobei as a typical example.

It's really durable.

They have become the strategic core of Daqian several times. It's not that the capable are given more work, but rather that those who are troublesome can only be messed with.

They're unlikely to be very settled for some time to come.

She was always decisive in her actions, no matter what she had already decided. After the senior clerks drafted the specific plan for the enfeoffment, Feng Tianyin immediately began to issue orders—no, in the Great Qian Dynasty, it should be called "drafting imperial edicts."

Since the will of Heaven decided on the "Emperor's Feudal System," everyone seems to have smoothly begun the etiquette between ruler and subject.

However, it's not entirely complete, because the Great Qian Dynasty was historically a "priestly system," and the current transitional period feels awkward and unnatural...

It truly lives up to its reputation as the mighty power of Heaven.

Even knowing it was due to the mechanism, Feng Tianyin was still amazed by this power.

A new order is taking over subtly and imperceptibly, seemingly altering perceptions. A "common sense" about monarchs is automatically generated in people's minds, which also produces beneficial effects.

She wants to promote the penetration of benefits, which requires a proactive response mechanism, starting from the grasslands.

...........

Official inn in the temple district.

Although this place is called an "inn," it was actually used to accommodate government officials who came from afar, so the facilities were quite good.

The house was spacious and well-lit, with its own well in the deep courtyard, and three meals a day were provided free of charge... After all, it was considered a business trip for local officials to come here, and the generous high priest always covered the travel expenses.

This also contributed to the revitalization of the transportation system in Daqian.

Of course, one can't just eat and stay for free.

After the ceremony, many local officials returned to their posts, and a large number of carriages left one after another.

Erbala, standing at the entrance of the inn, sighed as he watched the dust rising continuously.

"My notification hasn't arrived yet?"

The trusted confidant beside him shook his head, equally bewildered.

Other colleagues were generally notified to return to their posts, and some even received free gifts before leaving safely, but I haven't heard anything yet. Since there was negligence, what should be done?

Erbala was prepared to be tried, but nothing happened.

"Your Majesty, the time following the Heavenly Ritual is auspicious, and His Majesty is too busy granting a general amnesty to concern himself with such a minor oversight."

"Hard to say."

"The grasslands still need your supervision; I doubt the temple's higher-ups will act rashly."

The confidants acknowledge that the Great Qian Dynasty possesses supreme authority, but it still relies on local forces to exercise its rule. You're not wrong to say that for the next 30 years, intensive farming can be carried out without the Khan's help, but not now.

Those who were the first generation to submit to the Great Qian should have had more leeway in making mistakes.

It's nothing more than sending a political signal.

If Erbala, the representative of the Khan Group's interests, is easily held accountable and punished, wouldn't that make others wary? Wouldn't it push away those who sought refuge for nothing? No matter how you look at it, he wasn't implicated too much; it was entirely within the scope of mediation.

"I've lived my whole life on thin ice. Do you think I can ever reach the other side?"

What are you reminiscing about here?

A passing carriage let out a soft laugh, and when the curtain was lifted, the lazy Bayar was revealed, clearly preparing to depart.

"Are you going back to the grasslands?"

"No, I want to go south to build a new parish."

A single sentence caused Erbala and his close confidants to furrow their brows; this signal was anything but ordinary.

Within the priestly inner sanctuary system, she is second only to Gergentana.

Bayar is the chief disciple of the Great Prophet, wielding immense power and boasting an outstanding political record. Her transfer is no trivial matter; it will inevitably cause a stir. Wouldn't this signify the Great Qian withdrawing its forces from the grasslands? Will a successor be sent? And who?

It must be the High Priest's doing behind this; otherwise, such a significant personnel change couldn't have been decided without any conflict of interest. It could only be that person who made the move.

Feng Tianyin's decision will not incur friction costs.

“You are already capable of handling the sacrificial ceremony on your own in Linchun.”

What's the secret?

"Have you heard? The court has decided on a new policy, 'Enfeoffing Princes,' and plans to use Linchun as the first pilot location. If you're lucky, you might even be enfeoffed as a prince. Let me tell you the details..."

After saying that, Bayar smiled and said, "Someone will be coming to summon you soon, won't they?"

She looked to her side and saw a messenger.

Erbala returned a meaningful look, thinking to himself, "You're clearly here on orders to leak the questions to me in advance."

The Great Khan and his men arrived at the temple with great anxiety.

This is different from the previous job performance review.

This time, not only him, but also many other clerks were present, including some other familiar faces of the Khan, whom everyone knew.

These people belong to one of the most powerful tribes on the grasslands, and they all have one thing in common:

Devotion.

They converted completely and were utterly loyal during the missionary work led by Bayar over the years, a fact that heaven and earth can attest to. Moreover, they possessed considerable abilities and were invaluable talents, often relied upon even by Erbala.

They exchanged a glance, their pupils sparkling with curiosity.

Everyone bowed to Feng Tianyin, who was seated at the head of the table, and she nodded in response, "Rise."

They became friends after a fight.

In fact, everyone present had fought each other at least once on the battlefield, so they had met once before, but it's best not to mention this cause and effect.

Yu Xue handed the documents to the Khans.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed about the granting of fiefs, just as Bayar had said.

Feng Tianyin copied the plan from the database, which simply emphasized the obligations of vassal states to pay tribute, fight together, and worship, and that they had the right to appoint and dismiss subordinate officials, reduce or exempt taxes, and build a certain size army. However, there were also red lines, such as the requirement to have hostages in Xiayi, and that they were not allowed to make peace and had no diplomatic rights.

The position can be inherited, but the successor must be decided by the Xia Yi (the county government), with requirements such as "whoever is virtuous and capable will take the position"...

She also promised to provide certain technical and resource support, but was aware of the costs involved.

The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal.

Very classic.

Feudal systems are prone to producing such drawbacks, and due to limitations in information and transportation, they are often unavoidable. Rather than trying to suppress this trend, it is better to proactively address it.

It is true that the grassland people submitted and were indeed loyal, but issues such as economic structure, historical evolution, and cultural traditions were difficult to reconcile.

We might as well use a feudal system to get through this period; that would be a form of assimilation.

More importantly, we need to accelerate expansion.

Relying solely on remote control to direct their efforts in land reclamation has proven insufficient over the past few years.

The temple's leadership either had to withdraw all support or find another way to motivate its members, so the enfeoffment of feudal lords came into being, which was also a new political system determined by the will of Heaven.

"Sir, could you possibly make an exception..."

However, the high priest waved his hand to interrupt, saying firmly, "What I've given is the best ideal solution, there's no room for negotiation, it's a fixed price."

“If you are unwilling, we will choose the Khan who is willing to cooperate.”

Yes, sir.

Someone immediately expressed their acceptance.

With a role model emerging, everything became easier to discuss, and even Erbala readily agreed.

As the Great Khan, he is self-aware, and his stance is crucial. If he still doesn't cooperate, he will likely be punished for dereliction of duty. Then, he will no longer be in control, and his fate will be uncertain.

In a sense, the top leadership of Daqian also used this matter as a threat.

They turned a blind eye to the embezzlement by the clerks in Linchun, letting it be resolved on the grasslands, with Erbala presiding over the trial.

on the contrary.

If he doesn't cooperate, this case will be exposed and used as a tool to bring him down, and may even lead to a major prison sentence.

Some things may seem insignificant on the scale, but can weigh a ton on it.

The permanent scribes present immediately offered their congratulations with smiles, saying things like, "Congratulations on your investiture, Your Excellency!" "From now on, you should be addressed as a feudal lord!" "The high priest will pray for you on an auspicious day," and so on.

As expected of a talented person who has achieved top honors in all exams, his compliments are always unique and heartwarming.

Finally, the High Priest delivered the final blow:

"Step back. Inform the Great Prophet to begin the blessing ceremony immediately. It's a good day since the Heavenly Dao Festival has just ended, and we can receive a blessing now. You should finish as soon as possible and go back."

Upon hearing this, the Khans readily agreed, beaming with joy.

They made a fortune.

In their view, their power had expanded, and they had become hereditary vassal states, capable of being passed down for thousands of generations.

Erbala, however, walked out of the temple area with deep sorrow in his heart, and bumped into Gegentana, who had been summoned to pay homage. Gegentana waved to him from afar.

"Looks like you're going to be awarded a title? That's great news!"

"This is not the optimal solution. Choosing a relative of the High Priest would be the safest option."