Villain: After I died, all the heroines cried themselves to sleep.

In 785 AD, Luo Zheng, the Lord of Hanyang, ascended the throne as king for his meritorious service in conquering the Lord of Pingliang.

[Goal achieved!]

[You ruled Hanyang for three years, and taking advantage of the death of King Liang Chu, you forcefully entered Guanzhong, coerced the court, suppressed Xiliang, and ultimately succeeded in ascending the throne as King Liang.]

[The evaluation of "Sweeping across nine kingdoms and establishing dominance over the world" has been greatly improved.]

[The rating for "Collecting Beauties and Treasures from Ten Kingdoms" has been improved.]

[The rating for dying at the hands of concubines in the imperial harem has increased.]

As your throne becomes more secure, your personality and talents will also undergo a transformation...

"Could this be considered a very significant historical milestone...?"

Luo Zheng looked at the screen full of system notifications and muttered to himself.

He has completed the enthronement ceremony, ended the ancestral temple visits and court ceremonies, and officially become King Zheng of Liang in history.

"However, the campaign against Lord Pingliang and the pacification of the Western Liang threat have proceeded faster than expected..."

Luo Zheng sighed with emotion.

As fate would have it, Lord Pingliang had always been eyeing the region covetously. It was only when King Liang Zheng came of age and assumed personal rule, during the most intense period of political struggle, that he launched a major invasion of Guanzhong.

This plunged King Zheng of Liang into a critical moment of survival.

Unexpectedly, the enemy was wiped out in a mere month.

The main reason is that this time, the Liang Kingdom did not experience internal strife, and could mobilize the entire nation's resources to quell the Western Liang rebellion.

Moreover, Xuan Luo and Bai Jian advanced in two routes, with Yang Zheng leading a detachment to provide support.

Three of the four mediocre generals were dispatched, which is a very high level of treatment.

After all, although they were considered mediocre generals, strictly speaking, they were the most capable generals under Luo Zheng.

Xuan Luo, in particular, is not considered mediocre because he is incapable of fighting; in fact, he is said to be exceptionally skilled in combat.

He just doesn't know how to behave.

He always had his own insights into military affairs, which allowed him to oppose the King of Liang.

In addition, he was particularly bloodthirsty in battle and loved to fight annihilation battles, which resulted in Liang offending the other nine states and ruining the reputation of King Zheng of Liang.

If the remnants of the nine kingdoms were to rise up in rebellion in the future, this guy would have to take some of the blame.

In short, Pingliang Jun was killed off like a minor character.

He never met Luo Zheng before he died.

"The threats outside the court have been largely eliminated, so now it's time to clean the house before hosting guests."

……

Luo Zheng returned to the inner palace.

He first went to see Consort Bao, Li Si, who had only recently entered the palace.

With Luo Zheng's ascension to the throne as King of Liang, Li Si, as Luo Zheng's first and only concubine, was still granted the title of Lady despite her humble origins.

However, Li Si did not change her attitude towards Luo Zheng because of this.

She still has that same unsmiling look.

She maintained a distant relationship with Luo Zheng.

"Bao Ji, have you forgotten what I said?"

Seeing Li Si sitting alone in the courtyard, Luo Zheng mischievously offered a reminder.

Li Si turned her head to look at her upon hearing this.

She stood up in a formal manner and bowed to Luo Zheng.

"Your Majesty, I, Bao Ji, greet you and welcome Your Majesty's esteemed presence."

"Hmm, very well-behaved, no need for formalities."

Luo Zheng waved his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Si got up, then sat back down and ignored everyone.

Luo Zheng wouldn't tolerate that.

The system only requires you to recruit beauties from ten countries, but it doesn't say you have to max out their favorability.

"Hey, now that you've entered my harem, is this how you act as a lady?"

He immediately adopted an arrogant and domineering attitude.

He tapped the table in a menacing manner.

"As my wife, you should flatter me to the extreme. Even if you have resentment in your heart, you should force a smile and try to please me. Otherwise, don't blame me for punishing you with family discipline."

"...What does Your Majesty wish me to do?"

Li Si countered with a question.

What do you think?

Luo Zheng glanced back disdainfully.

"..."

Li Si was silent for a moment, then stretched out her finger and forced a smile.

"Is Your Majesty satisfied now?"

"That's not enough. You should come over and pour me tea and water, then throw yourself into my arms and beg me for your mercy."

"..."

Li Si stared at Luo Zheng silently.

Luo Zheng accepted the other person's gaze without hesitation.

"Once you've entered my harem, you're mine in life and in death. That's an unchangeable fact. You'd better decide what to do."

Li Si listened to Luo Zheng's shameless words.

Unfortunately, she had no choice but to use her beauty to please him and obediently do as Luo Zheng said.

"That's more like it..."

Luo Zheng nodded seriously.

He had no intention of befriending his nominal harem members.

After all, he would die at the hands of one or even several of them in the future.

To ensure that he could die peacefully at the right time.

Luo Zheng needed to be wary of his harem.

This only deepened their hatred for themselves.

To prevent an accident where you want to die but can't.

This is based on experience.

"You hate me now, don't you? I love it when you hate me to death but are powerless to do anything about it and can only compromise."

Luo Zheng said with a smile, teasingly.

"This is just the beginning; we have a long time to spend together."

"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

Li Si pretended not to hear and obediently served tea to Luo Zheng.

……

After leaving Li Si's palace, Luo Zheng immediately set off to visit Zhao Ji and Xia Ji.

Zhao Ji and Xia Ji rose to prominence because of their sons, and now they are both empress dowagers.

However, they still lived in the original palace.

"It's truly remarkable how Zheng'er has become the king without us even realizing it."

Zhao Ji smiled kindly.

Although Luo Zheng had already ascended to the throne, Zhao Ji still preferred to call him by his nickname.

But then Xia Ji, standing to the side, smiled gently and looked at Luo Zheng.

"Zheng'er seems to be in a bit of a hurry. Did he just come from Lady Bao's place?"

"..."

Is it just my imagination?

Why does it feel like there's a barb in your words?

Zhao Ji and Xia Ji had already met each other when Bao Ji entered the palace, and their relationship was fairly harmonious.

This is on the premise that the two of them were not amazed by Bao Ji's stunning beauty.

Occasionally, a hint of jealousy would flash in her eyes.

"What Mother says is true. I was indeed with Consort Bao just now."

The affairs of the inner palace could not be kept secret from Zhao Ji and Xia Ji.

So Luo Zheng simply admitted it, then suddenly changed the subject.

"But thinking of my two mothers, I couldn't wait to come and pay my respects."

"Is that so..."

Xia Ji was overjoyed and smiled brightly.

"Although Lady Bao is exceptionally beautiful, she is too indifferent and does not care for Zheng'er as much as we do."

Zhao Ji also covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

But Luo Zheng felt that this analogy seemed a bit off.

"Sigh... Come to think of it, it's only when I see the young and beautiful Lady Bao that I realize how old I really am..."

Xia Ji recalled Bao Ji's beauty and couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself.

"Indeed, Lady Bao is in the prime of her life, beautiful and radiant, while we are withering away like yellow flowers..."

Zhao Ji echoed.

There was a hint of bitterness in his words.

In fact, while neither of them was as beautiful as Li Si, they were still considered top-tier, and they also possessed a mature charm.

She's only in her early thirties; in the modern world, she'd be considered an older single woman.

Unfortunately, there was the stunningly beautiful Li Si present.

There is no harm without comparison.

"Mother, you need not worry about this."

Luo Zheng was prepared for this and quickly comforted the two.

"When I was in Hanyang, I met a Taoist hermit and obtained a copy of the Tai Su Xin Fa (太素心法), which has the effect of preserving youth and health."

"Is Zheng'er referring to that method of cultivating profound mysteries?"

Zhao Ji and Xia Ji were surprised.

"But we don't have the talent, and we're already this old, how can we possibly learn?"

"I can teach Mother how to cultivate. Even if she doesn't reach a higher level, the effects of preserving youth and health will not disappear."

Luo Zheng patted his chest and promised.

Although the manual itself cannot achieve this, he can choose to adapt it.

With his assistance and the use of rare and precious herbs, it wouldn't be impossible for Zhao Ji and Xia Ji to maintain their youthful appearance and health.

"Zheng'er is so thoughtful..."

Zhao Ji and Xia Ji were deeply moved.

He immediately gave Luo Zheng a warm, gentle hug.

……

After the late king was buried and the mourning period ended, Luo Zheng officially assumed power.

Currently, the five major powers still exist in the imperial court.

It goes without saying that the Pingliang Lord had already been destroyed.

Lady Wei's faction declined after Luo Zheng ascended the throne.

Luo Zheng had also visited the other party.

Madam Wei, who used to despise Luo Zheng, now bows her head and looks down in front of him, no longer the sharp-tongued and mean-spirited woman she once was.

There is also Fan Ze, a veteran of three dynasties.

The old man is very pragmatic and has completely submitted to Luo Zheng.

As for Zhao Wei...

As Luo Zheng's initial supporter.

Because he was Zhao Ji's father, his position as Left Chancellor was quite secure.

However, this clearly does not conform to their original expectation of using Luo Zheng as a puppet to seize power.

In addition, there was Empress Dowager Xuan.

Even now, as the Queen Mother, she still wields considerable power.

Marquis Xiang, Wei Ran, was her half-brother, and he also contributed significantly to quelling the internal strife.

They belong to the category of those who are too big to handle.

Finally, there's Luo Zheng's team from Hanyang.

As an emerging force, it may seem weak, but it should not be underestimated.

Li Tonggu was appointed Minister of Justice, and Feng Lu was appointed Minister of the Imperial Household.

Sui Qin and Xu Xin were not yet qualified to serve as the Nine Ministers. One went to the Examination Office to work on inventions, and the other went to serve as the Director of the Imperial Fields to demonstrate agriculture.

Meanwhile, military officers were all promoted and given higher ranks.

Xuanluo continued to serve as a general, Baijian was assigned to be the Commandant of Hanzhong Commandery, Yang Zheng went to Longyou, and Teng Mian stayed in the palace to prepare to take over as the Palace Attendant.

According to Luo Zheng's plan.

Veteran officials like Fan Ze can be retained, allowing for a smooth transition with their own team.

As for Empress Dowager Xuan and Zhao Wei, they were like grasshoppers in autumn.

They won't be able to keep going for long.

Luo Zheng sat on the throne, looked around at the ministers below, and slowly spoke.

"I have just ascended the throne and have not yet informed the other nine states. I plan to send envoys to inform the states of Wei and Zheng, who have invaded, to demand compensation, and at the same time, to restore friendly relations with Chu."

When Heaven wishes to destroy someone, it first makes them go mad.

He wanted to fulfill his promise to the Empress Dowager Xuan and establish friendly relations with the State of Chu.

As soon as Luo Zheng finished speaking, Fan Ze and Zhao Wei widened their eyes slightly.

They looked quite surprised.

Lord Xiang had anticipated this, and calmly prepared to step forward.

However, some people acted even faster.

Li Tonggu and Feng Lu walked out almost simultaneously and bowed deeply to Luo Zheng.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"?"

Luo Zheng was speechless.

You two are coming again?!