His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

"On the Mid-Autumn Festival three days from now, we will reward the troops and celebrate with the people."

"yes!"

Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao responded loudly in unison.

The two looked at Feng Xingyu, and when they saw those red eyes, they couldn't help but take a second look.

Especially the cold owl.

He had heard that his new master had been born with red eyes, but he didn’t quite believe it at first, thinking it was all a rumor. He never expected it to be true!

Yuan Zhao, on the other hand, remained much calmer.

Although it was the first time he had seen his master's red eyes, deep down he felt more heartache for his master.

In those years, to hide those red eyes, I took poison that suppressed my inner energy for many years...

Now that they hold power, the master has finally accepted his red eyes and no longer needs to hide them.

Actually, it's very beautiful.

Some of the soldiers below also saw it, but they all lowered their heads, not daring to look any longer, much less discuss it.

"Jinzhi, take them to set up camp first. Tonight, the palace will host a banquet to welcome you and discuss the first decree to be issued," said Feng Xingyu.

"it is good."

Gu Jinzhi nodded, turned around and ordered Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao to lead the troops to set up camp, while he followed Feng Xingyu and Mo Sangyu into the palace.

The three of them passed through many palace gates and headed towards the Imperial Study.

When the palace servants along the way saw Feng Xingyu, they all bowed their heads in greeting, but they still couldn't help but steal glances at them out of the corner of their eyes.

Gu Jinzhi kept her eyes straight ahead and walked with composure.

Upon entering the imperial study, Feng Xingyu sat down in the main seat, while Mo Sangyu casually leaned against the soft couch behind him.

Gu Jinzhi stopped at the lower end of the table, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of memorials on the desk. He walked over, picked up one at random, flipped through it, and then put it down.

Feng Xingyu said, "I've been having some free time lately, so I took a look. The Great You Dynasty is supposed to be a great and prosperous country, but I never expected that it would have so many problems inside."

"The frontier military pay is in deficit, corruption is rampant in the prefectures and counties, the river is allocated funds every year but still breaches its banks every year, and the people's taxes are heavy. I have already counted the silver in the national treasury and it is not as full as it appears."

"If that's the case, then the Great You Dynasty has been in trouble for a long time."

Gu Jinzhi's mind worked extremely fast. After listening to Feng Xingyu's words, she immediately realized the key issue.

Looking back on last year, if it weren't for the Empress pushing them forward, they might still be trapped in the border town, not daring to take that step.

It turns out that the military pay deficit was not entirely a deliberate suppression against them, but rather that the Great You Dynasty was already rotten to the core, decaying inside and out, merely putting on a facade of pretense.

He suddenly smiled and said, "If it weren't for you, the Great You Dynasty could have prospered and flourished for decades more."

"Lord Gu is mistaken."

Mo Sangyu lazily replied, "You reap what you sow. Although the Great You has been destroyed, its prosperity... has only just begun."

"Oh right."

Gu Jinzhi immediately bowed and said, "It is my ignorance that makes me so. Your Majesty the Empress is truly wise and powerful, a blessing to the nation."

That's some serious flattery.

I have to say, it does sound quite comforting.

Not only was Mo Sangyu comfortable, but upon closer inspection, Feng Xingyu's smile was also undeniably captivating.

That makes him even happier than praising him.

Yan You Yourong.

"Alright, you guys chat, I'm going to check with the imperial kitchen; we'll have an extra meal tonight."

Mo Sangyu got up and walked out of the imperial kitchen.

Gu Jinzhi and Feng Xingyu then had a private conversation about the new policies and subsequent plans for the court.

After nightfall.

The welcoming banquet was held in a side hall of Lanting Palace.

Lanting Palace was where Yun Wangshu lived back then.

The feast for the troops is scheduled for the Mid-Autumn Festival three days from now, but tonight there is only one table of food and wine for five people.

Gu Jinzhi sat on the left, with Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao to his left, and Feng Xingyu and Mo Sangyu sitting side by side in the main seat.

The candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of several people on the wall, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

Yuan Zhao stood up, holding a wine cup, a smile on his rugged face: "Master, Madam, let me first offer you a toast. After all these years, we've finally made it."

Feng Xingyu picked up his wine cup and clinked it against his.

"Thank you for your hard work over the years."

"It's not hard work."

Yuan Zhao downed his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "The thing I'm most grateful for in my life is being with you, Master, and Madam."

As he spoke, he tilted his head back and drank another cup, his words filled with genuine emotion.

Han Xiao also stood up, holding a wine cup. His gaze lingered on Feng Xingyu's red eyes for a moment, and then he suddenly smiled.

"Sir, your eyes are so beautiful."

"Oh?"

Feng Xingyu, with a calm expression, raised his cup to him: "Don't you find it terrifying?"

"How could that be? Those people who talk nonsense are just jealous of my uniqueness. Don't believe them. These eyes are really beautiful, not scary at all."

Han Xiao rarely talks this much.

Tonight, I was in a good mood, and fueled by the alcohol, I said whatever came to mind.

Feng Xingyu nodded: "Okay, I understand."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was just right.

After Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao finished speaking, Gu Jinzhi also raised his wine cup and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I would also like to offer you a toast to congratulate you on achieving your wish."

Feng Xingyu looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Jinzhi, without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Gu Jinzhi shook his head.

"I only did what I was supposed to do."

He looked at Mo Sangyu beside him, his smile deepening: "If we really want to thank someone, we should thank Her Majesty the Empress. If it weren't for her, we'd still be starving in the border town right now."

That's definitely a bit of an exaggeration.

They won't starve.

Mo Sangyu leaned back lazily in her chair, somewhat amused: "Lord Gu, you've been flattering me a bit too much today."

Gu Jinzhi said earnestly, "I am telling the truth."

Yuan Zhao chimed in from the side, "Yes, yes, yes, the Madam is the most formidable! Today at the palace gate, that move she made really startled me!"

Mo Sangyu looked at him with a half-smile: "Which time?"

"That..." Yuan Zhao gestured, "With a loud bang, the door opened. That's amazing."

Han Xiao added expressionlessly, "You've never seen the world."

Yuan Zhao glared at him: "You've seen it before?"

Han Xiao thought for a moment and shook his head.

"Then you talk about me!"

"truth."

The two started talking back and forth, and it looked like they were about to start arguing.

Gu Jinzhi held his wine cup and watched the play leisurely.

Feng Xingyu didn't try to dissuade her, but simply put the deboned fish meat into Mo Sangyu's bowl and served her a bowl of soup.

Soon, after several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the meal was finished.

Yuan Zhao was already quite drunk, and he insisted on having three more drinks with Han Xiao.

Han Xiao remained expressionless, drinking one cup after another without any change in his expression.

Gu Jinzhi put down his wine cup and looked at Mo Sangyu.

"Your Majesty, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in three days. We need to reward the troops and celebrate with the people... The time is too short, I'm afraid it will be a bit difficult."

"It's okay."

Mo Sangyu said, "Just set up a platform at the palace gate, put out wine and meat, and let the soldiers eat to their heart's content. As for the people in the city, just spread the word. If they want to come, they can come. If they are really worried or afraid, we won't force them."

"Very well, I understand."

"Jinzhi, issue the first decree tomorrow morning."

Feng Xingyu leaned back in his chair, pondered for a moment, and then made a decision.

"Reduce taxes."

He said, "Within three years, all people and merchants in the Great You territory will be exempted from half of their taxes."

Gu Jinzhi's eyes lit up.

"This is good. The taxes in Dayou have been harsh for years. As soon as our army enters the city, the first decree will be to reduce taxes. This will truly benefit Baiyin and is more effective than ordinary appeasement. It will win over the hearts of the people."

Mo Sangyu nodded in agreement.

"Anything else?"

"besides."

Feng Xingyu continued, "The officials of Da You who should have been killed have been killed, and those who should have been dismissed have been dismissed. Those detained in the palace will be released tomorrow. As for whether they can still be employed, Jinzhi, you will handle this matter."

"Your subject obeys." Gu Jinzhi replied without hesitation.

After agreeing, he paused, then asked, "Now that the territory of Da You has been officially incorporated into Chen Kingdom, does our capital city need to be changed?"

The imperial capital is indeed larger and more prosperous than the current capital of Chen Kingdom, Wudu. After all, it has the foundation of a century-old great power, so there should be no reason to hesitate.

Of course...

Feng Xingyu doesn't like this place.

"Let's stick with the foggy city."

Seeing that Feng Xingyu remained silent, Mo Sangyu spoke up, "Mist City is now connected by highways on all sides. In just six months, hasn't it changed dramatically compared to before?"

"Yes, the city has changed a lot in the past six months. Wide and flat highways are now accessible in all directions, and vehicles can travel freely without any hindrance. There is no longer any suffering from the mud and congestion of the past."

"The city is lined with shops, the market is thriving, merchants and travelers from all directions come and go in an endless stream, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and everywhere there is a thriving new atmosphere."

"Although it does not have the century-old heritage of the capital, it is new, well-organized, and full of vitality, and has the open atmosphere unique to the new dynasty."

Speaking of these things, Gu Jinzhi, Yuan Zhao, and Han Xiao all had smiles on their faces, showing a sense of pride.

"Then the new dynasty will remain in Wudu, with the imperial capital here serving as a secondary capital, and the imperial palace here converted into a temporary palace. Furthermore, from this day forward, the Chen Kingdom will be officially renamed Da Chen," Feng Xingyu finally decreed.

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Gu Jinzhi suddenly stood up, and Yuan Zhao and Han Xiao followed suit, kneeling down together, their kowtows deep and powerful.

"Your Majesty, we humbly obey your decree!"

"Establishing the capital in Wudu, with the imperial capital as a secondary capital, and naming the nation Da Chen, is a momentous undertaking that opens up a new era and brings blessings to all people. We, your subjects, swear to serve Da Chen to the death, and to Your Majesty and the Empress!"

The candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, making Feng Xingyu's red eyes appear even more deep and eerie.

He raised his hand in a gesture of support: "Get up, everyone."

Mo Sangyu leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the rim of his cup, a faint smile playing on his lips.

In just a year and a half, they went from the dead end of the border town to the top of this country.

Today, the Great Chen Dynasty boasts a vast territory, occupying half of the Nine Provinces Continent, and has become the largest and most powerful nation in the Nine Provinces Continent.

Gu Jinzhi bowed again, his eyes filled with barely concealed excitement: "I will draft an edict tomorrow to announce to the world, so that all under heaven may know that the Great Chen Dynasty has been established."

Yuan Zhao's eyes welled up with tears, but his voice was firm: "I will go and reorganize the three armies immediately. At the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in three days, I will make sure the world sees the might of the Great Chen army."

Although Han Xiao didn't say much, his gaze toward Feng Xingyu and Mo Sangyu became increasingly firm.

From then on, red eyes were no longer a taboo, but a unique majesty of the new master.

Feng Xingyu raised his hand and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

The welcoming banquet concluded happily amidst excitement and high spirits.

Next, once the decree was issued, it spread throughout the capital in an instant.

People were filled with anxiety in the streets and alleys, keeping their doors and windows tightly shut and not daring to go out.

For them, the change of dynasties was never the beginning of a golden age, but rather the start of another period of heavy taxes and war.

Every previous emperor who ascended the throne levied exorbitant taxes and levies, and it was always the ordinary people who suffered.

This time, it's just a nice way of putting it; the people have more or less learned about what has happened recently.

The Seventh Prince of the Great You Kingdom and the eldest daughter of the Mo family were ruthless and merciless, killing countless people...

In this situation, who would dare to easily trust them?

Moreover, there was a prophecy that the Seventh Prince was a demon, an ominous person who would bring misfortune to the Great You. Now... the Great You has perished. Does that mean that the prophecy was true?

For a time, people panic.

But the next morning, the first edict was posted all over the city gates and streets.

Within three years, taxes will be reduced by half for all citizens and merchants.

The people were initially incredulous, huddled together, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"A tax cut in half? Really? Don't tell us you're kidding us."

"A change of dynasty should be considered good enough if taxes aren't increased, how could they possibly be reduced..."

"Let's wait and see, maybe it's a trap."

People still couldn't believe it easily, and just watched from a distance, with the doors and windows still tightly closed.

Until the third day, the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Outside the palace gates, a high platform was erected, the air filled with the aroma of wine and meat, and rows of tables were laden with food. The palace gates were indeed opened, inviting the people and the army to celebrate together.

At first, only a few daring teenagers peeked out from a distance.

The soldiers treated them kindly and did not drive them away; instead, they offered them wine and meat.

"His Majesty has decreed that today, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, we shall celebrate with the people, let them eat and drink as much as they want, and we shall not charge them a single penny."

The people were stunned.

Gradually, people tentatively approached, took the warm food, and their eyes welled up with tears the moment they tasted it.

It's not fancy food, but it's a heartwarming and filling meal.

Someone choked up, "Really...really giving us some?"

"His Majesty said that from now on, the world belongs to the Great Chen Dynasty, and you are all subjects of the Great Chen Dynasty."

One sentence struck a chord with countless people.

More and more people are leaving their homes, gradually relaxing from being cautious.

Feng Xingyu stood on the high platform, his figure tall and slender, like a pine or cypress.

He wore a dark brocade robe, with subtle gold embroidery patterns that shimmered in the sunlight, making him appear even more noble and aloof.

A matching jade belt cinched around her waist accentuated her slender and powerful waistline; her broad shoulders and long legs gave her a perfect proportion, making her look like a figure from a painting.

What's most striking about him are his eyes.

Her eyes were bloodshot, but at this moment, they were not frightening.

The red was so intense it was almost eerie, like a fine ruby, shimmering with a deep luster in the sunlight.

The people couldn't help but look over frequently.

So this is the legendary Seventh Prince, who is actually so handsome?

He was truly incomparably handsome and a peerless enchantress.

He stood there, his demeanor as steady as a mountain, without a trace of the ferocity of legend, instead giving people a sense of security.

He suddenly turned his head and looked at the person next to him.

In that instant, the coldness in her red eyes melted away like ice and snow, giving way to a gentle smile.

He whispered something, the curve of his lips as gentle as a spring breeze in March.

The people saw this and their fear lessened somewhat.

Having such an emperor might not be such a bad thing after all.

The person standing next to him was none other than the former Seventh Prince's Consort, now the Empress, Mo Sangyu.

Mo Sangyu wore a crimson dress that accentuated her snow-white skin, and her eyes and brows were both cool and gentle.

She wore no elaborate jewelry, only a simple white jade hairpin in her hair, which was more precious than any pearls or jade ornaments.

The wind lifted her skirt, and she casually raised her hand to gather it up, as if this grand event, watched by thousands, was just an ordinary day to her.

However, those eyes were so intense that one dared not look directly at them.

It was crystal clear, like the cold water in a deep pool, seemingly calm, but hiding unfathomable undercurrents beneath.

Occasionally, some people would secretly glance up and look, but when their eyes met those, they would quickly lower their heads, thinking to themselves.

This Empress looks like someone you shouldn't mess with.

Yet this very person had just handed a piece of pastry to a thin child, his movements casual and seemingly effortless, but after the child timidly accepted it, he curved his lips into a slight smile.

That smile dispelled the coldness, revealing a hint of gentleness.

The child paused for a moment, then grinned.

Mo Sangyu withdrew her gaze, straightened up, and resumed her aloof and indifferent demeanor.

It seems that the smile just now was just an illusion.

But the slight curve at the corner of her lips lingered for a long time.

Feng Xingyu turned his head to look at her, his red eyes filled with laughter, and said in a low voice, "Ayu, a lot of people are looking at you."