Your Majesty, do not attack Rome yet, or the Qin Dynasty will perish!

Inside the royal palace hall, the ministers were engaged in a lively discussion, each offering their own opinion.

Ying Xuan witnessed this scene, and a smile inevitably appeared on his face.

A country can indeed only have one voice, and that voice is the will of the monarch.

Under these circumstances, all officials, both civil and military, need to voice their opinions, rather than remaining stagnant.

"Guards, announce the imperial edict!"

Ying Xuan rose from his throne, looked down at those below, his imposing presence radiating authority without anger.

*Whoosh!*

Civil officials and military generals alike looked up, their eyes burning with fervor as they gazed at the imposing figure on the stage.

"A decree from the Emperor."

A servant opened the silk scroll in the hall and read aloud: "Since ancient times, wise rulers have been clear about rewards and punishments."

"The Qin system stipulated that nobility of twenty ranks could be conferred only upon those who had rendered meritorious service in the military, which was outdated."

"Now we abolish the old system and establish a new one. All those who have made contributions, whether scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants, shall be granted titles."

Boom!

What?

The entire hall was filled with shock, and everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

The Qin state implemented a system of granting titles based on military merit, which was the most important aspect of Shang Yang's reforms.

Almost everyone believed that Qin was able to unify the world because of this one thing, so why did Ying Xuan want to change the national system?

"continue."

However, Ying Xuan's expression remained unchanged, and he simply raised his hand.

The attendant continued to proclaim the imperial edict: "Nine ranks of hereditary nobility are established: Prince, Duke of a State, Duke of a Commandery, Duke of a County, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron."

"No one other than a member of the royal family may be granted the title of king, and no one may be granted the title of duke except for meritorious service in expanding territory."

"A baron is granted a fief of ten li, a viscount a fief of one hundred li, an earl a fief of three hundred li, and a marquis a fief of five hundred li."

"A county duke is granted a fief of 800 li, a prefecture duke a fief of 1,000 li, a state duke a fief of 3,000 li, and a prince a fief of 5,000 li."

"My God!"

Xun Yu and the others were overjoyed, for this was actually a Zhou dynasty system of bestowing titles.

To be precise, this was a system of enfeoffment, where all nine ranks of hereditary nobles were granted real territories, and their titles were hereditary.

This means that after their death, their descendants can continue this legacy through this blessing, and that prosperity will last for generations.

"Gentlemen."

"The Western Continent is the westernmost frontier of the empire, but it is not the westernmost point of the world."

"In the far west, city-states stand in numerous locations."

"The continent where the Ptolemaic dynasty (modern-day Egypt) was located spanned tens of thousands of miles."

"South of Lingnan, islands are scattered like stars in the sky, the largest of which can cover thousands of miles in circumference."

"I am not the First Emperor; I only hope that wherever my gaze falls, it is all Chinese land."

Meeting the expectant eyes of the crowd, Ying Xuan revealed the magnanimity of a ruler.

"May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! May the Qin Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

At that moment, both civil officials and military generals were impressed by him.

They truly knew what Ying Xuan wanted: that every corner of the world be ruled by the descendants of Yan and Huang.

"Further announcement!"

With a slight smile, Ying Xuan continued to give instructions.

"only!"

The attendant then announced: "Establish nine ranks of nobility."

"Shangzhuguo, Zhonghujun, Qingcheduwei, Qiduwei, Xiaoqiwei, Feiqiwei, Yunqiwei, Wuqiwei, Enqiwei."

"Lords enjoy titles and stipends, and are granted land and houses, but do not hold any official positions."

"color!!!"

The courtiers all cheered loudly.

The ninth-rank official actually corresponds to farmers, artisans, and merchants. As long as they have made contributions to the country, they can enjoy such treatment.

In this way, the conferment of titles covered all groups of people, from commoners to officials.

This approach avoided the drawbacks of granting titles based on military merit while providing the empire with a continuous source of development momentum.

The attendant took out another silk scroll and read it aloud: "Imperial Edict."

The Book of Changes says: "Change leads to progress, stagnation leads to stagnation; change leads to prosperity, stagnation leads to decline; change leads to life, stagnation leads to death."

"The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system of the Qin Dynasty had unclear powers and responsibilities and too many officials, so it was no longer suitable to use it."

"Initiate the Three Departments and Six Ministries system."

'???'

Xun Yu, Xie Xuan, Xu Shu, Fa Zheng, and the others were completely baffled.

The eyes of Zhang Juzheng, Cen Wenben, Di Renjie, Zhang Dun, and others gleamed.

"The Three Departments are the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Ministry of Personnel."

"The Secretariat drafts imperial edicts, the Chancellery reviews and rejects them, and the Department of State Affairs executes the decrees."

"The Ministry of Personnel consists of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works, which are responsible for the selection of officials, finance and taxation, etiquette and the imperial examination, military administration, judicial and criminal matters, and construction projects."

"Xun Yu was appointed Chancellor, Fa Zheng was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Zhang Juzheng was appointed Minister of the Imperial Secretariat."

"Cen Wenben was appointed Minister of Personnel, Zhang Dun was appointed Minister of Revenue, Wen Qiao was appointed Minister of Rites, Xu Shu was appointed Minister of War, Di Renjie was appointed Minister of Justice, Ma Jun was appointed Minister of Works, Pu Yuan was appointed Director of the Arsenal, and Hua Tuo was appointed Director of the Imperial Medical Academy."

"The Western Kingdom was divided into three provinces: the Persian Province, the Babylonian Province, and the Syrian Province."

"Zhang Xun was appointed Governor-General of Persia, Xin Qiji was appointed Governor-General of Babylon, and Yu Yunwen was appointed Governor-General of Syria, all in charge of the affairs of the province."

"Under the provinces, prefectures and counties were established, with each prefecture having 3,000 soldiers and each county having 500 soldiers."

"Are you all disobeying the imperial edict?"

Seeing the still stunned ministers, Ying Xuan's words brought them back to their senses.

"only!"

The ministers responded in unison, their hearts filled with awe.

The central government established a system of three provinces and six ministries, while local governments established a system of provinces, prefectures, and counties.

With clearly defined responsibilities and a streamlined and efficient bureaucracy, this was a completely different team from that of the Qin Empire.

Xi Jun Ying Xuan is planning to start afresh, establish a new set of rules, and directly replace the court after returning east. Not everyone has such courage.

...............

The next morning, in the square in front of the Babylonian palace.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Eighty thousand Northern Army soldiers saluted in unison, their voices resounding throughout the surroundings, deafeningly loud.

Looking around, one sees a large crowd, with armor plates jingling.

It exuded an invisible, overwhelming aura of military might, making people tremble with fear and their scalps tingle.

"Rise!"

Ying Xuan, dressed in a black outfit with gold trim, stood on the high platform, looking down at those below.

"only!"

The 80,000 Northern Army soldiers stood tall and straight, their figures like swords, their faces cold and stern.

With so many people gathered together, not a single sound could be heard, which shows how elite they were.

"Your Majesty."

"The Northern Army consisted of 5,000 light cavalry, 5,000 crossbowmen, 20,000 light infantry, and 50,000 infantrymen."

"Clearly structured and well-organized."

Xie Xuan introduced the matter methodically.

"good."

Ying Xuan exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of the strongest army in the Eastern Jin Dynasty."

The Northern Army was not just a single army, but a mixed force of multiple branches of service.

After the fall of the Macedonian Empire, no army in the West could rival it.

These 80,000 men can play a very important role, and it is no exaggeration to call them the National Guard.

"This time, our army has destroyed the Seleucid Empire, and the Parthian, Bactrian, and Mauryan dynasties will certainly not stand idly by."

"Persia is located in the east and is the base of our army that we have been building for five years. We cannot afford to lose it."

"In this campaign against the four barbarian tribes, the Qin army left behind numbered less than 30,000."

"If I were Euthydemus or Arsark II, I would never have let this opportunity slip by."

"I entrust all 80,000 Northern Army soldiers to you. I want you to be firmly embedded in the homeland of Persia like a nail."

"only!"

Xie Xuan was startled and solemnly replied.