Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

"This sounds good."

Chen Shao's eyes lit up, and he took the wooden box and weighed it in his hand.

It was quite heavy, filled with steel needles poised to be fired.

He turned around, the wooden box facing the turntable, his fingers pressing the trigger.

hum!

Countless steel needles shot out from the holes on the front of the wooden box.

They were hammered into the turntable with a crackling sound.

All names, all overwrite.

Chen Shao casually patted the empty box and handed it to Bai Bingbing.

"Very well, so it is fate."

"Bai Bingbing, according to the list, confiscate all her property and use it to stabilize grain prices."

After speaking, he looked at the people on the list.

"The stabilization of grain prices in the capital is entirely thanks to your generosity. On behalf of the people of the capital, I thank you all."

Just as they were about to cry out their innocence, Chen Shao gave them no chance to speak.

"Take them all away. If there's anything you're unhappy about, you can write a memorial and submit it."

The entire court watched helplessly as the four men were dragged away, and no one dared to utter a sound.

Chen Shao sat back on the dragon throne.

He spoke in a kind tone:

"Next, let's discuss the second matter—or rather, I'm informing you all."

"One month from now, I will be making an inspection tour of the south of the Yangtze River."

The southern tour to Jiangnan had some advantages.

For example, maintaining political stability, winning over the hearts and minds of the people, using cultural appeasement, and attracting elites.

Or perhaps they're flexing their muscles to display imperial power.

But the cost is far greater.

Historically, every time an emperor traveled to the south of the Yangtze River, it was a drain on the nation's resources.

The increased burden on ordinary people breeds a false sense of prosperity and deceives the public.

The self-proclaimed "perfect old man" is the best example.

Shen Qingci was the first to step forward from the civil official queue.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Building dragon boats, providing escorts, and hosting guests along the route—all of these cost money!"

"The Ministry of Revenue's accounts are already empty. The new policy of military colonies has just begun, and the court is still training troops. Sending troops south at this time would be a waste of resources and manpower!"

"Moreover... the situation in Jiangnan is unstable, and His Majesty's personal safety cannot be guaranteed if he makes a southern tour."

Everyone else shared the same attitude.

At this time, going south of the Yangtze River would be like having all the advantages of favorable timing, location, and popular support—none of which are present.

It will quickly and completely ruin the situation that has just begun to take shape.

Chen Shao, however, was very stubborn this time.

"This is just to inform you, not to discuss it with you, so there's no need to discuss it further."

"Those who disobey orders will be executed!"

"Court adjourned!"

...

After the court session ended, Chen Shao strode towards the inner palace, with Bai Bingbing following behind him, her hand on her sword.

Chen Shao paused, turned around, and gave an order:

"Issue the order: I will not see anyone today, nor will I see anyone who comes."

Bai Bingbing clasped her hands in acceptance of the order and immediately arranged for people to seal off the palace gates.

Chen Shao summoned Eunuch Wei.

"Old Wei, go and kill all the girls these families have presented as concubines."

Eunuch Wei trembled.

These were all concubines personally appointed by His Majesty.

"Your Majesty, they have committed no wrongdoing since entering the palace. Moreover, you haven't even..."

"Stop talking!"

Chen Shao glared at him. "Don't pry into men's business. Go and do your job."

Eunuch Wei immediately shut his mouth tightly, bowed, and backed away.

If you don't nip the weeds in the bud, you won't be able to sleep at night.

Chen Shao could not allow a few people who had caused the extermination of his family to remain in the harem, lurking and eyeing him covetously.

Besides... this should satisfy the desire to "kill one's wife to gain a generalship," right?

He had been laying the groundwork for this for a long time.

He wandered around the inner palace and casually pushed open a palace gate.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a cloud of steam. A woman is bathing in a wooden tub.

Only her round, fair shoulders and the faint curves of her skin were visible, and a layer of petals floated on the water's surface.

Chen Shao knew that this was triggered by the [Jade Body Lying Down] skill.

Just as I was about to take a look, I heard a system notification in my mind.

He waved his hand and walked straight to the bed.

"Wash it clean, no rush."

Then he became completely absorbed in the system panel.

[Ding! For a dynasty to truly prosper, it must contend with these powerful and unruly aristocratic families. Congratulations, host, for completing the initial stage of the mission and gaining five chances to draw a prize. Do you wish to draw a prize?]

"smoke!"

The first image lights up.

Under the moonlight, a scholar galloped on horseback, chasing after a general carrying a long sword.

The general was an excellent horseman, dashing left and right along the mountain path as if walking on flat ground.

The scribe was nearly shaken off several times, but he held on tight.

Finally, they intercepted the general at the riverbank.

He dismounted and grabbed the other man's reins.

Subtitle: Xiao He chases Han Xin under the moon.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn a general card and obtained the entry: Chasing People.]

[Chasing someone: When pursuing a single target, the other person simply cannot outrun you.]

The second one.

A small boat was moored in the middle of the river. A man from Chu drew his sword and carved a deep mark on the gunwale, muttering something under his breath.

Let's skip Chen Shao.

He had already memorized the elementary school textbooks perfectly.

The story of marking the boat to find the lost sword.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have won a prize card and obtained the entry: "Marking the Boat to Find the Sword!"]

[The proverb "Marking the boat to find the sword" means that if you make a mark, you'll definitely be able to retrieve it.]

"It's gotten this abstract?"

But something is better than nothing.

Chen Shao looked at the third picture.

Deep in the mountains, a burly barbarian general was bound hand and foot and brought to his camp.

He knelt before Prime Minister Zhuge, tears welling in his eyes.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn a general card and obtained the entry: Seven Captures of Meng Huo!]

[Seven Captures of Meng Huo: Capture him seven times and release him seven times, and he will surely follow you wholeheartedly.]

The fourth picture.

Before the mighty Yangtze River, a man stood there, proudly declaring:

"With my many troops, if I were to throw my whips into the river, I could stop its flow."

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn the Emperor Card and obtained the entry: Throwing a Whip to Sever a River.]

[Throwing a whip into the river: If you throw a whip into the river, you might actually be able to stop it. This lasts for half an hour.]

The fifth picture.

Chen Shao immediately held his breath.

Because he saw a golden light shimmering.

He also saw Erfeng!

Amidst the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, armored warriors stood like clouds. Countless warriors clad in gleaming armor, wielding shields and spears, danced and swayed to the rhythm of the war drums.

Each time the shield struck the ground, the earth shook violently.

A Qin King's banner fluttered in the wind, a powerful and majestic war dance performed by the Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry, resonating throughout the mountains and rivers.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn the Emperor Card and obtained the entry: Qin King's Battle Song (Gold)]

[Qin King's Battle Song (Gold): Playing this song on the battlefield increases the overall combat effectiveness of the army by 10%.]

"Holy crap! It's gold!" Chen Shao couldn't help but blurt out.

The overall boost to the military might not seem like much.

However, if the number is changed, it's equivalent to adding a thousand people to a population of ten thousand, and the benefits are absolutely immeasurable.

The woman in the wooden tub was about to stand up and put on her clothes.

I heard Chen Shao talking about something called gold.

He frowned.

She retorted playfully, "You've ruined all the gold!"

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

(Thank you so much, user 30922490, for the amazing update!)