#89 - Draft an order, grant marriage
The streets of Wudu were lined with people.
Led by Xu Ming, followed by Xu Pangda, and then Yu Ping'an, four hundred Jinshi scholars, adorned with large red flowers and riding tall red horses in Wudu's custom-made attire, paraded through the streets.
This was Wudu's tradition. Once the list of successful candidates was announced, the four hundred Jinshi scholars would tour half of the imperial capital before entering the palace for a banquet.
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The banquet was hosted by Emperor Wu.
For many, this might be the only opportunity in their lives to dine with Emperor Wu.
Riding on the red-flowered horse, women on both sides of the street threw flower branches at Xu Ming.
However, Xu Ming dared not catch them.
If Xu Ming caught a maiden's flower branch and placed it in his hair, it would signify his intention to marry her.
To be honest, Xu Ming really wanted to go home. He hadn't seen his mother in a long time, but he couldn't decline the street parade and banquet.
"They say there are three great joys in life: the wedding night, success in the imperial examinations, and meeting an old friend in a foreign land. I didn't feel it much before, but now it seems it's true," Li Han said with emotion, looking at the bustling crowd.
Beside Xu Ming were Li Han, Xiong Haizhi, and Guang Yin, clad in Bloodfloat Armor.
Emperor Wu was very thoughtful. After Xu Ming passed the imperial examination with flying colors, he arranged for his former Bloodfloat comrades to escort Xu Ming and the others in the street parade.
"Indeed," Xu Ming smiled, looking ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
In reality, Xu Ming was looking at the text that appeared in his mind.
【You have successfully passed the provincial examination, your official career luck +10, talent +100, righteous aura +50. When you enter the court as an official, the influence of the mountains and rivers' luck will be reduced by eighty percent.】
【You have successfully become the Number One Scholar, your official career luck +50, prestige +20, attraction to literary girls +5, righteous aura +50. When you enter the court as an official, you will be completely unaffected by the mountains and rivers' luck (Note: When you become an emperor, you will still be affected by the mountains and rivers' luck).】
【You have successfully achieved the Triple Crown, your official career luck +100, righteous aura +200. You have obtained a special skill—Teamwork.】
【Teamwork: When you want to do something, the success rate of persuading your superiors increases by 30%, and the enthusiasm of your subordinates to work for you increases by 40%.】
Xu Ming was quite surprised by the increase in his attributes and the special abilities he gained.
As long as he didn't become an emperor, he could be completely immune to the influence of the mountains and rivers' luck.
Moreover, the "Teamwork" skill would be extremely useful in his official career.
However, he hadn't yet decided whether to enter the court as an official or leave the Wu Kingdom to see how vast the world of cultivation was.
Xu Ming wasn't in a hurry. He planned to wait until after he participated in the Rootless Mystic Realm.
After all, only by relying on the Wu Kingdom could he have the opportunity to obtain a spot in the Rootless Mystic Realm.
"Quack, quack, quack."
Riding on the red horse, Xu Ming suddenly heard a few goose calls.
Xu Ming looked up and saw his mother gently watching him from the side of the street. Beside his mother, a large white goose flapped its wings and jumped up and down, calling out to him.
Seeing that his mother and the big white goose were safe and sound and in good spirits, Xu Ming smiled with relief.
"Quack ~"
The big white goose flapped its wings, flew out of the crowd, and landed directly on the red horse Xu Ming was riding, causing a stir among the crowd.
Li Han and the other Bloodfloat soldiers became alert, but Xu Ming waved his hand, "It's okay, it's my friend."
"Quack ~"
Tianxuan Goose raised its head high and proudly patted Xu Ming's shoulder: "Quack, quack, quack (Not bad, not bad, little brother, you've grown so tall)."
"You've gotten bigger too," Xu Ming said with a smile, "How is it? Four years have passed, can you transform yet?"
Tianxuan Goose rolled its eyes at Xu Ming: "Quack, quack, quack? (Why do you always hope that I will transform?)"
Xu Ming blinked innocently: "Do I?"
Tianxuan Goose: "Quack (Yes)"
Xu Ming smiled: "Then so be it."
The four hundred Jinshi scholars arrived outside the imperial palace. Xu Ming patted Tianxuan Goose's wings, and Tianxuan Goose understood, flying down from in front of Xu Ming. Xu Ming first dismounted, followed by Xu Pangda and Yu Ping'an, and then the remaining three hundred and ninety-seven Jinshi scholars dismounted one after another.
Under the guidance of the palace maids, the four hundred people entered the palace for the banquet one after another.
At the same time, in the imperial study, Emperor Wu looked at Xu Ming's examination papers, becoming more and more fond of them.
In particular, Xu Ming's answer to the question "What is the significance of the vassal kings to the Wu Kingdom?" was deeply appreciated by Emperor Wu.
"What is the significance of the vassal kings to the Wu Kingdom?"
Many Juren scholars understood Emperor Wu's intention to weaken the power of the vassal states.
However, their ideas for weakening the vassal states were too idealistic and general. They spoke eloquently and endlessly.
If their methods were really used, at least 60% of the vassal kings would rebel before long.
However, Xu Ming came up with a "Decree of Grace."
After the death of a vassal king, in addition to the eldest son inheriting the throne, the other sons could also divide a portion of the kingdom's land to become marquises, governed by the prefects, thereby gradually dividing the power of the vassal kings.
In summary, it was to establish many vassals and reduce their power.
In the past, the Decree of Grace could not be implemented at all, because in the past, the status of illegitimate sons in the Wu Kingdom was too low.
But now, the status of illegitimate sons has been fully restored to what it was one hundred and fifty years ago, which creates the conditions for its implementation.
The ingenuity of the Decree of Grace lies in the fact that whether the vassal states implement it or not will lead to unfavorable consequences.
If the vassal states obey the Decree of Grace, their national power will be weakened, gradually becoming fragmented.
If they do not obey, internal strife will break out, because there will be power struggles between the legitimate and illegitimate sons.
This policy puts the vassal states in a dilemma from which they cannot escape.
Emperor Wu really didn't expect that, after just one exam, many people didn't expect these inexperienced scholars to have any foresight, but the answer to solve a major problem for the central government really appeared.
"Fortunately, Xu Ming was born in my Wu Kingdom," Emperor Wu said with deep emotion, putting down Xu Ming's examination papers. "If he were in another country, I really wouldn't dare to imagine it."
Wei Xun, who was standing beside him, quickly chimed in: "Your Majesty has obtained Xiao, the Grand Secretary, and Xu, the Number One Scholar. This is the will of Heaven. Our Wu Kingdom will surely become more prosperous!"
"Mm," Emperor Wu's lips curled up.
If it was just ordinary flattery, Emperor Wu wouldn't even listen to it.
However, Emperor Wu really felt that if Xiao Mo Chi and Xu Ming joined forces, the entire Wu Kingdom would be different.
Not to mention that Xu Pangda and Yu Ping'an also received extremely high evaluations.
If it wasn't for Xu Ming's Decree of Grace, who would be the provincial champion was really uncertain.
"Draft an edict," Emperor Wu stood up, with his hands behind his back.
Wei Xun was slightly startled: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
"Draft an edict, bestow a marriage."
【Today, a friend is hosting a full moon celebration for their baby, and I went to the banquet. I didn't get back until very late. I'm updating one chapter first, and I've had some wine, so my head is a little dizzy writing this chapter. I owe one chapter, and I'll still make it up tomorrow.】
