Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Han Dynasty, Imperial Harem.

Consort Yu Palace.

"Your Highness, should we also recruit a few ministers who have the potential to make the ranking, and make them serve you?"

"Oh? Who do you think is qualified?"

"Don't tell me it's those useless parasites sitting in Imperial Court?"

"Those people, all they know is how to fight for power. Do they deserve to be ranked among the renowned ministers?"

"What a joke!"

"The truly talented have all gone into hiding, biding their time."

"Although some of them are indeed capable, their foundations are too shallow. Getting on the ranking will not be easy."

"At present, there are very few in the Han Dynasty who can make it onto the ranking."

"For now, we will hold our ground. I will keep an eye on those so-called renowned ministers."

"Once I truly seize power and no one can challenge me, those so-called ministers, even if they don't want to submit, will have no choice but to bow their heads."

"Anyone who defies me, no matter how talented, will face only death."

"Yes, Your Highness. I understand what must be done."

"From now on, I will gather information on all talented individuals within the Han Dynasty Territory."

"For the day when they may serve Your Highness."

"Good. I look forward to your good news."

Although Jiang Yuyan did value talented ministers, it was not yet a priority.

Currently, she is still constrained by the twin threats of the Stitched Cloth Guard and Heaven Gate.

Until those two threats were neutralized, everything else had to come after.

Still, some preparations were necessary.

She would not remain idle.

Jiang Yuyan had made full preparations for the future.

In her mind were countless detailed plans and schemes.

The so-called renowned ministers would not be able to resist her.

==========

Qin Imperial Palace.

"Sir, how many names do you think the Qin Dynasty will have on the ranking of renowned ministers this time?"

Ying Zheng looked thoughtfully at Shang Yang and asked in a calm voice.

"In my view, Prime Minister Li Si will definitely be on the ranking, and his rank won't be low."

Shang Yang answered without a trace of hesitation.

"Li Si? Indeed, he is qualified. When I unified the Six Kingdoms and established the Qin Dynasty, his contributions were significant."

"Who else?"

"Your Majesty, this ranking is likely for civil ministers. Other than Prime Minister Li Si, I fear no one else measures up."

"Although our other civil ministers are capable and strong, they still fall short of the Nine Provinces' top-tier standard."

Shang Yang shook his head in frustration.

The Qin Imperial Court did not lack talented ministers, but compared to the very best across the Nine Provinces, there was still a noticeable gap.

He did not wish to flatter Ying Zheng.

Nor would he speak against his conscience.

He could only speak the truth.

"Hahaha, Sir, you're being too modest."

"There is one more person in the Qin Dynasty worthy of the ranking."

"And who might that be, Your Majesty?"

"You, Shang Yang!"

"If not for you laying a solid foundation for the Qin Dynasty, our dynasty would not be one of the strongest in the Nine Provinces today."

"Your achievements are unmatched."

"Even Li Si falls short compared to you."

"Your Majesty overpraises me. My humble contributions pale next to what Minister Li has achieved."

Shang Yang was not being humble; he truly meant it.

In his view, during the unification of the Seven States under Qin Dynasty rule, Li Si played an unparalleled role.

Even great generals like Wang Jian and Meng Tian could not compare to Li Si in terms of merit.

"We'll see for ourselves once the ranking updates."

Perhaps Shang Yang was right.

But his refusal to fight for power or personal gain was something Ying Zheng appreciated.

At least, Li Si's ambition for power was far greater than Shang Yang's.

==========

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 10]

[Di Renjie]

[Nation: Ming Dynasty]

[Potential: Capable of becoming a Renowned Chancellor of the Nine Provinces]

[Governance Capability Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: 1x Top-Tier Civil Minister Skill Card, 1x Spiritual Power Enhancement Card, +5% National Fortune]

==========

Di Renjie?

Who is that?

Never heard of him.

Could it be another hidden genius raised by that boy Zhu Houzhao?

Ying Zheng frowned as he stared at the Golden Ranking in the sky, puzzled.

Capable of becoming a Renowned Chancellor of the Nine Provinces!

To be recognized by the Golden Ranking meant that this person was indeed extraordinary.

Although the meaning of a Five Stars Governance Capability Rating was unclear, it was certainly impressive.

It seemed that this person was a candidate Zhu Houzhao was grooming to become his future Prime Minister.

This warranted close attention.

Anyone chosen and valued by Zhu Houzhao was not to be underestimated.

On the other hand, the man's strength didn't seem to stand out.

First-Rate strength indicated that he had not yet reached the Land Immortal Realm.

Not worth mentioning.

But the Heaven Dao Reward gives him Civil Minister Skill Card and Spiritual Power Enhancement Card might offer a great deal of assistance to civil ministers.

What displeased Ying Zheng most of all was.

The Ming Dynasty's National Fortune had once again increased.

In terms of National Fortune, the Qin Dynasty still lagged behind the Ming Dynasty.

They would need to work harder.

Staring at the ranking, Ying Zheng began to calculate rapidly in his mind.

The previously unknown Di Renjie had become famous overnight.

Zhu Houzhao likely wouldn't be able to keep him hidden any longer.

Soon, his true abilities would become clear.

"Come!"

"Your Majesty!"

The Black Ice Platform Leader, Black Shadow, stepped forward and bowed.

"Do you know anything about this Di Renjie?"

"Your Majesty, I have already retrieved his file!"

"Di Renjie, once under the command of Ming Empress Wu Zhao, originally hailed from Netherworld City."

"Later, Empress Wu discovered his talents and directly appointed him to an official post."

"Then the Ming Emperor transferred him to the Judicial Review Court."

"His administrative ability aside, his case-solving talent is simply genius."

"In the entire Nine Provinces, few can match him in that regard."

"In just one year, due to his achievements, he rose from Assistant Minister to Vice-Minister of the Judicial Review Court."

"It won't be long before he becomes the Chief Minister."

"In the future, there is a high chance he will become Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty."

As soon as the Golden Ranking was released, the Black Ice Platform had already pulled up Di Renjie's complete profile.

In fact, they had detailed files on every individual of influence across the Nine Provinces, updated in real time for quick access.

Even a relatively minor figure like Di Renjie had such a thorough record.

This spoke volumes of Black Shadow's capability as the Black Ice Platform Leader.

Even though he had previously mishandled several major matters, Ying Zheng had never punished him.

Clearly, his competence was unmatched.

"He used to serve Empress Wu Zhao?"

"So, it's not just Zhu Houzhao who is a challenge, even this Empress Wu Zhao cannot be underestimated."

Ying Zheng's expression darkened.

In the past, he had covertly tried to drive a wedge between Zhu Houzhao and Wu Zhao.

His goal was to spark internal chaos within the Ming Dynasty.

No matter who emerged victorious, the Ming Dynasty would be weakened.

The Qin Dynasty would only benefit.

But unexpectedly, neither of them took the bait.

Zhu Houzhao aside, even Wu Zhao managed to suppress her ambition and loyally support Zhu Houzhao.

This greatly impressed Ying Zheng and made him even more cautious of Wu Zhao.

Now that Di Renjie had appeared, Ying Zheng immediately thought of Wu Zhao.

She was a rival of equal rank.

Not someone to be underestimated.

Underestimating her could lead to dire consequences.

"Sir, what's your view on this person?"

"Your Majesty, he is of little importance for now."

"No matter how talented he is, it will take years before he rises to true power."

"At present, the Ming Imperial Court is dominated by Zhang Juzheng."

"Zhu Houzhao seems to trust him deeply and values him greatly."

"It is no exaggeration to say he holds power over the entire Imperial Court."

"Zhang Juzheng has indeed done a lot for the Ming Dynasty."

"Compared to Prime Minister Li Si, he is in no way inferior."

"In some aspects, he may even surpass him."

"This man is the real threat to the Qin Dynasty."

Shang Yang's expression was solemn.

A Grand Secretary like Zhang Juzheng would have been executed countless times in other dynasties.

But under Zhu Houzhao, he thrived.

Even Shang Yang couldn't help but envy Zhang Juzheng's position.

Even Prime Minister Li Si didn't enjoy such extensive power in the Qin Imperial Court.

One could say that officials across the Nine Provinces were all envious of Zhang Juzheng's favorable treatment.

But not every Emperor was like Zhu Houzhao.

Strong, willing to delegate power, and free of suspicion.

To serve under an Emperor like him was the most comfortable and secure job imaginable, as long as one did not cross any fundamental lines.

Otherwise, no one in the Nine Provinces could save you.

Shaking his head, Shang Yang advised again:

"Your Majesty, since Zhu Houzhao was able to secretly raise a Di Renjie, there's a real possibility he could be raising a second or third minister with Prime Minister potential."

"We must raise our level of attention toward officials of the Ming Imperial Court."

"Black Shadow, carry out Sir's orders."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

==========

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin stared at the ranking, a flash of jealousy appearing on his face.

Why couldn't a talent like Di Renjie be born within the Tang Dynasty Territory?

Now Zhu Houzhao got to enjoy the benefit for nothing.

"Master Yuan, do you think there's any chance we can lure Di Renjie into the Tang Dynasty?"

"This man was originally just a subordinate under Empress Wu Zhao. Though he has succeeded in becoming an official, he doesn't come from a traditional scholar background."

"He still has a long way to go before becoming Ming Dynasty's Prime Minister."

"He might not succeed in the end."

"If he were to join the Tang Dynasty, I would guarantee he'd become one of our Prime Ministers."

In truth, what Li Shimin really cared about was the 5% increase in National Fortune.

As for Di Renjie himself, he wasn't too concerned.

Though the man was capable, Li Shimin already had plenty of talented ministers under his command.

"Your Majesty, the chances of that are extremely slim."

"I've looked into him. He is not someone obsessed with power."

"He would never betray the Ming Emperor or Empress Wu."

There was one more thing the Yuan Dynasty didn't say.

In the Tang Dynasty, Di Renjie might not be any better off than he was in the Ming Dynasty.

At least in the Ming Dynasty, he had strong backers.

In the Tang Dynasty, he would be a solitary figure.

If the man were really that short-sighted, he wouldn't even be qualified to be an official, let alone become one of the renowned ministers of the Nine Provinces.