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

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Minister Di Renjie greets Her Highness the Empress!"

"Huaiying, rise."

"Congratulations on making the Renowned Minister Ranking!"

"I hope you continue to strive forward and do not become complacent. I wouldn't want to see you fall off the ranking."

"I shall never betray the nurturing of His Majesty and Your Highness. I will dedicate my life to serving the nation until death!"

Looking at Di Renjie below, Empress Wu Zhao was extremely satisfied.

Whether in terms of cultivation, ability, or character, he was a rare talent.

No wonder His Majesty valued him so highly.

At first, she thought it was merely because of her.

Now it seemed His Majesty had long since recognized Di Renjie's extraordinary capabilities.

He had even seen things that she herself had not noticed.

Just then.

"A decree arrives! Di Renjie, receive the imperial edict!"

A sharp voice echoed from outside.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees. Di Renjie, Vice-Minister of the Judicial Review Court, has entered the Renowned Minister Ranking and rendered great merit to the Imperial Court."

"Now promoted to Chief Minister of the Judicial Review Court, to lead the Imperial Court in its entirety."

"So decreed!"

"Di Renjie thanks His Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Di Renjie was overwhelmed with excitement. From now on, there would be no one in the Imperial Court who could hinder him.

He could carry out his political ideals in full.

If he could achieve more, it would be of immense benefit for his future entry into the Cabinet.

==========

Ming Dynasty Territory.

Sword Tomb.

After traveling the Nine Provinces with Mei Yinxue, Zhu Houzhao had returned here to reunite with Murong Xisheng.

After that.

He showed no intention of returning to the palace.

He stayed here every day, living together with the two women.

So free and easy.

So leisurely and pleasant.

He didn't even bother with the chaotic matters of the Ming Imperial Court.

All of it was handed over to Empress Wu Zhao and the Cabinet.

Of course, proper surveillance measures were still in place.

"You, the Ming Emperor, staying here all this time, is that really appropriate?"

"I'm honestly curious how you managed to grow the Ming Dynasty to its current size."

"If it were any other Emperor, Ming Dynasty would probably have collapsed already."

Murong Xisheng approached with a tray of fruit, casting a sidelong glance at Zhu Houzhao.

She had never seen an Emperor like him before.

He completely overturned all her previous expectations.

To call him a foolish Emperor, yet he was incredibly shrewd, managing the Ming Dynasty with remarkable order.

To call him a wise Emperor, yet she hadn't seen him attend to a single serious matter all this time.

He lounged around every day.

Utterly inconceivable.

"Don't worry. As the Emperor, I only need to control the overall direction. The specific affairs are for the subordinates to handle."

"If I did everything myself, wouldn't I be working myself to death?"

Zhu Houzhao's real trump card was the rewards from his Lying Flat System.

Previously, due to the campaign against the Qing Dynasty, he had been constantly working without rest, hardly lying flat at all.

Without proper leisure, the rewards he received were much poorer.

That wouldn't do.

He had to return to a lying flat state to receive more system rewards.

To chase sesame seeds and lose a watermelon, that would be truly foolish.

"Alright, while I'm still here with you two, tell me about your current cultivation problems. I might be able to help you resolve them."

"Recently, the changes in the Nine Provinces have been rapid."

"I have a feeling that before long, even God Demon Realm cultivators may no longer be safe."

"You two still need to keep improving. It would be best if you could advance to the Sage Realm soon."

Zhu Houzhao said solemnly.

With the blessings of National Fortune granted by the Heaven Dao Reward.

He could clearly sense that the world had changed.

The Nine Provinces Golden Ranking had appeared, and with each Heaven Dao Reward, not only were the ranked individuals greatly benefited.

Even the Nine Provinces World itself was being subtly transformed.

At the very least, cultivation speed was much faster and easier now than it had been over a year ago.

If this continued.

There will be more and more powerful cultivators in the future.

Land Immortals would become increasingly common.

Even God Demon Realm cultivators would far exceed past numbers.

Even Zhu Houzhao did not dare to take anything lightly.

"You're right, Husband. I'm currently creating my own technique to break into the Sage Realm, and I do need your help."

"So do I!"

"Especially the insights required to overcome the bottleneck, they're beyond what I can currently comprehend."

Both Murong Xisheng and Mei Yinxue were top-tier God Demon Realm cultivators.

They were inherently gifted, and with Zhu Houzhao's constant guidance.

Their improvement had been lightning-fast.

At this point.

Even Empress Wu Zhao was slightly inferior to them.

Of course.

Zhu Houzhao had never thought about bringing the two women into the palace.

If he did, Empress Wu Zhao would no longer remain as calm as she was now.

If anything happened, the entire Imperial Harem could be thrown into chaos.

For the sake of himself and the Ming Dynasty, caution was still best.

Of course.

He also felt some guilt toward the two women.

So he could only make it up to them in other ways.

Now was not yet the time for him to indulge recklessly.

"Hm? Husband, the Renowned Minister Ranking just updated."

==========

At this moment.

The Golden Ranking in the sky shone with dazzling brilliance, catching the attention of everyone across the Nine Provinces.

Rank 9 was revealed.

One line after another appeared clearly in everyone's sight.

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 9]

[Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui]

[Nation: Vast Sea Dynasty]

[Potential: With Fang's strategy and Du's decisiveness, Capable of becoming a Renowned Chancellor of the Nine Provinces]

[Governance Capability Rating: Five Stars]

[Strength: Second-Rate]

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

==========

"Oh my god! Rank 9 is actually two people!"

"Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, I've never even heard of them before. Yet they're said to have the potential to become Renowned Chancellor in the Nine Provinces?"

"Fang's strategy and Du's decisiveness, does that mean one excels at planning, the other at making decisions?"

"If the two work together, their combined effect could be unimaginable. The vast Sea Dynasty really struck gold."

"You all might not know this, but I've heard of them."

"They are currently members of the Vast Sea Dynasty's Cabinet, second only to the Chief Minister, wielding immense power."

"Incredible, absolutely incredible!"

"So then, doesn't that mean the Renowned Minister Ranking will have eleven people in total?"

"Could earlier rankings also have double entries?!"

The fact that Rank 9 featured two names left the entire Nine Provinces stunned.

Was this even allowed?

If every ranking featured a pair, that would be amazing.

In the hearts of countless scholars throughout the Nine Provinces, the Renowned Minister Ranking was the one they most wanted to be on.

Its prestige far surpassed that of the Renowned Marshal Ranking.

If one day they could enter the Renowned Minister Ranking, they would die without regret.

This was the ultimate goal of all scholars and officials.

Unfortunately, getting on this ranking.

It was unimaginably difficult.

From the youngest students in private academies to the high-ranking officials of various dynasties, all looked up at the ranking in envy and admiration.

Especially those already ranked, Di Renjie, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui, others could hardly wait to replace them.

==========

Ming Dynasty, Sword Tomb.

Zhu Houzhao also gazed at the ranking.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, huh?

So they did make it.

What surprised him was that their ranking was so low.

They should have been at least in the top five.

He had gone through great effort to recruit them.

Recruiting famous generals was easy enough, just match their temperament, give them a chance, and they'd pledge allegiance.

But recruiting renowned ministers was far more difficult.

If he couldn't win their hearts, they wouldn't truly submit.

However, with Zhu Houzhao's background and strength, as long as he approached things strategically, success was likely.

It had been this way with Xiao He.

It had been the same with Fang and Du.

Now, after years of service, these ministers were completely loyal.

They gave their all in service of his goals.

The current strength of the Vast Sea Dynasty owed much to the contributions of Fang and Du.

Zhu Houzhao was filled with anticipation.

How many more from the Ming Dynasty and Vast Sea Dynasty would make it onto the ranking?

The Heaven Dao's National Fortune rewards were truly valuable.

As National Fortune rose, he could sense noticeable changes within the nation.

For example, natural disasters had significantly decreased compared to before.

The birth rate, according to reports from the Inner Factory, had nearly doubled in recent months.

There were countless other benefits.

If National Fortune kept rising, the Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty would soon pull far ahead of other nations.

They would be able to completely outclass all other dynasties on every level.

Zhu Houzhao eagerly awaited that day.

==========

Former Southern Song Dynasty Territory.

Marshal Yue Fei Military Tent.

Yue Fei looked up at the ranking in the sky, joy on his face.

"Chancellor Fang and Chancellor Du, just as I expected, they've both made the ranking."

"Though I must say, their ranking is too low."

"In my opinion, they could easily make the top three."

"No question, Rank 2 will definitely be Prime Minister Xiao."

Yue Fei spoke with pride.

Even with his high standards, he held deep respect for the Vast Sea Dynasty's Cabinet ministers.

Without their governance, the Vast Sea Dynasty would never have become so powerful.

The people of the dynasty would not be so prosperous.

Those ministers had done tremendous service.

Even renowned marshals like Yue Fei couldn't compare.

Even during the most dangerous campaigns, logistics had never once failed.

The Cabinet ministers in the Imperial Court were always their most steadfast support.

"Marshal, report! Temujin of the Yuan Dynasty has mobilized 300,000 troops and is marching toward our front!"

"Is that so? Hahaha, that's perfect! Once we crush those 300,000 Yuan Dynasty troops, the entire Southern Song Dynasty will be ours!"

"Immediately notify Marshal Han Xin to proceed as planned!"

"Yes, Marshal!"

Excitement appeared on Yue Fei's face.

Once they took the Southern Song Dynasty's land, the Vast Sea Dynasty would finally have a solid base in the Nine Provinces.

The dynasty's last weakness would be eliminated.

In the future, who else could compete with the Vast Sea Dynasty for dominance of the Nine Provinces?

==========

Sui Dynasty.

Empress Xiao Meiniang Palace.

"Supreme Master Yuwen, what exactly do you mean? You want to cooperate with me? What's your true purpose?"

"We've always kept to our own paths. Isn't that better?"

"Besides, what reason do I have to work with you?"

Empress Xiao Meiniang gazed solemnly at Yuwen Tuo, feigning ignorance.

"Your Highness, why ask what you already know?"

"You want power to protect yourself, so you've poured your heart into training the Twin Dragons and building the Young Marshal Army."

"You've even cultivated diligently yourself. You're now close to breaking into the Mythical Realm."

"Whom do you fear? What are you afraid of?"

Hearing this, Empress Xiao Meiniang's pupils shrank, and her breath grew rapidly.

Her aura became unstable.

"I know you're wary of me, Your Highness. But we can no longer afford such suspicions."

"The Sui Dynasty has just lost 300,000 troops in the Tang Dynasty Territory."

"Our foundations are shattered. The entire dynasty is at the brink of destruction."

"Right now, only you can save the Sui Dynasty."

"I propose that we work together to defend our nation. We must not let the Sui Dynasty fall to Tang Dynasty hands."

"I'm but a weak woman. How can I possibly save the dynasty?"

"You should speak with His Majesty."

"Do you really think that's possible now?"

"His Majesty no longer follows proper governance. Worse, I've sensed a sinister force behind him recently."

"Evil and dark, clearly up to no good."

"If we're not careful, the Sui Dynasty will fall into the abyss. What will become of you then, Your Highness?"

Xiao Meiniang was shocked by his words.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. His Majesty has abandoned Imperial Court affairs and turned to evil paths."

"The worst part is, I cannot trace the origin of the force behind him."

"I once suspected the Earth Mansion, but after investigation, it's not them."

"It's an even more hidden and malevolent power. They clearly mean harm."

"Only by joining forces can we hope to uncover and thwart their conspiracy."

"Could this be the scheming of another dynasty?"

"Possibly. But I can't tell which one."

"Very well, Supreme Master Yuwen. I'll trust you this once. We can temporarily cooperate."

"Once your sincerity is proven, we may deepen our alliance."

Xiao Meiniang had planned to reject him, but a sudden thought made her reconsider. She agreed on the spot.

However, she didn't fully trust him.

"Your Highness, there's one more thing. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, the 9th on the ranking, were originally from the Sui Dynasty."

"In other words, the Vast Sea Dynasty has never stopped paying attention to us."

"You mean... the sinister force behind His Majesty was sent by the Vast Sea Dynasty?"

"That they've already set their sights on the Sui Dynasty?"

"There's a conspiracy... and it's a grand one."