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

[Renowned Minister Ranking – Rank 7]

[Hai Rui]

[Nation: Ming Dynasty]

[Potential: Capable of becoming a Top Civil Minister 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]

==========

"Hai Rui? I know this person. He's very renowned in the Ming Dynasty."

"I've heard of him too. He's a good official who genuinely cares for the people."

"Yes, but unfortunately, he's not well-received in the Ming Dynasty Bureaucracy. His ideology is completely different from all other officials."

"If it weren't for the Ming Emperor promoting him despite the rules, he would have remained a minor official."

"Even so, it's probably impossible for him to enter the Ming Dynasty's Cabinet."

"To the other officials, Hai Rui is like a troublemaker. Even Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng doesn't like him."

"Yet he is greatly loved by the people of the Ming Dynasty."

"He's taken a path completely different from normal officials. It's a pity that officials like him are extremely rare in all of the Nine Provinces."

"This just goes to show the Emperor Zhu Houzhao of Ming Dynasty has an exceptional eye for talent!"

"Putting Hai Rui aside for now, why is it that another official from the Ming Dynasty has made it onto the ranking?"

"Moreover, the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking placed him even above Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Wei Zheng. Is he truly better than them?"

"He's once again boosted the Ming Dynasty's National Fortune. If this keeps up, just how powerful will the Ming Dynasty become?"

"By then, what chance will the other dynasties have?"

"Not necessarily. There is another dynasty that is even more terrifying than the Ming Dynasty."

"You mean the Vast Sea Dynasty?"

"When these two dynasties clash in the future, who knows which one will win?"

"Just wait and see. It's not only these two dynasties. The Qin Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and even Yuan Dynasty should not be underestimated."

"Most likely, the Northern Song Dynasty, Han Dynasty, and Sui Dynasty will be eliminated."

At that moment, countless people across the Nine Provinces were shocked to see Hai Rui on the ranking.

Whether they knew him or not, discussions erupted immediately.

Yet the ordinary people, especially the common folk of the Ming Dynasty, revealed expressions of joy.

In contrast, the officials of the Ming Dynasty looked absolutely miserable.

As if they had swallowed something vile.

To them, Hai Rui was a stubborn and immovable stone.

They couldn't hit him, nor could they scold him.

Wherever Hai Rui appeared, he was bound to stir up a storm.

If they weren't careful, they could be brought down by Hai Rui.

With tragic consequences.

Just like the former Grand Secretary, who had once fallen at Hai Rui's hands.

Though Zhu Houzhao had secretly supported it from behind the scenes, on the surface, it was Hai Rui who took action.

The most crucial thing was that Hai Rui had a spotless reputation.

He had left no handle or leverage in the Bureaucracy.

The officials had no way to deal with him.

Leaving them utterly helpless.

From this point alone, his inclusion in the Renowned Minister Ranking was clearly due to his genuine capability.

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

At that moment, Zhu Houzhao had already returned to the palace at the first opportunity.

Although the Sword Tomb was a million miles away from the palace.

To Zhu Houzhao, who was at the Late Sage Realm, it only took a brief moment.

It was no effort at all.

Coincidentally, another official had just entered the ranking.

Since this had once again enhanced Ming Dynasty's National Fortune, he naturally had to issue rewards.

"Subject Hai Rui greets Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

Zhu Houzhao gave Hai Rui a deep look, feeling a bit helpless inside.

With his current power, which official in all of the Ming Dynasty didn't follow his orders without question?

Except for Hai Rui.

He was an expert at causing trouble.

Completely incompatible with the entire Bureaucracy of Ming Dynasty.

Yet his competence was extremely high.

Zhu Houzhao never trained him as a cabinet minister, but rather as a blade hanging over the heads of all Ming Dynasty's civil and military officials.

He used him as a fire-fighter in the Bureaucracy.

Wherever there was trouble, Hai Rui would be sent.

And the result would always be brilliantly resolved.

Hai Rui was a double-edged sword.

Used well, his value was second only to Zhang Juzheng.

Used poorly, he could cause chaos in the Bureaucracy.

Fortunately, Zhu Houzhao was capable enough to easily keep him in check.

If it had been any other Emperor, the outcome would have either been Hai Rui executed or complete administrative turmoil.

Back when Zhu Houzhao was still Crown Prince, Hai Rui was already a widely respected official in the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, countless renowned officials and generals from Ming Dynasty's history had now appeared.

Officials from the Jiajing, Wanli, and Chongzhen periods had all become part of his command.

Zhang Juzheng, Yuan Chonghuan, Hai Rui, Wang Yangming, and even the likes of Wu Sangui had all emerged.

But considering that the Nine Provinces was a Martial Mashup World, he fully accepted it.

Use those who should be used. Guard against those who must be guarded.

As long as their value could be fully utilized, there was no reason to discard anyone.

In Zhu Houzhao's eyes, even a beggar on the street had value if used properly.

Let alone someone whose name was recorded in history.

Just like Hai Rui, under Zhu Houzhao's hand, his value had been fully maximized.

After years of cultivation, he had now made it into the Renowned Minister Ranking.

Zhu Houzhao's contribution in this process accounted for more than half.

Otherwise, he wouldn't even surpass a mere censor.

"Minister, congratulations on entering the Renowned Minister Ranking. From now on, your name will spread across the Nine Provinces."

"All of this is thanks to Your Majesty's cultivation. Without it, I would still be a low-ranking official, let alone enter the ranking."

"From this day forward, I shall dedicate myself fully to serving Your Majesty with loyalty."

"I shall never fail Your Majesty's grace and trust."

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

"Now, I have a task for you. In the entire Imperial Court, only you have the ability to accomplish it, and you are the only one I trust to get it done."

"Please give your command, Your Majesty."

"I appoint you as the Grand Governor of Jiangnan. Go and inspect Jiangnan!"

"Previously, a large-scale rebellion broke out in Jiangnan. Though it has been pacified, many hidden enemies remain in the shadows."

"This time, your mission is to root them all out, along with the traitors who colluded with them."

After speaking, Zhu Houzhao tossed a token to him.

"This is my personal token. On the surface, I'll assign the Stitched Cloth Guard, the Eastern and Western Factories, and the Dragon Guarding Manor to assist you."

"Secretly, I also grant you command over a small Dark Guard unit."

"You may also freely mobilize up to 30,000 troops in the surrounding regions."

"Your only task is to eliminate them."

Zhu Houzhao's tone was forceful.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint Your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao nodded.

To be honest, he could have directly ordered the Dark Guard to eliminate the traitors in Jiangnan.

But upon thinking about it, many of them were officials of the Ming Dynasty.

If he acted personally, that would be giving them too much face.

With Hai Rui as a chess piece, it would be a waste not to use him.

After all, Hai Rui was also a civil minister.

Using a civil minister against other civil ministers would make things much easier.

If Zhu Houzhao acted personally, though justifiable, it could provoke resistance from the civil ministers.

Although he did not fear them, there was no need to stir things unnecessarily.

Such is the art of imperial strategy.

==========

Ming Imperial Harem.

Empress Wu Zhao Palace.

"Miss, how could someone like Hai Rui qualify for the Renowned Minister Ranking? Was there a mistake?"

"Yes, I think so too. While Hai Rui is known as 'Judge Hai' among the people, he truly doesn't behave well as an official."

"He can't even achieve basic unity, only concerned about his own reputation, ignoring the bigger picture. He's unfit for great responsibilities."

"What exactly does His Majesty value about him?"

Maid Qing'er pouted in displeasure upon seeing Hai Rui make the ranking.

Even Shangguan Wan'er spoke up for Empress Wu Zhao.

All this time, Emperor Zhu Houzhao had hinted at letting Empress Wu Zhao participate in state affairs.

But every time, even before Zhang Juzheng could object, Hai Rui would be the first to stand up and oppose it without any mercy.

One could say that Hai Rui was the strongest opponent of Empress Wu Zhao in the Imperial Court.

Though they knew that with Emperor Zhu Houzhao present, Empress Wu Zhao could never truly cause trouble.

Hai Rui still firmly opposed it.

Naturally, both Qing'er and Shangguan Wan'er were extremely displeased with him.

Unfortunately, His Majesty held Hai Rui in high regard, repeatedly promoting him, and his position kept rising.

Empress Wu Zhao herself showed no particular reaction, but the two young girls by her side could not remain calm.

"Enough. What do you two little girls know?"

"I should actually thank Hai Rui."

"If he hadn't charged forward recklessly, I might have completely fallen out with Zhang Juzheng."

"At that point, it would have caused great turmoil in the Imperial Court!"

"Now, even though Hai Rui strongly opposes me in words, he's only doing so verbally. It has no real impact."

"Zhang Juzheng, however, is different."

"His influence is far beyond Hai Rui's."

"Perhaps, Hai Rui saw this too. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty's stability, he deliberately clashed with me."

"From this alone, his political wisdom is impressive."

"Being highly regarded and favored by His Majesty isn't without reason."

"His inclusion in the Renowned Minister Ranking is well-deserved!"

"Unfortunately, due to his temperament and mindset, he's destined to become someone like Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty."

"But he'll never become someone like Li Si of Qin Dynasty, Zhang Juzheng of Ming Dynasty, or Xiao He of Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Otherwise, his ranking could have been even higher."

Empress Wu Zhao was indeed discerning, immediately grasping the crux of the matter.

However, with her current cultivation and perspective, a mere Hai Rui was no longer worth her concern.

She was already at the God Demon Realm and had transcended worldly rules.

What mattered more to her was how to break through to the Sage Realm.

That was her top priority.

Maid Qing'er didn't feel much, but she was still a bit resentful toward Hai Rui.

Shangguan Wan'er, however, fell into deep thought.

She realized she had judged too superficially.

Not everything could be assessed by appearances alone.

"By the way, Wan'er, how is the development of Netherworld City going?"

"What about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

"Miss, Netherworld City is doing well now. Although still some distance from its peak, its vitality has been restored."

"It's no longer afraid of the Heaven Gate."

"As long as Di Shitian doesn't take action personally, Netherworld City can definitely inflict heavy losses on Heaven Gate."

"Di Shitian... Heaven Gate..."

"No matter what, I must avenge this hatred!"

"When my cultivation rises again, it will be time to resolve this lingering grudge."

"If I don't eliminate Di Shitian, I will never break through that next realm!"

As she spoke, a fierce killing intent flashed in Wu Zhao's eyes.

"Miss, there's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember the Hundred Yue City of the Qin Dynasty?"

"What about it?"

"His Majesty has specially ordered the construction of a giant city in the southern region of Ming Dynasty, much like Qin Dynasty's Hundred Yue City."

"Not long ago, Zi Nu and Xue Nu from Hundred Yue City already relocated there."

"Most likely, the rest of the Hundred Yue forces will arrive soon as well."

"Keep in mind, one of His Majesty's daughters is in Hundred Yue City."

"She is also considered a Princess of the Ming Dynasty."

"With her there, Fei Yan will definitely receive the Empress Dowager's favor."

"Will she affect Miss's position?"

"Miss, after all these years, when will you bear an imperial heir?"

"This is extremely important!"

When Empress Wu Zhao heard this, a trace of bitterness appeared on her face.

To bear an imperial heir?

How difficult could that be?

Both the Emperor and she had reached the God Demon Realm and beyond.

The chance of conceiving was almost nonexistent.

If not for her powerful cultivation as support, she would have been filled with anxiety by now.

But even so.

This issue could never be ignored.