RWNEFE -Chapter 534 Great Investiture of the Hundred Officials!

Shen Lanxi: “For those who rebel and commit treason—leave none of their families alive!”

After their initial shock, everyone immediately went to carry out the order.

Wang Bao had a dragon throne brought over. Shen Lanxi sat upright upon it, her back straight, her expression cold and emotionless, watching as the families of the four princes were brought forward and executed at the palace gates.

By the time the officials were allowed to freely enter and leave their residences and received the news, what they heard was this: Shen Lanxi had stained the palace gates with blood.

Aside from the four rebellious princes and more than four hundred members of their households, over eighty members of the Qi clan—old and young, from the family head down to the servants—were executed without a single survivor.

That night, the Imperial Guards and city defenders killed until their eyes were red with bloodlust.

At the first light of dawn, Shen Lanxi gazed toward the rising sun, overlooking the entire capital.

“Our capital is rid of those who sow chaos. The people may once again live in peace!”

The Imperial Guards, city defenders, and the officials who had rushed over were all shaken.

With that single sentence, Shen Lanxi forced every word of condemnation back into their throats.

Yes—if they were not killed, the capital would have been plunged into blood and chaos. Who knew how many commoners would have died?

Wang Bao softly reminded her, “Your Majesty, we must not delay the enthronement ceremony.”

Shen Lanxi rose and departed.

Wei Dongzhu handled the aftermath. Cart after cart of corpses was transported out of the outer city.

“Today is His Majesty’s enthronement ceremony. Blood must not be seen. Wash the ground clean!”

“Yes!”

At the command, hundreds of people hurried into action.

Shen Lanxi changed into her dragon robe and imperial crown, waiting for the moment to arrive.

Dong, dong, dong…

Thunderous drums resounded through the heavens. Amid Wang Bao’s loud ceremonial chant, Shen Lanxi offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and reported to her ancestors.

All civil and military officials knelt outside the Chonghua Hall, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” three times to express their loyalty and support.

After the elaborate rites came congratulatory tributes from regional military governors, generals, foreign tribes, and neighboring states.

This time, Wang Bao did not take it upon himself alone. He arranged for three disciples to assist him in reading the tributes.

“Guigu respectfully congratulates Your Majesty on ascending the throne and presents two hundred and thirty volumes of military treatises handwritten by successive Guigu masters; three hundred and fifteen volumes of policy essays; one hundred and ninety-eight volumes on state governance; eighty volumes analyzing the situation under Heaven; and…”

This particular scroll was read personally by Wang Bao, then passed along by the Imperial Guards out of the palace, and further relayed by the capital guards all the way to the city gates.

Six carriages bearing the name “Guigu” rolled forward, adorned with large red flowers and red ribbons. Around each carriage stood ten tall, well-built warriors in armor, masked and armed.

Though they carried only scrolls, any single volume among them was priceless. Any single volume could drive the world into a frenzy.

Compared to gold and jewels, these were the true treasures beyond value!

Sixty guards? Too few—far too few! It would have been more appropriate to dispatch six thousand elite soldiers as escort.

Most commoners were unaware of the coup that had taken place the previous night. Now they stood beyond the cordon, craning their necks to watch, their eyes nearly popping out at the sight of the chests filled with books.

“Guigu… the legendary Guigu! I never imagined I would live to see it. Even if I died now, it would be worth it…” A scholar covered his face and wept with excitement.

His words echoed the feelings of everyone present. The crowd grew even more stirred.

The six carriages were exceptionally permitted to enter the imperial palace.

Some officials even forgot decorum and craned their necks to glimpse Guigu’s gifts.

“Peach Blossom Valley presents two hundred female guards; one silk-thread soft armor battle robe; one Thousand-Scale battle armor; three black iron long sabers; twenty Mohist mechanism war chariots; one hundred master craftsmen; and six grandmasters of mechanical arts…”

Though Peach Blossom Valley’s name was not widely known, once the Mohist mechanical arts were mentioned, its fame rivaled that of Guigu.

Even more mysterious and low-profile than Guigu itself.

No one had expected even such a hidden great sect to send gifts to Shen Lanxi.

At this moment, officials, soldiers, and commoners alike regarded Shen Lanxi with solemn awe.

“Medicine King Valley congratulates Your Majesty on ascending the throne and presents: twenty Tianshan Snow Wolf pearls; twenty hundred-year ginseng roots; twenty hundred-year lingzhi mushrooms; thirty jin each of rare medicinal herbs such as cordyceps; ten bottles of Longevity Pills; twenty bottles of Antidote Pills; twenty bottles of supreme wound medicine; as well as various medicinal seeds and cultivation techniques…”

Since when did Their Majesty have ties with Medicine King Valley?

Outside the city, the thunderous rumble of cavalry and neighing warhorses sounded. The city guards tensed in alarm—only to see the riders dismount in unison.

“Shen Yuanjing of the Northwest, together with the sons of the Shen family, respectfully congratulates Our Emperor on ascending the throne—Long live the Emperor, long live!”

All Shen family sons who had gone to war dismounted at the palace gates, removed their weapons, and in silver armor marched side by side into the imperial city, step by step toward the palace.

“Your servant, Xiao Fang…”

“Your servant, Zhao Zheng…”

“Your servant, Fang Yuan…”

“Your servant, Qian Feng…”

“Your servant, Xu Changlin…”

“Five hundred adopted sons congratulate Your Majesty on ascending the throne…”

“Eight hundred adopted daughters…”

“Seven hundred sworn younger brothers…”

“Nine hundred sworn younger sisters…”

“One thousand foster sons, one thousand foster daughters…”

…

Shen Lanxi rested both hands upon the dragon throne, her face imposing as she accepted the kneeling homage.

“Guigu’s wisdom may serve as My teacher. I appoint the successor of Guigu as National Preceptor!”

“Peach Blossom Valley’s craftsmanship is peerless. I appoint its successor as Imperial Master Artisan!”

“Medicine King Valley’s medical skill is unrivaled. I appoint its successor as Imperial Physician!”

“Shen Yuanjing is appointed Cavalry General of the Northwest, commanding all Northwest forces.”

“Shen Yuanxu is appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry over Qian, Shu, and Xiang, commanding the forces of those three regions.”

“Shen Yuankun is appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Southwest, commanding Southwest forces.”

“Shen Yuanpeng and Shen Yuanhao are appointed Guard Generals of Xiping and Guanglin Prefectures.”

“Shen…”

After finishing the grand investiture of the Shen family, Shen Lanxi continued to appoint the hundred officials.

“Xiao Fang, Zhao Zheng, Fang Yuan, Qian Feng, Xu Changfeng—I appoint you as the Five Tiger Generals of the Central Army, commanding the three armed forces.”

“To the adopted sons and daughters, sworn brothers and sisters, foster sons and daughters—those whose names are called, step forward to receive your titles…”

As the number of sworn kin was vast, four eunuchs held registers and read out the names.

By the time the lengthy investiture was completed, nearly an hour had passed.

Then came the grand investiture of the hundred officials.

“Grand Preceptor Mei Nanhua—loyal to ruler and country, diligent and conscientious—shall serve as a model for all scholars of Great Zhou. I hereby bestow upon him the title of Grand Preceptor and order the construction of a Cultural Temple in his honor for scholars to revere and study!”

Tears streamed down Mei Nanhua’s face. He dropped to his knees with a thud.

“This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!”

Wu Yanzhi and Liu Mingxin both cast sidelong glances at Mei Nanhua. At that moment, they finally understood.

The upright and incorruptible Grand Preceptor had sought not wealth—but reputation.

“Left Chancellor Wu Yanzhi—measured in firmness and flexibility, meritorious beyond measure. From this day forth, the system of dual chancellors is abolished. There shall be but one Chancellor—the sole chief minister of the realm!”

With a thud, Wu Yanzhi knelt even faster than Mei Nanhua. Before Shen Lanxi had finished speaking, he was already expressing his gratitude.

Liu Mingxin pressed his lips tightly together, proud and unyielding.

“Grand Scholar Liu Mingxin—compiler of books and volumes, erudite and versed in ancient and modern knowledge. From this day forth, he is promoted to Grand Scholar of the Inner Cabinet and shall oversee the compilation of the Complete Treasury of the Prefecture.”