CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 201: MORNING COUNCIL_1

After the consecration ceremony concluded, Qin Wudao and his courtiers began to discuss the path of future development, formulating a long-term strategy. This was a monumental undertaking!

The current Great Qin Divine Court, with its vast territory, included not only the nine great Dao Domains but also the Great Bright Domain, the Wan Dao Domain, and the vast Desert Sea. When all these domains were combined, they amounted to a staggering twenty-four Dao Domains!

In terms of territory alone, the Great Qin could be among the top ten powers in the East Border.

As the adage goes, it is easier to conquer than to defend!

Governing such an endless territory was a formidable task for both Qin Wudao and the entire Imperial Court.

"Everyone, please report on the situation!" Qin Wudao asked, his voice firm. The war had just ended, and most of the data had not yet been gathered. He was not clear about the specific details of the situation.

"Your Majesty, the Great Qin’s vast territory stretches across three million miles, housing a population of two hundred billion. It boasts one hundred and thirty-nine Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands, over two thousand mustard seed worlds, including two of level five..."

"Excluding the Desert Sea, the remaining great Dao Domains have abundant spiritual grain, allowing the populace to be self-sufficient..."

"Due to the impact of the war, the current economic scale has only reached five quadrillion Spirit Stones, most of which originate from the ’Great Bright Domain’ and ’Wan Dao Domain’. The economic development of the nine great Dao Domains and the Desert Sea has been sluggish..."

The first to report was Zhuge Liang, who elaborated on internal affairs, the enormous population, and the scale of the economy, which filled everyone with a mix of excitement and apprehension. They were excited about the strength of the Great Qin Divine Court but also concerned about the potential problems underlying this strength.

"What about the military?" Qin Wudao nodded and continued to inquire.

"Your Majesty, apart from the Four Divine Beasts Army and the Bei Wei Army, the remainder consists of ordinary corps and local garrisons, totaling about three hundred million troops!"

"The ordinary corps refers to the twenty-four battalions guarding the Imperial Capital, with a total of two million, two hundred and forty thousand soldiers!"

"The remaining troops are all local garrisons!"

Zhuge Liang continued his report, causing all the courtiers in the Imperial Hall to frown. Those present in the Imperial Court were all elites of the Great Qin and immediately recognized the problem: the Great Qin had far too few combat-ready troops!

Despite possessing an army of three hundred million, the only forces truly capable of deployment were the Four Divine Beasts Army and the Bei Wei Army. The remaining corps, even the twenty-four garrison battalions of the Imperial Capital, were not up to the task.

After all, any power that could now be considered an enemy of the Great Qin Divine Court was at the level of a royal power!

"The basic situation has been outlined. Now, let’s discuss the problems we are encountering!" Qin Wudao’s expression returned to neutral as he calmly asked.

"Your Majesty, according to statistics from the Ministry of Personnel, there is a severe shortage of local officials, especially in the Great Bright Domain and the Wan Dao Domain. In most cities, official positions are held by local magnates who often feign compliance with the court’s decrees while acting otherwise!" Wang Yangming reported solemnly, stepping into the center of the great hall.

Since the Great Qin’s elevation to a Divine Court, he had been appointed Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Personnel, overseeing the promotion and assessment of officials, and thus had a thorough understanding of the local situation.

"Issue an order to initiate the imperial examinations!" Qin Wudao instructed after a moment of thought. "Students from academies within the Great Qin who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and moral integrity may be appointed as local grassroots officials!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Yangming bowed and returned to his original position.

"Your Majesty, according to reports from the Hidden Guard, numerous subversive elements in the newly occupied territories pose a serious threat to local security. Troops must be dispatched to eliminate them!" Jia Xu stepped forward, his voice icy and suffused with a menacing Evil Qi.

"Approved!" Qin Wudao declared. "Matters concerning troop deployment shall be deliberated by the Six Ministries and the Cabinet!"

Qin Wudao had no desire to personally manage such minor affairs, so he delegated them to his courtiers.

"Your command shall be obeyed!" Jia Xu bowed slightly and returned to his position.

At this moment, Dong Zhongshu, from the ranks of civil officials, stepped into the center of the great hall. After a meticulous salute, he declared, "Your Majesty, during my travels across the Great Qin, I observed that many commoners lack education and manners, which detracts from the dignity of our Qin Dynasty! This humble minister audaciously proposes the propagation of Confucianism to cultivate the populace and stabilize..."

"That won’t be necessary!" Qin Wudao listened for a moment before abruptly interrupting Dong Zhongshu.

"Your Majesty, Confucian teachings are beneficial for..." Dong Zhongshu, somewhat reluctant to give up, wished to continue his persuasion.

"The time is not yet right. Minister Dong, you may withdraw," Qin Wudao spoke again, his tone somewhat cold, carrying an air of indisputable finality.

Confucianism indeed possessed many merits, but its inherent limitations did not suit the Great Qin Divine Court. He needed a cadre of spirited and assertive hawkish ministers, not Confucian scholars adhering to the Doctrine of the Mean.

Furthermore, there was another crucial reason: he could summon heroes of Huaxia through the system. He had summoned Dong Zhongshu this time. But what if he next summoned figures like Han Feizi, Mohist, or scholars from other schools? How would they be integrated?

Facing a Great Qin Divine Court where Confucianism was dominant, what path would they choose?

Should they conform? Or should they contend?

If they conformed, the Great Qin Divine Court would lose the diverse philosophies of the Hundred Schools of Thought—an immense loss.

And if they chose to contend, bloody conflict would likely erupt within the Great Qin Divine Court, undermining the stability of the state. This was not mere alarmist talk but an undeniable reality.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, ideological clashes often fueled national conflicts!

Therefore, considering all aspects, Dong Zhongshu could not be allowed to propagate Confucian philosophy.

At least, not for now.

"This humble minister obeys!" Dong Zhongshu saluted and withdrew, dejected. In his eyes, Confucianism was virtually perfect. Why did His Majesty not agree?

"Your Majesty, this minister proposes adding a martial examination to the imperial examinations to select grassroots military officers!" Zhao Yun quickly stepped forward and said loudly.

"Approved!"

「Witch Dao Domain!」

In a deep valley within the Witch Dao Domain, the Witch Ancestor sat on the ground. His hair was moist, and his clothes were damp from the fog; he had remained in this posture for two days.

The Great Elders of the Red Gu, Black Gu, and White Gu lineages stood respectfully nearby, their eyes closed in meditation, patiently waiting.

"I intend to journey to the Great Qin Divine Court!" the Witch Ancestor suddenly said.

The three Great Elders opened their eyes, a hint of concern on their faces.

The Great Elder of the Red Gu lineage said gravely, "Ancestor, our reputation in the outside world is not favorable, and the Great Qin Divine Court’s stance is ambiguous. Would it not be perilous to dispatch an envoy so hastily?"

The Witch Ancestor shook his head and stated with great seriousness, "It is precisely because the Great Qin Divine Court’s stance is unclear that I must depart for the Great Qin immediately. Otherwise, should the Great Qin Divine Court make its decision, it will be too late for us! The fate of the myriad inhabitants of the Witch Dao Domain—whether they live or die—may well depend on the outcome of this mission!"

After two days of contemplation, he had resolved not to oppose the Great Qin Divine Court; indeed, he even saw this as a rare opportunity.

From the Great Elders of the three lineages, he had learned of the Great Qin Divine Court’s rapid development and, crucially, that Zhuge Liang had broken through to the Saint King Realm after consuming a Saint-Becoming Pill! This realization made his heart race!

It had been nearly a million years since his own breakthrough to the Saint King Realm! The lifespan of a First-Revolution Saint King was one million years. Once that limit was reached, one would enter a period of decline, awaiting death. For him, the Great Qin Divine Court now represented his final hope—the hope of advancing to the Second-Revolution Saint King Realm!