CHAPTER 1171: CHAPTER 737 HALF-MOON_3

Lou Ji pondered briefly and replied:

"I discussed it with Zong Qingsheng and the others; there’s no need for this matter to affect relations between the Imperial Chancellor."

"You’re saying this is part of the transaction with the Imperial Family?"

"It isn’t considered a transaction, more of a tacit understanding."

"I see..."

Xu Yuan murmured to himself, pondered for a while, then pushed the document he had just read slightly forward and asked:

"Sister, the Xu Family’s grain collection convoy was blocked by the local clansmen gathering here, what do you think?"

Lou Ji glanced over without hesitation and immediately said:

"Violent suppression is enough; across the world, commoners fear power rather than virtue, and ultimately, it won’t affect the big picture."

Fear power rather than virtue.....

Xu Yuan was silent.

The world’s origins are that violence decides everything, and extraordinary violence is something ordinary people cannot resist. Thus, the Imperial dynasty has always ruled by force rather than virtue.

But after considering for a while, Xu Yuan still asked:

"What if I insist on it?"

Lou Ji rolled her eyes and said angrily:

"If you insist, then just go ahead and execute it."

"....."

Already prepared for rejection, Xu Yuan was taken aback by her response.

Lou Ji spoke earnestly:

"Your father said that during his seclusion, everything except military affairs should be decided by you. But remember, Changtian, this is because of your father. Without him, your prestige isn’t enough to convince people."

Speaking of this,

Lou Ji’s tone shifted, smiling:

"Of course, sister will still stand by your side~"

Listening to this playful remark, Xu Yuan felt a complex and intricate emotion.

He understood why his father was so eager to make him establish merit and prestige; without achievements to convince the masses, anything he wanted to do would be blocked by the Prime Minister’s Mansion officials and would never make it out of this Hidden Pavilion.

Even this small public sentiment matter, and more so with military and financial affairs.

Moreover, he suddenly understood why some Emperors trusted the conniving rather than the virtuous, just because listening is enough to elevate the conniving to a high position.

If he were to become the Prime Minister Mansion Master in the future, without accumulating enough prestige, he would likely have to appoint people based on favoritism, even expanding the power of confidants like Lou Ji and sending Black Scale Guards to supervise the military.

Thoughts flickered, Xu Yuan nodded lightly:

"Then let’s go implement it."

"Can I ask the reason?"

Lou Ji smiled.

But this question was not an inquisition, rather a concern.

This public sentiment method is Xu Yuan’s first "Supervising Country" decree on a national level, not consuming too many Prime Minister’s Mansion resources, done and done, but failure will always impact his prestige in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Xu Yuan didn’t think much of it, nor did he hide:

"As long as cultivators exist for a day, commoners cannot macroscopically influence the big picture, but can transmit it layer by layer microscopically. If there is public support, military supplies, taxes, even enemy intelligence, accumulating little by little, it will affect battles, don’t ignore the small things."

Listening carefully, Lou Ji had words to rebut but remained silent.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion will send troops, naturally in the name of The Imperial Court.

Those ordinary commoners, how can they distinguish the difference between the "royal forces"?

Moreover, all these reasons can be addressed using the violence possessed by cultivators, with a sweep of the will-spirit, all enemy trace appears; with the illusion technique installed, a mortal can even tell you their family tree.

But after considering it, Changtian’s words aren’t without reason.

If one has public support, all energy can indeed be focused on the battlefield, and furthermore, when overthrowing the world in the future, it will be validated with fewer objections...

After calculating valid reasons and sorting out words to shoulder the blame for this policy’s failure for Changtian, Lou Ji stood up from the chair:

"Alright, sister will arrange this matter, do you have anything else?"

Xu Yuan thought for a moment and suddenly said:

"Sister, who’s managing the Wenshu Courtyard?"

Wenshu Courtyard, the Prime Minister’s Mansion Ritual Supervision, overseeing various document reports and Prime Minister’s Mansion internal affairs.

"Zhou Xianlin."

Lou Ji casually mentioned a name high up in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

These days, Xu Yuan has become familiar with these high-ranking officials, slightly recalling the other’s resume, he said:

"Bai Muxi has broken through Primordial, let her be arranged in Wenshu Courtyard to manage the accounts."

Lou Ji cast Xu Yuan a sideways glance without speaking.

Xu Yuan sighed upon seeing this:

"Not possible?"

"Hmph."

Lou Ji snorted lightly, displeased.

Arranging one’s attendant into the internal affairs management office of the Prime Minister’s Mansion is obviously aiming to seize power.

"Talk to your father about this matter, Wenshu Courtyard isn’t under sister’s jurisdiction."

"I see."

Xu Yuan nodded, showing no change in expression.

These days of "Supervising Country" have given him some ideas about inserting confidants into key Prime Minister’s Mansion institutions, but now it’s clear the time isn’t ripe yet.

Seeing Xu Yuan’s expression, Lou Ji thought for a moment and added:

"However, Changtian, if you wish, you can send that Enchantress Divine Physique named Su Jinxuan to sister’s side; I quite like her."

The meaning is clear, the Black Scale Guards side isn’t afraid of you seizing power, send her over for sister to train.

Xu Yuan shook his head in refusal and said:

"She’s currently helping that Feng Family girl, let’s discuss this later."

Seeing this, Lou Ji didn’t continue on this matter, seemed to recall something, and said:

"By the way, Li Zhaoyuan entered the city today, are you aware?"

Xu Yuan nodded:

"Received the news yesterday."

Lou Ji winked at Xu Yuan and asked:

"Any thoughts?"

Xu Yuan collected himself and said:

"As the Crown Prince, he’s difficult to deal with, but qualified to be the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s future collaborator."

After that day conversing with Li Qingyan in the palace, he surmised that Li Zhaoyuan would become the next Emperor.

Lou Ji took a deep look at Xu Yuan and advised:

"Changtian, some things....."

"I know."

Xu Yuan’s lips curved slightly, gently interrupting her:

"Although I don’t like this Prince, sitting in this position won’t allow much room for personal emotional choices."

"...Good to know. Sister will leave first?"

"You can stay and help me review documents too."

"No, sister is terribly busy."

Lou Ji waved with a smile, playfully touched Xu Yuan’s head across the air, then headed towards the door.

At that moment,

A faint sound of breaking through the air came from outside the room.

Lou Ji’s elegant steps paused, reflecting instinctively to look at Xu Yuan’s expression, but saw his face still calm and unmoved, only quietly putting down the document and standing up from behind the desk.

Soon,

Someone landed on the corridor in front of the door, Bai Muxi’s voice came from outside:

"Master, Second Prince requests an audience outside the mansion."

Moonlight entered the house, and silence fell momentarily inside.

"Do you want to see him?"

"He comes to me, why shouldn’t I see him?"