CHAPTER 1163: CHAPTER 1160: TAKING LIFE AND DEATH LIGHTLY, FIGHTING IF YOU REFUSE TO YIELD

Xuanjizi shivered, his pupils filled with fear: "Your Majesty, do you truly intend to follow Xu Wendong’s advice?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Under no circumstances!"

"Implementing the Examination System is fraught with difficulties. It would shake the very foundation of our Blackwater Kingdom, and a single misstep could lead us to ruin!"

He agreed with Xu Wendong’s suggestions on healthcare, elderly care, taxation, and even setting up schools for the common people’s children.

These ideas would indeed improve the state of Blackwater Kingdom, allowing the common people to live better lives.

However.

If the Examination System were adopted, it would certainly face much opposition.

Fan Liang walked outside the hall, gazing at the vast night sky, sighed softly: "My whole life, I’ve been following my ancestors’ opinions, treading carefully while sitting on the throne."

"Though I am the Monarch of Blackwater Kingdom."

"I’ve always wanted to break from the path set by my ancestors, to sincerely do some good for the common people."

Xuanjizi softly said: "Conquering a country is easy, ruling it is difficult. You have been excellent already."

Fan Liang: "All along, I’ve had a dream."

"I wish to make Blackwater Kingdom a First-Level Cultivation Country."

"I want my subjects to live in this world with their heads held high."

"To live with dignity and self-respect."

Saying this, he looked at Xuanjizi, smiling slightly: "Isn’t it unrealistic?"

Xuanjizi’s heart trembled fiercely, astonished by Fan Liang’s ambition.

After the shock, he said: "Unrealistic dreams are the ones truly worth realizing."

"But, tell me, how can I make Blackwater Kingdom a First-Level Cultivation Country?" Fan Liang showed a pained expression.

Xuanjizi was speechless.

To reach the status of a First-Level Cultivation Country, at least five billion people are required.

But now.

Blackwater Kingdom has less than one hundred million population.

Fan Liang quietly said: "Actually, you and I both know, no matter how hard we strive, Blackwater Kingdom can never become a First-Level Cultivation Country."

"However, we can make Blackwater Kingdom better and better."

"Transform Blackwater Kingdom into a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious world."

"Even if we remain a Third-Level Cultivation Country."

"But the people of Blackwater Kingdom can still live with dignity in this world."

"What I truly want is nothing more than this!"

Xuanjizi’s expression was solemn: "Your Majesty, the late monarch entrusted me with the important duty to oversee the kingdom on his deathbed, I cannot stand idly by while you act recklessly and harm the foundation of our country!"

After a pause, he added: "Unless, I too have gone mad!"

"Mentor, I do not wish for our relationship to become strained." Fan Liang’s face showed no emotion, but inside, he felt some disappointment.

Because he had always believed that Xuanjizi was the one who understood him best.

But now it seems.

Things were not as he imagined.

Xuanjizi: "Your Majesty, this matter is no small affair, I need to carefully weigh the pros and cons! Even if I tacitly approve your stance, will the entire court’s civil and military officials agree? You know better than I do, they are the greatest resistance to change."

Fan Liang said: "I only need your opinion, as for the civil and military officials, I will remove their resistance."

He only wished to find an ally to stand beside him in this battle.

Of course.

Xu Wendong does not count.

Because Xu Wendong was ahead of him on this path.

"Yes, take life lightly, if you don’t agree, just fight!" Xuanjizi spoke inexplicably, then took off his long robe, revealing his thin frame.

"State Preceptor, what are you doing?" Eunuch Liu was full of anxiety, even though Xuanjizi was the mentor of His Majesty.

But to behave like this within the Imperial City is the greatest challenge to imperial authority.

"I am not mad, I am not mad, I am not mad!" Xuanjizi, shirtless, wearing only white panties, laughed while walking out of the Imperial Palace.

Seeing this scene.

Fan Liang also showed a somewhat intriguing smile.

He knew.

His mentor had tacitly approved of his idea.

He behaved so crazily just to give the deceased father an account.

"Inform all civil and military officials that at tomorrow’s morning court, all Fifth Grade and above officials must not be absent!"

Fan Liang left a sentence and then turned to enter the hall.

Eunuch Liu quickly complied, having a premonition that this Blackwater Kingdom is about to change drastically!

------

The next day.

Golden Throne Hall.

The civil and military officials gathered together, whispering to each other.

They were accustomed to attending morning court regularly.

But it had been a long time since they were commanded to attend morning court in such a manner as today.

They knew.

Surely, there was a major event occurring in Blackwater Kingdom.

Soon after, Fan Liang appeared in the hall dressed in his Dragon Robe.

Everyone bowed simultaneously in greeting.

"No need for the courtesies, my beloved ministers." Fan Liang, looking somewhat haggard, sat on the Dragon Chair: "Yesterday in the Imperial Study, I dozed off, and in my sleep, I dreamt of a sage."

"That sage gave me some advice."

"Advice sufficient to improve the state of Blackwater Kingdom."

"Today, I have gathered you here to have you consider it."

At these words, everyone brightened up.

They had no doubt about Fan Liang’s words.

Because before, there was a Monarch of a Third-Level Cultivation Country, who was guided in a dream by a sage.

In less than a hundred years, he advanced his country to a Second-Level Cultivation Nation.

Fan Liang spoke the guidance of the [dream] sage: "Collect taxes according to rank, establish a strict and distinct elder care and medical policy, open schools, educate the wandering vagrants in the wilderness, improving the public’s overall cognition."

He meticulously explained these points.

After listening, everyone’s eyes lit up, if these suggestions were implemented, they would certainly improve the current state of Blackwater Kingdom.

But a middle-aged man voiced a different opinion: "Your Majesty, I do not deny the sage’s advice is indeed excellent, but I do not understand one thing."

"Mortals only live for a few decades, why should we go to great lengths to do such things?"

Fan Liang asked calmly: "If we strictly follow the sage’s guidance and establish a perfect elder care and medical system, do you think, would the average lifespan of mortals increase?"

At this point, his voice carried a trace of anger: "Do not forget, every one of our ancestors was a mortal."

"Without those common folks, even if only we cultivators remained, could we still call it a country?"

Xuanjizi, excited, said: "A few days ago Lixing changed positions, last night Your Majesty was guided by a sage in a dream, this is providence blessing our Blackwater Kingdom!"

Everyone shouted in unison: "Guided by the sage, Blackwater Kingdom’s national destiny is certain to prosper, the dragon soaring to the seas!"

Seeing this scene, Fan Liang felt a joy in his heart but feigned calmness: "It seems my beloved ministers also greatly appreciate the sage’s guidance!"

The entire court immediately expressed that this was providence blessing Blackwater Kingdom, willing to implement these recommendations.

Fan Liang internally scoffed repeatedly.

You all so readily accept the sage’s advice, when I announce the implementation of the Examination System, you should find no ground to oppose, right?