69novels Chapter 1081 It's time to deal with the affairs of the harem!
Chapter 1081 It's time to deal with the affairs of the harem!
In the campaign against Goguryeo, he charged into battle in white robes, invincible in every direction; in the defeat of the Turks, he subdued the Tianshan Mountains with three arrows, his might shaking the Western Regions; in the battle against the Tibetans, he fought on the battlefield, though defeated, he was still glorious. In this life, he truly deserved the title of "God of War of the Tang Dynasty".
However, he also had regrets. His wife, Lady Liu, died young, and he was unable to grow old with her; although his son, Xue Ne, also became a general, father and son rarely saw each other; and he still remembered the names of his fallen soldiers…
"General, it's time to return to camp," a guard whispered a reminder.
Xue Rengui nodded, taking one last look at the snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains. He had visited this land twice, once in his prime and once in his twilight years. Perhaps this was the last time.
He turned his horse around and headed towards the Tang army camp. The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, making him look like a moving statue.
Just as the camp gate came into view, a soft white light suddenly enveloped the entire hillside. Xue Rengui looked up in surprise, only to see the light grow stronger and stronger, enveloping him and his horse. He tried to shout, but found that no sound could be uttered.
"This is..." Before his consciousness faded, the last thing he saw was that eternally white snow on the summit of Tianshan Mountain.
Light streamed through the high windows of the palace, casting dappled shadows on the smooth, jade-like floor. When the ten people summoned by the system slowly opened their eyes, the first thing they saw was the dragon-and-phoenix-carved dome and the imperial guards standing solemnly around them, holding long halberds.
They were dressed in various attire—scholars in long robes, warriors in armor, and artisans in simple clothes—but at this moment, their eyes all gleamed with the same complex light. The power of the system was taking root deep within their consciousness, branding their loyalty to this unfamiliar world and their understanding of the man on the throne into their souls like a mark.
"This is... the palace from the Qin Dynasty?"
The system's power was gentle yet firm, not a brutal erasure, but a skillful weaving. The original life experiences and knowledge of these talented individuals were preserved intact; only their loyalty to Gaoyao and their identification with this era seemed innate. This transformation was painless, only a sudden, clear realization—as if they were meant to be here, meant to serve this monarch.
"See your Majesty!"
Ten people knelt in unison, their voices echoing in the empty palace. Their movements were perfectly synchronized; were it not for their varied attire, they would have resembled a well-trained army. Their kneeling posture was standard and respectful, their foreheads lightly touching the cold ground—a gesture of heartfelt submission.
Gao Yao slowly rose from the throne.
Today he was dressed in a black court robe with dragon patterns and a nine-tassel crown. Although it was not the full set of imperial robes for an informal court assembly, his imposing presence was enough to make anyone hold their breath. He descended three steps with steady steps, his gaze sweeping over the ten people kneeling before him.
"Please rise, gentlemen."
The voice wasn't loud, yet it possessed a peculiar penetrating power. The ten men rose as instructed, bowing their heads and standing in the hall, awaiting further instructions from the king.
Gao Yao's heart was in turmoil, but his face maintained the composure of an emperor. The system's promise had indeed been fulfilled! These talents—according to the information provided by the system, some were skilled in agriculture and water conservancy, some were proficient in law and criminal law, some knew military strategy, some were skilled in craftsmanship, and one was even proficient in astronomy and calendar systems—each of them was a professional talent urgently needed at present.
The chaos at the end of the Qin Dynasty had only recently been quelled, and the world was in dire need of rebuilding. Although Gao Yao established this new regime with his visionary for his time and occasional assistance from the system, a shortage of talent remained a major concern. Few of the existing Qin officials were truly capable, and their ideologies were difficult to change; those he had promoted from the lower ranks were loyal but lacked ability; not to mention, among the former nobles of the six states, many outwardly submitted but inwardly harbored treacherous intentions.
These ten people are a godsend.
"Gentlemen, you have come from afar, you must be tired." Gao Yao's tone softened. "I know that you all possess the talent to govern the world and will surely help my dynasty create a prosperous era. However, the court has its own rules, and the appointment and removal of officials must follow the established procedures. Please rest at the post station for now, familiarize yourselves with the situation in the court, and you will surely be given important positions in the near future."
"Yes!" The ten men bowed again, their posture respectful yet not humble, revealing their confidence as talented individuals.
Gao Yao nodded slightly and clapped his hands lightly. The palace doors opened, and eight personal guards entered silently, lining up on both sides. These guards were all dressed in light black armor, with ring-pommel swords at their waists. Their movements were synchronized, clearly indicating their high level of training.
"Take all of you to the post station and make proper arrangements," Gao Yao instructed.
"As ordered!"
The commander of the personal guards clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then turned and gestured for the ten men to proceed. The ten men bowed to Gao Yao again before following the guards out of the main hall. Their figures gradually disappeared into the shadows of the palace corridor, their footsteps fading into the distance.
Gao Yao sat back on the throne, his fingers lightly tapping the dragon head carving on the armrest.
We have the talent, but how to place them requires careful consideration. Directly appointing them to high positions will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among existing officials; if the positions are too low, it will be a waste of their talent. We must find a suitable entry point so that they can play a role without disrupting the existing balance of power in the court.
He thought of the official evaluation and promotion system he had established. Perhaps they could first serve as deputies or advisors in various government offices, accumulating experience and building connections, while also gaining opportunities for advancement based on their performance. In six months, or at most a year, once they were familiar with the situation and had achieved results, promotion to key positions would be a natural progression.
As for this period of time... Gao Yao looked out of the palace. With the realm newly settled, a period of rest and recuperation was indeed necessary. Although the Xiongnu in the north had temporarily retreated, their wolfish ambitions remained; the Baiyue region in the south had not yet fully submitted; and the former nobles of the six states still held influence in various places. He needed time to consolidate internal power, accumulate strength, and prepare for the next round of expansion.
The arrival of these talented individuals provided invaluable intellectual support during this period of rest and recuperation. Their involvement in formulating agricultural improvement policies, perfecting the legal system, and refining arms manufacturing—all crucial for the restoration of national strength—marked the time when the Great Xin Dynasty could set its sights on all sides.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Gao Yao's lips. Although the system didn't appear often, the help it provided each time was just right. From the initial survival assistance after his arrival, to the key resources during his later struggle for supremacy, and now the talent support... this mysterious companion seemed to be truly helping him achieve great things.
"Your Majesty, it is past Shenshi (3-5 PM)." A eunuch standing by your side reminded you softly.
Gao Yao snapped out of his reverie and nodded. While court affairs were important, the problems in the inner palace also needed to be addressed. He rose, straightened his robes, and walked out of the hall.
Passing through three palace gates and along a long corridor, Gao Yao arrived at the inner palace area. Unlike the solemnity of the imperial court, the architecture here was more exquisite and elegant, with pavilions and towers scattered in a harmonious manner, and exotic flowers and plants blooming in the garden. But today, this elegance was tinged with an unusual solemnity.