Chapter 85: A Capable Minister in Times of Peace

"Miss Xue, you once said that you could provide Ji Xiang with a stage to enter the world. Does that offer still stand?"

Zhou Sheng'an looked at Qian Renxue, who was resting her chin in her hand, lost in thought, with a smile.

Qian Renxue snapped out of her daze, nodded, and said, "Of course, but Mister Zhou must also promise not to cast me aside after using me. Don't be like those who kill the donkey once the millstone is done turning."

She smiled slightly, teasing Zhou Sheng'an.

After spending so much time at the cottage, Qian Renxue realized that Zhou Sheng'an was truly difficult to win over!

A wise man does not fall in love, and Zhou Sheng'an was undoubtedly among the best of them.

No matter how beautiful she was or how many little tricks she used to charm him, she had made no real progress.

She could only take advantage of moments like this to flirt with him.

Zhou Sheng'an shook his head and said, "Miss Xue may stay here as long as she wishes."

"But I have a small request," Qian Renxue said with a smile.

"What request?"

"I hope you'll marry me…"

After saying this, Qian Renxue stared at Zhou Sheng'an. Seeing no change in his expression, she sighed, waved her hand, and said, "Alright, I was joking. But from now on, you must call me Xue'er. That should be fine, right?"

"That's fine," Zhou Sheng'an agreed with a nod.

Qian Renxue then took out a token and handed it to Ji Xiang, saying, "Take this and visit the Prime Minister of the Heaven Dou Empire. He will naturally grant you an opportunity."

Ji Xiang solemnly accepted it, stepped back a few paces, and then knelt down straight and firm.

"Teacher, please accept this disciple's bow."

He kowtowed forcefully, and when he lifted his head, there was a layer of dust on his forehead.

"This disciple will not disgrace our name. I will build an era of great governance."

Ji Xiang bid farewell to his senior brothers, then carried his belongings and left.

Er Ming immediately said, "Teacher, let me escort Junior Brother. His strength is too weak."

"Da Ming will go," Zhou Sheng'an shook his head.

"Remember, do not get involved in your eldest senior brother's matters."

He added another instruction.

Da Ming respectfully responded, then followed after Ji Xiang.

After they left, in the corner, Dugu Yan's expression turned somber, and worry flickered in her eyes.

Her grandfather had been gone for a long time, constantly hunted by Qian Daoliu of the Spirit Hall. She had no idea where he was now.

She worried day and night about his safety.

Yet, Teacher Zhou refused to let her senior brothers go support him…

In truth, Dugu Yan felt some resentment in her heart. Her second and third senior brothers were incomparably strong. Her third senior brother had even claimed that his strength had reached Level 98.

And yet, Teacher Zhou still refused to let them leave the mountain.

Dugu Yan felt stifled, even suspicious.

At that moment, Qian Renxue hugged her waist, resting her chin on her shoulder, and whispered, "Yan'er, don't be sad. Your grandfather is so powerful—he won't be in danger. And you should know how strong the Spirit Hall is. If we make a wrong move, this place could be wiped out…"

Dugu Yan responded with a soft hum. She understood the reality, but it didn't make her feel any better.

Besides, she didn't like this suddenly appearing Sister Xue. Perhaps it was because she was too dazzling, or perhaps it was because she had her eyes on Teacher Zhou—either way, Dugu Yan found her unpleasant to look at.

…

Spirit Hall.

[Qian Daoliu is secretly testing you, but you skillfully concealed yourself, avoiding his suspicion.]

Seeing this system update, Bibi Dong opened her eyes, let out a cold laugh, and thought, 'That little brat Qian Renxue must be trying to figure out my strength!'

But how could she let herself be seen through?

Bibi Dong browsed through the system updates and soon found Qian Renxue's current whereabouts.

"She's off chasing after men again? If Qian Daoliu finds out, she'll definitely be lectured. She's neglecting her duties, unable to distinguish the most important priorities of a soul master."

Bibi Dong shook her head slightly, showing little regard for Qian Renxue's choices.

As a soul master, especially one with immense talent, she should be striving to reach Level 100 and become a god as soon as possible—just like Bibi Dong herself.

Wasting time on romance?

Too foolish!

To Bibi Dong, emotions were the most unnecessary thing in the world.

Yes, she no longer cared about Yu Xiaogang.

That was one of the insights she had gained from her simulations.

However…

"What is that bastard Zhou Sheng'an up to? Why has he been so quiet?"

Bibi Dong flipped through the information related to Zhou Sheng'an.

Right now, if there was any man she paid the most attention to, it was probably him.

When she saw that Zhou Sheng'an had simply sent another disciple out into the world, Bibi Dong let out a cold laugh.

"I can stir up chaos at will, turning the world upside down. And yet, a mere weak scholar like you thinks he can change it? How laughable!"

Bibi Dong tilted her chin up. Feeling tired from her cultivation, she decided it was the perfect time to enter a simulation to pass the time.

…

[Ji Xiang, carrying Qian Renxue's token, met with the Prime Minister of the Heaven Dou Empire. After explaining the situation, the Prime Minister sneered disdainfully. "A mere fledgling dares to speak of governing a nation?"]

[Ji Xiang revealed his teacher's background and shared his insights. The Prime Minister's expression gradually grew serious, and he agreed to introduce Ji Xiang into the imperial court.]

[Ji Xiang entered politics as a minister, causing a stir within the government.]

[Ji Xiang proposed the 'Green Sprout Law,' using the empire's endorsement to encourage landlords and nobles to contribute funds for low-interest agricultural loans to help commoners cultivate rice fields. These fields would be tax-exempt.]

[Nobles eagerly took advantage of this policy, using tenant farmers to fraudulently claim benefits, reducing their own tax burden.]

[The Heaven Dou Empire's treasury only needed to invest a small sum, yet agricultural development flourished.]

[Ji Xiang, as head of the Ministry of Revenue, established a special department to track the lending records of the Green Sprout Law across the empire.]

[Ji Xiang's frequent policy recommendations swiftly stabilized the internal turmoil of the Heaven Dou Empire. With food to grow and the means to survive, the common people naturally stopped rebelling and risking their lives.]

[Three years later.]

[Due to their manipulation of the Green Sprout Law, landlords and nobles grew wealthier. Though most commoners became tenant farmers, they at least had enough to eat thanks to the law, bringing overall stability to the empire.]

[Ji Xiang issued new decrees, emphasizing ancient laws to eliminate all forms of slave trade, including disguised tenant farming. Nobles lost the right to dispose of tenant farmers.]

[Ji Xiang mobilized his special department within the Ministry of Revenue to review three years' worth of records and launched a land reform campaign.]

[Nobles who had partitioned their lands among tenant farmers to exploit the Green Sprout Law were now confronted with the empire using those very records as evidence to forcibly redistribute land, sparking noble discontent.]

[Ji Xiang responded with an iron fist, earning overwhelming public support. The reform succeeded.]

[Commoners regained ownership of farmland.]

[Over the course of three years, Ji Xiang's governance earned him the admiration of the imperial court. The Prime Minister willingly stepped down, and Ji Xiang became the new Prime Minister of the Heaven Dou Empire.]

[On October 23, 2028, in the Douluo Calendar, the Heaven Dou Empire prospered. The people lived in peace and abundance. Ji Xiang was revered as a living embodiment of justice, a father to the people.]