Chapter 2035: A Peculiar System

"He's the emperor, after all—who else would take charge if not him?"

"The Mu Emperor will appoint a trusted senior minister as 'Grand Regent,' who will oversee all major and minor affairs of the state."

Jingzi said strangely: "How is that different from the Chancellor of Bekka?"

"It's different. Bekka's Chancellor is constrained by many factors, so his power isn't that great—and that's intentional on Lingxu City's part." He Lingchuan explained the differences: "Mu State's Grand Regent is practically an incarnation of the Mu Emperor; whatever the emperor needs to manage, the Regent can almost always handle."

"With the Grand Regent managing affairs, the Mu Emperor can sit on the high throne and hold court. Fang Chanran once said the Mu Emperor can go as long as two months without speaking a word in court."

Jingzi was dissatisfied: "That lazy? Then what does he even do himself?"

"Didn't I say? Under normal circumstances, he's holding court, and there are also small meetings." He Lingchuan pointed to his own temple: "You should know, all major decisions are made in these small circles—so-called state affairs, the real decision-makers are just a handful of people. The Mu Emperor only needs to speak up in the small meeting. The grand court assembly of civil and military officials, with so many voices, often can't reach a conclusion, so it mainly serves to hear advice and convey spirit—it rarely makes a final decision—even if it does, it's just going through the motions."

Jingzi listened, half-understanding: "So, the real decision-making power still lies with the Mu Emperor?"

"Of course, the Grand Regent merely acts in his stead." He Lingchuan also found it interesting: "Even so, the Grand Regent can still be said to wield power that overwhelms court and countryside."

"As for why this regent system was adopted, the Mu Emperor outwardly claims it's because he also needs to cultivate daily and doesn't have that much time for governance."

So that's why he found a proxy?

Jingzi said strangely: "Isn't he afraid of being overthrown or sidelined?"

"He dares to do this precisely because he isn't afraid." This also shows the Mu Emperor's tremendous self-confidence: "What's more interesting is, although the Grand Regent can propose new policies and push for reform, he serves a fixed term—every three years, one term."

"And after three years?"

"He's replaced."

"Huh?!" Jingzi exclaimed in surprise: "They just swap him out like that?"

"Whether Bekka, Yu State, or Ya State, in most past countries, officials served for life—as long as they didn't commit major faults or come under investigation, they could usually serve until retirement and then return home. No one heard of officials being replaced every three years."

"Who would be willing to serve if it's only three years and then it's over?"

"You've got it wrong." He Lingchuan shook his head: "The Mu Emperor's selection of the Grand Regent is called 'Dianfu,' and it's accompanied by a grand ceremony to announce it to the world. But the Grand Regent isn't some random nobody who just appears—he's usually selected from the ranks of the auxiliary secretariat as a core member."

"The auxiliary secretariat exists to advise the Mu Emperor, and can also be called his think tank; its members also hold official ranks. So, to become Grand Regent, one must either be exceptionally talented and catch the Mu Emperor's eye, or be a pillar of the state, a trusted minister in his inner circle." He gave a rough analogy: "Do you still remember Zhong Sunmou?"

"Oh, that fish-man."

Actually, he was a shark-person. Back when He Lingchuan and Fu Shanyue entered the border of the Twilight Plains, Zhong Sunmou came to frame Fu Shanyue. Later, he was swallowed whole by a snail-toad.

Because of this, Fu Shanyue later ran to the Yangshan Islands to mooch food and lodging, and he often called Dong Rui brother.

"Zhong Sunmou was originally an official; at that time, he was temporarily given the title of Inspector and sent to various prefectures and counties to oversee officials and investigate discipline. When the mission ended, that title was naturally withdrawn." He Lingchuan said: "The Grand Regent's position is much the same."

"So, the one who makes the final decision is still the Mu Emperor?"

"Usually, the Grand Regent comes up with ideas, but when it comes to major state affairs, he cannot bypass the Mu Emperor to act on his own." He Lingchuan laughed: "If the Mu Emperor is dissatisfied with the Grand Regent, he might replace him early. This happened seven years ago; if he's very satisfied, he might even let him serve another two or three years."

Jingzi hissed: "Why does the Mu Emperor go through all this trouble? Isn't constant replacement unstable?"

"Constant change brings constant renewal. Perhaps it also relates to the Mu Emperor's personnel policy." He Lingchuan also felt something: "Compared to Bekka's corrupt and outdated officialdom, Mu State's officialdom is much livelier."

The new system inevitably brings a new ecosystem.

"Mu State dares to do this primarily because the Mu Emperor possesses absolutely overwhelming control over the court." Control the court.

He Lingchuan thought for a moment, then smiled: "For the Mu Emperor, this probably isn't even difficult."

At this moment, a guard came to report: "The household troops of General Nanyong request an audience!"

After the Nanyong family pledged allegiance to the Dragon God, Nanyong He was granted the title of General, but today, when the Dragon God mustered troops, he was absent, because a monster suddenly appeared in Nanyong territory, and Nanyong He's young son, Nanyong Qing, led men to capture it—only to be killed instead!

Upon hearing the news, Nanyong He was overcome with grief and resolved to capture the monster.

Burning with vengeance, He Lingchuan naturally did not refuse.

"Hmm, let him in."

After a dozen breaths, the Nanyong household troops stood before him, paying respectful homage.

He Lingchuan asked him: "Has your lord captured the monster?"

The Nanyong household troops replied solemnly: "Reporting to the Great Emperor, not yet."

He Lingchuan raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised. Nanyong He, who leads troops in battle and is skilled at controlling his territory—how could he fail to catch a mere monster?

"There are two monsters in total, now fled to Luofeng Pond, but the terrain there is unfavorable for capture." The Nanyong household troops said: "My lord sent me to report to the Great Emperor: this kind of monster, when fleeing, still communicates and coordinates killings, but it doesn't speak human language. Our late mistress deeply believed in Miaozhantian, once went to the temple to recite prayers, and the monster's speech sounds similar to that language—namely… the divine tongue. But none of us can understand what they're saying."

He Lingchuan's eyes narrowed slightly: "What kind of monster?"

The Nanyong household troops gestured at their own temple: "About this tall, walks upright, resembles a human somewhat, but the skin is gray-white, as if you can see the blood vessels underneath, and there's a tail behind. Its eyes are somewhat like cat pupils, contracting into a slit under strong light."

He Lingchuan stroked his chin.

"A monster that speaks the heavenly demon tongue? Then it's not just a simple demon puppet." He felt a bit interested.

"This creature injures people severely and can also emit red light to harm people—even armies can't subdue it. The general used his ancestral artifact, but they're too agile, and the terrain of Luofeng Pond is unfavorable, so the general also… also failed to pin them down."

"It speaks the heavenly demon tongue? Emits red light?" He Lingchuan set down his documents: "What kind of red light?"

"Like water ripples, but anyone struck by it quickly loses consciousness and collapses, unable to rise."

Upon hearing this, the Soul-Capturing Mirror exclaimed: "The county guard of Gaobu, Zhao Qing, suddenly died violently—no wounds on his body, but red water ripples appeared on the walls of his residence!"

The Nanyong household troops said respectfully: "These two monsters are suspicious—perhaps the Great Emperor will take interest, so my lord ordered me to come and report."

(End of Chapter)