Chapter 154: with translation of chapter title

line: "When Guo Wei led his vast army into Kaifeng, the city that had been gripped by fear after the slaughter at Chongyuan Hall did not suffer another massacre." No Chinese.

"Named entities: Guo Wei, Kaifeng, Chongyuan Hall. Also, the large army is not a name, and the capital city is generic." No Chinese.

"Unlike the young and vigorous Liu Chengyou, Guo Wei, hardened by battlefield and court struggles, knew well that winning the people's hearts means winning the realm." No Chinese.

"Named: Liu Chengyou, Guo Wei." No Chinese.

"He reined his horse, dismounted at the city gate still wearing his armor, without a trace of a conqueror's arrogance, merely nodding to the officials and civilians who came to greet him. His first priority was not to rush to sit upon the exalted dragon throne, but to calm the restless hearts of the people unsettled by the shift in power." No Chinese.

"Named: none new besides Guo Wei implied. The dragon throne is generic." No Chinese.

"First on the agenda was dealing with the aftermath of the Later Han hidden emperor Liu Chengyou. Although Liu Chengyou,

The Chinese title meaning "Later Han Hidden Emperor" is a historical title; per guidelines for official or sect ranks/titles, it should be included as a named entity and translated as "Later Han Hidden Emperor".

He personally ordered the recovery of Liu Chengyou's body from the chaotic palace grounds and its proper preparation. A few days later, a solemn funeral was held outside the city, where Guo Wei buried Liu Chengyou with imperial rites; on the day of the procession, dressed in plain clothing, he personally helped carry the young emperor's coffin.

Named: Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou. The term "emperor's rites" is generic.

The coffin proceeded slowly, with Guo Wei at the front, tall and solemn. Bystanders along the way remarked, "General Guo displays such loyalty and righteousness; he seems more like a ruler than the foolish hidden emperor." The original fear of his army's entry into the city gradually faded as this loyal subject's demeanor eased tensions, and the city's uneasy atmosphere relaxed considerably.

Named: Guo Wei (General Guo). The term "hidden emperor" refers to Liu Chengyou again. "Loyal subject" is generic.

Next, Guo Wei turned his focus to Su Fengji, Li Ye, and others who had incited Liu Chengyou to slaughter innocents, branding them treacherous ministers.

Named: Guo Wei, Su Fengji, Li Ye, Liu Chengyou.

These men had previously played to Liu Chengyou's suspicions, orchestrating the massacre at Chongyuan Hall, and had long provoked widespread resentment from court and populace. Guo Wei acted swiftly and decisively, ordering their arrest, then publicly listing their crimes in court before executing them according to law.

Named: Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou, Chongyuan Hall. Also, the term "court" is generic.

What further pleased the people was that Guo Wei confiscated the estates seized by Su Fengji, Li Ye, and others, distributing part of the wealth to the impoverished residents of Kaifeng and awarding the rest to the families of soldiers who died resisting the Khitan and quelling internal rebellions.

Named: Guo Wei, Su Fengji, Li Ye, Kaifeng, Khitan. Also, the term "soldiers' families" is generic.

As vehicles loaded with grain, cloth, and money moved through the streets, as the starving and cold received relief supplies, and as the bereaved families of fallen soldiers clutched compensation money in tears, Guo Wei's name was etched indelibly into the hearts of Kaifeng's people.

Named: Guo Wei, Kaifeng.

From officials and nobles down to ordinary townspeople, everyone admired this general who wielded great power yet cared for the people; some even whispered in private, hoping Guo Wei would soon assume control of the government and bring peace to the realm.

Named: Guo Wei.

Although the people's hearts were settled, Guo Wei did not immediately reveal his intention to ascend the throne. He knew that even with popular support, without a legitimate pretext, hastily declaring himself emperor would still invite accusations of usurpation. Thus, the episode that would leave a vivid mark in Chinese history—the Yellow Robe Investiture—quietly began.

Named: Guo Wei. Also, the term "Yellow Robe Investiture" should be treated as a named historical event. Also, the phrase "in Chinese history" is generic.

Soon after, an urgent report arrived from the frontier that the Khitan were again invading southward. Guo Wei seized the opportunity, leading his army on a pretense of marching north to repel the enemy.

Named: Guo Wei, Khitan. Also, the term "frontier" is generic.

When the troops reached Chan Prefecture as evening fell, they set up camp. Late at night, a noisy commotion outside the tents stirred Guo Wei from his rest; he saw a group of armored soldiers escorting several officers, who bore a bright yellow dragon robe, burst into his quarters.

Named: Guo Wei, Chan Prefecture. Also, the term "dragon robe" is generic.

The leading officer fell to his knees with a thud and proclaimed loudly, "Our lord has passed, the court is without a master, and all the people hope the general will ascend the throne! We soldiers wish to support the general as emperor; if you refuse, we will remain kneeling!"

Named: Guo Wei (the general). Also, the term "our lord" is generic.

As his words fell, the soldiers outside the tents responded in unison, shouting "Long live!" with a deafening roar that echoed throughout the camp. Guo Wei feigned astonishment, quickly rose to assist the leading officer, and said, "Generals, what is this? I, Guo Wei, have received great favor from the Han; how could I commit such treason?"

Named: Guo Wei.

Yet the soldiers refused to rise, some even draping the dragon robe directly over Guo Wei's shoulders. The bright yellow robe settled upon him, heavy with significance, and Guo Wei struggled for a long time; seeing the soldiers' resolute attitude, his eyes gradually showed a look of resignation.

Named: Guo Wei.

Finally he sighed deeply: "Enough! Since both the soldiers and the people place such trust in me, I can no longer refuse; I must ascend the throne and then govern the realm wholeheartedly to repay the people's hopes."

Named: Guo Wei.

Cheers erupted instantly inside the tent, as soldiers bowed and shouted, "Long live our emperor, ten thousand times ten thousand!" The next day, Guo Wei led his army back toward Kaifeng in grand procession. Along the route, upon hearing that Guo Wei had been "forced" to take the throne, the people burned incense to welcome him, and the roads filled with cheering crowds.

Named: Guo Wei, Kaifeng.

Upon returning to Kaifeng, Guo Wei formally ascended the throne amid the acclamation of officials, establishing the state name "Zhou," historically known as the Later Zhou. At the enthronement ceremony, wearing the dragon robe, he stood beside the dragon throne in Chongyuan Hall, gazing down at the kneeling officials and the cheering crowds outside, his eyes firm and full of expectation.

Named: Guo Wei, Kaifeng, Zhou as the state name, Later Zhou. Also Chongyuan Hall. Also, the term "dragon throne" is generic.

He knew he was taking over a nation scarred by war and turmoil, and that a new era was beginning to unfold from this moment.

Named: Guo Wei.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiu sat on his newly purchased Visonnaire leather sofa, quietly watching everything through the game screen.

Named: Wang Xiu. Also, the term "game screen" is generic.

All of this remained exactly as he remembered from history; the Wang family's growth did not alter the course of history, which was precisely the outcome he sought to avoid.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Family.

Since his consciousness returned from the body of the family patriarch Wang Po, he has not continued to play the game, using spiritual possession to control his ancestors.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Po, Head of Family. Also, the term "ancestors" is generic.

One reason is that the passing of so many generations of ancestors has left him with an inexplicable fatigue and sorrow. He feels as if he has truly lived through many years of life alongside each generation of the Wang family heads, which has strained his spirit, and he also needs to relax his mind and body.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Family, Head of Family.

On the other hand, he realized that his ancestors no longer needed his control—at least not for now—and that the Wang family had become resilient, not something that could be destroyed by a minor setback.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Family.

Moreover, over the years he had already set the Wang family's development program, calibrating its future direction. Whether it was Wang Zhen or Wang Meng, they would steadfastly follow the path he had laid out.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Family, Wang Zhen, Wang Meng. Also, the term "development program" is generic.

He now resembles more of an observer with a god's-eye view.

Named: Wang Xiu.

Watching the family he himself built, how it stirs the world in this age of tumultuous change.

Named: Wang Xiu, Wang Family.

He also gazes upon the beloved Chinese land, which after nearly a century of war and darkness finally welcomes a glimmer of dawn.

Named: Wang Xiu. Also, the term "Chinese land" is generic.

Guo Wei, the founding ruler of the Later Zhou, truly did not disappoint Wang Xiu's expectation.

Named: Guo Wei, Later Zhou, Wang Xiu.

After ascending the throne, he immediately displayed the talent and vision of a wise ruler.

Named: Guo Wei.

He understood that since the Five Dynasties, the root of the realm's chaos lay in regional warlords and military interference in politics, while the people suffered under excessive taxes and incessant warfare.

Named: Guo Wei.

Consequently, he carried out a series of sweeping reforms.

Named: Guo Wei.

First, it was the policy of light corvée and low taxes.

Named: Guo Wei? Actually it's a policy name. Should we include? It's a named reform: "Light Corvée and Tax". Might be considered a named term. But guidelines: official & sect ranks/titles, techniques, cultivation realms/pills/treasures, named beasts/items, fan-fiction names. Policy names maybe not included unless they are specific named terms like "Light Corvée and Tax" is a phrase. Probably not include as it's generic.

He ordered the abolition of the dozens of miscellaneous taxes from the Later Han period, retaining only the basic land rent and commercial tax.

Named: Guo Wei, Later Han. Also, the term "land rent" is generic.

Wang Xiu could even choose to view these reforms from a commoner's perspective, though he could not participate in them.

Named: Wang Xiu.

On a cold winter day, in the fields outside Kaifeng.

Named: Kaifeng.

A farmer named Old Zhang was working in the fields with his son.

Named: Old Zhang.

A tax official in Later Zhou uniform, accompanied by two bailiffs, approached.

Named: Later Zhou official. Also, the terms "tax official" and "bailiff" are generic.

Old Zhang's face visibly darkened; he quickly set down his hoe and greeted the official with a smile. "Sir, you… you've come. Didn't we just pay this month's tax?"

Named: Old Zhang. Also, the term "sir" is generic.

That tax official, however, broke with his usual demeanor, wearing a kindly smile.

Named: tax official generic.

"Don't worry, fellow villager," he said, producing from his pocket an edict stamped with an official seal: "By imperial decree, effective this year, aside from the regular tax, all miscellaneous taxes are abolished! What you previously paid will be converted into grain and returned to you!"

Named: Your Majesty, Imperial Edict. Also, the term "official seal" is generic.

"What… what?" Old Zhang could not believe his ears.

Named: Lao Zhang.

He took the notice and had his son, who had attended a few days of private school, read it aloud to him.

Named: Lao Zhang, his son (unspecified).

When he heard that the oppressive taxes—the ox head tax, the land tax, the bridge tax—had all been abolished…

Named: possibly the tax names Ox Head Tax, Landing Tax, Bridge Tax. Are these considered named entities? They are specific taxes; they could be treated as named entities. However, according to guidelines, we should exclude common words/objects and generic forms of address (not ranks). Tax names might be considered specific named terms, but they are not proper nouns; they are descriptive. I would lean to exclude them as they are not proper nouns. But the instruction says to include named beasts/items; taxes are not beasts/items, so I would exclude them.

This weathered peasant could hold back no longer.

Named: Lao Zhang.

With a thud, he fell to his knees, facing Kaifeng, and knocked his head three times on the ground.

Named: Lao Zhang, Kaifeng.

"Your Majesty… you are truly a living bodhisattva!" his voice choked with tears.

Named: Your Majesty. Also, the term "living bodhisattva" is generic.

Next, it was military reorganization.

Named: Guo Wei? Actually it's a policy. Probably exclude.

Guo Wei knew that the arrogant and domineering military of the Five Dynasties had become a cancer on the state.

Named: Guo Wei.

He ordered the selection of the finest troops from the national imperial guards to form the Palace Front Army, which he personally commanded.

Named: Guo Wei, Imperial Guards, Palace Front Army.

At the same time, he issued strict military discipline: forbidding soldiers from harassing civilians and officers from drawing pay without serving.

Named: Guo Wei.

In one camp, a corporal of the Palace Front Army was caught deducting his soldiers' rations to gamble; upon learning this, Guo Wei immediately had him beheaded before the entire troops as a warning.

Named: Palace Front Army, Corporal (Du Tou) as a rank. Also Guo Wei.

Thereafter, the Later Zhou military's discipline was completely renewed.

Named: Later Zhou.

Third, it was advocating frugality.

Named: Guo Wei? policy.

Guo Wei himself had risen from the ranks of ordinary soldiers, and he deeply understood the people's hardships.

Named: Guo Wei.

After ascending the throne, he continued to wear patched clothing and ate simple meals of four dishes and a soup.

Named: Guo Wei.

He ordered that all surplus palace maids be sent home, and that the valuable gold and silver vessels be melted down and cast into copper coins to develop the economy.

Named: Guo Wei.

He even had those gaudy, meaningless decorations on his dragon throne torn down.

His conduct set an example for all officials under heaven.

In a short time, the entire officialdom of Later Zhou was refreshed.

Light taxes and levies let the people rest and recuperate; reorganizing the military gave the state a solid military guarantee; advocating thrift quickly filled the court's finances.

In just a year or two, the whole of Later Zhou presented a scene of flourishing prosperity.

Many scholars and officials who had suffered the ravages of war came from all directions to seek refuge. They all believed that this commoner emperor was very likely the true Son of Heaven destined to end the chaos and re-establish a great unified dynasty.

However, a huge shadow constantly loomed over the head of this 'wise ruler'.

That is, he was already over fifty, yet he had no biological son.

Several of his sons were cruelly killed by Emperor Liu Chengyou of Later Han before the war of 'purging the ruler's side'.

This became the greatest worry in the hearts of all civil and military officials; if this continues, how can the state's foundation be passed on?

And this problem was quickly brought before the court.