Chapter 131

On the celestial screen,

Merits were displayed one by one, especially those specific policies that benefited the people, causing the evaluation of this Liu E from various dynasties to rise step by step.

Great Qin.

"Stop auspicious projects, melt gold and silver to cast coins for circulation... Good!" Ying Zheng praised first.

He detested absurd things that wasted national strength and appreciated pragmatic actions.

Melting the money in the emperor's inner treasury to inject into the market required courage, and it directly benefited the people (stabilizing currency, increasing circulation).

Great Han.

"Dismiss treacherous ministers, recover deficits, establish the Futian Institute..."

Liu Che's eyes shone, "This is what governing a country should look like!"

"Rectifying officialdom, punishing corruption, providing relief to orphans and widows—every single one is a policy to consolidate the foundation. This Liu E has the talent of a capable minister!"

Great Tang.

"Before Bao Gong arrived, Liu E was there; the mice in the government treasury wore iron shoes..."

Li Shimin smiled, "This folk song is interesting, but it also tells of the effectiveness of her anti-corruption."

"It seems that during her reign, officialdom was cleared up. What is even more rare is that she confiscated the property of corrupt officials to use for poverty relief; this is benevolent governance."

Great Ming.

"Promote Chu paper, lower book prices; pay taxes in silk, benefiting weavers..."

Zhu Yuanzhang was also sensitive to economic livelihood.

"These are all good things that truly reduce the burden on the people and promote industry."

"Grain stored in Ever-Normal Granaries in various places is three times more... this shows that under her rule, the national treasury was full and the ability to resist disasters was enhanced. This empress knows how to manage a household!"

Three Kingdoms plane.

"Facing the urging to declare herself emperor, tearing up the portrait and throwing the hairpin, clearly indicating she would not declare herself emperor..."

Cao Cao sighed, "This woman's firmness of mind and accuracy in judging the situation are admirable."

"She knew the price of declaring herself emperor, and even more, she knew the benefits of returning power; this clarity is more precious than talent."

"Perfecting the system of holding court behind the curtain..." Liu Bei pondered,

"Not declaring herself emperor, but also not completely letting go of power, instead establishing a set of standardized procedures—this both ensures the smooth transition of imperial power and leaves a precedent for later generations to follow. This move is responsible to the country and the successor."

Zhuge Liang nodded: "Her governing achievements can be called setting things right and allowing the people to rest. Her intentions can be called loyal to the country and not coveting empty fame."

"Having talent, virtue, measure, and restraint—this is a true virtuous empress. Ninth place, well-deserved."

Northern Song, during the reign of Song Zhenzong.

Zhao Heng looked at Liu E's future merits on the celestial screen, especially "stopping the Heavenly Book Sacrifices," "dismissing Ding Wei," etc., and felt a bit embarrassed, but more surprised and gratified.

Surprised that Liu E actually had such talent and courage, and gratified that she could stabilize the court situation after he was gone and benefit the people.

He looked at the young and gentle Liu E beside him, his eyes complex, with affection and also a trace of reliance.

Liu E herself felt even more turbulent.

She was born in humble circumstances and experienced many hardships before reaching the side of the monarch; she never thought that she would have such achievements in the future, could make the Virtuous Empress List on the celestial screen, and be watched by ten thousand dynasties.

Those specific governing achievements sounded so distant yet so real, making her feel both the heavy responsibility and a hidden sense of heroism.

Perhaps, she really could...

And the ministers in the court, such as Kou Zhun, Wang Dan, etc., also had their gazes toward Liu E changed.

Before, they might have only thought of her as a favored concubine; now it seemed this woman was a pillar who could support the country in the future?

Many people began to re-evaluate in their hearts.

【Summary: Her most rare clarity was taking the initiative to step back when she was only one step away from being a female emperor.】

【On the day the pearl curtain of the Yuchen Hall finally fell, the Censorate discovered that the last memorial she had approved was a request to reduce taxes for three years for the water-stricken prefectures and counties in Hebei—that was the very land she had walked through when she fled from famine in her youth.】

The final summary was full of human touch and a sense of destiny. Taking the initiative to step back was political wisdom;

Keeping her hometown in mind and reducing taxes was benevolent virtue without forgetting one's roots.

A female image who was born in humble circumstances, experienced hardships, finally ascended to the peak of power but remained clear-headed and kept the people in her heart, leaped onto the celestial screen, making people sigh with emotion.

Great Ming.

"Not forgetting one's roots, keeping the people in one's heart... good."

Zhu Yuanzhang slapped his thigh heavily,

"This Liu E, I like her! She is an empress who came from our common people and knows the suffering of the common people!"

"Just for the fact that she was still thinking about reducing taxes for her hometown at the end, I recognize this name of virtuous empress!"

Empress Ma was also moved and said: "She is indeed a good woman with affection, righteousness, and a good beginning and end."

Li Shimin praised: "Not forgetting the time of poverty when wealthy, still thinking of the feelings for one's hometown when successful. This is true character and also great benevolent virtue. This Liu E is respectable and admirable."

Liu Che said to Wei Zifu: "Zifu, look, a virtuous empress lies not only in assisting the monarch and stabilizing the harem, but more importantly in her benevolent heart, being able to seek welfare for the people of the world. This Liu E can serve as a mirror."

Wei Zifu nodded obediently: "Your servant will keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind."

【The Heavenly Dao Gold List hereby bestows the following rewards:

Three years of extended lifespan, and the ability to watch the prelude to the "Qingli Governance" in the early years of Renzong's personal rule;

Thirty thousand plough oxen;

Five years of favorable weather in the Great Song territory.】

"Three years of extended lifespan, and the ability to watch the prelude to the prosperous age... thirty thousand plough oxen, five years of favorable weather..."

These rewards were also generous and thoughtful.

The extended lifespan allowed her to see the prosperous age started by Renzong, whom she had helped raise, and the plough oxen and favorable weather were a direct feedback to her benevolent governing achievements, which would continue to benefit the people of the Great Song.

"Qingli Governance..."

Zhao Kuangyin chewed on this term, his eyes revealing anticipation.

It seemed that after him, the Great Song still produced some capable monarchs and virtuous empresses who created a governed age.

This made his spirit, which had been depressed because of the incompetent ruler list, much more relaxed.

(In the scroll, she, in her twilight years, tremblingly tied the jade belt of the imperial robe for the twelve-year-old Renzong, whispering instructions:

"If any minister urges you to perform the Fengshan sacrifices... you must remember that your father fell ill once on the top of Mount Tai.")

(Outside the hall, the new successful candidates were entering the court one after another, completely unaware that they were about to encounter a golden age belonging to civil officials.)

This final scene was full of the warmth of power transfer and expectations for the future.

A piece of advice about the Fengshan sacrifices contained memories of her late husband and care and reminders for the young emperor, and was even more a warning against wasting national strength.

And the new successful candidates entering the court one after another symbolized the opening of an era of civil governance.

"Not forgetting to remind the emperor not to follow in his father's footsteps... painstaking efforts."

Li Shimin sighed, "This Liu E is not only a virtuous empress, but also a kind mother and a good teacher. Having her is Renzong's blessing and also the Great Song's fortune."

"A golden age of civil officials..." Cao Cao's eyes flickered, as if he had some feelings.

After finishing the inventory of Liu E, the celestial screen's golden light flowed, as if signaling the revelation of the next virtuous empress.

People of all dynasties, whether emperors, generals, concubines, or ordinary people, were even more looking forward to the subsequent inventory.

This Virtuous Empress List seemed to make people feel more surging and full of hope than the Incompetent Ruler List.

I wonder which virtuous woman who left her name in history will reveal her peerless style and achievements before these ten thousand dynasties next?