Chapter 180: Not in Official Attire

The Empress always wore a fake smile, seeming not to care about these flattering words.

She merely nodded occasionally, going along with the officials' performance.

After all the officials had presented their birthday gifts, the Empress's gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on Jiang Xiaomu in the corner.

"Why isn't that official wearing his robes?"

The Empress's voice was clear and pleasant.

Everyone's eyes focused on Jiang Xiaomu, and Zhang Yu's face showed a gloating smile.

Jiang Xiaomu rose slowly and answered calmly.

"Your Majesty, I am not accustomed to wearing official robes."

"Oh? Not accustomed?" a flicker of curiosity crossed the Empress's eyes.

"May I ask how you should be addressed, sir?"

"I am Jiang Xiaomu."

"Jiang Xiaomu..." the Empress murmured the name softly, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Since you are not used to wearing robes, why have you appeared at my birthday banquet?"

Jiang Xiaomu clasped his hands, his composure unchanged.

"Your Majesty, I believe reverence lies in the heart, not in robes."

"Although I wear plain clothes, I hold full respect for Your Majesty."

The Empress gave a slight nod, her sharp eyes scrutinizing Jiang Xiaomu.

"What a fine disregard for official attire!"

"Then tell me, with wars raging and the people suffering, what good strategies do you have to govern this chaotic age?"

Jiang Xiaomu smiled faintly and spoke loudly:

"Your Majesty, to govern a chaotic age we must first heal hearts; now at court, corrupt officials run rampant, forming cliques for personal gain and exploiting the people."

"When the people resent, they naturally rise in revolt."

"Therefore, the urgent task is to purge the bureaucracy, revive court discipline, and give the people hope."

"Well said!" the Empress nodded approvingly.

"Then, in your view, how should we purge the bureaucracy?"

Jiang Xiaomu answered without hesitation.

"Kill! Those who are corrupt and break the law shall be killed without mercy!"

"Those who form cliques for personal gain shall have their nine clans exterminated!"

"Only by exterminating these vermin can we restore a bright and upright world!"

His words rang like metal striking stone, and the hall fell instantly silent.

The officials fell silent like cicadas in winter, lowering their heads, fearing Jiang Xiaomu might call out their names.

Zhang Yu was even more terrified, his face ashen, cold sweat dripping.

A flash of appreciation crossed the Empress's eyes; she loved decisive, ruthless people like this.

"Jiang Xiaomu, you're right, but this killing is too severe; it may harm the innocent."

Jiang Xiaomu smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty is wise; I am not a lover of killing, but in chaotic times harsh measures are needed."

"Once the world is at peace, we can naturally allow rest and recuperation, light taxes and levies, and let the people recuperate."

"Excellent—using harsh measures in chaotic times!" the Empress clapped and laughed loudly.

"Today I have met such talent; it is truly a blessing for Great Qian! Attendants, grant him a seat!"

The eunuch brought a chair; after thanking him, Jiang Xiaomu sat down.

He glanced around and saw that the officials' looks toward him had changed—there was awe, wariness, and... fear.

The Empress asked again: "After pacifying the wars, how should we govern the state and ensure peace?"

Jiang Xiaomu pondered briefly, then answered:

"Your Majesty, the way to govern a state lies in enriching the people."

"Now wars are frequent, the people are displaced, fields lie fallow, and all industries decline."

"If we want the nation to be strong, we must first make the people prosperous."

"Oh? How can we make the people prosperous?"

The Empress inquired with interest.

Jiang Xiaomu answered without hesitation:

"Light taxes and corvée, letting the people rest; reduce excessive levies and miscellaneous taxes so the people can farm in peace and develop production."

"Only when the people are wealthy can the nation follow suit and grow rich."

"Furthermore, we must encourage commerce, develop trade, and open up sources of revenue."

"At the same time, we must build waterworks, develop agriculture, and ensure abundant harvests."

"Only when the treasury is full can we support lasting peace and stability for the nation."

After listening, the Empress nodded repeatedly and praised:

"What Minister Jiang says is absolutely correct; I am greatly pleased. Though you are young, to have such insight is truly rare."

"Your Majesty overpraises me; I dare not accept such praise."

Jiang Xiaomu replied humbly.

"There's no need for such modesty, Minister," the Empress laughed.

"Attendants, serve wine!"

The eunuch immediately presented fine wine; Jiang Xiaomu raised his cup in thanks and drank it all in one gulp.

After the splendid birthday banquet in the main hall had dispersed, only leftover food and drink remained, along with the lingering scent of alcohol in the air.

The Empress sat upon the Phoenix Throne, rubbing her faintly aching forehead, yet her mind was filled entirely with the image of Jiang Xiaomu.

"Jiang Xiaomu..."

She softly repeated the name, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest, producing a rhythmic "duk-duk" sound.

"Though young, he possesses such insight—truly a prodigy."

The attendant eunuch chief Li Dehai, standing beside her, bowed and asked:

"Your Majesty, should I summon Jiang Xiaomu for an audience?"

The Empress shook her head.

"No rush. First investigate his background; I want to know everything about him."

"As you command."

Li Dehai received the order and departed.

Night fell over Jingcheng, and the streets, bustling all day, gradually grew quiet.

Jiang Xiaomu lay on the inn's hard bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Today's exchange at the banquet was like walking a tightrope—one misstep would bring utter ruin.

He repeatedly recalled every glance exchanged with the Empress, every sentence spoken, trying to gauge her thoughts.

"In chaotic times, employ strict laws, lighten taxes and corvée, and let the people rest…"

He murmured to himself; these words were not offhand, but his sincere reflections after deep consideration.

Having transmigrated to this war-torn era, he had personally witnessed the people's suffering, and long ago planted in his heart the seed to end the chaos.

"If this Empress is truly a wise ruler…"

Hope flickered in Jiang Xiaomu's eyes: "Perhaps ending this chaos is truly within reach."

Yet unease followed as well.

He clearly remembered the fearful expressions on the officials' faces when he uttered the word "kill".

Those people—who among them wasn't a seasoned official who had struggled through the bureaucracy for years?

What they feared was not only him, Jiang Xiaomu, but also the Empress behind him.

"Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger…"

Jiang Xiaomu sighed; in this unfamiliar environment, he must proceed step by step, securing each advance.

The next morning, Li Dehai brought his investigative findings to the Empress's bedchamber.

"Report to Your Majesty, Jiang Xiaomu, a native of Wangzhou."

"He currently serves as the Sixth-rank Lieutenant of Wangzhou City; his sister, Jiang Xiaoyu, depends on him for livelihood."

Li Dehai recounted Jiang Xiaomu's life story in detail, leaving nothing out.

"A Sixth-rank Lieutenant?" the Empress frowned slightly.

"Such talent, languishing in a small place like Wangzhou City—it's truly a waste."

"Your Majesty is sagely wise," Li Dehai echoed.

"In my humble opinion, this person is fit for great responsibility."

The Empress pondered for a moment, then said:

"Although he has talent for governance, I still need to further examine his loyalty and character."

"Issue my decree: appoint Jiang Xiaomu as an Imperial Guard Attendant to personally protect my safety."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Dehai quickly praised her.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Jiang Xiaomu felt a mixture of emotions.

The position of Imperial Guard Attendant seemed like a promotion, but in reality it was the Empress placing him under close watch—a test of his loyalty.