[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-2":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364271,4623,"Chapter 2: Hou Fu Night Banquet","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>“Nephew greets Uncle and Aunt…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In feudal dynasties, etiquette was paramount; a breach could invite ridicule for lack of upbringing or even cost one’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any behavior exceeding the norms of the age was irresponsible toward oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We are family—no need for such formalities!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, your uncle has spoken of you often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five years have passed in the blink of an eye; Mu’er has grown into a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your several cousins are all at Tonghe Academy; they won’t return until month’s end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two are your female cousins—what are you standing there for? Come, greet your kinship elder brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had the Lady of Hou Fu finished speaking than two girls stepped forward, bowing in unison:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Elder Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder cousin was seven, shy and blushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger cousin was only four, her eyes darting constantly, her face brimming with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, dear cousins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief pleasantries, the banquet began at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feudal rites permeated every detail: the entire table of dishes was served only to Li Mu and the Marquis of Zhenyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women dined separately in the back courtyard, at another table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu’er, what is your view of the court’s current situation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Marquis of Zhenyuan spoke, Li Mu knew the examination had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In court, one need not be capable—but political insight must never falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer the political ally, the more vital mutual understanding becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single incompetent ally can do more damage than a thousand enemy soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court’s factions are intricately entangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pure Stream and the Eunuch Faction are locked in bitter struggle; the Conservatives and Reformers are utterly opposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them lie regional factions: the Zhe Party, Chu Party, Jin Party, Qin Party, Lu Party, Hui Party, Liaodong Faction…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every high official bears multiple labels; their political stance shifts constantly, making accurate positioning nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your nephew is far away in Hanzhong—I simply cannot untangle the court’s factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the main conflict remains between civil officials and eunuchs; our military have long been marginalized and rarely join these struggles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu replied frankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation in Great Yu was as complex as the late Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An official’s factional affiliation was often not a matter of choice, but determined by birth and location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To hold such understanding shows you’ve truly matured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital’s situation is even more complex than you perceive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor wishes to accomplish too much at once; the court cannot keep pace, hence the current chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his intentions are good—only his youth and impetuosity make him act too hastily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis of Zhenyuan’s words startled Li Mu; though seemingly defending Emperor Tianyuan, his tone brimmed with deep resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Great Yu did not punish speech alone, openly criticizing the Emperor would still bring serious trouble if word spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To voice this openly, beyond the influence of alcohol, must mean his grievances had reached their limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Emperor Tianyuan’s actions since ascending the throne, Li Mu instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since taking power, the Emperor had rushed to announce reforms, issuing a series of policies:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reduction of Redundant Officials,” “Reform of the Imperial Clan System,” “Mining Tax Levy,” “Reorganization of the Capital Garrison”…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Individually, each reform carried great significance for Great Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As nobles deeply entwined with the court, they least wished to see the state decline and generally supported most reforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan had once been a core force among the reformers—until last year, when the Emperor ordered the “Reorganization of the Capital Garrison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Li Mu was still in Hanzhong observing mourning; he knew little of the details, but the outcome was a crushing blow to the noble clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Emperor’s will, the Capital Garrison, centered on the Twelve Regiments, was reduced by thirty percent; elite troops were drawn from the Capital Garrison and border armies to form the Five Armies Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military reorganization itself was not the core issue—the key conflict lay in personnel appointments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior officers of the Five Armies Garrison were mostly promoted from border regions; noble descendants held only marginal posts, nearly excluded from the center of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after the Emperor offered consolation, this act of distrust left the nobles heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the rift between Emperor and nobles, the civil official faction naturally seized the opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vast resources flowed toward the Five Armies Garrison; the already weak noble faction’s influence in court further diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their core interests damaged, even the nobles who had once staunchly supported the Emperor now shifted subtly in stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, rest assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I came to the capital solely to assume my post; all other matters are none of my concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from awaiting official appointment, I shall remain within the mansion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu declared at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not touch such sensitive topics involving the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the noble faction’s representatives in court, the Marquis of Zhenyuan could vent over wine—but Li Mu, a mere junior, could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You understand the stakes—that’s enough; no need to stay cooped up in the mansion every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must still visit relatives and old friends, maintain those ties, or they will fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for your native faction, visit selectively based on circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You are not yet an official; these normal social exchanges require no excessive caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your post as Commander of Hanzhong Garrison is a solid start, but its growth is too limited—you’ll struggle to advance further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a few days, I’ll arrange for you to meet key power-brokers among the nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Battalion Commander posts in the Five City Military Command are vacant; the Emperor intends to open the selection publicly. I plan to recommend you—try for it, then be posted out after a few years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan smiled warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he was pleased with Li Mu’s response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, won’t this be too much trouble for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu said, looking troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Hanzhong, as Garrison Commander, he was a top figure—everyone gave him respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the capital, things changed: in this world of nobles everywhere, he was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone wants to climb higher—but one must consider reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, he had been a 996 office drone, with extremely limited understanding of politics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from outside, one might analyze advantages and discern truths—but once inside the system, it became far less certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the Hou Fu’s political resources behind him, a nephew was not a son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offering one opportunity was acceptable; expecting long-term political patronage would be naive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hou Fu lineage had multiplied into countless branches; alone in the capital, there were eight family lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remote nephews like Li Mu numbered dozens—there was no way to support them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know your concerns—don’t worry too much; just follow my plan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital is not like the provinces; though the situation here is complex, the platform is vast, and opportunities abound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty years of effort in the provinces equals no more than five years in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if your official rank remains unchanged upon posting out, the connections you make here will benefit you for life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his uncle was serious, Li Mu abandoned his desire to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it seemed like a demotion, capital officials were always more prestigious than provincial ones, and actual posts were scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an opportunity, if offered elsewhere, would be fought over desperately; to refuse now would be ungrateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young sapling just sprouted—please give it care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1241,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","988344826d0459334f94eca3d1183935e7a6de672bc9ec57e936b35c29ce797d","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-3","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-1",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]