Chapter 1041

Enduring the pain, she mobilized her Yuan force, letting it flow through her meridians; the Yuan force slammed into every acupoint, squeezing out the explosive lightning hidden within her meridians, bones, and blood, then drawing it back to her Upper Dantian wrapped in Yuan force.

She continuously drew out the lightning from her meridians and bones, and once a batch was tamed, the Yuan force would carry it out and press it back into her bones and blood.

From outside, blue-white flickers of sparse lightning occasionally flashed across Pan Yun's face, neck, and arms, only to be yanked back moments later, vanishing beneath her skin.

Pan Yun entered seclusion for three months.

The officials in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were fine—half were Daoist Priests by origin, and the other half, even if not Daoist Priests, were deeply familiar with the field, knowing astronomy, geography, Daoist arts, and mathematics inside out.

So they took it in stride, placing a bowl of rice in her room daily; when no one ate it, they took it back and boiled it into porridge for a late-night snack.

But the Emperor and ministers couldn't help but worry.

Why has the State Master been so silent after Tribulation Crossing?

Could he have been injured by the lightning but is too proud to admit it?

If not for Seeing Miao Zhen and the other three repeatedly assuring them it was nothing—just ordinary seclusion to consolidate cultivation—and if they themselves appeared utterly relaxed, spending their days learning at the Ministry of Works, the Imperial Medical Bureau, or leaving the palace to divine fortunes and heal the sick, fully occupied and carefree, with not a trace of concern visible—

So… no food or drink for three months?

Without food or drink for three months, Pan Yun felt as light as a swallow, as if she might fly away at any moment, completely forgetting she needed to eat.

So Pan Yun emerged from seclusion with an air of profound mystery.

The Emperor was delighted, waved his hand, and ordered a state banquet to celebrate Pan Yun.

Pan Yun had no interest in such empty formalities; she would surely have many more cultivation breakthroughs in the future, and if they held a state banquet for each one, how much would that waste?

Moreover, if those below saw the Emperor and her indulging in extravagance, they'd follow suit, and all the resulting consequences would be laid at her feet.

For example, her master's past calamities were caused by him, yet other chaotic events occurring simultaneously grew worse under the disaster's influence—and Heaven bundled all the karmic debts of those lives lost into his account.

As a result, Heaven came to despise him, his karmic debts piling higher and higher; this is a clear precedent, and she would not repeat her master's mistake.

She hated most of all being entangled in unnecessary karmic debts over meaningless things like eating, drinking, or entertainment.

So Pan Yun flatly refused, instead urging him to practice frugality, then asked how the promise made to celebrate her breakthrough had been carried out.

The Emperor replied that the list for nationwide amnesty had been finalized and issued last month; those pardoned should already have returned home, cleansed of their sins.

The funding for his new community schools had also been allocated; thirty-nine schools had already reported completion, with teachers ready, awaiting only the arrival of textbooks to begin classes.

Pan Yun was satisfied.

The Emperor added that the two Empresses had also promised to build workshops, which were under construction, but the textile academy they had opened was already complete and recruiting apprentices.

Pan Yun was even more satisfied, and offhandedly said: "Since the textile workshops aren't finished yet, why not give them more classes? Teach them literacy and arithmetic in addition to weaving and embroidery—no need for mastery, just enough to recognize a couple hundred commonly used characters and perform addition and subtraction within one hundred."

The ministers: …

Isn't that already too much, State Master? Do you realize what you're saying?

Two hundred commonly used characters and addition/subtraction within one hundred—that's the entire three-year curriculum goal of the community schools.

That means the female workers graduating from the textile academy would have at least the literacy level of three years of community school education, plus a self-sustaining craft.

Among the ministers, several officials' eyes flashed; someone was about to speak, but Yu Qian moved faster than anyone else, stepping forward with a bow to endorse Pan Yun's proposal: "This is an immeasurable virtue. The Empress Dowager sets an example for all women of the realm; Empress Wang is the most fitting to lead this."

Hu Ying stroked his beard and said: "This is the virtue of moral education, and it is precisely the Empress's duty. Excellent, excellent indeed."

The ministers followed suit, singing praises and unanimously endorsing the plan.

Even if one or two showed disapproval, they dared not speak against the overwhelming consensus.

See, doing good is just like doing evil—if enough people follow, the dissenters dare not speak up.

Over time, governance becomes clearer—just as when corrupt officials dominate the court, governance grows murkier over time.

Pan Yun scanned the hall, then eagerly asked Hu Cheng: "Minister Hu, how is the telegraph machine I designed coming along?"

Hu Cheng replied: "I distributed the design to capable military workshops across the realm; according to reports, one-third of the orders have been completed."

Pan Yun asked: "What about the materials I requested?"

"Following your blueprints, the Ministry of Works has studied day and night and has prepared everything."

Pan Yun nodded in satisfaction and told the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I shall now proceed to construct high-power telegraph signal reception stations. If you need me, use the old method—or use the telegraph."

Zhu Qiyu hurriedly asked: "So soon? State Master, you've just emerged from seclusion—won't you rest a bit longer?"

Pan Yun: "Didn't Senior Minister Yu just say there's unusual activity in the north?"

"Yes," Yu Qian's face turned grave. "Snow has fallen beyond the passes. Kuang Ye reports that veteran soldiers and herders alike say this will be a harsh winter. The Wala have as much experience as we do—they'll know it too."

"Yishi has just seized the throne; he must pacify his people. With a winter on the steppe, he will surely launch southward to raid. We must prepare defenses in the northwest, north, and even the northeast."

Pan Yun said: "I have not forgotten the humiliation of the former Emperor's personal campaign. Your Majesty has not forgotten either—so we must prepare early. High-power telegraph signal reception stations will ensure faster, more accurate transmission and reception of messages."

Zhu Qiyu understood and ceased his objections.

Not only that—he ordered the Ministry of Works to prioritize Pan Yun's demands and the Ministry of War's military preparations.

Coincidentally, the northern soldiers had been holding their breath for two years; sensing imminent war, the frontier troops began preparing themselves.

Yu Qian naturally wanted to avenge the past.

From last year to this year, military audits had purged corruption; morale had cleared. Soldiers across the realm, especially those on the frontier, had trained relentlessly—waiting for nothing but this day.

The gathering, nominally to celebrate Pan Yun but effectively a grand court assembly, ended; Yu Qian immediately rose and caught up with Pan Yun, leaving the Emperor no chance to speak privately with her.

Yu Qian wanted the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Sect's Dao cultivators to join the battle.

That year, Pan Yun's battlefield achievements were visible to all.

Pan Yun refused, but said: "The Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Sect may send personnel to flank the army, but they will only target supernatural beings—if the enemy uses no mystics, they will not intervene."

Yu Qian: "But last time, State Master was the first to strike…"

"And that's why I suffered retribution—I was forced into the world as State Master."

Yu Qian: …

The Emperor: …