Chapter 937

Pan Yun brought fifty skewers of wrapped lamb into the palace.

The Emperor and Empress were still buried in their work.

Each occupied a corner of the hall, handling documents separately—one surrounded by eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the other by palace maids—clearly divided yet sharing the same space, the atmosphere harmonious and mutually compatible.

Pan Yun, who had come searching for them, hadn't expected them to be working together on state affairs, so she froze for a long moment.

The eunuch stationed outside rushed into the hall, joyfully reporting: "Your Majesty, the State Preceptor has returned and is requesting an audience at the gate."

Not only Zhu Qiyu, but also Empress Wang snapped their heads up.

The Emperor hurriedly said: "Quickly, let him in."

Pan Yun entered with the lamb skewers; the Emperor and Empress both rose, smiling warmly at her: "The State Preceptor has returned—"

The reason they were working together in one place, come to think of it, was because of Pan Yun.

Since acquiring the Huang Fu Books, the Emperor and Empress could communicate with Pan Yun in real time; though they had never traveled themselves, hearing her descriptions made them feel as if they were there.

Pan Yun's covert inspections were like their own covert inspections.

Thus, though they greatly needed Pan Yun, they never pressured her to return, only staying in touch through the Huang Fu Books; over three months, Pan Yun had the Embroidered Uniform Guard deliver three Huang Fu Books to them.

Fortunately, her Qi was sufficient and her charm-drawing speed fast enough, or she wouldn't have been able to make enough.

Remember, a Huang Fu Book must come in a matched pair—only when the codes align can communication occur.

So, when she had the Embroidered Uniform Guard deliver three books, it meant she had to draw six.

It was truly not easy at all.

During this time, Pan Yun endlessly missed her phone and computer—devices that could connect instantly.

Actually, it wasn't impossible to make them; Pan Yun's gaze flickered slightly. In her past life, after the spiritual energy revival, most base stations were destroyed; city dwellers relied on internal networks, while those beyond cities used base-station-free satellite networks—but once venturing into secret places, ascending to heaven or descending into earth, signals became unstable, so magical devices for phones naturally emerged.

Magical phones transmitted information primarily through air, mountains, rivers, and marshes; magical arrays decoded the information into different wavebands, which then propagated through air, mountains, rivers, and marshes; when another phone captured the signal, it decoded it back into text, images, and voice.

But such magical devices were rarely used, because their information richness fell far short of satellite transmission.

They were only used in other dimensions or places where satellite signals couldn't reach.

In her past life, Pan Yun had kept one, carrying it only when going on cultivation expeditions.

By the way, what was the array for a magical phone again?

The two senior disciples from her two generations prior had created this array; she had assisted them, but the core secrets remained solely in their hands.

Pan Yun lowered her gaze, deciding to try recreating it later—she understood the principles and was confident she could produce it.

"State Preceptor, what do you think? State Preceptor? State Preceptor?" Zhu Qiyu waved his hand in front of Pan Yun's face.

Pan Yun lifted her eyelids and looked at him: "Your Majesty ascended the throne amid crisis; all sides harbor doubts. If they wish to come, let them come—it will be the perfect opportunity to show them that Great Ming's ruler and ministers are united, that the people love and support Your Majesty. They believe Great Ming is weak and chaotic, hoping to take advantage—how utterly mistaken they are."

Zhu Qiyu, however, looked troubled: "But… but the imperial treasury is empty…"

Since ascending the throne, his greatest problem had been the empty imperial treasury; financial issues of every kind weighed heavily upon him.

This gave Zhu Qiyu the feeling that Great Ming was now weak; if he invited the vassal states to celebrate his birthday now, and they sensed it, wouldn't it backfire?

"Your Majesty, even if Great Ming's treasury is empty and no longer as wealthy as before, it remains the suzerain of all vassal states, a realm they can never hope to match. Moreover," Pan Yun paused, then said, "historically, the bulk of birthday celebration expenses lie in waste and extravagance."

"At a time when the state is struggling, why not set an example? Frugality has its own methods. Our great nation should be founded on propriety, not extravagance."

Empress Wang immediately agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty—maintaining proper etiquette is the mark of a great nation."

Zhu Qiyu: "I wish to be frugal, but I fear those beneath me will exploit it to embezzle, or misinterpret my intentions and act recklessly."

Pan Yun smiled lightly: "Isn't your Northern Town Surveillance Office just the tool for that? Don't fear them reaching out—fear only that they won't reach out. Use the chance to replenish the imperial treasury—it wouldn't be bad."

Pan Yun's gaze swept over the eunuch scribe Cheng Jing, standing nearby.

Cheng Jing jumped, fell to his knees with a thud, trembling: "Your Majesty, I dare not!"

Zhu Qiyu quickly said: "State Preceptor, Cheng Jing has served me faithfully by my side—he would never do such things."

Pan Yun shot Cheng Jing a sharp look, leaned close to his ear, and whispered: "Idiot, I told you to spread what I just said. Who said you're the one doing it? Who doesn't know your loyalty to the Emperor? And with your courage…"

Hearing this, Cheng Jing looked up and gave Pan Yun a pleading smile, then quickly turned to the Emperor.

Zhu Qiyu paused, then nodded vigorously: "Strike the mountain to frighten the tiger—first courtesy, then force. This method is good. Cheng Jing, quietly spread what I just heard. Let's see who dares reach out."

Cheng Jing immediately agreed.

Pan Yun's gaze grew heavy: "Still, Your Majesty should indeed make use of the Northern Town Surveillance Office—not abusing punishment, but overseeing officials, filling gaps for the Censorate."

Last year's expedition cost the Northern Town Surveillance Office dearly; nearly all its Commanders and Deputy Commanders died on the battlefield, and many Captains and Lieutenants were killed or severely wounded, leaving the new Emperor with no usable personnel.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards of the Northern Town Surveillance Office now only perform duties protecting the Emperor and Empress, and delivering confidential messages between them and the State Preceptor; much intelligence work has been transferred to the Imperial Guards, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review.

Pan Yun had remained silent, intending to let things unfold naturally—but she found the consequence was the Emperor gradually falling under the control of court ministers.

Of course, the one who controlled him most was herself.

But she could control him—she didn't want him to have zero capacity to resist in the future.

Pan Yun advised him: "Your Majesty, the Northern Town Surveillance Office oversees officials so you may better understand them—know who to place where. Beyond that, its intelligence network covers regional princes, the steppes, overseas vassal states, and the martial world."

"With no Commanders or Deputy Commanders, these reports are piling up, unprocessed, aren't they?"

The Emperor looked at Cheng Jing.

He was busy as an ox every day; with no reports coming from the Northern Town Surveillance Office, he naturally forgot about it.

Cheng Jing hurriedly replied: "Some reports were transferred to the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, the Imperial Guards, and the Ministry of Protocol; most remain piled up, unprocessed."

"It's just like border strategy and military affairs," Pan Yun said. "The lowest-level Embroidered Uniform Guards hide everywhere, gathering all information but powerless to change anything; the mid-level guards know bits of everything but lack expertise, so they deceive upward and downward; those at the top know nothing, yet believe they know everything, convinced they control all."

Zhu Qiyu's heart jolted—he had been reorganizing military affairs since returning from Datong, without pause.

The more he reorganized, the more alarmed he became.

Especially after half a year of investigation, reports from all regions gradually arrived.

The Censorate, the Ministry of War, and regional garrisons submitted reports independently; when placed side by side, without prompting from people like Yu Qian, Zhu Qiyu could immediately detect massive problems.

If the Northern Town Surveillance Office's situation mirrored the military's, who could he truly rely on?

Pan Yun leaned close and whispered: "Your Majesty, you need an arm—one that obeys your will as if it were your own."

Zhu Qiyu suddenly looked up at Pan Yun.

Their gazes met, neither turning away.

Pan Yun fixed her eyes on his and spoke slowly, word by word: "This arm will protect you, obey your will. One day, even if you wish to kill me, they will follow you without hesitation!"

Zhu Qiyu's pupils shrank slightly; he hurriedly said, "What nonsense is the State Preceptor speaking? How could Your Majesty ever wish to kill the State Preceptor?"

Pan Yun smiled, straightened up, and said, "I was merely speaking metaphorically. My heart is one with Your Majesty's; I hope Great Ming prospers, its people at peace, for a thousand generations. Of course Your Majesty would not kill me. I merely hope Your Majesty has a force entirely obedient to you."

Zhu Qiyu was deeply moved, tears nearly welling in his eyes.

Beside him, Cheng Jing glanced at the Empress and saw Empress Wang also visibly moved; his heart paused.

The State Preceptor is truly formidable.

Even the Emperor and Empress trust her so completely.

Cheng Jing grew even more respectful toward Pan Yun; seeing the faint fragrance drifting from the oiled paper, he no longer feared it was food brought from outside, and bowed with a smile: "Your Majesty, I shall fetch bowls and chopsticks to serve the skewers."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Go. Bring some wine too—meat tastes best with wine."

As soon as Cheng Jing left, Zhu Qiyu waved his hand, dismissing the others; only the Emperor, Empress, and Pan Yun remained in the room.

Pan Yun tore open the oiled paper—inside was another layer of lotus leaf. When she unwrapped it, the rich aroma of meat surged forth, making all three blink in delight.

But Empress Wang was a composed, rule-bound woman; she sat still, offering only a token objection: "Eating food from outside the palace isn't proper, is it?"

Pan Yun: "I watched him grill it. It's fine. Clean."

Empress Wang gave a reserved nod: "Since the State Preceptor brought it in, an occasional taste won't hurt."

Zhu Qiyu had already taken two skewers; he handed one to the Empress and began eating the other. He returned to the earlier topic: "State Preceptor, I have a candidate for Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. What do you think of Bi Wang?"

"Bi Wang?" Pan Yun shook her head immediately: "He has loyalty enough, but lacks wisdom and ability. He can serve as a hundred-man captain or a thousand-man captain—but never as Commander."

She added: "Since the Northern Pacification Office is Your Majesty's arm, I dare not meddle in appointments. I cannot tell you who to appoint—but I can tell you who not to appoint."

Zhu Qiyu listened intently. Pan Yun said: "First, men like Bi Wang—lacking wisdom and ability. They may serve as deputies, even second deputies—but never as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"The leader must be Your Majesty's hand, Your Majesty's eye, and Your Majesty's mind. Without such strategic vision, even a good man will do harm," Pan Yun said softly. "The court fears not fools—but fools who are diligent."

Empress Wang glanced at Zhu Qiyu and summed up: "So fools are unacceptable."

Pan Yun nodded: "The second kind is relatives by marriage."

Zhu Qiyu quickly glanced at Empress Wang, growing tense.

Pan Yun, oblivious, continued: "Whether Empress or concubine, their fathers, brothers, and younger brothers must never hold key positions."

"I know the Embroidered Uniform Guard has always been a favored posting for relatives by marriage. But as long as they hold no real power, merely receive a stipend, it's harmless. Once promoted to important posts, they rise swiftly—but can they truly handle the duties? Are they truly loyal to Your Majesty?"

Zhu Qiyu said: "They are relatives of the imperial consorts—they naturally remain loyal to me."

Pan Yun smiled: "That's because Your Majesty has never experienced a succession struggle. Your nature is gentle, harmonious with your brothers—you never competed with the late Emperor, nor was he ever harsh toward you. But imagine: should Your Majesty someday have seven or eight sons, each with ambition for the throne, and each of their uncles holds a post in the Embroidered Uniform Guard—will they be loyal solely to Your Majesty, or also to their imperial prince nephews?"

Zhu Qiyu opened his mouth, speechless.

"He who lacks long-term foresight invites immediate trouble. To avoid such errors, the most direct solution is: never place relatives by marriage in key positions."

Empress Wang fully agreed.

Zhu Qiyu whispered to her: "I planned to reward your elder brother on your birthday, appointing him as Deputy Commander of the Northern Pacification Office."

Empress Wang refused: "Why reward my brother on my birthday? Let him rise according to his merit. Do not grant him special favors for my sake—that is not kindness to him, but harm. Besides, officials receive the people's taxes; they must earn promotion through service. He has done nothing—how can he be promoted without merit?"

"Your brother has always cherished you. I thought the Wang family raised you well…"

"I will repay my father and brothers in time," Empress Wang said gently. "But I cannot use official posts or state wealth to fulfill private affection. Your Majesty, I am the Empress of the realm—not a parasite upon it."

Zhu Qiyu was deeply moved; he held Empress Wang's hand, speechless.

Pan Yun sat beside them, eating dog food while chewing skewers, watching with quiet delight.

Empress Wang truly was as history described: stern, unyielding, dignified.

She glanced at Zhu Qiyu and silently snorted. Men, she thought.

Still, as long as Emperor and Empress were in harmony, now was the time to develop internal and external economics.

Pan Yun ate two mutton skewers in quick succession; Cheng Jing had not yet returned with the wine.

She cursed inwardly, "Old fox," then cleared her throat to steer the conversation back: "Your Majesty should consider more candidates. Do not overly avoid appointing men based on their background—so long as they are capable and loyal to the throne."

She clapped her hands and stood: "Your Majesty, shall we discuss something else?"

Empress Wang immediately rose to give them privacy.

The Emperor stopped her: "You have duties to attend to. Let us go out."

Empress Wang glanced at Pan Yun, smiled, nodded, and watched the two leave.

Pan Yun pretended not to see the faint shadow cast on the window and walked with the Emperor toward the front court hall—open, elevated, utterly impossible to eavesdrop upon.