Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

On the second day of the second month of the fifth year of Xuanyuan, in Jinling, at Weiyang Palace.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

The Empress, dressed in a bright red imperial robe, strode onto the dragon throne.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the officials immediately shouted "Long live the Empress!" to welcome her back to court.

The Empress sat back on the dragon throne, flicked her phoenix sleeves, glanced around the hall, and slightly curled her lips.

"During my absence, I have entrusted the affairs of state to my ministers."

Ye Mo bowed and replied, "This is the duty of the officials of the Six Ministries, and it is not worthy of Your Majesty's request."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded, then looked at the officials, her expression turning cold: "Gentlemen, my trip to the north has been quite fruitful."

This not only proved that the cannibalism at Zhenguo Gong's Fengsui Fortress was a frame-up, but also uncovered evidence that generals at all levels in the north and local officials were plotting a rebellion in collusion with江湖 (jianghu) forces.

As he spoke, he took out the register that Yu Ling Shuang had given him before her death and handed it to the maid Qing Wen, who then passed it on to Ye Mo.

These words immediately sparked hushed discussions among the officials.

The Northern Army and the sects colluded to overthrow the Empress, a crime punishable by execution of the entire family. How should this be dealt with?

Ye Mo quietly flipped through the register, which contained a string of familiar names and brief records of treasonous crimes, each one so detailed.

This matter can be verified with a little investigation; it is absolutely impossible to fake. According to the laws of the Great Chu, these officials and military officers from the north would likely all be convicted.

Thinking of this, Ye Mo frowned slightly and glanced at Jiang Mengxuan cautiously.

Seeing that Jiang Mengxuan's gaze was also lingering on him, he instantly understood her intention.

"Now that His Majesty holds great power, life and death are in his hands, yet he has shown me such important evidence of his crimes. It is clear that His Majesty does not intend to pursue this matter further, lest the North fall into new turmoil."

"But it seems unreasonable to not punish them at all, as this would only make the offending officials more uneasy."

"It seems we have to find a compromise."

After figuring this out, Ye Mo closed the booklet and decisively stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the northern generals are so lawless; they must be severely punished to demonstrate the severity of the laws of our Great Chu."

However, these generals and officials had guarded the northern region for many years, and even if they hadn't achieved great merit, they had certainly worked hard. If they were truly punished according to the law, it would inevitably discourage the other generals.

"It would be better to give them a small punishment, a warning so they will understand His Majesty's intentions and be grateful for His Majesty's kindness."

Jiang Mengxuan's aloof expression remained unchanged, but deep down she fully agreed with Ye Mo's suggestion.

This was also the result of her discussion with Shen Lang on her way back to Beijing.

Although the officers and generals at all levels in the north are guilty, they cannot be touched. If they are, the north will be thrown into chaos, which is the last thing Jiang Mengxuan wants to see.

Therefore, Shen Lang proposed a second solution.

“Pardon the crimes committed by the generals of the North, and grant them honorary titles and the benefit of priority in setting up factories, thereby taking back the power of conscription from their hands.”

"Of course, we can't talk to them directly; we have to take it in several steps."

"The first step in applying pressure is to spread the word that His Majesty has evidence of their crimes and that an imperial edict will soon be issued, requiring them to be severely punished."

As a result, the generals at all levels in the north would be filled with anxiety, fearing for their lives, and would begin to conspire among themselves.

"Once the pressure is applied, the second step of easing will be easier to follow."

While they were filled with fear and anxiety, an imperial edict was issued, imposing a punishment that was neither too lenient nor too severe, mainly consisting of reprimands, but also praising their past achievements.

"In this way, these generals who are afraid of getting into trouble will relax and develop a sense of awe for the court, and then the third step of differentiation can be carried out smoothly."

"The so-called differentiation refers to recruiting educated soldiers from various armies in the north to study at the Nanjing Military Academy. These students, after undergoing a complete transformation in military concepts,..."

They could then smoothly become officers in the new army, and their treatment had to be far superior to that of officers in the old army.

"When veteran officers compare their treatment to that of new officers, the psychological gap will inevitably be huge, thus triggering strong dissatisfaction within the army."

Military commanders, primarily composed of northern aristocratic families, would never privately improve the treatment of rank-and-file soldiers; therefore, the conflict between the two sides was bound to become increasingly irreconcilable.

"Then the fourth step of consolidating power can proceed without any hindrance. Xuan'er, you can hold a banquet to summon these overwhelmed local military officers to the capital."

While receiving them with high-level protocol, it's also a good opportunity to showcase the military bearing of the new army.

"At this point, how many people in the Northern Army still have confidence in the army they control?"

If Your Majesty were to cede some benefits to them that wouldn't damage the foundation of the regime, you could reclaim military power from them.

Then, the non-commissioned officers who graduated from the military academy would be transferred there to take over the old troops and conduct screening and assessment of the new army, which would then be a logical step.

Recalling the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" strategy that Shen Lang had mentioned to her on the way back to the capital, Jiang Mengxuan exclaimed, "Wow!"

This is a completely open conspiracy. Even if you know it's a trap, you have no choice but to jump in. It allows you to regain military power without bloodshed. It's truly ruthless.

A warlord who has lost his military power is destined to be unable to stir up any trouble, so what is there to fear?

However, since this was a plan devised by her husband for her own benefit, it made perfect sense.

He would never harm himself, anyway.

Another crucial point is that with the military power in the north under their own control, they can deal with Jiang Chong with greater peace of mind, and no longer need to worry about local vassal states joining the rebellion and causing a large-scale war in the Chu state.

"What Prime Minister Ye says is quite true. I have investigated carefully in the North. Although the military officers in the North are secretly colluding with Jianghu forces, which violates the law, it is a last resort."

"I consider their contributions to the state and do not wish to cause further trouble. Therefore, I will have Chancellor Ye draft a detailed plan for handling this matter, which I will submit to me for review tomorrow."

"Old minister, I obey."

Ye Mo respectfully accepted the order, inwardly marveling at how much the Empress had truly grown.

After saying this, Jiang Mengxuan added, "Furthermore, the various sects in the North have already expressed their willingness to pledge allegiance to the imperial court, and soon each sect will send its own disciples, personally taught by its sect leader, to the capital."

You need to devise a plan as soon as possible on how to settle them.

These words immediately left the officials speechless with shock.

Have sects really defected to the imperial court on a large scale?

It feels like a dream.

Jiang Mengxuan continued, "Let the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel handle this matter together. The sect's allegiance to the imperial court is a major event, and it cannot be taken lightly."

Ye Mo and Cao Xianzhi immediately stepped forward to receive the order.

After finishing these trivial matters, Jiang Mengxuan finally asked, "How is the progress of the silk brocade project in Sichuan?"

This is the information she most wants to know right now.

With the Jianghu forces subdued, the biggest internal threat now lies solely with King Jiang Chong of Shu.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu, the Minister of Revenue, immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the policy of converting rice paddies to mulberry trees has already been implemented in Shu. It is expected that mulberry seedlings will begin to be planted throughout Shu Prefecture as the weather warms up in late March."

A letter from the Prince of Shu's residence stated that they would expedite the supply of the 105,000 bolts of silk urgently needed by the imperial court, with delivery expected by mid-August at the latest.

Jiang Mengxuan thought for a moment and then said, "Tell the Prince of Shu's mansion that the Shu brocade used in the palace does not need to be delivered all at once. If new silk is produced, it can be delivered in batches."

"Yes!"

How many looms have been added to Shu County in the past few months?

"Your Majesty, the Shu Commandery's textile workshops have acquired 16,000 looms in the past few months, and are still producing a large number of looms, expected to reach 20,000."

Furthermore, an additional 20,000 female workers were recruited, and the weaving workshops are now working day and night to produce silk brocade using their existing stock.

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but reveal a "vicious female supporting character" smile on her usually aloof face.

Jiang Chong, you're finished.