My palace is full of female protagonists.

The atmosphere inside was subtle and complex. The laughter of the guests mingled with the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments from the distant stage, yet it could not mask the heavy solemnity within the imperial study. The flickering candlelight cast a warm and mysterious glow on the tall bookshelves and the writing implements on the dragon desk, reflecting the diverse expressions on everyone's faces.

The wives of officials and noble ladies of the capital enjoyed a rare moment of leisure in the theaters on the city walls. On the stage, the joys and sorrows of life that have been passed down through the ages were performed. They whispered and laughed or gently waved their fans. They seemed to be far away from the strife of the court, but in reality, each of them had their own plans.

Inside the imperial study, the air seemed to freeze. High-ranking officials sat upright in their chairs, their expressions grave as they pondered the upcoming issues; others stood to the side, fiddling with jade pendants, their eyes revealing a mixture of unease and anticipation. Among them were seasoned veterans and newly appointed officials, all of whom were restless with the impending decisions.

Most striking were the princes kneeling on the ground. The Second and Third Princes, as direct descendants of the Emperor, were humble, their eyes reflecting both awe of their father's authority and apprehension about their unknown fate. Beside them, several other princes and dukes knelt in neat rows. Their presence was not only for the ceremony of the new emperor's ascension, but also for the power struggles and family rise and fall hidden behind this upheaval.

Zhao Chengyu, the new emperor who had just inherited Zhao Yingqing's memories, was filled with mixed emotions as he looked at the scene before him. Although he could recall fragments, the kinship and responsibility he felt for these blood relatives were something no memory could fully replace. He tried to appear calm and composed, turning his gaze to the second prince, deciding to start with the immediate issue and attempt to break the suffocating silence.

"Second Prince, have you heard that there are still remnants of the Yi tribe who have not been eliminated, and their former subordinates are still hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike?" Zhao Chengyu's voice was not loud, but it clearly penetrated every corner of the room, shocking everyone present.

Upon hearing this, the second prince trembled slightly, then prostrated himself even deeper and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have indeed heard of it. When the barbarian tribes were exterminated, some distant relatives were not punished because of their unfamiliarity with the tribe; they were only fined some silver."

Zhao Chengyu nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. The Second Prince was only ten years old, yet his answer sounded mature. He continued, "The matter concerning the former Yi tribes is no small matter. Today, when Consort Yi received the news, she didn't even attend the Empress's thank-you banquet. You know that she and the Empress are like mother and daughter, and you also know to some extent that Consort Yi is actually just my goddaughter, right?"

The officials and princes nodded, a complex expression flashing in their eyes—a mixture of awe for the emperor's decision and deep contemplation of the situation. Zhao Chengyu's voice echoed in the spacious imperial study, carrying an undeniable authority and a composed demeanor born of careful consideration.

"The reason I bring this up is not simply because of this person's misfortune," Zhao Chengyu said slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone as if trying to see through their thoughts, "but because I am worried about the deeper issues hidden behind this. Back then, I didn't want her to be involved in the palace intrigues, so I didn't take her in as an adopted daughter and instead placed her as a concubine. Later, when she entered the palace, she naturally became a concubine. I didn't want anyone to use the name of kinship to start a rebellion for the Yi tribe. I never expected that now some unknown person would come along claiming to be the third son of the Yi tribe's 'Prince Xue' from back then. Even the Yi concubine doesn't recognize him, yet he has become a handle in someone else's hands."

He sighed softly and continued, "The matter of the barbarian tribes may seem insignificant, but the Yun family army is still unsure how to develop in the Southern Kingdom. My idea is to let them establish their own independent kingdom there, and Prime Minister Gao will also help them develop. These people are simply taking advantage of the chaos on the border and thinking that our court is incompetent, so they can stir up trouble. Even if they fail in the end, they can escape to the Southern Kingdom and become refugees."

The Prince of Shimen County stood ramrod straight, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and replied with a firm voice: “Father’s concerns are very valid, and I am well aware that this matter is of great importance. There are indeed remnants of the barbarian tribes within my territory, but they are no longer a threat and are mostly scattered soldiers. I have ordered the local officials to keep a close watch on them and to send people to patrol frequently to prevent any unforeseen events.”

He paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts, before continuing, "As for those villagers who were mistaken for 'militiamen' or 'bandits,' they were mostly forced into this situation by the need to make a living. They are hardworking farmers who only temporarily gather together when faced with natural disasters, man-made calamities, or external instigation. I believe that the best approach in such cases is to guide and persuade, with punishment as a secondary measure."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He knew that governing a country required a combination of kindness and severity; it required both swift and decisive measures to deter the wicked and a benevolent heart to care for the people's plight.

“Your Highness is right. Your Highness’s idea is good; after all, we can’t kill all the villagers who are farming. But with such ‘parasites’ who disregard the safety of the country, I don’t want to see any force take this opportunity to stir up trouble, and I don’t want to see innocent people suffer as a result,” Zhao Chengyu said in a deep voice. “I agree with your view. Those villagers who are truly innocent should be treated with leniency and guidance; while those who take this opportunity to cause trouble must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others.”

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "But I must also remind you all that you must not let your guard down because of momentary compassion. The matter of the barbarian tribes, though seemingly minor, should not be taken lightly. I hope that you can learn from this incident, strengthen security in all regions, and ensure that my people live and work in peace and contentment, and that the country enjoys long-term stability and security."

Upon hearing this, the officials and princes all pledged to convey the Emperor's decree to every corner of the land, ensuring the peace and prosperity of the nation. Inside the Imperial Study, flickering candlelight illuminated resolute and loyal faces, seemingly foreshadowing an even more glorious era to come. The vast territory of the Southern Kingdom, once incorporated into our nation, would make our country the largest of all nations. The troubles plaguing the Southern Kingdom must be dealt with internally; allowing the Yun family army to develop relentlessly within the Southern Kingdom is the only sensible course of action.

Zhao Chengyu gently stroked the armrest of the dragon throne, his eyes revealing a hint of deep thought and reminiscence. His words carried a subtle emotion: "Prince Xue, that barbarian general known for his beauty, his legend is widely circulated among the people. Even I heard his story when I was young."

The Third Prince picked up the conversation, his voice tinged with respect and emotion: "Yes, Father. I remember clearly that General Zhao Liu quelled the rebellion of the Yi tribes. That battle was breathtaking, and the fall of Prince Xue became a legendary tale and a warning to later generations. It is said that General Zhao Liu personally beheaded Prince Xue, and his heroic figure still inspires awe to this day. It's just a pity that Uncle Zhao Liu has also passed away."

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly, seemingly having his memories stirred by the Third Prince's description. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since the name of Prince Xue still holds sway among the remnants of the Yi tribes, we might as well take advantage of that. Sending people to search for his remains at the foot of the cliff might serve as a symbol and deter those restless forces."

However, the Prince of Shimen County looked troubled. He respectfully bowed and replied, "Father, the place where that cliff is located is indeed, as I said, a rainforest with few people. The depths of the rainforest are fraught with danger. Not only are there ferocious wild beasts, but there are also many hallucinogenic plants that make it difficult for those who enter to extricate themselves, and they may even lose their way. Therefore, even experienced hunters rarely dare to venture into that area easily."

The prince paused, then continued, "As for Prince Xue's remains, I'm afraid they're long gone. After all these years, even if they weren't completely devoured by wild animals, they'd probably be dust by now, unrecognizable. Besides, the rainforest environment is complex and ever-changing; even if we found them, we couldn't guarantee their integrity, let alone use them as a deterrent."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu frowned slightly, clearly not entirely satisfied with the Prince's statement. However, he also understood that the Prince's words were true; that rainforest was indeed a difficult place to conquer. Therefore, after a moment's thought, he made a decision: "The Prince's words are reasonable, but this matter cannot be abandoned so easily. First, we should use the public's desire to suppress the bandits to prevent those militia and bandits from gathering. Everyone in Shimen County should be under curfew at night and can only work in the early morning. We must also pay attention to those itinerant grain collectors."

Zhao Chengyu's words revealed an undeniable resolve; his gaze seemed to pierce through the barriers of time and space, directly confronting the challenges of the future. He continued, "Our plans must be meticulous to ensure our invincibility. First and foremost, strengthening the intelligence network in the border regions is crucial. I intend to establish specialized scout teams. They must be fluent in various languages, familiar with the terrain, and capable of penetrating deep behind enemy lines to gather intelligence for our use."

"Secondly, we need to utilize caravans, travelers, and other mobile groups to establish a covert information transmission channel. These seemingly ordinary travelers can actually become key nodes in our intelligence network. They can promptly transmit news from the frontier back to the capital, allowing us to grasp the situation immediately."

Zhao Chengyu paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Furthermore, I have already made plans regarding the incorporation of the militia. As the Prince of Shimen County, you should take on this responsibility. There is no need to rush things; just proceed step by step, gradually incorporating those brave, resourceful, and patriotic militia members into the official army. In this way, we can both strengthen our military power and weaken the local forces that unite the country—a win-win situation."

He paused, his voice becoming even more steady: "During the incorporation process, it is essential to pay attention to their geographical location. While we should select loyal, reliable, and courageous militiamen and give them sufficient trust and responsibility, the ultimate goal is to prevent them from easily forming a united front. We should divide them into districts, gradually incorporating them into our own ranks, and also keep track of the surrounding situation."

Zhao Chengyu's words were like a gentle spring breeze, containing both profound political wisdom and a deep concern for the well-being of the people. He continued, "In the Shimen County area, a series of economic incentive measures have been planned and implemented to fundamentally promote the stability and development of the region."

"First, we will implement tax reduction policies for farmers. Those farmers who work hard and whose grain yields reach a certain standard will be given significant tax reductions as an incentive. In addition, farmers who adopt new technologies and methods for farming will receive additional rewards to stimulate their enthusiasm for innovation and improve agricultural production efficiency."

"The tax exemption policy will also be reflected. For farmers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters or war, an order will be issued to exempt them from all taxes for a certain period of time, and officials will be dispatched to the disaster area to distribute relief grain and funds to ensure that people have no worries about their basic livelihood."

Zhao Chengyu's eyes gleamed with sympathy and concern for the people's suffering. He continued, "In addition to tax reductions and exemptions, we also plan to establish a special fund in the Shimen County area to support agricultural infrastructure construction. This includes, but is not limited to, building irrigation canals, improving soil, and introducing superior seeds, in order to enhance the resilience and overall efficiency of agricultural production."

"At the same time, Shimen County is adjacent to the Southern Kingdom, which will help the Gao family merchants promote economic prosperity and strengthen trade ties. We will open new trade routes, reduce tariff barriers, and encourage merchants from both countries to exchange goods and achieve common prosperity. In trade, we will focus on promoting our dynasty's agricultural products and handicrafts, while introducing different crafts and technologies from the Southern Kingdom to improve our dynasty's industrial level."

"Through the implementation of these economic incentives, I believe that the people of the Shimen County region will be able to live and work in peace and contentment, and their living standards will be significantly improved. As long as people have work to do and a steady income, they will not think of fighting or killing. At that time, even if there are rebels who are eager to cause trouble, they will find it difficult to shake the foundation of our country."

Zhao Chengyu's words were filled with anticipation and confidence for the future. His plans not only reflected his emphasis on stability in the border regions but also demonstrated his foresight and benevolence as a wise ruler. The officials and princes present were all moved by his words and expressed their full support for and implementation of these policies, contributing their efforts to the prosperity and flourishing of the Great Zhao.

Zhao Chengyu's plan was meticulous and far-sighted, earning the admiration of everyone present. The Prince of Shimen County even kowtowed to accept the order, expressing his determination to carry out the emperor's decree with all his might: "Father is wise! Your nephew will certainly live up to your trust and do his utmost to strengthen the stability and defense of the border regions. At the same time, he will closely monitor the movements of the militia, and incorporate and train them as appropriate to ensure that they become a reliable force for our dynasty."

With the statement from the Prince of Shimen County, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study became even more solemn and determined. Zhao Chengyu knew that this series of plans was only the beginning, and the road ahead was long, but he was confident and determined to lead the Great Zhao to a more glorious tomorrow.