Chapter 2 The Morning Court
The next day, at the morning court.
Fan Zehao formally signed a hundred-year friendship treaty with the several nations. Following closely, he also signed tributary state treaties with three Snow Nations, Liang Country, and the Axi Tribe.
If anyone attacked any of their countries and posed a threat, Yun Country would protect them, sending troops for assistance when necessary. However, the annual tribute would not be less.
As for the amount, after Fan Zehao and the Prime Minister discussed, they only asked for one hundred thousand taels of silver annually. Although the amount was small, their countries were also not large.
It was a symbolic collection, as Fan Zehao desired peace across the entire continent, nothing more.
After signing the treaties, Fan Zehao wished to shed the burden of the throne, but the envoys were not leaving. They claimed they wanted to observe how Yun Country was governed so well, to learn from the experience.
Fan Zehao rubbed his forehead and sighed. Fine, let them stay. They couldn't possibly remain for half a year or more, so the couple would endure a little longer!
These envoys were mindful and did not disturb Fan Zehao. Instead, they formed a close-knit group of friends, going out together to explore and uncover the truth.
At the morning court.
The Emperor and Empress ascended to the court hand in hand.
This was the first time in history that the couple had attended court together. The ministers were already accustomed to a woman sitting on the dragon throne.
However, everyone was curious that with the Empress attending court today, something was bound to happen, and it was likely not good news.
Don't ask them how they knew. Ever since the Empress began attending court, she either imposed taxes on brothels and gambling dens or proposed free education for the common people's children. Although these were good deeds, they were also major undertakings.
These were all initiatives of the Empress, they remembered clearly!
After the couple took their seats, the ministers performed the kowtow ritual. Upon Fan Zehao's permission, they rose and stood quietly to the side, listening attentively to what the Empress had instigated the Emperor to do now.
Before Fan Zehao even spoke, the ministers' hearts were trembling.
The moment he opened his mouth, it wasn't just their hearts trembling; it felt like they were about to turn cold!
"Recently, I have been pondering a question. It is said that a prosperous populace leads to a strong nation. However, I believe this statement should be augmented with: a strong youth leads to a strong nation. Therefore, I have decided that from this year onwards, all youths who reach the age of sixteen shall serve in the military for two years before returning home. Those with an official position of Juren or higher are exempt from service. All others, including the children of noble families, must serve. No one is permitted to protest!"
This single statement stunned the ministers in the hall, leaving them bewildered.
Indeed, when the Empress appeared, there was never good news!
With the Emperor's words that there would be no protests, who dared to say another word? Pouting and lowering their heads, they stood in their positions, silently shedding a few tears for their children.
Seeing them with their heads down and eyes darting around, Fan Zehao narrowed his sharp, eagle-like eyes and warned sternly, "You do not need to pull any strings. Once you enter the military camp, you will all start as soldiers. If any general in the military camp dares to shield your offspring, their heads will not be spared. As for defying imperial decrees, I wish to see who dares!"
This statement completely extinguished the ministers' active thoughts. Defying imperial decrees meant losing one's head. The Emperor meant what he said, and no one dared to disobey. When he went mad, he recognized no one.
The Prime Minister frowned and pondered for a moment, believing this was a good initiative. However, there was one matter that needed inquiry.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, in some rural areas, sixteen-year-old men are already of marriageable age. If they are married, it's fine. But if they are betrothed, and the man cannot return until he is eighteen, wouldn't this delay the woman's marriage? Or perhaps lead to broken engagements and remarriage to others?"
"If this happens, wouldn't the men who join the army miss their chance at love?"
The Prime Minister's words were precisely the thoughts of these ministers. They dared not speak out, but it did not stop them from nodding their heads furiously, their eyes filled with gratitude towards Prime Minister Song Xin!
As expected of the Prime Minister, he dared to speak his mind!
Fan Zehao did not get angry. Instead, it reminded him of the second matter to be discussed today.
"This matter has already been considered by the Empress and me. After discussions with the imperial physicians of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, it is best for women to marry at eighteen for their health and the health of their future children. Our country does not seek quantity in childbirth, but quality."
Women marrying at eighteen, bearing healthy children?
The ministers' thoughts began to stir again. Eighteen was already considered an advanced age for women in the capital's boudoirs. If they couldn't find a husband, they would be laughed at.
How did it become the best age for marriage and childbirth in the mouths of the Emperor and Empress?
And not seeking quantity, only quality?
What outrageous words were these!
Before they could finish their thoughts, the Emperor's words followed: "From today onwards, men will marry at twenty, and women at eighteen. This matter is not to be discussed further!"
Eighteen for women was one thing, but why did men have to wait until twenty to marry?
By the time they were twenty, their children would already be running around!
Fine, not to be discussed further, another decisive decree. The Emperor was truly autocratic.
Ministers with sons who were already married slowly wiped the sweat from their foreheads, secretly feeling fortunate.
Those with sons who were not yet married slapped their chests in regret, but... it was just a few years later before they could hold their grandsons.
Everyone kept comforting themselves, lest their blood pressure rise and they faint.
For the first time in their lives, they hoped the Emperor would quickly end the court session.
However, seeing the Emperor and Empress sitting firmly on the dragon throne with no intention of leaving, they all lowered their heads again, contemplating what other fantastical ideas the Emperor would present.
Fan Zehao did not disappoint their expectations and continued, "The third matter is beneficial to the country and its people."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, a faint sound of sighs, perfectly synchronized, emerged from the hall.
Fan Zehao's face twitched a few times, and he pretended not to hear, saying, "As the saying goes, to get rich, build roads first. When the roads are smooth, travel between two villages, two counties, or even two prefectures will be much faster, saving a lot of time. Time is money!"
Seeing everyone's silence, he assumed the ministers agreed and continued, "After several years of repairs, the local governments' tax revenues and the national treasury are abundant. Therefore, from now on, the local governments shall repair the roads under their jurisdiction. It must be accessible to every village and every road. The junction of two prefectures shall be jointly repaired by the two prefectures. This matter is of utmost importance this year, and I will personally conduct an on-site inspection!"
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister was the first to exclaim, "Your Majesty is wise!"
This was a matter of great importance for the country and its people, and the Prime Minister not only supported it but strongly supported it.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The ministers bowed one after another, speaking with mixed emotions in their hearts.
The couple exchanged a smile. With the first three matters settled, the subsequent ones, they believed, would not be a significant problem.
When Prime Minister Song Xin inadvertently glanced at the Empress's smile, his heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down his spine. He felt as if something major was about to happen!
But he knew the Empress's character well; she would never do anything that harmed others for her own benefit. Yet, why was her smile so eerie?