Awarding Merit, Longevity's Black and White Hair

When establishing the Yanhuang Empire, Ye Chen set down the court assembly rules from the very beginning.

They largely copied the ancient Huaxia system, but with one difference: no kneeling required, and officials could sit during court.

Of course, sitting during court was mainly considering that some officials were advanced in years. Making them stand through the entire assembly would have been pure torture, with little point.

Additionally, court time was set at around seven in the morning—neither too early nor too late, and it would be adjusted with the changing seasons.

This way, ministers didn't have to scramble out of bed in the dead of night before dawn, then brave the cold winter winds to rush over.

That would have been meaningless and nothing but suffering.

Naturally, Ye Chen also didn't have to get up that early every time to suffer alongside his civil and military officials.

After all, although his original intention in establishing the empire was to complete the system's mission, it was equally about enjoying himself better—not suffering.

If it meant this much hardship, and he still had to reign as emperor for several thousand or even ten thousand years, how could he even live?

Looking over his assembled civil and military officials, Ye Chen said in a deep voice, "Now that the empire's education system is fully established, with all teachers and officials assigned to their designated posts, I will reward everyone who contributed during this period..."

As Ye Chen finished speaking, his personal attendant and secretary-general, Yuan Long, stepped forward, walked to the center, and opened the imperial decree prepared in advance to begin the rewards.

"Zhou Li."

"Your servant is here."

Hearing his name, Zhou Li immediately stood up excitedly and walked to the central aisle.

Zhou Li had white hair, a face covered in wrinkles that had now crinkled into a chrysanthemum, and a body that had once been frail but now seemed remarkably sturdy.

The surrounding ministers looked at Zhou Li as he stepped forward, unable to hide their envy.

At the same time, they were curious about what rewards Ye Chen would bestow.

As his subjects, they knew well how generous Ye Chen could be—especially to those with merit. His generosity was frightening.

It could be said that as long as you had ability and got things done, Ye Chen would not only grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor but also cover you in glory and have it announced nationwide in the newspapers.

Moreover, there was the chance to be recorded in the Imperial Xuanhuang Scroll, leaving your name in history for all generations.

In short, everything a person could pursue in life could be fulfilled under Ye Chen.

Of course, if you dared to act lawlessly and harm the people, once Ye Chen found out, there was no need to even mention it—you would be beheaded on the spot, and your entire family exiled.

In severe cases, a penitential statue would be erected locally, forcing you to kneel for generations, cursed by the world.

Ye Chen's meaning was clear: if you wanted to be an official, do the job well. If you couldn't do it properly or had crooked intentions, then just be an honest commoner and live your life peacefully—don't think about anything else.

A hundred years ago, at the empire's founding, the system was incomplete, and many local tribal leaders refused to submit to him. It was utter chaos. In response, Ye Chen had heads rolling.

In the end, he killed so many that people turned pale at the mere mention of his name, becoming as docile as sheep. That was also the origin of his reputation as a tyrant.

Facing that situation, Ye Chen knew reasoning was useless—only forceful suppression was the right path.

Besides, he was in a hurry back then to complete the system's ten-year mission and simply didn't have the time to slowly win over those he had conquered. This led to massive internal conflicts during the empire's early days, forcing him to use slaughter to intimidate everyone else.

In the end, through his long lifespan, he outlived those who were disobedient, while subtly indoctrinating the newborns to strengthen their sense of belonging to the Yanhuang Empire.

"Zhou Li, for your arduous and meritorious service during the empire's educational construction..."

"Hereby awarded one million Yanhuang Coins, one bottle of Longevity Liquid, promotion to seventh-rank nobility, and a mansion in the Tianhui Domain of the imperial capital. By imperial decree."

"Thank you for the Emperor's reward!"

After hearing the decree, Zhou Li immediately bowed in gratitude. Although he had no idea what this "Longevity Liquid" was, as long as it was a reward from His Majesty, he was happy.

Because it was the empire's affirmation of him.

Then, an attendant brought up the rewards on a tray. On an exquisite jade platter lay ten stacks of banknotes printed with Ye Chen's portrait, a mansion deed, and a fine jade bottle.

From the very founding of the Yanhuang Empire, Ye Chen had established paper currency transactions.

He knew well how convenient paper money was to carry, and it saved a great deal of resources.

Looking at these items, Zhou Li respectfully received them.

Watching the expressions of those below, Ye Chen smiled and said, "I imagine you are all curious about what the Longevity Liquid is. Well, its effect is to improve constitution and extend lifespan."

"Hiss~"

As Ye Chen's words fell, everyone in the hall widened their eyes.

Lifespan had always been the pursuit of all living beings. These ministers were no longer young, and upon hearing about something that could extend their lives, how could they stay calm?

Seeing their reactions, Ye Chen felt quite satisfied. It was worth the considerable cost he had paid to exchange a batch of Gene Repair Potions from the system.

These Longevity Liquids were diluted products of the Gene Repair Potions he had exchanged. After consumption, they could repair human cells, thereby improving constitution and extending a certain amount of lifespan.

Now that the empire's education system was complete, the next phase was for the empire to spread its wings and take flight. The ministers before him were pillars of the empire that he had painstakingly cultivated. Losing even one would make him ache for a long time.

Therefore, Ye Chen had spent a considerable number of Civilization Points to exchange a batch of Gene Repair Potions from the system as rewards, all to let these people live a little longer and share more of his burdens.

In the Star Hall.

After all the meritorious officials had been rewarded one by one, only a handful of ministers had received the Longevity Liquid.

The rest who did not receive it could only sigh in envy, lamenting that they had not done enough.

Watching the expressions of the ministers below, Ye Chen felt a surge of satisfaction. This was what it meant to be a sovereign.

He had bestowed the Longevity Liquid this time with two purposes in mind. First, he did not wish for those ministers of great talent to wither and die of old age so soon.

The second purpose was to give his subjects a goal to strive for—to dangle a grand carrot before them, so that everyone would work with greater motivation.

After all, long life had always been the pursuit of all living beings, and now that goal was right before their eyes. Tell me, would you not put in the effort from now on?

If you did not strive, you would die of old age. If you did strive, there was still a chance to extend your lifespan.

Inside the great hall, as Zhou Li and the others drank the Longevity Liquid, they immediately felt a wave of heat surging through their bodies, accompanied by a slight ache. Fortunately, the pain was not severe, and they could bear it.

As time passed, the cells within their bodies were repaired by the medicinal power of the Gene Repair Potion.

At the same time, the cells that had lost much of their activity were reawakened. Zhou Li and the others, who had once been white-haired and deeply wrinkled, began to change.

Their white hair gradually turned black, their wrinkles faded, and their bodies slowly grew stronger. In a short span of time, Zhou Li and the others were transformed as if reborn.

This miraculous sight made the ministers who had not received the Longevity Liquid burn with intense longing.