Coordinating the Entire Domain

Her tone shifted, softening slightly:

"I am not a tyrant who knows only harsh laws and punishments. To reward merit and confer titles based on achievement is the iron law of the new empire.

Artisans of the Armory Department are now included in the 'Artisan Nobility' system.

For every hundred sets of qualified heavy armor, one is granted the title of 'Artisan Scholar'.

Five hundred sets, the title of 'Artisan Official'.

One thousand sets, the title of 'Artisan Chief'."

She paused, her peach-blossom eyes sweeping over the crowd: "An Artisan Scholar receives fifty Gold Soul Coin per month.

An Artisan Official receives two hundred Gold Soul Coin per month, a one-courtyard residence, and their children may attend official schools.

An Artisan Chief receives five hundred Gold Soul Coin per month, a two-courtyard residence, is awarded a Bronze Medal, and is exempt from kneeling before a county magistrate."

The artisan leaders snapped their heads up, their eyes filled with disbelief.

A residence? Children in official schools? Exempt from kneeling before a magistrate?

These were privileges previously reserved only for nobles and high-ranking officials.

As blacksmiths, they had been of low status for generations; they didn't even have the right to look a noble in the eye, and were often tortured if they offended one.

Could they really possess the treatment once reserved only for the nobility?

"This... Your Majesty..." An old artisan with graying hair trembled, his eyes rimmed with red. "How can we, mere commoners, be worthy of such..."

"You are worthy." Yan Lingji cut him off. "I look at merit, not birth.

A single set of fine armor you forge is worth more than a hundred parasitic nobles who only know how to collect empty salaries."

She looked at the old artisan: "What is your name?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, this small one is surnamed Zhang, called Zhang Tiezhu."

"Zhang Tiezhu." Yan Lingji nodded. "If you are among the first to complete one hundred sets of heavy armor, I shall confer your title personally."

Zhang Tiezhu shuddered, dropping to his knees with a heavy thud, his forehead striking the stone floor until blood seeped out:

"For Your Majesty's great grace, this small one will offer his life and soul, serving until death!"

The other artisans kowtowed one after another, some with reddened eyes.

They did not fear hardship or toil; they only feared working without recognition and exerting effort without anyone caring.

Now, the Empress had placed titles, homes, and the future of their children right before them.

This wasn't just work.

This was a path to the heavens for them and their descendants!

Yan Lingji watched the artisans kneeling across the floor and nodded inwardly.

The stick kept them from daring to err, while the carrot drove them to work with their lives.

Spiritual restrictions held the bottom line, while military titles ignited the ceiling.

"That is all. Rise and return to your duties. In half a month, I expect to see the first batch of finished products."

"As you command!"

The artisans rose and retreated, their steps much lighter than when they arrived, their eyes no longer filled with fear, but with a burning radiance.

Yan Lingji turned to the Minister of the Military: "How many men does the Heavenly Strategy Army currently have?"

Zhao Tieyi knelt on one knee:

"Replying to Your Majesty, there are the original ten thousand Imperial Guards, plus ten thousand elites selected from the private armies of the nobles, totaling twenty thousand."

"From today, the Heavenly Strategy Army will train according to the new regulations. No less than four hours of training daily; those who fail to train diligently will result in the punishment of their camp commanders."

Yan Lingji held up three fingers. "Crossbowmen, spearmen, shield-bearers, and cavalry—the four must coordinate, with orders strictly followed.

Specific formations and tactics will be taught to you shortly.

Armor, heavy crossbows, and weaponry are being rushed by the Armory Department; once they arrive, they will be prioritized for the Heavenly Strategy Army."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the generals in the hall: "Additionally, any soldiers in the Heavenly Strategy Army who have awakened their Martial Soul are to be organized into a separate battalion, led by Spirit Master officers, and trained and deployed separately from the regular soldiers."

Zhao Tieyi was stunned: "Your Majesty means... to separate the Spirit Masters from the regular soldiers?"

"Correct. Regular soldiers form lines and use crossbows, while Spirit Master squads infiltrate and assault. Only by fulfilling their respective roles can we exert maximum combat power."

This was not actually her idea, but a concept instilled by Jiang Ce.

In modern warfare, special forces and conventional troops coordinate through a division of labor.

Spirit Masters were the strongest special forces in this world; letting them mingle among regular soldiers was a waste.

Zhao Tieyi bowed deeply: "This subject understands."

"Furthermore—" Yan Lingji's voice turned cold, "Rewards for merit, punishments for faults.

Those who retreat in the face of battle shall be beheaded; those who defy military orders shall be beheaded.

Rewards and punishments must be clear, executed according to the new military merit system."

"We understand, Your Majesty!"

"Dismissed.

Within three days, submit the organizational rosters for each battalion.

I want to see the Heavenly Strategy Army completely renewed from the inside out."

The military ministers withdrew from the grand hall. Yan Lingji leaned against the imperial throne, her nine tails swaying gently, her peach-blossom eyes slightly lowered.

"Master, with this, it won't be long before we can arm an unprecedented army."

Jiang Ce's tentacles gently patted her head: "It's not just the army. Earth-Breaking Seven can be used by the Net, and the Three-Zhang Bat Wings can allow ordinary soldiers to take flight—the nature of warfare in this world is about to change."

"Moreover, organization and titles are not enough; there must be honor."

"Honor?"

"Military flags, emblems, and medals. Soldiers shouldn't just be well-fed and hold titles; they need a sense of belonging and pride."

Jiang Ce paused, "Think about it, why are those nobles willing to pledge loyalty to a family for generations?

Because of family crests, genealogies, and ancestral halls.

These things give them an identity.

Therefore, design a military flag and a medal for the Heavenly Strategy Army.

Those with distinguished service shall be awarded medals and flags, to be hung in their ancestral halls for generations to come.

This is the highest realm of winning hearts."

A curve appeared on the corners of Yan Lingji's lips: "Master is right."

After handling everything, Yan Lingji returned to the backyard.

"Great King, matters at the imperial palace are mostly arranged; it is time for the sisters to improve their strength."

Jiang Ce pondered for a moment: "Xiaomeng, Snow Maiden, and Tide Enchantress do not have a single spirit ring. Na'er hasn't even absorbed her first spirit ring yet."

"Indeed." Yan Lingji sighed, "Equipment alone is not enough; the spirit master's own strength is the foundation."

"That is why I am taking them to the Sunset Forest, and while I'm at it, I will capture some spirit beasts to serve as mounts," Jiang Ce said. "You stay behind to hold down the imperial palace."

Yan Lingji blinked: "Master is taking them, but not this concubine?"

"If you leave, who will manage Heaven Dou City?" Jiang Ce's tentacles flicked her backside.

"Even though those nobles are under your control, one can never be too sure that someone won't try something behind your back while you're away."

Yan Lingji thought for a moment and nodded.

Jiang Ce shared the skill "Celestial Fox Nine Thoughts" with the women.

It consumes half of one's spirit power to create a physical clone with independent consciousness.

The clone shares perceptions with the main body and can execute tasks independently.

"You can all use this skill now," Jiang Ce's voice echoed in their minds.

"Leave a clone to handle affairs, and the main body will accompany me to the Sunset Forest."

Xiaomeng channeled her spirit power, and a clone in an ink-wash dress appeared at her side, the Qiuli Sword resting at her waist. The clone spoke coldly:

"I shall build the framework for the Bad People."

Xiaomeng nodded slightly.

Snow Maiden had no tasks and did not need to leave a clone; she stood to the side, holding her Jade Flute.

Na'er did the same, waiting obediently.

Tide Enchantress was currently at the Net camp selecting personnel and was not in the backyard.

Jiang Ce transmitted the skill memory directly to her through their mental connection while sending a message:

"Leave a clone to handle Net affairs, and have your main body rush to the east side of the Sunset Forest to rendezvous with us."

In the distance, a purple light flashed in Tide Enchantress's eyes, and a smile curled her lips.

She raised her hand to condense her spirit power, and a clone in a purple dress stepped out from her side, sharing a smile with her.

Tide Enchantress's main body leaped into the air, her Venom manifesting pitch-black wings behind her, and she streaked toward the Sunset Forest.

"Let's go." Jiang Ce's voice rang out.

In the imperial palace backyard, Yan Lingji sat on the throne, her nine fox tails spread out, her peach-blossom eyes slightly lowered.

Beside her were eight clones, currently cultivating and deducing the martial arts techniques Jiang Ce had transmitted.

With eight clones, the deduction progress increased eightfold.

Outside the hall, Xiaomeng's clone was already walking toward the Bad People camp, and Tide Enchantress's clone was also organizing the Net.

The news of the Heaven Dou Emperor abdicating to the Empress Yan Lingji was spreading rapidly.