Volume One, Chapter Six: The Double Legendary Lottery! Zhu Youjian Summons Yuan Chonghuan at Meishan!

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[Ding dong! The lottery page has opened!]
[Drawing your rewards now!]
[Since this is the host's first draw, the goddess of fortune grants double the odds—endless surprises await!]
[Congratulations, host, on receiving a common reward: five nuclear warheads (with mobile launchers)!]
[Congratulations, host, on a common reward: a large military factory capable of producing automated weaponry!]
[Congratulations, host, on a common reward: an Enlightenment Tree—drinking the Enlightenment Tea clears the mind and reveals the Way!]
[Congratulations, host, on a common reward: cultivation level increased to the first tier of Mastery!]
[Congratulations, host, on a common reward: cultivation level increased to the first tier of Comprehension and Integration!]
...
“As expected, gambling dogs never end well, huh? Did that system come from Old Ma? How come the luck doubles but all the rewards are just mundane?”
“These military items, though useful in large-scale battles within a fantasy world, are mere child's play to true, peerless masters...”
“However, the cultivation boosts and the Enlightenment Tea do offer some solace.”
[Congratulations, host, on a rare reward: 100,000 Great Snow Dragon Riders, all at the first tier of Void-Breaking and Essence Condensation. These mighty riders can withstand even the mightiest celestial warriors!]
[Congratulations, host, on a rare reward: Ten drops of True Dragon’s Essence Blood—awakening your bloodline, unlocking infinite potential!]
[Congratulations, host, on an epic reward: an Invincibility Card! With this card in hand, you command the world. For one hour, you are immune to damage from any level!]
[Congratulations, host, on a legendary reward: Divine Martial Art—Nine Heavens Divine Command! The cosmos is the heaven and earth; the imperial path is the king’s way. Above the nine heavens, the gods look down. This technique allows the emperor to communicate with celestial deities, gaining divine blessings. Each heaven corresponds to a unique divine power.]
[Congratulations, host, on a legendary reward: Supreme Constitution—Human Emperor’s Body, peerless physique, imposing for eternity!]

Upon hearing these rewards, Zhu Youjian’s lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes blazing with fervor!
Ah, the good stuff has arrived!
My luck is truly not bad!
Divine martial arts and supreme constitution, all now in my possession!
If next time I can also draw a supreme divine weapon, then it will truly be perfect!

“Gentlemen, is there anyone here who wishes to follow the path of the eunuch faction and seek their own doom?”
Zhu Youjian’s gaze instantly turned cold as frost, radiating overwhelming authority.
“My enlightened realm has weathered storms and is ready to rise anew. If anyone dares to form factions, engage in corruption, or abuse power, do not blame me for showing no mercy!”

Today, Zhu Youjian intends to firmly strike down these ministers!
“Your Majesty’s wisdom is the blessing of our enlightened realm!”
The officials knelt in unison, voices raised in acclaim.
“I fully understand that with a new dynasty established, there is much to be done. Stabilizing the court and reassuring the people are our top priorities.”
“This enlightened realm, having endured trials, is in urgent need of revitalization!”
Zhu Youjian issued decree after decree, advancing cautiously but steadily.
“I hereby appoint Wang Cheng’en as chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, temporarily assuming command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor’s eyes and ears, his sharpest blade.
Granting Wang Cheng’en temporary leadership is to counterbalance the corrupt Confucian scholars of the Donglin faction.
Balance in the court is paramount.

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If one side dominates, chaos inevitably follows.
Power must remain firmly in the emperor’s hands!
“Announce the decree!”
“Han Kuang is appointed acting Grand Secretary!”
“Xu Guangqi is appointed Deputy Grand Secretary!”
“Sun Chengzong is appointed Minister of War, ordered to reform military affairs!”
“Li Banghua is appointed Minister of Works, tasked with a comprehensive overhaul of water conservancy!”
“Ni Yuanlu is appointed Minister of Revenue; Wang Jiazhen and Wang Jiayan temporarily serve as Left and Right Vice Ministers of Revenue, tasked immediately with reducing taxes and encouraging agriculture and commerce to allow the people to recuperate!”

Zhu Youjian implemented a series of stability measures to first secure the internal court situation.
Specific personnel adjustments will take time.

Meanwhile, system alerts continuously sounded.
[Ding dong! Host employed a loyal official, rewarded 500 national fortune points!]
[Ding dong! Host employed a wise official, rewarded 800 national fortune points!]
[Ding dong! Host controls the court, rewarded 3,000 national fortune points!]
...

Imperial Capital, Meishan Mountain.
Zhu Youjian wielded a massive axe, felling the crooked tree symbolizing a doomed fate.
“Phew!”
He exhaled deeply, as if casting off shackles binding him.
Standing atop the fallen crooked tree, his gaze was sharp as a torch, surveying the endless mountain ranges ahead, his heart swelling with ambition.
“Since I have awakened the golden finger and possess the system of a traveler from another world, why should I fear failing to unify this realm?”
“Even if my adversaries are the legendary emperors of history, I shall fear nothing!”

At that moment, steady footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
Sun Chengzong, the newly appointed Minister of War, dressed in official robes, ascended Meishan with resolute steps.
He bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty.”
Behind him followed a disheveled man in tattered clothes, unshaven, hair wild, hands and feet shackled.
The man was battered, his hunch perhaps from imprisonment, but his brow radiated an extraordinary aura—a bloodthirsty warrior through and through.
The man knelt, his voice hoarse yet resolute. “Your servant Yuan Chonghuan greets Your Majesty.”

Zhu Youjian withdrew his thoughts, dropped the axe, brushed off wood chips from his hands, and walked forward calmly. “Rise.”
The group slowly proceeded along the mountain path.
Sun Wukong trailed closely behind, guarding Zhu Youjian.
Zhu Youjian led, not looking back, his tone heavy. “Yuan Chonghuan, I know you once achieved great military feats but were wrongfully imprisoned. Now, as our enlightened realm faces turbulent times, I wish to ask your views on our current war situation.”

Yuan Chonghuan’s eyes flickered with a glimmer.
He had been imprisoned for offending Wei Zhongxian.

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With the new emperor’s ascension, first appointing his mentor and friend Sun Chengzong as Minister of War, and now personally summoning him for counsel, this was undoubtedly a signal of reinstatement!

After a moment’s reflection, Yuan Chonghuan spoke firmly and powerfully:
“Your Majesty, the art of war says: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated; know yourself but not the enemy, and you will win some and lose some; know neither yourself nor the enemy, and defeat is certain.’”

“I believe that though our enlightened realm faces enemies on all sides, the foremost threat lies in the southern border—Yaoxing.”
“Yaoxing’s cunning sorcery and shifting tactics, combined with Huang Taiji’s extremely sly nature and mastery of both demon and ghost arts, cast a menacing shadow over our realm.”

He paused briefly before continuing:
“As for other powers, such as the Snow Domain Divine Zhou, though deeply rooted, their sovereign Ji Fa has secluded himself for years and rarely engages in external warfare. Thus, they may be considered potential allies rather than direct enemies at present.”
“The Eastern Domain’s Immortal Qin, Emperor Ying Zheng, is ambitious and seeks to unify the world, boasting an unparalleled military. However, Qin’s primary target remains the Snow Domain Divine Zhou. If we focus on neutralizing Yaoxing, Qin’s threat can be deferred.”
“As for the Western Domain Demon Han, Maritime Ling Song, and other states, each has their strengths but pose no immediate threat to us. The Jiangnan Wen Jin is beset by internal strife and is not to be feared.”
“Therefore, I recommend we seek peaceful coexistence with them and concentrate all forces to first eliminate the southern border’s Yaoxing menace.”

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, a spark of admiration in his eyes.
He hadn’t expected that though Yuan Chonghuan had languished in prison for years, his understanding of the situation remained so insightful.
Truly a rare military talent.

Then Zhu Youjian shifted tone and asked:
“I heard you are a disciple of the Art of War and once trained at Sword Intent Mountain?”

The Art of War is the mightiest school among the Hundred Schools of Thought, and Sword Intent Mountain is its holy ground.
Most renowned generals of the nine great empires have trained there.
The most famous is Han Xin of the Western Domain Demon Han, said to have received guidance from the supreme sage of war, Sun Wu.

Yuan Chonghuan nodded lightly, a faint pride barely discernible in his voice:
“I have been fortunate to train at Sword Intent Mountain and to share a master with Li Jing of the Northern Border Poison Tang and Yue Fei of Northern Ling Song. They are my senior brothers.”

Which general in the world does not take pride in their martial lineage?

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Yuan Chonghuan:
“Oh? Then tell me—do you have confidence in battle?”

Zhu Youjian truly valued Yuan Chonghuan.
A lifetime’s achievements turned to dust, half a life’s fame but a dream.
Death does not rob him of brave generals; his loyal spirit still guards Liaodong.

Historically, Yuan Chonghuan endured torment without complaint.
He had talent and integrity—not a villain or traitor.
Yet his fatal flaw was arrogance and pride, which destined his fate to be tragic.

Now, Zhu Youjian intends to employ Yuan Chonghuan again but must first temper his sharpness.
Yuan Chonghuan is like a double-edged sword—capable of defending the nation or causing its ruin.
If tamed well, he will add a strong line of defense to the enlightened realm.
If not, he could become the greatest threat to the dynasty’s survival.

A gleam flashed in Yuan Chonghuan’s eyes as he swept back his disheveled hair, revealing a resolute face.
“Your Majesty, the art of war says: Victory and defeat are common in battle.”
“Though I have discussed strategies with my senior brothers, the battlefield is ever-changing. I dare not claim certain victory, but I pledge to devote all my efforts for the enlightened realm, to face fire and water without hesitation!”