Chapter 11: Rewards and Recognition for Meritorious Service

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for completing the task with high quality. Reward multiplied tenfold. You have received ten Life Extension Pills."

The grand palace of Great Chu, the main hall.

Fan Li stood atop the imperial steps, beside Xiang Ning, accepting the worship of the hundred officials. At this moment, he could clearly sense that the civil and military officials of Great Chu were bowing to him, not to Xiang Ning, who sat on the dragon throne behind him.

"Just now, they were ready to scatter like monkeys when the tree fell, yet these fence-sitters switch sides so quickly," Fan Li muttered inwardly, popping a Life Extension Pill into his mouth.

"Hmph! Treacherous minister! Eating in front of me during court session?" Xiang Ning, her eyes still swollen from recent tears, glared at him.

She was accustomed to viewing Fan Li as an adversary, yet she could not forget the rescue he had just performed. In fact, the episode quietly nurtured another emotion within her heart. She wanted Fan Li to comfort her! Moreover, she wished that every time she cried in the future, Fan Li would come to console her!

"Speak if you have matters to address; otherwise, court is dismissed," Xiang Ning suppressed her strange feelings and spoke casually.

"Minister Song Zhong, the Court Justice, has matters to report."

"Go ahead."

Xiang Ning looked at Song Zhong, whose beard and hair were half white, with some anticipation. The old minister had often debated Fan Li in court, but always stood firmly by her side, a true supporter of the crown.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Fan Li has served two emperors of Great Chu, his toil and merit are unparalleled. Today, he risked his life to save Your Majesty, his achievements shine above all."

"Therefore, I request Your Majesty to reward the Chancellor greatly!"

Xiang Ning frowned at his words. What was wrong with this old man today? He was actually speaking in favor of Fan Li?

"Fan Li... the Chancellor has reached the pinnacle of official rank; he may ride in the capital, be greeted without name, enter court without haste, wear sword and shoes in the hall. It seems there is nothing left for me to reward him with?"

Xiang Ning grew uneasy.

"What reward does the Court Justice suggest?"

"Heh heh." Song Zhong, ignoring her, gave Fan Li a sycophantic smile.

"Many ministers have already mentioned it; I fully agree. Your Majesty could bestow upon the Chancellor the Nine Imperial Seals, grant him a royal title..."

As Xiang Ning listened, she felt as if struck by lightning!

She finally realized that her already few loyal ministers seemed to be starting to defect.

Nine Imperial Seals?

A king’s title?

Clearly, this was but a step away from usurpation; next, they would force her to abdicate. Song Zhong, a learned scholar, could not possibly be unaware of such implications.

---

Nonetheless, as Song Zhong finished speaking, several more pro-crown ministers stood up.

"Lord Song speaks wisely, I second his proposal!"

"I too second the motion! Please, Your Majesty, reward Chancellor Fan Li! Only clear rewards and punishments can ensure the everlasting prosperity of Great Chu!"

"This is the will of the people, we beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

Xiang Ning was stunned.

Fan Li was just as bewildered.

"These guys used to argue endlessly with the former host in court. What’s happening today?"

"I merely caught the Overlord’s Spear—could wielding a mere spear really intimidate them so?"

Fan Li couldn’t help but consider asking the young emperor to lend him the Overlord’s Spear for fun. Just borrow it for a few centuries, bring it to court each time, and see which minister dares to oppose him.

Still, Xiang Ning was unwilling.

She forced herself to say, "Since the founding of Great Chu, there has never been a precedent for granting a royal title to someone outside the imperial family. Are you all trying to force me into becoming an unworthy descendant of the founding emperor?"

Fan Li shook his head.

"Too inexperienced. Speaking so bluntly, exposing all her own emotions... this young emperor needs to be taught."

In his previous life, Fan Li was a mid-level manager at his workplace.

One of his leadership lessons: No matter how eccentric the comments of colleagues or subordinates during meetings, never outright reject them.

A leader’s words should be pleasing to the ear yet still achieve their goals—a delicate skill.

His shaking head was noticed by the kneeling officials below.

Song Zhong hurriedly called out, "Your Majesty! There has never been a precedent for granting a royal title outside the imperial family only because no one has ever achieved such unparalleled merit as Chancellor Fan! Your Majesty must not hesitate, for delay will bring chaos!"

Xiang Ning was furious, nearly fainting.

"The treacherous chancellor’s bullying is mostly verbal. When it truly matters, he steps in to share my burdens."

"And you scoundrels, seeing Fan Li wield the Overlord’s Spear, are clearly abandoning me, eager to pledge loyalty to him!"

"So long as Fan Li doesn’t rebel, would you even dare to bully me?"

Xiang Ning could only vent in her heart.

She did not want to agree, yet dared not refuse.

Especially since she did not know what Fan Li was thinking at this moment.

"If the treacherous chancellor asks for a reward himself, I’ll have no choice but to grant it..."

The atmosphere in the court grew awkward.

Fan Li remained silent, only concerned with when the system would issue another task.

If there was no task, he’d rather be a wooden post, indifferent to the emperor and ministers’ squabbles.

"I am but a heartless task machine," Fan Li thought.

"The Empress Dowager arrives!"

Suddenly, the Empress Dowager entered.

---

Chief Eunuch Chen, also the foremost martial master of the imperial household, led the way. Dozens of palace maids and young eunuchs followed, as the Empress Dowager of Great Chu strode slowly into the main hall.

Her presence was far more imposing than Xiang Ning’s; Chen himself was renowned as the premier martial artist of the palace.

Song Zhong and several ministers, upon seeing the Empress Dowager’s palanquin, immediately prostrated themselves, not daring to utter a sound.

"I heard someone was threatening Her Majesty just now?" the Empress Dowager spoke softly, her gaze sweeping over Song Zhong and the others, but not focusing on Fan Li.

Song Zhong and his fellows visibly trembled.

The ministers who had remained silent broke out in cold sweat.

After the late emperor’s passing, the Empress Dowager and Eunuch Chen became the young emperor’s strongest support.

Fan Li, however, looked utterly unfazed.

In the court, all the officials were cultivators, while he himself was only at the body-refining stage, undoubtedly the weakest.

But even before he cultivated, what could the Great Chu royal family do to him?

"The Empress Dowager wants to make an example... ahem, warn me?" Fan Li mused.

"Eunuch Chen, report to the Empress Dowager, it was Court Justice Song Zhong who spoke disrespectfully to Her Majesty," Eunuch Chen’s sinister voice echoed through the hall.

"I am guilty! I misspoke!" Song Zhong quickly prostrated himself.

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, "Since Song Zhong admits his guilt, let’s deal with him according to the laws of Great Chu."

"Yes."

Only Eunuch Chen responded.

The old eunuch suddenly flicked his dust whisk, and before Song Zhong could react, a chilling wind swept through his body.

His court robes burst apart, leaving only tatters scattered on the floor.

Song Zhong, now in white, his hair disheveled, knelt where he was.

"Take Lord Song to the imperial prison for trial," Eunuch Chen ordered, and two imperial guards entered, dragging the stupefied Song Zhong away.

"Mother," Xiang Ning rose from the throne, both relieved and worried.

Fan Li was curious, wondering if the Empress Dowager was truly here to turn against him today.

Yet she did not trouble him.

"Your Majesty, I bring good news. The founding emperor’s mount, Black Steed, was originally a black dragon from the depths of the Wu River. After the founding, Black Steed returned to the river and began cultivating the art of transformation."

"Recently, Black Steed has succeeded in transforming into a dragon. If Your Majesty can tame it, you will surely comfort the spirits of the emperors past..."