The series of suggestions made by Chu Chen formed the bedrock of governing the country by law.
The Empress, overjoyed, declared, "Chu Chen, your suggestions this time are excellent, and I am most pleased. However, you are already a Vice-Chancellor, and cannot be promoted further solely on recommendations."
"Therefore, I shall only reward you with wealth and material possessions. Once your plans are successfully implemented, and the Yunyue Kingdom's national strength significantly increases under my reign, I will grant you the position of Chancellor. This way, you can command respect with your age and achievements. Do you have any objections?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, your humble subject has no objections! To hold such a high office is already a blessing upon my ancestors, and it is all due to Your Majesty's appreciation of my talents that I have reached this esteemed position."
"To offer counsel and advice to Your Majesty, and to have it adopted and provided with a stage for me to perform, is the greatest grace bestowed upon me!"
Chu Chen was exceedingly tactful in his flattery.
He genuinely harbored no dissatisfaction. In just one year, he had risen from the seventh rank to the second highest, a speed of promotion that was likely a rare example across all nations on the Azure Continent.
Moreover, Chu Chen had only spoken thus far; he had not yet enabled the Empress to witness tangible benefits. It was unlikely he would be easily granted the position of Chancellor.
Though "Vice-Chancellor" and "Chancellor" differed by only a word and a rank, their power and status were vastly different.
The former was merely an assistant to the Chancellor, while the latter could rally court officials to oppose the Emperor, even vying for speaking rights and commanding the court with a single word!
Having experienced the tenure of Chancellor Chen Yuanliang, it was understandable that the Empress was hesitant to easily elevate someone to that position.
Chu Chen even suspected that if he hadn't offered a plethora of suggestions and painted a grand vision that enticed the Empress with its allure, she might have been unwilling to let anyone occupy the Chancellor's seat until her death.
"Very good, I have indeed not misjudged you."
The Empress was highly satisfied with Chu Chen. He had become Vice-Chancellor without becoming arrogant or overbearing, and was even loyal. This was more than a hundred, even a thousand times better than Chen Yuanliang or the other court officials.
She even mused that if this were the case, perhaps marrying her daughter Xinyue to him when Chu Chen became Chancellor would be quite suitable.
Once Xinyue ascended the throne, the risks of power struggles with her and Chen Yuanliang would be eliminated.
As for suspecting Chu Chen of treason, the Empress currently had no such concerns, as the strength and influence Chu Chen commanded were negligible to her.
In terms of military might, he had only the quota for three thousand Imperial Guards, most of whom were occupied with duties and unable to gather for rebellion.
In terms of authority, while he was Vice-Chancellor, and a "Chu Party" had been newly formed, the Empress, who held command over one hundred thousand troops outside the city, thirty thousand Imperial Guards, and ten thousand Imperial Guards within the palace, could easily suppress any court official.
This was unlike Chen Yuanliang, who, as Chancellor, had no idea how much military force he could truly control.
In terms of cultivation, the Imperial Family's honored guests could easily crush him. With three against one, even if they were all in the Foundation Establishment realm, what difference would it make?
The Empress was extremely confident and felt very secure, thus she had no suspicions.
"In that case, proceed with your plans. I will stand behind you and support you. When your achievements are complete, history will surely record your significant contributions. I will also have a statue erected in your honor within the capital, so that all of Yunyue Kingdom will know of your accomplishments, and your name will be remembered for generations!"
The Empress pondered, realizing that mere wealth might not be enough to motivate him, and directly employed the ultimate incentive for civil officials.
Leaving a name in history, and being remembered for eternity!
Chu Chen inwardly scoffed, but outwardly exclaimed with feigned excitement, "Your humble subject will do his utmost to complete Your Majesty's governance strategies! I will dedicate myself to the task until death!"
"Good, a truly dedicated effort until death! I eagerly await the day the national policies are completed!"
The Empress exclaimed with excitement, as if already seeing that day arrive, slapping the table.
After a period of feigned excitement, they both calmed down.
Then, the Empress smiled, "If there is nothing else, you may attend to your duties."
"Understood!"
Chu Chen cupped his hands, his face still showing a trace of excitement and anticipation, and turned to leave the Imperial Study.
Behind him, the Empress watched Chu Chen with even greater satisfaction.
Upon returning to his manor after leaving the Imperial City, Chu Chen finally resumed his true expression, thinking dismissively in his heart, "The Empress is also learning to draw a 'big picture' like me. Unfortunately, I don't fall for that. If she knew what I truly desired, she would have drawn a more appealing picture. Promising me an early marriage to Xinyue would have been more fitting."
"Ah well, it's likely His Majesty intends to wait until I become Chancellor, or until she abdicates, which might still be a few years away."
Thinking of this, Chu Chen felt a pang of annoyance.
In this world, since most countries were ruled by Empresses, the marriageable age for princesses in various nations was often delayed. It was not uncommon for them to marry in their twenties or thirties.
After all, in this world of cultivation, finding ways to maintain one's appearance until death was quite easy.
Conversely, marrying too early could lead to trouble. In the past, the Empress's intention to marry off Xinyue was likely just a scare tactic.
Of course, this excluded princesses confirmed to be incapable and unfavored; they would be married off as early as possible to be utilized.
"Sigh, discussing matters like this, I've missed lunch again. Such a busy life I lead."
Chu Chen sighed and ordered his servants to bring him a meal.
Three days later, at the printing house within the Merchant Guild's compound, Chu Chen sent for Princess Xinyue.
He mysteriously led her to this location.
"Chu Chen, what is this courtyard for? It's so secretive. Are you perhaps showing me the beauty of your concubines?"
After not seeing each other for a few days, Princess Xinyue, having apparently read some new books, asked with a smile, her tone suggesting she had encountered some rather improper literature.
Chu Chen broke out in a sweat, and replied helplessly, "I've been so busy assisting His Majesty lately that I've barely seen any women, let alone concubines?"
"Hehe, that's good then."
Princess Xinyue nodded with satisfaction and walked ahead.
After a few steps, she suddenly said, "I've read some books and know that you men are very fickle. Other men your age are already married and have children who can read and write."
"Yet you are still unmarried... Having concubines wouldn't be out of the question, but not too many! And I must approve them!"
With that, Princess Xinyue's face flushed, and she quickened her pace towards the room ahead.
"...What exactly has she been reading? Or was it taught by the Grand Tutor? But he wouldn't dare teach such things!"
Chu Chen followed Princess Xinyue with a mixture of curiosity, frustration, and a hint of excitement and anticipation.
To say he didn't desire women would be a lie, but in his past life, he lacked the means, and upon arriving in this life, he relied on his system to become a fake eunuch and avoid trouble.
Now that he was no longer a eunuch, and his heart was set on Princess Xinyue for marriage, it was unlikely he would turn his back and marry someone else.
However, concubines... that seemed like a promising avenue.
Undeniably, Chu Chen was tempted and his heart fluttered. But he had been too busy lately, he hadn't even visited a brothel, let alone had the time to find someone to arrange a marriage for a concubine.
Shaking his head, he opened the door for Princess Xinyue.
Princess Xinyue's face still held a trace of lingering blush as she entered.
She chuckled inwardly, thinking she had finally got the better of this scoundrel Chu Chen.
"Welcome to the newspaper printing room, my Princess!"
"Newspaper printing room? Printing newspapers? What is that?"