The investiture ceremony at Mount Zijin came to a complete end. Chen Yuan rewarded all the meritorious officials according to their merits and demerits, including two Imperial Preceptors, one Grand Tutor, and four kings with different surnames.

Numerous dukes, marquises, earls, national teachers, heads of sects, and pillar-state generals were all rewarded, creating a truly joyous atmosphere. All those who were still alive received their due recognition.

Even figures like Zhang Xuan and Ye Chenbai received various awards. In addition, proper arrangements were made for those former Jin Dynasty officials who had surrendered.

However, due to time constraints, the awards for most of them would not be presented at the grand investiture ceremony at Mount Zijin.

In addition to rewarding meritorious officials, Chen Yuan also issued a general amnesty, exempting the thirteen provinces of the Central Plains from taxes for ten years, pushing the atmosphere to its peak at the final moment!

This triggered a frenzy among countless people.

This wasn't just a simple exemption from regular taxes; it also included the most stringent levies!

Throughout history, even during the founding of dynasties, exemptions were typically granted for the land tax (赋), not the commercial tax (税).

This time, the exemption was for ten years, which could be described as unprecedented and possibly unmatched in the future. This also caused the national destiny of Great Yan to surge like oil poured on a raging fire.

It was foreseeable that when this news spread throughout the world, it would cause a massive uproar.

It would not be an exaggeration for the common people to venerate him as a saint.

Although the national treasury would lose a significant portion of revenue, the resources plundered from the Northern Barbarians, the Western Regions, Dongying (Japan), and various Jianghu forces and aristocratic clans in the Central Plains in recent years of conquests were sufficient to cover these losses.

If it weren't for such a large surplus, Chen Yuan would not have exempted taxes for ten years.

All of this was gained through territorial expansion.

The Northern Barbarians, the Western Regions, and Dongying were indeed good places.

Their wealth accumulated over thousands of years was swept away, selflessly contributed, and deserved to be remembered by all the people of the Central Plains. As for whether the people in those places would suffer...

What did that have to do with him?

He was the emperor of the Central Plains human race, not the Heavenly Emperor of the entire human realm.

After ten years, a little bit of benevolence would be enough to dispel all dissatisfaction, and might even arouse greater awe for Chen Yuan in them.

Chen Yuan did this not only to show compassion for the people of the Central Plains who had suffered from wars and hardships in recent years, but also to gather the hearts of the entire Central Plains.

This would allow him to gather stronger Human Emperor's Destiny in the future.

The reason for ten years was also because the Immortal Domain would descend in nine years.

Chen Yuan was not only standing from his own perspective but also from the perspective of the entire Central Plains human race, capable of mobilizing all the strength of the people to the greatest extent.

This...was his purpose!

......

In the first year of Great Yan's reign of Shengwu, the founding ceremony on July 16th, as expected, caused a huge sensation throughout the Central Plains and even the entire human realm.

Countless people spread the news, proclaiming Chen Yuan's benevolent policies, including the ten-year tax exemption, which was worthy of a contemporary saint.

Most people had simple minds and only wanted to live a good life and survive. The previous dynasty didn't give them this opportunity, but now, Great Yan did.

Naturally, they supported it.

Many places erected living shrines for Chen Yuan, the founding emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, offering sacrifices to him every day, treating him as a peerless saint who appeared once in a thousand years.

This behavior undoubtedly caused the national destiny of Great Yan to soar like a rocket. Although it would eventually decline, such national destiny was definitely unprecedented.

As for whether there would be anyone in the future, no one knew.

Chen Yuan's prestige had reached an unparalleled level. The title of Emperor Shengwu also began to spread throughout the world, becoming increasingly popular.

Because Chen Yuan was now the emperor, anyone who dared to call him by his name would be committing a grave offense.

Compared to the tax issues that ordinary people were concerned about, the Jianghu martial artists were more concerned about the great investiture ceremony.

Martial Emperor Lu Chengfeng also formally stepped into the spotlight for the first time. They realized that the Martial Emperor, who lived in the same era as Emperor Chu Taizu a thousand years ago, had not died.

Not only had he not died, but he was now the Imperial Preceptor of Great Yan!

It was terrifying!

In addition, there was also the Buddhist King Ksitigarbha from Mount Ling, two great Earth Immortals as his wings, several sixth-realm immortals subservient, and countless Transformation Yang realm True Men and True Lords returning to the imperial court.

At this moment, Great Yan was invincible.

Even in terms of prosperity, it surpassed the founding of the Great Chu a thousand years ago. After all, the Great Chu only gained the support of several immortal sects to secure its Jiangshan.

Great Yan, on the other hand, brought all the immortal sects in the world under its command. Those so-called immortal sects had now become the state religion of Great Yan, and the heads of those immortal sects on the Heavenly Rankings.

They had also become affiliates of Great Yan.

At this time, the term "imperial dogs" was no longer mentioned because, upon closer inspection, the top forces in the Jianghu were all imperial dogs.

Anyone who dared to show the slightest dissatisfaction would face the disaster of extermination.

The beginning of the founding of a dynasty was the most powerful moment!

Many people predicted that Emperor Chen Yuan would become an existence surpassing Emperor Chu Taizu, reaching the level of the Human Martial Emperor of the past, and even ascending to the Immortal Domain one day in the future.

As long as the powerful dynasty could suppress all directions, with its current strength, it would be able to last for thousands of years.

In other words, if Shengwu didn't die, Great Yan wouldn't perish.

They would all forever be shrouded in the shadow of Emperor Shengwu. Some people were excited about this, believing that this was an unprecedented golden age of the human race, the most glorious moment.

Some people were frustrated, believing that from then on, the so-called Jianghu would be attached to Emperor Shengwu's feet, prostrating and submitting.

But whether they wanted to or not, they knew that they couldn't change this. Since that was the case, why not embrace this trend with a better attitude?

......

First year of Shengwu, July 17th.

On the Star Gazing Tower, Chen Yuan, wearing a black dragon robe, stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the front, as deep as the starry sky, as if containing everything and encompassing the entire world.

In front of him was the national destiny of Great Yan, like a black sea, covering the sky above the entire Divine Capital City. Without a certain level of cultivation, it was impossible to see this scene.

This was a national destiny far surpassing that of the Great Jin. It was through Chen Yuan's step-by-step efforts and continuous improvement of the people's hearts that he was able to gather such a large force at the time of the founding.

He could even feel that the national destiny enveloped the thirteen provinces of the Central Plains, uniting with him, constantly growing, and capable of instantly reaching any place in the thirteen provinces.

Of course, the prerequisite was that he himself had to possess extremely powerful strength.

Without becoming an emperor and sitting on the dragon throne, it was impossible to experience this.

"Your Majesty, Wang Ping has arrived."

A young martial artist in golden armor bowed respectfully behind Chen Yuan. He was a protector of the Shushan Holy Land and was now one of Chen Yuan's personal guards.

Behind the golden-armored warrior was Wang Ping in a blue robe, curiously looking at the figure in front of him. He looked familiar, but was actually so distant.

It seemed that when Brother Yuan left Ping'an County and entered Nanling Prefecture, they had already drifted apart.

Chen Yuan raised his hand slightly, and the golden-armored guard bowed and retreated, leaving only Chen Yuan and Wang Ping in the entire Star Gazing Tower.

"Wang Ping, the constable of Ping'an County, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Wang Ping bowed.

"In front of Me, do you still need to be so formal?"

Chen Yuan said calmly.

"Hehe, after all, there is a difference between the ruler and his subjects." Wang Ping scratched his head honestly, a little embarrassed.

"You could have accepted the title of nobility." As Chen Yuan's childhood friend and early helper, let alone an earl, even a marquis without real power would not have been excessive.

It was just a pity that Wang Ping declined.

That was why he summoned him to the palace.

"Your Majesty, I know my own capabilities. I simply can't bear such an award. It would be better to give it to those meritorious officials. It would be a waste on me." The smart thing about Wang Ping was that he knew his own capabilities.

Besides the few sentiments from when they were in Ping'an County, after Chen Yuan left Ping'an County, he hadn't helped Chen Yuan with anything except for helping to clean the house.

It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he just didn't have the ability.

All he could do was to give Chen Yuan less trouble.

Unfortunately, he was still brought to the capital when Great Yan was founded. It was the first time in his life that he had left Ping'an County so far, and he was very uncomfortable. When he found out about the title that Chen Yuan was giving him, he became even more uncomfortable.

"Zhang Xuan can accept it, but you can't?"

"I..."

"It's more comfortable to call you Brother Yuan."

"Brother Yuan, you know my aptitude and strength. I can't compare to Master Zhang at all. My limit in this life is the Condensation Gang realm. There's no possibility of reaching the Profound realm.

Staying in Ping'an County is still somewhat useful. Coming to the capital to be a idle earl is really unbearable. Besides, following Your Majesty...Brother Yuan, you conquered the Jiangshan. There are so many meritorious officials whose limit is only an earl. Me... hehe, it's really a bit inappropriate."

Wang Ping said hesitantly.

He was closer to Brother Yuan when they were in Ping'an County, but with Chen Yuan's rise in status and power, Wang Ping couldn't help but feel immense pressure when facing Chen Yuan now.

Even though he instinctively didn't want to, he couldn't suppress his inner feelings.

"Is that what you really think?"

Chen Yuan asked.

"Of course, I wouldn't dare to lie to you, Brother Yuan."

"If you stay in the capital, even if your aptitude is not good, you will have a better chance to step into the upper three realms of martial arts."

"Brother Yuan, I know that the cultivation of martial artists doesn't only rely on resources, but also on their state of mind. I'm only suitable to be a constable. I really...can't do it."

It wasn't that Wang Ping didn't know what was good for him, but he was just a little scared.

Failure to break through could lead to a reduced lifespan, or even death.

His name was Wang Ping, and all he wanted in this life was to live a peaceful life.

"Fine, then you should go back to Ping'an County."

Chen Yuan waved his hand.

"Don't worry, Brother Yuan. I will definitely keep the house in Ping'an County in good condition. If you ever have the leisure, don't forget to come back and take a look..." Wang Ping smiled.

It was as if they had returned to the time when Chen Yuan left Ping'an County.

"I will go back."

Chen Yuan looked ahead and said softly.

"Then... I will take my leave."

"Okay."

....

"What's wrong?"

Su Ziyue, wearing a phoenix robe, slowly approached Chen Yuan and asked curiously as she watched him gazing into the distance.

"Nothing, just feeling a little sentimental."

"Because of Wang Ping?"

"You saw him?"

"No, I just took a look from afar. What's wrong with him?"

"He refused the title and is willing to return to Ping'an."

"Hehe, he's a smart person." Su Ziyue smiled.

"Smart?"

"Yes, Wang Ping's cultivation and ability are not outstanding. Even if he is transferred to the capital, with your Majesty's attitude towards cultivation, you wouldn't always think about him, and you might even forget about him after giving him an award.

But now, Wang Ping has refused the title and returned to Ping'an County, so wouldn't you occasionally think of him?"

"You, you think too much. I know Wang Ping's personality best. He's not deliberately refusing, but he really wants to return to Ping'an County to live out the rest of his life."

"I don't mean that. I mean that Wang Ping might be closer to Chen Yuan, the constable of Ping'an County, than to Chen Yuan, the current Emperor Shengwu.

When you think of him, he becomes Chen Yuan, the constable."

"Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. Why did you come here?" Chen Yuan shook his head. Another word and it'd get too emotional, especially when getting emotional with a man. He wasn't comfortable with it.

"Your Majesty, why don't you guess?"

Su Ziyue winked and said softly.

"Is there trouble in the harem?"

"The other sisters don't have scheming personalities. How much trouble can there be? You, you must have read too many romance novels and think that I'm still scheming in the palace, right?"

Su Ziyue glared at Chen Yuan.

With her abilities, the other sisters combined wouldn't be her match. At most, Pingyang could compete with her, but Pingyang isn't stupid at all.

Being able to rise from being a latecomer to become the unique Imperial Concubine, and the key is that the other sisters don't have any objections, which is enough to prove that she has some skills.

"Then tell me, don't keep me in suspense."

"Isn't it the founding of the dynasty? Well... the other sisters said that tonight... everyone can have a fight with you, Emperor Shengwu." Su Ziyue chuckled.

"Everyone's coming?"

Chen Yuan raised his eyebrows.

He had never tried a melee before.

Why not....

Be outrageous for once?

"What's wrong? Is Emperor Shengwu scared?"

"Scared? I don't even know how to write the word 'scared'!"

"So..."

"Let's go back to the palace!"

......

The specific operations can't be described in detail, but in short, Chen Yuan suppressed all the women, including Su Ziyue, under his feet, begging Emperor Shengwu for mercy.

....

Great Yan's Shengwu Year, July 21st.

It had been five days since the founding ceremony, and this time was enough for the world to digest the news. Chen Yuan also indulged himself for several days.

At the same time, the new imperial court quickly integrated within a few days.

After all, everyone had already made preparations before, and now they were just adapting. Everyone faced this rising dynasty with excitement.

This was a golden age, and they were participants.

Chen Yuan divided the four kings with different surnames and stationed them in the four directions. He built another majestic pass in Lanzhou, named the Xihai Pass (West Sea Pass), with the Pingxi King (King Who Pacifies the West) Chen Huaiyi leading 30,000 elite troops to guard it.

Their task was to properly teach the thirty-six countries, change their thinking. The era when Mount Ling was the master of the Western Regions was gone forever.

Now, the master was Great Yan.

As for the military power in the Central Plains, Chen Yuan divided it into several parts, under his command. He was still the actual commander of the three armies, but he delegated some affairs to others.

In addition to the military, there was also the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which had absorbed the former Jin Dynasty's Heaven Patrol Department, was even more terrifying than before, monitoring the entire human realm.

Jiang He, the Grand Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was one of the few powerful figures in the court, who could decide the life and death of thousands with a single word. This was Chen Yuan's trust and reliance on him.

In addition to these two parts, there was the civil official system.

He still implemented the policy of separation of powers, but the civil officials were still too weak due to the limitations of their power. Therefore, Chen Yuan also ordered the establishment of the Imperial College, allowing scholars to cultivate as well.

As for when they could grow, it all depended on themselves.

After all, the opportunity had been given to them.

As for Chen Yuan's uncle, Wu Daozi, he also declined Chen Yuan's reward like Wang Ping and quietly returned to Chen Family Village in Shuzhou to continue cultivating his mind.

Chen Yuan didn't stop him and couldn't stop him.

When everything was on track, it was also the time for the first court meeting of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Inside the Golden Luan Hall.

Chen Yuan entered from the side door and walked step by step to the dragon throne under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials. He waved his dragon robe and sat down slowly. He...had completed the goal he had set for himself.

He walked step by step to the top, and now, he was the supreme.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Headed by the civil and military officials, all the officials bowed in unison.

"Rise, gentlemen."

A vast thunderous sound resounded throughout the heavens and earth, echoing in the Golden Luan Hall, as if an invisible force lifted everyone up, standing together, and continuing to chant in unison:

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"What do you gentlemen have to report?"

Chen Yuan looked down at the officials below.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister has a report!" Jiang He, the Grand Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stepped forward and bowed.

"Report."

"The King Who Guards the South respectfully reports that the demon clans in the Southern Border frequently raid the border, regarding the people of the Central Plains as blood food. This minister boldly requests that Your Majesty send troops to the south to conquer the demons and create everlasting peace for the human race of the Central Plains!"

Although the demon clan had already run away, it didn't affect them listing their previous crimes.

"This minister seconds it. The demon clan should be exterminated, and the human race should prosper!"

"This minister seconds it. For thousands of years, the demon clan has been a major threat to our human race. Now that the power of Great Yan sweeps across the human realm, we should take this opportunity to completely eliminate this hidden danger."

"This minister seconds it. Your Majesty is a king of all ages and should destroy the demon clan to complete his achievements."

"This minister seconds it..."

One civil official after another, one military general after another, constantly seconded, supporting the southern conquest of the demons, because this was a long-established national policy, and now it was just a formality.

No one would be stupid enough to raise objections.

Because the imperial court was not lacking in strongmen, not lacking in heritage, and could easily destroy the demon clan, anyone who dared to stop it would be destroyed under the rolling tide!

Chen Yuan stood up, waved his dragon robe, looked at the united court officials, and said solemnly:

"It's time to end the thousand-year blood feud. I have decided to personally lead the expedition, sending troops south to completely pacify the demon clan in the Southern Border and create everlasting peace for the human race of the Central Plains!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live Your Majesty..."