Chapter 1526: Taking Control

Chapter 1511: Consolidating Power

This was a two-level promotion, placing him in charge of the artisan teams. Where there was punishment, there was naturally also reward.

Lord Xu was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude for the King's favor.

"Since His Majesty has set a four-month deadline, Lord You and I must live up to the trust placed in us and closely monitor the project's progress," He Lingchuan said, word by word. "If we can't sell the new city plots and recover the funds within four months, this project will definitely fail! At that point, everyone present will face severe consequences."

The officials exchanged glances; no one uttered a sound.

What did he mean by "face severe consequences"? This project involved hundreds of officials and thousands more in related capacities. It was a common saying that the law doesn't punish the masses; with so many officials involved, could King Yao really punish all of them? That would cause immense upheaval in the Yao Royal Court!

"Anyone who feels they can't endure this can walk out that door right now and go join Qi Shuhuan." He pointed to a stack of documents on the table. "Those who decide to stay will sign a military pledge, one copy for each person. Any delay or dereliction of duty will be dealt with according to the pledge! By then, it won't just be a matter of losing your post."

The officials exclaimed in alarm, "Lord You! This, this...?" They weren't fighting on the front lines, so why sign a military pledge?

You Rongzhi also nodded. "The King said that building the new city is like fighting a major war! Whoever fails to perform will be dealt with according to the law and orders! Please face this seriously and do not take it lightly!"

The officials thought that the law doesn't punish the masses; if such a large project failed, it would be a collective dereliction of duty. How could it be blamed on one person? He Lingchuan's method, however, was to make each person accountable for their own mistakes and bear their own burdens. There would be no group punishment, only individual accountability. Only when the punishment truly affected individuals would they feel the pain and focus their minds on working diligently.

He Lingchuan softened his tone and said solemnly: "There's still time. I assure you, as long as you pull yourselves together and follow the rules in carrying out your duties, we can not only make up for the lost seven days but also complete the task within four months! By then, the new city will flourish, and you will receive commendations and rewards, which will justify your hard-won positions!"

Among the officials present, besides those who were specialized talents with experience in palace construction, many had bought their way in. Like Qi Shuhuan, their families had spent a fortune to secure a "seat" in the expansion project, and the cost was very high. Therefore, their responsibilities were also very heavy, and it was absolutely impossible for them to withdraw midway. How precious these positions were; others would fight tooth and nail to get in, so how could they dare to give them up? Even if they were willing, the powers behind them would not allow it.

"Distribute the pledges."

At He Lingchuan's command, palace attendants brought out the prepared military pledges and distributed them one by one. Most of the officials present were seeing the legendary military pledge for the first time. The moment they saw the glaring red seal on it, their hearts sank. That was the weight of responsibility.

Looking at the regulations on it, numbered one, two, three, four, five, they were detailed and strict. The general gist was that any official who signed and then violated the terms would be dealt with according to the order. Huang Shilü mentally calculated: if he truly acted according to the rules, his daily eating and sleeping combined wouldn't even amount to three *shichen* (six hours), and all other time would have to be spent on the project, busy like a whipped top.

Other officials gave him knowing glances. Huang Shilü considered his words and was about to speak, when He Lingchuan's gaze swept over him. He strode to Huang Shilü's side and, looking down, asked, "Does Lord Huang have any questions?"

His smile was profound, sending a chill down Huang Shilü's spine. Fearing that he was being targeted, he said, "Nothing, nothing!"

So, with mixed feelings, the officials pricked their fingertips and signed their blood-red names on the military pledges. Although they were extremely reluctant, this military pledge emphasized efficiency and progress, with no stipulations against corruption or extorting bribes. Perhaps the higher-ups understood that such practices were impossible to prevent, so they simply didn't mention them. Their original purpose for joining this team could still be achieved.

As Huang Shilü finished his last stroke, He Lingchuan picked up the military pledges and blew on them to dry the ink, saying with a smile, "I will keep all these military pledges. All you Lords, please work together and persevere!"

Everyone understood that this meant he would be supervising the work. This fellow, this fellow truly isn't afraid of offending people!

Amidst the lightning and thunder outside, He Lingchuan revealed the unscrupulous face of a demanding client: "Overtime work begins tonight."

Huang Shilü mumbled, "Lord He, the rain has been too heavy recently, causing landslides, and building roads on Loushan Mountain right now is truly dangerous. Yesterday, two migrant workers paving the road slipped down the cliff and still haven't been found."

Most of the new city's terrain was flat, with only two small mountains, Loushan being one of them. Although not high, its rock and soil were weathered and loose, making road construction very difficult. Collapses often occurred during excavation. But without passing Loushan, the route between Yunsong Town and Youhu Lake would be a long detour.

Having just signed the military pledge and immediately finding an excuse, Huang Shilü felt ashamed, and also feared He Lingchuan would punish him.

He Lingchuan also walked this road daily and knew he was right. After many days of continuous rain, the chance of landslides was high. He needed to meet the deadline, not harvest lives. Of course, he also understood that if he insisted, the project would continue tonight, but there might be a few more innocent souls at the bottom of the cliff.

He Lingchuan turned to You Rongzhi and said, "Please go into the palace, Lord You, and petition His Majesty for the use of elemental power!"

You Rongzhi was startled: "Wha—" With so many eyes watching, he couldn't lose his composure. So he pulled He Lingchuan aside and whispered to confirm, "Lord He, are you talking about elemental power?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan said, pointing out the window. "It looks like this rain will continue for at least another seven or eight days. If we don't use some special methods, the Loushan Road won't be repaired. Then, transporting materials from the south will require a long detour, and the project progress will be slow."

"But elemental power is a national treasure; using it for road repair is truly..."

"Good steel should be used on the blade. The eastern expansion of the capital is also a battle, a major battle that we must win, not lose. You see, we've all signed military pledges." He Lingchuan said earnestly, "Yao Kingdom has enjoyed favorable weather and no military disasters or unrest in recent years. Should the elemental power accumulated this way not be used for major national and public welfare matters?"

You Rongzhi remained silent. His words made sense, but...

He Lingchuan continued, "Everything is difficult at the start. We finally got the atmosphere here tonight. If we immediately retreat and give up, this whole act will have been for nothing, and the project will proceed sluggishly again. Lord You, the most important thing is to strike while the iron is hot. If we want everyone to clear the path through thorns, we must first overcome all difficulties ourselves!"

"Strike while the iron is hot?" What does that mean? You Rongzhi could roughly understand the literal meaning. After a slight pause for thought, he raised his voice: "Have everyone prepare. I will go into the palace first."

Having said that, he hurried away.

At this point, the palace attendants had also collected all the military pledges and handed them over to He Lingchuan. He slapped the thick stack of pledges in front of him. "Alright, please return to your posts and perform your duties. Lord You should soon be able to secure the elemental power. A little wind and rain won't stop us from building the city!"

He had called for dismissal, but the officials did not immediately leave. At least seven or eight people gathered around him, humbly asking for further guidance on their work. He Lingchuan's expression changed in an instant; he became amiable, witty, and no longer put on airs. Huang Shilü also stayed by his side, asking for advice for over fifteen minutes before leaving.

Outside was a long wind-and-rain corridor, somewhat resembling an arcade building. Walking beneath it, one could watch the wind sway the trees, without getting wet. Huang Shilü had only walked a few steps when two friendly officials caught up from behind: "Brother Huang, Brother Huang, let's walk together."

"Hurry, I still need to rush to Loushan. As soon as we leave this corridor, even with an umbrella, we'll get soaked."

One official said, "Brother Huang, do you think His Majesty is serious this time? Did he really put He Xiao in charge?"

Another asked, "Lord You is the chief commander; can he really delegate power?"

Huang Shilü chuckled. "Haven't you two figured it out yet? He Xiao says all the offending words and does all the offending deeds. Lord You simply remains the benevolent figure."

Both officials let out a long "oh," realizing that there was a division of labor.

"If Lord You himself offended people, then who would mediate?" Huang Shilü coughed. "This was originally Lord Wang Dongxing's task, but he fell ill."

"Ah, old ginger is spicier," another official whispered. "He Xiao is young after all, and Lord You can't be as decisive and swift."

"This has nothing to do with age. Lord You works in the Royal Court, so he has to consider human relations and social conventions." Huang Shilü shook his head. "But He Xiao has no official post or title. Although he received an honor, he's still essentially a commoner, and a foreigner! No matter how much he offends people here, after the eastern expansion project is over, the King can find any reason to dispose of him, which will both satisfy us and not chill the hearts of the common people."

He Xiao is the villain, King Yao gets rid of him, and these ministers would even be grateful, praising His Majesty's wisdom.

Both said, "Brother Huang still sees things most clearly."

"Conversely," Huang Shilü said, glancing at the two, "for the foreseeable future, the King will truly let He Xiao be in charge. We all have to knuckle down and work; don't provoke him."

Meanwhile, He Lingchuan left the building and rode his horse to inspect the new city construction site. With no one else around, the Soul-Capturing Mirror asked him, "Hey, can You Rongzhi really get the elemental power?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan said without thinking. "If he wasn't confident, he wouldn't have announced loudly that he was going to the palace before leaving. If elemental power isn't used for major national affairs, where else would it be used? The current situation is like an arrow on the bowstring, ready to be released. If he can understand this, King Yao surely can too."

The mirror was silent for a moment before saying, "What exactly are you doing tonight?"

"Consolidating power," He Lingchuan said with a smile. "King Yao acquiesced, and You Rongzhi didn't contend, so why should I be modest? Of course, I should seize it firmly!"

"You Rongzhi has always been unwilling to offend people, so he let me play the villain. But conversely, controlling people means real power." King Yao never fully delegated authority to him, but it didn't matter. As long as He Lingchuan had the final say, he possessed substantial power!

He said slowly, "Only by consolidating this portion of power can I begin my next move."

No sooner had he spoken than a gigantic bolt of lightning, monstrous like a dragon, streaked across the night sky ahead! The light illuminated the surroundings, casting a chilling gleam on his face.