Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 261 The True Seal's Strange Movement

The night was as dark as ink, yet the Wenhua Hall deep within the Taiji Palace remained brightly lit. The clamor of the daytime establishment of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system had subsided, leaving only Chen Xing alone before the massive map of the empire's territory. The enthronement, investiture, bestowal of titles, and establishment of institutions over the past few days had been like a grand and meticulous ceremony, nearly exhausting his mind. This brief moment of solitude allowed him to detach himself from the specifics of political affairs and engage in deeper reflection and contemplation.

He subconsciously reached into his robes and touched the warm, slightly cool object he kept close to his body—the system reward, the [Imperial Seal of the State (Imitation)]. Ever since the day of the sacrificial ceremony, when this object resonated with the original, triggering the extraordinary phenomenon of "purple aura coming from the east," he had always carried it with him. Partly for safety, and partly because he was silently sensing and studying what kind of mysterious connection existed between this system creation and the original that carried a thousand years of history.

The "luck +1" effect from the replica seemed genuine. These days, despite the myriad affairs of state, he felt more energetic than expected, his thoughts exceptionally clear, and solutions to thorny problems often surfaced more quickly. More importantly, the subtle "connection" or "sense of control" he felt with the genuine jade seal and with this land seemed to be strengthened by the replica. This wasn't tangible power, but rather more like... a psychological anchor and a boost to confidence.

"The system's gift of this item is far more than just another symbol," Chen Xing thought to himself. "'Resonating with the genuine item to strengthen the symbol of destiny'... This is more like a proactive 'empowerment' and 'guidance.' The system is using this method to help me solidify the legitimacy narrative of 'destined by heaven' and to inject a layer of 'extraordinary' aura into the new dynasty's rule, making it easier to unite people's hearts."

As he pondered, Jia Wen's deliberately soft yet urgent footsteps sounded outside the hall. "Your Majesty, this old minister has urgent business to report!"

"Go in." Chen Xing composed himself and turned around.

Jia Wen pushed open the door and entered, carrying no documents, but his expression was unusually solemn, even carrying a hint of lingering surprise and doubt. He approached and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Majesty, the eunuch on duty at the treasury has urgently reported that the Imperial Seal of the State (the genuine one), stored in the 'Number One in the Heavenly Treasury,' emitted a faint light and a low hum again just half an hour ago! It lasted for about ten breaths, and there was no one else in the treasury, nor was there any external force that triggered it! The eunuch on duty was terrified and immediately reported it up the chain of command to this old minister."

Here we go again? Chen Xing's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Oh? Have you checked carefully? Has the warehouse environment changed? Or have there been any disturbances from rodents or ants?"

"This old minister has personally inspected the storeroom. It is sealed tightly, with a constant temperature and humidity, and absolutely no insects or rodents. The imperial seal is safely placed in a specially made brocade box, without any abnormalities. However, several eunuchs on duty swore that they all witnessed the imperial seal gleaming and heard it resonate!" Jia Wen's tone was firm, but his eyes flickered with barely suppressed excitement and confusion. "Your Majesty, this is the second time such an extraordinary phenomenon has occurred since the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice! As the ancient saying goes: 'When a nation is about to prosper, there will surely be auspicious omens; when divine instruments resonate, it is the mandate of Heaven!' This is not a coincidence, but rather... it is a continuous sign from Heaven that Your Majesty is the true chosen one, and that our nation's fortunes are on the rise!"

Chen Xing slowly walked back to his desk and sat down, his fingers lightly tapping the surface. The genuine jade seal had reacted again, undoubtedly related to the replica in his possession. The resonance between the two didn't seem to be a one-off celebratory effect, but rather a continuous, perhaps activating, connection. Jia Wen interpreted it as "divine intervention," which perfectly suited his need to consolidate the legitimacy of his rule, and was also one of the purposes of the system's reward of the replica jade seal.

"Who else knows about this?" Chen Xing asked in a deep voice.

"Apart from the eunuch on duty and the old minister, no one else knows about it at the moment. The old minister has strictly ordered a news blackout," Jia Wen replied.

"Well done." Chen Xing nodded. "This matter is too mystical to be widely publicized, lest it lead to wild speculation among the people, or cause trouble for unscrupulous individuals. However, celestial warnings should be taken seriously, and auspicious signs should be accepted with reverence."

He pondered for a moment, then made up his mind: "Prime Minister Jia, how do you think we should interpret such strange phenomena, and how should we 'respectfully accept' them?"

Jia Wen's spirits lifted, knowing that His Majesty was testing him and setting the tone. He stroked his beard thoughtfully and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the divine artifact resonating on its own is no small matter. If we forcibly conceal it, we will lose our sincerity. This old minister believes that we can choose an opportunity, within a small circle, for example... before the next grand court assembly on the first day of the month, to ask Your Majesty to personally go to the treasury to 'inspect' the national treasure. At that time, if the jade seal 'responds' again, it will be natural to have the close ministers, members of the imperial family, and representatives of the nobles present witness it together. In this way, we can both 'verify' that the Mandate of Heaven is not interrupted, showing that Your Majesty is connected with the divine artifact, and control the scope of knowledge to prevent rumors from spreading. The witnesses are all pillars of the country, and if they 'accidentally' reveal this matter, its persuasiveness will be far greater than the official deliberate propaganda."

"A wise and shrewd strategist!" A hint of approval flashed in Chen Xing's eyes. Jia Wen's suggestion both utilized the unusual phenomenon and avoided any deliberate or superstitious elements, transforming it into a process of building "consensus" within the upper echelons to enhance cohesion.

"Agreed." Chen Xing made the decision. "We will proceed as Prime Minister Jia has suggested. The specific arrangements will be discussed in secret with the Inner Palace Secretariat and the Ministry of Rites, ensuring they are handled naturally and appropriately. Remember, the main point is to 'revere Heaven and honor ancestors, and be cautious in dealing with auspicious and unusual events,' not to promote supernatural phenomena or strange supernatural forces."

"This old minister understands!" Jia Wen bowed and accepted the order, his expression solemn.

"Furthermore," Chen Xing changed the subject, "the unusual movement of the Imperial Seal, whatever the reason, serves as a reminder to me and all my ministers that with the Mandate of Heaven upon us, our responsibilities are all the greater. The new dynasty has just been established, the Three Departments and Six Ministries system has only recently been implemented, and countless affairs await our attention. The Mandate of Heaven will not protect a negligent ruler, nor will it remain in an incompetent dynasty forever. True 'national prosperity' requires the unity of my ministers, working tirelessly day and night, to ensure the system is effectively implemented and that the people truly benefit. Tomorrow's court assembly will use this incident as a starting point to remind all ministers not to become complacent because of a few auspicious omens, but to consider how to diligently perform royal duties so as not to fail the trust placed in us by Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Wen bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise! You are mindful of danger even in times of peace, and vigilant even in times of prosperity—this is truly the mind of a ruler who brings prosperity to the nation! This old minister is filled with admiration!"

After Jia Wen took his leave, the Wenhua Hall returned to silence. Chen Xing once again took out the replica jade seal from his pocket and examined it closely under the lamplight. The warm, lustrous jade seemed to have a life of its own, blending with the warmth of his palm.

"Resonance...guidance..." he murmured to himself. The system's rewards, Jia Wen's scheme, and his own intentions intertwined at this moment. The unusual movement of the genuine jade seal was not only an "event" that needed to be handled properly, but also a "tool" that could be actively guided to strengthen the legitimacy of his rule, and even more so a "wake-up call" reminding him not to be intoxicated by the halo of "destiny" and to seek practical governance.

He gripped the replica jade seal tightly, feeling the faint yet real flow of "luck," and gazed at the deep night sky outside the palace.