Indeed, Meng Qin is just like his name, he’s akin to a "fierce bird" nurtured by Emperor Yongcheng, launching into Nanzhou with just one word—fierce!

Against the aristocratic family, he dares to confront them head-on;

Against the two great Princes, Prince Nan and Prince Nanping, he dares to be fair and strict;

Against the Barbarian tribe chiefs, he is even more uncompromising.

...After just a few days of arriving in Nanzhou, news kept pouring in.

In Emperor Yongcheng’s eyes, Meng Qin is a warrior unafraid of authority, fearless of obstacles.

But in the eyes of the local influential figures and the officials in the capital, this guy is a petty man who has gained some luck, a senseless troublemaker!

"Ah, with such a petty man disrupting Nanzhou, it’s in danger!"

Some insightful courtiers secretly worry.

Feng Shou particularly has little faith in Meng Qin, thinking this guy will bring great trouble to Emperor Yongcheng.

His instinct was to advise, but thinking of Emperor Yongcheng’s harsh, unkind demeanor, he secretly shook his head.

Forget it, it’s better not to waste words.

Advising certainly won’t stop him, it’ll only make Emperor Yongcheng more repulsive towards him as a teacher.

At most, he can order more surveillance in Nanzhou, trying not to let Meng Qin overindulge.

The changes in Nanzhou merely stirred a small sensation in the capital, quickly left in the back of everyone’s mind.

Firstly, Nanzhou is too far, plus Meng Qin is just a small figure.

Everyone thinks, even if he can cause a stir, it won’t lead to a major incident.

Secondly, Empress Dowager He’s birthday is approaching.

He Tiantian:...o(╯□╰)o

Though it’s called a sacred birthday, sounding grand in age, Empress Dowager He is just thirty-eight this year.

In future generations, it’s still an age one can call oneself a young lady.

However, in the wicked ancient times, it is clearly the age of a grandmother.

Logically, this year Empress Dowager He’s birthday isn’t a milestone, no need for such grand arrangements.

Yet, this year marks Empress Dowager He’s first birthday after returning power to the Emperor.

Whether it’s Emperor Yongcheng or the courtiers, they don’t want Empress Dowager He to feel empty inside or neglected due to one sacred birthday.

Emperor Yongcheng wants to show he’s a truly filial son, while the courtiers hope Empress Dowager He focuses more on the harem and personal enjoyment, rather than constantly meddling in the Imperial court.

Hence, everyone is keen to grandly celebrate this year’s sacred birthday. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Especially Emperor Yongcheng, aside from wanting the reputation of a filial son, lately he’s somewhat in a "joyous and proud" mood.

Initially, Emperor Yongcheng was somewhat uneasy about the establishment of the Salt Administration Bureau.

However, once this new government office operated formally, it brought great revenues to the national treasury.

With money, even Emperor Yongcheng gained confidence.

Those Outstanding Officials, the Generals who wield troops, praise and flatter Emperor Yongcheng for his smooth allocations of military salary.

Even his official father-in-law Tao Yong, who usually shows him no good face, has begun to become amiable.

Emperor Yongcheng:...Hmph, this bunch of soldiers, though a bit crude, a bit mercantile, are straightforward. Compared to those old foxes like Wang Yuan, they are much more endearing!

The salt tax reform succeeded, perhaps the courtiers know the secret (the real Outstanding Official is Empress Dowager He), but the commoners are unaware.

Commoners enjoy cheaper "official salt", they praise "the Emperor’s wisdom", rather than "the Empress Dowager’s brilliance".

Hearing the exaggerated descriptions from Zheng Family father and son of the capital’s people’s awe and praise, Emperor Yongcheng finally tasted the feeling of being a venerated Wise Emperor.

Moreover, the grand exam for officials, though there were always some trials, successfully allowed Emperor Yongcheng to place his confidants.

Not to mention others, just Meng Qin alone gave Emperor Yongcheng a surprise.

"Minister Meng indeed did not disappoint this one’s high expectations, single-handedly opened the situation in Nanzhou!"

Holding the eight hundred-mile urgent secret papers received every ten days, Emperor Yongcheng clearly knows what’s happening in the Southern Border thousands of miles away.

He immediately had a sense of "Jiangshan is at my command".

He Tiantian & Wang Yuan and other big shots:...This naive silly child, once Meng Qin causes trouble, he’ll know the harshness of reality!

"Tiantian, don’t be in a rush to sympathize with Emperor Yongcheng, Zheng Nianer and Lady Hu are plotting something big!"

Student Xiao D sneakily appeared, said quietly: "Aren’t you curious what they are doing?"

Student Xiao D really couldn’t hold it in.

He can monitor everything in the capital twenty-four hours, three hundred sixty degrees.