Seeing this situation, Lin Qian quickly helped Leng Wuyi up, asking with a bit of amusement, "What are you doing? What wrong have you committed?"
"Alas, we had always assumed that Your Majesty Lin was the kind of ruler who exploits the common people and doesn't regard ordinary folks as humans. It was only after the young miss related her experiences in Little Ling City that we came to our senses." As Leng Wuyi spoke, he couldn't help but recall his initial suspicions about Lin Qian searching for their Life Palace with the desire to obliterate it, and his face showed even greater shame.
Now that Lin Qian had personally sought them out, he clearly had known the whereabouts of their Life Palace for some time, and he had none of these intentions.
After listening to Leng Wuyi recount their past speculations about himself, Lin Qian couldn't help bursting into laughter, waving his hand and saying, "I understand. Once bitten, twice shy. It's not surprising that you would have such concerns."
Then, Lin Qian said seriously to the people before him, "You have managed to cultivate to such a realm despite scarce resources, which proves your exceptional talent. You could have left Wei Guo and Qiu Country to live your lives in the outside world's vast expanses, yet you firmly chose to stay, to strive for the common people, because you never forget where you came from. Such a spirit is indeed precious and rare."
"So I respect you, and my visit this time is to ask whether you would be willing to join the Huaxia Empire and help me manage the seventeen territories that once belonged to Wei Guo and Qiu Country?"
After Lin Qian finished speaking, everyone was somewhat stunned. Leng Wuyi, Qiu Xian, and others couldn't believe what they were hearing and wondered if they had misheard.
Joining the Huaxia Empire was not the main point, but to help manage Wei Guo and Qiu Country?
Shouldn't Lin Qian keep these territories firmly in the hands of his own people? Was he really at ease entrusting it to them?
After pondering for a while, Leng Wuyi gave Lin Qian a fist salute and said, "I believe that everyone from the Life Palace will be willing to join the Huaxia Empire, but as for managing Wei Guo and Qiu Country, to avoid idle gossip, Your Majesty Lin should still consider it carefully."
Hearing Leng Wuyi's words, Lin Qian immediately understood what he meant, saying with a bit of amusement, "Your concerns are unnecessary. In managing the original seventeen territories of Wei Guo and Qiu Country, it won't be just you; there will also be people from the original Huaxia Empire. Besides, I trust you will absolutely not betray me."
"You are originally from the former Wei Guo and Qiu Country and will certainly be more familiar with this land. Having you come to manage it would be all the more beneficial."
"As long as you choose to pledge loyalty to me, that will suffice!"
After finishing, Lin Qian quietly watched the people, waiting for their answer.
In fact, the mere fact that Leng Wuyi had raised this issue was already evidence of their character, but nothing is absolute, and Lin Qian also needed a guarantee - that was to have them pledge loyalty to him.
Because the talent of imperial dominance existed in his previous life as well as in this world, and it was still effective. Once the people of the Life Palace chose to pledge loyalty to him, their loyalty would never change.
Lin Qian's talent for imperial dominance was even more effective than an oath to a heart's demon.
After exchanging glances, everyone from the Life Palace looked towards Lin Qian and one after another, they knelt down and voluntarily took the oath of a heart's demon to pledge their loyalty to him.
Their decisive actions took Lin Qian by surprise. He had thought they would consider it carefully, as pledging loyalty to someone on the spur of the moment was not a decision to be taken lightly.
What Lin Qian didn't know was just how shocking the attitude of the Huaxia Empire toward the common people was to the members of the Life Palace. Sёarᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
The events recounted by Qiu Ling in Little Ling City were certainly a reflection of Lin Qian's will!
The affairs within Little Ling City made it clear what kind of ruler Lin Qian was, and for such a leader of a force to exist was something they could only dream of.
The Life Palace had no ambition to become a master of one region; Leng Wuyi, Qiu Xian, and these Soul Martial Artists who emerged from the common people only wished for the people to live better lives, free from the dark rule they had previously suffered.
And now, they had finally encountered such an existence.
Lin Qian silently accepted the loyalty of the Life Palace members, then had them stand up. "Now that you are part of the Huaxia Empire, you will need to be busy for the Empire."
Hearing Lin Qian's words, everyone nodded, indicating their willingness to follow his commands.
"Now that the Huaxia Empire has just taken control of these territories, there is much to rebuild. The plundered assets from the original Wei Guo and Qiu Country are already being dealt with by the Heavenly Art Department. The living areas such as cities, towns, and villages are the responsibility of the Fire Department. You just need to understand the Heavenly Art Department and the Fire Department, that's all."
"Your next task is to integrate the former staff of the Life Palace into the administrative offices of the states. You will be in charge of building roads between cities, towns, and villages, getting the common people to contribute labor, and the Empire will provide compensation. This will allow them to join together in building the Huaxia Empire, which will in turn foster a sense of belonging."
"After the construction of the roads between cities, towns, and villages is finished, clear the nearby Soul Beasts, install Arrays, and arrange for Imperial Army patrols. Don't let travel be a burden for the people; this is of paramount importance."
Lin Qian's words left everyone dumbfounded.
In the past, both Wei Guo and Qiu Country often conscripted civilians to the point of exhaustion, offered little food, poor lodging, and essentially had them work for nothing.
But they had just heard from Lin Qian that civilians would receive Soul Crystals as compensation for their labor, and for a moment, they couldn't believe it, wondering if they were dreaming.
Among them, Leng Wuyi and Qiu Xian had the best composure, and they quickly regained their bearing, understanding the importance of what Lin Qian had said about road construction!
For the common people in the past, every city, town, and village was an isolated island, with the outside world often being dangerous, a matter of life and death at every turn.
Once safe roads were built, communication between the people would intensify and prosperity would follow with ease.
"Focus on this task first, and then we can move to the next one," Lin Qian said. Looking at everyone, he added, "If you have any opinions, feel free to voice them to me."
"Your Majesty Lin, what is an administrative office of the state?" As soon as Lin Qian finished speaking, Qiu Ling eagerly asked.
"One state, one administrative office, responsible for managing the affairs of a state, and specifically tasked with the development of territories, civilian affairs, and the educational issues concerning the Empire's citizens."
"The administrative offices have no authority over matters concerning the Imperial Army or the War Beast Army; those are under the control of the six army commanders and the two great War Beast leaders. They only follow my orders, including the Huaxia regular army to be established in the future."
"If in the future instances occur like under the Qin Dynasty, Wei Guo or Qiu Country oppressing civilians, execute without mercy!" Lin Qian said, gazing at everyone, "Including you!"
"The Huaxia Empire must become the preeminent empire in this world. I will not tolerate any error or stain!"
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