“Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.” Minster Hao kowtowed in response.

With Emperor Yang Zhou accepting these, he could feel more reassured. As for the nobles back in the city, they have long given up.

As long as they could keep their lives, they were willing to pay high price.

For some of these big families, the most important thing was for them to continue their lineage. They could take setback and lose money, but they need to have some people left in their family.

If they dared to rebel against Fei Yang Kingdom, the entire family would be thoroughly destroyed. Because Emperor Yang Zhou was able to rule Fei Yang Kingdom not through compassion but through wars and violence too.

He could be kind but most of it were nothing more than calculation.

Because he’s the emperor.

“You may go now.” Emperor Yang Zhou turned to look at Prime Minister Lan.

Prime Minister Lan stepped forward and said, “Minister Hao will be assigned in Ying City. The formal appointment will be announced in a few days.”

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

After a few more words, Minister Hao walked out of the court. He looked back at the court for a moment and then sighed silently, but there was a faint smile.

What Emperor Qi Kan Tian said was right.

He still has a chance to continue being an official, even if the position would not be as high as it used to be.

But this was much better than nothing.

From now on, he’s the minister of Fei Yang Kingdom and nothing else.

Meanwhile, Emperor Yang Zhou and the two prime ministers were talking about the inauguration tomorrow.

“Your Majesty, everyone had been informed about the inauguration process.” Prime Minister Lan looked at Emperor Yang Zhou. “The princes will be present to watch from the side.”

In the past few years, Emperor Yang Zhou had several children as the harem expanded. For this matter, the two prime ministers didn’t care too much. This was because they knew that as long as Emperor Yang Zhou didn’t want to, none of his children could ever get the throne.

Besides, they were still very young right now and it was not the time to worry about succession matters.

The oldest prince was only 9 years old and it was still far away before he could even think about gathering power in the court. Emperor Yang Zhou would most likely not let go of the power in his hand so easily.

He had worked hard for most of his life, could he give it to others just like that?

It was unlikely.

“I know.” Emperor Yang Zhou nodded. “Made the announcement tomorrow. Fei Yang Kingdom will still be Fei Yang Kingdom, but it had entered a new calendar. Tomorrow will be the first day of Emperor Zhou.”

After thinking for a long time, Emperor Yang Zhou chose the word ‘Zhou.’ The writing was different from his name and it’ll be his title from now on.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

…

The next day, people gathered on the street to watch the procession from the distance. If they had to be honest, they couldn’t really see anything from this distance, but it didn’t stop them from coming up.

Soldiers were lining up and the officials gathered at the large open area in the palace’s courtyard. Everyone was dressed up well and stood obediently. On the inner area of the palace, the younger princes were brought there with the manservant taking care of them, watching curiously.

The older princes have long known how to behave and those who were still toddler and babies were squirming and it took them some time to calm down.

There were many children there.

These people would be the future emperor in the future.

As for who it will be, no one knew.

Emperor Yang Zhou slowly came forward and headed to the throne, the officials were watching. He was dressed in grand robe with exquisite embroidery. It looked extremely good and showed his status as the emperor very clearly.

The atmosphere was joyful yet also solemn.

Everyone respected Emperor Yang Zhou as he was the one who had allowed Fei Yang Kingdom to rise.

Of course, the contribution of the people under him could not be ignored. But in the end, he’s still the leader who had commanded these people and guided them over the years.

“It’s very grand,” Nan Hua muttered when she watched the procession from the distance. She and Long Qian Xing stayed far away because there was no place for them nearby and they could barely see Emperor Yang Zhou in the distance.

“He’s the emperor and it’s only natural for the procession to be made grand,” Long Qian Xing said simply.

“En.” Nan Hua hummed in a low voice and then asked, “Will you serve him until the end of your life?”

“I am loyal to Fei Yang Kingdom,” Long Qian Xing said slowly and looked at Nan Hua beside him. “But above all else, I’ll be your husband.”

Nan Hua blinked her eyes and looked at Long Qian Xing before she smiled brightly.

Unlike Long Qian Xing who had a sense of responsibility for Fei Yang Kingdom, Nan Hua could not do that. She’s more of a selfish person who cared for herself more than any other people.

Long Qian Xing smiled back before turning his head to look at the long procession. He took a deep breath and said, “His Majesty, Emperor Zhou is the emperor of Fei Yang Kingdom. I’ll serve him as his general and listen to his words as long as he’s loyal to Fei Yang Kingdom and do things for Fei Yang Kingdom’s good.”

Nan Hua nodded.

In the distance, Emperor Zhou reached the throne and then the officials all kowtowed on the ground, yelling, “Long live Emperor.”

Long Qian Xing and Nan Hua knelt down in accordance to their etiquette. Long Qian Xing cupped his fist and Nan Hua held her hand in front of her stomach.

It’s a sign of respect.

And from today on, Fei Yang Kingdom is the one and only kingdom and this year represent a new year for Fei Yang Kingdom under Emperor Zhou.