As long as the right institutions and key departments were established and their functions clearly defined, these departments would become immovable pillars of governance. Regardless of who served within them, anyone could be replaced or reassigned at any time—as long as they were willing. Those with talent would rise; those without would naturally step down. These institutions would serve as platforms for individuals to compete and display their abilities.
Where there is a platform, there will be talent. And only with talent can the power of the platform be truly unleashed.
Having come from a modern society with over five thousand years of historical precedent to learn from, Yi Tianxing understood this principle well.
What mattered most was the creation of core departments—to construct the framework of his future power.
"I plan to establish the Grand Council of Military Affairs. It will oversee all military-related matters in Xuanhuang Village. This council will operate independently from civil administration—internal affairs will not interfere with the army. Soldiers will be registered under a military system and managed by the council. It will control troop deployments, external campaigns, internal defenses, and more. Aside from me, no one will have the authority to meddle in its operations."
Yi Tianxing's announcement landed like a thunderclap.
Yang Ye, his sons Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding, and Wang Dahu were visibly shaken, their expressions full of astonishment. They had heard him clearly—the creation of this Grand Council meant military matters would be treated with unprecedented seriousness.
"A military department completely free from civil interference... such a thing has never existed in any dynasty. No one has ever relinquished so much control over the army. This essentially means military decisions will no longer be shackled by bureaucratic oversight. Generals can now march to war without worrying about political backstabbing or sabotage from behind."
Yang Ye's heart trembled with emotion.
He had suffered too many times from political arrows fired from behind enemy lines. Accusations, slanders, shortage of supplies, even imperial decrees that forced him to abandon hard-earned victories. The pain of such betrayals was known all too well by those in the military.
In past regimes, scholars were revered, and military officers looked down upon as brutes. Many times, war petitions had been flatly rejected by the court. Yang Ye had endured this firsthand.
But now—this new council was a declaration: the dignity of the soldier was being restored.
"Many thanks, Village Chief, for restoring honor to all soldiers! No longer shall we bleed on the battlefield and weep in silence.
Yang Ye, at your service—greetings, my liege!!"
He dropped to one knee, face full of heartfelt gratitude. His eyes shimmered with conviction. This respect alone was enough to earn his loyalty.
"Yang Yanping pays respects to my lord!""Yang Yanding pays respects to my lord!"
Both brothers followed suit, bowing deeply.
They now addressed Yi Tianxing as lord, accepting him fully as their sovereign.
"Very well. General Yang, Yanping, Yanding—you three, along with Dahu, will enter the Grand Council. However, the specific roles within the council have yet to be finalized. For now, General Yang will oversee it, with Dahu assisting."
Yi Tianxing smiled. Last night's meeting had been too rushed to define everything. The department structure had to evolve gradually, adjusted to real needs over time. This process of slow refinement was itself a path of growth.
"Next, I will establish the Heavenly Works Pavilion. It will bring together craftsmen and artisans with extraordinary skill. The pavilion will manage construction projects and pursue technological innovation. Our goal is to develop new tools, techniques, and treasures to support the growth of Xuanhuang Village."
"We are cultivators now. Our craft must evolve too—towards a higher level of mastery, beyond the mundane."
"Hu Bin, Iron Ox, Zhu Dachang, Li An—you'll all be part of the Heavenly Works Pavilion. I hope you can refine your techniques, infuse them with the power of cultivation, and bring your skills to new heights."
Yi Tianxing had always believed that the wisdom of China's five-thousand-year legacy—its myriad crafts and trades—held limitless potential. Now, as cultivators, they could transcend the limits of the mundane and elevate their art to the level of legends.
Like Lu Ban, who supposedly crafted wooden birds that could fly and wooden horses that could run. Such ancient marvels were the result of skills that had crossed into the divine.
"Yes, my lord!"
The artisans exchanged glances, excitement in their eyes.
In the past, they were always at the bottom of the social hierarchy. But now—Yi Tianxing not only gave them a voice, but also his respect. That alone moved them deeply. For the first time, they felt that their talents had found a true home.
"I will also create the Heavenly Registry Hall, responsible for managing all household records in Xuanhuang Village. We are all cultivating now, ascending to a higher state of life. In the eyes of mortals, we are already akin to immortals or gods. Therefore, the old name of 'Ministry of Households' no longer suits us—we now record Heavenly Registrations."
The villagers' hearts stirred with pride at those words. They were becoming something more—walking the path to immortality.
"Jia Yucun, you did well with the population registry before. You'll oversee the Heavenly Registry Hall for now. However, military records, once filed, must also be sent to the Grand Council for backup."
"Yes, my lord! I will give everything I have to manage the Hall well!"
Jia Yucun's heart burned with emotion. Though the job seemed small—just managing registries—having it formalized as a standalone institution meant he had entered Yi Tianxing's inner circle.
A core department. A core member of the regime.
That was everything.
"Also, with the growing population, peace must be maintained. Though things are harmonious for now, danger can always arise. We need an internal security force."
"I will establish the Six Gates Bureau, responsible for law enforcement and internal patrols. Zhang Yue, you will lead the formation of this bureau. Feel free to recruit from among those who have worked as constables before."
"Understood, my lord! I will do my best."
Zhang Yue's expression was resolute.
(There would be a Judicial Hall in the future—but that would come later.)
"One more department. Though we currently share communal meals, the management of food, supplies, and wealth must be taken seriously. I plan to establish the Hall of Ten Thousand Treasures, responsible for resources, finances, and taxation."
"And for that, we need a merchant—Xue Jin. You started with nothing and became a wealthy man. You'll temporarily manage this Hall. But know this—if you do poorly, you'll be replaced."
Yi Tianxing turned to a rotund, smiling man with a glint in his eye.
Xue Jin had always seemed cheerful and harmless, but anyone could tell this was a shrewd and capable merchant. To build a fortune from nothing took more than luck—it took cunning.
And now, for a man once considered beneath even farmers, to be named steward of Xuanhuang Village's treasury? That nearly made him faint from joy.
Thankfully, he composed himself, took a deep breath, and knelt respectfully:
"Rest assured, my lord. If I fail to live up to the role, I will resign on my own accord!"