Chapter 1: I Want to Be a Flatterer

A few seconds later, the officials in the court all entered into a mode of verbal bombardment, beginning to criticize Ning Chen.

The reason is simple; at this moment, Ning Chen's golden finger indicates that his lifespan is limited.

In the last five minutes, Ning Chen redefined his position; he intended to become a sycophant, aiming to render his future devoid of brightness.

Is there more? The emperor was clearly enjoying himself and continued to pursue Ning Chen, urging him to go on.

Your Majesty, there has never been a tradition of a woman ascending to the throne. If the citizens were to learn of this, the nation would be in jeopardy. The surrounding feudal lords have long harbored ambitions, eyeing our Great Wu with malice. If we were to allow the Grand Princess to ascend at this moment, they would surely rise in rebellion, and our Great Wu would descend into chaos! If the Buddhist sects from the Western Regions and the barbarian tribes from the Southern Regions were to take this opportunity to invade our Central Plains, our Great Wu would be in peril, and humanity would be at risk! I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!

Ning Chen was very satisfied with this reward

Gentlemen, please lower your heads and take a look at the clothes, shoes, and hats on your bodies; which of them was not crafted by the hands of women

Secondly, Your Majesty has appointed the eldest princess as the heir. This indeed demonstrates Your Majesty's ancient and sage-hearted intention to pass on virtue rather than mere primogeniture, which is truly a fortunate event for the nation and a blessing for all the people

However, this also provided Ning Chen with an opportunity, as the manual for the golden finger clearly stated that Ning Chen was to become a reasonable and lawful sycophant

"Ning Aiqing, please step forward to receive your decree." After the emperor felt relaxed, he naturally could not forget Ning Chen, this meritorious minister

Note 1: The reputation points gained from the event, whether for Loyalty or Deceit, are all temporary. They will be settled uniformly upon expiration, and will be converted based on the actual impact of the event at the time of settlement

In short, this is a system that requires action

According to the hints provided by the golden finger, Ning Chen has three months left to live

The total points after conversion, when adjusted according to a certain ratio, ultimately yield points that can be exchanged for various items and attributes, including longevity.

Even if you wish to forcibly take a common woman, you must provide a rationale for such an act. Otherwise, it cannot be recorded as a matter of reputation, and any action taken would be in vain.

Since there are no further objections from all of you, the matter of establishing an heir is hereby settled. I have decided to designate Princess Wu Zhao as the heir apparent

His Majesty immediately became interested and asked Ning Chen, "Please tell me, what are the benefits?"

Sitting on the throne, the emperor wore a displeased expression. Although he was extremely unhappy inside, he still granted the audience.

This original owner is a top scholar, one who has achieved the remarkable feat of winning the highest honors three times.

However, the most interesting aspect is the settlement system. If the reputation points obtained are categorized as [Loyalty], they will be settled at a ratio of 100:1

At the age of twenty-two, he ascended to the position of compiler at the Hanlin Academy, which can be said to indicate a future of boundless potential

Good, good, well said. Among you all, only Minister Ning understands my good intentions. What Minister Ning said is indeed correct; you wish to use your disloyal, unfilial, and unkind arguments to prevent me from emulating the ancient ways. Such intentions are worthy of condemnation! Such intentions are worthy of condemnation!

Is there anything more hellish than starting off with death right upon arrival

Therefore, I believe that the officials' current opposition to the Grand Princess is indeed an act of disloyalty, unfiliality, and lack of benevolence

Reputation points are divided into two types: loyalty and flattery

Ning Chen was also convinced; this emperor truly is a fool. However, a foolish ruler paired with sycophantic ministers is a perfect match

The morning meeting concluded, and Ning Chen had also completed the first step in evolving into a sycophant

The eunuch beside His Majesty, upon receiving a glance from the sovereign, immediately struck down with a whip, and instantly, silence fell over the court.

Event Selection

Looking at the old ministers who gave him encouraging and upright gazes, Ning Chen let out a cold laugh in his heart: "Heh, you will be disappointed, from today onwards, I will become a sycophant."

The treacherous minister will not have a good outcome; I only wish to live now

How does one become a sycophant? If a sycophant does not seek some benefits, can they truly be considered a sycophant?

At this moment, the emperor has completely found the breakthrough and retaliated against the numerous officials in one breath

Seeing the consistently upright top scholar step forward, the ministers in the court all looked at Ning Chen with hopeful and encouraging gazes, anticipating that this scholar might articulate something that would resonate profoundly with them.

Fortunately, the golden finger provided Ning Chen with a chance for redemption

After making a decision in his heart, Ning Chen also stepped forward from among the ministers

Ning Chen is completely indifferent to these matters

Only after the emperor departs may the officials take their leave

Ning Chen served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat, concurrently holding the position of a scholar in the Ministry of Rites, and was in charge of the grand ceremony for the establishment of the heir

In the first five minutes, Ning Chen confirmed that he had crossed over, and then he took the opportunity to learn about the original owner's information

It must be option two. Firstly, it allows for the acquisition of more reputation points. Secondly, the doubling is also based on a hundredfold increase. At this point, only a fool would choose option one

What is meant by being reasonable and lawful is that everything you do must be justifiable with clear reasoning

Listening to the sorrowful roars and the heart-wrenching cries in the grand hall, Ning Chen took about ten minutes to comprehend his current situation

Ning Chen was just waiting for them to launch an attack; without their assault, how could he obtain the points for flattery

1. You stand up and confront the emperor alongside the ministers, directly accusing him of incompetence, gaining 10 points of "Loyalty". Subsequently, all evaluations related to the event will automatically convert into corresponding prestige points.

Firstly, the princess excels in both literary and martial skills, being proficient in every aspect

Your Majesty, I have something to say!

2. You stand out and stand together with the emperor, strongly supporting the princess as the heir, gaining 100 points of "favor". Subsequently, all evaluations related to the event will automatically convert into corresponding prestige points.

Note 3

As Ning Chen spoke, a profound silence enveloped the entire court and the populace for several seconds

The most significant matters of the state are just a few. It is either the ascension or demise of the emperor, or the establishment of an heir.

Moreover, Ning Chen had his own plans in mind; he would first act as a sycophant for a period of time to replenish his lifespan, and then he could clear his name later.

The once disinterested Your Majesty, upon hearing Ning Chen's words, finally showed interest: "Ning Aiqing, please continue."

What should be done about the sycophants? It is quite simple. You, who regard your reputation more highly than your life, are precisely the ones I oppose.

Therefore, I just need to strive to be a treacherous minister, as it has been said since ancient times that it is difficult to be a loyal minister, but I have never heard that it is difficult to be a treacherous one

Ning Chen's voice was resounding, and coupled with his youthful vigor, it effectively overshadowed the voices in the court.

The key is that they do not know how to refute Ning Chen's fallacious reasoning

Upon hearing this commendation, Ning Chen immediately bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Ning Chen stepped forward and bent down to listen attentively

To prevent Your Majesty from emulating the ancient customs is an act of disloyalty, to belittle the status of the eldest princess is an act of unfilial conduct, and to hinder the progress of the princes is an act of inhumanity

Good people do not pay with their lives, while calamities can last for a thousand years

According to the prompt from the golden finger, Ning Chen will gain prestige as long as he accomplishes tasks

Hehe, although I do not understand you, do I care

Thirdly, Your Majesty is currently only discussing the establishment of an heir and has not formally abdicated the throne. If the princes are truly ambitious for the throne, they should strive to achieve merits to demonstrate their capabilities to Your Majesty and to the world. In this way, with the princes competing against one another, would it not be a blessing for the realm and for all the people?

Your Majesty, I believe it is a great decision for Your Majesty to establish the eldest princess as the heir

As for the fourth point, I believe that in this world, where there is light, there must also be shadow; one cannot exist solely in the light. This already demonstrates that women can hold up half the sky

Gentlemen, think again; which one of you was not raised by your mother or wet nurse? If it were not for your mothers, how could you be here today, wielding power and influence?

Ning Chen does not pay much attention to this, but the scholar from the Ministry of Rites, who is in charge of the grand ceremony for establishing the heir, is quite extraordinary

Ning Chen cleared his throat and continued, "Your Majesty, I believe that this is a great blessing."

Moreover, with the heavy label of being unfaithful, unfilial, and unkind placed upon Ning Chen, they truly felt somewhat unable to hold their heads high

And being in charge of this matter brings about many intricacies

Your Majesty, it is absolutely unacceptable to pass the position of heir to the Crown Princess

After reading Note 1 and Note 2, Ning Chen suddenly wanted to slap himself. At a time like this, is there still a need to look at the subsequent precautions? If one's life is at stake, why bother with precautions? As for the choice, there is no need to choose, is there?

Reputation Points

Within a magnificent palace, a group of elderly ministers dressed in various colored court robes, each one as if invigorated, passionately roared at the emperor seated in his chair

Your Majesty, the foundation of the nation must not be easily disturbed

However, if what is obtained is 【佞】, it will be settled at a ratio of 1:100

What, Wu Zhao, this name sounds so inappropriate, doesn't it? Ning Chen couldn't help but feel puzzled in his heart

His Majesty felt immensely relieved upon hearing Ning Chen's words: "Please continue."

The officials in the court were somewhat taken aback by Ning Chen's impassioned speech.

The Secretary of the Central Secretariat essentially serves as a scribe for the emperor, drafting and formulating imperial edicts on his behalf

Transcended into the body of a Hanlin scholar who shares the same name and surname as oneself

Note 2: After the settlement period, the influence of all events within the period will no longer be accumulated

Two types of reputation points will be combined and converted into a unified value after a certain period of time

At this moment, Ning Chen became the focal point of the concentrated fire from the officials.

Moreover, it is evident from this choice that being a loyal minister is not an easy task