"The national bonds, guaranteed by the Great Han's credit, shall cease to be redeemable immediately!"
"Order the Shangshu Tai to draft a decree, completely abolishing the recommendation system and implementing the civil service examination system previously proposed by Lu Ziyu."
Emperor Liu Xie issued two pronouncements in quick succession.
These were not complex matters, and his voice was not raised.
However, every word struck Empress Fu Shou like a thunderbolt.
"Your Majesty... please reconsider," Fu Shou implored. "The previous abolition of the head tax and the implementation of the 'tan ding ru mu' agricultural policy have already made Your Majesty, and the Great Han, enemies with the aristocratic clans. This has also pushed more scholar-official families to the side of the Great Wei. If... if we were to do this again..."
Fu Shou did not finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear...
Currently, Great Han national bonds were in circulation throughout the empire, except for Bashu, Jiangdong, and Xiliang. Every noble family held a substantial portion of these bonds!
If... redemption were to stop!
The Great Han's credit would utterly collapse, and after the 'tan ding ru mu', the hearts of the Han scholar-officials would suffer another immense blow.
Simply put...
In the minds of the scholar-officials, the Great Han would be forever associated with the phrase "no longer caring about its reputation!"
This was a devastating blow.
Furthermore, the complete abolition of the recommendation system and the implementation of the "civil service examination system" proposed by Lu Ziyu was akin to taking on the wrath of "Lu Ziyu"!
This was shaking the colossal cake of "aristocratic clans monopolizing officialdom"!
Hence, Empress Fu Shou's reaction was so intense...
"Just do as I say..." Emperor Liu Xie slowly raised his head, gazing at the star-filled sky. "The Han is no longer the Han that its founder, after slaying the serpent, rose to power. Since the previous Emperor sold official positions, since the aristocratic clans monopolized all resources, since the imperial relatives and eunuchs meddled in the reins of power, the fate of the Great Han was already sealed. Even if it were not Wei replacing Han, it would be some other regime. At least... entrusting this throne to the King of Wei and Ziyu, I feel more at ease. At least... it was Ziyu who made me see clearly who my enemies... and the Han's enemies truly are."
As he spoke...
Liu Xie fell into deep recollection.
He recalled how, after the officials witnessed the "Eagle Tower," and how those living infant girls were abandoned there, left to be devoured by insects and snakes, to fend for themselves...
After he finally abolished the "head tax" and implemented the national policy of "tan ding ru mu"...
Liu Xie and Lu Yu talked through the night, discussing many... many things.
He still remembered... Lu Yu's every word was a pearl of wisdom.
"Your Majesty, the fundamental cause of the Han dynasty's decline lies in the rebellion of eunuchs and imperial relatives, and in the aristocratic families monopolizing all resources. A single policy like 'tan ding ru mu' is insufficient to fundamentally alter the Great Han's status quo! Unless, the method of selecting officials is re-established, weeds are removed, and suitable talent for the times is chosen!"
"As for the previous recommendation system, it was for aristocratic families to select talent. 'Recommendation by reputation'... is even more of a joke. Take Kong Rong yielding the pear, for instance. Heh, the Kong family is an aristocratic clan, descendants of Confucius. Shandong is also abundant in pears. Would their family lack pears? Would there be a need for such gestures? Or Wang Xiang of the Langya Wang clan lying on the ice to get carp. His grandfather was the Inspector of Qingzhou. Could his family not afford carp? Did he need to melt the ice with his body? These are merely reputations manufactured by their families!"
"The talent selected through such means? Do they represent the interests of the court and the populace? They represent only their own families' interests! This is why, when the previous Emperor faced internal and external crises, and the national treasury was empty, not a single court official offered a helping hand. In the end... court officials are loyal to the Great Han, but not necessarily to the Emperor. They are loyal to their own families!"
"And the greatest malady, the usurpation of power by imperial relatives and eunuchs for a hundred years. Take the Liang Ji clan, for example, within which eight members were ennobled as marquises. As for officials of the rank of minister, general, prefect, and commandant, they numbered fifty-seven! Eunuchs, from the 'Five Marquises' to the Ten Attendants', held the reins of power, appointed their own men, and their confidantes and faction members served as officials in the provinces, or occupied the positions of the Nine Ministers, or held the Three Offices. Did not even the King of Wei's family rise through eunuchs?"
"Under the Han system, the flaws of the recommendation system cannot be eradicated. What can change it is a completely new system – the 'civil service examination system' – transforming the 'official selection system' into a 'examination system'. However, to truly take this step... (This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 684: It's Easier to Conquer a Nation Than to Guard It!
This step... unlike 'tan ding ru mu', which merely squeezed the commercial interests of aristocratic families, the 'civil service examination' fundamentally shook the foundations of aristocratic clan interests! Once implemented... its proponents would inevitably become targets of universal criticism!"
At that time...
Emperor Liu Hong was shocked upon hearing Lu Yu's words.
His immediate thought went to the selection system that had endured for hundreds of years in the Great Han...
Under the recommendation system, when a superior appointed someone, they had to consider the candidate's reputation in their local area. Scholars, in order to gain power, actively cultivated this reputation.
Thus... at the end of the Han dynasty, for scholars to gain fame, discussions and "pure discussions" became prevalent, giving rise to the Yue Dan Ping (monthly review), which even Cao Cao participated in!
Yet, the court, besides the recommendation system, had no systematic method of election!
How many scholars were left adrift?
How many talents were buried?
How many scholars from humble origins... or families without status, were unable to gain local recommendations and enter officialdom? These flaws were too numerous!
At that time, Liu Xie secretly resolved...
If there were an opportunity... if there were an opportunity, he would fundamentally change these flaws from his generation, even if... even if it meant shattering the character "Han" in the dynastic name!
Now, the opportunity had arrived!
Lu Yu had become the Crown Prince of the Great Wei. This "civil service examination" was his proposal, and he would certainly support it vigorously and carry it forward with all his might...
Then...
Let Liu Xie and the "Han" bear all the resentment!
"My life has been one of wandering and displacement. I have always been a puppet in others' hands, never acting as an emperor. Even abolishing the head tax and implementing 'tan ding ru mu' was due to Lu Ziyu's full efforts."
"Empress, this time you should support me. I want to do something for the benefit of the country and the people like an emperor. Even if I don't achieve eternal fame, at least in my twilight years, I can look back on my life and say I accomplished some great and magnificent deeds!"
*Hoo...*
Liu Xie's words shocked Fu Shou.
She widened her eyes and gazed at Liu Hong. If this step were truly taken, not only Liu Xie himself, but the entire Great Han... would face irreversible consequences!
"Your Majesty... do you intend to abdicate?"
Before Fu Shou could finish speaking...
Liu Xie waved his hand, "That will be a matter for after the 'civil service examination system'..."
As he said this, a glint appeared in Liu Xie's eyes. He recalled Lu Yu's teachings and guidance...
This guidance had made him... made him more like a true emperor!
"Heh heh... if it were Lu Ziyu, I would be willing to personally hand over this throne to him."
"But..." Fu Shou continued to ask, "What about King Wei, Cao Cao?"
"Haha..." Liu Xie laughed. "Cao Cao... he won't. I understand him too well. If he wanted this throne, I would not have been the Son of Heaven of the Great Han long ago. Heh heh, I actually think... perhaps, he shares the same thoughts as me?"
...
...
The King of Wei's palace operated with extreme efficiency.
While Lu Yu's identity was announced to the dukes and officials during the day, by nightfall... Lu Yu and all his family members had moved into the "Eastern Palace" within the King of Wei's palace!
It is worth noting that the Eastern Palace had not been newly constructed...
Lu Yu, however, could not sleep. He stood on the high steps, gazing alone at the night scenery.
Within the entire King of Wei's palace, only the King of Wei's own pavilion was taller than the Eastern Palace buildings. Besides that, all other palaces paled in comparison!
Cai Zhao Ji, draped in a thick cloak and supported by a maid, walked over. Despite being eight months pregnant, her delicate, gentle demeanor, and the scholarly aura emanating from her every movement, perfectly encapsulated the saying, "Poetry and knowledge adorn a person's spirit."
Dian Wei saw Cai Zhao Ji and cupped his hands in greeting, unsure how to address her.
Should it be Miss Cai, or Crown Princess?
Lu Yu also sensed Cai Zhao Ji's arrival, "Commander Dian, you may withdraw!"
Dian Wei nodded...
Along with the Dragon Hawk Battalion guards protecting Lu Yu, they all retreated.
Cai Zhao Ji stepped forward with soft footsteps. She did not... (This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 684: It's Easier to Conquer a Nation Than to Guard It!
...alter her tone or manner of speech due to Lu Yu's change in status. She still showed the care of an older sister for her younger brother.
"The King of Wei's palace is much larger and more spacious than the Marquis of Nanshou's residence. It's understandable that my younger brother can't sleep... In a few days... you should get used to it!"
Lu Yu turned. He saw Cai Zhao Ji gently remove her hat, revealing a gentle face, and... her bulging belly... which always gave Lu Yu an indescribable feeling.
"Sister... so many things have happened today!" Lu Yu sighed. "I... suddenly learned my mother's name. My mother was called Lu Wenran... I also suddenly learned my identity... My father, whom I've been desperately searching for, the one who 'abandoned his wife and child,' is actually... the King of Wei!"
Lu Yu took a step closer to Cai Zhao Ji...
Cai Zhao Ji's clear and jade-like skin, her softly flowing eyes, did not captivate Lu Yu...
Instead, it was the "familial" aura emanating from Cai Zhao Ji that made him yearn and linger!
Indeed, although Lu Yu had married many wives and concubines, including Princess Wan Nian Liu Xue, Xiahou Juan, and... Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, it was this sister, carrying his child, who gave him a sense of family, and whom he thought of in his most confused moments!
"When I heard this news, I... I was also very surprised. (No errors in update @) I clearly remember the year I saved you. Father also asked the King of Wei, saying... saying he was always distracted. Who would have thought it was for your sake? Who would have thought his long-lost eldest son was raised in the Cai residence, separated by just a wall... causing you father and son to be apart for fifteen years... Time flies... Thinking back on this matter, even I feel a sense of sigh. It's too coincidental! It's truly too coincidental."
Recalling the past...
It was inevitable that the two would feel stirred and sigh deeply...
Indeed, as Cai Zhao Ji said, it was coincidental... too coincidental!
Lu Yu lightly bit his lip...
He took a few steps forward and leaned on the railing, looking down at the steps below. This feeling of overlooking all the mountains made him feel lost and intoxicated...
"Sister... can you imagine? Just last night... all of this before my eyes was not mine, but today, everything... everything in this Great Wei is now related to me! For years, I thought I was fighting for the King of Wei, but now, I suddenly realize... the dominion I helped the King of Wei conquer is for myself!"
Cai Zhao Ji slowly walked forward, standing beside him. The night wind stirred her hair, and the magnificent "King of Wei's Palace" in the darkness filled her with emotion.
Cai Zhao Ji couldn't help but look at her belly...
Now, the father of the child in her belly was the Crown Prince of the Great Wei, so what about this child's future...
With a "gulp," Cai Zhao Ji couldn't help but swallow.
Even she, who was detached from power, felt a hint of confusion and intoxication when she truly stood at the pinnacle of power!
But soon...
Cai Zhao Ji emerged from this confusion and intoxication. She said softly, "Previously... Yu, younger brother, fought for the King of Wei. Although conquering a nation was not easy, it was always in the open. But in the future... Yu, younger brother, must guard this nation for himself. Open swords are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against... many crises are hidden in the dark. Sister... is worried about you!"
Cai Zhao Ji bit her lip...
She had emerged from intoxication, but she could not escape her concern and affection for her brother. Moreover... her former brother was now her man.
This change in their relationship meant that Cai Zhao Ji had to bear more responsibility!
Lu Yu nodded. It was an eternal truth that conquering a nation was easier than guarding it.
But since... he had reached this position, he was no longer alone. He had too many stakeholders behind him. This was already a giant ship, and as its helmsman, he had no possibility of disembarking.
"Alas..."
With a long sigh, Lu Yu realized that the future would surely be busier than the past! More mentally taxing!
When working for others, one could afford to slack off, but for one's own事业 (career/enterprise)... let alone slacking off, he wished he could split himself into two!
Cai Zhao Ji saw Lu Yu's helplessness.
...(This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 684: It's Easier to Conquer a Nation Than to Guard It!
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore..."
"The 'Feng Chang' responsible for court etiquette just came. The Ma clan of Xiliang, the Lu Bu of Jiuyuan, and... the Sun clan of Jiangdong are all rushing. The Xiliang Princess Ma Yunlu, Lu Bu's daughter Lu Lingqi, and Sun Shangxiang of Jiangdong... are all waiting for you to marry them into the Eastern Palace! This is no longer a matter of one Marquis's residence with a few wives. These must all be Crown Princesses! When will the weddings be held, and which one first? Many officials are waiting for your reply! It seems... King Wei is also quite troubled by this. First issue update @"
This...
Lu Yu was a little stunned.
He had just accepted the change in name from "Lu Yu" to "Cao Yu" and the change in identity... and now he had to get married!
He felt like ever since he transmigrated here, he was either getting married or on the way to getting married.
The last time, with two wives from one Marquis's residence, even dividing them into "early" and "late" sessions had exhausted Lu Yu.
This time... three Crown Princesses!
It was clear that due to the influence of the forces behind them, none of them would be willing to be subordinate to another. They couldn't be divided into "upper, middle, and lower" sessions, could they?
Wait...
Old Cao would definitely arrange it this way!
Whether it was the Sun clan of Jiangdong, the Lu clan of Jiuyuan... or the Ma clan of Xiliang, he would not offend them in such matters!
Immediately, Lu Yu's mood underwent a huge change.
He felt a sense of his body being drained.
"Sister... I..."
Before Lu Yu could complain, Cai Zhao Ji smiled faintly. "Be happy about it. These three this time are different from before. They are all skilled in martial arts... so there's no need to worry about my younger brother bullying them!"
Heh heh...
Lu Yu could only respond with a "heh heh" to Cai Zhao Ji's words!
To view the fastest updates of "Three Kingdoms: From Hidden Dragon to Great Wei Overlord," please enter -m..Com- in your browser to check.
Chapter 684: It's Easier to Conquer a Nation Than to Guard It!