Chapter 11 Heavy Task

Jiang Chen's heavy tone made Zhang Zifang catch his breath.

What kind of difficult problem could make such a decisive emperor feel troubled?

After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, may I ask what exactly is the second matter you are referring to?"

Jiang Chen's expression was solemn. "It is the most troublesome problem I have right now: the lives of the common people at the bottom of Da Wei."

"You come from the common folk, and you have traveled and studied with your teachers, covering several provinces. You should be aware of how corrupt the governance is at the grassroots level of Da Wei."

"Powerful families seize the assets of the people through trickery and coercion, local officials act as accomplices, deceiving those above and concealing from those below... Coupled with natural and man-made disasters, and the high taxes of late, I fear that many poor people will not be able to survive."

As Jiang Chen spoke, his tone became heavy, and a hint of shame appeared in his dignified dark eyes.

He was the Son of Heaven, yet he allowed the people under his rule to live in such hardship. This was his dereliction of duty.

Zhang Zifang felt Jiang Chen's emotions, and his eyes lit up.

To keep the common people in mind and seek welfare for them, this was the kind of monarch he admired and wanted to serve!

He had finally found his wise ruler!

"Your Majesty, I have also been concerned about this issue."

"I have visited several prefectures of Da Wei and found that the further away from the central government, the more powerful the aristocratic families become, and the more difficult the lives of the people become."

"If we want to change this situation, I am afraid we can only take drastic measures and carry out large-scale reforms!"

Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

This Zhang Zifang looked gentle, but he didn't expect his inner personality to be so tough and radical. It was a bit unexpected.

However, this suggestion touched his heart.

The current Da Wei had been divided up by several interest groups. Even as the emperor, his actual control over some areas was very low.

No one would spit out the meat in their mouths. If he wanted to expand his authority, the best way was to send all the disobedient interest groups to the guillotine.

Could Zhang Zifang, a scholar, accept this bloody process?

Jiang Chen silently sized up the person in front of him, examining him.

However, this silence led Zhang Zifang to mistakenly believe that his remarks were too radical and displeased the emperor.

Hesitantly, he tried to remedy the situation, "Your Majesty, if you feel that my suggestion is inappropriate, we can also take it slowly and solve the matter with gentle methods."

Jiang Chen curled the corners of his mouth and said decisively, "No, your suggestion is very good, it suits my intentions."

"However, the matter of reform is too broad, and the current Da Wei cannot withstand any more storms. Therefore, this matter must be carried out gradually."

"The most important thing now is to restore order in the court and improve people's livelihood. As for reform, we can start with some less sensitive areas and test the waters."

"Taxes, imperial examinations, corruption, and the army in the imperial capital, you can start with these."

Zhang Zifang's eyes were burning with enthusiasm, full of energy. "Yes, I will do it immediately, and strive to give Your Majesty a memorial before the morning court tomorrow!"

Jiang Chen was very satisfied with his efficiency and praised him, "Good, go ahead, I will wait for your memorial."

"Yes, I take my leave!"

Zhang Zifang left in a hurry, as if he did not want to waste a single second.

His anxious figure was in stark contrast to his composure when he arrived, attracting the attention and discussion of the palace servants, but he had no time to care about these trivial matters.

Jiang Chen's encouragement and expectations made his blood boil.

This vast land and the people of the world had finally ushered in a wise and holy ruler, a monarch who kept the people in his heart!

How fortunate he, Zhang Zifang, was to be able to follow such a wise ruler!

"Your Majesty, with these scholars, your great cause is within reach!" Feng Jin said with a smile.

Having been in the palace for many years, he had a keen eye for people. Zhang Zifang's performance just now clearly showed that he had wholeheartedly submitted to His Majesty.

With the help of such a talented person, why worry about the failure of great things?

A smile also appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes, "It's just the beginning. If I want them to become my strong right arm, they still need more experience."

"By the way, what about that Jia Yao? Has he been brought out of prison?"

"I am very curious about this talented scholar who is as famous as Zhang Qing."

Feng Jin respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the guards just reported that Jia Yao is waiting in the side hall."

"Let him in." Jiang Chen leaned back on the throne, his tone playful.

Soon, Xu Mu escorted a handsome young scholar into the hall.

He was thin, his frame smaller than others of his age, and the wrists of his shackled hands were so slender that they seemed as if they could be crushed with a pinch.

The moment Jiang Chen saw him, he couldn't help but be stunned, and a murmur arose in his heart.

This Jia Yao, he's too eye-catching!

The words "face like a beautiful woman, elegant and graceful" were quite appropriate to describe him.

Tsk tsk, if those nobles in the imperial capital who liked the affections of men saw him, this guy would probably immediately suffer at their 'poisonous hands'.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen's expression turned strange for a moment.

"Criminal, criminal Jia Yao, greets Your Majesty!" Jia Yao knelt on both knees, restrained in front of the imperial desk.

Perhaps because he had been in prison for too long, his breath was unstable, and his voice faintly revealed weakness, lacking the masculinity of a man.

Jiang Chen was agitated by this slightly delicate voice and shivered. He said with a dark face, "Yes, raise your head first."

Hearing this, Jia Yao was stunned and did not raise his head immediately.

She laboriously raised her slender wrist, tidied the scattered strands of hair on her cheeks, and then slowly raised her head.

A delicate face, though unwashed, was still fair-skinned and rosy-lipped, as beautiful as peach blossoms.

Her eyes flowed with a natural charm.

Even Jiang Chen, who had seen countless beauties, couldn't help but be momentarily lost when he met such a stunning face.

But Jiang Chen was not the kind of person who indulged in beauty. After a moment of amazement, he quickly remembered his purpose and prepared to ask questions.

But just as he was about to open his mouth, he noticed that Jia Yao, who had been relatively calm, suddenly widened his eyes, his face full of shock.

"Jiang, Jiang Yan? You, your real identity, is the Emperor?!"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. His mind was quite sharp, he realized it so quickly.

"That's right, I am Jiang Yan. Since you know this pseudonym, it seems that you were at the Huai River Poetry Society that day?"

Although it was a question, Jiang Chen's tone was very firm.

The haughty expression made Jia Yao's face reveal a trace of complexity, and he lowered his head again.

He muttered to himself, "No wonder, no wonder I couldn't find you..."

The faint voice was difficult to catch. Jiang Chen, who had been paying attention to Jia Yao's movements, frowned and asked, "What are you saying? Why are you deliberately lowering your voice?"

Hearing the emperor's displeasure, Jia Yao put away the complex expression and said respectfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this criminal was just lamenting my own good fortune."

"Being able to witness Your Majesty's demeanor in the poetry contest is a blessing that I have cultivated for three lifetimes. I was so excited that I made these impolite actions, I hope you will forgive me."

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jia Yao, who answered fluently...