Chapter 34 034 I have the Way.

As the name suggests, is it a mirror for viewing distant scenery?

Zhao Jialing then asked the system.

She glanced at the bronze mirror in the hall, unable to imagine how she could possibly see into the distance using the "mirror".

"The host is right, it is indeed a good thing for looking into the distance," the Wise Ruler System replied.

Zhao Jialing pondered for a moment, then waved his hand to dismiss the person before allowing the system to retrieve the achievement reward.

In her imagination, "mirrors" were all planar, but telescopes were long tubes. Zhao Jialing was completely confused, but under the system's guidance, she picked it up and looked outside. Human vision is limited; the farther away, the blurrier the view. But through this telescope, the originally blurry plants swaying in the wind, even if not clearly visible, were no longer just shadows.

Zhao Jialing: "!"

As the emperor, her private treasury was naturally filled with all sorts of rare and precious items, all tributes from vassal states. But at this moment, a storm raged within her, a massive wave crashing down, leaving her momentarily dizzy! A torrent of thoughts raced through her mind, colliding like a plunge into a furnace. It took Zhao Jialing a while to recover. She touched her chest, her palm still pounding rapidly. Her thoughts were still unclear, but her body reacted first.

She picked up the binoculars and put them down again, her fingertips tracing the long tube, seemingly reluctant to put them down. "If—if it were taken to the battlefield, what would that be like?" Zhao Jialing murmured to herself. She didn't like reading military books, but the Empress Dowager did, and she would occasionally hear her mother talk about them when she visited the Empress Dowager's palace. Under this constant exposure, once her chaotic thoughts cleared, the first thing that jumped out was a thought related to the battlefield.

"Wait, you don't mean I have to give this to the master craftsmen so they can disassemble it and study it, do you?" Zhao Jialing's brows furrowed suddenly. She remembered that a booklet had accompanied the telescope. Forgetting about playing with the telescope, she quickly picked up the booklet and flipped through it—diagrams of telescope components, glassmaking… The pictures were like a fog, difficult to understand. But the text, though, allowed her to piece together some ideas. Zhao Jialing's heart, which had just calmed down, suddenly raced, pounding like a drum, her blood rushing to her head.

"Glass?" Zhao Jialing couldn't help but utter the words. She vaguely understood that this was "glass." The palace naturally possessed glass artifacts, but they all came from vassal states outside of the Great Yong Dynasty, and were priceless rare treasures. The term "glass" frequently appeared in historical records; for example, a certain Wu ruler ordered the creation of a glass screen, which was remarkably clear, but the resources and manpower required were immeasurable, and its quality couldn't compare to that of foreign glass. If she dared to do that, history would likely not record her as the extraordinary tale of "not flying for three years, then soaring to the sky," but rather as a notorious figure comparable to a tyrannical ruler!

"[This is a system product, so of course it's localized as much as possible and cost-effective, resulting in excellent quality and extremely high cost-performance. The host doesn't need to worry about it becoming a luxury item that drains the national treasury. The host is lucky; the telescope needs glass, so a glass-making formula was included. You should know that this is a valuable item that can be used as an achievement reward on its own!]" The Wise Ruler System explained to Zhao Jialing.

Zhao Jialing sat back on the couch, pressing her hand to her temples. Her breathing was slightly heavy with emotion. After taking a deep breath, Zhao Jialing suppressed the shock deep within her. 【I understand.】

The official bulletin board only displays state affairs communicated under the title "Imperial Decree," excluding private research. The Huangyong Printing Workshop has been established, and progress in woodblock printing is quite promising. Li Zhaoci is tinkering with gunpowder, firearms, and their byproducts. A portion of the soap recipe has been kept in the palace for the ladies-in-waiting to study, but she's still waiting for Xie Lanzhao to recommend a suitable merchant. As for the newly developed telescope—it can be used on the battlefield, so it can't be made for merchants.

After his agitated emotions had completely subsided, Zhao Jialing raised his hand to rub his cheek and instructed the eunuch, "Summon the Chancellor, the Ministers of War and Works, and the Director of Works."

The officials were diligently studying the celestial script found on the walls of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

There were indeed some things inside that were difficult to understand, but one thing was clear: the merging of literature, allowing ancient scholarly pursuits and artistic skills to flow together! This was simply outrageous. Initially, some court officials suspected it was the emperor's idea, merely a pretext for reform. However, after seeing the book hidden in the wall, they changed their minds.

It's something no human could have imagined.

So, is this truly fate?!

Every dynasty has seen changes, but most have been dominated by conservatives. Conservatives love to argue that "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed," but the inscription on the wall was discovered in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. If that wasn't an ancestor, then who was? This forced the court officials to swallow their clichéd arguments and explore other avenues for remonstrance.

At this time, Xie Lanzhao's summons to the palace by the emperor was particularly significant.

But it's one thing for the Grand Secretary and the Minister of War to go, but what are the Minister of Works and the Directorate of Works going for? Are they just there to add on? The status of the Six Ministries in the Ministry of Works may rise or fall occasionally, but no matter how you count them, the Ministry of Works is always last.

Even the Minister of Works and the Chief Craftsman did not understand.

They were somewhat uneasy. The only thing His Majesty cared about was the printing press, but they had submitted their work logs on time. They were not as useless as the Imperial Academy.

"Does Xie Zhongshu know why His Majesty summoned us?" the Minister of Works asked in a low voice.

Xie Lanzhao remained unmoved like a mountain. She calmly said, "His Majesty's thoughts are unfathomable. How could we possibly fathom them? We will know once we meet His Majesty."

The Minister of Works choked up, his face turning bright red.

This was the first time he had ever seen the Grand Secretary use the word "unfathomable" to describe His Majesty. In the past, "naturally frank, respectful, frugal, benevolent, and forgiving" was already considered the best description.

Inside the Zichen Palace.

Zhao Jialing sat upright.

When Xie Lanzhao and the others arrived, she didn't say anything and directly asked Yin'e to hand the binoculars to Xie Lanzhao.

“This is a telescope.” Zhao Jialing gazed intently at Xie Lanzhao. “I am blessed by my ancestors to have obtained this fine instrument.”

Her excitement was now in the past; it was the prime minister's turn to be astonished by this thing!

Zhao Jialing was too lazy to fabricate a story, but Xie Lanzao could guess that His Majesty had accomplished something else without her knowledge.

She calmly took the telescope and listened to Yin'e explain how to use it. With some confusion, she placed the telescope in front of her eyes and looked out of the open main gate of the hall. What suddenly came into view made Xie Lanzhao's expression change drastically, revealing a look of surprise and horror.

The scene looked like something out of a fantasy, a vision of ghosts, gods, or immortals. The Minister of Works couldn't help but feel uneasy, yet also harbored a subtle sense of anticipation.

What exactly is it?

Zhao Jialing let Xie Lanzhao play with the telescope, taking the opportunity to soothe her turbulent emotions. She was pleased with Xie Lanzhao's lively and cheerful mood at this moment, rather than her cold and aloof demeanor, like an ancient, unyielding river. She smiled, her eyes brimming with joy. Fortunately, she remembered her purpose, and after clearing her throat, she said, "You have done an excellent job with the printing press. Next, have someone research the telescope."

Minister of Works: "..."

"Let's show him the telescope!" he thought eagerly, but all he got was a rather heavy book.

Zhao Jialing: "You are all learned men, and I hope that you can learn by analogy."

Minister of Works and Director of Works: "Your Majesty's decree is obeyed, but—" Their eyes drifted toward the telescope.

Have you seen enough of Xie Zhongshu? Can't we let them see something new too?

Although Xie Lanzhao was taken aback by the telescope, she didn't completely detach herself from reality and immerse herself in her own thoughts. Hearing Zhao Jialing's words, she instantly understood. This wondrous object wasn't "one," but "many"! The mythical "thousand-mile eye" seemed about to become reality—the northern nomadic cavalry, appearing and disappearing like the wind, if they could "open their eyes," the battlefield situation would surely change drastically!

The matter ultimately required the attention of the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works. Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyes and decisively handed the document to the Minister of Works.

"Tear it down as you please." Zhao Jialing waved her hand, but the heartache on her face revealed her true feelings; it wasn't what she really meant.

The Minister of Works, having obtained the telescope, used it in the same way as Xie Lanzhao. Looking out of the hall, he trembled violently, as if struck by lightning. The telescope and his shock were then transmitted to the Grand Master of Works. In the Zichen Hall, Zhao Jialing was the most composed. She watched with satisfaction as her ministers' expressions shifted dramatically, finally dismissing the dazed Minister of Works and the Grand Master of Works.

“I need people.” Zhao Jialing stepped down the stairs and looked at Xie Lanzhao. “Leaving aside the issue of hereditary privilege in officialdom, the imperial examination is the key to selecting the virtuous and capable, but it mostly brings in Confucian scholars and literary officials who are well-versed in classical studies. All of this is related to schools, and they influence each other, eventually forming a huge and irresistible torrent. Whether it is good or bad, they will only rush forward headlong.”

Watching documentaries, listening to various system explanations, studying cryptic texts, and earning achievement rewards... the impact was intense, and Zhao Jialing could not possibly remain in the state of ignorance she had a few months ago.

She understood her mission.

"I understand," Xie Lanzhao said, her eyes deep and thoughtful, her heart pounding with excitement at the impending upheaval. She was a member of the Qingliu faction, and her past stance had remained within it. Even amidst change, she sought solutions within the Qingliu community. She didn't hold other factions in contempt, but neither did she show them much interest. However, now that barrier had been broken, she clearly realized her own narrow-mindedness. She would no longer cling to the Qingliu camp, but would step into the torrent of change.

"The merchant Your Majesty previously instructed me to find has been found," Xie Lanzhao added, as she had originally intended to report back.

"Hmm? Which one do you think is better?" Zhao Jialing asked.

Xie Lanzhao selected three well-known merchants from Chang'an and introduced them to Zhao Jialing one by one. Finally, she added, "I favor An Yuchan."

Zhao Jialing asked, "An? Could it be a foreign merchant?"

Xie Lanzhao nodded and said, "They are Sogdians." Sogdians are known for their business acumen and have settlements in both capitals. The other two merchants are also quite well-known for their benevolence in Chang'an, but they are too "orthodox." Although they are not Confucian scholars, they regard the words of Confucian scholars as the ultimate standard. An Yuchan, on the other hand, is unrestrained and straightforward, perhaps more in line with His Majesty's temperament.

Zhao Jialing nodded and said, "I'll have Mu Lu contact her." Mu Lu was the daughter of Zhao Jialing's maternal grandmother, whose mother was one of the Empress Dowager's trusted confidantes brought to the palace from the Huan family. Mu Lu had been managing a farm outside and was someone Zhao Jialing could trust.

“Even with the divine scriptures bestowed by our ancestors, reforming the Imperial Academy is no easy task,” Zhao Jialing said with a sigh, changing the subject. She possessed the “prestige of a ruler,” but after the last incident, she realized that while it could silence the court officials, the effect was not permanent; memorials and remonstrances continued to be submitted afterward. That damned system didn't even mention this drawback. “I plan to open another school.”

Anyway, the task is to reform schools, not the Imperial College.

Xie Lanzhao's gaze was deep and thoughtful. Why not set up a new school instead of the Imperial Academy to test the new subjects? Perhaps that was the real goal, with the Imperial Academy merely a means to an end. Directly proposing the establishment of a new school wouldn't necessarily be approved by the officials. But given the mess the Imperial Academy had created, taking a step back and establishing a new school would be a win-win situation.

She said, "In any case, Your Majesty should not show any willingness to back down."

Zhao Jialing nodded: "I know." She thought for a moment and then said, "The Censorate investigates all departments, both inside and outside the capital, and I suppose they also resent the Imperial Academy for its lack of competence. I know you have connections in the Censorate."

Xie Lanzhao: "..." Her eyelids twitched, and she fell silent.

When the censor becomes the prime minister's mouthpiece, this is also a major crime of abusing power.

Zhao Jialing's tone was gentle, but Xie Lanzhao's heart still skipped a beat.

When Princess Zhongshan and the Crown Prince were vying for the throne, they each courted their own officials. The Crown Prince was the rightful heir, supported by the ministers of the Six Ministries. The princess, however, turned to the Censorate, using its authority to impeach the Crown Prince's faction.

Although the person is dead, her remnants remain. Xie Lanzhao, as a former official of the princess's household, took over the power left behind by the princess. After using them to deal with the ministers left by the late emperor to assist in governing, she quietly dismantled the power within the Censorate, since not everyone was on her side. In this process, she naturally placed her own confidants in the Censorate.

Everyone knows that the Censorate is a powerful tool, requiring not only upright officials who are not afraid of powerful figures and can intimidate all officials, but also informants and henchmen to impeach political enemies.

Wise Ruler System: [Host, aren't you being a bit too blunt?]

Zhao Jialing: [What grudge have I ever had against Minister Xie? So what if I'm blunt?!]

Although during the reign of Emperor Taizu, it was said that censors and remonstrating officials were like mirrors, used to correct the emperor's mistakes and expose the errors of other officials. The peace and stability of the realm depended on them. In reality, however, censors were merely the emperor's eyes and ears, their authority varying depending on the emperor's attitude. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of our dynasty, a member of the imperial family was executed for assaulting a censor, and later, a censor impeached a member of the imperial family for incompetence and was ordered by Emperor Taizong to be flogged and exiled.

[If Minister Xie shares my path, then the Imperial Censor can also assist me in achieving my goals. If our paths diverge—]

Zhao Jialing's fluctuating emotions came to a standstill in an instant.

[So the host is going to cause trouble?] The system made its prediction based on Zhao Jialing's usual mindset.

But at this moment, Zhao Jialing's heart was silent; she wasn't thinking about anything.

He simply stared silently at Xie Lanzhao.

Much later.

Zhao Jialing scoffed: "She must be regretting all those years she missed with me, waking up in the middle of the night to look at my portrait to ease her resentment. Otherwise, why would she be so skilled at copying my portrait?"

Xie Lanzhao: "..." Did she send the wrong gift?

After Xie Lanzhao left, a handwritten edict was sent to the Censorate, after which the censors could impeach and submit memorials independently without going through the Grand Censor.

Under the old system of this dynasty, whenever there was a matter to impeach an official, the censor had to speak first to the head of the Censorate. The Grand Censor concurrently served as the Prefect of the Capital and also held the title of Chancellor in charge of political affairs, making him one of the prime ministers of the Council of State Affairs. With this change, officials of the Censorate could now speak directly to the Emperor without going through the prime minister.