While Liu Hong was chatting with Dou Miao and her son, Lady Dong, at Chang Le Palace, outside the palace, Luoyang under the cover of night was already rife with undercurrents.

The "Five-Year Plan" formulated by Liu Hong and Chen Fan in Deyang Palace had only been out for a short time when it quickly spread throughout Luoyang and outwards.

No one expected that the Grand Tutor, the Three Dukes, Cao Song, Huangfu Gui, and others would make such a major decision with the Emperor in the name of the court without going through a court assembly. Their actions immediately aroused dissatisfaction among many aristocratic families and some court officials.

In particular, the matters concerning population statistics, exemption from taxes, corvée labor, and military service in that Five-Year Plan, as well as the issue of mobilizing the army, were particularly stimulating to everyone's nerves.

Countless people who made their fortunes on land and by exploiting people began to move around and connect with each other.

Among these people, apart from those whose political views differed from those of Chen Fan and others, the vast majority were more or less involved with local powerful families, and many of them were even born into powerful families or received support from them.

That's why they gathered together, thinking about how to resist or escape the past.

On the other side, Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Yuan Feng, Li Ying, Cao Song, and others were also very clear about the various pressures they were about to face.

Therefore, immediately after they left Deyang Palace, they sent people to urgently summon their relatives, disciples, former officials, and familiar court officials to discuss the matter.

Chen Fan, Yuan Feng, and others also directly and clearly analyzed and explained the current situation to everyone in detail.

When people talk about the Han Dynasty, the main topics of conversation are the gentry and powerful families!

Although the two are related, they are fundamentally different.

The term "haoqiang" (豪强) can also be translated as "tuhao" (土豪), which means local tyrants or landlords. They possess enormous wealth in their localities and are considered local bullies or members of the underworld in ancient times. The more powerful ones can even control local officials and scholars.

The most typical example is Liu Xiu. As everyone knows, Liu Xiu came from a local powerful family. The most classic example is the story of (avoiding officials in Xinye).

The gentry were families that possessed knowledge, scholarship, and books, which were passed down from generation to generation, transforming from generations of scholars of the classics into generations of high-ranking officials.

Of course, a few powerful families also transformed into members of the gentry through continuous development, but at this point they were separated from the powerful class and became two different classes.

Therefore, these vested interests, being officials from aristocratic families, would naturally not allow anyone to challenge their bureaucratic class.

Moreover, given their political background, they despise local tyrants who are like gangsters or local bullies, and they would never allow such people to climb over them.

Therefore, the people gathered by Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Yuan Feng and others almost without thinking strongly supported the Five-Year Plan. Everyone agreed that census and taxation by land area were the best opportunities to establish the prestige of the court, elevate the bureaucratic class, and suppress local powerful families.

After leaving Changle Palace, Liu Hong, surrounded by a group of Imperial Guards, returned to Deyang Palace and fell into a deep sleep, feeling relaxed and at ease.

Not long after Liu Hong left, Dou Miao summoned Lü Qiang. Soon after, Lü Qiang, covered in sweat, left Chang Le Palace carrying an imperial edict.

Early the next morning, all the civil and military officials gathered in the Chongzheng Hall. Unusually, no one whispered to each other; everyone stood quietly in their respective positions.

"Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are holding court! All officials, please be silent!"

A sharp shout shattered the quiet atmosphere in the hall, and all the officials immediately straightened up and became solemn.

Soon, Liu Hong and the Empress Dowager slowly walked to the front of the hall, while Lü Qiang followed behind them, holding an imperial edict.

After Liu Hong and Dou Miao took their seats, the civil and military officials, led by Chen Fan, bowed to them.

"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

"Gentlemen, you may dispense with the formalities!"

Sitting on the throne, Liu Hong calmly gestured to the assembled officials for support.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Empress Dowager!!"

After the ceremony was completed, before anyone could speak, Dou Miao turned to look at Lü Qiang, who was holding the imperial edict.

"Lü Qiang, read this aloud to everyone!"

"promise!!"

Lu Qiang respectfully acknowledged the order, and hurriedly stepped forward, holding the imperial edict in his hands, to stand before the officials.

The officials felt a chill run down their spines upon seeing this, wondering what the Empress Dowager was up to this time. However, past experience told them that this time it was probably not going to be anything good.

Lu Qiang glanced at the officials and said loudly:

"The Empress Dowager issues an edict; all officials, receive the edict!!"

"Your Majesty, we obey the imperial decree!!"

The civil and military officials quickly put aside their own thoughts and respectfully agreed.

Then Lü Qiang slowly unfurled the edict, took a deep breath, and began to read it aloud:

"Since the late emperor ascended the throne, he reigned for more than twenty years. From beginning to end, not a single word of praise was heard, nor a single good deed was performed. His governance was extremely wicked, leading to internal and external troubles, chaos and misery in the country and among the people. The government failed to understand the people's worries, and the people were unaware of the government's authority. If this is not corrected and rectified, the officials of the court will have nowhere to be buried!"

By special decree, all officials of the court and throughout the realm must diligently attend to state affairs and bring order to the realm, and resolutely implement the "Five-Year Plan" set by the court! Those who slacken, obstruct, or fail in their duties will be subject to confiscation of their property and execution! I urge you all to remember this!

"this......!"

As Lü Qiang finished reading the edict, all the civil and military officials stood frozen in place, and the entire hall fell into complete silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

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