Seeing Xi Zhicai staring blankly at him, Liu Hong couldn't help but rub his forehead and said in a deep voice:

"I have no other choice. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Zhicai, you must find a way to convey what I have said to those poor students!"

Liu Hong was quite frank about leading the cheating, since students from poor families had no advantage in the assessment, and he had no choice but to find another way.

Only by quickly absorbing a large number of students from humble backgrounds to dilute the influence of aristocratic families in the court can one proceed with the next step.

"But... what if this gets back to the ears of those scions of noble families?"

Although he understood the emperor's intentions, Xi Zhicai still asked with a worried expression.

"It's alright, Zhicai can do it discreetly! If anyone asks, just say that I've been paying attention to this kind of thing recently."

Moreover, those scions of powerful families aren't all united; everyone has their own selfish motives. Even if a few learn of the news, they'll just keep it to themselves and try to secure a ranking; they certainly won't spread it!

"That's true... I understand now!"

Xi Zhicai nodded, agreeing with the emperor's statement.

"Alright, we've eaten and drunk our tea, it's time to get on with the business!"

With the matter mostly settled, Liu Hong smiled and then dismissed the guests.

"Then I shall take my leave!"

Xi Zhicai smiled, bowed to Liu Hong, and then turned and walked out of the hall.

After Xi Zhicai left, Jian Shuo moved closer to Liu Hong.

"His Majesty.....!"

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Seeing Jian Shuo's hesitant expression, Liu Hong couldn't help but ask.

"Your Majesty, this servant went to the Taiping Sect today and encountered an old farmer..."

Jian Shuo then told Liu Hong about Sun Liu and the farmland situation in Sunjiazhuang.

"So, according to you, the common people quite approve of and support the government's system of collecting taxes in kind...?"

Upon hearing Jian Shuo's account of Sun Liu and Sun Family Village, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile.

Jian Shuo smiled and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. Now that the Sili region has been exempted from corvée labor, they have more energy and manpower to take care of and cultivate more land. As a result, the people have more surplus, and the court's revenue has also increased!"

"Hmm, good, good, you did a great job this time!!"

Liu Hong was clearly very happy to be able to get a close look at the situation in rural areas.

After so much hard work, the farmers' lives have finally improved a little, which makes Liu Hong feel very comforted.

Liu Hong has always adhered to and firmly believed in the words of a great man: rural areas and farmers are the cornerstone of a country. Only when rural areas develop well and remain stable can the country develop and remain stable.

Therefore, the situation in rural areas is of paramount importance to a country.

Thinking of this, Liu Hong looked at Jian Shuo with a solemn expression and said in a deep voice:

"Jian Shuo, I have a very important task for you!"

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty! This servant will go through fire and water, even unto death!!"

Upon seeing the emperor's solemn expression, Jian Shuo immediately knelt down and pledged his loyalty to Liu Hong, appearing ready to die for his cause.

"Heh~, it's not like I'm sending you into battle, you won't die!"

Seeing this, Liu Hong couldn't help but smile. Although Jian Shuo was not as smart or as thoughtful as Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, he was the most loyal. This was why Liu Hong always kept Jian Shuo by his side.

Then Liu Hong looked at Jian Shuo and said in a deep voice, "I plan to send you with some men to the countryside to conduct some investigations on the farmers!"

"An investigation...? Your Majesty, please enlighten us...!"

Jian Shuo was taken aback upon hearing this, somewhat confused about what the emperor meant by "investigation".

"It's to see whether the imperial court's policies have been implemented in the countryside, what the villagers' demands are, and how they can live a better life."

In short, there are various problems in the countryside... I need to understand them clearly and directly!

After saying this, Liu Hong looked at Jian Shuo and asked in a deep voice:

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"This servant understands!"

Jian Shuo nodded heavily.

"Okay, go find Yang Qiu and ask him to send more people with you."

Furthermore, I grant you the power to investigate cases and make arrests. If anything comes up, take care of it while you're at it…!

"This servant takes her leave!!"

Immediately afterward, Jian Shuo bowed to Liu Hongxing in farewell and quickly left Deyang Palace.

Watching Jian Shuo's departing figure, Liu Hong smiled, then sat back down at his desk, picked up paper and pen, and wrote:

Without investigation, there is no right to speak!

"Looks like we'll have to set up another new department!"

Looking at the words he had written, Liu Hong couldn't help but chuckle.

Although the imperial court has now established the Censorate to inspect various regions, they are only responsible for official administration. Even if some problems are reported, they are very general and cannot make accurate judgments or formulate corresponding policies.

After all, people think and think differently, especially those in lower and higher positions. Those in lower positions consider things around them and in the present, while those in higher positions consider the overall situation and the future.

However, this also creates a contradiction.

Take population as an example. For the imperial court, a larger population means an increased labor force, increased tax revenue, and an expanded consumer market, all of which are of great benefit to the development of the economy and industry.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!