Chapter 1508 (1507): The Grand Finale (Part 10) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

"Sigh, now I understand why women who have lost their husbands cry and wail so bitterly—the sky has fallen!" After a period of recuperation, Qian Yong's injuries had healed, and he was just looking for an opportunity to stretch his muscles when he received this devastating news. Even someone as heartless as him couldn't help but secretly cry, cursing Shen Youli for being inhuman. How was this any different from a scumbag who abandoned his widow and orphan?

The conquest of the world was 60% complete, and it seemed like they were about to enter the final stage of conquering the land, when this guy suddenly wanted to entrust his son to someone else? He was completely dumbfounded.

Wei Shou said quietly, "We are still better than women."

Young widows are easily devoured by their relatives and clans, their flesh and bones mushy and easily swallowed. These civil and military officials, however, have the ability to protect themselves. Which relative or clan could possibly devour them? The real fear is that they will fight amongst themselves.

The collapse is internal, not external.

Shen Youli even caused a death in public.

Oh no, that's the crown prince.

The crown prince's birth was witnessed by everyone, so his bloodline is absolutely reliable. Wei Shou is of a different race, so even if the ministers fight amongst themselves for power, he won't be involved. Ah, no… there is still some involvement. Wei Shou and Chu Jie are both pure-blooded supporters of Chu Wu Hui.

Qian Yong: "..."

He wiped his face: "Shen Youli is inhuman!"

Wei Shou looked at Qian Yong with suspicion, tilting his head slightly.

Among the military generals, the three most seasoned veterans were Wu Xian, Qian Yong, and him. Because of Wu Xian's past grievances with Zhao Feng and Qin Li's faction, Wu Xian's social circle was limited, and he didn't quite get along with the civil and military figures of Kang State, resulting in little private interaction. Of the three, he and Qian Yong were somewhat compatible; even their early disagreements had faded with time, and they were now considered close drinking buddies.

Otherwise—

The two of them no longer go out to drink and relieve their boredom during their free time.

The core theme is "punishing" Shen Tang.

While described as a "punishment," Wei Shou perceived it more as a complex mix of love and hate. Wei Shou's loyalty to Shen Tang was fundamentally based on Chu Yao's submission to her, her own power, and the benefits she brought to Wei Shou. These factors constituted Wei Shou's current stance.

The situation is more complicated for Qian Yong.

Before Wei Shou surrendered, he also worked for others to make a living. What difference does working for any boss make? The company pays wages on time, increases salaries steadily, and provides frequent benefits. Yuan Congzhi's contributions can be exchanged for countless times the benefits. Who dares to say that Shen Youli is not a good boss?

Qian Yong was the owner of a bankrupt company before he joined.

Who would have thought that after working peacefully for more than ten years, just when the company was about to reach the top and the Yuan Congzhi merit in his hands was about to be redeemed, he would suddenly be pushed into an even more bloody market battle to start a business. Isn't this putting a difficult situation on a fifty-year-old man?

Qian Yong was still hoping to be promoted to Duke.

He was unwilling to accept that the title of Duke was not bestowed by Shen Youli herself. This unwillingness almost overflowed, turning into a tangible resentment.

Wei Shou asked himself honestly, and he knew he wouldn't be satisfied either.

Surely I can at least settle down to become a duke?

The two looked at each other and sighed.

After a long silence, Qian Yong's muffled voice was carried away by the night wind: "...Actually, even now I can't say for sure which side I care about more...Shen Youli, she's just too inhuman..."

Wei Shou replied numbly, "Who says it isn't?"

It was truly pitiful that Qian Yong, a man in his fifties, was so angry he ran outside crying. Wei Shou then thought of himself, and of Chu Yao, who was in even worse shape; he had no right to laugh at Qian Yong. He tilted his head back and drank half a jar of wine, cursing, "Shen Youli is inhuman!"

They can also drink and swear here.

Chu Yao and the others were abandoned and still had to help her raise her children and manage her family business.

Everything is subject to comparison.

Compared to the four regents, they were somewhat better off.

A group of people in the know were even more worried about Shen Tang than about the sinking of the continent. "Heh, if it sinks, it sinks," they thought. "Anyway, it's not just one of us who will die; it's as if we all died as if we all lived." But if the continent didn't sink and Shen Youli accidentally died, they didn't dare think about the consequences for even a second longer.

When Qi Shan woke up, there were three people around her bed.

The expressions on the three people's faces...

Hmm, how should I describe it?

As if mourning the loss of one's parents.

Qi Shan sat up, ignoring the murderous glare from Gu Chi, and said, "You don't come here unless you have a reason. Is it because I have some acute illness that could kill me, and you three colleagues have condescended to visit me?"

Qin Li was surprisingly not provoked by him.

His tone was numbly calm: "I have something to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Qi Shan said seriously, "Let me wash up a little."

He couldn't bear to see three colleagues, dressed in their nightgown, huddled around his bed discussing anything serious. The three waited in a side room of the tent, and Qi Shan quickly tidied himself up. He was dressed casually, with his long hair loose.

"Please forgive me."

Combing your hair takes a lot of time.

He keenly noticed that his three colleagues seemed a bit off.

After he sat down, Chu Yao took something out of his sleeve.

Qi Shan, puzzled by the three's scheme, frowned and opened the scroll. It was a long scroll filled with familiar handwriting—clearly written by the Lord himself. The contents were names of both familiar and unfamiliar people, roughly nearly a hundred, with Northwest elders making up a full seventy percent of them. Each name was followed by one or two words of praise. The more he looked at the list, the more strange it seemed.

Qin Li also took out another portion from his sleeve.

This one was clearly thicker and longer than the previous one, and the characters on it were smaller, neater, and more delicate. Even Qi Shan sighed when she saw it, wondering when the Lord had ever had the patience to write something stroke by stroke. It was truly rare! However, the content on it made Qi Shan frown with a serious expression.

The previous one was a list.

This is the bill.

The list meticulously detailed the achievements of each person, both major and minor, including military and political accomplishments, even specifying the exact years and months. Given that some officials in Kangguo were prone to switching allegiances, this list seemed particularly strange. No one but the ruler could have such detailed records. But why would the ruler bother compiling such a list? And why were Qin Li and the other two bringing it to him for discussion?

Qi Shan had a vague sense of foreboding.

What is this for?

"Discuss how to add more seals."

"Our lord has instructed the four of us to make the decision?"

"Um."

Some titles were even predetermined by her, such as "Qin" for Qin Li and "Jin" for Qi Shan. It must be said that the mistress had a somewhat dry sense of humor in this regard. Gu Chi almost laughed when she saw the list, but the thought of the current situation turned into bitterness. She wished she could drag the mistress back and make her tell Qi Yuanliang herself. Was she afraid? Gu Chi was seething with anger.

Upon hearing this, Qi Shan lowered her head to look more closely.

Qin Li said, "His Majesty said that the existing system of nobility was too complicated, so he chose nine ranks: Prince, Heir Apparent, Duke, Duke of the Commandery, Duke of the County, Marquis of the County, Earl of the County, Viscount of the County, and Baron of the County. Each rank was granted a fief, and the title was to be inherited by the sons for two generations before being demoted. From now on, no one may be granted a title without merit for the country and military achievements, and no one may be granted a title without a special decree."

These requirements are actually quite demanding.

However, considering that these people are being given real fiefdoms, with all the economic and honorary benefits they should have except for the management rights of the fiefdoms, and the standard of the duke's residence in the capital being second only to the royal court, it can make up for some of the losses—how much determination must a monarch who has been hovering on the poverty line for many years have to make? The people on the list should not complain.

Taking the Duke of Guo as an example, he was granted a fief of three thousand households.

Compared to the practice of falsely granting fiefdoms to ten thousand households, the result was that only a few dozen or a hundred households were given a respectable position.

Nine positions were allocated to the first-rank dukes alone, twenty-seven to the prefectural dukes, and many more to the county dukes and marquises, but some of these were honorary titles with limited actual benefits. Indeed, even after Kang Kingdom unified the continent, its economy was initially strained.

The list of candidates for both the Duke of the State and the Duke of the County has been prepared with the title of "Duke".

The subsequent list was agreed upon by the four individuals.

Qi Shan felt that the thing in her hand was a little too heavy.

One wrong move and it's easy to offend all your colleagues in the court, but with the emperor's ledger, as long as you strictly reward those who have rendered meritorious service, you can silence the gossip. Discussing this matter together as a group of four will also increase your resilience and reduce the amount of hatred you feel towards others. Qi Shan's gaze drifted over his own title, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. Qin Li's title of Duke of Qin was quite casual, while his title of Duke of Jin was equally ruthless.

He doesn't believe that the Lord has any ulterior motives.

only--

Qi Shan couldn't understand why his three colleagues had to put on such a show, given that the matter was both a big deal and a small one. After more than a decade of hard work, how many people yearn for even a single achievement? Once the dragon soars in the sky, the mortals are reduced to mud beneath their feet—they're just too eager for advancement!

Why do they still act like it's a happy occasion or a funeral?

Please gather your thoughts.

"There's nothing seriously wrong."

Actually, let alone two generations before they surrender, even if they surrender in just one generation, it wouldn't matter. Once the world is stable, scholars and warriors won't have to face the risk of premature death from frequent wars. Take Wei Lou as an example; he could live peacefully for at least two hundred years.

Wei Lou looks so energetic and vigorous...

It's not like it's going to stop now.

Life expectancy may be extended to three or four hundred years, or even higher.

In this situation, it would be foolish to simply pass on the title to one's offspring. As long as one and one's offspring do not commit any acts that would lead to the extermination of nine generations of one's family, even if it is just an honorary title without real power, one can live comfortably in retirement with the title. Not to mention that the people on the list are either veterans from the early days or meritorious officials who have made great contributions. They already have official titles in the royal court and more or less have real power in their hands.

As long as these people remain true to their original aspirations—

Given the Lord's sentimental nature, she generally won't go to extremes unless someone is tired of living and gives her leverage over something.

Thinking of this, Qi Shanlue felt it was inappropriate.

"In a peaceful future, being too long-lived can also be a problem."

Qin Li and the other two cast long, lingering glances your way.

"The list includes nine dukes, and adding the previous dukes of Lu and Yi, there are eleven in total. Even if their fiefs are each granted to three thousand households, that's still thirty-three thousand households. And that doesn't even include other official lands, property lands, stipends, rice, and salaries. Even though the law prohibits officials and soldiers from engaging in commerce, how much of an expense would that add up over time? And that doesn't even include the two thousand households for a prefectural duke and the one thousand five hundred households for a county duke..."

Just because the royal family and the emperor are the only ones doesn't mean they can spend so lavishly in this area. So many people, just lying around doing nothing, are already accumulating enormous wealth in Kangri. Over time, the entire wealth of Kangri will flow to these people at a slow but steady pace.

They lived a very long time.

Qi Shan sincerely felt that the fiefdoms were too numerous.

Either restrictions should be imposed in this regard, or other constraints should be added, such as requiring the recipient of a title to petition the royal court to appoint a new heir within fifty years. After the heir succeeds, the previous holder can receive a nominal consolation prize from the royal court.

Otherwise—

Qi Shan was worried that some people would give up and slack off.

These people were gradually corrupted into incompetent individuals who held positions without performing their duties.

Qi Shan: "What do you gentlemen think?"

"If there are restrictions on inheritance, nine dukes would be too few." Qin Li thought to himself that the lord understood Qi Yuanliang best. In addition to the two copies that Qi Shan had just seen, they had another copy that had not been opened and required the four of them to sign it with their personal seals.

Qi Shan said, "...It is a little bit."

There are too many wolves and not enough meat; there's simply not enough to go around.

If the royal family were large and prosperous, more princes and heirs could be appointed to assist the emperor in managing various regions and strengthening his control over them. However, since there is only one emperor in the royal family, mistreating trusted elders at this time would dampen their enthusiasm.

There are many examples of titles being granted and then revoked.

There are nine dukes, plus Wu Xian and the other two, making a total of eleven.

Life is long, and eleven might not even be enough to cut down.

At this moment, Qin Li said something strange again: "His Majesty instructed that if Prime Minister Qi brings up the scarcity of Dukes, the four of us should jointly sign this document, which will contain new arrangements."

Qi Shan asked in confusion, "Why doesn't His Majesty say it himself?"

Do four people have to sign their seals simultaneously using the Wenxin Huaban (a type of Chinese seal)?

The three remained silent on the issue.

Qi Shan's heart was pounding violently, as if someone had thrown hundreds or thousands of cats into it, their fur flying everywhere.

"Tell me, where is our Lord now?"

Qi Shan thought about the reason for his collapse, and the veins on his forehead throbbed even more violently. Thanks to his lord, he, a scholar, was seriously injured more often than some military generals. If it weren't for the fact that scholars are physically strong, an ordinary person wouldn't have enough lives to survive.

The three did not answer immediately.

He simply said, "Let's sign this secret decree first."

Qi Shan still had some sense. If he knew the truth later, he wouldn't be a villain like Qi Shan unless he snatched the secret decree and tore it to shreds, let alone sign it with the three of them. The three had made their stance clear, so Qi Shan could only suppress his emotions and act with them.

Sure enough, the secret edict contained newly revised content.

The number of Dukes increased to eighteen, with the fiefs and actual grants for the nine additional Dukes reduced by half. Their other official lands, stipends, rice stipends, and salaries were also reduced proportionally, but their honorary titles remained the same as the previous nine. The number of County Dukes increased to thirty-six, with the nine additional Dukes also having their fiefs reduced by half.

The quotas for positions such as county dukes and marquises were given a flexible range.

The secret edict signed by four people has higher priority than the previous one.

A title is conferred for one generation, and the conferment of a title lasts for fifty years.

After this secret decree was opened, the previous one spontaneously combusted without fire.

Most importantly—

Qi Shan asked the three of them, "What's going on with this prince?"

The title of Prince Heir Apparent can only be granted to a member of the royal family.

Prince, titled Yuan.

He looked at it again and again, convinced that he hadn't misread it.

The secret decree and ledger did indeed include a new Prince Yuan, Shen De, courtesy name Rugui: "Who is Shen Rugui?"

[The jade tablet and the precious jade tablet represent virtue.]

Qi Shan wouldn't dare say he knew all the officials in the capital and outside the capital, but he dared say he knew everyone on this list above the rank of county magistrate, including but not limited to those in the southwest region and those he had built in the central region under the guise of a charlatan. There wasn't a single person named Shen Rugui on this list.

Not to mention the unique title of Prince!

This person's surname is actually Chen!

What did the Lord do during the two days he was seriously ill and unconscious?

Chu Yao and the other two exchanged glances. Gu Chi slowly said, "To be honest, this is the first time we've heard of Shen Rugui."

No, this is definitely a new name chosen by the Lord.

This was also the first time they had learned that there was a crown prince to be born in January named Shen Rugui. It was quite rare that His Majesty would actually give him such a proper name.

(σ)σ:*☆

Regarding the question in the previous chapter about why Tu Nan wasn't among the four, the main reason is that the military power of the four commanderies is in Tu Nan's hands. (If Tang Mei returns, the entrustment of the young master is invalid. If she doesn't return, the five can continue to unite and cooperate. The military power in Tu Nan's hands is the greatest source of confidence for the young master and the four to govern. If there are conflicts, Tu Nan doesn't have a deep relationship with any of the four, so it won't lead to an imbalance in the situation.)

Tang Mei is actually going to use the second list _(:з」∠)_

(End of this chapter)