Unexpectedly, the "paying silver to become an official" policy, which was originally intended to be implemented only in a small area of ​​Huguang, will expand to the entire southern region.

It has also affected the military, government officials, and various professions such as Yin-Yang medicine, monks, and Taoists.

It is foreseeable that the imperial court will benefit greatly from this, but it will also attract a lot of criticism and strong resistance from local officials.

However, it will receive a lot of public support, and people willing to pay money to get the position will probably fight tooth and nail for it.

Who wouldn't want to seize this once-in-a-century opportunity to "leap over the dragon gate"?

In the past, this was something that couldn't be discussed openly; everyone would just secretly pocket the money.

But now the imperial court has suddenly taken all of this silver into the open and taken it all away.

Moreover, these clerks, officials, and military officers all served in local positions, and their competence varied greatly. In the end, if anything went wrong, the local authorities would have to cover for them.

Local officials would certainly not do something that loses money.

Those powerful local families were also unwilling to let this plan succeed, as it would harm their own interests.

Because official positions and military posts were almost entirely hereditary, class distinctions were rigid, and there was virtually no social mobility.

Now, those wealthy families who are good at business can also buy an official position.

With their intelligence and talent, they might be able to oust those incompetent hereditary positions.

How could powerful families who had benefited greatly from the original system be willing to have the new policies implemented and harm their interests?

The Wang family was originally from Nanjing, and their clan had close ties with prominent families in Jiangnan. They also opposed this matter.

Su Wanwan did not continue the conversation following Wang's words.

The scene of Wang using the affairs of Guangdong and Guangxi to force Lu Xingjian to make Yanruo a concubine is still vivid in my mind.

She didn't want to be used as a pawn by the Wang family.

Su Wanwan's expression was solemn: "Emperor Taizu once established an ancestral precept that although empresses and concubines are the mothers of the nation, they should not be allowed to participate in political affairs."

"As for the concubines and maids, they were merely responsible for their duties, such as attending to women's needs."

"As the empress, she is only allowed to govern the affairs of the concubines in the palace; she has no say in anything outside the palace gates."

"I am unworthy to hold the position of Empress, yet I dare not disobey ancestral precepts or presumptuously discuss political affairs."

A hint of anger flashed in Wang's eyes.

You brat!

Back when the Zhou family controlled the government, why didn't you, little girl, bring up the founding emperor to admonish the Zhou family?

I'm just saying a few words about politics, and you're already criticizing me.

Wang pursed her lips, her tone turning cold: "This matter isn't entirely a matter outside the palace."

"Nowadays, the emperor doesn't concern himself with politics; it's all Liu Jin, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who's pushing things along."

"Emperor Taizu also established an ancestral precept that eunuchs should not interfere in politics."

"Your Majesty, as the mother of the nation, you should also fulfill your duty to advise the Emperor not to always favor those sycophantic ministers."

"Putting everything else aside, wasn't your grandfather forced to retire because of those eunuchs?"

Su Wanwan's attitude was respectful, but her expression was troubled:

“Grandmother, as you saw last time, His Majesty wouldn’t listen to what I had to say.”

Lu Xingjian was able to secure his throne by bestowing favors and power upon the eunuchs.

Wang's encouragement for her to persuade Lu Xingjian not to rely on eunuchs was clearly malicious, an attempt to frame her.

Wang's face stiffened for a moment, and it took her a long time to suppress the tightness in her chest.

Last time, Su Wanwan agreed to make Yanruo a concubine, but Lu Xingjian refused to agree and left the matter to Wang Shi.

To this day, the Ministry of Rites has not yet put forward any rules or regulations regarding Yanruo's promotion to imperial concubine.

Although everyone in the palace had changed their address to Princess Yanruo as instructed by the Wang family.

In reality, Yanruo's position as a concubine is now neither here nor there, and she has never been officially listed in the imperial archives.

Cai Zhen, the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant in charge of the Imperial Clan Court, also claimed to be ill and refused to see anyone, saying that he had not received the imperial edict and that the matter of submitting the imperial edict still had to wait for the emperor's word.

This is like swallowing a fly, stuck in my trachea, neither going up nor down, it's disgusting.

Su Wanwan is quite good at hitting people where it hurts.

snort.

Wang's face turned completely cold, and her tone became harsh:

Whether he listens or not is his business, whether you advise him or not is your business. In any case, it's much more effective for you, his wife, to advise him than for this old man like me.

Su Wanwan knew that Wang was adept at using all sorts of subtle tactics and wouldn't give up until she achieved her goal, so she simply agreed.

"Grandmother is too modest. We have all seen the Emperor's respect for you."

"I will also try, but I don't know where Your Majesty is, so I'm afraid I might not be able to see you."

The imperial court was short of money and grain, while the local officials were arrogant and unruly, making excuses and delays.

Now, with Liu Jin leading the way, Lu Xingjian is shielded from the pressure of public opinion and the anger of civil and military officials.

She was overjoyed; how could she possibly advise Lu Xingjian against giving Liu Jin an important position?

Besides, if she really tried to persuade him, Lu Xingjian, who was already angry, would probably be even angrier at her.

Perhaps this is Wang's true purpose.

Since Wang has made her point clear, she can simply go through the motions and give a perfunctory response.

Wang's expression softened slightly, and she finally let Su Wanwan leave.

As soon as Su Wanwan stepped out of Renshou Palace, she saw Lu Xingjian being escorted by a crowd at the other end of the passageway.

His collar was slightly loose, and he walked hurriedly. The anxiety in his eyes disappeared the moment he saw Su Wanwan.

Su Wanwan simply bowed from a distance, intending to pass him by.

Lu Xingjian took a long stride, blocking her way, but his tone was not very friendly.

"You know the palace isn't safe, why are you running around like that?"

Su Wanwan took a few steps back, frowned slightly, and distanced herself from him.

When the two of them were very close, she could smell the alcohol and perfume on him.

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