The conversations with the vassal kings, besides reminiscing about the past, also included overt and covert probing. If the soft approach didn't work, they would resort to the hard one. Of course, it was best to avoid war if possible.
“There are a few timid and cowardly individuals who are more open-minded; we can start with them.”
Those who are sensible, Xie Lang is willing to be most patient with them, letting them serve as the starting point for reducing the power of the princes, as long as there is a precedent.
“Led by Prince Jia, the princes whose fiefdoms are located in the north have taken a tough stance and are not prepared to make concessions.”
"Prince Jia is unaware... but the rest are normal."
Wen Hemian slowly explained: "Once they were enfeoffed, they naturally lost the opportunity to enter the court. They relied entirely on their generous salaries to protect their descendants and were used to idling around all day. Suddenly asking them to give up their benefits would not be something any of them would be willing to do."
No one is willing to give up money they have already acquired, even if the person asking for it is the emperor.
As a consequence of being enfeoffed, their descendants have no chance to enter the center of power. If their stipends are further reduced, not to mention what the princes themselves would think, the members of the imperial family below them would certainly cause trouble.
The system of vassal kings was hereditary, but as the number of vassal kings increased with each generation, the cost of supporting them naturally grew. Wen Hemian remembered that the Ministry of Revenue had been pleading poverty to Xie Lang a few days ago.
"Speaking of which, my father was also one of the feudal lords."
Wen Hemian touched his chin, remembering this matter.
The Wen family's ancestors fought alongside the founding emperor to establish the dynasty, so their relationship was quite different. The wealthy Huailing region was allocated to the Wen family, and they were granted special privileges, including the right to serve as officials in the imperial court. This is why Wen Hemian, as the heir of a prince, was able to participate in the imperial examinations.
What our ancestors set out is considered reasonable and justifiable, and there is no reason to question it.
Besides, the Wen family members are all capable and never have unrealistic ambitions. Being able to handle affairs in the imperial court would save them a lot of trouble, and no one would have any objections.
Xie Lang's heart skipped a beat: "Han Shuang means..."
"It's a waste to keep so many members of the royal family on their fiefdoms. They just eat for free all day long, taking their salaries and waiting to die." Wen Hemian carefully recalled the knowledge he had learned in his previous life, and gradually it became clear. "Why not open up quotas for them to enter the court as officials? But the premise is that they have to exchange it for certain conditions."
"I think it's feasible."
Xie Lang's thoughts coincided with hers.
Leaving aside the question of whether members of the imperial clan serving as officials would disrupt order, if this continues, supporting the imperial clan would be enough to bankrupt the national treasury. Specific rules and regulations can be formulated one by one later. The most difficult thing right now is how to persuade them.
“Let Ye Zhaoxuan go. He’s quick-witted and knows how to lure people into traps. And that other guy…” Wen Hemian thought for a moment, “Oh right, Shen Changyan. We can send him over there to get some experience. The court is too peaceful; he needs to be trained.”
Xie Lang's sarcastic voice came through: "Grand Tutor still remembers his name."
What are the key concerns?
Wen Hemian was speechless: "I've been gone for three years, not that I've lost my memory. I did give him some pointers once. If you don't even know his name, that's just too disrespectful."
Xie Lang counted on his fingers, recounting old grievances: "So even without amnesia, they couldn't bear to come back to see me."
Wen Hemian: "..."
"What's the point of all this fuss? Why does a dignified emperor have to compare himself to others? Can you even be compared to them?"
As Wen Hemian had said, Xie Lang was very good at finding the key points, so when these words came out, he not only didn't feel reprimanded, but was also very excited, with every strand of his hair revealing his excitement.
Like a puppy whose eyes suddenly light up.
"So, in your heart, I'm different from others?"
The question from before came back to her in a boomerang-like manner. Xie Lang stared at her intently, his gaze filled with the same intense passion and tenderness as always.
The good mood I had since last night continued smoothly.
Wen Hemian originally wanted to avoid that gaze, but a deeper thought urged her on, and she ultimately did not look away: "...I already said there is no comparison. But His Majesty is indeed more important than them."
It is important in every aspect.
Xie Lang said in a low voice, "I just want you to admit it to me, is that not allowed?"
Wen Hemian was amused by his sudden change of expression: "Okay. You're different."
She said, half-jokingly, "If you were like everyone else, I wouldn't force myself to stay. You don't need to doubt that."
As the regulator of this world, Wen Hemian did not believe that the system would not have a backup plan. Perhaps, as her mother said, she had been thinking about Xie Lang from the very beginning.
That impulsive act three years ago can be seen as the system giving her a reason to return.
Although she couldn't understand some of Xie Lang's behaviors, she realized that once she stopped resisting him, she might also have some different feelings for him.
Wen Hemian wasn't used to it. She was very indifferent, and her emotions were also indifferent. When such blunt words came out, her ears almost burned.
Xie Lang was overjoyed to receive a positive reply: "To hear Han Shuang say this, I can die without regrets."
Wen Hemian frowned: "Don't talk about death, it's bad luck."
Xie Lang nodded hastily, then suddenly changed the subject: "The way you were strategizing just now reminded me of the past... I mean, when do you want to return to the court?"
Wen Heming hesitated: "...Why not just do it today?"
"Alright."
Xie Lang clapped his hands and chuckled softly, his gaze meeting hers. He then stood up, embraced her shoulders from behind, and said gently but firmly, "Welcome back, my Grand Tutor."
Wen Hemian was suspicious of his quick agreement: "You wouldn't agree to let me go back to my residence, but you agreed so quickly to go back to the court?"
"That's different."
Xie Lang only said this much, without explaining exactly what was different. Wen Hemian could probably guess what it was, so she kept quiet and didn't ask any more questions.
"Whatever you want."
The following day, Xie Lang drafted an imperial edict to announce to the world that the Imperial Tutor had escaped death three years ago and had now returned to the capital to continue serving as Grand Tutor, with the same power as before. The Emperor, mindful of her hard work, bestowed upon her many rare and precious treasures.
The man did return and was reinstated, but the entire Wangfu (Prince's Mansion) waited and waited, but their young mistress never came back.
Qingyun sat dejectedly on the steps: "I really miss Miss so much, Uncle Lu. When do you think Miss will come back to see us? Why won't His Majesty release her? I told Miss before that His Majesty had ill intentions. If I had known, I would have preferred not to come back..."
After she finished speaking, she didn't receive a reply from Uncle Lu. Instead, she was gently tapped on the back of the head.
Qingyun turned around abruptly and saw the person she had just been talking about standing behind her. She was wearing a lake-blue long dress, with a slender figure, elegant and refined, and a teasing smile in her eyes.
"Qingyun, you can't talk badly about people behind their backs, or you'll get caught."
Qingyun's eyes immediately reddened: "Miss left without saying goodbye, I really miss you so much."
She was a servant born into the household and knew the rules very well. Even under these circumstances, she did not rush forward rashly. Instead, she quickly stood up and looked Wen Hemian up and down to see if she had lost weight anywhere and whether she was doing well outside.
"I miss you too," Wen Hemian said apologetically. "I'm sorry."
Qingyun shook her head, sobbing. Suddenly, as if remembering something, her face showed anxiety: "Why did you come back, Miss? Didn't His Majesty refuse to release them? This...this is for you..."
Wen Heming interrupted her gently, "Don't worry, His Majesty knows."
Perhaps to prove her words, Xie Lang appeared at the corner the next second.
The handsome and imposing Emperor strode forward, took Wen Hemian's hand, and said with a hint of displeasure, "...You didn't even wait for me."
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