Chapter 90, Epilogue 2.
The fourteenth year of Tianfu.
The restrictions on the background of applicants for the imperial examinations were removed, allowing people from all walks of life to participate in the county-level examinations. Even if court officials wanted to stop it, they were powerless to do so. The Mingde Academy's status, equivalent to that of the Imperial Academy, had already opened a crack. With merchants and minor officials joining the imperial examinations, the crumbling old system would one day completely collapse.
At the same time, minor officials without official rank in the prefectural and county governments, once they graduated from Mingde Academy, would be granted official status and a salary to support their families. This was also transformed into an ironclad rule in black and white with the promulgation of the new laws.
Although the imperial court did not explicitly expand the channels for officials outside the regular ranks to enter the official ranks, it was clear to discerning people that opportunities had already quietly emerged. Those who obtained the qualifications for the imperial examinations through the Mingde Academy and successfully passed had, in fact, already entered that path. Those aloof scholars who relied on their privileged backgrounds could no longer contain the surging tide.
In the past, what stood in their way were insurmountable high walls and a lowly, slave-like life under the command of court officials, for they had no other choice but to remain entrenched in local areas for generations. But now things are different; a road to the heavens has appeared before them.
What was once considered vital is now nothing more than petty gains! Driven by the desire for admission to higher classes and the opportunity to climb the social ladder, and also intimidated by the imperial censors inspecting the prefectures and counties, this former "frivolous and immoral" official gradually shed his "profit-driven but righteous" nature and moved closer to the path of virtue. Even if he himself had no chance to rise to the upper echelons, he could still cultivate virtue and plan for the future of his descendants.
Jiangnan East Road, Quanzhou.
The Jianghuai region is a prosperous and thriving area, but further south to the southeast, the area is densely forested and sparsely populated. Historically, it has been a place of exile and banishment, and scholars are unwilling to take up official posts there.
Chen Xiyuan chose Quanzhou himself.
When she made her choice, some of her relatives and friends were slightly puzzled. Although she had been demoted in the past, she had been appointed as an academician and worked in the Secretariat for her meritorious service in revising the Book of Rites—a prestigious and enviable position. Chen Xiyuan simply smiled. In the past, she had been indignant, believing that the distinction between the gentry and commoners was vast, and that literature was of paramount importance. But after witnessing the changes brought about by the reforms, she suddenly realized how wrong she had been. Even if literature was paramount, so what? If she were ignorant of worldly affairs, what difference would she make in that position?
She was well-versed in the ancient scriptures, able to discuss any single entry eloquently. However, during the years she devoted herself to compiling and revising ritual texts, she gained new insights and feelings upon seeing these familiar texts. If everyone were like her in the past, making social interaction their priority and using literature as a bridge to support each other, even if they did connect people, could they truly turn their grand visions into reality?
Back in Fengqiu, she socialized with others, composed poems and essays, and handled mundane affairs through minor clerks in the county government. These clerks relied on past laws and experience, and were not people who shared her ideals. How many things contrary to her thoughts and beliefs were hastily dealt with by these clerks in places she hadn't seen? This thought sent a chill down Chen Xiyuan's spine.
In middle age, she finally realized how out of step with her uprightness was, and that her attempt to seek revenge had brought her no results whatsoever.
This assignment to another region is her opportunity.
Quanzhou was backward, and although it had a prefectural school, it was practically useless. Chen Xiyuan was eager to develop the area, but he also knew that haste makes waste. For this barren land whose potential had yet to be fully realized, filling its stomachs was the most important thing. He brought many excellent seeds from Chang'an and tirelessly promoted them, while the construction of Mingde Academy was carried out in between.
In her second year as Prefect of Quanzhou, Li Zhaoci arrived with wealth and troops. She unfurled a map, pointed to the coastline of Quanzhou, and said, "His Majesty says this place is suitable for a port." Her finger slowly moved from the coastline towards the sea, finally stopping on an island. She smiled slightly, "This is Yizhou. It was already part of China during the previous dynasty, and many ancestors migrated there and thrived. I am acting on His Majesty's orders to send them superior seeds, so that they may return to our Great Yong."
With the population concentrated in the Central Plains, the vast plains eventually became unsustainable, making development in remote areas inevitable. For example, wasn't the Jianghuai region, hundreds of years ago, considered a southern, uncivilized land? Only a major war forced the imperial court to move south, forcing the officials residing in Jiangnan to rebuild their land from scratch. Past development was largely driven by war, but now the court has turned its attention to previously neglected lands, abandoning the millennia-old undertaking and initiating immigration programs.
When Li Zhaoci led his fleet to set sail, Chen Xiyuan saw him off at the port. She watched the ships until they gradually disappeared from her sight. The map from the palace could accurately calculate the distance between Quanzhou and Yizhou, but the sea was full of storms, and every journey required immense courage, as if facing death.
The world is not confined. If there is no road ahead, then venture out and forge a path through thorns and brambles!
The emperor and empress in the palace have done enough; the rest is up to them to see if they have the courage to carry it out. The future will not be achieved by one person alone.
Chen Xiyuan returned to the governor's mansion with a belly full of worries.
She was preoccupied and tense. Li Zhaoci was going to make a name for himself overseas, while she—her gaze fell on the documents, and after a moment of concentration, she exhaled a breath of stale air; her mission was the land beneath her feet.
The establishment of Mingde Academy did not encounter any obstacles, and there were no disputes within the family regarding sending their children to school.
However, some difficulties arose when implementing the "Da Yong Li" and "Da Yong Lü". These were clashes between the law and the old rites and customs that had been passed down for thousands of years, and a violent confrontation with customary law, especially in the area of "household and marriage".
However, a few days later, the governor's office received a case.
A woman named Ruan San Niang from Qingyuan County came to beat a drum to file a complaint.
Her husband, Zhao Si, was a frivolous and immoral man who frequently beat her and their children after drinking. She wanted a divorce, but her husband's family and her father's family refused. After hearing some legal advice, she took Zhao Si to the county magistrate, but the newly appointed magistrate only verbally reprimanded him, claiming it was a "family dispute" and refusing to allow her to divorce him! After being reprimanded, Zhao Si not only didn't change his ways but became even more abusive! Ruan San Niang's attempts to appease him only resulted in more evil. Desperate, she placed her last hope in the governor.
Seeing the despair in Ruan San Niang's eyes, Chen Xiyuan felt a thorn in his heart. This wasn't the first case, nor would it be the last. Years after the new laws were enacted, some county officials would still act according to the old ones, or simply compromise and appease. They might change their verdict after several appeals.
Therefore, Your Majesty needs to start by reforming the school system and the imperial examination system, and therefore Your Majesty needs ambitious people like them to go out and explore.
Chen Xiyuan immediately ordered his men to bring Zhao Si to the scene.
Under the new law, regardless of whether it is a family dispute or not, assault and injury will have to come at a price.
Zhao Si still regarded Ruan Sanniang as his own, someone he could dispose of at will. In order to exonerate Zhao Si, his family kept accusing her of "filial impiety." As for the Ruan family members who came to the government office, they looked at Ruan Sanniang with disappointment, as if she had disgraced the entire clan.
Chen Xiyuan's heart was churning. This wasn't the first time she'd encountered something like this, but each time it stirred a storm within her, a burning anger waiting to erupt like a volcano. The struggle between law and custom might take many more years, but no matter what, she would steadfastly continue towards her goal.
Without hesitation, she granted Ruan San Niang's divorce from Zhao Si, and Zhao Si was also found guilty of assault and imprisoned. As for the Ruan family, Chen Xiyuan coldly warned that if any member of the clan were to be dealt with according to clan law or family rules, it would be considered premeditated murder in violation of the law. She did this because a tragedy had almost occurred in the past. After the county court granted the divorce, her clan members believed she was immoral and forced her to commit suicide. Such a phenomenon was rare in the Central Plains, but in the mountainous areas where clan power was strong, that barbaric custom lingered like a ghost.
After sending out the document reprimanding the magistrate of Qingyuan County, Chen Xiyuan then wrote a memorial impeaching him. The court's intention was clear: those who did not follow the law should be replaced, until a suitable person was found. Many may not genuinely agree, but as long as the law was followed and customary laws were challenged, the resulting negative trend would gradually reverse.
He sat at his desk until late at night.
Looking out the window, a bright moon hangs high in the night sky, with a few stars twinkling in the distance.
"My lady, it's late." Those who had accompanied Chen Xiyuan on his travels north and south were old members of the Chen family. A few years ago, they had advised Chen Xiyuan to settle down, but gradually the topic fell out of reach. His lady was focused on her career and wouldn't tolerate anything else getting in her way. As for the future, they would accompany her as much as possible. Even if misfortune struck, His Majesty was not a cruel or ungrateful man, and given the lady's old friendship with the Empress, she wouldn't be left destitute in her later years.
Chen Xiyuan nodded and said softly, "Tomorrow will be another beautiful day."
As the sun rises over the hibiscus, the daytime sun shines leisurely.
"Why are you dragging me into this, trying to exhale purple energy?" On this rare day of leisure, Xue Yuanshuang glared at Pei Wuwei, who was sitting cross-legged, and sighed deeply. She had told Pei Wuwei about her upcoming post in Guangzhou, and Pei Wuwei had simply said "okay." Xue Yuanshuang couldn't figure out her meaning; she wanted to stay with her, yet she didn't want her to leave her hometown for Lingnan. But on the day of departure, the clatter of hooves sounded, and when she looked up, she saw Pei Wuwei carrying a zither and a sword.
The person is here, and so is the old zither.
After absorbing the purple energy, the ethereal Pei Wuwei took out his zither and began to play.
The fingertips moved like cascading pearls, each note ringing out with a melodious grace. The music lingered in the ears, its refined notes possessing an otherworldly elegance.
Just like Pei Wu for himself.
"It's not exactly a beautiful landscape, nor does it have flowers or a moon, but it does have a beautiful woman. What do you think, Sister Xue?"
Xue Yuanshuang chuckled softly and listened attentively to the zither.
When the music ended, she looked at Pei Wuwei and asked, "Do you regret it?"
"What's there to regret?" Pei Wuwei's fingers paused on the strings, and she said lazily, "I always wanted to travel, to see the world." She didn't feel there was anything wrong with leaving her hometown after leaving the Pei family. As long as she was happy, that was her "home."
Xue Yuanshuang said, "But I've stayed here for many years."
“There is still something new about this place.” Pei Wuwei put away her zither and smiled. “If there’s anything wrong with it, it’s that it lacks good wine, like Langguanqing.” She couldn’t stand the local specialty medicinal wines and snake wines. She carried the zither case on her back and helped Xue Yuanshuang up, saying, “You’re exhausted from all the paperwork. If you keep going like this, Sister Xue, you won’t even be able to climb a small hill.”
Pei Wuwei: "When you have free time in the future, come with me to climb mountains. Look at Huan Sanniang, she's so lively and energetic, running around everywhere, and even taking a boat out to sea."
Xue Yuanshuang: "She's young."
Pei Wuwei sighed, "Then we need to climb mountains even more to train. If we are really too weak—well, you carry the zither, and I'll carry you."
...
port.
Young Huan Chuxiang had become much darker from the wind and sun, but her eyes shone brightly; she was no longer the frail woman from a secluded life in the eyes of others. Through various trials, she had become capable of handling things independently, taking over the entire construction of Guangzhou Port. Originally, there was an old port; occasionally, outsiders would land, bringing some new things, but they were neglected and eventually disappeared without a trace.
Huan Chuxiang and her team received orders to build a port here. Their task was certainly not to wait for people who had drifted here after getting lost. They had complete nautical charts and shipping routes. Once the port was completed, they would set off with their goods—this would be a brand new trade route.
Like the western route, it transported exquisite Eastern porcelain and silk to the West, while bringing back Western specialties and information. With the map, merchants could travel further and reap greater rewards, whether by land or trade. This allowed the national treasury to be replenished rapidly, which the court then channeled into the reclamation and development of wastelands.
After the port was renovated, newly built large ships carrying goods set sail and returned to the port after six months. They brought back gold, spices, minerals, as well as some monks and foreigners.
Huan Chuxiang learned upon inquiry that these monks were originally from Dayong. They had set out from the southwest, intending to travel to India, but after several wanderings, they arrived at a place called "Lion Kingdom," where they were finally picked up by Dayong's cargo ships. Besides the monks, there were also people from other foreign lands, but due to the language barrier, they had no idea where the others came from. They communicated through gestures, gradually learning each other's languages, and eventually managed to communicate to a reasonable extent.
Compared to the trivial matters in the county government, Huan Chuxiang preferred dealing with these outsiders. Over the years, her foreign language skills improved by leaps and bounds, making her comparable to the translators of the Court of State Ceremonial.
As Pei Wuwei and Xue Yuanshuang descended the hill, Huan Chuxiang rode her horse back to the Guangzhou government office. The clatter of hooves echoed as she looked up at the ever-changing roads and buildings, almost forgetting the dilapidated state she had witnessed when she first arrived.
She rushed into the room and had someone grind ink.
"Are you writing another letter?" Xue Yuanshuang asked, leaning forward. Huan Chuxiang was different from her; she had grown up in Chang'an and was a member of the imperial family. If Huan Chuxiang hadn't come to Lingnan, she could have entered the Six Ministries with her talent. Besides submitting memorials, she would also send letters home to Chang'an.
Huan Chuxiang raised an eyebrow and smiled, then said, "Yes."
The construction of roads reduced the number of post stations, greatly improving the efficiency of message transmission.
Letters from all directions flew to the majestic Chang'an palace like scraps of paper, were reviewed by the Hall of State Affairs, and finally ended up in the hands of the Emperor and Empress.
After finishing their official duties, Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao finally had time to open and read their private letters.
There was Chen Xiyuan from Quanzhou, Huan Chuxiang from Guangzhou, and then there was Princess Jinxian, who dragged Gao Shao away from the capital and traveled around the world ahead of them. When talking about their own feelings, they inevitably talked about local customs and traditions, which naturally became intertwined with official business, giving Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao, who were in the deep palace, another perspective on things.
"Reform is difficult, but maintaining these achievements is even more challenging," Zhao Jialing remarked to Xie Lanzhao. Old habits are deeply ingrained in the blood and flesh of a generation, requiring the efforts of several generations to suppress and eradicate them. In this context, choosing the right successor to maintain the cause becomes exceptionally important. Fortunately, Anyang, having grown up, has not disappointed; otherwise, without a successor, the great cause would only face a horrific and devastating end.
Xie Lanzhao said gently, "Everything is developing in a positive direction, thanks to Your Majesty's efforts." The quality of the monarch is related to the lifeline of the country, and the step Your Majesty has taken is more important than that of any minister. Otherwise, if the court officials were to compete with Your Majesty, they might be able to advance, but more likely they would remain stagnant. Furthermore, it is also because Your Majesty has received the favor of the gods and ancestors, possessing many divinely bestowed gifts that would otherwise be impossible, that you have been able to establish this unprecedented and unparalleled foundation.
Zhao Jialing said, "Relying on me won't work; we need to work together with one heart."
The students of Mingde Academy are the sparks that will spread in all directions when they grow up, carrying new ideas with them.
The vows Xue Yuanshuang and the others made back then still echo in my ears—
Even if we can never return to Chang'an.
Xie Lanzhao saw through Zhao Jialing's thoughts at a glance. The wind lifted a corner of the letter on the table, and the ink shimmered in front of her eyes. She said softly, "Everyone is working hard."
We will strive to make every place a peaceful and prosperous Chang'an.
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