Chapter 41 041 I am terrified.
When the imperial examination system and the Imperial Academy were reformed, many nobles watched the spectacle with amusement. Although their children also studied at the Imperial Academy, they did not need to take the imperial examination to enter officialdom. They could enter officialdom through family connections. Therefore, they were indifferent and even ridiculed the reforms. But when the reforms came to them, they began to cry out in despair.
This title of nobility is not limited to civil officials, military generals, gentry, and nobles; anyone who has made merit can be granted a title. However, this title cannot be passed down smoothly within a family, and one's own children must pass an examination to be eligible to inherit the title. Isn't this ridiculous?! How can the nobles and dukes be willing to accept this?
There's no conclusion yet. How can they refute Xie Zhongshu and persuade His Majesty not to make this decision? The nobles gathered together, racking their brains for ideas. They couldn't make too much of a fuss, nor could they do nothing; finding the right balance was incredibly difficult. Xie Zhongshu's suggestion was simply outrageous! Just because her family had no heir to a title?
“Perhaps that is indeed the case.” Hearing his colleague’s complaints, a nobleman frowned and then had a sudden inspiration. “When Prime Minister Zheng was in court, he presided over the administration of the Xuanqi (a system of official appointments). One of the policies was that women could enter officialdom, and another was that women could also inherit titles. However, this policy was never implemented. Prime Minister Xie’s grandmother was a princess. Her father was ennobled, but because he had no male heir, the title was never passed down. She naturally does not know our distress.”
"Perhaps her true intentions lie elsewhere!" The speaker slapped his thigh suddenly. "She has been dedicated to promoting the Xuanqi policy, and of course she will also make sure that what Zheng Xiang failed to accomplish back then is done. There were some disagreements between the late emperor and Zheng Xiang, but now, look at our emperor, he is completely focused on Xie Xiang!"
"Outrageous! Outrageous!" The most vulnerable nobles had no capable sons; if the system of passing down titles through examinations were implemented, they would be the first to be blocked. What did it matter to them if other families' titles fell into their daughters' hands? What did the "old rules" that those civil officials were clamoring about have to do with them? They had to protect their own family fortunes first. "That's definitely what she's thinking," the nobles said confidently.
Nobles holding official positions of the fifth rank or above could participate in regular court sessions, while the rest, immersed in wealth and status, could not attend court but could still submit memorials or even enter the palace to pay homage to the emperor. They did not mention the matter of "examinations" but only submitted memorials saying, "In ancient times, women had both titles and posthumous names. We request that the ancient custom be restored."
They've all taken such a big step back, surely Xie Lanzhao can understand their subtle meaning now?
Zhao Jialing was somewhat surprised by the petition from this group of people. She neither agreed nor disagreed, and sent all the petitions to the Council of State Affairs for the prime ministers to discuss.
She is waiting.
Waiting for the good days when the first winter snow falls and the sun shines again.
She didn't know what a gunpowder explosion looked like since she hadn't been to the country estate. Watching the increasingly heated messages in the coded message, Zhao Jialing relentlessly pursued the system, ultimately gaining a completely new viewing experience.
The shock at that moment was indescribable. Even Zhao Jialing, who thought she had already experienced all kinds of trials and could withstand all kinds of wonders, fell into a brief silence, staring blankly. The system controlled the volume of the film, but she still rubbed her ringing ears hard.
"This is the complete version; the one the host wants to see isn't as impressive," said the Wise Ruler System.
"That's enough," Zhao Jialing said.
Three days later, it was a sunny day, which happened to be a day off.
However, since the emperor invited all officials to a banquet, this "rest and rest" period naturally ceased to exist. Fortunately, one did not have to get up at dawn.
For this grand banquet, Zhao Jialing invited not only the officials who participated in the regular court sessions, but also the nobles and relatives who did not participate in politics. Even the Empress Dowager, who was reluctant to leave the palace, came along. The grand procession headed to the Duke of Qin's manor on the outskirts of Chang'an, followed by a retinue of carriages and horses, a spectacle comparable to a hunting trip.
"What exactly does His Majesty want us to see?" the Minister of Revenue asked Xie Lanzhao in a low voice. The news had reached them a few days ago, but they couldn't get any specifics out of him. They'd heard that someone had dragged the Duke of Qin out for drinks, getting him drunk cup after cup, but the usually loud Duke of Qin hadn't uttered a single word; his mouth was as tight as if sewn shut with iron wire.
I wanted to hear some words from His Majesty, but there was no response.
I thought that hearing the inner voice would eliminate the need to "guess the emperor's will" and get everything done in one step. Little did I expect that the inner voice would be intermittent, bringing with it considerable anxiety, and the terror that came when the inner voice was silent was indescribable.
Therefore, they could only try to get information from Xie Lanzhao, who was deeply favored by the emperor.
Xie Zhongshu was usually dignified and quiet, with his own kind of authority, and was not someone to be questioned.
At this moment, Xie Lanzhao calmly said, "We'll know when the time comes."
Xie Lanzhao didn't know, but deep down she had a guess. What His Majesty wanted to show the ministers must be a rare and precious item obtained from the system, but Mingde Academy was not yet completed and wasn't in that direction, so it wasn't under the jurisdiction of the Duke of Qin's mansion. The telescope was still under research, and besides, there was no need to leave the city. As for soap, perfume, horseshoes, and the like, there was even less need…
Upon careful consideration, one can roughly guess that it is that "gunpowder." It disappeared without a trace after falling into His Majesty's hands. His Majesty once let slip that he had given the valuable item to the Empress Dowager, and the Duke of Qin is the Empress Dowager's confidant. If the Empress Dowager were to have someone investigate it, the Duke of Qin would be the obvious choice.
"Is it really that amazing?" the Empress Dowager asked from inside the carriage, her expression suspicious. She had read all the memorials from the Duke of Qin's mansion, but based on her understanding of those court officials, they always liked to embellish their reports with other things, exaggerating even the most ordinary matters. They could squeeze a bucket of water out of a stack of memorials.
"Does the Duke of Qin dare to deceive me and my mother?" Zhao Jialing asked.
The Empress Dowager nodded; the Duke of Qin indeed did not have the courage.
Since it was a grand banquet, a feast was naturally required. The Duke of Qin dared not slight the Sage and ordered a fine banquet to be prepared. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor naturally sat at the head of the table, flanked by the princess and the Prime Minister, with others seated in order of seniority. The courtiers secretly murmured amongst themselves, not quite understanding the purpose of the event, but outwardly maintained a cheerful and jovial demeanor. After offering their congratulations to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, courtiers played music, danced, and composed poems in response to imperial commands.
Zhao Jialing seemed to be immersed in the harmonious atmosphere of the banquet. She didn't mention any state affairs. Only after the banquet ended did she say lightly, "In the past, I was blessed by the gods and ancestors and obtained something called 'gunpowder'. I entrusted it to the daughter of the Duke of Qin's mansion for research, and now there are results."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager glanced at Zhao Jialing with curiosity, and treated the gods and ancestors as mere platitudes.
Li Zhaoci was also at the banquet. After listening to His Majesty's words, she stepped forward and spoke calmly. After the pleasantries were over, she bowed to Zhao Jialing and said, "By order of His Majesty, I invite you all to witness a 'miracle'."
"Mother, be careful, the commotion might be quite significant." Zhao Jialing turned to the Empress Dowager and whispered, then naturally instructed Yin'e to pass on a message to Xie Lanzhao.
"Don't worry, host, it won't deafen anyone," said the Wise Ruler System.
"If I don't remind Xie Lanzhao, how will she know how much I care about her?" Zhao Jialing argued vehemently.
At the banquet, the civil and military officials were already itching to eat.
Even after listening to Li Zhaoci's long speech, they still felt completely lost.
Some people looked bewildered, while those courtiers who could hear their inner thoughts thought to themselves, "Finally, they've arrived."
Aside from His Majesty's favoritism towards Xie Zhongshu, I couldn't discern anything else.
Your Majesty is worried about Xie Zhongshu's hearing loss, but what about us ministers?!
Hmm? No, deafening? Could it be a deafening roar?
The courtiers, led by the Duke of Qin's men, went to witness the "miracle."
Li Zhaoci didn't allow anyone to get too close, especially His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. She clapped her hands, and the servants in the manor quickly brought out the gunpowder barrels they had developed.
She said politely, "This is a little insight I gained from studying divine objects. It makes quite a commotion when lit, so please bear with me, esteemed ministers."
"It's just a bucket, what's so scary about it?" The speaker was quite dismissive.
Li Zhaoci smiled, not taking the words to heart. Her gaze was fixed on Zhao Jialing not far away. When Yin'e came to deliver the message, she greeted her again, saying, "Light it!" The gunpowder barrel was only used to demonstrate its power and would not be used directly and crudely in war. Making the ignition would take a very long time, allowing the person lighting the fire enough time to leave.
A hissing sound rang out, followed moments later by a deafening explosion, like thunderbolts compressed from the clouds bursting forth simultaneously. Even with the trees and grass obscuring the view, and even from a considerable distance, the ground still trembled. Flames, like dragons, surged in all directions in an instant, extremely blinding. The previously dismissive nobleman was terrified, his face drained of color, and he fled in panic!
Li Zhaoci chuckled inwardly. She waved her hand, and someone brought out new products. These were no longer gunpowder kegs, but byproducts of the research—fireworks. The servants arranged six according to Li Zhaoci's instructions. After lighting them, a loud "torch" rang out, and colorful fireworks bloomed, like a magnificent tapestry.
The still-shaken courtiers had no time to admire the fireworks; their minds were filled with the terrifying powder keg. Their faces were pale and ashen, a truly frightening sight. Thank goodness they were in an open area; if that thing had been thrown into the crowd and exploded, who could have stood a chance?!
"This, this—"
"Don't rush." Li Zhaoci smiled broadly, watching the varied expressions on the faces of the civil and military officials with great interest. If they were going to put on a show, it had to be a thorough one. The fireworks should have relaxed their tense nerves, right? The main event was about to begin!
“Shangmu Ren!” Li Zhaoci said.
The servants, following her instructions, immediately brought out ten adorned wooden figures.
This time, Li Zhaoci didn't let anyone else operate it. She took out a flintlock pistol from its case and aimed it at the wooden figure.
Another deafening clap of thunder sounded, and the wooden dummy, clad in armor, shattered in the process!
The faces of the civil and military officials were also splitting open. They supported each other, too shocked by the spectacle to speak.
Those armors were brand new, not junk! How could their mortal bodies possibly withstand them?!
The Duke of Qin grinned, quite pleased with himself. He raised his hand and clapped his hands, and although the court officials were bewildered, they still joined in the applause.
What the hell is this? It's absolutely terrifying!
Xie Lanzhao took a deep breath, calming the shock in her heart. After receiving Yin'e's message, she had prepared herself mentally, but the overwhelming emotion still left her speechless. She glanced at the terrified faces around her, her thoughts racing. Smoke drifted in on the wind, carrying a strange, itchy odor. Xie Lanzhao's lips moved, and she murmured, "Long live Your Majesty!" The echoes resounded like a mountain roar, echoing in all directions.
Zhao Jialing remained calm and composed.
Before a group of people who were stunned into silence, her imperial majesty finally reached its peak.
That's amazing! No wonder he's the emperor.
Such a miracle could not break her composure.
Zhao Jialing said, "Well done, you deserve a reward!" She turned to the Duke of Qin and said, "Your Excellency is truly valiant, and your lineage is well-established. How about granting him a marquisate?" Then, as if remembering something, Zhao Jialing addressed the officials who were still in shock, "Has there been any progress on the matter of succession that I asked you to discuss earlier?"
The emperor remained calm and composed, while the nobles were shocked, bewildered, and at a loss for what to do.
After a long while, they suddenly shuddered.
This isn't a banquet! It's like inviting them over to be "killed."
The dangerous weapon was put back into the box by Li Zhaoci and presented to the Sage.
But could there only be a little bit of this?! Some words were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them no matter what.
If I disagree, won't I be beaten into a pulp?! His Majesty, who was so unremarkable when he ascended the throne, is actually so terrifying!
Xie Zhongshu, say something! Can you break this terrifying atmosphere? Aren't you His Majesty's bedmate?
The courtiers' desperate gazes fell upon Xie Lanzhao, who remained silent.
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