At the beginning of the Qian Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Lu Qingcang swept across the land with ruthless methods. After ascending the throne, he bestowed great honors upon his meritorious officials, especially relying on those former noble families who had defected to support him during the war.
The Wang clan of Langya, the Cui clan of Qinghe, and the Li clan of Longxi were all granted high-ranking official positions and hereditary titles, and were even allowed to retain private armies and control local taxes.
Emperor Taizu was ruthless, both using and guarding against powerful families.
He once slaughtered three unruly powerful clans in one night, and purged the imperial court in blood, making the noble families both fearful and forced to submit to the imperial power.
Although the powerful families of that time were still under the emperor's control.
However, as the throne was passed down from generation to generation, the power of the aristocratic families became as entrenched as the roots of an old tree.
Through marriage alliances, the recruitment of protégés and former officials, and the annexation of land, they extended their reach to every corner of the imperial court.
Even today, aristocratic families are no longer an aid to imperial power, but rather a hindrance.
Beyond money, powerful families control nearly 60% of the land and trade routes in Daqian, and they intercept most of the local tax revenue in various states under various pretexts.
In terms of power, the Six Ministries were almost monopolized by powerful families, and even if officials from humble backgrounds entered the court, they could only hold insignificant and idle positions.
In terms of prestige, aristocratic families control public opinion, and the common people only know that "the Cui family of Qinghe is known for its poetry and books," but they do not know that poor students still have no way out even after studying hard for ten years.
In terms of talent, scions of prominent families study and practice martial arts from a young age, and their families produce many outstanding talents, while students from poor families, even if they are exceptionally talented, find it difficult to stand out because they have no one to recommend them.
Lu Nancheng knew that if reforms were not implemented, the imperial power would eventually be usurped by powerful families, but for a long time he had been unable to find an effective way to break the deadlock.
——-
The turning point in the story begins in the tenth year of the reign of Emperor Fuxi of the Qing Dynasty.
At that time, Lu Jingze reported to Lu Nancheng Wang Xiuxiu's idea of establishing trade relations with foreign countries.
After hearing this, Lu Nancheng summoned Wang Xiuxiu and agreed to send her as an envoy to the northern border to oversee trade.
Inside the imperial study, the fragrance of ambergris rose gently from the bronze beast-shaped incense burner.
Lu Nancheng's hand, holding the vermilion brush, hovered above the memorial, the ink spreading a dark shadow on the Xuan paper.
He looked up at the woman standing in the hall—Wang Xiuxiu was standing with her head bowed, her crimson robe making her skin look like fresh snow, completely unlike those trembling courtiers.
"Do you know why I have granted you permission to go on a mission to the northern border?" the emperor suddenly asked.
Wang Xiuxiu replied neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty has discerning eyes; this humble servant dares not presume to know your worth."
Lu Nancheng was amused by these words and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
He put down his pen and suddenly sighed, "Jingze is right, you are indeed... different from others."
Changing the subject abruptly, Lu Nancheng asked, "What's your view on the current situation in the court?"
The chief eunuch waiting outside the palace was startled upon hearing this.
Such important military and national affairs, the emperor actually discussed with a woman?
Wang Xiuxiu, however, calmly replied, "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear."
"It's alright, tell me what you think. No matter what, I won't blame you."
"Your Majesty, I dare to say, you are now standing before a crystal mirror."
\"oh?\"
"The myriad figures reflected in the mirror, seemingly bustling, are in reality all wearing the same face."
She lightly touched the teacup with her fingertips. "When a noble's son enters officialdom, his clan and relatives stand behind him, just like spilled tea—"
"Forever carrying the dust of the world."
Lu Nancheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he remained silent for a long while.
After a long silence, Lu Nancheng spoke.
"You truly are as Jingze described, possessing profound wisdom and insight."
"Your Majesty is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise!"
——-
After returning to her residence, Wang Xiuxiu relayed the emperor's questions to Lu Jingze.
Although she had some knowledge, she still had little experience interacting with emperors.
She wasn't sure if what she said today was appropriate.
After hearing what she said, Lu Jingze patted her head.
"It's alright, what you said is correct."
Lu Jingze sighed and continued, "The place you mentioned is actually the very situation in the court that worries my brother the most."
“Since my elder brother ascended the throne, he has been trying to find a way to break the deadlock, but over the years, he has always been hampered by the powerful families.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu's eyes lit up slightly.
——-
When summoned again, Lu Nancheng did not hide anything, but instead frankly asked Wang Xiuxiu if she had a solution.
"Does Your Majesty know why reforms are so difficult to implement?"
Why?
"Because nowadays, it's far too easy for officials in the court to see you."
Lu Nancheng frowned, not understanding Wang Xiuxiu's meaning.
“Those from clans who entered the court to serve as officials relied on recommendations and family connections rather than talent and learning.”
"They take their official positions too lightly. They are grateful to their families and repay their relatives and friends, but they do not know how to appreciate the emperor's great grace, nor do they strive to serve the country and seek the well-being of the people. Instead, they seek profit for their families."
"What a convenient excuse for 'seeing me is too easy'!" He rose with a flick of his sleeve. "Those aristocratic scions truly treat the court like their own backyard."
"To be honest, I have been on the throne for many years and have been troubled by the constraints of powerful families, which has prevented me from realizing many of my ideals and ambitions. Jingze always says that you are very intelligent and always have unexpected ways to break the deadlock. I wonder if you can help me in this matter?"
Wang Xiuxiu quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty is too kind!"
"Don't belittle yourself. If you have a solution, I'll even kneel and kowtow three times!"
Lu Nancheng's words were extremely serious, and Wang Xiuxiu dared not hold back any longer. She simply said, "Your Majesty, I am not only one of the millions of people, but also the concubine of Prince Jing. If there is anything Your Majesty needs, I will do my duty without hesitation."
The two sat facing each other.
Wang Xiuxiu knelt before the table, took out three calligraphy brushes from the table, and placed them side by side.
"This is how the imperial court is now—led by the Wang, Cui, and Li families, with their clans and in-laws forming a close-knit, interconnected network."
She suddenly pulled out the middle one, and the remaining two collapsed with a crash: "The only way is to widely grant imperial examinations..."
He then grabbed a pen from the pen holder and inserted it into the pen holder, saying, "Those who enter officialdom from humble backgrounds end up like this—"
The pens, crisscrossing each other, form their own warp and weft.
The most ingenious part is that the three rods are now firmly stuck in the grid and can no longer cause any trouble.
"Mutual checks and balances are necessary to ensure that the top sets an example for the bottom."
Lu Nancheng stared at the exquisite model and suddenly burst into laughter, "Good! Good! Excellent!"
"What I'm about to say has another layer of meaning."
She suddenly untied the fish-shaped pouch from her waist. "According to strict rules, only officials of the fifth rank or above can wear this, thus having the opportunity to meet the emperor. But what if a common scholar or farmer truly has a good solution for controlling the floods?"
The emperor was suddenly stunned.
He recalled what Jingze had said: there had been signs in the local area before the Pei River breached its banks last year.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a scholar in a blue robe, who had been stopped by officials from the capital, had risked his life to report the incident.
Three days later, seeing that there was no way to report to higher authorities, the scholar finally jumped into the river and drowned on his way home.
"Your Majesty," Wang Xiuxiu's voice suddenly softened, "the real threshold shouldn't be at the palace gate, but rather..."
She lightly touched her chest with her fingertips, "Here."
"Scholars have great talent for governing the world, and farmers in the fields also have their own unique wisdom."
Thunder roared outside the window, and a sudden downpour began.
Lu Nancheng stared at the rain-soaked memorial—it was the memorial from the Langya Wang clan requesting the appointment of a crown prince.
As the ink blurred, he suddenly saw clearly the predicament he had been in for many years.
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