The current situation is clearly on the verge of erupting.
Moreover, he cannot afford to fool either side; if he is not careful, he will be torn apart by both.
I'm so worried, so very worried!
An Ge Lao paced anxiously in his study, but couldn't find a solution.
"Do we really have to write a proclamation and fight to the death with the powerful families?"
He just couldn't make that decision.
Finally, gritting his teeth, he went to find Liu An again.
Liu An was very depressed because of what had happened before. Even when Grand Secretary An came to find him, he remained lazily nestled in his rocking chair and did not get up.
"What's up?"
The thought of all that hard-earned money slipping away pained him.
"News has arrived from the capital?"
"What news?"
"The reform of the imperial examination system, the aristocratic families..."
“What happens in the capital has nothing to do with me,” Liu An interrupted him. “You can figure it out yourself, don’t tell me.”
"Liu An, this is not just a matter for this pavilion alone. Don't forget, you also have powerful families behind you."
“I have already given instructions,” Liu An said, a smirk playing on his lips, “to make them resolutely support His Majesty.”
"You..." Elder An was truly enraged. "How can you have no backbone at all?"
No wonder the Emperor didn't make things difficult for him; he knelt down so quickly that even if the Emperor wanted to, he couldn't find an excuse to make things difficult for him.
"Steel spirit?" Liu An looked at Grand Secretary An with amusement. "I have served the emperor loyally, how am I not spineless?"
If a subject doesn't support the emperor, does he intend to rebel?
“Brother An, please heed my advice and quickly write a proclamation. Don’t be stubborn.”
"I will consider it further!"
"It's bound to happen sooner or later, there's no need to delay."
“Not necessarily,” Elder An said, lowering his eyes. “This matter needs to be considered carefully.”
Upon hearing this, Liu An leisurely sipped his tea, but smiled without saying a word.
Trying to please both sides is never a free lunch. Dragging it out will only hurt both sides. It's better to make a decisive choice.
Actually, resigning from my official post is not a bad idea, to avoid being constantly conflicted.
"Liu An," Grand Secretary An asked, somewhat puzzled, "you supported His Majesty's reforms, but none of the powerful families objected?"
“No,” Liu An shook his head, “If I had said I disagreed from the beginning, I would have been my enemy.”
Grand Secretary An: Isn't this just being a rogue?
A high-ranking official like him bullies his subordinates like this; isn't he afraid of being struck by lightning?
Despite his inner grumbling, Grand Secretary An secretly envied Liu An, thinking that Liu An could do this, but he couldn't.
The powerful families behind Liu An were all people he had personally rejected; they were not worth worrying about in terms of background or power and could not stand against Liu An at all.
But he...
"Over the years, the aristocratic families have been unable to provide financial support to our organization. If we were to break ties now, it would be too cold-hearted and displeasing to the world."
"Aren't you afraid the Emperor will displease you?"
"I'm scared too!"
Which one is more afraid?
"Of course it is His Majesty. Our honor and disgrace are all tied to him."
“That’s fine,” Liu An patted his clothes and stood up. “We are His Majesty’s subjects, and everything we do is for His Majesty’s sake.”
"In that case, how is it any different from being a sycophantic person?"
“You’re not being obsequious now,” Liu An couldn’t help but scoff, “but you’re too selfish, full of ulterior motives. What’s the difference between you and a petty person?”
After saying this, Liu An left.
He found it hard to look directly at An Ge Lao at this moment; he was both foolish and stubborn.
Grand Secretary An originally intended to join forces with Liu An to deal with this matter, but was ridiculed and immediately trembled with anger, exclaiming, "This brat is not capable of making plans!"
After thinking about it, he went to find Jiang Nuan again.
"You haven't sent the proclamation to the capital yet?" Jiang Nuan was genuinely surprised.
"I have not yet made a decision."
"Reforming the imperial examination system would benefit the country and its people, so what's there to hesitate about?"
"I am too entangled with powerful families, and I fear I will suffer a backlash."
“Grand Secretary An,” Jiang Nuan couldn’t help but remind him again, “there is no such thing as a perfect solution in this world, and it is not so easy to have things go your way.”
“Yes,” Elder An said with a wry smile, “the powerful families are forcing me to write a memorial to His Majesty asking him to rescind his decree, and His Majesty is now demanding that I write a proclamation in blood.”
It's like being caught between a rock and a hard place; neither of them is easy to deal with.
"Elder An, please tell me the truth. Are you afraid of the backlash from those powerful families, or is it because you can't gain any advantage?"
Jiang Nuan finally understood.
What do you mean by being caught in a dilemma? This person clearly doesn't agree with reforming the imperial examination system.
That's true. As a Grand Secretary with disciples all over the country, if the imperial examination system were reformed, his losses would not be less than those of the aristocratic families, and might even be more severe.
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An felt a moment of embarrassment and annoyance. "Is that how my wife thinks of me?"
"Otherwise what?" Jiang Nuan spread her hands. "There are so many poor and common people in the world. The advantages of reforming the imperial examination system far outweigh the disadvantages, but you keep making excuses. Can't you see these things?"
If a veteran of three dynasties can't even see this clearly, who are you trying to fool?
The reason I've been so conflicted is that I genuinely reject this idea and strongly resist it, but it's inconvenient for me to show it.
Despite their apparent various difficulties, they are actually reluctant to give up their privileges.
"This Pavilion..."
Grand Secretary An wanted to explain, but found himself at a loss for words.
“If you have the people’s well-being at heart, then put aside these selfish thoughts,” Jiang Nuan couldn’t help but shake her head. “His Majesty has only canceled the preferential treatment for aristocratic families, and has not been overly harsh. In terms of wealth, status, and knowledge, there is still a huge gap between aristocratic families and commoners. Aristocratic families will always have the advantage. In a sense, nothing has changed.”
At this point, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but sigh, "They don't even have the courage to face competition from people with different starting points. Even aristocratic families are nothing special!"
If someone born at the finish line is afraid to compete with others, are they really not a waste?
"That's not how it works."
"What is it?"
"Madam doesn't understand the implications."
"I don't really understand, but the reform of the imperial examination system is not wrong. Those who obstruct it are no different from those who obstruct the progress of the Great Zhou."
"I'll think about it some more."
"Please go ahead."
Jiang Nuanqi turned around and left immediately.
She was very disappointed that the chief minister of the Great Zhou was so self-serving.
I used to sympathize with him for being schemed against by Ji Xuan time and time again, but now I think he deserves it all.
Perhaps Ji Xuan understood this point, which is why she acted without hesitation.
Seeing this, Grand Secretary An gave a wry smile.
He understood all these principles, but he was a human being, and an elderly man in his seventies who wouldn't live for many more years. He couldn't help but think about his descendants.
Without the reforms, one's own influence could at least benefit one's descendants to some extent, but now...
"Perhaps, I really am too selfish!"
Gritting his teeth, Grand Secretary An finally returned to his study and picked up his brush to write.
Before long, a manifesto was produced.
The language was sharp and the attitude was tough. It first praised the greatness of the move, and then denounced the insidious nature of the aristocratic families.
Although it took a whole day to receive the proclamation, its contents greatly pleased Eunuch Yuan, and his attitude softened, saying, "Minister An, you've worked hard."
“It’s alright,” Grand Secretary An waved his hand. “It is my duty to share the Emperor’s burdens.”
"I will certainly report this merit to His Majesty and request commendation for you."
"It's nothing, just a small favor. I'm glad it helped His Majesty."
Grand Secretary An was still very upset, but he dared not show it.
Grandpa Yuan understood this as well. After getting the goods, he exchanged a few pleasantries and left.
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