When these people took office, they were not like the previous officials who were completely unyielding. After taking office, they began to vigorously rectify the situation, cutting off many resources and benefits provided by the central government to the country, and instead placing preferential and tax-free policies on the people. For a time, the public discussion became much louder.
Emperor Shunying has been enjoying attending court lately, but he couldn't get up in the morning, so he postponed his court session a bit and then sat there listening to the court officials report on their recent achievements.
"Your Majesty, the five southern provinces have a good harvest this year! The people have sent a basket of rice to Your Majesty!"
Emperor Shunying looked at the rice carried up by the guards and his eyes lit up: "Good, good." Although he was not stupid, he was not cruel. Although he did not care about the country, he was happy to see peace in the world.
"Your Majesty, the sand control efforts in the west have also begun to show results. These are the crops grown there." Another official presented a fruit in both hands.
Fang Zhiyi glanced sideways with his eyes closed, and couldn't help but be surprised: "Where did I find this thing?"
"To answer the general, this was discovered by local people when they were fighting desertification. This crop is not only drought-resistant, but also has a high yield. They won't have to go hungry in the future." The official said with tears in his eyes. He used to be a member of the Northwest Peasant Army. Who would rebel if they were not hungry?
Emperor Shunying was very pleased, so he rewarded all the court officials with silver. There was nothing he could do, the silver was just too much.
The Xuan Jing Division was very active, and their influence spread across the country. All the information they heard would be gathered on Gao Liang's desk, and then Gao Liang would screen it and present the important ones to Fang Zhiyi.
When this kind of secret service agency became active, some local officials suffered. Yesterday, they received one hundred taels of silver, and within three days, the Xuan Jing Division came to arrest them. They had all the evidence including the time, place, and people, so it was useless for them to deny it.
However, Fang Zhiyi did not kill people indiscriminately. All those who were fined 100 taels of silver or less were dismissed from office, taken back to the capital to await investigation, and released after they were educated.
Fang Zhiyi also opened free schools for the public in the name of complying with the emperor's order. As long as children reached the age, they could attend school and take the imperial examinations. However, the subjects taught in these schools were no longer those pedantic old books, but contents about agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, military and so on.
The scholars did make a fuss about this, but Fang Zhiyi's method of handling it was rather rude. Whoever started it was hung up in the sun for three days, and a chapter was written about his absurd deeds and hung on his body. It would be easy for the Xuanjing Division to find out about these things. What? You say you didn't do anything absurd? Then I can make it up on the spot, right?
After about seven or eight people were killed, fewer students came to make trouble. The main reason was that no one in the court dared to support them. Most of the old and pedantic ministers were dead, and the remaining ones were specially left behind by Fang Zhiyi.
Fang Zhiyi selected some of the editorial staff to be teachers. According to the past, this kind of comprehensive reform system would be resisted. However, everyone knew that Fang Zhiyi was now powerful and had not only the army but also secret agencies like Xuan Jingsi under his command. Even if some people cursed him in their hearts, they dared not say it out loud.
Emperor Shunying didn't care about these things. As long as the country was peaceful and the people were safe, and those ministers who were always quarreling didn't bother him, he was very happy.
After the court was dismissed one day, Gao Liang followed Fang Zhiyi.
"General, today that remnant of a family accused you of deceiving the emperor. Do you want to?" Gao Liang reached out and touched his neck.
Fang Zhiyi smiled and said, "Who? That old man, right?"
"Yes, these people have forgotten the pain after their wounds have healed. If you hadn't spared them, they would have gone down to hell with those dead guys."
"Forget it. This old man doesn't have any bad intentions. At least he's devoted to his country. And he has one strength, which is that he writes well."
Gao Liang is not stupid.
"I've left these people behind for one reason: first, to prevent those young men from becoming too dominant and neglecting me. It's quite entertaining to watch them bicker with these veteran officials. Second, these people have no ulterior motives and each has their own strengths in their respective fields, so they are valuable."
"You can scold me if you want, it won't cost you anything."
Gao Liang watched his back as he left, wondering whether he should get rid of Emperor Shunying himself and let Fang Zhiyi become emperor. After thinking for a long time, he shook his head and left.
Ten years passed in a flash, and Fang Zhiyi's initiative achieved tremendous results. Young people who passed the civil service exams entered the corresponding departments and played a huge role. Some improved rice seeds, some developed pumping equipment, and some directly joined the officer training camp under Fang Zhiyi.
Emperor Shunying lived comfortably for another ten years, but his health became worse than before, so he cried and asked Fang Zhiyi to take care of the prince. Fang Zhiyi was helpless. She had advised him many times not to hang out with women all the time, but this hedonistic emperor would not listen at all. He would agree with everything you said and would not stop enjoying himself.
In the autumn of the following year, Emperor Shunying died peacefully.
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