Chapter 228 I already have a wife, and I will never marry again!
It was noon.
The imperial chefs set up large stoves and pots, using locally sourced ingredients to cook the freshly hunted game.
Any leftovers will be divided among the families when we break camp.
The imperial chef's skills were naturally excellent; he could make seemingly ordinary wild game taste different.
His Majesty stood on the high platform, saying, "Hunting is about seeking the fun of the wild, and I promise that the victor will be appointed as the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard."
His eyes swept over the excited young people below.
If tigers and bears are excluded, the heaviest hunter is Gao Zhilin, the second young master of the Marquis of Xingyang's mansion.
"However, two things have happened that displease me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent, and even their smiles froze on their faces.
"The woman who bravely rescued the Empress from danger was an ordinary woman."
"The one who hunted the tiger was also a commoner who gathered herbs."
He swept his gaze across the faces of these young masters from prominent families.
"Our Great Sheng Dynasty has produced many talented people in the past. Now, do we not even have a single capable person left?"
He took a breath and said, "I, as a ruler, never speak in jest."
"Lu Dashu, step forward and obey my orders."
Lu Dashu was pushed by Eunuch Tian before he stepped forward in a daze to pay his respects.
"Grass, grass, grass, Lu, Lu, big tree bows, pays respects to Your Majesty."
Lu Dashu has a nickname, Lu Dahan, because he has great strength but no social skills or way of dealing with people.
He didn't understand the difference between officials and common people, but he knew about heaven and earth.
His Majesty is like the heavens, just like the gods that the villagers worship every day.
He had no money to buy medicine, so he went out to collect herbs for the mute old woman. Little did he expect to meet Tian.
"Lu Dashu, you are incredibly brave and killed a tiger. I hereby grant you an official position. Are you willing?"
Lu Dashu, "I, I..."
Eunuch Tian interrupted him, "How dare you! You dare to refer to yourself as..." in front of His Majesty!
Your Majesty, "A sincere person doesn't understand hierarchy; let him finish speaking."
Lu Dashu suddenly remembered that Eunuch Tian had repeatedly told him that he could only refer to himself as a commoner.
"I don't want officials, I want money."
The crowd below immediately burst into laughter.
This fool doesn't understand the importance of the Imperial Guard.
Lu Dashu said, "Your Majesty, the young master said he would reward me with money, but I only took the money home to treat my mother-in-law's illness."
Your Majesty, "You saved the young master, and the reward he gives you will be substantial. I will also offer you an official position. Do you want it?"
Lu Dashu shook his head again, "No."
Your Majesty, "Why?"
"My mother-in-law said that officials are all scholars who serve the country and the people, while commoners are illiterate and would not be able to become officials."
"For the country and for the people." His Majesty murmured these words as he slowly stepped down from the platform.
His gaze swept over his officials and ministers one by one.
"Gentlemen, have you served the country and the people?"
The current imperial court is confined to a corner of the country, making it difficult to implement Qin Lao's reforms.
He knew this process would inevitably be painful, but he didn't expect that, following the example set by those above, these people would be unprecedentedly united, outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant.
Whether they were former officials or newly promoted officials from local areas.
Our ambitions can now only be found in the writings of scholars.
The ministers couldn't help but wonder if His Majesty had deliberately arranged for this simpleton to be sent here.
I just wanted to point out Qin Lao's strategy.
But now no one dares to speak.
His Majesty stood in the crowd and slowly turned around; these were all officials of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
External enemies, internal affairs.
They are all knives hanging over Dasheng's head.
His Majesty pointed at Lu Dashu, "He knows he won't become an official, so he doesn't want one."
"And you, living off the fiefdoms, are still trying every means to ask me for official positions."
"They're all so arrogant! They don't know their own limitations! Yet they dare to be high-ranking executives and receive generous salaries!"
When the country was founded and the dynasty was established, the first emperor introduced the Edict of Hereditary Grace to reward the generals who had fought alongside him through thick and thin.
The title was inherited by the family, and officials were appointed through the patronage of their ancestors.
As long as power is absolute, the family can benefit.
One by one, towering trees with deep roots grew into towering trees.
Your Majesty, "The hereditary nature of titles decreases with each succession, and the privileges bestowed upon the ruler also decrease."
"All scions of prominent families must pass the provincial examination in order to receive imperial favor."
Those who pass the provincial examination need no special favors; they are already successful candidates. If they participate in the palace examination, they will become successful candidates.
His Majesty's order effectively blocked the path for all the young masters from noble families.
The sons of noble families all changed their expressions.
Not only would they be barred from holding official positions, but their noble titles would also be reduced, and within two generations they would become ordinary citizens.
This really stirred up a hornet's nest.
Now is not the time for political discussions in the imperial court, but some people still can't help but stand up.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate."
“The powerful families are the foundation of the capital. This is a rule set by Emperor Taizong and is also the ancestral etiquette.”
"To abolish it rashly would be a disgrace to our ancestors and to the people."
His Majesty sneered, "The court's practice of supporting parasites like you is a disgrace to our ancestors and our people!"
"Guards! Minister of Works Tan Yanchang has embezzled funds intended for the river management. Tie him up and bring his trial to a later date!"
Lord Tan looked up in a panic, "Your Majesty!"
The guards immediately dragged him away.
His Majesty glanced at the remaining people and said, "Don't think I know nothing."
Those who were initially eager to follow Lord Tan into conversation were now as quiet as quails.
"If you have anything else to say, please tell me all of it."
His Majesty's voice grew colder.
No one dared to speak anymore; to open one's mouth meant certain death.
His Majesty is in a bad mood, so we can't be forceful now; we can only try to soften our approach later.
So many years of shared interests can't be broken just like that.
His Majesty looked at the heads that were bowed one by one.
He slowly walked up to the platform again.
“Lu Dashu, since you don’t want to be an official, why don’t you go and be a guard in the young master’s mansion?”
"Food and lodging provided, plus a bonus, would you be willing?"
Lu Dashu immediately kowtowed and offered his thanks, "I'm willing, I'm willing! As long as young master doesn't think I, this humble commoner, am stupid!"
His Majesty smiled. "He wouldn't dare, don't worry."
Lu Dashu thanked him profusely and withdrew.
His Majesty continued, "There was another person who bravely saved the Empress."
"Has Miss Song decided what reward she desires?"
Song Jiyun then stood up.
"Your Majesty, I have made up my mind."
"The Zhou family once formally betrothed a commoner girl with three letters and six rites, but the marriage fell through because the elder brother in the family was convicted of a crime."
"For this reason, I have suffered greatly from rumors."
The Duke and Madam Zhao's expressions changed instantly.
Song Jiyun saw their expressions and a cold smile crept across her face. She raised her voice slightly.
"Your Majesty, the Zhou family has presented betrothal gifts and exchanged betrothal letters, but they have not yet held a wedding ceremony with my daughter."
"I don't want any rewards, I just want the Zhou family to fulfill the marriage agreement that was not fulfilled three years ago."
Zhou Congxian, who was standing to the side, changed his expression instantly.
He cried out urgently, "Your Majesty!"
His Majesty glanced at him, then looked at Song Jiyun.
"The wedding is not yet over, has the Zhou family considered announcing the engagement?"
"No!"
"In that case," His Majesty said, turning to Zhou Congxian, "Minister Zhou."
Zhou Congxian hurriedly came out and took something out of his pocket.
"I already have a wife, and I will never marry again!"
That was the very memorial His Majesty had secretly given him before.
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