Chapter 696

For access to a complete chapter, you can subscribe to my patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/caleredhair

“I kept you two here for the matter of this reform. You are the heads of all officials, and I do not wish to see decrees twisted in the hands of some officials.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Ming’s tone was unwavering.

Fei Ji’s heart sank. Xiao Ming’s tone was resolute; in his view, this new monarch was gradually adapting to his position as the supreme ruler.

He dared not be negligent and solemnly said, “Yes, Your Majesty, I will personally supervise their execution.”

“me as well,” Pang Yukun said.

Nodding, Xiao Ming said seemingly casually, “Elder Fei, I understand that you harbor suspicions towards Senior Grand Secretary Pang and the former officials of the feudal states. Sometimes, you oppose for the sake of opposition, regardless of right or wrong. During the recent urgent war, I turned a blind eye, but if this happens again in the future, I will never tolerate it. Whether it is you, Fei Ji, or you, Pang Yukun, if you dare to engage in factional struggles in my council hall, I will not spare you!”

As these words were uttered, fine beads of sweat appeared on Fei Ji’s forehead. He plopped down onto his knees, “Your Majesty, I, your old servant, have indeed looked after the old officials from Chang’an in some areas, but I absolutely have not engaged in factional struggles. I implore Your Majesty to investigate clearly.”

“It’s best if you haven’t,” Xiao Ming looked at Pang Yukun. “You two are both Grand Secretaries. You should cooperate with each other for the revitalization of the Great Yu Empire. Do not spend all your energy on internal strife. I will not tolerate even a speck of dust in my eyes, and this murky atmosphere in the council hall should also change.”

Pang Yukun nervously said, “Yes, your humble servant will keep Your Majesty’s teachings in mind.”

“Alright, I have said what I needed to say. As for what happens next, you both weigh it yourselves,” Xiao Ming said calmly.

The two exchanged glances and exited the council hall.

Qian Dafu then chuckled, “Your Majesty was truly majestic today. I saw that both Elder Fei and Senior Grand Secretary Pang were quite scared.”

“I just want to remind them. During the Western expedition, I couldn’t move, but now that the north is stable, it’s time to eradicate the malpractices in the Great Yu Empire’s officialdom. This is also part of the reform,” Xiao Ming said with a faint smile.

Qian Dafu said, “Your Majesty is absolutely right. The ministers in the council hall are so focused on attacking each other; who has the mind to assist Your Majesty in governing the country?”

“You see through it clearly. That is the purpose of my summoning the two of them individually. Differing political views are acceptable, but if they engage in factional struggles, I will deal with them.” Xiao Ming’s gaze was firm. For him, he had inherited a mess, just like Emperor Chongzhen.

His only good fortune was that he had established a “state within a state” centered on the six prefecture, cultivating a group of officials who did not rely on the imperial examination to enter officialdom. It was precisely because of this that he dared to undertake drastic reforms.

While the two were speaking, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun had already reached outside the council hall.

Stopping at the doorway, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun simultaneously paused and wiped cold sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves.

Sensing each other’s actions, the two turned around, their expressions somewhat awkward. Pang Yukun was the first to speak, “Elder Fei, please forgive me for any offenses I may have committed in the past.”

“Senior Grand Secretary Pang, you are too polite. I also have my shortcomings. Your Majesty’s words this time truly gave me a sense of enlightenment. I have indeed been a bit muddled lately,” Fei Ji said.

With his daughter now the Empress, and he himself virtually the head of all officials, he had become somewhat disoriented by the flattery of some officials.

It was only when Xiao Ming pointed it out this time that he realized everything he had was given by the Emperor, and the Emperor could take it away at any time if he was displeased.

“Since that is the case, I hope Elder Fei can assist me in the implementation of this decree. Otherwise, you and I might not keep our official posts. It is said that when His Majesty dealt with Yu Ming, he said that a three-legged toad is hard to find, but two-legged officials are everywhere. Elder Fei, do not forget, there are many ministers hoping to enter the Grand Secretariat.”

Fei Ji nodded, “That is natural. This time, I will absolutely not shield any official.”

Pang Yukun chuckled inwardly. The double act he and the Emperor performed still had its effect.

After a heart-to-heart conversation, Fei Ji and Pang Yukun walked towards the prefectural office, chatting and laughing.

The next day, the “Qingzhou Daily” prominently featured the content of the court discussions. The decree concerning the encouragement of private capital development and the establishment of official workshops instantly ignited the entire Qingzhou Province.

The happiest among them were naturally the merchants of Qingzhou Province, as this meant they could enter more industries, and also receive policy support.

Among the common people, those who wanted to engage in business were equally excited, because many of the decrees favored them.

Just as the people of Qingzhou Province cheered, the decree targeting the imperial family also quietly reached the ears of the various imperial relatives living in Qingzhou Province.

At the Princess’s Mansion, Princess Pingyang was calm upon receiving this news, because in the study, Xiao Ming had already mentioned this matter to her.

After the decree was implemented, she would transform into an official merchant, and her first duty would be to work with officials to establish the Railway Department.

She also had some understanding of railways and steam locomotives. She gladly accepted this matter. Compared to her previous idleness and being excluded from Xiao Ming’s circle, she suddenly became an insider. This change in position made her completely side with her imperial nephew, the Emperor. After all, even when the late Emperor was alive, she had never enjoyed such favorable treatment.

Although she was not in the council hall, she was now also working for the Emperor.

She was secretly pleased when Ouyang Mu suddenly walked over and said, “Your Highness, the Duke of Song has arrived.”

“Him again!”

Princess Pingyang frowned. She didn’t want to see him, but after a moment’s hesitation, she decided to see why the Duke of Song had come in person.

She had Ouyang Mu let the Duke of Song in. Soon, the Duke of Song, reeking of alcohol, staggered into Princess Pingyang’s presence.

Seeing Princess Pingyang, the Duke of Song sat on the ground and wailed, “Your Highness, you must advocate for us imperial relatives! The Emperor’s decree yesterday is going to completely cut off our livelihood!”

Pinching her nose, Princess Pingyang was somewhat annoyed. She said, “Duke of Song, your words are mistaken. The Emperor is finding a way for us to live.”

The Duke of Song was sobbing, “Your Highness, when the late Emperor was alive, imperial relatives enjoyed imperial court sustenance for generations. Now, the Emperor has explicitly canceled it, and even wants us to enter some workshops. Isn’t this clearly humiliating us? I ask you, which imperial relative would do such a lowly thing?”

Princess Pingyang’s face changed. “I have always engaged in business. Is the Duke of Song calling me lowly?”

The Duke of Song, heavily inebriated, slurred, “A dignified princess has to rely on business to support herself? That’s a joke to be spread around.”

“Hmph, if that’s the case, Duke of Song, don’t come to me to borrow silver anymore. As for this decree, if the Duke of Song has the courage, why not go find the Emperor? Why come to me to complain?” Princess Pingyang’s face grew uglier.

“So, Your Highness won’t care about us anymore?” The Duke of Song, using his drunkenness as an excuse, slurred, “If that’s the case, I’ll go find Pang Yukun and Fei Ji, those two treacherous villains! These bad ideas must have come from them!”

With that, the Duke of Song turned and staggered away.