Chapter 278

Chapter 278: Just Do It!

Inside the hall.

The faith energy that had originally dispersed returned to Ye Tianming once more, and his aura surged wildly in that instant.

Watching the faith energy flow back to him, Ye Tianming was somewhat surprised, but this time, he did not drive it away again.

Not only that, his body now also contained faith energy within it — in other words, the Dao of Order.

This Dao of Order was not something he had created himself, but something given to him by all living beings.

At this moment, Gu Lan hurriedly said, “Young Master, this is no small matter. If you relinquish power, chaos may break out in various places, especially since certain individuals with ulterior motives will use the people’s ignorance to incite them……”

The others also chimed in to dissuade him, including Li Ru, because even Li Ru felt that the masses could not be given too much power — otherwise, the entire universe would fall into disorder.

Ye Tianming looked at the people in the hall and smiled, “Don’t worry. As long as our Guanxuan Academy is truly good enough, no one will be able to incite them. Not only that, whoever comes after us, our people will come after them right back.”

Gu Lan was stunned.

Ye Tianming continued, “Of course, those of us in power also need to be good enough. Therefore, I will establish another rule: anyone holding a position in the Academy must have their assets made public.”

Gu Lan said in a low voice, “Young Master, this move may cause a great deal of dissatisfaction…….”

Ye Tianming said calmly, “If they’re dissatisfied, they can resign and let someone else take the role.”

Gu Lan: “……”

Ye Tianming continued, “Also, in the future, when the Academy recruits talent, it cannot be done solely through Guanxuan Academy. Academies in every region will hold a major examination once every 3 years. Anyone may participate, and those who pass may directly enter the Academy to serve in public office. Beyond that, every Academy will establish a Path of the People — this path will not be under the Academy’s jurisdiction but will report directly to the Cabinet, allowing the people to reach the highest levels of authority. And furthermore…….”

At this point, he glanced around at everyone in the hall, “From now on, Cabinet members must have grassroots work experience. In other words, everyone here — starting now, I will be sending you all down to the grassroots level. I need you to work your way back up through your own abilities.”

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Aside from An Yan, the others were not actually Cabinet members at this point, but honestly, they had long since regarded those Cabinet seats as their own for the taking. After all, the Cabinet had just been purged, and they were the Young Master’s trusted confidants.

Not just them — everyone outside thought the same, assuming these people would soon enter the Cabinet and become key figures within it.

Ye Tianming looked at the hall full of astonished faces, “Do any of you have a problem with that?”

Everyone fell silent.

Discontent — that was inevitable.

At this moment, one man said in a low voice, “Young Master, it’s not that we’re overconfident, it’s just that, sending us to the grassroots level, this……”

Ye Tianming fixed his gaze on him, “If you truly have the ability, you’ll still make it back here in the end, won’t you?”

The man smiled bitterly, “This…….”

Ye Tianming let out a quiet sigh, “I know you are all exceptional individuals, the cream of the crop, outstanding among the younger generation in your respective regions. So being sent down to the grassroots level — there’s bound to be some resentment in your hearts. But what I want to say is this: if a Cabinet member sits high above everyone else without understanding the hardships of ordinary life, then such a person in power is a disaster for those beneath them!”

Everyone fell silent.

Ye Tianming continued, “Moreover, I will also establish a set of rules: from now on, personnel appointments must strictly follow regulations and cannot be based on the personal preferences of those in leadership. If those at the top appoint people based on personal preference, those below will follow suit, and the Academy’s various rules and regulations will become nothing more than decoration.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “You are all truly talented individuals. The Academy needs reform, and it starts with you. You need to set an example for others — we can’t let people say that you rose to the top overnight simply because you are my trusted confidants.”

An Yan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, “I support this.”

Everyone turned to look at An Yan. He stepped forward, looked at Ye Tianming, and said earnestly, “I am willing to return to Qingzhou and serve as a minor official.”

At that, several others stepped forward as well, expressing their willingness.

Ye Tianming smiled, “Everyone, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

Soon, the crowd dispersed.

The news that the Guoshi Pavilion members were being sent to the grassroots level instantly shocked countless people. No one had expected that all of them would be reassigned.

After all, everyone had essentially regarded the Guoshi Pavilion around Ye Tianming as the foundation of the future Cabinet.

Inside the hall.

After everyone had left, Miss Ding looked at him and said, “They are all truly talented people.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “I know. But Miss Ding, do you know what the greatest weakness of scholars is?”

Miss Ding said, “Practical experience.”

Ye Tianming gave a slight nod, “Most scholars can only talk in abstractions. Once it comes to actually doing things, they fall apart completely. I can’t simply make them Cabinet members just because they’ve read a few books. If they weren’t in power it would be one thing, but once they are, scholars can sometimes cause more harm than the great sects and noble clans.”

Miss Ding looked at him and smiled, “You’re a scholar too.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “Which is exactly why I understand the strengths and weaknesses of scholars better than anyone.”

Miss Ding fell silent.

Ye Tianming said, “They need to go to the lower levels and temper themselves. Only after that tempering will they be able to take on great responsibilities. In the meantime, the inner and outer Cabinets as well as the Academy — I’ll have to trouble you, Miss Ding.”

The Academy was now in a state of ruin with everything needing to be rebuilt. What it needed most was talent — but not the kind like An Yan and the others. It needed someone like Miss Ding.

Someone who had seen the wider world, who understood human nature, who possessed wisdom and capability — a true pillar of strength.

Miss Ding gave a slight nod, “Alright.”

Ye Tianming suddenly produced a thick notebook and handed it to Miss Ding, “This contains some of the reform directions I’ve been thinking about lately. Many of the points in here are not yet fully developed. Please take a look, Miss Ding — if something is suitable, we’ll move forward with it; if not, we’ll revise it until it is. Also, as for how to carry out the reforms and how to proceed, I’d like to hear your thoughts as well.”

Miss Ding took the notebook. After reading through it for a long while, she said, “It’s all very good, but I’m afraid implementation will be difficult. On top of that, the pace of reform is moving too fast — so fast that the people below can’t adapt. Not only that, these reforms will inevitably encroach on the interests of the old powers, so there will certainly be a great deal of resistance…….”

Ye Tianming looked at her and said, “But it can definitely be done, right?”

Miss Ding gave a slight nod, “It can.”

The two understood each other without needing to say more.

Under normal circumstances in an ordinary empire, something like this would certainly be very difficult. But unfortunately for those who might object, Guanxuan Academy was no ordinary empire — the Yang family had more than enough strength, and more than enough money.

Not convinced?

Then we’ll deal with you, simple as that!

Ye Tianming smiled, “You see, Miss Ding, in truth, those in power can often choose to treat the common people a little better — it just depends on whether they’re willing to do so.”

Miss Ding said, “That’s only natural. Every man for himself — in this world, whatever anyone does, it’s usually for their own sake in the end. Take you, for instance. You’re releasing power now because that power was never truly yours to begin with, so you don’t feel uncomfortable giving it up, right?”

Ye Tianming smiled, “That’s true.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the faith energy on his body, which was still growing more and more, “This is…?”

Miss Ding said, “The faith energy of all living beings.”

Ye Tianming shook his head slightly, “I haven’t really done anything.”

Miss Ding said, “You’ve already done a great deal. Once your policies are put into practice, they will be an immense blessing for all living beings — an act of goodness, a gift of fortune. But what you are doing affects hundreds of millions of lives, and that means hundreds of millions of blessings. This is their offering to you.”

Ye Tianming glanced at the ever-growing fortune energy on his body and smiled, “If this keeps up, I should reach the Ancestor Realm fairly easily, right?”

Miss Ding nodded, “Within a month at the latest, this faith energy will help you reach the Ancestor Realm.”

Ye Tianming looked at Miss Ding, “In other words, I only have one month.”

Miss Ding fell silent.

Silence was as good as confirmation.

Ye Tianming said, “The funds here in the Immortal Treasure Pavilion — I can draw on all of them, right?”

Miss Ding nodded, “You can.”

Ye Tianming said, “Right now in our Guanxuan Universe, it is incredibly difficult for ordinary people to join Guanxuan Academy — especially those with average talent. I never expected everyone to be equal, but I still want to give them a chance. I’d like to draw some funds from the Immortal Treasure Pavilion to establish a small branch academy separately in every place where Guanxuan Academy has a presence. This branch academy will only recruit the most ordinary of people. As for instructors, they’ll be drawn from the current Academy — anyone willing to teach part-time will receive a certain subsidy and reward from the Academy……”

He looked toward Miss Ding, “What do you think, Miss Ding? Don’t worry, it will all be done in the name of Guanxuan Universe and Yang Jia.”

After a brief silence, Miss Ding nodded, “That works.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “One month……. I happen to have exactly 2 more things to take care of. There’s still time.”

Miss Ding gave a slight nod, “Alright.”

Ye Tianming turned and walked to the entrance of the great hall. At this moment, the faith energy on his body continued to grow without end. And this was only just the beginning — once the decrees were issued tomorrow and implementation began, the faith energy he would receive would be even more staggering.

And as Ye Tianming’s various decrees were issued, the entire Guanxuan Universe erupted.

Especially once news spread about the establishment of branch academies — the entire Guanxuan Universe exploded in an uproar. Ordinary people were simply in disbelief, completely unable to accept that it was real.

Only recruiting ordinary people!

That meant no disciples from great sects or noble clans would be competing with them.

Even if they were only branch academies, to countless ordinary people, that was hope!