Chapter 1053

Imperial Study.

Lu Fei and Cui Shang’an had different expressions. They had just read the decree that Xiao Ming would announce tomorrow.

“Your Majesty, this decree is truly brilliant. It evokes the spirit of the great clans of the six prefectures that Your Majesty and I once wiped out. I didn’t feel much of this when I was stationed abroad, but now, after returning to Qingzhou, I’ve discovered how rampant these overbearing nobles are. Now it’s time to deal with them.”

Xiao Ming laughed heartily. Lu Fei was the one he trusted most in the army; after all, the two had been partners for over a decade.

Cui Shang’an was silent for a moment. He said, “Your Majesty, this decree will offend all the nobles. Without their stable jobs, they’ll surely cause chaos.”

“Creation! Humph. Let them first ask if the gun in my hand, Lu Fei, agrees.” Lu Fei glared.

Cui Shang’an asked, “Don’t you want your son to successfully enter the army and secure a position?”

“If that bastard has the talent, he can just take the exam and get in. If he doesn’t, he can just go home and farm. I, Lu Fei, won’t waste food by keeping useless men in the army.”

Lu Fei’s resolute words left Cui Shang’an reeling. Turning to see Xiao Ming looking displeased, he carefully explained, “Your Majesty, I’m not trying to plead for those nobles. I’m worried that Your Majesty has offended too many people, leading to civil unrest within the empire. As for me, Cui Shang’an, I support Your Majesty.”

“Don’t be so hypocritical. I know this will offend many people, and you, Cui Shang’an, are undoubtedly reluctant to give up these privileges. But I’m warning you. If you’re unwilling to give up a small profit now, you could end up losing your life in the future.”

After a pause, he continued, “I’ve asked you to come here for this very purpose. When you return, you must issue orders to all the major military regions, telling them to be ready to respond to emergencies at any time. Lu Fei, as the commander of the Central Army, being responsible for the safety of the six states, you must be more vigilant, strengthen prevention and control, and also pay attention to your own safety.”

“Your Majesty, is it so serious?”

Xiao Ming’s words made Lu Fei feel that the matter seemed very serious.

“It’s hard to say right now. After tomorrow’s decree, things could get serious or minor. The best-case scenario is that the nobles will accept it calmly. The worst-case scenario is that someone will try to stir up trouble. Everyone in the world knows you’re my trusted confidant. They can’t touch me, but I’m sure they can still do something to intimidate me.”

Cui Shang’an agreed. After all, he was once the crown prince of Huainan Kingdom and had considerable experience in this area. He said, “Ten years ago, when my father was preparing to join the emperor on the Western Expedition, not all of the Huainan nobles supported it. To stop it, they used every possible means, even colluding with each other to plot rebellion. At one dinner, a singing girl planted by a noble family attempted to assassinate my father. If my father had been a skilled warrior, I’m afraid the Huainan Kingdom wouldn’t have been able to follow the emperor.”

Lu Fei’s expression darkened. “These sinister and cunning individuals, if they dare to harm the emperor, I, Lu Fei, will exterminate their entire clan.”

Xiao Ming waved his hand. “It’s too early to say this now. Be prepared when you return.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the two said in unison.

The two were about to leave when Qian Dafu hurried into the imperial study and said directly: “Your Majesty, something happened. Wang Chengye is dead.”

“What!” Xiao Ming was slightly surprised.

Qian Dafu nodded and said: “According to the information obtained by the secret guards, Wang Chengye committed suicide after returning home. Now many officials have heard the news and have come to his house.”

Lu Fei and Cui Shangan already knew the news that Wang Chengye was dismissed and the Ministry of Rites was abolished.

The two exchanged glances, and Cui Shang’an said, “Your Majesty, Wang Chengye still holds some influence within the official family. His death might be detrimental to the policies Your Majesty is implementing.”

Cui Shang’an’s words echoed Xiao Ming’s thoughts. Wang Chengye’s death wasn’t a big deal, but if he were exploited by someone with ulterior motives, things would be disastrous.

Someone would likely submit a memorial soon claiming that the new policies had killed Wang Chengye.

“Wang Chengye’s death is bizarre. Officials dismissed from the court abound. Why did he insist on being so resentful?” Lu Fei frowned.

Xiao Ming, too, was somewhat skeptical. While Wang Chengye was a pedantic figure, there was no need to risk his life.

After all, in the current empire, it was easy to live a prosperous life as long as one was not lazy, and the Wang family still held considerable land.

“Even if Wang Chengye dies, this decree must still be implemented. If I yield today, I’m afraid it will only be implemented when the entire nation rises in rebellion.” Xiao Ming’s eyes were resolute, his former soft-heartedness long gone.

Wang Chengye’s death was a pity, but his death shouldn’t sway national policy.

The next day, news of Fei Tong’s crimes, the abolition of aristocratic privileges, and the official selection system were officially announced in the newspapers.

This immediately stirred up a great deal of public outcry.

In the machinery factory, Lin Wentao smiled as he read the contents of the newspaper. He said to the technicians around him, “Look, the emperor is still our emperor. This time, those eunuch families and aristocratic families will probably cry. Their children will no longer have the capital to be arrogant.”

Everyone gathered around and became excited when they saw the contents of the newspaper. “The emperor has really done a great thing this time. If you want to apply for an official position, you must have a graduation certificate from a regular imperial school. In this way, those aristocratic children must study from primary school to graduation from the school like us, and can no longer show off their private schools.”

“That’s right. In the past, they could just rely on their connections in the officialdom to get their children into the officialdom. Now there is no hope. Instead, those of us who come from humble backgrounds and are willing to study hard can enter the officialdom. In my opinion, the officialdom will eventually belong to us, the children of humble families.”

“That’s right. In addition, the emperor has strictly prohibited the nobles from enjoying privileges in all aspects and emphasized that everyone should be treated equally before the law. In the future, the nobles will probably disappear completely.” The discussions in the laboratory became more and more heated. Lin Wentao coughed lightly at this time and said, “Since the emperor loves his people so much and cares about us, why don’t you work hard on research and make the internal combustion engine available as soon as possible?”

The technicians laughed out loud. This smile came from the heart. When they were in school, they always felt that the nobles were superior.

Now that this decree has been introduced, they feel that the nobles are nothing special. In the future, if the empire wants to live a dazzling life, it can only rely on its own abilities.

With this idea in mind, they suddenly became motivated, because for them, an increasingly better era is coming.