Volume One, Chapter 12: The Political Landscape of the Court

After shaking her head helplessly, Gong Yuyan continued reading: "This system must be implemented with an iron-fisted policy, upheld as the mainstream. If it meets resistance, it must not be abandoned. Over time, it will surely break the clan monopoly, bring fresh blood into the court, and with the reduction of lower-ranking noble titles and the adoption of a system of successive demotion in inheritance, the clan monopoly situation, though not collapsing within a century, will no longer be a headache..."

Reading these words that struck at the core, Gong Yuyan’s heart raced.

The two major strategies, combined with the income from the papermaking technique, formed three powerful policies implemented together. What Li Xian described was truly worthy of the metaphor “boiling frogs in warm water”!

"As for dealing with the vassal states, it is actually much simpler than handling the clans. From another perspective, it only requires issuing the 'Order of Favor Redistribution,' changing the inheritance system of the vassal states from primogeniture to joint inheritance by the firstborn, second son, third son, and even uncles and brothers. Any heir has the right to divide land and military power, with the court later assigning appropriate titles and granting them high honors to fragment the vassal territories. When that time comes, the vassal state issue will be resolved without a single soldier deployed!"

At this part, Gong Yuyan’s heart pounded fiercely, her face full of shock.

She could hardly conceal the astonishment in her eyes; even her delicate jade-like hand trembled slightly, revealing the depth of her inner shock.

What Li Xian had written, in some ways, was a direct hit to the core!

Were the vassal states not hypocritical, secretly wielding military power?

Then the solution was simple: let them fight among themselves!

And this Order of Favor Redistribution was enough to plunge the two largest vassal states into grave internal turmoil!

After all, the kings of the two largest vassal states in Great Qian were now elderly and about to pass their thrones to their eldest legitimate sons. The issuance of this order would cause a sensation that Gong Yuyan, as an emperor, was well aware of—it was like a meteor falling from the sky, unstoppable!

Her ability to sit in this position as a woman was not due to mediocrity.

It was just that too many problems weighed on her, some of which were difficult to solve.

When she truly found a method, Gong Yuyan naturally would draw inferences; how could she fail to see the astounding nature of Li Xian’s ideas?

"Please elaborate on the rules and procedures of the imperial examination system. Also... how should the imperial authority be consolidated?" she frowned and wrote down her questions.

There was a hidden sharpness in her brows.

After today, Great Qian was likely to face a major reform.

As for Li Xian from Lijia Village... just these contents alone justified her future favor and could earn him the position of prime minister—rightfully so.

But she would not do so.

If she really did, the clan members would not first deal with her, but with Li Xian.

Therefore, Li Xian’s abilities must remain unknown to anyone.

With her daughter Xingyi in the picture, Li Xian could only be used by her!

---

In a small courtyard in Lijia Village.

When Li Xian learned of another question, he was instantly startled, then looked at his daughter Gong Xingyi with suspicion and said, "Yi Yi, be honest with your father!"

Gong Xingyi was also shocked. Could it be that her father had already discovered that her mother was the empress?

She hadn't revealed anything!

Li Xian took a deep breath, his face grave: "Yi Yi, is your family planning a rebellion?!"

Gong Xingyi was speechless.

---

Great Qian, Imperial Palace Hall.

Gong Yuyan sat on the throne, her gaze sweeping over those below, commanding respect without anger.

Today was her first court session after the New Year.

The civil and military officials below looked up at her, curious whether the empress would say anything.

Or would it be as usual, with nothing said and a simple session before dismissing the officials?

"Esteemed ministers, does anyone have any matters to raise?" Gong Yuyan asked calmly, her expression unreadable.

Many were puzzled but said nothing.

"Your Majesty, I submit myself for your inspection!" After a brief pause, a man around fifty years old wearing a black high hat stood first.

---

In those days, fifty was considered elderly, a ripe age. Living to fifty was a long life, as the average lifespan in Great Qian was only about forty.

This was due to poor ancient medical and sanitary conditions, coupled with limited awareness of health. Drinking unsafe water or eating improperly could easily cause intestinal infections threatening life. Treatment methods were scarce and rudimentary, so after forty, people’s health was generally poor, relying on sheer endurance. Even a simple cold could be fatal, let alone plagues or other terrifying contagious diseases.

Reaching sixty years, a full sexagenary cycle, was considered a great age and earned much respect.

As for those in their seventies or eighties, they were exceedingly rare.

The man who stood was Lin Shi'an, the Left Prime Minister of Great Qian, a high-ranking official born from a noble clan.

Ranked alongside and even above the Left and Right Prime Ministers were titles such as Duke, Grand Preceptor, or Grand Tutor, but these were honorary positions. In terms of real power, the Left and Right Prime Ministers held the greatest authority in Great Qian.

Neither the Six Ministries, the Cabinet, the Court of Rituals, nor the Censorate could compare. Except for the empress seated above, the most honorable were the Left and Right Prime Ministers; no one else could surpass them.

Great Qian’s governmental system was roughly similar to the Ming dynasty, with some differences. However, its development level was far behind, roughly comparable to the Qin and Han dynasties.

At this moment, Left Prime Minister Lin Shi'an bowed slightly, then gathered his emotions and said sorrowfully, "Your Majesty, recently there have been heavy snowfalls from heaven. I, your humble servant, have paid close attention and even personally visited severely affected areas last year to sympathize with the people on your behalf. However..."

He paused, then spoke with some anger, "I have heard that the northern nomadic tribes have repeatedly invaded our borders, taking advantage of the year-end and snow disasters. I suggest that when spring comes, we deploy troops to the northern grasslands to ensure the safety of our people and territory and to deter the northern nomads!"

Following his impassioned proposal, several ministers stood up and echoed the same sentiments. These men clearly belonged to Lin Shi'an’s faction.

The Left Prime Minister’s faction held considerable influence in the Great Qian court.

Almost one-third of the officials were connected to Lin Shi'an, and the Lin clan behind him was one of the largest noble families in Great Qian. During the struggle between the empress and the crown prince, they first supported the crown prince, and when he declined, they shifted their support to the empress, continuing to this day.

Thus, after the new emperor ascended, although the empress harbored resentment over past events, she did not move against this faction.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—it was that she dared not.

It could be said that many major businesses in the imperial city were intricately linked to the Lin family, and Left Prime Minister Lin Shi'an was one of the most powerful figures in Great Qian!