Chapter 303

Xiao Qidi's face darkened, and he also picked up a book and began flipping through it.

He discovered that the contents went far beyond those mentioned; they even included slanderous remarks about the series of unification measures such as standardized writing and cart gauges.

The book's language resorted to every trick of sophistry and brainwashing, virtually denigrating the related reforms as utterly worthless, and it urged readers to unite and, together with many loyal officials, uphold the old system in order to save Daxuan.

"How is this supposed to save Daxuan? It's obvious these old fogeys are just afraid of losing their former exalted status!" Xing Lie directly cut to the chase.

Xing Lie has grown up under the influence of new ideas since birth; although young, he quickly grasped the essence.

Xiao Qidi showed a hint of relief, tossed the book aside, and said lightly:

"Yes, they used to enjoy privileged status among the feudal lords, considering themselves superior; now having to stand on equal footing with commoners makes them uncomfortable, not to mention they would lose the many benefits their former status brought them. Huh, pretending to uphold the ruler‑minister system is merely their selfish desire."

"As for the claim that standardizing all systems would destroy Daxuan…" Xiao Qidi paused, his eyes flashing coldly, "If we don't unify them, are we leaving a hidden danger that will cause Huaxia to split again in years to come? These people's hearts deserve condemnation!"

"Mr. Xiao, what should we do?" the reporting official asked.

Xiao Qidi pondered, then said: "It just so happens I already told them we'd hold a meeting at noon; we'll discuss it after the meeting. Please keep the evidence safe."

"Yes, Mr. Xiao."

Soon it was noon.

The luncheon took place in the main hall of the Daxuan palace.

This used to be where officials attended court; now Xiao Qidi has remodeled it into a conference hall, and banquets are held here on major national holidays.

Xiao Qidi removed the throne; officials no longer need to perform the elaborate court rituals or sit on the floor, merely taking seats according to their posts.

Over the past fifteen years, Daxuan's agriculture, industry, manufacturing and all other sectors have experienced unprecedented explosive growth; even the hall has been fitted with electric lights, and the usual tables and chairs have been replaced with new materials that save wood and are sturdier and more durable.

Xiao Qidi disliked extravagance; he had all gold-made objects and decorations throughout the palace dismantled, yielding over ten tons of gold in total, part of which was given to the research team for use, and part deposited in the state treasury to develop people's livelihood.

In the conference hall, the large round tables and chairs needed for the luncheon were already prepared.

Some of the capital officials invited by Xiao Qidi also arrived one after another.

Among them were some veteran ministers from the former Daxuan court and capable officials from the other six states; they have adapted to the current changes, and, being elderly, they are genuinely pleased not to have to perform the cumbersome kowtowing rituals anymore.

Otherwise, having old bones kneel back and forth would be quite a torment.

"Please come in, gentlemen." A designated attendant stood at the conference hall door to receive guests.

The veteran Daxuan ministers and capable officials from the six states all nodded cheerfully; being called "old sir" after a while feels even more comfortable than being shouted "your excellency."

"Welcome, welcome, esteemed elders."

"Come, come, please sit here, elders."

Then several enthusiastic voices rang out, and six tall, straight figures walked toward them.

These are precisely the heads of the six major departments of Daxuan after the reforms.

Qi Zhan of the Military Affairs Department, Mu Cheng of the Legal and Security Department, Duan Wu of the People's Livelihood Department, Li Yao of the Works Department, Li He of the Human Resources Department, and Lin Sui of the Ritual and Culture Department.

Beside them were multiple representatives from other state organs such as the State Affairs Pavilion and the Supervisory Pavilion.

It can be said that nearly all of Daxuan's important members were present.

These several dozen prominent figures are basically the pillars of the state appointed by Xiao Qidi after the reforms, mostly young people; the oldest among them, Mu Cheng, is under sixty, whereas the old‑guard ministers generally are in their eighties, so they are indeed the junior generation.

Seeing the enthusiastic juniors before them, the veteran Daxuan officials couldn't help but feel moved.

Duan Wu and Li Yao were Xiao Qidi's left and right arms who followed him through life and death at Xi Tun Guan fifteen years ago, and later helped him sweep away court obstacles to seize supreme power.

Qi Zhan, Mu Cheng, Li He and Lin Sui—these four all rendered extraordinary feats that will be remembered for ages in Daxuan's expansion, conquest of the feudal states, and final unification.

"The younger generation is formidable, the younger generation is formidable!" an old minister sighed, "Seeing you, and recalling the tremendous changes of the past fifteen years, I believe Daxuan can become even better and stronger under your united efforts!"

The other old ministers also expressed their feelings, deeply agreeing.

Moreover, what is especially rare and precious is that they all uphold Xiao Qidi's style—despite holding high office, they are neither pompous nor pretentious, and can warmly welcome this group of retired old-timers.

This deeply moved the veteran ministers' hearts.

As everyone took their seats one after another, the conference hall grew increasingly lively.

"Shouting and quarreling in the palace hall, with no distinction of rank—what propriety is this!" Suddenly a voice of rebuke rang out.

Everyone's expressions varied as they turned to look toward the door.

There stood an old man with a long beard, wearing the old‑style official robe, stroking his beard and glaring.

"Please come in, sir, gentlemen." The attendant at the door kept a straight face and made a gesturing invitation.

The long‑bearded old man and the dozen or so others behind him, similarly dressed in old‑style official robes, all wore angry expressions.

"Insolent wretch! What are you shouting about!" the long‑bearded old man angrily declared, "I am the former Prime Minister of Bohai! I am Sun Yinzhen, head of the Sun clan, the foremost noble of Bohai! Even after submitting to Daxuan, you lot are not worthy to look up to me! You, a petty palace attendant, ought to kneel and welcome me!"

The attendant replied without humility or arrogance: "Sir, there is no Bohai anymore, and even the ancient post of Prime Minister no longer exists; in Xuan Guo, everyone differs only in position, with no hierarchy of superiority or inferiority."

"Outrageous!" an old man beside Sun Yinzhen shouted, stepped forward and slapped the attendant, yelling furiously, "Back then, how could you let such an uncastrated man serve in the palace? If you hadn't been emasculated, you'd really think you could stand on equal footing with us?!"

The attendant was dazed by the slap, covering his face, not knowing what to do.

Then another old man arrogantly said, "The one who just slapped you is Meng Xiao, the esteemed lord of the Meng clan of You State; hurry up and kneel to kowtow and apologize to Lord Sun and Lord Meng!"

"Kneel!"

"Kowtow and make amends, quickly!"

A group of elderly diehards issued commands one after another, their tone leaving no room for doubt.

This scene caused everyone in the conference hall to darken their faces.

Now Daxuan has implemented comprehensive reforms; the vast majority of people throughout the country are actively carrying them out, leaving only a clique of old nobles clinging to the ancient system and stubbornly resisting.

Duan Wu and the other five almost simultaneously rose to their feet, all wanting to personally teach those antiquated diehards a lesson.

Fortunately they have now become steady‑tempered; otherwise, at the instant that slap landed, the six would have already struck, taking the lives of those old obstinates.

"Uncles, let me handle this." Xing Lie's voice suddenly rang out.

The six exchanged a smile and then sat down again.

Xing Lie strode over with head held high, stopped beside the attendant, glanced at his red‑swollen left cheek, then flicked a glance at the one who had just struck, and said lightly, "You're Meng Xiao, right? Which hand did you use just now?"

Faced with Xing Lie's aura, Meng Xiao was still rather intimidated and couldn't help but shudder.

But thinking that since Xiao Qidi had never been harsh toward them, and this time he even invited them to the banquet, he couldn't help but feel more confident.

Thus he responded arrogantly: "He was hit with the right hand! How about that? A lowly servant doesn't know the rules; hitting him is his honor!"

Slap!

Xing Lie slapped him.

A seemingly casual slap sent Meng Xiao flying to the ground, instantly splitting his mouth and knocking out several teeth.

"You!" Sun Yunzheng exclaimed in shock, raising his hand to point at Xing Lie's nose, "You have the gall——"

Before he could finish, Xing Lie glared him back.

The others behind him also dared to be angry but dared not speak.

Xing Lie ignored their expressions, bent down, lifted the dazed Meng Xiao, and told the receptionist: "Come, you yourself return that slap you just received."

The receptionist panicked: "No need, Captain Xing, you've already disciplined him."

Xing Lie smiled brightly and said: "I disciplined him for striking someone; that's my duty, but since you were hit, you must return the slap—quick, the banquet is about to start, don't waste time."

The receptionist massaged his swollen cheek, exhaled a foul breath, his gaze turned resolute, then aimed at Meng Xiao's face and swung to slap him.

Slap!

Another crisp slap sounded.

Although the receptionist's slap was far weaker than Xing Lie's, Meng Xiao's left cheek had already been split by Xing Lie's slap, and this second slap nearly made him faint from pain.

The two successive slaps were not just physical pain; they also struck straight into the hearts of this group.

"All right, the banquet continues." Xing Lie released Meng Xiao and told the receptionist: "Go rest and apply some medicine."

The receptionist, having vented his bad mood, left happily, leaving Sun Yunzheng, Meng Xiao, and their group with increasingly grim faces.

Xing Lie coldly warned: "If you still want to enter this gate, behave yourselves; otherwise, get out."

The group lowered their heads slightly and said nothing more.

Xing Lie then made way for them.

A group of elderly officials in ancient robes stepped over the threshold one by one, entering the hall under everyone's gaze.

Although their attire and hairstyle clashed with those present, appearing stiff and alien, they felt no discomfort; instead, they held their heads high and chests out, casting disdainful glances at the others.

After reaching the middle of the conference hall, Sun Yunzheng and the others did not sit as directed but stood in several rows according to their supposed hierarchy.

Sun Yunzheng and Meng Xiao were obviously the most noble among them, standing side by side in the front row, facing the direction where the throne once stood.

"Ah… what propriety, what propriety!" Sun Yunzheng sighed with a sorrowful face, "Even the throne is gone, and now any cat or dog can sit together, ah…"

Meng Xiao endured the pain in his cheek and echoed: "If this continues, the ruler will not be a ruler, the subject not a subject, the state will cease to be a state; we must still rely on ourselves to save Daxuan!"

As the two discussed, Xiao Qidi arrived at the conference hall.

"I've arranged seats for you all; don't stand here." Xiao Qidi said directly.

"Pay respects to His Majesty!" Sun Yunzheng immediately led the way in performing the great kowtow ritual.

Meng Xiao and the others immediately knelt as well, kowtowing while shouting "Pay respects to His Majesty!"

This sight made the others shake their heads in disbelief.

Duan Wu frowned and muttered: "Over the years, whenever we incorporated a region into Xuan Guo, we arranged special personnel to do ideological work there, letting everyone truly feel the benefits of the new system; although there were many stubborn conservatives, after so many years most have kept up with development, but I never expected there to be such stubbornness."

Li Yao whispered: "These kneeling people are die-hard conservatives; if I recall correctly, the last among them to accept ideological reform had done so at least half a year ago; the staff we assigned put in great effort, truly exhausting every method, yet the effect was minimal……"

"How is that minimal effect? It's basically no effect at all," Li He scoffed, saying, "After all, they're not blind to the explosive development of our Xuan Guo's reforms; they simply refuse to accept that noble status no longer exists. I say we should have slaughtered them in passing during the campaign to conquer the Six Nations."

Qi Zhan and Mu Cheng remained silent, but their expressions also showed agreement with Li He.

Lin Sui's expression grew solemn as he pondered and said: "Since we are constantly reforming and building a new nation, we cannot resort to killing at the drop of a hat as before; otherwise, what difference is there from before the reforms? Jinli Fairy left us historical records of Huaxia Guo's thousands of years in a parallel world; we must not repeat past mistakes."

His words made the other five expressions also grow considerably more solemn.

Li He drawled: "But our situation now can be said to be quite special, with no comparable examples to refer to, right? In special times, special measures—when killing is warranted, we still must kill, isn't that so?"

Lin Sui blinked slightly, opened his mouth but said nothing more, then stroked his chin and began to think seriously.

"Get up, all of you!" Xiao Qidi growled low, "And take your seats!"

The kneeling conservatives remained unmoving; Sun Yunzheng said: "His Majesty has no throne, how dare we sit recklessly like those who don't know the rules? They don't understand ruler-subject etiquette, and we certainly dare not be ignorant."

Xiao Qidi's eye corner twitched, a flash of cold light passing through his pupils.

"Fine, then sit however you like."

After saying that, Xiao Qidi went straight to the table where Duan Wu and the others were, sitting openly with everyone.

Seeing this, Sun Yunzheng and the others exchanged glances, then each sat on the floor at the rear of the hall according to old rules, presenting a posture of strict adherence to hierarchy.