Chapter 169: Shi Liangdi Deliberates

Liu Ju, in the process of advancing land reform, deeply felt the importance of grasping the thinking of the common people.

As the reform deepened step by step, the resistance and misunderstandings encountered also gradually increased.

To truly let land reform benefit every commoner, it requires not only strong implementation of policy, but also the people's heartfelt support and cooperation.

After another discussion with the officials yielded little effect, Liu Ju fell into contemplation.

His gaze swept over the officials in the court, and suddenly the image of Shi Liangdi appeared in his mind.

After the performance of White Haired Girl, Shi Liangdi, thanks to her deeply moving performance, gained great fame and influence among the populace.

In her interactions with the people, she truly understood the populace's longing for and demands regarding land.

Liu Ju's eyes lit up, believing Shi Liangdi was the ideal choice to promote land reform publicity.

Thus, Liu Ju decisively ordered, convening again an important meeting on land reform, and specifically instructed to invite Shi Liangdi to attend.

But Liu Ju's decision instantly met opposition from the officials.

"Your Majesty, this must absolutely not be done! Although Lady Shi has some fame among the people, she is ultimately a person of the inner palace. The matter of external relatives interfering in governance, our Great Han has long had precedents; Empress Lü's near domination almost shook the foundations of the Han dynasty. If now we let Shi Liangdi participate in court deliberations, we fear repeating past mistakes; once the external relatives' power swells, the court will surely fall into chaos. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider."

"Your Majesty, Lady Shi merely gained a little fame through acting; after all, she is just an actress by profession. Land reform is a major matter concerning the foundation of our Great Han, requiring those with genuine talent and deep understanding of state affairs to participate in planning. As an actress, what could she possibly know about governing the state? Allowing her to join such an important meeting would be nothing short of making a laughingstock of our Great Han's court before the world, truly damaging the dignity of the court."

"Your Majesty, deliberating in court is originally the duty of us officials. Women participating in state affairs has never been proper since ancient times. We have fought desperately on the battlefield just to safeguard the peace and order of our Great Han. Now letting a woman take part in such an important meeting on land reform, the soldiers will know of it, and they will inevitably feel dissatisfied, which may affect military morale; please, Your Majesty, withdraw your order."

Liu Ju listened calmly to the officials' objections, his expression tranquil yet revealing resolve.

He slowly rose to his feet, his gaze like a torch, sweeping over the officials in the court, and spoke in a calm, powerful tone:

"What you have said, Your Majesty, I have not failed to consider. But although Shi Liangdi is a person of the inner palace, she cares for the people; through the performance of White Haired Girl, she has deeply understood the people's hardships, especially their demands regarding land."

"Land reform is fundamentally for the people; she can bring the genuine voices of the populace to the court, something many officials stationed in the court cannot do. As for saying she is an actress by background, I value her insight and understanding of the people, not her origin. Although she lacks experience in governing the state, she can offer a unique perspective from the people's viewpoint to aid the reform."

"Furthermore, as the Son of Heaven, I will personally oversee the situation and will certainly not allow external relatives to interfere in governance. This time letting Shi Liangdi attend the meeting is intended to broaden counsel and better advance land reform; I hope you officials can understand my earnest intention."

Liu Ju's words gradually caused the opposition in the court to subside.

Immediately, Liu Ju said again: "Starting today, our Great Han will implement a new 'Great Han Representative' system, deciding to elect representatives from all trades and social strata once a year to attend the court's annual assembly, to hear from above and keep pace with the times."

Upon Liu Ju's words, the court instantly changed.

"Your Majesty, this move is truly a wise strategy! Representatives from all trades and social strata participating in the court's annual assembly will allow Your Majesty to directly hear the most genuine voices from the populace, aiding in the formulation of policies more attuned to people's livelihoods; our Great Han will surely become even more prosperous and flourishing."

However, many officials also furrowed their brows, showing worry.

"Your Majesty, although this system's starting point is good, its implementation will likely be fraught with difficulties. Not to mention how to ensure fair and just elections, merely allowing those market-commoners to enter the court and discuss state affairs with us officials would likely disrupt court order; please, Your Majesty, reconsider."

Some other officials fell into contemplation, worrying that the 'Great Han Representative' system would weaken their own authority.

"From now on, with these people's representatives added to the court, our words will likely carry less weight; will Your Majesty still value our opinions as before?"

Facing the varied reactions of the officials, Liu Ju's expression steadied, his gaze sweeping around the court, and he spoke slowly:

"Officials, I deeply know that implementing this system is not easy, but only thus can we widely gather virtuous counsel, so that Great Han's policies truly benefit every commoner. As for the election, I will personally assign dedicated personnel to take charge, ensuring fairness and justice."

"As for court order, I believe that as long as the representatives harbor sincere devotion to Great Han, they will surely be able to deliberate harmoniously with you officials. This system concerns the future of Great Han; my resolve is fixed, and I hope you officials will unite and jointly promote it."

Liu Ju's words rang out with force, displaying his firm determination to implement the Great Han Representative system.

Although the officials still harbored doubts, they could only all express compliance with the order.

But when Liu Ju informed Shi Liangdi of the news that she would attend the court meeting, Shi Liangdi first startled, then her face flushed with surprised delight.

She widened her eyes, incredulous, and asked in a slightly trembling voice: "Are Your Majesty's words true? Really, must I, your servant, participate together in court deliberations?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Shi Liangdi was both startled and delighted.

She could not believe that, as a woman, she actually had the chance to participate in such an important court deliberation.

In the history of Great Han, this is indeed an extremely rare honor.

This is Liu Ju's great trust in her, and also an excellent opportunity to speak for the people and aid land reform.

She immediately set aside her tasks, compiling the various feedback on land issues she had gathered from the people into a booklet, repeatedly considering how to express them clearly and effectively at the meeting, so that the officials could truly understand the people's hearts.

At the same time, she also conceived in her mind how to convey the land reform policy to the populace in an easy-to-understand, vivid manner, making thorough preparations for the upcoming publicity work.

On the day of the deliberation, Shi Liangdi rose early, carefully selected a dignified yet elegant attire, and groomed herself meticulously.

At the moment she stepped into the court, she took a deep breath, striving to calm herself.

In the court, the civil and military officials' gazes converged; Shi Liangdi felt those scrutinizing looks, but her conviction grew ever firmer.

Liu Ju, seated above the court, introduced Shi Liangdi to the officials: "Officials, Shi Liangdi, thanks to White Haired Girl being deeply moving, has considerable influence among the populace. Letting her participate in deliberations this time is precisely to harness her strength to better advance land reform."

Shi Liangdi made a slight bow, saluted the officials, then raised her head and began to expound her ideas on land reform publicity in a clear and firm voice.