Chapter 179: Reactions from All Sides

Longyan Jinghua.

A piece of news shocked the imperial court and the public.

"Western Regions Commissioner?"

"This..."

"Since when did Longyan have a Western Regions Commissioner again?"

Throughout the imperial court, the civil and military officials were all shocked beyond measure.

During the morning court session, these civil and military officials gathered together, discussing the matter fervently.

"What does the Emperor mean by this?"

"Shh, keep your voice down! Speculating on the Emperor's will—do you want to be beheaded?"

"Could it be that you are not surprised, Minister Wang?"

The court of the Longyan Dynasty likewise had all sorts of open strife and veiled struggles. But under many years of checks and balances, it could generally maintain equilibrium. Yet now, a Western Regions Commissioner had suddenly popped up?

One must know that there are only nine such Commissioners in the entire Longyan Dynasty!

The so-called Commissioners are all battle-hardened generals stationed abroad; they hold lofty status and represent the dignity of the Longyan Dynasty in conquering other territories!

It can be said this way.

In the course of history, the internal forces of the Longyan Dynasty are specifically divided into several types. First are the Nobles, which is to say the Imperial Clan, followed by those with titles and those enfeoffed as Kings; these Nobles are generally hereditary, and the Longyan Dynasty has continued this way for nearly a thousand years...

The existence of such Nobles is in opposition to the slaves.

The number of slaves each rank of Noble can possess must have a fixed limit.

Once upon a time, the spreading branches of these Nobles became a major burden on the Longyan Dynasty—the common people supporting so many Nobles, the burden was extremely heavy; who could stand it?

Afterward.

The class of Scholar-officials slowly rose.

That is to say, those civil and military officials who rose from the commoners. These people specifically represent the free citizens between the Nobles and the slaves. The growth rate of the free citizens was quite rapid. Someone once specifically calculated that every sixty years, the number of free citizens would increase by one hundred and sixty times!

Thus, as the Longyan Dynasty slowly developed to the present day, the free citizens and the Scholar-officials who represent their interests have become a force that cannot be underestimated.

Of course.

It is not to say that there is a very clear boundary between Nobles and Scholar-officials; there are also many Nobles who hold important positions.

This is why, after Liu Dahao possessed a low-level title, he still had to additionally hold an official post...

A County Marquis and a County Magistrate are not the same.

It is just that with the development of history, the imperial court had no time to supervise this lowest level of administration, so the County Marquis had the power to manage their own fiefs... however, if it is a separately appointed County Magistrate, that is simply a County Magistrate; without a title, there is still a big difference compared to a County Marquis.

In short.

A title is the symbol of a Noble.

An official post is the symbol of a Scholar-official.

The rise of the Scholar-officials naturally infringed upon the interests of the Nobles.

Those important officials in the court who were of Noble birth were naturally unhappy in their hearts.

Thus, the struggle between Nobles and Scholar-officials permeated the entire period of every Emperor's reign.

Having said so much...

It is time to talk about this Commissioner!

This Commissioner is an existence that can transcend both Nobles and Scholar-officials!

The Longyan Dynasty has strict regulations regarding Nobles possessing private armies. For a Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, or Baron, how many troops you can have is strictly capped; if you have any more, then you are committing treason!

However.

The Commissioner is different.

The so-called "a general abroad is not subject to the sovereign's orders"—Commissioners generally establish a Protectorate in countries outside the Longyan Dynasty, guarding them with heavy troops to prevent disloyalty.

The situation in each country is quite different.

Can you say, "Giving me thirty thousand troops is enough"?

I insist that without fifty thousand it won't work, and this vassal state is about to rebel; what will you do? You can only give them.

If one hundred thousand isn't enough, then make it two hundred thousand!

In a word.

Being abroad, act according to convenience!

No matter if you are Nobles or Scholar-officials, it has not the slightest influence on me, the Commissioner; I can choose to ignore you.

Therefore, Commissioners are generally people who hold military power, and thus they became the targets that Nobles and Scholar-officials vied to win over—the big shots of the military!

"Minister Zhu, do you know what kind of background Liu Dahao has?"

Before the morning court had begun, people were guessing while they waited.

Minister Zhu is the Minister of Personnel, Zhu Zhen. The Minister in this position naturally has students and followers everywhere; it can be said that all the officials in the world are managed by him. He is naturally also the current head of the Scholar-officials in the Longyan Dynasty.

This position, through every dynasty and generation, has been reserved for the interest group of Scholar-officials.

Zhu Zhen sat upright to one side, and upon hearing this question, he replied unhurriedly: "I say, everyone, let's stop guessing blindly. This Liu Dahao is not our person, nor is he a person of those Nobles. I won't hide it from you all: this Western Regions Commissioner who suddenly popped up—even I don't know! The Emperor didn't even notify me!"

The crowd was startled and looked at each other in dismay.

Suddenly, a person who had never been heard of just popped up like this?

"Hahahaha, what are you all discussing!"

Just at this moment, a burly man walked over, laughing heartily.

The crowd hurriedly lowered their heads, as if they hadn't heard anything.

Only Zhu Zhen cupped his hands to show politeness.

This person was the current Minister of Revenue, Prince of Qin, Xie Zhao! The Prince of Qin was the representative of the Noble faction in this Jinghua, and furthermore, he was in charge of the world's wealth, his power shaking the world—when it came to managing money, the old Emperor still liked his own family members to do it; this Xie Zhao was a cousin of the current Emperor.

"The Prince of Qin is here!"

"Greetings, Prince of Qin!"

"Everyone is discussing what kind of background this newly appointed Western Regions Commissioner has."

When the people on the Noble side saw Xie Zhao arrive, they swarmed over one after another.

Xie Zhao glanced at Zhu Zhen's side, then chuckled and said, "Liu Dahao, a State Marquis title—what kind of background do you think they have?"

The Nobles were all overjoyed.

On Zhu Zhen's side, however, everyone's expression was very grim.

"My Lord, this..."

A Vice Minister under Zhu Zhen muttered in a low voice.

Zhu Zhen chuckled: "Just because he says so, it must be true? The biographical information of Liu Dahao is all under my control. He is merely a wealthy merchant who donated his entire fortune to buy a County Marquis title. But this Liu Dahao's son is quite extraordinary; have you heard of the Prefect Liu who just repelled the Xiongnu?"

"What? It's him?"

"Prefect Liu? Oh, is that the one who wrote 'Bring in the Wine'?"

"Does that Perfume come from his hand?"

"My young daughter talks about this Prefect Liu every day..."

"I heard he is a handsome young man?"

Everyone was shocked and immediately began to chatter all at once.

Zhu Zhen pondered for a moment: "Regardless of how the Emperor arranges this, whether he wants to balance or consume the strength of Yinzhou, we must not lower our guard!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Currently, besides the Western Regions Commissioner, of the eight commissioners, four lean toward the Nobles and four lean toward the Scholar-official.

Therefore.

This ninth one who suddenly popped up has become the most important weight on the scale.

He must be won over!

"My Lord, then we..."

"I heard this Prefect Liu is just twenty years old and has yet to marry..."

Everyone's spirits lifted.

Marriage alliance!

Zhu Zhen's eyes flickered: "A marriage alliance is indeed a Method, but I fear our daughters still cannot compare to a County Princess..."

Everyone was filled with worry.

Zhu Zhen chuckled: "Gentlemen, I have an immature idea; I will state it, and you can help me deliberate."

Everyone listened attentively.

Zhu Zhen stood up straight: "If we wish to win this young man over, we must cater to his interests. I have heard that this Prefect Liu, though young and overflowing with talent, does not care for women; he is truly a hero of the Longyan!"

The group looked at each other in dismay.

Isn't that a perfect man?

Zhu Zhen then laughed: "Of course, if you speak of a perfect man, that cannot exist. This Prefect Liu is obsessed with Strange Skills and excels at making inventions..."

Everyone nodded and agreed one after another.

That Soap, Perfume, and Yinzhou Plow—weren't those all created by him?

And those fine wines!

Zhu Zhen laughed heartily: "If a person has something they are obsessed with, it is not difficult to manipulate them."

"I have thought it over and over; if we suggest to the Emperor that we legislate to protect the things this young man has invented, not allowing others to imitate or manufacture them, giving him the right to exclusive production, how could he not be grateful to us?"

The group was dumbfounded.

"A brilliant plan!"

"My Lord hit the nail on the head!"

"In this way, he will definitely lean toward our side!"

Just at this moment, the bell for the start of the morning court rang.

This group of Scholar-officials, with joy written all over their faces, entered the palace in order.

Liu Zheng was in a state of mental turmoil at this moment, just waiting for Qingyang Shuo to provide him with guidance.

Qingyang Shuo said indifferently: "Young Master, this move by the Emperor is truly ruthless. In recent years, the various countries of the Western Regions have grown increasingly powerful, with strong soldiers and sturdy horses. The previous Western Regions Commissioner died on the battlefield."

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly and said nothing.

Isn't this the very problem he was worried about!

This move by the old Emperor is both an overt plot and a covert one. The overt plot is: you have many soldiers and generals in Yinzhou, very well, you go to the Western Regions and set up the Protectorate for me.

The covert plot is...

To let Yinzhou be extremely consumed in the Western Regions; if it can be consumed completely, that is fine, and if not, it will still leave you with no time to look toward the east.

This old thief... this old Emperor, for the sake of his own son, has truly racked his brains.

Qingyang Shuo continued: "However, I believe the Emperor has another intention!"

A sharp light flashed in his eyes: "The current Emperor, Xie Tianyao, has ruled the Longyan for thirty years, yet has no achievements to show for it. The Longyan has not expanded its territory for hundreds of years!"

"Therefore..."

"He has a desire to have some small merit to comfort his life as he approaches the end of his days!"

"If that is the case."

Qingyang Shuo smiled slightly: "Young Master, the Western Regions must be gone to, but it cannot be gone to right now."

Liu Zheng shuddered all over: "Then when shall we go?"

A light of wisdom flashed in Qingyang Shuo's eyes: "Take Hanzhong!"

"What?"

Liu Zheng's expression changed drastically.