Chapter 27: Then Let's Put In More Effort

Once Zheng Yueru said this, the entire room was shocked.

Zheng Sheng, who was sitting in the very center, furrowed his brows even deeper: "Yue Ru, is this true?"

In the Zheng Family, he still trusted his granddaughter relatively more, but it was a pity she was a woman...

Before Zheng Yueru could speak, the others expressed their doubts one after another.

"Father, this is too absurd!"

"How is this possible?"

"Utterly ridiculous!"

The Zheng Family had vast assets and a large business; there were over a dozen people in the uncle generation alone, not to mention that they had each branched out, leaving Zheng Yueru with dozens of cousins in her own generation. Thus, the fact that Zheng Yueru, a woman from the third branch, held power in the Zheng Family made these people feel very resentful.

Therefore, every time Zheng Yueru gained the Clan Head's trust, they could not help but come out to denounce her, wishing they could trample her underfoot.

Zheng Yueru cupped her hands and gave a bitter smile: "Grandfather, this is absolutely true. Our Zheng Family must not stand on the wrong side!"

From what she had learned today about Liu Zheng and the Shen Gong Workshop, she knew that this legendary number one playboy of Liangzhou was not a true spendthrift. This fellow was simply a devil, unfathomable!

Ever since Liu Zheng arrived in Yinzhou, he had given Zheng Yueru this feeling.

He appeared eccentric in temperament, yet he was calculating and steady in every step. Today's plate armor, in particular, made Zheng Yueru marvel at him as if he were a god.

This person must absolutely not become an enemy!

"Zheng Yueru, I think you must be having an affair with that spendthrift to be spouting such nonsense!"

The eldest uncle of the main branch, Zheng Yuewei, spoke with a venomous tone.

Once these words were out, the whole room burst into loud laughter.

Zheng Yueru trembled with anger: "Uncle, do not cast false aspersions and ruin my reputation!"

Zheng Yuewei sneered: "That young master of the Liu Family is eccentric in temperament, a habitual playboy, and notorious throughout Liangzhou, yet to you, he has become a heaven-sent talent. Do you take me for a fool?"

The crowd also mocked and shook their heads one after another.

"Enough!"

Zheng Sheng shouted fiercely, and the entire room fell silent as if they were cicadas in winter.

He squinted at his granddaughter, lost in thought. He knew that Zheng Yueru had been strong-willed since childhood, which was why she dressed as a man, but she had never been interested in romance, so it was impossible for her to be biased toward this young master of the Liu Family because of romantic feelings. Of course... if that were truly the case, Zheng Sheng felt it wouldn't be a bad thing; at least his granddaughter would still be a normal person, wouldn't she?

But he trusted Zheng Yueru's judgment more, so he said indifferently: "This matter does indeed require caution. You must all know that our Zheng Family is not like those rustic villagers of the other three families; the Zheng Family has the current Empress behind it! If we were to openly oppose the County Marquis Mansion for the sake of small gains, it would not befit the reputation of the Zheng Family!"

"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

The others still wanted to argue. After all, everyone in Yinzhou now felt that Liu Zheng was courting death by challenging Chen Kui. As the number one powerful clan, why shouldn't the Zheng Family take advantage of the situation to seize the Shen Gong Workshop? These people had long been drooling over the Shen Gong Workshop.

"That is all, withdraw!"

Zheng Sheng still decided to trust his granddaughter once. He glanced at Zheng Yueru and instructed: "If necessary, you may send the family's private soldiers to assist, but no more than one thousand men!"

Zheng Yueru was overjoyed to hear this and bowed in acknowledgment.

The others, however, snorted repeatedly with malicious glares.

Zheng Yueru sighed and retreated. Outwardly, she was glorious, but after all, she was a woman and the subject of gossip. In this generation of the Zheng Family, there was not a single man who could be brought forward...

Just as the Four Great Noble Families were still discussing how to deal with the opening of the County Marquis Mansion, a notice was posted at the city gate.

"The mansion is opening!"

"The County Marquis Mansion will open in three days, on the eighth day of the eighth month!"

A servant of the County Marquis Mansion beat a gong and drum, immediately attracting many people to gather around. This was the first time the County Marquis Mansion had posted a notice. The crowd was bustling and exceptionally lively.

"It's opening just like that?"

"Hasn't the selection of officials not happened yet?"

Many people expressed their confusion.

"Is there anyone here who can read? Read it out for everyone!"

In this era, very few people were literate.

The servant, having anticipated this, smiled and said loudly: "To the people of Yinzhou: Yinzhou is remote and has long been exhausted; government orders do not circulate, and systems are unclear! Now that the County Marquis Mansion is being rebuilt, it responds to the mandate of Heaven..."

A whole lot of official jargon followed, which the people listened to with great interest.

"On the day of the opening, officials will be selected on the spot; both those with official status and those who are white-clothed may apply!"

However, as soon as these words were out, everyone exploded. The scholars from humble backgrounds in the crowd showed joy: "Anyone can apply? Did I hear correctly?"

Everyone could apply? This truly stunned everyone present. Since ancient times, the selection of officials had been the business of the government; one had to be recommended for filial piety and integrity, report one's official status, and only then have a chance to shed the status of a white-clothed person step by step. The system was cumbersome, and the rules were numerous. Literary talent, fame, and character were all very important.

In fact, since the County Marquis Mansion began its reconstruction, the scholars in Yinzhou had all been staring at this matter with eager eyes.

With the County Marquis Mansion newly established, it would certainly need a large number of officials; wouldn't they have a chance?

Who would have thought that a selection on the spot would suddenly be announced, without distinguishing between those with official status and those who were white-clothed?

"Absurd!"

"Is this County Marquis Mansion trying to make things difficult for us who have official status?"

Those scholars who were not white-clothed were all incomparably indignant.

In contrast, the scholars from humble backgrounds were jubilant and began to run around spreading the news.

"What?"

"Selected on the spot?"

At the same time, the Four Great Noble Families also heard this news and were completely bewildered. They had never seen such a large-scale recruitment scene like those of later generations, and they felt that this young master of the Liu Family was truly too absurd!

"Absurd!"

"How can the matter of selecting officials be treated as such a child's play?"

"With such a spendthrift, Yinzhou is in chaos!"

The Four Great Noble Families were furious.

Especially the Zheng Family side.

"Grandfather, this bastard son Liu Zheng is truly wicked; does he wish to openly antagonize our Zheng Family?"

These young masters had all been counting on using family connections during this establishment of the mansion to secure an official post; this was also the shared intention of the Four Great Noble Families.

The County Marquis Mansion wants to rebuild?

That is fine.

But they must recommend several family members to serve in the County Marquis Mansion; this is the distribution of power. It is also the compromise of the several families toward the County Marquis Mansion—if Yinzhou is to be managed, we shall manage it together...

But now, this move by Liu Zheng has completely enraged this group of people.

Is he not giving them even a shred of face?

"Too bullying, simply too much!"

That very day, Chen Kui rounded up the family's elite soldiers, went to the entrance of the County Marquis Mansion to circle around, and clamored in all sorts of ways.

The entire Yinzhou City was on edge, with a storm about to break.

Yet at this moment, Liu Zheng did not care at all about the commotion outside; he remained alone, sitting on the third floor of this Fengming Tower, at Wangshu Terrace.

Alone, drinking wine while listening to the discussions from Fengming Pavilion on the first floor.

It was no surprise.

The topic being discussed here today was this matter of open recruitment. This concerned the lifelong future of these scholars, so the discussion became increasingly heated.

Naturally, it was the same old tune.

The wealthy scholars were all filled with righteous indignation, feeling that the scholars from humble backgrounds would surely take away many of their opportunities. Meanwhile, the disciples from humble backgrounds were celebrating, feeling that the heavens had finally favored them, and they one after another expressed support for the entire policy of the County Marquis Mansion.

"Brother Liu truly has elegant interests!"

Just as Liu Zheng was listening to Shen Xing holding forth, Zheng Yueru ran up with an anxious look on her face.

"Why is that? Why is the eldest miss of the Zheng family so agitated?"

Liu Zheng laughed heartily.

Zheng Yueru rolled her eyes: "Brother Liu, this open recruitment, this matter must absolutely not be done! The powerful clans and local tyrants have already begun to prepare; the County Marquis Mansion is in danger!"

Liu Zheng did not say much, only smiling slightly.

He naturally knew that open recruitment would certainly infringe upon the interests of the scholars from powerful clans in this era. It could even be said that what he was directly touching was the reverse scale of the elite members of this society!

According to the standards of a typical ruler, this was absolutely a great taboo!

But Liu Zheng was different.

Because he knew exactly what he wanted and which direction was correct. The current situation under heaven was quite subtle; the Feudatory Kings of the Longyan Dynasty were each acting on their own, with territories carved up—it was only because the current Emperor was still holding on; if he were to kick the bucket one day, the world would surely fall into chaos.

In such a situation, how could Liu Zheng not be anxious?

He craved the rapid development of Yinzhou, so he had to use different methods!

"And the Zheng Family?"

Liu Zheng suddenly looked at Zheng Yueru, smiling quite playfully.

Zheng Yueru was actually made somewhat angry by his gaze, glaring at him as she said: "The Zheng Family is still under my control for the time being, but... several uncles can no longer hold back; they insist on coming to me to demand an explanation!"

A single matter of establishing a mansion, and it was such a headache.

But Liu Zheng was confident, poured a cup of tea for Zheng Yueru, and chuckled: "When that day comes, I will give them an explanation!"

"Brother Liu, you..."

Seeing Liu Zheng so stubborn, Zheng Yueru could only sigh.

She felt that Liu Zheng was indeed a bit too hasty this time; if it were just a matter of not giving the Chen Family face, that would be one thing. Now he had come up with this open recruitment, and she felt that things were really going to go wrong. But seeing Liu Zheng calm and unhurried, she knew that whatever she said would be useless. She even felt some doubt as to whether her decision to stand on Liu Zheng's side was right or wrong.

"Miss Zheng, what do you think of this Shen Xing?"

Suddenly, Liu Zheng looked at the group of people in Fengming Pavilion with interest.

Zheng Yueru was slightly stunned, then immediately understood what Liu Zheng wanted to do, and followed up by advising: "Brother Liu, Shen Xing's literary talent is famous in Liangzhou, but if you want to appoint him as an official, you don't need to use open recruitment! His literary talent and reputation are already sufficient!"

Liu Zheng smiled and shook his head, saying: "Miss Zheng, Shen Xing is not among the ranks of those applying; he is already my pre-appointed Chief Clerk!"

"What?"

Zheng Yueru was stunned for a moment.

This Shen Xing was a talent, but his personality was relatively stubborn, and he was somewhat out of step with the mainstream scholars of the day. Zheng Yueru thought it would not be easy for him to even get an official position; who could have imagined that Liu Zheng would directly give him a position as Chief Clerk?

In the County Marquis Mansion, apart from the County Marquis himself, the Chief Clerk was the most respected, followed by the Sima, with the Counselor following closely behind.

In other words, this Shen Xing would soon be the existence in the County Marquis Mansion who was below one person but above ten thousand?

"This..."

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Miss Zheng does not believe he has such talent?"

Zheng Yueru nodded decisively, wanting to offer one more word of advice.

At this moment, Liu Zheng waved his hand, and Wei Tiezhu below had already walked to Shen Xing's side, grabbed the nearly drunk Shen Xing, and walked toward the third floor.

Zheng Yueru then closed her mouth, watching to see what kind of trick Liu Zheng intended to play.

With a thud, Shen Xing was thrown onto the ground by Wei Tiezhu. This thin scholar from a humble background cautiously rolled his eyes, and upon seeing Liu Zheng and Zheng Yueru, his drunkenness was half-sobered. He hurriedly stood up and bowed elegantly: "White-clothed Shen Xing, greets Young Master Liu and the eldest miss of the Zheng family!"

Zheng Yueru nodded slightly, making no reply.

Liu Zheng asked with a smile: "Shen Xing, this young master will only give you one chance!"

"How can the current predicament of Yinzhou be resolved?"

Shen Xing's whole body trembled, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

He looked at Liu Zheng, then at Zheng Yueru, and suddenly smiled, his words shocking.

"The first political decree: the Land Inheritance Law!"

Upon hearing these few words, Liu Zheng stood up abruptly.