Chapter 417

"Your Majesty! This matter must not be done!"

In the hall, just after Ye Zean finished his suggestion, an old minister immediately stood out.

This person was a cabinet member of the Internal Affairs Cabinet.

Previously, there had always been a saying that pierced the heart: Ye Zean speaking in the cabinet was more useful than the Emperor!

Although the truth might not be so, it was enough to see Ye Zean's influence on the cabinet.

Among the six cabinets, his control over the Internal Affairs Cabinet was the strongest.

It was no exaggeration to say that the entire Internal Affairs Cabinet was the Grand Secretary's one-man show!

As a result, the first person to jump out to oppose him was actually someone from the Internal Affairs Cabinet.

It could be seen how unpopular his proposal was!

"Your Majesty, in the previous dynasty, Emperor Xuanjing, in order to centralize power, established the Qingtian Mansion and sent the Qingyi Guards to supervise the world and arrest the subjects. In the end, it brought disaster to the four directions, caused turmoil in the court, and made the people live in misery! With such a warning from the past, how can we repeat the same mistakes?"

This elder of the Internal Affairs Cabinet said loudly with a solemn face.

Li Fei, upon hearing this, felt a move in his heart.

He had read history and knew about the Qingtian Mansion and Qingyi Guards of the previous dynasty that the other party spoke of.

They were similar to the Eastern Depot and Brocade Guards of his previous life.

They were all secret service agencies, and their functions were all surveillance, investigation, arrest, and interrogation.

"The secret agents go out in all directions, and the world is in turmoil," was what was said about this kind of secret service agency.

Similar to the results caused by the Eastern Depot and Brocade Guards, after Emperor Xuanjing of the previous dynasty established the Qingtian Mansion, he also carried out great injustices, harmed dissidents, extorted money, and tyrannized the people!

As a result, in just over ten years, the country was in turmoil, the national strength was seriously consumed, and hidden dangers were buried for the destruction of the previous dynasty.

This was also the reason why Ye Zean's proposal would be strongly opposed.

If it were just changing the various systems of the Inspection Pavilion, the resistance wouldn't be too great.

But Ye Zean wanted to establish a new inspection agency, completely independent of the cabinet, and this change was too big.

"Your Majesty, this subject also thinks the Grand Secretary's words are inappropriate!"

Another cabinet member stood out to oppose and state his point of view.

Then the third, the fourth...

Soon, nearly one-third of the officials in the hall stood out to express their opposition!

Ye Zean had served as Grand Secretary for forty-eight years; it wasn't that the decrees he proposed in the past hadn't been opposed, but it was the first time he had been opposed by so many people at the same time like this.

This was the first time!

The voices of opposition surged toward Ye Zean like a tide.

Below the imperial dais, his expression was as usual.

On the dragon chair, the Emperor looked at the calm Grand Secretary and spoke slowly:

"Grand Secretary, what do you have to say?"

"I have heard everyone's concerns, and I also know the warning from the past of the previous dynasty's Qingtian Mansion. But I am not trying to establish a new Qingtian Mansion."

Ye Zean said this:

"The root of the three major cases lies in the problems with the supervision of the local areas, but these problems do not only occur with local officials; martial arts sects, local aristocratic families, and powerful local figures are all involved.

This subject thinks that the regular cross-provincial rotation of officials in the inspection system can solve the problems of local officials, but it cannot solve all the problems.

This subject wants to establish a separate agency specifically for supervising local martial arts sects and powerful local families."

After he finished speaking, the hall quickly quieted down.

The ministers who had just stood out to oppose him looked at each other.

Not supervising officials and the people, but supervising martial arts sects and powerful local families?

This was shifting the focus from the officialdom to the martial arts world.

This line of thinking was completely beyond everyone's expectations.

"What the Grand Secretary said, supervising local martial arts sects and powerful local families, isn't that the authority of the local Zhige Courts?"

On the dragon chair, the Emperor asked.

Whether it was martial arts sects or powerful local families, the people in power were mostly martial artists, so they were under the jurisdiction of the Zhige Courts.

These forces were not unmanaged.

Ye Zean responded calmly: "Although local Zhige Courts have the power of supervision, the martial artists in the courts are also almost all from the local area, and the Zhige Courts and local forces are inevitably related, thus being affected.

Establishing a separate agency in the central government and sending people to patrol the local areas regularly, working in tandem with the Zhige Courts, is the only way to prevent the disaster of today's three major cases."

Li Fei, hearing this, immediately thought of the former Xingcheng.

The Chief of the Xingcheng Zhige Court colluded with the Hudao Gang, and many martial artists in the court were from the Hudao Gang; in this situation, how could the Zhige Court manage the Hudao Gang?

Even though the Inspection Court at that time was controlled by the Chief, the Inspection Court could only supervise officials and couldn't bypass the Zhige Court to deal with martial artists directly.

That was why the Hudao Gang could be so rampant.

Situations like this occurred in many places.

Powerful local figures, martial arts sects, and aristocratic families colluded with the government, yet they were not subject to much supervision from the government, so they could gradually grow and act rampantly.

The problems exposed by the three major cases were actually long-standing ills of the Great Lan Dynasty.

"Grand Secretary, why not do as you proposed before, and let the martial artists of the local Zhige Courts also rotate across provinces regularly?"

A cabinet member suddenly spoke.

Compared to establishing a new agency, everyone was more willing to make changes within the "system."

Ye Zean shook his head: "The martial artists of the Zhige Courts come from the local area; although they will be affected by local forces, they can also conversely influence local forces and are more convenient for mediating disputes. This matter has both advantages and disadvantages; we cannot just see the disadvantages and choose to cut it all off."

After all, what the Zhige Courts do is different from the Inspection Court.

The Inspection Court only needs to act according to the rules and find and deal with all officials who violate the rules and laws.

But the Zhige Courts cannot do this.

Many martial arts grievances, disputes, and conflicts between major forces have no right or wrong.

To handle these martial arts matters well and calm the disputes, one must truly understand the local situation and preferably have a certain influence in the local area.

In this situation, rotating the people of the Zhige Courts regularly is not appropriate.

The sage said: "The village hypocrite is the thief of virtue."

But often for local management, one can only use "village hypocrisy."

This was the reason why Ye Zean, even knowing that the Zhige Courts would be affected by local forces, was unwilling to rotate the martial artists of the Zhige Courts.

Apparently, this Grand Secretary was not sitting high in the cabinet and taking it for granted to launch a decree.

He truly understood the actual situation in various places and, after fully considering the possible variables and results, put forward his own ideas.

In the hall, Li Fei witnessed for the first time how this legendary Grand Secretary "governed" the world.

He used to subconsciously feel that these civil officials in high positions who were relatively clean would inevitably have some scholarly spirit and be somewhat idealistic.

But after truly listening to Ye Zean's speech, Li Fei discovered that this Grand Secretary didn't quote classics and talk eloquently as he had imagined.

In terms of literary talent, the other party was not even as good as many people in the hall!

The other party's speech was simple and pragmatic, but went straight to the point.

"Regarding the newly established agency, this subject thinks that we can include several Lanling Special Envoys of the Inspection Pavilion as representatives of the government. In addition, we can also invite those prestigious sects and families in the martial arts world to send representatives to join and govern the martial arts world together with the imperial court."

Ye Zean continued.

Li Fei was startled upon hearing this; he didn't expect that this matter would actually have something to do with him?

There was a commotion in the hall.

Inviting martial arts sects and families to govern the martial arts world together?

This was another suggestion that no one had expected.

But thinking about it carefully, the ministers had to admit that Ye Zean's move could be called a masterstroke!

The imperial court establishing a special agency to manage martial arts sects and powerful local families in various places was equivalent to imposing a shackle on the martial arts world of the Great Lan Dynasty, which would inevitably arouse strong dissatisfaction and counterattacks from the martial arts world!

Even if they didn't dare to mess around openly, they had plenty of means in secret.

But if the imperial court was willing to take out a portion of the quotas and power and take the initiative to share them.

That would be different.

Imagine if the "one building, one pavilion, three mountains, four sects, and seven families"—these top martial arts sects—all sent representatives to participate, how much counterattack could the entire martial arts world have?

Would such an agency managing the entire martial arts world be more weighty?

Win over a batch, divide a batch, and then suppress a batch.

This kind of political skill was simply second nature to Ye Zean!

"The specific matters have been written by this subject in this "Memorial on the Establishment of the Lanling Pavilion"."

Ye Zean took out another file from his sleeves.

"Lanling Pavilion?"

The Emperor read out the name and smiled: "The name is quite appropriate."

The ministers in the hall, seeing the Emperor's attitude, immediately knew what was going on.

After Feng Cheng presented this new memorial, the Emperor looked at it for a long time this time.

After he put down the memorial in his hand, he looked at everyone again:

"Everyone, regarding what the Grand Secretary just said, establishing the Lanling Pavilion, what are your thoughts?"

"..."

The ministers who had just stood out to oppose Ye Zean looked at each other and were silent at this time.

They had already summoned the courage to stand out and oppose him once, only to find that the idea Ye Zean proposed was not as "terrible" as they thought; now letting them oppose him a second time, they were inevitably hesitant.

"Your Majesty, this subject thinks this move is feasible!"

Suddenly, a young cabinet member stood out and chose to support Ye Zean.

This person was Ye Zean's student, Hu Tingzhong, who was being trained as the next Grand Secretary.

After Hu Tingzhong spoke, ministers stood out one after another to support Ye Zean.

In fact, with Ye Zean's influence, the policies he carefully planned and proposed, no matter how shocking, would definitely have people supporting him in this hall.

However, so many officials stood out to oppose him just now, but not a single person stood out to help him.

And now, the hall was full of voices supporting him!

Li Fei looked at this Grand Secretary who stood as straight as a pine, recalling the series of changes from the other party's standing up to speak until now, and began to understand.

He couldn't help but feel admiration!

If governing the country and political skills also had realms, this Grand Secretary was definitely at the level of a Martial Saint or True Person!

Twenty minutes later, this Grand Morning Assembly ended.

The imperial eunuch Feng Cheng announced the end of the assembly.

Regarding the two decrees finally proposed by Ye Zean:

The regular cross-provincial rotation of officials in the inspection system and the establishment of the Lanling Pavilion.

Although these two things were not directly finalized at the Grand Morning Assembly, the final trend of the event made everyone know that these two decrees would most likely be implemented!

What was missing now was just a discussion on the specific details.

Taking advantage of the impact of the three major cases on the imperial court and the negative impact brought about, Ye Zean took advantage of the situation and brought out a move second only to the Mingxin Reform!

Of course, launching a decree was one thing, and the specific implementation effect was another.

There were still thousands of obstacles ahead waiting.

If it could succeed in the end, perhaps this Grand Secretary could extend the life of the Great Lan Dynasty for a few more decades!

The ministers walked out of the Zheng Lan Hall one after another; Ye Zean was the last one to walk out of the hall.

This Grand Secretary suddenly stopped at the gate of the hall, raised his head, and a pair of double pupils looked at the sky.

The winter sun fell, reflecting the white hair on his temples.

Many ministers around looked over here, but no one dared to step forward.

Ye Zean stood at the gate of the hall for a while, then walked away.

Li Fei and He Jian walked out of the gate of the square in front of the hall together.

"If the Lanling Pavilion is really established, I actually think you are very suitable to join."

Li Fei said to He Jian.

Compared to investigating major cases of the government, he felt that this old man was more suitable to investigate cases in the martial arts world.

Because cases in the government would involve too many things outside the case, and He Jian's personality was actually not suitable for handling these.

He Jian looked at Li Fei: "Are you planning to transfer me over?"

After all, just now in the hall, Ye Zean said that he would transfer the Lanling Special Envoys of the Inspection Pavilion into the Lanling Pavilion.

So once the Lanling Pavilion was established, Li Fei could immediately gain the right to speak in it!

"I do have this idea."

Li Fei said frankly.

"Wait until I finish investigating the case in my hand."

He Jian said this.

Li Fei smiled: "Then I will take it as you agreed."

"Marquis of Jing'an, please stay!"

A voice suddenly came from behind.

Li Fei turned his head to look, and a young man was walking toward him.

It was Hu Tingzhong.

"Does the Grand Secretary have anything to do?"

Li Fei cupped his hands and bowed, asking.

Hu Tingzhong returned the salute: "The teacher asked me to invite the Marquis of Jing'an to his mansion for a talk tonight."

"Teacher? The Grand Secretary is inviting me?"

Li Fei was startled.

Ye Zean suddenly wanted to see him?

"Good, please tell the Grand Secretary that I will definitely be there tonight."

Li Fei didn't hesitate and agreed decisively.

Hu Tingzhong nodded and said goodbye to Li Fei.

"Does Lord He think, why did the Grand Secretary suddenly want to see me?"

After Hu Tingzhong left, Li Fei asked He Jian beside him.

He Jian shook his head: "I only know that the Grand Secretary rarely meets a certain minister privately in his own mansion."

Li Fei shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, he would know after seeing him tonight.

After leaving the imperial city, Li Fei first returned to his mansion.

It wasn't until 7 PM that he walked out of the mansion and walked toward the Ye mansion.

Speaking of which, he, the Marquis of Jing'an, could be considered simple to the extreme.

There was not a single servant in the mansion, and he didn't even buy a car for transportation, relying entirely on walking when going out.

When he walked to the gate of the Ye mansion, it was already close to 7:30.

In front of the gate, Hu Tingzhong was standing there alone.

"Why did the Grand Secretary come to welcome me personally? It makes me feel ashamed."

Li Fei walked up quickly and said to Hu Tingzhong.

Hu Tingzhong waved his hand and smiled: "Marquis of Jing'an, don't be polite; in this mansion, I am just a student of the teacher, please."

Then Li Fei followed the other party into the Ye mansion.

This mansion was also bestowed by the Emperor, covering a vast area, with pavilions and towers everywhere.

It was just that from the interior decoration, one couldn't see much of a wealthy atmosphere.

It didn't look like the mansion of a Grand Secretary who was below one person and above ten thousand.

After Hu Tingzhong led Li Fei through several corridors and two courtyards, he pointed to a study with lights on in front and said:

"The teacher is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you, Grand Secretary, for leading the way."

After Li Fei thanked him, he walked into the study.

The layout inside the study was also very simple; the only relatively expensive things were probably the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk.

Li Fei guessed that those should also be bestowed by the Emperor.

"I pay my respects to the Grand Secretary."

He bowed to Ye Zean, who was sitting at a table.

Ye Zean nodded: "Marquis of Jing'an, no need for formalities, please sit."

So Li Fei sat opposite the other party, with a short table between them, and a chessboard and two boxes of chess pieces were placed on the table.

"Does the Marquis of Jing'an know how to play chess?"

Ye Zean asked directly.

Li Fei nodded: "I know a little."

"How about a game of hand-talk?"

"Good."

So the first thing after the two met was to play chess.

Li Fei was the guest and played black first.

He said he knew a little, which was not modesty.

He really only knew a little, and hadn't even memorized a few fixed patterns.

After only a few steps, Ye Zean saw Li Fei's chess strength.

This Grand Secretary remained calm and continued to place his pieces calmly.

There was only the sound of pieces being placed in the study.

Li Fei rarely thought for a long time, and many times he played by feeling.

In the middle of the game, he threw his pieces and admitted defeat.

Ye Zean looked at the calm Li Fei and smiled slightly:

"The Marquis of Jing'an doesn't seem to care much about winning or losing?"

Li Fei looked at Ye Zean at close range for the first time, looking at the other party's world-famous pair of double pupils, and also smiled:

"I have never cared much about winning or losing on the chessboard."

Ye Zean, while lowering his head to tidy up the chessboard, said in a casual tone:

"Today I proposed the establishment of the Lanling Pavilion in the imperial court, letting all Lanling Special Envoys join on behalf of the imperial court. If the Lanling Pavilion is really established in the future, it will be no different from an unprecedented martial arts alliance.

Have you ever thought about becoming the person who can decide the affairs of the martial arts world in one word?"

(End of chapter)