Chapter 357

She was not unconcerned, but knew deeply that her marriage had become a chip in her father's hands at this moment, and was placed on the table in this naked interest exchange.

This situation made a trace of humiliation rise in her heart, although she had long been prepared.

Fu Ruyan listened quietly, her heart as clear as a mirror.

The Yan family showed profit, the Cui family tempted with name, what they sought was nothing more than the merit of following the dragon in the future and the continuation of family privileges.

And herself...

Or what can the Fu family give?

That little bit of silver and goods, I'm afraid it's not worth mentioning in the eyes of the Yan and Cui families.

The only thing she could rely on was perhaps the business connection established with Beijiang earlier, and...

That relationship with Jiang Qingyan, and her own determination to go north regardless of everything.

Jiang Jinshi didn't bother to listen to the two's lip-smacking battle, and immediately raised his hand and said: "Cui Gong, Young Master Yan! Your kindness, Jiang accepts. Miss Fu has come from afar, and her sincerity is also moving."

His gaze swept over the three people calmly, and finally fell on Cui Yan's face, "Regarding the marriage proposed by Cui Gong, Jiang already has a hair-tied wife, we are deeply in love, and I will not fail her in this life, so don't mention this matter again."

Cui Wangshu clearly didn't expect to be rejected; didn't the other side understand what kind of resources he would get by marrying her?

In those cold and calm eyes that were always calm, for the first time, shock, disbelief, and a trace of shame and anger deeply hurt were clearly reflected.

She, Cui Wangshu, the daughter of the Qingling Cui family, the talented woman famous in Jiangnan, was actually so... lightly rejected?

Jiang Jinshi didn't even have the room to look more, or consider more!

The gentle smile on Cui Yan's face also stiffened, and a trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

He didn't expect Jiang Jinshi to reject it so decisively and thoroughly, not leaving even a little room for negotiation! This was not just rejecting a marriage, but slapping the Cui family in the face in public!

Yan Shining felt a relief first; the Cui family's marriage was rejected, which might be a good thing for his Yan family, at least everyone was back on the same starting line.

But then he thought, Jiang Jinshi rejected the Cui family so decisively, what he was planning was probably even bigger!!

Immediately after, Jiang Jinshi sighed, as if narrating something.

"I, Jiang Jinshi, rose from the humble, know the suffering of the people, and also know that one of the roots of the chaos in the world lies in the powerful families, land annexation, knowledge monopoly, causing the poor to have no way out, and the common people to have no land."

These words could be said to have spoken to Feng Chunsheng's heart; he walked all the way here, if he hadn't met such a wise master as Jiang Jinshi, I'm afraid he would have wasted his life in vain!

Jiang Jinshi continued: "The Ming Army's act of acting on behalf of Heaven to punish the rebellious is not for the wealth of one family or one surname, but for the world to be public, the tiller to have his land, the scholar to have his books, everyone to use their talents, and everything to be used."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall had different expressions.

The people of Beijiang all had firm eyes and deeply agreed; they all rose from the humble, witnessed the rise of Beijiang, and naturally understood that this was the path the Ming Army should take.

The three families didn't speak, waiting for Jiang Jinshi's follow-up, just feeling a vague unease in their hearts.

Jiang Jinshi tapped the table lightly, his eyes becoming firm: "Anyone willing to walk with Jiang, help our Beijiang achieve a great cause, Jiang sincerely welcomes. But cooperation must have new rules. Besides regular money, grain, and military equipment support, Jiang has three conditions that need to be stated in advance.

If acceptable, we will talk about details! If not, the business is not done, but the benevolence remains, and Jiang also thanks everyone for their heart this time."

"May I ask the Ming King, what are the three conditions?" Yan Shining asked in a deep voice.

"First!" Jiang Jinshi raised a finger.

"All cooperating families must copy the family library, especially classics involving agriculture, industry, water conservancy, mathematics, and the study of things, into copies for scholars with aspirations in the world to borrow and study, and must not hide them privately.

Family learning inheritance can be carried out within the family, but it must not be used to monopolize knowledge and block the way for the poor to advance."

"What?!"

A follower behind Yan Shining almost screamed, but was stopped by Yan Shining's eyes, but his face was already full of shock and anger.

Family library, especially precious isolated copies and family-transmitted learning, is the foundation for the clans to maintain cultural privileges, cultivate disciples, and attract guests!

Hand over the library? It's simply digging their roots!

The smile on Cui Yan's face also faded, and the anger in his eyes was gradually suppressed.

Cui Wangshu stared at Jiang Jinshi, seemingly wanting to see through that calm appearance to his true intention.

Jiang Jinshi ignored everyone's expressions and continued to raise his second finger.

"Second! Beijiang has already implemented the 'Granting Land Law'; ownerless land and confiscated land are granted according to the number of households. As long as it is within Beijiang and where our army arrives in the future, the land must be registered, and allocated uniformly by our Ming Army, even for cooperating families, the same!!"

Land! This is a more fatal lifeline than books! The core assets that clans rely on for survival, expansion, and controlling the local area!

Hand over excess land? This is simply being an enemy of the clans of the world!

Yan Shining's face sank completely, and Cui Yan also took a deep breath, his hands under the table clenching unconsciously.

Fu Ruyan was thinking calmly; the Fu family's separation didn't give her land, so this article had little impact on her!

As for the library matter in the first article, she could also fully agree; she had read quite a few classics since childhood, and there were still quite a few books in her boudoir at this moment, and she could arrange for people to send them over after returning this time.

Facing the other side's shock, Jiang Jinshi turned a deaf ear and continued: "Third! Official selection should be based on talent and virtue, regardless of family background.

The imperial examination system should be improved, the scope of recruitment should be expanded, and the assessment process should be strict.

Disciples of cooperating families can take the examination based on talent, but there is absolutely no privilege.

In the army and the court, supervision must also be established to prevent forming cliques for private interests and one family dominating."

After the three conditions were finished, the hall was dead silent.

Which cooperation condition is this?

It is clearly to fundamentally transform, or even destroy, the foundation that these clans rely on for survival!

Knowledge, land, and official career are the "three boards" for clans to control the world; Jiang Jinshi wants to abolish them all, who can agree to this?

Cui Wangshu looked at Jiang Jinshi in disbelief through the thin gauze.

He not only clearly rejected the marriage with the Cui family, but also rejected all forces trying to form an alliance with him in the traditional clan way!

He doesn't want appendages, doesn't want allies, but... future "subjects"?

The displeasure in her heart was replaced by greater shock and a complex emotion at this moment.

This man, his ambition and blueprint, far exceeded her imagination.

He not only wants to take the world, but also wants to change the rules of the world's operation!

"Ming King..."

Yan Shining's voice was trembling, not knowing if it was because of anger or shock.

"The Ming King's ambition is far-reaching, which is admirable. It's just... the three conditions mentioned by the Ming King involve the foundation and move the whole body.

It is not something my Yan family can decide, nor is it something that can be determined for a while! It needs... needs to be discussed in the long term."

"Not bad."

Cui Yan also spoke slowly, his tone already carrying alienation, "The Ming King's ambition is to swallow mountains and rivers, but this way of governing the country is complicated, not something that can be changed suddenly. Land, books, and official selection are the systems of thousands of years of accumulation, concerning the stability of the country.

This matter... really needs to be carefully considered. This old man came north this time mainly to express the Cui family's respect and cooperation sincerity to the Ming King, and specific regulations can be discussed later."

He absolutely stopped mentioning the marriage, as if he had never said it.

They all knew clearly that Jiang Jinshi's conditions, the families behind them could never agree to.

At least... it was impossible to agree when Jiang Jinshi only occupied the land of Beijiang and was surrounded by strong enemies.

This was no longer an investment, but a clause of near-humiliating submission.

There was more than one object in the world that could be invested in!

Western Liang King Wei Wenlie, perhaps a good choice?!