Chapter 317: Chapter 307: Self-Harm
Lin Helin was also pondering how to win the hearts of the people across the twelve provinces. Yanyang could not truly divide the territory by the river, as it would splinter the nation. Yet, waging war was equally unthinkable. The only way to gain the people’s favor was to address livelihood issues. Whomever could deliver a better life to the common folk would earn their loyalty. He had carefully studied the new policies implemented in Ningzhou.
The land equalization system—if it were to be enforced in the Capital City, the entire aristocracy would rise in rebellion. The noble clans, controlling eighty percent of the nation’s land, would never willingly relinquish their holdings. However, implementing it in Ningzhou and the twelve provinces was comparatively easier. The twelve provinces were not as prosperous as Jiangnan and the Capital. With fewer noble families in those regions, it was simpler for the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to seize control of a city, forcing the clans to accept the new policies. But in the Capital City and Jiangnan, the aristocracy would surely unite to resist imperial authority if this system were imposed.
Was this policy a good one?
Of course it was. Just as water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it. Lin Helin had traveled extensively across the realm and deeply understood the hardships of the common people. Ningzhou had managed to garner the support of the twelve provinces through this policy. For now, the fortunate aspect was that the new policies were not implemented across all the provinces—only in Yunzhou, Huangzhou, and West Continent. In Jinzhou, the governor was experimenting with these policies and seemed inclined to promote them further, providing clear evidence of their popularity with the people.
Lin Qingshan had sent him letters detailing the changes brought about by the new policies, written with fervent words of admiration. He highly endorsed the reforms—reforms that Xie Jue had poured his heart and soul into implementing nationwide but was tragically cut down before seeing them materialize.
June 6th had marked a disaster that annihilated the Marquis Mansion and crippled the Lin Family. Lin Helin, raised under Elder Lin’s tutelage from a young age, had served as a guide for Xie Jue when he, too, was sent to Elder Lin for education. As an elder brother figure, he had helped Xie Jue familiarize himself with the Lin Residence. To facilitate their studies, Xie Jue even resided in his yard, and the two often discussed academic pursuits together, attending lessons from Elder Lin and Grandmaster Zhang. Both Lin Helin and Xie Jue preferred quiet, avoiding social interaction, and while they lacked the typical warmth of brotherly affection, they had come to regard each other with mutual respect.
Xie Jue was naturally a talent in governance. When he was taken to the battlefield by the Marquis, Lin Helin had lamented his absence, believing that if Xie Jue had participated in the same imperial exams as himself, the latter would have undoubtedly emerged as the top candidate. Both diplomacy and the new policies showcased Xie Jue’s aptitude for statecraft. If Xie Xun could hone his abilities for a few more years and establish his position within the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, the two brothers—one excelling in civil strategy, the other in military prowess—would amass formidable influence, likely setting their sights on the Capital City.
What was to be done?
Though Emperor Yuan Hui had moments of madness, he had recently calmed down and begun cooperating with the cabinet, bringing some semblance of stability to the situation. His desire to launch a northern campaign was rational; no emperor could sit securely on the throne while rebellion brewed. He aimed to strike before Ningzhou could grow into a significant threat. However, the court lacked the resources to sustain such a war.
The national treasury was emptier than he had imagined. Jiangnan’s emphasis on commerce over agriculture had caused merchant loyalties to tilt toward the Marquis Mansion. Whether the Grand Marshal could stabilize the allegiance of Jiangnan’s Confucian merchants remained uncertain. Declaring war now would be courting disaster.
Zhang Boju suggested, "Why not use the lives of the Feng Family to coerce Fengyu into returning to the Capital?"
"That’s merely a palliative measure!" Lin Helin countered. "The hearts of the twelve provinces lie with the new policies, not with Fengyu. Ting Feng could dispatch Zhang Yu, Li Yu, or even go there personally."
"But it’s beyond reach! There’s also Zhongzhou standing in the way. Let me ask you—if the Xie brothers were to lead an army into the twelve provinces, would Zhongzhou deploy troops to intervene?"
"Before Ting Feng and Zhixu could mobilize, Zhongzhou would dispatch forces to intimidate the twelve provinces," Lin Helin replied. "The key is to choose the right moment."
Pausing for a moment, he added, "I’ve been considering relaxing the criteria for the imperial examination. I wonder if it might work."
Zhang Boju’s eyes lit up. "That would indeed be a brilliant way to win the hearts of the people!"
In Yanyang, the imperial examination system was almost entirely monopolized by noble families. It was exceedingly rare for someone of humble origins to rise through the ranks. The noble clans controlled the best resources: the finest academies, the most renowned tutors, and familial guidance in drafting essays and navigating the exams. It was exceedingly difficult for scholars from modest backgrounds to compete with them.
Each round of the imperial examinations in Yanyang saw noble families occupying over eighty percent of the passing spots, with the top five almost always dominated by them. The last valedictorian of humble origins, Liu An, was a rare exception.
Lin Helin remarked, "If we were to loosen the selection process or establish more academies in the twelve provinces, increasing the chances for candidates from modest backgrounds, it might yield results."
Zhang Boju agreed, "It’s worth a trial!"
Lin Helin continued, "Beyond improving the prospects of commoner candidates, we must not allow Fengyu to develop unchecked in the twelve provinces. Summon Liu An and Gu Jiaming for discussions. If commerce between Jiangnan and the twelve provinces cannot be severed, let Zhongzhou’s army exert pressure."
The intimidation of the twelve provinces could only be achieved through two methods: severing trade between the twelve provinces, Jiangnan, and Zhongzhou, or deploying military forces to enforce compliance.
Lin Helin leaned toward cutting all trade ties, isolating the twelve provinces into a solitary outpost.
Xiangguo Temple.
Feng Shu was over five months pregnant. Her slender frame, coupled with her mourning diet of abstinence and her already poor appetite, had left her significantly thinner than before her pregnancy. Only her slightly rounded belly betrayed her condition. She rarely left her quarters, and even when she did, her loose-fitting garments concealed her figure, allowing her to maintain her secret for now.
Emperor Yuan Hui had stationed a unit of Jinyi Guards at Xiangguo Temple to monitor Feng Shu. Over the past few months, she had deliberately clashed with them multiple times, convincing Yuwen Jing that she would not escape the Capital for the sake of the Feng Family. To placate her, he withdrew the Jinyi Guards. By controlling the Feng Family, he could keep Feng Shu in check.
Su Yuejiao often accompanied Old Mrs. Feng to the temple to pray and visit Feng Shu. Even Feng Changqing had not been informed of Feng Shu’s pregnancy. Seeing how frail she had become, Su Yuejiao was heartbroken, always providing her with her favorite dishes during each visit.
"Shu’er, just endure a few more months. Once the child is born, you can take them to Ningzhou and never look back," Su Yuejiao said resolutely. No matter what, she and Feng Changqing were determined to protect their children.
"Mother, we’ve discussed this—please don’t bring it up again," Feng Shu replied. "If I leave, it will implicate you. I would live in torment for the rest of my life. Mother, when the child is born, send them away. I will not leave."
"Then what will you do?"
"I’ll enter the palace!" Feng Shu coldly gazed at the swaying osmanthus trees beyond the wall. "He will never let me go."
"He wouldn’t dare! Even after a year, you remain Xie Zhang’s wife. Does he not fear the condemnation of the world?" Su Yuejiao could not comprehend Emperor Yuan Hui’s madness.
Had he gone insane?
Old Mrs. Feng tenderly caressed her granddaughter’s rounded abdomen. "Shu’er, have you thought this through?"
"I’ve thought it through!" Feng Shu’s eyes turned red. "Grandmother, Mother, do you know? This calamity upon the Marquis Mansion was because of me. If not for me, they all would have been safe—far removed from power struggles, living freely in Ningzhou."
"Nonsense!" Old Mrs. Feng scolded. "Throughout history, no war has ever started because of a woman—it’s always men’s ambition masquerading under the pretense of women. You must not torment yourself with guilt. This is the second time this month you’ve shown signs of a miscarriage. Shu’er, do not overburden yourself with worry. Protect yourself and safely deliver your child with Xie Zhang. This catastrophe is not your fault."