"Your Majesty, you must not let Lord Zhenguo learn this from Liang Xiao, as it would be self-destructive to the nation's foundation!" Yan Liu spoke on behalf of the officials in the great hall, his expression one of deep distress.
Emperor Mu Cheng of Da Liang said helplessly, "The national conditions of each country are different, how could I not understand? My ministers need not worry. You and the scions of your clans are the pillars of the state, my reliance. How could I easily replace you?!"
The officials then felt at ease, exclaiming how wise His Majesty was.
After the court dispersed, Mu Cheng, with an unhappy expression, returned to the imperial study with Qin Feng and six trusted ministers to discuss matters.
"This Liang Xiao, how dare he be so bold as to threaten the Prince of Nan, humiliate the Grand Tutor, and replace officials across the land? Did he not consider the backlash from the noble families and the Prince of Nan?" Mu Cheng was bewildered.
The Prince of Nan was wealthy and had connections with noble families in secret. This was already a "secret" known to the high levels of both countries.
The other ministers present were at a loss.
As staunch supporters of imperial power, they also wished to emulate Liang Xiao in selecting talent and replacing the indolent scions of noble families occupying official posts across the country.
However, they could not, nor did they dare!
Qin Feng analyzed, "This humble son believes that the state of Da Gan possesses sufficient backing and is preparing to gradually erode and dismantle the noble families, but does not intend to strike them all down at once. For example, the Gu family, the Zhuo family, the Mu family, the Wang family, the Huang family, the He family of Jiangnan, the Li family... these noble families, strictly speaking, are also considered aristocratic clans, but because they have pledged allegiance to the Son of Heaven of Da Gan, they have received preferential treatment and have an excellent relationship with Liang Xiao."
Everyone looked at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng continued, "This humble son has met the Son of Heaven of Da Gan and he truly possesses the qualities of a wise ruler. It is impossible for him to so easily support Liang Xiao in confronting the noble families. Therefore, he must have his confidence, perhaps he has made a windfall, and with Liang Xiao's assistance, the future is promising, and he no longer needs to curry favor with the noble families!"
The crowd pondered.
"Furthermore, the 'Da Gan Daily' published by Liang Xiao has a strong propaganda effect, allowing the common people an opportunity to learn to read, thus weakening the influence of the major noble families over them. This humble son believes that our state of Da Liang can also attempt to publish a newspaper, but we must openly seek Liang Xiao's consent through means of offering concessions, and print content such as 'Journey to the West' to avoid causing gossip."
"At the same time, we must placate the major noble families within the country, assuring them that Father Emperor will not replace them through talent selection. However, in the long run, as more and more people learn to read and write, and through the imperial examinations, their monopoly on official positions can be effectively broken. At that time, they will have no recourse, although this measure will yield slow results and benefit future generations."
Mu Cheng's eyes suddenly brightened, and he added, "Son-in-law, judging by your demeanor, you seem to have even greater confidence to support me in doing this?"
Qin Feng sighed, "This humble son can only think of two possibilities for now. The first is that Liang Xiao's secretly used 'movable type printing' has a cost that allows him to profit. Even if a book only sells for one hundred and fifty wen, he would not incur losses! The Ouyang family might have been unknowingly sending money to Liang Xiao all along... The second possibility is that the Son of Heaven of Da Gan has indeed made a windfall, enough to cover the losses of Liang Xiao's bookshop until the Ouyang family's bookshop collapses!"
The imperial study fell into an unusual silence.
Profitable? What a shocking speculation!
This meant that the "woodblock printing" pioneered by the Ouyang family would be completely replaced by Liang Xiao's "movable type printing"!
Qin Feng continued, "Of course, it is not impossible that both possibilities exist. Liang Xiao is indeed making a profit, and the Son of Heaven of Da Gan's private treasury also has a windfall. Otherwise, even if Liang Xiao had a hundred years of 'Drunkenness' to sell, it would not be enough to sustain his land purchases and the consumption of his loss-making bookshop. However, this is actually beneficial to us!"
"How is it beneficial?" Mu Cheng asked, confused at first, then suddenly realized, "Once the Ouyang family's bookshop collapses, book prices will inevitably plummet. At that time, our Da Liang's Sima family bookshop will also have to lower prices, at least not to exceed the total cost of Liang Xiao's book prices plus shipping to Da Liang!"
"In the end, the people of our Da Liang can also access knowledge, and the imperial examinations can play a greater role!" The other ministers suddenly understood, their surprise mixed with joy.
"Therefore, although Father Emperor must outwardly express his disapproval of Liang Xiao's actions to the officials, there is no need to send anyone to obstruct him, because our own noble families will consider their own interests and find ways to deal with the threat from Liang Xiao. Father Emperor is also one of the ultimate beneficiaries!" Qin Feng nodded.
Mu Cheng felt a surge of joy, "Aren't we winning by doing nothing?"
Qin Feng shook his head, "Not entirely. If Liang Xiao achieves ultimate victory and can resolve the issue of his achievements overshadowing the sovereign, making the Son of Heaven of Da Gan trust him as much as you trust this humble son, then his status in the hearts of the people of Da Gan, and even the people of Da Liang, will likely be..."
"Unprecedented!" Mu Cheng exclaimed with a trembling voice.
"Therefore, if we can be said to be winning with ease, then Liang Xiao and the Son of Heaven of Da Gan have won at least ten times over! I implore Father Emperor to prepare early. If the Ouyang family's bookshop truly collapses, and this day arrives, you cannot let the people of Da Liang be more grateful to Liang Xiao than to you. This will depend on Father Emperor's methods." Qin Feng sighed.
"So that's how it is, playing both sides!" Mu Cheng gave a wry smile, then his expression turned stern, "But we cannot let Liang Xiao have it all his way. We must send people to incite the noble families within the country, instigate them to support the Ouyang family, and have them slander Liang Xiao domestically, tarnishing Liang Xiao's image in the hearts of the people of Da Liang. This is a case of 'the snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman benefits.' At that time, whoever emerges as the final winner, I will follow the current and express my support for them!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Southwest of Da Gan, the Peacock Dynasty.
In the resplendent deep palace, the middle-aged emperor who had been dozing on his throne slowly opened his eyes, his hair golden and eyes blue.
The Peacock King!
"The actions of the Spring Return Sect in Luzhou have failed... Why hasn't Iris returned?" the Peacock King asked.
"Replying to Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess is currently investigating a person named Liang Xiao. This person, along with the Heavenly General, is the main culprit who defeated the combined forces of the Spring Return Sect and the Sun and Moon Army!" a minister, also with golden hair and blue eyes, reported from below.
The Peacock King's face darkened, "Liang Xiao? Immediately dispatch your most elite subordinates to Da Gan to assassinate him. Consider it a surprise for my good sister."
Following this, the Peacock King continued, "How are those low-caste commoners?"
"Through a combination of grace and might, they have been completely brainwashed, accepting their birth, and no longer resisting!"
"Very good." The Peacock King nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "The state of Da Gan will be next. That insignificant Liang Xiao will eventually be just another soul seeking death, unable to stop the historical tide brought by our race."
Liang Xiao's entourage finally arrived in Qiantang after four days of travel.
The military power in the Jiangnan region was almost entirely held by Duke Dingguo, Gongsun Ye, and the guards were mostly talents cultivated by the Duke Dingguo's mansion. Ding Wuyi was also following Liang Xiao's travel route, handling affairs in the Jiangnan region, and could bring the Shadow Guard to support him at any time, allowing Liang Xiao to relax.
The Prefect of Qiantang, Liu Qingping, head of the Liu family, received the news in advance and was eagerly awaiting, ready to host Liang Xiao.
Before Liang Xiao came to Jiangnan, he had already planned with his "Little Frosty."
In the Jiangnan region, all official positions above Prefect that belonged to noble families such as the Du Gu family and the Gongyang clan were given a nominal promotion and a de facto demotion to the central government. Loyal supporters of imperial power were then appointed as Prefects.
Liu Qingping had originally served as a fourth-rank Tongyi Daifu in the central government. Wang Canghai had secretly informed him beforehand. Xiao Qing then found an excuse to demote him to Prefect of Qiantang. Later, Zhang Yang was naturally appointed as Tongyi Daifu. At the same time, several members of the Liu family were promoted, and Liu Qingping was secretly bestowed ten thousand taels of gold, with a promise that he could return to the central government in the future and continue to be promoted, with an official position above Tongyi Daifu, to appease him.
This was the best plan Xiao Qing could devise at the moment. The Ministry of Personnel, led by He Wanli, could not fault these personnel changes, as sending their own scions to the central government was not a bad thing and could strengthen the family's influence in the court.
Liang Xiao merely sent someone in advance to inform Liu Qingping. After settling into an inn he had booked beforehand, he took Jian Qin Wan and the heroes of Mount Tianshan to visit an old friend of his father, Liang Anguo.
The highly respected "Qiantang Female Chess Immortal" in the Qiantang area for over a decade, a direct disciple of the Da Liang Chess Sage, and the current head of the foremost noble family in Qiantang, the Lu family, Lu Xue.
According to his grandfather Liang Qing and Zhuo Zifang, if he could gain Lu Xue's support, Liang Xiao would have a smoother journey in the Qiantang region.
However, Liang Xiao had a nagging feeling of a trap, suspecting that the two old rascals might be trying to trick him.