Chapter 589: Chapter 589
When Lin Helin learned of Xie Xun’s swift and decisive decision, he did not object. The relationship between the Li Family Noble Consort, who gave birth to Yuwen Jing’s prince, and the Lin Family had always been delicate. Although the familial bonds existed because of the marriage ties, they became strained due to the succession struggle. Self-interest prevails; the Li and Lin Families maintained a very close relationship, and the Second Mrs. Lin was the second daughter of the Li Family’s legitimate line.
Lin Yunong still had to call the current Head of the Li Family "Uncle." The wife of the second branch of the Li Family was also Marshal Fang’s blood sister, making Li Family’s connections in the clans extremely complex and solid. Although they did not have as many offspring as the Zhang Family, each of them was placed in very significant positions. After Xie Xun ascended the throne, he purged a wave of officials.
Those lacking capabilities who relied solely on the shelter of their family were almost all expelled from the court by Xie Xun or placed in inconsequential positions. The current court officials were all meticulously selected by Xie Xun. He promoted his own people and also utilized talented young members from noble families. Now, because the families have started spreading rumors to attack Fengyu, Xie Xun directly sent a large group of young nobles to the Twelve Provinces, which for them, was akin to being exiled.
These promising young nobles, even if they had to be sent elsewhere, would usually go to the affluent regions of Jiangnan or Zhongzhou, rarely being assigned to the Twelve Provinces.
Xie Xun’s move undoubtedly clutched the throat of the noble families.
Zhang Boju was extremely troubled and came to discuss strategies with Lin Helin, "The Emperor’s action of ’killing a chicken to warn the monkeys’ is targeting all the young forces in the court. This group of people has been cooperating with the reforms since the new dynasty. The matter of Miss Feng San and Jiang Yang has nothing to do with them. The Emperor is using a single stick to overturn the entire boat, which is too arbitrary. Why don’t you advise him?"
"Although His Majesty is skilled in military affairs, he is very unfamiliar with governance. However, he understands the art of controlling subordinates more than we do. Look at the group of people he selected—they are all capable and outstanding young talents whom he intends to place in the Twelve Provinces for training. What kind of place is the Twelve Provinces? It is the territory hard-won by his brothers, to which they are emotionally attached. Now, the battlefield in Lanzhou has also spread to the Twelve Provinces, affecting the vitality there. The officials over there were appointed by Xie Jue and Fengyu over the past few years. I have read their performance evaluations; they are capable, but often constrained by personal ties as many officials are selected locally, leading to muddled decision-making and hampering development. They need fresh blood, and the young nobles need the experience of the Twelve Provinces. Being sheltered in the Capital City’s comforts harms their career prospects," said Lin Helin. "If they can achieve something, when they return to the Capital City in the future, they will be the pillars of the new dynasty."
"This is to train them, not to punish them?" Zhang Boju hadn’t seen this aspect of Xie Xun’s intentions.
"The Emperor should have planned this long ago and wanted to send these officials to the Twelve Provinces but couldn’t find an excuse. The noble families conspiring against the Third Miss at this moment is like offering a pillow when he was about to nap. It is both a deterrent and training. It depends on how they view it: if they are filled with resentment and unwilling to leave the Capital, or if they harbor grievances against the new Emperor, their careers will hit a ceiling. But if they can accomplish something, they will be the backbone of their family in the future." Xie Xun’s move was indeed clever and formidable; the group of young elites he selected from the noble families are the most capable. If they achieve something in the future, they will certainly be the leaders of their families, and since they are nurtured by him personally, they will undoubtedly be loyal to him.
With the transition of the new and old dynasty comes the emergence of new and old within noble families. In ten or twenty years, the new generation heads of noble families will certainly obey his commands, and the new dynasty will present a fresh outlook.
Zhang Boju realized this aspect as well, and his heart raced, "I thought the Emperor... was unfamiliar with governance, but didn’t expect such clarity of mind and thunderous methods. A general who has led troops for years actually has such imperial cunning; it truly is surprising."
"Xie Jue taught him hand-in-hand for three years. Do you think Ningzhou is truly led in military affairs by one and governance by another?" Lin Helin admired Xie Jue’s foolproof strategies wholeheartedly and never harbored any thoughts of competing for the throne with Xie Xun. Thus, he put in all his efforts to teach forth a ruler.
Xie Xun inherently possessed the breadth of mind and temperament of an emperor, needing only slight guidance to become the perfect monarch in Xie Jue’s heart.
"Bai Qing, such a monarch is not necessarily a boon for us!" Zhang Boju smiled bitterly.
Loyal ministers with talents for governing just hope for a benevolent, kind, and obedient ruler, wishing for clear governance and legislation. They do not want to see a deeply scheming, ambitious emperor. Such an emperor, if clear-sighted all his life, would be fine. However, if blinded by power, it’s easy for him to become a belligerent, obstinate tyrant.
"That’s not for us to choose either." Lin Helin replied mildly, "There’s no need to worry unnecessarily. Who knows what the future holds? The Emperor is... quite good for now."
Fengyu also knew of Xie Xun’s arrangements for young nobles, and many nobles expressed discontent. Fengyu held no less esteem in the Twelve Provinces than Xie Xun and Xie Jue, and she was the apple of Xie Xun’s eye. Since they couldn’t break through Xie Xun, they tried to please Fengyu. Recently, many ladies took the opportunity of visits to offer large amounts of jewelry and silk in ways that appealed to her.
Fengyu loved beauty and gold and silver ornaments, which was no secret in the Capital City. An exceedingly rare double-sided Su embroidery, exquisitely stitched and with soft fabric, was truly cherished by Fengyu, but she still had Su Yuejiao return it.
Despite being reluctant to accept gold, silver, and luxurious silk, Fengyu also disliked socializing and never attended any gatherings, preferring to spend her free time accompanying Xie Xun in the palace, or traveling around with Ruyi, occasionally gathering with Princess Xue Lan, making it difficult for others to find her. Hence people racked their brains trying to devise ways to approach Fengyu.
No matter if it was a family-hosted banquet or invitations from others, Fengyu declined them all.
By the end of July, several thousand Ningzhou Iron Cavalry finally arrived at the Capital City. Content orıginally comes from Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Dugu Jing also arrived in the Capital City with the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
Originally imprisoned in Ningzhou, and becoming neighbors with Prince Kang, who was a firebrand and always sought to trouble Dugu Jing, even loving to sow discord, claiming that Xie Xun imprisoned Dugu Jing in Ningzhou would surely kill him. Over the years, Dugu Jing had tempered his temperament considerably and remained unmoved, knowing clearly why he was detained in Ningzhou.
But one day, General Cui Lansong arrived to escort him from Ningzhou to the Capital City, saying that Xie Xun had ascended the throne and that he should go to the Capital City, which shocked Dugu Jing so greatly that he blurted out, "Yuwen Jing is this foolish?"