The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 1300 - 484: Palace Intrigue or Rebellion (Part 21)_2

And his fame, too, followed his footsteps, spreading from north to south, from east to west.

By the time he returned to the Capital City in his thirties, he was already a renowned intellectual across the land.

His personal fame had already surpassed his identity as a noble son.

He had become the target chased by scholars, the idol of the literati.

Empress Dowager He made great efforts to invite him out of seclusion to serve as the Director of Bowen Academy.

Of course, Wang Shijiu played a very important role in this.

The Famous Scholar Wang did not marry and had no children; he adored his niece, the Nineteenth Lady, most dearly.

So, when Wang Shijiu approached him, expressing his political ambitions and explaining the significance of Bowen Academy, Wang Liulang agreed.

Wang Liulang was very famous; people remembered him only as a scholar, almost forgetting he was a son of the Langya Wang Family.

However, the old foxes in the court would not forget.

Wasn’t Wang Liulang becoming the Director of Bowen Academy a sign that the noble families, represented by the Wang Family, strongly supported Bowen Academy?

Further, could it be inferred that Empress Dowager He had allied with the noble families?!

Not only did the courtiers harbor such suspicions, but the increasingly paranoid and suspicious Emperor Yongcheng also sensed a threat.

Ha! I knew it, my good mother acts like she’s retreating, but in reality, it’s just retreat as a strategy.

Deceptive appearances, did Father Emperor ever—

Emperor Yongcheng clenched his teeth, suppressing the blasphemous suspicion.

But he could not quell the anger in his chest.

Noble families!

Empress Dowager He!!

These were what the late Emperor despised deeply, and as a filial son filled with admiration for his father, Emperor Yongcheng naturally intended to carry on his father’s legacy.

The first fire he lit was aimed at the salt policy, as a declaration of war against the noble families.

No, he was not just an impulsive young man involved in a mere clash of tempers; he was cutting off the supply.

Why could the noble families recruit guests and win hearts? Wasn’t it because they were wealthy enough?

Having money is the hallmark of a noble family; without it, it’s just pretentiousness.

And these families were so wealthy because they monopolized too many resources.

Salt fields, mines, fertile lands... these should belong to the court.

Even if privately owned, they should be paying sufficient taxes.

However, noble families specialized in concealing lands and households, massively encroaching on the government’s interests.

During the late Emperor’s time, there was a severe crackdown on concealed lands, re-registering and sorting out the fields nationwide at the beginning of the dynasty.

But decrees were one thing, local implementation was still riddled with loopholes.

For example, those noble families and powerful clans were like local lords, and even court-appointed officials didn’t dare provoke them too much.

The late Emperor’s reforms, tinkered for several years, had little effect.

The late Emperor finally realized the root of the problem — the noble families!

As long as this vast interest group existed, the Emperor could not truly control the entire realm.

So, the late Emperor began to intensify the division and suppression of noble families and even introduced policies for selecting officials through examinations.

Unfortunately, he died too early, and these plans were only just beginning, never fully implemented.

Emperor Yongcheng thought of these things, clenched his fist tightly, and silently vowed in his heart: "Father Emperor, rest assured, the endeavors you didn’t complete, I will finish!"

Not just the salt policy, but the official selection system, too, must be reformed!

Emperor Yongcheng was filled with ambition and high fighting spirit.

Although the first proposal for salt policy reform met with opposition from the entire court of civil and military officials,

Emperor Yongcheng insisted firmly, displaying the "Kingly Aura" an emperor should have, forcefully stating: "Reform! It must be reformed!"

The courtiers: ...

Their gazes at Emperor Yongcheng lacked the awe due to a monarch, but carried a faint helplessness and sorrow — where did this brat come from?

Did he really think the Imperial court is child’s play?

You are the Emperor; whatever you say, the courtiers have to execute?

Tsk, keep dreaming, for dreams are where all is possible.

Grumbling secretly in their hearts, the courtiers couldn’t speak out, lowering their heads as if intimidated by Emperor Yongcheng’s "Kingly Aura."

In reality, they feared if they didn’t hold back, they might burst into laughter.

Still, Wang Yuan and a few other big shots managed to maintain composure, not only avoiding any hint of embarrassment but also appearing deeply serious, nodding from time to time, as if genuinely absorbing Emperor Yongcheng’s decrees.

Just then, Duke An stepped out with a proposal: "I propose to re-register the salt fields and set standards for saltwater!"