The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 77: Change of Words

Chapter 77: Change of Words

“Just call me by my name.”

Xu Lang’s words piqued Xu Ying’s curiosity. She set down the memorial and took the list, her eyes immediately landing on Liu Xu’s name. She craned her neck so abruptly it seemed her eyeballs might pop out of their sockets.

“Liu Xu… what is he doing?” Xu Ying stammered in disbelief, pointing at Liu Xu’s name as she looked up at Xu Lang.

Suppressing a laugh, Xu Lang said, “The minister is pledging his allegiance to Your Majesty. Have you seen Minister Liu’s sincerity?”

Xu Ying slammed the list on the table, fury rising within her. “This is absurd!”

“This examination was specially established for students from humble backgrounds. If they come, won’t they just take spots from others?” Noticing her own agitation, Xu Ying took a breath to calm herself and explained to Xu Lang.

Xu Lang’s smile faded as he pondered for a moment before seriously analyzing: “Your Majesty, this is an excellent opportunity to weaken the old faction. The Hall of Gathered Talents ultimately belongs to you. By first incorporating part of the old faction into it, we can divide their power, making them suspicious and accusatory toward each other. With Liu Xu as their leader, the old faction will collapse on its own, and the court will be filled entirely with your loyal ministers.”

There was some logic to it, but if Liu Xu and other important ministers actually passed the exam, wouldn’t this indirectly abolish the position of chancellor and establish a cabinet instead!

Xu Ying nearly fainted at the thought. Seeing Xu Lang’s expectant expression, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She drew a sharp breath and, after much deliberation, found a compromise.

“Very well. This year, select thirty individuals. Among them, twenty-five should be recruited from those without official positions, and five from those holding official posts.”

This way, they wouldn’t take the original spots, making it convenient for officials to form cliques upon entry, while ordinary students without positions would have to seek opportunities to train from the grassroots level. This would easily ignite conflicts within the Hall of Gathered Talents.

Perfect plan.

Xu Lang nodded thoughtfully. “Your Majesty truly has insight.”

Xu Ying forced a dry laugh, silently praying that officials in the court wouldn’t be foolish enough to follow Liu Xu in taking the Hall of Gathered Talents exam. There was no future in itno matter how hard they worked to pass, she wouldn’t promote them. It simply wasn’t worth it.

The next day during court, the investigation results of Yu Weiwen’s case were reported to Xu Ying. The Minister of the Court of Revision stated: “Your Majesty, the investigation confirms that Yu Weiwen conspired with Feng Ci and Sun Zhuo to murder Qin Mu, abused power for personal gain, and drove salt merchants to their deaths. The evidence is conclusive, with both witnesses and physical proof available. We await your judgment.”

Yu Weiwen was the chancellor’s nephew, and Sun Zhuo was the emperor’s close minister. The Minister of the Court of Revision dared not offend either, so he left the sentencing to Xu Ying.

Xu Ying said, “Judge according to the law. The legal statutes clearly outline the proceduresthere’s no need to consult me further.”

The Minister of the Court of Revision broke out in a cold sweat. Determining the appropriate severity was truly an art.

If the sentence was too lenient, outsiders would accuse him of currying favor with the emperor. If it was too harsh, aside from whether Sun Zhuo would hold a grudge and seek revenge later, what if it displeased the emperor, who might find an excuse to banish him from the capital?

Although the emperor said to handle it according to the law, actually doing so might earn his hidden resentment.

The Minister of the Court of Revision retreated, pondering how to impose a sentence that would satisfy both public opinion and the emperor.

After that interlude, Xu Ying informed the court officials about the adjustments to the Winter Examination. Officials with ranks were also allowed to register, but their scores would be ranked separately, with only five slots available. There would be no promotions or salary increasesjust the additional title of Hall of Gathered Talents Official. She wanted to see how many fools would actually take the exam.

As soon as Xu Ying finished speaking, the hall immediately buzzed with whispered discussions.

At that moment, Zhang Yu stepped out from the ranks and spoke up: “Your Majesty, I have heard that you refused the Imperial Bedchamber and plan to assign the rear palace bedchambers to the Hall of Gathered Talents officials for residence. Is this not somewhat inappropriate? A separate traveling palace should be built for Your Majesty instead.”

Xu Ying replied, “That is indeed the case, but there is no need to build a resting palace for me. I won’t be staying there for long, and it would only waste resources and burden the people. I have grown accustomed to the large estate on Duckweed Street. Moreover, only by living on Duckweed Street can I constantly remind myself not to forget my original intentions.”

“Additionally, I know many scholars come from families of modest means. They travel thousands of miles to Youzhou for the examinations, and after finally passing, they still have to worry about housing. With property prices continuously rising, I fear it won’t be long before even their entire salaries won’t be enough to rent a simple thatched hut. I have no intention of taking consorts. Rather than leaving the buildings constructed by the Ministry of Works vacant, it is better to put them to use, serving their intended purpose and solving practical problems.”

The court officials’ attention was drawn to Xu Ying’s latter remarks. Your Majesty, are you only considering the Winter Examination? What about the Spring Examination? Think of us minor officials who relocated from Chang’anwe are also struggling with housing issues!

Meanwhile, Xu Lang caught a hint of something unusual. His right eyelid twitched, and a sense of foreboding arose. What did she mean by “not staying for long”? Was she planning to return to Chang’an? Or go somewhere else…

After the court session concluded, Xu Lang tentatively asked in a casual tone, “Your Majesty, what were the original intentions you mentioned in court today?””

As they walked back to Duckweed Street, Xu Ying, caught off guard by the sudden question, answered offhandedly, “My original intention was not to become emperor, I suppose.”

Hearing this, Xu Lang thought of what Xu Ying usually cared about most and felt a surge of respect. “Your Majesty, do you mean that you do not see yourself as a ruler governing subjects, but as the master of all people?”

Xu Ying did not view herself as a monarch ruling over officials but as a leader constantly concerned with the welfare of the masses.

Xu Ying’s pupils shook in surprise. How could she interpret it that way?

“Ahem, what I meant was… I’m just an ordinary person like everyone else, utterly unremarkable, without the talents and strategies of previous emperors. There’s no need to hold me in such high regard.”

The maids and guards nearby were deeply moved, thinking the Emperor was being excessively humble.

Receiving their reverent gazes, Xu Ying realized she would only make things worse the more she explained. It suddenly dawned on her why no one had attempted a rebellionthe concept of social hierarchy was deeply ingrained.

In everyone’s eyes, she was the legitimate emperor, recognized by heaven and ascending through proper procedures. As long as she didn’t push people to absolute desperation, they could endure almost anything because she was the master of Great Jin. The entire nation was her private property; she could dispose of anyone or anything at will. That was the emperor’s prerogative. Even if someone was dissatisfied, they might complain a little but could never stop her.

Xu Ying finally understood: the root of why no one opposed her lay in the fact that most people had no intention of rebelling. As long as life was tolerable, they accepted her as emperor. Anyone who disrupted their stable lives would be seen as a treacherous rebel.

However, fostering a rebellious consciousness first requires eliminating hierarchical notions. Changing mindsets is the most difficult task, and she couldn’t act like protagonists in early transmigration novels, declaring to everyone in a feudal society that all are equal and then happily becoming sisters.

As long as the emperor exists and the feudal system remains, such oppressive inequality cannot be eradicated.

Xu Ying slapped her forehead in realizationshe needed to gradually blur the lines of hierarchy and cultivate dragon-slayers. Though it would take a long time, there was no alternative. Who knows, someone might soon catch on and send her home with a single stab.

Xu Ying solemnly told Xu Lang, “From now on, have everyone stop calling me ‘Your Majesty.’ They can address me by my name or use ‘everyone.’ Reserve ‘Your Majesty’ only for grand occasions like the Heaven Worship Ceremony.”

First, narrow the distance verbally and blur distinctions, then take it slow from there.

Xu Lang stared intently at Xu Ying, admiration brimming in the corners of his eyes and brows. While others were eager to proclaim their status to the world, Xu Ying was willing to lower her position to show respect and recruit talent.

With a ruler like this, why worry about capable individuals not flocking to her?

Xu Lang gladly agreed.

The Grand Secretariat promptly drafted an edict. When it reached Liu Xu, his feelings were mixed. It was a pity that Xu Ying was a woman, but after his regret, he couldn’t help overturning his earlier thoughts. Even as a woman, she had ascended the throne and infuriated him to the brink of deaththere was no need for him to pity her.

At the same time, Liu Xu recalled something and felt a twinge of relief. The Crown Prince had a bad temper and was easily swayed by biased advice, making him an unsuitable heir.

As for Prince Qi, he had talent but lacked virtue. Arrogant about his abilities, he couldn’t tolerate the worthy and showed no benevolence. Launching an uprising during the Heaven Worship and Rain Prayer Ceremony, with his maternal clan’s support, risked nurturing a future threat.

Among the unenfeoffed princes, only the Fifth Prince was somewhat presentable. Unfortunately, his mother was merely a palace maid with poor character, disliked by the late emperor, and he was likely destined to be sent off to a fief.

Liu Xu shook his head, snapped out of his thoughts, signed his opinion, and officially issued the edict.

Local governments put up notices, beating gongs and drums to summon the people and announce three matters: First, officials could now participate in the Winter Examination, with five additional slots reserved for them. However, officials would not be ranked alongside commoners but would compete with other candidates holding official ranks. Second, the inner court would convert former consorts’ palaces into residences for the Hall of Gathered Talents, providing free lodging for its officials. Third, the form of address for the ruler was changed. Henceforth, except during major events like the Heaven Worship Ceremony, she could be referred to as “everyone,” representing the populace. Officials were also instructed to cease using “Your Majesty” or “Sovereign” in memorials, uniformly adopting “everyone” instead.

After the official finished reading, the curious crowd pressed forward, even those illiterate eager to see what the notice looked like.

“Her Majesty truly has skillful ways of winning people over,” remarked a white-bearded old man outside the crowd, hearing discussions all around.

The plump old man beside him corrected, “Ah, Brother Dengyun, we can’t call her ‘Your Majesty’ anymore. It’s ‘everyone’ now.”

Li Dengyun shook his head and said, “Who would have thought? The Crown Prince guarded against everything, yet the ultimate victor turned out to be a young woman.”

After speaking, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Is that any way for a teacher to talk?”

Li Dengyun bristled, his beard twitching as he sternly replied, “She doesn’t acknowledge me as her teacher. Don’t speak nonsense.”

The old fat man knew Li Dengyun held a grudge in his heart. Back then, Li Dengyun had only served as the Crown Prince’s Tutor for half a month before being dismissed from his post. In a fit of anger, he retreated into the deep mountains and old forests to cultivate the Dao.

After painstakingly finding Li Dengyun, the latter refused to leave his dilapidated thatched cottage no matter what. Whenever the “mundane world” outside was mentioned, he would cover his ears and refuse to listen. If not for the chance remark that the Crown Prince had passed away and the new emperor was governing well, Li Dengyun would still be holed up in the mountain forests.

Author’s Note:

Revision: Originally felt it inappropriate to directly use names, so opted for more intimate address by seniority, but it caused controversy, so never mind. Already revised again.

The person Liu Xu lamented over has already become emperor.

[Unofficial History Early Know] The Mystery of the Harem of the Eternal Emperor: Could Emperor Jin Zhao have been bisexual?

As is well known, historical records make no mention of Emperor Jin Zhao’s consorts. It is suspected that figures like Gao Yun and Zhang Keqian were actually the emperor’s concubines. Evidence lies in their residence in the Hall of Gathered Talents behind the Hall of Deliberations, which, by convention, typically served as the emperor’s harem. Thus, it is highly likely they were all favored consorts of Emperor Zhao.

Want to know more about the unknown side of Emperor Jin Zhao? Click to follow me in the author’s column. Unofficial History Early Knowsee you next time.

1L: =_= Has the OP never read a book? Doesn’t even know about the Hall of Gathered Talents ministers, and calls it a harem…

2L: Why drag Emperor Zhao into a harem discussion? Don’t understand why people keep making up nonsense, and others believe it. Anyone who’s read history knows it’s clearly written: Emperor Zhao had no interest in beauty, his heart belonged only to the realm.

3L: Spreading rumors and slandering Emperor Jin Zhaoyou’re done for. Better delete this post.

4L: Reported.

5L: Please spare our Sixth Lady. It was an act of benevolence, yet she gets framed like this. Because the Winter Examination was specifically designed for impoverished scholars, covering even their travel and food expenses, a problem arose: after passing, they lacked sufficient funds for lodging. So Sixth Lady offered the vacant consorts’ palaces for them to live in, renaming all consorts’ palaces as the Hall of Gathered Talents. Later, all the ministers we know rose through the Winter Examination to reside in the Hall of Gathered Talents, contributing greatly to the Great Jin. Hence, they are called Hall of Gathered Talents ministers, not Sixth Lady’s consorts.