Free Web NovelChapter 1239: Chapter 1216: Deep Jealousy
Zhao Hanzhang was unexpectedly gentle, and everyone felt her goodwill. She talked about the promotion paths the aristocratic families wanted; she opened up ways for the lesser nobility to enter officialdom; and she also provided support conditions for impoverished and declining families who wished to revive their clans...
By the end of the banquet, she had appointed Lu Heng as Imperial Censor, Jiang Family Master Jiang Feng as Imperial College Doctor, and several other talents she had selected through examination, either employing them directly as officials or admitting them as Imperial Academy students for further study.
Those who were attentive realized that the chosen students came from Jiangnan aristocratic families, lesser nobility, and remnants, including both aristocratic and impoverished backgrounds, and even two students were from common backgrounds.
The clever ones immediately understood that Zhao Hanzhang did not particularly favor any one side; she preferred balance, even considering those of common backgrounds.
Although opportunities were being divided, wasn’t this a chance for them too?
With this thought, everyone’s spirits immediately changed, their complexion glowing, eyes bright, and morale high.
King Langya sat to the side, watching in a daze. He had only seen such high spirits when he first employed the Jiangnan aristocracy, but it quickly faded due to the significant conflict between Jiangbei and Jiangnan aristocratic families, leading to inevitable clashes. Every time, no matter which side he judged to lose, neither was very happy.
This fighting spirit slowly dissipated, leaving only mutual vigilance and resentment.
King Langya gripped the wine cup in his hand tightly and spoke faster than he thought, "Great General, I have a talent to recommend."
"Oh?" Zhao Hanzhang leaned in with interest, "Who might it be?"
King Langya regretted it as soon as he spoke, but Zhao Hanzhang looked at him keenly, and everyone else looked over too. He could only say, "My chief secretary, Diao Xie."
The aristocrats, including Zhou Qi, all looked sullen, even Wang Dao was momentarily stunned and cast an unreadable glance at King Langya.
Diao Xie himself was also taken aback, but he quickly reacted, immediately standing to salute King Langya, looking somewhat sadly at him, "Great King, are you going to abandon me?"
Zhou Qi, sitting nearby, sneered and walked over to look up at the plum tree, no longer looking at them.
Jiang Feng and Lu Yuan also turned their heads away, clearly showing they were not welcoming of Diao Xie.
Wang Dao did not leave his seat, but he lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Zhao Hanzhang, as always, was not influenced by Zhou Qi and others, her attitude unchanged. She asked Diao Xie, "Mr. Diao, having spent many years in Jiangnan, you must have insights into its governance. What different perspectives do you have on the recent deliberations?"
Diao Xie had calculated how to showcase his talents to Zhao Hanzhang before coming. He was not pleased that King Langya publicly recommended him.
When King Langya returned to Luoyang, his future was already limited to certain confines. He either had to follow King Langya to his downfall, or find another path.
If it were the former, he wouldn’t have attended this banquet. It was precisely because he wanted to seek an opportunity with Zhao Hanzhang that he came.
Since he was here, he did not want to follow the path of King Langya anymore. Otherwise, entering the court, no matter how he maneuvered, he would be marked with the label of King Langya, which was not good for him.
Now was not the right time.
Although it was not the right time, he couldn’t just let it slip by. So after a brief thought, Diao Xie said, "Yes, Great General has a new order, that the people settling after the war can have land equally distributed. Although there is much land in Jiangnan, ordinary people holding land are very few, and even those who do, the amount is not much."
"But they are not naturally without land; they were deceived and lost it to treacherous individuals. Currently, most of Jiangnan’s land is in the hands of dozens of families led by the Zhou, Lu, Jiang, Zhu, and Zhang families. The remaining millions have to depend on these families to survive, so I urge the Great General to reclaim the land of Jiangnan and redistribute it."
Zhou Qi and others were already accustomed to Diao Xie’s audacity and shamelessness, but even now they couldn’t help but be so angry that their heads seemed to steam.
Lu Yuan, having the most explosive temper, immediately charged at Diao Xie, raising his foot to kick him, "Shameless scoundrel, my family’s land and property were all left by the ancestors. Why should they be redistributed by you?"
Diao Xie sneered, "Left by your ancestors? Your Lu Family took advantage of heavy taxation and military service to force the sale of land, forcibly seizing sixty qing of land outside Jiangning County. Is this also left by your ancestors?"
"You are a petty person, always judging others by your own petty standards. What forced sale? I saw the people’s hardship and their inability to pay taxes, so I kindly lent them money and grain. But in your mouth, even the best deeds turn into bad ones."
