Free Web NovelChapter 1251: Chapter 1222: Specialized in Dealing with the Unyielding
Lu Yuan confidently said, "I will persuade him to stand on our side. He is always broad-minded and will surely understand us. Moreover, with Wang Dun plotting rebellion, the Wang Family is in a precarious situation, and he urgently needs to achieve something. The relationship between the Wang Family and our Jiangnan aristocracy is good, so we can bind together."
Gu Rong shook his head and said, "The Wang Family’s younger generations have been crossing the river one after another, either going to Luoyang to study or returning to Langya. Less than one-fifth remain in Jiangnan, so why would he choose you for such a small group of people?"
Just as Lu Yuan was about to speak, Gu Rong interrupted him, "Besides, Xuan Pei will not agree."
Xuan Pei is the courtesy name of Zhou Qi. Nowadays, Mrs. Zhou is the de facto leader of Jiangnan. Without his agreement, Lu Yuan’s plan cannot succeed.
Upon hearing Zhou Qi’s name, Lu Yuan became angry, "He has gained prominence at Zhao Hanzhang’s place now, and he has secured future prospects for the Zhou Family descendants, of course, he doesn’t care whether we live or die."
He Xun, who was on good terms with Zhou Qi, got up immediately after hearing this remark and left without a word, even Gu Rong couldn’t stop him.
Lu Yuan was furious seeing He Xun leave without a word, and he turned to blame Jiang Feng, who invited him, "This person was stubborn when young, and now he’s an old stubborn man. Why did you invite him here?"
Jiang Feng said helplessly, "Besides Zhou Qi, the smartest people in Jiangnan are just them. Xue Jian is holding office in Danyang, and I can’t invite Ji Zhan and Min Hong. Apart from inviting these two, who else can I invite?"
The people nearby hurriedly comforted, "Mr. Jiang makes sense. This is an important matter, and it is appropriate to invite several people to discuss. We don’t know Zhao Hanzhang’s temperament. If she doesn’t have this intention, our action would backfire, and then..."
Lu Yuan sneered, "Now that she’s in control, she might not have had it before, but she has it now. Moreover, when the arrow is on the string, it can’t be stopped just because she says so."
"If she doesn’t advance further, would the Zhao Family agree? Would her strategists be willing to let their achievements be handed over to others?"
Only if Zhao Hanzhang takes a step forward will their accomplishments be recognized, benefiting their descendants.
When she enters Luoyang, it’s just conferring official positions, but with the merits of Ji Yuan, Beigong Chun, and others, who can’t be made a marquis?
It’s simply because they all serve Zhao Hanzhang, not the monarch. Only if she advances further will them becoming marquis and benefiting descendants be more justified.
Lu Yuan was overwhelmed with excitement, his heart was boiling with enthusiasm, this was his opportunity! Unlike the Jin State ministers, Zhao Hanzhang doesn’t discriminate against the Jiangnan aristocracy. If he can achieve merit in this matter, he can certainly carve out a path for himself and for the Lu Family!
Due to Lu Jing being executed, the reputation of the Lu Family in Jiangnan has suffered greatly. The most direct impact was, before he could sell land to the government, a large number of tenant farmers withdrew, and even some servants redeemed themselves.
Oh, Zhao Hanzhang issued a new decree that almost arrived in Jiangnan simultaneously with them, stating that when servants redeem themselves, the master cannot prevent it, and the redemption fee cannot exceed three times the amount when they first sold themselves.
Moreover, redeemed servants can freely choose whether to return home or establish a new household registration. Regardless of which they choose, neither their parents, siblings, nor spouses have the right to sell their contracts again.
In Jiangbei, there’s no need to mention it. Every time a decree is issued, it’s widely publicized by the county government and schools, making it impossible to hide the news;
In Jiangnan, Wang Dao implemented the decree thoroughly, not only ordering publicity in various counties but also personally meeting them, instructing village chiefs to notify each household.
Don’t be fooled by Wang Dao being the Yangzhou Governor; in Jiangnan, it’s still the Jiangnan aristocratic families that are influential because most officials, village chiefs, and local clerks belong to their people.
After all, they’re aristocrats, they’re influential families; aren’t the so-called village chiefs and local clerks chosen among those with local influence?
In China, the clan system prevails, how many people dare not listen to the Family Head’s words? Even if there are a few, can they completely ignore the Family Head’s order?
Therefore, whether the court’s decrees are effectively conveyed still depends on the local aristocratic families, which is one of the reasons why Lu Yuan and others have always been proud.
As long as they don’t agree, Zhao Hanzhang’s governance in Jiangnan can only remain superficial, because she can currently control only up to the county magistrate.
However, Zhao Hanzhang always acts unconventionally; this is what both irritates and impresses Lu Yuan and the others about her.
Shortly after the decree arrived in Jiangnan, Wang Dun committed suicide, the Battle of Pingnan ended, leaving only cleanup work. Perhaps seeing Wang Dao’s struggles in pushing reforms, she straightforwardly ordered Yuan Li and Zu Ti to assist Wang Dao.
