Chapter 1268: Terrible Fix (2)

With a sigh, Rong Xuan said, “There is no making without breaking. After a long period of peace, corruption will easily breed in the world. We all know about these issues, but who dares to bring them up to discuss countermeasures with the officials?”

Historically, there had been times when the interests of the ruler and officials were compatible, and times when their interests were in conflict. The relationship between a ruler and the ministers was not as simple and pure as the books described.

Even for Rong Xuan, if the Emperor hadn’t treated him as well as before, and he indeed didn’t have much ambition, he would have changed long ago.

When Yan Du was invited by the Emperor to take up the position back then, he was so grateful, and he did work hard for the Emperor and Great Qi in the first few years. Alas, people changed. After being the Right Prime Minister for two years, his thoughts became complicated.

In Rong Xuan’s position, he couldn’t help but feel a little tired sometimes, after seeing so much.

If it weren’t for Qi Haoran, Fan Zijin and Mu Yangling’s unchanging attitudes towards him, and if it weren’t for the fact that he often recalled the difficult days in the north from time to time, he would probably also have changed.

It was too difficult for a ruler and minister to be united. It was better to rely on the law as Ah Ling had said. With the law to rely upon, it didn’t matter as much if the human heart was unreliable.

Qi Xiuyuan didn’t know what Rong Xuan was thinking and only said anxiously, “But she’s too direct. Can those words be said in court? I can muddle through the matter by saying that it’s the opinion of a mere woman and thus doesn’t count.”

Of course, Qi Xiuyuan knew that it was impossible for the courtiers to be on his side since everyone had their own selfish motives. Since he was guarding against them, they were naturally guarding against him too.

However, these discords and precautions could only take place in private. How could they be made public?

Who had ever openly proposed weakening the power of the ruler or preventing officials from embezzling and rebelling?

Even though it was for the good of the people, there were some things that couldn’t be said. However, Qi Xiuyuan felt that Mu Yangling was doing it on purpose this time. She was deliberately saying such things in the court to force the emperor and ministers to address the elephant in the room.

Qi Xiuyuan looked at Rong Xuan.

Having known each other for more than 20 years, with just one look, the duo understood each other’s thoughts. Rong Xuan nodded slightly and said, “I also think that Ah Ling did it on purpose.”

“Why?” Qi Xiuyuan’s beard trembled as he asked angrily, “Just to cause trouble for me?”

“It should be more than that.” Rong Xuan chuckled. “I think her main goal is still to make sure that we can’t avoid addressing it. After she brought up the topic, can we still turn a blind eye to it like before? Besides, not all the reforms she proposed go against the interests of the officials, such as the Imperial Censorate and redistricting. I think with regards to these points, it’d obtain many people’s support. And after achieving these two points, it will be much easier to implement other reforms.”

Rong Xuan paused for a moment before he continued, “As for her suggestion to prevent a tyrannical and incapable ruler, I think she mainly said that to shut the officials up.”

If even replacing the Emperor was so easy, wouldn’t that make changing the official system not such a big deal in comparison?

Qi Xiuyuan snorted. “But I think she really meant it. Otherwise, who would have thought of such a bold idea?”

Rong Xuan chuckled and said, “But I think this idea is really not bad.”

Qi Xiuyuan shot him a glare, but Rong Xuan went on, “Your Majesty, just as she and the Crown Prince said—if there’s a palace coup, the ones who stand to lose the most will be the Qi family. But if it isn’t a coup… then we’re talking about the fall of a dynasty.”

When Qi Xiuyuan thought of the lifespans of the two most recent dynasties, Great Tang and Great Zhou, he fell silent.

While Qi Xiuyuan was wondering if he should adopt Mu Yangling’s idea, Mu Yangling was overjoyed as she led the two children out of the palace.

She stroked each child’s head with each hand and said, “Tell me if anyone dares to bully you again in the future. I’ll hit back at them for you.”

Little Bear was helpless. “Mother, why are you making it sound like child’s play? When discussing political matters, conflicts in opinions are inevitable.”

“Still, personal attacks are uncalled for. I heard from the eunuch that those ministers were pointing at your nose and calling you an idiot.” Mu Yangling snorted coldly. “How are my sons like idiots? They’re clearly the idiots! What’s wrong with you being like your father? If your father was an idiot, would he have become a king?”

Little Bear immediately pouted. “Are you standing up for me or for my father?”

Little Treasure chuckled and asked Mu Yangling, “Fourth Aunt, didn’t you say that we have to take things slowly? Why did you bring up so much all at once? What if some officials in the court are anxious for quick success?”

Historically, that factor accounted for more than half the cases of failed reforms.

However, Mu Yangling said with a smile, “There are some things that I can mention, but you guys can’t. Will they be anxious for quick success? They will only slowly edge forward. Whether these changes will be implemented or not, we’ll leave it to them to argue over it.”

Seeing that Little Treasure was still frowning in confusion, she stroked his head and sighed. “I’m a woman. In their opinion, no matter how ridiculous my suggestion is, it’s just a woman’s opinion. They’ll only snort at me when I mention reforming the official system. But when you and Little Bear mention it, they’ll be on guard because no matter how young you are, you’re still men. Moreover, one of you is the Crown Prince, and the other is the heir of King Rong. Just these two reasons alone will make them extremely vigilant.”

Mu Yangling looked at the blue sky and white clouds in the sky and continued in a low voice, “Besides, I subsequently even suggested the method to replace a tyrannical ruler. This one is even more daring than the previous proposed change. They will only think that I’m talking about a myth, something as vague as suggesting that a human become the Jade Emperor up there. Just because I’m a woman, they subconsciously look down on me.”

Sensing her faint sadness, Little Treasure and Little Bear immediately went forward and said, “Mother (Fourth Aunt), we will definitely elevate the status of women in the future and make sure no one in the world looks down on you again.”

Mu Yangling pursed her lips and smiled, then patted their heads and said, “I’ll remember your words.”

The two children nodded firmly with sparkling eyes.

At this moment, Qi Xiuyuan, who was in the palace, did not know that Mu Yangling had lured his son further and further away. It was only after Little Treasure became the Emperor that Qi Xiuyuan foamed at the mouth and glared at Mu Yangling. He felt that it was a huge mistake to let Mu Yangling teach his son.

At this moment, although Qi Xiuyuan did not have this realization, he was close to foaming at the mouth. He had just sent the people from the Imperial Censorate, the Minister of Revenue, and the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs away when a few groups of old ministers came to visit before lunch.

Clearly, they were here regarding Mu Yangling’s speech today. Even the imperial clan had come.

Qi Xiuyuan’s uncle ran over energetically to seek an audience. Clearly, Mu Yangling’s words had already spread.

Qi Xiuyuan immediately felt a headache coming on. He looked at Rong Xuan and then at the food in front of him. Immediately, his grief and indignation turned into strength. He picked up his bowl and chopsticks and started eating. At the same time, he ordered, “Let them go for lunch first. After that, they can hand over their tokens and seek an audience one by one.”

Knowing that there was going to be a tough battle ahead, he tried his best to fill up his stomach.

Rong Xuan looked at the bowl in his hand for a while, wondering if it was too late for him to leave now.

Obviously, Qi Xiuyuan had never thought of letting him go. With a sigh, he said to Rong Xuan, “You’re the only one who can help me now. If only Zijin was in the capital. He’s eloquent and can take on the work of ten envoys alone.”

Rong Xuan immediately said, “Why don’t we get the Minister of Revenue to send another official to replace him? It’s a waste of talent for Zijin to go and count those stolen goods. If Your Majesty is worried that someone will pocket those things for themselves, why don’t you send an imperial censor from the Imperial Censorate? Since the Imperial Censorate is eager to reform the official system, they will definitely do their best this time.”

If Zijin came back to share the workload with him, his burden would be much lighter.

Qi Xiuyuan also lowered his head and considered the feasibility of this matter.