knife

Chapter 768 Lobbyist
Lotus Pond is one of the most beautiful places in this village. In the past, whenever the lotus flowers were in full bloom, a grand lotus appreciation event would be held here. Even during the years when Jiang Qian was in power, this grand event never stopped. However, last year, this elegant event was finally discontinued.

It's certainly not the season of endless green lotus leaves reaching to the sky and vibrant red lotus blossoms reflecting the sun. In the lotus pond that covers more than ten acres, only a few green shoots can be seen occasionally peeking out of the water. The lotus leaves are half-open and half-rolled, appearing somewhat lonely on the vast water surface.

The pattering raindrops splashed small ripples on the water's surface, and occasionally a koi could be seen poking its head out from beside the lotus stem, blowing a few bubbles, then flicking its tail before diving back into the deeper water.

Surprisingly, last year's withered branches and leaves still remain by the lotus pond, especially around the pavilion.

The appearance of this lotus pond is similar to that of the current Xiong Yi Mansion. It still looks magnificent and grand, but upon closer inspection, it is filled with a sense of decay and decline.

In other words, if Xiong Yi were still alive, but were to pass away, this branch of the Xiong family would have no one left who could shoulder the responsibility. In that case, they would inevitably fall into the dust and become part of the mud, just like the withered branches and fallen leaves on the shore.

The biggest headache for wealthy families is choosing a successor.

A poor choice can lead to the decline of the family, or even death and the extermination of the clan.

As the head of a family, the burden he bears is beyond what ordinary people can imagine.

And this is even more true when you look at the current situation.

In the words of Li Dachui from outside the Great Wall, this is an unprecedented upheaval in a thousand years.

The old order of powerful clans ruling the country is being overturned little by little.

Starting with He Zudao's journey to Hedong, passing through Hedong and Hexi to Luoyang, powerful families were massacred. Former noble families and generations of wealthy clans were dragged down from their high positions and trampled into the mud. The streets were filled with the bones of nobles and officials, and the gates were filled with the heads of powerful people.

Although the powerful families represented by Linghu Ye quickly formed an alliance and temporarily stabilized the situation, once a corner of the iron curtain was lifted, allowing outsiders to see the inner workings, it became impossible to conceal the whole truth.

Led by Li Dachui, the Beiting Protectorate outside the Great Wall began sweeping reforms. The power of aristocratic families was greatly curbed, and the military system and the new imperial examination system began to shine. Countless small and medium-sized landowners and merchants rose from the bottom of society to become the backbone of the Beiting Protectorate.

In a short period of time, this emerging force unified the area outside the Great Wall, destroyed the Northern Yuan, and defeated the allied forces represented by the powerful clans led by Linghu Ye at Yangguan, becoming the most powerful force in the world.

If there is anyone who has the best chance of unifying the world right now, it would be Li Dachui of the Beiting Protectorate outside the pass.

If Li Dachui wins, it means that the world is bound to enter an era of dramatic reform.

The Xiong clan was not only the royal family of Chu, but also the largest aristocratic family in Chu. As the current leader of the Xiong clan, Xiong Yi's life was naturally not easy.

Just as he told Jiang Chong, Jiang Chong was a subject who could be surrendered. If the ruler changed, he would still be Jiang Chong of Jiangling. But what about the Xiong family? When a new ruler takes the throne, will he allow the old ruler to live?
The principle is that a subject can surrender, but a ruler cannot.

Xiong Yi helped the old man slowly sit down on the wooden chair, leaning half his body against the railing. Xiong Yi turned to look at Jiang Chong: "You went to the border region, how was it there?"

"A magnificent and beautiful land!" Jiang Chong said, "What's even more moving is the vibrant spirit of the people there, full of hope and ambition. I saw many new things there." "Could you tell me about it, old man?" Xiong Yi asked curiously.

Previously, the Great Chu did not know much about the area outside the pass because the Great Qin stood in between. The area outside the pass had always been a sore point for the Great Qin, just as the southwest was a sore point for the Great Chu.

It was only after Jiang Qian came to power that she began to pay attention to the area outside the pass. Her main goal was to provide some support to the area outside the pass in order to cause trouble for the Qin state and add some problems for them. That's why officials of Zhu Chi's rank were sent to be stationed outside the pass.

The successful construction of the Maritime Silk Road later proved Jiang Qian's vision to a certain extent. This maritime trade route brought considerable profits to the Great Chu, and the rapid rise of the forces outside the pass did indeed cause dramatic changes within Qin.

In short, Jiang Qian's original plan succeeded. However, Jiang Qian did not expect that the powerful and rising Beiting Protectorate outside the pass would also include the Great Chu in its calculations.

This can be considered another form of shooting oneself in the foot!

Jiang Chong thought about it. There were so many new things outside the pass. When he went there, he was completely shocked. It was a world completely different from the one inside the pass.

"Let me tell you about a few things that concern you most as regent!" Jiang Chong organized his thoughts: "The first is that the powerful clans outside the Great Wall have basically collapsed. Under the Enfeoffment Edict, all the members of large families have the right to receive a share of the benefits from their main family. One large family has been divided into dozens or even hundreds of smaller families. It's easy to separate but difficult to reunite. Once everyone has their own interests, it's naturally impossible to reunite them. Not to mention that the local government will consciously try to form factions while attacking others."

Xiong Yi nodded silently. The foundation of the Beiting Protectorate was not the powerful clans, but the small and medium-sized landowners and the emerging commercial aristocracy.

"The recommendation system has been abolished, and the new imperial examination system selects candidates based solely on their talents, and it doesn't discriminate between men and women!" Jiang Chong continued, "Talented women can still become high-ranking officials and ride fine horses. When I went to the border this time, I was received by a female official named Tu Jiaojiao. I admired her greatly, both for her ability to manage affairs and her perspective on issues!"

"Can such unorthodox behavior be accepted by people outside the Great Wall?" Xiong Yi asked curiously from the side.

Jiang Chong smiled and said, "Ordinary people don't care whether the person in charge is male or female. They only care about whether their own interests can be guaranteed and whether they can earn more money. If a female official can make their pockets fuller, what reason do they have to object? Those who oppose women in office have never been the lowest-level people. Young Master Xiong should understand this!"

Xiong Yi paused for a moment.

"Of course, this is also related to the small population and lack of talent outside the pass. However, there are precedents for this in our Great Chu. Just look at how many people supported Jiang Qian back then!" Jiang Chong continued.

"Under the system of large medical clinics, the infant mortality rate outside the pass has been reduced by half. Under the new tax system, the burden on the people has been greatly reduced. The unprecedented supervision and auditing system has made it almost impossible for corrupt officials outside the pass to hide." Jiang Chong shook his head and said, "There are many things that I had never heard of before, but they are exerting unimaginable power at an astonishing speed on that land."

Listening to Jiang Chong's story, Xiong Yi's expression darkened even more.

"Your Excellency, please forgive my bluntness, but Li Dachui's momentum to sweep across the land is already established. Even if Linghu Ye senses the danger and wants to fight to the death, it's nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot; it's difficult to stop the overwhelming tide of the world!" Jiang Chong said frankly, "Your Excellency should make plans as soon as possible!"

"Knowing that you have come here today as a mediator, then tell me, what should the Xiong family do now?" Xiong Yi said.

(End of this chapter)