Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 513 A dark, unremarkable inkstone? That's a good idea!

The times have changed.

When Xiao Lou said those words, even he himself looked somewhat bewildered.

He first became aware of the changes of the times when he stepped into the Northwest and watched the martial arts trial in Zhengyang County.

The cooperation of the young generals, the fearlessness of the lower-ranking officers, and even the martial arts practitioners all served with all their might.

During that trial, Xiao Lou felt his passion reignite.

The young people in the Northwest did not have the impetuousness of the sons of the imperial families; instead, they were more eager for the future and for making achievements.

The second time Xiao Lou became aware of the changing times, he was still in the Northwest.

At that time, Emperor Murong Zhao of Northern Yan planned to have the Zhenxi Army and the Jubei Army join forces to attack Qin, and the momentum was overwhelming.

Even Xiao Lou, who was stationed in the northwest, felt that it would be good enough if the Qin Dynasty could escape unscathed from that battle.

As a result, the Qin Dynasty won a great victory in that battle.

It was after that battle that Xiao Lou truly began to take Zhang Yuan seriously.

Because what he saw was not just Zhang Yuan.

They are a group of people willing to fight alongside Zhang Yuan.

In the capital, he rarely saw so many young people fighting to the death.

At that time, Xiao Lou felt that the general trend of the world was changing.

Then, whether it was the auction that Yu Yuan Trading Company saw or the ascension of heaven and earth on Qing Tian Continent, Xiao Lou felt a sense of unprecedented change in the world and a feeling of pride.

In particular, the immense power of heaven and earth has enabled the Qin Dynasty to produce a great number of powerful figures, and has allowed the next generation of elites to emerge like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Military Intelligence Bureau, Spring Hunt Trial, Elite Ranking...

"More and more grandmasters need merits and status to match them."

"More and more prodigies want to gain the attention of the world by virtue of their own potential and strength."

Xiao Lou's face showed a hint of emotion as he said in a low voice, "The tide is rolling, and His Majesty is even changing the structure of the court. Do you really think that the court can't function without anyone?"

In the back hall of the Jingzhao Prefecture, the expressions of the officials changed.

They were not afraid that the emperor would actually dismiss all the officials, because the emperor also needed trusted officials to serve the court.

But they are afraid of being replaced.

As Xiao Lou said, the Great Qin has elites, strongmen, countless low-ranking officials, and countless Confucian and Taoist practitioners on Qingtian Continent.

Within the imperial city, there is no shortage of people who work for the court.

Xiao Lou glanced at everyone and spoke again: "As far as I know, His Majesty intends to have the Wenyuan Pavilion draft an edict to bestow the title of Grand Scholar upon Mo Xuan of Bailu Manor, who has recently gained considerable fame."

"There are other Confucian and Taoist practitioners who have come from Qingtianzhou to travel. His Majesty intends to recruit them into government offices and local schools, and even into the Imperial City and the Censorate. It is not impossible."

If the previous words had already shaken the hearts of everyone in the hall.

So now, this sentence is the last straw, breaking down the walls in everyone's hearts.

There are so many Confucian and Taoist practitioners on Qingtian Continent, and even some grandmasters of Confucianism and Taoism. As long as His Majesty summons them, as many people as he wants can come.

Moreover, the Confucian and Taoist practitioners on Qingtian Continent also practice combat techniques, possessing far more methods than the Confucian students on Yongtian Continent.

"Your Excellency, what... what should we do?"

"Sir, are you truly going to register all our assets?"

"My lord, compared to Cao Yue, I... my family business..."

There was a moment of chaos in the back hall.

Compared to Cao Yue, whose family's assets weren't worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of gold and silver?

If such a family fortune were truly laid bare, even if it weren't considered greed, it would still be considered greed.

Moreover, such a family fortune may not have been acquired cleanly to begin with.

"Let alone you all, even I, Xiao, am having a headache right now..."

Xiao Lou gave a wry smile, shook his head, and then sighed softly.

"It's a pity that I haven't even lived in my newly built estate outside the city for more than a few days."

He raised his hand and took out a black inkstone about the size of his palm.

There are several engravings on this inkstone. The engravings seem ordinary, but those present are all knowledgeable and can tell at a glance that they are the work of a Confucian or Taoist master. "That huge garden was replaced with this dark inkstone. Yu Yuan Trading Company, their business is really shady."

Xiao Lou said something seemingly casually, then put away the inkstone and strolled out of the back room.

In the back hall, the group looked at each other, their eyes gleaming.

A dark, unremarkable inkstone?
You can have this!

------------------

Spring Mountain Cave.

Amidst the mist, all those seated on high platforms had arrived.

Wang Anzhi, the Minister of Rites codenamed "Stone Bridge," was attending the gathering for the first time.

Not only him, but the other two Grandmasters were also participating in the gathering in the mist for the first time.

These two grandmasters were Zheng Qiaoshan, the commander of the Imperial Guard, and Zicheng Daoist, a member of the imperial family.

Zheng Qiaoshan, the commander of the Imperial Guard codenamed "Ironclad," is a military marquis. He obtained the Spring Mountain Map while the Yu Yuan Trading Company was transporting various supplies from the Northern Great Wall.

Master Zicheng became acquainted with Yu Yuan Trading Company because of his expertise in refining elixirs. He bought and sold spiritual herbs and elixirs from Yu Yuan Trading Company, and eventually obtained the scroll.

As for the scroll in Wang Anzhi's possession, it was delivered through Gong Yuzheng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Without this painting, and without the few words and messages conveyed within it, how could Wang Anzhi have dared to participate in the reform movement and the cabinet coup?

Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Rites took the lead this time, and outsiders didn't even get a whisper of it.

The real reason was that Wang Anzhi had already received the news from the inscription on the scroll in the small courtyard of Chunshan Cave.

At this moment, sitting upright in his seat, Wang Anzhi looked at the Black Tiger seat with a hint of curiosity on his face.

He had some speculations about the identity of the initiator of the Spring Mountain Grotto Gathering, but he had no concrete evidence.

Of course, he also understood that there was no need to investigate the identities of the people at the party.

Take him for example. It doesn't matter whether others know his identity or not. Here, everyone is just exchanging benefits.

In the Black Tiger's seat, Zhang Yuan's gaze swept over everyone before he spoke calmly.

"This gathering is to discuss the matter of self-examination by the officials."

"The self-examination of officials is an inevitable trend. What are your thoughts on this?"

What are your thoughts?

In the mist, the figures in each seat remained completely still.

The eldest prince, Kong Lingyun, Zuoqiu Ren, and others, who were on Qingtianzhou, were unaware of the matter and could not speak for the time being.

The Marquis of Xichang was in the eastern border region and was unaware of this matter.

Consort Qi, being a consort, rarely expressed her opinions.

As for Yu Kuizhen, he listened more and spoke less.

Zhao Yu knew this, and Zhang Yuan had already made many plans with her, but she was still at the Great Wall in the North and didn't have much ability to interfere in the matter for the time being.

Those who know about this matter are mostly observing and waiting.

The eldest prince looked up, pondered for a moment, and asked, "I wonder what the details are regarding the self-examination by the officials?"

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's question, Yu Kuizhen, who was sitting upright, smiled and said, "If Mr. Zhelong is unaware, then I will briefly explain the matter."

Yu Kuizhen was involved in the whole affair, so of course he knew the details.

He briefly recounted how the Marquis of Qingyang, who was in charge of the Imperial Guard in the capital, had instigated various factions to exert pressure, but unexpectedly, the Marquis of Qingyang broke the deadlock with a killing, ultimately prompting His Majesty to launch a self-examination among the officials.

coincidence.

Even Wang Anzhi, the Minister of Rites who was personally involved, thought it was a coincidence when he heard it.

"It's going to be very difficult for all officials to conduct a self-examination..." the First Prince murmured.

As a prince of the Great Qin Dynasty, how could he not know the state of affairs of the court officials?
Is this really detectable?

“Mr. Zhelong is mistaken.” A voice rang out from within the mist.

Stone bridge.

Minister of Rites Wang Anzhi.

(End of this chapter)