Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 219 "The Decree of Grace" [A Strategy Spread Throughout the World]! — The First Open Scheme in History!

The main hall was eerily quiet; even the dripping of the water clock could be clearly heard.

Fine beads of sweat glistened on the foreheads of the three hundred tribute students, and the backs of their blue robes were already soaked through.

Every moment the pen hovers over the paper is like dancing on the tip of a knife—before even stepping into officialdom, he has already been swept up in this storm of suppressing regional warlords.

Gu Zhimian dug his nails deep into his palms and gritted his teeth.

Write it!

Whether he, from a humble background, can gain the court's favor depends entirely on this imperial examination.

If this time, we fail to attract the Emperor's attention.

Despite being a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), only those who achieved the highest rank in the first class of Jinshi received special treatment; the other ordinary Jinshi who achieved the third class were completely insignificant.

When the Ministry of Personnel was selecting officials, those who had passed the imperial examinations without powerful connections were arbitrarily sent to small border counties.

No one remembers these three scholars from humble backgrounds anymore.

In a decade or so, as one generation of scholars after another emerges, who will care about a marginal nobody like him?

When they returned to the capital to report on their duties in their old age, hunched over, even the clerks of the three provinces and six ministries dared to make things difficult for them.
Since we're going to gamble—

Why not take a big gamble!

At that moment, the beaded curtain on the side of the hall swayed slightly, and he could clearly see the sinister gazes of several vassal kings sweeping over the examination papers.

But Gu Zhimian straightened his back even more—what poor scholars are best at is risking their lives for their future.

He picked up his pen and wrote, "Your subject requests that the military power of the vassal states be stripped! The armies be disbanded, leaving only a thousand guards!"

On the day of the imperial examination.

Liu Chun, the top scholar of the Bashu region, stared at the bright yellow examination questions on the imperial desk, his heart pounding with shock.

Cut off the vassal! ?
He slowly exhaled, suppressing the surging passion in his blood, yet the tip of his brush still left a few ink marks on the rice paper.

"One who eats the king's food must serve the king faithfully!"

Suddenly, I remembered the Duan inkstone my father had packed in my bag when I left home, his rough knuckles stroking the inscription "Support the country" on the bottom of the inkstone.

The vermilion inscription, under the candlelight, was as vivid as bloodstains. With swift and powerful strokes, he wrote on the answer sheet: "Strong branches and weak trunks are not a blessing for the nation!"

The wolf-hair brush slammed down heavily on the two characters “削藩” (shēng fān), the ink penetrating the paper three-tenths of an inch.

The golden palace of the feudal lords and the iron chains of the imperial prison flashed past his eyes, yet he heard a clanging sound from his own bones.

The backbone of the scholars of Sichuan and Chongqing was forged from the green bamboo of Zhongnan Mountain.

He wrote the final policy essay with his wrist suspended, then suddenly chuckled, “I am a Jinshi of the Great Zhou! This official robe is not made for feudal lords.”

Beside the hall.

Prince Li Chong of Langya stood with his arms crossed, his black python robe gleaming coldly in the shadows of the palace corner.

A slight upturn of his lips, but the cold smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it froze into a line of frost.

Reduce the power of the feudal lords?

Is it that easy?
He lightly tapped the jade belt at his waist with his knuckles, his gaze sweeping across the vast mountains and rivers outside the palace—this Eastern Shengzhou was more than just the Great Zhou Kingdom.
Hundreds of thousands of mountains in the southeast, millions of miles of Gobi Desert in the northwest, and the endless seas of the East China Sea—countless barbarian tribes are eyeing us covetously!
If the feudal lords are truly driven to disloyalty and rebel, causing turmoil in the world, how could those long-dormant barbarian demons let go of this golden opportunity?
Millions of barbarian soldiers pressed in, their iron hooves trampling the border...

When that time comes, the country will be overthrown and war will rage. What will the empress use to stabilize her crumbling empire?
He glanced sideways at the princes in the hall.

"Hmph! If you really push us too far, we'll see."

"We, the feudal lords, are not lambs to the slaughter!"

The feudal lords, who were initially shocked and furious, gradually calmed down, exchanging glances and harboring sarcasm.

Ah……

Prince Li Chong of Langya sneered inwardly.

Since the Empress ascended the throne, she has repeatedly tested the waters of weakening the power of the princes, but she has never dared to truly break the ice.

Today's palace examination is probably nothing more than a show of force, a bluff to make them submit and behave themselves.

The candlelight cast a dim glow on the main hall.

Jiang Xingzhou sat upright at the desk, his white robe as white as snow, his fingertips lightly touching the questions for the palace examination, his gaze deepening.

He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh.

"Since Your Majesty wishes to reduce the power of the vassal states, ... then I, your subject, shall offer this unparalleled strategy for all time!"

He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and the wolf-hair brush hung on the paper, seemingly weighing a thousand pounds.

Finally, the brush fell, the ink sharp as a knife, and the "Edict of Grace" was written.

"I am sailing on the river, and I would like to report to your majesty:

In the past, the feudal lords of the Western Zhou Dynasty served as protectors of the Zhou royal family, using their states as the foundation. This allowed the Zhou rites and royal influence to spread from the Yellow River and Luo River regions to the four seas, and the rites and music of the Central Plains permeated the barbarian tribes.

Now that the Great Zhou Dynasty has been established, the feudal lords have devoted themselves wholeheartedly, their blood staining the mountains and rivers, thus laying the foundation for this thousand-year-old dynasty!
The current court wants to weaken the princes, weakening them again and again, first by cutting off their flesh, then by cutting off their bones, cutting them off by a foot a day and a foot a month. Wouldn't this chill the hearts of the meritorious officials of the past?
This strategy is unpopular and utterly flawed!

"minister--"

He paused, the ink deepening, each word as firm as iron: "Resolutely oppose the policy of weakening the power of regional military governors!"

The examiner, Hanlin Academician Zhao Mingcheng, paced back and forth in the hall, his gaze casually sweeping over the examination papers of the candidates.

When he reached Jiang Xingzhou's desk, he glanced at it casually, and his pupils suddenly contracted—

Has Jiang Xingzhou gone mad?!
His fingertips trembled slightly, and his heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest.

His Majesty has clearly made up his mind to reduce the power of the vassal states, and has even ordered three hundred tribute students to write a "Policy on Reducing the Power of the Vassal States" to clarify his position and force them to completely sever ties with the vassal kings.

But the young master before me is writing extensively about the achievements of the feudal lords in his splendid writings.
"Since the Western Zhou Dynasty, the feudal lords have served as a protective barrier for the Zhou royal family."

The ink on the words, still wet, stung Zhao Mingcheng's eyes.

Such blatant praise for the feudal lords and every word of praise for their contributions is no different from defying the imperial decree.

If Jiang Xingzhou is not severely punished!

How can His Majesty present himself in front of his ministers and feudal lords?

He could almost foresee the sound of the dragon inkstone shattering on the steps when His Majesty was enraged.

"I'm perfectly fine!"

Zhao Mingcheng suddenly clenched his teeth, letting out a few suppressed cold laughs.

The flaw he had been searching for so long was actually presented to him by Jiang Xingzhou himself, ruining his future career.

Today's examination paper is Jiang Xingzhou's death warrant—a stain that can never be washed away for defying the imperial decree!

The idea of ​​achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations or becoming the top scholar in the palace examination is just a pipe dream!

The candlelight inside the hall flickered suddenly.

When the great Confucian scholars and the other academicians saw the expression on Hanlin Academician Zhao Mingcheng's face, they immediately knew that there was something unusual about the article, and they gathered together without prior arrangement.

The great scholar Lu Mingde was stunned when he saw the article.

"Absurd! To actually praise the achievements of a vassal king in the imperial examination essay?!"

He uttered these words between his teeth, only to see Jiang Xingzhou's brushstrokes flowing with ink, the "Decree of Grace" already reaching the point of "the feudal lords guarding the borders and protecting the Great Zhou."

Amidst the ticking of the water clock at the corner of the palace, the ministers exchanged glances filled with turbulent emotions.

With his "Ode to the Epang Palace" [which has been passed down throughout the world] in hand, Jiang Xingzhou could still secure the top spot in the imperial examination even if his essay on the policy of weakening the feudal lords was mediocre.

He won the unprecedented honor of "six top scholars in the imperial examinations," and it seemed that he was about to create a legendary story in the imperial examinations.

The imperial examination's policy essays weren't about literary talent, but about choosing sides!

But Jiang Xingzhou's purple-tipped brush is personally severing this path to success!

He actually went so far as to cheer for the vassal kings and lavish praise on their achievements.

We will not stand on His Majesty's side!
"Does he realize that this is blatant defiance!"

An elderly scholar's Adam's apple bobbed. "The more renowned Jiang Zhenguo's literary fame grows, the more he pressures His Majesty to make a firm decision and hate him to the core!"

The second half of the sentence was swallowed up by the sudden draft through the hall.

"Jiang Huiyuan actually spoke up for us, his loyal subjects?"

Upon hearing this, all the princes in the hall were shaken.

The King of Yan felt a lump in his throat and his eyes suddenly felt hot.

Amidst the rustling sound of three hundred scholars in blue robes writing furiously, only one figure in plain clothes stood against the current, like a clear stream in a turbid world.

how many years?

Since the passing of Emperor Taizu, someone under this imperial palace has finally remembered—who built the Great Zhou's defenses with their blood and flesh when iron horses and icy rivers traversed the mountain passes?
It was these ministers, the vassal states and governors! "Heaven have mercy!"

The King of Chu gripped his tablet tightly, his hand trembling slightly. "In this Qionglin Palace, there are still people who remember the hardships we endured guarding the border and the difficulties we faced in defending the country!"

"It seems we have truly misunderstood Jiang Lang, Jiang Zhenguo!"

Prince Li Chong of Langya sighed deeply, the silver threads beneath his gilded turban swaying slightly: "The court is full of dignitaries, three hundred talents! I never imagined that it would be Jiang Zhenguo who would be the first to expose the hidden pain of us princes."

He gazed at that solitary figure, his face filled with emotion.

"My fellow princes!"

King Yue suddenly clapped his hands and said, “Back when our ancestors fought alongside our ancestor in battles on all sides, which family didn’t lose seven or eight men?”
But now, the court no longer needs us; they're discarding us like a used tool! Once the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away!

His voice suddenly became low and hoarse, filled with suppressed sobs.

He covered his face with his sleeve: "In recent years, the reduction of fiefdoms and the stripping of titles have been done by a foot a day, a foot a month! This has aroused the resentment of all the feudal lords in the world, both heaven and man!"
We are walking on thin ice, trembling with fear.

Among the officials in the court, who has ever spoken a single word of justice for us?
We have suffered so much, yet dared not speak of it. We have grievances but nowhere to voice them, so much bitterness but no one to confide in!

The kings' gazes all focused on that figure in plain clothes.

"Among the three hundred tribute students, only Jiang Xingzhou's backbone never bowed to the court."

He alone upholds justice for us, the feudal lords!

At this moment, Jiang Lang's "Decree of Grace" strategy seemed to transform into a frost-covered sword, cleaving through the gloom that had shrouded the princes for twenty years.

above the hall.

The Empress sat upright on the dragon throne, her phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, her jade fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on the armrests.

Wang Dequan, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the Emperor's expression suddenly change.

He hurriedly stepped down the jade steps, bowed and approached Jiang Xingzhou's desk, his eyes scanning the area—what exactly had this madman written that had shocked all the scholars and made the emperor's face turn cold?

Wait until you can clearly see the three characters "推恩令" (Decree of Grace) and the opening content.

He gasped sharply, his legs went weak, and he nearly stumbled.

"Oh my goodness! My little darling!"

He groaned inwardly, cold sweat pouring down his back. "Why did you have to write such praises for the vassal king? His Majesty had already intended to appoint you as the top scholar, how are we going to salvage this situation?!"

He glanced back at the throne and saw that the Empress's eyes were sharp as blades, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy, as if thunder was about to strike.

Jiang Xingzhou sat quietly before the table, seemingly oblivious to the astonishment of the officials in the hall and the ecstatic joy of the princes.

His pen moved unceasingly, the ink as sharp as iron, each character resounding:
"The benevolent extend their kindness to all; the filial piety extends its love to their parents."

Your Majesty's sagacious virtue shines forth, benefiting all people; how could you be so indifferent to the imperial clans?
Therefore, your humble servant boldly presents the "Decree of Grace"—

May Your Majesty bestow Your Heavenly Grace upon us, granting fiefdoms to the princes and kings, so that their descendants may also benefit!
All princes and their heirs, regardless of age or merit, may be enfeoffed as marquises and equally inherit the lands of commanderies and kingdoms, a hereditary system!
The fiefdoms were granted generation after generation, ensuring the blessings would last forever!
If the feudal lords disobey the imperial edict, they will be punished for "great unkindness and great unfilial piety," and the imperial court will send a royal army to punish the rebels!
"Destroy their kingdom and enfeoff their son, so that the world may know Your Majesty's benevolence, and also Your Majesty's power!"

Jiang Xingzhou finished writing the "Decree of Grace" and put down his pen.

The entire hall fell silent.

The air seemed to freeze, and even breathing felt like a transgression.

The hands of the three hundred tribute students, holding their pens, froze in mid-air.

"boom--!"

A thunderclap exploded, causing the golden bells at the corners of the palace to tremble violently.

Everyone turned around in shock, only to see outside the hall—

Dark clouds loomed over the city, and purple lightning flashed across the sky.

A surge of powerful talent rose from Jiang Xingzhou's desk, soaring into the sky like a dragon breaking through the palace gates, reaching straight to the heavens!
The Edict of Grace [A Policy Spread Throughout the Land]!

The ink strokes from the plain-clad youth's brush shimmered with a golden light on the rice paper, each character as sharp as a knife, cleaving open the centuries-old predicament of the Great Zhou's regional warlords!

"This... the 'Decree of Grace'?!"

The great Confucian scholar Lu Mingde was stunned. His ivory tablet fell to the ground with a "thud," and the renowned scholar of the time lost his composure for a moment.

The high-ranking officials from the three provinces and six ministries looked at each other, their gazes towards the sixteen-year-old boy filled not only with shock but also with a deep chill!
This child is truly a peerless prodigy!

"His Majesty's benevolence extends to all people, as well as to the imperial clan and their descendants. This...this policy is simply perfect."

Minister of Revenue Yang Sizhi's Adam's apple bobbed, but he couldn't utter the word "ruthless".

Jiang Xingzhou's "Decree of Grace" is logically sound.

It begins with the feudal lords establishing their merits and reaping the rewards. Then comes His Majesty's benevolence extending to the entire realm, and finally to the feudal lords and their descendants.

His Majesty has bestowed great favors, allowing all the princes and their descendants to share in the fruits of victory!
Every sentence speaks of the merits of the feudal lords!

Every word speaks of His Majesty's benevolence!

Who dares to say this is a treacherous scheme?
The officials in the hall felt a chill on the back of their necks.

Jiang Xingzhou was not only exceptionally talented, but his political maneuvering had also reached such a pinnacle!
"What a brilliant move to bestow favors so widely! What a clever way to extend kindness! One is never too old to learn! I've lived most of my life, and I've truly broadened my horizons!"

Minister of Rites Wei Shili sighed deeply.

This seemingly benevolent edict is actually a poison disguised as honey!

In the past, the succession of princes in feudal states was primogeniture, with other sons receiving no land. But with this decree, all sons can be granted land and titles!

Even if the eldest son of a feudal lord can suppress his other brothers, once they are exhausted by internal strife, what will they have to fight against the mighty army of the Great Zhou Dynasty?

The only sound in the hall was the dripping of the water clock.

Beside the palace, the joy on the faces of the feudal lords had not yet faded, but had turned into panic. They looked at each other, their expressions filled with despair.

Prince Li Chong of Langya stared in disbelief, then suddenly began to cough violently.

In his palace, there were twenty-three sons and over a hundred grandchildren, who constantly fought openly and secretly for the right to inherit the throne.

If this "Decree of Grace" is implemented, the other descendants will have the Great Zhou Dynasty as their backing!

If any feudal lord does not enfeoff his sons and grandsons as marquises, the imperial army will arrive!
Within the kingdoms of the feudal lords, internal strife is brewing, and war may break out overnight!

The Prince of Langya looked at Jiang Xingzhou with no hatred or anger, only deep fear.

Wang Dequan, the Director of Ceremonial Affairs, held the still-wet ink of the "Decree of Grace" with trembling hands and hurried up the jade steps.

He caught a glimpse of golden light moving across the paper out of the corner of his eye, and his heart pounded.

This policy essay, "The Edict of Grace," is clearly a groundbreaking sword!

"We respectfully request Your Majesty's judgment!"

Nangong Wan'er gently raised her fair hand, her flowing silk sleeves brushing across the dragon desk like drifting clouds.

When she presented the memorial to the Empress, she keenly noticed that the Empress's fingertips paused slightly.

"despair!"

The Empress's gilded armor tapped lightly on the dragon-patterned table, creating an invisible ripple in the deathly silent hall.

As her gaze wandered between the lines, a ripple gradually appeared in the Empress's eyes—the gleam of a tiger seeing its prey, the sharpness of a chess player spotting a decisive blow.

"This strategy [has been passed down through the world] and can be called the greatest stratagem of all time!"

The Empress's cold voice, like ice breaking in a frozen pool, stirred up ripples within the Zichen Palace.

She suddenly stood up, the twelve jade tassels clinking together with a crisp sound that was particularly jarring in the deathly silent hall.

"I was wrong."

This sigh startled all the officials in the court, causing them to hold their breath.

The Empress lightly stroked the still-wet ink on the answer sheet with her fingertips, her gilded armor reflecting the candlelight and casting a sharp streak on the paper.

"Over the years, I have been too harsh on the various vassal states, and have forgotten the great contributions they have made to my Great Zhou."

deliver an imperial order--"

Nangong Wan'er immediately brought over the jade scroll and silk, but the Empress suddenly reached out and pressed down on the imperial edict.

"No, use the gold book."

The entire hall erupted in uproar!

Golden edicts are a standard used only in the grand ceremony of Fengshan!

The Empress's gaze swept over the horrified faces of the vassal kings, a meaningful smile curving her lips: "Immediately issue an edict to all vassal kings, granting all princes and grandsons the title of Marquis, with their fiefs and estates to be inherited! All princes and grandsons shall receive the grace of the Great Zhou!"

Nangong Wan'er saw the fleeting smile on the Empress's lips and immediately understood—the game of the Great Zhou Dynasty was about to change.

(End of this chapter)