Martial Arts Crossover: Starting as a member of the Imperial Guard, all the ladies are demons

"I wish to popularize education and establish four levels of academies: rural primary schools, county middle schools, state universities, and the Imperial Academy in the capital."

"Through layers of examinations, students can advance to higher levels of education or become instructors. After five years of teaching, they can apply to the government for evaluation and be selected as officials."

"This move will not only improve the knowledge of the people of Daliang, but also solve the problem of insufficient talent."

"My beloved ministers, what do you think?"

These words shocked the entire court.

Mei Changsu and Shen Zhui, who knew the situation, could only stand there dumbfounded, intending to watch the show.

The others, however, were whispering among themselves.

"Your Majesty's move is brilliant! Popularizing education is a great thing that benefits the country and its people. It will be a great achievement for the Great Liang for generations to come. With more people studying, there will be no shortage of talented people."

"I also think it's wonderful. It's a very well-developed career path, with exams for further education or becoming a teacher."

"This way we can discover even more talent. You know what, I'm actually thinking of going there myself."

"What are you going to do, mislead the young people?"

“…”

There were many supporters, because everyone could see that this move was indeed very good for the Great Liang. It not only popularized education and made people literate, but also helped to discover talented people.

Once formed, it will continuously supply the Liang court with talented individuals.

"How can this be done? Popularizing education would require a huge amount of manpower and resources."

"Yes, and the selection of officials, letting those who taught them take the positions, is just too frivolous."

“I think they are fine as instructors, but I can’t agree with the officials.”

“Which of our officials hasn’t gone through layers of selection? Why should they, as a schoolteacher, be able to apply? That’s unreasonable.”

There are also many people who disagree.

Some of them disagreed with wasting so much manpower, material resources, and financial resources, while others felt that broadening the selection of officials and making teachers into officials would affect the Liang court.

Of course, the remaining people felt that this move infringed upon their interests.

After a period of discussion in the court, someone finally stood up and spoke.

Cai Quan was the first to step forward, cupping his hands to Xiao Jingyi and saying, "Your Majesty's actions are a great achievement for generations to come. They not only demonstrate Your Majesty's virtue but also enable the poor to learn to read and write. This is a great undertaking for the prosperity of the Great Liang."

"Your Majesty, I think it's acceptable!"

Everyone was shocked to hear Cai Quan's words.

Then many people stood up and said, "I second that!"

"I second that proposal!"

Most of these people came from humble backgrounds, and they knew all too well how difficult it was to become officials. If it weren't for their ancestors having some connections, they probably wouldn't even be seen in the imperial court today.

Therefore, after understanding the deeper meaning behind Xiao Jingyi's actions, everyone agreed with him.

"Hmph! I despise sycophants like you!"

Just then, an aged voice rang out; it was none other than the current Grand Secretary, Zhang Lindao.

He enjoys immense prestige in the imperial court and is currently considered a veteran official who has served three dynasties.

He slowly walked out, leaning on his cane. After reprimanding Cai Quan and the other juniors, he bowed to Xiao Jingyi and said, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! It will likely bring chaos to the Great Liang and cause turmoil in the court!"

Zhang Lindao spoke with deep emotion and great anxiety.

Hearing his words, Xiao Jingyi remained expressionless and asked him, "Minister Zhang, is there anything wrong with my strategy? Please tell me so I can hear it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lindao coughed and said, "Your Majesty, there are three problems with this move. First, it is a waste of resources and manpower. I can understand Your Majesty's intentions, but such a large-scale project requires a huge amount of funds, which may lead to a deficit in the national treasury."

"Secondly, there is turmoil in the officialdom. Previously, the appointment of court officials was based on the recommendation and review of other officials, and they were all people whose backgrounds were known to the court. However, we do not know the teachers of the academy, nor does His Majesty. If someone with ulterior motives enters the officialdom, it may cause trouble."

"If one can become an official simply by teaching, what are the ministers who are currently serving in the court supposed to think?"

"Therefore, this old minister dares to urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

"Your Majesty, please think again!"

"Your Majesty, please think again!"

Upon seeing that the Chief Minister Zhang had taken action, those who had disagreed found their leader and reported to Xiao Jingyi together.

As he watched their words, Xiao Jingyi tapped his fingers slowly on the table without saying anything more.

Cai Quan then spoke up, "I believe the Grand Secretary's three shortcomings are indeed possible, so as long as we take precautions early, we can prevent these future troubles..."

"The Grand Secretary said, 'If we don't know anything about these people, then we'll investigate until we do.'"

"The Grand Secretary said that I'm afraid he's not capable of handling things, so let's appoint him for a while and see how he performs. If he's not up to the task, we'll send him back."

"As for the thoughts of the ministers who have come to court, I, Cai Quan, believe that His Majesty's move is the act of a sage and a great blessing to the world!"

Cai Quan refuted each of Zhang Lindao's points, refuting all the drawbacks he had just mentioned.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jingyi's eyes lit up.

As expected of my stubborn son, well done.

Zhang Lindao, who was being refuted, did not expect Cai Quan to be so eloquent, and he immediately retorted.

After that, the imperial court was like boiling water, constantly in turmoil.

One person finishes singing and another takes the stage; it's all just noise, noise, noise!

Xiao Jingyi smiled when he saw this, because he had achieved the effect he wanted.

He then said in a deep voice, "Enough! This is the imperial court. What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket!"

Seeing his anger, the crowd, who had been arguing heatedly, stopped and bowed to him to admit their mistake.

"Hmph! Look at you all! Anyone who didn't know better would think this was a vegetable market, with complaining women yelling in the street!"

Xiao Jingyi cursed, then said, "My mind is made up. The four-level five-year education plan will be implemented. If you have any objections, we will discuss them later!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Ignoring the pleas and welcoming voices behind him, Xiao Jingyi walked away with a faint smile, his hands behind his back.

He's already started the fire; now it's just a matter of seeing how brightly it burns.

After returning to the imperial study, he said calmly, "Aristocratic families, you must not disappoint me."

After that, he dealt with the memorials submitted that day, but there were an unusually large number of people who wanted to see him, but unfortunately he refused to see them all. Helpless, the officials could only write memorials frequently.

After persisting for several days, Xiao Jingyi received so many memorials that they probably filled a van.

But he didn't even look at it, and just took it to play with as a fire.

At this moment, inside Zhang Lindao's residence.

"Chief Minister Zhang, we have been offering our advice to His Majesty for several days in a row, but His Majesty won't even look at it. What should we do if this continues?"

An official spoke urgently in front of Zhang Lindao.

"Alas, I never expected His Majesty to take such measures, establishing schools and even appointing officials to them."

“This move will severely damage the interests of our aristocratic families.”

Zhang 3.9 Lin Dao also frowned at this moment, his eyes filled with solemnity.

His face darkened. "In my opinion, His Majesty is determined to establish schools this time. It's impossible for us to stop him alone. Let's contact all the relevant authorities and let them make the decision."

"I believe that His Majesty will reconsider after learning about the attitudes of each family."

"That's the only way."

"it is good."

"Alright, then I'll write a letter to the Wang family right away."

"I'll write it to the Chen family."

Upon hearing Zhang Lindao's words, everyone immediately came up with their own ideas, unaware that above them, an eye was peering out and watching them.

Moreover, this person was holding a pen and wrote down everything they said in great detail.

After they dispersed, he drifted away as well.

"Commander Mao Xiang, this is the intelligence we just gathered."

Upon hearing his subordinate's words, Mao Xiang paused for a moment, then opened the package to examine it. His expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"His Majesty's bait has been caught. You have done a good job this time, and I will speak on your behalf before His Majesty."

"Commander, these are things I should do."

The Imperial Guard quickly replied.

Seeing this, Mao Xiang didn't say anything more, and patted him on the shoulder: "You keep a close watch tonight, I'm going to see His Majesty."

"Yes!"

Mao Xiang then took the intelligence and went to the palace to report to Xiao Jingyi.

085 You're arrogant when you stir up trouble among the common people, but your fate is uncertain when you instigate officials (Bonus chapter for 2.8 accumulated flowers)

"Hehe, I thought they were going to hold out for a while."

"I didn't expect them to give up after only a few days?"

Looking at Mao Xiang's report, Xiao Jingyi shook his head and chuckled, then asked, "Mao Xiang, how many court officials today have direct connections with powerful families?"

Upon hearing this, Mao Xiang paused for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, in the capital alone, has ten people who have married into aristocratic families, and thirty-seven people have received the care of these families."

"In addition, many local officials are from prominent families. I cannot count their number, but they make up more than 30% of them."

"Thirty percent?"

Upon hearing Mao Xiang's words, Xiao Jingyi sneered: "That's too conservative."

"At least 50%!"

This is the drawback of the recommendation system: nepotism. There's some truth to that.

Some powerful families used their influence to form marriage alliances with influential figures in the court, and then used these figures to place their own family members and disciples in positions of power.

It is no exaggeration to say that some powerful families are like local emperors in their own little corner of the world.

Emperor Liang had considered weakening them before, but he couldn't withstand the pressure.

This forced him to compromise.

After all, if the powerful families fall into chaos, it will have a significant impact on the Great Liang.

"hiss!"

Upon hearing Xiao Jingyi's words, Mao Xiang gasped in shock. He felt that the methods used by aristocratic families to infiltrate the imperial court were simply too outrageous.

"Don't be surprised. This is only because the Emperor Emeritus has secretly eliminated some people over the years. Otherwise, there would be even more people."

Xiao Jingyi said.

Although the retired emperor was suspicious and ruthless, he was indeed capable of using his methods. After all, when he first became the emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty, his court was filled with powerful and influential families.

After all these years of his methods, eliminating half of them is a pretty good result.

"Your Majesty, in this operation by the Ruo family... should we capture all nine of them?"

Mao Xiang asked tentatively.

Xiao Jingyi shook his head: "If we take them all, will the imperial court still be able to function?"

It must be said that the deep-rooted influence of powerful families brought Xiao Jingyi some trouble, but not enough to give him a major headache.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If those powerful families take action this time, their primary target should be the Zhang family. I have only one request: with conclusive evidence, suppress them immediately."

Upon hearing this, Mao Xiang nodded respectfully and then asked, "Your Majesty, what if all those officials obey the powerful families?"

"How to do?"

Hearing this, Xiao Jingyi chuckled and pointed to the indictment that Mao Xiang had handed back: "I didn't send you to have them write the indictment just for show."

"If anyone is confused, then settle both the old and new scores together. I believe you, Mao Xiang, are quite adept at this."