Thief Emperor

Chapter 668 The One Who Stands Out
It is already mid-February, and the weather in places like Jinling has gradually become warmer.

Xue Shou, Xu Kun and other officials appointed to Jingxiang this year have basically gone to Jingxiang to take up their posts, and Li Yun's own rectification of his status and the reform of the internal political system of Jiangdong have basically come to an end.

At this point, internal affairs had basically been settled, so naturally, the only things left for Li Yun to deal with were external affairs.

Du Qian poured a cup of tea for Li Yun, then smiled and said, "You have now ascended to the throne and are the ruler of Wu. You have many elite soldiers and generals under your command. Why don't you let a few generals give it a try first? If nothing is achieved in one or two years, it won't be too late for you to lead the troops yourself."

In the past, Li Yun had great power but a low position. Now that he has ascended to the throne of King Wu, even if he conferred the title upon himself, at least in name, he has an honorable position.

According to the ideas of traditional scholar-officials such as Du Qian, people of high status should not easily leave the capital.

Li Yun lowered his head to drink tea and said calmly: "In ancient times, there were few founders who did not personally command the army. I need to go and conquer the place myself."

He smiled and said, "Only what I take down can be considered mine."

"I understand what Brother Du means, but there is no need to say more about this matter. Jiangdong is our rear area now. If the Central Plains is surveyed, the Central Plains will be the rear area. At that time, not only me, but also Brother Du and the current Jinling court will most likely move to the Central Plains to help me build the Central Plains rear area."

Du Qian understood and said softly, "It seems that the capital that the superior has in mind is not Jinling."

"The Taoist priest at Chaotian Temple said that the royal aura of Jinling has leaked out."

Li Yun said with a smile: "Not for long."

"But let's use it for now. It's still uncertain whether we can conquer the Central Plains. There's no point in talking about this now. If we really conquer it, we can discuss it again."

At this point, he smiled and said, "Jinling will at least be a secondary capital in the future. After all, I still have a lot of property here."

Du Qian smiled silently. He sat next to Li Yun, thought about it seriously, and then said, "The most urgent things now are the imperial examinations mentioned by the superiors. The Jiangdong state system has been established, and now there are five more states, Jingxiang and Xiangyang. There are many more vacancies all of a sudden. Maybe even a few more imperial examinations may not be able to fill the vacancies."

Li Yun just thought about it and said, "Officials do not necessarily have to be selected from the imperial examinations. If there are clerks who do their job well, they can be promoted as officials."

Du Qian's expression changed immediately when he heard this.

"The upper position, this..."

Since the Wu Zhou period, officials and clerks have been clearly distinguished.

Only through certain fixed channels, such as recommendation, imperial examination, or personal promotion by the emperor, could one become an official.

The first two are conventional methods, while the latter is very special.

This system essentially cuts off the upward channels for grassroots officials, leaving clerks to be clerks and officials to be officials.

No matter how well an official works, it is extremely difficult for him to become an official in his lifetime. Even if it is not a high-ranking official, it is difficult to become an official of the ninth rank.

This situation became even more obvious in another world after the imperial examination system was perfected. It was extremely difficult to become an official without merit.

And if, as Li Yun said, this barrier to promotion is broken, then wouldn't all the books read by Du Qian and others be in vain?
Seeing that Du Qian looked a little strange, Li Yun understood his idea. After drinking tea again, he said slowly, "Brother Du, put aside your identity as a scholar and aristocrat, tell me what's in your heart. Is it right to break the barriers between officials?"

Du Qian remained silent and said nothing.

Li Yun sighed and said, "I have told Brother Du many times before that I value achievements. All policies are good policies as long as they can produce results and achievements."

Du Qian also exhaled a breath of foul air and whispered: "I... agree with the opinion of the superior, but only use this method before the founding of the country to survive this special period."

His attitude was very clear. During this special period, this special method could be used to fill official vacancies, but if Li Yun established a country and changed the dynasty in the future, this policy would not be able to continue.

One still has to rely on his achievements in imperial examinations to get an official position.

Li Yun thought about it, then smiled and said, "Okay, let's try it for a few years and see."

Promoting the imperial examination system was originally one of Li Yun's goals. As for the barriers between officials, their continued existence was actually a good thing for the ruling class.

After this topic came to an end, Li Yun brought up the issue of eunuchs again. Du Qian certainly supported the eunuch system without hesitation, so Li Yun did not say much and tacitly agreed to the matter.

In the next few days, Li Yun often stayed with Du Qian and Yao Zhong, dealing with some matters within Jiangdong that required his help, and preparing for his upcoming expedition to the Central Plains.

At this time, Pei Huang, who had been ill in Wenxi for several months, was finally invited by the people of the Imperial City Bureau all the way into Guanzhong and to the capital.

At this time, the whole capital city was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns.

Because today is a big day, Princess Xunyang is getting married to Liang Wen, the Duke of Ru, who is twice her age. The Duke of Ru's mansion is also overjoyed and uses the highest standards to marry the little princess of the previous emperor, the younger sister of the current emperor.

Just when the city was bustling with activity, Pei Huang, dressed in a gray robe, was brought all the way to the Chongde Hall. He soon met the Emperor. Pei Huang knelt on both knees and kowtowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, I am Pei Huang."

The Emperor put down the red brush in his hand and looked up at Pei Huang. He was startled at the sight. He stood up quickly and walked to Pei Huang in two or three steps. Looking at Pei Huang, whose hair was already half white, he said in a lost voice, "Why is Sanlang like this?"

Pei Huang's hair had turned mostly white and his face was full of wrinkles. He looked ten years older than the last time they met!
Pei Huang looked up at the emperor, then lowered his head again, and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, I... have a serious illness."

"The doctor said that he was injured and his vitality was damaged. He has not recovered yet, so... that's why he looks a little old."

The two men are almost the same age, Pei Huang is even one or two years younger, and is only in his thirties now.

His Majesty the Emperor helped Pei Huang up and put him on a chair, and sighed, "I wonder how distressed the Queen must be to see you like this."

Pei Huang took a deep breath and bowed his head, saying, "I... don't dare to see the Queen again."

His Majesty the Emperor looked up at the palace servants in Chongde Hall and waved his hand: "Everyone, leave."

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Soon, they were the only two people left in the palace. The emperor sat next to Pei Huang, pulled his sleeve, and asked, "Is Sanlang sad?"

Pei Huang was silent for a long time, then lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, today's situation makes people feel hopeless."

"Your Majesty should have known about the matter of Li Hao in Hedong."

Pei Huang looked up at the emperor and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, few of the governors in various places are loyal to the court anymore."

"Moreover, after what happened last year, no one will be on the side of the imperial court anymore, and no one will trust the imperial court anymore."

"I know, I know..."

The emperor's face was expressionless, and he said slowly: "If it weren't for this, Liang Wen wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous."

"Have you heard about his affairs?"

Pei Huang shook his head: "I have been recuperating in my hometown of Wenxi for some time, and I know nothing about the outside world. I only met Liang Wen and married Princess Xunyang when I entered the city today."

The emperor narrowed his eyes and snorted, "This scoundrel, I will settle accounts with him sooner or later."

The emperor briefly recounted the incident. After listening to it, Pei Huang's expression became even gloomier. He lowered his head and remained silent again. Then he said, "Your Majesty, we should make some plans."

"What else can I plan?"

His Majesty the Emperor took a deep breath, clenched his fist and said, "Li Yun from the southeast proclaimed himself king in Jinling a few days ago. I heard that he made the whole city shine. Now everyone in the southeast believes that he is the true emperor."

"It's totally treasonous!"

His Majesty the Emperor gnashed his teeth and said, "But the imperial court is still unable to do anything to him. With the precedent of Li the thief, I'm afraid that many local governors and local forces across the country will follow his example. It won't be long before the whole country is in chaos."

"If the world becomes chaotic again, this thief Li will be the biggest sinner!"

After cursing for a long time, His Majesty finally vented his anger, then looked up at Pei Huang and sighed: "Now, every moment, I feel powerless in my heart. The country's fortune is declining, the country's fortune is declining."

"I have tried everything I can, but it's all in vain, all in vain..."

Pei Huang said silently: "Your Majesty, if various places compete to be kings, as long as they do not attack Guanzhong, the court will turn a blind eye. If there are any who are beneficial to the court, the court can also make them kings and recognize their thrones."

"This way, we can still barely maintain it and wait for the right opportunity."

Pei Huang paused and continued, "If this doesn't work, then we have no choice but to retreat to Shuzhong, close the gates to Shuzhong, and plan for the future."

"Not urgent."

The emperor did not respond, but just looked out of the palace and said in a muffled voice: "Let's see if the person who stands out will be beaten to death by people."

(End of this chapter)