A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Everyone present was Yang Jian's confidant. As long as the matter did not involve the Wei family, they would stand firmly on Yang Jian's side.

Even if Yang Jian wanted to reform the political system, he would inevitably face enormous resistance. But looking into Yang Jian's determined eyes, they knew that he had made up his mind and it was not to be changed.

The next day, Yang Jian's imperial edict caused a great uproar in the imperial court.

The system of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers has been in place for over a thousand years. Although the titles of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers have changed over time, the system itself has never changed.

Moreover, it is clear from the descriptions of these positions that they were all designed to greatly strengthen Yang Jian's control over the court.

With the power of the prime minister divided into three parts and the responsibilities of the six ministries clearly defined, the number of officials in the entire court was significantly reduced.

Who had the most redundant officials in the imperial court?

Naturally, it's the sons and grandsons of these high-ranking officials who send their own children to the imperial court to receive a government salary and use the court's money to support their descendants. It couldn't be more appealing.

If they weren't unemployed, they would even want to send their pet dogs to the imperial court to get a government job.

While dogs don't receive this treatment, horses do.

The cost of raising a horse is quite high. Some officials would put their own horses into the warhorse corps and place them under the care of the imperial court. Whenever the court needed a horse, they would bring it back.

It's wonderful to be able to raise horses without incurring any expenses.

Now that Yang Jian is going to wipe them all out with one strike, how could they possibly be happy about it?

Are they supposed to raise their own family members?

Having become accustomed to being supported by the imperial court, how could they possibly be willing to spend their own money?

Moreover, Yang Jian has not even gained the approval of the Wei family, nor has he taken up a post in the court. Such an emperor cannot inspire their fear.

They vehemently opposed Yang Jian's policy. They initially thought that ancestral rules should not be changed, but then they realized that this was the dynasty established by Yang Jian, and there were no ancestral rules to speak of.

If ancestral rules don't work, they'll naturally find other excuses.

What system has been passed down for thousands of years? What system of sages? They found all sorts of reasons.

Finally, he even threatened Yang Jian that if he did not heed the advice and insisted on going his own way, he would surely be recorded in history as a tyrant.

Given Yang Jian's short temper, how could he possibly tolerate such words?

"I am a tyrant!"

"I've finished speaking. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system will be changed to the Four Departments and Six Ministries system. Anyone who opposes this will be executed along with their entire clan. Now, tell me, who supports this system and who opposes it?"

"Although I am a tyrant, I also have a democratic side."

Okay, so you call me a tyrant, then I admit it.

If any of you dare to oppose me again, then I'll teach you a lesson about the power of a tyrant.

When they saw that Yang Jian was serious, these officials immediately backed down.

There's no need for them to be the first to stick their necks out. If they are, Yang Jian will definitely target them. Given Yang Jian's power, they are not worthy of being the first to stick their necks out.

It's just reform, and they've accepted it.

But they won't let Yang Jian off easy either.

Immediately, a minister stepped forward and asked Yang Jian, "Your Majesty, may I ask what the outcome was of the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince's trip to Yanzhou to persuade the Prince of Yan to come out of seclusion?"

This move directly hit Yang Jian's weak spot.

Yang Jian's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He gave a soft snort before saying in a cold voice, "The Crown Prince and the Prime Minister have made a gentleman's agreement with the Prince of Yan on my behalf. As long as I can fulfill this agreement, the Prince of Yan will be willing to come to court."

"Please inform Your Majesty of the specific details of the agreement."

"We will certainly do our utmost to help Your Majesty fulfill the agreement."

The old minister, Jiang Yuan, continued.

Yang Jian pursed his lips slightly beneath the crown, and even tried his best to avoid causing trouble, otherwise he would write his name Yang Jian backwards.

"This is an agreement between me and the Prince of Yan, and it is not convenient to disclose it to outsiders."

"Your Majesty, our Great Sui Dynasty has just been established, yet the Prince of Yan has not yet come to court to assume his post. There is much discussion among the people, and if there is no reasonable explanation, it will be difficult to convince them."

"Your Majesty says you made an agreement with the Prince of Yan. Is there a written agreement? Has the Prince of Yan officially announced it to the public?"

"Even the details of the agreement are not to be revealed to the public. How can this silence the gossip of the people?"

Another minister stepped forward and echoed the old minister in front.

"How dare you!"

"What does Lord Shen mean by this? Are you implying that His Majesty is lying?!"

Su Wei couldn't stand by and watch his boss charge into battle all the time, so he stepped forward and righteously reprimanded him.

"Your humble servant dares not."

Shen Ye knelt down in a state of "trembling with fear," saying, "I am only acting from Your Majesty's perspective, considering the interests of the empire."

"Lord Su, you can go among the common people and listen to their opinions to see if I have spoken recklessly."

"If I have exaggerated, please behead me."

"Moreover, this is also for the sake of Your Majesty's and Prince Yan's reputation. Please reconsider, Your Majesty."

Yang Jian gave Shen Ye a deep look and made a lasting impression on him.

Once his throne is secure, he must kill this old bastard as soon as possible.

He slightly raised his right hand, stopping Su Wei from saying anything.

This was their disadvantage, and had nothing to do with Su Wei's talent.

"What the King of Yan was worried about was nothing more than the people of the world."

"As long as I can improve the livelihood of the people, the Prince of Yan is willing to serve as an official in the court for the sake of the people."

"This is the content of the gentleman's agreement. Is Lord Shen satisfied?"

"Your Majesty is joking. I am wholeheartedly devoted to Your Majesty and to the Great Sui Dynasty. Whether I am satisfied or not is not important. What is important is whether the people of the world are satisfied."

Shen Ye was completely unconcerned about Yang Jian's murderous intent, for he had the backing of powerful families across the land.

Even if Yang Jian was dissatisfied, what could he do?

Now that the Sui Dynasty is unstable, does it dare to turn against the powerful families of the world?

"What does Your Majesty intend to do?" Shen Ye asked.

"Minister Shen is indeed extremely loyal."

Yang Jian smiled slyly, which gave Shen Ye a bad feeling.

But he can't very well say he's disloyal, can he? Even if that's what he really thinks, he can't say it out loud.

"Your subject is naturally loyal to the Great Sui Dynasty."

"Just now, Minister Shen said he was willing to do everything in his power to help me fulfill this gentleman's promise?"

Shen Ye's bad premonition grew stronger.

But those were indeed the words he just said. Once words are spoken, they are like spilled water; they cannot be taken back just because he wants to.

"Your subject will do his utmost."

"Um."

Yang Jian grunted in response and then ignored Shen Ye, leaving him standing there.

This caused Shen Ye to struggle in his anxious heart, tormenting him without giving him any chance to escape.

"First, a population census."

"It has been 100 years since the last national census."

"Now that the world has been in chaos and a new dynasty has been established, it is only right to conduct a new census."

"It will officially begin after March, at which time anyone who secretly conceals the population will be severely punished."

Yang Jian's tone was chillingly murderous. Anyone who tried to stop him from doing these things was pushing his Sui Dynasty into a fire pit, and he would kill them.

"Minister Jiang, I entrust the task of investigating hidden households to you. I am confident that you will be able to handle this matter well."

Yang Jian looked at Jiang Yuan, who had first punctured his lungs. He had no enemies because he always avenged his enemies on the spot.

Investigating hidden households is a huge pitfall.