Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 452: State-Nurturing Strategy Enters the Capital_1
"Useless fools, a bunch of useless fools!" Emperor Jing coldly watched the ministers in the Court, his expression grim as he said, "A hundred thousand strong army, yet no match for the One Thousand Iron Wing Army."
"Your Majesty, this is not our fault. It is the Liu Kou who were too cunning," Zhang Lin stepped forward, his forehead drenched with cold sweat.
Is he planning to start settling accounts with us now?
The Imperial Guards must possess corresponding evidence, but they had refrained from acting, likely to avoid an open confrontation.
But things were different now. The Kong Clan incident had just occurred, and he couldn’t guarantee Emperor Jing wouldn’t move against his Zhang Clan.
Zhang Lin stepped out to absorb the pressure because the matter of the Liu Kou was inextricably linked to him.
If the Liu Kou hadn’t been eradicated, there wouldn’t have been an issue. However, who could have predicted that Li Zheng, the supposedly sidelined Imperial Command Envoy, could execute such a thunderous maneuver?
Being associated with Wang Linchi truly leads to a complete transformation.
"Cunning?" Emperor Jing mused.
"Or perhaps someone has been collaborating with them from the inside?" Li Zheng also stepped forward, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Previously, faced with such a matter, Li Zheng would have remained silent.
But now, things were different. He had Wang Linchi backing him, and behind Wang Linchi stood Emperor Jing. In essence, he was now advancing Wang’s cause.
Having served Emperor Jing for so many days, while he couldn’t decipher all of Emperor Jing’s thoughts, he knew when to speak and what to say.
"Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Command Envoy Li for unlawfully seizing military authority, which is inconsistent with established rites and laws! His authority as Command Envoy should be revoked, and he should be handed over to the Three Laws Department for trial!" Seeing an opportunity, someone immediately jumped out to divert the conflict.
The Imperial Guards were indeed not supposed to wield military power, but many situations allowed for exceptions.
"He returns in triumph, and you’re already preparing to execute a meritorious official? Are you that desperate to avenge your Liu Kou masters?" Emperor Jing glared at the Imperial Censor, his tone dripping with murderous intent.
This caused cold sweat to bead on the Censor’s back.
"Your Majesty, you accuse me falsely! I am speaking out of righteousness. Merits are merits, and faults are faults; they cannot cancel each other out," the Censor declared with an air of dauntless integrity, though fear gnawed at him inwardly.
"Hmph. That traitor from the Kong Clan also paraded such righteous principles. And what was the result? He exposed himself at the critical moment."
"You’re a clever one, trying to avenge your masters by framing a loyal official. A pity for you, I am no fool."
Of course, Emperor Jing knew the Censor hadn’t actually done such a thing. But if he said he had, then it had to be so.
"Guards! Drag him down and investigate thoroughly!"
As soon as his words fell, several Armored Warriors dragged the Imperial Censor away.
The Censor still wanted to speak, but he was met with several hard slaps, his face swelling so much that speaking became difficult.
If you shield others from blame, you must be prepared for the extermination of your Nine Clans.
Emperor Jing was thoroughly fed up with these Great Families, itching to get rid of them.
"Alright, let’s return to the issue of the Liu Kou. Sir Zhang, what are your thoughts?" Emperor Jing turned his gaze back to Zhang Lin.
The pressure was back on him, leaving Zhang Lin somewhat helpless. His earlier attempt had not only failed to divert Emperor Jing’s attention or change the subject, but it had also strengthened the Emperor’s resolve to deal with him.
"This subject... this subject is incompetent, which allowed the Liu Kou to grow powerful," Zhang Lin unhesitatingly took the blame upon himself.
When one’s superior demands they take the blame, refusal means death. Thus, he had no choice but to obediently accept it.
"This matter, ah, is not your fault, Sir Zhang. The Liu Kou’s origins are complex. If not for Wang’s timely appearance and decisive actions, we might not have been able to suppress them even in a hundred years." Emperor Jing addressed the matter with initial gravity, only to then ease the pressure on Zhang Lin.
However, this did not allow Zhang Lin to breathe a sigh of relief; instead, it made him even more apprehensive.
This surely meant Emperor Jing had some request; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him off so easily. Yet, at this juncture, he could only brace himself for whatever came next.
This matter definitely involved Wang Linchi; otherwise, Emperor Jing wouldn’t have brought it up.
"This is the ’State-Nurturing Strategy’ presented by Wang a few days ago. Take a look, Sir Zhang," Emperor Jing said, producing a thick memorial.
A nearby eunuch received it and then passed it to Zhang Lin.
Zhang Lin accepted it respectfully and began to read, his pace unhurried.
The more he read, the more astounded he became. The document detailed plans for developing the northern regions to bolster the nation’s strength.
Besides the need for funds, manpower, and resources, he noticed something else of crucial importance—benefits.
Benefits that everyone throughout Jing State could partake in.
And their Great Families, naturally, would also have a share.
More importantly, the risk was genuinely low, and it promised far greater returns than supporting the Liu Kou.
However, a significant problem lay before them: the cost. Wang Linchi currently only had the Hu Lu as a labor force and lacked everything else.
Thus, support from the Court and the Great Families would be necessary. The Great Families could also dispatch their own people, using this as a means to secure their share of the profits.
If they wanted benefits, they had to contribute either money or manpower. Anyone hoping to freeload without contributing would face consequences from Wang Linchi, Emperor Jing, or even other Great Families.
If everyone else contributed and you offered nothing yet expected a share, it wouldn’t be that simple. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Truly a great talent! This endeavor deserves the full support of the nation," Zhang Lin declared without hesitation.
He knew that after saying this, his Southern Zhang Clan would undoubtedly have to make a significant financial contribution. But compared to the future benefits, this was a mere trifle.
This Wang Linchi is indeed different. The previous two who aimed to revitalize Jing had implemented internal reforms that harmed the interests of the Great Families. But this Sir Wang launches external campaigns, expanding the overall benefits so everyone gets a share. It seems I must cultivate a closer relationship with him, to position Sir Wang as a buffer between us Great Families and His Majesty.
After reading the ’State-Nurturing Strategy,’ Zhang Lin’s favorable impression of Wang Linchi had vastly improved. As for contributing money and manpower?
That was not an issue at all. Those who went first would undoubtedly face hardships to establish themselves. But without establishing roots, how could they reap the benefits? To gain benefits without paying a price—he would worry such a thing was poison.
"Circulate it for all ministers to read," Emperor Jing commanded. By doing this, he was naturally paving the way for Wang Linchi.
Primarily, he could foresee that if Wang Linchi truly managed to develop the north into Dajing’s granary and pastureland, the greatest beneficiary would be his Dajing. It would also further strengthen the nation’s power. Not only could it lead to a threefold revitalization, but it might also ensure prosperity for three more generations.
It would also serve to raise the quality of his Heroic Spirit even higher.
Zhang Lin promptly passed the ’State-Nurturing Strategy’ around, naturally to the representatives of the Great Families of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes.
Smaller Great Families had no decision-making power; only these Big Aristocratic Families did.
After the Big Aristocratic Families finished reading, they all lauded it. They could, of course, discern the benefits outlined in the ’State-Nurturing Strategy.’ Therefore, serving under Wang Linchi was no loss to them.
"Since this is the consensus, let us draw up a charter today. The resources Wang requires should be transported to the north within three days," Emperor Jing stated.
"Your Majesty, three days is too long! It would be best if they could be sent by tomorrow," Zhang Lin interjected without hesitation.
Previously, parting with any resources was like tearing flesh from their bones. Today, they were scrambling to send them, terrified of being late.
"Sir Zhang is absolutely right! Moreover, we must expedite the construction of airships for transport," another official chimed in, highlighting the need for more transportation.
The north was bound to generate immense profits in the future. They will certainly need to travel to and fro, making an adequate fleet of airships essential.
After all, they would be investing their resources. It would be impossible to just provide funds without any oversight. What if someone embezzled them?
Wang Linchi might not be corrupt, but others could be.
Means of transport are indispensable.
Following this, one suggestion after another was voiced, and a comprehensive charter was quickly formulated.
These individuals were not incompetent. If they were, they wouldn’t have reached such influential positions. It was just that their talents were never pooled for a common purpose, all being squandered on internal friction.
Now, united by shared interests and a common goal, they all exerted themselves in the same direction, especially since it was for their own benefit. Naturally, their efficiency skyrocketed.
Emperor Jing was both satisfied and deeply dissatisfied by this.
He was satisfied with the smooth formulation of the charter and the swift mobilization of resources. What dissatisfied him was how these same people usually acted like incompetents, only showing their mettle during internal strife.
If not for his limited time and the problems at the start of his reign, he would have eliminated all of them.
However, the Court and the Great Families were now too deeply intertwined. Disturbing one would affect the entire structure. If he truly made a move, a host of ’righteous armies’ might rise, or a Vassal King might rebel under the pretext of ’cleansing the sovereign’s side.’
If the fundamental interests of the Great Families were threatened, they would genuinely dare to replace the emperor. Should Dajing fall into turmoil, the quality of his Heroic Spirit would likely plummet.
Thus, such a self-defeating course of action was something he could not pursue; he lacked both the capability and the audacity. His only hope lay in King Heaven Equivalent’s assistance.
