Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Decision to kill leads to innovation (Part 3)

Uncle Qin, who had fainted, was dragged away by the guards, and Si Cang Qing also asked all the officials who 

were kneeling on the ground to stand up.

Looking at the ministers whose expressions were all solemn, Si Cang Qing slowly stood up from his seat, looked 

down from his elevated position, and said slowly, "In the more than a year since this palace has been in the 

imperial court, this palace has discovered many issues within the court. Today's matter is not the first of its kind. 

This dam construction case is even more serious, as it concerns the national system. Although it is due to human 

reasons, the flaws in the court system cannot be excused. To prevent such incidents from happening again, we 

must address the root of the problem.”

Si Cang Qing spoke clearly and deliberately, his voice reaching the ears of all the ministers, "To rectify the 

political style, we should amend the imperial system and reform the official appointment and removal system."

"Draft an imperial edict transmitting the will of this palace. The emperor employs only the virtuous, to prevent 

fraud and favoritism, abolishing the examination and recommendation system, and adopting a merit-based 

assessment for official promotions. Originally held every three years, the examinations will now be held annually; 

the extravagant practices in the reform examinations can be simplified. The original imperial examination was 

set as a literary test to select talents for official positions; by adding a commercial examination, focusing on 

commerce and arithmetic, we can attract talents from the populace to develop our nation's commerce, enrich 

the people, and support the military.”

"In order to prevent officials from engaging in corruption, bribery, and lawlessness, separate supervisory offices 

will be established from the counties, states, and prefectures up to the six ministries. These offices will oversee 

the conduct of all officials, listen to the voices of the people, and will not be under the control of officials of the 

same rank. Superiors will supervise subordinates, and peers will supervise each other, with direct responsibility 

resting with this palace."

"Moreover, our dynasty's laws have many loopholes, which have led to numerous crimes going unpunished. 

This Palace hereby announces that the Prime Minister, the Minister of Household Affairs, and the Minister of 

Justice will jointly take responsibility. They are to summon the talents of the officials, and after thoroughly 

investigating the dam construction case, we will reestablish civil regulations, commercial laws, and criminal 

laws."

Si Cang Qing calmly announced a series of reform measures, and among the officials, some were pleased while 

others were worried.

"Your Highness, this cannot be done!" At this moment, Qi Xiangwen, the representative of the elder faction, 

suddenly knelt down, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Although the current court has many problems, 

the ancestral system of the court was established by our ancestors of Canghuan and cannot be discarded like this. 

This reform shakes the very foundation of the nation!"

"What foundation of the nation!" Si Cang Qing looked down at the several elder ministers kneeling and bowing 

in the hall, "So in your eyes, my Canghuan Kingdom has fallen to the point where it must rely on the grace of 

our ancestors to survive? A court system so corrupt, and you still call it the foundation of the nation. No wonder 

my Canghuan Kingdom has become worse under your rule!"

These elder ministers, although not as wicked and domineering as the Qin clan's relatives, are still stubborn, 

self-serving, and adept at political maneuvering, all for their own preservation... When Si Cang JueTian first 

ascended the throne, if it weren't for their indifferent bystanding, could the Qin family have been so audacious?

Thinking of this, Si Cang Qing's eyes grew even colder. 

"Your Highness, please calm down," the old ministers urged, "Your Highness is concerned about the current 

state of our Canghuan, and we are sincerely grateful. But, the ancestral system cannot be abolished!"

Back and forth, the ancestral system cannot be abolished. Si Cang Qing finally showed a hint of impatience, 

"You don't need to persuade me any further, this palace has already made the decision! The Ministry of 

Household Affairs will draft the imperial edict and announce it to the world."

"I accept the order!" Liu Yi, who had been silently observing, immediately stepped forward to receive the 

command.

Not paying any more attention to the elders kneeling there, Si Cang Qing glanced at the remaining mostly 

young and middle-aged officials and said, "In the dam construction case, many important ministers have been 

removed, and a supervisory platform has been established, urgently needing talent. Tomorrow, we will draft an 

edict for the temporary appointment and dismissal of officials in various departments. At that time, this palace 

hopes you all will diligently fulfill your duties and take care of yourselves."

"Dismiss the court!" 

"That's not acceptable!" Several old ministers, seeing that Si Cang Qing had made up his mind, cried out in 

despair, repeatedly bowing their heads, "Your Highness, Your Highness, the ancestral system cannot be 

abolished, we are truly worried..."

Si Cang Qing stopped in his tracks, silently observing the several ministers, a hint of violence suddenly rising 

in his heart. "Since you are so worried, you should turn a blind eye and a deaf ear and let your hearts be at ease. 

This palace hereby grants you permission to retire and return to your hometown!" 

With a flick of his sleeve, Si Cang Qing left the Canglong Hall without looking back. 

"Your Highness..."

With a hint of irony, Si Cang Qing walked briskly, faintly hearing the cries of the old ministers—what they called 

the court system was merely a means to openly and legitimately maintain the interests of certain groups through 

legalized procedures. These ministers resisted reform simply because it threatened their vested interests. Even he 

himself, in reforming the court system, was not doing it for any political purpose.

"Master," seeing Si Cang Qing's slightly darkened expression, Feng Lan called out softly. Noticing that there was 

no one around, he hesitated for a moment, then gently reached out and held his hand, "Don't worry."

Not to mention those old ministers who have already become useless, even the Qin family, which originally 

held half of the court, was not also dismantled by Si Cang Qing?

The pace slowed slightly as Si Cang Qing turned his head to look at Feng Lan, his expression softening. "I'm not 

worried, just a bit annoyed." Since returning to the capital a few days ago, he had been tirelessly investigating the 

dam construction case, swiftly taking down the officials involved. Today, due to this case and matters of reform, 

the morning court session dragged on for too long, inevitably making him somewhat fatigued. Then, being stirred 

up by those old officials who rely on their seniority, he couldn't help but feel impatient.

"Now that most of the Qin family's clinging forces have been eliminated, the master can have a good rest." 

Feng Lan's words were filled with heartache. He could see Si Cang Qing's hard work in the past few days. 

Although he had many capable subordinates, eliminating the Qin family was not a common task. Although 

Si Cang Qing was confident, he still needed to be cautious and meticulous, personally arranging and handling 

many matters. In the court, being disturbed by those people, Si Cang Qing, who already disliked noise, couldn't 

help but feel uncomfortable.

"Not a problem." Si Cang Qing's emotional fluctuations were minimal to begin with. After saying a few words 

to Feng Lan, he quickly regained his composure, grasped Feng Lan's hand tightly, and regardless of the fact that 

this was the palace, they walked away together.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

The night is falling.

In the Tianzi private room of Qiushuang Wan Tower, the largest restaurant in the capital, a few people were 

sizing each other up. 

At first, Si Cang Qing simply introduced Liu Yi, Mo Zhiyan, and others to Qiu Ping Tian, then fell silent, quietly 

savoring fragrant tea, seemingly lost in thought.

"Your Highness, you... plan to let me serve in the Ministry of Revenue?"  After exchanging pleasantries 

with Liu Yi and the others, Qiu Ping Tian looked at Si Cang Qing with some surprise. The arrangement he saw 

that day was not like this.

"Just temporarily," Si Cang Qing explained lightly, "to help you get familiar with the court." Now that the reforms 

have just begun, the first step is to eliminate the old problems; it's not yet time to implement some new policies.

"This year, the imperial examination will be held temporarily. Liu Yi and the Prime Minister will be responsible 

for selecting general officials. Fourteen, you will promote some judicial officers based on the needs of the 

Ministry of Justice," Si Cang Qing said, looking at Qiu Ping Tian. "As for the newly established commercial 

examination, you will be in charge of the main examination in secret."

After the reforms, what was urgently needed was talent. Although he had already replaced quite a few court 

officials over the past year, that could only ensure a temporary stability in the court during this reform, and 

could not meet the needs of the state affairs. Therefore, he announced an annual imperial examination.

When the court officials are sufficient and there is an abundance of talent in a year or two, we can gradually 

raise the conditions for the imperial examination, tighten the examination procedures, and select even more 

outstanding individuals.

"Your Highness, don't worry," several people nodded.

Liu Yi had a faint smile on his face, revealing a hint of delight. This time, he was genuinely happy. Since entering 

the court to serve as an official, the actions of those officials and the accumulated corruption in the court had 

caused him great pain. He had long had ideas for reform, and most of the younger officials later supported him, 

which is why he was so highly regarded.Unfortunately, the emperor's attitude had always been vague and 

ambiguous, so his many proposals were of no use.

"Since everything is going smoothly," Qiu Ping Tian smiled slightly and raised his cup, "Qiu will use tea instead 

of wine to wish His Highness the success of his new policy, complete merits and benefits, and benefit the 

 people."

"Um."

Here, Liu Yi seemed somewhat distracted, pondering for a moment, then looked at Si Cang Qing with a hint of 

doubt in his eyes, "Your Highness's new policies have won the hearts of the people and will surely be embraced 

by the masses. Without the Qin family, no one could obstruct them. But there is one thing I don't understand..."

Where are the 300,000 elite troops under Qin Nandong's command?

Speaking of this, Qiu Ping Tian was also somewhat curious. The news of the Crown Prince's anger and the 

dismissal of the important minister had already spread everywhere today. He also asked, "Why let that Uncle 

Qin go back? Isn't this like letting the tiger return to the mountain?" Even if his salary was docked and he was 

punished, it didn't mean that Qin Gaoli would stop causing trouble from now on.

"Qin Gaoli," Si Cang Qing said word by word, "This palace is just forcing him."

That Qin Gaoli, cunning and treacherous, although many serious cases are linked to him, unfortunately, no 

evidence can be caught. Even if something related to the Qin family is found, it can only be traced back to 

Qin Nandong. It seems that the old fox has considered all the possible scenarios. The Qin family couldn't 

escape their involvement, so he pushed all the blame onto his brother and sister, the empress. Even though those 

who committed serious crimes could implicate their entire clan, he was, after all, a royal relative. How could this 

rule apply to him!

The only option is to force him. Until now, according to the actions of Qin Gaoli and his sister who conspired 

to harm the crown prince back then, the current situation is enough to drive him mad!

Seeing Qiu Ping Tian's confused look, Feng Lan briefly explained Si Cang Qing’s calculations for him, 

"Although he committed the early cases personally, they were so old that no conclusive evidence could be found; 

and for the later cases, all through the hands of his younger brother.”

Suddenly, Qiu Pingtian snorted, "What a good brother!" Qin Nandong deserved it, even his eldest brother and 

father plotted against him.

"In other words," Liu Yi also understood, "His Highness has already controlled three hundred thousand troops?" 

But how did he conquer those armies? Why didn't he hear even a hint of rumors?

Now Liu Yi and Qiu Ping Tian are considered confidants, and the plan has reached its final moment. Si Cang 

Qing did not hide it, and talked about a bloody tragedy casually, “In a few days, the court will posthumously 

honor General Gao Fei of the Southern Expedition as the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness."

"What do you mean?" Everyone was stunned.

“One month ago, bandits were roaming around in the south of Tianshan Mountain, disrupting people's livelihood, 

and the people were complaining. General of Southern Expedition Gao Fei, feeling sorry for his suffering, led his 

3,000 elite guardsmen to suppress the bandits. However, on his way back to the camp in victory, heavy rains in 

the rainy season caused the rocks to become unstable. As the army passed by, a sudden mudslide occurred. 

Southern Expedition General Gao Fei, his lieutenants and three thousand elite soldiers were all killed! "

Si Cang Qing's nonchalant words left everyone shaken.

On the spot, Liu Yi slammed the table and stood up, "Your Highness, you... you mean..."

Slightly displeased by Liu Yi's accusatory tone, Feng Lan replied on his behalf, "To prevent the 300,000 troops 

from being exploited by the Qin family and causing a rebellion, His Highness has decided to remove the 

General of the Southern Expedition and his personal guards." Without the general and the three thousand elite 

guards who vowed to follow him to the death, the morale of the other soldiers was shattered. After all, most of 

them had families and loved ones to worry about, and it was impossible for them to rebel just because the Qin 

family had fallen. They could only obey the court's new arrangements.

"You..." The thoughts in his heart were confirmed, and Liu Yi's face was full of indignation. "Your Highness, 

how can you treat lives so carelessly! Those soldiers are all heroes of our Canghuan, and they are innocent 

people. How can you, how can you..."

Furious, the usually aloof and composed Minister Liu had completely lost his demeanor and bluntly reproached, 

"Your Highness, how can you do this for a political scheme..."

Si Cang Qing merely faced Liu Yi's accusations with indifference, offering no explanation. "This matter is settled, 

no need to discuss it further. Liu Yi, you just need to handle the subsequent tasks according to the new policy."

"Your Highness!" Liu Yi glared angrily, "Can such a new policy, built on the blood of countless innocent people, 

still be carried out?"

Those three thousand soldiers, having left their homes and endured hardships at the border to protect the peace 

of the nation, have now all died in vain for a political maneuver! This new policy is not what he hoped for!

Si Cang Qing finally faced Liu Yi's anger, paused for a moment, and then coldly said, "Everything you do has a 

price. If you don't let go, you won't gain anything!"

"Ha..." Liu Yi gave a sorrowful smile, "You really are willing to part with it, Your Highness!"

With a change in tone, almost gently, he said, "Your Highness, you are busy with state affairs, and this minister 

should not cause any more trouble, so I will take my leave!"

Liu Yi brushed his sleeve and left.

Previous  Next page  Next