Iron Dynasty Chapter 1059

“Hmph, those folks are way too cocky. Right now, the Emperor is the sole figure trusted by the Empire's people. Restrict imperial power? Hand the Empire's reins to those thick-skulled, domineering nobles? Pure fantasy. Dad, no need to fret over this. Such rumors won't stir up real chaos. Academy students are all on high alert against these provocative speeches. If anyone tries to hurt the Emperor, we won't stand for it!”

Li Chengwan declared loudly.

“Spot on, Dalan. Looks like your study years weren't squandered. You grasp this issue perfectly. Our Emperor is a wise ruler. Folks judge for themselves how the Empire has thrived these years. For us, if the Emperor keeps our lives prosperous, who'd be dumb enough to push limiting his authority?” Li Laosi remarked.

“Hey, there truly exists a bunch of idiots like that. Ultimately, this stems from the Emperor's new decrees irking certain nobles, sparking all this restriction talk. They just aim to keep lording over us and strutting around.”

“Bah! In their dreams. Remember how the six prefectures' clans tried curbing the Emperor's authority and turning him into their marionette? What happened? They got utterly crushed. If this blows up, it'll end the same way,” Li Laosi spat, slamming the table hard.

Li Chengwan shuddered recalling the horrors from over a decade past. Just a kid then, the chilling vibe lingered vividly in his memory.

“Truthfully, the Emperor isn't one to hesitate. It's odd the court stays silent amid all this street chatter.” Li Chengwan frowned in confusion.

“Odd? The Emperor never rushed into purging those six prefectures' clans years ago. Everything was plotted with precision. I bet he's jotting down every agitator in his secret ledger. They prance about gleefully now, but that ledger's reckoning awaits,” Li Laosi chuckled.

Li Chengwan nodded faintly. Rising from humble roots, he knew the masses' deep respect for the Emperor, evident in the ruler's stream of people-friendly policies revealing his governing vision.

From years of political studies, he saw the Emperor building an empire rooted in commoners, ditching the outdated chain where the Son of Heaven ruled scholar-gentry, they ruled feudal lords, lords ruled officials, and officials ruled the masses.

His studies suggested the Emperor planned to pick officials straight from common stock, letting these grassroots-born leaders manage the people. Meanwhile, commoners would gain power to oversee the realm by ousting officials via assemblies.

With the initial phase underway, the next would follow soon. Yet, he believed success hinged on stripping nobles' privileges, ending their hereditary offices. No surprise the Emperor targeted nobles now—he had cause and seized the moment.

“Dad, hearing you, I’ve changed my mind about heading to Australia. I’d rather stick around Qingzhou for the spectacle. Once these ancient nobles get purged, expect another game-changing decree,” Li Chengwan grinned.

Li Laosi’s face lit up with a grin. He yearned for his son in bureaucracy. Chuckling, he replied, “Best outcome possible.”

As Li Laosi’s household burned with zeal backing imperial might, thanks to the Empire’s welfare measures, newspapers everywhere spread the policies, igniting fervor across reachable lands.

Reports from those areas swiftly arrived at Xiao Ming’s Imperial Study.

“Your Majesty, since the welfare policy dropped, support for you has soared to unprecedented heights. Local officials report folks erecting your portraits and statues for worship. Their devotion rivals the fiery Guan Gong or the Three Pure Ones.”

Inside the Imperial Study, Pang Yukun beamed.

A month flew by post-welfare announcement, with responses overwhelmingly positive.

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Ming grinned. He felt no urge to prevent the masses from acting on their own accord. For starters, it served no purpose. Moreover, their fervent personal devotion to him bolstered imperial authority, ensuring Empire subjects carried out his directives efficiently and in full. This proved crucial for an empire just beginning its growth.

Furthermore, it would serve as a key advantage when he clashed with the old nobles at last.

In the past month, welfare measures had proliferated swiftly, yet debates on curbing imperial power intensified steadily.

Facing this, Pang Yukun first pushed for seizing the agitators right away, but after weighing it, he dropped the notion.

Through detailed reports, he learned the push to limit imperial rule was far from straightforward. It was deliberate and schemed in advance.

To crush these foes completely, patience was essential, drawing on the tactic of “releasing the prey to hook a bigger catch.” He aimed to let all ill-wishers surface before unleashing a crushing strike.

Alerting them too soon would drive them underground deeper, undermining lasting order and calm.

With that in mind, he questioned, “It’s surely a boon that the people’s loyalty clings to me, but what of those who feast from my stores while scheming to shatter my pot?”

“Undercover security office agents watch them closely. Following Your Majesty’s guidance, we’ve stayed silent, amassing proof. The moment Your Majesty commands, we’ll nab these scheming traitors harboring dark intents.”

Pang Yukun grew solemn speaking of it.

After a brief halt, he went on, “Yet, my probes lately revealed something noteworthy.”

“Oh? Share it.” Xiao Ming urged.

Pang Yukun’s gaze sharpened. “Those behind this mostly resent the Empire. Many hail from old elite clans. They despise Your Majesty most. Silent before from fear, now sensing Your Majesty draws public ire, they stir restlessly.”

Xiao Ming burst into laughter at this. It held no surprise. Overthrown classes forever despise their ruiners above all.

Without question, Xiao Ming was that ruiner.

“To unite the land swiftly back then, I yielded to the mighty clans. Now this poisonous remnant lingers stubbornly. If so, spare me blame for harshness. Keep surveilling them, with Li San’s aid too. Let them rant freely this time, gauge their extremes. Meanwhile, unveil their vile natures to the people,” Xiao Ming commanded.

Pang Yukun’s eyes flashed keenly. He vowed, “Rest easy, Your Majesty, I’ll settle this impeccably and decisively.”