Nine Princes Struggle for the Throne: The Mad Prince

Chapter 137 The Schemes of the Eastern Qin Emperor and Qin Wu, the Compromise of the Clans, and the

After Gu Qingyue's matter was settled, there were no further disturbances at the palace banquet.

No one dared to cause trouble at such a palace banquet.

Otherwise, if the Emperor of Eastern Qin discovers this, he will definitely not have a good ending.

This emperor was no weakling; when he got ruthless, few could withstand him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to govern the entire Eastern Qin region to its current state after ascending the throne.

It's only in the last ten years that his temper has improved slightly; ten years ago, he killed quite a few court officials.

At that time, the killings were so fierce that rivers of blood flowed.

The palace banquet didn't end until midnight, and everyone went home to keep vigil.

This is also a custom in Dongqin. Every year at the end of the year, almost everyone stays up all night until dawn before resting.

Tonight is also the most lively night in Dongqin.

Time flies, and seven days have passed in the blink of an eye. The officials have also ended their holiday.

After the morning court session, Qin Wu was summoned to the imperial study by the Emperor of Eastern Qin.

"Xiao Jiu, what's the deal with that Kai Enke you mentioned before?"

"And why was Gu Qingyue granted the title of general in front of everyone at the palace banquet?"

After Qin Wu sat down, the Emperor of Eastern Qin asked him directly.

These two things have kept him up all day and night.

If it weren't for the busy year-end season, he would have summoned Qin Wu for questioning long ago.

"Enke is also a civil service examination. It is open to all students in Dongqin. It involves multiple levels of assessment, and those who remain are the talents that Dongqin needs."

"The imperial examinations did not discriminate based on social status. Even farmers and merchants could register to take the exams as long as they believed they were capable."

"..."

Qin Wu slowly revealed his entire plan.

After listening to Qin Wu's account, the Emperor of Eastern Qin couldn't help but show a look of surprise and delight.

Although scientific research could not completely escape the clan system, it gave him a lot of room for maneuver.

It is also possible to tear a hole in the clan's blockade. Once that hole is opened, it will be much easier to break through the clan's blockade.

"Good, good, good, this is a good idea. As soon as the scientific expedition begins, we will be able to break the clan's blockade. This is a great thing for our Eastern Qin."

The Emperor of Eastern Qin was overjoyed.

"It's not that simple. After we start scientific research, we also need to build academies to provide a place for people to study. Only when people have access to education can we cultivate enough talent."

"This is a long time."

Qin Wu understood very well that this matter was not so easy.

There are still many difficulties to face, and the clan will not agree to this so easily.

"I know, but this is an opportunity. If we miss this opportunity, we will be even less able to break the clan's blockade."

"Although the clans are keeping a low profile now, it's only because my royal family is powerful now. Once my royal family declines, these people will jump out. Throughout history, they have been behind the rise and fall of countless dynasties."

As he finished speaking, a murderous glint flashed in the eyes of the Eastern Qin Emperor.

It is evident that the Emperor of Eastern Qin truly harbored murderous intent towards these clans and wanted to eliminate them.

In fact, the reason why Qin Wu massacred the Southern Qi clans when he conquered Southern Qi was to prepare for this moment.

Otherwise, given time, they will unite with the Eastern Qin clan.

At that time, the clan's power will be even greater.

Therefore, even if it meant bearing the infamy, Qin Wu was determined to slaughter them all and would never give them any chance to grow stronger.

Not only the Southern Qi clan, but also the Western Zhou clan after Qin Wu conquered it.

In this way, the imperial court grew stronger, but the clans did not. With the decline of one side and the rise of the other, it became much easier to resolve the clan scourge.

"By the way, what are your plans regarding Gu Qingyue?"

The Emperor of Eastern Qin inquired.

In truth, he did not want women to serve as officials or generals.

This is contrary to etiquette and law, and could cause considerable trouble.

"Her? She's just a tool to attract the attention of the clans. I doubt those clans would agree to a woman serving as an official or general."

"They will definitely fight hard on this matter, and then start the scientific expedition."

"The imperial examinations select men. How would these clans, who place great importance on etiquette and law, make their choices?"

Qin Wu sneered.

Those clans would definitely choose to hold scientific examinations, since they believed that scholars were in their hands.

They also control important positions in the officialdom. As long as they don't relinquish power, even if those commoners enter the court as officials, they won't be able to cause any trouble.

Upon hearing Qin Wu's words, the Emperor of Eastern Qin immediately understood Qin Wu's plan.

However, this matter may actually come to fruition. If a clan wants to achieve a goal, it must make compromises.

This makes scientific research much simpler.

Moreover, what they want now is not to directly take over the clan.

They have plenty of time to play along with the clans; for now, they should focus on securing the less important positions.

Then they slowly erode the clan, and sooner or later, they will be able to destroy it.

"Alright, let's do it this way. But are you sure you want to use Gu Qingyue?"

The Emperor of Eastern Qin still looked at Qin Wu with some confusion.

"Use it? Why not use it? A genius who has reached the Grandmaster level in his twenties, if I don't use him, am I supposed to let someone else use him?"

"It was fine before she showed her talent, but now that she has, I'm afraid many people will start to have designs on her."

"Her father is only a fifth-rank official, he can't protect her."

Qin Wu didn't care at all.

For him, as long as he has the ability, he doesn't care whether it's a man or a woman.

“If you do that, you will face pressure from all the clans.”

The Emperor of Eastern Qin looked at Qin Wu and said solemnly.

"Pressure? Them? Everyone in Dongqin knows that I never do things the way they do."

"If they dare to provoke me, I won't have to slowly erode them. Once I have a reason, I'll take direct action against them. Who dares to say anything against me?"

Qin Wu said dismissively.

The domineering nature of his words was self-evident.

Qin Wu was actually hoping they would come looking for trouble. He was confident he could find something to hold against them.

There was no one Qin Wu dared not kill.

Upon hearing Qin Wu's words, the Emperor of Eastern Qin was speechless and helpless.

Qin Wu is right; in Eastern Qin, no one can really do anything to Qin Wu.

Even he couldn't do anything to Qin Wu.

After all, Qin Wu's strength and influence are undeniable, especially after conquering Southern Qi.

Qin Wu's prestige in the army reached an absolute height.

In particular, the millions of soldiers who followed Qin Wu in his campaigns have now likely become his supporters.

Furthermore, no one knows how powerful Qin Wu himself is now.

"Whatever you want! You decide what to do with it."

The Emperor of Eastern Qin could only say helplessly in the end.

He knew very well that no one could stop Qin Wu from making his decision, nor was there any need to stop him.

After all this time, Qin Wu has not done anything detrimental to Eastern Qin.

After discussing some details, the father and son returned to the palace.

The Emperor of Eastern Qin was indeed a man of action, deliberately bringing up the matter of female civil officials serving as generals in the court.

Just as they expected, clan officials immediately jumped out to oppose it.

After several morning court sessions failed to reach a conclusion, the Emperor of Eastern Qin proposed establishing an imperial examination system to select talented individuals from among the common people to serve as officials in the court.

After all, the territory of Eastern Qin has now more than doubled in size, and there is a shortage of officials.

This matter must be resolved as soon as possible.

Finally, after private discussions, the clan compromised with the Emperor of Eastern Qin, who then stopped mentioning the matter of women serving as officials or generals.

The clan agreed to hold an imperial examination to select officials from among the people.

Both sides compromised and achieved their respective goals.

However, the clans were unaware that they had been outmaneuvered by the Eastern Qin Emperor and Qin Wu.

What they wanted was never for women to serve as officials or generals in the court; what they wanted was to establish the imperial examination system and select talent from among ordinary people.

Moreover, given the current social norms, it's impossible for any woman to be willing to come out and show her face in public.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Soon, news of the imperial examination spread throughout the Eastern Qin, and the decree of the Eastern Qin emperor was also disseminated in various places.

Two months later, on March 15th, Dong Qin will hold its first imperial examination, with local governments holding provincial examinations.