NCCnovel Chapter 5515 Sea Kingdom
Chapter 5515 Sea Kingdom
Chapter 5515 Sea Kingdom
For many people, becoming an official is a very simple thing. With family connections and social skills, as long as they are tactful and don't act out of line, they can thrive in the officialdom. They may not become famous ministers or pillars of the empire, but they can easily get promoted, make money, and protect their families.
However, suddenly, the originally simple matter of becoming an official became complicated, leaving these people at a loss.
Aside from the fact that titles could be passed down through generations, entering officialdom no longer relied on court recommendations or official appointments. Past contributions and qualifications could only grant descendants the qualification to enter the Imperial Academy through hereditary privilege without taking an exam, but ultimately they still had to pass the imperial examination.
Even the son of a prime minister cannot become an official if he cannot pass the imperial examination!
For millennia, subjects like mathematics and law, which were once considered inferior, have suddenly become "national talents." Students who pass the exams in these subjects are sought after by the government, prefectures, and counties. Especially in the burgeoning wave of infrastructure construction, they are gradually taking on important responsibilities, and their level of importance has begun to surpass that of Confucian scholars who only know the Four Books and Five Classics.
The central government has been constantly introducing various laws and regulations. Some past "customs" and "personal relationships" are no longer applicable. Everything is now subject to rules and regulations, and there are clearly defined punishment systems for any violations.
The court was filled with insults and attacks, causing an uproar.
Several Confucian scholars attempted to petition the emperor at Chengtian Gate, shouting, "This Legalist tyranny abandons benevolence and righteousness and values deceit and force. Those who use force to feign benevolence become hegemons, and hegemons must be powerful states; those who practice virtue and benevolence become kings, and kings do not need to be powerful." They further angrily denounced, "If the punishments are strict but the customs are corrupt, then the people will not return to us," and "They are blinded by the law and do not know the virtuous."
Some even cried out, “The law does not teach people propriety, but relies on the law to govern… This leads people to avoid crimes without shame, which is why punishments are so numerous. Legalists only regard rewards and punishments as the guiding principles of the world, but do not know that propriety and righteousness are the defenses of people’s hearts, which ultimately led to the calamity of the Qin Dynasty’s rapid demise.”
Hasty and chaotic, boiling and turbulent.
Even so, His Majesty merely issued an order to expel these Confucian scholars.
Renowned Confucian scholars remained silent on the matter, court officials turned a deaf ear, and powerful families restrained their children, leading to a growing call for "laws to follow and the rule of law in governing the country."
In fact, everyone knows the drawbacks of "ruling the country with virtue". However, in the era of supreme imperial power, all rewards and punishments were based on the emperor's personal whims. The so-called "the prince is subject to the same law as the commoner" was just empty talk. The emperor was unwilling to restrain his power and placed himself above the law, wielding the power of life and death over all the people. How could the law be fair?
The ruling class could only transfer the pressure from imperial power to the common people in order to achieve ideological balance: since my life and fortune depend on the emperor's whims, then the lives and fortunes of the common people should also depend on my whims.
For the most powerful and privileged individuals, they no longer need such privileges. What they urgently need are rules built on a stable framework—rules that even the emperor cannot arbitrarily deprive them of their wealth, status, and family inheritance.
The concept of "rule of law" naturally emerged.
Of course, the imperial power could not tolerate the implementation of such rules. If you do not break the law, or cannot prove that you have broken the law, then I am powerless and helpless against you.
But now imperial power is restricted, and the emperor sits in the Taiji Palace, roaring in anger, yet he is helpless.
Ultimately, imperial power has never been absolute; it is subject to checks and balances, and compromises are necessary.
*****
In the Fang family today, Wu Meiniang, as a concubine, is ranked above Princess Gaoyang and Princess Changle, making her the undisputed third most important figure. After visiting Fang Xuanling and giving gifts to Fang Jun, most high-ranking officials and noble families who come to present New Year's gifts will also visit Wu Meiniang in the west courtyard of the Fang residence.
Today, the "Dongda Tang Trading Company," which once organized aristocratic families, nobles, and members of the imperial family to conduct maritime trade and earn huge profits, has long since developed into an astonishing behemoth.
They almost monopolized more than half of the Tang Dynasty's import and export trade, were able to mobilize and gather all the goods of the Tang Dynasty, and could sell their goods to all maritime countries. Their close relationship with the Royal Navy was enough to ensure that the "business" could travel freely on the ocean. Even when a foreign country or tribe refused entry to Tang Dynasty goods, they could instruct the Royal Navy to crack down on it and force open its doors, making it a dumping ground for Tang Dynasty goods.
In particular, the strong support of the "business company" for the development of Liaodong made people realize just how amazing the power of this behemoth was. Countless tools, grains, money, and manpower were organized by the "business company" and transported to Liaodong, allowing the vigorous development to proceed smoothly.
What if such power were used to support a country, or even to establish a country?
What if such power were used to support a war?
Even those noble families and powerful clans who initially invested in the "business" with the intention of making a fortune never imagined that one day it would give rise to such a massive and incredibly powerful ship.
While there is a risk of self-destruction when a giant ship fires its cannons, it can seize more benefits when it is fully focused on external forces.
No one wanted to jump off this ship; they only wanted to tie all their wealth to it as ballast, making the ship sail more steadily and farther, taking everyone to roam the oceans and the seven seas, and plunder overseas wealth.
Now, Wu Meiniang, Fang Jun's concubine, is the helmsman of this giant ship.
One by one, noble and powerful patriarchs "condescended" to visit Wu Meiniang. No one flaunted their status in front of her, and no one felt it was inappropriate for a concubine to show her face in public. When one's status, power, and even the strength one wields reach a certain level, any status is nothing more than external clothing and decoration, not worth mentioning.
Wu Zetian had already tasted the sweetness of power, so she naturally wouldn't lose herself in the flattery and sycophancy of these people. When they needed to board your ship to set sail and seize profits, they would give you enough respect even if you were just a concubine. But once they no longer needed you, or even replaced you, they would not hesitate to kick you into the mud and throw you into the dust.
We need to leverage the power of royal families, nobles, and powerful clans to build the sails and decks of the "business" ship, but we can't let them eat too much. When people are well-fed and clothed, they start to think about other things and become insatiable.
In this respect, Wu Zetian had ample talent.
Even though she was just a woman and a concubine, she was not intimidated at all when facing these powerful and influential figures. With gentle words and laughter, she agreed on the money, influence, and corresponding shares that each family would continue to invest.
However, this was by no means fair treatment. For those who only had money but could not provide the corresponding resources, or who had many criticisms of Fang Jun's policies in the court, the proceeds were liquidated, their shares were returned, and they were kicked out.
At present, no matter how powerful the "business" is, it is still dependent on Fang Jun's power. With Fang Jun as the pillar that stands firm, the "business" will be smooth sailing and invincible. But once Fang Jun falls, the "business" will be divided up in an instant.
Wu Zetian's ambition was to build the "business" into an unsinkable behemoth, a "kingdom" that would not depend on anyone in the future, and would exist without a territory, yet remain firmly in existence.
……
As dusk fell, the visitors gradually dispersed.
After dinner, Fang Jun sat with his wives and concubines in the flower hall, drinking tea and chatting. Meanwhile, the children, dressed in cotton-padded clothes and holding incense sticks, lit firecrackers and ran around playing in the courtyard outside the flower hall.
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and looked at Wu Meiniang, saying, "Since I have entrusted the 'business' to you, how to operate it and how to plan it are entirely up to you. There is no need for any other concerns. As long as we follow your development strategy for the 'business,' you can be even more aggressive. I will protect you. Just go ahead and do your thing without worrying about the thoughts and opinions of some people."
Why is starting a business easier than maintaining it?
When starting a business, everyone gives their all, works together as one, and is determined to succeed or die trying. However, once they succeed, conflicts arise because the distribution of benefits is always difficult to reconcile.
Human desires are insatiable, and there will always be someone who feels they are being taken advantage of.
Wu Meiniang's pretty face was flushed, and her expression was slightly excited. With her eyes full of charm and a coquettish smile, she said, "Don't worry, my lord, they're just a bunch of chickens and dogs. I can handle them."
Fang Jun glanced at her expression and nodded, saying, "It's good that you know what you're doing."
Some people are born to do great things.
In the past few days, Wu Zetian has been receiving numerous members of the imperial family, nobles, and powerful clans, leaving her with almost no free time. Not only did she have to attend meetings, but she also had to carefully consider her words, try to understand their intentions, and weigh the pros and cons. Her mind was constantly in motion, which was extremely exhausting.
As a result, Wu Zetian is not exhausted or weary at all; on the contrary, she is full of energy and radiant.
What are the essential qualities that all those who have achieved something throughout history possess?
Whether it is wisdom or bravery.
But energy is the most important thing. Without the energy to work day and night and manage countless affairs, it is absolutely impossible to accomplish great things.
Princess Gaoyang held Wu Meiniang's hand and couldn't help but say, "Although I've asked you many times, I still don't understand why you care so much about these matters. Just thinking about those mundane affairs and scheming gives me a headache."
Wu Meiniang smiled brightly: "I have no choice. If I can't work hard to build up a family fortune to support myself, what if Your Highness sells me off one day?"
Xiao Shuer, Jin Shengman, and Qiao'er all laughed, and even Chang Le smiled.
Princess Gaoyang snorted and pouted, "Who doesn't know that Lady Wu is the apple of Fang Erlang's eye, spoiled rotten? If I were to betray you, I'd probably be sent back to the palace with a letter of divorce!"
Wu Meiniang smiled and glanced at her husband beside her, saying with a smile, "If we're talking about the most precious thing in one's heart, Your Highness is probably the most precious one."
Fang Jun, who was drinking tea, felt several gazes directed at him, and immediately felt a great sense of crisis, his hair standing on end.
Danger!