Chapter 1279: Avoiding (3)

With a sigh, Li Jinghua said, “The situation is different this time. I’m afraid even His Majesty and King Rong didn’t anticipate this.”

As it was chaotic when they overthrew the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty and exterminated the bandits, there was no need to reason at the time. The courtiers had never thought of talking about etiquette and morals to the Emperor and King Rong. They only needed the army to crush them.

When they were dealing with the aristocratic families, they had just quelled the rebellion and the country had yet to stabilize. At that time, Qi Haoran’s hands were stained with too much blood, and the Emperor was a military general filled with killing intent. As long as the brothers stepped forward and showed their attitude, even if the courtiers objected in their hearts, they did not dare to express it.

Li Jinghua said in a low voice, “The policy that affects their interests the most is the cancellation of the juren and officials’ unlimited exemption from farm taxes. At that time, there were people who objected, but because the country had yet to completely stabilize, they were afraid that they would risk losing their lives in the war. King Rong and His Majesty’s iron-blooded methods were deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, which was why this policy could be successfully carried out. But now that more than ten years have passed, under His Majesty’s benevolent rule, the officials have long forgotten his and King Rong’s ferocity. They have also grown ambitious, which is why they are so bold!”

Although the regulatory reform would put officials under more scrutiny and relax the control of the commoners, when it came to harming interests, it was actually about the unlimited tax exemption for those whose titles had been abolished back then. The officials probably thought of this and that was why they objected so intensely this time.

After all, their interests had been stripped away by the Emperor bit by bit. If they agreed to the new official system whereby the officials would be subject to more supervision now, what power of discourse would they have in front of the Emperor in the future?

As a bystander who had never been directly involved, Li Jinghua could see more clearly than Qi Xiuyuan and the others.

Back then, with regards to the abolition of the exemption on land tax for scholars holding the title of juren and above, Mu Yangling was the one who proposed it while Qi Haoran was the one who presided over it. Now, the officials bore resentment towards them for both old and new grudges.

Wen Cui couldn’t help but click her tongue and say in a low voice, “But a few days ago, Her Highness the Queen Consort also mentioned the reform of the official system. Nothing happened at that time, did it?”

“That’s because Ah Ling was the one who mentioned it. No matter what, she’s still a woman, and the officials didn’t think that His Majesty would acknowledge her opinion. When the Left Prime Minister and a few ministers suggested adopting her administrative reform proposal, they also subconsciously dismissed Ah Ling, feeling that it was the Left Prime Minister and the ministers’ idea. As officials, when a proposal is raised, they can slowly argue for or against it among themselves. However, it’s different if King Rong is involved.” Li Jinghua smiled and said, “Since His Majesty has never stopped King Rong from doing what he wants to do, during this decade or so, everything he’s ever wanted to do has been accomplished.”

“From eliminating the bandits to subduing the aristocratic families, to reforming the tax system, to lifting the maritime ban, and taking back the lost territory, he has managed to accomplish everything he wanted to do. When the courtiers heard that King Rong was going to get involved, they grew afraid, so they joined forces to attack together.”

“Doesn’t that mean that Her Highness was implicated by King Rong, instead of the other way round?”

Li Jinghua said with a smile, “How can one make such a distinction for a couple? If anything, it’s a mutual implication. King Rong got involved because he wanted to stand up for Ah Ling, and Ah Ling got involved because of Little Treasure and Little Bear…”

At this point, Li Jinghua shook her head and laughed. “When one puts it that way, it’s Little Treasure and Little Bear who implicated them. As the Royal Mother, I have to bear some responsibility, too.”

“Your Majesty!”

Li Jinghua waved her hand and said, “The courtiers look down on women, so they don’t take Ah Ling’s words to heart. However, if those same words were spoken by King Rong, they felt as though they were facing a great enemy. Wen Cui, perhaps Ah Ling is right. We have to let the world hear us women’s voices so that those men won’t ignore us when they hear us speak again.”

Wen Cui was confused. Weren’t they talking about King Rong and Queen Consort Rong lying low for the time being? Why were they talking about women all of a sudden?

The corners of Li Jinghua’s mouth curled up slightly. “How about this as a condition for me to let her leave the capital?”

Mu Yangling had always been thinking about elevating the status of women. While Li Jinghua did not object to this, she did not strongly support it either, preferring to watch as a bystander. This was because as the mother of a country, there were some things that Mu Yangling could do but she could not.

However, at this moment, she wanted to do it.

Li Jinghua looked at the pedestrians rushing past on the street and felt a little panicked. It had only been a few months since she last left the palace, but she had not seen such an ordinary street scene for more than ten years.

Li Jinghua said to herself in her heart, ‘If you want to convince someone, you have to have some bargaining chips. And this is her bargaining chip.’

Mu Yangling looked at Li Jinghua in shock. She dug her ears and asked, “What did you say?”

Smiling, Li Jinghua said, “Haven’t you always wanted me to express my strong support for the girls’ schools? I’m agreeing to that now. Also, I’m agreeing to increase the number of female officials in the palace and reduce the age limit at which they can leave the palace. Those who are 23 years old can apply to leave the palace, instead of the current age limit of 25 years old. Also, I’ll try my best to set up more girls’ schools so that more women can learn to read and master a skill.”

Mu Yangling looked at her suspiciously. “You rushed out of the palace just to tell me this?”

Couldn’t she just wait for her to enter the palace tomorrow? Why did she specially leave the palace to do so?

Li Jinghua smiled and said, “Of course not. I have a request for you.”

Mu Yangling heaved a sigh of relief and said happily, “What is it? Tell me. As long as I can do it, I’ll do my best.”

“You can definitely do it.” Li Jinghua said, “Convince King Rong to leave the capital tomorrow.”

Li Jinghua told her about the Emperor and her worries. In the end, she sighed and said, “None of us expected the courtiers to have such a huge reaction, to actually completely disregard the Emperor’s superior position. His Majesty and I feel that it’s easier to dodge an open spear than to guard against a hidden arrow, so it’s better for you guys to leave.”

Mu Yangling’s expression gradually darkened. She raised her chin and said, “We’re upright. Why should we be afraid of them?”

“Why shouldn’t you be afraid?” Li Jinghua said, “If they decide to be shameless, who can compare to them? Let’s not talk about anything else. King Rong has to go out to socialize, right? After he drinks, should a respectable woman pounce on him and insist that he dishonored her innocence, ought King Rong to take her as a concubine or not?”

“If King Rong dares to say no, she can kill herself immediately. At that time, King Rong wouldn’t be able to explain himself no matter how hard he tries. No.” Li Jinghua shook her head and said, “If I were the other party, I wouldn’t let King Rong settle the matter by taking her as a concubine at all. Instead, I would have the woman rush out and accuse King Rong of raping her, after which she would commit suicide in public. At that time, regardless of whether King Rong touched her or not, in the eyes of the world, King Rong would be such a person. Even if we find evidence to prove that this is slander in the end, the other party can still say that it’s just officials covering for each other.”

Seeing Mu Yangling’s solemn expression, Li Jinghua held her hand and said, “This is just a simple scheme that only serves to ruin King Rong’s reputation. There are many more vicious and disgusting ones. I can easily come up with tons of them. Though this scheme is targeted atKing Rong, they can also come up with schemes against you and the children. How much effort will you and King Rong have to expend to guard these schemes?”

“Besides, it’s impossible to guard against it.”

Mu Yangling lowered her eyes and said, “King Rong and I already plan to leave to lie low for the time being, but setting off tomorrow is too rushed. Moreover, His Highness definitely won’t be willing…”

“Is the superficial more important or is the core more important?” Li Jinghua looked at her and said seriously, “Ah Ling, you have to think about King Rong.”

At this moment, Fan Zijin poked Qi Haoran’s head angrily and questioned, “Is pride more important than Ah Ling and the children? Even if you don’t think for yourself, think for Ah Ling and the children. You’re not afraid because you have thick skin, but what about them?”

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