At this moment, Emperor Jingwu's eyes were gleaming as he looked at Zhang Jian, and after a brief thought, he spoke calmly.
"Sir, you have great talent, and I believe you can see the predicament of our dynasty. Although Daqian is a vast nation with abundant resources, more than ninety percent of the wealth is in the hands of the noble families across the land. Meanwhile, the common people have lost their lands and live in destitution, causing occasional rebellions aiming to overthrow the court. Consequently, the court must frequently open the treasury to quell these uprisings, resulting in a continuous cycle where the national strength never increases, and the poverty of the people remains unchanged. The noble families, on the other hand, grow more powerful by the day. I ask you, sir, how can I reverse such a trend and transform Daqian entirely?"
He immediately posed a significant challenge to Zhang Jian.
This was akin to a bombshell.
Answering poorly could lead to major trouble.
If it were an ordinary minister, this question could mean a death sentence.
Zhang Jian pondered, considering the intentions of this Emperor Jingwu.
Actually, Zhang Jian had thought about this issue and had several solutions in mind, but each solution would incur significant backlash.
Moreover, the Zhang Family was also part of the noble race, and it seemed unreasonable to betray its own class.
However, if the Daqian Court could preemptively deal with or even weaken the noble families, it would benefit the Zhang Family's future power.
The risk would be borne by Daqian, and the Zhang Family could reap the benefits afterward.
Thoughts flashed in his mind.
Zhang Jian contemplated for a moment before replying.
"Your Majesty, noble families are the foundation of the court, and any sudden move against them may lead to great disaster. Please consider carefully before deciding!"
Emperor Jingwu gazed at Zhang Jian and spoke in a deep voice.
"Mr. Zhang, it's just the three of us here; you can speak freely. I assure you as the Emperor, our conversation today will not reach the ears of a fourth person!"
"Please, sir, guide me!"
Zhang Jian glanced at Emperor Jingwu, thinking to himself that he didn't fully believe his promise.
Zhang Jian still responded:
"Your Majesty, the way to govern the country is first to follow the example of the predecessors and reform current laws. The main issue facing the court is the severe consolidation of land, leading to wealth drain and the impoverishment of the nation. 'When things reach an extreme, they change. When they change, they pass through!'
The harm of land consolidation to the court is self-evident, not just because all wealth flows into the hands of the noble families, but because they have manpower, wealth, and sometimes even the court doesn't dare easily oppose them.
Another issue is taxation. How many tenant households have been concealed by the noble families, becoming unregistered, leading to a sharp decrease in court tax revenue and wealth.
In fact, suppressing the noble families does not seem difficult to Zhang Jian.
Now that the imperial examination system is well-established.
The monopoly of knowledge by noble families has been broken. By utilizing this, the court can shift the contradiction between old noble families and new lower-class gentry, eventually dismantling the noble families' power by granting some military authority to officers from the lower class.
As for solving land consolidation, this is the most difficult.
But the ancestors provided precedents.
That is to tax not by headcount but by the acreage of the land, regardless of who owns it or what privileges they have, establishing a taxation system based on the fertility of each acre of land.
Once the national treasury is filled and the troops are trained, the court can target who they want.
Zhang Jian briefly outlined the idea of linking people to acreage taxes, and Emperor Jingwu's eyes immediately lit up.
As for specific measures, the Zhang Family refused to give further answers, citing their focus on studies and lack of local affairs knowledge.
Zhang Jian guided Emperor Jingwu towards this idea but did not advocate for it.
The enormous backlash could be borne only by the court, no one else.
"Besides, Your Majesty may consider revising the Clan Chronicles to bolster the influence of the royal surname. If the royal surname can become the national surname through the revision, it would certainly elevate the Daqian Royal Family!"
"These words truly resonate with me!"
Emperor Jingwu's eyes reflected a smile.
He looked at Zhang Jian, pleased and delighted, as Zhang Jian's suggestions were like a timely rain. He was not a monarch ignorant of local affairs; on the contrary, he was adept in them and could clearly see the advantages of these suggestions.
Each aimed directly at the core of the issues.
Emperor Jingwu kept Zhang Jian until after lunch before finally letting him go.
After Zhang Jian left, Emperor Jingwu habitually turned to Chao Mu, asking the opinion of his close attendant.
"Great Companion, what do you think of Scholar Zhang's words?"
Chao Mu, having listened closely beside them, replied: "Your Majesty, Scholar Zhang's plan is like using poison to control poison. However, it carries great risks; levying a land tax would require confronting the noble families, and Your Majesty must use an iron hand to suppress local powers, but the time is not yet ripe!"
"Moreover, there's the matter of investigating unregistered households and false registrations, which involves the foundations of many noble families..."
Chao Mu's expression was solemn, indicating that while the method was good, it should not be rushed.
Else it could lead to catastrophic disaster.
Emperor Jingwu understood the stakes involved and nodded gently in agreement.
Soon after, however, an edict was issued, promoting Zhang Jian, for his meritorious teaching and exceptional scholarship at the Sports and Arts College, to Assistant Lecturer at the same institution, a Senior Sixth Grade position.
As a deputy to Assistant Scholar Huang Liangzhong.
The position of Assistant Lecturer is highly prestigious!
Usually, only high-ranking officials from various departments have the opportunity to hold such a title!
...
Less than half a year after entering the Sports and Arts College, Zhang Jian was promoted by half a grade, highlighting his smooth career prospects.
Within the Sports and Arts College, many Editors, office holders, and numerous clerks clamored for Zhang Jian to host a banquet at the Champion Scholar's Residence.
Zhang Jian readily complied, taking the opportunity to invite many colleagues.
Assistant Scholar Huang Liangzhong, who held a favorable impression of Zhang Jian, was among them. Surprised by Zhang Jian's promotion, he also gladly attended.
...
At the Champion Scholar's Residence
The gathering of numerous officials from the Sports and Arts College created quite a lively affair, which only began to disperse slowly before the curfew.
Most officials partook sparingly, but some drank excessively.
Among them was Chen Xiuming.
The frustration of this Scholar Chen was apparent to the many advanced scholars at the Sports and Arts College, although most pretended not to notice.
People cannot be compared!
Though both were champion scholars, one was promoted within half a year, while the other had stayed in the same position for four or five years, making the disparity clear!
After bidding farewell to many colleagues, Zhang Jian was the last to leave the Champion Scholar's Residence.
He had just walked a short distance when he spotted a familiar figure in a red robe emerging from the street corner.
This was a pale-faced middle-aged man.
Zhang Jian frowned slightly, but the other person laughed heartily.
"Young Master Zhang, you've kept me waiting; I've been here for quite some time!"
"Who are you?"
Zhang Jian had already recognized the background of the figure before him; not long ago, he had seen this person at the Three-Eyed Exorcism Well.
This was a strong figure from the Blood Shadow Demon Sect.
"I am Iron Blood Daoist." The figure in the blood-red robe had a faint smile on his face.
"Your Vast Righteous Qi reaches the very heavens. I was thrilled to hear of it and have come especially to invite you to the Blood River Border as a guest. Please do not refuse, as I have personally come to invite you, Young Master Zhang cannot decline!"