Iron Dynasty Chapter 666

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“We dare not, we only hope Your Majesty will reconsider. Now that the firearm troops possess extraordinary might, should any general harbor ill intentions, it would pose an immense threat to Your Majesty. ”

Fei Ji declared in a clear voice.

Pang Yukun also harbored some concern. He said, “Your Majesty, continuously elevating the army’s status might only make the generals more arrogant, and arrogance in their hearts will lead them to disregard imperial authority. ”

Xiao Ming naturally understood their words; this was the inherent flaw of feudal armies. After all, in this era, the army was merely the private force of its generals.

However, what these officials failed to grasp was that he was in the process of royalizing the army, ensuring that from now on, he could punish generals without the army acting rashly.

Furthermore, these two were clearly skirting the main issue; the decree he proposed was to elevate the status of ordinary soldiers, allowing them to enjoy greater conveniences in civilian life.

Such conveniences were akin to modern-day policies like dedicated military lanes at train station ticket counters, or priority for military personnel in employment.

After a moment of deliberation, he spoke directly: “My esteemed ministers, you have perhaps misunderstood Our intentions. This decree is absolutely not meant to foster the arrogance of generals, but rather to allow more ordinary soldiers to feel the court’s consideration for them, to make them understand that while they fight on distant campaigns, the court is looking out for their welfare. Only in this way will the populace enthusiastically enlist to expand the court’s territories and defend the Great Yu Kingdom against foreign enemies. ”

Fei Ji and Pang Yukun exchanged a glance. He then said, “Your Majesty, for soldiers to receive their daily pay is quite sufficient. This humble official believes that even without these [additional] conveniences, soldiers would still fight for the court. Furthermore, if soldiers are granted so many privileges, what will the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants think? Have they not also contributed their utmost for Your Majesty? ”

At the mention of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, Xiao Ming chuckled softly. The Western nations had clearly entered a modern state model, while the Great Yu Kingdom remained rigidly stratified, which severely restricted its developmental vitality.

He said, “Venerable Elder Fei, your mention of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants reminds Us of something. We have decided to abolish these designations. Henceforth, all citizens of the Great Yu Kingdom, regardless of their former class — be they scholars, farmers, artisans, or merchants — shall be known as commoners! ”

“Commoners! ” Fei Ji exclaimed, greatly startled. He asked, “What is a commoner? ”

“All subjects under Our rule shall have equal status, thus they are commoners,” Xiao Ming stated lightly, having anticipated the shock of Fei Ji and the others.

From ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants had been the entrenched social strata of every dynasty. Scholars held the highest status, hence the saying, “Among all professions, only studying is supreme. ” Merchants had the lowest standing, which led to the suppression of commerce in feudal dynasties.

Naturally, Xiao Ming did not deny that this system of rigid hierarchy was highly beneficial for the development of feudal dynasties. After all, a feudal dynasty founded on agriculture needed grain, not unproductive, cunning merchants.

However, times were changing. For him, many of the Great Yu Kingdom’s institutions were no longer suited to compete with the state systems of the West in this era.

Perhaps he could defeat Western nations by virtue of technological superiority, but the outdated feudal system would ultimately hinder his arduous efforts to unify the Great Yu Kingdom.

“How can this be? How can these lowly merchants be placed on equal footing with scholars? ”

“Indeed, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are designations handed down by our ancestral traditions; how can they be changed just like that? ”

“Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be allowed! ”

“...”

The moment Xiao Ming’s words fell, the imperial court instantly erupted into an uproar. Especially the officials from Chang’an, each one looked as if their parents had died.

Although officials like Pang Yukun and the rest of the reformist faction harbored some dissatisfaction in their hearts, they were more accustomed to Xiao Ming’s myriad strange ideas.

Even so, they now had some thoughts of their own. Previously, Xiao Ming had merely elevated the status of merchants and artisans, but now he was directly negating the status of scholars.

The Hall of Political Deliberation was a chaotic mess, but Xiao Ming remained impassive. These two matters were the primary policies he intended to vigorously promote next.

Before even mentioning these two matters, he had anticipated fierce opposition. Thus, he understood that this could not be achieved overnight; he would likely have to contend with these officials for some time.

Now, with only Prince Zhao remaining in the north to achieve unification, his timing in implementing these two policies was precisely to prepare for development after unification.

Elevating the soldiers’ status was to foster a martial spirit within the Great Yu Kingdom. An overabundance of scholarly refinement was a flaw of feudal dynasties, and he had to correct this ailment.

Abolishing the four strata of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was for balanced development, to ensure that becoming an official was no longer the sole path for scholars.

Therefore, for Xiao Ming, these two policies were of paramount importance.

In the contemporary era, both the Qing Dynasty and Japan were only passively forced to reform and learn from the West after Western cannons had battered open their gates.

Having suffered greatly and facing the peril of national subjugation, it was then that both the royal family and the common people realized the necessity of reform. But at present, the Great Yu Kingdom had not yet endured the invasion of advanced Western civilizations; thus, neither officials nor commoners could actively participate in reform.

This kind of transformation could only be actively pushed by him, which was precisely why he became emperor.

Only by grasping supreme imperial authority could he implement these reforms; otherwise, those who called for change would simply find no place to bury their bones.

After all, even now, issuing such decrees with the majesty of an emperor, he faced opposition from so many officials. One could well imagine the horror of infringing upon others’ vested interests.

However, the officials’ reactions only solidified Xiao Ming’s determination for reform. These days, he had been constantly analyzing the Great Yu Kingdom’s current situation.

Overall, it was still a stage where the literati-gentry class had not yet declined, and the commoner class had not yet become powerful. That was why his promotion of such decrees met with collective opposition, as he had touched upon the interests of these literati-gentry.

“All of you, silence yourselves! ” The Hall of Political Deliberation had devolved into a veritable marketplace, and Xiao Ming suddenly roared.

His words, laced with fury, instantly silenced the court. At this, Xiao Ming stood up and declared loudly: “Do you truly think We do not know what you are thinking? No matter how you put it, is it not for yourselves that you act! You studied diligently for ten years to one day reach the pinnacle of officialdom, and you are unwilling, are you not, that these merchants, reeking of copper, and these mud-legged farmers, should be placed on equal footing with you? Am I right? ”

As Xiao Ming spoke, he descended from his dragon throne and walked towards Fei Ji and the other officials.

“But have you not considered? Without these merchants contributing money and effort, could Youzhou and Jinling have been captured so smoothly? Without the common people joining the army, how could We possibly fight against Prince Zhao? Have you forgotten how utterly rotten the Great Yu Kingdom used to be? Are you truly asking Us to follow the old path of the former emperor? ! ”

Turning to Pang Yukun, Xiao Ming pointed at him and chastised: “Chief Scribe Pang, did you study all that time at Bowen Academy for naught, only to return all that knowledge to Us? Do you still possess even a shred of your former ambition and drive? ”

Pang Yukun lowered his head in shame. With the war progressing smoothly and northern unification in sight, many officials had begun to think only of their own status and interests, forgetting the proactive drive they displayed during difficult times.

After Xiao Ming’s scathing rebuke, he felt as though he had been struck by a thunderbolt.