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He paused, letting his words sink in. "Dismissed." The courtiers bowed deeply, though the tension in the air was palpable. As they filed out, whispers spread like wildfire, some fearful, some calculating, others grudgingly impressed by the sheer audacity of the move.
Outside, the court scribes were already preparing copies of the decree. Riders would be dispatched by sundown to spread the decree to every province, every city, every town, and every village under the Hengyuan Dynasty's rule.
Meanwhile, at the front of the hall, factions began to form. The nobles most affected by the decree clustered together, their expressions dark.
"This is a disaster," muttered one. "My nephew was to enter service next month. The investment our family made in his education, the connections we cultivated, and his castration, all for nothing!"
Another, more pragmatic, stroked his beard. "Perhaps not. The decree mentions maids will be selected through the Household Department. If we can influence those selections by inserting our own..."
A third noble scoffed. "Did you not hear? The Empress has final approval. Do you truly think that Ying Yue will allow any maid with noble ties, especially when she could see that she has other intentions, to slip through?"
Meanwhile, the more reform minded officials watched the dissenters with quiet satisfaction.
"His Majesty has severed a poisoned limb," one remarked. "It will hurt at first, but the empire will be stronger for it."
Zhuge Liang, observing the scene, held his fan with a faint smile. 'The game has changed once again. Let us see who adapts... and who falls.'
Later, in the royal study, Jia Xu poured tea for both him and Lie Fan. "Just like you anticipated, Your Majesty. The nobles have the biggest backlash."
Lie Fan exhaled, rolling the tension from his shoulders. "Of course. They receive the biggest pain from this decree after all, since some must have sent their own relatives to become eunuchs."
Jia Xu's eyes gleamed. "And yet, you did not flinch, Your Majesty. That is why you are the best choice to become Emperor and quell this chaotic world."
Lie Fan smirked. "That, and also because I had you to draft the decree, Wenhe."
A comfortable silence settled between them before Jia Xu spoke again. "There will be attempts to circumvent the new laws, Your Majesty. Subtle ones."
"I know," Lie Fan said. "Which is why I'm counting on you and the Oriole Agents to root them out. After all the Censorate under Pang Tong can only do so much above ground."
Jia Xu inclined his head. "It will be done, Your Majesty."
After that, slowly the decree was spread across the domain of the Hengyuan Dynasty, and just like the nobles who protested the law during the court session, those who had connections with eunuchs and had spent large amounts of wealth to maintain said connections or had even gone so far as to castrate their own family members for the sake of wealth, power, and influence, were thrown into a storm of disbelief.
Shock, fury, and despair rippled across the upper echelons of Hengyuan society. Petitions of protest flooded toward Xiapi, their authors invoking everything from Confucian tradition to concerns about radicalism and administrative chaos.
But Lie Fan had anticipated this backlash. The moment the first batch of scrolls arrived, bound in silk and stamped with elaborate family seals, he merely raised an eyebrow, instructed his imperial guards to throw them into the brazier, and made a statement that echoed like thunder across the capital and his domain, his decision was final.
No appeal, no remonstration, and no bribe would shift his stance. If petitions kept coming, he warned, those responsible would face punishments fitting for insubordination.
Such a domineering and resolute stance stirred further dissatisfaction among the aristocracy, especially those nobles who had been financially and politically intertwined with the eunuch system.
Though no one dared to protest openly after Lie Fan's chilling declaration, a shadow of conspiracy began to form beneath the surface. They began to contact one another in secret, writing letters encrypted in family codes, using messengers disguised as common merchants or monks.
From Jiaozhi to You Province, from Jiaozhi to Xiangpong, a network of discontent quietly emerged, their motives masked under the guise of tradition, loyalty to the old order, and preservation of family honor.
They called themselves The Gentlemen's Concord or in private Anti Lie Fan Faction, and their ambition was simple, to resist the Emperor's reforms, preserve their power, and if necessary, pressure Lie Fan into reinstating the privileges and customs they had long enjoyed.
They moved carefully, building their base across sectors and social classes. Former scholars displaced from court, ambitious military officers without appointments, merchants hurt by Lie Fan's economic reforms, and even some minor officials wary of change, all were approached.
But the leaders of this underground faction knew better than to move quickly. They aimed not to create a massive rebellion, but a quiet coalition so influential that Lie Fan would have no choice but to acknowledge them.
Back in Xiapi, several days after the decree's official implementation and as rumors of unrest stirred across the realm, Lie Fan convened a private conference within the palace's inner chambers.
The room was modest compared to the Throne Hall, but the gravity of those assembled within it weighed heavily on the lacquered wood and carved stone.
Jia Xu, the Chancellor, sat with his usual unreadable calm. Chen Qun, Grand Secretary, reviewed a stack of recent administrative memos. Mi Zhu, Minister of Finance, sipped carefully brewed green tea.
Liu Ye, Minister of Work, had already prepared a brush and ink for notes, while Chen Gong, Minister of Justice, tapped a finger thoughtfully on the table.
Lie Fan entered and took his place at the head of the table, his presence commanding but relaxed. "Gentlemen," he began, eyes sweeping across his ministers, "the storm from the last decree has yet to calm. Yet I intend to stir the waters once more by introducing another reform."
The room went silent. Not with opposition, but with attention.
Jia Xu was the first to respond, ever careful with his words. "Your Majesty, might it be too soon to launch another reform, especially with the court still reeling from the abolition of the eunuchs system and rmbein replaced with the imperial maid system?"
Lie Fan chuckled, not with amusement, but with the confidence of a man who saw the moves ahead. "Of course, it's too soon. That is precisely why I wish to act now. I expect those discontented nobles to organize, to build their strength in hopes of countering my rule. Let them. I want them to act prematurely. I want them to show their hands."
The ministers exchanged glances. None doubted their Emperor's resolve or cunning. What he said made sense, especially for those familiar with the patterns of unrest. By pushing forward quickly, he could provoke his enemies into revealing themselves prematurely.
Chen Gong nodded thoughtfully. "So this is to smoke them out, force them to move before they are ready. Right, Your Majesty?"
Lie Fan's gaze was sharp. "Exactly."
Mi Zhu leaned forward, curious. "May we ask, Your Majesty, what manner of reform do you wish to implement next?"
Lie Fan smiled, a smile that always preceded boldness. "I propose we centralize coin minting across the entire domain. From this day forward, no noble, no regional authority, no family workshop may mint coinage. Only the Ministry of Finance shall hold that power. Local minting shall be abolished, permanently."
For a moment, silence.
Then Liu Ye exhaled. "Such a move would strangle another artery of private wealth. Many nobles operate their own mints in secret, controlling inflation and trade within their spheres. This reform would rob them of that leverage."
Chen Gong added, "It would also eliminate counterfeit coins and regional discrepancies in coin weight and purity. Justice would benefit greatly, as criminal cases involving forged currency have risen sharply."
Jia Xu nodded slowly. "It is a bold move, and one that cuts directly into the pocketbooks of those who already bear grudges. This will provoke them fully, Your Majesty."
"Good," Lie Fan said simply. "Let them be provoked. Let them gather, and when they reveal themselves, we will act."
Mi Zhu adjusted his robes. "Such centralization will require new infrastructure. We must ensure the Imperial Mint is capable of handling the full demand of the dynasty, Your Majesty."
"You will have what you need," Lie Fan assured him. "Funds, labor, artisans. Draw what you require from the treasury. Liu Ye, oversees construction and transport. Secure roads to move the coinage swiftly and securely."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Liu Ye replied.
Chen Qun, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Your Majesty, this reform, coupled with the abolition of the eunuchs, fundamentally reshapes the flow of influence in the empire. We are setting a precedent."
Lie Fan leaned back, his gaze sharp. "That is the idea. The Hengyuan Dynasty will not be governed by shadows and whispers. Let them come into the light, and let us show them that it is not we who need to fear."
Jia Xu gave a rare smile. "Then let us prepare, Your Majesty. The enemy shall reveal themselves, and we will be ready."
"My thoughts exactly," Lie Fan agreed. "Prepare the edict. We'll announce it at the next court session."
With that, the council began to divide responsibilities. Jia Xu wrote the decree of announcement for the centralization of the coin minting. Mi Zhu began drafting orders for the dissolution of all private mints.
Liu Ye sketched early plans for new minting facilities in Xiapi, Xiaopei, and Langye. Chen Gong listed new legal codes and punishments for counterfeiters and illegal minting operations.
Chen Qun prepared a communique for all provincial governors to the lowest prefect, warning them of the upcoming changes.
After that Lie Fan stood by the window, watching the sun dip below the palace walls.
He knew what was coming. The nobles and those who were discontent with him would see this as another direct attack, because it was. And this time, they wouldn't stay quiet.
Some would protest openly, giving him justification to strip them of their titles. Others would resort to covert schemes, revealing themselves to his spies.
And a few… a few might be foolish enough to contemplate treason.
'Good. Let them try.'
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Your Majesty," one of his Yellow Ghost Bodyguard announced. "A report from the Oriole Agents."
Lie Fan took the sealed scroll, breaking the wax with his thumb. As he read the content of the report, his smirk deepened. "Just as I thought." The nobles had already begun to reach out to disgruntled people that have opinions against him. The game was entering its next phase sooner and he liked that.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty
Age: 34 (201 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 2325
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 966 (+20)
VIT: 623 (+20)
AGI: 623 (+10)
INT: 667
CHR: 98
WIS: 549
WILL: 432
ATR Points: 0