“What is my lord’s intention?”
As a native of Shangyang County, Feng Jin knew the circle of aristocratic families very well.
Regarding this matter, their opinions were secondary. Her view was the most important.
If she was weak and gave in when faced with the pressure exerted by Shangyang County’s aristocrats, they would only suggest that Jiang Pengji appease their emotions and tell her to reassess and execute her plans another time. However, if she was adamant, naturally, Feng Jin would have strategies to keep these aristocrats busy, so they would have no time or energy to bother other people.
She was their lord and her decision would have a significant influence on what her strategists deemed to be important.
“My intentions?” She laughed it off, then asked, “I am the governor of Shangyang County, why should they have the right to interfere? If it was purely to lend a hand and reap some benefits, I could turn a blind eye to that. However, if they plot to threaten my authority, do you think I will tolerate it?”
If something was already in her possession then it belonged solely to her, including Shangyang County.
She had no regard for these aristocratic families. Whether they were cunning snakes or not, they must obediently cower before her. If they were disobedient, they could not blame her for dealing with them harshly.
Wei Ci smiled and commented, “Based on the lord’s personality, she cannot tolerate this.”
Jiang Pengji always got to vent her anger at others, but when did others ever throw tantrums at her?
Let alone the aristocratic families in Shangyang district, looking back in time to when she commanded tens of thousands of bandits, even the imperial courts of Dongqing had been helpless against her. Without any choice left, they’d chosen to enlist an army and had given them an official pardon. They’d appointed her as the County Chief of Hu County with the intention of using the cruel hands of the aristocratic families to harm her. Unexpectedly, she’d killed off all these men swiftly and, after this incident, no one in Hu county dared to defy her words.
Whatever she said carried weight. None dared to defy her.
Naturally, the context of both eras was different.
As an emperor who was born a bandit, she’d killed whoever she wished. Anyone who spoke foolishly had been sentenced to death. There’d been no consideration for her reputation. She was very willful.
Now, she was Liu She’s son and thus she crowned with reputation. It served as a chain which limited her. She could not be as willful and cruel as had been in her previous life.
There was no room for martial arts fighting. She could only win with her strategies.
However, no matter how much she’d changed, her way of doing things had seeped into her bones.
Even if she won based on wits, it would cause anyone to tremble in fear of her.
After he coughed briefly, Feng Zhen hugged the warming bag to his bosom. He sipped a mouthful of tea to briefly dissipate the cold air in his body.
“Once the lord assumed this leadership role, how will it be different from being manipulated like a puppet in the future? Regarding this matter, your attitude must be firmer. In terms of wealth and food supplies, the lord’s financial status may not surpass your enemy, but regarding supporting the lives of both counties, it is more than enough. When did we ever need their contributions? The only factor lacking is ‘talent.’ Evaluating the lord’s present concrete details, there is indeed a shortage… This is a challenge…”
Even with the talents of Feng Zhen and the rest, their talents could not be compared to those of a few hundred people.
She had no lack of the best talents, neither did she lack in entry-level talents. Instead, she lacked in those mid-range talents who are less competent than the best but more capable than those entry-level ones.
Moreover, Jiang Pengji had already devised a solution to open an education center to nurture useful talents.
It was a pity that time was rather short, the students had yet to finish even one semester of their course. It would take another two or three years before they could be officially employed.
If she accepted those local “talents” from the aristocratic families, her pool of talents would be in an infantile state.
However, there are no free meals in the world. There is a cost for every favor given.
The mighty aristocratic families could manipulate the replacement of the imperial throne. Jiang Pengji had only gotten so far. If these aristocratic families exploited a loophole in her sovereignty, they would seize her authority to speak. No matter how glorious she became in the future, she would only be another “Dongqing Emperor.” At every turn, she would be limited by the power and nobility of the aristocrats.
It was a rather awkward conversation for Feng Jin. Who’d asked him to be born so nobly?
Yet as her strategist, he had to consider Jiang Pengji’s best interests.
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“Why not let them keep one another in control? This allows for a somewhat balanced atmosphere as we gradually change the system.” Feng Jin added, “The aristocrats in Shangyang County are complicated. There are familial benefits and conflicts to consider. If we take advantage of that, we don’t have to fear them stirring up trouble.”
She knitted her brows as she listened intently.
Wei Ci and Feng Zhen were foreigners and thus they were not as familiar with the situation here compared to Feng Jin.
His suggestion was currently the most feasible.
Achieving a balance of power was an important formula used to manage one’s subordinates.
“Huaiyu’s suggestion is feasible. Except, Zixiao and I are unfamiliar with the situation in Shangyang County. If we were to implement this, the responsibility will have to fall on Huaiyu. I’m afraid it will be hard for you.”
Feng Zhen smiled gleefully as he held onto his hot water bag. It was as if he’d imagined a scenario where Feng Jin would be kept busy the entire year and couldn’t return home.
Feng Jin smiled bitterly in secret.
He couldn’t accept Feng Zhen’s wastrel ways, yet he didn’t expect Feng Zhen to witness and laugh at his expense.
Yet Jiang Pengji said, “Huaiyu has proposed a good solution, but… this doesn’t solve the root of the problem. There may be awkwardness and conflicts between them, but these are not irreconcilable differences, correct? Power games have been played extensively, but eventually, they will call it quits. Instead of that, let’s use drastic measures to tackle the situation.”
She didn’t have any means to displace those aristocratic families in Shangyang county yet, but she was capable of gradually weakening their might.
“Use drastic measures to deal with the situation?”
Although Feng Jin was born into an aristocratic family, the Feng family had decided to remain an onlooker, so he did not have to feel conflicted. His lord’s interest would guide his decisions going forward.
Feng Zhen asked, “What drastic measures will be used?”
“Let’s not fixate on one method. We could have a talent competition.” Her eyes shone with excitement as she continued. “Talents can be classified based on their abilities. We do not require geniuses who have the potential to become sovereign rulers, our standards are not that high. Within Shangyang County, there must be talented individuals outside of the aristocratic families. Regardless of their status or family background, or whether they’re honorable or not, if they possess talents and virtue, they can be recruited!”
There wasn’t this clause in Fengyi County, but Shangyang county was different. This was a place with a strong scholarly environment, there was bound to be no lack of talents.
Her purpose wasn’t just to establish an education center to groom talents, but also to attract useful talents.
In this era, to acquire an official position, it was essential to have a good family background, good looks, character, and ability. All in all, a person’s family background was the most important factor. If no special circumstances cropped up, an official position could be inherited. To put it plainly, it was better to be born into a great household than be well-learned. Rather than be born into a wealthy and powerful family, it was more valuable to have noble parents. Abilities were not important.
Her motive for saying this was to challenge the way their human resources were being used to some extent.
With discretion, Feng Jin glanced at Wei Ci and Feng Zhen’s expressions. Both appeared rather agitated. He sighed secretly in his heart but did not voice his opinion.
Feng Zhen asked out of curiosity, “Does my lord intend to replace all the manpower?”
In disbelief, she replied, “Replace everyone? How would that be possible? I do not wish to be poisoned to death with a cup of wine next time I go out.”
By replacing everyone, it would mean forcefully robbing these great families of their profits. It’d be weird if they didn’t go crazy.
Wei Ci remarked, “I’m afraid the lord’s idea is to replace those in unimportant positions. After they familiarize themselves with the role, perhaps other plans can be made.”
Other than not provoking or alarming aristocratic families, another important reason was that those newly recruited would need time to adapt. It was likely that they would make mistakes in the beginning.
Therefore, it would be better for them to be delegated to unimportant roles to train for a season before they got reallocated.
During this time, Jiang Pengji would solidify her position here.
This wasn’t just a drastic measure against a situation. It was a critical strategy to stall an attack.
If 20,000 men were unable to inflict fear in the hearts of the aristocrats, how about 50,000, or even a 100,000?
Red Lotus Group infested Chengde County was Jiang Pengji’s next goal.