Feng Yu Jiu Tian - Volume 10 - Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

"Life is hard to figure..." Tong Jian Min’s hands were untied. The words of Empress Dowager have broken down his defenses; thus, he was finally willing to speak frankly about the current situation in Xi Lei.

While rubbing his wrists to let the blood flow through his veins, he recounted his story, "That day, Tong Er’s actions were impulsive. He had taken advantage of Duke Ming’s kidnapping and the Great King’s distraction to forge the royal edict to take control of the army. While the Great King was looking for Duke Ming with only a small number of men, the battle erupted along the riverside of Aman. I was ordered to guard the capital and did not come along. When I knew what had happened, it was too late.”

After finishing, he let out a long sigh. Everyone knew he had many things to say, so they waited quietly for him to continue.

Tong Jian Min smiled hesitantly and continued, “In fact, what Empress Dowager said about me being in league with Xi Lei’s usurper is not untrue. When I learned that Tong Er would dare to start a battle against the Great King, my first thought was to gather the troops to kill the audacious Tong Er to avenge him. But later, the news of the Great King’s death at Aman River was heard and the only one left who can inherit the throne was Tong Er. This...what can I do? If I don’t kill him, then I’ve disappointed the Great King. But if I kill him...then I, Tong Jian Min, would be responsible for killing off the last generation of the royal family, whom the Tong family had vowed to protect. Not to mention...I have looked after this child ever since he was young. My older brother had died at a young age and my sister-in-law did not live long after that. I am the last of Tong Er’s closest family...”

He cried for a long moment, letting down his guard in front of Rong Tian and Feng Ming. Whether it was intentionally or unintentionally, he continued to address Rong Tian by his title and was now immersed in the past.

Seeing his despondent expression, Empress Dowager softly said, “I understand your pain. You are not alone in this, as I have also watched after Tong Er since the time he was born until he had grown up. Life is unpredictable; it is difficult to know anything beforehand. For you to believe that the King had died and crowned Tong Er to protect the surviving royal bloodline of Xi Lei is excusable. But after you heard the news of the Great King’s return, what audacity possessed you to lead an ambush against him?”

Although Empress Dowager was asking a question, it seemed that she already knew the answer and only wanted Tong Jian Min to say it aloud. While speaking, her eyes had glanced over at Rong Tian and Feng Ming.

Feng Ming thought, as of right now, I still don’t know what Rong Tian did to the national policy because of me. This is no small matter, I have to open up my senses and listen closely to Tong Jian Min’s answer.

Tong Jian Min’s attitude towards Empress Dowager was more respectful as he lowered his voice, “If it was still the past and I knew the Great King is returning, I would be overjoyed. I would

immediately tie up Tong Er and lead all the officials to open the gates to welcome the Great King’s return. However, that Great King had created the Grace’s Order, which was not in the interests of the loyal noble officials who have served and fought for Xi Lei. If we were to listen to his edict, then centuries of Xi Lei’s establishment would immediately fall apart. Because of this, the Great King cannot return home to retake the throne. In order to save the foundation that the Late King had built, the best method was to assassinate the Great King on his journey back. This is something I, Tong Jian Min, will not regret. Even if I’m sent to hell after death, I will not be afraid of greeting the Late King and my ancestors.”

He slightly raised his chin. There was no trace of remorse in his expression, as if his face was cast of iron and steel.

Feng Ming listened to what he said, but the main topic was still not clearly explained. He furrowed his eyebrows and gently elbowed Rong Tian, who was sitting nearby. Feng Ming whispered, “Hey, what is this Grace’s Order?”

Although Feng Ming had asked the question as quietly as possible, the tent contained only a small number of people, so both Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Min overheard him. Looking over in Feng Ming’s direction, they were both surprised and felt it strange that he did not even know that the Grace’s Order existed.

Rong Tian understood the meaning behind their gaze. He smiled and explained to his Royal Mother, “I already said earlier that Duke Ming was not involved in this matter, but you didn’t believe me. The Grace’s Order decision was something that I’ve made on my own. You do not have to unjustly blame Duke Ming because of it, he is completely innocent.”

After finishing, he turned to the patient Feng Ming and explained, “The Grace’s Order is a new policy I’ve been planning to implement and is still in its development phase. Several revisions are required before it will be passed. The draft’s manuscripts are placed inside the palace. I did not expect for Lu Dan to appear, requesting food supply and luring us outside the capital. As for the rest of what happened, you already know. Anyhow, the manuscripts have landed in Tong Er’s hands and he used it to incite some of the nobility against me.”

Tong Jian Min shook his head and said, “Your Majesty controls all national affairs. You have always been wise and intelligent, winning everyone’s support. However, I really don’t understand why you intend on making a decision that would destroy Xi Lei? If Tong Er did not bring out the manuscript with your handwriting, I would have thought that Tong Er had acted according to his own interest in the throne and fabricated lies.”

Empress Dowager was annoyed about the Grace’s Order earlier so she interrupted, “Right now within the capital, all of the nobility are anxious about this policy. A vast majority are still loyal to the king, but what reason do they have to ignore the situation in Xi Lei and—without any pity— abandon their true sovereign? What made them support Tong Er willingly?”

Ever since Empress Dowager was “persuaded” by Feng Ming, she had never forced Rong Tian to marry a wife. Her relationship with Feng Ming was quite close. Whenever she met him, she would smile kindly. But because of this situation, she was displeased, a rare thing to see.

Noticing that the situation had grown tense, Feng Ming felt a bit precarious. He stood up carefully, facing Rong Tian as he asked again, “Hey hey, what exactly is this Grace’s Order?”

RT: This Grace’s Order is a national policy, giving a portion of the land and distributing it fairly to the people of Xi Lei. Do you understand?

Feng Ming seemed to understand and nodded in reply. His face changed again and immediately frowned as he asked, “So that is what it means?”

“Allow me to explain to Duke Ming a bit about the Grace’s Order,” Tong Jian Min finished his thoughts and continued, “This policy will change the selection process of generals and officials in Xi Lei. The current selection among the nobility will be removed and a new selection system will be implemented in its place. Not only that, the frightening thing is that His Majesty is allowing both commoners and slaves to participate in the selection. If commoners and slaves could become officials in our nation, wouldn’t that create chaos? Within the eleven countries, there are none that allow commoners and slaves to govern a kingdom.”

So far, after listening to the words of Tong Jian Min, Feng Ming finally understood a portion of the contents in the policy. Feng Ming nodded twice.

FM: So it is an open system of selecting new officials and generals. Not bad, this is indeed something that I’ve mentioned when I first came to Xi Lei... oh! That hurts!

Without finishing, Feng Ming had let out a sudden scream. He stared angrily at Rong Tian who was pinching him from below.

Rong Tian appeared angry and was staring fiercely at him.

This little fool, he had to put in much effort to stand up for Feng Ming and didn’t want him to endure the hostility of Empress Dowager and all of Xi Lei’s nobles. However, he was foolish enough to readily admit everything was his doing.

Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Min revealed a disapproving look.

Feng Ming was a straight-forward person. After admitting, he recognized the present situation.

FM: So because of this, the nobles would oppose of Rong Tian’s return? Is this what you call loyalty to your king? Rong Tian just wants to give others a chance to improve their lives, but you all would have him killed for this instead. What great loyalty, I’m impressed, very impressed.

While mocking non-stop with a lively and lovely face, Tong Jian Min, who had always been loyal to the royalty of Xi Lei, was not pleased.

Tong Jian Min’s facial expression changed as he said, “If the policy was only just that, then it would not be enough for all the nobles to have a change of heart. The deciding factor which incited a revolt was the second law within the policy.”

“Ah?” Feng Ming scratched his head. “There’s a second law?”

“The second law would dissolve the power currently held by the aristocrats. It would remove the titles that would have been inherited by the later generations. The children and grandchildren of the nobility would be demoted to commoner status.” Empress Dowager answered Feng Ming’s question in place of Tong Jian Min.

She was of Xi Lei nobility herself; otherwise, she wouldn’t have married the Late King. Therefore, if Rong Tian were to pass the Grace’s Order as national policy, then he would have severed her own family’s influence.

Traditionally, all eleven kingdoms have followed the primogeniture system of inheritance. Once a title has been bestowed, it is passed down for generations. Not only did the descendants of nobility receive the title, but they also obtained land, owned slaves, and were granted imperial posts. For centuries, they have enjoyed privileges that a commoner can never have.

Under this rule, unless the descendants of an aristocratic family committed a great crime, they would enjoy a lifetime of luxury. Even an idiot who can’t expend all wealth would not have to worry about making a living. It was such a great deal—who would not be loyal to the royal family?

But Rong Tian decided to change this policy, leaving their children at risk of losing noble status. If one had lost their noble title, it meant losing everything. It was no wonder that they wanted to rebel...

Feng Ming thought for a moment and nervously asked Rong Tian, “That policy of yours only have a total of two laws? There won’t be a third or fourth one, right?”

Just two laws were already enough to provoke the nobles. If there were a third or fourth, wouldn’t they all faint?

Rong Tian sat comfortably beside Feng Ming. He laughed and said, “There are only two, but they are just drafts. I haven’t thought of the details.”

“You’re still laughing!” Feng Ming stared at him. “You are a king. If you want to reform, then you should first anticipate the consequences. Small changes are understandable, but you decided to poke the hornet’s nest. Wouldn’t everyone be infuriated and rebel against you?”

Rong Tian smiled, “What they described is just the general concept. The fine details have about a hundred more rules. At the moment, I can’t explain it clearly to you. That draft manuscript was hidden inside the palace. It still needs to be looked over thoroughly before it can be issued. I didn’t expect that when Tong Er took over the palace, the manuscript would fall into his hands. Ah, this matter is really my fault.”

Empress Dowager let out a sigh of relief and said, “You are finally willing to admit your fault. The nobles are fundamental to one’s nation. They are the elite talent from which officials and generals are carefully selected from. Not only that, they have been loyal to the royal family for hundreds of years. I believe that if you have a change of heart, revoke the Grace’s Orders and no longer mention them, then those nobles who have pledged allegiance to Tong Er will surely return to your side.”

TJM: If that’s the case, then I am willing to head back to the capital, open up the gates to welcome Your Majesty along with Tong Er. We will kneel in front of you and await your punishment.

“Will Tong Er truly be fine with that?” Empress Dowager asked with suspicion.

Tong Jian Min knew that Tong Er will not surrender so easily. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and replied, “With eleven kingdoms in strife and Li Kingdom eyeing our own, how can Xi Lei withstand the chaos? National crisis takes priority, I cannot focus on personal sentiments. If Tong Er is reluctant to surrender, then as his uncle, I will capture him and hand him over for His Majesty to dispose of. And after I die, I will come down to hell to receive punishment from my brother and sister-in-law.”

He raised his head, looking at Rong Tian in a complex way.

TJM: Frankly speaking, if there wasn’t the Grace’s Order, Your Majesty is indeed a competent monarch, worth more than a hundred Tong Er’s. Ever since Tong Er had heard that Your Majesty was still alive, he was restless day and night. Even in spite of my discouragement, he insisted on allying with Li Kingdom’s Ruo Yan. My disappointment in him is profound..

For Tong Jian Min to say these words, it meant that he was still loyal to Rong Tian. Using the general as an example, if Rong Tian would rescind his prior policy and pardon the crimes of the aristocrats who are following Tong Er, then 80% of them would gladly beat their drums and open the gates to welcome Rong Tian back.

It was unexpected that things had swerved another 180 degrees, the darkness has opened up with a great outcome.

For Rong Tian to reclaim his rightful position seemed to be an easy task. Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Min were intently waiting for Rong Tian’s reply. Feng Ming was in favor of the new policy and it made him feel uneasy if it were rejected. He wanted to open his mouth, but after seeing Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Ming, he decided against it.

The situation was delicate. One decision made by Rong Tian would forever change the future of Xi Lei. All the words that Rong Hu had previously said to Feng Ming suddenly rang out in his mind.

Rong Tian seemed to be deeply lost in his thoughts.

Feng Ming was like Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Min, who both focused on Rong Tian with rapt attention, desperately trying to control their rapidly beating hearts.

After thinking for a moment, a gleaming light shone shone in Rong Tian’s eyes as he slowly said, “Unless I die on the way back to the capital, the Grace’s Order will be my most important policy for Xi Lei. Starting today, I will order someone to transcribe the orders a hundred times and exhaust all resources to have them posted throughout the towns. I want to let everyone know: I must do something that the King of Xi Lei needs to do.”

Dead silence permeated in all four directions.

Empress Dowager and Tong Jian Min could not believe that Rong Tian would make such a decision. Their entire bodies were transfixed in one spot as the anticipation on their faces faded into a stiff expression.

Only Feng Ming, although shocked, still had the ability to speak up. “Rong Tian....”

Rong Tian looked back at Feng Ming. With a smile, he said, “To create something that is radical and to govern a country is like going into battle. You need to be crafty by using the soldiers properly. You don’t need to worry or persuade me.”

“No.” Feng Ming raised his head. His eyes shimmered as he can’t help but reveal a smile. “I just wanted to say, you are really awesome.”

One hand holding onto Rong Tian’s belt, Feng Ming gave Rong Tian a kiss with his small mouth to show his encouragement.