Chancellor Cao couldn’t help but let his eyes flicker slightly.

“I know this all too well, Wenruo. How could I not?”

But in the end, it still comes back to that same phrase—easier said than done.

The other side’s advanced technology and formidable economic skills are one thing. Most importantly, both people present here understand it perfectly well.

The scholar-official clans! And not just any clans, but those deeply entrenched in the local power structure.

The fertile fields, the private armies, even the majority of the population within the territory are currently controlled by these people. Even within the current military, many soldiers were originally from the private armies of these aristocratic clans.

Ultimately, if the common people have no good land to farm, how can one speak of the people’s prosperity? Nearly half or even more of the population under our rule are hidden households that pay no taxes, yet the overall productive capacity hasn’t reached a sufficient level. Where then does the state’s revenue, the soldiers’ provisions, come from?

Is this problem difficult?

Actually, no. Anyone with clear eyes can see it.

However, unlike that lord in the north who rose from the countryside, this regime, from the very beginning, has been deeply bound to the scholar-official clans. Trying to remove them, even just a part, is no different from scraping poison from the bone. A single misstep could lead to a backlash. Forget about reform and innovation; one might not even be able to hold onto the existing power in hand.

In these chaotic times, it is true that a lord chooses his ministers. But once interests conflict, the ministers can certainly gather together and jointly support a new lord who truly aligns with their interests.

This is also one of the reasons why, over these years, Chancellor Cao has continuously recruited worthy individuals, issued the Recruitment Edict, promoted those from humble backgrounds, and even suppressed local magnates, yet all these measures have never touched the root of the problem.

Even the Wenruo before him now…

“Wenruo!”

“My lord, you need not have any reservations on my account. After all, if it isn’t you, it will be that lord in the north.”

Meeting the other’s gaze, Xun Yu couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

“It’s merely a matter of sooner or later, my lord. The time left for us is not much.”

Actually, there was one thing Xun Yu didn’t say.

Right now, an excellent opportunity lies before them.

The struggle for the position of the heir apparent—a perfect moment for all factions to reshuffle the deck. It is also the best time to, with reason and justification, eliminate some forces without exposing one’s own true intentions.

However, given this man’s intelligence, Xun Yu thought, even if he didn’t mention it now, the other would surely think of it.

Since that’s the case, there’s no need for him to wag his tongue and poke at a sore spot.

Sure enough, Chancellor Cao’s eyes dimmed for a moment, but instantly turned resolute. Only now, his tone was somewhat clipped.

“Wenruo! It’s fortunate I still have you!”

In the flickering lamplight, Xun Yu also sighed inwardly.

“I don’t know if it’s just my illusion, but I always feel that the path you and I have chosen now might just be exactly what that northern lord desires.” But… so what?

It’s still that same phrase. Even with a powerful enemy ahead, who would willingly bow to another before the very last moment? One must still fight.

Only, before leaving, Xun Yu ultimately tactfully declined his lord’s offer of medicinal tea and a small box of incense once again.

*Ahem*, to be honest, as a prominent clan from Yingchuan, the Xun family may not have much else, but they do have some family assets.

My lord, *ai*! Please, don’t go to such expense anymore. After all, the prices of these things nowadays have risen by more than just double!

To a certain extent, the other party’s guess was indeed correct.

Truly worthy of the rumored overlord. Even at this age, he still possesses such boldness. Sensing the other’s movements, An Ning couldn’t help but silently praise him in her heart.

However, she soon had no time to dwell on these thoughts. So, what was An Ning, who was being so thoroughly contemplated by others, doing at this moment?

The answer, naturally, was preparing for the imperial examination.

Yes, the imperial examination. Taking advantage of these excellent days of the newly established dynasty, selecting talent naturally had to be put on the agenda.

Although over these years, due to the establishment of various workshops across the regions, there had been some demand for literate individuals. Many county schools and even prefectural schools had been opened one after another.

The idea that literacy, studying, even martial arts and military service could lead to a good future and prospects had, to a certain extent, taken root in people’s hearts. Various regions had indeed seen a wave of small prodigies emerge, but…

An Ning thought to herself, this was still far from enough!

Aside from that portion of people who had followed her from the early days and were personally trained by her, for the majority, it was still far from sufficient.

Only when people truly see the ladder to the heavens, see the tangible benefits and advantages, can the promotion of learning be truly implemented.

Moreover, the imperial examination, to a certain extent, also provides considerable help in stabilizing rule.

Human hearts are ultimately insatiable. While satisfying basic food and clothing, only when those at the bottom truly see a channel for upward mobility, even if it’s one in ten thousand, will the entire system become truly stable.

Alright, there’s also an important practical reason: the new dynasty has just been established, and she, well, she is currently quite short on talent!

In short, amidst the busy hustle and bustle, during the first month of Emperor Xining’s (An Ning’s) formal ascension to the throne, the political decree regarding the formal opening of the imperial examinations to select scholars, along with the format of the examinations, appeared in major official schools and even various official bulletins, accompanying newspapers that filled the streets and alleys.

And the distance to this day, from the moment she stepped into Qu County, she had been preparing for nearly twenty years.

Considering that the number of scholars from humble backgrounds, or rather the number of scholars within the entire system in the north, is not particularly high, and as this is the first experiment, to avoid making the overall process overly complicated, An Ning adopted an imperial examination system similar to that of the Song dynasty for this inaugural round.

It consists of the preliminary examinations organized by the various prefectures below, followed by the provincial examination and the palace examination organized by the central court.

Apart from the usual advanced scholar category, the military examination and the mathematics examination are also included.

The beginning is always the hardest. No matter how fully prepared the first time is, unfortunately, all sorts of complicated matters and even unexpected incidents are truly numerous.

Thankfully, my dear Minister Zhen, the Great Beauty Zhen, is truly capable! Cozily nestled on the soft couch, An Ning couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

Especially when handling affairs related to some larger-scale projects. She is even more systematic and orderly than Si Qi, who is most skilled in such matters.

She is practically the number one virtuous and capable assistant.

And Crown Prince A Yue has also grown up. It’s time for her to share some of the burden for her mother!

As the saying goes, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. Just as An Ning was thinking about appropriately delegating some more of the affairs in her hands, familiar footsteps soon sounded from outside the door.

“Mother!”

It was none other than Crown Prince Shen Yue, also one of the extremely busy people nowadays.

The fourteen-year-old girl’s stature was already as tall as an adult’s. With delicate features and a robe of crimson with flowing cloud patterns, she appeared all the more dashing and heroic, full of vigor.

Striding briskly across the steps, the crimson hem of her robe resembled a large patch of rapidly dancing flames. Even though the longsword she wore at her waist had been removed before entering the hall, her movements still carried an indescribable sharpness.

One look and you could tell she had just come from practicing swordplay.

Oh, and behind her, there was also a certain tall, slender, and clearly physically exhausted Lord Guo, who had obviously overexerted himself.

Upon closer inspection, there was still a light sheen of sweat on the collar of the robe and the forehead of the person behind her.

This contrast is really…

*Pfft*. Even though she had seen it countless times, An Ning still couldn’t help but want to laugh out loud.

She paused for a glance under the other’s barely concealed resentful gaze. Without needing to think much, knowing exactly what the two of them had been up to again, An Ning slightly pressed her fingers to her forehead while forcefully suppressing the laughter rising to her lips.

“Alright, you two, both of you, sit down!”

Speaking of which, this father and daughter pair are, in a way, quite the nemeses.

A Yue learned everything quickly from a young age. With the blessing of her biological mother An Ning, her aptitude for martial arts was also extraordinary. However, how should I put it? Everything needs a comparison, doesn’t it?

Unfortunately, as the little overlord of the north who could beat up a crowd of military officers with her fists at the age of ten-something, this young lady’s natural comparison object became her own mother.

Especially when little A Yue was seven years old. Following the usual practice, to prevent the child from truly getting too full of herself, An Ning once briefly carried her and used qinggong to float a circle in mid-air.

After that, the little one indeed completely stopped floating (getting arrogant). But because she couldn’t find the energy sense her mother spoke of for a long time afterward, the seven-year-old Yue’er was somewhat led to doubt life.

Of course, the object of suspicion naturally couldn’t be her own mother, such a formidable person capable of lifting a cauldron. So, obviously…

*Ahem!*

Since one’s health isn’t good, naturally one must train diligently. How can someone so grown-up be lazy?

In short, starting six years ago, the bitter days for the person before her began. It wasn’t until recent years, when the little overlord faintly sensed a bit of that energy sense, that things calmed down somewhat. It’s just…

Making a martial arts dud diligently practice martial arts, especially one with not-so-great aptitude, one can imagine how miserable the days were.

But obviously, exercise does indeed have its effects! It’s much better than relying solely on medicine before.

Of course, it’s undeniable that An Ning derived quite a bit of amusement from watching all this!

***

After breakfast, as usual, mother and daughter chatted for a short half-hour about some minor matters.

After amicably dividing a whole stack of memorials for her precious daughter and giving some instructions, watching the little one’s still steady, not-at-all-disordered retreating back, An Ning then leisurely lay back down.

Never mind other things, having a high-energy person is good!

Especially as this person grows up and can take on more and more tasks for you.

“What is Your Majesty sighing about?”

Oh, she almost forgot the one beside her. Pausing her gaze on the other’s freshly changed dark cyan robe, An Ning couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly and chuckle.

“Nothing much. I just regret that there were too many affairs earlier, the foundation wasn’t stable, and I couldn’t have A Yue be born a few years earlier.”

Guo Jia: “…”

Hearing this, why do my legs feel inexplicably weak?

Oh, not just weak and sore legs, but the hands that just held the sword are also sore!

“*Ai*, Crown Prince truly lives up to being Your Majesty’s own daughter!”

Dragging his weary body, he leaned against the couch like An Ning, deliberately moving closer to the person beside him. After a moment, Lord Guo couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

She always manages to pinpoint his limits with uncanny accuracy. Especially A Yue—over the years, whenever she has free time, she stubbornly refuses to let him be lazy for even a moment.

This really is… a nemesis! Lord Guo covered his face.

Alright, enough! An Ning gave him an unimpressed sideways glance.

Did he think she didn’t know? With the cunning of the person beside her, if he really didn’t want to be a training partner—well, let’s call it being a training partner for now—he could think of plenty of ways.

He wouldn’t need to act all sorts of ways on the surface like he does now, while in private, his legs and feet are more honest than anyone else’s.

He’s secretly overjoyed!

Losing face in front of the child because of being a martial arts dud?

Let’s just say, the person before her is definitely not one to care so much about face.

And counting the days, at most, it’s only when An Ning is busy and has no time to spar with the child that this one suffers a little bit more.

Like today, it’s probably only one or two days a week!

Getting some appropriate exercise isn’t bad either.

In the quiet space, after chatting idly for a while, the person beside her suddenly turned and asked with a smile:

“Your Majesty, did you plan from the very beginning that in the future, you would guard the capital while the Crown Prince leads campaigns to continue the great cause of unification?”

That’s why you’ve been so attentive to the young lady’s martial arts classes, military strategy, and tactics all these years.

Not surprised that the other saw this point, An Ning gave an almost imperceptible nod on the soft couch.

“The north has been in turmoil for a long time, the people’s livelihood is withered and depleted. It’s far from something that can be restored in a few years. For now, resting and recuperating is the priority. I originally had no intention of initiating many military campaigns in the short term.”

“Besides, the new dynasty has just been established. For A Yue to secure her position in the future, she needs to have some military achievements under her belt.”

Only then can she better control military power and earn the trust of those below.

Of course, there’s another point.

Judging by the timeline and the other’s physical constitution, Yue’er’s reign should be quite long. If everything is peaceful and all obstacles are cleared by her mother, in the long run, that probably wouldn’t be a good thing.

A ruler needs strong military strategy, enough experience in warfare, to be tougher when dealing with matters in the future.

Especially when dealing with those people in the north.

Although over these years, she has used a combination of soft and hard tactics, along with economic invasion, to set the various tribes against each other, competing for resources. Not to say they’re fighting like dogs with their brains out, but their power has been greatly diminished, and for a short time, they certainly won’t be able to unite again.

Besides, pastureland is limited. Large-scale sheep herding inevitably means encroaching on the living space for warhorses.

After a few more years, once they get used to relying on trade like wool with the Central Plains for their daily needs, losing the survival crisis brought by hunger, their aggressiveness will inevitably weaken accordingly.

However, with that terrifying history ahead, one still cannot let down one’s guard.

If it weren’t for the current level of productivity, and to avoid future management difficulties, just to be safe, to be honest, An Ning even wanted to just conquer the territory outright.

But why did this one suddenly bring this up now?

“What’s the matter, Minister Guo? Feeling heartache for her?”

Tapping lightly on the hand that had moved closer, An Ning couldn’t help but chuckle.

Don’t be fooled by this one’s seemingly casual demeanor. But for A Yue, since she was little, even a small cut on her hand during sword practice would make him frown and fret for most of the day.

“Your Majesty worries too much. Heartache, naturally there is some. However, since she is to inherit the imperial throne and wield the power of the realm, these are also necessary steps. Jia understands this well in his heart.” Reaching out to firmly grasp the hand that had touched his palm, the person before her said with a gentle smile. Shedding his usual casualness from outside, now wearing a dark cyan thin robe, he had a different kind of charm when serious.

“This humble minister merely feels that for the realm to have a ruler like Your Majesty is truly a great blessing!”

I must say, this mouth, this person, can be quite impressive sometimes.

Afterward, An Ning couldn’t help but think with a rather good mood.

However, in reality, the one who shared the same thought wasn’t just the person before her.

Several days later, receiving the name list from the Great Beauty Zhen.

Carefully looking at the familiar names before her, even An Ning couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment.

No… it can’t be!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep