Chapter 913 - 94: The Dawn of a Flourishing Era, Back on the Right Track

It can be said that what is needed in Kyushu now is merely stability and limitations on various powers from top to bottom.

With the foundation laid over these years and the existing population base, as long as there is a relatively peaceful period, everything will quickly get on track and develop.

Of course, the truly critical issue still lies in solving oppression.

Only by forming a relatively fair market can the people perceive the advantages brought by systemic change.

However, naturally, nothing is ever completely smooth sailing.

The Central Hub is relatively alright.

Though the resistance here is the greatest, to be frank, with Gu Hui’s prestige and strength in place, this group can’t stir up too much trouble.

Moreover, Gu Hui is also a political expert.

When it comes to the distribution of benefits, he is relatively all-encompassing.

The real difficulty, however, lies with those most dispersed minor officials!

It must be understood that whether in history or in the current Kyushu, these minor officials are the most numerous of all officials and are the ones directly facing the people.

Gu Hui now intends to lock down these people.

Even disregard others.

Simply considering the sheer number of these minor officials illustrates the difficulty.

In fact, the obstacles here far exceed those within the Central Hub.

Fortunately, there are quite a few descendants of the Gu Clan among them, greatly reducing the difficulty of this matter, but trying to execute it smoothly has still caused quite a commotion.

The protests of minor officials from various places are unending.

Their salaries aren’t high, and they have long been accustomed to oppressing the people with extravagant habits. Given their numbers, now they dare to muster the courage to challenge even Gu Clan in the face of the Central Hub.

No, perhaps it shouldn’t be put that way.

In essence, these people think Gu Hui is easier to bully.

If they were facing dim-witted or treacherous rulers like Zhao Gou or Qin Hui, they might not have the courage, as those individuals truly dare to kill them and wouldn’t hesitate just because they are numerous.

And the Gu Clan?

While they also deserve respect and fear.

But they are many, and the most crucial point is that these people are using legitimate reasons for their protests.

The Gu Clan would never act like Zhao Gou or Qin Hui, indiscriminately attacking them.

This is their greatest courage.

Of course, there is inevitably intervention due to the unfair distribution of benefits. Otherwise, these people wouldn’t exploit the new system’s means of directly reaching the court to pressurize it.

Yingtian Prefecture.

The lights in the cabinet office burned all night without extinguishing.

On the desk were piled urgent letters and complaint copies from various routes.

The air was heavy; even Yue Fei, known for his fortitude, the Director of the Secretariat, the Jiedu Envoy of the Wusheng Dingguo Army, and cabinet academician, frowned. He excelled in breaking formations in the Changsha battlefield, yet the pervasive and mire-like "soft resistance" throughout Kyushu troubled him.

"Grand Tutor, this trend cannot continue!" Elder Chen Kang said with worry, pointing to the papers, "Although these minor officials hold humble positions, they implement orders directly to the villages."

"If they band together in obstruction, measuring fields, collecting new taxes, and conveying orders become extremely difficult."

"And their complaints mostly reach the Ministry of Communication directly, appearing sincere. If we suppress forcefully, it might damage the reputation of ’broadening the channels for expression’ in the new policies and give the opposition ammunition."

Another cabinet member, hailing from the Northern Border and having served as the Prefect of Chengdu, known for his integrity and boldness, Wang Zhiwang took a firm stance: "This is a ploy by cunning officials exploiting the new policies for personal gain!"

"Their salaries have already increased under the new system, far surpassing the previous dynasty."

"The so-called ’difficulty to support families’ is actually blocking their gray income from exploiting the common people!"

"If we don’t severely punish the chief culprits as a warning, the authority of the new policies will be undermined, and any reforms in the future will surely be hindered by this group!"

Chief Academician Li Gang, hair and beard all white, mused, "Blocking is worse than dredging; punishment must have justification."

"If we act harshly, it may incite even larger civil unrest."

"But if we ignore it, where does the court’s authority stand?"

"The balance is extremely difficult to grasp."

His gaze shifted to Yu Yunwen, who had been silent all this time, a member of the younger faction in the court.

Seeing this, Yu Yunwen cautiously spoke, "I believe this matter must be investigated to the root."

"It is true that minor officials have meager salaries, but the sudden disturbances might be due to someone orchestrating and encouraging them from behind."

"Perhaps we can take a dual approach, on the one hand clearly showing the court’s intention to care and stabilize the hearts of most officials;"

"On the other hand, have the Imperial Censorate and Ministry of Justice send capable personnel to conduct a thorough investigation, both openly and secretly, to uncover the masterminds and notorious corrupt officials behind it, and deal with them according to the law to set an example."

Those present each spoke in turn, despite their differing ages, identities, and backgrounds, they still demonstrated a spirit of solving national worries.

There was no choice, as they were the ones who benefited the most under the current structure.

Since they had entered the cabinet,

it was natural for them to promptly change their attitude and express support for the new policies.

Gu Hui listened quietly to the core cabinet members’ debate, his fingers unintentionally tapping a detailed report from Huainan.

The report not only recorded the demands of local minor officials but also revealed, through ’Imperial Censorate’ secret investigations, the backgrounds of several ringleaders — all were intricately linked with certain local merchants dissatisfied with the ’Cao Sea General Control Department’ seizing profits, and gentry whose family lands were being measured.

This was a test, as well as a counteroffensive, hiding behind ’public opinion’ and ’procedure’.

After a long time, Gu Hui raised his eyes, his gaze cold as a serene pool: "There is merit in each of your concerns."