Chapter 113 - The Unfeeling Emperor

Chapter 113: Chapter 111: The Unfeeling EmperorXiao Rou, now even more presumptuous in the harem with her grandfather as a great hero, is someone that Ye Qiu refuses to indulge.

"If she is sick, summon the Imperial Physician. I am no doctor; what use is there in asking me to come over?"

Eunuch Shun, having understood Ye Qiu’s temperament over the years, knew his tone was harsh but did not punish the servants. He simply felt that Noble Princess Consort Xiao was being overly persistent; even if she sent for him five times, His Majesty might not visit Ganquan Palace even once, yet she would tirelessly continue.

"Right away, this servant will return a message to the people at Ganquan Palace."

Once the servants were dismissed, Ye Qiu began to contemplate matters of maritime transport. Since the time of the first emperor, with internal strife and rampant pirates, the Hong Dynasty had ceased maritime trade, having only reopened the port at Quan City so far.

However, even with just one port, due to frequent pirate robberies, not many ventured out to sea, and to date, it has not brought significant tax revenue to the Hong Dynasty. Now, with the Northern Border stabilizing in trade relations and land reforms showing early signs of success, his next target was the maritime trade of the Hong Dynasty.

Closing off the nation is no long-term strategy, and the profits from maritime trade are substantial. For the development of the Hong Dynasty, clearing out the pirates was imperative. Once maritime trade is resumed, pushing for nationwide commercial reforms will be much easier.

Having considered his plans, Ye Qiu summoned the Minister of War, Minister of Revenue, and Minister of Industry on that very day, and sent a confidential letter to the Fujian Governor and the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Within a month, Ye Qiu had issued an imperial decree to open ports and exterminate the pirates. Meanwhile, the artisans from the Ministry of Industry headed to Fujian and Guangdong to start the extensive selection and construction of ports and ships.

This move by Ye Qiu gave the nobles of the capital hope. The land reform, which prohibited landlords and nobles from merging land, had undoubtedly cut off their source of wealth, but now, they saw a new way to make money, as His Majesty had not forbidden them from doing business.

Travel accounts have recorded that overseas there are islands like Gold Island with its abundant gold and Pearl Island with its ubiquity of pearls. Even if there is some exaggeration in these accounts, judging by the commercial prosperity of the previous dynasties, maritime trade is indeed a highly profitable industry.

In recent days, several batches of idle noble disciples have come to Ye Qiu asking for imperial decrees to join the fight, knowing full well the grave dangers in exterminating pirates, yet they are willing to take the risk, not only to benefit from the booming maritime trade but also to make a favorable impression on Ye Qiu.

In the years since Ye Qiu’s ascension, in everyone’s eyes, he is undoubtedly an enlightened Emperor determined to enact real policies and will certainly leave a significant mark in history. And would these ministers serving under such an enlightened ruler also be remembered by future generations?

Just thinking about it, those nobles who typically pursue pleasure, are stirred with passion. Which young person lacks spirit? It is merely that previously there was no one to inspire them.

Seeing more and more people volunteering, Ye Qiu harbors another idea. There are many descendants of nobility and heroes in the capital, and naturally, there is a mix of good and bad among them. How to select the talented ones is key.

Ye Qiu wishes to establish an official school, not just for studying and taking exams like other academies but to develop a more comprehensive or specialized institution to cultivate talents.

After all, literates are the minority in this world, and being literate does not necessarily mean one can be a good official. Ye Qiu wants to build an official school that categorizes talents meticulously.

For instance, those good at arithmetic go to the Ministry of Revenue, those skilled in crafts go to the Ministry of Industry, and those skilled in martial arts go to the Ministry of War... Starting from the capital, gradually pushing nationwide, the corrupt promotion mechanism also needs to be changed.

Moreover, this can also slowly dissolve Prime Minister Xiao’s influence over the court without disturbing the fundamental governance. The idea of official school was proposed by him, and all the graduates are the Emperor’s Disciples.

He can also establish a scholarship system within the official school. Commoner students can receive scholarships to lighten their family’s burden, and noble descendants will also gain face by receiving scholarships, creating competition which will make them work harder.

Thinking this way, Ye Qiu immediately summoned Prince Qing to the palace to discuss the matter. Early students are bound to be mostly noble descendants - ordinary people can hardly suppress those fearless fellows; only highly respected nobles are required to keep them in check.

"What does Your Majesty want with you this time! You’re not young anymore, yet His Majesty fails to consider your wellbeing." Old Princess Consort adjusted Prince Qing’s court attire and said worriedly.

Prince Qing’s white beard quivered as he chuckled: "How could I not support His Majesty’s grand ambitions? Everyone says our Ye Family has amassed many misdeeds hence sparse progeny, but look at what he’s doing now, each deed benefiting the public. Maybe, just maybe, our Ye Family could thrive for centuries more!"

"Alright, alright, I can’t argue with you," Old Princess Consort said helplessly.

Prince Qing, equally excited about the establishment of the official school, thought that although descendants of their Ye Family were few and generally lazy, giving them a little motivation to compete with outsiders and commoner descendants could naturally evoke their vigor. How could the people of their Ye Family be inferior to others?

Furthermore, for the successful implementation of the official school, Ye Qiu also planned to enroll the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. The Crown Prince, now twelve, has been raised at his side and meticulously taught, already possessing the demeanor of a Crown Prince. Whether in studies or martial arts, he surpasses peers. The capability of the second however, is somewhat less, with one brother strong and the other weak, not only will it motivate themselves but also others.

Meanwhile, this would greatly benefit the Crown Prince’s future succession to the throne. The first batch to enter the official school, whether from powerful families or distinguished themselves, will certainly hold positions in the future officialdom.

"Are you confident?" The next day, after sweating profusely in the training field, Ye Qiu expressed his ideas to Huaijin and asked.

"Yes." Ye Huaijin’s eyes sparkled brightly as he spoke resolutely.

"Take good care of your younger brother and don’t let him drift too far from others, lest we lose face of our Ye Family," Ye Qiu patted his son, now as tall as his shoulder, instructing with a smile.

"Father Emperor, rest assured, I will go back and supervise the Second Prince closely," the Second Prince, still oblivious and playing in Queen Mother’s Qingyu Palace, did not know that his days of hardship were about to begin from today.

The Second Prince has always been hardly noticeable in the palace, not mentored earnestly by Ye Qiu like the Crown Prince, nor cared for dearly like the Third Prince by the Empress Dowager. Princess Consort Liu, a less favored concubine, devoted herself to the Second Prince over the years but only doted on him without guidance. Fortunate enough, the Second Prince had a non-competitive character, contented if there were food and fun to last the day.

However, being a prince, naturally, he can’t afford to be inferior to others. With him entering the official school, losing face would be of the Emperor and Crown Prince, hence from today, palace attendants may no longer see a carefree Second Prince.