ebookland Chapter 726 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (12)
Chapter 726 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (12)
Kongkong didn't want to release the two little ginseng spirits simply because he didn't want them to cause trouble. What happened back then was long gone.
Xiong Bufan wasn't just talking about the imperial examinations; he inquired about the ministers' progress every day.
However, more and more officials resigned, and the number of people in the court was less than half of what it used to be. Even considering those who had previously bought their official positions, there were still not enough people to go around.
Xiong Bufan was least afraid of resigning from his official post, which saved the court money and resources.
Shangguan Yi was very worried. He knew that many ministers were pillars of two dynasties, and now that they had resigned, there were no new ministers to replace them. The Feng Dynasty would soon fall into disarray.
Xiong Bufan looked at the resignation document without worry, and simply ordered the confiscation of the property.
If you don't want to be an official to earn money to supplement your family's income, then your family must have a lot of money, so confiscating your property is just the right thing to do.
Xiong Bufan's thought process is always somewhat unconventional, yet sometimes it makes sense.
Watching Xiong Bufan's actions every day, Shangguan Yi was truly afraid that someone might rebel at any moment, so she could only keep a close watch on everything.
Xiong Bufan's order to confiscate property did curb the trend of officials resigning, but there were still not enough people.
Wang Shijun received news from his family and hoped that he could whisper in the emperor's ear to recommend some of the women in his family for official positions, thereby increasing their family's influence in the court.
Wang Shijun burned the letters he received. Now that he was the Emperor's man, he naturally had to put the Emperor first in everything.
If the women in the household are truly talented, then there's no need for him to seek official positions. They should rely on themselves for those things. I believe His Majesty will not miss any talented women.
As for men, that's unnecessary; His Majesty has his own, which is sufficient.
Xiong Bufan felt that after becoming emperor, his brain was not working properly, and his hair was falling out in clumps, almost turning him bald.
Every day when he went to court, Xiong Bufan felt annoyed looking at the sparse crowd, which resembled his own hair.
"Announce that there is no need to attend court tomorrow. I am leaving the palace and preparing the people's honor roll."
Shangguan Yi: "Your Majesty, what are you going to do?"
Xiong Bufan said confidently, "I'm going to find officials myself and fill the gaps in the official ranks."
Shangguan Yi was surprised to hear this. Could this really be done? But the Great Feng Dynasty was not at that level. Moreover, the emperor's incognito visits were always planned in advance. It was impossible to finish the work on the first night.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. I can arrange for someone to find the first hundred ladies who donated and ask for their opinions. Finally, I would like you to review and approve them."
Xiong Bufan nodded. She didn't have any other options at the moment. "Alright, go ahead."
The difference between this and buying and selling official positions is that it involves direct appointment by the emperor, and those recruited are either patriotic or concerned about their reputation. There are also fewer restrictions on official positions, which will encourage people to donate to disaster-stricken areas next time.
It also broke the restriction that businessmen could not become officials, which, in the short term, was indeed a good way to solve the country's predicament.
Xiong Bufan has been here for less than two months. First, he was illiterate, then he was involved in disaster relief, then he was broke, then he had to hold a harem selection, and now there is a large-scale resignation of officials. This can be described as a disastrous start.
Many of the problems in Fengchao did not arise after Xiong Bufan's arrival; they existed long before. However, Xiong Bufan's appearance accelerated the outbreak of the crisis.
Shangguan Yi respectfully withdrew. Their Empress was a wise and benevolent ruler, and a woman who loved her people like her own daughter.
Xiong Bufan lay on the bed, while Wang Shijun danced and sang songs beside him, with palace servants attending to him.
In the Dafeng Dynasty, women held absolute status. They could serve as officials in the court, engage in business, and do many other things. As for men, they only knew they were human when they saw them.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xiong Bufan waved his hand and dismissed the servants around him.
Wang Shijun sat not far from Xiong Bufan, preparing to serve him until he went to bed.
"You go to the side hall too, I can manage on my own."
Wang Shijun said, "Your Majesty, I will stay here and serve you."
"go out."
"Yes."
Xiong Bufan sometimes really needs some time alone. Dealing with idiots every day is exhausting for her.
"Kongkong, what is the meaning of being an emperor?"
Kongkong sensed that Xiong Bufan's Dao heart was somewhat unstable, and tentatively replied, "For the people?"
"I guess so. I can't let innocent people die because of me. I'll never be emperor again."
Xiong Bufan was really exhausted. Being an emperor was even more tiring than fighting. He ate every day, but it seemed that he couldn't replenish his energy.
Inside the magnificent palace, the heavy burden of state affairs weighed on the young, almost superhuman emperor, making her body appear exceptionally, exceptionally robust.
The next day, when the sun rose, Xiong Bufan still went to court to handle state affairs, listening to the ministers arguing, and even resorting to violence when the arguments got heated.
Zhao Yuanxin sat in the palace, looking at the seemingly unaffected Wang Shijun, and asked, "Wang Shijun, do you think His Majesty should hold a selection of concubines?"
Wang Shijun rolled his eyes; this old rooster was always looking for trouble.
"Your Majesty, it's not up to me to decide His Majesty's choice of consorts. You should try to persuade him yourself."
Zhao Yuanxin: "Lord Wang, His Majesty visits your palace the most."
Wang Shijun remained silent. Although he had been with the emperor every day these past few days, he had not gotten any closer to the emperor, and he had nowhere to confide in.
Zhao Yuanxin: "Your Majesty has no one in the palace. As your servants, we should advise you not to always think about monopolizing Your Majesty."
"Yes, Father Empress."
Xiong Bufan is truly pitiful. She was betrayed by ministers in the imperial court and pressured to have children in the harem, with no one even considering whether she had the money or the time.
Shangguan Yi acted swiftly; in less than ten days, he led his men to thoroughly investigate the talents, families, and aspirations for officialdom of those hundred people, and registered them in a register.
They publicly claimed that they were going to the palace to receive a reward and to thank them for their contributions to the people and the Great Feng Dynasty.
Among those who entered the palace were both men and women, but their families were mostly engaged in business or had made their fortunes through business. They were somewhat apprehensive about being summoned to the palace all at once.