The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 85: Grandfather and Grandson

Following Xia Chengli's example, Xia Chengyan and Xia Chengren launched a scathing critique of Lin Ruhai's proposed strategies.

They racked their brains, changing their perspectives to criticize from various angles, striving to offer something new so that the Emperor would look at them in a different light.

Emperor Yonglong listened with a smile, but inwardly he was sighing silently.

My grandchildren are quite clever, but they lack true wisdom.

I initially thought they were good, but after taking Zong-ge'er under my wing, he gradually surpassed them.

If Zong-ge were here, what answer would he give?

Emperor Yonglong was eager to know the answer.

Change is full of uncertainties and may not be the best strategy.

Lin Ruhai's strategy was particularly extreme.

But at least one of his descendants should be able to accomplish this.

The next day, Emperor Yonglong sent someone to summon Xia Chengzong to the palace.

Xia Chengzong was training his officers in drill when several eunuchs suddenly arrived and summoned him to the palace.

Xia Chengzong asked a few questions, but the eunuchs didn't know why he had been summoned to the palace. They just urged him to go quickly.

Xia Chengzong was puzzled, wondering if he was going to be asked about the military training.

Upon entering the palace, he saw Dai Quan in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"His Majesty was waiting for the Third Prince. It's just in time for him to arrive. Please come in."

Xia Chengzong asked with a smile, "Eunuch Dai, may I ask why the Emperor summoned me here?"

Xia Chengzong was just exchanging casual pleasantries, not at all expecting Dai Quan to tell him the real answer; that old man was very tight-lipped.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Dai Quan waved his hand, signaling the eunuch beside him to move away.

He said softly, "Your Highness, last night, this old servant overheard His Majesty testing the three young masters, including the scholar Lin, on the issue of reform!"

"I reckon the reason I summoned the Third Prince today is to ask him this question. Your Highness, have you thought about how to answer beforehand?"

Huh?

Why did this old man's attitude change so drastically today, revealing such important information to me?

A thoughtful expression appeared on Xia Chengzong's face. He decided not to dwell on the matter for the time being and instead began to ponder the information Dai Quan had revealed.

Xia Chengzong already knew about Lin Ruhai's memorial yesterday.

The most important reforms proposed by Lin Ruhai were the integration of land tax and poll tax and the equal payment of taxes by the gentry.

These two reforms would put the people of the world at odds—especially the officials of the world—and were almost impossible to succeed.

But if Xia Chengzong were to become emperor, he would attempt to implement such reforms.

Without such reforms, it would be difficult to save the Great Qian Dynasty.

However, the answer to the Emperor's question does not lie in whether Uncle Lin's strategy was good or bad, but in the Emperor's attitude towards change.

If my grandfather strongly opposes change, and I praise the change and go against my grandfather, will I disappoint him?

Xia Chengzong frowned and began to think.

No sooner had Uncle Lin submitted his memorial than the Emperor threw it into the court for the officials to discuss the next day.

Then Uncle Lin was impeached by the entire court and eventually ended up being demoted.

If the Emperor wanted to push for change, he would have made a more comprehensive plan, and would never have simply thrown it out in such a crude and straightforward manner.

So, did the Emperor strongly oppose change?

It seems that way, but Xia Chengzong felt that it might not be so.

Grandfather already asked about his three good brothers yesterday.

These three individuals are adept at reading people's expressions and will inevitably launch a fierce attack on the reforms.

If the Emperor strongly opposes change, why did he call me in again to ask him the same question?

Grandfather, can't you see the problems of the Great Qian Dynasty? Can't you see that reforms would benefit the Great Qian Dynasty?

Xia Chengzong felt that this was absolutely impossible.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was extremely large, and Xia Chengzong did not walk very fast, but he eventually reached the end of the journey.

Dai Quan said with a smile, "Third Prince, His Majesty instructed that you may enter without prior notice."

Xia Chengzong nodded and stepped inside.

Emperor Yonglong was reviewing memorials when Xia Chengzong entered the room to pay his respects.

Emperor Yonglong responded and pointed to the stool, indicating that he should sit down and talk.

After Xia Chengzong sat down, Emperor Yonglong indeed brought up the matter of Lin Tanhua's memorial on reform and asked for his opinion.

After listening, Xia Chengzong, though already having the answer in his heart, still pondered for a long time before speaking:

"Grandfather, I believe that the reform strategy proposed by Scholar Lin is a good idea, but it is not feasible."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong smiled and asked, "Tell me, why is that?"

Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1

That's it!

Xia Chengzong didn't even need to observe Emperor Yonglong's expression; seeing a positive emotion in the tent put his mind at ease.

Grandfather supported change, but his health no longer allowed him to initiate it.

The Emperor's question was probably about finding a successor who could bring about change and save the Great Qian Dynasty.

Therefore, this answer is very important.

Xia Chengzong said, "Grandfather, Scholar Lin pointed out that the problem in our Great Qian Dynasty is the problem of unequal distribution."

"The gentry are like bloodsuckers, clinging to the Great Qian Dynasty and endlessly sucking its blood."

"His reforms were essentially a way to bleed out the gentry and give back to the nation and its people."

Although these words are rough, they get straight to the point.

Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1

Receiving positive feedback, Xia Chengzong became even more confident.

"However, cutting off someone's source of income is like killing their parents; all officials in the world are gentry."

"Such a reform means making enemies of all officials in the country, and there is always the danger of the country collapsing."

"Without a wise ruler and capable ministers, without the ability to control the entire army, without the courage to fight with one's back to the river, and without unwavering perseverance, this task could never be accomplished."

This insight once again surprised Emperor Yonglong.

Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1

Emperor Yonglong then asked, "You yourself said that reform means making enemies of all officials under heaven."

"Implementing reforms requires officials to carry them out; how can they be expected to do so diligently?"

"What if all officials outwardly comply but inwardly resist? Wouldn't this reform never succeed?"

Xia Chengzong said, "Grandfather, I believe that if the reforms are to succeed, some preparations need to be made in advance."

"Since ancient times, imperial power has not extended to the countryside, and the imperial court's control over local areas has been too weak."

"For the reforms to succeed, imperial power must extend to the countryside, allowing the imperial court to have complete control over the local areas."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong frowned slightly.

Zong Ge'er's answer was completely unrelated to the question he asked, and was entirely irrelevant.

However, he did not ask any questions, but listened quietly.

He believed that Zong Ge'er would give him a reasonable explanation.

Xia Chengzong continued:

"I think we should add an assessment for lower-level officials and bring them under the control of the imperial court."

"Their assessment did not involve the traditional imperial examinations, but rather tested them on modern subjects such as mathematics and physics. After passing the assessment, the imperial court would provide them with a salary."

"The sons of gentry naturally disdain taking the exams, so officials can only come from the common people at the bottom of society."

"They represent the interests of the common people; only by involving them in reform can there be any hope of success!"