New Policies Issued, Officials Oppose

The next day, the sky was barely bright.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds and illuminated the summit of the towering imperial palace, a heavy, melodious bell tolled throughout the capital.

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

Nine tolls signified the passing of the Emperor.

Immediately following were twelve even more piercing drumbeats that echoed in every direction.

Twelve drumbeats announced the ascension of a new Emperor.

Overnight, the imperial power had shifted, and the very heavens of the Great Sui were about to change.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the civil and military officials had long since lined up on both sides according to their rank and grade, filling the entire hall.

Each of them wore a solemn expression, but a closer look would reveal that deep within their eyes, they each harbored their own hidden agendas.

There was shock, confusion, panic, hesitation, and also... anticipation.

What had transpired within the palace last night had already leaked out, to varying degrees, through various channels.

The Third Prince and the Ninth Prince had both perished in the struggle for the throne, and the one who had ultimately claimed that seat was someone else entirely.

It was the "useless" prince who had been ignored by everyone all along—Lin Hanzhou!

This outcome exceeded everyone's expectations.

How did he manage it? What kind of support did he have behind him?

After his ascension, where would the Great Sui head?

Countless questions lingered in the hearts of every official.

Just as this complex and oppressive atmosphere took hold, a sharp, shrill voice from a eunuch drifted in from outside the hall.

"The new Emperor arrives—!"

As the voice faded, all the officials immediately bowed and shouted in unison.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long, long live!"

Amidst the chorus of the officials, Lin Hanzhou, dressed in a brand-new golden dragon robe, walked toward the hall surrounded by attendants.

The nine golden dragons embroidered on the robe appeared lifelike under the morning light, as if they might take flight at any moment.

His steps were steady and powerful, and there was not a hint of nervousness or unease on his youthful face.

As he slowly sat upon the dragon throne, which symbolized supreme power, an aura of ruling over the world seemed to envelop the entire hall.

All the officials, who had previously harbored their own thoughts, could not help but lower their heads even further the moment they felt this aura.

They suddenly realized that this new Emperor was likely far from the simple figure they had imagined.

"My lords, rise."

Lin Hanzhou spoke calmly, his voice clear yet carrying an unquestionable majesty that reached every corner of the hall.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The civil and military officials straightened up, yet no one dared to look directly at the figure on the dragon throne.

According to custom, following a new Emperor's ascension, the Minister of Rites should read the late Emperor's edict, followed by a series of tedious rituals.

However, Lin Hanzhou did not play by the rules at all.

He spoke directly, bypassing all the red tape, and uttered the first sentence that shocked the entire court.

"Upon my ascension today, I intend to promulgate three new policies to be announced to the world."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court of civil and military officials was stunned.

On the first day of his reign, instead of pacifying the people and stabilizing the court, he was going to push for new policies? This was... far too hasty, wasn't it?

Before they could react, Lin Hanzhou's voice rang out again, like a thunderclap on a clear day, exploding in everyone's ears.

"First: From this day forward, all land in the Great Sui shall be reclaimed by the state!"

"It shall then be redistributed to the people by the imperial court based on head count, ensuring that those who till the land have their own fields."

"Anyone found encroaching upon, hoarding, or reselling land shall be executed along with their entire clan upon verification!"

Boom—!

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony erupted in chaos!

Land reclaimed by the state?!

This was digging up the very roots of every noble family and powerful clan!

The foundation of the Great Sui Dynasty was the system of private land ownership, and the largest landowners were those deeply entrenched, powerful families.

This single decree was tantamount to declaring war on the entire ruling class of the Great Sui!

"Your Majesty, you must not!"

An elderly official with white hair and beard trembled as he stepped out of the ranks, knelt on the ground, and wept bitterly.

"Land is the cornerstone of a nation, and the laws of our ancestors must not be changed! This move will surely plunge the world into chaos and shake the very foundations of the Great Sui! I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

"I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Immediately, dozens more officials knelt to the ground, the vast majority of whom hailed from aristocratic clans.

Lin Hanzhou sat upon the dragon throne, watching the sea of kneeling figures with an expressionless face, ignoring them entirely.

He continued in that icy voice, announcing the second decree.

"Second: Establish public schools in every prefecture and county across the nation. Regardless of status, education shall be provided to all without discrimination."

"Every subject of the Great Sui who has reached the age of seven may enroll for free, with all expenses covered by the imperial court!"

If the first decree was digging up the roots of the aristocratic families, then this second one was severing their legacy.

For thousands of years, knowledge had been monopolized by a small circle of the powerful and elite.

By controlling education, they controlled the source of talent, thereby ensuring their families could hold onto the reins of government indefinitely.

And now, the new Emperor actually wanted to let those peasants and their children study alongside them?

How could this be allowed?

"Absurd! This is simply absurd!"

"How can the teachings of the sages be lightly imparted to the ears of the lowly? This act insults the refined, and will surely ruin the literary spirit of our Great Sui. I implore Your Majesty to retract this order!"

Another official jumped out, roaring with righteous indignation.

Voices of opposition rose and fell, turning the entire hall into something as chaotic as a vegetable market.

Yet, Lin Hanzhou remained unmoved, his cold gaze sweeping across the room.

He then announced the third, and most lethal, decree.

"Third: Reform the imperial examinations. From this day forward, the old system is abolished. Regardless of lineage or background, talent alone shall be the criteria!"

"The content of the examinations will be determined by Me personally."

As this third new rule fell, the entire court finally erupted into a frenzy!

Each of these decrees was like a sharp blade, thrust deep into the hearts of the aristocratic clans.

This was to completely sever the final path they had to control the bureaucratic system through the imperial examinations!

"Your Majesty! This subject objects!"

"I second that! This act is akin to destroying our own Great Wall!"

"How can the laws of our ancestors be changed on a whim? Your Majesty has just ascended the throne; you must not act so rashly!"

The voices of opposition surged like a tidal wave.

This time, those standing in opposition were not just the aristocratic officials, but even some old ministers from humble backgrounds who held conservative views.

They believed that this young new Emperor was simply too radical, too insane!

Even if such reforms were to be implemented, they should be done gradually; one must never be so eager for quick success.

The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell into a state of unprecedented chaos and uproar.

Upon the dragon throne, Lin Hanzhou watched the agitated officials below with indifference, a flicker of icy killing intent emerging from the depths of his eyes.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

He wanted all those who opposed him to jump out, all at once, on this very day.