The price was that, over the following centuries, the aristocratic clans rapidly grew into towering behemoths, their influence expanding until it directly affected the stability of the state.
Liu Xie understood this perfectly, so he intended to carry out reforms while he still held great power and the realm, having just weathered a period of turmoil, was undergoing a redistribution of interests.
There was no need to yearn for the days when Emperor Gaozu lived, for he would surpass Emperor Gaozu!
"What do you have in mind, Your Majesty?"
Jia Xu asked simply and directly, cutting straight to the point.
Liu Xie answered crisply, "Reform the system for selecting talent and abolish the recommendation system; overhaul official law and restructure the ranks of officials at every level of the state; reform tax law, lighten the burden on the people, and curb the aristocratic clans' annexation of land."
"These are the three fundamental directions of my reforms."
The keys to a strong and prosperous state came down to three things: selecting talent, rectifying official governance, and restraining the aristocratic clans.
Of course, raising productivity was also of paramount importance, but that was something to pursue in tandem, included within the reforms.
A powerful army was important too, but with no rebels within the Great Han and no threats from beyond its borders, it was not the focus of reform.
Besides, the army was already very strong.
Thus, the most important-and most difficult-tasks remained the three he had just mentioned.
"This..."
Jia Xu was left speechless, Liu Xie's startling words frightening him into a cold sweat down his back.
He had expected something along the lines of rooting out corruption and giving the aristocratic clans a warning, not such a massive undertaking right from the start!
Abolishing the recommendation system, rectifying official