The Empress Dowager's arrangement of a marriage alliance for Luo Qi changed the winds in Chang'an. One of the leading figures of the Institutional Reform Faction, a close friend of the Grand Marshal and Great General, had actually stood alongside the Empress Dowager.
What did this mean?
It could not have been more obvious. Even a fool knew that Luo Qi was declaring that he would safeguard the imperial family's interests during the reforms!
Coupled with Wang Mang's declaration of his stance at court, this dispelled the final doubt over whether the Institutional Reform Faction would seize power and usurp the throne after accomplishing great deeds.
The voices of the scholars of the Institutional Reform Faction instantly broke through everything, their clamor boiling up to the heavens.
The marriage arrangements were still going through the formalities, while Zhao Hede was on her way to Chang'an.
Luo Qi and the others entered Wang Mang's residence. No major obstacles remained on the road to reform now. Those who held the highest power had reached a consensus, as had the mid-ranking officials. Most crucial of all were the surging ranks of scholars throughout the realm and the common people, who urgently needed policies to placate them.
If they delayed any longer, the scholars would lose faith in them, and the common people would wait no more. They would simply raise their poles in rebellion and overturn this dark world.
This was a reform at the brink of life and death. If it failed, Great Han could await its death, and so could they.
"Now is the time to accomplish, one by one, all those things we once wanted to do."
"All Under Heaven is like a chessboard. How should we place our pieces upon it to bring order to the realm and escape