The Divine-Blessed New Policies sent the scholars of All Under Heaven into an uproar of excitement. This was precisely what they wanted.
But the powerful gentry in the commanderies and counties were naturally unwilling. Indeed, their expressions changed in fury, and they openly denounced them as "tyranny" and "evil laws."
Some who could not contain themselves even called Wang Mang "a treacherous minister who brings calamity upon All Under Heaven, who should be executed to answer to All Under Heaven."
Luo Qi spared no effort in restoring the Land-Grant System in the traditional Six Commanderies of Guanzhong, hoping to begin redistributing land there.
The imperial family's power in Guanzhong was still extremely strong, particularly with troops loyal to it stationed there, making it possible to suppress rebellions effectively.
But East of the Passes was an entirely different matter. The situation there could only be described as a tangled mess.
As the edict reached the commanderies, counties, and kingdoms, reactions differed on every side.
The officials of Eastern Sea Commandery were all fretting over this edict. If they did not implement it, the court would certainly hold them accountable. But if they did, how could they possibly carry it out?
The Han Dynasty had very few officials. Or rather, all ancient dynasties had few officials. It was not that they did not want more, but that the court's finances could not support them.
Especially as the population gradually increased, ever more officials were needed, yet the finances would steadily deteriorate as a dynasty endured. This deterioration on both fronts would cause any ancient dynasty to lose control at the grassroots.
Every devolution of power was an act of necessity, a compromise made when there was no other choice.
Without the support of local powerful gentry and clans, they could not even