Luoyang.
A similar court assembly was taking place in Great Wei.
Cao Mao sat in the seat of honor, with the ministers seated below.
Ever since the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers had completely lost their power and become honorary titles, court assemblies had grown rather interesting.
The assemblies usually began with reports from the various ministries of the Imperial Secretariat.
Each ministry spoke of its recent achievements and its future direction.
The current Imperial Secretariat was unquestionably the most formidable institution in the realm. Every one of its six ministers was among the very best; its entire roster was practically maxed out. It was the most effective institution under Cao Mao.
Their results were clear, too.
All six ministries had achieved a great deal during this period.
The Ministry of Households needed no introduction: abolishing the military agriculture system was now Great Wei's largest policy initiative.
Public fields throughout the country were leased to the common people, and farming was no longer directed by the imperial court. Great Wei's military agriculture agencies were cut outright, provoking enormous controversy.
There were, in fact, a great many opponents.
Their pretexts varied. Some said this system had been operating since Emperor Wu's time, and changing it lightly might shake the foundations of the state, reduce revenue, and cause the state treasury to collapse.
Some said they feared the public fields would become certain people's private property.
Others said they worried that without the imperial court's leadership, the common people would be unable to farm effectively and would easily grow lax.
As Lu Zhi expressionlessly described the progress of reforms across the country and the decision to abolish numerous military agriculture agencies, the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers began to fidget in their seats.
The imperial court had split into two camps.
Those