Hereditary succession without reduction and hereditary rank reduction-this system had, in fact, first appeared during the Wei-Jin period.
The original fixed inheritance of noble ranks had been divided into two types. Under ordinary hereditary succession, the rank dropped by one grade each time it passed down.
This system had emerged because Sima Zhao expanded the range of noble ranks. By Sima Yan's time, so many people held titles that distinctions were made among them: some ranks could be passed down indefinitely without increase or reduction, while others had to keep dropping in grade.
During the Tang dynasty, the Imperial Clan was also brought into this system. By the Song dynasty, hereditary succession without reduction had largely been replaced by ranks that were downgraded or could not be inherited.
Historically, the man responsible for this had been Pei Xiu.
At this moment in Luoyang, most of the ministers were nursing grievances.
Wang Chang sat in the seat of honor with a stern expression, his face livid, saying nothing.
Zhong Yu knelt to one side, looking deeply respectful.
"Lord Wang, my younger brother did indeed go too far. The ministers rendered great service and received noble ranks..."
Zhong Yu had barely begun when Wang Chang interrupted him.
"Zhong Yu... there is no need to say any more."
"You and I are on good terms, and all this time, I have refrained from taking issue with Zhong Hui... but this time, I truly have nothing left to say to him. Please go home."
Zhong Yu heaved a long sigh. "Lord Wang, our families have had considerable dealings. We share ties of kinship."
"Zhong Hui's thinking is somewhat radical, but what he is considering is the great undertaking of the altars of soil and grain, not his own interests."
Wang Chang looked at him