Rising and Falling

Not only the Great Han Dynasty, but also the Qin Dynasty, and even almost all the countries in the past, followed the simple logic of the strong ruling.

Their strength is outstanding, and those around them follow suit, forming a powerful force.

Becoming a leader requires intelligence in addition to intelligence, enabling one to resolve conflicts among subordinates and achieve development.

This kind of development, when it reaches a certain point, may either establish itself as Sacred Land for cultivation or lead to the rise of a dynasty or emperor.

The logic behind this has remained unchanged throughout history.

The Empress Dowager's reign remained unchanged. If it weren't for her superior strength compared to that of Princess Dou, and the fact that Princess Dou was the only rival in the internal power struggle within the royal family, the Changxin Palace where she resided would not have been able to rightfully inherit power.

The same applies to the new emperor. He defeated the empress dowager, which caused the ministers to shift their obedience.

Many ministers lacked absolute loyalty; they swayed whichever way the wind blew.

The once bustling Changxin Palace eventually dwindled in number of ministers, losing all its former authority and vibrancy.

Zhang Xuezhou's visit to Changxin Palace would have been unremarkable in the past, but it is a rare case in the present day.

"The late emperor always wanted loyal ministers," the Empress Dowager sighed, "But when he passed away, there wasn't a single loyal minister by his side. Even his closest confidant, Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu, had prepared swords and shields, ready to seek another wise ruler and prove himself!"

"Zhi Buyi is very loyal; he fought with all his might to protect the tomb!"

"Zhi Buyi is an elder; if he were to make a choice, he would be more loyal to the Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager shook her head.

Emperor Jing's life was so ridiculous. It seemed that the court officials knelt and bowed, but there were almost no people who were truly loyal. Emperor Jing also doubted everyone around him, including the Empress Dowager.

In the past, the Empress Dowager believed that this was because Emperor Jing lacked power, which forced the officials to defer to the Empress Dowager's approval.

But after Zhang Xuezhou recounted his story, the Empress Dowager also began to reflect on whether the court's system was worthy of people's loyalty.

The imperial family, princes, and marquises controlled 70% of the Great Han Dynasty's profits, ministers received 20%, and everyone else in the country received 10%.

With limited loyalty among ministers, the people of the Great Han became indifferent to who the emperor was, even if he changed. Meanwhile, various factions vied for power but failed, eventually rebelling against the court, only to be constantly suppressed by it.

"Everyone desires power, but the power at the top is limited," the Empress Dowager said. "There can't be two prime ministers in the court, nor can there be three censors!"

The power the Empress Dowager spoke of was nothing but self-interest.

A dynasty's output is limited; if there's one more stakeholder, everyone else will get less. Those who already have a vested interest are unlikely to relinquish their share.

Everyone has proof, and everyone follows the conventions established by Emperor Gaozu.

For example, if Zhang Xuezhou can receive one Creation Pill per month, but if a new person comes along and it takes Zhang Xuezhou two months to receive one, Zhang Xuezhou himself will not be happy.

"This requires an exit mechanism," Zhang Xuezhou said. "Court officials can rise and fall, and so can feudal lords and marquises!"

"Wouldn't that plunge the world into chaos?" the Empress Dowager said.

"Those who rise to power must be able to control those who fall to them," Zhang Xuezhou said humbly. "If they can't, it only proves that their achievements and abilities are insufficient, and they can't create enough momentum to suppress those below them!"

"Oh?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhang Xuezhou with great interest.

Official positions in the imperial court are often ranked, and with enough power to support them, a person can be promoted at a meteoric pace.

When they lose power or grow old and lose their abilities, the royal family can demote them or send them home to retire.

However, the feudal lords and marquises could not be touched, as doing so would cause chaos.

Whether it was external chaos caused by the alliance of feudal lords or internal strife in the court triggered by the power of marquises, neither was something the dynasty could afford.

The Empress Dowager was quite interested in how to deal with the princes and marquises, since these second and third generations were far inferior to their ancestors, and the royal family was very unreliable to rely on these people.

"If His Majesty bestows upon you the title of Marquis, can you control the resignation of the Marquis?" the Empress Dowager asked with interest.

"I have neither achievements nor abilities," Zhang Xuezhou shook his head repeatedly, "Someone like me is no good, I could never become a marquis in this lifetime!"

"You're quick to shift the blame," the Empress Dowager retorted. "Then tell me, what kind of person can be granted a marquisate?"

"In the war, being among the first to scale the walls, break through enemy lines, slay generals, or capture flags, plus defeating the Xiong State army, slaying ten generals, and killing over twenty thousand cavalrymen," Zhang Xuezhou said, "Such conditions..."

"That's outrageous!"

Before Zhang Xuezhou could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager felt that Zhang Xuezhou was simply talking nonsense.

Li Guang led troops for nearly thirty years, and to date, his army has killed fewer than five thousand Xiong State cavalrymen, and only two generals whose names are known.

Even someone as great as Li Guang couldn't accomplish this; it's hard for anyone to reach such a level.

If the standards are not met, it is impossible to inspire people's aspirations, and ultimately few will care, nor will any meritorious or loyal officials emerge.

"If you think this is outrageous, then no one can object to it," Zhang Xuezhou said. "Perhaps only someone like him could suppress the objections of the other marquises!"

"That makes sense," the Empress Dowager sighed. "If your requirements for granting titles to military officials are so demanding, then the requirements for granting titles to civil officials must be ridiculously high!"

"Whether it's guiding the government for the benefit of future generations, or orchestrating a successful ambush to remove a major threat from our hearts," Zhang Xuezhou said, "Such merit is worthy of being ennobled!"

"That makes sense!"

The Empress Dowager felt that Zhang Xuezhou had set very high standards, but if someone actually accomplished these feats, she felt she would welcome such a person with open arms and grant them a title or rank.

"Now that you've discussed the rise and fall of a marquis, tell me what kind of wrongdoing would warrant the stripping of his title," the Empress Dowager asked. "Currently, the court only strips marquises for participating in rebellion; that's far too low a threshold!"

"I haven't thought about this matter, and I expect the answer will be unsatisfactory," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I recommend the Zhufu Yan of the Palace, Zhu Fuyan; he should have some feasible suggestions!"

"I've heard His Majesty mention this man, saying his swordsmanship is exceptional and his thinking is extremely quick!"

The Empress Dowager nodded, not pressing the matter further with Zhang Xuezhou.

Setting goals that lead to titles and high positions will earn Zhang Xuezhou gratitude from those who succeed, but setting rigid rules that cause someone to lose their title will only incite resentment from noble Aristocratic Clan.

Zhang Xuezhou was already quite ill, and the Empress Dowager did not deliberately cause Zhang Xuezhou any distress.

No matter how outrageous Zhang Xuezhou's advice was, the Empress Dowager felt it was alright to publicize such a matter.

There is no loss if the matter is not accomplished, but if it is accomplished, it will have a profound impact on the Great Han Dynasty.

If someone can achieve the goal, it proves that the requirement is achievable, which will attract countless elite talents, who will then continuously strive for this goal.

This might generate enough centripetal force to ultimately win over the 'loyal' ministers that Emperor Jing cherished for a lifetime.