I Am Extraordinary Alone
Chapter 199 - 197: Zhao Ling’s Wish

Chapter 199: Chapter 197: Zhao Ling’s Wish

"You once said that killing can’t solve fundamental problems, remember?" Wei Tianyang said.

As soon as his words fell, Venerable Xu laughed, his sharp eyes like those of a hawk. Despite his gentle demeanor, the old man radiated an imposing aura filled with murderous intent.

He said, "But some problems do require killing."

Wei Tianyang looked at the people around the table and understood that these were Zhao Ling’s true confidants within the vast power structure of Yin Country.

The accomplishments of the Foreign Affairs Bureau and the Technology Department had allowed Yin Country to maintain its imperial system while also undergoing effective modern reforms. Venerable Xu and the director of the Three Armies Bureau held significant military power, using violence to block the conservatives and ensure that the reforms could proceed.

But as Wei Tianyang had seen when he first entered Yin Country, it was still an imperial feudal state with power prevailing over the law. Without Zhao Ling’s persistence, lineage would completely monopolize power, which was perhaps no better than the current division of the Yin people into six classes.

Zhao Ling seized power through killing...

"You are the Emperor of Dayin; why lead a rebellion?" Wei Tianyang still found it hard to believe.

Although over the past three years, Zhao Ling had always talked about wanting to completely rid Yin Country of its feudal system, as someone at the apex of power and a beneficiary of that system, she seemingly had no motivation to do so. What was she really after?

"Why do you insist on pursuing a greater meaning? Besides, you don’t even know what that thing truly is," Zhao Ling countered.

The people at the table also smiled silently.

"I just feel that there is too much injustice in this world. Many people deserve a better life, but they’re all dead. That’s not right," Wei Tianyang said.

"Fairness and justice in this world are defined by people. If you want fairness, you must first become king," Zhao Ling replied with a smile.

"You all are already the core of power in this nation; why have you spent so many years without changing Yin Country?" Wei Tianyang asked.

"People have their own agendas. In the courts and the military, every minister has his own plans. Over these decades, Zhao Ling’s primary activity has been to balance the interests of the powerful clans," Venerable Xu explained.

"Changing the country’s system means cutting into the clans’ share of the cake, which, to them, is unfair," Zhao Ling added.

Wei Tianyang nodded. At that moment, a chef brought over several jars of hot wine, its sweet and intoxicating aroma pervading the air. Everyone was served a bowl, each filled to the brim.

"I’ve drunk various wines for decades, but in the end, I still prefer this rice wine," Zhao Ling said with a laugh.

Wei Tianyang took a sip; it was different from baijiu and also unlike whiskey. With a low alcohol content, it was more like wine, sweet with a hint of alcohol.

After a few sips, everyone’s faces flushed. A grand meal was being prepared in the kitchen, suggesting that Zhao Ling had brought an entire restaurant’s kitchen staff here.

"These past fifty years, it has been no small feat for Yin Country to reach where it is today. The powerful families see it too. They know what I intend to transform Yin Country into, so every reform faces significant resistance."

"Just abolishing the special privileges of the Yin people took over thirty years of effort. I established a civil service system, held examinations, and even abolished the Yin Li in the Foreign Affairs Bureau, but still, the enlightenment of the people leaves much to be desired," Zhao Ling said, troubled.

"Indeed, stepping out of the feudal era begins with breaking people’s perceptions of the ’aristocratic class.’ Everyone is born equal, without distinction of high or low status. However, many still harbor ancient notions in their bones."

"The initial intent of dividing people into six classes was to subtly change people’s perceptions of ’aristocracy’ and ’privileges’ and blur the concept of ’birth.’ But over the years, civil servants have become a new class in people’s minds... These individuals, who became civil servants through their knowledge and abilities, have actually started forming a ’new aristocracy’ like the literary elites. Meanwhile, the aristocracy is employing strategies to absorb capable people from among these elites, completely deviating from our original intent," Venerable Xu said with some frustration.

"Look, doesn’t this just prove that killing can’t solve problems? My fist cannot contend with the tides of the times; in Yixu, I saw power wielders stir up public opinion with lies, and no one could calm the storm. What could I do? Killing one person is meaningless; kill hundreds or thousands, and there will still be hundreds or thousands more..."

"Destruction and ruin without achievement is not what I want to do. What solutions do you have?"

Wei Tianyang shook his head, unable to find an answer.

"Wei, this is why we are gathered here tonight. You have always been in search of ’greater meaning,’ but in my view, you are that ’greater meaning.’ Throughout history, both domestically and abroad, the many failed revolutions can ultimately be attributed to the lack of absolute power to protect them. But now, we have you," said Zhao Ling.

Wei Tianyang looked at Zhao Ling, recalling the words she had said to him in their first meeting in the Lingxiao Palace conference room...

"Join Yin Country, and kill for me!"

That statement now seemed profoundly meaningful.

The Lingxiao Palace where she sat, was it also under surveillance by the noble families? Steijie had mentioned ’Shadow’ at home but did not dare to speak outright; Zhao Ling couldn’t speak freely in her own Lingxiao Palace either or else, why meet secretly in this secluded manor at dawn?

"Our enemy is the noble families, the feudal remnants sucking the blood of this ancient nation and its millions of people. I sit on this throne, playing the heartless empress, but what I truly desire is a reformed nation!"

"I am tired of the red tape; these old rituals are essentially tests of obedience from subordinates towards power and a test of class purity for the vested interests who regard their emperor as their agent. Such are the so-called feudal empires rooted in power."

Zhao Ling spoke, then filled her cup again with the warm, fragrantly sweet rice wine. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she frowned with strongly knitted brows, boldly drinking half the bowl.

"Do you want me to kill all those noble families?" Wei Tianyang asked.

"Not exactly. Looking at the entire power structure of Yin Country, from top to bottom, the Yin people’s class numbers just over a hundred thousand, divided among six noble families controlling ninety percent of the power. Below them are millions of family clan members; the civil servant class is even larger, numbering in the tens of millions... These people make up our present-day one palace, three chambers, six bureaus, and twelve departments."

"Not everyone among these myriad people should be killed. Moreover, the operation of every department in Yin Country and the governance of the nation cannot do without them. Among the noble families, there are also thinkers who are on the vanguard, potential allies," explained Venerable Xu.

"Zhao Ling, with just a word, can demote civil servants to remote poverty-stricken areas or have several commoners shot. Why do you insist I do it?" Wei Tianyang asked.

"It’s the struggle between classes. For me, dealing with servants poses no issue, but dealing with noble families? Hmph, they are a community of shared interests. Mr. Xu’s military doesn’t reach domestic affairs, which are under Venerable Qin’s sphere of influence, closely guarded by her."

"Is she just another Venerable, and you have no control over her people?" Wei Tianyang asked.

"The extension of power depends on the enforcement of one’s own forces. The people in domestic and foreign affairs come from Venerable Qin’s noble family, promoted from the civil servant ranks by her clan; they’ve already formed a tight group. My orders to them get carried out only if beneficial; otherwise, they’re ignored or overly executed to deliberately cause trouble, ending with flawless reports, which are a real headache."

"Moreover, even so, I couldn’t possibly let you recklessly kill her subordinates. It is human nature to protect oneself; people who have just passed the difficult civil service exams and been promoted by noble families to certain positions, obviously protecting their master is common sense," Zhao Ling said, shaking her head.

"I see..." Wei Tianyang said.

Internal factional conflicts are indeed complex... Those ordinary people who were promoted were essentially doing nothing wrong, simply performing their duties as instructed and safeguarding their own interests.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of a question and immediately asked, "Zhao Ling, if you ultimately succeed... you are the Emperor... what are your plans?"

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table laughed as if they had everything planned out already.

"I keep saying that I want to eliminate Yin Country’s feudal desires, I certainly couldn’t continue wearing the title of Emperor afterward, could I?" Zhao Ling laughed.

She took a sip of rice wine, earnestly adding, "After that, Yin Country would have no Emperor. Whoever is competent should govern the nation. I’ve grown tired of sitting on that throne for a century; once the revolution succeeds, I’ll abdicate and let the capable rule. I’ll find an unknown place to retire, living as an ordinary woman growing flowers and raising cats."

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