Chapter 66: Your Majesty will finally take action against the old clans!
Li Si stepped out of the towering palace gate, the sweat on his back had soaked through his clothes, and the surging waves in his heart were far more thrilling than his outward calm.

Just now, in the Zhangtai Palace, His Majesty's secret decree was only to investigate the old clans involved in the soaring prices and food shortages in Xianyang.

However, having held the high position of prime minister for many years, Li Si's sensitivity to the direction of the court was far beyond what ordinary people could achieve!

He sensed the undercurrent beneath the calm surface!
“Is… Your Majesty finally going to take action against those old, deeply rooted clans?!”

Li Si was shocked and confused!

Since Duke Mu, these old clans of the Qin Dynasty have had extensive influence in the court, like towering ancient trees, deeply rooted and cannot be shaken in a day.

However, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, he has been reorganizing the government with lightning speed, eliminating dissidents, and the suppression of old clans has been increasing day by day!

Although today's secret decree did not clearly state what measures would be taken against the old clan, Li Si knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

Your Majesty will never tolerate anyone causing trouble under his rule and undermining the foundation of the Qin Empire.

Once the facts are ascertained and the evidence is conclusive, those old clans will surely face the thundering wrath of His Majesty!

……

The sky gradually brightened, the morning glow illuminated the sky, and above the magnificent court, all officials stood in silence, waiting for the First Emperor to arrive!
Accompanied by a majestic drumbeat, Emperor Qin Shi Huang slowly walked into the court, his face full of majesty and his eyes as sharp as torches! !

All the officials saluted and shouted "Long live the emperor" so loud that the roof tiles shook!

The First Emperor came with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, walked up the jade steps, sat down safely on the imperial bed, pondered for a moment, and then mentioned the matter of the Enfeoffment Order.

His voice was loud and resonant in the court: "Since I annexed the six kingdoms and unified the world, the world has become a unified dynasty without wars and disasters. However, governing this vast territory and consolidating this foundation for thousands of years is not a one-day job."

"I have thought about it again and again, and decided to implement the Enfeoffment Order to strengthen the foundation of the country and reassure the people!"

At this point, the First Emperor paused for a moment, glanced at his ministers, and continued, "The purpose of the Enfeoffment Order is to optimize the system of titles and salaries, and to ensure that every citizen and minister who has made contributions to the country can get the due reward."

Afterwards, the First Emperor told all the court officials what Ye Chi had said about the Enfeoffment Order!
"In the old days, the laws of the Qin Dynasty had provisions to encourage adult men to split up their families. This was to promote population growth and increase the number of households, which would facilitate the country's taxation and corvée labor!"

"Now, the implementation of the Enfeoffment Order is also based on this intention!!"

"You must know that since Shang Yang's reform, titles and salaries have often been concentrated in the hands of the eldest son of each family. Apart from the eldest son, the other sons, although they have worked hard, have rarely received any rewards!"

"The implementation of the Enfeoffment Order is to change this situation, so that the sons of every household and clan in the Great Qin will have the opportunity to inherit the corresponding titles and salaries from their elders!"

"I want the people of the Great Qin to get married, start a family, multiply their descendants, and share the blessing of a peaceful and prosperous era!"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the old clans in the court suddenly changed, as if they were struck by lightning! !

They whispered to each other, and there was an uproar in the court!
Although the First Emperor talked about extending favors, how could the old clans not know its profound meaning? !

The purpose of this Enfeoffment Order was actually to weaken their power and deprive them of their privileges. How could they not be shocked and panic? !

At this moment, the old clans were all silent, looking at each other, with mixed feelings in their hearts.

They are fully aware of Your Majesty's determination and the severity of this order.

But they are not ordinary people, how can they just sit there and surrender? !
But at this moment, they have not yet thought of a solution, so they can only respond with silence.

When the First Emperor saw the old clans' reactions, he sneered in his heart.

He knew that these old clans would not give in easily, but he was well prepared and was not in a hurry to achieve success. So, he spoke slowly, with an unquestionable majesty in his voice: "I know what you are worried about, but the Enfeoffment Order is my decision and cannot be changed!"

"You have three days to consider. After three days, I want to hear your reply!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court fell silent again!
The old clans looked at each other, but undercurrents were surging in their hearts.

……

In the court procession, Wang Jian, the mighty general of the Qin Dynasty, stood like a pine tree, his brows revealing deep thoughts!
He remained silent, but looked at every old clan member in the court with sharp eyes.

The expressions of those dignitaries were different at this moment. Some looked troubled, while others had a cunning light flashing in their eyes, as if they were planning something...

Wang Jian sneered in his heart. Which of these old clans had not experienced many hardships and were cunning? !

He had already seen all their expressions and demeanor, and understood everything in his mind!
After dismissing the court, Wang Jian returned home alone, weighing the pros and cons of the Enfeoffment Order all the way.

He knew very well that if this policy was implemented, it would cause an uproar in the court.

Which of those old clans would easily give up the power and interests in their hands?

However, he also knew that His Majesty must have made this decision after careful consideration.

Back in the mansion, Wang Jian was still immersed in his own thoughts...

He thought of Bai Qi in the past, the Wu'an Jun who achieved great success but ended up with a tragic ending!

Bai Qi's death certainly had its own reasons, but more importantly, it was due to the power struggle and intrigue in the court!
There is no more title to be given, and the achievements are so great that they shock the lord... This is the sorrow of the military commanders! !
Now, will I follow in the same footsteps? !
At this moment, Meng Tian hurriedly asked for a meeting.

He was dressed in military uniform, his face full of heroism.

Meng Tian has always been on good terms with him. The two are not only colleagues but also confidants. He must have come here to discuss something important!

"Old General, His Majesty intends to implement the Enfeoffment Order. What do you think?!" Meng Tian asked straight to the point as soon as he sat down.

Wang Jian was slightly stunned, then he sighed and said, "This matter...I am also thinking about it."

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the Qin Empire. His decisions must be for the sake of the Qin Empire. As his subjects, we should obey His Majesty's wishes and do our best to assist His Majesty."

Meng Tian frowned when he heard this and said, "General, you are wrong!"

"Those old clans, although powerful, have become increasingly corrupt in recent years!"

"Their children only know how to eat, drink, play and squander all day long. They are like termites gnawing at the foundation of the Qin Empire. If this cancer is not removed, the future of the Qin Empire will be in jeopardy!!!"

Wang Jian was shocked when he heard this!
He didn't expect that Meng Tian would express his dissatisfaction and concerns about the old clans so directly.

However, if you think about it carefully, what Meng Tian said is true.

Those old clans have indeed become the parasites and cancer of the Qin Dynasty. If they are not rectified and eliminated, I am afraid that the Qin Dynasty will really be destroyed by them.

Thinking of this, Wang Jian suddenly woke up as if from a dream, and said: "General Meng is right! It seems that His Majesty can no longer sit still, and finally wants to take action against the old clans."

"The implementation of this Enfeoffment Order will definitely make those old clans feel uneasy. I just don't know...how will they respond?!"

(End of this chapter)