"News has spread that talented individuals from Xiliang, Yunqiang, and Northern Wei have heard about the recruitment drive and wish to participate. However, the local authorities are outright refusing to issue them travel permits.
They are using their parents and clans, or even actions taken during wartime, as leverage to demand exorbitant processing fees.
After a painstaking effort to obtain admission qualifications, they arrive at the gates of Songshan Academy and the Jiangwu Hall, only to be beaten and thrown out by the guards simply for not being from Da Gan.
Lian Yu, who used to despise the Northern Wei people the most, now speaks with a hint of sympathy for them.
'They worked hard for months to reach Shangjing to study, only to be expelled without even meeting Chi Jingchuan or Nan Wushang.
These individuals are not isolated cases; almost anyone not from Da Gan faces the same fate. If this continues, can you honestly say things won't go awry?'
Such incidents, which do not involve bloodshed or widespread public knowledge, might seem trivial at first glance.
However, as the future Emperor and Empress of the new dynasty, Si Fengwu and Lu Qingwan immediately recognize the gravity of the situation.
But, 'Aren't the guards at Songshan Academy Chi Jingchuan's trusted men brought from the Northwest Army?
And the guards at Jingshan Jiangwu Hall are even more so, all retired veterans of the Xuanjia Army.
The guards at both institutions only obey the orders of Chi Jingchuan and Nan Wushang. How could they commit acts that tarnish the reputation of Songshan Academy and Jiangwu Hall?
As for the local yamen, those who become principal officials in their regions are all meticulously chosen by me and the Prince.
Knowing full well that the Prince and I are striving to accelerate the integration of the southeastern three parts of the empire, how could they engage in such acts that undermine unity?'
Had Lu Qingwan not spoken, several people wouldn't have noticed.
Her words made them realize, belatedly, that all the places that were previously thought to be settled and problem-free were now experiencing issues.
Lian Yu slowly shook his head, 'I am merely the discoverer of the problem. The specifics of what truly happened must be resolved by the two of you personally.
Speaking of which, now that the capital of the new dynasty has been decided, shouldn't my treasures also be relocated?
Moving so many valuable items first to Shangjing, and then to the capital, would be quite inconvenient, wouldn't it?'
Convenience was merely an excuse.
Frequent relocation of such vast wealth was too conspicuous and too insecure.
Furthermore, wealth represents the core strength of a dynasty. If Lian Yu were to move all those items, it might further solidify some people's belief that the capital of the new dynasty is Shangjing.
It would also fuel their inflated sense of superiority even more.
Lu Qingwan tilted her head to look at Si Fengwu. The treasure Lian Yu was handling was no ordinary wealth; it was the foundation for the new dynasty's stability for years to come.
No one could make the decision for Si Fengwu on how to handle it.
Lian Yu also retracted the fox ears from atop his head and sat obediently, awaiting Si Fengwu's command.
Si Fengwu, however, chose an unconventional approach. 'The treasures should still be transported to Shangjing. Not only transported, but transported with extreme high-profile fanfare.
Whatever you have that can be sent to Shangjing, send it all.
This King intends to make everyone believe that Shangjing is the future capital, and that I am the new Emperor of Da Gan.'
His words were completely at odds with their initial discussions. Upon hearing them, Lian Yu and Lu Qingwan were both stunned.
However, their astonishment lasted only a moment. Lu Qingwan immediately followed up with a question, 'Does Your Highness intend to play along with the scheme and eliminate future troubles?'
Lian Yu also understood upon hearing this. 'While other matters might have the involvement of Wugan Palace and the Turks behind the scenes, this exclusion of people from Beiwei, Xiliang, and Yunqiang from the new dynasty's officialdom is definitely the work of the old Da Gan officials.
Does Your Highness intend to use this opportunity to expose all of them?'
For how many years the southeastern three parts of the empire existed, for that many years they had competed. True reconciliation had never been achieved.
Therefore, the establishment of a new dynasty by Si Fengwu, integrating the southeastern three parts, naturally caused some resentment among the citizens of each region.
Among those harboring such resentment, the Da Gan people were undoubtedly special.
No matter how much Si Fengwu emphasized his identity as a descendant of the Qin royal family, those people only remembered that Si Fengwu was once the Regent of Da Gan and had grown up there.
Only by doing so could they maintain their sense of superiority.
To preserve this sense of superiority that gave them peace of mind, while solidifying Si Fengwu's Da Gan identity, they would relentlessly exclude people from Xiliang, Yunqiang, and Beiwei.
For they knew very well that what Si Fengwu desired was a strong, unified southeastern empire, not merely Da Gan.
Thus, while leveraging Si Fengwu's authority to assert their dominance, they had to expand the influence of their own people within the new dynasty as much as possible.
Si Fengwu had been too busy before and, out of respect for Emperor Jingyou, had not taken extreme measures.
But now, their actions were clearly endangering the stability of the new dynasty, so how could Si Fengwu continue to tolerate such rot?
'Prime Minister Wen, Elder Chi, and King Nan share the same stance as me. They are targeting the clans of Prime Minister Wen, Elder Chi, and King Nan, making it impossible for them to stay by my side.
For the discerning individuals from Beiwei, Yunqiang, and Xiliang who wish to serve me, they are ensuring they have no path to education.
Is this not an attempt to leave me with no capable individuals, forcing me to compromise in the end? They want me to use whomever they choose.
And if this continues, will they eventually dictate what I do?'
Si Fengwu said sarcastically, 'I was bogged down with affairs and didn't attend to them immediately, causing them to forget who the true king of the southeastern empire is.
Tomorrow morning, issue a proclamation to the world.
All yamen and officials of the Da Gan court will be suspended.
Immediately draft a list of officials for the new dynasty, and have Tie Shou and the new officials go to Jincheng ahead of time to prepare.
Once this mess here is sorted out, the Prince and Princess Consort will proceed to the new capital for the enthronement ceremony.'
Si Fengwu was truly angered this time. After the order was issued, not a single day was wasted.
On the same day, a list of principal officials for the new dynasty was drafted, and along with their first tasks after taking office, everything was sent to Jincheng.
Even the bewildered new Prime Minister was dispatched along with them. King Nan was also bewildered as he left.
Concurrently, Scholar Chi and Prime Minister Wen, no longer constrained by court attire, were smiling happily beside King Nan.
In contrast to them, the old ministers of the former Da Gan dynasty, abandoned in Shangjing, could no longer even weep.
While it sounds simple, the actual implementation of these matters took nearly half a month.
The weather in early September changed three times a day, so unpredictably that one wouldn't know how to dress without going out.
It was in such weather that a group of old ministers from the previous dynasty knelt in unison outside Weiyang Palace, seeking an audience with Si Fengwu.
m..oΓg"