Chapter6:Not Only hatred, But also admiration

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager must have summoned you to discuss the new reforms. Do you have a plan to deal with it?"

Compared to the court, the matter with the Empress Dowager would be no easier.

The Empress Dowager had always been at odds with the Emperor. Whenever the Emperor wished to do something, she would do everything in her power to stop him. The implementation of the new reforms would undoubtedly affect the Empress Dowager's interests, weakening her grip on power. How could she allow such a thing to happen?

"I am pushing for these reforms for the welfare of the people. Not even the Empress Dowager can stop my determination to move forward with it!" South Palace Qing said resolutely. Pushing forward with the reforms was the quickest way to break the deadlock in the court and would inevitably challenge the interests of the powerful officials. He had known from the start how much resistance he would face.

"Your Majesty, when dealing with the Empress Dowager, you must tread carefully. Don't let things escalate unnecessarily. After all, she still holds a large portion of the power in the court. We can only proceed gradually. The reforms will require a long and patient process; this is not something that can be accomplished in just a few days."

"I understand," South Palace Qing replied, his eyes darkening. He had endured for so many years, calculated every move, and wasn't in a rush to act. But conflict with the Empress Dowager over the reforms was inevitable, and he had no choice but to face it head-on.

"Emperor, do you understand why I have called you today?"

"Mother, the new reforms must be implemented. I will not back down on this matter!" South Palace Qing said firmly.

It wasn't that South Palace Qing didn't want to soften his stance, but the conflict itself was unavoidable. It was better to make his intentions clear and let the Empress Dowager understand his resolve.

Jiang Mingzhu looked at the Emperor's unyielding attitude. If this had been in the past, she would have been infuriated by his stubbornness.

"Do you know, Emperor, that pushing forward with these reforms affects the interests of too many people?" she asked.

"I understand. For the sake of the people, I have no choice. If things continue the way they are, the Great Qi will inevitably decline. The powerful officials in the court are only looking out for their own interests, while the common people are suffering. The people are the foundation of the court. The water that supports the boat can also capsize it. If the people can no longer survive, what good is the court?" South Palace Qing responded with conviction.

"You speak the truth, Emperor," Jiang Mingzhu replied, "The ministers in the court understand this as well, but why, when you proposed the reforms today, were so many of them advising against it?"

Jiang Mingzhu's question made South Palace Qing's expression unconsciously turn mocking. "Doesn't the Empress Dowager understand?"

His words implied that Jiang Mingzhu was behind this opposition.

"I can see the benefits of the new reforms and have no intention of stopping you from implementing them. But if I truly wanted to oppose it, do you think the court today would only have had such a debate?"

Though the debate in court had been heated, there was still room for maneuver.

South Palace Qing recalled the matter of Jiang Hui feigning illness earlier that day.

"Jiang Su, though he is from the Jiang family, is no longer under my control. The ministers who spoke out today, aside from Jiang Su's faction, are all opposing because you, Emperor, have touched their interests," Jiang Mingzhu explained.

South Palace Qing thought about this for a moment. "The Empress Dowager truly did not intervene in the court today?"

"Your Majesty overestimates me. If I had intervened in this matter, I would have decisively eliminated any future threats. I would never have left any room for you," Jiang Mingzhu said, her words cutting yet true.

"Emperor, you are still too young. The ministers, when their interests are not threatened, will claim loyalty, filial piety, and love for the nation. But once you touch their benefits, their true faces will emerge."

Seeing that the Emperor was listening carefully, Jiang Mingzhu continued, "Not just you, even I, as the Empress Dowager, would face considerable opposition if I rashly proposed these reforms without sufficient groundwork. Throughout history, which new reforms were not paved with bloodshed and conflict? Success is the exception, not the rule."

South Palace Qing, reflecting on Jiang Mingzhu's words, asked cautiously, "What do you think, Mother? How should I proceed?"

Jiang Mingzhu could see that South Palace Qing was seriously considering her advice. This plan was not her own, but one proposed by strategists in her previous life to help the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, from the start, you aimed too high. A grand target is not easy to achieve and will spark intense opposition from the ministers. It would be better to take a different approach—begin with smaller issues. This way, opposition will be less intense. A smaller loss of benefits will be easier for most people to accept, making it easier for you to implement the larger reforms later on."

In her previous life, South Palace Qing had been struck down in court by her words. Unable to push through the reforms, he had come to this compromise—gradually eroding power by starting with small steps, allowing everyone to slowly accept the changes. Over time, new officials loyal to him were cultivated.

South Palace Qing's eyes widened, and he looked at Jiang Mingzhu with a complex gaze. His heart was no longer filled with only hatred and resentment, but also with admiration.

Jiang Mingzhu was indeed a seasoned strategist. He had initially planned to push through with hard tactics, hoping to make the ministers submit. But seeing their reaction this morning, he now understood that such an approach would only lead to a massive backlash, possibly undoing all the work he had done over the years.

"As a ruler, one must have the resolve to burn bridges, but one must also know how to adapt."

"I have learned, Mother."

South Palace Qing respectfully bowed to Jiang Mingzhu. Despite their past conflicts, when it came to the matter of the reforms, which affected the entire nation, if they could succeed, it would be a great service to the people. He thanked her on behalf of the people in advance.

Jiang Mingzhu was satisfied. Compared to her foolish, love-stricken son who never thought things through, speaking with an intelligent person was so much easier.

With just a few suggestions, the Emperor immediately understood her intentions.

"So, Your Majesty, you must understand why I say that Jiang Su's actions today are not necessarily a bad thing. The opposition to the reforms is caused by me, but I have taken a step back. I will allow you to proceed with some actions, and I will give my tacit approval. This is something I will make clear to the court later."

Since Jiang Mingzhu had taken a step back and tacitly approved of the Emperor's actions, no minister would dare openly oppose him. This cleared the first hurdle for South Palace Qing.

"Mother, I thank you on behalf of the people. Is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?" South Palace Qing asked.

He knew Jiang Mingzhu's true intentions. She wasn't genuinely helping him; she must have something to gain in return.

Jiang Mingzhu knew full well what the Emperor thought of her.

"Your Majesty is the ruler of all, and I, as Empress Dowager, am the same. As long as it is for the good of the people, I will not oppose it. My actions this time are not for your benefit, but for the benefit of the people."

South Palace Qing had not realized before that Jiang Mingzhu possessed such a magnanimous heart. In this instance, she had no ulterior motive. In fact, she would lose power and interests by supporting him.

"Your Majesty, the General is here."

As Jiang Mingzhu and South Palace Qing were speaking, Jiang Su arrived and requested an audience.