Chapter 1324: Chapter 492: Palace Scheming Is No Match for Rebellion (Part 29)_2

Looking at that slender figure, yet it possessed an inexplicable strength, Empress Tao stood dazed for a long time.

And within her, a battle ensued.

Finally, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.

...

"Mom, think carefully about this matter!"

Zheng Nianer shared her plan with Lady Hu in detail.

Lady Hu was initially shocked, her eyes filled with disbelief.

It seemed like she was learning for the first time that her daughter was such a daring and strategic person.

This child is truly bold, daring to come up with such an outrageous scheme.

But... Lady Hu herself was a woman full of ambition.

She was selfish, cunning, and full of small schemes.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have incited the little Emperor all these years.

In her heart, she always wanted to challenge Empress Dowager He in rank.

Although her daughter’s plan sounded absurd and filled with danger, if successful, the benefits would be considerable.

Lady Hu might truly trample Empress Dowager He underfoot and replace her as the most esteemed woman in the Dayuan Dynasty!

Should it be tried, then?

Success meant wealth and glory.

If failed, with the Emperor around, it wouldn’t end too tragically.

Lady Hu bit her lower lip fiercely, using the pain to calm herself.

She couldn’t be hasty, or panic; she needed to think carefully!

Lady Hu did not rush to agree but sat kneeling on a low couch, while her fingers traced the embroidery on her skirt, thinking hard.

She went over her daughter’s plan once more.

Every detail, possible errors, and everyone’s reaction and counter-action.

Lady Hu meticulously reevaluated them all.

Finally, her eyes were full of resolve—

Alright! Let’s do it!

Fortune favors those who dare; if they don’t fight, the Zheng family will always remain slaves.

Lady Hu had enough of those humiliating days!

She didn’t want to have to smile and apologize even when her children were beaten!

"Nianer, I’ll make preparations for this matter; you mustn’t leak the wind sound to His Majesty!"

Lady Hu raised her head, looked intently at Zheng Nianer, and said with utmost seriousness.

Whew!

Zheng Nianer exhaled a breath; great, Mother had agreed!

With the help of her mother, the Emperor’s wet nurse, her plan would proceed more smoothly.

...

Emperor Yongcheng wasn’t aware of what his women were each plotting; his mind was focused on affairs of state.

The Salt Administration Bureau had already been established. Originally, Emperor Yongcheng wasn’t very enthusiastic about it due to Empress Dowager He’s interference.

However, the Salt Administration Bureau’s selection system, the "exam selection," was the first step towards implementing the civil service exam that he proposed.

Therefore, Emperor Yongcheng still gave it enough attention and concern.

Emperor Yongcheng found ways to insert some scholars from poor families.

These scholars were truly from poor families.

They were ordinary children selected specially by Yongcheng’s loyal aides (that is, the Zheng family) in the Capital City.

They indeed had some talent, but due to their background, they had no one to recommend them and could only stay in Capital City trying to find a way in.

Some of them, perhaps having suffered too much disdain and setbacks, had begun to resent the world and hate the noble families.

Emperor Yongcheng wanted these kinds of "warriors" who did not admire noble families and dared to be enemies with them.

Besides inserting such "talents" into the Salt Administration Bureau, Emperor Yongcheng also sent people to local positions using the opportunity of the official examinations.

For instance, there’s a person named Meng Qin who is most radical.

He was even more resentful of noble families than Feng Shou was back then, hating the privileged class.

In his words, those high-ranking noble sons were all parasites and old thieves.

They only cared about their family interests, ignoring the world and the common people.

They monopolized everything; they were tyrannical and arrogant; they deserved to die ten thousand times.

Emperor Yongcheng personally met Meng Qin and listened to his passionate denunciation of the noble family’s various sins, feeling like he found his destined steed.

Thus, after finally obtaining several trusted positions to place his aides, he gave the best one to Meng Qin—a position as the salt inspector.

Yes, it was a position derived from the Salt Administration Bureau.

Originally, Emperor Yongcheng wanted Meng Qin to become an Imperial Censor, but to be an adviser, Meng Qin lacked some qualifications and learning.

And not only the noble families, but also other court ministers didn’t want Emperor Yongcheng, the rash young Emperor, to meddle with the Imperial Censorate.