Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 174: National Destiny

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: National Destiny

Elder Lin sipped his tea silently. The aristocratic families had been plagued by deep-rooted maladies for years—corruption, exploitation, nepotism. Layer upon layer of mutual protection among families formed a vast web of intertwined interests, harboring rot and decay. Their decadence was already beyond repair.

The Yanyang Dynasty, burdened by this colossal entity, trudged forward. How much further could it go?

How much longer could this colossal entity hold up?

No destruction, no reconstruction!

"The Emperor wishes to implement reforms, but every step is fraught with difficulty—internally, the aristocratic families resist; externally, the military authority of the Marquis Mansion looms large," Elder Lin asked quietly. "Decades from now, do you wish for Abao to be trapped in this same predicament?"

Abao was the pet name of the Crown Prince’s grandson.

The son of Lin Yushu.

With this one remark, Elder Lin’s stance was made clear—he supported Marquis Zhenbei in pushing for reforms.

"Father, I care for Abao as well. He is still young, and his future remains uncertain. Decades from now, it will be Bai Qing leading the Lin Family; with his temperament, he will surely protect Abao," Lin Hongyuan responded. "The future holds too many variables; it’s not something we can discuss lightly now. For years, the aristocratic families have been united in their promises made long ago to preserve their mutual interests, and the Lin Family has always upheld its vows. If we now turn against them, wouldn’t we be seen as betrayers of trust?"

"What is betrayal of trust?" Elder Lin asked bitterly. "The Yanyang Dynasty was plunged into decades of civil strife, with flames of war igniting from north to south, all because internal turmoil was unresolved. That’s why external threats arose. The Northern Iron Cavalry is strong and formidable—why couldn’t they defeat the Beiman? Their supplies always fell short. The treasury has been perpetually drained; meanwhile, the aristocratic families live in opulent wealth, hoarding grain and gold. It forced the Marquis Mansion to turn to the Su Family’s Trading House to counter the aristocratic families. The noble families hoped to trap the Northern Iron Cavalry in Ningzhou, wishing for endless battles with the Beiman to keep them far from the capital. This is why, after decades of fighting, the cavalry couldn’t cross the Sha Ling Tian Mountain—it is we who held them back. The aristocratic families have enjoyed a century of prosperity; it is time to let go." Elder Lin’s voice grew agitated, and he coughed repeatedly. "Reform isn’t achieved in a single day. Even if land redistribution and tax reforms weaken the financial power of the aristocrats, they will still remain nobility, still hold lands—they won’t be utterly destroyed. Reform is not aimed at targeting the aristocracy; it is for the common people. The Marquis’s ambitions aren’t rooted in political schemes—they lie in the nation. He desires a true era of peace and prosperity, where the young are cared for, the elderly are secure, the people live and work in harmony, and the masses are spared the ravages of war."

Lin Hongcheng asked painfully, "Father, if the aristocracy becomes scattered like loose sand and imperial power consolidates, what do we have left to safeguard our family’s safety?"

"And what of the refugees displaced during natural disasters? What about those without land, who starve during famine years and die alone on the streets?" Elder Lin asked gently. "You’ve studied the sages’ teachings since childhood—did you aspire for the welfare of all, or merely the honor and disgrace of one family?"

"When Bai Feng attempted reforms back then, it was Father who orchestrated to have his head cut off. Decades have passed, and now Father has grown soft, his blade dulled," Lin Hongcheng said bitterly. "You’re doing this for our family too. You fear the aristocracy banding together, just as they burned the previous Emperor alive, harming the Marquis Mansion’s entire household. You care for Sister, you care for your grandchildren—but have you forgotten? You also have sons and grandsons. You are the Family Head of the Lin Family."

Elder Lin’s thoughts drifted to Bai Feng, radiant and brilliant—the kind of prime minister the Yanyang Dynasty rarely saw—but his life was cut short by power struggles and political intrigue while he was still young. It remained a knot in Elder Lin’s heart. During his solitary offerings in memory of Bai Feng, he often wondered: If Bai Feng hadn’t died, if they had worked together with one accord, what would Yanyang look like today?

"This reform is inevitable. The Beiman peace talks, the cessation of border wars—we have the blessings of time, place, and people," Elder Lin recognized his sons’ desire to preserve the Lin Family’s interests. "The Marquis wishes to implement reforms, led by Ting Feng—it is unavoidable. The reforms are for Yanyang’s long-term stability. Today, ten miles of wasteland stretch empty, and half the homes in ten households stand vacant. The court intends to launch new policies—reviving farming and sericulture, encouraging imperial examinations, enhancing production, rekindling vitality. This is the inevitable trend of the times. If the aristocratic families insist on defying this, they turn themselves against the common people. As water can carry a boat, so can it overturn it. Hongyuan, Hongcheng, for Abao’s future, support the Marquis in pushing these reforms."

"After the Marquis pushes the reforms, what if he refuses to relinquish military authority and instead clings to his troops?" Lin Hongyuan asked.

"He won’t!" Elder Lin replied. "He will surrender the military authority."

"Who can guarantee that?" Lin Hongyuan countered sharply. "Father, the aristocracy has thrived for a hundred years—they will not willingly surrender their wealth and power. For the Marquis Mansion, after holding military authority for decades, do you truly believe he is willing to give it up? Human intentions shift—how can anyone guarantee the outcome after the reforms? If reforms are to proceed, the Marquis must first relinquish military power."

"What meaning is there in handing over authority? With the Marquis, he *is* the military authority. Even if you hold the Tiger Talisman, you won’t command the troops," Elder Lin shook his head.

This was the inherent flaw in military authority concentrated on one individual.

Lin Hongyuan remarked, "Father, even if the Tiger Talisman is surrendered, we will not be able to command the troops. But if it isn’t given up, how can we confidently move forward with reforms?"

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Marquis Zhenbei visited the Lin Residence, holding secret discussions with Elder Lin and the Lin brothers until midnight. When he returned, the night was silent and deep. Xie Jue was waiting for him in the front courtyard, and the Marquis recounted every detail of his conversation with Elder Lin.

The aristocracy and the Marquis Mansion distrusted one another. Although reforms were necessary, neither party wished for rivers of blood. Elder Lin hoped the cabinet could mediate the reforms and carve out a middle solution focused on land, taxation, and agriculture.

Xie Jue had been studying reforms since the Beiman peace talks, deeply aware of the complexities. He understood the Lin Family’s position, but there was no middle ground.

If there had been one, the previous attempts wouldn’t have ended in bloodshed.

"What does Father think?"

The Marquis Zhenbei pondered briefly. "After the peace talks, reforms must proceed. In the coming days, when you are free, go to the cabinet and discuss matters with your grandfather and uncles. Remember—they are your elders. Be respectful."

"Understood!" Xie Jue replied calmly. "Father, there is no middle ground for reforms."

"Find a buffer zone and proceed gradually," Marquis Zhenbei acknowledged. Reforms were an arrow shot—they could not be retracted, nor could a perfect balance be achieved. They could only stall for time.

"Alright!"

Marquis Zhenbei was deeply troubled. For reforms to advance, military authority had to be relinquished. The aristocracy and the Marquis Mansion had stood at odds for years—neither trusted the other. Relinquishing authority meant his three sons would never agree.

They all wanted reforms to be implemented and settled before giving up military power. The previous Emperor had been burned alive in the palace; without authority, who knew what misfortune might befall the Marquis Mansion?

Even if he relinquished military power, in the short term, neither the aristocracy nor the royal family could command the cavalry. Without the Tiger Talisman, as long as he lived, the cavalry would never dare defy him.

The Marquis Zhenbei found himself caught in a cruel dilemma—the reforms were urgently needed, yet tens of thousands of cavalry were stationed far away in Ningzhou. Distant water couldn’t extinguish the fire at hand. Should any incident arise, his entire family in the capital would be left vulnerable and isolated.

But without surrendering authority, reforms would be difficult to push forward.

Should he take the gamble?

If he lost, it would mean the lives of the entire Marquis Mansion.

If he won, it would secure a century of national prosperity. Which weighed heavier?

Within the Feng Mansion, Fengyu had been poring over the financial ledgers of twelve provinces these past days. The sheer volume and complexity consumed her time. Halfway through, she sensed something amiss but couldn’t pinpoint the issue. Desiring to resolve the accounts quickly, Feng Shu advised her not to rush—the accounts of twelve provinces couldn’t be sorted out in one attempt.