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Chapter 233
Chapter 233
Chapter 233
To be honest, there were no perfect individuals in this world. Even though Su Li wasn’t involved in politics, not everyone liked him. Once anyone entered politics, who could truly escape criticism?
Moreover, an official position provided ample opportunities to scrutinize others’ imperfections. For those at the gathering, criticizing Su Li was second nature. They were people in the court with ambitions, not at the top or bottom.
To some extent, Su Li’s presence obstructed many people’s ambitions. “I’ve heard that during his military career, Prince Yongle was stubborn and arrogant, often taking reckless actions in battles, disregarding his soldiers’ lives. It’s laughable that someone like him rose to a high position and became a renowned general in history,” sneered Li Anyan, Left Imperial Guards’ Lieutenant General.
“As generals, our goal isn’t glory in every battle but to preserve our strength. It’s our duty to Your Majesty and our soldiers. We all have families to care for – who doesn’t have loved ones at home? They say Prince Yongle’s military strategies are exceptional, but in my view, it’s not much more than that,” sighed Feng Shijin, Deputy Commander of the Left Imperial Guards.
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhao was astonished. “Generals, are you serious?” Hou Junji snorted, “Su Li cares more about leading and fighting fiercely on the battlefield. During the Tubo battle, I saw him charging into the enemy lines with his troops. Everyone in the military knows this.”
Wang Zhao’s expression became complicated. Then, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “Deceiving everyone and stealing fame – truly a group of deceivers!”
Seeing Wang Zhao’s reaction, Li Chengqian asked, “What do you mean?” Wang Zhao first paid his respects to Li Chengqian and then turned to the others, his face filled with distress. “Gentlemen, you may not know! Due to Su Li’s actions against our Five Surnames and Seven Clans, the Taiyuan region, and the province, ignorant commoners are supporting him. I’ve heard that about thirty to forty percent of ordinary people stand up for Su Li!”
“Who could have imagined that he would show such little regard for his soldiers in battle? This proves his claims of caring for the people are empty words. Gentlemen, if we let such deceivers prosper, they’ll become thieves who harm our nation!” Wang Zhao said solemnly.
Everyone was surprised by Wang Zhao’s boldness and looked nervously at Li Chengqian, unsure of his reaction. Dark clouds formed on Li Chengqian’s face. “Lord Wang, are your words based on reality?”
Wang Zhao had been observing Li Chengqian’s reaction when he spoke earlier. It would caution the Five Surnames and Seven Clans if he could dismiss it with a smile. This showed Li Chengqian wasn’t easily deceived. Fortunately, Li Chengqian seemed provoked this time.
Wang Zhao was secretly pleased and maintained a sorrowful expression. “Would I have any reason to deceive the Crown Prince? It’s not just Taiyuan… Nowadays, where can you find people who don’t praise Prince Yongle in various regions of the Great Tang? And it’s the same in my Five Surnames and Seven Clans’ territory…”
Wang Zhao couldn’t help but sigh genuinely. Su Li’s decision to resign and focus on swordsmanship was great for the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. However, while Su Li might have stopped pursuing that path, the troubles left for them, the aristocratic families, hadn’t diminished much. The influence of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans rested mainly on their aristocratic status, and Wang Zhao’s comments highlighted the challenges that came with that distinction.
The reputation of local influence ultimately originated from their regional prestige. One of the key factors allowing aristocratic families to endure for centuries was their local renown. Despite their harsh treatment of common people, these noble families also assumed the responsibility of promoting education and often engaged in charitable actions within their regions. Regardless of how many actual commoners benefited, the fact that they took action earned them genuine recognition. For centuries, these families had thrived on such a reputation.
The Confucius family was wealthy in Shandong. When Li Er wanted to go to Mount Tai to become a Buddhist monk, a few elders from the Confucius family randomly came out and scolded Li Er like he was a junior. Although Li Er was furious, he could not counter their actions. Their leverage? Their ancestor was revered as an eternal sage.
Su Li’s threat to these noble families wasn’t solely due to his willingness to kill. After all, execution was just taking lives, and every noble family had hundreds, even thousands, of extended relatives. Allowing him to continue his killing spree, even if it wiped out all but the last member, would not entirely obliterate these aristocratic families.
When the Lu clan faced the extermination of its nine generations, many believed it might not be completely eradicated. After all, the Lu clan had established itself in Fanyang for hundreds of years, and deeply ingrained respect and reputation weren’t easily dissolved. However, subsequent events led to fear among the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.
After the fall of the Lu clan, the local populace of Fanyang celebrated, and people exclaimed that the Lu clan’s demise came too late. At that moment, the Five Surnames and Seven Clans only realized their oversight.
Over these past few years, while Su Li seemed to be focused solely on running factories and making money, he silently orchestrated a feat that terrified countless individuals. He had transformed the entire social structure of the land of different dynasties.
Since ancient times, the social hierarchy in the land of different dynasties was delineated as scholar, peasant, artisan, and merchant. Despite being ranked third, artisans owed much of their status to the remnants of the Mohist school, which had been comparable with Confucianism during the pre-Qin period. In reality, over the past millennia, which dynasty truly considered artisans as commoners?
Among the four defined classes, scholars were esteemed, peasants held steady property, and merchants, though of lower status, didn’t live poorly. On the other hand, artisans endured harsh lives, living in poverty that often exceeded most enslaved people’s.
However, a new working class rapidly arose with the emergence of factories. This group was unquestionably categorized as “artisans.” This emerging working class, spurred by the proliferation of factories across the Great Tang, developed at an astonishing pace and grew to an enormous number. Suddenly, an ignored social class was elevated to a highly significant status. Even more crucial was that this emerging group began to view Su Li as their absolute representative and idol as factories multiplied throughout the Great Tang.