I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 18 If you fall behind, you will be attacked.

The proposal from a second-rank official in the imperial court was simply processed through the Prime Minister's office and the central government, and then the emperor personally approved it. Even the most foolish person would know that this was actually at the emperor's behest.

Making decisions beyond one's control is one of the methods emperors use to wield power in the court.

Li Yan then understood why Yang Hong, the prefect of Shu Commandery, dared to offend the interests of the aristocratic families—it turned out that the emperor was backing him up.

Behind the emperor was the Jingzhou faction led by Zhuge Liang.

To put it simply, the new policy of reviving the Imperial Academy was highly similar to the Nine-Rank System implemented by Chen Qun in Cao Wei.

While the Nine-Rank System may seem to have completely monopolized the power of the court to appoint and dismiss officials, its original intention was to gradually concentrate power in the hands of the emperor by weeding out the inferior from the originally uneven bureaucratic system.

This action caused dissatisfaction among many members of the aristocratic class, making the implementation of the policy extremely difficult.

However, the situation in Yizhou was different. Unlike Cao Wei, it did not have a vast territory and deeply entrenched factions, making it easier to coordinate.

Moreover, among the three factions in Yizhou, the Jingzhou faction holds the dominant position. As long as the new policies can win over another faction, the remaining factions will have no choice but to submit.

In essence, the revival of the Imperial Academy was equivalent to a redistribution of the middle and lower levels of the bureaucracy. The Jingzhou faction itself was the core level and posed no threat to them.

The Yizhou faction, wanting to open up a path for upward promotion, naturally wouldn't object.

Moreover, they have always adhered to the principle of "non-violent non-cooperation," so they will naturally strive to gain something when there is profit to be made.

Therefore, the remaining Dongzhou faction had no choice but to compromise under such circumstances.

Judging from this incident, the court officials all believed that this 17-year-old emperor was far more complex than he appeared.

"As my esteemed ministers have said, the revival of the Imperial Academy is a matter of great importance, concerning national policy, and requires careful consideration."

"After the court session, I would like to trouble the Chancellor, Protector-General Li, and the officials in charge of education to stay behind and discuss the specific details with me."

Liu Shan's words were tantamount to making a direct decision, and everyone began to discuss the specific details before proceeding with the promotion.

The second meeting was held in a side hall, and only Liu Shan and a few powerful ministers attended.

"Kongming, are you trying to kill me?"

On the way to the side hall, Li Yan called out to Zhuge Liang.

"Since His Majesty had already issued the decree, why didn't you inform him beforehand?"

In Li Yan's view, Liu Shan's decision must have been made after discussing it with Zhuge Liang beforehand and then being proposed at the court council.

So, if you raise your objections, aren't you just trying to embarrass yourself?

"Governor Li, would you believe me if I said that I didn't know beforehand?" Zhuge Liang asked with a smile.

You wouldn't know?

Ghosts believe.

The new emperor is only seventeen years old. Does he have the vision and courage to implement new policies?

But Zhuge Liang's expression didn't seem to indicate he was lying, so Li Yan asked with some skepticism, "You really don't know?"

"I don't know!" Zhuge Liang chuckled, taking Li Yan's hand and saying, "At first I was also very surprised, but after thinking about it carefully, I guessed it was His Majesty's decree."

"Liang winked at Protector Li; what, Protector Li didn't see it?"

Li Yan shook his head.

Who the hell would bother to observe your every move?

However, after thinking about it carefully, he also felt that it made sense.

If Zhuge Liang had known, he should have proposed the new policies, not Yang Hong.

Although Yang Hong was a former subordinate of Liu Zhang and belonged to the Dongzhou faction, Zhuge Liang trusted him greatly and once left him to guard Chengdu and assist the crown prince when he went to Yong'an.

Yang Hong made great contributions in quelling the Huang Yuan Rebellion, and after Liu Shan ascended the throne, he was appointed as the governor of Shu Commandery.

This is equivalent to the mayor of the capital of Shu Han.

This position could only be held by someone who was a close confidant of the emperor.

From that time onward, Yang Hong was no longer a member of the Dongzhou faction or the Jingzhou faction, but a trusted minister of Emperor Liu Shan.

"Oh dear, I should have thought of that sooner," Li Yan said belatedly.

Zhuge Liang joked, "It's not too late to know now. Although Your Majesty is young, it can be seen from Huang Yuan's rebellion and the implementation of new policies that you have great ambitions, no less than Sun Quan in the past and Cao Pi in the present."

Now, even Li Yan has to admit that Liu Shan was incredibly skilled in imperial politics.

Those attending the second meeting, besides the two regents Zhuge Liang and Li Yan, included Qiao Zhou, Yin Mo, Zhang Shuang, Qin Mi, Dong Yun, Fei Yi, Yang Yi, Jiang Wan, and Yang Hong.

"It's a pity Zhang Yi isn't here; he would surely have had a different perspective on the new policies of the Imperial Academy."

While waiting for Liu Shan, Zhuge Liang thought of Zhang Yi, who was heading south.

"Judging by the days, Junsi has already arrived in Nanzhong. I hope he can successfully persuade Yongkai this time."

Zhang Yi was personally recommended by Li Yan to go to Nanzhong to quell the rebellion, and of course, he hoped that Zhang Yi could successfully complete his mission.

"Jun Si is quick-witted and has above-average talent. After the pacification of the south, I intend to keep him in the Prime Minister's residence for great use."

"Prime Minister, Junsi is the one I recommended to His Majesty. Don't try to take him from me."

"No matter where I am, I am serving the country. I will never take what belongs to others."

After a pleasant conversation, Liu Shan arrived quickly.

Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed, but Liu Shan quickly waved his hand.

"Please, everyone, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

"Let's have a meeting!"

After everyone was seated, they did not speak, but instead focused their attention on the two ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have discussed the details of the new policies for the Imperial Academy with the ministers and have some preliminary thoughts. I request Your Majesty's decision."

Li Yan, being a military general, was straightforward and outspoken.

"Please speak."

"Your Majesty, since the Zhou Dynasty, the Imperial Academy has taught a wide variety of subjects, but in the end, they are nothing more than Confucian classics such as history, philosophy, and literature. I have never heard of military officers needing to study these as well."

"Furthermore, there's this promotion system. Even those who have made contributions in the past are subject to a reduction in power if they fail to meet their established targets and performance goals in a particular year. Isn't that too harsh?"

"Finally, the sheer number of officials selected for the Imperial Academy raises concerns about whether it will disrupt the normal operation of the court. Furthermore, can the court sustain such a massive expenditure?"

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Liu Shan nodded and said, "Governor Li's question is very pointed, and I'm sure it reflects the thoughts of everyone present."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I like to state the conclusion first, and then work backward from the conclusion. The main purpose of establishing the Imperial Academy is to cultivate virtuous ministers and brave generals to protect the country."

"Since the objective is clear, we must formulate and implement targeted national policies in order to achieve the desired effect."

"Now the world is divided into three, and our great Han only has the territory of Yizhou. If we do not strengthen ourselves, we will surely be swallowed up by foreign enemies."

"Since we will have to reform and strengthen ourselves sooner or later, it's better to reform sooner rather than later."

"Currently, Cao Pi has just ascended the throne and is recuperating and consolidating his internal affairs. Although Sun Quan has won several battles, he has also suffered heavy losses."

"They are temporarily preoccupied with other matters, which is the best time for us to transform and strengthen ourselves."

"We are now engaged in a race against Cao Wei and Eastern Wu in terms of national strength and military power."

"It's also a race against time."

"If you fall behind, you will be attacked!"