Quick Transmigration: The Charming Beauty Who Was Short-Lived and Alluring

Qi Jingheng used the elite troops given to him by Qi Qingjia to raid the Grand Commandant's mansion and the Prime Minister's mansion. He also did not spare the Empress Dowager's family. All the male members were exiled to Lingnan, and the female members were sent to the brothel.

The three families that once held sway at the pinnacle of power in the Great Qi Dynasty collapsed suddenly. The official charge was murdering the imperial heir, but truly intelligent people could see a deeper reason. The late emperor was determined to reduce the power of the vassal states and suppress the aristocratic families. Although his efforts ultimately failed, they were not entirely without effect. Moreover, the emperors three generations before him had all suppressed the aristocratic families to varying degrees, both openly and covertly. A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole. The aristocratic families had held power for many years, and a hundred years ago they could even decide the deposition and enthronement of emperors. No emperor could tolerate that. Furthermore, in recent years, the sons of the aristocratic families have become increasingly incompetent. Few of them are capable, but they are adept at exploiting the people. Their downfall was only a matter of time.

It can be said that the decline of the aristocratic families had already been evident, but they were too arrogant and felt that no one could shake their position. Now, they were caught off guard by Qi Jingheng, which was their own fault.

With his efforts and the burden of infamy, Qi Jingheng finally managed to open a crack in the court, which was controlled by aristocratic sons. The late emperor treated him as an honored guest, and the former Grand Tutor Pei personally came out of seclusion, kneeling outside the palace gates, and asked Qi Jingheng to reform the way officials entered officialdom, abolish the system of filial piety and incorruptibility, abandon the recruitment system, and replace it with examinations to select officials.

Lord Pei himself came from a humble background and was summoned to court by the late emperor. He was a radical reformer back then, but unfortunately, the army collapsed like a house of cards. The late emperor's plans were too ambitious, offending too many people and attracting foreign enemies. He was surrounded by enemies on all sides, and the reforms ultimately failed. After the late emperor passed away, Lord Pei was also ostracized and could no longer stay in the court. He had no choice but to resign and return to his hometown. When the old lord heard that something had happened to the aristocratic families, he immediately perked up and urged the coachman to drive the carriage, which bumped along the way to the capital.

As a commoner, Lord Pei dreamed of seeing scholars from humble backgrounds not bound by social status and prestige, but able to enter the court as officials based on their true talents and learning, instead of succumbing to the tyranny of aristocratic families, becoming lackeys of the wealthy and powerful, and being oppressed by them for their entire lives.

With Lord Pei's intervention, the poor scholars were greatly encouraged and knelt outside the capital to pray for fair treatment from the state. Some commoners even joined in.

Those in power are few and far between, while countless people live in poverty.

So many people petitioned and knelt down, risking their lives for a common goal; the scene was truly magnificent.

As the setting sun cast its glow on their faces, many saw a ray of hope.

The Great Qi might truly be about to usher in a completely different future.

"Your Majesty, what is your opinion on what Elder Pei said?" Qi Qingjia asked calmly.

The two stood atop the imperial city wall and looked down, where they could see a dense, dark mass of people kneeling outside the city.

Qi Jingheng said nonchalantly, "I don't know. I don't understand these things. It's up to you, Uncle, to make the decision."

He seemed unaware that if he simply agreed, he would gain the favor of all the common people in the land, and even his throne would become as secure as Mount Tai.

Qi Qingjia responded with an "oh," a smile flashing in her deep eyes. "Then let's leave it to the Imperial Uncle to decide."

The feeling of looking down on everyone from a high vantage point was indeed wonderful. Even someone as profound as Qi Qingjia felt an indescribable sense of pleasure surging within him, momentarily ignoring the sarcastic gaze of Qi Jingheng beside him.

*

After dealing with Qi Qingjia, Qi Jingheng returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Chu Yun had been unconscious for three days and three nights. The miscarriage had caused her immeasurable damage, and even though she was being nourished with rare medicinal herbs every day, she showed no signs of waking up.

A sharp pain flashed in Qi Jingheng's eyes as he gently sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Ah Yun, those who hurt you have paid the price. No one will dare to touch you again. Don't be afraid, wake up soon."

"The gardenias in the Cherry Blossom Palace are blooming beautifully. Let's go see them together when you wake up."

"You promised me you would always be with me, you can't break your promise."

......

Qi Jingheng said a lot, but the person on the bed never responded to him.

"It's alright. If you don't want to talk, just listen to me. We still have a long time ahead of us," Qi Jingheng murmured, holding Chu Yun's hand.

"Ah Yun, I have some good news to tell you. Soon I won't have to depend on others anymore. When that time comes, I will make you my empress and stay with you for the rest of my life."

*

Just as Qi Qingjia was preparing to issue an order on behalf of the emperor to implement the policy of selecting officials through examinations, several vassal kings actually joined forces with the Northern Di people to openly rebel.

They expanded their territory, and the Northern Di people moved in as if they were in an empty field. Their offensive was swift and fierce, and they soon occupied several border towns of the Great Qi.

With the Prince of Zhennan executed, the Great Qi Dynasty lost its invincible general, and people were filled with fear and unease.

As the regent, Qi Qingjia commanded 200,000 elite troops and was naturally the popular choice. Whether he liked it or not, he had to take the lead in this battle.

In less than half a day, Qi Qingjia completed his troop mobilization and led his elite troops to the front line. The remaining vassal kings also sent troops to support him, including the newly appointed Prince of Zhennan.

This battle was certainly not accidental. Feng Jinnian colluded with Qi Jingheng. Feng Jinnian persuaded the powerless vassal kings, who had been suppressed by Qi Qingjia, to rebel, thus giving the Northern Di people a chance. However, he himself turned against the Qi regime and pretended to be loyal to the Great Qi. His aim was to eliminate the hidden dangers left by the former Prince of Zhennan and rebuild his prestige among the people. Qi Jingheng, on the other hand, wanted to use this incident to lure Qi Qingjia away so that he could take the opportunity to implement new policies and win the support of the common people.

As for Qi Jingheng, once this matter is over, he will inevitably break ties with Qi Qingjia. However, he has already gained the support of the commoners, and his throne is as secure as Mount Tai. Qi Qingjia cannot easily do anything to him. He also has evidence of Feng Jinnian's treason in his hands, so dealing with Feng Jinnian will be a piece of cake. In a few more years, when his power is stronger, he will be able to get rid of Qi Qingjia and Feng Jinnian, these two wolves with ambitions, and completely take control of the Great Qi.

For Feng Jinnian, this incident has severely weakened Qi Qingjia, and with Qi Jingheng in power, the two will inevitably fight to the death, from which he can profit.

The two had a very good plan and both believed they had victory in their grasp.

On his way to the front lines, Qi Qingjia heard that Qi Jingheng had issued an imperial edict to implement the new policies, and he realized that he had fallen into a trap.

He spent his days hunting geese, only to have his eyes pecked out by one. Qi Qingjia was too arrogant and looked down on Qi Jingheng, which led to his downfall.

Regret was useless. Qi Qingjia quickly rallied and led his army to fight against the Northern Rong people. After a month, they finally drove them out of the territory of Great Qi.

Qi Qingjia was a shrewd man. He realized that the Northern Rong people were only defending and not attacking, intending to seize more grain and vegetables. After careful consideration, he guessed that this was a complete trap. Qi Jingheng had abandoned several border towns and handed over all the winter provisions that the Northern Rong people needed in exchange for the Northern Rong people slowing down his progress.

What a Qi Jingheng! He really is so ruthless!

By the time he returned to the capital, everything had settled down, and this situation meant that he was destined to fight Qi Jingheng to the death.