Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

From June to late July, the Empress toured various parts of Wu. At the same time, she adopted Shen Lang's suggestion to implement economic downgrades in the 42 severely affected prefectures and counties, and established multiple manors with low-interest loans. This gradually stabilized the situation in Wu and gave the local people a way to make a living.

During this period, according to statistics from various parties, the Wu region originally had a population of about 19 million, but after this great disaster, the population was reduced to less than 8 million.

The population loss caused by the combined famine and war was terrifying. Shen Lang and the Chu officials who accompanied him re-registered all the people in Wu to prevent further population loss.

"After returning to the capital, we must cultivate a new batch of officials. The Jiangnan case involves a wide range of people, resulting in a severe shortage of officials in various parts of Chu. This matter cannot be delayed."

On the imperial carriage returning to Jinling, Jiang Mengxuan shared her thoughts with Ye Mo.

Ye Mo replied, "Although the production on the manor requires less government intervention and reduces a lot of trouble, the restoration of market operations in the future will still require the involvement of officials."

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that we should now learn from the imperial examination system of the Wu Zhao Kingdom, and establish examinations to cultivate more talent for the court, which will also alleviate the shortage of officials."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan had long intended to implement the imperial examination system within the territory of Chu.

Previously, the talent pool in officialdom had been controlled by powerful families, and the imperial examination system faced opposition from many sides, who were afraid that it would affect their own interests.

Once the imperial examination system was implemented, aristocratic families would completely lose their advantage in recommending talented individuals and would be unable to secure any benefits for their clansmen in officialdom.

More importantly, not only did many officials in the court oppose the implementation of the imperial examination system, but even Shen Lang seemed very negative about its advancement, and even somewhat disgusted by it.

This puzzled Jiang Mengxuan greatly, and she tried to ask him the reason several times, but Shen Lang avoided the question and didn't say anything else.

However, she was certain of one thing.

That is, Shen Lang's purpose in opposing the imperial examination was definitely not for the benefit of any aristocratic family, but because he must have seen some insurmountable drawbacks.

Since that's the case, she decided to use Ye Mo's words to sound out Shen Lang's opinion.

"If the imperial examination system were implemented, it would undoubtedly be a great achievement that benefits the country and its people. The Wu Zhao Kingdom became powerful precisely because of the imperial examination system, and its talent pool is countless."

I also believe that relying solely on recommendations is no longer sufficient to meet the current needs of the Great Chu's administration.

Hearing this, Shen Lang, who was sitting on the other side, didn't say anything and kept his eyes fixed on the window.

Jiang Mengxuan frowned, finally unable to hold back, and asked, "Shen Lang, what do you think?"

"what?"

Shen Lang seemed to have just heard it, and then asked in confusion.

Jiang Mengxuan exhaled a delicate breath: "What are your thoughts on the implementation of the imperial examination system?"

"So be it."

Shen Lang gave a perfunctory reply and then turned his head back to look out the window.

Jiang Mengxuan was speechless.

Ye Mo, on the other side, also noticed something amiss: "Duke Zhenguo, what are your thoughts? Do you think there are any downsides to the imperial examination system?"

"So what exactly did the imperial examinations test?" Shen Lang couldn't help but ask.

"As far as I know, the imperial examinations mainly test knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics, etiquette, policy essays, and other aspects of governance. As for the actual results, we must go to Wu Zhao Kingdom to see for ourselves to confirm them."

Ye Mo replied.

Shen Lang: "To be honest, I don't know whether the imperial examination system is beneficial or harmful. I have to investigate it on the ground."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mo immediately smiled and said, "Coincidentally, the Kingdom of Wu Zhao sent an envoy with an invitation at the end of April, inviting Your Majesty to attend in two years."

"We are going to Wu Zhao Kingdom to attend the grand celebration of Emperor Li Hong's 40th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. This is the first time in the 800-year history of the Great Chu Kingdom that we have received an invitation from Wu Zhao Kingdom."

Jiang Mengxuan was also very excited: "The Wu Zhao Great Kingdom has a population of 650 million, making it the most powerful empire on the continent today."

"I have long wanted to experience the customs and traditions of the Wu Zhao Kingdom, and also to pay a visit to this remarkable emperor who brought the Wu Zhao Kingdom to its zenith."

Ye Mo: "The territory of Wu Zhao is more than three times the size of our Great Chu, and the number of tributary states is more than a hundred."

I've heard that a single manuscript casually bestowed by Emperor Wu Zhao was enough to buy the entire territory of a small state; his wealth is truly unimaginable.

Jiang Mengxuan looked on with longing: "It seems I still have a lot to learn."

However, the envoy from Wu Zhao also stated that Chu would be permitted to send students there to study.

Shen Lang really wanted to tell them that it was best not to have too much hope for this.

But he held back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He was a pragmatic man who would not make wild guesses before understanding the situation in Wu Zhao Kingdom, and he would only draw conclusions after witnessing things firsthand.

"Since the Kingdom of Wuzhao has extended such a warm invitation, then I shall accompany His Majesty on this journey."

Let's see what the Wu Zhao Kingdom is like before deciding whether to implement the imperial examination system.

"Yes, there's no rush," Jiang Mengxuan said. "Shen Lang, you've been working hard lately. Take a good rest after we get back to the capital."

As for the other matters, I had already instructed my uncle to receive me before I came.

"Alright."

Shen Lang nodded, then said seriously.

"Your Majesty, now that the Kingdom of Wu has been destroyed, what should we do while there are no external threats?"

It's time to reclaim the direct jurisdiction over Sichuan. I wonder how effective the tax increase policy will be.

Ye Mo replied, "Your increase in tariffs will have a significant impact on the other vassal states, but its impact on Shu will be relatively minor."

"Oh?"

"Sichuan is a land of plenty, with fertile plains stretching for thousands of miles. Even without buying grain, it can achieve self-sufficiency within its borders."

Moreover, Shu brocade is priceless. A piece of even low-grade Shu brocade can fetch up to five taels of gold, while a piece of high-grade Shu brocade has been auctioned off for as much as a thousand taels of gold and exported overseas.

Such exorbitant profits explain why Shu (Sichuan) is known as the "Land of Abundance." Therefore, levying tariffs on Shu does not affect Jiang Chong's internal military expansion efforts.

"Could we try to get cotton fabric into the Sichuan market?"

"We've tried, but with little success. The mulberry farmers and landlords in Sichuan are very resistant to the introduction of cotton cloth into Sichuan. In addition, the Prince's Mansion is obstructing the process, so cotton cloth simply cannot open up the market in Sichuan."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately fell into deep thought.

It seems that I still don't know much about the situation in Shu and have underestimated Jiang Chong's influence in Shu.

but……

"Prime Minister Ye, may I ask how much brocade can be produced in Sichuan in a year?"

"Leaving aside the top-grade Shu brocade, even the lower-grade Shu brocade, with the existing 8,000 looms in Shu working day and night, if there is no disaster or famine, about 120,000 bolts of Shu brocade can be produced in a year."

"it is good!"

Shen Lang nodded and looked at Jiang Mengxuan.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that can dismantle the economy of Shu without bloodshed, prevent Jiang Chong from rebelling, and allow the court to smoothly regain direct control of Shu."

Jiang Mengxuan's eyes lit up: "What plan?"

"A strategy to cut off the fuel supply from under the cauldron."

Shen Lang's eyes instantly turned incredibly sinister, causing even Ye Mo and Jiang Mengxuan to tremble involuntarily.

What is meant by "removing the fuel from under the cauldron"?

"Your Majesty and Prime Minister Ye, please allow me to explain in detail."

"After Your Majesty returns to the capital, please do two things. The first is to inform all the noble families and gentry."

Even powerful families in Guanzhong were required to wear Sichuan brocade on all formal occasions; otherwise, they were not allowed to enter high-class venues.

"The second thing is to announce to the world that silk produced in Jiangnan does not meet the standards for imperial use."

From this day forward, the imperial court will no longer purchase silk from the Jiangnan region, but will only purchase silk from Sichuan for its own use.

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback: "Shen Lang, what exactly are you trying to do? Something feels off."

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "Please do as I instruct, Your Majesty. Trust me, within a year, the Shu region will surely collapse. Rebellion? Ha, there's no chance..."