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

In the Imperial Study of Weiyang Palace, the Empress gazed at Ye Mo, who sat at the head of the side seat, with a cold and aloof expression.

Even after giving birth, the Empress remained aloof and noble, even more composed than before.

After a long silence, Jiang Mengxuan slowly spoke: "Two days ago, Lin Fei sent a battle report from Bianjing, saying that the Northern Expeditionary Army has captured Shangjing, the capital of the Jin Kingdom."

In the capital city, almost all of the Wanyan nobles had been killed or wounded, and the Jin dynasty was now merely a shell of its former self.

Yue Fei also rescued Emperor Huizong and his son Emperor Huan, along with other members of the Zhao clan, from captivity in the north.

The remaining forces of the Jin Kingdom cannot hold out for long. I have summoned you here today to hear your opinion, Prime Minister Ye.

After the Song and Jin territories were incorporated into our Great Chu territory, how should we re-establish government offices in those areas?

Ye Mo raised an eyebrow, cupped his hands, and replied, "Your Majesty, it is only natural to recommend virtuous and capable people to take up their posts in various places, so as to appease the people."

"Recommend virtuous and capable people?"

Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly.

"Prime Minister Ye, now that our Great Chu has directly controlled territory including Wu, Song, and Jin, and with Chu recommending and implementing government policies, we can be sure that their tragedy will not be repeated."

Moreover, can the existing recommendation-based bureaucracy be effectively implemented to manage such a vast territory?

Ye Mo nodded: "Indeed, as Your Majesty said, the traditional recommendation system is no longer suitable for the current changes. So, may I ask how Your Majesty plans to implement a new bureaucratic reform bill?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Abandon prejudices and let scholars and commoners attend court together."

Ye Mo frowned: "Does His Majesty mean to abolish the recommendation system that has been in place for hundreds of years?"

Jiang Mengxuan gracefully picked up the jade cup, lightly swished the lid, and exhaled a delicate fragrance.

What does Ye Xiang think?

"Your subject disagrees."

Jiang Mengxuan paused slightly as she held the teacup, her phoenix eyes closing slightly.

Ye Mo cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, this old minister is not a pedantic person. I understand the drawbacks of the recommendation system better than anyone else, but if the system is changed now, the sons of the aristocratic families will surely resist strongly."

Your Majesty is probably unaware that since you permanently abolished corvée labor in the private sector, there has been considerable discontent among the sons of prominent families throughout the land.

"Some complaints?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan slammed the tea lid down, her cool and aloof face appearing as if covered with a thin layer of frost.

"What does the abolition of corvée labor have to do with them?"

Ye Mo lowered his eyes and replied, "Your Majesty, why ask a question you already know the answer to? Although the regulations on corvée labor cannot be used for individuals, this rule has been a worthless piece of paper since its inception."

Powerful families had long been accustomed to exploiting and oppressing the local people, and now that the decree to lift the corvée labor restrictions had been issued...

They can no longer openly solicit free labor; it's impossible to do so without some complaints.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan immediately smiled: "It seems that I have been too lenient with these aristocratic families. Even the Jiangnan salt tax case failed to make them see the situation clearly?"

Ye Mo: "They all have their complaints about abolishing corvée labor. Does Your Majesty think that if even the privilege of serving as an official in the court is taken away, won't it cause even bigger trouble?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Does Prime Minister Ye really think that I have no way to deal with them?"

"Your Majesty is wise and intelligent, and is naturally not afraid of these powerful families using their methods. However, Great Chu is currently in a period of growth and development. It would be unwise to cause unnecessary chaos by abolishing the system of recommending officials."

"Is that so? Then tell me, Minister Ye, when would be the right time?"

"It's not too late to make changes after a few more years, once the industry of our Great Chu is fully developed."

Jiang Mengxuan fell into deep thought, recalling the words Shen Lang had said to her before he left.

In fact, Jiang Mengxuan had already brought up the issue of official system reform with Shen Lang after returning from Southeast Asia last year.

Shen Lang also told Jiang Mengxuan to wait a little longer, as the time was not yet ripe.

But as the power of the Great Chu Kingdom continued to rise, Jiang Mengxuan did not want to wait a moment longer.

She even suggested that if anyone dared to oppose the reform of the official system, she would simply kill them and leave them with a mountain of heads.

If this were Jiang Mengxuan at the beginning of her reign, she would absolutely not have had such a decisive and ruthless attitude. She could only bide her time, endure for decades, or die in depression.

But now, that statement is no longer just empty talk.

She currently commands 450,000 well-equipped Central Army troops. With just one order, those rebellious party members who dare to defy her will surely suffer a bloodbath.

Shen Lang firmly opposed it, arguing that the existence of aristocratic families had its own advantages, and killing them all would only deplete the foundation of the Great Chu Kingdom.

His suggestion was to proceed gradually, as rash actions would be too extreme and extremely detrimental to the future planning and development of the Great Chu.

Before Shen Lang was about to leave for Taiji Kingdom, Jiang Mengxuan raised the issue of official system reform again, intending to force Ye Mo to comply with her through a tough stance.

Shen Lang's advice was to lay a solid foundation before revealing the truth, as directly using underhanded tactics would not be effective.

Now, Jiang Mengxuan was completely calmed down by Ye Mo's words, "Wait a little longer."

Upon careful consideration, I realized that it was indeed not appropriate to implement reforms at this time.

Even without considering the consequences of indiscriminately killing powerful families, even if Ye Mo and the powerful families collectively agree, this reform of the official system will still only be a number on paper.

Aside from writing in the history books that "Empress Xuan of the Great Chu reformed the official system in the first year of Xuan Sheng, allowing scholars and commoners to attend court together," it was utterly useless.

This has a major drawback: according to statistics from the Ministry of Rites, more than 80% of the common people in the Great Chu were almost illiterate.

This is why Shen Lang has been slow to implement the reform of the official system. After all, there is basically no difference between implementing it and not implementing it. Only the aristocratic families will benefit. Why bother to cause trouble?

Having figured this out, Jiang Mengxuan added, "What Prime Minister Ye said is quite right; it was I who had not considered things properly."

Let's leave this matter aside for now. There's another matter I need to discuss with Prime Minister Ye.

In the past two years, our Great Chu has enjoyed abundant finances, and our national strength has grown day by day.

In the future, many things in daily life will inevitably require literacy, so I plan to establish literacy schools in the countryside.

We are offering free enrollment for children and teenagers aged six to twelve, regardless of gender. They can all attend and learn to read.

After all, only by being literate can one understand the teachings of the kingly way and improve the moral character of the people. What does Minister Ye think?

Ye Mo stood up and replied, "Your Majesty's actions are nothing short of exemplary of a benevolent ruler, and the people will remember them. However, if literacy classes are established..."

"Recruiting children for free would incur considerable costs, especially for printing books and other materials..."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Prime Minister Ye, you don't need to worry about that. I will first set up a few pilot sites in the capital. If they prove effective, we will then promote them more extensively in the future."

"I want all the people of Great Chu to no longer live such illiterate lives, and to be able to hold their heads high wherever they go."

Ye Mo: "This old minister will certainly do his utmost to assist Your Majesty and is willing to contribute 400,000 taels of silver as funds for the construction of a school for Your Majesty."

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and did not refuse: "Then thank you very much, Prime Minister Ye. I hope you will help me with this matter."

"Old minister, I obey the order!"

Setting up literacy schools was part of Shen Lang's plan for Jiang Mengxuan.

The reason it wasn't implemented in the early days was that the Chu state was financially strapped and didn't have the extra resources to support these public welfare and education programs.

The situation is different now. The wealth gained through colonization and foreign wars has made the dynasty's finances much more abundant, giving it the confidence to open literacy classes.

Ostensibly aimed at boosting the morale of the people, it actually laid a solid foundation for future reforms and restructuring of officials.