Chapter 279: Chapter 194 Section 3
Emperor Xia Ling thought he was the emperor but lived a life of meager resources. He wanted to do something but was hindered by lack of funds. Meanwhile, those noble families lived in opulence, indulging in whatever they desired. Why should they, these ministers, be wealthier than him, the emperor, and live a better life?
If the noble families had money, they should all hand it over to him. If not, then they would die.
At that time, Emperor Xia Ling directly demanded money from the noble families. Of course, under the pretentious guise of tribute. If the noble families did not give money, he would not spare them.
Led by the Xie family, the noble families were all plundered by Emperor Xia Ling. Seven to eight tenths of their wealth were taken away by him.
At that time, the Xie family and the Wang family thought about resisting, and they did resist, but to no avail. They couldn’t deal with Emperor Xia Ling; instead, they were dealt with ruthlessly by him.
Without a doubt, Emperor Xia Ling was a cruel tyrant, but it couldn’t be denied that he was also cunning and strategic. The Xie family and the Wang family were no match for Emperor Xia Ling’s schemes and tactics.
They could predict Emperor Xia Ling’s next move, but he was more formidable, able to foresee their next five, even ten moves.
Emperor Xia Ling’s intelligence was spent on indulging himself and toying with the noble ministers. If he had applied his cleverness to governing the state, the previous dynasty might have lasted several more decades.
Speaking of which, the noble families in the capital were severely weakened by Emperor Xia Ling’s "torment." Subsequently, chaos ensued worldwide, rituals and music collapsed, and the noble families were again hit hard.
The Old Duke Zhen was very astute, immediately recognizing the late emperor’s abilities, proactively befriending the Zhao family and forming alliances through marriage. At that time, the Xie family placed all their bets on the Zhao family. The Wang family and the Xun family mocked the Xie family for this, but when they saw the Zhao family’s unstoppable conquest of cities, they realized the Xie family’s sharp insight. They then mimicked the Xie family, actively befriending the Zhao family and providing them with money and grain.
After the late emperor established the Great Zhou, the Xie family became the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, once again becoming the leader among the capital’s noble families, but the Xie family never restored their former glory.
The Old Duke Zhen knew that, based on the late emperor’s and the current emperor’s temperament and methods, it was impossible for them to let the noble families control the court, let alone wield power over the government.
He also knew that the late emperor and the current emperor, born into peasantry, held deep-seated hatred and fear towards the noble families, making it impossible to rely on them forever. Given the late emperor’s and the current emperor’s disposition, they would undoubtedly act against the noble families in the future, severely weakening their influence so they could no longer affect the court and politics.
During his life, the Old Duke Zhen was always low-key, unlike the Wang family and others who were still as ostentatious and arrogant as before.
He often told the current Duke Zhen that if the Xie family wanted to restore their former prosperity before the Crown Prince ascended the throne, they must act discreetly and never anger the emperor. Moreover, they must not be greedy for immediate gains and should consider the Xie family’s long-term interests.
The current Duke Zhen is also a shrewd and wise man. He heeded the Old Duke Zhen’s words, supporting the Crown Prince over the years but never doing anything to provoke the emperor’s wrath.
Though the Duke Zhen and Marquis Xuanping fiercely competed, constantly placing their people within the court, these people were not empty-headed; they were capable individuals. He also sternly demanded his people not to cross the emperor’s boundaries.
The noble families from Yangzhou approached him for collaboration, offering excellent terms, but the Duke Zhen refused. Even if the emperor at that time did not deal with the Yangzhou noble families, the Duke Zhen would not agree to cooperate with them. It wasn’t because he underestimated the Yangzhou noble families but because he was somewhat aware of what they had done. He knew clearly that even if the emperor did not deal with the Yangzhou group now, he would not spare them in the future.
He could not let the Duke Zhen Country Mansion fall into danger for the sake of enormous immediate benefits. Additionally, the emperor had always been wary of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion. If he truly agreed to cooperate with those noble families from Yangzhou, it would be the perfect excuse for the emperor to punish the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.
As it turns out, his decision was correct. Now it seems, the emperor’s schemes and tactics against the Yangzhou noble families are even more remarkable than he imagined.
The Duke Zhen sighed, "The emperor is truly becoming more terrifying."
Xie Jun, the Princely Heir of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, similarly lamented, "The emperor’s methods are indeed too frightening. Fortunately, we did not oppose the emperor." Through the Yangzhou incident, he realized those who opposed the emperor met no good end.
"The emperor’s cunning is truly unfathomable," Duke Zhen said with relief. "Fortunately, we have never played tricks on major matters with the emperor."
"Father, the emperor has already eliminated the noble families from Yangzhou. Next, it should be the capital’s noble families, our Xie family..."
The Duke Zhen understood his son’s worries and reassured him, "As long as we stay honest, the emperor will not target our Xie family." As he spoke, his expression suddenly turned very solemn. "Before the Crown Prince smoothly ascends the throne, we must not provoke the emperor."
"Yes," Xie Jun thought for a moment, still feeling very frightened. "Father, the emperor is truly too terrifying."
The Duke Zhen said, "This is nothing; you have yet to witness the emperor’s most terrifying aspect."
Xie Jun quickly asked, "Father, have you seen it?"
"What I saw back then might not even be the emperor’s most terrifying aspect," Duke Zhen suddenly laughed, "Fortunately, the Crown Prince is not like the emperor." If the Crown Prince possessed the emperor’s inscrutable depth and methods, he would definitely not support the Crown Prince.