129: Fourth Generation: Overlord (25)

Xu Yuan stood up and walked to the hanging map of Great Shang, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"These Noble Families have entrenched themselves in the regions for too long; they have long since become malignant tumors sucking the National Fortune dry."

"Without their complete eradication, Great Shang will never know peace, and my Imperial Dao will find it hard to proceed smoothly."

"But relying solely on slaughter and suppression is not a long-term solution."

"Better to channel than to block."

Xu Yuan turned around and looked at the Grand Elder, a sharp light flashing in his eyes:

"I intend to establish the 'Dashang Academy'!"

The Grand Elder was slightly taken aback: "An academy?"

"Correct." Xu Yuan nodded. "Unlike the clan schools and private schools of old that were only for the children of Noble Families, this academy will be open to all citizens of Great Shang, regardless of origin, regardless of whether they are Immortal or Mortal!"

"The academy will be divided into two branches: Civil and Military. The Civil Academy will teach strategies for governing the country, techniques for economy and agriculture, and the principles of law and arithmetic; the Military Academy will teach basic Cultivation methods, the Dao of battlefield slaughter, and the skills of Artifact Refining and talisman making."

"The faculty can be composed of court officials, military generals, recruited Loose Cultivator experts, and virtuous scholars from among the people."

"Disciples of the academy will be enrolled based on merit."

"After graduation, following an assessment, the outstanding ones can enter the court directly, be dispatched to local regions as officials, or join the military as generals!"

As Grand Elder Wang Zheng Yuan listened to Xu Yuan's explanation, he initially only thought the policy was ingenious, capable of breaking the monopoly of the Noble Families and cultivating new blood for the Dynasty.

But when he heard "regardless of origin, regardless of whether they are Immortal or Mortal," and "the Civil Academy will teach strategies for governing the country... the outstanding ones can enter the court directly or be dispatched to local regions as officials," an unbelievable light suddenly erupted in his aged eyes, and a stormy sea of shock surged in his heart!

He looked up abruptly, even momentarily ignoring etiquette due to his immense shock. With a voice carrying a tremor he himself didn't notice, he looked at Xu Yuan in disbelief:

"Your... Your Majesty! You... You mean to say... that even... even those Mortals with no Spiritual Root who cannot Cultivate, as long as they master the strategies for governing the country and the techniques for economy and agriculture taught by this Civil Academy... can, after assessment, also... also enter the court as officials and govern a region?!"

This simply overturned the ironclad rules of the Eastern Region for thousands of years!

In the Eastern Region, and even the broader world of cultivation, although a Dynasty is composed of billions of Mortals, the true core of rule can only ever be Cultivators!

Even a Cultivator at the lowest Qi Condensation Stage has a lifespan, energy, and perception of the world that far exceeds those of a Mortal.

The difference between Immortal and Mortal is like clouds and mud, a fundamental difference in the level of existence. Letting Mortals participate in politics, or even govern a region, is... simply unheard of!

It was a concept that challenged the very Foundation of all cultivation dynasties in the Eastern Region!

Seeing the Grand Elder's expression, which was so shocked he had almost lost his composure, Xu Yuan was not displeased. Instead, he laughed heartily, his laughter filled with unquestionable confidence and the heroic ambition of one who opens a new era for all eternity:

"Hahaha! Grand Elder, why not?!"

With a wave of his sleeve, he pointed at the massive map of Great Shang, his eyes burning bright as if they could pierce through the palace walls to see the vast territory and the billions of people.

"The great power of the Immortal Dao can indeed destroy cities and forts, extend life, and guard the nation's borders."

"However, governing the country, harmonizing Yin and Yang, developing the people's livelihood, prospering the economy, enabling the masses to live and work in peace, and making the national strength flourish..."

"Can these things be achieved solely through high cultivation?"

"A Mortal master proficient in water conservancy can solve the floods of a whole prefecture and save countless lives; his merit is not necessarily less than a Foundation Establishment Cultivator slaying a few demons!"

"A Mortal sage well-versed in the ways of the economy can manage finances and facilitate trade to fill the national treasury; the benefits are enough to support the expenditures of thousands of Cultivators!"

"A capable Mortal official with a keen eye and familiarity with the law can judge cases like a god and maintain regional integrity; the order and stability he brings are likewise the cornerstones of a flourishing National Fortune!"

Xu Yuan's voice was powerful and resonant, carrying a wisdom that saw through to the essence:

"Cultivators have their uses, and Mortals also have their strengths!"

"What I want is not the simple dominance of Immortals over Mortals, nor the illusory equality between Mortals and Immortals!"

"What I want is—everyone making the most of their talents, and everything being put to its best use!"

"Regardless of whether they are Immortal or Mortal, as long as they have true talent and learning, can serve Great Shang, and can seek welfare for the masses, I will give them a stage to display their talents and the honor and status they deserve!"

He turned and looked at the Grand Elder with eyes like torches, his words powerful and resonant:

"This is the fundamental purpose of my establishing Dashang Academy!"

"I want all the world's talents, whether Immortal or Mortal, to be brought under my command!"

The Grand Elder listened blankly, the shock in his heart beyond measure.

He seemed to see an unprecedentedly grand picture slowly unfolding before his eyes.

The vision and courage of this young emperor far exceeded his imagination.

This was no longer just a struggle for power with the Noble Families; this was reshaping the very Foundation and ecology of the entire Dynasty!

He seemed to already see what kind of massive waves this decree would cause among the stagnant Noble Families when it was proclaimed to the world, and what kind of blazing fire of hope it would ignite in the hearts of countless children of Humble Families and billions of Mortals!

This was no longer a simple reform; this was... a true revolution!

In the past, he valued Xu Yuan because he possessed the Purple Zenith Imperial Fate Art and feared him because of the Divine Might he displayed at the altar, but deep down, perhaps a subtle mindset of being a Family Elder who watched him grow up still remained.

He felt that although Xu Yuan was the chosen one of destiny, he was young after all and needed the Family's support, needing experienced and steady people like them to assist him, and even to advise and balance him at certain moments.

But at this moment, listening to Xu Yuan's resonant declaration that contained the spirit of opening a new era for all eternity, and feeling the ambition and wisdom that truly belonged to an emperor determined to reshape heaven and earth, the last trace of a "senior's" condescending mindset in the Grand Elder's heart completely dissipated.

What he saw was no longer just a Wang Family Disciple with extraordinary talent and amazing luck, no longer just a bearer of Imperial Fortune who needed to be built up with Family resources.

What he saw was a true majestic ruler with the universe in his heart and his eyes on the future!

A king capable of leading the Wang Family—no, leading all of Great Shang—to unprecedented heights!

Compared to this, Wang Jue's narrow jealousy and schemes, and the petty, self-serving resistance of the Noble Families, seemed so laughable and insignificant!

The Grand Elder took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He straightened his robes and, no longer bowing with the identity of a Family Elder, stepped forward with an incomparably solemn posture as if facing a sovereign. He clasped his hands and gave a deep bow.

"Your Majesty's considerations are profound and your vision is grand. This old official... is in awe!"

"Only today do I know what a true Dragon in the sky is, and what imperial poise is!"

"The entire Wang Family will do its utmost, and even at the cost of ten thousand deaths, will assist Your Majesty in achieving this unprecedented grand undertaking!"

"Anyone who obstructs this policy, whether they be powerful Noble Families or enemies from within or without, will be the Mortal enemies of my Wang Family, and we will surely clear them away for Your Majesty!"

At this moment, he completely adjusted his position.

He was no longer the Family Elder he once thought himself to be, who needed to constantly weigh Family interests and occasionally advise the "hot-blooded young" emperor.

Instead, he was a subject of the Great Shang Dynasty.

He was the most steadfast supporter and executor on Xu Yuan's path of the Imperial Dao.

He was... a witness to history!"