Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1308

Chapter 1308: Chapter 1303: Commendations

"Your Majesty..." Wei Zhong stepped forward and whispered in Bai Qingyan’s ear, "Officials Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui have arrived."

Shen Tianzhi had always been perceptive and insightful. When he saw Wei Zhong whispering to Bai Qingyan, he stood up to leave, bowing deeply to Bai Qingyan as he took his leave: "If Your Majesty has other matters, this humble servant will take his leave first..."

"Master Shen, there is no need to rush." Bai Qingyan gestured for Shen Tianzhi to sit, signaling him to stay, and said to Wei Zhong, "Bring them in."

After Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui entered the hall and paid their respects to Bai Qingyan, they knelt and sat at the small table that Wei Zhong had arranged to be brought in.

Bai Qingyan discussed the matter of abolishing the slave system with Dong Changyuan and Li Mingrui, then continued, "As for how to implement this matter smoothly, you both need to devise a plan!"

Shen Tianzhi did not expect Bai Qingyan to want to abolish the slave system. For those in bondage, this was indeed a good thing, but for the wealthy families that owned slaves and servants, it was likely not good news.

After all, slaves could be beaten or sold at will by their masters, completely seen as the master’s property. If they encountered a kinder master, they might be able to redeem themselves, but if the master refused to release them, the official government could do nothing.

Once, in Shuoyang, he heard Bai Qishan say that the Bai family’s military was established to protect and ensure the safety of the people, but observing the conduct of the Bai clan, he did not believe Bai Qishan. Yet now, watching Bai Qishan’s eldest daughter, who has ascended to the throne, she did not indulge in amassing military or imperial power as he imagined, but instead implemented new reforms, with each reform genuinely considering the people’s perspective.

Moreover, Shen Tianzhi could sense that Bai Qingyan intended, once the new policies were fully in place, to perhaps weaken imperial power and delegate more authority... If Bai Qingyan truly did this, it would indeed be unprecedented.

Dong Changyuan was somewhat astonished as he looked at his cousin since... Dong Changyuan, being born into an aristocratic family, was long accustomed to the notion of servants and slaves being private property of the masters.

But Dong Changyuan also understood that his cousin must have her reasons for doing so. At least, from Dong Changyuan’s perspective, every policy his cousin implemented was beneficial to the people. He promptly declared, "This humble servant will spare no effort!"

Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, then turned to the furrowed brows of Li Mingrui.

Li Mingrui had many doubts. Could the abolition of the slave system truly strengthen the country? It seemed not...

Moreover, slaves were often used as frontline soldiers and vanguards in the military. Without these vanguard soldiers, elite troops might suffer. Considering that His Majesty was born from a family of generals and had led troops, how could she not understand this?

Furthermore, such a new law would definitely impact families with slave servants, possibly bringing chaos to Zhou, not to mention the Bai family itself that also had servants.

Why... would Bai Qingyan go to such lengths to alter something that seemed to offer little benefit to the prosperity and strength of the nation?

"Is there anything Mr. Li questions?" she asked.

Li Mingrui hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Bai Qingyan, and said, "Your Majesty, forgive my presumption, but previously, I understood Your Majesty’s new policies as an effort to win the people’s hearts. But now..."

"Mr. Li, my new policies... are not merely to win hearts!" Bai Qingyan interrupted before Li Mingrui could finish, speaking earnestly and steadily. Looking at Li Mingrui, she said, "I want to establish an unprecedented country and create a never-before-seen era in which... everyone is equal. Everyone! This includes the slave servants! Because they, too, are my people! I want the people of Zhou to live as humans! To live without want! This is my greatest wish in this lifetime, and I will do everything possible to achieve it."

Although true equality is impossible in this world, with power... and involvement of silver coins resulting in inequality, Bai Qingyan is willing to use her utmost effort to create a more equitable country for the people, allowing them to live as dignified humans.

Bai Qingyan only had simple documents left by Empress Ji, so when implementing them, she needed to explore with Zhou court officials together.

Li Mingrui was stunned. Meeting Bai Qingyan’s bright, pure, and deep eyes, his mind suddenly cleared, realizing it was wrong to judge Bai Qingyan by the standards one used for previous rulers.

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