newbobooks Chapter 290 Seeking Change or Maintaining the Status Quo
Chapter 290 Seeking Change or Maintaining the Status Quo
Ying Hao ignored the gazes of his fellow clansmen and walked straight to the front of the crowd.
If it weren't for the fact that Marquis Dingfang had treated his family relatively well, he wouldn't have wasted his breath talking to these extremely corrupt clansmen.
"I won't waste any more words. As you all know, our Great Qin was founded on military strength and believes in the military merit system."
"As long as you achieve merit on the battlefield, you will receive corresponding rewards..."
"And the Emperor is extremely generous to those who have rendered meritorious service; the Marquis of Champion, who was recently granted the title of Marquis, is a prime example..."
"Therefore, there is only one way to save our clan: to arrange for the younger generation to join the army, gain merit, and thus revitalize the clan..."
Ying Hao spoke in a deep voice, explaining his insights in detail.
"That's all I have to say. Whether you listen or not is up to you..."
After speaking, Ying Hao returned to his seat, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
As he finished speaking, the expressions of the royal family members present varied; some looked thoughtful, while others were filled with anger.
"Absurd! We are members of the royal family. Our ancestors conquered this vast territory so that we could enjoy its benefits. How can we send our clansmen to dangerous battlefields, to risk their lives for wealth and status like those peasants..."
“That’s right, we are members of the imperial family, of noble birth. How can those commoners be compared to us?”
"Ying Hao, you have willingly degraded yourself. I must petition the Imperial Clan Court to strip you and your son of their imperial clan status..."
Some members of the royal family angrily accused Ying Hao, believing that he was undermining the very foundation of the royal family if they were to actually send members of the royal family to the battlefield to gain military merit.
Their privileges would then completely disappear, and they would be reduced to ordinary people, which is unacceptable to them.
However, some members of the royal family remained silent, their faces thoughtful and their eyes filled with struggle.
It seems they are considering the possibilities of Ying Hao's words.
But they are reluctant to give up their current privileges, which is why they look conflicted in their eyes.
Marquis Dingfang sat in the main seat, watching this scene without saying a word, waiting quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, the members of the imperial clan were still clamoring for the Imperial Clan Court to strip Ying Hao and his son of their imperial clan status.
At this moment, a member of the royal family who had not made a fuss stood up. His eyes were firm, and he said, "I have made my decision. I will send my descendants to join the army..."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present fell silent, and the clamoring royal family members stared at the scene in disbelief.
"Ying Tao, what are you doing? Have you forgotten the honor of the royal family? How can you degenerate like Ying Hao?"
The members of the royal family immediately turned their anger towards Ying Tao. They would never allow anyone to set this precedent, otherwise more and more members of the royal family would follow suit.
How will they cope then?
"I, Ying Xin, am the same; I am willing to send my juniors to join the army. I've thought it through. The past glory exists only in the past. The current royal family is not the same as the previous one. If we remain immersed in past glories, sooner or later, we will have no place to stand in this Great Qin..."
Another member of the royal family stood up and said in a deep voice.
Me too...
"..."
More and more members of the royal family stood up, indicating their willingness to send their descendants to join the army and earn military merit.
"You...you..."
As these members of the royal family spoke out, those who opposed them immediately became furious, pointing their fingers at them.
"Crazy, all crazy!"
"None of you are worthy of being members of the royal family; you are a disgrace to the royal family..."
One of the royal family members, his eyes red, pointed at the others who had spoken and roared.
But no one paid him any attention, so he could only bark helplessly.
Marquis Dingfang sat in the main seat, watching this scene, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
The royal family isn't completely rotten to the core; there's still hope!
Marquis Dingfang had no children; he was the only one left in the main branch of his lineage. He did have a few collateral descendants, and he planned to send those collateral descendants to the battlefield as well.
Whoever made the most military achievements would have the position of Marquis of Dingfang passed on to him.
"Very well, those who have been decided to send their sons to join the army will accompany this old man to see the Emperor..."
Marquis Dingfang, leaning on his cane, stood up and addressed the members of the royal family who sought change.
"My lord, why are you also..."
Those conservative members of the royal family looked at Marquis Dingfang with astonishment, their expressions seeming to say, "You are our leader, how could you betray us?"
"My lord, even you are abandoning us. What are we to do?"
A member of the royal family raised his hand to wipe away non-existent tears and said.
"you?"
Marquis Dingfang glanced at them sideways and said, "You can continue to cling to your royal dreams and just wait to die!"
Having said that, he ignored them and led the members of the royal family who were willing to change away from the Marquis's residence, heading towards the Imperial Palace.
At this moment, inside the imperial palace.
Lu Bing was reporting to Ying Chen what had happened inside the Marquis of Dingfang's residence.
Almost as soon as the members of the imperial family gathered, Ying Chen received intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He knew everything that happened inside the Dingfang Marquis's residence.
The reaction of these members of the royal family was not what Ying Chen had expected.
Back when those members of the royal family were demanding titles from him, he made it clear to them that in the Qin Dynasty, obtaining a title was simple: go to the battlefield and risk your life.
However, those members of the royal family, who considered themselves noble, were unwilling to send their sons to the battlefield.
For this reason, they even sought help from the ancestors of the Great Qin Dynasty, since many of them were descendants of those ancestors.
However, those old ancestors now all follow Ying Chen's lead and completely ignore them.
Unfortunately, they had no choice but to give up.
Ying Chen's bestowal of the title of Marquis upon Huo Qubing was also intended to set an example for others.
Once they realize that military achievements can indeed lead to a noble title, they certainly won't act the same way as before.
After all, they are Ying Chen's kinsmen, and Ying Chen is unwilling to give up on them easily. As long as they are ambitious, why shouldn't Ying Chen give them a chance?
It remains to be seen whether they can seize this opportunity.
In addition, this applies not only to the royal family, but also to other forces in the Qin Dynasty, whether they are ordinary people, aristocratic families, or sects.
As long as you are willing to contribute to the Qin Dynasty, Ying Chen will not hesitate to reward you.
"Your Majesty, Marquis Dingfang is leading members of the imperial clan to the palace. Shall we receive them?"
Lu Bing cautiously looked up at Ying Chen and asked.
Upon hearing his words, Ying Chen stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "Then let's meet him!"
"Let them wait for me in the Chengde Hall!"
Ying Chen said to Lu Bing.
"Here!"
Lu Bing bowed respectfully and then went to convey Ying Chen's decree.
"Let's go to Chengde Hall and meet my elders!"
Ying Chen said to Cao Zhengchun.
After receiving the order, Cao Zhengchun immediately began making arrangements.