CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 214: INCREASE BY 100 TIMES

The noble system of the Radiant Dynasty includes four ranks: king, duke, marquis, and earl, all of which are hereditary titles. Apart from these, there are no temporary titles granted as a gesture of favor, which is quite peculiar.

It’s akin to a MOBA hero whose four skills all have cooldowns of several dozen seconds, with no minor skills.

Therefore, the Radiant Emperor either grants no titles or, once a title is granted, it means the creation of another hereditary family. With the overall pie unchanged, bestowing a title benefits none of the existing beneficiaries, which is why the current titled nobles are essentially ancient families that have inherited their status for hundreds of years during the ’Renaissance,’ some even for a millennium.

The peculiarity of the noble system is also due to the Radiant Dynasty’s different definition of titles: granting noble titles is not merely a reward, but also a responsibility.

The nobility must shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding the borders, protecting the land, and safeguarding the lives of many families. Therefore, any titled kings or dukes must remain within their administrative districts and are not allowed to leave their titled regions to enter Yanjing without an order.

The marquis and earl nobles are loyalists safeguarding imperial power, required to diligently study combat techniques and classical texts daily. Thus, any marquis or earl nobility must remain in Yanjing, and their official promotions cannot be outside postings. Furthermore, without necessity, they cannot interact with officials or nobles from the Outer District.

This very peculiar noble system seems to trust these nobles greatly, granting them the privilege to guard the borders and remain in Yanjing; yet it simultaneously exhibits great distrust by strictly defining the future of their descendants.

But once you connect all this with the Absolute Divine Weapon · Holy Sword Radiance held by the Radiant Imperial Family, all confusion is resolved.

The Radiant Imperial Family doesn’t fear the nobles from other regions settling deeply; they even welcome the nobility’s complete control of local affairs. Because in past eras without railroads, the reach of royal power was through officials, who couldn’t even make rural visits. With officials rotating every few to tens of years, how could they wrestle with local powers?

The approach of the Radiant Imperial Family is—

They cultivate these local powers themselves.

Every one of the eight governing districts has stationed nobility granted with Imperial Court support. With decades or centuries to accumulate, these nobles unquestionably become the deep-rooted local powers. Subsequently, the process is straightforward—when the Imperial Court demands taxes, conscription, or resources, it simply sends officials to request them from these nobles.

What if they refuse?

Then the current emperor is in luck. All it takes is an order to deploy the Border Army to ’uphold heavenly authority,’ executing the nobility disobeying imperial commands, confiscating their properties to enrich the treasury, and significantly elevating the emperor’s prestige.

Look how great the emperor is!

He killed the exploiting, oppressing nobles for us!

As expected, emperors are virtuous, while officials and nobles are the ones at fault!

After a round of this process, the emperor gains wealth and prestige, akin to opening a new player package.

As for nobles with ambitions, who might join forces with the military to rebel...

Do they really think the Holy Sword Radiance is ineffective?

In an era where the emperor doesn’t die unexpectedly and the Holy Sword Radiance is properly inherited, even if the emperor is forsaken by allies, he can still obliterate three armies and suppress rebellious ministers. Any rebellion is just like searching for excrement in a lantern.

As for why the nobles are made into local powers rather than selecting random lucky viewers, it’s naturally because the emperor can directly communicate with the nobility.

For instance, the emperor can tell the duke ’don’t say you haven’t been warned,’ but he can’t say that to a Silver Blood businessman; the latter would be too degrading.

After all, many times, scaring the nobles can make them voluntarily cough up money, deploying the military each time would be too costly. Compared to those upstarts, the nobility at least had affluent ancestors who understand the gravity of ’death’ and comprehend the emperor’s candid advice.

As for marquis and earl nobles, they’re used as different kinds of tools, not worth discussing much.

Although these noble scapegoats are so useful, previous emperors have been reluctant to waste these ’new player packages,’ over the years, however, nobles in each district have been wiped clean.

For instance, in the Chenfeng District, there’s not a single titled noble.

And in the Dongyang District, only the Duke of Wanghai remains.

"It seems larger than Jing Garden."

Leyi couldn’t help but admire the grandeur and splendor of the duke’s mansion before him, still unshaken by the wind and rain.

The middle-aged butler wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "Yes, that’s what the chairman said..."

"If the chairman likes it, why not stay at our humble abode for a couple of days? My father is eager to engage more with an aspiring chairman and often urges me to interact more with you."

A young man in lavish attire stepped out of Wanghai Duke’s mansion, gestured for the middle-aged butler to return. Facing the soldiers blocking the street and surrounding the mansion, almost pushing away the rainstorm, he calmly clasped his hands and smiled:

"Today the weather is dreadful, yet you all come for my family’s trivial matters, Huyan Jue feels uneasy. The Yangchun Restaurant nearby has prepared hot soup and meat dishes, if you’re not offended, please accept Huyan Jue’s apology."

Huyan Jue, the eldest son of Duke Huyan Xiu, current chief secretary of the Governor’s Mansion, does not mingle with the Silver Blood Association, but he is undoubtedly a leader among Dongyang’s noble and official circles.

"President Jing has already agreed to provide us with a meal later!" Wan Xisha shouted: "Thank you for your kindness; we appreciate it!"

Leyi also smiled: "It’s no issue; we just noticed a small problem with the Duke’s mansion that needs resolving. As long as Director Huyan and Duke Wanghai cooperate, it should be resolved quickly, without taking up too much time. By the way, may I ask where Duke Wanghai is...?"

Huyan Jue promptly replied: "My father is unwell; it’s wet and cold outside, inappropriate for him to come out."

"I see, then it’s fine to seek Director Huyan." Leyi said: "Actually, the Linhai Army feels that Duke Wanghai’s military donation is really too little, so...could you perhaps give a tad bit more?"

"I see." Huyan Jue nodded as if he anticipated it, "Please come into the mansion to discuss details."

"No need for the trouble; I have several other places to be. How about Duke Wanghai’s mansion set an example by giving a little more? Then I can use it as a reference to urge other families and associations to donate quickly." Leyi made a rubbing gesture: "Just give an approximate number."

Huyan Jue breathed a sigh of relief, his face lit up with smiles: "With such a request, Wanghai Huyan Family has no objections. How about this? Is this amount enough?"

Leyi glanced at his gesture, awkwardly said: "Could you perhaps give a tad bit more?"

Huyan Jue doubled the amount straightforwardly: "How about now?"

"Could you...give a tad bit more?"

Huyan Jue felt slightly impatient, his look towards Leyi involuntarily carrying a trace of disdain.

Is this the next generation of ’Blackthorn’? Is this the new president of the Silver Blood Association?

Do you think it’s a market where you can bargain like this?

A figure like a beggar asking for money—it’s embarrassing to watch.

Having seen him manage the Silver Blood’s affairs earlier, I thought he was a capable individual, but it turns out he’s just a dog that doesn’t let go of a bone.

Despite various thoughts, Huyan Jue kept his smile unchanged: "Then what does President think Wanghai Huyan Family should give?"

"Do you really want me to say it?"

"It’s entirely up to President’s instructions."

"Then I think you should take that amount just now..."

Leyi lightly clapped his hands: "Multiply it by a hundred."

Huyan Jue blinked, "President, what did you just say?"

Leyi smiled: "I said, multiply the amount you just mentioned by a hundred—that’s the amount your Huyan Family ought to give."

"President, I treated you respectfully, yet you toy with me?" Huyan Jue got angry and turned to leave: "Pardon Huyan Jue for not accommodating—"

Leyi snapped his fingers, and the soldiers clicked safety catches, loading bullets. Amid the pitter-patter of rain, the crisp sound of loading was exceptionally pleasant.

Huyan Jue halted his steps and glanced at Leyi.

"President, are you serious?"

"I don’t like joking."

Huyan Jue’s smile faded, his expression indifferent: "Such a significant amount, I can’t make the decision myself; only my father can decide."

"Then please have Duke Wanghai humble himself to resolve this inconsequential issue."

"My father can’t go out; President Jing, please come with me; I’ll lead you to see him."

Leyi tilted his head: "Director Huyan, perhaps you’re unaware, but in recent days, I’ve experienced more than a dozen assassination attempts. Going places without guards or soldiers makes me nervous."

"I feel if I lead these hundreds of soldiers into Duke Wanghai’s mansion, stepping over flowers and grass, breaking vases, collapsing footbridges, that would be minor. However, if we disturb Duke Wanghai’s noble presence, wouldn’t we become sinners? Director Huyan, don’t you agree?"

Huyan Jue squinted: "...Then President Jing, what do you mean?"

Leyi glanced at the mansion’s signboard, then at the increasingly fierce wind and rain, full of apology said: "For Duke Wanghai’s noble health, I believe it should be—"

"Let Duke Wanghai come to see me."