hat the teacup was a little empty and proactively filled it for Li Chen, then said: "Your Highness is used to eating light food, so naturally you're not used to this greasy food. Drink some clear tea...Chapter 859: Clan and Family

These three people were obviously still high from the biggest joy in their lives, each of them radiating an air of elation and excitement.

Taking a break from his busy schedule, Li Chen looked at the three vibrant green scallions before him with a satisfied smile.

"Not bad."

Li Chen nodded and said, "Let's all stand up and talk."

The three people obediently stood up upon hearing this.

They know everything they have comes from elsewhere, don't talk about how it's all their own talent. Those who can take the Imperial examinations aren't that different in ability anyway.

However, they happened to hit the mark on what the Crown Prince was looking for. If it were a traditional essay exam, they might not have had such an advantage.

But these are all ifs, and there are no ifs in this world.

"The three of you are the top three scholars of this year's imperial examination. This palace has high hopes for you, so today I summoned you here to have a few things to make clear to you, and secondly, to hand out your official appointments."

Li Chen finished speaking, waved his hand to stop them from bowing, and then said, "Fu Minqing."

As the new top scholar, Fu Minqing was naturally the first person Li Chen named.

Fu Minqing took a step forward and said in a low voice, "Here, sir."

Li Chen said, "You are from Jiangzhe, and you are more familiar with the South. To be honest with this palace, what is the current situation in the South"

This question is not easy to answer.

But Fu Minqing knew he couldn't avoid answering, nor could he give a roundabout answer.

He could only grit his teeth and say: "Reporting to Your Highness, as Your Highness inquired, the student dares not conceal anything. The common people in the south are not living well. In the south, the power of local tyrants far outweighs that of the government. Therefore, local officials, not only collude with local tyrants, but many government affairs cannot even be promoted without the nod of the local tyrants."

"In the long run, the situation in the south will naturally not be good."

“In the student's hometown, there was once a tyrannical young master who forcibly abducted a woman from the street. After insulting her, he left her body to rot in the wilderness. This act caused outrage among the local people. The local magistrate, a good official, led soldiers and constables to apprehend him, but the weapons and number of servants at the tyrant's mansion far exceeded those of the government.”

"In the end, nothing came of it."

At this, Fu Minqing's expression grew grim. He lowered his head and bowed, saying, "This matter is but a drop in the ocean; there are many more appalling and shocking things that I dare not speak of."

Li Chen listened silently for a long time before saying: "Enough, one glimpse reveals the whole picture. This palace already has an idea of what is happening in the south."

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, the three people below couldn't help but become curious. Could it be that the Crown Prince planned to have the newly appointed top scholar go directly south to take up his post

“The imperial court imposed mandatory regulations on the number of servants and slaves residing in the mansions of local gentry and officials. While these rules were strictly enforced at the founding of the nation, with no one daring to defy them, they have largely become mere empty words in the present day.”

Li Chen let out a cold laugh.

For feudal dynasties, clans and lineages were never a good thing.

These people have wealth and power in their region, acting as local emperors. Naturally, they would resist the imperial court and even aspire to become emperor themselves.

They are simply too numerous, representing the most powerful forces in the world, the families' influence.

No matter which dynasty, they could not be completely eliminated.

And now that the Qin court has weakened, these families and clans have naturally expanded rapidly, becoming a blight. Fu, did you feel that Lord Ge just now was hiding something from us""Fu Yuzhi nonchalantly replied, 'There's nothing strange about that. The Elder may not explain everything to us. There have been si...