We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

”Alright, alright, I already said no need to be so formal,” The Qin Kingdom’s ruler pressed his hand downward, having Xiao Mo sit down again, ”This is one thing about you thatʼs not so good. You should learn from your not-yet-married wife. Sheʼs been nagging in my ear constantly these days.”

”Hehe...” Xiao Mo just laughed, warming the atmosphere.

Siyao was his daughter, so naturally she could be more carefree, but no matter what, he himself was a subject and dared not act recklessly.

”Take a look. After youʼve read it, tell me what you think,” The Qin Kingdom’s ruler handed the memorials on the desk to Xiao Mo.

”Yes.”

Xiao Mo took the memorials and read them carefully.

The more he read, the more serious Xiao Moʼs expression became.

These memorials all discussed reforms!

They involved military affairs, agriculture, commerce, and various other aspects but these reforms were all somewhat too conservative.

One could see that these officials very much wanted to make Qin Kingdom better, but these nobles were more interested in protecting their own interests!

”What do you think of these reforms, Xiao Mo?”

Seeing Xiao Mo put down the last memorial, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler asked.

”This...”

Xiao Mo looked at the Qin Kingdom’s ruler, his expression showing some hesitation.

”Xiao Mo, speak freely. Whether right or wrong, I will not blame you,” Seeing Xiao Moʼs concerns, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler said.

”Since Your Majesty has said so, then your subject will be bold.”

Xiao Mo organized his thoughts and slowly spoke.

”These reforms, in your subjectʼs view, seem to have no great impact on the nobility.”

”Hahaha, you still phrase it so tactfully.”

The Qin Kingdom’s ruler stood up, clasping his hands behind his back as he paced in the imperial study.

”I know what you mean. Indeed, as you said, these fellowsʼ reform proposals are overtly and covertly fighting for benefits for their own families. Hereditary succession without replacement, noble titles passed down through generations, this is what gives these nobles the most peace of mind. But after so many years, these nobles who rely on their ancestorsʼ blessings have become increasingly bloated. For ordinary people to climb up, how easy could it be?”

“Common people remain common people their entire lives, as if birth determines everything, with no end in sight. How can such a Qin Kingdom annex other powerful nations? Only by letting people see hope, only by giving everyone a chance to change their fate against heavenʼs will, will the entire Qin Kingdom not become stagnant water! So...”

The Qin Kingdom’s ruler turned around, his eyes directly facing Xiao Mo.

”I want to implement reforms!”

”Your Majestyʼs ambition, this subject deeply admires,” Xiao Mo bowed.

”Alright, alright, no need for pretty words. Continue telling me your thoughts.”

”Your subject does have some immature ideas.”

Xiao Mo rubbed the memorials, and finally decided to speak out and try.

”Your subject believes we should abolish the hereditary system of nobility and replace it with a ʼmerit-based nobility system.ʼ All Qin people, regardless of birth, who kill one enemy head in battle will be granted the rank of ʼPublic Scholar,ʼ receiving one qing of farmland and nine mu of residential land. Accumulated military merit can advance oneʼs rank step by step, up to the rank of marquis. However, noble titles can only be passed down for two generations. If no new merit is achieved in two generations, the rank will decrease. This measure can prevent noble children from relying comfortably on ancestral protection, while giving common warriors hope of changing their family status.”

“Furthermore, Qin Kingdom is currently divided by provinces, and below the provinces are all enfeoffed territories and cities. The administrative span is too large. Your subject believes we should implement a prefecture and county system. Under provinces establish prefectures, under prefectures establish counties. Prefecture governors and county magistrates should all be directly appointed and dismissed by the court, evaluated based on four criteria: ʼcultivated land, population, criminal cases, and grain taxes.ʼ Evaluation every three years, with excellent performers promoted and poor performers removed. Nobles receive salaries but cannot interfere in government affairs, only receiving grain, silk, and stipends according to their rank.”