Jennifer Williams
Stories
12
Chapters
3,221
Words
2.4 M
Comments
0
Reading
8 d, 6 h
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Everyone in this grand hall held prominent positions in the court, adorned in opulent clothing. Who among them didn’t have a large family to support? Establishing factories was presently the most lucrative business during the Tang Dynasty. Nearly every household had control over several factories. Like the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, these individuals primarily focused on amassing wealth. Specialized personnel managed the day-to-day affairs of the factories, and they paid little attention to how the…-
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Before long, eight Golden Guards appeared in the procession, bearing ceremonial items. An inner officer stood atop the Golden Platform and loudly addressed the Holy Temple. Shortly after, Li Er strolled leisurely and settled onto the Dragon Throne. “Ministers, if you have matters to report, please do so now. If not, you may depart,” Li Er uttered lazily. The courtiers exchanged glances, but none spoke, their attention fixed on Su Li at the forefront. Su Li finally opened his eyes and stepped…
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If Su Li planned to take action against the Five Clans and Seven Surnames, Li Er would unquestionably offer his wholehearted support. There was no other choice. Li Er had harbored deep resentment towards these aristocratic families for a long time. Over the past several centuries, these aristocratic families had exploited the turmoil in the land to secure numerous advantages. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan created positions like Zong Zheng Qing and Zong Shi, which local aristocratic…
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An accident occurred at the factory – the waterwheel collapsed, resulting in the deaths of more than ten workers. To the eyes of the Lu Clan of Fanyang, this incident was not considered a significant matter. Similar incidents wouldn’t be considered substantial by any noble families. They had remained at the pinnacle for too long, to the point where they saw themselves as divine beings. To them, ordinary people were merely ants, livestock, or means to sustain their comfortable lives. For Su Li,…
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Viewing the aristocracy from the perspective of how one might perceive merchants could often offer a reasonable explanation for many of their actions. For instance, their recent visits to Su Li could be summed up by a simple phrase: “No profit, no early start!” Previously, the prominent families of the Tang Dynasty followed behind Su Li, establishing factories and accumulating wealth. However, years of survival experience had taught them not to take risks lightly. They wouldn’t actively get close to…
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Li Er’s royal decree appeared quite perplexing. What was a powerful minister? A powerful minister was a high-ranking officer whose control over the levers of authority posed a threat to the supreme ruler. While it was commonly stated that there should be a balance of power in the court to prevent the dominance of the monarch or the ministers, one should not forget that when facing a single minister, the emperor naturally held the advantage. Therefore, the circumstances that led to the rise of powerful…
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Wei Zhang left the imperial palace looking bewildered. To be honest, he had his own reasons for entering the palace this time. People often described him as a straightforward courtier, but that didn’t mean he lacked intelligence. A straightforward courtier without cleverness wouldn’t survive long in office without causing trouble. Throughout history, how many straightforward courtiers met their end by crashing into the grand hall’s golden pillars in Changan City’s imperial palace? Wei Zhang…
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The occasional melodious chirping of birds could be heard inside the Imperial Palace, within the Hall of Martial Arts. Li Er stood beside a birdcage, amusing a goldfinch nestled within. “Your Majesty, Duke of Zhang seeks an audience,” a eunuch announced upon entering. Li Er couldn’t help but furrow his brow. Why would this unpretentious individual suddenly visit the palace? He hesitated briefly, glancing at the bird in the cage. Li Er found Wei Zhang somewhat vexing. Known for his outspokenness,…
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Continuing eastward, the envoy observed as they went. They passed towering snow-covered mountains and entered the territory of the Anxi Protectorate. By this time, the Great Tang’s industrial production had gradually extended to this region. Along the riverside were tall chimneys and massive water wheels, dozens of meters high, turned continuously day and night. The envoy was visibly amazed when they saw a local small landowner establish a workshop that used hydraulic stamping machines to transform…
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Over time, the people’s lives in the Great Tang underwent significant changes gradually. In the past, many believed that the phrase “changing rapidly day by day” was an exaggeration from ancient times. For centuries, the lives of Central Plains residents followed a daily routine, much like their fathers, grandfathers, and ancestors for generations. The common saying among the people was “endure the days,” reflecting the ordinary folks’ way of life. However, the modern Great Tang was different.…
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