Chapter 1326: Zhang Yuelu’s Reforms
While Qi Xuansu had crossed the ocean and was stirring up trouble behind enemy lines, Zhang Yuelu had not been idle either.
Zhang Yuelu did not even have the time to deal with Little Yin, who had slipped away to roam Jianghu, which showed just how busy she truly was.
Her main focus was on internal issues.
Although Wang Jiaohe and Sun Heyu had both been eliminated by Qi Xuansu, and the entire Nanyang had appeared peaceful and orderly during his tenure, things became somewhat different once Zhang Yuelu took over.
The reason was simple. Qi Xuansu commanded such authority because he had fought his way to the top. Both the Wang and Sun families had fallen at his hands, so no one dared oppose him. That would be like wishing for an early death.
Now Qi Xuansu had left, and Zhang Yuelu had taken his place.
Zhang Yuelu had not risen through bloodshed like Qi Xuansu. She had come to power through normal succession. The difference was like that between an emperor who conquered the empire on horseback and one who simply inherited the throne. The authority and respect they commanded was inevitably different.
Moreover, during Qi Xuansu’s three years in office, his main priorities had been to stabilize internal conditions and repair financial deficits externally. His strategy emphasized stability and conciliation, so the situation remained relatively calm.
But once stability had been achieved and Zhang Yuelu assumed power, she began introducing reform policies and pushing for internal restructuring.
Back when Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu discussed how to deal with the Nanyang United Trading Company, they had already disagreed once before.
Zhang Yuelu believed that such a large company should not remain in private hands. Activities like slave trading had to be eradicated, and the Daoist Order should also hold shares—ideally 51% to ensure absolute control.
Qi Xuansu opposed the idea. First, after two major conflicts, the Daoist Order’s finances could not support deep involvement. Second, excessive involvement by the Daoist Order would inevitably create a series of personnel and bureaucratic issues, which might not be beneficial.