Chapter 229: Consolidating Power
With Lord Zhang's downfall, Lin Yuer's position grows stronger, but she knows that her empire is still fragile. The noble class, though subdued, is not yet fully loyal, and the remnants of the merchant coalition are still quietly seeking ways to undermine her.
To counter this, Lin Yuer doubles down on her reforms. The first batch of students at the imperial academy is selected, and it's a moment of pride for Lin Yuer. Young men and women from all corners of the empire—noble and common alike—begin their studies. The academy becomes a symbol of her vision for the future: an empire where merit is valued over birthright, and where every citizen has a chance to rise above their circumstances.
But even as she celebrates this achievement, Lin Yuer is aware that her most pressing concern is the military. It's one thing to defeat an uprising; it's another to ensure the loyalty of the armed forces over the long term. She begins the process of reforming the imperial army, focusing on making it more professional and less prone to manipulation by the aristocracy