Chapter 64: Li Chuan Strongly Supports the Princess

The atmosphere within the palace remained as oppressive as ever, a heavy silence hanging over the expansive hall. The courtiers gathered around a massive circular table, their expressions varied as they murmured among themselves. Today's agenda concerned Princess Lanna's proposed tax reform plan, and upon it hung the future destiny of the entire kingdom, balanced precariously on a knife-edge.

Despite garnering a fair amount of support for her court reforms, Princess Lanna had also encountered stubborn resistance from the conservative faction. Those individuals were hardened by age and entangled in self-serving interests; many had already carved out comfortable niches within the current system. Making them accept this transformation was clearly no simple task. Furthermore, several powerful ministers within the court—particularly those with deep-rooted ties to the old regime—had already begun openly opposing the plan, desperately sensationalizing the potential chaos and turmoil such a reform might bring.

"If we continue to push for such reforms, I fear the entire kingdom's finances will face total collapse," an elderly high official stood up, his tone cold and his eyes filled with menace. "The Princess should not make such a rash decision. The kingdom's economy is already fragile; to abruptly alter the taxation system will inevitably provoke public discontent!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the voices of opposition within the court grew even more ferocious, with several seasoned and prudent ministers stepping forward in immediate agreement. Without exception, they emphasized the risks of the reforms, arguing that while the current system possessed numerous flaws, it at least maintained the status quo and averted severe social upheaval.

"If the Princess insists on pushing forward with these reforms, is she not placing the very foundation of the kingdom in grave peril?" another minister asserted. "We ought to proceed with greater caution; reforms should not be rushed."

These statements were not entirely devoid of reason. Indeed, one could argue that every opposing voice carried its own profound logic. However, Lanna had no intention of letting their rhetoric easily shake her resolve. She had already traveled far down the path of reform, and this far-reaching transformation was destined to be an arduous struggle.

Seated at the head of the table, she maintained a calm gaze and a neutral expression, yet the internal tension and pressure could not be erased. Confronting the fierce counterattack from the court conservatives, Lanna knew she required much stronger support to defuse the immediate crisis. That essential support came precisely from Lichuan.

Lichuan stood quietly to one side, observing every subtle detail unfolding in the chamber. He was acutely aware that this battle concerned not only Lanna's political career, but also their shared future. The current situation resembled a complex game of chess, where every single move could determine ultimate victory or defeat. And he had to step forward to offer her his unwavering support.

Finally, as the deadlock grew increasingly tense, Lichuan slowly rose to his feet, shattering the silence of the palace. All eyes instantly converged upon him, everyone astonished by his sudden interjection. As a former youth from a fishing village, although he had already demonstrated extraordinary wisdom and decisiveness in numerous matters, speaking out in such a public and formal setting still caught many by surprise.

"Respected ministers," Lichuan's voice was loud and clear, carrying a natural warmth, "every responsible ruler should be well aware of the risks involved in reform. However, the true significance of reform is not merely taking 'risks,' but rather perceiving future possibilities and forging a more stable and prosperous society."

The moment his words left his lips, the stalemate within the court was broken. Everyone ceased their arguments and quietly watched him.

"Over the years, our taxation system has remained unchanged. Despite its glaring flaws—the inequitable distribution of taxes and the heavy burdens borne by the farmers—if things continue this way, social conflicts will only escalate. Public resentment will inevitably erupt sooner or later, and the stability of the entire kingdom will hang by a thread," Lichuan continued. "Now, Princess Lanna has proposed these reforms. This is a courageous endeavor, undertaken for the future stability of the kingdom and the well-being of the common people."

"You may consider the reforms overly radical, but have you ever considered what the kingdom's future holds if we refuse to change the existing system?" Lichuan's gaze swept over every minister present like a sharp blade. "With my own eyes in the fishing village, I witnessed how the old system plunged ordinary people into distress, and I also saw how, following the reforms, the populace regained hope and vitality. Whether it is the taxation system or any other domain, the significance of reform extends far beyond the risks immediately before us."

"You may worry that reform will bring turmoil and short-term suffering, but if we fail to take this step, the kingdom will inevitably face a far greater crisis down the road," Lichuan said with firm conviction. "I believe that as long as we possess the courage to reform and adopt more flexible policies, the kingdom will march toward a brighter tomorrow."

His words contained an unquestionable power, imbued with the hardships and joys he had personally experienced. For most people, Lichuan's speech was not built on empty theory, but rather on the foundation of practice he had witnessed with his own eyes. His words struck a chord, allowing his listeners to empathize deeply.

However, not everyone was swayed by Lichuan's eloquence, and a considerable number of dissenting voices remained within the court. Some felt that Lichuan was merely an outsider who failed to grasp the kingdom's intricate situation, while others maintained that the pace of reform was far too hasty and that its consequences would be unbearable.

"Lichuan, while your views possess a certain logic, you are, after all, not a member of our court," a minister sneered. "Free from the limitations of your fishing village, our kingdom is far more complex. Coordinating diverse interests is a monumental challenge."

Ignoring these doubts, Lichuan turned his gaze toward Lanna, his eyes steady and tender. Regardless of how the situation shifted, he knew this was his moment to stand by her.

"Princess Lanna's reforms are not a momentary impulse, but the result of deep deliberation. You are welcome to raise legitimate questions and concerns, but I hope everyone will remember that the core purpose of reform is the long-term well-being of the people," Lichuan continued. "If anyone believes that the reforms are too risky, then I implore you to put forward concrete and viable alternatives rather than stagnating and clinging blindly to the old system."

These words once again fractured the deadlock. Gradually, some of the courtiers who had previously wavered lowered their heads in contemplation, while the offensive launched by the stubborn conservatives began to wane. Standing beside Princess Lanna, Lichuan utilized his resolute words and practical actions to buy her time and provide robust backing for her reforms.

"I believe the kingdom of the future will thank us for the decision we make today," Lichuan added in conclusion. "The path of reform may not be easy, but only by treading this path can we lead the kingdom toward a more glorious tomorrow."

His words carried an irrefutable strength. Even though the situation remained complicated, this speech was sufficient to prompt many within the court to re-evaluate their stances.

At that moment, Lanna looked at Lichuan with profound gratitude, her eyes brimming with a trust and reliance she had never felt before. This public defense was not merely for the sake of her reform plan, but also for the deepening emotional bond between her and Lichuan.

In her heart, she understood that Lichuan was not only her supporter, but her most solid emotional sanctuary. Within the chessboard of court politics, they had drawn close together, and this trust would serve as their strongest shield.

As Lichuan's voice faded, a brief silence descended upon the assembly hall. All eyes focused on him and Lanna; some pondered the deeper meaning behind his words, while others calculated how to mount a counter-attack. Yet, at that moment, the most conspicuous change appeared in Lanna's eyes. Her gaze was firmer than before, and she cast a look of profound gratitude toward Lichuan, silently conveying her utter reliance on him.

Instead of speaking immediately, she rose gently to her feet and took a deep breath. The atmosphere within the palace was tense and solemn, with everyone awaiting her reaction. Finally, she spoke, her voice clear and forceful.

"Lichuan is right," her tone was calm, yet imbued with an undeniable resolve. "The path of reform is bound to be fraught with risk, but if we never dare to take the first step, the kingdom will never progress. Everything we are doing now is to ensure our people can lead better lives, not to cater to the vested interests of a privileged few."

Though her voice was not loud, it clearly penetrated the entire court. Expressions of displeasure surfaced on the faces of the die-hards who still clung to the old system, yet before Lanna's commanding aura, they found themselves powerless to refute her. Her composure and rationality commanded involuntary respect, while her uncompromising attitude invisibly dissolved many doubts.

"I understand the risks of reform, and I understand the conflicts and turmoil it may entail," Lanna continued. "But we cannot halt our steps on that account. If we fail to act, it means abandoning our responsibility to fight for a better future for the people."

Before her voice had even trailed off, Lichuan gently clasped her hand, encouragement shining in his eyes. Feeling the strength imparted by Lichuan, Lanna hesitated no longer and pressed on with unwavering firmness: "I believe that through careful planning and preparation, our reforms can be implemented progressively while guaranteeing stability. I hope my lords and ministers will consider the future of the people, rather than merely fixating on immediate gains. I urge you all to view this from the perspective of the kingdom's long-term development, and ponder how we can jointly march toward a more prosperous tomorrow."

These words deeply moved many of the ministers present. Although a few still harbored doubts, Princess Lanna's boldness and wisdom were unmistakably revealed throughout this dialogue. Standing steadfastly by her side and offering silent support, Lichuan had become the most formidable pillar at her back.

Nevertheless, the voices of opposition had not entirely vanished. A middle-aged minister who had repeatedly opposed the reforms sneered as he rose to his feet, his tone gloomy. "Princess, reforms are understandable, but do not forget that reform demands a price. The kingdom's finances are already stretched to the limit; how can we guarantee the functioning of the state if we rashly slash taxes? Should the reform fail, who will bear the consequences?"

The moment those words dropped, murmurs rippled through the crowd once more. Indeed, the fiscal issue was a major hurdle in Lanna's reform plan, and many ministers maintained that the changes were too hasty and reckless, potentially plunging the kingdom's finances into collapse and even inciting public riots.

Lichuan, however, did not retreat in the slightest. His gaze burned bright, an aura of unquestionable certainty radiating from his brow. He stepped forward, standing side by side with Lanna, his tone growing even firmer. "If we dare not try, how can we know the reforms cannot succeed? Countless transformations throughout history began precisely at the most perilous hours. We have long since witnessed the fiscal plight of the kingdom, but are we simply to rely blindly on the existing system and continue living in such wretched compromise?"

He looked directly into the eyes of the questioning middle-aged minister, his tone calm yet powerful. "Reform may be a risk, but it is also the sole pathway to altering our destiny. The people of the kingdom are long past being satisfied with their current state of hardship. We need to forge new opportunities and grant them a better future, rather than refusing to take a step forward merely out of fear of failure."

"Furthermore," Lichuan continued, "even if the reforms face challenges, we can still resolve problems step-by-step through steady measures. Financial difficulties can be gradually compensated for through rational allocation and the development of foreign trade."

His words caused a portion of the ministers present to waver. Although the conservative die-hards maintained stern expressions, they too appeared to be pondering Lichuan's perspective, for the solutions he proposed were far more practical and well-considered than they had imagined.

Yet Lanna knew deeply that the crux of this struggle lay not merely in a battle of rhetoric, but in resolute action. She turned to Lichuan, complex emotions flickering in her eyes. Amidst this storm of public opinion, Lichuan was undeniably her greatest pillar of support, and never before had she realized so profoundly that their relationship had transcended mere cooperation, evolving into a much closer partnership, and even a deep spiritual reliance.

"I concede that the path of reform is not strewn with roses," Lanna paused in contemplation before finally deciding to add, "yet the future of the kingdom cannot be allowed to stagnate. We shall continuously adjust and optimize during the course of the reforms, gradually bringing about change, and these changes will ultimately forge a broader horizon for us all."

Her tone grew soft yet resolute, carrying an unprecedented determination. At that instant, Lichuan understood profoundly that Lanna was fighting not only to secure a future for the kingdom, but also staking her own historical chapter on the dreams and ideals held within her heart.

As her voice drifted away into stillness, the palace atmosphere gradually settled. The sounds of dissent noticeably diminished, while forces of support steadily converged. In the end, Lanna successfully neutralized the immediate crisis, securing the backing of the majority of the courtiers for her reform agenda.

Yet this storm was far from over; lingering sounds of dissatisfaction still echoed within the court. Nevertheless, this pivotal defense had cemented Lanna's conviction to forge ahead. And Lichuan once again stood firm as the ultimate strength at her back. Relying upon one another, the two of them faced future challenges side by side, their bond of trust and affection growing ever more unbreakable.

At this very moment, the future of the kingdom seemed tightly grasped within their united hands.