Su Ran successfully pacified the common people outside the palace, temporarily stabilizing the implementation of the New Policies. However, he knew clearly that this was merely the brief calm before the storm; beneath the superficial tranquility, dangerous undercurrents were surging. Returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he knitted his brows tight like two locked bolts, his eyes revealing deep anxiety. Sitting on the dragon throne, he tapped his fingers on the armrests unconsciously, lost in deep thought. He knew he had to achieve tangible results quickly to silence the opposition and allow the New Policies to proceed; otherwise, this hard-won situation could collapse at any moment.
Meanwhile, dark currents were churning within the court. The conservative faction, having failed to stop the New Policies, were unwilling to give up and began plotting in secret. They sneakily reached out to royal relatives who were equally dissatisfied with the reforms. In dark corners, they huddled together, whispering, their eyes flashing with restlessness and calculation as they sought opportunities to pressure Su Ran. Among them, Prince Gong Yixin appeared to support the New Policies, but he harbored doubts about Su Ran’s sudden change. The conservative faction seized upon his hesitation, constantly whispering in his ear that the New Policies would destroy the foundations of their ancestors and harm the fundamental interests of the Great Qing. Swayed by the conservatives, Yixin’s attitude gradually became ambiguous—sometimes performing his duties regarding the reforms with mere perfunctoriness, and other times expressing his stance in vague, non-committal terms in public.
Outside the palace, merchants bribed by the conservative forces began intentionally inflating prices to disrupt the market for their own selfish gain. Like greedy wolves with eyes glinting with avarice, they attempted to blame the chaos caused by the New Policies on Su Ran, inciting public dissatisfaction. For a time, the prices of daily necessities like grain and cloth skyrocketed. Watching the exorbitant prices, the people were filled with sorrow and grievance. Throughout the streets and alleys, one could hear only the helpless sighs and angry complaints of the populace.
Upon learning of this, Su Ran was incensed. He slammed his hand on the table with a loud "bang," causing the teacups to rattle. His face flushed with rage, his eyes wide, and he shouted, "How dare these people act so recklessly!" He immediately summoned the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works to discuss countermeasures. "We must stabilize prices and severely punish those speculators!" Su Ran said, striking the table again, his gaze resolute—a look that seemed to pierce through every obstacle to the very core of the problem. The Minister of Revenue hurried to respond, "Emperor, I believe we can distribute grain from the official granaries and sell it to the people at a fair price to meet their urgent needs. At the same time, we shall increase market oversight and show no leniency to those who drive up prices."
Su Ran nodded in agreement and turned his gaze to the Minister of Works, asking urgently, "How is the progress on the construction of the arsenal? And for the modern academy, have we found suitable teaching staff?" The Minister of Works wore a troubled expression, lowering his head slightly as he replied with a hint of helplessness, "Emperor, the equipment and technology needed for the arsenal are proving difficult to obtain from the foreigners. They are making unreasonable demands, not only asking for astronomical prices but also creating numerous obstacles. As for the faculty of the modern academy, those who understand Western science and technology are already rare, and those willing to come and teach are as scarce as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."
Su Ran fell into deep thought, his brow furrowing so tightly it seemed he could crush a fly. After a moment, he said slowly, "As for the foreigners, I will find a way. As for the faculty, post an imperial edict to hire those in the country who understand science and technology, regardless of their background; as long as they possess true talent and learning, they shall be hired."
Just as Su Ran was overwhelmed by the affairs of the New Policies, an unexpected breakthrough occurred. A scholar named Li Shanlan, having heard of the imperial edict, took the initiative to seek an audience. Li Shanlan wore a simple robe, his face thin but radiating an elegant, scholarly air, his eyes full of confidence and wisdom. He expounded his views on building the nation through science and technology to Su Ran with great passion and clarity, every word seemingly carrying his earnest hope for the country’s prosperity. He expressed his willingness to teach at the modern academy, cultivate talent, and help the Great Qing walk the path of becoming a scientific and technological power.
Su Ran was overjoyed, as if he had found a rare treasure. He gripped Li Shanlan’s hand tightly and said excitedly, "Sir’s great talent is truly a blessing for our Great Qing!" Li Shanlan’s arrival not only solved the faculty shortage for the modern academy but also gave Su Ran a glimpse of hope. Based on Li Shanlan’s suggestion, Su Ran decided to establish a specialized scientific research institution to recruit scientific talent from across the land, develop advanced technology independently, and reduce reliance on foreigners.
However, these measures of Su Ran’s further infuriated the conservative forces. Like rabid dogs that had been stepped on, they were shamed into anger and decided to collude with the British Minister to China, Bruce, hoping to use the foreigners' power to force Su Ran to abandon the New Policies. Bruce had always been worried about the Great Qing’s New Policies, fearing that a powerful Great Qing would threaten British interests in China. When the conservative faction approached him, the two sides reached an immediate agreement. Sitting in his spacious office, Bruce wore a sinister smile, playing with a quill in his hand while listening to the conservative ministers' plans, secretly calculating how to reap the greatest profit from this conspiracy.
Bruce issued a note to Su Ran, threatening to cut off technical assistance and trade if the Great Qing did not cease the New Policies. Looking at the note in his hand, Su Ran sneered inwardly, "These foreigners truly cannot bear to see the Great Qing prosper. They think they can use this to threaten me—absolutely impossible!" Yet, he also knew that the foreign powers could not be underestimated, and direct confrontation was not a wise strategy. A game of wits against the foreigners and the domestic conservative forces had quietly begun; how would Su Ran respond to this predicament of internal and external pressure?