With his keen insight, Su Ran clearly perceived the many hidden dangers emerging both at home and abroad, much like the gathering gloom before a tempest. He knew well that if he merely sat and waited for death, the Great Qing would surely face an even more severe crisis. After careful deliberation, Su Ran decided to begin by addressing domestic issues, treating it like laying a solid foundation for a great edifice, stabilizing the interior of the Great Qing before concentrating his efforts on the threats lurking abroad.
Focusing on the increasingly glaring problems of wealth disparity and official corruption, Su Ran swiftly promulgated a series of strict, targeted policies, like rays of disciplined light piercing through chaos. He established a specialized supervisory agency, which acted as a suspended mirror, constantly monitoring every move of the officials and strengthening comprehensive oversight and meticulous performance reviews. Upon discovering corrupt officials, Su Ran maintained a zero-tolerance policy; once verified, they were punished severely to uphold the majesty of the law. At the same time, keeping the people in his heart, he launched various practical policies to benefit the public, vigorously encouraging the development of agriculture and handicrafts. He understood that these two were the foundation of the state; by opening up more employment opportunities and channels for increasing income for ordinary people, he was adding bricks and mortar to the nation’…
Chapter 58