novel-bin Chapter 263 No Longer Enduring
Chapter 263 No Longer Enduring
Chapter 263 No Longer Enduring
Liu Xie sat diagonally opposite Liu Bian, with his head down, silent, but his mind was full of thoughts.
He was in the Censorate, but he was watching from the outside as an outsider.
Liu Xie immediately sensed some deep meaning behind Wang Lang's arrangement, but he couldn't guess what it was for a while.
And his royal brother's conversation about the three of them seemed to have nothing to do with each other, scattered and had little to do with the currently popular "Hongdumen Case".
"Xiqingjia, what do you think about the tax situation next year?" While Liu Xie was constantly pondering, Liu Bian's calm voice seemed to ring in his ears.
Liu Yue calmed his mind, glanced at Liu Bian, and turned his eyes to Xi Zhicai.
In recent years, Xi Zhicai has been mainly responsible for investigating warehouses in various states, counties and counties, and he caused quite a stir in Shanyang County, Yanzhou.
Xi Zhicai's expression suddenly became serious when he heard this, and then he lowered his head carefully and raised his hand and said, "Your Majesty, this matter should be consulted with the Ministry of Revenue."
"I'm asking for your opinion now," Liu Bian said.
Xi Zhicai raised his hand, was silent for a moment, and said: "Your Majesty, I think it will be reduced."
Liu Bian took the teacup, sniffed it, and then took a sip. He found it very bland and not as sweet as it was a few days ago. He poured it out and brewed it again.
Xi Zhicai put down his hand and felt a little nervous.
Last year's taxes were reduced by nearly 50,000 dan. If they are reduced further this year, I'm afraid His Majesty will not be able to tolerate it any longer.
Liu Bian was brewing tea and said, "I heard that there are a lot of wastelands and unowned lands in various states?"
Due to years of war, the population has shrunk dramatically, and a large number of wastelands and unowned lands have appeared in the northern states. In contrast, the aristocratic families have unscrupulously hoarded land and raised the rent to make up for the "losses".
The people were living a hard life and the imperial court's tax collection was sharply reduced. Generally speaking, except for the wealthy and powerful families, everyone else was a loser.
"Yes." Xi Zhicai said. To investigate warehouses in various places, it is natural to check the general situation of the land.
Liu Bian looked up at the three people and said, "There are more and more refugees everywhere. I am considering distributing these lands to them. What do you think?"
Liu Xie, Xi Zhicai, and Wang Lang looked at each other in amazement, and no one spoke.
Because this matter has nothing to do with their job, it is not their turn to speak.
"Tell me what you think." Liu Bian said casually while pouring tea in the cup.
Liu Xie thought about it and thought it was not a big deal, so he said, "I think it's okay."
Xi Zhicai, Wang Lang followed and said: "Your subjects have no objection."
Liu Bian looked at the teacups in front of him, handed them to them one by one, and said, "Try it again."
The three of them looked at the teacups handed to them and reached out to take them, but their hearts were in turmoil.
The conversation between His Majesty and them seemed to be a mix of random things, completely unrelated.
But they knew very well that His Majesty in front of them would not have the leisure to "chat" with them, and there must be some deeper meaning behind it.
Liu Bian also took a sip and felt that it was much better than the last time. He smiled and said, "I am considering asking the Censorate to investigate wastelands and unowned lands across the country. What do you think?"
Xi Zhicai's heart moved slightly, thinking of some recent events in the Household Department, his expression tensed, and he said, "Your Majesty, the Censorate is responsible for supervising all officials and is not involved in government affairs. Should this matter be handed over to the Household Department?"
Liu Bian shook his head and said, "I asked the Censorate to investigate the situation of local concealment."
It is unknown when the farmland in each state began to decrease sharply. Now, the farmland that the court can collect taxes on is less than 30% of that in the first year of Zhongping.
Not even ten years have passed!
In just ten years, it has dropped by 70%!
This was obviously a matter of stirring up a hornet's nest. Xi Zhicai didn't dare to say much and glanced at Liu Xie out of the corner of his eye.
Liu Xie thought about his father-in-law's character, sighed, and could only raise his hand and say, "I obey your order."
Liu Bian nodded, took another sip of tea, and said, "Then it's settled. Many matters must be concluded before the end of the year. Wang Qing's family, try to return to Beijing before the end of the year."
The three of them heard Liu Bian mention "end of the year" twice, and they once again clearly realized that the emperor in front of them would make a big move before the end of the year.
Watching the three people's backs, Liu Bian handed the warm teacup in front of him to Liu Shao beside him.
Liu Shao took the teacup and drank it silently.
Liu Bian looked at the cute little guy and reached out to touch his head.
The little guy held the teacup in his mouth, turned his head, and blinked at Liu Bian with confusion in his eyes.
"It's okay, drink yours." Liu Bian said with a smile. In his heart, he actually wanted to send Liu Shao to Hongdu School, both to improve the status of Hongdu School and to pave the way for the future.
But under the current circumstances, Liu Bian could only give up this idea.
The little guy held the teacup and drank tea by himself.
Cai Wenji, who had never interrupted anyone, pursed her lips slightly when she saw the heartwarming scene between the father and son.
Although everything seemed calm in the palace, the secret struggle had never stopped, especially after Wang Yun's incident.
Although Cai Yong's involvement in the case did not implicate Cai Wenji and Liu Shao, the invisible blow was still huge.
Since the second son Liu Yu was in poor health, Liu Bian inevitably favored him and often kept him by his side. This clearly sent a certain message to the palace and to the court and the public.
Cai Wenji was always worried that Liu Yu would suddenly be made crown prince one day.
At this time, in front of the gate of the Imperial College, the guards of the Huangmen Beisi Prison and the teachers and students of the Imperial College were confronting each other.
The teachers and students in the Imperial College were filled with indignation. Hundreds of them blocked the gate and cursed the guards.
"The Imperial Academy was established by Taizu and conferred by the current emperor. How dare you break in!"
"In total, you have already arrested more than twenty people. How many more do you want to arrest? Are you going to arrest all of us?!"
"You Eagle Claws, get away from me!"
"If you dare to come again, I will break your legs!"
The students inside the Imperial College were filled with righteous indignation. They pointed at the twenty or so guards with no respect and made naked threats.
When the leading military officer saw this situation, his face became terribly gloomy.
He glanced at the injured guards behind him, his eyes blazing with anger, and shouted: "I am following the emperor's orders to investigate the case, and you are obstructing it like this. Are you planning a rebellion?"
"fart!"
A young man shouted back angrily, "The Imperial College is rebelling. You are blinded by greed and have lost your mind! Get out of here now!"
When Junhou saw that he was about to arrest someone behind the crowd, he wanted to draw his sword and kill everyone who was trying to stop him!
But just think about it.
This is the Imperial Academy. He had always arrested people secretly before, and today he had no choice but to chase them here. However, he did not expect to be collectively blocked by the teachers and students of the Imperial Academy.
There is a lot of evil energy inside the Imperial Academy. There are many people holding sticks, hundreds of them, and more people are constantly rushing over. If a conflict really breaks out, not only will things not end today, but there will be even bigger trouble afterwards!
The military commander refused to give up and retreated like this. How could the Huangmen Beisiyu put their faces aside?
"Military Lord? What should we do?" A guard stepped forward and asked in a low voice.
The military marquis had a gloomy face and sneered, "We will block them here. I want to see how long they can resist! Go and inform the nobleman."
The guard responded and ran back quickly.
The military marquis stood in front, holding the hilt of the sword, determined to fight with the teachers and students of the Imperial Academy!
Not far away, Zuo Li was drinking tea in a teahouse.
Hearing the report, Zuo Li's snow-white face showed a gloomy look, and then he sneered and said, "Just right."
The guard was stunned and said, "My Lord, just in time? If we can't catch the person, we won't be able to explain to His Majesty."
Zuo Li looked relaxed and said with a smile, "You don't understand. Your Majesty is not in a hurry. Those important people are. Just wait, someone will get restless soon."
The guards really didn't understand and could only nod in response.
Just as Zuo Li expected, the first person to know the news was Taichang Temple Minister Bian Rang.
Bian Rang, who had taken a leave of absence and was at home, was pacing around in the study room anxiously, with cold sweat on his forehead even in the cold weather.
Looking at the doctor of the Imperial College who reported the news, he said angrily: "You are trying to force me to death!"
The doctor also looked embarrassed and said, "Master Bian, we are not the ones causing trouble. It's the Huangmen Beisi Prison that is too excessive. In just a few days, they have arrested more than 20 of us. If they continue to arrest people, who will dare to come to the Imperial College? You, you have to think of a solution..."
Bian Rang looked at him coldly and said, "I want to think of a solution? What solution do you want me to think of? Even the Prime Minister is hiding, what can I do? I tell you the truth, whether I can get out of this matter is another matter!"
Whether it was as the Minister of Taichang Temple or his nephew Bian Yong who was involved in the case, Bian Rang's reputation was completely ruined.
The doctor didn't care about Bian Rang's life or death, and said with a wry smile: "Master Bian, what can we do now? Those guards are blocking the gate. If you don't find a solution, everyone in Luoyang will know about it tomorrow."
Bian Rang felt extremely angry, yet powerless.
The development of this incident was completely beyond his expectations. With those big shots standing by and watching, he, with little influence, could not stop it at all.
After thinking it over, Bian Rang sighed and said, "Forget it, I will go to the palace with my old face."
The doctor's eyes lit up and he said, "Master Bian is right. Your Majesty attaches great importance to the Imperial College. If Your Majesty knew about this, he would definitely reprimand the Yellow Gate Beisi Prison!"
Bian Rang snorted coldly and said, "I'm going to the palace to see His Majesty now? You'd think so!"
The doctor was stunned. Wasn't he going into the palace to see His Majesty?
Bian Rang ignored him, ordered someone to bring his official uniform, changed into it hastily, and went straight into the palace.
At this moment, Xi Zhicai had already left the palace and arrived at the Ministry of Personnel.
After hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Xun You and Xun Yu fell into deep thought.
Xi Zhicai coughed a few times and said, "Your Majesty's words seem disorganized, but there must be some conspiracy. I just don't know if it is in the court or in the states."
Xun You nodded thoughtfully and said, "From what I can see so far, it seems that His Majesty is trying to appease the Prime Minister. Is he going to start something?"
Xun Yu was thinking about the matter of 'dividing the land'. He glanced at the two of them, picked up the teacup, and said, "The court's taxes are the focus of your majesty's concern."
Xun Youqing knew that his uncle was thinking something, and said worriedly, "Taxes will be reduced next year, while expenditures will increase greatly, which is a headache. The key is the south. Once a war breaks out, the court will definitely have to intervene, and the situation that has been stabilized with great difficulty may collapse in an instant."
Xun You's words were very clear. The imperial court had no money and the northern states were barely stable. Once the imperial court made drastic expenditures, the northern states would most likely experience unexpected changes!
For example, soldiers mutinied or bandits resurfaced!