As His Majesty enjoyed Young Master Yun's mystical massage, he suddenly had the urge to test him. "Yun Yang, say … the treasury is empty now. Not only are the military's rations and rewards insufficient, but the flood also requires a large amount of silver taels for relief. How should this be handled?"
Yun Yang was still thinking about the portrait in His Majesty's study. Feeling guilty, he answered instinctively, "What's so difficult about this? As long as we do this and so on, everything can be easily solved. Besides, His Majesty's butcher's knife is hanging in the air. Whoever dares to jump out to oppose is someone who deserves to die. It's just the right time to start with them. I believe that the person who jumps out will not be clean himself. Confiscating his family's wealth will be of some help this time as well. "
His Majesty and Old Marshal Qiu looked at each other subconsciously as they listened to Yun Yang's suggestion, noticing the surprise in each other's eyes.
This child's plan was brilliant!
He could actually grasp the imperial court's affairs so precisely? His methods were ruthless, going straight for the vital points.
What a talent!
There was also the last part about copying the wealth of those who didn't make a name for themselves. It was simply the finishing touch. It was truly amazing!
"Yun Yang, do you have the intention to enter the imperial court as an official?" His Majesty asked, seemingly unintentionally.
"No." Yun Yang was shocked. "If I were to become an official, I'm afraid I would be beheaded by His Majesty within a few days. This nephew's ability to offend people is truly extraordinary. Becoming an official is equivalent to getting into trouble. It's better to save this trouble …"
His Majesty and Old Marshal Qiu laughed together.
Both of them were not offended by Yun Yang's rejection. They even thought that Yun Yang's answer was reasonable. Thinking about it, this fellow was indeed not suitable to be an official. If he were to be placed in front of others, he would be targeted by those with ulterior motives. Thus, they gave up on the idea of Yun Yang becoming an official or enlisting him.
The next morning.
The morning assembly.
His Majesty had indeed brought up two matters.
First, the soldiers' salaries, pensions, and rewards. Second, the funds related to the flood.
The Board of Revenue's Minister of Revenue, who had heard of these two huge issues, almost went mad.
Your Majesty, you only have so little money now. It's not enough no matter how you deal with it.
Even if a copper coin was broken into eight pieces, it still wouldn't be enough!
Therefore, a group of civil officials immediately jumped out and said that the country's affairs are the most important and the people are the most important. I believe that the soldiers will understand if they suffer for a few months first … "
In the past, this was only the beginning of the daily quarrel. However, the Emperor today was very different from the past. He flew into a rage and directly ordered the officials to be arrested.
"When I discuss state affairs, I need you all to come up with a plan, not a bunch of excuses. What I need is a good solution that takes care of both sides, not for you to use flowery words of benevolence, righteousness, and morality to chill the loyalty of my soldiers who have been through hundreds of battles! "
Under the surprised and frightened gazes of the officials, the Emperor suddenly stood up and looked down at the great hall. With his hands behind his back, he slowly said, "Take him down! Search the house and send the entire family to exile! "
"Have mercy, Your Majesty!"
A group of people stepped forward to plead for leniency.
"The soldiers need to be rewarded, the flood needs to be dealt with. The country is at a critical juncture, swaying in the wind and rain. We must respond to this crisis with a thunderous approach! Otherwise, how can we purge the world and fight against the external forces? "
"We can think of other ways without money. However, without the soldiers and the people, is there still an Empire of Yutang? "
"This bastard is evasive and full of excuses. How can the soldiers' anger be quelled if we don't kill him? How can Yutang's laws be enforced if we don't punish him?"
"After searching this bastard's house, deposit all the confiscated silver taels into the national treasury. The Board of Revenue will allocate it as soon as possible. Other than that, I would like to organize a donation here. I will save the palace's expenses for the next three years, earning about a million silver taels. My civil and military officials, please support me accordingly … Also, auction off some unnecessary items in the palace … "
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" A censor jumped out. "Your Majesty's action will greatly damage the dignity of the royal family. Your Majesty, please reconsider. "
His Majesty said faintly, "The soldiers who fought at the borders for me have no salary, the countless warriors who died in foreign lands have no pension, and the soldiers who have rendered meritorious service have no rewards. Without their sacrifice, how can there be the so-called dignity of the royal family? Where the flood has passed, there are wails and cries; those who have died are Yutang's people. They are the foundation of Yutang, and these foundations are about to be destroyed! The entire Empire of Yutang is in a state of turmoil, teetering on the brink of collapse. The nation is about to be destroyed, and you're still talking to me about the dignity of the royal family?
If the nation is gone, how can there be any dignity of the royal family? Are you saying this for the dignity of the royal family, or are you reluctant to part with your own wealth? Men, take this bastard down! Push him out of the Meridian Gate and behead him in public! "
Two men were beheaded!
"All of you are my backbone, the pillars of the nation. Now, let us talk about the donation. All of you only need to say a number. Of course, do not shake the foundations of your families. If that happens, I won't be able to rest easy. Just do what you can. "
The officials were dumbfounded.
This … this did not seem to be the right way to open it today.
It had been close to five years since His Majesty had used such a ruthless tactic.
What he did today was not just a ruthless tactic, but a hooligan's trick.
Forcefully carrying out the emperor's decision!
Not to be denied!
Not to be denied!
You don't agree, do you?
Fine, men, behead him and confiscate his property. All of your property is gone, your life is gone too. Then, carry out the next person's donation.
Will you donate?
Yes, His Majesty has succeeded.
If you don't donate … Alright, have you seen the two examples?
Do you want to lose your wealth, your family, and be cursed as a thief?
If you don't want to stay, then just give in and listen to me!
"This official is willing to donate a million silver taels." Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan was the first to jump out.
"This official is willing to donate a million silver taels." Leng Daoyin jumped out.
"This official is also willing to donate a million silver taels." The Grand Commandant jumped out.
All of the officials rolled their eyes at him.
These three old ruffians were f * cking annoying. Who didn't know the backgrounds of the three of them?
Although the salaries of these three brothers were not low and there were other benefits, most of their money had been used to help the disabled soldiers and orphans of the martyrs.
Where did you get so much money? What right did you have to ask for a million silver taels?
If you're so capable, why don't you go to heaven?
It's not that we're looking down on you, but if the three of you old men could gather five hundred thousand silver taels, we'd be willing to hang ourselves together!
This was obviously His Majesty's request.
However, by doing so, you've forced us into a tight corner!
"The three of you are indeed my left and right arms. I'm very comforted!" His Majesty was delighted.
"This old official has little money. I don't have much savings in recent years … I'll just donate five hundred thousand silver taels." The Grand Preceptor sighed softly.
On the military side, there were already three magnates taking the lead. Their momentum was unparalleled.
If there was no one among the civil officials to set an example …
Then, in the imperial court, would it not be one-sided and the words of the military would be the law?
Furthermore, it would be one-sided with His Majesty's inclination.
This could not be allowed. No matter how reluctant the Grand Preceptor was, he had still taken the lead and pledged five hundred thousand silver taels!
"This official will donate a hundred thousand silver taels."
"This official will donate two hundred thousand silver taels."
…
This was the idea that Yun Yang had thought of last night.
"Your Majesty can do this. Bring up the issue of the treasury's insufficiency in the morning assembly and someone will definitely jump out to stir up trouble. Your Majesty can get rid of this troublemaker … then confiscate his family's assets and confiscate it from the Ministry of Revenue. Then, you can propose a donation from the officials. I believe there will still be someone who will jump out to stir up trouble. This person's position is good. If Your Majesty doesn't want to kill him, you only have to reprimand him. However, if it's someone who is ignorant and coincidentally someone whom Your Majesty wants dead, Your Majesty can kill another one then. As long as the two old marshals are willing to act as a pawn, this will be a success. At least, this method can solve the urgent problem. There are many wealthy officials in the imperial court … "
"Who isn't afraid of death? How many people can really sacrifice their lives over their wealth? I remember Your Majesty using this method before …"
The emperor's expression had darkened for a long time then.
He had indeed used this method before. However, how could His Majesty stand it when this child brought it up so bluntly?
He wanted to save face as well …
That was why His Majesty had asked if Yun Yang wanted to be an official.
As long as this child had the desire to be an official and really became one, he could take advantage of someone like you who liked to speak the truth anytime he wanted … Yun Yang had unexpectedly but reasonably rejected the offer.
Then, of course, it was time for the drama of the morning assembly!
The scene in the morning assembly was swift and decisive, ruthless and decisive. It triggered a long-lost memory among the officials …
Back then, His Majesty had done something like this as well, dictating the law and establishing his authority on the spot.
However, so many years had passed and His Majesty had never been so unreasonable. Most of the time, he had been merciful and strict, fair in rewards and punishments. His methods had become gentler in recent years, rarely spilling blood. Why was he suddenly resorting to such indecent methods today?
At this moment, the officials felt like they had returned to the time when the first emperor had ruled the country with his iron fist many years ago …
One by one, they gave in.
…
"This official … pledges …" The last person to speak was the Board of Justice's Minister, Wu Lie. Minister Wu's face was flushed as he finally managed to speak, "This official … pledges … a hundred taels."
Most of the officials who had pledged were between a hundred, two hundred, and five hundred thousand taels. Basically, no one was lower than this amount. Unexpectedly, the Board of Justice's Minister had offered a hundred taels.
…
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