"Exactly, this is a serious dereliction of duty! This kind of thing doesn't even need us old fellows to say it. As long as we send a message to them, they will feel ashamed. We don't even need to say it. "
Duke of Hu chimed in with a smile.
Wang Chong knew of Xue Zique. This was the finance minister of the imperial court. Although people called him a "vampire" and scolded him for racking his brains every day to collect food from the people and collect taxes to fill the national treasury, Wang Chong knew that this person was not a bad person, nor did he have any selfish motives.
The taxes he collected were basically all added to the national treasury. But he had not committed any corruption!
"Hahaha, Duke Jiu, Young Master Chong is quick-witted. If not for the current prosperity of martial arts, he would only be wasting his talent. Otherwise, I would have brought him along with me!"
Elder Zhao looked at Wang Chong with a strange look in his eyes. This youngest grandson of Duke Jiu's was truly remarkable. It was already commendable for him to have such foresight when it came to military affairs, but to think that he would be able to do the same when it came to taxation as well. It was truly inconceivable.
"Hahaha, Old Zhao, you don't have to think about this. Duke Jiu has already agreed to have Young Master Chong follow by my side. You don't have to think about him! "
Lord Ye was laughing and scolding him at the side, hurriedly trying to dispel his idea.
Duke Jiu had three sons and a daughter, four grandsons, two granddaughters, and a nephew. Of all of them, only the youngest 'Young Master Chong' was the most eye-catching.
"Hahaha, you don't have to fight anymore. This child is still young. If he needs your help in the future, none of you are allowed to refuse! "
In the main hall, the old man was in a good mood. He looked at his old brothers and subordinates and spoke in a half-joking and half-commanding manner.
"Not at all, not at all!"
The elders hurriedly replied. They knew that even though Duke Jiu wasn't certain that Young Master Chong would be his successor, it was clear that he intended to groom him.
"Gen 'er, did you hear what I said just now? You are an important minister of the imperial court. You must pay attention to this matter. "
Old Master Wang turned to Big Uncle Wang Gen and said.
"Yes, father. I will definitely handle this matter properly! "
Wang Gen replied.
"Tariff" was no small matter. To put it simply, it involved the empire's finances. It was a huge tax. On a grander scale, it was a matter of national and military affairs. It concerned the peace of the Empire and the safety of hundreds of thousands of Empire soldiers on the battlefield!
If it weren't for the Old Master's birthday, he would have returned to the court and gathered his colleagues for a discussion. This was not just because they had a strong sense of justice, but because Wang Gen could sense that this was a huge contribution!
Whoever signed on it would receive a share of the credit. Given Wang Gen's experience, he would definitely resolve this matter as quickly as possible.
More importantly, Wang Chong was only 15 years old, so it was impossible for him to receive the credit. And as the person in charge of this matter, he would definitely receive the greatest benefits!
This would definitely be a great addition to his political career. If he were to be promoted in the future, this would be his seniority. It could be said that Wang Chong was giving him a great credit.
"Right, Young Master Chong, how did you think of tariffs?"
Duke of Ye suddenly asked curiously.
At Wang Chong's age, it could be said that the Wang Clan came from a family of generals and ministers. Wang Chong had grown up in such an environment, so it wasn't surprising for him to possess talent in this aspect.
However, 'tariffs' were different. This wasn't something that could be explained with just talent!
"Hehe!"
Hearing those words, Wang Chong couldn't help but chuckle. He had said so much precisely for these words. "Elders, you are overestimating me. I don't have that kind of ability. Actually, I heard it from my cousin once! "
"What!"
Everyone was shocked and turned to look at Wang Li.
Initially, Wang Chi's head was lowered, and his complexion was awful. But upon hearing those words, he abruptly raised his head and stared at Wang Chong in disbelief.
"Hehehe, cousin, it seems like you have forgotten about it. Back then, after you said those words, you immediately said that it was ridiculous. How could that be possible? How could those officials in the royal court listen to you? Back then, you were so engrossed in the military that you probably forgot about this matter. However, I heard it and recorded it down. Hehe, cousin, you didn't expect this, right? "
As Wang Chong spoke, he even winked playfully at Cousin Wang Chi.
The reason why Wang Chong had said so much wasn't to show off before the elders and gain the limelight. Rather, it was to help his cousin Wang Chi.
As brothers, Wang Chong had always believed that his cousin wasn't a bad person. In his previous life, he had left home in a fit of anger and his whereabouts were unknown. However, when the Wang Clan was in trouble, he still rushed back without hesitation.
Even now, Wang Chong could still remember that when the Wang Clan fell, he was forced to live on the streets and was bullied like a stray dog. In the end, Cousin Wang Chi appeared in time and fought with those bullies. Furthermore, when he was injured, Cousin Wang Chi used his back to protect him. Even though he said coldly things like 'I didn't do it for you', 'I just didn't like those people' and so on, Wang Chong knew that he was here to save him.
From then on, Wang Chong knew that his cousin was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
Regardless of how difficult it was to get along with him or how bad his temper was, it couldn't change the fact that they were both descendants of the Wang Clan! From then on, Wang Chong knew that his cousin was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
The matter of 'tariffs' didn't bring much benefit to him, but Wang Chong knew that it was definitely beneficial to his cousin.
"Gen-er, there's such a matter?"
The first to speak was none other than Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen.
In the conference hall, the elders turned to look at Wang Chi.
"This …"
Wang Chi hesitated.
"Hahaha, cousin, you've forgotten about it. A few years ago, when I went to look for my cousin, I happened to meet you. Back then, you were sitting alone on a fake mountain, muttering to yourself. Later on, you realized that I was eavesdropping and flew into a rage, saying that you would ban me from coming to your house in the future. Have you forgotten about it? "
Wang Chong's words were so convincing that even Wang Chi was confused.
"Young Master Li, is there really such a matter?"
The subordinates of the old master asked.
"This … It seems like it!"
Wang Chi hesitated. How could he possibly remember a matter from a few years ago? Furthermore, he had spoken so many words, how could he possibly remember everything?
"Hehe, congratulations, Duke Jiu. It seems like Young Master Li is more talented in politics than in military affairs!"
Elder Zhao suddenly clasped his hands and congratulated the old master.
Duke Jiu's eldest son, Eldest Young Master Wang Gen, was an influential official in the royal court, and he was talented in politics. Young Master Li had grown up in such an environment, and under the influence of Eldest Young Master, it wasn't surprising for him to be talented in this aspect.
If the idea of 'tariffs' was thought up by Young Master Li, then it would make sense.
"Li gongzi is indeed talented in this aspect. If he were to develop himself in the political affairs, he might even catch up to Eldest Young Master in the future. It wouldn't be impossible for the father and son to live under the same roof."
The other elders nodded in agreement.
In the hall, the old master frowned silently. He seemed to be moved by the idea as well. Actually, when his eldest grandson, Wang Li, was young, he had displayed talent in this aspect as well.
He had an impression of it.
However, Wang Gen insisted on sending him to the military, and the old master rarely interfered in such matters. He was skilled in both civil and military affairs, so it was the same to him.
However, if this idea was really thought up by Wang Li, then it might just be possible for Wang Li to follow his father's footsteps and enter the royal court.
"We'll talk about this matter in the future. Li-er, you should thank your cousin, Wang Chong. If not for him, no one would have known about this idea of yours. "
The old master's words brought everyone's attention back to Wang Chong.
"Indeed! Young Master Chong isn't greedy for merit despite his young age! "
"It's a good thing that fellow clansmen are willing to give in to one another!"
"For Young Master Chong to possess such character at such a young age, this is more valuable than anything else!"
… …
In the conference hall, the elders looked at Wang Chong and complimented him. Their impression of him was even better than before. In the great aristocratic families, kinship was weak, especially in the families of generals and ministers. It was very rare for them to be able to give in to each other.
Wang Chong's honesty and modesty didn't lower the others' impression of him. On the contrary, they viewed him even more highly.
"Young Master Chong, let's get closer in the future. Our Zhao Clan has a few residences in the capital, so Young Master Chong should feel free to visit us in the future. "
Elder Zhao and the other elders extended their invitations to Wang Chong.
Wang Chong had the chance to be 'greedy for merit', but if he hadn't said it out loud, no one would have known. Regardless of whether it was in the royal court or the military, it was common for one to be greedy for merit. Even an influential official of the royal court couldn't avoid it.
If a person was able to treat his subordinates fairly and not be greedy for merit, he would possess the ability to win the loyalty of his subordinates.
Back then, there were so many people who followed Duke Jiu. Even if they had to climb a mountain of daggers or a sea of flames, they wouldn't even bat an eyelid.
Wang Chong couldn't have known that this' small matter 'had caused the elders in the conference hall to consider the possibility of him taking over the old master's position in the future.
Even though it wasn't guaranteed that it would happen in the end, in everyone's eyes, Duke Jiu's youngest grandson already possessed the potential to unite the hearts of the people and lead all of Duke Jiu's students.
— — In fact, even the most reticent and reticent old subordinates were considering this possibility.
Wang Chong chuckled. He only felt that the elders' attitude toward him was a little weird, but he didn't think too much into it. Cousin Wang Li's talent in the politics of the royal court was indeed much greater than his talent in the military.
This was something that Wang Chong firmly believed in.
This kind of talent shouldn't be buried. Otherwise, not only would it be Cousin Wang Li's loss, it would also be a loss for the entire Wang Clan. Wang Chong believed that those who agreed with him here today would surely thank him in the future, and they would praise him for his foresight.
After which, Wang Chong sat quietly by Duke of Ye's side. His performance was already sufficient, and going too far was as bad as falling short.
Wang Chong didn't intend to 'shock the world'. In the end, this was an opportunity for grandfather and his old subordinates to reminisce about their brotherhood!
【The weather has been too hot these few days, so there weren't many replies on the WeChat official account. This made Huangfu feel as though he was playing solo. Thus, he sent a WeChat message at 7 pm, and in the end, WOW!
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