"About ten years ago, this old man realized that there was a huge problem with the tax system of our dynasty …"
After writing the last page, Prime Minister Qin put down his pen and stopped writing. He raised his head and said, "In the past ten years, I've pushed for tax reform several times, but all of them ended in failure. In the end, I was too embarrassed to mention this matter to His Majesty. I just had some vague thoughts that I didn't dare to bring up. These days, I've been thinking about what you said in the imperial garden that day …"
"If you were born ten years earlier, five years ago, if I could hear what you said, there wouldn't be so many twists and turns in the imperial court and the people these years." Prime Minister Qin looked at Li Yi and said calmly, "Lord Xu is right. You're the hero of your generation. I … am not as good as you."
Li Yi didn't be modest and didn't continue because Prime Minister Qin obviously had something else to say.
"You're unparalleled in poetry and painting. You've reached the peak of calligraphy. You're proficient in torture and business. You created Tian Fa, offered horseshoes, repelled the enemy, started arithmetic, and got rid of vermin …"
Prime Minister Qin seemed to be very familiar with Li Yi's past. "I also know that you've turned the Qi Kingdom upside down. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince of the Qi Kingdom are fighting fiercely for the throne. The imperial court is unstable and people are anxious. You've made countless contributions to our Jing Kingdom. When I was your age, I didn't pass the imperial examinations and was still worried about my future. But you have already been conferred the title of Duke and Marquis, and you are the youngest Minister in history … No wonder His Majesty favors you. "
Being praised by an elder, Li Yi blushed slightly and felt a little embarrassed.
It turned out that he was so outstanding. He couldn't see it usually …
"But, you are too young …" Prime Minister Qin looked at him with a serious expression and said, "The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. When things reach an extreme, they will move in the opposite direction. Since ancient times, the favored officials of the Emperor rarely have good endings. Moreover, do you know whose interests will be lost in the end with those reforms you mentioned?"
The old emperor's greatest enemy was some of the major clans. The measures he proposed naturally wouldn't let those people have an easy time.
If not for this, the old emperor would not have trusted MIngzhu to handle the state affairs.
"Your existence is the blessing of His Majesty, the blessing of the people …" Prime Minister Qin stood up, looked at him and said, "I hope you can remember what I said today."
Li Yi looked at him and asked, "Why?"
What he said was naturally from the standpoint of the two of them. Prime Minister Qin had no reason to say such words to him, nor did he have any obligation to do so. Why did he say these words today?
"I am the Master of the Qin Family, the Prime Minister of the Jing Kingdom, the Prime Minister of His Majesty, the Prime Minister of the people … If this reform can be carried out smoothly, the country will be rich, the people will be strong, and the people will live in peace …" Prime Minister Qin looked at him deeply, cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "This bow, on behalf of all the civil and military officials in the court, on behalf of the people of the Jing Kingdom …"
It was already too late for Li Yi to dodge. In reality, by the time he reacted, Prime Minister Qin had already straightened his body and was walking out the door with large strides.
At the door, a certain Water Bureau official who had just been brought in by Fang stood in a daze. He rubbed his eyes, and after confirming it, he couldn't help but be petrified on the spot.
When Li Yi walked out of the mansion, a carriage had already started off into the distance. He looked in a certain direction for a long time and began to understand why those old "stubborn" people in the court were so stubborn …
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Qin was Prime Minister Qin, and the Qin Family … was the Qin Family.
After a while, he turned his head to look at the Water Bureau official behind him and asked, "What is the matter, Junior Supervisor Xu?"
The official looked in a certain direction, swallowed a few times, and then said, "Concerning the compilation of the 'Commentary on the Water Classic', Minister Chang had me ask Lord Li …"
…
Duke Chen Fu.
"You said that Prime Minister Qin went to the Li Fu yesterday and even bowed to that Li Yi?" Chen Chong looked at the official in front of him and frowned. "Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
The official shook his head with a bitter smile. "It shouldn't be wrong. The news came from the Water Bureau. It's said that the Junior Supervisor of the Water Bureau saw it with his own eyes. This lowly official investigated this morning. Yesterday, Prime Minister Qin … did indeed go to that place."
"Prime Minister Qin … what is he doing?" Chen Chong frowned.
Although they all belonged to the King of Shu's faction, in terms of division, they and Prime Minister Qin did not belong to the same camp. The group of civil officials led by Prime Minister Qin and the officials and nobles led by the Cui and Chen families had the same goals, but they almost never interfered with each other.
Moreover, Prime Minister Qin had a high position and great power. His thoughts were hard to guess.
The power in the court that leaned towards the King of Shu was already far from what it was in the past. Could it be that even Prime Minister Qin …
Below, the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Ceng Shichun, thought for a moment and said, "This matter may not be as the rumors say. County Marquis Li is a Minister of Golden Honor. It is not impossible for Prime Minister Qin to find him to discuss court affairs."
Chen Chong raised his eyes and said, "Is there a need to bow when discussing state affairs?"
The hall immediately became silent. After a long time, an official sighed and said, "His Majesty temporarily released court affairs. For Her Highness, it was originally a great opportunity. She could have used this opportunity to return to the capital and take charge of court affairs. But who would have thought that His Majesty would completely entrust court affairs to the Eldest Princess? Our petitions to summon Her Highness back to the capital have all been rejected by His Majesty. Her Highness's situation in court is becoming worse and worse. If this continues, I'm afraid …"
Chen Chong nodded and said, "The most important thing right now is to have Her Highness return to the capital. Tell me, what methods do you have?"
The few people thought for a moment and then began to speak.
"Noble Consort Cui's birthday is approaching. His Majesty places great importance on filial piety. It is reasonable for Her Highness to return to the capital at that time."
"After Her Highness's birthday, we can think of a way to have Her Highness stay. We can say that she is ill and stay. At that time, we can unite the court officials and ask His Majesty to have Her Highness replace the Eldest Princess in governing …"
"This method is feasible. What does Minister think?"
Chen Chong nodded. Just as he was about to speak, someone walked in from outside and said in a small voice, "Second Master, Miss has returned from visiting her family."
Hearing this, Chen Chong's face immediately lit up. He stood up and waved his hand at the people. "I have important matters to attend to right now. We will discuss Her Highness's return to the capital later!"
Finishing, he hurriedly left, completely ignoring the stunned expressions on the faces of the people in the hall.
Everyone watched as he quickly left, their hearts like ten thousand horses galloping.
What matter could be more important than this? Didn't he just say that the most important thing right now was to have Her Highness return to the capital?
In the garden of the Chen Estate, Chen Chong looked at the white-haired woman and asked with a smile, "How is it? Is Aunt well?"
The white-haired woman nodded and said, "Her body has always been healthy. She even asked about Big Brother and Second Brother."
She turned her head to look in a certain direction and said, "Second Brother still has matters to attend to. The lords seem to be waiting over there."
"It's all a small matter. It's not important. Let them wait for a while."
Chen Chong waved his hand and said, "Third Sister, your birthday is approaching. How do you want to celebrate it? Tell Second Brother and Second Brother will help you …"
The white-haired woman shook her head and said, "Birthdays have to be celebrated every year. Second Brother doesn't need to make such a big fuss. It's enough for our family to be together."
Chen Chong hurriedly waved his hand. "No, no, birthdays only happen once a year. It has to be celebrated, it has to be celebrated …"
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