freenovelworld Chapter 338 It’s so bright that it blinds the eyes!
Chapter 338 It’s so bright that it blinds the eyes!
The new policy reform of His Royal Highness the Regent of the Song Dynasty has been implemented for a year. The fire that ignited from the Shu area in the west and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in the north has swept all the way to the east and south. Although it has encountered many resistances and obstacles, His Royal Highness the Regent has decisively and ruthlessly removed those obstacles with his strong strength and pushed the new policy through.
At present, except for Guangnan East Road, Nanxi Road, and Fujian Road, the new policy reform has not been implemented. Jiangnan East Road, Jiangnan West Road, and Liangzhe Road, the three richest and most difficult bones to chew, have also been painted red on the maps of the imperial study room of the imperial palace to indicate the success of the new policy reform after a desperate battle between the aristocratic families, wealthy and powerful landlords, and the new policy reform officials sent by the court.
The Song Dynasty was in a state of undercurrents, wars and crises. Fortunately, the Liao Kingdom and the newly established Western Xia, which had always been restless, were very quiet, which made the important officials of the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council feel relieved.
This year's taxes have been collected, and all officials are secretly analyzing and guessing, wondering how much this year's taxes will be reduced.
The new policy reduced land taxes and only increased commercial taxes. During this year, there were constant resistance in various places and the regent used troops everywhere to suppress the rebellions. How could the money spent be small?
In the minds of most civil and military officials in the capital, the Song Dynasty was in turmoil this year, with leaks everywhere, people in panic and public resentment. The willful regent was so foolish that he led the Song Dynasty into gradual decline.
However, the regent was ruthless and cruel, and the young emperor was young and ignorant and obeyed his uncle's orders. People with ulterior motives tried to sow discord many times, but they could not break the trust and affection between the uncle and nephew. Instead, when the young emperor caught him by mistake, he was severely punished and dismissed from office.
Except for a few people who knew about the situation, no one among the civil and military officials had any hope for this year's tax revenue. They just hoped that the number would not be too low. Otherwise, it would really shake the foundation of the Song Dynasty!
Some officials with ulterior motives are secretly delighted and waiting to see the joke. If the tax revenue this year is reduced by more than half, how will you, the Regent Zhao Defang, have the nerve to push through the new policy?
If the treasury is empty and the various expenditures come next year and the Ministry of Revenue cannot afford to pay, then see if the civil and military officials will impeach you, the regent, and change the new policy back to the old one.
On the day of the grand court, all civil and military officials went out early to attend the court. Today was the day when the tax bureau and the Ministry of Revenue handed over the accounts. The money income for the year was the most concerned and important thing for the officials.
Civil and military officials were waiting in front of the two side gates, with their red and purple official uniforms and long hat brim standing in front. These important figures were able to keep their composure and wait patiently for the palace gates to open.
The low-ranking officials with red and green hats and short brim at the back were discussing in low voices in groups of three or five, wondering how serious the reduction in tax revenue would be this year.
Feng Xiaochun, the director of taxation, stood calmly in the queue. As an exceptional recruit with a fourth-rank official rank, he was ranked high, but he could still hear the whispers of people around him.
Feng Xiaochun, who is known for his autocratic, ruthless, stubborn and successful behavior, curled up a sly smile and said: Wait a minute, the amount of taxes collected this year will blind your eyes!
Lu Mingda, the fourth-rank Imperial College Master, walked towards Feng Xiaochun, who was standing alone, with ill intentions, and bowed, "Good morning, Master Feng. Look at the dark circles under your eyes. Have you not slept for several days?
Lord Feng, your health is important. Even if you don't eat or sleep for half a month, you won't be able to produce enough money to fill the tax hole.
If you really can't stand the pressure, just quit the position of the Taxation Commissioner and let other capable people do it. "
Lu Mingda's words were rude and vicious enough. Anyone else would have gotten angry with him and even started a fight. Some officials excitedly crowded over to watch the fun.
Feng Xiaochun's expression remained unchanged. He was very good at cultivating his mind and spirit. He just smiled faintly and said, "I'm afraid I will disappoint Lord Lu. I am very happy to be the commander of the tax department. How can I bear to resign and let others do the work?"
Lu Mingda pouted his lips with disdain and said, "Of course you are reluctant to resign from such a lucrative position as the Commander of the Taxation Commissioner!"
Feng Xiaochun smiled indifferently again, turned his head away, and didn't bother to answer him.
Seeing Feng Xiaochun's shameless and arrogant look, Lu Mingda became furious and was about to mock him a few more times when the palace gate opened.
Lu Mingda could only say "Pooh!" at Feng Xiaochun's back, and was persuaded by his colleagues to queue up to enter the palace.
The morning sun shone on the swaying hat wings and the red, purple, and green court robes, reflecting a colorful nobleness. Today was the grand court day, and there were far more than a hundred civil and military officials who were qualified to stand in the court.
Civil and military officials entered one after another and stood on both sides according to their rank. After the whip was sounded, the officials concentrated and calmed down, and welcomed the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Regent to the sound of sheng music.
The young emperor Zhao Wuji had an expression of joy that he could not hide between his eyebrows, and his lips were tightly drawn, but he could not help but curl them up. There was something interesting to watch today, so before he went to court, he imagined the reactions of officials who were dissatisfied with the new policy and had paranoia about the reduction in tax revenue.
Regent Zhao Defang still sat down calmly and observed the officials secretly. There was no trace of decadence or frustration on his face.
Regent Zhao Defang glanced at the ministers and said calmly: "The issue that the civil and military officials are most concerned about today is probably this year's tax revenue.
Lord Feng, you and Lord Kou from the Ministry of Revenue should hand over the accounts in front of all the civil and military officials in the court!"
There was a commotion among the ministers, and their eyes were all fixed on Feng Xiaochun and Kou Zhun who came out.
Feng Xiaochun smiled at Kou Zhun, and Kou Zhun returned his smile knowingly.
Feng Xiaochun took out an account book from his bosom and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Regent, I have worked overtime with my colleagues from the Department of Taxation to check all the taxes collected this year. This is the general ledger of various tax revenues. I will read it to Your Majesty and Your Highness the Regent first, and then I will hand over the boxes of account books to Lord Kou from the Ministry of Revenue."
The young emperor Zhao Wuji straightened his back and said, "Read!"
"This year, agricultural taxes collected a total of 36.82 million strings of silver, 12.46 million dan of grain, and 168,000 pieces of silk..."
Before Feng Xiaochun finished reading, the officials were in an uproar...
Lu Mingda came out indignantly, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Regent, I don't believe it! This year, the land was distributed to the people for cultivation at low rent and low taxes. How could the agricultural tax increase? This Feng Xiaochun falsely reported the tax amount to claim credit, he deserves death!"