Chapter 218 Two Years of Hard Work in vain

[Also, the silver tax collection also depends on the situation. Based on the different grain production in the north and south, the northern region could be required to pay taxes at a ratio of 70% silver to 30% grain, or 60% silver to 40% grain, to avoid the low grain prices hurting farmers, which would ultimately cause them hardship.]

On this basis, the imperial court could also set the silver-to-grain price ratio, for example, by having the Ministry of Revenue determine how much silver to sell a dan of rice for each year. Local governments could then regulate the price based on actual conditions, but a minimum and maximum limit would have to be set.

Anyone who privately raises grain prices will be severely punished, and the Ministry of Justice will draft relevant laws, which will be enforced accordingly.

[In addition, you can also establish a pilot project first...]

As a qualified spectator who has experienced the era of information explosion, I can talk about everything I see.

Chu Liuzheng just spoke whatever came to her mind, very casually. After all, she was just thinking about it for fun, and had no idea how much shock it caused to someone who was listening in.

The teacup in Xiao Jingfan's hand made a crisp "crack" sound and was crushed by him.

The sharp edge of the porcelain shard cut the skin, and blood mixed with tea seeped out and dripped onto the table, forming a pool.

"Your Majesty!" Zhou Yuande cried out in shock, hurried forward to examine him, and shouted, "Quickly call the imperial physician!"

Xiao Anzi hurried to the Imperial Hospital.

Zhou Yuande took a clean handkerchief and pressed it on Xiao Jingfan's wound. The palace maids serving in the hall were so scared that they knelt on the ground.

Xiao Jingfan was completely unaware of the pain in his hand, and his pair of eyes, as deep as stars, were surprisingly bright.

[…For this draft to be implemented, it requires the support of the tyrant, the protection of power, and the implementation of practical people.]

[Tsk, there's still a problem.]

The imperial court couldn't simply post a notice to stabilize grain prices; it had to use real money. The implementation of reforms and the operation of the state also required financial support, but Dasheng's silver reserves were insufficient.

If there is insufficient silver circulating in the market, not only will all existing problems be exacerbated, let alone reforms, the nation's strength will be weakened, and even its demise is possible!

Chu Liuzheng was startled by this speculation, and something suddenly flashed through his mind.

[Wait! When I first linked the system, I think I saw news about gold and silver mines, and there was even a ranking list of countries.]

[It's been a long time, where are you? ]

Chu Liuzheng began to dig deep into the system.

Gold and Silver Mine!!

Xiao Jingfan pursed his lips, his Adam's apple rolled up and down, and he swallowed hard.

if……

He clenched his fists tightly, and the wound that had just stopped bleeding began to bleed again, staining the white handkerchief red.

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself." Zhou Yuande had a bitter face, and he felt more uncomfortable than if he were injured himself.

Xiao Jingfan came back to his senses, slowly let go of his hand, and waved for him to get up.

At the same time, Envoy Wu hurried over.

When he saw the blood-stained handkerchief, his eyelids twitched and he hurriedly opened the medicine box to treat Xiao Jingfan's wound.

The wound was on the palm of the right hand, an inch long, but fortunately not deep, which made the palace servants serving in the hall feel relieved.

Xiao Jingfan's mind was not on his injury at all. He listened attentively, afraid of missing the precious list.

Ever since he learned at the plum blossom viewing banquet that taxes were often collected under various pretexts, this matter had become a thorn in his side, and he couldn't sleep whenever he thought about it.

Last night, when he looked at the memorial presented by Minister Wen, he was naturally happy, but he also had a real headache.

Everything else is fine, I can always think of ways to solve it slowly, but this silver can't appear out of thin air.

Now, he hopes Chu Liuzheng can give him another surprise.

Chu Liuzheng searched the system for a long time.

【Why not? Did I remember it wrong? 】

[Ahhhh!!! This is the first time I've felt that there's so much gossip in this system, it's really annoying!!]

Where the hell is this?! ! ! !

Chu Liuzheng searched for a while and suddenly realized.

[Wait! Why am I so anxious? This is something the Tyrant Emperor should be worrying about.]

Xiao Jingfan frowned. This direction...

He had a bad feeling, but he also held a glimmer of hope, just in case this woman wouldn't be so...

Why should a little maid like me worry about the emperor? There are so many capable people in the court. They should handle things like hair loss. I don't earn such a high salary.

【Tsk tsk, I'd better continue eating my melon. 】

Xiao Jingfan, whose premonition came true: "..."

My head hurts!

Why does such a magical thing as the system belong to this woman? Can you replace her with someone more motivated?

He raised his left hand and rubbed his temples. He even lost his appetite for breakfast.

Zhou Yuande advised cautiously, "Your Majesty, getting up early to practice boxing is quite exhausting. At least have a bowl of porridge to warm your stomach."

Xiao Jingfan was actually hungry, but he didn't want to eat. He was so angry at Chu Liuzheng's lack of ambition that he would rather Chu Liuzheng pretend to be a charlatan and deceive him!

Zhou Yuande persuaded him again and again, but Xiao Jingfan became impatient and reluctantly said, "Bring it here."

Zhou Yuande immediately smiled happily and hurriedly brought over the bird's nest porridge.

Xiao Jingfan took it, ate while listening, hoping that the woman who was afraid of trouble would change her mind.

It was impossible to change his mind. Chu Liuzheng had already put mountains of gold and silver behind his mind and picked up the melon he had just eaten half of.

Minister Wen was lucky. If he hadn't just reached a conclusion with King Xiao and the tyrant needed his services, the fact that Madam Wen sent fake pregnancy drugs to the palace alone would have dragged the entire Wen Mansion into the abyss.

[From this perspective, Minister Wen truly loves Madam Wen. If it were any other family, Madam Wen would have committed suicide long ago after committing such a crime punishable by execution. How could she simply be stripped of her position as head of the household?]

[Tsk tsk, as the saying goes, a death sentence can be avoided, but a living crime cannot. The tyrant didn't even give Madam Wen the slightest bit of dignity. It would have been fine if he'd just issued an imperial decree to reprimand her and strip her of her imperial decree, but he actually lashed her with eighty sticks in public. This is a death sentence, at least a crippling one.]

Chu Liuzheng shook his head secretly. For a lady like Madam Wen who cared about her reputation, it would probably be easier to accept the former than to die in peace or to live in disability and endure rumors.

She continued reading, originally wanting to see what punishment Minister Wen received, but she saw a few unexpected lines of text.

[Wow, Minister Wen is quite kind, willing to bear half the punishment for his wife. The tyrant actually agreed, which is not like a tyrant... Uh, well, the picture of Minister Wen crying and begging is too beautiful to imagine.]

Chu Liuzheng swatted away the image that automatically popped up in his mind.

If one person receives forty strokes of the cane, even though one more person will be torn to pieces, at least he won't be disabled. Minister Wen's cry is a good one!

In fact, regarding this matter alone, Chu Liuzheng was quite sympathetic to Minister Wen.

After two years of hard work, I could have achieved great success and, if the emperor was pleased, perhaps even been awarded a title. But now, not only have my merits been negated, but I've also been fined two years' salary and demoted three levels. It's awful! Doing the same work but getting no pay? Tyrants are always freeloaders.

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

He clearly values ​​talented people, so why do all his good words taste so bad in this woman's mouth?

If he does a good job, won't he be promoted back?

Besides, the Wen family doesn’t lack that little salary.

*

At the same time, Huaqing Palace.

"Sweep that side clean and wipe the windowsills." Xianglu had a happy look on his face and ordered people to clean every corner of Huaqing Palace.

Seeing that it was almost time, she walked briskly into the bedroom, rolled up the gauze curtain, revealing the sick beauty with disheveled black hair lying on the bed.

"Master, everything has been arranged. We are just waiting for the imperial edict."

"Why are you in such a hurry? A few hours won't make a difference." Dou Jingwan sneered, her tone nonchalant, but there was a smile in her upturned fox eyes.