"Book……?"

Xiao Ling was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand. "Scholar? Are you saying you want to send the newly-minted Jinshi who passed the palace examination to supervise the people outside the capital and collect business taxes?"

Chu Yi nodded with a smile, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant."

"Well, these scholars are young and full of vigor. Perhaps they did have a heart to serve their country from the beginning. Perhaps this did have an unexpected effect."

Xiao Ling couldn't help but nod, thinking of the advantages, but even so, she was still a little worried.

"However... these scholars are young and inexperienced. If I ask them to collect commercial taxes, I'm afraid they may not be able to complete the task, right?"

The Anguo imperial examination system tested the Four Books and Five Classics, policy essays, etc., and did not emphasize arithmetic.

For this reason, many newly admitted scholars, when they were sent to serve as county magistrates or county magistrates, always had to be assisted by minor officials such as staff.

In fact, not to mention the newly-minted scholars, even many officials who have served for several years have only a superficial understanding of some substantive things.

Last year, when the censors were sent to local areas to serve as tax collectors, many of them made jokes because of their poor accounting.

Officials don’t even know basic common sense, which is also a headache for Xiao Ling about the current imperial examination.

There are too few capable officials like Cheng Xunyi who are able to hold the position of Minister of Revenue and alleviate Da'an's current difficulties through tax reform.

There is only one Minister of Revenue, and he cannot be used as two.

"These scholars are indeed rigid-minded, but they are sincere enough. Therefore, I think we can arrange for a master of accounting to solve these problems for them."

Chu Yi then expressed his own thoughts, "Of course, these accountants can be recruited from all over the country. To prevent collusion, they can be sent to different places. They can even be sent to a different place to collect taxes every year, etc. ... The details need to be discussed slowly and then implemented."

Xiao Ling pondered for a long time, and finally felt that this method was indeed ingenious:

"I think this is a safe approach. I'll wait for you to discuss the details with Lord Cheng. After the Spring Palace Examination is over, the issues of commercial taxation and official system should be put on the agenda."

Chu Yi nodded, then looked at the face of the young empress sitting on the dragon throne:

"Besides that, there is another very important thing that is time to announce."

Xiao Ling felt uneasy under his scrutinizing gaze, then tentatively asked, "Are you asking me to reveal my identity?"

"Indeed, it would be best to wait until my third brother leaves the capital, before Qi invades from the south."

Chu Yi said this deadline,

Because he knew that under the current circumstances, Empress Xiao Ling's identity would not be kept secret for long.

Now the empress has to take reshaping pills every day during the day, and restore her original appearance when she sleeps at night. It is really too troublesome.

It will probably take at most one or two months for the Qi army to march south. In order to avoid unnecessary turmoil in Anguo, it is better to announce the truth now.

Xiao Ling understood Chu Yi's words very well.

However, according to her current intention, she is actually more inclined to wait until she successfully resists the invasion of Qi.

However, since Chu Ze had this plan, she had nothing to say.

After all, the two of them have been communicating in depth almost every day since they confessed their feelings. It's possible that she got pregnant halfway through, which seems to be a problem.

"Actually... I'm still worried about the court officials causing trouble. Although things have been peaceful in the past few years, I've been thinking all the time about how to stabilize the court after my identity is exposed..." Xiao Ling curled his lips, feeling somewhat helpless.

Chu Yi was amused. "They either accept Your Majesty as the first female emperor of Anguo, or accept me usurping the throne and becoming vassal ministers who wag their tails and beg for surrender. This is not a difficult choice."

Xiao Ling: “…”

What Chu Ze said was really offensive. I really wanted to hit him.

Chu Yi had already stood up and handed the small ball in his hand back to Xiao Ling.

Then, he lifted her chin in a very frivolous manner.

"Your Majesty, don't you long for the day when you can be intimate with me all the time without worrying about your secret being discovered?"

"You..." Xiao Ling avoided his gaze in anger. "I don't expect it. When I return to my original state, I will definitely be bullied by you day and night."

"Your Majesty, I am thinking too badly."

Chu Yi reached out and pinched her cheek. "Why didn't I realize that Your Majesty is so delicate and charming under this appearance? Well, compared to a real man, you are still more gentle."

Xiao Ling: “…”

hateful!

…I was careless. It turns out that when I was a man, I would also be teased by the Chu thief.

It seems that it is better to announce the identity earlier, at least it won’t be so scary.

Seeing the little empress's increasingly rosy face, Chu Yi's mood also became particularly happy.

He felt like teasing her and couldn't help but bend over and lean close to Xiao Ling's ear.

"My dear young man, I see you are very handsome. Would you like to sleep with me tonight?"

Xiao Ling: "o(′^｀)o"

Chu thief!!!

That's enough!

…

After leaving the Purple Palace, Chu Yi went to the Ministry of Personnel.

The Spring Examination is approaching, and now both the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel are very busy.

After arriving at the Ministry of Personnel, he had already learned about the imperial examination's handling of the group of scholars who had caused trouble in the capital yesterday.

According to his own ideas, the Ministry of Justice not only detained and monitored these scholars, but also joined forces with the Ministry of Rites to restrict these scholars from taking the imperial examinations.

These scholars have been disqualified from the imperial examinations and can no longer participate in the Spring Examination. Not only this time, they will never be allowed to take the imperial examinations to become officials in their entire lives.

In addition, their nine generations of relatives will be prohibited from taking the imperial examinations, and will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations and become officials within three generations.

For the scholars in Da'an, this punishment was basically like putting them in death row.

Not only was he implicated, but even his relatives who were officials would be punished. When he was released from prison and returned to his hometown, he would definitely be looked down upon by his relatives.