Chapter 13 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar

"People suffer when taxes increase, and they are even more destitute in years of famine."

"Increasing taxes is easier said than done!" Ji Huaizhi said sharply. "It's no different from plundering the people's wealth!"

"Lord Ji! What are you saying?"

Ji Huaizhi: "What I said is true! Have Lord Zhang and the Prime Minister ever eaten Guanyin clay?"

The two asked in confusion, "Can you eat soil?"

Looking at their expressions, Ji Huaizhi sneered:

"But even now, many people are still eating tree bark, tree roots, and clay. They also have to bear heavy taxes and corvée labor. They are powerless to resist the tyranny and bullying of officials!"

The emperor's eyes widened upon hearing this.

He doesn't seem to understand that this is really the case?

Are his people really as Ji Huaizhi said?

What's the point of him taking this position?

The Prime Minister frowned; this young man's imposing manner...

"Does Lord Ji mean that the Emperor's governance is completely chaotic, leading to the people's poverty?" The Prime Minister's words were quite serious.

Upon hearing this, many people knelt down.

Ji Huaizhi also said: "The Emperor is busy with many affairs of state, but he cares about the common people. He always opens the granaries to distribute grain during years of disaster, deeply understands the suffering of the people, and strives to improve their lives."

"But wicked people are causing trouble and deceiving the emperor."

The prime minister's face contorted for a moment.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne expressionless, his thoughts unreadable.

The court fell silent for a moment; some gloated, while others looked worried.

Some people also felt that Ji Huaizhi was taking advantage of the Emperor's favor and acted recklessly. This time, he said too much and went too far, and he would definitely lose the Emperor's favor after this.

"In your opinion, Lord Ji, what should be done this time?"

The emperor's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

When the officials heard this, they were all filled with solemnity.

Ji Huaizhi stood up and said, "Encourage agricultural production, build water conservancy projects, reclaim wasteland, and implement policies of light taxes and levies."

The others stared wide-eyed, not believing what he was saying.

The emperor's eyes were also fixed on him: "Light taxes and levies?"

"That won't do!"

"Yes, to promote agricultural development and provide the country with a stable supply of food and resources," Ji Huaizhi continued.

"Promoting trade and strengthening business ties with neighboring countries will increase fiscal revenue."

"Promote the development of handicrafts, sell them to other countries or exchange them for other goods in other countries, and increase income through trade."

The people in the court looked at each other.

The way he looked at Ji Huaizhi changed.

Ji Huaizhi cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, merchants are of low status, and the government prioritizes agriculture over commerce and righteousness over profit. In fact, we can raise the status of merchants to increase their influence.”

"When the people are wealthy, the national treasury will naturally be full."

Excitement gleamed in the emperor's eyes: "Excellent! Excellent! When the people are prosperous, the national treasury will naturally be full. Minister Ji's suggestions are spot on, and I have seen the light after the storm."

"Outside the court, those who are compassionate towards the suffering of the people are truly pillars of the nation."

The Prime Minister looked up: "Absolutely not! Your Majesty!"

The emperor's lips curled down: "What insight does the Prime Minister have?"

The Prime Minister said, "Since ancient times, merchants have been driven by profit and have also affected agriculture and social customs."

Ji Huaizhi looked at the Prime Minister: "Prime Minister, you look down on merchants, but as far as I know, you have close ties with many merchants, and many merchants in the capital claim to have the Prime Minister's backing."

Ji Huaizhi's tone was sharp.

"Now you say that merchants are only interested in profit, but it seems that it is you, Prime Minister, who is doing things that are only interested in profit." After saying that, he cupped his hands in greeting.

Everyone else lowered their heads.

Young and impetuous, Lord Ji really dares to speak his mind.

The prime minister's face was grim.

The emperor's mood improved somewhat: "Really? No wonder someone told me the Prime Minister's residence was extravagant and wasteful. I was thinking the Prime Minister was incorruptible; that shouldn't be the case."

The prime minister suddenly knelt down: "Your Majesty, this is a rumor! This old minister has been diligent and conscientious, wanting to share Your Majesty's burdens..."

The emperor didn't want to hear any of this: "Alright, I think Minister Ji's method is good. Court is adjourned."

Prime Minister: "Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider!"

"Dismiss the court!" Eunuch Su's voice was sharp and loud.

The Prime Minister suffered a setback in his first encounter with Ji Huaizhi.

It was quite a tumble.

Ji Huaizhi remained expressionless and ignored the gazes of the others as he withdrew.

The others surrounded the Prime Minister: "Your Excellency the Prime Minister?"

The Prime Minister waved his hand: "Let's go."

[Ji Huaizhi, I will remember this humiliation.]

The emperor returned to his study, clearly in a good mood.

Not long after, Eunuch Su entered: "Your Majesty, Prince Rong requests an audience."

"please."

When Prince Rong was brought in by Eunuch Su, he was still wearing his official robes: "Your Majesty, this Ji Huaizhi is quite a character. The old Prime Minister was so angry that his face turned green."

The emperor nodded: "Yes, his words reminded me as well."

Prince Rong looked at him, not quite understanding the meaning of those words.

"I have been diligent in governing the country, thinking that my people are living in peace and prosperity. But I have learned that there are people who are eating dirt to survive in places I cannot see."

Prince Rong, standing behind him, advised, "Your Majesty, you are already a good emperor praised by everyone."

"From major border wars to minor matters concerning people's livelihoods, he personally took charge of everything without any slackening."

"But it is true that my people are suffering." The emperor looked out the window with his hands behind his back. "If it weren't for Ji Huaizhi, I might have actually listened to the Prime Minister's suggestion."

Prince Rong: "Your Majesty, do not worry. You and the Prime Minister are different."

Perhaps after being comforted by his younger brother, the emperor felt better.

Eunuch Su: "Your Majesty, Consort Jiang has sent someone to invite you to dine at Yonghe Palace."

The Emperor said, "I am busy with official duties. I will visit her when I have time."

"Yes." Eunuch Su understood.

Prince Rong looked at the Emperor and sneered, "Brother..."

"Look, I have many spies in my palace, and the Prime Minister is already losing his composure."

Consort Jiang sat in the palace, frowning upon hearing the maid's words: "You mean His Majesty isn't coming?"

"Eunuch Su conveyed a message that His Majesty is busy with official duties and will visit the Empress again when he has time," the palace maid said, bowing her head.

"Useless! Even His Majesty can't be invited here, what use are you?"

Consort Jiang was furious, and all the palace servants immediately knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive us."

Consort Jiang caught her breath before speaking: "Get up. You can't even do this simple thing right. Go and receive your punishment."

The palace maid trembled as she took her leave.

"Your Highness, why be angry? His Majesty dotes on you the most. He will come to see you when he is done with his work." The personal maid massaged Consort Jiang's shoulders.

Consort Jiang: "You, you don't understand the situation at all."

“My father wants me to whisper in His Majesty’s ear, but he has offended His Majesty, so he definitely won’t come.”

Palace maid: "Isn't there still the Third Prince?"

"If you ask me, the Third Prince is so outstanding and favored, even receiving some honors that the First Prince doesn't have. Your Majesty is definitely overthinking it."

Consort Jiang nodded, thinking of her son: "Where is Lin'er?"

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has been practicing riding and archery recently."

“He resembles his father, the Emperor.” Consort Jiang nodded.