Duke of England Zhang Weixian also saw that the civil servants had no good intentions and were clearly stirring up trouble. If any idiot on his side stood up and said something, it would probably be too late.

Anyway, things have come to this point and there is no way back, so I might as well not retreat.

Zhang Weixian then took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also have something to say."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhang Weixian and said, "My dear, please feel free to say whatever you want to say."

Zhu Youxiao really wanted to hear what Zhang Weixian had to say.

After all, this would put a strain on the civil officials, and if he didn't say something, he would definitely feel unhappy. So Zhu Youxiao had no intention of stopping him from speaking, he just hoped that he wouldn't say too much.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Weixian smiled, took a step forward and said, "As descendants of meritorious service, we have been deeply favored by the emperor for generations, so we naturally understand how to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country. Although there are some disdainful children in my family, they are ultimately a minority. Most people still know how to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and they also know the current situation of the court."

"So we are willing to pay taxes on our estates. This is our duty. Let alone just those taxes, even if it means ruining our homes to help the country, we are willing to do so."

"As for what you gentlemen just said, I think it's a bit excessive. This should not be done in court. I have only fulfilled my duties and do not deserve such praise. As long as the Ming Dynasty prospers and Your Majesty is healthy, it is a blessing for us, your subjects."

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhang Weixian, nodded slightly and said, "My dear minister, your loyalty to the country is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty! Very good, very good!"

After hearing what the Duke of England said, the civil servants were as surprised as if they had eaten a fly. They had originally thought that the nobles and relatives would make a fuss, but who would have thought that they would just give in?

Fortunately, the goal was achieved, and everyone's mood wasn't too bad. The next things were more important, so there was no need to dwell on this matter.

When Zhang Weixian retreated, he glanced towards the civil servants.

He was filled with hatred.

This matter is not over yet. Now that you have dealt with us, you want to withdraw like this?

No way! Sooner or later, everything will be found!

Zhu Youxiao glanced at the Duke of Yingguo, then at the civil servants across from him, nodded slightly, and said, "Then let's discuss how to collect taxes. I wonder what your opinions are?"

After hearing this, Xu Guangqi was the first to stand up.

He took a few steps forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "My dear, if you have something to say, you can speak at will."

"Your Majesty, I believe that the land tax on the nobles and relatives should not be collected by the local government. After all, there is a huge gap in official status between the local government and the nobles and relatives, so collecting taxes would be difficult. If any trouble arose, I'm afraid it would be difficult to handle."

"So I think it would be better to hand this matter over to the Ministry of Revenue, with a commissioner in charge, and the silver collected would go directly into the Ministry's treasury. This way, both the public and private sectors would benefit."

"Lord Xu, this is inappropriate, isn't it?"

Before Xu Guangqi could speak, Huang Kezun had already stood up.

No one else could speak at this time. Since this was a war between cabinet ministers, it would be inappropriate to let others get involved.

Huang Kezun then said, "Both transportation and collection require a large number of personnel. Could it be that Lord Xu wants to employ more officials?"

"Lord Xu should still remember the matter of the redundant officials in the former Song Dynasty, right?"

"We already have a well-functioning system. If we suddenly add another set of people, won't we end up with too many people?"

After saying this, Huang Kezun turned to look at Zhu Youxiao and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe this move is profoundly inappropriate. The imperial tax system is sound, and adding another army is unnecessary. Although this is a tax on the estates of the nobles and their relatives, this time it is a voluntary tax. I believe they will not refuse to cooperate, and it will not be difficult for local officials to collect the tax. Therefore, we can leave it to the local officials."

If the Ministry of Revenue was allowed to create such a group of people, then this group of people would be under the sole jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue and no one would be able to interfere. This was something that others did not want to see, so Huang Kezun stood up to oppose it.

You know, the court is now very wary of those non-established government offices.

Previously, the Tongzhengsi was created, causing panic among the people. Now the office responsible for collecting farmland taxes has been given to the Ministry of Revenue. Who knows what will happen in the future?

What if one day they become greedy and want to take over all the taxes in the world?

That's not impossible. Everyone knows the current tax situation in the world.

Given Xu Guangqi's character, it's not impossible for him to do such a thing. So just strangle him to death.

Even if I really want to do this, I am the only one who can do it.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Huang Kezun and Xu Guangqi with no expression on his face.

Obviously, he cannot intervene in such conflicts between civil servants, and it is impossible to stop them.

Where there are people, there are conflicts of interest.

Whether it is for personal gain, for patriotism, or for ambition and to express one's own ideas, this struggle will never stop.

Seeing the two elders arguing, the others fell silent.

All the civil servants present knew that they could not interrupt at this time, otherwise they might become cannon fodder.

Even Cui Chengxiu hid behind me. It was best if no one could see me now.

However, there is someone who is not afraid of this, and that person is the Duke of England.

He was already very dissatisfied with these civil servants just now. He thought that the matter had come to an end, but Huang Kezun kept using these people to make trouble for them. He always brought himself up, which showed that he did not take him seriously.

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