No, it’s not that Your Majesty doesn’t care about the lives of the people, but that he cares more about his own reputation and face.

The Great Zhou under his rule is still the master of the Central Plains, and anyone who dares to provoke it will pay the price.

He was still living in the past, unaware that the once prosperous dynasty had already been reduced to ruins.

Just as he said, this is to enhance the prestige of the Great Zhou. The people just have to pay more taxes, which they can understand.

Liang Qingwu thought to herself as she looked at the court officials around her. They were like walking corpses, numb and insensitive.

The court meeting is over.

The court officials walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in order and then dispersed.

For many people, this court meeting was a bit thrilling. The Prime Minister was in trouble. Although His Majesty had given him the power of trial, if he could not give a good explanation, there would inevitably be endless troubles in the future.

The court officials walked together in twos and threes, most of them shaking their heads and sighing.

In particular, the Minister of Revenue Li Chao's brows were furrowed into a shape of a "川" (川) character.

We will attack the Northern Wei next year, so we have to start raising military supplies and food from now on. This year's taxes will be increased by 30%, and this has been the third consecutive year of increase. The problem is that even though the tax revenue increases every year, the money is never enough.

Li Chao knew that of the 30% increase in taxes collected this year, at least 10% was prepared for His Majesty.

While he was lost in thought, he saw Lu Taiyuan coming out. Li Chao hurried over to greet him, "Lord Lu, why didn't you speak up for me just now? His Majesty is going to increase taxes by 30% this year."

"What's this?"

"What's this?"

Li Chao was very confused as to why Lord Lu would say such a thing.

Lu Taiyuan stroked his long beard. "Local officials are all members of the Literary Party. They are rampantly corrupt. I'm sure you've heard about this at court. If such a small county can be so shocking, you can imagine what it's like in other places."

"Rather than letting the money go into private pockets, it would be better to collect it and put it into the treasury. The prince wants money and grain as a reward for his political achievements, so I believe they will not put it into their own pockets."

"That being said, in the end..." Li Chao shook his head and said, "I want to retire and return home. I really can't continue this job as the Minister of Revenue."

Lu Taiyuan was about to reply when he saw Prince Qing walk out of the palace and walk straight towards him.

"You talk to His Royal Highness Prince Qing first." Li Chao left tactfully. It was becoming increasingly difficult to be an official. He could see that although Lu Taiyuan spoke in high-sounding words, he was actually doing it for his own benefit.

His Royal Highness Prince Qing is the pacification commissioner, and he is also a beneficiary.

All the civil and military officials in the court said they were doing it for the people, but in reality they were doing it for themselves.

"Your Highness Prince Qing."

Lu Taiyuan saluted, but before he could bow, Mu Yunxiu supported him. "Mr. Lu, you really have a good student. The best thing I have done recently is to send your student Feng Yuan to Ji County."

Mu Yunxiu was so excited that the corners of his mouth were almost pulled to his ears.

Although this battle had some flaws, it can still be called a great victory.

“Reuse!”

"This Feng Yuan must be reused!"

"Go tell him that I will make him the prefect within a year at most!"

Mu Yunxiu sighed, "He's only been in office for a few months, and he's already found so much evidence. He's truly a capable official."

Lu Taiyuan shook his head and said, "Feng Yuan is indeed a capable official, but there is someone who plays a more important role in this matter than Feng Yuan."

"oh?"

Mu Yunxiu asked, "Could it be that you, Mr. Lu, still have a pawn in Ji County? I wonder who this person is?"

"It's a servant boy named Song Chi..."

"Song Chi?"

While the two were talking, Luo Chuannan called Song Shiwen on the other side. He shouted deliberately to attract a lot of people's attention.

"Song Shiwen, I'm telling you one last time, keep your useless son away from my daughter. If he dares to get close to her again, I'll break his legs!"

He still had some concerns in the court, but not outside.

Song Shiwen had a gloomy face and did not speak. He knew why Luo Chuannan came to him. During the two assassination attempts on Song Chi, Luo Yurou was by Song Chi's side. Luo Chuannan was worried about his daughter's safety.

In other words, this incident was also caused by that rebellious son.

"You should be glad that my daughter is okay, otherwise I will never let you go!" Luo Chuannan had a cold face. Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help but guess what Song Ming had done to Luo Yurou to make Luo Chuannan so angry.

Did he use force?

Everyone speculated that Liang Qingwu also came over at this time. She was wearing armor, with her red hair loose, and an invisible aura was spreading. People gave way wherever she passed.

"Master Prime Minister, do you remember what I told you in Ji County?"

Song Shiwen took a deep breath and laughed out of anger. One after another, they really thought that I, the Prime Minister, was made of clay.

"I haven't settled the score with you yet, and you come to me?" Old Wu was his most trusted and closest servant, but he was killed by Liang Qingwu's men. How could he not be angry?

"You came to see me?"

Liang Qingwu said coldly, "Do you really want me to publicly tell you about the shameless things you've done?"

Song Shiwen narrowed his eyes slightly. He felt guilty and didn't dare to say anything. If the Prime Minister of the current dynasty went to Ji County to drug someone, his reputation would be ruined if it got out.

Luo Chuannan was also there. If Luo Chuannan knew that he had such a criminal record... Thinking of this, Song Shiwen finally endured it.

Only by enduring can you go further.

Seeing this scene, the people around were shocked and suspicious. It seemed that the Prime Minister really had something on the female commander.

"It doesn't matter what you want to do. If you dare to harm his life, I will go to the Song Mansion to find you. Your end will be like this stone!"

Liang Qingwu raised her foot and saw that the ground sank in with just a light step, leaving a footprint.

"I mean what I say!"

Not only Song Shiwen, but all the onlookers took a deep breath. This woman was so powerful that it was terrifying.

"But who is Song Chi?"

He was actually worthy of the female commander's protection and threatened the Prime Minister in public.

"Song Chi?"

Liang Qingwu actually protected that boy so much. If Luo Chuannan hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it at all.

Now it seems that what happened in the court was also done by Song Chi. In order to avoid retaliation, Liang Qingwu warned him publicly. She warned not only Song Shiwen, but also others.

The Ji County corruption case will soon spread to the capital, and the name Song Chi will also enter the public eye.

Even so, it is rare for Liang Qingwu to protect him in this way.

This guy is popular with women.

Thinking of his daughter's explanation, Luo Chuannan said in a deep voice: "Song Chi is my daughter's good friend. If anything happens to him, my daughter will be unhappy. If my daughter is unhappy, I will be unhappy."

Hearing this, Liang Qingwu glanced at Luo Chuannan lightly.

She had already learned from Fentian that Luo Yurou was protecting Song Chi.

This guy is really a playboy.

While Shen Liangyu was suffering in the army waiting for him, she was having affairs outside.

Liang Qingwu felt a little angry.

At this time, there were exclamations from the surroundings again. Who on earth was this Song Chi? It would be fine if he was protected by the female commander, but even the Duke of Anguo was protecting him for his daughter?

This is unbelievable.

"Remember, this won't happen again!"

Liang Qingwu finished speaking and prepared to leave, but Song Shiwen said calmly, "You threatened me publicly for him. It seemed like you were protecting him, but in fact you were harming him."

He clearly saw that the Second Prince, Prince Qing, who was sitting a few steps away, had a cold expression on his face.