But they couldn't accept it; they believed that those were things they deserved and that belonged to them.
If you stop now, you're taking our things.
To truly understand this matter, we must go back to the era of Emperor Taizong. Because his ascension to the throne was illegitimate, Emperor Taizong drastically increased the salaries of his officials in order to stabilize the court.
The salaries of Song Dynasty officials were more than ten times those of officials during the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Zhao Huan had wanted to cut salaries for a long time.
Seeing that Liu Yanzong, this despicable and shameless scoundrel, could even come up with such a twisted idea that harmed the collective interests and was outrageous to both gods and men in order to curry favor with the emperor, everyone's eyes were blazing with anger, wishing they could burn Liu Yanzong to death.
Qin Hui also rushed out: "I also think it's feasible. The country is in dire straits. As subjects, let alone stopping our monthly rations, we would not hesitate to sacrifice ourselves for Your Majesty!"
Qin Hui, you son of a bitch!
The officials must have felt like a million grass mud horses were running through their minds.
You despicable and shameless bastards, in your eagerness to curry favor with the emperor, you've dragged all of us down with you.
Traitor! Shameless!
Everyone cursed inwardly, but quickly concealed their anger on their faces.
Zhao Huan seemed somewhat reluctant, and he asked Xu Churen, "What does the Grand Chancellor think?"
Before Xu Churen could answer, the emperor continued, "The soldiers at the front are suffering! Why don't you all come with me to the front to comfort them?"
Xu Churen immediately said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to no longer receive monthly rations."
The emperor sighed and said, "The Grand Chancellor is very wise and understanding, which greatly comforts me."
The emperor then said, "The Grand Chancellor is too old to travel, so he will not go to the front lines."
He then looked at the others, who quickly replied, "We are willing to sacrifice ourselves for the Song Dynasty and give up our monthly rations!"
The Emperor said, "My esteemed ministers are all so insightful and righteous; they are truly my good subjects! In that case, the Council of State Affairs shall issue the decree!"
Xu Churen replied, "As you command!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall: "Great victory! Great victory!"
A messenger rode into the court on horseback, something that usually only happens when things reach their most urgent stage.
The entire court was shocked. Zhao Huan stood up, walked down from above, and descended the steps surrounded by his guards. The messenger had already arrived at the door.
The messenger knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, Yue Fei led an army of 40,000 deep into the northern desert, and in one battle defeated Yelü Dashi's army of 300,000. He reached a hundred miles north of Langjuxu Mountain and beheaded 120,000!"
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