"This old minister also supports the land tax reform and is willing to hand over all of my family's land to Your Majesty, since there's no use for it anyway," Meng Ao said righteously, glancing sideways at Wang Jian.
Seeing that the two men had spoken, Huan Yi and the other veteran generals also agreed and offered up their family land.
Now that's settled, all the veteran generals and senior generals have agreed, and the other military officers have followed suit.
"Look, it's us common folk who are the wise ones when it matters most. Reading too many books makes you..." The wicked man nodded and praised with a smile, while subtly mocking the group of ministers who were red-faced and swollen with anger.
People will always have various perspectives in their lives. He originally thought that since he had traveled from another time, he didn't care about the boundaries of his identity.
But over time, he eventually came to identify with the identity of a 'military general'.
"Your Excellency, how can you say such a thing?"
"I am willing to hand over all my land and property for Your Majesty's use, keeping only the food needed for my household," Wang Wan stepped forward first.
Following closely behind were Li Si, Meng Can, and others, especially Meng Can, who even wanted to open the national treasury.
Startled, Ying Zheng quickly waved his hand, "Stop, stop! The national treasury isn't yours, how can you touch it so lightly?"
Thus, Meng Can reluctantly gave up.
Of course, some people are on the right track, while others stick to their own opinions.
Zheng Ke then became the backbone of the opposition. He shouted in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I have been appreciated by two previous kings and have made some contributions. I have been rewarded with fertile land and a large house."
"If we hand it over, wouldn't we be betraying the late king's kindness and reward?"
"How about this!"
Zheng Ke suppressed his heartache and said resolutely, "I am willing to return the land that I have taken from the people over the years. I also ask Your Majesty to keep the rewards given to me as a memento."
His move of retreating to advance was very clever. The land he took from the people could never compare to the fertile land bestowed by the former king.
Furthermore, these officials rarely lift a finger and have no interest in the barren lands held by the common people; they don't even have much of it. The majority of their wealth comes from the lands bestowed as rewards.
If he were to hand it over, he might instantly go from being the richest man to the most indebted.
"Yes, Doctor Zheng's words are reasonable, and I am willing to follow suit."
"....."
The moment Zheng Ke finished speaking, dozens of opposition members also spoke up in unison to second his opinion.
Ying Zheng was furious. Zheng Ke had actually brought up the names of two previous kings in front of the entire court for the sake of land. Wasn't this just trying to force him to submit?
Royal authority cannot be violated!
How can a subject overpower his monarch?
The oppression he suffered at the hands of Lü Buwei in the past was still vivid in his mind, and Zheng Ke's actions today reminded him of those hesitant days.
Seeing his face gradually turn cold, the wicked man could guess why, but there were some things that were not good for a king to say, yet he felt no pressure when he said them.
"You have to pay today, whether you like it or not."
A wicked husband won't joke around with you; his attitude and words are very harsh, almost to the point of tearing off the mask of civility.
"People like to reason with unreasonable people, but they don't reason with reasonable people."
“If you say another word, I, the Imperial Guard, will make sure your blood is spilled three feet deep.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a dozen Imperial Guards rushed into the hall, their swords drawn, their blades gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"Outrageous! Shouting threats of violence right in front of the King! Do you even respect the King?" Zheng Ke was terrified, but he remained defiant and refused to budge an inch.
It's obvious they value money more than their lives.
Li Si and other 'acquaintances' watched the spectacle with interest. They knew very well that, at times, the wicked husband was Ying Zheng's spokesperson and the knife in his hand.
Since he dared to speak and act, it was naturally because Ying Zheng had tacitly approved and backed him up.
"Old man, I didn't say I would kill you for no reason. I, the Imperial Guard, have always been a man of principle and a man of virtue!" The wicked man took a few steps to Zheng Ke and said coldly, "Even if you have never been corrupt or bribed, you have already met your death because you have hindered the development of the country."
"Li Si!"
The sudden shout startled Li Si, who was watching the show, and he quickly said, "Commander of the Guards, what is it?"
The wicked man's meaningful gaze fell on him. "I have always heard that the Legalists advocate ruling the country according to law. As the Minister of Justice of Qin, what crime should you be charged with for obstructing the progress of a powerful nation?"
He was capable of killing the old man with a single blow; there was no need for such unnecessary talk. But ultimately, this was the imperial court, and one had to be reasonable and well-founded, otherwise, it would surely cause widespread panic.
The officials present were speechless. Everyone knew who Li Si was.
It's true that power is stronger than people, and the law is just two lips; whatever is said is in their mouths.
Now, countless pitying eyes fell on Zheng Ke, knowing that he was probably going to die today.
"Good lad, you've really improved. You know how to use your power to intimidate others now." A hint of approval flashed in Meng Ao's eyes, and he was very pleased with his behavior.
You should know that your previous wicked husband wouldn't have bothered with these things; he would have said he'd kill you without uttering a single extra word.
Moreover, what seemed like his belittling of civil officials was actually a statement of his own attitude.
He was a military general!
He was on the same side as the military officers present.
This also subtly appeased the military officers, preventing them from becoming isolated and resented.
Brilliant! It really proves the saying: it's not that we're afraid of a martial artist with high skill, it's that we're afraid of a martial artist who uses his brain!
Who is Li Si? He is now a staunch supporter of the 'Ying Party'. Without even thinking, he blurted out: "A strong nation is above all else. Anyone who dares to oppose it shall be executed!"
The moment the words fell, the impatient and wicked husband twisted his wrist.
"Pfft~"
A head with wide-open, angry eyes rolled to the ground, and blood gushed from its headless neck.
A single, clean cut, a true work of art.
The hall was completely silent, and the sound of heads rolling off had not yet ceased.
The wicked man sheathed his sword, spat, and said disdainfully, "Do you really think I can't lift a knife and dare not kill you?"
The officials instinctively shuddered, never expecting that the wicked man would actually dare to kill the remonstrating official Zheng Ke right here in the palace, in front of Ying Zheng.
The Imperial Advisor was no ordinary person; how could he just die like that?
"Reform will inevitably be accompanied by bloodshed!" The wicked man turned to Ying Zheng and said loudly, "Your Majesty, heavy policies should be met with heavy penalties in order to ensure that the long-term policy is implemented smoothly."
"The sacrifice was somewhat ruthless; I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Ying Zheng nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "The Commandant of the Guards was indeed too ruthless, but he did a good job killing him, and he killed him brilliantly."
He glanced at the heads lying on the ground and the headless corpses, and said sternly, "All the wise rulers and ministers of my Qin state throughout the ages have devoted their hearts and souls to only two things."
"The mighty Qin!"
"Head east!"
"The benefits of 'equalizing land tax and poll tax' are immeasurable. How dare you obstruct such a powerful Qin dynasty? You deserve to die."
"I believe that those who cannot bear to see Qin become strong are all of two minds. There are quite a few spies and agents from the six states in Xianyang."
This last sentence is quite meaningful, as it deliberately opens a door for the wicked husband.
Everyone present wasn't stupid; anyone could understand what was meant.
For a time, the previous opposition was completely silenced.
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