Chapter 26 Tax Reform
Bitterness flashed through Shen Shurong's heart, so everyone knew what she was thinking, but for the sake of the family, she would only choose the better one.
"Grandma, is Grandpa angry?"
"He can't bear to part with you and wants to keep you for a few more years."
Shen Shurong's flushed little face turned pale in an instant, she wanted to fly to his room now, but her grandfather wanted to keep her?
The princess did not miss the fear in her eyes. She understood the girl's thoughts very well. She chuckled and poked her: "Just kidding. Grandmother has talked about him."
Shen Shurong held her arm and stuck to him, “Grandma teased Yongjia, it’s annoying.”
Xie Yunzhao had a smile on his face all the way back home. He and Rongrong became closer and closer.
In the main hall of the Duke of Lu's mansion, the Duke's wife was admiring a box of oriental pearls. "This was originally meant to be a betrothal gift to Yongjia. It was given to me by the Queen Mother when I gave birth to you two brothers. Now, I'll give it to Li Wan'er."
Xie Yunzheng felt depressed and didn't say anything. He originally wanted to give the betrothal gift to Yongjia.
"Mother has already said that it is for the princess, so of course it is for the princess," Xie Yunzhao strode in and snatched the Dongzhu box, "It will be given to whoever it is decided to be given to. What does it have to do with which son marries her?"
The Duke's wife frowned, wondering why he came back at this time. "Don't make a fuss. Mother is choosing a betrothal gift for your eldest brother. Your wedding is only a month away. There is no time to prepare more!"
She reached out to take it, but Xie Yunzhao held it high, so she couldn't get it. "Be obedient. After all, your sister-in-law is the prince's wife. It would be nice to have this oriental pearl."
"Yongjia is still a princess? How can she, a young lady from a Shangshu Mansion, be more important than a princess?"
The Duke's wife secretly glanced at her eldest son's expression. His marriage was already forced, so couldn't Yun Zhao give in? "Bring it back, mother will prepare something better for Yongjia."
Xie Yunzheng stood up and said, "Mom, give it to the princess." Anyway, his heart had already been given to Yongjia. What difference did it make whether Dongzhu was given to Li Wan'er or not? As long as he could make Yongjia happy, he was willing to do so.
Xie Yunzhao held the hand tightly and refused to let go. When he saw Xie Yunzheng walking out, he rolled his eyes. It originally belonged to Rongrong, so why was he pretending to be so generous?
"Mom, you are biased."
The Duke's wife wanted to hit her, and she was not pleasing both sides. It was all her fault. "I'll give it to you, but Li Wan'er is the Crown Prince's wife after all. If the betrothal gift is too low, it won't look good."
Xie Yunzhao handed the box to Qingzhu and sat down with his mother. "How about the Crown Prince's wife? To be honest, the princess is a royal relative. My father has to bow in front of her."
If you... don't want to sit anymore, what are you sitting for?
"When she gets married, your father and I will serve her tea?"
Xie Yunzhao explained with a smile, "That's not necessary. After all, she married me and is your daughter-in-law, but you can't stop treating her as a princess just because she is my daughter-in-law."
The Duke's wife was so angry that her face turned green. She had raised her son in vain. "Go back to your yard now. Don't bother me unless I tell you to."
If she hadn't kept stopping him, the Duke would have changed their brothers' birthdays long ago, and after that, she was the one who cared about Yun Zhao the most.
Xie Yunzhao was pushed back a step, "Mom, if you have any good things, remember to give them to the princess. I'm leaving now."
The Duke's wife covered her chest with her hands and picked up the teacup to throw it.
Xie Yunzhao jumped up and ran out.
"Qingzhu, this Dongzhu, plus the betrothal gift list."
"Yes, sir."
On the second day, Xie Yunzhao and Lu Ziqian drew up an invitation list for the polo match. One was the second son of the Duke's Mansion, and the other was the third son of the Chief Censor's family. However, they did not dare to invite them in their own name, fearing that no one would come, so they invited them in the name of the Duke of Lu's Mansion.
Before the ceremony began, Xie Yunzhao was called to the meeting hall by the guards of Duke Lu, and he only had time to remind them not to invite anyone from the palace.
The room was discussing the prince's military tax, "This matter is most beneficial to us, we should support the prince."
Xie Yunzhao sat in a chair and listened, his brows furrowed more deeply the more he listened.
"Serving in the military is an honor for a family, or even a clan, and it really should no longer be tax-exempt."
"That's right. The treasury is empty now and floods are coming. Silver is needed right now. If we can raise taxes on the soldiers' families, it will surely help alleviate the problem."
"Haha!" Xie Yunzhao sneered. This group of people have forgotten how their ancestors climbed up. Weren't they all soldiers before?
Now that he is in a high position, he no longer has to care about the life and death of the lower class. His son is fighting outside and cannot be at home to fulfill his filial duties, and he still has to collect taxes from his parents.
It's glorious to die in battle someday?
It's such an honor, why don't you send your son to fight on the front line?
Xie Yunzhao was feeling ashamed. The room fell silent and everyone was looking at him.
Xie Yunzhao reacted, raised his eyes, and said sarcastically: "Why are you looking at me? Why can't you laugh?"
"Second Master, we thought you had something to say."
Xie Yunzhao stood up slightly, then leaned back, "I'd better not say anything."
"Second Young Master, please tell us about the recent plans for the Treasury so that we can have an idea of what's going on."
Xie Yunzhao raised his eyebrows. Want to get involved?
"We are still in the initial stage of rectification. There has been no progress and no plans. The princess said that we should take it slow and steady."
Everyone nodded. Indeed, "Second Young Master, the military tax we just mentioned must have a name. Now that the treasury has been reorganized, it is ready to go, so..."
Xie Yunzhao raised his hand to interrupt. It turned out that this was the purpose of looking for him. "Put away your little thoughts. The treasury is for making money, not for deducting soldiers."
Deputy General Pei smiled and said, "Whoever dares to deduct the soldiers will no longer be exempted from tax at home."
Seeing that his son had no reaction, Duke Lu also advised, "Don't worry, the extra taxes will be shared with the treasury. Dad will talk to the prince."
"Yes, the treasury needs it too."
Xie Yunzheng stared at Xie Yunzhao. Although he didn't want him to have contact with the princess, he had entered the treasury after all, and he was... the eldest princess's granddaughter's son-in-law. It wouldn't be a big problem if he went to talk to him.
Xie Yunzhao was unmoved. He thought that these people might be crazy. They were willing to give up their lives for the sake of money.
If it really works, the impact will not be significant in the short term, but if no soldiers are recruited in the long term, there will be complaints in the military camp and the morale of the troops will be low.
What a stupid move the prince came up with. Even if he dared to think of it, there are people who dared to do it!
"Why are you looking at me? I'm a junior director of the treasury, not the boss of the treasury."
"Son, go and test the waters first. Leave the rest to your father."
Xie Yunzhao held his forehead helplessly. Does his father think he is stupid?
"Okay, as the director of the treasury, I don't agree with your military tax, so please find another way!"
"How can the Second Young Master decide this alone?"
"That's right. The princess and the county lady may not disagree. Then the second young master will have made a great contribution to the treasury."
"This is the purpose of the marriage between the Duke's Mansion and the Princess's Mansion."
Xie Yunzhao put away his carelessness. He knew they would not give up easily, but who were they talking about marriage?
"I can ask, but I have to be sincere. How much will be divided, who will divide it, how much can be divided, who will be held responsible if the army riots, you have to give me a charter first."
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