Yang Cheng did not have a good impression of Zhang Xuansu, the emperor's father-in-law.
This guy not only attributed his achievements to the emperor, but he also kept babbling on and on, which made Yang Cheng quite impatient.
"Who is this Zhang Xuansu? Just because he is the emperor's father-in-law, he can be entrusted with the care of the young emperor?"
Yang Cheng transmitted his question to Grand Tutor Cai.
Grand Tutor Cai felt Yang Cheng's voice ringing in his ears. He was startled at first, then lowered his voice and said, "Zhang Xuansu is just a merchant who hangs around in the capital."
His daughter married the late emperor in the hope of turning her life around, but she was not actually favored. Although she gave birth to a prince, everyone thought that the future crown prince Zhou Ce would definitely succeed to the throne.
It wasn't until Zhou Ce rebelled and His Majesty ascended the throne that this guy got cocky.
When His Majesty insisted on adding this position, both the old prince and I opposed it.
But His Majesty and the Empress Dowager insisted on this, and even started throwing a tantrum, so I couldn't do anything about it.
The reason why Grand Tutor Cai was most dissatisfied with the current emperor was actually because of this matter.
The phrase "entrusted with the care of the young emperor" signifies the late emperor's recognition of them and their importance.
Yang Cheng goes without saying; he is the Grand Commander of the Zhenwu Hall. Three years ago, he turned the tide and saved the late emperor and the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
Although Dugu Cheng was suspected of harboring bandits to enhance his own power, the prestige of his Wuwei Army was undeniable, suppressing the thirty-six major bandits and making him a savior of the Great Zhou.
King Zhao, Zhou Deyuan, was qualified, capable, and of good character, highly respected.
Although Grand Tutor Cai was condemned by most as a treacherous minister, at most he was merely a bit greedy, a bit obsequious, somewhat lacking in principle, somewhat corrupt, and somewhat...
But in any case, Grand Tutor Cai was capable. Having served three emperors, what major or minor matter in the country hadn't he worried about? He was certainly better than Zhang Xiren, who ultimately rebelled, wasn't he?
Zhang Xuansu is just an opportunistic businessman who rose to power through his daughter. Why should he be on equal footing with them?
However, despite his dissatisfaction, Grand Tutor Cai was shrewd and never showed it on his face.
Yang Cheng finally endured until the boring banquet ended before saying, "Your Majesty, I said before we wiped out the White Lotus Sect that the court's taxes should be changed."
The Wuwei Army received 30% of the imperial taxes but merely stayed in the Central Plains, offering no help whatsoever in suppressing the rebellion.
This time, the White Lotus Sect was wiped out thanks to the combined efforts of our Zhenwu Hall, which must have gathered several thousand elite troops, along with the assistance of General Yuwen Du of the Northern Army.
It makes no sense that those who actually do the work don't receive military funding, while those who hold positions without doing any work squander large sums of money.
Everyone present immediately tensed up, realizing that the real action was about to begin.
The conflict between Yang Cheng and Dugu Cheng is the same as the conflict between Zhenwu Hall and Wuwei Army.
Previously, when Dugu Cheng faced the White Lotus Sect, he deliberately did not send troops, which greatly angered the Great Zhou.
Now that Yang Cheng's side has wiped out the White Lotus Sect with the strength of the Zhenwu Hall alone, it has proven the strength of the Zhenwu Hall, and this matter really needs to be addressed.
In fact, Yang Cheng didn't want these military funds for himself.
Over the past three years, Yin Wuxie and his companions have worked hard to develop Zhenwu Hall, and they have actually lived a very frugal life.
Zhenwu Hall is not an army, so it does not receive military funding.
All of Zhenwu Hall's finances come from the Imperial Palace.
Zhou Heng was very generous and did not mistreat Zhenwu Hall.
However, with the Zhenwu Hall spreading throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, the funds available in the capital were becoming insufficient.
The Black-Clad Guards of the Zhenwu Hall in the capital city lived relatively well, but the Zhenwu Hall branches scattered throughout the Great Zhou were rather poor.
Therefore, Yang Cheng also wanted to help Zhenwu Hall regain what it was rightfully theirs.
Emperor Zhou Yuan hesitated for a moment when Yang Cheng suddenly asked him this question.
He didn't know what to do about this.
In Zhou Yuan's heart, Dugu Cheng held a more important place than Yang Cheng.
Because Yang Cheng has been in seclusion for the past three years, while Dugu Cheng has become famous throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty.
During his three years as crown prince, he heard nothing but stories about General Dugu Cheng, so naturally he held Dugu Cheng in higher regard.
Zhou Deyuan said in a deep voice, "Grand Commander, rest assured, the court will fulfill its promise to you when you wiped out the White Lotus Sect."
However, the Wuwei Army has as many as 300,000 men, and is the only elite force of our Great Zhou in the heart of the Central Plains.
If it weren't for their suppression, those thirty-six bandits might have caused trouble again.
Therefore, the military expenses of the Wuwei Army cannot be entirely transferred to your Zhenwu Hall.
Previously, the imperial court allocated 30% of its tax revenue to the Wuwei Army. Now, 10% of the Wuwei Army's military expenses will be allocated to the Zhenwu Hall, and the imperial court will further allocate another 10% of its tax revenue to the Zhenwu Hall, totaling 20%. What do you think, Grand Commander?
Zhou Deyuan's handling of the situation was the most prudent and calm.
Previously, the Wuwei Army had taken 30% of the tax revenue as military expenses, which was really too extravagant.
But at that time, the imperial court had to rely on the Wuwei Army and Dugu City for everything, so there was no other way but to reward the Wuwei Army handsomely.
However, Dugu Cheng went too far in the White Lotus Sect incident this time, and with Yang Cheng in power, this achievement can be seen as a warning to Dugu Cheng not to go too far.
Moreover, a reduction of only 10% in military spending will not have a significant impact on the Wuwei Army.
At the same time, Zhou Deyuan also knew that war was raging all over the country and the Great Zhou Dynasty was already on the verge of collapse.
At times like these, military force is the most important thing. It's not just about allocating 50% of taxes to military spending; more is possible in the future.
Yang Cheng's Zhenwu Hall has already demonstrated its strength and potential, so it is normal for it to receive the same military funding as the Wuwei Army.
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