Cui Wenhao opened his mouth but could not say anything. He became more and more certain that the emperor had been fooled by someone, and that he had been fooled to a great extent.
But this corrupt scholar is too cruel.
The royal family and clan members took one out of a hundred. Wouldn’t the emperor and empress starve to death in the palace?
He was still thinking about it until he walked out of the palace.
He didn't even hear clearly what the emperor and his father said afterwards. He just vaguely heard the emperor say that Cui Luan would temporarily take over the position of prime minister and, with the assistance of Liu Muzhi and others, prepare for the reform.
After returning to Cui Mansion, he finally couldn't help asking Cui Luan, "Sir, this is a corrupt scholar deceiving the emperor. We..."
Before he could finish his words, he saw Cui Luan looking at him with a strange look in his eyes, so he couldn't help but shut up.
Cui Luan then snorted coldly and said with a sneer, "Have you really settled the accounts?"
Cui Wenhao smiled bitterly upon hearing this and said, "Sir, I am one of the Nine Ministers after all, in charge of the equine affairs of the country. How could I not know how to count?"
He counted on his fingers as he spoke, "According to last year's calculation, the annual revenue of the outer court was about 50 million strings of cash. The revenue of the Shaofu was slightly more than that of the outer court, but it's not much to say. So the annual revenue is about 120 million strings of cash, which is not much at least.
If we calculate this way, taking one hundredth, it would be 1.2 million strings of cash, of which 800,000 strings would be used for the expenses of the royal family, leaving less than 400,000 strings of cash in the palace.
The 400,000 strings of cash were not only used to cover palace expenses, but also for palace repairs, ritual sacrifices, and pensions for elderly palace maids.
In addition, the palace also had to bear the cost of orphanages in various parts of the capital, and these expenses amounted to hundreds of millions or even tens of millions of strings of cash every year.
Even if the emperor only extends the ceremonial sacrifices to the outer court, 400,000 strings of cash would still be insufficient."
Cui Luan smiled slightly and said, "Have you forgotten who took over those trade routes that your second uncle secretly controlled?
Also, have you forgotten that the royal family and clan members also have land?
Once the court system is changed, these matters will no longer have anything to do with the outside court."
Cui Wenhao was slightly stunned when he heard this, "But, even these..."
"Don't worry, the emperor has his own plans. Can't you see that the emperor has important things to do and doesn't want to be hindered by anyone?"
Cui Luan patted his shoulder and said, "Don't think about it. Your Majesty has blessed my Cui family with his lineage and saved your reputation from ruin. Just serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly.
Your Majesty will make the rest of the arrangements.
This system is so ingeniously designed; if you carefully consider it, you will understand His Majesty's profound intentions."
"Yes."
Cui Wenhao didn't dare to say anything more, but heard his father sigh again: "Unfortunately, although this system is good, it can't be achieved overnight.
Tomorrow, your father will be ordered to temporarily assume the position of Prime Minister. You should study diligently with Mr. Liu and others, and don't take yourself too seriously as a high-ranking official."
"Yes."
Cui Wenhao nodded seriously.
…
Just as the Cui father and son were talking, the summer rainstorm stopped.
Everyone in the capital felt a little regretful. Apparently, the rain was not enough.
Zhao Xin also felt a little regretful. He looked up at the scorching sun that peeked out again, feeling a little helpless.
"It seems that my rule over this capital is still not strong enough, and the people are still completely subservient to me."
Cao Xiong and Li Cunxiao, who had quietly slipped out of the palace with him, were obviously puzzled as to where His Majesty's emotion came from.
Everyone subconsciously looked up at the sky. Cao Xiong said quickly, "Your Majesty, people often say that eight out of ten things in the world are not as you wish. The fact that it rained is proof that Your Majesty's virtue moved heaven.
Besides, even if it doesn't rain enough today, it can still rain again tomorrow."
"Why call me Your Majesty? Call me Lord. How can you go on an incognito tour if you keep shouting Your Majesty all over the streets like Lao Cao?"
Before Zhao Xin could speak, Li Cunxiao, who was standing beside him, glared at him and said to him in a flattering manner, "Are you right, my lord?"
Zhao Xin glared at him angrily. "Don't give me, no, don't give me such a playful smile. I haven't settled the score with you for leaving the city without permission before. I will let Liang Xiping punish you by military law later."
Li Cunxiao saw that his flattery had hit the horse's legs, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly, but he muttered hesitantly, "I won the fight."
Cao Xiong was laughing secretly beside him.
Li Cunxiao glared at him, but Zhao Xin glared back at him, "Everything will be fine if we win the battle. Who told you that? You are a famous general, but don't you know that military orders are as heavy as mountains?
You can stay here with me, but Liang Xiping will give you a hard time when you come back!"
Li Cunxiao couldn't help but touch his nose embarrassedly when he heard this.
I know I'm in the wrong.
There is no problem for Zhao Xin here, but the key is that he is in the wrong on Liang Xiping's side.
Liang Xiping originally wanted him to lead the others to take over the city defense, but he left the old soldiers of the Weiwei behind and ran out of the city with Liang Xiping's men. He only sent a letter to Liang Xiping when he reached the city gate.
But Liang Xiping was very angry.
If Zhao Xin hadn't been going on a secret tour, would he still be in solitary confinement?
Thinking of Liang Xiping's military law, even Li Cunxiao couldn't help but shrink his head.
Originally, he was the Weiwei and Liang Xiping had no control over him, but Liang Xiping didn't care. In a word, as long as you are in my army, you will be subject to my military law.
Li Cunxiao was too embarrassed to cheat, so he had to accept the punishment.
Fortunately, at this time, Zhao Xin's order arrived, asking him to accompany the emperor.
Liang Xiping then let him go and allowed him to come back and forgive his previous sins.
But the two of them are also strange.
Liang Xiping was so harsh, and although Li Cunxiao complained in his heart, he did not blame Liang Xiping for being unkind at all, but just begged for mercy with a playful smile.
As the three were talking, Zhao Xin was about to ask where the carriages and horses Cao Xiong had prepared were.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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