Every emperor is a master actor, possessing remarkable skill in both performance and emotion.
He set the birthday banquet on fire, making all the officials practically weeping so hard they were about to wring out their handkerchiefs.
At the birthday party, there was some bonding time, and then the main event began.
The Emperor met with each of his relatives individually, once again expressing his deep affection for them.
Then Zhao Minggeng took over and escorted everyone back to their residences.
Then Zhao Minggeng came to deliver snacks, followed by persuasion and education for the clan members.
“Your Highness Rong, our Divine Dragon Kingdom may appear to be at peace, but we are actually quite poor right now.”
Putting aside everything else, the amount of farmland is decreasing year by year. If this continues, the people will eventually rise up in rebellion.
If there are internal problems, there will naturally be external troubles.
Your Highness, as a member of the royal family, you are currently the most senior member of the entire Emperor's family.
"These things have been on my mind for a long time, so I'm telling you about them."
Although Prince Rong is over sixty, he is just old, not stupid. After all, he is a survivor of the struggle for the throne back then.
"What do you mean by that, Lord Zhao?"
Zhao Minggeng continued his performance.
"Since the founding of the Divine Dragon Kingdom, the amount of farmland has been reduced by more than half."
Without land and without tax revenue, the national treasury was running a deficit.
If war breaks out and we can't afford enough military spending, then there could be widespread bloodshed and devastation...
He went on and on, and then Prince Rong slammed his hand on the table.
"Nonsense! My Divine Dragon Kingdom has not been annexed by other countries, so how could its land area be decreasing?"
Don't think I'm stupid and talking nonsense.
Zhao Minggeng quickly bowed.
"Your Highness may not know this, but at the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, Emperor Gaozu bestowed countless fiefdoms upon his subjects, none of which were subject to taxes."
These fields already account for three or four tenths of the country's total farmland.
Officials who entered officialdom through the imperial examinations were entitled to tax-exempt land. They could then occupy one-tenth or one-twelfth of the land.
In the countryside, there were also gentry families who secretly owned land, and in the end, it was the common people who suffered all of this.
If people work hard but don't get enough to eat, they will naturally rise up in rebellion sooner or later.
What do you think, Your Highness?
Prince Rong wasn't stupid; he finally understood.
His imperial nephew hadn't summoned them back to the capital for years, so why did he suddenly call them all back?
He sneered, "You've got a handsome face, but a wicked heart. What exactly do you want, all this charade?"
Zhao Minggeng wasn't embarrassed at all. "Your Highness is wise. Then I will speak frankly..."
After hearing the imperial court's plan to reclaim the fiefdoms of the vassal kings, Prince Rong's eyes sharpened considerably.
"Do you know that this fief was given to me when the late emperor was alive? Now that he wants to take it back, how will I support my family?"
Are you expecting us to just drink the wind?
Zhao Minggeng, taking the initiative, poured a cup of tea for Prince Rong.
"Your Highness, let's not even talk about how wealthy you are or how many properties and shops you own."
Whether or not you receive the tax revenue from your fiefdom, you can still live a very comfortable life.
Even if our Emperor takes back the fiefdoms, he will not treat you all unfairly.
Let's start with the young masters of your household. After entering the Imperial Academy, you young masters will have the opportunity to take the imperial examinations and become officials.
In addition, our Emperor plans to open a Golden Road.
We plan to start from our northwest and head west to develop trade routes.
And we, the royal family members, can all occupy a place.
Under the governance of local officials, the Northwest region has expanded by hundreds of thousands of acres. The roads leading to the Western Regions are becoming increasingly easier to travel.
What were once worries are no longer a concern.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com