Chapter 105 The Emperor Stops Court
When the emperor opened the thick memorial, he was first attracted by the words.
"He has a beautiful handwriting. It can be seen that he has practiced since he was a child." The emperor could not help but praise.
He didn't know that the regular script used to write memorials to him was not Zhang Heyao's best.
But it is also amazing enough.
Zhang Heyao does everything to perfection.
After the emperor read the contents of his letter, he was gradually attracted.
The data is detailed, the logic is rigorous, and the reasoning is well-founded, and the author puts forward his own suggestions based on the current situation.
It clearly states how much the annual tax revenue will be reduced by cutting the head tax and how much impact it will have on the current court finances.
It even includes scenario assumptions, such as how much impact may be expected in the event of major expenditures such as disaster relief and military deployment.
Then, Zhang Heyao also suggested to the emperor that if the head tax was abolished, other taxes should be increased.
For example, the canal customs collects ship tax (according to the size of the ship) and cargo tax (according to the type of cargo) according to the "Canal Tax Regulations". The tax burden is very low now and the tax revenue is not much, but the merchants earn a lot of silver and money.
Especially around the Jiangnan Grand Canal, the area was prosperous and wealthy, with the number of wealthy businessmen increasing year by year and making huge profits.
Zhang Heyao believed that it was not a good thing for merchants to have too much money in their hands. It would be better to take this opportunity to let them bleed and make some contributions, so that they would not become arrogant and the world would not be favored over agriculture.
According to Zhang Heyao's calculations, if the head tax and tariffs increase and decrease, the final result will be that there will be more silver in the national treasury.
"Good, good, good." The emperor was very excited. "Although I didn't get angry with him for abandoning his mother because of the face of the King of Zhenbei, it seems that Zhang Heyao is indeed something."
Putting him in the Ministry of Revenue was a correct decision.
The Emperor said, "This person can be left to the Crown Prince. However, his character does have some flaws..."
The emperor wrote all this down and asked Teng Wenfu to put it in a box.
There is already a thick pile of "comments" in the box.
That was the emperor's concern for the country and his deep fatherly love for the prince.
The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "We will discuss this matter tomorrow during the court session. I hope that within my lifetime, I can help Qi Niang achieve her wish."
Give to the poor and do another good deed.
He doesn't seek immortality, but at least he has a clear conscience.
He tried his best.
Speaking of Lu Qiniang, the emperor added, "Teng Wenfu, give Lu Qiniang another will. When Xiao Yan returns to the court, she won't have to wait any longer. The imperial edict will be issued immediately."
Teng Wenfu knelt down and said, "This old servant thanks the Lord for His great grace on behalf of my abandoned mother."
"Get up. It looks like I've bribed you too." The emperor said with a smile, "I don't know if Xiao Yan will change her mind in the future, but I can only help her so far."
I hope that the imperial edict can bring some protection to Lu Qiniang, so that she can have no worries about food and clothing in her life.
Teng Wenfu thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so nosy. If Xiao Yan really changes his mind in the future, then this imperial edict will be a bondage to Lu Qiniang."
Zhang Heyao changed his heart, and Lu Qiniang left so coolly, without any hesitation, and directly plunged into a new life.
When it comes to dealing with men who have changed their minds, Teng Wenfu doesn't think Lu Qiniang will treat them differently.
No matter who it is, if he doesn't want her, she won't want him either and will never pester him.
"You're right. Qi Niang is also very proud!" The emperor laughed, "Then let's add another one and let her divorce freely."
"I guess Xiao Yan won't be able to sleep."
"Then I won't care." The emperor laughed, "There are too many things I'm reluctant to give up, but I really can't care, ahem—"
After laughing, the emperor rubbed his tight chest and continued reading the memorials.
"Is the Governor of Liangzhe crazy? He only reported last month's incident this month. If I can only wait for his news, it will be too late."
"How could a small country like Nanyue have three emperors in just two years? I can hardly remember their names."
"Governor of Shanxi, I've already told you there's no need to submit a memorial of respect. He submits three a month."
"The Dengzhou Commander only wants money. Does he think I'm a cash cow?"
The more the emperor looked at it, the more upset he felt.
Every time he read the memorials, he suspected that he was governing the country with a group of pigs.
To think that this group of pigs has not brought down the imperial court is truly a blessing from our ancestors.
The emperor felt even more uncomfortable when he thought that even in the underworld he would have to protect these pigs and help the prince maintain stability.
Compared with them, Zhang Heyao stands out like a crane among a flock of pigs.
Just as the medicine was being brought in, the emperor put down the letter, took out the spoon from the medicine bowl, placed it on the serving tray, and drank the medicine in one gulp.
If you take too many medicines, you will know that you should drink all the medicines directly before your taste buds react, otherwise the taste buds will cause strong protests from your body.
"Your Majesty, candied fruit—"
"Where's the Qingtuan?"
"Qingtuan Qi's mother said that you should eat it tomorrow because it's hard to digest..."
"I don't know if there will be a tomorrow yet! Bring it to me."
After hearing this, Teng Wenfu felt a little uncomfortable, but he didn't dare to show it, so he presented the green rice dumpling.
The emperor ate half of it.
——Even if this green dumpling carries different emotions, he can’t eat more.
"Teng Wenfu, I'm a little sleepy."
"I'll wait for you to rest."
Unlike usual, the emperor stopped tossing and turning and actually fell asleep very quickly.
Teng Wenfu's heart was in turmoil, and his eyes were fixed on the bulging figure inside through the yellow curtain.
Only when he saw the figure moving slightly up and down could he breathe a sigh of relief.
Otherwise, he would feel that the Emperor...
Later, he stared for a long time until his eyes became blurry and he seemed unable to see the movements of his body.
I really want to——
He really wanted to reach out and feel the emperor's breath, but he didn't dare.
Teng Wenfu wanted to call his apprentice in to help, but he was afraid of disturbing the emperor.
After all, the emperor hasn't slept so deeply for a long, long time.
The next morning, Teng Wenfu called the emperor to court.
The emperor, who always gets up earlier than the rooster without being called, actually stayed in bed.
The emperor said drowsily, "I will suspend court today. I want to sleep."
Teng Wenfu was shocked.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Since ascending the throne, the emperor has been working diligently. Every time he adjourns court, he has other arrangements and will notify in advance.
The late emperor and the emperors before him held court once every three days.
When it came to the emperor, it was changed to once a day, with one day off every ten days.
Even with such a high frequency, the emperor never took a temporary leave.
This is the first time.
Moreover, the emperor clearly said yesterday that today we would discuss such an important matter as abolishing the head tax.
Teng Wenfu was filled with grief.
I’m afraid the emperor’s health is failing.
He was in a heavy mood, but he did not show it at all when he left the emperor's bedroom. He was still the same as before and went out to announce that the emperor had adjourned the court session.
When the ministers below heard the news, their expressions changed and almost all of them turned their eyes to Teng Wenfu, trying to find some clues and hints from his face.
But nothing was found.
The court officials each had their own thoughts.
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