However, it's none of their business; what they want is the hearts and minds of the people who have left the court.
"The emperor has issued an edict?"
"Yes, let's just do what we're supposed to do and not cause trouble for the bandit army of Mang Kingdom."
"His Majesty is truly... muddle-headed!"
After the imperial edict was issued, the entire capital was plunged into a strange atmosphere. Some people gritted their teeth, some cursed the Mang Kingdom, and some silently shed tears.
However, Fang Zhiyi was, after all, the emperor of the Li Dynasty. They could resist the army of the Mang Kingdom, so they had to give Fang Zhiyi some face.
What happened next weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
Accompanied by Teng Shuchang, Fang Zhiyi announced that they would jointly rule with the Mang Kingdom in the future.
Anyone with eyes could see that this was a trick by the Mang Kingdom; they just wanted Fang Zhiyi to be a puppet emperor, but Fang Zhiyi seemed completely unconcerned.
Soon a new court was reorganized, which included both former officials and newly promoted new faces. However, everyone was cautious, knowing that the situation was delicate and that the emperor had become a puppet controlled by others. If they made a mistake, what good would it do them?
There was only one exception: Xie Wanyuan. Because of his uprightness and integrity, Xie Wanyuan offended the emperor and was dismissed before Fang Zhiyi became emperor. Because of his excellent reputation, Teng Shuchang sent someone to find him and bring him back to the court. They knew that such a person could better stabilize the people's hearts.
Faced with Fang Zhiyi's demand for taxation, Xie Wanyuan stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, who is this tax levied on?"
Fang Zhiyi sat casually, without any seriousness: "It's requisitioned for military expenses, is there even a need to ask?"
"Then may I ask Your Majesty, whose army is it to be given to?"
Fang Zhiyi picked at his ear: "Of course it's the army of my Great General Teng."
Teng Shuchang glanced at Fang Zhiyi and nodded approvingly.
"Your Majesty, why must we, the common people of Lichao, pay taxes to the army of the Mang Kingdom?"
Xie Wanyuan's voice was neither humble nor arrogant, but it revealed a stubbornness.
Teng Shuchang's expression darkened.
Fang Zhiyi looked at Xie Wanyuan: "Because... someone's coming!"
Two soldiers walked in, glanced at Teng Shuchang first, and when Teng Shuchang nodded, they bowed to Fang Zhiyi.
"Drag them out! You've been drinking fake alcohol all day! I told you to find ways to collect taxes, not to come here and ask me all sorts of questions."
Two soldiers lifted Xie Wanyuan up, but his mouth still wouldn't stop: "Your Majesty! The people may pay taxes to the imperial court, but not to the rebel army..."
"You fucking..." Fang Zhiyi jumped up and searched the table for something. Finally, she grabbed the jade seal and was about to throw it when Teng Shuchang, who was sitting next to her, was quick-witted and stopped her: "Absolutely not, absolutely not!"
"What kind of garbage is this! It has no sense of right and wrong at all," Fang Zhiyi cursed.
Teng Shuchang found it somewhat amusing, and the anger that Xie Wanyuan had ignited in him had subsided considerably: "Lord Xie is straightforward, which I admire. He's just having a moment of confusion, Your Majesty, please don't take it to heart."
Fang Zhiyi suddenly turned to look at him and said, "I have a question for you."
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