Chapter 2698 Zhu Feng's "Reverse Scale"
Zhu Feng was talking about these things with a heavy heart. He was silent for a long time. He felt that the people around him were also silent. He turned to look at her, but met her bright eyes.
He laughed and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Nan Yan said, "I never thought that the emperor knew all this."
Zhu Feng burst out laughing: "Is this human language?"
“…”
"Before I ascended the throne, I was the Prince of Yan. As the Prince of Yan, I'm not just responsible for leading troops to fight wars. I'm in charge of the people's livelihood in Beiping Prefecture. How could I not know that?"
“…”
"Even if we win a war, it's only a superficial victory. The real price is behind the war."
Nan Yan looked at him for a moment and said softly, "But many times, court officials really don't know."
"Um?"
Zhu Feng looked at her: "What did you say?"
Nan Yan said softly, "It's not just the war. The loss of strong laborers has left the common people struggling to survive. The land has been handed over to powerful gentry as tenant farmers. In some places, officials are exacting heavy taxes and levies, and the food the common people earn from cultivating a few acres of land is not enough to feed them. How can they even support themselves?"
“…”
"These people can only sell themselves as tenants."
Zhu Feng frowned.
He was born a military general, so when he considered things, or rather, he focused on what he could see. Although he made several tours after ascending the throne to understand the people's sentiments, most of his thoughts were related to military and political affairs.
He actually missed checking this.
Zhu Feng asked, "Really?"
Nan Yan said: "Of course it is true. How dare I deceive you?"
"How do you know?"
"I followed the emperor to Yongzhou earlier and saw some of the situation, but at that time, the emperor's attention was focused on Prince Jing, and I was just a female official in the imperial court, so I couldn't comment on state affairs."
“…”
"Later, the King of Wei became the Prefect of Jingzhao. Sometimes he would come to dine with me and talk about these things."
Zhu Feng frowned: "Why didn't he tell me himself?"
Nan Yan glanced at him and lowered her head.
"Um?"
Zhu Feng looked at her: "What's wrong? You've even said this, what else is there to hide?"
Nan Yan hesitated for a moment and said softly, "Your Majesty, if I tell you, please don't blame me."
Zhu Feng said solemnly, "I'll pardon you."
Nan Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "When the Emperor first ascended the throne, he was concerned about some of Emperor Gao's land policies, and, and—"
At this point, she stuttered for a long time before finally speaking in a voice as thin as a mosquito's murmur, "Emperor Wen's reforms have all been abolished."
Zhu Feng frowned.
Nan Yan immediately said, "Of course, some of the policies of Emperor Gao and... Emperor Wen did harm the people's livelihood. The Emperor made changes for the sake of the people."
“…”
"However, among the ten policies, there are at least one or two that are still beneficial to the people."
As she spoke, she carefully glanced at Zhu Feng's expression and said softly, "For example, the two items that King Wei mentioned this time were definitely not for himself."
“…”
"It's just that it benefits both the country and the people."
Zhu Feng said coldly: "Yes, his policies benefit the country and the people."
“…”
"It is I who have misled the people of this country."
When Nan Yan heard this, she was so frightened that she quickly stood up, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention."
Although Zhu Feng was already feeling a little angry, he couldn't get angry when he saw her like this. He just snorted and said, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Nan Yan then stood up and looked at him cautiously again.
Although she followed Zhu Feng to read books and study academics these days, and the two discussed state affairs and current affairs, Zhu Feng didn't mind her talking too much sometimes, but this time, she obviously touched his sore spot.
Of course, all emperors have their weaknesses.
For Zhu Feng, the most blameworthy thing in his life was probably the Jingnan Campaign, in which he launched an army to seize the throne from his sons and nephews. Although he worked diligently after ascending the throne, there was a hurdle in his heart that was not so easy to overcome.
Just like Emperor Gao’s attitude towards him back then.
This is probably the reason for his nightmare for half his life.
In addition, restoring the national policy during Emperor Wen's reign would be extremely detrimental to his current public opinion. Once this was done, some people with ulterior motives would make a big fuss about it. After all, Zhu Feng had only been on the throne for a short time, and there might be some people who were still attached to their old master and were waiting to find fault with him.
Once the momentum is created and people's hearts are in chaos, the court's rule will be in danger.
Seeing that Zhu Feng was rarely angry, Nan Yan didn't dare to say anything more.
Zhu Feng was silent for a while, then picked up the cup to drink tea. He felt that the room was too quiet. He turned around to look at his concubine who was so well-behaved. She was sitting there with her hands on her knees.
He said, "Why aren't you talking?"
Nan Yan said, "I, my concubine, dare not make irresponsible remarks on state affairs."
Zhu Feng was so angry that he almost laughed. He said, "You still don't dare to make irresponsible comments. You think there are too few opportunities for irresponsible comments."
Nan Yan closed her mouth and buried her head in her chest.
"Come on, stop acting so pitiful. If people see you, they'll think I've bullied you."
He looked down at the cup in his hand. The tea was almost gone, with only some tea leaves left. He said, "Go, pour me some water."
Nan Yan hurriedly stood up, obediently added some hot water to his cup, and then carefully handed the cup to him.
Zhu Feng took it and drank a few sips dejectedly.
Just when Nan Yan thought he was still angry, she heard Zhu Feng say, "Let me think about this matter again."
“……!”
Upon hearing this, Nan Yan's eyes lit up.
He quickly turned to look at Zhu Feng, only to see him with a sullen face again. He said coldly, "I can't leave behind the name of 'tyrant' and the name of 'incompetent ruler'."
When Nan Yan heard this, a smile suddenly appeared on her face.
Generally speaking, if Zhu Feng says he will "think about it again", a decision is basically passed.
All he had to think about was how to convince himself.
Nan Yan immediately stood up and walked over to him with a smile, pinching his shoulders and rubbing his back, saying flatteringly, "Your Majesty is a wise and holy ruler. If anyone dares to say that your Majesty is a tyrant or a fool, I will be the first to fight him to the death!"
"snort!"
Zhu Feng snorted coldly and ignored her, just letting the two fists pound his back, which felt quite comfortable. So he squinted his eyes, took the cup and sipped the tea slowly, which was quite enjoyable.
Just as he was enjoying himself, Xiao Shunzi's voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty."
Zhu Feng opened his eyes: "What's the matter?"
"News has been sent back from White Dragon City."
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