Chapter 2697 Emperor Wen’s Policy
In the next few days, the most important thing was the discussion between Chen Zixiao and Song Zhiwen.
Since Zhu Feng said that he would leave the matter to Chen Zixiao to handle, he would not be present from beginning to end. However, after the negotiations were over every day, Chen Zixiao would still come to report the situation and progress of the negotiations to him one by one.
And every time, Nan Yan stayed by his side, listening quietly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of negotiations.
After listening to Chen Zixiao's report, Zhu Feng asked him to leave, then he took the teacup and drank slowly for a while. Nan Yan sat aside and said softly, "What does the emperor think?"
Zhu Feng was silent for a moment, then said, "Basically, the conditions they offer are acceptable to us."
Nan Yan smiled and said, "Actually, this is fine."
“…”
"White Dragon City originally had to provide its own defenses with its own money and manpower. Now, having their people serve in the military every year in exchange for food supplies from the imperial court, and opening up trade routes, this is a good thing for both sides."
“…”
"However, in this case, the money and materials allocated by the court to Handongwei will have to be doubled."
Zhu Feng said, "Originally, Sichuan and Shaanxi were responsible for allocating supplies to Handongwei. Of course, the bulk of the money came from Shaanxi. Now, it's natural for Sichuan to contribute more."
Having said that, Zhu Feng took a deep breath.
He said, "Shu was once very prosperous, but the constant wars have had a significant impact on it."
“…”
"So now, my hope is that the country can be stabilized and that there will be no war if possible. Of course, we should also thank Yan Ye for the current situation. It was he who stabilized the country of Neng, so that the people can rest and recuperate."
“…”
"If this situation continues, and Shu can return to its former state, the imperial court's tax revenue will increase by at least 20%."
“…”
"The money and food here are no longer a problem."
Nan Yan asked, "So, that's why the Emperor sent Liu Yueze over there?"
Zhu Feng said: "He is a scholar. In this situation, it is the scholars who will make Shu better."
Nan Yan felt that his tone seemed to have a different meaning. She turned her head to look at him, only to see that his brows were slightly furrowed and his eyes were deep, as if he was worried about something.
Nan Yan thought for a moment and then said softly, "That night, the Emperor mentioned that something seemed to be going on with the Prince of Wei. What was it?"
“…”
"Can you tell me about it?"
“…”
Speaking of this, Zhu Feng frowned again.
Nan Yan immediately realized that she had asked the right question.
She whispered, "Your Majesty?"
Zhu Feng didn't answer her immediately. Instead, he was silent for a moment, put the teacup back on the table, and said solemnly, "He requested an imperial decree to reduce the land tax in Jiangnan."
“…”
"Also, I hope the imperial court will make the gentry in Jiangnan give up their land and distribute it to the peasants for cultivation."
Nan Yan blinked and said, "This can be considered a good thing."
"Good news?"
Zhu Feng said coldly, "If the land tax is reduced, where will the court's income come from?"
“…”
"Are the gentry so easy to persuade when asked to divide up their land?"
Nan Yan said softly, "However, if the emperor's previous plans, including his current plan to conquer the Western Regions, are successful, then the court's annual income, especially the income from business, should be able to make up for this part."
“…”
"Besides, the relocation of the capital and the construction of the palace and city did increase taxes quite a bit. Now that things have finally stabilized over the past two years, it's time to let the people of Jiangnan rest and recuperate."
Zhu Feng still didn't speak.
Nan Yan couldn't help but feel a little confused.
You know, although Zhu Feng came from a military background and was a bit stubborn, he was not stubborn to the point of being unchanging. Most of the time, he was still able to listen to other people's advice, especially when it came to strategies for national economy and people's livelihood, he was always very willing to accept other people's opinions.
But this time, he seemed reluctant.
Nan Yan tilted her head, looked at him for a long moment, and whispered, "Your Majesty? Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Zhu Feng's expression even turned a little gloomy.
After a long pause, he said, "Do you know who proposed the two policies of reducing land taxes and allowing the gentry to give their land to the peasants for cultivation?"
Nan Yan was even more confused.
"Isn't he the King of Wei?"
Zhu Feng snorted coldly and said, "King Wei? Before him, someone wanted to execute him."
“…”
Nan Yan thought about it again, and her heart suddenly sank.
She suddenly understood why Zhu Feng was unwilling to implement these two policies that were obviously beneficial to the national economy and people's livelihood.
Because these two policies were implemented during the reign of Emperor Wen.
No wonder Zhu Feng has this attitude.
You have to know that he launched the Jingnan Campaign to seize the country from Emperor Wen. Before Zhu Feng ascended the throne, he also issued a manifesto enumerating the various faults of Emperor Wen. Now, if he wants to restore the policies during his reign, it would be tantamount to slapping himself in the face.
The emperor's dignity would be completely destroyed.
Not to mention, once the emperor's dignity is wiped out and Emperor Wen's policies are restored, it will have a great impact on public sentiment.
Nan Yan even knew that when Zhu Feng ascended the throne, he retained some officials from Emperor Wen's reign.
This will only encourage some people who already miss their old masters, and even some opposition forces among the people.
She thought for a moment and stopped talking. She only looked at the teacup beside Zhu Feng. The tea was almost empty, so she went over to refill it with hot water and said softly, "The weather is getting colder now. Your Majesty, please have some more hot tea."
“…”
Zhu Feng glanced at her.
Normally, when encountering such a thing, Nan Yan would try her best to persuade him, but today, when she heard about this, she was speechless.
Instead, Zhu Feng felt a little uncomfortable.
However, he still picked up the teacup and took a few sips. The warm tea made him feel a little better.
Then she heard Nan Yan sitting back in her chair and said with a smile, "In fact, I always thought that the emperor liked to fight."
Zhu Feng glanced at her, snorted coldly, and said, "Do you think I'm a warmonger?"
“…”
"I can fight, but I don't like fighting."
“…”
"In every war, soldiers are inevitably killed. The loss of a soldier is like the loss of a strong laborer in a family. The remaining elderly, weak, women, and children are left with no one to support them, which is a loss. The resulting wasteland is also a loss. The elderly, weak, women, and children, unable to support themselves, sell the land to the powerful gentry and become tenants, enriching the powerful gentry but impoverishing the court and the country, which is an even greater loss."
“…”
"Can't we just ignore this series of accounts?"
Nan Yan looked at Zhu Feng quietly, her eyes flickering slightly.
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?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com