However, Wei Zhongxian also knew that the emperor did this not for the Marquis of Xining.
To put it bluntly, the emperor was killing the chicken to scare the monkey. The Marquis of Xining was the chicken, and the other nobles and relatives of the emperor were the monkey. The purpose was to make them pay the land tax.
There was a lot of commotion outside now, and it was impossible for Wei Zhongxian not to know about it.
Yesterday, the Duke of England came to the palace and asked to pay the estate tax. It is said that the emperor did not agree and had a quarrel with the Duke of England over this.
The details of the quarrel have also been circulated: The Duke of England felt that Your Majesty was betraying his subjects, while Your Majesty felt that the ancestral rules could not be changed and that he could not compete with the people for profit.
Wei Zhongxian knew this matter very well and originally thought that it would be left unresolved, but he did not expect that there would be a change now.
He had originally thought it was a little strange, but now it wasn't strange anymore. Once today's news got out, I'm afraid many people would panic.
The fact was just as Wei Zhongxian had thought. After the news spread, everyone was really panicked. The reason was also very simple. People like Xining Hou were going to be dealt with. What about those who were not as good as Xining Hou?
Even some guys who were higher in status than the Marquis of Xining were unsure about it.
What was more important was not the nobles, but the relatives of the nobles. Compared to the nobles, they were even more uncertain, and the reason was simple: they were not people who had received the country's grace for generations.
If a nobleman was punished, perhaps someone would plead for mercy. After all, his ancestors had made contributions to the Ming Dynasty and had made efforts for the Ming Dynasty. There were also red books and iron scrolls in his family.
You should know that titles also have levels. This is a rule established since the time of Emperor Taizu. Meritorious officials are given iron certificates and four levels of titles.
Those who assisted Taizu in establishing the empire were called "founding the country, assisting the destiny, and promoting loyalty." Those who followed Chengzu in raising troops were called "following the will of heaven, pacifying the rebellion, and promoting loyalty." The rest of us are called "following the will of heaven, supporting the destiny, and promoting loyalty." Military officials were called "promoting military efforts," and civil officials were called "upholding integrity, and promoting civil integrity."
Most of those nobles belong to the first two categories. As for noble relatives, when your family is still around, their status is naturally unquestionable. For example, the Zhang family of the Empress of Emperor Hongzhi, when the Zhang family was in power, was so arrogant and domineering, and no one was proud of it. But what happened later?
Emperor Zhengde had no children, and after Emperor Jiajing ascended the throne, the Zhang family was almost wiped out and almost dead.
Now the emperor wants to punish someone, who will he target?
If those nobles are difficult to move, are their relatives also difficult to move?
How could these people not be panicked? So they began digging holes in the door and looking for a way out. Countless people flocked to the Duke of Ying's mansion; at the same time, some people began to submit petitions to express their loyalty.
The residence of the Duke of England.
Zhang Weixian is chatting with his son.
Putting down the teacup in his hand, Zhang Weixian said with a smile: "See? This is the work of His Majesty. Now everyone will be obedient."
"Father, are you saying that what Cui Chengxiu did was instructed by His Majesty?" Zhang Zhiji asked with some confusion.
"Instructions?" Zhang Weixian sneered, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Everyone knows who Cui Chengxiu is. He's a dog of Wei Zhongxian's. He's a civil servant in the Censorate, after all, but he has no backbone at all. His submission of this memorial must have been at Wei Zhongxian's behest."
"As for why Wei Zhongxian did this, isn't it simple? He did it to curry favor with His Majesty! Besides, to achieve what Wei Zhongxian did, did he really need His Majesty's permission? Your Majesty doesn't have to say anything, they will get things done. Otherwise, why do you think those eunuchs were so favored? It's because they can get things done. Forget it, let's not talk about them. I'm afraid they will go one step further this time."
"Can the cabinet watch over there?" Zhang Zhiji said hesitantly.
"Do you really think those old men in the cabinet are easy to deal with? Just wait and see. This matter is not over yet. Wei Zhongxian wants to make a profit from it, but he won't have the chance. The civil servants will definitely take action soon, but it has nothing to do with us."
Zhang Zhiji nodded and said, "Someone from the Xining Marquis' Mansion just sent a letter, saying they want to see you. Do you want to see him or not?"
"He's crazy to come see me at this time, right?" Zhang Weixian said angrily, "These people only know how to make money and play with women all day long. They've ruined their brains. Why are they coming to see me at this time?"
"Tell him to kneel down at the gate of Xiyuan. Idiot!"
When Zhang Zhiji heard his father's words, he quickly said, "I'll go right away."
After saying this, he turned around and walked out, his steps were very urgent and his speed was very fast.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
