Chapter 160: The People Are the Foundation of the Country; A Solid Foundation Ensures a Peaceful Country
"How many did you read two days before Qingming Festival, Your Highness?"
Facing Bailipu's question, Xiao Qinggu didn't even blink.
"Teacher, I dare not neglect my teaching. However, time flies by, and I have only read eleven books."
As she spoke, she tightened her grip.
Shang Yuwan had said that it was impossible to finish reading those 100-plus books in two days, not even Bailipu could do it. It took Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qinggu a full day and two nights to get a rough idea of these 11 books.
"Have you read 'Song of the Five Sons of the Book of Shang'?"
The bet was right!
Xiao Qinggu suppressed his excitement and said, "Bet, I've read it!"
Yuan Ji had secretly told Shang Yuwan about the habits of Bailipu. That day, she specifically turned out all the questions that might be tested. Xiao Qinggu looked through them directly, and Shang Yuwan explained to her the parts she didn't understand.
And "Song of the Five Sons of Shangshu" happened to be the first book that Shang Yuwan taught her!
Seeing her like this, Bailipu thought to herself that Heng'er really loved helping others, even to the bitter end. Although "Shang Yuwan" had a close relationship with Madam Lu Xu, she was clearly not the daughter of the Shang family, so why did she have to help her in every way?
Could it be that Prince Qi and the princess have really found a way to help the Shang family overturn the verdict?
Baili Pu muttered to himself, saying, "The Book of Shangshu's Song of the Five Sons says: 'The people are the foundation of the state; a solid foundation brings peace to the state. Your Highness, what do you think a ruler should do?"
Since she wanted to be crowned king and participate in politics, Bailipu would naturally test her political experience.
"The people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it." Xiao Qinggu replied seriously, "As a ruler, you must reduce taxes and levies to benefit the people."
Bai Li Pu said, "Last month, I visited the country. The Liman Kingdom launched an attack on our city from the east and south of Dayu. Before the troops move, food and fodder must be sent first. If taxes are light, the soldiers on the front lines will be starved of food and clothing. How can they resist the enemy? Your Highness, do you wish to reduce the salaries of the bureaucrats, or temporarily postpone the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas?"
Xiao Qinggu paused and said, "Mencius said: 'A harsh government is more ferocious than a tiger, and raising taxes will inevitably harm the people.'"
Bai Li Pu was about to retort when Xiao Qinggu immediately said, "But Emperor Gao Heng also raised taxes when he attacked Qu Qiguo, yet Dayu remained in turmoil. The reason was simple: during Emperor Gao Heng's time, Dayu still had the support of the Fubing system, and taxes were immediately reduced after the war, so this was a necessary levy."
Emperor Gaoheng was the third emperor of Dayu.
"But if Dayu has a million extra soldiers, the military expenses will continue to increase year by year, and the people will be unable to support it. This is excessive taxation. In this way, the people will have no way to make a living."
“…”
Baili Pu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Your Highness, do you think the foundation of a country lies in strengthening its military to defend itself against aggression, or in ensuring the safety of its people and strengthening its foundation? If you can't have your cake and eat it too, how should you choose?"
"A secure people is the foundation of a strong army. Without the people, there will be no army and no taxes." Xiao Qinggu straightened his back. "A strong army is the backing of a secure people. Without a strong army, the people will be robbed and pillaged."
"First, we will verify military needs, cut redundant troops, and save expenses. We will also persuade the wealthy to donate. This will both protect military pay and save the people's energy."
Bailipu nodded and asked, "Did she teach you?"
This "she" refers to none other than Shang Yuwan.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Qinggu shook his head and said, "No."
Shang Yuwan always used the principle that it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Most of the time, he just gave guidance instead of chewing it up and feeding it into Xiao Qinggu's mouth.
Upon hearing this, Baili Pu looked at Xiao Qinggu deeply.
Yes, after all, she was a princess who risked the whole world's disapproval to be crowned a king and participate in politics. How could she rely entirely on others to do things?
Baili Pu asked again, "Your Highness, have been reading for two days. Do you have any doubts?"
Xiao Qinggu hesitated for a moment, "Can students really ask questions? Anything?"
This student is smart and knows how to find a balance between "people", "soldiers" and "finance". Bailipu nodded in a friendly manner.
"Of course. Your Highness, please speak frankly if you have anything to say."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Qinggu asked, "Why can't I participate in politics? When my elder brother and second brother were crowned king and crown prince, no one objected, so why can't I?"
Bailipu's face darkened, "Because Your Highness is a princess."
Before Xiao Qinggu could speak, Baili Pu continued, "Royal children are worshipped by the people from birth, enjoying wealth and glory. Whether a prince is crowned king or crown prince, it is their duty to uphold the people of the world. Securing the country and protecting the people is the most important responsibility of a prince."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qinggu immediately retorted, "Why can't the princess be crowned a king? Is this marriage to a foreign leader the only option left?"
When Dayu was defeated by Langjiang, if Xiao Ling, who was still the crown prince, had not secretly tried to save the country, Xiao Tong would not have been a simple hostage, but a princess married into the royal family of Dayu.
"Since your birth, His Majesty has built a princess's residence for you. This is an honor no princess in history has ever received." Bailipu frowned. "Your Highness has been able to travel among the common people for many years with His Majesty's tacit approval. Otherwise, how could Your Highness be so free and unfettered?"
Having been loved so much by the emperor since birth, you still dream of getting more and returning to Beijing to be crowned king and participate in politics?
Xiao Qinggu's answer originally made Bailipu look at her with a new perspective, but now he saw that this woman still looked greedy.
Xiao Qinggu saw that Bailipu had misunderstood her, and just as she was about to explain, Bailipu stood up.
"Today's work is over. I have important matters to attend to, so I will come again tomorrow. I will take my leave first." With the list of gift givers, Bailipu still needs to collect evidence of officials' bribery.
Baili Pu stood up and saluted. Seeing this, Xiao Qinggu didn't want to keep him and just walked him to the door.
"Take care, sir."
Xiao Qinggu looked at Bailipu's leaving back and felt a little discouraged, but he quickly cheered up.
Hard work pays off, she will definitely get the recognition of her husband!
In the afternoon, Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu came to visit Xiao Qinggu.
Shang Yuwan asked: "How is it?"
Xiao Qinggu dismissed all the maids, swallowed three or four pitted cherries in one gulp, and shook his head.
Shang Yuwan was stunned for a moment, "Failed?"
Twelve leaned against the door holding a long sword, while Bai Xiaoye and Cheng Yishui stood outside the door to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.
Xiao Qinggu shook his head again.
Xiao Qingxu's brows twitched twice: "...The homework is passed, but you messed up."
"......" Xiao Qinggu nodded in despair.
She chewed the cherry and swallowed it, saying, "Master, you think I'm greedy."
Emperor Chengming turned a blind eye to the secret escape from the capital. In Baili Pu's eyes, this showed that he loved her very much.
Emperor Chengming gave Xiao Qinggu the freedom that no other princess had. Now she comes back and asks to be made a king and participate in politics. It would be strange if Bailipu didn't misunderstand.
Shang Yuwan was silent for a moment, then said, "There's no rush for this matter. I'll just have to explain it to him later."
Xiao Qinggu hummed.
Shang Yuwan asked softly, "Your Highness, is there a chance I can take the mother-of-pearl box from the storeroom?"
The princess is busy with the examination, so it would be better for them to hold the thing in their own hands.
Xiao Qinggu looked outside and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Li, have you found out?"
"There are some clues, but some details still need to be verified."
When she and Xiao Qingxu went to the Camellia Camp in Jincheng, Xiaoli's identity became self-evident.
Xiao Qinggu pondered for a moment and said, "Come with me, I'll take you there."
Xiao Qinggu took the excuse of showing Xiao Qingxu some good things in the warehouse and took them to the warehouse to take out the mother-of-pearl box.
This time, Xiao Qinggu did not dismiss the maid, but openly took out the treasures he had collected from the people in the early years. Among them, the mother-of-pearl box was "accidentally" mixed in.
Shang Yuwan picked it up casually and asked, "Your Highness, do you like this?"
Xiao Qinggu snatched it from Shang Yuwan's hand, put it in his arms, and glared at her.
"This is a mother-of-pearl box. The finer ones are worth thousands of gold!"
Shang Yuwan smiled.
"Yeah?"
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