Problems under the prosperous times
This is the Kunning Palace of Qiankun Kingdom. Queen Chen Ying's master Shoucheng has come to pay homage to her. Chen Ying, overjoyed, hurried forward to greet him.
"Master, why are you here at this moment? Come earlier so we can arrange a welcome dinner for you!"
Shoucheng smiled and said, "I am here to enter the palace thanks to your majesty's grace. I have brought my master, the Medicine King Sun Maosi, and your senior brother Li Fengchuen with me. May I allow them in?"
"Of course! Come in!"
An old man with silver beard and white hair but a rosy face walked in, and the other one was a young man.
"I pay my respects to the Queen."
After the two of them saluted, Chen Yun quickly helped him up and said excitedly, "I didn't expect that my master's master is my savior. Doctor Sun, long time no see. Ah, I should call you Grandmaster! Haha!"
"No, no, no! I'm only devoted to medicine, but I'm not as knowledgeable as your master."
Shoucheng saw that the two were so enthusiastic, unlike the first time they met, so he asked curiously: "Do you know each other?"
Chen Yun explained, "Master, at that time, I was pregnant for several months but could not give birth. Fortunately, our master was found in the palace and cured me with a medicine. By the way, everyone, please sit down and talk slowly."
After everyone slowly sat down, Shoucheng said, "I came here just to give you some advice. You don't have to listen to it."
"Master, you say."
Shoucheng took a sip of tea and asked, "Do you know about Yunling's rule and the current situation of the people?"
This question made Chen Qian embarrassed. He knew, but not much.
After hesitating for a while, Chen Yan shook his head.
Shoucheng began to narrate, "Yunling's rule is a tribute given by many nations to Qiankun Nation's current prosperity. The people are prosperous, living and working in peace and contentment, well-fed and well-read. However, this is only superficial. Your Majesty imposes heavy taxes and labor service, so many people have amputated their own limbs to avoid them."
However, Chen Yun was initially quite surprised, having assumed that the prosperity he had always seen was universal. Now, it seemed, it was only the capital or a few people who were experiencing prosperity. On closer inspection, however, even the best policies might not cover the entire territory in time, and there were also persistent problems that could not be solved overnight.
Thinking of this, Chen Yun was relieved and said, "That's understandable. After all, the previous three generations were plagued by numerous battles and suffered severe damage. Now we need to stabilize the country, and get the surrounding tribes to submit to the country. This requires a large amount of wealth. The national treasury cannot support such a large amount, so the expenditure of funds requires the people to pay more."
Shoucheng continued, "What I just said about superficiality is really just superficiality. The people are well fed, but they're not nutritious. The oil they use is made from dough fried in months-old oil from merchants outside. Old oil is deadly! Also, why are you taking in refugees? Refugees have no sense of belonging and only harm the local ecology. And then you force them to do corvée labor, taking able-bodied men from families to build palaces. This undoubtedly weakens the labor force and puts the entire family's livelihood into hardship. Did you know that corvée laborers have to provide their own dry food and water, and they don't even have money?"
Li Feng thought, "I know this. There's a folk song about this: 'Ninety percent of the men are in the army, the rest are almost gone. The Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai is truly extraordinary.'"
"If I were to offer remonstration to His Majesty, I would undoubtedly be violating the taboo of the harem interfering in government affairs."
Shoucheng leaned forward slightly and said, "Queen, is it true that the population of Qiankun is now less than one-tenth of what it was during the chaotic times of war, yet the same taxes are collected? Is it true that nine out of ten houses in the country are now empty?"
As the saying goes, empty words come from wind, and keeping sincerity does not necessarily mean empty words. If things have developed to this point, something must be done. However, due to the people in his harem and the many good ministers of the previous dynasty, he may not have mentioned this matter.
Chen Yun took a deep breath, then stood up and said, "Let's go. Let's go see His Majesty together."
As soon as I arrived at the door of the study in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, I heard the sounds of breaking, banging, and noise inside.
In reality, Li Lin was furious over Lu Xianwang, the governor of Dangzhou, and Zhang Yungu, the deputy minister of the Dali Temple. "Lu Xianwang! I've already given you a chance, why don't you take up the position?"
"Your Majesty, Lingnan is plagued by miasma, and I am known for my frail health. I'm worried I won't be able to survive after taking up this position. I hope Your Majesty will seek out other talented individuals!"
"You promised the court earlier, why are you regretting it now? Although the journey is long, you are the right people to replace the incompetent local officials! Please don't refuse because of the distance or your physical weakness."
"Everyone here drinks alcohol every day. I am not good at drinking, but there is no reason to force me to go."
Li Lin slammed the table in anger and shouted, "You won't listen to anything I say? If you won't obey me, how can you govern the country? Come! Put down Lu Xianwang! Execute him in the autumn!"
"Your Majesty, no! Your Majesty!"
Seeing Lu Xianwang being led away, Zhang Yungu knelt and pleaded, "Your Majesty! A weak man is not qualified to hold an official position. It would be better to dismiss him! Your Majesty, please remember his past contributions to the court and do not let the death penalty discourage the clan and officials!"
"I haven't even mentioned you yet. You were asked to interrogate Li Gude, so why did you conclude the case based on his epilepsy?"
"Your Majesty, according to the laws of the Qiankun Kingdom, those who should not be punished according to the law are mentally ill, and epilepsy is one of them. The people can prove that this person is crazy, and the salivation during the trial can be used as a judgment."
Zhen A-Shan, standing by, said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Yungu is friends with Li Gude's brother, the Governor Li Naixi, and he once visited Li Gude in prison. This is out of favoritism and indulgence, not because of Li Gude's epilepsy!"
"How dare I trust you so much! Your position is actually not suitable for you!"
Wei Chaoxian immediately said: "Your Majesty, this matter..."
But Li Lin pointed at Wei Chaoxian and yelled, "Shut up!"
Du Rufei immediately ran to the front and knelt down: "Your Majesty! This matter needs further verification!"
Li Lin stared at Du Rufei with wide eyes: "Even you are biased, aren't you?"
Du Rufei and Wei Chaoxian had no choice but to take a few steps back.
"Your Majesty! It's true that I have a friendship with Li Gude! But it's also true that I'm ill! Your Majesty, you can't wrongly accuse Li Gude because of our personal relationship!"
Zhen Ah Dan continued to exaggerate: "He is really insane and seriously ill. Why is he not at home? Why did you go to jail yourself?"
But Li Lin was already furious and wouldn't listen to any nice words.
"Zhang Yungu, I've always admired you and believed you enforced the law impartially. I'm so disappointed! Take him to the East Market and behead him! Execute immediately!"
At this time, Chen Yun brought the three people to him. After seeing the three people salute, Li Lin greeted them with a blank expression.
"The three of you are finally here."
Chen Yun said nothing, went straight to the tea table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Li Lin.
"Your Majesty has worked so hard for the affairs of the court. If you're thirsty, you should drink some water. Don't get angry!"
After Li Lin took the teacup, Chen Yun took a few steps back. Wei Chaoxian came to Chen Yun and whispered, "Your Majesty, I need your help here."
Chen Yun just shook her head. She was helpless and waved her hand to let him leave. Wei Chaoxian had no choice but to bow and said, "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, we will withdraw first."
After Wei Chaoxian and Zhen Adan left, Du Rufei said, "Your Majesty, there is one more matter I need to discuss with you. First, Concubine Wei's cousin, Wei Ni'er, has been recommended to the harem by the ministers. Your Majesty and the Empress need to make a decision as soon as possible. Second, there is evidence from an unknown source that Concubine Wei's father and Concubine Yin De's father privately recruited troops."
"I understand. Let's wait and see what happens." Then he waved his hand and asked them to leave.
After everyone had left, Li Lin pulled a book from the bookshelf and placed it in front of Shoucheng. While Shoucheng was reading, Li Lin said, "This prophecy, which is from the streets, predicted that Prime Minister Zhai Jie would die on his return to office and that the Tufan Kingdom would be conquered by a century-long snowstorm. Everything has come true. But there's one prophecy that's keeping me up all night: it says a woman named Wu will seize my Li family's kingdom. So, I'd like to confirm it with you, ancestor."
Shoucheng put the book down and handed it to Sun Maosi, "Master, can you take a look at your prediction?"
"No, no, no. I'm not good at physiognomy. I'll just leave you feeling bad."
“So you are still our ancestors.”
Shoucheng said, "Your Majesty, this book is a prophecy that Keliu Jidan, the Khan of Qidan, asked me to write for the world. I won't tell you why he wrote it, but what you're worried about has already come true. This woman surnamed Wu is probably still in her cradle. In forty years, she will become the empress. Many things are beyond our control."
Li Lin was furious after hearing this and shouted at him, "Can't I just find her and kill her? You're talking about being powerless!"
Li Fengchong bowed his head and spoke again, "Your Majesty, Heaven's will cannot be violated! It is Heaven's will that a woman surnamed Wu should become Emperor. If you act without authorization, you may harm innocent people and harm your descendants. Moreover, this woman will not become Emperor forty years from now. By then, she will be very old and will surely be much more lenient and compassionate."
"If Your Majesty orders someone to kill her now, someone else will emerge to seize the Qiankun Kingdom. This new person might be even more ferocious and powerful than that woman. Everything is unknown, and your descendants might have a harder time dealing with it. Therefore, it is more advantageous to keep this woman surnamed Wu than to kill her."
Perhaps he was unwilling, but so what? God twisted the destiny of the universe, so why would he care about anyone else's wishes? Li Lin's inner doubts and fears were not reduced in the slightest by Li Fengchong's words.
Li Lin walked a few steps and asked, "Shoucheng, since you are serving under me, please answer a question for me. In ancient times, there were strict armored personnel. Now I have you, how do you think it is?"
Shoucheng said, "Your Majesty, I was an official three dynasties ago. I am no longer suitable for you. You should use my disciple. Look, he is already kneeling before you."
Li Lin asked, "Then... Medicine King, can you serve as the imperial physician in the palace? I'll give you the title of Imperial Physician!"
Sun Maosi laughed heartily and said, "No. No. My training is inadequate, and I still need to search for folk remedies so that I can serve the country in the future."
Seeing that the two elders were unmoved, he had no choice but to give up. "Then please stay in the palace tonight and have a good rest. Someone will arrange food and tea later."
The three of them thanked him and left. Then Li Lin sat down and sighed.
"Qing'er, do you agree that Nawei Ni'er should be your concubine?"
"Although the Wei family's civil and military officials were exiled to their home country, we know from investigation that his prestige in his home country remains strong. It's worth considering."
Li Lin nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then continued, "One more thing. Nowadays, people are cutting off their own hands and feet to avoid taxes and labor service. How should we deal with this?"
"I wonder if Your Majesty is going to deal with the issue of self-severance or the issue of evading taxes and labor service?"
"Why?"
"Your Majesty, I suggest you send General Li Jin to conquer the countryside. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Let the truth reveal the truth about tax evasion."
"The truth? Isn't it just a legacy created by the previous emperor?"
Seeing Li Lin's insistence, Chen Yun didn't want to say more, so he said, "Second brother, think about how to better obtain evidence of the crimes of Concubine Wei's father and Concubine Yin De's father. I suggest that you carefully examine this evidence."
"You mean someone is setting this up?"
"When dealing with affairs and politics, one should follow the principles of judgment, verification, investigation, and punishment. Seeing is believing, and what I say may not be right, so do not act on impulse."
Li Lin sat down with his hands, slapped his thighs hard and remained silent for a moment.
At this time, Fang Zai Qiao and Du Rufei asked for a meeting.
When the two came up, Du Rufei said anxiously, "Prince Pinggan and King Kangtai are fighting and arguing about the position of Crown Prince. Please ask the Queen to go and mediate to prevent any bad words from spreading."
Li Lin frowned and said, "It's time to come. Queen, just go and take a look!"
"Yes, Du Pushe, go over there."
Fang Zai Qiao watched as the group left, leaving only a few servants to face Li Lin. Seeing that they were staying, he raised his head and waited for Fang Zai Qiao to speak, and he finally spoke: "Your Majesty, may I ask, what treasonous act has Li Gude ever done to you?"
"He openly insulted me in the street. Isn't that treasonous?"
"Of course, but the Qiankun Kingdom also has laws and regulations. Those with serious illnesses cannot be subject to the law. This is evidence of Li Gude's madness."
After saying this, Fang Zaiqiao handed a piece of paper to Li Lin. "This is a certificate of management issued many years ago by a clinic in Guixinfang, Duwei Town. At that time, because Li Gude had his first illness, he was taken there for treatment. Later, a certificate was issued to hand him over to the local ward master. The government had already issued shackles and imprisonment, but this time his family took pity on him, so they released him."
After reading it, Li Lin threw the paper away. Faced with the truth, he felt extremely regretful but could not speak out, so he could only sit by and humbly accept it.
Fang Zaiqiao raised another point: "Lu Xianwang is the descendant of a founding hero. Your Majesty graciously promoted him to the position of prefect, but little did you know... Lu Xianwang's health has long since deteriorated. The miasma in Lingnan is extremely severe, and exiled prisoners go crazy. This is why he refused to go. This is a misjudgment!"
Li Lin was so angry that he stood up on the spot and pointed at Fang Zaiqiao and shouted, "Then why didn't you come to stop me? You are judging me after I'm dead! What use do I have to you important officials?"
Fang Zai Qiao was so frightened that he immediately knelt down. In fact, it wasn't that he didn't want to stop it. First, he wasn't there, and second, others had tried to stop it but failed.
Li Lin placed his hands behind his waist. He finally understood what Chen Yun meant. He walked slowly. Under the light, there was complete silence.
After a while, Li Lin calmed down a little.
"From now on, whenever I order a beheading, even if it's immediate, you must submit a petition for review three times!"
"Your Majesty, I respectfully pay my respects." Then Fang Zai Qiao kowtowed slightly.
"Also, send someone to investigate the families of Concubine Wei and Concubine Yin De."
Fang Zai Qiao kowtowed again and then slowly left.
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