Chapter 696: Taking Action Against the Li Family
"What's so strange about this? We are blessed by God. Didn't we have the sacred well sent by the old immortal from Xuanji Mountain during the last war? The drought didn't spread to northern Hubei this time. It must be the old immortal's magic."
"You know what, it might be true. That well disappeared out of thin air after we withdrew our troops."
The discussions gradually faded away, but the sun hanging high in the sky remained unmoved, still emitting its abnormal heat, evaporating the water vapor on the earth bit by bit.
Last year's abnormal weather at least occurred after the autumn harvest, but this year it happened just after the spring plowing season. In some places, crops could not even be planted. It can be said that this year's drought is several times more severe than last year's.
At the imperial court, more and more ministers petitioned for disaster relief.
Sheng Zhan had been reluctant to open the granaries and release grain easily, and even wanted to join forces with the Jun tribe to raid northern Hubei, but this time he had to give up temporarily due to the large-scale drought.
"Your Majesty, our spies outside the Great Wall have reported that the tribes outside the Great Wall have also suffered from drought this year. Chengji of the Jiayu tribe led his people to Tianxue Mountain a month ago."
At the court meeting that day, a minister reported.
When these words were spoken, the ministers were in an uproar.
"The natural disaster is so severe that even the grasslands have not been spared. Your Majesty, you must not hesitate any longer!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's not harvest time yet, so the people haven't moved yet. But if we wait until harvest time, it will be too late!"
"If the officials below continue to collect taxes according to the standards of previous years, whether the people can pay is one thing, but I am afraid that someone will cause trouble, and if the officials below can't control it, it will be a disaster!"
""
Sheng Zhan was upset when he heard what these people said. Didn't he know that he had to quickly formulate a solution to the natural disaster? Besides talking, couldn't these ministers come up with a practical solution?
For a moment, Sheng Zhan even felt that he shouldn't have seized the throne.
If Shengze were sitting in this position, what would he do?
Thinking of this, Sheng Zhan glanced at the ministers below and said, "Agriculture is the foundation of the country. Drought has a great impact on it. Do you have any countermeasures?"
There is no water and no rain. What can he do? Just scattering silver is not a solution. The key is that he doesn't have much silver to scatter.
"I believe this year's conditions are exceptional, and we can already foresee that the harvest will be poor. If Your Majesty could order a reduction in taxes this year, it would greatly reduce the possibility of unrest among the people."
"In my humble opinion, during such a severe drought, we should build canals to connect the waterways across the country and lay a solid foundation for the prosperity of the Jin Dynasty for a hundred years."
Several ambitious young officials stood up and made impassioned speeches, but Sheng Zhan's expression became increasingly ugly.
Even if the taxes are reduced, what will he use to fight? He will not feel at ease as long as Shengze survives.
The construction of the canal will provide irrigation for the people's crops, but where will the money come from?
"My dear Li, I heard that the branch of Li family is the richest in Jin Dynasty. Is this true?" Sheng Zhan suddenly called Li Junyi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to come forward and answer.
Li Junyi is Shen Qingman's former father-in-law. After the Shen family was exiled, he was promoted several levels from a small clerk in the Ministry of Revenue to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Hearing Sheng Zhan's question, Li Junyi, who had been trying to reduce his presence just a moment ago, had no choice but to trot forward and said, "Your Majesty, the rumors are not credible."
It's over, it's over. The Emperor is going to start with the Li family's side branches!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
