After leaving the study, Yan Sikong and Shen Hexuan walked side by side without speaking for a long time.

Shen Hexuan stopped only when he reached the porch.

Yan Sikong knew that he had something to say, so he stopped and waited.

Shen Hexuan said in a deep voice: "I know that mentioning the issue of customs tax will make the teacher unhappy, but the national budget is tight every year, and it is not a long-term solution. Imposing customs tax may be the only way that will not hurt the national foundation."

Yan Sikong looked around, bowed to Shen Hexuan, and whispered: "Brother Shen is also a Jiangnan boy, but he is so selfless. I admire him very much. But... some things can't be taken for granted. Teacher may not be partial. Offending the Jiangnan gentry is almost the same as offending half of the court officials. How much easier is this than cutting the expenses of the royal family?"

Shen Hexuan sighed deeply and said with emotion: "I entered the government with great enthusiasm, but now I find that I am useless."

"Brother Shen, don't belittle yourself. You and I are just minor officials now, but we will have the opportunity to realize our ambitions in the future. If you want to achieve great things, you must first have a sufficient foundation." Yan Sikong stared at Shen Hexuan's eyes seriously, "Brother Shen has extraordinary talent, don't let it be buried."

Yan Sikong really admired Shen Hexuan and thought that he was a breath of fresh air in the court, and would become the pillar of the country in the future. There were too few people like him, but they were necessary to fight corruption and uphold justice. If one day, he really overturned everything, he would need people like Shen Hexuan to help the country and benefit the people, so he made an exception and advised Shen Hexuan not to disobey Yan Zilian, or he would be hidden.

Shen Hexuan was very smart, so he naturally understood. He pondered for a moment, nodded, and bowed to Yan Sikong.

——

Yan Sikong returned home with a tired body and mind.

He often felt like a fish that was about to drown even though it was out of water.

His body was strong, but his mind was always exhausted, and hatred was the only force that kept him going.

As soon as I stepped over the threshold, Ali ran over and gestured quickly.

A glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Yan Sikong's gray eyes: "He's here?"

Ali nodded.

Yan Sikong strode towards the room, his steps becoming very fast.

As he opened the door, a burst of warmth rushed over him, instantly driving away the coldness behind him and enveloping him.

Feng Ye was sitting by the window. He turned his head and looked over. A smile of genuine joy appeared on his handsome face. Yan Sikong's heart trembled.

Feng Ye stood up, walked over with big strides, hugged him tightly, and said affectionately: "I missed you so much." At the same time, he kicked the door shut.

Yan Sikong couldn't hide the joy in his heart: "You're back."

"I've been busy with military duties at the end of the year and have been unable to get away. I haven't seen you for two months." Feng Ye closed his eyes and buried his face in Yan Sikong's neck, breathing in his warm and pleasant breath. The tiredness from riding a horse in the wind and snow was instantly swept away.

"Really? It's been two months." Yan Sikong thought, it should be fifty-five days.

"Well, I miss you every day, and I miss you in my dreams." Feng Ye hugged Yan Sikong and shook him, "Do you miss me?"

Yan Sikong smiled faintly and said, "I do."

Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong's waist, turned around and put him on the table. He stared into Yan Sikong's eyes and said with a smile: "Let me take a closer look to see if there is any longing for me in your eyes."

Yan Sikong's eyes wandered over Feng Ye's face. After not seeing him for a few days, Feng Ye seemed to have gained some masculinity. He smiled and said softly, "Is there?"

"I want to take a closer look..." Feng Ye slowly moved closer, obviously wanting to kiss him.

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye's waist and buried his face in his chest.

Feng Ye was stunned for a moment: "Sikong, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, just a little tired..." Yan Sikong closed his eyes, feeling that the chest he leaned on was the safest place in the world. He whispered, "Have you eaten? I'm hungry."

"No, I'm waiting for you." Feng Ye gently stroked Yan Sikong's back, "If you are tired, take a good rest. I will accompany you."

"Um."

The two of them had dinner together and drank some wine. The charcoal fire in the house was burning brightly, and after drinking the hot wine, they all broke out in a thin layer of sweat.

Yan Sikong listened to Feng Ye talking about the differences between Jingshan Camp and Datong Prefecture. He also talked to Feng Ye about the trivialities of the Hanlin Academy and the various things that happened in the court. The two of them had only met again for half a year, but they were like old friends who had known each other for many years and had endless things to talk about.

Feng Ye had heard about the snowstorm in the south. He said, "Everyone thinks that the bulk of the national expenditure is in Datong. In fact, Datong Prefecture's annual military expenditure is not enough. It all depends on my father's efforts. In addition, the soldiers carry guns when there is a war and push plows when there is no war. The military rations are generally self-sufficient. Otherwise, how could it have persisted for so many years."

Yan Sikong nodded and sighed, "I thought of this a long time ago. Liaodong's military expenses were often in arrears back then."

Feng Ye said solemnly: "To alleviate the shortage of the national treasury, we need to start with the redundant and useless royal family. Unfortunately, it is too difficult."

"If the royal family continues to multiply for a hundred years, it will inevitably become a great threat to the country. This has been the case throughout the dynasties. If you want to eradicate the poison, you always have to pay a heavy price." Looking at history, any dynasty that wanted to solve the problem of royal family problems could not avoid bloodshed and tears. The royal family has a deep foundation, and if it is moved, the whole body will be affected. If it is not careful, there may be a risk of overthrowing the country.

"Now that Dasheng's national strength is declining and the ruler's power has fallen into the hands of others, I'm afraid it has no ability to solve the problem of the royal family. But if it is not solved, it will only get worse day by day." Feng Ye shook his head, "One day, I'm afraid it will rot to the roots."

Yan Sikong said in a deep voice: "You are right. If we can eradicate the cancer of the royal family, Dasheng still has the possibility of a new beginning."

"But what did Yan Zilian tell you?"

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly: "I took the initiative to bring it up, but the teacher was also powerless."

"Well, I'm afraid no one can accomplish this. If the royal family's salaries are cut, those royal relatives will not be able to resign."

"I wanted more than just a salary cut, but I didn't dare tell my teacher."

"Oh?" Feng Ye waited for Yan Sikong to continue.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said, "I think we should reduce the power of the vassal states."

Feng Ye's expression changed slightly, and after a while he said, "Sikong, you really dare to think so."

To reduce the power of the princes means to reduce the influence, military strength and financial resources of each prince. This will not only greatly enrich the national treasury, but also solve the problem of too many redundant personnel and too big a tail in the local area, and fundamentally eliminate the possibility of rebellion.

Reducing the power of the princes has always been something that every emperor wanted to do but was almost impossible to accomplish. Most of them did not dare to do it, and the few who did did so were retaliated against. Emperor Jing of Han led to the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms due to his efforts to reduce the power of the princes, Emperor Dezong of Tang led to the Fengtian Rebellion due to his efforts to reduce the power of the princes, and Emperor Jianwen led to the Yanwang Jingnan due to his efforts to reduce the power of the princes. Each of them was a bloody lesson from the past, and very few emperors were truly successful in reducing the power of the princes.

But once successful, the benefits will be huge.

Yan Sikong not only had the thought, he also dared to do it.

He had already thought it through when he decided to secretly push for the reduction of the feudal system. If it succeeds, the country will be rich and the people will prosper, which will benefit all the people. If it fails, there is a high possibility that the King of Liang will rebel. If the King of Liang rebels, Ge Zhong will have only two choices: one is to follow the King of Liang in the rebellion, which will be punishable by death, and the other is to resist the King of Liang, which will most likely result in death. If the King of Liang really usurps the throne, it will be even better. The King of Liang is greedy but not stupid, which is better than Emperor Zhaowu. Moreover, he was bullied by Xie Zhongren a lot in the past. If he becomes emperor, he can kill Xie Zhongren.

This strategy kills three birds with one stone. If used well, it can save him ten years of strength.

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I am an official in the court, so I naturally hope to achieve great things and benefit the country and the people. Besides, I only dare to talk to you about these drunken rants."

"You." Feng Ye pinched Yan Sikong's cheek, "Sometimes, I really don't know what's going on in your mind." He narrowed his eyes, "No, I may... never be able to see through you."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "If I were that easy to see through, you would probably not want to see me anymore."

"You're right." Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong in fascination. "The more I can't see through you, the more I want to see you. The more I look at you, the more I can't take my eyes away."

Yan Sikong felt a little sour in his heart, and said calmly: "For some people, it is best that you never see through them in your lifetime."

"That person must not be you. I want to know everything about you." Feng Ye walked over and kissed Yan Sikong lightly on his lips.

It's freezing outside, but warm inside.

——

Because the weather was cold, Feng Ye brought Feng Hun back to the palace. When Yan Sikong saw it, he found that its fur was twice as thick as in summer and it looked even more majestic and big. Ordinary people would be scared to pee their pants when they saw it, and even the servants in the palace avoided it. But he was not so afraid anymore, and even missed it a little after not seeing it for several months.

He rubbed Feng Hun's cheeks vigorously and said with a smile: "Hun'er, you look like a bear with all your fur."

"Then you've probably never seen a bear." Feng Ye stroked Feng Hun's head, "Bears are much bigger than this one."

"When you first encountered the bear, it must have been extremely dangerous."

"Yeah." Feng Ye nodded, "If Hun'er hadn't risked his life to lead it away..." He suddenly leaned close to Yan Sikong's ear and said ambiguously, "You wouldn't be able to see your husband."

Yan Sikong laughed and scolded: "You just talk nonsense."

Feng Ye laughed proudly.

That evening, they welcomed the first snow of this winter together. The snow fell heavily and soon accumulated into a thick layer. The two of them sat on the warm bed, drinking, appreciating the snow, and chatting. They watched the snow gradually cover the branches of the locust tree. Feng Hun excitedly chased his tail in the snow. This tranquility brought them an indescribable satisfaction.