The New Year passed quickly.
The people of Chang'an City happily spent another happy and peaceful year, and of course they were busy preparing for the new year.
During these eight days, Chang'an City was as peaceful as ever. No one among the common people knew how many earth-shaking events had happened during these eight days. Even the many officials in the temple had no idea of the huge events that would happen next.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Minister of War Zhuo and his delegation signed a secret order. It didn't go through the Emperor, but it had the seals of three ministers from three ministries, plus an imperial seal—this was something that Fu Xiaoguan had authorized to Yan Xiwen along with the letter when he was in the Leah Continent.
Secret command:
Upon receiving this military order, Feng Xi's troops of the Second Army of the Great Xia Army and Wei Wubing's troops of the Third Army of the Great Xia Army immediately marched towards the Western Xia Autonomous Region!
Capture Tuoba Wang alive, if there are any resistance... kill them all!
Next came a transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel, also stamped with the seals of the three prime ministers.
Transfer Zhuo Donglai to the Western Xia Autonomous Region to take over the post of governor!
At the same time, Huo Huaijin, commander of the Chang'an garrison, was invited into the Yan Mansion. He stayed there for three hours before leaving. Ten thousand garrison troops changed into civilian clothes and entered Chang'an City, guarding the four exits of Chang'an City.
Wu Tianci knew nothing about this.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month of the sixth year of Daxia, the first grand court meeting of the year was officially held at the hour of Mao in the Qiming Hall.
According to past practice, at the first grand court meeting of the new year, the emperor will announce the policy outline for the new year, which involves major and minor issues concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, and is the most concerned by the people of Daxia, foreign envoys and Daxia Weekly.
The huge Qiming Hall was full of people.
Wu Tianci stood in the center of the Qiming Hall with high spirits. He placed his hands on the table and glanced at the ministers and the audience. The hall suddenly fell silent. He then spoke:
"It's the sixth year of Daxia. This is the third year since I ascended the throne."
"This year, I have a lot of things to do. These things all involve the national economy and people's livelihood. They are important supplements and partial revisions to the Great Xia Five-Year Plan."
"First, the efforts of businesses to support agriculture need to be intensified. While stabilizing summer grain prices, we need to increase farmers' enthusiasm for farming, create more income for them, and improve their lives."
"Secondly, in business..."
Wu Tianci glanced at the ministers again and said, "Business cannot be too free!"
"I believe that commercial activities related to major national projects and important resources should be controlled by the state! For example, salt, iron, minerals, cotton, grain, shipping, etc.!"
"They are a country's important strategic materials or channels. Merchants use them to profit, but they cause huge losses to the country. Therefore, starting this year, many businesses will be nationalized or formed into joint ventures, with the state sending people to manage and operate them to ensure national interests!"
As soon as he said this, Yan Xiwen and the others looked at each other in surprise. The emperor had not discussed such an important matter with any of them!
This goes against the free business practices established by Fu Xiaoguan, and the implications are serious!
The other officials were also confused at this time. As for the policies of Daxia, they were still mainly following the second five-year plan outline formulated by Fu Xiaoguan before he left Daxia. The emperor had done this. Wasn't he going to overturn some of the clauses in this five-year plan outline?
The envoys from other countries were also shocked. They had invested a lot in Daxia. In addition, they had already established good trade channels with Daxia merchants. If the emperor of Daxia nationalized those businesses, it would mean that some of their businesses would have to deal with the Daxia government.
Prices will certainly fluctuate.
If commodities are further controlled, trade volume will also be greatly affected.
In recent years, Daxia’s policies have been stable, which is the best confidence that the Daxia government has given to the market. But the emperor suddenly changed his mind at this time... What changes will occur in the future business landscape?
No one knows, and no one has any idea.
Even the cabinet members attending the meeting, such as Zhuo Yihang, frowned at this time. They were all old officials who had followed Fu Xiaoguan for a long time, and they especially understood Fu Xiaoguan's governing philosophy and the importance of the Five-Year Plan.
Yan Xiwen, who was standing in front of Wu Tianci, turned and looked at the emperor. "Your Majesty," he bowed and said righteously, "Your Majesty's measure violates the Great Xia Five-Year Plan and also violates commercial laws!"
"Daxia's commerce is based on free and autonomous trade within the framework of the law. Aside from prohibited items stipulated by law, the state may not interfere with any goods or commercial activities!"
"The Emperor has always encouraged private enterprises, small and micro businesses, and even individual handicraft practitioners, allowing them to display their talents on the stage of free trade, and let the market test and eliminate them. Only in this way can they gain sufficient experience and have more competitive products to participate in international competition on the larger international stage in the future!"
"Your Majesty's move is grossly inappropriate. Without a vote from the three provinces and the cabinet... this policy cannot take effect!"
Wu Tianci looked at Yan Xiwen deeply, then sneered twice, "Why? Prime Minister Yan, is Daxia my country? Am I the emperor of Daxia? I made this decision for the good of my country. Do you really want to stop me?"
Yan Xiwen looked directly into Wu Tianci's eyes, his gaze becoming sharper. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, you made some mistakes!"
"First, Daxia is your country. This is an old acquaintance! Ever since the Emperor and Wu Chao ascended the throne, they have clearly stated that a country is not the country of one person, it is the country of all the people!"
"Secondly, you are the Emperor of Daxia. The Emperor is merely a position. The Retired Emperor has stated that the Emperor exists to make Daxia a better place! If the Emperor's existence hinders Daxia's progress... then the three provinces and the cabinet can, in accordance with the Constitution, bring it to a vote and impeach the Emperor!"
"Daxia can be without an emperor, but Daxia must never take the wrong path, let alone lead hundreds of millions of people into an endless abyss!"
Yan Xiwen's words were so powerful that all the ministers gasped—impeaching the emperor?!
In any case, this was something that had never happened in the past thousand years, and it was even something they had never heard of!
These words came out of Yan Xiwen's mouth, which meant that Yan Xiwen and the emperor had completely torn their faces apart!
Imperial power is imperial power after all. In the hearts of many people, imperial power is still supreme and difficult for them to resist.
Yun Xiyan's eyes lit up at this moment, and he admired Yan Xiwen even more in his heart. Only then did he realize that the friendship between Fu Xiaoguan and Yan Xiwen had indeed long gone beyond the relationship between monarch and subject.
Yan Xiwen dared to openly impeach the emperor on such an occasion. He was truly defending the Great Xia founded by Fu Xiaoguan!
Wu Tianci's face turned pale.
In front of the entire court, including so many foreign envoys, Yan Xiwen, you actually dared to threaten to impeach me?!
“Someone come…!”
"I am dismissing you, Yan Xiwen, from your position as Minister of the Chancellery today. Come... strip Yan Xiwen of his court robes and throw him into prison!"
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