Duan Xiaorong nodded and said, "I have seen the grain resources in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The grain production in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is more than twice that of other regions, yet the taxes are the same as other regions. This is unreasonable. If the taxes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are increased, other impoverished regions can be exempted."
Li Gang smiled and said, "If this happens, the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang will probably complain bitterly."
Duan Xiaorong said, "Indeed, as long as we keep taxes within a reasonable range, the people won't have many complaints."
Zhao Huan slapped his head and said, "Duan Xiaorong, how about I send you to Jiangsu and Zhejiang?"
Duan Xiaorong bowed and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "I will appoint you as the Governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, responsible for the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas."
Duan Xiaorong bowed in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
As the four of them left Wende Hall, He Li asked, "Master Duan, why did you take on such an offensive and difficult task?"
Duan Xiaorong shook her head: "There's nothing I can do. Your Majesty wants to live in harmony with the people, but national taxes are indispensable. I have no choice but to take on this humiliating fate."
Meng Gurao clasped his fists and said, "Master Duan, there are few people I admire, and you are one of them."
Duan Xiaorong smiled bitterly and said, "It is a great honor to have such admiration from Lord Meng."
Zhao Huan said to Cao Dongsheng in Wende Hall: "Cao Dongsheng, do you want to leave the palace?"
Cao Dongsheng was startled. "Your Majesty, are you going to ask me to accompany Lord Duan to Jiangsu and Zhejiang? I can't help you much if I go."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Exactly. It's not you and Duan Xiaorong who are going to Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It's me who wants to go. I want to disguise myself and take you and Linghu Yunlong with me. The three of us will go together."
Cao Dongsheng suddenly realized: "Your Majesty, you canceled the morning court so that you could go on a secret visit."
"Well, it's so boring in this palace all day long. I want to travel not only to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but also to the entire Song Dynasty."
Cao Dongsheng was shocked: "Your Majesty is out of the palace, who will handle the affairs of state?"
Zhao Huan was very proud: "So I handed these troublesome government affairs to Li Gang and others. They did a great job during the year I was personally on the expedition. Our Song Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, so there are always some corrupt officials who exploit the people. I am going on an incognito tour, so please don't let me encounter these corrupt officials. I will make them regret living in this world!"
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