Chapter 300 Fighting for Childcare Rights

The King of Chu thought for a moment, and said with respect and admiration: "I have never seen Shu before, but I think it is similar to other places in the Song Dynasty. It is not as rich as the south of the Yangtze River, but better than the northern places.

The biggest difference in Shu now is that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and are full of hope and enthusiasm for the future. They are rebellious against you... The leaders of Shu support you, and you are supported by the people. Millions of people have become a rope. This kind of cohesion is magnificent and should be invincible."

King Xiang also agreed. She said in a firm tone: "Today, the land of Western Shu is a brand new world in our eyes, full of vitality.

You have distributed land to ordinary people in Shu to cultivate, but the taxes and rents you collect are 20% lower. But I don’t know, so many troops and officials have higher salaries than the imperial guards and officials in the capital. Can the tax revenue of Shu afford them?"

The two fat fish were biting the hook more and more tightly. Luo Wenan finally experienced the fun of his younger sister and second brother who liked to kidnap and deceive talents.

Luo Wen calmly refilled the two princes' cups of tea, put down the teapot, and then slowly explained their confusion: "The change of dynasties is basically due to land annexation, wealth concentration, profiteering industry monopoly, extreme corruption of officials, greed of aristocratic families and powerful landlords, and the people can no longer survive, so they will rebel and overthrow the old dynasty to establish a new one.

After the establishment of the new dynasty, the wealth and land resources will be redistributed, and the poor people will also be able to eat. Then, there will be another round of land annexation and wealth concentration. It may take several hundred years at most or less than a hundred years at most, and then there will be another round of dynasty change."

The King of Chu and the King of Xiang, who had read all the history books, nodded frequently. Every dynasty in history wanted to last for thousands of years, but which one could do it?

After Luo Wen'an took a few sips of tea and kept the secret, he put down the teacup and continued, "Wealth and land are concentrated in the hands of a few aristocratic families and the wealthy and powerful. The business monopoly and profiteering industries are controlled by the aristocratic families and the wealthy and powerful. However, most of the taxes and corvée levies of the court are concentrated on the poor people who have only a few acres of land or even no land.

Regardless of whether it is in line with the will of heaven or whether it is fair, the national treasury will definitely not be abundant over the years.

I might as well tell the two princes that after the implementation of the new policy in the states and counties in Western Shu, this year's taxes are six times more than in previous years. Can't the officials and troops in Shu be supported?"

The King of Chu and the King of Xiang were both shocked!

Thinking hard in his head, what is going on with this account?

Luo Wen'an smiled faintly: "Your Highness the King of Chu, Your Highness the King of Xiang, don't think about it. The taxes that could not be collected from those aristocratic families and the wealthy and powerful in previous years have been collected this year, it's that simple."

King Xiang asked curiously: "When the new policy cut flesh, didn't those aristocratic families and the wealthy and powerful unite to fight to the death?"

"Of course they resisted. Taking money from their pockets and dividing their land is more infuriating and uncomfortable than digging up their ancestral tombs. Why didn't they unite to fight to the death?"

"Then, why wasn't there a big chaos in Shu?" King Xiang asked puzzled.

: "The army pushed hard and mobilized the masses. Although the regular army had less than 30,000 people, the militia organizations you saw in Shu had 700,000 to 800,000 people. Even without salary or food, the people still participated enthusiastically. Who can resist this powerful force? The two princes, can you understand why..."

: "Even without salary or food, the people still participated enthusiastically, because they were defending the grain fields that could feed themselves!" King Xiang rushed to tell the reason.

Yes, he can even rush to answer. Luo Wen'an looked at King Xiang with approval and smiled with satisfaction.

The King of Chu was shocked and thought silently.

The King of Xiang became more and more interested, his eyes sparkling, "Lord Luo, can we two brothers participate in some political affairs in Shu, and just give us a small official position."

Here it comes! ... Luo Wen'an was so excited that he almost slapped his thigh, and silently admired his brother-in-law, the regent king.

Suppressing his excitement, Luo Wen'an pretended to think about it with embarrassment, and finally agreed, "If Your Highness the King of Chu and Your Highness the King of Xiang want to personally understand the political affairs of Shu, then let the two princes serve as the new policy inspectors!"

The King of Xiang didn't care how high the official rank of the inspector was, what grade and salary he had? He looked at the King of Chu excitedly and said, "Brother, how about we stay in Shu for a few more days and become a small official to satisfy our desire for power?"

The King of Chu knew that his third brother was not trying to satisfy his desire for power, but wanted to truly understand the new policy reforms in Shu, so he nodded happily, "Then stay for a few more days."

Luo Wen'an didn't show any emotion on his face, but he was so happy that he wanted to sing a song in his heart. Regent Prince's brother-in-law, my eldest brother-in-law has lived up to your trust and brought talents to your camp...

As the months went by, Luo Li's sleepiness due to pregnancy reaction disappeared. She entered the palace with a big belly and was carried by four eunuchs on a sedan chair to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, Empress Mingde was sensible and asked to move out of Cining Palace and gave the palace to the canonized Grand Empress Dowager.

Concubine Li Xian was still living in Shouning Palace, reluctant to move out of this luxurious and spacious palace. Empress Dowager Zhaoning did not bother with her and moved into Fengyi Palace near Cining Palace. Anyway, the emperor was still young and it was still early for him to get married and take concubines. Living closer to the Grand Empress Dowager would also make it more convenient for him to pay respects and visit her.

Luo Li walked into Cining Palace with her left hand on her belly and her right hand on her waist. The Grand Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager Zhaoning quickly stood up, smiling and talking, and helped her sit down one by one.

: "Li'er, you are getting older and you are tired, so don't come to the palace to pay respects all the time. Just stay at home and take care of the baby. When I miss you, I will go out of the palace to see you." The Grand Empress Dowager smiled lovingly and admonished her distressedly.

"She! If she could stay at home to take care of the baby, she would not be our Li'er." The Empress Dowager Zhaoning joked with a smile as beautiful as a flower. "

I'm not afraid of not seeing you for a long time. You two young and beautiful Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, have you become confused and forgotten me?" Luo Li replied jokingly. Since she became pregnant, she was spoiled and spoke more casually.

The Grand Empress Dowager glared at her in disapproval, while the Empress Dowager Zhaoning chuckled. She was used to Luo Li teasing her and her mother about their ages. Grand Empress Dowager

and Empress Dowager, from the sound of the title, they should be two old ladies with white hair and wrinkled faces, but the most respected titles in the harem are two young and beautiful women.

"My mother will take my nephew back to Beijing in a few days, and I may not have the time to come to the palace to see you so diligently." Thinking of her mother and nephew, Luo Li's face was full of happy smiles.

"Your mother just had a granddaughter, and she will see her grandson again. She must be very happy. Li'er, when the child is born, the Queen Mother and your mother will take turns to help you take care of the child, and you can continue to have fun." The Empress Dowager once again grabbed the right to tease her grandson.

Luo Li was reluctant to give up the right to raise the child, and she defended her right as a mother by acting cute and coquettish, "Oh no! That won't do. The Queen Mother and my mother are old. If I tire you out, it would be extremely unfilial for me as a daughter-in-law and a daughter. After the child is born, I will bring him up myself."

The Empress Dowager continued to fight for it, laying out her reasons one by one, "I'm young and it won't be hard on me. I have more experience and patience in raising children than you. You are young and playful, so you don't have the ability to raise children." I have only a little experience. Does your body need more care, or would you like your mother to work harder?"

Luo Li counted on her fingers and fought back one by one, "Mother, I am young and have good physical strength and plenty of energy. I understand medicine and more scientific parenting. Breastfeeding can ensure the baby's nutrition and enhance immunity. Mother and baby sleeping together is more conducive to the baby's sense of security and mental health growth."

Empress Dowager Zhaoning covered her eyes with laughter, unable to bear to watch the two people arguing seriously for the parenting rights of the unborn child in their belly.

Unable to win the argument, the Grand Empress Dowager used her trump card and asked again: "Li'er, do you really want to feed the child with breast milk and leave the wet nurse unused? Aren't you afraid that your figure will be out of shape and Defang will dislike you?"

"If he dares to dislike you, I will divorce him!" Luo Li raised her eyebrows and fought back domineeringly.

The Grand Empress Dowager lost the battle, and with her shoulders shaking with laughter, she hurried to comfort the domineering daughter-in-law, "Don't, don't, Li'er, if Defang dares to dislike you, your mother will take care of him for you."

Princess Yongqing, who ran over after hearing the news, responded at the door, "Sister-in-law, if your brother dares to dislike you, your mother and I will take care of him for you."