Ignoring the group of scholars and officials, the old emperor turned to ask a few other trusted confidants.
These trusted officials were far more astute than the scholar-officials, but their opposition to the proposed increase in commercial taxes became even more vehement.
After all, in this day and age, those who could become the emperor's confidants would not hold low official positions.
Which high-ranking official doesn't own shops and businesses? Increasing commercial taxes is just a way of making them pay money.
Given this, how can one be willing to work?
Upon hearing the dissenting voices coming from the Imperial Study, Eunuch Su went limp. He collapsed to the ground like a dead dog, tears streaming down his face.
With so many people opposing it, it's definitely hopeless.
The eunuch in charge of the seal was immediately pleased. He kicked him mockingly and spat at him triumphantly, "You fool, you want to fight me!"
The kick startled Eunuch Su, who scrambled to his feet and begged the Grand Eunuch to save his life. Then his godson came running out, tumbling and crawling.
"Godfather, His Majesty said that you and the young mistress should submit a memorial. If the commercial tax revenue is promising, His Majesty will surely reward you handsomely."
The Grand Eunuch: "..."
Eunuch Su: "..."
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuwan was unaware that the old emperor was insisting on imposing commercial taxes despite the objections of his confidants; she was busy sending Pei Yanzhi to take the exam.
The autumn exam lasted three days, and she had to eat, drink, and relieve herself in the examination hall, so she had to pack properly. Fortunately, her luggage and other things had been prepared in advance, and she only needed to check that nothing that shouldn't have been there had been mixed in.
At the entrance of the government office.
A carriage was parked there, and the whole family, including the old lady who had been feeling unwell recently, got up to see Pei Yanzhi and Pei Yunzhou off to take the exam.
Lady Wen also specially asked the old Marquis to come and see her off, and of course, she would send off her most beloved youngest son.
"Good child, it's getting cold, remember to wear an extra layer of clothing."
"Don't be nervous. I believe you will pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar next year."
Upon hearing what Wen said to Pei Yunzhou, Jiang Shuwan couldn't help but look at Pei Yanzhi.
They are all sons of the Wen family. Given the Wen family's favoritism, does Pei Yanzhi really feel no resentment at all?
The girl stared at Pei Yanzhi's handsome profile again and again. She couldn't tell whether Pei Yanzhi had any feelings about favoritism towards the Wen family, but she did see Liu Yunyan give Pei Yanzhi a purse.
"My cousin is very talented; he's sure to pass the imperial examination this time."
The beautiful woman stood at the gate of the mansion, holding a purse she had embroidered herself in both hands.
The autumn sky was clear and the weather was perfect. A sun, as bright as a salted egg yolk, had just risen, and the first rays of sunlight fell on Pei Yanzhi, making the young man look like he had stepped out of a painting.
The young man, dressed in a white jade robe, was unparalleled in the world. Liu Yunyan dared not look him in the eye, and even the hand that handed him the purse trembled slightly.
Will her cousin accept her things?
She was thinking anxiously when suddenly, her purse was snatched away. Liu Yunyan looked up excitedly and saw Jiang Shuwan quickly open her purse and check it clean.
"Very good, no prohibited words."
"..."
So it was you who took my purse.
"Cousin, I..."
She wanted to say a few more words, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she saw Wen staring at her unhappily, "How long are you going to keep babbling? Can't you come back and talk when you have something to do? If you delay, you'll have to wait another three years. You have no manners and don't even know what's important or urgent."
"..."
After being mocked by Wen, Liu Yunyan couldn't say anything more. She didn't give away the purse and could only watch helplessly as Jiang Shuwan and Pei Yanzhi got into the carriage together.
Jiang Shuwan was the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion, and of course she had to escort Pei Yanzhi and his brother to the examination hall for such an important event as the imperial examination.
She is currently a guest and therefore cannot go with us.
The Marquis's residence was quite a distance from the examination hall. Inside the carriage, Pei Yunzhou was hastily studying his books, while Pei Yanzhi was leisurely sipping tea.
The contrast between academic underachievers and academic geniuses is striking.
Recalling her previous life, when Pei Yunzhou failed the imperial examination and became a scholar, Jiang Shuwan glanced at Pei Yunzhou and remembered the high hopes that Wen Shi had placed on him. She felt sorry for Wen Shi for a moment.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the examination site. Jiang Shuwan got off the carriage and met Jiang Yao, who had come to see her off to the exam.
Jiang Yao glanced at her and then ignored her.
It's rare. Over the years, every time Jiang Yao saw her, she would look at her with crossed eyes. This is the first time she hasn't dared to provoke her.
We agreed to fight each other for life, but you secretly changed your ways.
Tsk tsk tsk~
"Yulang, you must do well in the exam and strive to get first place. Whether our Marquis's family can hold its head high depends entirely on you. You don't want to be suppressed by someone forever, do you?"
Jiang Yao was talking to Pei Lingyu.
As she spoke, she glanced at Pei Yanzhi standing next to Jiang Shuwan.
Clearly, the "someone" she was referring to was Pei Yanzhi.
Pei Lingyu: "..."
Where do you get your confidence from?!
Pei Lingyu was very embarrassed.
Jiang Yao believed him, and as a man, he was very happy, but where did she get the confidence to think she could outshine Pei Yanzhi?
The imperial examinations weren't for testing poetry writing, and in poetry writing, he was far superior to Pei Yanzhi.
But articles, especially those for exams...
Thinking about the essays to be tested, Pei Lingyu couldn't help but feel nervous. She looked up and saw Pei Yunzhou, who was equally nervous, and immediately felt a sense of kinship with him. Pei Yunzhou felt the same way.
The two brothers, who shared a mutual respect, went inside together, while Pei Yanzhi lingered and didn't leave.
Staring at the short, powerful minister who was two heads taller than her and had long legs, Jiang Shuwan raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you need, husband?"
"I will do my best on the exam."
"..."
No, you've been standing here for so long just to say this?
Once you're at the exam center, who wouldn't do their best?
Jiang Shuwan and the two monks were completely baffled, unable to understand the meaning behind Pei Yanzhi's words. Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhi went inside as well.
The autumn examination lasted for three days. During this time, the masters of the Marquis's mansion couldn't even enjoy their meals. After all, the fact that the three direct descendants of the Marquis's mansion were taking the exam had already spread throughout the city. If they didn't succeed, they would definitely become the laughing stock of the entire capital.
Of course, even if Pei Yunzhou and Pei Lingyu didn't say it, Pei Yanzhi and the others believed it.
However, believing is one thing, worrying is another.
Sensing the unease in the household, Jiang Shuwan didn't try to comfort them. She was also troubled, having already received the old emperor's decree.
It's certainly a good thing that the old emperor intends to increase commercial taxes, but the problem is that no one supports him, so she has to write a feasibility report.
On the one hand, it gave the old emperor more confidence in commercial taxes, and on the other hand, it refuted those opposing court officials.
Nothing is more convincing than data, but she has only been doing business in the Great Jing Dynasty for a short time and has not been exposed to many industries, so her data is naturally limited.
"Should we find someone to conduct research?"
"Brother Nai is now the president of the West Market Association. Because of his business on Donglai Street, many businessmen from the East, South, and North Markets also follow his lead."
"But data is the lifeblood of businesses, so how could they possibly tell me that?"
Jiang Shuwan was troubled by this matter for more than ten days, and even after the results of the autumn examination were released, she still couldn't come up with a solution.
The old emperor didn't send anyone to urge them, after all, he didn't know much about commercial taxes.
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