Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Eyes meet for a few moments
Xu Qing'an's teaching to the little emperor was not like the lecturers at the Hongwenguan who had to conduct it every day. Generally speaking, after each of his lectures, he would have the next one a few days later.
A few days later, Xu Qing'an went to teach the little emperor again. Everything in the class was the same as before, just according to the previous plan. However, after the class ended this time, Xu Qing'an asked the little emperor what he thought about Danqing.
"Your Majesty, do you like painting?"
The little emperor answered seriously, "It's not that bad actually. I just use painting to relax occasionally."
Xu Qing'an asked again, "So the colors in that flower-bird and landscape painting were all chosen by Your Majesty according to his own ideas? Whether it's the lush green grass and trees, the indigo-colored distant mountains, or the pink flowers and jujube-red fruits."
The young emperor pondered, "Well... I can't say that everything I painted was based on my own ideas. I just painted whatever I wanted to paint at the time. The colors are all based on the original appearance of the scenery, although some of them are just random colors I mixed..."
"What's wrong? Lord Xu, do you think there's something wrong with the painting?" the little emperor asked humbly.
Xu Qing'an smiled and said gently, "No, it's just that I felt the colors in the painting were very detailed, details that many people don't notice when painting. So I thought I'd ask Your Majesty what you were thinking at the time. I didn't expect Your Majesty's aim to 'present truthfully' solved the problem. I truly admire you."
The little emperor was shy because of the praise.
Xu Qing'an focused his attention on the painting again.
——
On the first day of every month, all officials above the ninth rank in the capital must attend court.
Before going to court, Qing He was dressing Shangguan Xu and asked worriedly, "Have you, Her Majesty, truly decided to have a showdown with Prime Minister Su today?"
Shangguan Xu glanced at himself in the mirror, chuckled, and said, "Actually, there's not much point in pretending everything is fine after all this has happened. At the latest, when Su Xingzheng dies, he'll know I won't let him go. He'll know I'll definitely settle the score from four years ago."
Qing He: "It's just that today is the New Year's Day, and there are too many people here, including many of Su's followers. I'm worried that if he really doesn't care, the situation will get out of control."
"Yes," Shangguan Xu admitted, "acting today is indeed risky. However, precisely because there are so many people here, it's the perfect time to expose his true colors. You know, so many of his supporters have been deceived by his hypocritical facade."
Qing He: "Has Lord Xu also cooperated with the Empress?"
Speaking of Xu Qing'an, Shangguan Xu realized that he had not seen him in private for several days. During this period, if there was any information that needed to be communicated, it was always delivered through others.
Today's matter is of great importance, and both of them need to put in a lot of effort to prepare for it. Although the two of them have become very close on the surface, in order to prevent Su Wang from easily noticing their movements, they both tacitly chose to reduce the number of times they met before today.
Besides this, Shangguan Xu had another reason for not wanting to see him——
She felt that he was a little strange recently, or more accurately, her feelings towards him were a little strange. She felt that his aura was becoming more and more like the one she remembered...
Admittedly, her initial thoughts did have some malicious taste in viewing him as a substitute, but if this similarity crossed the line and even reached the level of usurping someone else's position, she would stop it.
Shangguan Xu looked at himself in the mirror and saw a wave of worry spreading from his brow.
In the end, he can manipulate people's hearts...
She had to adjust quickly and not let him get the upper hand.
"By the way, Your Majesty, someone from His Majesty's side said that Lord Xu is going to teach His Majesty painting." Qinghe suddenly remembered.
Shangguan Xu came back to her senses. "Danqing?" She thought, "Why did you think of teaching Danqing?"
When I asked him to teach calligraphy before, he always refused on the grounds that it would take too long, but now he took the initiative to mention that he wants to teach painting?
You know, it takes time to achieve results in painting and writing.
Shangguan Xu asked, "Did he say where he would start teaching?"
Qing He replied, "Probably a flower and bird painting."
really.
The last time he saw the painting of the little emperor, she felt that he was behaving strangely, and now what he wanted to teach was indeed related to that landscape painting.
But why would he pay attention to a painting? It was just a painting made by a young child.
However, Shangguan Xu didn't have time to think about it now, because she had more important things to do in the morning court today.
——
On the first day of the lunar month, all officials attended the court ceremony. The troops outside the Taiji Palace were in order, and all officials entered in turn.
Because Xu Qing'an was previously promoted to Chief Censor and Secretary of the Secretariat, his fifth-rank official rank means that his current position is still at the forefront of the team.
Although the two had not met in private for a long time, after the ministers cheered, when Xu Qing'an raised his eyes, he was still able to meet the gaze of the person behind the curtain.
After their eyes met for a few moments, he lowered his eyes and smiled softly.
Shangguan Xu took in his expression from his high seat and also curled his lips.
Although there were many officials attending the Shuo Dynasty, the procedures were the same as in previous court sessions. After the thunderous cheers, the chief eunuch shouted, "If you have a certificate, you can present your report. If you don't, you can leave the court."
Shangguan Xu's plan should be implemented at this time.
However, the next moment, before the person she arranged could step out of the line, she heard a deep and loud voice coming from the head of the officials.
"I have a memorial."
Shangguan Xu's eyes froze for a moment, and his expression froze instantly.
At the foot of the stairs, Su Wang raised his eyes, glanced upwards grimly, and continued, "Now the aristocratic families in Guanzhong and Jiangnan are petitioning for the farmland issue."
"The land in Guanzhong and Jiangnan is fertile and has always been the place where our Great Jin produces and reserves grain. Many important granaries are located there."
"However, much of this fertile land is left to the poor. Due to their poverty and small population, these poor families are unable to fully utilize the fertile land. Each year, they harvest less than half of what they should, which affects tax revenue. In recent years, natural disasters have been frequent, making food reserves particularly important. Therefore, the aristocratic families of Jiangnan are willing to shoulder their national responsibilities and help the court increase its grain reserves."
"To this end, I have discussed with the Ministry of Revenue and drafted the 'Order on the Preferential Allocation of Good Farmland'. This will allocate good farmland based on family size and financial resources, thereby maximizing its usefulness. As for the good farmland that previously fell into the hands of the poor, after the new order is issued, the noble families who receive their land will pay for it at market price."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a buzz in the court.
Shangguan Xu immediately understood Su Wang's intention.
On the surface, he redistributed fertile land on the pretext of grain reserves, but in fact he was doing so to win over the powerful families!
The so-called land fees are nothing but a cover. Throughout the ages, any land reform involving this kind of land reform has never been as fair as written. There will only be all kinds of shady operations and plundering involved, and in the end, the result will only be "the powerful get richer and the people get poorer."
Let's not consider why Su Wang also had plans for the aristocratic families when she had plans for them. His plan was really vicious and desperate.
In the current situation, land is the foundation everywhere, and the final problems of every dynasty will fall on the land. Su Wang comes from a scholarly family, and as a prime minister, he cannot be unaware of the consequences of land annexation. However, he still did it, even at the risk of losing the hearts of the grassroots people.
The reason why he chose to bring this matter directly to the attention of Shuo Chao was very simple - just like her previous plan, both wanted to embarrass the other party.
Xu Qing'an, who was in the queue, also frowned and thought, but he was very uneasy in his heart, thinking that the situation was far more serious than the current situation.
Shangguan Xu tried to maneuver, "Since Lord Su has this idea, why didn't he discuss it with the Secretariat first?"
"Why do we need to discuss it again when the charter already exists?"
"What are the rules?"
"The details of the 'Order on the Granting of Good Farmland' have been finalized, and only the written documents need to be drafted."
"It seems that Lord Su thinks this order must be issued?"
Su Wang raised his eyes and said quietly, "Your Highness, do you think there is anything wrong or needs to be revised?"
He was indeed setting a trap for her.
More than half of the officials in the court today come from aristocratic families. Even if they are not from prominent families, according to the "Order on the Granting of Good Land" drafted by him, their family background is enough for them to benefit from the new policy. If Shangguan Xu rejects his idea at this moment, he will undoubtedly offend all the officials who will benefit from it.
However, if she really agreed to his idea, then the powerful families in Guanzhong and Jiangnan would be more closely bound to him.
Shangguan Xu evaded the question: "Since this is a new policy, we naturally need to carefully review every regulation."
Su Wang: "It should be so before it is promulgated. However, now, Your Highness only needs to confirm whether this matter will continue to be implemented."
As he spoke, he suddenly smiled and said, "Or, if Your Highness is truly concerned about the details of the regulations, then I have another way to reassure Your Highness."
"Where is Master Xu, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat?"
Xu Qing'an squeezed the tablet in his hand and stepped out, saying, "I wonder why Lord Su wants to see me?"
Su Wang smiled and said, "Master Xu has the talent of both the top officials and the position of Zhongshu Sheren. It is most appropriate for you to be responsible for drafting the new policy regulations."
"But Mr. Su, this matter has not yet been decided."
"Oh? Could it be that Lord Xu also thinks there's something wrong with this order?"
The atmosphere in the hall grew cold again for a moment, and Shangguan Xu clasped his hands tightly in front of him.
It seems that Su Wang wants to kill two birds with one stone today.
To be honest, Xu Qing'an's situation is even more precarious than hers. After all, after the Jiangnan incident was exposed by the previous ship merchants, he was exposed to the public and therefore suffered the resentment of many powerful people whose interests were damaged in that incident. If he blocked Su Wang's new policy again today, I am afraid that the powerful families would not tolerate him even more. If he wrote the new policy regulations, he would also be the main participant in the new order. However, the powerful families would not remember his kindness, but those poor people who lost their land because of this would also hate him for it.
The man at the head of the list kept his eyes on him. Perhaps rather than implementing the new policy, that man wanted to see what kind of people he would choose to offend.
Xu Qing'an lowered his eyes and said nothing.
After a moment, he moved his lips, ready to speak.
"How can this be possible!"
A loud shout suddenly broke the silence in the hall.
Xu Qing'an looked up in shock.
It was because he knew that the person who shouted this was none other than Zhang Fan!
Zhang Fan stood up at this moment and said to Su Wang, "Master Su, let me ask you, land policies are the foundation of the country and the lifeblood of the people."
Su Wang nodded slowly: "Of course."
"Since Lord Su also knows about this, how can we easily finalize the decree based on a few words?"
"I didn't make this decision with just a few words. It was the result of petitions from various noble families and discussions with the Ministry of Revenue."
Zhang Fan's eyes glared, and he said loudly, "Mr. Su is wrong! The wealthy and powerful families own thousands of acres of land and property, and have no worries about food and clothing. Do they really consider the common people in their wishes? They say they want to store grain for the country, but why don't they express any concern now that they have a surplus of food? In my opinion, they just want to use the name of storing grain to more easily swallow up the small households' small lands!"
Su Wang's face was dark and gloomy. "Mr. Zhang, you're overthinking it. You're being too pessimistic. Given the current situation, issuing this order is a move that will benefit the country."
"Beneficial to the country?" Zhang Fan glanced at a certain position in the queue and continued, "Let's not even mention how many colleagues in the court are from aristocratic families, and how many of them have complex connections with the wealthy and powerful. How can we guarantee fairness just by discussing the results privately?!
"Furthermore, this policy undoubtedly favors the wealthy and powerful. If fertile land is concentrated, small farmers will be left without a livelihood, and the number of refugees will gradually increase..."
"Enough!" Su Wang shouted, "Zhang Fan, I miss you and your husband has been tolerant of you time and time again, but you are being unreasonable and slandering the public interest of so many colleagues present, just to establish your own rule!"
Zhang Fan was suffering from qi stagnation.
His eyes glared, his chest heaving.
He suddenly questioned, "So, among all the people in the world, only the children of wealthy families are considered important? Are the common people from humble backgrounds just animals?"
"How can the foundation of the nation be stable under such circumstances? Where does the lifeblood of the people depend?!"
After he finished speaking, he took off his hat and threw it to the ground: "If this is the case, how can I still have the face to wear this official robe! How can I still have the face to eat the salary of the people!" Then he rushed towards the pillar in the hall without stopping.
Xu Qingan was shocked: "Mr. Zhang!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
