Chapter 370 Taxes
With the national treasury empty, the question of whether to resume tax collection has been debated in the court for a long time.
However, during court today, the Censorate jointly impeached Princess Zhenguo for her arrogant behavior and close association with actors, which tarnished the reputation of the royal family.
The officials were surprised; the Censorate was indeed tough today.
Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression darkened, and he looked at Qin Jinzhi.
"Is what the Censorate said true?"
Qin Jinzhi replied, "Your Majesty, it is true."
The ministers immediately turned their gazes to Grand Tutor Pei, who had heard that the actor had been silenced by the Pei family.
Grand Tutor Pei stood below without changing his expression.
His Majesty slammed his hand on the dragon table, "Nonsense!"
The officials immediately said, "Your Majesty, please calm down."
At this moment, Wei Cha stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the princess is a young woman of great talent and beauty. It is only natural for the men of Jin to feel affection for her. However, I have heard that the princess intends to bury that man in the Qin family cemetery. I think this is not advisable.”
Qin Jinzhi asked loudly, "Why not?"
Wei Cha said, "The Qin family is full of loyal martyrs. The Qin family tomb is where the heroes of Jin are buried. Even if an actor wins the princess's favor, he is not worthy to be buried in the Qin family tomb."
Qin Jinzhi nodded after listening, "Old Wei is right."
The officials were surprised that Qin Jinzhi was so easy to talk to.
Just then, Qin Jinzhi spoke up again: "But what if he is also a meritorious official of Jin?"
Wei Cha bowed and said, "May I ask, Princess, how can an actor become a meritorious official of the Jin state?"
Qin Jinzhi turned to look at Eunuch Hong, "Eunuch Hong, bring in the things that are outside the hall."
After observing His Majesty, Eunuch Hong walked outside the palace.
Then he came in carrying a tray.
After walking over to Qin Jinzhi, Qin Jinzhi lifted the cloth on the tray.
"You've probably all heard some rumors circulating in the city. It's said that two famous actors in the capital got into a fight over me. This is the thing they were supposedly searching for for me."
The tray displayed various shapes of sweet potatoes.
Raw sweet potatoes, cooked sweet potatoes, and sweet potatoes that have already been cooked and cut into small pieces.
Everyone looked at the tray with puzzled expressions.
Wei Cha asked, "Princess, what is this?"
Qin Jinzhi stood next to Eunuch Hong.
"This thing is called sweet potato. It is an agricultural product from foreign lands. It is sweet and has a good taste."
Wei Cha spoke again, "Even if this actor found something that suited the princess's taste, he cannot be considered a meritorious official of Jin."
Qin Jinzhi gestured for Eunuch Hong to walk up to Wei Cha. "This crop has a shorter growth cycle than normal crops, is highly resistant to floods and droughts, and yields a bountiful harvest. It can relieve the people's urgent needs in the event of drought or flood. Lord Wei, wouldn't you say this is a great achievement?"
At Qin Jinzhi's prompting, Wei Cha ate a piece of boiled sweet potato.
Then, Eunuch Hong carried the tray and walked up to each official one by one.
The food that could be brought into the palace had undergone rigorous inspections, so the officials were not worried that there was anything wrong with the sweet potato. Even if they had some doubts, they would look at each other and then put the sweet potato in their mouths.
Just as the princess said.
Wei Cha stepped forward and said, “I see. Such concern for the people is indeed a great achievement. Your Majesty, I have no objection.”
Qin Jinzhi turned to the Censorate and said, "Gentlemen, I have a deep friendship with such a patriotic and concerned person. Do you have any objections?"
The officials of the Censorate said in unison, "We have no objections."
Upon hearing this, the emperor laughed and said, "So it was a misunderstanding. In that case, we will do as you wish. Send this item to the Ministry of Agriculture for research. If it is as the princess says, then it will be promoted throughout the country."
Qin Jinzhi stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I have another matter to discuss."
The officials were immediately on tenterhooks.
The little princess's minister has a matter to report, which has the same effect as the old minister Wei has a memorial to present.
Who knows what might end up in their mouths!
Qin Jinzhi spoke:
"Taxation is a matter of great importance to the country. Your Majesty loves the country and its people. At the beginning of the dynasty, you reduced taxes for the benefit of the people. You are truly a wise ruler."
However, the national treasury is now empty, and the Jiangnan region has suffered from floods, so donations alone are just a drop in the bucket.
Therefore, taxes must be restored, but since the people have just solved their livelihood problems, taxes should not be too heavy.
Sweet potatoes are very easy to grow. I propose that they be included in the taxable agricultural products, which would alleviate the national treasury's financial crisis without increasing the burden on the people.
The pride in the emperor's eyes was no longer concealed.
These are the children he raised.
With the world in their hearts, they were concerned about the country and its people.
The officials were stunned when they heard Qin Jinzhi's words.
Wei Cha stepped forward and said, "Your Highness's compassion for the people is a blessing for the State of Jin and for the people!"
Many officials in the court realized what was happening.
What scandalous affair? It was just a tactic used by the princess to promote the cultivation of this crop.
The common people have limited understanding, and if we directly order them to plant this plant, it will definitely cause a lot of dissatisfaction.
It is extremely difficult to implement.
Now, the so-called love affair has taken a dramatic turn in the State of Jin.
At least the common people now know exactly what this sweet potato is.
Many people looked at Qin Jinzhi, probably because she was the one manipulating this drama of actors vying for power.
This was the first time Qin Jinzhi had openly displayed her methods in the imperial court.
Looking at Qin Jinzhi, who was shining brightly in the hall, Lang Qingfeng experienced for the first time the meaning of his sister's words about cherishing virtue and holding onto talent.
He knew Qin Jinzhi's lofty ambitions, but that word really had nothing to do with Qin Jinzhi.
But at that very moment, he clearly saw that this word was perfectly embodied in Qin Jinzhi.
Amidst everyone's astonishment, the Emperor spoke up: "Do any of you ministers have any objections to the Princess Zhenguo's proposal?"
"We have no objection."
Qin Jinzhi's proposal directly resolved the problem that had been causing so many days of arguments among officials.
The Crown Prince looked at Qin Jinzhi, a smile on his lips, but his eyes were devoid of warmth.
Seeing the reactions of the crowd, the emperor said, "In that case, this matter shall be handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture."
The Minister of Agriculture stepped forward, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
After the court session, Qin Jinzhi caught up with Wei Cha.
"Old man, you acted well."
Wei Cha raised an eyebrow. "You really do things quietly. People's livelihood is a big deal. These sweet potatoes are excellent. If there is a natural disaster, they will surely relieve the Jin state's predicament."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've already sent someone to deliver those excellent tea cakes to your residence."
Seeing that no one was around, Wei asked in a low voice, "What are you having Wei Lin investigate?"
Given Qin Jinzhi's intelligence, it's impossible that she would keep Wei Lin in the Court of State Ceremonial indefinitely.
Wei Lin leaves early and returns late every day. Although he is in charge of diplomatic relations with other countries, he shouldn't be this busy.
His son is a real rascal.
After observing for so many days, he guessed that Wei Lin might be investigating something.
Qin Jinzhi looked at Wei Cha, "Why do you say that?"
Wei Cha knew from Qin Jinzhi's expression that she didn't want to talk.
He sighed, "Child, I hope the matter you are investigating will not destabilize the State of Jin."
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