"But……"
Gu Jinxi murmured, "Didn't Grandpa say that he has been reducing taxes for many years?"
He had been handling government affairs with Emperor Rongcheng a few days ago, and naturally heard a lot about it.
In particular, he could memorize the memorials presented to Emperor Rongcheng with just a glance.
He clearly remembered that those reports were filled with news of people living prosperous and peaceful lives, but why...
"Oh……"
The doctor suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"Our emperor of the Great Cheng Dynasty is getting old."
He sighed as he spoke.
“In the beginning, when he first ascended the throne, he was diligent in his duties, and the people were indeed living in peace and prosperity under his rule, and their lives got better day by day.”
"But so many years have passed."
Officials who originally worked for the benefit of the people have gradually forgotten their original aspirations.
They began to line their own pockets, and for their own selfish desires and greed, they turned their sickles against the very people they had been protecting.
"Human desires are endless."
"Once the breach is opened, it will only continue to grow larger and larger, eventually becoming a greedy behemoth that only wants to drain the last bit of blood from the people."
As for the common people who only had a little bit of flesh left, they were eventually driven to madness.
A madman who, in order to survive, allows the evil within him to run rampant and run rampant.
The doctor's words made Gu Jinxi thoughtful.
He looked at the doctor and suddenly asked a question.
"So what should we do now?"
The doctor then added:
"The most urgent task now is naturally to control these displaced people."
Otherwise, if this continues, and these people are exploited by those with ulterior motives, it could lead to riots, turning them into puppets and shields for those in power.
"When that time comes, the people's lives will only get harder."
"Then how should we control it?" Gu Jinxi asked, bewildered.
The doctor thought for a moment before saying:
"Naturally, we need to give them enough food first, so that they can eat their fill and not starve to death."
Then the government should intervene, surround them, provide them with lodging, and ensure they do not cause trouble.
Once everything has stabilized, we can give them enough silver, land, or other things, or send them back to where they were before.
"In short, we must give them hope."
Gu Jinxi nodded, clearly understanding.
He looked up, carefully examined the doctor, and spoke again.
"Then why hasn't the imperial court taken any action yet?"
The doctor chuckled again.
"That's a question for our Emperor Rongcheng."
"However, I guess our Emperor Rongcheng probably hasn't received the news yet."
Gu Jinxi frowned.
"He's getting old and has been in a high position for a long time, so people around him inevitably flatter him. Over time, he can no longer hear the truth."
In the long run, even the most brilliant person will become deaf and blind, unable to see the true nature of the people.
Because those officials concealed the true state of the people.
Gu Jinxi frowned.
"Are we just going to let those officials continue like this?"
"Otherwise what?"
The doctor gave a cold laugh.
"Unless there is another change of dynasty, who can get rid of all those officials?"
Moreover, who can guarantee that a new emperor and a new dynasty will be better than the current one?
Gu Jinxi fell silent again.
The doctor looked at the child and said nothing more.
He used to be a royal physician. He used all his knowledge to finally enter the palace, but he was ostracized and made things difficult for others. In the end, he almost lost his life.
So, disheartened, he left the palace and wandered all the way to this small mountain village, where he has stayed for many years.
When Ye Wenxi found him yesterday, he felt that the person in front of him was no ordinary person.
However, he didn't know why he was talking so much to a child.
How could he possibly understand?
Thinking of this, the doctor couldn't help but sigh.
"Enough, I've said too much today."
"Which dynasty didn't have corrupt officials? And which emperor could remain sharp of hearing and sight for his entire life?"
"Moreover, our ministers have another trump card up their sleeves, and that is our Crown Prince."
"We all believe that once His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, peace and prosperity will surely prevail."
"And what about His Highness the Crown Prince?"
The doctor paused again upon hearing this.
"That's a long way off; let's talk about it later."
However, I believe that someone as wise as His Highness the Crown Prince will surely have an even wiser child.
Gu Jinxi nodded.
At this moment, the noise outside grew louder, and more and more shouts rang out.
The refugees seemed to have guessed that the common people had all hidden themselves, so they used all their strength to bang on the door.
The two carriages outside Gu Jinxi's door also came in very handy.
They loaded all the looted items onto the carriage and immediately set off to leave ahead of schedule.
However, the others were unwilling, partly due to time constraints, and the two groups began to fight over it.
The scene became even more chaotic, and no one smashed the gate to their courtyard anymore.
Even through the courtyard wall, Gu Jinxi could hear the sounds outside.
The doctor was also taken aback upon hearing this, and couldn't help but glance at Gu Jinxi again.
He hadn't expected that this little guy, despite his young age, would be so quick-witted.
Gu Jinxi looked at him again.
"uncle."
He said, "Can we go to the nearby government offices now and ask them to send troops to suppress the refugees and distribute food?"
The doctor shook his head.
"If they wanted to distribute food, they would have done so long ago."
The reason they haven't been issued yet is either because they're waiting for funds from the imperial court, or because there's no grain in the granaries.
Gu Jinxi frowned.
"What can we do to force them to send troops?"
The doctor thought for a moment before saying, "Unless you are a member of the royal family, or someone of very high status, such as a prince, princess, or crown prince."
"Then we can certainly force them to distribute the food."
Gu Jinxi wanted to say that he was the eldest grandson of the emperor, the eldest grandson personally acknowledged by his grandfather.
However, it seems to be of no use.
Because his identity has not yet been announced to the world, apart from a few acquaintances, no one else knows who he is.
Moreover, now that he has left the palace and no longer desires that identity, even fewer people can believe him.
At this moment, Gu Jinxi's little heart felt an intense, first-time desire for her identity to be revealed to the public.
If that's the case, then his identity would certainly be able to persuade nearby officials to send troops, provide disaster relief, and even protect his mother.
Amidst the shouts and curses of the people, the innocent and naive Gu Jinxi learned for the first time the importance of power.
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