Imperial Palace Dragon Palace
Emperor Song leaned over the dragon table, his eyes like two cold lightning bolts, shooting straight at the Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers kneeling below.
"I have heard recently that the people are complaining that the taxes are too heavy and the people are suffering. As the pillars of the court, what are your opinions on this?" The voice of the Emperor of Song was as deep as thunder, with unquestionable majesty.
Zhuge Liang, the chief minister, stepped forward first, his body erect as a pine tree. He spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, the war has just ended, and the treasury is extremely empty. Tax reduction is difficult. However, I believe that the collection methods can be improved, like a skilled craftsman carving a sculpture, to prevent the exploitation of local officials."
Lu Cifu on the left immediately said, "What the Prime Minister said is quite true. However, we need to strengthen the supervision of local officials like a strict teacher and inspector, and severely punish those who are like rats who enrich themselves. Only then can the people truly benefit, like a long drought finally ending in a downpour."
Su Cifu on the right frowned and hesitated, saying, "While your Excellencies' suggestions are sound, the court currently has limited manpower, and comprehensive oversight may be difficult. In my opinion, it would be better to develop agriculture and sericulture first, increase production, and fundamentally solve the people's food and clothing problems."
Emperor Song listened to the three people's words and nodded slightly. His thoughts surged like the tide and he fell into deep thought.
In this court, everyone has their own thoughts. He needs to be like a wise man who can see through everything, weigh the pros and cons, and make the most appropriate decision in order to stabilize his great country.
It seems that the only option is to set up another institution, called the "Anti-Corruption Office", to specifically supervise these corrupt officials and make the court as clear as the bright blue sky.
However, this organization is like a hot potato. It may offend people and requires one to be upright and honest. I believe that many people will be like a frightened bird and dare not lead the organization for fear of offending others.
This matter should be dealt with as soon as possible. We must decide on the leader at tomorrow morning's court session and implement it as soon as possible!
After the Emperor finished discussing state affairs, he went to the Empress's palace. Seeing the Emperor approaching, the Empress hurriedly stood up to greet him and bowed gracefully, "May your Majesty be well and safe."
Emperor Song smiled and helped the empress to her feet, sitting her down on the couch. He motioned for her to sit down as well. "I heard the empress is planning a banquet?"
"Well, Your Majesty, the second, third, fourth and fifth princes have all reached marriageable age. I would like to observe the character of the noble ladies in the capital and choose princesses for them, as well as a few concubines, so that Your Majesty can have grandchildren as soon as possible!" Empress Ouyang poured a cup of tea for Emperor Song and said in a deep voice.
"Well, that makes perfect sense. Once you've chosen your candidate, submit him to me. I'll review him and make the final decision."
"Yes, I obey your command."
The Emperor and the Empress chatted for a few words before leaving Fengyi Palace. Eunuch Guo, the chief steward of Longchen Palace, cautiously followed Emperor Song and whispered, "Your Majesty, should we inform the Empress of the family whose title you wish to deprive of its title?"
The emperor glanced at Eunuch Guo and said, "Don't say anything more. Let's leave it at that for now. We'll discuss it again after the princes have chosen their princesses."
When Eunuch Guo was glared at by the Song Emperor, he knelt down and apologized: "I spoke too much, I deserve to die."
The Emperor of Song glanced at Eunuch Guo and motioned him to follow, then he walked forward, but he was thinking in his heart that when the previous emperor founded the country, he conferred titles on many dukes, marquises, and earls.
The power of these families is now complex and intricate. Some of them even rely on the merits of their ancestors and behave arrogantly and domineeringly, and violations of laws and regulations occur frequently.
Cases of corruption were also heard from time to time. The border war had just ended and the treasury was empty. Paying the salaries of so many titles was a considerable expense, and the matter of reducing the titles had already been agreed upon.
The crown prince has not yet been decided, and several princes have been fighting each other to the death in secret for the throne and trying to win over court officials. He has long been dissatisfied with this.
This time, taking advantage of the opportunity of the prince choosing a concubine, we can select noble ladies from families whose titles are to be stripped, reduce their strength, and give them a slight warning so that they don't stretch their hands too far.
In this way, we can also observe the attitudes of these families. If there are those who are ignorant, we can strip them of their titles. We can also take the opportunity to suppress their arrogance and rectify the atmosphere in the court.
Fengyi Palace
The Queen stood in front of a pot of lilies, trimming them and thinking. The Fourth Prince, Song Chengzhao, was her biological son and also the legitimate son of Emperor Song. She had heard about the military token. The 30,000 soldiers and horses left by the late Emperor must be an elite force. If the military token was in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, she must find a way to obtain it to help Zhao'er.
This palace banquet requires contact with the women of the Zhenguogong Mansion. I'll try to find out about the military token indirectly. If that doesn't work, I'll have to send secret guards to investigate!
Zhenguogong Mansion
Second room Zhiyuanju
Jiang Zhixu returned to the inner courtyard from the study in the outer courtyard, holding in his hand a list of the in-laws of various families in the capital, the list of unmarried daughters of marriageable age in each family, and the relationships inside and outside the palace that he had obtained from the eldest princess.
He thought of giving it to his wife. His wife married and moved to the capital from Jiangnan. She had been staying at home to observe mourning and had never gone out for social events. She didn't know anyone in the capital, so he thought of doing his best to help her.
He knew his own body well. If he couldn't get the antidote pill, he wouldn't live long. Even though his wife was beautiful and he loved her very much, he couldn't touch her. When he died, she could still choose someone who treated her well.
When he entered Zhiyuan Residence, all the servants in the courtyard bowed and saluted.
"Good morning, Second Master."
He ignored them and walked straight into the inner room. The scene he saw almost made him bleed from the nose.
His wife was wearing a transparent light blue gauze dress, lying on the chaise longue, snoring soundly. Her skin was faintly visible under the gauze, her delicate face had a hint of sleepiness, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her red lips were slightly pursed, and her breathing was even and soft.
Jiang Zhixu's face suddenly turned red to his ears. He subconsciously turned his eyes away, secretly blaming himself for being rude.
But his eyes were like an iron needle attracted by a magnet, and he couldn't help but glance at her secretly again. He felt that there was such a beautiful sleeping face in this world, just like the blooming peach blossoms, so delicate and beautiful.
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