Picked up a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 548
Of course, specifically, he still needs to use Zhang Xi to investigate, but he already vaguely understands in his heart that Zhang Song's affairs in the Sili area cannot avoid a very important link, that is, taxation. The townships in the Li area have ranks, and it is impossible for all of them to listen to Zhang Song. Zhang Song does not have that great ability, but there are some people who can instruct them and conceal the real tax rate of the local area. That person is Yuan Shao who is Sikong.

If this is the case, then it makes sense, except for Mastiff, it is Yuan Shao who can make Yuan Shu so embarrassed and willing to take the blame.

It can also be clearly explained why Yuan Shu would be so perfunctory. Obviously, he just wanted to see for himself that he was pleading with himself in a disguised form, and wanted to exchange Yuan Shao's life with himself.

Thinking about this, the Son of Heaven remained silent, his eyes filled with murderous intent, Hua Xiong sat in front of the Son of Heaven, he could see clearly, he asked with some doubts: "There are so many people involved in this case?"

"That's right, three lords and nine ministers, all court officials." The emperor said coldly.

Hua Xiong pondered for a moment, then said: "That will be troublesome."

"Oh? What's the trouble? There are tens of thousands of northern troops. Could it be that they can't be dealt with?"

Hua Xiong shook his head and said: "After arresting those county magistrates before, the matter of re-appointment is a headache for me. If all the ministers of the court are arrested, I will not be able to help your Majesty with the matter of appointment!"

The emperor laughed and said, "It's reasonable, it's reasonable, so how should we proceed? Just let these traitors ignore it?"

"I don't know about that. In fact, I'm still thinking about Zhang Song."

"Thinking about what?"

"I don't know if he is good or bad. If he is a good man, he oppresses the people, conceals the king, and forms a party for personal gain. He cannot be regarded as a good man. If he is a wicked man, when he was a county magistrate in various places, his political achievements are true. He is very outstanding, and there are still many people in many places still talking about his good name. After he served as Yin of Henan, although he raised the tax rate and squeezed the people, he used the money to build water conservancy and roads.”

"He just died like this. When I think about it now, it's really a pity. His appearance, if he doesn't die, he will definitely be able to do something!"

Hearing Hua Xiong's words, the Son of Heaven thought of something, fell silent, thought for a long time, nodded, and said, "Maybe so."

He suddenly raised his head, looked at Hua Xiong, and asked, "Hua Jun, why do you think so many ministers do such things? Is it because of me?" Hua Xiong grinned and said: " Your Majesty, how simple it is, not everyone is like me, Hua Xiong, I am different from them, as long as I have a place to sleep and a mouthful of food, I think it is enough, they are different, they want a bigger house, Want to eat better, want to get more”

"There are very few moral people like me," Hua Xiong sighed.

The Son of Heaven laughed, nodded, and said, "That's true."

"Hua Jun!" the emperor looked at Hua Xiong in front of him and said, "There is a library in my palace. If you want to read in the future, you can come to me. Whether it is ancient books or the works of famous scholars today, I have everything here." I can find it!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. It's just that I get sleepy as soon as I read a book. For many years, I haven't even been able to read Gongyang Chunqiu." Hua Xiong said with some embarrassment.

After Hua Xiong left the Hall of Houde, for some reason, the anger in the emperor's heart was much less. He asked Han gatekeeper Zhang Xi to find him, read a few names and crimes directly, asked him to collect them, and told him , Even if you know the evidence of the crime, you can't do it.

In the 17st year of Xiping, January.

The astonishing potential of Xizhou exploded for the first time, which shocked the officials of the temple. The establishment of Xizhou was only a little over a year old, but during this time, the business tax provided by Xizhou exceeded that of other states including Sili Prefecture. Cao Cao has never procrastinated in the commercial taxation of the fifteen prefectures, and he seems to be turning the entire Xiting County into a huge market. In Xiting County, it is full of goods shipped from all over the Han Dynasty.

Thousands of merchants settled here, and the Anxi people from outside, even the Guishan people, all appeared here. While conducting trade with the Han Dynasty, they had to pay corresponding taxes. , There have been many workshops and planting bases. In order to reduce the cost of transportation, merchants directly carry out manufacturing, weaving, mining and other affairs in Xizhou, and sell them in Xiting County.

The Han Dynasty has had foreign trade from a very early age. During the Hanwu period, there was foreign trade in the Northwest region, and at the same time it had maritime trade with the Japanese country. However, the Han Dynasty never paid attention to these merchants. Merchants have always been regarded as the most It is a cheap industry with high business tax, but it has never had such huge benefits. The huge benefits brought by Xizhou left the officials dumbfounded and shook their minds.

Of course, it is only wavering, and it is impossible to change their long-standing views based on the benefits brought by commercial taxes.

They still hate these merchants and despise business matters, but they are enjoying the real benefits. Yuan Shao was the first to look for the emperor. Yuan Shao is very happy that the development of Xizhou has surpassed him He hurried to the palace and started discussing with the emperor. In Houde Hall, Yuan Shao told the emperor about his plan.

"Since the establishment of Xizhou, it has not received much support from the temple, but it has already looked like it is today. I think that if the temple can support Xizhou on a large scale, it will make Xizhou develop more rapidly. Financial matters are of great benefit. In addition, we should slow down the policy and allow merchants from various states in the country to go to Xizhou for trade at will. In addition, such locations can be set up in Ningzhou and Jiaozhou.”

"Issuing a pass order to merchants who intend to participate in trade, so that they can go to these three locations for trade. No longer restrict them"

Yuan Shao narrated seriously, and the emperor listened very carefully.

Yuan Shao explained all his plans. Generally speaking, he wants to loosen too many restrictions on merchants and set up three free trade zones. At the same time, he should strengthen the control of trade in arms, grain and grass to prevent the loss of these items. In addition, there is the most important thing, the settlement of foreigners. Yuan Shao said: "Today, there are a large number of foreigners in Xizhou, Ningzhou, and Jiaozhou. These people trade here, but they cannot stay. , because they cannot settle"

"We should not stop those who want to enter our Han Dynasty. These people enrich the frontier household registration, and they can also bring us news from foreign countries, as long as they are registered in the household registration and become the people of the Han Dynasty."

Listening to Yuan Shao's many plans, the emperor nodded from time to time, and said with some doubts: "If it is implemented in this way, I am afraid that the officials will definitely not allow it!"

Yuan Shao shook his head and said: "It's okay, Your Majesty will leave this matter to the ministers, and the ministers will let them agree!"

Only then did the emperor laugh and said, "With such a great talent as Ben Chu, I have no worries!"

Yuan Shao didn't dare to say goodbye, and left. After he left, the emperor's face turned cold, and he found evidence of Yuan Shao's crimes from under the case. This was what Zhang He found, and it was exactly the same as what Zhang Song said. , the emperor smiled, and carefully put these papers away, and under the case, there were piles of papers.

In the Yuan Mansion, Hua Tuo was checking Yuan Shu's injuries. Yuan Shu looked a little thinner than before. It seemed that only a skeleton was left in his whole body, which looked like a skeleton. Hua Tuo carefully inspected his body. , laughed, and said: "Yuan Gong is fine, but he is too thin. In the future, you can eat more meat for four meals." He said, and the servants on the side quickly wrote it down.

After Hua Tuo finished speaking, he said, "Also, I have to congratulate Duke Yuan."

"Madam is happy, I'm afraid she's pregnant in three months"

Yuan Shu, who had a calm face, heard this sentence, but if he was struck by lightning, he jumped up. He widened his eyes, looked at Hua Tuo in front of him, and asked in disbelief: "What did you say?" , Hua Tuo said: "Madam is happy, congratulations to Yuan Gong." Yuan Shu looked at him blankly, but there was no joy on his face. Looking at Hua Tuo who was a little confused in front of him, Yuan Shu asked: "How long can I live?"

"Ah?? What do you say?"

"I hope you don't want to deceive me, tell me the truth, I know my body, but I don't know the exact time, I hope you can tell me. I might see this child?"

Hua Tuo looked at Yuan Shu in front of him, stunned for a long time, sighed helplessly, and said, "I don't know." Looking at Yuan Shu in front of him, he had no choice but to say: "Mr. Yuan, tell me the truth, I didn't think But Mr. Yuan can persist. As of today, the medicine I gave to the public can save you from severe pain, but it will be harmful to you. If Mr. Yuan refuses to accept it, you may see the birth of a child. But if you take the medicine, I am afraid that within three or four months .”

Yuan Shu nodded, without any fear on his face, he laughed and said, "That's good, Hua Jun, you don't have to tell others about my illness. I can survive."

"Please!"

After Hua Tuo left, Yuan Shu went to Mrs. Sima with a smile on his face. Mrs. Sima was knitting children's clothes with her head down. Feeling sad and thinking about something, Sima was busy, but he heard someone behind him say: "The weaving is so beautiful." Sima was stunned, turned his head quickly, and saw Yuan Shu behind him.

This was the first time Yuan Shu said such words, she was a little at a loss, Yuan Shu sat beside her, picked up the children's clothes she wove, looked at them carefully, nodded, and said with a smile: "Yes, if I Put it on, it will fit you!"

"Husband, this."

"Hahaha" Yuan Shu laughed, and said, "If it's a male, I'll name him Gong, so that others will respectfully address him as Yuan Gong."

"Husband! How did this happen?!" Sima took Yuan Shu's naughty joke seriously, and asked in surprise,

Yuan Shu laughed again and said, "What's the matter, you know Hua Xiong? He told us earlier that if he had a son, he would name him Champion Hou!"

(End of this chapter)