Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 514 This is a fight to the death!! (Subscribe please!!)
"Even Prime Minister Li Shanchang is no match for Ouyang Lun!!"

Zhou Yuan was terrified, his fat body was trembling, and his words were becoming more and more stuttering. "Then, then, what should we do?"

At this moment, Mr. Zhou no longer had the anger and arrogance he had just had.

The other businessmen in the box were quite calm about Mr. Zhou's changes. After all, when they first learned the news, they were not much better than Mr. Zhou.

"Old Zhou, this matter is no longer something that small businessmen like us can participate in."

"That's right. I heard that Ouyang Lun was able to defeat Prime Minister Li because of the help of His Majesty the Emperor!"

"It's more than just help. I think behind Ouyang Lun is the Emperor. If we fight Ouyang Lun, we will be fighting the Emperor. Do we have a chance of winning?"

"So we can only accept the tax which is twice as much as before?"

"It's not like there's no chance to turn around!"

"what chance?"

"I have carefully read the description of this tax reform in the newspaper. The tax increase will not only affect us businessmen, but also the dignitaries and royal relatives in the capital and other parts of the Ming Dynasty. Once the new tax law takes effect, these people will pay more than us. For us, it is at most a loss, which is considered to be giving up some profits, but for the dignitaries, it is completely a matter of life and death! Just wait and see, they will definitely oppose this new tax law more than we do!"

"That makes sense! As the saying goes, if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. We don't need to worry too much!"

"Ouyang Lun is no longer someone we can afford to offend, but he is not invincible either. If the dignitaries in the capital unite, not to mention Ouyang Lun, even the emperor will have to worry about him!"

"That makes sense. We should pay close attention to the changes in the capital during this period of time!"

"If there is a change in the capital, we can choose the right time to act. Most likely, the emperor will be unable to withstand the pressure and will use Ouyang Lun to take the blame. By then, even if this tax reform fails, we won't have to make more money."

"Makes sense!"

Just as these businessmen analyzed, as the tax reform was published in the newspapers, many people in the capital gathered for it.

But these gatherings are one bright and one dark!
The Ministry of Revenue published the tax reform in the newspaper. Even a fool could tell that this had obviously been approved by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, so neither officials nor nobles in the court dared to oppose it openly. Everyone was unsure, and the Jinyiwei were watching them. If they openly opposed it and gathered together, they would easily be arrested by the Jinyiwei and sent to the Tianlao.

This was not a problem at all for these officials and nobles, who gathered together to discuss the matter by disguising themselves, using backdoors, or even going through underground channels.

After discussion, they naturally wanted to oppose this tax reform, but they still couldn't take action themselves.

So these officials and nobles came up with a solution. Instead of the officials and nobles themselves taking action, they let their sons, the younger generation, take action! !

Therefore, many second-generation officials and sons of aristocratic families gathered outside the Ministry of Revenue.

"Ouyang Lun, you treacherous minister!"

"What kind of tax reform is this? It's clearly an attempt to rob my family of its wealth!"

"Ouyang Lun, you... you will not die well!"

"Ouyang Lun, you'd better lock the door when you sleep!"

"Ouyang Lun, what good will it do you?!"

These young masters shouted insults at the Ministry of Revenue.

In fact, these young masters have long been dissatisfied with Ouyang Lun. With Ouyang Lun's various reforms, the lives of dignitaries and royal relatives are no longer as comfortable as before, and they, as the second generation, have an even harder time.

With the new tax reform, high-ranking officials have to pay more money and their wealth has shrunk, so the allowances for the second generation will also become less. How can they continue to live a life of luxury and debauchery?
No matter how sad they were in the past, they did not dare to cause trouble for Ouyang Lun, but now it is different. Each of them has obtained the support of their elders in their families. In their eyes, this is no longer simply to express their dissatisfaction with Ouyang Lun’s tax reform, but also a just battle to safeguard the interests of the family!

Therefore, these second-generation people are like they have been injected with chicken blood and work extra hard.

Just as more and more second-generation people gathered and the cursing became louder and louder.

The door of the Ministry of Revenue slowly opened.

The scene suddenly became quiet, and the second generation looked towards the open door.

An official stepped out. It was not Ouyang Lun, but Guo Zi, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and current Deputy Commander of the Tax Inspection Bureau.

"Guo Zi, call Ouyang Lun out quickly!"

"Your new tax reform is a piece of bullshit, cancel it now!"

"I really don't know what you are thinking. You exempt the taxes of the untouchables, but increase taxes on us nobles. Are you crazy?!"

"Guo Zini, go ask Ouyang Lun if he knows that the entire Ming Dynasty was conquered by our fathers. How dare he, a mere prince consort, do this!"

"Let Ouyang Lun think clearly. By doing this, he is making enemies with all the noble families of the Ming Dynasty. If he doesn't want to end up with a corpse torn to pieces, he should stop immediately!"

"This tax reform has just been promulgated and has not yet been implemented. It can be withdrawn directly."

……

Listening to the words of these second-generation people, Guo Zi could not help but sneer.

"A bunch of bastards!"

"You have no title and no achievements, yet you dare to bark here. Who gave you the courage?"

Guo Zi spoke in a deep voice.

Guo Zi was naturally aware that these second-generations standing here did not represent themselves at all, but the aristocratic families of the entire capital. If it were in the past, he would naturally invite these second-generations politely into the yamen, entertain them with delicious food and drinks, and then discuss with their parents to strive for a "peaceful" solution to these problems.

But the situation today is special. The tax reform has been officially announced. If she gives in like this, then there will be no need to think about tax reform. Besides, the prince consort is sitting in the yamen at this moment. If she fails to handle this matter well, wouldn't that be telling the prince consort that she is incompetent?
Therefore, the attitude must be tough and no one should be allowed to hinder tax reform.

Ok? !

After being scolded by Guo Zi, the second generation were a little confused. They never thought that Guo Zi alone would dare to yell at them like this!
In their eyes, even Ouyang Lun wouldn't dare to scold them like that.

"Guo Zi, don't think that we will be afraid of you just because you are the deputy commander of the Tax Inspection Department. To put it bluntly, you are just a dog of Ouyang Lun!"

"That's right, Guo Zibi, don't think you can scare us!" "Why waste so much time talking to him? Quickly release Ouyang Lun, otherwise we will rush into the Ministry of Revenue, arrest Ouyang Lun and interrogate him in person until Ouyang Lun chooses to give up this tax reform!"

Because this time it was their fathers who were backing them up, these second-generations didn't take Guo Zi seriously at all.

"Hmph, just you guys? That's too naive!" Hearing what these second-generations said, Guo Zi sneered.

"I'm going to say this today. You guys are so ignorant that you dare break into the Ministry of Revenue!"

"You better be honest!"

After hearing what Guo Zi said, a second-generation man stood up and said, "Guo Zi, if you dare to arrest us, our fathers will not let you go. They will definitely report you to His Majesty!"

"Be careful of the black hat on your head!"

Hearing this, Guo Zi was so angry that he laughed, "You are really brave despite being young. Those who are ignorant are fearless!"

After saying that, Guo Zi's face changed and he said sternly: "Come here, arrest these bastards. Today I will let them know what the rules are!"

As soon as Guo Zi finished speaking, many guards rushed out from the Ministry of Revenue.

Jinyiwei?
No...someone from the Tax Inspection Department.

The second generation who were surrounded were squeezed into a group, their faces were less arrogant and more vigilant.

"Guo Zi, why are you arresting us?"

"Humph, why should I arrest you? Just because you insulted the imperial officials and trespassed into the imperial court!" Guo Zi said, and waved his hand, "Arrest them!"

"Yes!"

Following Guo Zi's order, the tax guards rushed forward and captured these second-generation officials.

Soon, the second generation who were still making threats and shouting were tied up and taken away one by one.

Upon learning that their sons and younger generations had been arrested, those officials and nobles became anxious and hurried to the Ministry of Revenue in person, but of course they were turned away.

Not to mention the son-in-law Ouyang Lun, even Guo Zidou didn't see him. Of course, Guo Zi had his men convey a message to these officials and nobles, telling them that if they wanted their sons and younger generations to suffer less in prison, they should be more honest.

Originally, they wanted to let the younger generation cause trouble for Ouyang Lun and see the situation of all parties. Unexpectedly, Ouyang Lun's subordinates were even more ruthless and directly arrested all the people. This turned out to be a means of threatening them.

It will make them afraid to act rashly again, and they can only leave in disgrace.

These officials and nobles were naturally unwilling to be outmaneuvered by Ouyang Lun. Instead of returning to their homes, they all flocked to the Duke of Han's mansion!
Although the Prince Consort Ouyang Lun and his party are now powerful, and Li Shanchang has lost the battle in the Ministry of Revenue, but Li Shanchang's qualifications are there, and he has the support of the Huaixi Party, so he still has the strength to compete with Ouyang Lun!

The most crucial thing is that Li Shanchang is now the real Minister of Revenue. If Li Shanchang comes forward, there will definitely be a turning point in this matter!

At the same time, in the Korean Palace.

Li Shanchang and a group of core figures of the Huaixi Party, including Duke of Liang Lan Yu, Duke of Song Feng Sheng and others had already gathered, but all of them, including Li Shanchang, had frowns on their faces!

"Prime Minister." Lan Yu spoke.

"Hmm?" Li Shanchang frowned.

"Lord..." Lan Yu spoke again.

"Hmm?" Li Shanchang frowned again.

"Minister Li!" Lan Yu spoke with great determination. Li Shanchang was no longer the prime minister, and the cabinet minister had also been dismissed. Now he only had the title of Minister of Revenue left.

"Uh" Li Shanchang's mouth twitched. If there weren't so many people present, he really wanted to go up and slap Lan Yu in the face. Calling him Minister Li, isn't that just rubbing salt into his wounds!
But I can't care about that now.

Seeing that Li Shanchang did not react this time, Lan Yu thought that the latter approved of this name, and continued: "Minister Li, the tax reform proposed by Ouyang Lun is simply a slap in the face of you and our Huaixi people!"

"Everyone outside is laughing at us now, saying that our Huaixi Party is not the first political force in the Ming Dynasty, that we are weaklings who can only deal with those weaklings with no background. If we encounter Ouyang Lun's Prince Consort Party, we will only fail and have to hide!!"

"If this continues, there will be no need for Ouyang Lun to attack us, we will fall apart on our own!"

"We can't just sit there and wait for death any longer!"

Just as Lan Yu finished speaking, Feng Sheng also stood up with a frown and said, "Minister Li, not only is this tax reform aimed at us, I also heard that the new year-end bonus calculated by the Ministry of Revenue is probably going to be in jeopardy for us Huaixi people too!"

We don’t get any year-end bonus! ! ? ?
Hearing Feng Sheng’s words, everyone at the scene became anxious!
You have to know that although the year-end bonus was created by Ouyang Lun, many of them are also beneficiaries. It is no exaggeration to say that the year-end bonus is more than their annual salary combined. If it is gone, coupled with the increase in taxes, it would be worse than a bolt from the blue.

Cutting off someone's money is like killing your parents!
Many of the people in the Huaixi Party have experienced life on the battlefield, and they can really kill people if they are provoked!
This is really unbearable!

"Minister Li, we absolutely cannot tolerate this!"

"Ouyang Lun doesn't even pretend anymore. It's obvious that he wants to kill us all. This is intolerable!"

"Most of us are military commanders. There are no wars on the border right now. Our evaluation is definitely not as high as those civil officials of the Prince Consort Party. Whether to give us year-end bonuses is a matter of his own accord!"

"There are also taxes. We were exempt from taxes in the past. But now, they don't want us to pay them back, even though they don't pay them!?"

"Use our money to subsidize the people, and then the people will remember Ouyang Lun's kindness? This is a very good calculation!"

"We are the ones in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, but in the end, Ouyang Lun has the final say. It's so infuriating."

The members of the Huaixi Party were more angry than each other, and more aggrieved than each other.

In the past, it was always the Huaixi Party that made trouble for others, and their lives were very comfortable. But now the positions of offense and defense have switched, and it feels really bad to be confronted by others, especially when it comes to paying taxes and year-end bonuses.

During this period, the Huaixi Party has made many attacks on Ouyang Lun and the Prince Consort Party, but with little success. They have even suffered a lot of losses. The two sides are just one step away from a life-and-death fight!

The growth rate of Ouyang Lun and the Prince Consort's Party exceeded their expectations. Coupled with the intentional or unintentional favoritism of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Shanchang and the entire Huaixi Party were like giants trapped in a quagmire, and they were in great pain!
Li Shanchang's mood was extremely low at the moment. This action against Ouyang Lun was almost entirely planned and implemented by him personally, but the result disappointed him greatly. Not only was he hit hard in his heart, but his prestige within the entire Huaixi Party was also severely damaged!

"It seems like this Ouyang Lun is determined to fight us to the death!!"

(End of this chapter)