Thief Emperor

Chapter 916: New Nobles Gather
Du Qian was right. What Li Yun was doing now was actually unnecessary.

Because these are just hidden dangers that will not erupt until a very long time later, and by that time, Emperor Taizu and Duke Qin will no longer be in this world.

At this time, Li Yun could show favor to the new nobles, and at the same time the world could maintain a relatively good situation. People both inside and outside the country would praise him and praise him as an emperor of all ages and a wise ruler.

Mr. Li himself once hesitated as to whether he should do this or not. After all, he couldn't see what would happen in the future and it had nothing to do with him.

It may not even have much to do with his son or grandson.

But after thinking about it, he still had to do what he had to do. After all, he was different from other people in this world. He had a completely different soul.

When you come to this world, you should leave some traces of yourself.

Although doing so may cause some shocks, he still has to be determined to finish what he should do.

Because only he can do this.

Not to mention the emperor a hundred years later, even if Crown Prince Li Yuan became emperor in the future, it would probably be difficult for him to accomplish these things. Those officials could stop him by just saying that Taizu had never done it.

Moreover, if Li Yun did these things, he might suffer some shock. If a king of later generations did them, he might even lose his life.

Du Qian looked up at Li Yun, recalling the story in Yuezhou, and couldn't help but sigh: "After so many years, Erlang is still the same as before, without any change."

Li Yun smiled and said, "What changes can there be? Am I going to become like Wu Yuancheng if I become the emperor?"

"Brother Shouyi, I am the founding emperor."

Li Yun raised his head slightly and said, "The Emperor Taizu in the history books of the future."

He looked at Du Qian.

"I don't need to be one with the light."

Du Qian's eyes brightened when he heard this. He lowered his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that if my third brother were to do this, he might not be able to do it well. Let me take the lead."

"If Third Brother does it, he will definitely be criticized by countless people."

Du Qian whispered, "I will do it. At least among the civil servants, there won't be many who dare to stand up and oppose it. Even if there is someone who opposes, I will refute him."

"Your Majesty does not have to come down in person."

Du Qian's words sounded a bit arrogant, but that was the fact. He had a unique position in the civil service system, and if he came forward to do this, most of the officials would choose to shut up.

Just as Li Yun's prestige can overwhelm everyone in the Xin Dynasty, Du Qian's prestige can also achieve a similar effect in the civil service system.

However, the Minister of Revenue Du He was totally unable to do this.

Du Qian stepped forward at this time, firstly for Li Yun, to do something for the new court, and secondly, for his own brother, to block the pressure from all sides.

Li Yun looked at him thoughtfully. After thinking for a while, he said, "Actually, this matter can be completely blamed on me. They dare not say anything more."

"Your Majesty, there can be no problems."

Du Qian's expression was firm: "Besides, these things should be done by the ministers."

"If your majesty were to bear the responsibility himself, we, the ministers, would be guilty of a capital crime."

Li Yun stroked his grown beard, thought seriously, and then said, "Then let's do this. Regarding the tax law, we will first agree on the rules, and then Brother Hui will implement it before it is implemented."

"Brother Shouyi, please work out a deal with the Ministry of Revenue to raise the salaries of officials at all levels and the nobles."

"At least it should be higher than last week, which will offset the taxes they should pay."

Du Qian then breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement.

Increasing salaries is also a favor. At this time, the new rich did not have much land, so as long as their salaries were increased as rewards, it would be enough to offset the taxes collected from them.

It can be considered a blessing from the Zhangwu Dynasty.

In this way, the contradiction will not be so acute.

Du Qian bowed to Li Yun and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

He hesitated for a moment and said, "There is one more thing that your majesty should be prepared for. After the new tax law is implemented, the local tyrants, gentry, and those large aristocratic families who originally surrendered to your majesty will suffer great losses in their interests. They may become desperate and do something desperate..."

Li Yun smiled and said, "I have been prepared for this matter. I am not afraid of them rebelling, but I am afraid of them not rebelling."

His Majesty the Emperor had a smile on his face, but his eyes were full of murderous intent.

"If they rebel, the problem of the new dynasty's lack of money and food may be easily solved!"

Du Qian lowered his head slightly and replied yes.

Li Yun looked at him and said with a smile: "Brother Shouyi, don't tell those noble families anything, otherwise they may be able to tolerate it for a while, but not for the rest of their lives, and they will blame you in the future."

Du Qian nodded his head. "I understand."

…………

In May, the Qingyang Marquis Mansion was decorated with lights and was extremely lively.

There were drums and gongs being beaten and firecrackers being set off.

The Qingyang Marquis Mansion is located in the north of Luoyang City, not far from the imperial city. It is also one of the fifty meritorious officials' residences built by the Ministry of Works.

At this time, most of the houses of the fifty meritorious officials had been divided up, but only a small number of those who had received the houses were working in the capital, and most of them had not had time to move in.

Meng Qing, Marquis of Qingyang, was one of the first heroes to move in.

Today, the reason why the Qingyang Marquis Mansion is so lively is because Qingyang Marquis General Meng Qingmeng is getting married today and marrying the daughter of Minister of Justice Fei Xuan.

The two families could be considered a well-matched couple, and it was the first major happy event after the court moved the capital to Luoyang, except for the emperor's coronation ceremony.

Fei Xuan was a veteran among the civil servants in Jiangdong at that time. Even the Prime Minister Du Xianggong had to address him as "Master Fei" when he saw him. Now, more than half of the civil servants in Luoyang have greeted Shangshu Fei. With the face of Prime Minister Du, almost all the important civil servants in Luoyang were present.

And Meng Qing was one of the most dazzling stars in the Jiangdong army in the past.

In the past, General Zhao Cheng could still suppress him, but now General Zhao has become the Minister of War and General Su has gone to Taiyuan. In the entire Luoyang military level, Meng Qing can almost be regarded as the boss.

Therefore, almost all military officers who could be present did so.

Before noon, the entire Qingyang Marquis Mansion was already packed with people.

The groom, General Xiao Meng, dressed in a green robe, stood at the gate of the marquis's mansion, welcoming the guests and bowing with his fists.

Minister Fei Xuan also bowed to his colleagues from time to time.

At noon, the three prime ministers of the Secretariat, Du Qian, Yao Zhong and Zhuo Guangrui, all arrived to congratulate the newlyweds.

The Duke of Yue, the Minister of War, Zhao Cheng, also arrived at about the same time. He saluted Meng Qing who was waiting at the door and said with a smile, "Congratulations, General Meng."

When Meng Qing saw Zhao Cheng, he immediately bowed and saluted. Zhao Cheng pulled him back and said with a smile, "You are the groom today, how can you be so polite to me?"

Meng Qing clasped his fists and said, "Thank you very much, General, for your support."

The two had been in a superior-subordinate relationship for a long time. The word "general" made Minister Zhao feel warm inside. He patted Meng Qing on the shoulder and sighed, "Good boy."

"Lead the troops well in the future, and you will have a great future."

"Yes."

Meng Qing bowed his head and clasped his fists in salute.

After the two of them had a conversation, someone sang loudly: "The King of Jin has arrived."

Everyone looked sideways and saw Jingzhao Yin Li Zheng, dressed in the official uniform of the prefect, striding into the venue. Everyone stepped forward and saluted Li Zheng.

"Meet the prince!"

Li Zheng waved his hand and said sternly: "You don't have to be polite, I am here to attend the wedding banquet today, everyone please take your seats."

Everyone still saluted Li Zheng politely, and Li Zheng could only return the salute one by one. After a while, he walked in front of Meng Qing, looked Meng Qing up and down, and said with a smile: "Little Meng has really made it big now."

Meng Qing bowed his head and saluted, "Your Majesty."

"What prince?"

Li Zheng pretended to be angry and said, "It's fine if they yell, but if you yell like this, I'm going to get angry."

Meng Qing then smiled and said, "Brother."

The two knew each other very early. At that time, Li Yun still called Li Zheng "skinny monkey".

At this moment, of course, there was no way to call Prince Jin like that. Meng Qing was very smart and called him brother instead.

Prince Jin was very satisfied. He patted General Meng on the shoulder and said with a smile, "You are a sensible boy."

He paused, looked around, and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be here in a while."

Meng Qing's face changed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, he heard Prince Jin continue.

"When the wedding ceremony begins..."

"Your Majesty will be here too."

(End of this chapter)