What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 347 The Empress's Wrath! The Powerful Clans Tremble!

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the palace was not as brightly decorated and filled with joy as in previous years.

Although the eunuchs and palace maids all received New Year's money, they were very careful and dared not make any joyful noise.

The eunuchs and palace maids, being well-informed, naturally knew that notices about the disaster in Tiannan Road were constantly being sent to the Empress.

The Empress was unable to rest even during the New Year; she was currently reviewing memorials in the Lizheng Hall with a dark expression!

All six cabinet ministers were also summoned to the Lizheng Hall.

Leng Liuxi put down the secret report that the Imperial Guards had just delivered, her face grim.
As she had expected, the disaster in Tiannan Province was several times more severe than the reports submitted by the officials of Tiannan Province!
The county of Guhan, located at the center of the earthquake, was the most severely affected by the disaster.

Of the county's more than 130,000 people, at least 50,000 were killed or injured!

Of the tens of thousands of houses in the county, more than half have collapsed or cracked!
After reading the secret report, the Empress ordered the chief censor to send it to Xiao Yuan and the others, and gave a heavy snort: "Gentlemen, please take a good look at this secret report!"

After reading the secret memorial submitted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xiao Yuan and the others became even more solemn.

"I never imagined the situation in Tiannan Province would be so serious!"

Even Xiao Yuan, who was usually quite mild-mannered, couldn't help but fly into a rage at this moment, shouting with murderous intent, "Qiu Huai, the military governor of Tiannan Road, deserves to die!"

Cui Xuan and the others remained silent.

The power of the regional military governors was too great.

The military governor of Tiannan Circuit concealed the extent of the disaster, and the officials below dared not report the truth.

Wang Hao frowned as he looked at the furious Xiao Yuan, and gave a wry smile: "Now is not the time to hold Qiu Huai accountable."

"The disaster situation in Tiannan Circuit is far more serious than they reported. The one million dan of rice and one million taels of disaster relief funds budgeted by the imperial court are probably far from enough!"

Xiao Yuan took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, "According to Vice Minister Wang's estimate, how much disaster relief grain and silver is needed?"

All eyes, including the Empress's, were focused on Wang Hao, the Minister of Revenue.

Wang Hao replied without hesitation, "At least two million taels of silver and two million shi of rice!"

Clearly, he had already calculated the disaster relief expenses.

"The number of people severely affected by the disaster is likely to exceed ten million."

"Even if each person eats two bowls of thin porridge a day, the daily grain consumption would still be two million catties!"

He took a deep breath, his brows furrowing deeply: "The Ministry of Revenue can only come up with 300,000 taels of silver, while His Majesty's private treasury can provide 200,000 taels."

"I have already checked, and the grain reserves in the Changping Granary of Tiannan Road should be 780,000 shi!"

Wang Hao paused slightly, then said, "If we calculate based on 70% of the reserves, even if we take out all the rice and grain from the Ever-Normal Granaries in Tiannan Road for disaster relief, it still wouldn't be enough."

"Adding in all the losses, this 780,000 shi of rice can at most be counted as 500,000 shi!"

"Furthermore, if the imperial court uses silver to purchase rice, the price of grain will likely skyrocket!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was speechless.

They were short a full 1.5 million taels of silver and 1.5 million shi of grain!
Xiao Yuan said bitterly, "What a pity!"

"If Lord Su had taken out the sweet potatoes earlier, it would have been easier to deal with this natural disaster."

The Empress frowned and said, "Sweet potatoes are indeed a divine weapon for the stability of the country!"

"It's not that Su Qing is unwilling to take it out, it's just that Su Qing has only just discovered this immortal seed."

Her gaze swept over the assembled elders: "The disaster victims of Tiannan Circuit must be saved!"

"My lords, come up with a practical and feasible plan instead of complaining to me about the difficulties of disaster relief!"

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment: "I think we should raise funds from merchants and wealthy businessmen in the capital to help the disaster victims."

"In addition, to prevent food shortages and soaring rice prices in Tiannan Road, grain can be transported from various prefectures and counties to Tiannan Road."

The Empress frowned and asked, "How much silver do you think Xiao Qing can raise?"

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Ten thousand taels of silver should be enough."

Everyone was speechless upon hearing this.

What good is 100,000 taels of silver?

Yang Ji, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, suddenly said, "I believe that we should increase the tax on disaster relief."

“Our Great Wu has hundreds of millions of people. If we levy a disaster relief tax of ten coins on each person, it will amount to several million taels of silver, which should be enough to help the disaster victims in Tiannan Road.”

"But... I'm afraid there won't be enough time."

The Empress fell silent.

Make bricks without straw.

The taxes in Dawu were already heavy, and the people suffered terribly.

Imposing disaster relief taxes would only make matters worse.

Leng Liuxi wasn't stupid. Don't underestimate the small amount of ten coins in tax. In the local areas, those corrupt officials would dare to multiply it several times over, even daring to collect fifty coins!
Fifty coins per person, that's five hundred coins for a family of ten.

For the impoverished people, it was a catastrophe!
Yang Ji's idea was definitely not a good one, but it seemed to be the only option available.

Seeing the Empress's hesitation, Wang Hao and the others said, "Your Majesty, Lord Yang's plan, though a last resort, is one that the court has no other choice at present!"

Xiao Yuan said in a deep voice: "The imperial court can issue an official document ordering all prefectures and counties to post notices stating the amount of tax."

"At the same time, the Imperial Guards in various regions are to investigate this matter thoroughly. If any official dares to levy additional taxes or embezzle tax revenue, he/she shall be severely punished!"

The Empress fell into deep thought.

Even if Su Mo really collected the 500,000 taels of silver, it would be far from enough for disaster relief.

She finally nodded slightly: "Then we will do as Minister Xiao and Minister Yang wish!"

"This is a matter of utmost importance and needs to be handled promptly; there can be no delays..."

Before she could finish speaking, Gou Nu suddenly entered the hall: "Your Majesty, Zheng Fang, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, urgently needs to see Your Majesty outside the hall!"

The Empress frowned: "What does he want to see me about?"

Gou Nu immediately replied, "It must be about Zheng Wen, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, who was killed by a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Qinghefang."

The empress was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Xuzu killed all the officials in the Ministry of Works?
This kid's courage is much greater than I thought!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan and the others were naturally taken aback and exchanged glances.

The fact that the Embroidered Uniform Guards privately executed a high-ranking official of the imperial court, even a minor official, is a practice that must not be allowed to spread!
They had all experienced the most arrogant and terrifying period of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

We've finally managed to suppress the arrogance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If they were allowed to rise again and regain their ferocity, that would be disastrous!

The Empress hesitated for a moment, then said, "Go and tell him that I am currently with..."

"Fine, go and summon him in!"

The matter of collecting commercial taxes in Qinghefang is bound to cause a huge uproar.

With all six cabinet ministers present, it's a good time to first speak with them and gauge their attitudes toward this matter.

Xiao Yuan and the others were also taken aback upon hearing this.

He thought the Empress would not summon Zheng Fang, and even considered submitting a memorial to persuade her, but unexpectedly the Empress suddenly changed her mind.

Zheng Fang entered the hall, greeted the Empress with a face full of grief and indignation, and then met with Xiao Yuan and other Grand Secretaries with a dark expression.

The Empress's gaze fell on Zheng Fang: "Minister Zheng, what business do you have with me?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fang's eyes were filled with a mixture of grief and anger, his hair and beard bristled, and he said in a sorrowful voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness, but may I ask Your Majesty, what crime did my cousin commit that led to his execution in the street by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

The Empress frowned slightly: "Is this really true?"

"Minister Zheng, there is no need for grief and indignation. Please tell me the whole story."

"If the Embroidered Uniform Guard has acted recklessly, I will certainly uphold justice for Minister Zheng!"

Zheng Fang said angrily, "My cousin was just going to our family shop to get some cloth to take back to the mansion so that the women in the family could make new clothes for the New Year."

"Unexpectedly, the Imperial Guards broke down the door and killed Zheng Wen without saying a word, and the shopkeeper also met his end!"

"In my opinion, even if my cousin is guilty of an unforgivable crime, he should still be tried and convicted by the Ministry of Justice, and His Majesty should mark his name on the document with his vermilion brush before it is done..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Empress abruptly said, "Minister Zheng said that the Embroidered Uniform Guard broke in?"

Why is the shop door closed?

Xiao Yuan and the others' expressions immediately turned strange.

Zheng Fang paused for a moment, then said, "The shop wasn't open for business at that time."

The Empress frowned: "Why not open for business?"

Zheng Fang explained, "The shop's employees have gone home for their annual leave, so the shop is short-staffed, therefore..."

The Empress interrupted him again: "Have you reported this to the Qinghefang Hundred-Household Office?" Zheng Fang was slightly taken aback: "Report?"

The Empress nodded and said calmly, "The Qinghefang Hundred Household Office is here by my order to collect commercial taxes from the shops within the ward in order to provide relief for the disaster in Tiannan Road."

"I have heard from Zhang Xuzu, the Hundred Household Officer of Qinghefang, that some unscrupulous merchants are attempting to strike the market to coerce the court and refuse to pay commercial taxes. Therefore, I am issuing this warning to all merchants in advance not to strike the market and violate the laws of the court."

The Empress paused slightly, looked at Zheng Fang, and said, "Since the shop you mentioned, Zheng Qing, is not manpower-rich enough to open and do business, you should report to the garrison to avoid any misunderstanding."

Zheng Fang's expression immediately changed, and he said coldly, "Let's not even talk about whether the shop is in operation or not."

"According to Your Majesty, does that mean that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, because of this misunderstanding, can arbitrarily kill court officials?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "How dare Lord Zheng speak to His Majesty like that!"

Zheng Fang sneered at Xiao Yuan: "Does Chief Minister Xiao also think that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is not at fault for arbitrarily killing court officials?"

"Do you, esteemed elders, also think so?"

He paused, then said coldly, "Do you, esteemed elders, know that the Embroidered Uniform Guard killed more than just Zheng Fang?"

"As far as I know, the salt shops, money shops, and grain stores in all directions have been massacred by the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"More than thirty people died by the straight blade!"

Xiao Yuan's face darkened, and he was at a loss for words.

Cui Xian frowned and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, although Lord Zheng was rude in front of the palace, it was due to his grief and indignation."

"In my opinion, the Jinyiwei centurion killed Zheng Yuanwailang due to a misunderstanding, and then wantonly slaughtered merchants and shopkeepers. He should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others!"

The five surnames and seven clans were closely connected, so Cui Xian had no choice but to speak up in support of Zheng Fang.

The Empress glanced expressionlessly at the other cabinet ministers, finally fixing her gaze on Wang Hao: "My dear ministers, do you also think so?"

Wang Hao hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I believe that levying commercial taxes to provide relief to disaster-stricken areas is a good thing."

"But Zhang, the garrison commander of Qinghefang, acted too brutally and violated the laws of the imperial court."

"I fear that the Embroidered Uniform Guards are using the name of the court to deceive Your Majesty and commit illegal acts."

Whether he was worried about the resurgence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard or out of a sense of kinship among the five clans and seven noble families, Wang Hao could not remain uninvolved.

Su Mo decided against it.

Wang Hao wisely avoided mentioning that name.

Of course, Zhang Xuzu was from the Ningguo Duke's mansion, so he was not easy to deal with, but he was not as troublesome as Su Mo.

Besides, he was the one who committed the murder, so blaming him would give the Empress a way out.

Hearing Wang Hao say this, the Empress's expression softened, and she slowly nodded.

“What Wang Qing said makes sense.”

"Zhang Xuzu's actions were indeed inappropriate, and I will certainly reprimand him severely!"

Wang Hao frowned, about to speak.

The Empress suddenly frowned and said, "However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has confirmed that many merchants in Qinghefang have evaded taxes totaling as much as one million taels over the years!"

"The imperial court is currently short of funds for disaster relief."

"Those merchants who evade commercial taxes are truly hateful to me and must not be let off lightly!"

"I hereby entrust this matter to the Vice Grand Secretary and the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, and they are to ensure that the evaded taxes by the merchants are collected within seven days to provide relief to the disaster victims!"

Wang Hao...

But before he could speak, the Empress's gaze fell on Xiao Yuan again: "Minister Xiao, according to the Great Wu Law, what punishment should be imposed on merchants who evade commercial taxes?"

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "According to the fifth section of the Great Wu Law, merchants who conceal commercial taxes or fail to pay their taxes can be sentenced to fifty strokes of the cane, and half of their goods, wine, and vinegar will be confiscated by the government."

Although he was not the Minister of Justice, he was well-versed in the laws of the Imperial Court.
The Empress frowned: "Only this much punishment?"

"What about the taxes evaded in previous years?"

Xiao Yuan immediately said, "Regardless of the amount, each person shall be fined one thousand strings of cash!"

The Empress nodded: "In that case, Xiao Qing must keep a close eye on this matter and not let any unscrupulous merchant who evades or conceals commercial taxes escape the law!"

Xiao Yuan felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

He couldn't help but secretly resent Zheng Fang.

Thinking that they can defy the Empress with the reputation of being from one of the Five Clans and Seven Families, they are truly courting death!
The powerful and influential families were truly arrogant.

They will be punished by the sages sooner or later!

Do they really think that the current empress is the former crown prince who was brainwashed by Confucian scholars since childhood?

The five clans and seven powerful families relied on their control of rice, grain, oil, salt, and cloth to resist the imperial court.

Once the sweet potatoes are harvested...

snort!
"I obey!"

Countless thoughts raced through Xiao Yuan's mind in an instant, but he still obediently followed orders.

At the same time, his gaze turned towards Wang Hao and Zheng Fang.

He was only responsible for supervising and punishing merchants.

They're going to collect the commercial tax!

Including commercial taxes owed from previous years!

At the same time, Xiao Yuan sighed inwardly, thinking that the Sage's methods were becoming more and more powerful, and he had unknowingly dug a huge pit for all the cabinet ministers!

At the same time, it also forced Zhang Lie, who held a large army, to the opposite side of the powerful clans!

Wang Hao was also feeling frustrated.

But what could they say at this point? They could only obediently step forward and accept their orders.

Zheng Fang, who came to complain and demand an explanation, was dumbfounded.

Seeing Zheng Fang standing there motionless, the Empress's pretty face suddenly darkened, and she said coldly, "Does Minister Zheng have any objections to my arrangements?"

Zheng Fang then woke up with a start!

He wouldn't dare make that guarantee.

If this tax revenue isn't collected, the Empress will most likely punish him!

Commercial taxes are not easy to collect.
For a moment, he stammered, unsure of what to say.

Upon seeing this, the Empress's face darkened further, and she coldly said, "Minister Zheng, do you not want to collect this commercial tax?"

"Since Minister Zheng is dissatisfied with the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and wants me to punish them, why doesn't he dare to take on this important task?"

As she spoke, her voice suddenly turned sharp, and an incomparably terrifying and cold aura burst forth.

The temperature in the entire Lizheng Hall seemed to drop by more than ten degrees instantly.

Everyone present suddenly felt like they couldn't breathe!
The Empress's voice grew increasingly cold and sharp, her beautiful face turning as if covered in frost: "Could it be that you disregard the lives of the millions of disaster victims in Tiannan Road, and think that these millions of ants are not as important as a single member of your Zheng family?"

Zheng Fang instantly broke out in a cold sweat and turned deathly pale.

Under the suppression of the Empress's terrifying aura, he was unable to control himself and his legs went weak, causing him to kneel on the ground!
At this moment.

A red figure rushed over and landed in the Empress's palm.

The Empress picked up the cloth brought by Blood Eagle, her face darkening as she glanced at it. Then, her pretty face lit up with delight, and she slammed her hand on the dragon table: "Good!"

Xiao Yuan and the others were suddenly startled.

The Empress didn't even glance at Zheng Fang kneeling on the ground, and smiled, "Minister Su has indeed not disappointed me!"

"Merchants in Qinghefang open for business in order of their opening time!"

"Many merchants also voluntarily went to the garrison to pay their commercial taxes and fines!"

The Empress took a deep breath, glanced around at everyone, and then slowly said, "Today, the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office has collected more than 730,000 taels of tax silver!"

This statement came out.

The six cabinet ministers were instantly dumbfounded, looking at the Empress in disbelief.

In just half a day, the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office not only quelled the merchants' strike, but also collected more than 700,000 taels of commercial tax.

Is the third son of the Duke of Ningguo really that powerful?

Hmm, according to the Empress, this seems to be Su Mo's doing?

(End of this chapter)