The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 176 This empire is yours no matter what.

According to the installment payment plan formulated by the Crown Prince, since the other party has signed this agreement, we just need to remind them to pay on time every month.

Why did you come to ask me what to do?
Shen Ye glanced at Ma Qi and said, "Lord Ma, what do you think His Majesty meant by having you ask me what to do?"

When Ma Qi heard this question, he secretly groaned.

He knew perfectly well that His Majesty was clearly a bit greedy, feeling that of the eight million in debt owed by the Ministry of Revenue, three million had not yet been recovered, and wanted the Crown Prince to come up with another solution.

But things have already come to this point, what other options are there?

He intended to refuse Emperor Qianxi, but after careful consideration, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

When working in the imperial court, the emperor assigns tasks to you without asking if you can do them well. If you are tactless and make a lot of excuses to shirk your responsibilities, then you are considered to have an improper attitude and a problem with your thinking.

Therefore, sometimes attitude is more important than ability, and there is no need to offend Emperor Qianxi over such matters.

When Shen Ye asked this question, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Highness, I believe that the purpose of Your Majesty's question is to see if there is any way to get the Ministry of Revenue to allocate and use the three million taels of silver as soon as possible."

"After all, we don't have enough money!"

Shen Ye curled his lip, thinking to himself, "You guys really have some wild ideas."

However, he did have a plan for these installment payment bills, but he stopped pushing them forward after the debt to the Ministry of Revenue was mostly settled.

Upon hearing Ma Qi's words, his heart stirred.

If we go ahead and implement our previous plans, it doesn't seem like a bad idea.

However, Shen Ye immediately dismissed the thought as soon as it arose.

Why would he bother with that?
All the money he earns goes to the Ministry of Revenue; he might as well just enjoy his peaceful life!
He's about to become a groom again, why bother with all this?

Looking at the silent crown prince, Ma Qi's eyes gleamed with renewed hope. Having served for many years, he was a shrewd and experienced man, able to deduce different thoughts from different reactions.

Seeing Shen Ye's reaction, he had a guess in his mind.

Just as he was filled with anticipation, he heard Shen Ye say, "Lord Ma Qi, things have come to this point, and there's nothing anyone can do."

"Unless His Majesty confiscates the property of those who are in debt."

"But we probably won't find much money even if we confiscate their property."

"It would be better to just have them pay back the money on time every month!"

Looking at Shen Ye sitting lazily in the chair, Ma Qi felt a surge of anxiety.

You clearly have ideas, so why won't you say them out loud?

From now on, this empire will be yours no matter what.

Ma Qi is a stubborn person. He doesn't usually show it, but when it comes to certain things, he really won't let go.

Seeing Shen Ye's performance, he couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, you are incredibly wise and always manage to do what others cannot."

“The current debt of three million is not a small amount.”

"It can solve many problems for the court. I beg Your Highness to have pity on your subject and help me find a proper solution."

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Ma Qi, I know what you're thinking, but unfortunately I really can't do anything about it."

"How about this, you think of a way, and I'll help you get it done, okay?"

This sentence left Ma Qi speechless.

Because he couldn't think of any good solutions either.

As for forcing the crown prince, even if he wanted to, he wouldn't dare to do it.

Watching Ma Qi leave dejectedly, Shen Ye suddenly muttered to himself, "If my image were printed on banknotes, would Emperor Qianxi still be able to depose me as crown prince?"

Shen Ye's voice was very soft, and only he himself could hear it.

The thought surged rapidly through his mind as soon as it appeared.

However, he quickly realized the answer: "Look how many years have passed since Yuan Shikai's silver dollar disappeared, yet the silver dollars he collected are still in use."

Besides, printing money isn't an easy task. Why bother worrying so much when you can just enjoy the present moment?

After leaving Yuqing Palace, Ma Qi arrived at Qianqing Palace again.

He wasn't there to complain, but since he was acting on Emperor Qianxi's orders, he should at least give Emperor Qianxi a report.

Otherwise, that would be disrespectful to Emperor Qianxi.

The Qianqing Palace was bustling, Emperor Qianxi was even busier, and the waiting officials were endless.

Although Ma Qi did not have the power to cut in line at any time like the Crown Prince Shen Ye, he was still able to cut in front of those with lower official ranks than him.

This is the charm of power!

"You bastard!" Just as Ma Qi took a sip of water, Emperor Qianxi's roar came over.

Upon hearing this sound, Ma Qi almost spat out the tea in his mouth.

He went back and forth between Yuqing Palace and Qianqing Palace, talking a lot. He finally got to drink some tea while waiting. It wasn't easy for him!
In that moment of shock, his heart leaped into his throat.

He knew Emperor Qianxi's temperament well; he rarely lost his temper like this.

What could have caused Emperor Qianxi to be so furious?

He began to wonder if it was right for him to go see Emperor Qianxi at this time.

After all, whether Emperor Qianxi had a good temper or not was of great importance to these ministers.

If Emperor Qianxi was in a good mood, he could handle many things with leniency.

If someone is in a bad mood, even the person reporting to the authorities might get into trouble.

Although he had a good relationship with Emperor Qianxi, he was unwilling to provoke such unpleasantness.

"Eunuch Liang, what's wrong?" Seeing Liang Jiugong approach, Ma Qi hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice.

Liang Jiugong glanced around, then whispered to Ma Qi, "What else could it be? It's about Nian Xialing's side."

"I heard that scholars from the two lakes region, led by a group of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, went to the Confucius Temple to weep."

"Moreover, in order to oppose the land tax reform for elderly people, they are not planning to participate in next year's imperial examination."

Upon hearing Liang Jiugong's words, Ma Qi was immediately startled.

He had realized the seriousness of the problem.

Although the "equalization of land tax and poll tax" policy was implemented by Nian Xialing, Ma Qi knew that behind it stood the Qianxi Emperor.

If it weren't for Emperor Qianxi's support, Nian Xialing wouldn't have done such a thankless and arduous task.

As the Minister of Revenue, he naturally knew the benefits of merging the poll tax into the land tax.

However, this touches upon the interests of wealthy local gentry.

Just as Ma Qi was worried for Nian Xialing, a little eunuch ran over shortly afterward.

The young eunuch exchanged a few words with Liang Jiugong, who then approached Ma Qi and said, "Lord Ma, His Majesty has sent for you. Please come over."

Upon hearing this, Ma Qi's expression darkened further.

He had just been feeling uncomfortable waiting in line, and wished he could cut in line.

But right now, he really doesn't want to cut in line!
It's good to queue!
But faced with Liang Jiugong's smiling face, he could only nod helplessly and then quickly went into the study.

At this time, Emperor Qianxi's study was in a mess, with dozens of memorials and writing materials scattered all over the floor.

Even the blankets laid on the floor were stained with black ink.

Seeing this situation, Ma Qi became even more uneasy.

"Ma Qi, what did the Crown Prince say?" After Ma Qi bowed, Emperor Qianxi's voice rang out with a hint of coldness.

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(End of this chapter)