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

Chapter 194 If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will surely be a wise ruler.
Following Chen Tingjing and Kong Meiyun's statements, other ministers did not object to the "equalization of land tax and poll tax" when Emperor Qianxi inquired about it.

Even the most cautious minister only said to slowly step back, rather than directly objecting.

This scene filled Emperor Qianxi with deep emotion. He knew that it wasn't that the Crown Prince was much more capable than him, but rather that the Crown Prince was well-versed in the ways of governance and had found the right approach.

Being able to both punish and appease, offering a sweet treat while being ready to slap someone at any moment—that's why the Crown Prince's memorial was approved this time.

Emperor Qianxi was in a very good mood, and the anger that had been building up in his heart and wanted to be directed at the Crown Prince had completely dissipated.

Moreover, the way she looked at the Crown Prince had become much gentler.

The Crown Prince is still quite clear-headed!
My own teaching was still useful!

The crown prince chose the country over his own position.

Furthermore, this would reduce the number of supporters for the crown prince.

Although those scholars wouldn't necessarily regard the Crown Prince as an enemy, they would probably still instinctively be wary of him.

They and the Crown Prince will not unite as one, much less work together against him.

That's excellent!

Thinking of this, Emperor Qianxi was overjoyed and felt a surge of appreciation for the Crown Prince.

"Then let the Crown Prince's memorial regarding never increasing taxes and merging the poll tax into the land tax be issued as an imperial edict, ordering all governors-general and provincial governors to promote it."

"At the latest, we must implement the policy of merging the poll tax into the land tax by next year."

No one objected to Emperor Qianxi's decision this time.

However, many people looked at the crown prince with strange eyes.

With his mood becoming increasingly pleasant, Emperor Qianxi addressed the assembled officials after Shen Ye returned to his seat, saying, "My lords, didn't you have a memorial to present just now?"

"Please submit any memorials you may have, speak freely!"

Before the Crown Prince made his memorial, there were quite a few people who had submitted their own memorials.

However, their memorials were mostly against the conversion of land tax into poll tax.

But how can they begin under these circumstances?

Should we continue to oppose the conversion of land tax into poll tax?
Isn't this a joke?
So for a moment, the entire court fell silent.

Seeing that no one was submitting a memorial, Emperor Qianxi naturally understood why.

He wasn't one to hold a grudge, so he laughed and said, "Since none of you ministers have anything to report, let's adjourn the court."

"Your Highness, come with me."

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's instructions, Shen Ye nodded to Yu Chenglong and then followed Emperor Qianxi toward the Qianqing Palace.

As the two people left, the atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony immediately relaxed.

Tong Guowei smiled and said to Zhang Ying, "Lord Zhang, this time we have solved a major problem."

"The Crown Prince is wise!"

Tong Guowei's words seemed like a sigh, but Zhang Ying could hear the sarcasm in them.

Tong Guowei was a powerful figure among the nobility, while Zhang Ying was the leader of the officials who had risen through the imperial examinations.

Although no one acknowledges this kind of leader, he does indeed perform this authority.

The biggest harm caused by the conversion of land tax into poll tax was actually to the interests of these scholars.

Zhang Ying remained unmoved by the sarcasm. He smiled, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Highness is wise, Your Majesty is wise."

After praising the emperor and the crown prince twice, Zhang Ying remained silent, appearing completely convinced of their wisdom and virtue.

Seeing this scene, Tong Guowei didn't say much.

They're all big shots; some things can be said a few words, while others don't need to be said.

Tong Guowei understood all of this very well, so he knew when to stop taking advantage of verbal disputes, and he shouldn't take too much.

Compared to those two big shots who stand at the highest positions, ordinary people don't have such good manners.

Kong Meiyun, in particular, looked extremely grim. Facing Wang Yan, who wanted to say something, he said nothing and simply turned and left!

Wang Yan shook his head as he watched Kong Meiyun leave.

He took Kong Meiyun to see the Crown Prince not only to oppose the land tax reform, but also to bring the Crown Prince and Kong Meiyun closer together.

But unexpectedly, this backfired.

This is really...

Although the Crown Prince's actions were not in his own interests, his elaborate and meticulously planned methods were indeed ingenious, leaving one with no choice but to admire him.

The prince is worthy of being a prince.

The eldest prince, Yunshi, turned ashen-faced!

He was prepared to stand up bravely when the Crown Prince opposed the land tax reform, to share his father's burdens, and to show everyone his confidence in opposing the Crown Prince.

But I never expected things to turn out this way.

This made him feel very frustrated.

It's like you've gathered all your strength and are about to unleash a powerful punch, only to find that the target is gone.

All my strength is only enough to hit the air.

"Brother, the implementation of the land tax reform is truly a blessing for the people!" The Eighth Prince said with a smile as he approached the First Prince.

Upon hearing this, the eldest prince's expression changed.

His first reaction was that the Eighth Prince was mocking him.

But he quickly realized that he was in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and his every move was being monitored by Emperor Qianxi's spies.

If he performed too poorly, how could Emperor Qianxi belittle himself?

Eighth Brother is reminding himself not to lose his composure.

"Eighth Brother is right. If the land tax reform can be implemented, the Crown Prince will have made a great contribution to the country," the First Prince laughed and said loudly.

However, his smile at this moment carried a hint of undisguised stiffness.

Compared to the eldest prince, the fourth prince appeared calm and composed, seemingly overjoyed at the implementation of the land tax reform.

But at this moment, his left fist, tucked into his sleeve, was clenched tightly.

The Crown Prince's series of actions will surely earn him a reputation for virtue throughout the land.

Such a reputation is a powerful weapon for the crown prince, making it increasingly difficult to depose him.

However, he was quite unwilling to be subservient to the Crown Prince for so long!
After all, there was only one chair, and he wanted to fight for it too!

However, the fourth prince did not show any unusual behavior. After the court session ended, he chatted and laughed with people for a while, and then returned to the Ministry of Revenue as if nothing had happened.

He is currently both an observer of government affairs in the Ministry of Revenue and the Grand Minister of the Imperial Household Department, which means he holds a very high position and wields great power.

Despite these circumstances, he insisted on coming to the Ministry of Revenue once a day.

On the surface, he appeared to be observing politics with peace of mind, but in reality, he wanted to meet with his strategist, Wu Sidao, because there were some things that needed to be discussed.

When the Fourth Prince returned to his duty room, Wu Sidao was already waiting for him.

After all, Wu Sidao knew the importance of this court assembly, but when he heard the Fourth Prince relay the Crown Prince's three memorials, Mr. Wu's expression also became serious.

"Fourth Master, the Crown Prince is truly resourceful. He used both persuasion and force to accomplish something that everyone opposed." Wu Sidao said with a touch of emotion, "If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will definitely be a wise and capable ruler."

Upon hearing Wu Sidao's words, the Fourth Prince's face grew even more gloomy.

"However, Fourth Master, you don't need to worry. The Crown Prince has gained fame this time, but fame can rise and fall at the same time."

As he spoke, he took out a small piece of paper and said, "Fourth Master, please take a look."

　It's almost the end of the month, so to all you big shots who have monthly passes, don't hold back, give me one!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)