Rebirth of the best emperor

Chapter 144
"I heard that the merchants in Chang'an and nearby are very rich. There are often local tyrants fighting for wealth in Chang'an. This is a good talk for a while. As the saying goes, everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of a country. When the country is being built, should these merchants contribute? Come out with some money." Wang Mang spoke out his attention.

All the ministers opened their mouths wide, and Li Hong tentatively asked, "Is Your Majesty planning to increase taxes?"

Li Hong's problem is also the problem of all the officials present. According to the ancestral system of the imperial court, all taxes have laws and cannot be increased or decreased easily, otherwise it may cause national turmoil and shake the foundation of the country.

Wang Mang knew what these ministers were thinking, and said directly: "I have no plans to increase taxes at present..."

"Your Majesty has the idea of ​​raising taxes?" Zhang Jian said directly: "Your Majesty must not have such an idea. Merchants deal directly with the people, and all the commodities and daily necessities purchased by the people come from the merchants. According to the principle that the wool comes from the sheep, the merchants must spread the tax increase on the heads of the common people, which will increase the burden on the common people. The price will only put all the vitality on the imperial court. Over time, the reputation of the imperial court will deteriorate, and the foundation of the country will be shaken. Your Majesty, please think twice."

"Zhang Jian, when did I say that taxes are going to be raised?" Wang Mang called Zhang Jian's name directly, with a displeased expression on his face. Of course he knew that there would be problems with tax increases rashly, and he knew that this matter should be discussed in the long run, so there was no need for Zhang Jian to say more.

Zhang Jian told Wang Mang to rush forward, his expression froze, and he said, "I understand."

"It's good if you understand." Wang Mang glanced at Zhang Jian angrily, and then continued: "I don't plan to increase taxes on merchants, what I mean is to distribute the money for building houses to merchants, or let merchants voluntarily donate money Of course, the court can also see the contributions of merchants, so I decided that after the houses are built, I will name the newly built large number of houses as Shiziyuan, which is specially for the scholars who came to Beijing to live, and then the Shiziyuan will be built , You can erect a monument in front of the newly built house, write the list of all merchants who donated money on the monument, and at the same time write down a sum in the history books, so that the world will remember it."

"Your Majesty wants to erect a monument?" Xin Zhao looked at Wang Mang excitedly.

"Of course, such a major event must be passed down forever." Wang Mang nodded and said, "At that time, I will go there in person and write an inscription for the newly built Scholars Garden."

Xin Zhao's breathing suddenly became heavy, and he said directly: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, how can we use the merchants' donations, and we can also donate to build this scholar's garden."

"..." Of course Wang Mang knows that many of his ministers are local tyrants, but wool can't always be cut from one place. Those fat merchants have already made Wang Mang drool. Wang Mang also wants to use this to get a general understanding of the strength of Daqin merchants , how could it be so simple for Xin Zhao to destroy it.

Seeing that Wang Mang was silent, Zhao Xin said urgently: "Your Majesty, scholars, farmers, and businessmen are the top, and businessmen are the bottom. How can the reputation of Jianshiziyuan be tarnished by those merchants who smell like copper? I think that this time If the matter is as His Majesty said, I can arrange it all by myself, and ensure that the Scholars Garden will be completed on time, and the merchant does not need to pay a penny."

"The minister and others are justified by Master Zhao's words." All the officials kowtowed one after another.

Nima?These stingy people are rushing to send money to me!
Looking at the scene in front of him, Wang Mang was suddenly amazed. Wang Mang knew that few of his ministers were straightforward, so he left the matter of donations on the merchants. It's so high, so I rushed to send money to Wang Mang.

Wang Mang didn't know that for officials, there is nothing more adrenaline-inducing than eternal beauty.

Writing books, setting up biographies, and setting up steles all arouse the nerves of officials. Compared with the eternal life, a mere 10 taels of silver is nothing.

Wang Mang looked at the officials in the court who suddenly became active, and had to change his plan a bit, saying: "Since your loves are so considerate of me, then I will entrust this matter to Zhao Xin, Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Xin Zhao, I order you to raise funds for the construction of the Scholars Garden within three days, and build the Scholars Garden within half a month, do you have any questions?"

"Your Majesty will thank you." Zhao Xin said excitedly: "I am so heartbroken, I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust!"

All the ministers looked at Xin Zhao enviously. This was a good thing for a thief to show his face. Xin Zhao was able to let it go. Even Zhang Jian had a flash of envy in his eyes. There is no shortage, what is lacking is fame. Cultivator Ziyuan is undoubtedly a good opportunity to increase his reputation in front of the world.

The ministers looked excited, and many officials could not help but wink at Xin Zhao. Most of those who could stand here were not poor. They couldn’t afford 1 taels, but they could always afford 100 taels. Who wouldn’t want to keep their names? What about history books and inscriptions?
Compared with other officials, Wang Yongji's expression was much calmer. Seeing that all the ministers were focusing on donating money to build the Scholars Garden, Wang Yongji stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have an answer!"

As soon as Wang Yongji spoke, Chaozhong suddenly became quiet again. In the past two years, everyone was used to Wang Yongji bringing bad news to everyone as soon as he opened his mouth. At this moment, everyone looked solemn, waiting to hear the bad news about Wang Yongji.

Who would have thought that Wang Yongji did not bring bad news to everyone this time, but said excitedly: "Your Majesty, Wang Xi's rebels have been rebelling in the south for a long time, and now the imperial army has compressed the southern rebels in Shenmu and Shenshui. In the land of the three counties of Shentu and Shentu, I am confident that the rebels will be crushed within a month, and I also ask Your Majesty to allow the imperial army to raise troops to crush the three counties."

The rebellion is coming to an end?Wang Mang was a little dazed. The southern rebellion that had been haunting his ears since he came to this world ended so easily?Wang Mang couldn't believe it.

Not only Wang Mang didn't believe it, but even the court officials didn't believe it. Li Lan said directly: "Wang Yongji, are you crazy? When did the court have such an overwhelming advantage over the southern rebels?"

"The imperial court has always had an overwhelming advantage over the southern rebels." Wang Yongji said: "The southern soldiers in Daqin have never been as powerful as the northern soldiers. The northern soldiers have always fought two or even three southern soldiers. The imperial court suppressed the rebellion. Lord, suppress the southern soldiers from the very beginning."

"Then why hasn't the southern rebellion ended yet?" Li Hong glared and said, "Wang Yongji, are you using the southern rebels to cheat the budget?"

"Put your mother's shit on!" Wang Yongji was impatient, and when he heard Li Hong's words, his eyes turned red immediately.

Xin Zhao quickly said: "Wang Yongji, before Your Majesty, don't be presumptuous."

"Yes." Wang Yongji hastily kowtowed to Wang Mang and said, "Your Majesty, I made a slip of the tongue for a while, please forgive me!"

"Human nature, what a crime!" Wang Mang waved his hand indifferently. If he was placed in Wang Yongji's place, it would be fine if he didn't go up and punch Li Hong.

"Master Wang, what's going on?" Zhang Jian frowned.

Then Wang Yongji said slowly: "The imperial army has been suppressing the southern rebels to fight, but before the critical moment, the logistics always can't keep up!"

As he said that, Wang Yongji gave Li Hong a hard look. Li Hong looked innocent, but he also knew that his household department had indeed dragged down the southern war situation to a certain extent.

Li Hong is also a bachelor, so he said directly: "Wang Yongji, if you have anything to say, just say it!"

(End of this chapter)