I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The Duke of Zhenguo's "keeping up with the times" quickly showed its effects.

Suddenly, many new businesses, shops, and workshops sprang up in the capital. Without exception, behind each of these businesses were the shadows of powerful military families.

Leveraging their connections and privileges, they quickly seized control of some of the most lucrative industries in Beijing.

For example, they jointly opened the largest silk shop in the capital, purchasing the best silk from Jiangnan at low prices and then reselling it at high prices, almost monopolizing the entire silk business in the capital.

They also opened several luxurious restaurants, with extravagant dishes and decor, catering exclusively to high-ranking officials and dignitaries, making a fortune every day.

They even went so far as to try and replicate "Wenxianglai's" business, making braised dishes and dim sum in their own style. Although the taste was far inferior to Ye An'an's, they used their power to forcefully stock their products in major restaurants, stealing a significant amount of business from them.

Xiao Jingshi observed this change but did not stop it.

In his view, it was better for these noble families to be willing to lower their status and engage in business than to be preoccupied with fighting all day long. As long as they didn't break the law, he was happy to see this kind of healthy competition.

However, he soon realized that he had underestimated these old foxes.

With the national treasury overflowing and various reforms progressing smoothly, Xiao Jingshi decided to implement the next step in his plan, which was also the most crucial step—tax reform.

He issued a new decree: to levy a "commercial tax".

From this day forward, all individuals or groups engaged in commercial activities within the territory of Daliang must pay taxes to the imperial court according to a certain percentage of their turnover.

This decree was decided after Ye An'an and he had discussed it for a long time.

In Ye An'an's view, for a country to achieve long-term stability and prosperity, its fiscal revenue cannot rely solely on agricultural taxes. A thriving commercial sector must generate tax revenue to support the nation; this is the only healthy economic model.

Moreover, levying commercial taxes can, to some extent, curb the excessive expansion of merchants and regulate the gap between the rich and the poor.

Once the decree was issued, most merchants expressed their understanding and support. In particular, emerging imperial merchants such as Shen Wansan, who had benefited greatly from the emperor's policies, were naturally willing to share the country's burdens and took the lead in paying the first commercial tax.

However, when the tax officials from the Ministry of Revenue arrived at the doors of those aristocratic families with tax bills, they were all turned away without exception.

"What? Pay taxes? What a joke! When has our Zhenguo Duke's mansion ever needed to pay taxes to the imperial court?"

"Go away! Tell your Minister not to even think about targeting our Marquis of Ding'an's residence! When our ancestors shed their blood for the Great Liang, your ancestors were probably still playing in the mud somewhere!"

"We are descendants of meritorious officials, entitled to tax exemption! This was personally bestowed by the founding emperor! If you dare to accept it, you are violating ancestral rules!"

The tax officials were thoroughly berated and slunk back to report the situation.

When the news reached Xiao Jingshi's ears, he was so angry that he smashed a cup on the spot.

"Good! What a violation of ancestral rules! What a privilege for meritorious officials!"

He never expected that these old guys would openly defy his decrees in this way!

The atmosphere at the morning court session the next day was so tense it felt like you could wring water out of it.

The Minister of Revenue reluctantly stepped forward and reported the matter of the noble families collectively refusing to pay commercial taxes.

Xiao Jingshi's face was ashen, and his cold gaze swept over Li Yuan, the Duke of Zhenguo, who stood at the head of all the officials.

"Duke Zhenguo," he said coldly, "what is your view on this matter?"

Li Yuan walked out of the ranks shakily, looking old and frail, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that this matter... is understandable."

"Excusable circumstances?" Xiao Jingshi's voice already carried a hint of dangerous anger.

"Yes," Li Yuan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Your Majesty, our families, which are families of military merit, do indeed enjoy many privileges bestowed by the founding emperor, including 'universal tax exemption.' In the past few decades, there has never been a precedent for levying taxes on the descendants of meritorious officials. It is only natural that everyone finds it difficult to accept Your Majesty's sudden decision to levy commercial taxes. This is not to oppose Your Majesty, but... we only hope that Your Majesty can consider the merits of our ancestors and show some understanding."

His words were impeccable, invoking the great authority of the "founding emperor" and "ancestral rules" while simultaneously placing himself on the moral high ground of "pleading for the meritorious official."

As soon as he finished speaking, the large group of noble officials behind him immediately knelt down in unison.

"Your Majesty, please understand the difficulties we, the descendants of meritorious officials, face!"

"Your Majesty, please consider the merits of our ancestors and rescind your decree!"

They are using the power of the entire military group to force Xiao Jingshi to resign!

The newly promoted young officials were all furious, their faces turning pale, yet they dared not utter a word. This was because the other side had invoked the name of the "Founding Emperor," the very foundation of the Great Liang Dynasty. Anyone who dared to contradict him would be disrespecting their ancestor.

Xiao Jingshi looked at the group of people kneeling below and was furious.

He knew that this was a trap set for him by Li Yuan, the Duke of Zhenguo.

If he forcibly imposes taxes, it would be disrespectful to ancestral rules and fail to show compassion for meritorious officials, which would alienate the army and the people.

But if he backs down now, what will become of his dignity as emperor? Won't his decrees become nothing more than empty words? How will he then be able to command the world?

He was caught in a dilemma.

The entire Qianqing Palace was eerily quiet. Everyone held their breath, staring at the young emperor on the dragon throne, his face ashen.

They wanted to know how he would choose to respond to the collective attack from these veteran generals.