The old emperor only desires immortality; you must not rebel.

Lu Chan, the Military Governor of the Northwest and King of Liang!

They have an army of 150,000!

King Lu Chan of Liang was also a descendant of the imperial clan, but he did not belong to the emperor's lineage.

Therefore, theoretically speaking, King Lu Chan of Liang was also qualified to inherit the throne.

According to seniority, Prince Lu Chan of Liang is the current emperor's uncle.

However, the King of Liang is twenty years younger than the current emperor.

He was the youngest member of the late emperor's lineage.

He was originally the most qualified to inherit the throne, but the late emperor lived too long.

As the crown prince, he was born with a strong sense of propriety and righteousness!

As long as the Crown Prince lives and does not commit the heinous crime of rebellion, he will remain the Crown Prince.

They all knew that if the Prince of Liang entered the capital, he would naturally be in charge there.

Even if he can't be the ruler of Daqing, he should at least be a regent.

Xie Qianguan was in a hurry to launch a coup, partly because he had heard the news that the Prince of Liang had entered the capital.

Behind the King of Liang stands a powerful family from the Northwest!

They supported the Liang King, so naturally they should have gained something in return.

Since ancient times, a new emperor has brought a new court. If the King of Liang successfully enters the capital and takes power, the existing powerful families in the capital will inevitably be completely purged, and the power and interests they have painstakingly built will be lost.

However, no one expected that Xie Qianguan would suffer such a crushing defeat, not only losing his own head and the entire Xie family being slaughtered, but also putting the major families in the capital in a dilemma.

Pei Zhixing slowly stroked the mutton-fat jade thumb ring with his fingertips, his fingertips tracing the warm, smooth surface of the jade. A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone was calm yet utterly confident: "Brother Xie's method is indeed good, it's just a pity that he chose the wrong person."

Pei Zhixing chuckled softly, revealing a confident expression, and said calmly, "Since the Xie family's daughter is not suitable, my Pei family does have a daughter with outstanding looks."

His gaze was intense as he looked up at Wang Chengye and said softly with a smile, "Brother Chengye, your eldest daughter in the Wang family is said to be well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, and her talent is widely known. She is hailed as the most talented woman in the Wang family. If you could step forward, it would surely be twice as effective with half the effort."

It was common knowledge that the emperor was fond of women.

The Wang family was renowned for its literary tradition, and its members were prominent figures of their time. They were a family of scholars and had a long-standing reputation.

The women of the Wang family were all well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge.

Wang Chengye frowned and said, "You mean to send our family's eldest daughter to the palace?"

"You know perfectly well what happened to the Xie family!"

The emperor in the palace is a complete tyrannical and unpredictable madman!

That was Xie's eldest daughter, yet he smashed her skull with a single blow.

This is simply unheard of!

"That would be like giving away money!"

Pei Zhixing smiled broadly, but his eyes grew increasingly cold: "Between the Emperor and the Prince of Liang, we must choose one."

"Then let's just give it away," Wang Chengye shook his head.

He wouldn't be willing to give money away!

……

Lu Cheng was unaware of the schemes of the powerful families outside the palace.

The emperor, now awake, will begin to instruct his officials on a new round of work.

Increase taxes!

Raise taxes drastically!

Inside the Taiji Hall, two vice ministers of the Ministry of Revenue stood bowing, listening quietly to the "holy edict" of this tyrannical emperor.

Such an important matter should have been handled by the Minister of Revenue, but the Minister of Revenue has been sent to serve as a follower of the Prime Minister for making inappropriate remarks that disobeyed the Emperor.

"I want to increase taxes!"

The two vice ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, heads bowed, exchanged a furtive glance, and then quickly bowed in unison, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The two of them had already made up their minds that no matter what absurd things the emperor said, they would only shout that he was wise and benevolent.

Looking at the two men's submissive demeanor, Lu Cheng nodded in satisfaction and let out an excited laugh: "Let's start with you two!"

The two looked up in astonishment, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

What does it mean to start with us?

Isn't raising taxes a matter for the common people? What does it have to do with the officials of the imperial court?

Left Vice Minister He Chong hesitated, his heart filled with fear and trepidation, but he still mustered his courage and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty... I dare to ask, what does it mean to start with us?"

Lu Cheng looked down at him, his tone somewhat bewildered: "Is it that hard to understand?"

"Those poor people haven't made much money lately!"

"If I continue to exploit them, wouldn't they rebel against me!"

"Therefore, we must increase taxes on the wealthy. As officials in the capital, you naturally have to set an example!"

"I have decided that everyone's assets will be thoroughly investigated, and all land, shops, and cash under their name must be handed over to the authorities at 40% of their income!"

"All asset liquidation should be calculated from twenty years ago!"

The Holy Emperor revealed an evil smile!

Other emperors collect taxes until twenty years later, but he wants to start collecting them from twenty years ago.

Although he knew that the people would suffer in the end, he believed that as long as his blade was sharp enough, the suffering wouldn't last long.

A tyrannical ruler!

What a tyrannical ruler!

Their faces turned deathly pale instantly, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, their hearts filled with a mixture of grief and indignation.

Ancestors, open your eyes and look at this tyrannical ruler!

Throughout history, there has never been a time when taxes were levied on officials!

This isn't about collecting taxes; it's clearly an attempt to thoroughly investigate the assets of officials.

Of all the civil and military officials in the court, who among them, holding a high position, dares to claim that they have a clean record and that they can withstand investigation?

"Oh, right!"

Lu Cheng patted his forehead, as if he had just remembered something, and his smile grew even more excited: "And there's the dead tax!"

"If any official is unwilling to pay taxes and fears being punished by me and having their entire family implicated, they may choose to end their own life. As long as they pay this 'dead man's tax,' I will forgive their past transgressions and not pursue the crimes of their family!"

The two vice ministers stared wide-eyed, breathing rapidly, almost fainting on the spot.

What a tyrannical ruler!

What a complete tyrant!

If this had happened in the past, they would have pointed at the emperor's nose and cursed him as a tyrant.

This matter was one thing for the officials in the court, but the real problem lay with those powerful and influential families.

They are the richest people in the world, yet they have countless ways to evade taxes.

The Xie family had just been slaughtered, and the methods used were so cruel. Wasn't this blatantly forcing the aristocratic families to rebel?

It's hard to say whether those poor bastards will rebel, but the powerful families will definitely rebel.

Lu Cheng looked down at the two of them and waved his hand, saying, "You two will be responsible for handling this matter."

He Chong and the other man opened their mouths wide, wanting to beg for the decision to be reversed, but when they met Lu Cheng's cold and violent gaze, they swallowed the words that were on the tip of their tongues.

"His Majesty!"

Their legs buckled, and they collapsed heavily to their knees on the cold floor tiles with a thud, their foreheads pressed tightly against the ground.

He Chong, tears streaming down his face, pleaded hoarsely, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Such oppressive policies will shake the foundations of the nation, and ultimately, it will be the people who suffer!"

"Can you do it?"

Lu Cheng frowned, his tone displeased.

The two men felt a chill run down their spines and immediately kowtowed repeatedly.

"capable!"

"capable!"

Lu Cheng smiled, his tone softening slightly but still leaving no room for argument, and said with a smile, "Go and get it done."

"I want to see my silver!"

What's wrong with the Holy Emperor simply wanting to live longer and enjoy life for a few more years?

The Holy Emperor couldn't bear to see the poor suffer, so naturally he could only make the landlords and gentry suffer!

If you use their money to help the poor and improve the nation's fortunes, you will naturally live longer.

With trepidation, the two vice ministers bowed and withdrew from the main hall.