I remember when I first met the Seventh Prince, he was in charge of government affairs, confronting the Queen head-on. He handled the Grand Tutor, the Queen and Prince Nan Huai's party with perfect discretion and without any mistakes. At that time, although the days were full of calculations, he had a plan in mind and brought them down one by one.
Now, he is indeed not as decisive as before. Perhaps, the Empress Dowager was right, he has concerns in his heart, so he always hesitates and is restrained in doing things.
In Xiwei Palace, the Empress Dowager changed her harsh and fierce tone and said, "I scolded you just now, and I am not happy about it, but you really disappoint me."
"I'm sorry, ancestor, I know I was wrong." Murong Jie said softly, his eyes full of guilt. Even if he didn't say anything else, if the ancestor hadn't come back this time, he would have been doomed.
The ancestor's words were like a wake-up call, which made him wake up.
He was cautious about everything the emperor did, and even when he knew that the emperor's behavior was deviant, he just let it go and said hypocritically that he couldn't do anything about it. He told himself, no matter how powerful the emperor's power was, could it be greater than the imperial power
As things have developed to this point, he has made the most mistakes.
"Forget it. I won't scold you anymore. Come with me to the Imperial Study and see what stupid things your brother has done."
"Yes!" Murong Jie stood up and helped her out.
However, after the emperor recovered from his illness, all he did was target him and eliminate dissidents in an effort to re-consolidate his own power. Logically speaking, he didn't do anything to harm the people. Why was the ancestor so angry
The ancestor would be so angry, as far as he could remember, it was mostly because of matters concerning the country and the people. As for other things, he could mostly tolerate them.
However, when he arrived at the imperial study and saw the clan files that the ancestor had called out, he was really shocked.
He increased taxation, and the total tax and tax on corvée were half as heavy as before. Originally, the household notes from the tax and corvée were not included in the state affairs, but were used by princes, princesses, and meritorious officials in their fiefdoms. However, now they were all included in the national treasury.
In addition, the land tax also added an item of rat consumption, and a newborn baby had to pay a Ding tax when registering his/her household registration. There were as many as seven or eight items like this.
Not to mention all these things, the taxes that farmers must pay are so high that at the end of the year they can't even have a full meal.
"Have all these been promulgated?" Murong Jie asked in horror.
"It has been promulgated." said the Empress Dowager.
"When was it promulgated? How come I don't know about it?"
Increasing taxes is a matter of great importance to the country. It needs to be submitted to the cabinet for discussion first, and then discussed at the morning court. It will take at least half a year from drafting the proposal to implementation. Yet, it has been promulgated without his knowledge
"Before I returned to the capital, I just issued a decree. When you and Zi'an got into trouble, all the ministers in the cabinet were replaced. Now the cabinet is headed by Lord Sun and Lord Tu. These two were promoted by the emperor. Therefore, this measure can be implemented so quickly without any opposition. That's why."
"Is he crazy?" Murong Jie was angry. "When my father was alive, he reduced taxes and said that only in this way could the people have enough food and the Great Zhou be stable. Is he trying to force the people to rebel?"
The Empress Dowager said calmly: "Yes, we must force the people to rebel, but it is not him, but you."
"Me?" Murong Jie was stunned.
"Look," the Empress Dowager pulled out a file, "Historical officer, write it down here. It was you who advocated the heavy taxes, and you who planned and implemented them. The Emperor is still ill, so the notice of increasing taxes must have been stamped with your seal. The people will be angry and resentful, but it is directed at you, Murong Jie. By the time he restores order and forces you to step down, he will have collected at least half a year's worth of taxes, filling the national treasury, and gaining the reputation of a saintly monarch. This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone."
"What a sinister intention! There is no war in the country now, what does he want so much silver for?" Murong Jie said angrily.
"Keep looking!" The Empress Dowager snorted coldly.
Murong Jie opened the second file, which summarized the emperor's recent activities. First, he built a garden palace on the west side of the imperial palace. Secondly, he ordered a large number of weapons and a batch of bows and crossbows from the Kingdom of Dayue. He also started large-scale conscription. Conscription was carried out every year, but it was not compulsory. Now it has been changed to compulsory. If a family has two sons, one of them must serve in the military.
Compulsory conscription will only be implemented when the country is at war.
Today, the Great Zhou is peaceful, without external threats, and the only internal turmoil is Prince Nan Huai, which is not a big threat. Why does he want to recruit troops on a large scale
Murong Jie looked at the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Personnel again. The Ministry of Personnel recommended many people with military skills. It seemed that they wanted to place generals in various armies.
"He wants to build his own army." Murong Jie was very disappointed. "If he doesn't trust me, then he won't trust the generals and soldiers of the Great Zhou either."
The Empress Dowager said meaningfully, "Seventh Brother, he didn't kill you, but he schemed and pushed you back step by step. He wanted you to be ruined. What he cares about is not only the throne, but also your reputation. In the short time you have been in power, you have made many achievements and won the hearts of the people. Your father and I have placed high hopes on you. I think this has planted a grudge in his heart. He didn't notice it at the time, but when you really stood out, that grudge swallowed him up like a flood."
Murong Jie slowly closed the scroll and said, "Why did he build a garden palace? It couldn't be for enjoyment. He is not a person who indulges in pleasure."
"He invited many people who knew how to cast poison to come to Beijing from Miaojiang. These people will be settled in the other courtyard. After the other palace is built, he will often stay there."
Murong Jie understood, "He wants to be cured."
"He forced me to come back, but he knew in his heart that I might not try my best to save him, so he had already made a backup plan."
Murong Jie crossed his fingers and placed them on the clan scroll, "Grandfather, what do you want me to do?"
The Empress Dowager looked at him and said, "I want to ask you first, what would you do?"
Murong Jie pondered for a long time and said, "The old ancestor will never watch him die and will definitely save him. Now that the crown prince has been decided and his position is certain, the situation in the court must also tend to stabilize. Since I am the regent, I will take over the power while the emperor is recovering, and return the power to him when the emperor recovers."
Although these few words did not set any great aspirations, they touched the heart of the Empress Dowager. She nodded with satisfaction, "Well, as long as you know what to do, I am reluctant to let him go, but I am not saying that I cannot watch him die without saving him. Everyone will die, sooner or later. It's just that he has gone through so much trouble and has made all kinds of bad karma. He must pay it off before he leaves. Go, child. I will live in this Xiwei Palace to support you."
Murong Jie stood up and bowed deeply, "Yes."
He raised his head, his eyes more determined, "However, before leaving the palace, I want to see the emperor."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Go meet him, and meet him as a winner, so that he knows that he has lost this round, completely defeated. You can also formally declare war on him and suppress him first."
Murong Jie bowed deeply again, "I know."
(End of this chapter)