funbook-pk Chapter 499: The Prime Minister's Heart Can Touch Heaven and Earth
Chapter 499: The Prime Minister's Heart Can Touch Heaven and Earth
The little girl had been drowsy since the morning court session. She listened to the adults reciting various matters like chanting scriptures. Besides having a headache, she felt even more sleepy...
She took advantage of her inconspicuous position among the officials and propped up her eyelids with both hands, trying to keep herself awake.
When she was in school, she was sleepy all day. Now that she is an official in the court, she is still sleepy all day...
Jiang An was just confused when Minister Li, who was standing in front of her, suddenly poked her.
"His Majesty is calling you!"
"what?"
The little girl opened her sleepy eyes and looked up at the emperor who had a helpless look on his face.
Looking at her like this, His Majesty knew that this little ancestor had been daydreaming just now.
"Lord Qi said there has been a flood in the south recently and he wants to increase taxes to build a dam. What do you think?"
Increase taxes?
Jiang An carefully observed His Majesty's expression, then glanced at the official who was speaking.
She remembered this person. He had followed Prime Minister Xie many times in the court and echoed his words. He was a member of the Xie family.
"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate."
Jiang An answered loudly, and every word he said was extremely firm.
Now that we are living in a peaceful and prosperous age, wouldn't it be a waste of time to suddenly increase taxes on the people?
Controlling floods is fake, but undermining the royal dignity is real!
A look of satisfaction flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he clasped one hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, looking relaxed.
"Tell me, why is it inappropriate?"
"Nan Shang has stopped fighting for several years and has been recuperating until today. Because of the war, the people have already paid a lot of taxes. Now that we have finally ushered in a peaceful and prosperous era, raising taxes at this time may cause panic and public outrage."
"Besides... the previous confiscation of the property of the criminals has filled the treasury, so there is no need to increase taxes on the people to fill the gap."
"Master Qi's move is actually..."
Jiang An looked at the man, smiled slightly, and said mercilessly: "What a waste of effort!"
Take off your pants to fart, you are looking for trouble, right?
Emperor: "What Zuo Shilang said is also what I think."
"In that case, the flood in the south will be paid for from the national treasury..."
"His Majesty!"
Lord Qi looked indignant and disagreed, "Your Majesty, how can you make a hasty decision based on just one opinion?"
"The national treasury was empty before, and now there is not much silver. However, Nan Shang is such a large country, how could there be only floods in the south!"
"Silver is needed everywhere. If taxes are not increased, the Ministry of Revenue will be unable to come up with silver, Your Majesty!"
What does he mean by this...
Your Majesty's face looks gloomy and cold.
"Why...if I don't agree to increase taxes to build dams, the Ministry of Revenue won't pay a penny?"
"I don't dare."
Although Lord Qi bowed his head, his tone was firm and he did not show any fear.
Jiang Anyuan had not heard about the flood in the south while he was in Kyoto, so he was caught off guard in the court this morning.
Now the Ministry of Revenue is at odds with Your Majesty and is unwilling to pay money, so no one will go to the South to relieve the disaster...
She stroked the hem of her official robe. If there really was a flood in the south, the day the court did not send people to the local area to deal with it, the more people would suffer.
If floods are not dealt with for a long time, epidemics will still be rampant even after the river water recedes.
Not only did the people not get any harvest this year, but they also suffered from an epidemic...
Then the south will become a hell on earth.
In the court, His Majesty was in a stalemate with the people from the Ministry of Revenue, and Xie Si just watched without saying a word.
Seeing that the matter was about to reach a stalemate, Jiang Ling and Cui Huaixu from the Ministry of War looked anxious.
They wanted to leave the line, but were stopped by Jiang An with a look.
We are not well prepared today. If we come out now to fight with the people from the Ministry of Revenue, we will only end up in a dead end with no chance of recovery!
The little girl looked at Song Shen suddenly with deep eyes.
If she remembered correctly, the princess's palace was in the south...
"His Majesty!"
A clear male voice sounded, it turned out to be Song Shen.
He said: "I think that the South is suffering from floods right now, and it is difficult for the people to protect themselves. If we raise taxes at this time..."
"Even if the government office carries out the order, I'm afraid no one among the people will respond."
"No one came to respond, so the officials sent by the court were unable to deal with the flood..."
"Your Majesty's dispute with Lord Qi is about flood control, not tax increases."
"In this case, I think it would be better to allocate some silver from the Ministry of Revenue and send officials to the south to cure the flood. When the people are settled, it will not be too late to raise taxes and build dams."
Retreat to advance…
Jiang An's eyes lit up. This boy Song Shen is really smart!
Lord Qi was blocked by Song Shen's words and couldn't say anything else.
If he refuted Song Shen's words at this moment, he would be suspected of having ulterior motives!
"Minister Song stopped taking care of the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel and started to take care of the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue..."
Prime Minister Xie tilted his head to look at the young man who was standing as still as a pine tree, obviously blaming him for ruining his plan.
"Thank you Prime Minister for what you said..."
Jiang An raised his voice and gave Song Shen a look that said 'don't worry'.
When it comes to Xie Si, she is a professional!
"Whether it's the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Revenue, they all belong to your Majesty, and they're all for Southern Merchants..."
"Minister Song is loyal to the country and has a lot of thoughts. He deserves to be rewarded!"
"How can this be considered meddling in other people's business~"
The little girl laughed and easily put a hat on the prime minister, "The prime minister is narrow-minded, isn't he~"
Sheth glared at her, who is so petty!
He seemed to be furious. He shook off the wide sleeves of his official robe and stood among the officials.
Jiang An's eyes darkened and the smile on his lips faded.
Something's wrong...
There's something wrong with old man Shays.
He wasn't someone who was easily angered before.
Song Shen also noticed this and looked at Jiang An with some worry.
He turned around and saw the little girl's interested eyes.
She wanted to see what new tricks this old man could come up with!
Xie Si was seen kneeling in the hall with his clothes lifted up, paying his respects to His Majesty.
The emperor was watching from his high seat, and he felt that the dragon throne beneath his butt was a little uncomfortable to sit on…
"His Majesty!"
Prime Minister Xie's voice suddenly became heroic, "When I woke up this morning, my old father heard the terrible news of the flood in the south. He was so anxious that he fell ill and has been in a coma since then!"
"Before my father fainted, he told me that he was worried about the flood in the south... the suffering of the people, so he decided to use most of his family wealth to build dams. I and my whole family will cut back on food and clothing to help the people in the south."
As soon as Xie Si said this, sparse discussions arose in the court, and everyone was praising Old Tutor Xie for still caring about the court at such an old age... and praising the achievements of the Prime Minister's Office and everyone in it.
It is estimated that the entire Nanshang will know about the Xie family’s heroic deeds soon!
For such merits, shouldn't a temple be built to worship him every day?
Amidst all the praises in the hall, His Majesty looked unhappy.
Xie Si said so much about serving the country and the people...but he didn't mention him as the emperor at all!
The Xie family contributed money to the people?
This empire belongs to his Jiang family, so why should he act so obediently here?
The sound of applause rang out, and Jiang An was moved. "The Prime Minister is so courageous!"
"Old Master Xie is really a good courtier!"
"With Prime Minister Xie setting an example for us, we naturally cannot fall behind!"
Many officials looked at Jiang An, even His Majesty and Jiang Ling and others had eyes full of: Did you take medicine so early in the morning?
Wu Heting, who saw through the little girl, closed his eyes resigned to his fate, and in his heart he wished he could stab Xies through with a knife.
Why did you mess with her again?