Happy Little Scholar

"Probably more than ten years ago, I realized that there were big problems with our government's tax system..."

After writing the last page, Prime Minister Qin put down his pen, stopped recording, raised his head and said: "In the past ten years, I have promoted tax reform several times, but all ended in failure. In the end, I was embarrassed to mention this to Your Majesty again. I just have some vague thoughts and dare not bring them up easily. These days, I have been thinking about what you said in the imperial garden that day..."

"If you had been born ten years earlier, five years..., ten years ago, if I could have heard what you said, the court and the people would not have had so many twists and turns in these years." Qin Xiang looked at Li Yi, His tone was calm, "Master Xu is right, you are a great man of your generation, I... am not as good as you."

Li Yi was not modest and did not follow what he said, because Qin Xiang obviously had other things to say.

"You are unparalleled in poetry and prose, have superb painting skills, have reached the top level in calligraphy, are proficient in torture, know business, create heavenly punishments, offer horseshoes, fight off enemy envoys, start arithmetic, and clean out moths..."

Qin seems to be very familiar with Li Yi's past. Every detail is like a treasure. "I also know that you have turned Qi State upside down. The fight between the crown prince and the third prince for the right to inherit the throne is fierce, the court is unstable, and the hearts of the people are unstable." Panic, you have made countless contributions to our Jingguo. When I was your age, I failed in the imperial examination and was still worried about my future. But you have been granted the title of Duke, and you are the youngest Jin Ziguanglu in history. Doctor...no wonder His Majesty favors you."

Being praised so much by the elder, Li Yi turned slightly red and felt a little embarrassed.

It turns out that he is so good, but I don’t even see it on weekdays...

"But, you are too young..." Qin Xiang looked at him, his face became solemn, and said: "If the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them, and the extremes of things will turn them upside down. Since ancient times, the emperor's favored ministers rarely have a good ending. , Besides, do you know who’s interests will be lost in the end through those reforms you mentioned?”

The old emperor's pet peeve was certain powerful families, and the measures he mentioned would certainly not make those people feel better.

If this were not the case, the old emperor would not trust the government to Mingzhu.

"Your existence is a blessing to His Majesty and a blessing to the people..." Qin Xiang stood up, looked at him and said, "I hope you can remember what I said today."

Li Yi looked at him and asked, "Why?"

The reason he said was naturally from the standpoint of the two of them. Prime Minister Qin had no reason or obligation to say such things to him. Why did he say these things today?

"I am the head of the Qin family and the prime minister of Jingguo. I am your majesty's prime minister and the people's prime minister... If this restructuring can be implemented smoothly, the country will be rich and strong, and the people will live in peace and contentment..." Prime Minister Qin gave him a deep look. , clasped his fists and bowed to the end, "With this bow, I represent the civil and military officials of the court, and the people of Jingguo..."

Li Yi couldn't hide even if he wanted to. In fact, by the time he reacted, Qin Xiang had already straightened up and strode towards the door.

At the door, the water supervision official of a certain city who had just been brought in by Lao Fang stood there blankly, rubbing his eyes. After confirming, he couldn't help but turn to stone on the spot.

When Li Yi walked out of the house, a carriage had already started driving away. He looked in a certain direction for a long time and began to understand where the stubbornness of those old "stubborn" people in the court was...

It's a pity that Prime Minister Qin is Prime Minister Qin, and the Qin family... is the Qin family.

After a while, he turned to look at the Du Shui Supervisor behind him and asked, "What's wrong with Young Supervisor Xu?"

The official looked in a certain direction, swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva, and then said: "Concerning the compilation of "Shui Jing Zhu", Chang Cheng asked me to ask Master Li..."

…

Chen Guogong Mansion.

"You said that Prime Minister Qin went to Li Mansion yesterday and bowed to Li Yi?" Chen Chong looked at an official opposite and frowned: "Are you sure you read that right?"

The official shook his head and smiled bitterly, "There should be no mistake. The news came from the Du Shui Supervisor. It is said that the young superintendent of the Du Shui Supervisor saw it with his own eyes. The official did an investigation this morning. Mr. Qin yesterday..., indeed Went to that place.”

"Xiang Qin... what on earth are you doing?" Chen Chong frowned.

Although they both belong to the lineage of the King of Shu, if we break it down, they and Prime Minister Qin do not belong to the same camp. The civil servant group headed by Prime Minister Qin and the officials and dignitaries headed by the Cui family and the Chen family have almost the same goals. Never interfere with each other.

Moreover, Prime Minister Qin has a high position and it is difficult for everyone to guess his thoughts.

The power in the court that was leaning towards the King of Shu was already far worse than before. Could it be that even the Prime Minister of Qin...

At the front below, Zeng Shichun, the Minister of Household Affairs, thought for a moment and said: "This matter may not be as rumored by the outside world. The Marquis of Li County is Dr. Jin Ziguanglu, and it is not wrong for the Prime Minister of Qin to consult with him about government affairs. "

Chen Chong raised his eyes and said, "When discussing state affairs, do I need to bow down and salute?"

The place immediately became silent. After a long time, an official sighed and said: "Your Majesty's temporary release of government affairs was a great opportunity for His Highness. He could have taken this opportunity to return to Beijing as an agent." Government affairs, but who would have thought that His Majesty would entrust all the affairs of the Government to the eldest princess. All the reports we submitted to summon His Highness to return to the capital were rejected by His Majesty, and His Highness's situation in the court became increasingly unfavorable. Yes, if things continue like this, I’m afraid..."

Chen Chong nodded and said, "The first priority right now is to get His Highness back to the capital. Tell me what you can do."

Several people thought for a moment and then spoke one after another.

"The birthday of Concubine Cui is approaching. Your Majesty attaches great importance to filial piety. It is reasonable for Your Highness to return to Beijing at that time."

"After the Queen's birthday, we can find a way to let Your Highness stay, or you can stay on the pretext of illness. At that time, we will unite the court officials and make efforts in many ways to ask Your Majesty to let Your Highness replace the Princess to govern the country..."

"This method is feasible. What do you think?"

Chen Chong nodded and was about to speak when someone walked in from the door and whispered, "Second Master, the young lady is back from visiting relatives."

Hearing this, Chen Chong's face immediately showed joy. He stood up, waved to several people, and said, "I have important things to do now. Your Highness's return to Beijing will be discussed later!"

After that, he hurried away, completely ignoring the stunned expressions on the faces of several people in the hall.

Everyone watched him leave quickly, and their hearts were like a thousand horses galloping.

What is more important than this matter? Didn't he just say that the first thing at the moment is to let Your Highness return to Beijing?

In the garden of Chen's house, Chen Chong looked at the white-haired woman and asked with a smile: "How is your aunt? Is she in good health?"

The white-haired woman nodded and said: "The old lady has always been in good health, and she also asked about my elder and second brothers."

She turned her head and looked in a certain direction, and said: "Second brother must have something to do, and several adults seem to be waiting there."

"They are all small things, insignificant, no problem, let them wait for a while."

Chen Chong waved his hand and said: "Third sister, your birthday is coming soon. How do you want to celebrate it? Tell your second brother, and your second brother will help you arrange it..."

The white-haired woman shook her head and said: "Birthdays should be celebrated every year. Second brother, there is no need to make such a big fuss. It is enough for our family to be together well."

Chen Chong waved his hands again and again: "No, no, birthdays only happen once a year, we have to celebrate, we have to celebrate..."