Han Shizu

On this day, the wind was sunny and the spring was full of joy. Emperor Liu ordered the prince and several prime ministers from the Zhengshitang to drink spring tea in the imperial garden.Of course, these power core figures of the Han court did not regard this gathering as a simple forum.

Sure enough, before finishing a cup, Emperor Liu asked the finance envoy Wang Zhuo, "Has the tax amount for this summer been determined?"

Upon hearing the question, Wang Zhu immediately stood up and said respectfully, "Return to Your Majesty, the ministers are hurrying up to determine the tax amount."

"Hurry up?" Emperor Liu mocked, "It's already mid-March, and it's still under drafting. What are you delaying? Do you have to wait until the end of the summer harvest? The fiscal and national plans are so neglected and perfunctory. style of work?"

Facing Emperor Liu's sudden reprimand, Wang Zhu was a little dazed, isn't it always like this in the past?He did not dare to show grievances, but carefully reminded Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, in the past, the imperial court determined the amount of summer tax every year in late March and before April, and distributed the tax amount to the whole country."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled lightly and stared at Wang: "According to Wang Qing, I think there is still enough time, so there is no need to worry?"

"I don't mean that!" Wang Zhu couldn't help but panic, and hurriedly said: "The formulation of the tax amount is a meticulous and cumbersome matter. It needs to be weighed by many parties, comprehensively considered, and repeatedly considered, especially because the development status of each state is different and the gap between the rich and the poor is obvious. need to be carefully weighed”

Hearing Wang Zhu's explanation, Emperor Liu smiled again: "It makes sense, and it is also the working principle of the Financial Secretary. However, I have heard that in the past, the Financial Secretary set the tax quota only in the previous year. Basically, deletions, deletions, deletions, and deletions. Some people even said that there is no need to think about it. How come there are so many reasons this year?
I can see that even the important central department such as the Financial Secretary is so procrastinating. No wonder the delays and negligence of the local government have recently increased, and all kinds of chaos have emerged one after another. This is all learned from you! "

This kind of undisguised reprimand made Wang Zhu unable to hold back any longer, his complexion changed drastically, his legs softened, and he kowtowed to plead guilty: "Your Majesty please punish me for my ineffectiveness in handling affairs!"

Looking at the trembling Wang Zhu, Emperor Liu looked indifferent, and continued to ask coldly: "In the past five years, what is the annual summer tax quota?"

Wang Zhu was already a little panicked, and the tone of Emperor Liu's questioning made his heart feel like fire, and he said nervously: "Kaibao's summer tax of 23 years is more than 3220 million yuan, the summer tax of 22 years is more than 3170 million yuan, and the summer tax of 21 years is 3120 million yuan. ,20 years."

Wang Zhu responded while recalling, but when it came to 20 years, he racked his brains and couldn't recall the data, let alone mentioning it earlier, he was a financial envoy only in the past few years.

Emperor Liu looked straight at it coldly, while the others watched from the other side, Wang Zhu was a little at a loss, with cold sweat dripping from his forehead uncontrollably, and his voice trembled a little.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu no longer allowed him to make a fool of himself. He glanced around at the courtiers present, and said sternly in a warning tone: "This is the financial envoy of the big man, the chief steward of the treasury, and he doesn't even know how much his family has. !"

"I am ignorant and ignorant! Your Majesty, please punish me!" Wang Zhu kowtowed vigorously after hearing this, almost in a begging tone.

Seeing Wang Zhu's face slumped to the ground, Emperor Liu's cold and hard face finally eased a little. After staring at him for a while, he finally waved his hand: "Get up!"

Wang Zhu was stunned for a moment, but didn't move. He just buried his head and said, "I dare not!"

"Get up!" Emperor Liu raised his voice a little.

Wang Zhu just got up, but he didn't dare to look at Emperor Liu, he just stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.Emperor Liu let out a sigh of relief, and said, "Go home! Let's take care of yourself!"

As soon as this remark came out, all the people including Liu Yang couldn't help but be surprised, but they quickly returned to calm. Also, it's not surprising that Emperor Liu didn't save face for the king and made the decision to dismiss him.

When Wang Zhu heard the words, his body froze for a moment, and finally he looked up at Emperor Liu, but seeing his expressionless eyes, his lips twitched a few times, and finally he bowed in a trembling voice: "Mr. Thanks!"

After finishing speaking, under the gaze of Emperor Liu, he hunched his body and left in a daze. His back inevitably gave people a sense of bleakness.When other people saw this, they also felt mixed feelings. This king wrote a great job. Although he has no outstanding talents and achievements, he has never made a big mistake. In addition, he is a veteran of Emperor Liu, and he is also one of the top three ministers in the political affairs hall. Minister, if you are dismissed so easily, bystanders will inevitably have a feeling of hurting others.

As far as Emperor Liu was concerned, he had already given Wang Zhu a chance, and he made an exception to remind him at the beginning, but he obviously didn't listen.In the center of the Han Dynasty, under the eyes of Emperor Liu, there is no room for bureaucrats who lie flat.

So what about loyalty? Although Emperor Liu valued this point, it was by no means the only criterion for him to trust talents. In this respect, Wang Zhu was far inferior to Lu Duoxun, who was in trouble back then.

Looking away, Emperor Liu's face was also calm, and he looked at Wang You, the deputy financial envoy, and said, "Let Wang Qing shoulder the burden of the financial secretary. I have no other requirements, and I should take Wang Zhu as a warning!"

Wang You, who was as silent as everyone else, immediately got up when he heard the words, bowed his waist and replied, "Yes!"

The immediate boss fell down, and he, the deputy envoy, became a full-time official. Standing in Wang You's position, he should be grateful. However, at this moment, Wang You is really not happy.

Emperor Liu is not easy to serve! Wang You is already over sixty years old, in his sixties at that time, he is old, his face is thin, and his spirit looks average.Of course, no matter how you look at it, it is worth celebrating to finally reach the pinnacle of your official career at such a late age.

"Come, drink tea!" After the replacement of the chief financial officer was resolved, Emperor Liu showed a smile that he thought was as warm as spring, and motioned to everyone, and said.

Everyone responded, but it was difficult to appreciate the comfort brought by the spring tea, their expressions were different, and their minds were full.Zhao Kuangyi glanced at the aging Wang You, and thought in his heart that it was a pity that Wang Zhu was dismissed. He was not surprised, and he didn't have much sympathy. He didn't like this so-called veteran Qianyou.

It is a pity that Emperor Liu acted too fast and made a decision on his successor on the spot. Naturally, he was a little tempted by the financial power, and he couldn't be tempted. Yamen is gone.

However, even if it is impossible to bring the financial envoy into his arms, it is still possible to take the opportunity to install some people and increase some influence. While drinking tea, Zhao Kuangyi pondered secretly.

Can't help but glance at Li Fang, who is now the prime minister, Zhao Kuangyi's mouth twitched slightly. Originally because of Li Fang's qualifications, prestige and relationship with the prince, Zhao Kuangyi was still very afraid of him, but after working together, he became more afraid. But gradually weakened.

How should I put it, this person is talented and knowledgeable, but he is too bookish and has a soft personality, which is a notch lower than the wily and calculating Zhao Kuangyi.

Looking at Wang You again, this person took advantage of him.However, after thinking about it, his brows could not help but wrinkle. When Shen Yilun became an official and was succeeded by Wang You, was Emperor Liu already ready for this person to take over?Why was there no sign beforehand?

While Zhao Kuangyi was thinking about it, Emperor Liu spoke again, put down the teacup, and said softly, "Since we mentioned the Financial Secretary, let's take this opportunity to talk about the current issue of the tax system of the Han Dynasty!"