Han Shizu

Chapter 272 The True Straight People Are Short Lives

After passing Luoyang, the journey was smooth, and Liu Chengyou occasionally rode lightly along the way to observe the people's sentiments.The harvest in the Central Plains was relatively early, and the autumn harvest was drawing to a close. The scene of a busy harvest was temporarily gone.After a rough observation, it is known that due to the spread of the previous drought, the grain harvest has suffered a lot.

However, no matter how little the output in the field is, the tax that should be paid must be paid.Officials from the government have begun to go to the countryside and villages to collect grain and taxes.Although Liu Chengyou had previously issued an edict that the autumn tax would be levied on October [-]st, it started early at the county, town and village level.

In the matter of taxation, there has been a lot of trouble.Nowadays, in the Han court, the government cannot even go down to the counties, let alone go down to the townships. In addition, there is a lack of available grassroots officials. In terms of tax collection, it can basically only supervise the state level.In terms of specific implementation, due to the lack of supervision, there are many problems between officials and the people.

The rough style of school officials is only a small aspect of it.Of course, in order to collect grain and tax smoothly, the necessary tough measures are unavoidable.

In Zhengzhou, after some exchanges with Jing Fan, the chief of the military and government, in order to avoid stirring up civil uprisings, Liu Chengyou immediately issued an edict that all Daozhou prefectures, counties and towns should collect taxes and taxes. civil.In addition, if the tax money is insufficient, it can be offset by equivalent grain and rice.

Today, the imperial court collects taxes, but the common people still pay in money.Liu Chengyou's policy is also based on the idea of ​​benefiting the people.The tax set by Wang Zhang is already very heavy. When there is a shortage of money, the people can directly use grain to offset the tax, which can be used as tax money, and the grain can be sold cheaply to relieve the people's great suffering.

It's just that, the government will be tested again, but now Liu Chengyou's authority is in a rising period, it is no longer like when he first ascended the throne, every time he issued an edict, he had to worry about the prefect and county officials' perfunctory.

In response to this matter, Liu Chengyou also realized that it is urgent to select talents and cultivate a bureaucratic team loyal to the emperor and the court.In addition, the monitoring system also urgently needs to be rebuilt.

After Zhengzhou, it is not far from Kaifeng. Liu Chengyou is almost familiar with this road.

"Zhao Li!" On the imperial chariot, Liu Chengyou was leaning on a wide pillow, his eyes sweeping over the censor.

"The minister is here."

Zhao Li sat on a small stool at the entrance of the car, his body tensed, and he looked very nervous.A few members of his family were summoned to the army by soldiers of the forbidden army who took the emperor's edict, and accompanied them eastward.After several days, he was finally summoned again, and he was honored to be on the royal driver for questioning.

"If I leave you in Luoyang, do you know what will happen to you?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Hearing the question, Zhao Li thought about it seriously, could not help showing a bit of bitterness on his face, and shook his head: "With Zheng Guogong's way of handling things, I am afraid it will be difficult to save the minister. Demotion and exile may be a good result, and even involve family members. "

"In this way, I called you to Tokyo, thinking that serving the censor in the palace is a great kindness. Do you recognize this kindness?" Liu Chengyou asked leisurely.

Zhao Li immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, sir!"

Liu Chengyou's leaning posture became more and more lazy, he looked away, and asked: "Although you have a strong temperament, you are not too pedantic. Since you know that impeaching Zheng Guogong and others may harm your family, why take the risk of admonishing them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li said solemnly: "I have seen the political corruption in Xijing to the point where I have to rectify it. For the sake of the country and the people, I don't care too much!"

Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but a smile appeared on his face, and in a slightly mocking tone, he said to himself: "It has been less than two years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, and it has only been half a year since I succeeded the throne. I never thought that in Luoyang, Xijing, There is also a petty official of the eighth rank who I have never heard of, who is worried about state affairs, loyal and forgets his own safety, but it is rare."

While speaking, Liu Chengyou paid attention to Zhao Li's expression, and there was a trace of calmness in his embarrassment.

"I didn't deal with Shi Hongzhao, I wonder if you are disappointed?" Liu Chengyou asked suddenly after glancing a few times.

Unexpectedly by Liu Chengyou, Zhao Li shook his head: "I'm just an official, admonishing and advising, just to fulfill my duty to wake up His Majesty's eyes and ears. How to deal with it depends on His Majesty's will. I don't dare to say much, let alone think too much!"

Eyebrows raised, what Zhao Li said, just this sentence, really got his heart and went with his will.Slowly sitting upright, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhao Li seriously, his eyes fluttering slightly: "I know, you are not afraid of the powerful, you speak out to the king, impeaching Shi Hongzhao, what do you think?"

There was a little anxiety between his brows, Zhao Li lowered his head, and said in a low voice, "I don't know."

"Here's what you hear, let's invite you to favor directly!" The cold evaluation came out of Liu Chengyou's mouth.

Hearing his words suddenly, Zhao Li's eyes flickered in astonishment, his face turned pale, he shrunk his body, and buried himself even lower.Lips trembling: "Chen, Chen"

"If I am a foolish king, or if the power is lost, your life, and even the lives of your family members, will be hard to protect." Liu Chengyou looked at him and said

"Your Majesty is serious!" Zhao Li couldn't help but kowtow heavily.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou murmured softly again: "Of course, if I'm really a fool, you probably won't have the chance to see me."

"Get up!" Seeing that Zhao Li was terribly frightened, Liu Chengyou moved his crossed legs to make himself sit more stably, and his expression returned to his usual calm.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Li stood up, still nervous, and almost staggered in front of the king due to the bumpy driving.

Liu Chengyou waved his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Since the Tang Dynasty, the world has been in chaos for decades, the rituals and music have collapsed, the rules and regulations have been sluggish, and the authority of the imperial court has been damaged. This matter of supervision is now more like a decoration, with little prestige. It can be said. In Luoyang, you, a little censor, dare to criticize the powerful in front of me, but I am quite surprised."

Hearing Liu Chengyou's eloquent words, Zhao Li's hanging heart slowly let go, but he still bowed his waist and arched his hands.

"You should be your counselor and admonisher! I hope that you will not change your aspirations when you arrive in Tokyo! Although your words are not pleasant to listen to, if you can have a striking and pleasing effect, it will be a good thing for me and the country!" Hand, moved his fingers, Liu Chengyou commanded: "Get back!"

"Yes!" Zhao Li answered with his head buried.

The imperial chariot paused, and when Zhao Li got out of the chariot and stepped on the ground, he really staggered and fell down in a very ugly way.Being lifted up by a soldier, even if the foot is firmly stepped on, his legs can't help but feel weak.

Looking up at the imperial chariot respectfully, Zhao Li took a deep breath, feeling extremely complicated in his heart.This emperor is so smart, accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger.However, if the emperor does not manage wisely, how can he use the opportunity to make progress.

After the car drove up, Liu Chengyou lay down slowly again, closing his eyes and resting his mind.

Stubbornness may be true, but pedanticness is not always the case. In this era of martial arts, truly pedantic people do not live long.

Not long ago, Zhang Peng, the deputy envoy of the Chengde Army who went to Beijing to report on his duties, when he passed the Daming Mansion on the south, angered Gao Xingzhou because of his words, so he was picked up by him, and he was asking the court to kill him.

(End of this chapter)