Great Tang princess

Chapter 498 Di Renjie's Confession
Let’s not talk about what’s going on in the court, at least the folks are blown up today. After reading the newspaper, many people’s expressions were confused at first, and then turned into complicated expressions.

Taxing people other than the heirs of the title is a clear policy of the court to divide the big families. From the abolition of Lianzao at the beginning to the current tax payment by non-heirs, it is the policy of the court to divide these big families step by step.

In this way, it is tantamount to separating these big families in disguise, which is a good way.

Nobles are all in business, this is an unspoken rule that everyone in the upper class knows.

But it happened that this was an era when merchants were lowly in business. Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants ranked the lowest, so they were looked down upon by everyone.

Moreover, the children of merchants were not allowed to take the imperial examination, and the law also stipulated that court officials and their children could not do business, so the business of the big family was managed by collateral children.

Well now, collateral descendants have to collect taxes, which is a kind of commercial tax in disguise.

The direct descendants of the big family have nothing to do about this, nor can they take back the family property, because if it is taken back, they will not be able to be officials.

So now the direct line of nobles is facing a problem, the property cannot be taken back, and the children of the collateral line have to continue to manage it.

But now the collateral descendants have the imperial court as their backer. After all, they pay taxes to the imperial court, and the imperial court must provide them with certain protection, which is tantamount to becoming their supporters.

In this way, the collateral line stood up, and the direct line must respect their opinions properly in the future, otherwise it will be really troublesome if they quit.

Nowadays, people in the upper class basically regard reading newspapers as a habit, and they basically learn about many policies of the imperial court through newspapers.

The moment they saw this news, many people immediately realized what the meaning behind this policy was, and they threw down the newspaper and started to take action without saying a word.

As for the other news, it's not important anymore. It's a big deal to wait until you come back after finishing your work.

……

And in the court hall, Wu Zetian announced: "Okay, all the lovers, go back and think about it first, and the matter will be settled at the next court meeting."

Saying that, he got up and left directly.

When Zhang Chengxin saw it, he quickly shouted out to retreat, and then left quickly.

As soon as the emperor left, there was another "boom" in the hall, and the ministers gathered in groups of three or four, discussing what kind of results this policy would bring as they walked out.

And some officials from poor families also gathered together and walked out in small groups, but they were obviously different from those noble officials, and they all had relaxed smiles on their faces.

Anyway, this decree has nothing to do with them. On the contrary, the increase in salaries for officials announced later is more gratifying.

It's just that there are some sober people among them, and a single sentence is like pouring cold water on their heads, extinguishing the good mood of many poor officials.

"Even the non-heirs of the nobles have to collect taxes. My colleagues think that the time for officials to collect taxes will be far behind?"

Hearing this sentence, the expressions of many officials from poor families also became a little ugly.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that this is indeed the case.

I have to say that there are smart people everywhere, and many of them have the talent to see through the essential problems.

But, so what if you can see through it?It's impossible to go to the emperor and ask when the officials will start paying taxes, right?
Maybe the emperor didn't think so at first, but after your reminder, oh, there is such an operation, so let's add it by the way.

At that time, he will become the target of public criticism in the officialdom, and no one will do such a careless thing.

……

Li Yuechen in the aisle saw his mother coming, so he hurried over to support her arm and walked back, but was thrown away.

"It's just sitting in front of people, but you really can't walk as an old lady?" Wu Zetian said.

Li Yuechen chuckled: "How can it be? Isn't it because my son loves my mother because she is tired!" He posted it while talking.

It's just that this time he didn't support her anymore, but took her arm and walked back.

Wu Zetian didn't refuse either, but just said with a smile: "You, you have been like this since you were a child, and you will please adults."

"Don't talk about the child as if he has a purpose. This is obviously a sincere filial piety." Li Yuechen replied with a playful smile.

The mother and daughter walked back while chatting, and Zhang Chengxin tactfully followed not far behind, not daring to overhear their private conversation.

Back at Jixian Hall, the two sat down, and Shangguan Wan'er immediately poured the hot water into the prepared tea leaves, and put them on the table.

Li Yuechen lay sideways on the floor, propped his head with one hand, and looked lazy: "Mother, when this matter is settled, it's time for the child to go back to the barracks."

"Well, it's time to go." Wu Zetian nodded: "Anyway, I can come back anytime in the future, and it's much more convenient to come and go. It's really not good to stay in the palace all the time."

Look, it's worthy of being her own... Li Yuechen complained in his heart, the mother was kind and the daughter was filial on the first day after he came back, but he rushed away on the third day.

Shangguan Wan'er on the side also covered her mouth and snickered, feeling that His Majesty's attitude towards her daughter was too real.

Li Yuechen didn't bother to dwell on this topic, and continued: "After the tax issue is resolved, the Ministry of Households should be able to increase its fiscal revenue. My son's plan is to use part of it as military expenses, and then use it to reform and transform the border army."

"When is it expected?"

"At the end of the year." Li Yuechen thought for a while, "If there are no accidents, we can officially start at the beginning of next year."

Wu Zetian picked up the teacup and blew lightly twice: "Then you can write a memorial afterwards, and we will talk about the specifics at that time."

"Okay!" Li Yuechen agreed.

There is nothing to say about this matter. Wu Zetian doesn't understand military affairs, so she naturally listens to her daughter's arrangements in this regard. If she wants to fight, then she will fight.

However, in Li Yuechen's view, although there is a high probability of war if the border is pushed outward, whether it can be fought in the end is another matter.

His legend is quite resounding in the surrounding countries, they may not have the guts to dare to fight with him, as long as the conditions offered are not very harsh, I believe they are very willing to become a member of Yanhuang Land.

……

In the next few days, Li Yuechen went to the palace to accompany his mother almost every day, and occasionally went back to the barracks to have a look and chat with his second brother Li Xian or something.

But the outside world, mainly among the noble families, has caused a wave of turmoil.

For the first time, the direct line sat down with the collateral line and talked about the future of the family face to face and on an equal footing.

It is said that we are discussing the future, but in fact we are still discussing conditions.

As a traditional faction, the direct line naturally hoped that the collateral line could jointly write a letter rejecting the imperial court's decree and forcing the emperor to take back the order.

However, the collateral branch finally found such an opportunity, how could it be possible to agree?So the two sides started a tense negotiation.

In terms of interests, even if the direct line and collateral line belong to the same family with blood relationship, they still refuse to give in to each other, and even fight at the negotiating table.

People in this era have a violent temper, and they are prone to fists if they disagree with each other. This kind of scene is constantly being staged among the major families.

Profit is the core thing that people seek in life, or to put it more harshly, it is money!
Even in the future, this principle applies to anyone.

When the husband is rich, the wife has the capital to show off; if the wife is rich, the husband is faithful and reliable; when the old man is rich, the children compete to be filial;The child gave enough pocket money, neither crying nor fussing...

Even in the past few days, many secret guards of Shangguan Wan'er have received news, and some of them have even written down the conversations between the offshoots and the direct line of the big family verbatim...

It has to be said that after several years of development, the secret guard has become an extremely large organization, and even the servants of many big families have been bribed.

It's hard to say about other places, but at least in Dongdu, it can be said that it is pervasive.

……

At the same time, an unexpected guest came to the Princess Mansion—Di Renjie.

After Li Yuechen heard the report, he still looked confused. Why did he come to the Princess Mansion?
But since it is a guest, it is better not to neglect, let Fulai bring him to the main hall to make a cup of tea, and then Li Yuechen also changed into a round neck robe and went to the main hall to meet the guests.

Seeing the princess coming, Di Renjie, who was gently blowing the hot tea on his lips, quickly stood up and saluted: "I have seen your highness the princess."

"Duke Di is free!" Li Yuechen raised his hand, "Please sit down, I don't know what is the purpose of Duke Di coming here?"

After Di Renjie sat down, he said slowly, "I just came here this time to ask Your Highness whether this tax reform has just begun?"

"Did Duke Di ask the wrong person?" Li Yuechen grinned, "How can I guess what His Majesty is thinking?"

Even though I said that, I admire Di Renjie's intelligence in my heart. I have to say that he is the kind of person who can see through the essence of the problem.

However, Di Renjie just smiled: "If the officer is right, this matter may not have been written by His Majesty, but probably His Majesty's attention?"

"Oh?" Li Yuechen became interested all of a sudden, "How did you see that?"

"Your Majesty may not know something. I have often played chess or bet against Shuanglu with Your Majesty over the years, and I still have a little understanding of His Majesty's temperament." Di Renjie said the extremely terrifying language confidently, "In my opinion, This kind of thing that has never happened since ancient times can only be His Highness's intention."

Li Yuechen picked up the teacup with a smile: "Don't be joking, Mr. Di. I'm just a princess. How can I have such a lot of energy?"

"Actually, according to my guess, there is a faceless emperor sitting behind this dragon chair!" Di Renjie said with a smile on his face the last thing a courtier should say.

However, Li Yuechen, who was sitting opposite, couldn't help being surprised in his heart. It was unexpected that he had guessed it!

Of course, it may be the reason why I have nothing to do with her in the past few years and often plays chess with my mother. Many times, whether it is playing chess or playing games, many things will be exposed invisibly.

Coupled with the fact that Di Renjie was so clever that he left many legends in history, it is not surprising that he guessed it.

I saw an argument on the Internet before that Di Renjie might be Wu Zetian's boyfriend, but now Li Yuechen felt that this should not be groundless.

But no matter what, even if he guessed it, he shouldn't say it. This is a serious crime of beheading!

Moreover, Li Yuechen didn't want this matter to be exposed now, otherwise it would cause a lot of trouble.

Looking at the smiling Di Renjie in front of him, Li Yuechen's fingers on the table twitched, thinking in his heart, should he silence it?

It's not that Li Yuechen has a serious intention to kill, but that for those who have killed the same kind, when faced with some difficult problems, they will subconsciously think of this option.

Because this is also one of the ways to solve the problem, especially after killing the same kind, the reverence for life has long been lost.

Li Yuechen squinted his eyes slightly and looked. Now Di Renjie is only a little more than one meter away from her. At this distance, as long as he stands up and reaches out, he can pinch his neck accurately and easily. The whole process will not take more than a second.

And it's easy for him to die in the princess's mansion to deal with the aftermath. It's just that he pretended to give gifts but his intentions were wrong. It's fine if he wants to tease Princess Xuancheng. It's normal for him to come back suddenly and act out of desperation.

Even though the case seemed to be full of loopholes, with the identity of the princess, it was easy to cover up... For a while, Li Yuechen even thought about the aftermath.

She is an iron-blooded soldier who has personally been on the battlefield. With her murderous heart, Di Renjie instantly felt that the temperature around her dropped a lot.

He is a smart man, knowing that the princess has taken the initiative to kill, he quickly said: "Your Highness, don't be in a hurry to silence your words. This time, the official came here to say these things, not to threaten His Highness!"

He is indeed a smart man, and Li Yuechen put away his murderous intentions for the time being, picked up his teacup and blew gently twice: "Then, let's talk about it, Mr. Di. If today's explanation can't satisfy me... Mr. Di is afraid I can't get out of this princess mansion!"

At this point, Li Yuechen also spoke up, since you came to the door by yourself, let's hear what you can say.

Di Renjie got up and saluted: "I have been familiar with the books of sages and sages since I was a child, and I only hope that the country will be safe and peaceful. If His Highness can achieve it, I will do my best to accompany His Highness!"

"Just such a sentence, how can I believe it?" Li Yuechen put down his teacup and asked back.

Although he did leave a good name in history, his arrival has caused a butterfly effect in history, and many people have embarked on a completely different trajectory from history.

From this point of view, the Di Renjie in front of him may not still be the Di Renjie in history.

"I can guarantee the lives of the whole family!" Di Renjie replied, "Besides, the official came today and told His Highness these things, can't you prove it?"

"Prove what?"

"It proves that this official is loyal to Li Tang's royal family!" Di Renjie said firmly, "It is precisely because this official is deeply attached to the Tang Dynasty that he dared to risk his life to come here today!"

Hearing this sentence, Li Yuechen fell silent for a while, not saying anything else, at least this sentence really couldn't be refuted, and it made a lot of sense.

"So you are worried that Auntie will pass the throne to someone with a different surname in the future?" Li Yuechen was a little puzzled. She seemed to have guessed everything just now, but now it seems that she didn't guess much, so she was a little curious about what layer he thought of. .

"Your Highness doesn't know, these years, the forces headed by King Liang have been extremely active, which really worries the officials..."

(End of this chapter)