I have lived forever since the end of Qin Dynasty

Chapter 40 Fusu's Choice
Xianyang Palace.

Unlike the bleak autumn in October last year, since the beginning of spring, this place has been full of vitality, as if everything is developing in a good place.

What can best reflect this is the smiles on the faces of the messengers who delivered the news and the eunuchs who went in and out of Xianyang Palace.

They don't have to worry about the punishment brought by the emperor's thunderous wrath, and they can get some rewards from time to time.

March [-]th.

The envoy came to say: "Your Majesty, Zhang Han sent a letter saying that he joined Xin Sheng's tribe and defeated Chu's rebellion in the wilderness of Jibei."

Fusu Zhi said: "Five thousand households in Zhanghan were sealed in Guanzhong, and three thousand households in Xinsheng were in Zhongshan. The rest of the generals will also be rewarded heavily according to their merits."

March eleventh.

The envoy came to say: "Prince Huaiyang made an apology and said, 'Defend Chen County to the death.'"

Fu Su Zhi said: "The matter of the war depends entirely on you, and I will not blame you if you lose it."

March [-]th.

The envoy came and said: "Xin Sheng chased the Chu rebel army and won a big victory."

Fu Suxi said: "The destiny is in Qin, and Xinsheng Qianhu will be added."

March 21.

The envoy came to say: "Chu Ni killed Xiang Liang in the army, Zhang Han defeated Han Ni and Zhao Ni's remnants, and now they are besieging Linzi in Qi, saying 'it will be broken soon'."

Fusu was overjoyed, so he had a banquet with all the ministers, and said: "When the mountains and rivers are as before, and the Haiyan River is clear, I will make Zhang Han the king of Qi and Xin Sheng the king of Zhongshan."

When Meng Tian heard about it, he asked for a battle, and promised him that he would lead his troops to Yingchuan to defeat Wei Ni.

March 29.

An envoy from Qidi came to say: "Zhang Han broke Linzi and beheaded the false king Dan of Qi. If you want to go south to attack Chu, please allow your majesty."

Fusu Zhi said: "Yes."

On the same day, the envoy from Huaiyang said: "The Chu rebels outside Chen County retreated in fear of the might of the sky, and the land of Huaiyang will be restored."

Fusu Zhi said: "Order Wang Li to lead the army to Yingchuan County, and the whole army will be led by Meng Tian. After the puppet Wei is destroyed, go east to attack Chu."

In a rush of battle reports, April is ushered in the world.

Before the usual court meeting, Fusu showed a rare expression of contentment.

"Father, after you handed over the world to me, I really didn't expect to fail to implement the ideal policies in my heart. Instead, I started the war first. However, I will protect the world of Daqin, love the people of Daqin, and fulfill your vision of passing Daqin down to eternity." He murmured in a low voice.

Not long after, the courtiers entered the hall from the outside, knelt down neatly, and waited for Fusu to announce the start of the court meeting, and then they began to play.

"The court meeting has begun, and everyone can play if you have something to do." Fusu said in a flat tone, "Yang Nei Shi, you stand up, so you can talk first."

This well-known Yang Nei Shi is one of the Nine Ministers and Zhi Su Nei Shi. He is in charge of taxation, money, and financial revenue and expenditure, which is equivalent to the boss of the two departments of the Ministry of Finance and the Grain Bureau.

He took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, now that Guanzhong is strong and strong, there are often dozens of miles of barren fields, so that the national treasury is almost empty, and the logistics are difficult to maintain."

Fusu frowned slightly: "Didn't I announce the suspension of palace construction and suspension of corvee?"

Yang Neishi was silent for a moment and said: "But with the war, taxes outside Guanzhong can't be collected at all. Guanzhong's elite and strong are all away. Now our money and food are far from enough to supply hundreds of thousands of troops."

"That's it." Fu Su rubbed the space between his brows, "Does Yang Nei Shi have any suggestions?"

"If His Majesty does not stop fighting and withdraws his troops to return to the court, I am afraid that the only way to increase taxes is to raise taxes."

"This..." Fusu showed hesitation on his face. It seems that increasing taxes now is not a good way.

But sometimes, even if you know that the next choice is not a good way, it is the only way you can choose.

"How much taxes need to be increased will be able to maintain our army's future expenses." Fusu sighed.

Yang Neishi thought for a moment, and then said: "We need to change one of the current five taxes, why the third of the five taxes, or the second of the five taxes, I'm afraid it will be enough."

As soon as these words came out, many of the courtiers around couldn't sit still.

For the sake of the war, Fusu had already revised the tax rate at the end of last year, raising the tax rate from one of the tithes originally set when he ascended the throne to one of the five taxes.

But now Yang Nei Shi even wants to improve it.

Many people even stood up and stared angrily, screaming indignantly.

"Yang Nei Shi, isn't this kind of tax trying to suck the people to their bones? I think you have evil intentions."

"Heh! If you still want to increase taxes, don't you want His Majesty to have a reputation for extortionate taxes, and be scolded by all people like Xia Jie and Shang Zhou?"

"Your Majesty, this kind of tax will be as heavy as Mount Tai on the people, and it will make the people breathless."

"Please kill this traitor!"

All of a sudden, the palace exploded, and Yang Neishi, who was attacked by a crowd, looked a little ugly: "Please learn from your majesty, I really think about Daqin wholeheartedly, and have no self-interest."

"Everyone, be quiet." Fusu said, temporarily suppressing the debate in the hall.

He knew that what Yang Nei Shi said was indeed the truth, after all, he had also looked at the data on money and food storage.

But Fusu understands the consequences of raising taxes on the people.

"Let's not discuss this matter for now, we will discuss it in the future." He waved his hand and skipped this matter directly.

At this time, one person stood up with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, I impeached Yang Nei Shi, and his words wanted to cause cholera to the world..."

"Didn't I say that this matter will not be discussed for the time being?" Fu Su glared at the man, but felt a little helpless.

"I understand." The man sat down with his head bowed, knowing Fusu's character, he was not worried about being stared at.

The following DPRK meeting went on smoothly and steadily, and the discussions were all trivial matters.

……

At the end of the court meeting, Fu Su called Feng Quji: "Prime Minister, please stay here for a while."

"promise."

After the ministers left, Fusu looked worried: "Although what Yang Neishi said has received a lot of opposition, there is actually some truth to it. Prime Minister, what do you think?"

Feng Quji cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the words of Yang Nei Shi can quench your thirst for a while, but it is really the foundation of the Great Qin Dynasty. According to this tax rate, I am afraid that the originally stable Guanzhong will be reversed everywhere."

"That's right." Fusu closed his eyes wearily, "Then I will issue an order to call Meng Tian and Wang Li back to the imperial court, and reduce the food and grass expenditure of nearly 20 Qin soldiers, so that Zhang Han's supplies will not be a problem. As for Wei Ni in Yingchuan, there is nothing to worry about in a short time."

"Your Majesty is wise." After thinking for a while, Feng Quji found that this was indeed the best solution to the money and food problem without raising taxes.

----

For the turning point of the attack and defense of the Qin army and the rebel army, from ancient times to the present, many people have blamed Fusu for recalling Meng Tian and Wang Li's army, and ridiculed him for not knowing the soldiers, which made the original situation of attacking Chu from two sides suddenly changed to a situation where Wei Guo could calmly send troops to support Chu.

But in my opinion, this kind of remark is quite absurd, because at that time, the food stored in Guanzhong of the Qin Dynasty was not enough to support the Qin army to fight on both sides, unless it was to increase taxes, but that would probably lead to a bad situation in Guanzhong. This would not be a choice that a farsighted ruler could make.

After all, the Qin army led by Zhang Han at that time was superior in terms of equipment, morale, and numbers. Who would have thought that it would suffer such a big defeat? —— "The Fall of the Great Qin Empire"

(End of this chapter)